JPH11292335A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an apparatus main body capable of independently performing an image forming operation on recording paper, and to allow variations in the apparatus main body by an arbitrary combination of each unit. SOLUTION: A front wall 80, a rear wall 1a located downstream of the fixing device, and a lower surface on which one or a plurality of units selected from a sheet feeding unit 3A, a stocker unit, a sorter unit and the like can be stacked and arranged. And a device body having
A pass unit 2 having a guide path communicating between the two openings is detachably disposed between the unloading opening formed in the rear wall and the unloading opening of the unit immediately below the apparatus main body, and is disposed along the front wall of each unit. And a paper feed path, which is provided (or near the front wall), for conveying the recording paper conveyed from the lower unit to the apparatus main body, and extends along the rear wall (or rear wall) of each unit. (In the vicinity), and a paper discharge passage for conveying the recording paper conveyed from the pass unit to a lower unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a paper feeding unit, a paper reversing unit, a sorter unit and the like are arranged in series on an image forming apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus for forming a copying machine, a printer or the like, a function of an apparatus main body itself is minimized as much as possible, and a sheet feeding unit in which a sheet cassette is stored for a user's purpose, a double-sided sheet feeding unit. A paper reversing unit for reversing recording paper after printing and returning it to the apparatus main body for printing, and a sorter for sorting recording paper after printing are unitized, and the unit is appropriately selected by selecting the unit as appropriate. There is an image forming apparatus that is configured so that an image forming system suitable for a purpose of use can be formed by mounting the image forming system on a computer.
(Act No. 2-29063)

In general, such a unit system is constructed so that the units can be stacked one above the other in order to enable a wide variety of variations by arbitrary combinations of the units, and each of the facing upper and lower surfaces is the same. A slit opening through which recording paper is carried out or carried in and a conveyance path communicating with the slit opening are provided, and a predetermined function is achieved via the conveyance path.

[0004]

Since the apparatus main body to be combined with the above-mentioned unit needs to be configured so as to be used alone, it is difficult to provide a paper feed port or a paper discharge port only on the bottom side of the main body. Normally, a paper feed port (paper discharge port) and a paper feed path (paper discharge path) connected to the paper feed port must be provided on the side wall (front wall or rear wall) together with the bottom surface so that it can be used only by the apparatus main body. Unless a relay roller is interposed in each of the plurality of paper feeding paths, small-sized recording paper such as postcards cannot be smoothly conveyed.

[0005] However, particularly when the apparatus main body is used alone, there are some members that are necessary, but not always necessary, when they are combined with the unit, and such unnecessary members are fixedly attached. Is not preferable from the viewpoint of cost increase, increase in the number of parts, and resource saving. Therefore, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-29063, the apparatus main body is not provided with a paper discharge port on the bottom side, but is provided with a paper discharge port only on the rear wall side. There has been proposed an apparatus in which the sheet discharge side of a unit is erected vertically, a reversing path that can be connected to the sheet discharge port is provided in the erected portion, and various units can be replaced.

However, in the above-described apparatus, the paper reversing unit is unnecessary because the paper reversing unit disposed on the uppermost unit of the stacked units is provided with an upright portion. A user who has a desire to do so will be forced to purchase an extra mechanism. As described above, in the above-described apparatus, it is impossible to connect the paper supply unit and the apparatus main body in a continuous manner. This makes a wide variety of variations of mounting a reversing unit difficult.

Further, the length of the paper feeding unit and the apparatus main body are set to be substantially the same, and the recording paper can be stored in the paper feeding unit. However, there are various sizes of the recording paper. To design multiple usable recording papers,
It is necessary to design the paper feed unit according to the large paper,
In that case, a design is required to use the entire length of the paper feeding unit for the mechanism of the apparatus main body.

However, there is no limitation on the degree of freedom in design, and the apparatus main body is compressed in the longitudinal direction to incorporate a mechanism in the vertical direction. In some cases, a path or the like is provided to make the length longer than the recording paper size, and a rational design can be found in which the dimensions of the apparatus main body and the paper feeding unit do not match.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention enables a paper feed unit to be directly mounted on the main body of the apparatus, and allows a reversing unit to be connected to a lower side of the paper feed unit, thereby enabling various variations. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system having an apparatus main body capable of performing an image forming operation on a recording sheet by itself. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of saving space and reducing the size of the apparatus main body.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of paper feed units each containing recording paper are stacked and stacked below an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, apparatus main body). From the front wall side of the apparatus main body to the recording unit, and discharge the recorded recording paper. In the image forming system, the apparatus main body includes a main body side entrance for receiving recording paper supplied from below, a main body side paper feed passage formed from the main body side entrance along a front wall of the apparatus main body, And a main body outlet for discharging an image from the apparatus main body after forming an image on the recording paper supplied from the side paper supply passage. The paper supply unit receives recording paper supplied from below. The lower entrance of the paper unit and the paper supply unit A paper feed unit side paper feed passage formed from the lower entrance along a unit front wall on the same side as the front wall of the apparatus main body, and formed at a position corresponding to the main body side entrance, A paper supply unit upper exit for discharging the recording paper from a paper passage, and a paper supply unit upper entrance for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet;
A paper supply unit side discharge passage formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance, and discharging the recording paper from the paper supply unit side discharge passage When the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper supply units, the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper supply units are stacked through the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit lower entrance. A recording paper path is formed to the lower exit of the paper feeding unit.

That is, in the first invention, one or a plurality of paper feed units 3A each containing a recording paper are stacked and stacked under the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the recording paper supplied from the paper feed unit 3A is stacked. From the front wall 80 side of the apparatus main body, the photosensitive drum 1
4. The present invention is applied to an image forming system configured to supply a recording unit including the transfer unit 16 and discharge the recorded recording sheet.

The apparatus main body 1 has a main body-side entrance (opening at the bottom surface of the roller unit 6) 1e for receiving recording paper supplied from below, and the main body-side entrance 1e is connected to the front wall 80 of the apparatus main body. A main body side paper supply path (paper supply path 90, vertical conveyance path 82) formed along the main body side, and a main body for forming an image on the recording paper supplied from the main body side paper supply path and then discharging the recording paper from the apparatus main body And a side outlet 1b.

The paper supply unit 3A has a paper supply unit lower entrance 72b provided below the paper supply passage 72 for receiving recording paper supplied through the paper supply passage 74 from below. The paper supply unit side paper supply passage 72 formed along the unit front wall on the same side as the front wall 80 of the apparatus main body 1 from the paper supply unit lower entrance 72b, and at a position corresponding to the main body side entrance 1e. A paper supply unit upper outlet 72a formed to discharge the recording paper from the paper supply unit side paper supply passage 72, and a paper supply unit upper entrance 73a to receive the recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet 1b; The paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a is connected to the rear wall 1a of the apparatus main body.
The paper supply unit side discharge passage 73 formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as
3 to a paper feed unit lower outlet 73b provided below the passage 73 for discharging the recording paper.

In the first invention, when the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units 3A and 3B, the paper feed unit lower entrances 72b and 74b are used. A recording paper path is formed through the apparatus main body 1 to the paper feed unit lower outlets 73b and 75b.

That is, the first invention is applied to an image forming system having an image forming apparatus main body in which one or a plurality of paper feeding units can be stacked and arranged, and is arranged on a front wall side of the apparatus main body. A paper feeder for feeding recording paper conveyed from a lower unit disposed along (or near) the front wall of the paper feeding unit to a main body side entrance which is a carry-in opening of the apparatus main body. The recording paper disposed along (or near the rear wall) the paper path (the paper supply path on the paper supply unit side) and the rear wall of each unit disposed on the rear wall side of the apparatus main body. A basic feature is that a paper discharge path (paper discharge path on the paper feed unit side) for transporting to a lower unit is provided, and a recording paper transport path is formed in a substantially inverted U-shape.

According to this technical means, since the paper feed path is arranged on the front wall side of each unit and the paper discharge path is arranged on the rear wall side, a reasonable recording paper transport path can be formed. It is possible to provide an image forming system in which paper feed units can be stacked and arranged.

Further, when the paper feed units are stacked and arranged, the paper feed path on the apparatus main body side and the paper feed path on the paper feed unit side are substantially vertically connected to the front wall of the image forming system. It is also an effective means of the present invention that the paper discharge unit side discharge passage is formed in a substantially vertical shape as well as the paper discharge unit side.

According to this technical means, the paper feed path is disposed near the front wall of each unit, and the paper discharge path is disposed near the rear wall of each unit in a substantially vertical shape. The transport is easier and the transport path is not substantially expanded due to inclination, waveform, etc., and the size is reduced.

In addition, a reversing unit is disposed below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked in order to receive the recording sheet discharged from the lower outlet of the sheet feeding unit, and to reverse the recording sheet. It is also an effective means of the present invention to provide a reversing passage for supplying to the lower entrance of the paper feeding unit so as to form a circulation path for the recording paper.

According to this technical means, since the paper feeding unit has the entrance for receiving the recording paper and the exit for sending the recording paper on the lower side, the connection with the reversing unit is easy.

A paper feed passage near the front wall of each unit,
In the case where the reversing unit is placed below the paper feeding unit in which the paper discharge path is arranged substantially vertically near the rear wall of each unit, the entrance of the recording paper from below the reversing unit and the transport path are arranged. Since there is no need, the front wall side of the unit can be used as a part of the reversing passage except for the upper outlet and the transport roller, and the reversing passage can be arranged reasonably.

Further, by arranging the paper feeding unit in the upper stage, the time lag for feeding the recording paper to the apparatus main body in the case of the transfer without using the paper reversing mechanism can be shortened, and the image forming time on the recording paper can be shortened. Can be shortened.

[0023] Further, there is provided an image forming system comprising a reversing unit disposed below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked above and a stocker or sorter unit disposed below the reversing unit. The reversing unit,
A reversing unit-side entrance for receiving the recording paper discharged from the lower exit of the paper feeding unit; and a reversing unit-side discharge formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the reversing unit-side entrance. A paper path, a reversing unit lower exit for discharging the recording paper from the reversing unit side discharge path, and a recording sheet reversing from the reversing unit side discharge path for reversing the recording paper and the sheet feeding unit lower side A reversing path for supplying to an inlet, and switching means for switching from the reversing unit side discharge path to the reversing path, wherein the stocker or the sorter unit is configured such that the recording paper discharged at the reversing unit lower exit is It is also an effective means of the present invention to have a stocker or sorter unit side paper discharge passage for receiving paper and discharging it to the stocker or sorter unit.

Such a technical means is applied to an image forming system in which a reversing unit disposed below a lowermost sheet feeding unit and a stocker or a sorter unit are further disposed below the reversing unit. And the reversing unit 4
A reversing unit side entrance 77a for receiving the recording paper discharged from the paper feeding unit lower side exit 75b, and a reversal formed from the reversing unit side entrance 77a along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body. Unit-side paper discharge path 7
7, a reversing unit lower outlet 77b for discharging the recording sheet from the reversing unit side discharge path 77, and a recording sheet reversing from the reversing unit side discharge path 77 for reversing the recording sheet. The reversing path (switchback path) 42 to be supplied to the lower entrance 74b, and switching means (branch lever) 63 for switching from the reversing unit side discharge path 77 to the reversing path 42.

The stocker or sorter unit receives the recording paper discharged from the reversing unit lower outlet 77b and discharges the recording paper to the stocker or sorter unit. 79).

According to this technical means, the paper supply unit lower outlet 75b connected to the paper supply unit side paper discharge passage 75 formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body. The reversing unit is configured to receive the discharged recording paper. A reversing unit-side paper discharge passage 77 formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body extends from the reversing unit-side entrance 77a connected to the paper supply unit lower outlet 75b, Since the recording paper is discharged from the reversing unit side discharge passage 77 to the stocker or the sorter unit side discharge passage 78 via the reversing unit lower outlet 77b, the recording paper is discharged from the paper supply unit side in one passage. Alternatively, the recording paper is conveyed to the sorter unit, and the recording paper can be conveyed favorably.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording paper is further stored below an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) provided with a paper feeding means capable of storing recording paper supplied from inside or outside. Stacking one or more paper feed units,
The recording paper is supplied to the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit or the paper supply unit, and the supplied recording paper is supplied to a recording unit from a front wall side of the apparatus main body, and the recorded recording paper is In the image forming system configured to discharge paper, the apparatus main body has a main body side outlet for discharging recording paper after recording by the recording unit, and the paper feeding unit discharges the recording paper from the main body side outlet. A paper supply unit upper entrance for receiving the printed recording paper, a paper supply unit side paper discharge passage formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance; A paper feed unit lower outlet for discharging the recording paper from a paper feed unit side paper discharge path, wherein the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper feed units; From the outlet on the main body side Characterized in that the formation of the discharge path in the paper feed unit lower outlet.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, whether the recording paper can be supplied from the inside by a built-in cassette or the like or the recording paper can be supplied from the outside by a feeder or the like, The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus main body having a paper feeding unit capable of being stored. And, under the apparatus main body, one or more paper feed units in which recording paper is further stored are stacked and stacked, and the recording paper is supplied from the paper feed unit or the paper feed unit to the apparatus main body,
The present invention relates to an image forming system configured to supply the supplied recording paper to a recording unit from the front wall side of the apparatus main body and discharge the recorded recording paper.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus main body has a main body side outlet 1b for discharging the recording paper after recording by the recording section. The paper feeding unit 3A has a paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side exit 1b, and a paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a.
And a paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body, and paper feed for discharging the recording paper from the paper feed unit side discharge passage 73. And a unit lower outlet 73b.

When the image forming system is constructed by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units (3A, 3B), the main body side outlet 1b is connected to the paper feed unit lower side outlet 73b. A discharge path is formed.

According to such a technical means, since the recording paper can be supplied either from the inside by the built-in cassette or the like from the outside by the feeder or the like, it is not necessary to mount the paper supply unit under the apparatus main body. Also, the image forming can be performed by the apparatus main body alone.

When the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units (3A, 3B), the paper feed unit 3A is discharged from the main body side outlet 1b. The received recording paper is received by the paper feed unit upper entrance 73a,
A paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 communicating with the unit 3a is formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body 1. The outlet of the paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 is Since the paper discharge path is formed from the main body side outlet 1b to the paper feed unit lower side outlet 73b in communication with the paper feed unit lower outlet 73b opened below the unit, the paper feed unit When a reversing unit, a stocker, a sorter unit, and the like are connected to the lower side of the printer, the recording paper can be easily transported to them.

The outlet on the main body side is formed on a rear wall of the main body of the apparatus, and a pass unit having a guide path communicating between the outlet on the main body side and the upper entrance on the paper feeding unit is detachably configured. This is also an effective means of the second invention.

By mounting the pass unit, the main body-side exit formed on the rear wall of the apparatus main body by using the guide path, a paper feeding unit and a reversing unit stacked and mounted below the apparatus main body. Thus, it is possible to satisfactorily form a recording paper transport path to the recording paper.

According to this technical means, an image can be formed on both sides by using the reversing unit, and an image can be formed by using a detachable unit or a built-in cassette on the front side of the apparatus main body with the pass unit removed. It is also possible to use a sorter unit alone or in combination with the pass unit.

The pass unit is not fixed to the paper feed unit side but is detachably mounted on the rear wall side of the apparatus main body, so that it can be connected to any unit. Therefore, a wide variety of variations can be easily performed by an arbitrary combination of the units.

When only the apparatus main body is used alone, the path unit may be removed and a paper output tray may be provided on the rear wall of the apparatus main body. As a result, a plurality of paper output paths may not be provided. In addition, the device can be downsized.

Further, a stocker or a sorter unit is arranged below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked so that the recording paper discharged from the outlet on the main body side can be discharged to the stocker or the sorter unit. This is also an effective means of the second invention. Although a branch passage can be provided from the rear wall of the pass unit to the stocker unit or the sorter unit, the present invention can effectively accumulate recording paper by using the paper discharge passage on the rear wall side.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's just

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a system printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an apparatus main body 1 having a pass unit 2 attached to a paper discharge side from above, one or more paper feed units 3A and 3B, and a paper The reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5 are sequentially stacked via positioning pins 9.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a roller unit required for feeding small-sized paper in the paper feed units 3A and 3B, 7 denotes a manual paper feed unit also serving as an envelope feeder, and 8 denotes a paper discharge tray and a pass unit. 2 or selectively connected to the outlet of the apparatus main body 1.

Next, each unit will be described according to the flow of recording paper. The main body 1 of the apparatus selectively passes through the paper feed roller 13 from the built-in cassette 11 and the manual paper feed unit 7 or the lower paper feed units 3A and 3B. After the recording paper is fed to the registration position, the recording paper is guided to the transfer position by rotating the registration roller 15 in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 16. After the transfer, the image is fixed while being passed through the fixing roller 17, and is guided to the branch position via the discharge roller 18. Then, the sheet is discharged to the reverse sheet discharge guide 19 or the path unit 2 side by operating the branch lever 61. The recording paper inserted into the inverted paper ejection guide 19 is directly inserted into the paper ejection tray unit 20 on the upper surface, and is invertedly ejected.

On the other hand, the recording paper inserted into the pass unit 2 from the exit 1b on the apparatus body side is discharged as it is to the discharge tray 8 by operating the lever 62, or
If the paper feed unit 3A is inserted into the paper feed unit 3A through the paper feed unit 3A through the paper feed unit 3A, the paper feed unit upper entrance 73a
Is transported to the transport path 73 from the transport roller 31A of the first paper feed unit 3A, the paper feed unit lower outlet 73b,
Through the transport roller 31B of the paper feed unit 3B and the paper feed unit lower outlet 75b, the transport unit upper entrance 77a
Is transported to the transport path 77 by the transport roller 41 of the paper reversing unit 4 and guided to the position of the branch lever 63.

When the recording paper is to be printed on one side, the recording paper is directly guided from the reversing unit lower outlet 77b via the transport roller 41 to the transport path 78 on the sorter unit 5 side. Unit 5
Are sequentially inserted into each bin 54 to perform sorting work, or are switched to a transport path 79 by a branch lever 64 and are discharged to a stocker 55 via another transport roller 52.

On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing, the lever 6
3, after being led to the switchback path 42 by the switching of the switchback roller 43 and once retracted into the backpath 42 by the switchback roller 43, the switchback roller 43 is reversed at the same time as the switching of the lever 44, and the intermediate rollers 45, 46 and The sheet is guided to the feeding path 74 of the sheet feeding unit 3B on the front side via the discharge roller 47, and is fed to the sheet feeding unit lower entrances 74b and 72.
b, the second and first sheet feeding units 3 located on the front side
A, 3B feed rollers 32A, 32B, main body lower entrance 1
Then, it is guided to the registration roller 15 entrance end of the apparatus main body 1 through e.

On the other hand, cassettes 33 and 30 capable of storing sheets of an appropriate size are built in the sheet feeding units 3A and 3B, and are guided to the feeding path side by driving rotation of the sheet feeding rollers 34A and 34B, respectively. It is configured so that it can be fed to the apparatus main body 1 side. The built-in cassette 11 in the apparatus main body 1 can be pulled out from the front wall 80, the cassettes 33 and 30 for the paper feeding units 3A and 3B, and the main unit of the paper reversing unit 4 can be pulled out from the front wall. And
The replacement of the recording paper and the simplification of the jam processing are aimed at.

Next, the location of the paper detection sensor in each unit will be described. The sensor is mainly used for path switching timing control, jam detection, and, furthermore, conveyance speed switching control described later. In order to save parts, the apparatus body 1 and the paper reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5 are used. Paper feed units 3A, 3B
Is not installed.

To briefly explain the arrangement position, a paper feed sensor of a printer disposed at the entrance side of the manual feed roller, and a registration sensor disposed at the entrance side of the registration roller. At the same time, and control for switching the transport speed of the corresponding unit is performed. Reference numeral denotes a paper discharge sensor disposed on the exit side of the fixing roller 17. The paper discharge sensor controls the timing of the branch levers 61 and 62 together with the detection of a jam. The switching control of the transport speed is performed. Is a paper discharge sensor of the pass unit 2 and a paper feed sensor of the paper reversing unit 4 for performing timing control of the branch lever 63 and preparation for reversal alignment. Is the paper reversing unit 4
The sheet feeding / re-feeding sensor performs an alignment operation and detects re-feeding completion. Is a sheet feed sensor of the sorter unit 5 for controlling the timing of the branch lever 64 and preparing for the sorting operation. And are bin feed sensors of the sorter unit 5.

Next, the structure of the pass unit will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. The lower wall plate of the rear wall 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is configured to be removable. For example, when a cassette 11 containing recording paper having a size longer than A-4 size is mounted, the rear wall 1a is removed and the front wall 1a is removed. By inserting, for example, a legal size cassette 11 from the wall side, the cassette rear end 11a protrudes from the main body rear wall 1a. When the apparatus main body 1 is used alone, the discharge tray 8 is attached to the discharge port 1b.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned paper feed units 3A, 3B,
When the paper reversing unit 4, the sorter unit 5 and the like are used, the magnet chucks 21 and 1d are used while engaging the engaging projections 2c of the pass unit 2 with the discharge port end 1c provided on the rear wall 1a. To attach the pass unit 2.

The path unit 2 has an opening on the side facing the rear wall 1a of the main body, forms a cassette storage space 23 in which the rear end 11a of the cassette can be stored, and has a horizontal L-shape so as to bypass the cassette storage space 23. The guide path 24 is formed in such a manner that the start end of the guide path 24 can be aligned with the main body discharge port 1b and the end side thereof can be aligned with the unit transfer opening 73a. The pass unit 2 is formed so that the rear wall 2a and the unit rear wall 3a are flush with each other.
a, the paper discharge tray 8 is attached.

In the guide path 24, transport rollers 22 and 25 are supported at the horizontal portion and the exit end, respectively, and a branch lever 62 is disposed at the exit end of the transport roller 25 on the horizontal portion side. 62 along the discharge roller 2
Paper discharge tray 8 guided to the paper discharge end on the rear wall 2a side via
The paper is ejected on top. 27 is a solenoid for operating the branch lever 62, M is a drive motor for receiving power from the apparatus main body 1 and driving the transport roller, and changes the applied voltage from V1 to V2. It is possible to switch to a high-speed transport speed (250 mm / sec) which is, for example, 3 to 5 times the printing speed (60 mm / sec).

On the other hand, the bottom of the apparatus body 1 facing the paper feed path outlet end 72a provided on the upper surface on the front wall side of the paper feed unit 3A is recessed in a gate shape, and can be detached from the recess 81. The roller unit 6 is mounted. The roller unit 6 is connected to a vertical transport path 82 that matches the paper feed path 90 of the apparatus body 1, a relay roller 83 provided on the vertical transport path 82, and a conduction system 84 provided on the paper feed unit 3A side. The gear train 85 extends as far as possible to the opening on the bottom surface of the roller unit 6. The transport distance between the relay roller 83 of the roller unit 6 and the entrance end of the registration roller 15 is set to be smaller than the minimum-size recording paper to be printed. The roller unit 6 is mounted only when a system unit is used.

The roller unit 6 is connected to the sheet feeding unit 3.
A and 3B are also fitted and disposed in the concave portions provided on the exit end sides of the vertical transport paths 73 and 75 on the respective paper discharge sides, and the relay rollers 31A and 31B and the conduction system of the downstream unit in the same manner as described above. 8
4 and a gear train 85 extending to the opening on the bottom of the roller unit 6 so as to be connectable. The roller unit 6 is not mounted on the vertical transport path on the paper discharge side when only the paper feed unit 3A is used, and is not mounted on the paper discharge side of the paper feed unit 3A when using the paper feed units 3A and 3B. Paper feed units 3A, 3B and reversing unit 4
Or, when using a sorter unit, the sheet feeding unit 3
A and 3B are mounted on the vertical transport path on the paper discharge side.

Next, the main operation of the embodiment will be described. First, in the apparatus main body 1, the registration roller 15, the photosensitive drum 1
4. A printing operation based on a predetermined electrophotographic process is performed while driving and controlling the fixing roller 17, the discharge roller 18, and the like. During the printing operation, the drive motor M in the pass unit 2 is also driven. The applied voltage is set to a voltage V1 corresponding to the printing speed, and the motor rotates in synchronization with the printing speed.

When a sensor located at the exit side of the fixing roller 17 detects the trailing end of the recording paper, a control signal for switching the speed is transmitted via a CPU (not shown) to a motor driving circuit of the pass unit 2. And changes the applied voltage from V1 to V2, and switches to a high-speed transport speed (250 mm / sec) that is, for example, 3 to 5 times the printing speed (60 mm / sec). At the same time, the paper reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5
The drive motor (not shown) starts driving by applying the voltage V2 corresponding to the high-speed transport speed based on the control signal sent from the CPU. As a result, the relay roller 83 in the roller unit 6 also rotates at a high speed by being driven by the paper feed unit 3A or the conduction system from the downstream unit.

After the recording paper is conveyed to the sorter unit 5 side or reversed in the reversing unit 4, the recording paper is fed by the feed rollers 32A and 32B of the paper feed units 3A and 3B and the relay roller 83 in the roller unit 6 for the apparatus. It is conveyed and introduced into the main body 1 at a high speed toward the registration roller 15 entrance side.

The recording paper starts at the registration roller 1
When the detection sensor is operated at the entrance end, the motor driving voltage is changed from V2 to V1 based on the speed switching control signal sent from the CPU, and the printing speed is switched from the high-speed transport speed. Thus, the printing operation can be started in a state where the feeding speed of the succeeding recording paper fed from the reversing unit 4 at a predetermined recording paper interval is reduced. The recording paper inserted into the pass unit 2 can be discharged to the discharge tray 8 as needed by operating the lever 62.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, the paper feed path is disposed on the front wall side of each unit and the paper discharge path is disposed on the rear wall side, so that the recording paper can be transported rationally. It is possible to provide an image forming system in which a path can be formed and a sheet feeding unit can be stacked and arranged.

Further, the paper feed passage is arranged near the front wall of each unit and the paper discharge passage is arranged near the rear wall of each unit in a substantially vertical shape, so that the recording paper can be transported more easily. Further, the transport path is not substantially expanded due to inclination, waveform, or the like, and the size of the transport path is further reduced.

Further, since the sheet feeding unit has an entrance for receiving the recording sheet and an exit for sending the recording sheet on the lower side, the connection with the reversing unit is easy.

A paper feed passage near the front wall of each unit,
In the case where the reversing unit is placed below the paper feeding unit in which the paper discharge path is arranged substantially vertically near the rear wall of each unit, the entrance of the recording paper from below the reversing unit and the transport path are arranged. Since there is no need, the front wall side of the unit can be used as a part of the reversing passage except for the upper outlet and the transport roller, and the reversing passage can be arranged reasonably.

By arranging the paper feeding unit in the upper stage, the time lag for feeding the recording paper to the apparatus main body in the case of the transfer without using the paper reversing mechanism can be shortened, and the image forming time on the recording paper can be shortened. Can be shortened.

Further, since the recording paper can be supplied either from the inside by a built-in cassette or the like from the outside by a feeder or the like, the apparatus main body alone can be used without mounting a paper feed unit below the apparatus main body. Image formation can be performed.

Further, images can be formed on both sides by using the reversing unit, and images can be formed by using a detachable unit or a built-in cassette on the front side of the apparatus main body with the pass unit removed. Also, a sorter unit can be used alone or in combination with the pass unit. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a main part mainly showing an apparatus main body used in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is an overall view showing an internal configuration of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an attached state of each unit of the printer system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Pass unit 3A, 3B paper feed unit 4 Paper reversing unit 5 Sorter unit 6 Roller unit 11 Built-in cassette

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 7, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Image forming system

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a paper feeding unit, a paper reversing unit, a sorter unit and the like are arranged in series on an image forming apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus for forming a copying machine, a printer or the like, a function of an apparatus main body itself is minimized as much as possible, and a sheet feeding unit in which a sheet cassette is stored for a user's purpose, a double-sided sheet feeding unit. A paper reversing unit for reversing recording paper after printing and returning it to the apparatus main body for printing, and a sorter for sorting recording paper after printing are unitized, and the unit is appropriately selected by selecting the unit as appropriate. There is an image forming apparatus that is configured so that an image forming system suitable for a purpose of use can be formed by mounting the image forming system on a computer.
(Act No. 2-29063)

In general, such a unit system is constructed so that the units can be stacked one above the other in order to enable a wide variety of variations by arbitrary combinations of the units, and each of the facing upper and lower surfaces is the same. A slit opening through which recording paper is carried out or carried in and a conveyance path communicating with the slit opening are provided, and a predetermined function is achieved via the conveyance path.

[0004]

Since the apparatus main body to be combined with the above-mentioned unit needs to be configured so as to be used alone, it is difficult to provide a paper feed port or a paper discharge port only on the bottom side of the main body. Normally, a paper feed port (paper discharge port) and a paper feed path (paper discharge path) connected to the paper feed port must be provided on the side wall (front wall or rear wall) together with the bottom surface so that it can be used only by the apparatus main body. Unless a relay roller is interposed in each of the plurality of paper feeding paths, small-sized recording paper such as postcards cannot be smoothly conveyed.

[0005] However, particularly when the apparatus main body is used alone, there are some members that are necessary, but not always necessary, when they are combined with the unit, and such unnecessary members are fixedly attached. Is not preferable from the viewpoint of cost increase, increase in the number of parts, and resource saving. Therefore, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-29063, the apparatus main body is not provided with a paper discharge port on the bottom side, but is provided with a paper discharge port only on the rear wall side. There has been proposed an apparatus in which the sheet discharge side of a unit is erected vertically, a reversing path that can be connected to the sheet discharge port is provided in the erected portion, and various units can be replaced.

However, in the above-described apparatus, the paper reversing unit is unnecessary because the paper reversing unit disposed on the uppermost unit of the stacked units is provided with an upright portion. A user who has a desire to do so will be forced to purchase an extra mechanism. As described above, in the above-described apparatus, it is impossible to connect the paper supply unit and the apparatus main body in a continuous manner. This makes a wide variety of variations of mounting a reversing unit difficult.

Further, the length of the paper feeding unit and the apparatus main body are set to be substantially the same, and the recording paper can be stored in the paper feeding unit. However, there are various sizes of the recording paper. To design multiple usable recording papers,
It is necessary to design the paper feed unit according to the large paper,
In that case, a design is required to use the entire length of the paper feeding unit for the mechanism of the apparatus main body.

However, there is no limitation on the degree of freedom in design, and the apparatus main body is compressed in the longitudinal direction to incorporate a mechanism in the vertical direction. In some cases, a path or the like is provided to make the length longer than the recording paper size, and a rational design can be found in which the dimensions of the apparatus main body and the paper feeding unit do not match.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention enables a paper feed unit to be directly mounted on the main body of the apparatus, and allows a reversing unit to be connected to a lower side of the paper feed unit, thereby enabling various variations. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system having an apparatus main body capable of performing an image forming operation on a recording sheet by itself. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of saving space and reducing the size of the apparatus main body.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems] The present first invention, the image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, apparatus main body) paper feeding unit accommodating the recording sheets stacked one or more overlaid with the lower side of the Cascade product
The reversing unit is located below the lowermost paper feed unit
Arrangement, and supplies the recording sheet to the apparatus main body arranged on the upper side from the feeding unit, the supplied recording sheet is fed to the recording unit from the front wall side of the apparatus main body, the recorded the recording In an image forming system configured to discharge paper, the apparatus main body is formed along a front wall of the apparatus main body from the main body side entrance for receiving recording paper supplied from below. Paper feed path on the main unit side,
A main body side outlet for discharging an image from the apparatus main body after forming an image on the recording paper supplied from the main body side paper supply passage, and the paper supply unit is configured to supply the recording paper supplied from below. A receiving unit lower entrance, a paper supply unit-side paper supply passage formed along the unit front wall on the same side as the front wall of the apparatus main body from the lower entrance of the paper supply unit, and the main unit entrance. A paper feed unit upper outlet formed at a corresponding position and discharging the recording paper from the paper feed unit side paper feed passage, and a paper feed unit upper inlet for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet; A paper supply unit side discharge passage formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance, and discharging the recording paper from the paper supply unit side discharge passage And a lower exit of the paper feeding unit, When the image forming system is configured by stacking the main body of the apparatus and the plurality of paper supply units, a recording paper path from the lower entrance of the paper supply unit to the lower exit of the paper supply unit through the main body of the apparatus. And the lowermost paper feed unit stacked on top of
Receiving the recording paper discharged from the lower exit, and recording paper
To feed the paper to the lower entrance of the paper feeding unit
A recording paper circulation path .

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, one or a plurality of paper feed units 3A each containing a recording sheet are stacked under the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the lowermost sheet feeder stacked above is stacked.
The reversing unit 4 is disposed below the paper unit, and the recording paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 3A is fed to the front wall 8 of the apparatus main body.
It is applied to an image forming system configured to supply the recording paper including the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer device 16 from the 0 side and discharge the recorded recording paper.

The apparatus main body 1 has a main body-side entrance (opening at the bottom surface of the roller unit 6) 1e for receiving recording paper supplied from below, and the main body-side entrance 1e is connected to the front wall 80 of the apparatus main body. A main body side paper supply path (paper supply path 90, vertical conveyance path 82) formed along the main body side, and a main body for forming an image on the recording paper supplied from the main body side paper supply path and then discharging the recording paper from the apparatus main body And a side outlet 1b.

The paper supply unit 3A has a paper supply unit lower entrance 72b provided below the paper supply passage 72 for receiving recording paper supplied through the paper supply passage 74 from below. The paper supply unit side paper supply passage 72 formed along the unit front wall on the same side as the front wall 80 of the apparatus main body 1 from the paper supply unit lower entrance 72b, and at a position corresponding to the main body side entrance 1e. A paper supply unit upper outlet 72a formed to discharge the recording paper from the paper supply unit side paper supply passage 72, and a paper supply unit upper entrance 73a to receive the recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet 1b; The paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a is connected to the rear wall 1a of the apparatus main body.
The paper supply unit side discharge passage 73 formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as
3 to a paper feed unit lower outlet 73b provided below the passage 73 for discharging the recording paper.

In the first invention, when the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units 3A and 3B, the paper feed unit lower entrances 72b and 74b are used. It said device the paper feed through the body 1 unit lower outlet 73b, to form a path of the recording paper toward 75b, either the paper feeding unit lower outlet
Receiving the discharged recording paper and reversing the recording paper
The sheet supplied to the lower entrances 72b and 74b of the sheet feeding unit is
A transfer path 42 is provided to form a recording paper circulation path .

That is, the first invention comprises an image forming apparatus main body in which one or a plurality of paper feed units can be stacked and arranged ,
A reversing unit is located below the lowermost sheet feeding unit
A applied to the image forming system, along the front wall of the paper feed unit disposed on the front wall side of the apparatus main body,
A paper feed passage (paper feed unit side paper feed passage, which feeds recording paper conveyed from a lower unit disposed in (or near the front wall) to a main body side entrance which is a carry-in opening of the apparatus main body. ), And a paper discharge path for transporting recording paper to a lower unit, which is disposed along (or near) the rear wall of each unit disposed on the rear wall side of the apparatus main body. (Paper feed path on the paper feed unit side), and the recording paper transport path is formed in a substantially inverted U-shape.

According to this technical means, since the paper feed path is arranged on the front wall side of each unit and the paper discharge path is arranged on the rear wall side, a reasonable recording paper transport path can be formed. It is possible to provide an image forming system in which paper feed units can be stacked and arranged.

Further, when the paper feed units are stacked and arranged, the paper feed path on the apparatus main body side and the paper feed path on the paper feed unit side are substantially vertically connected to the front wall of the image forming system. It is formed in a Jo, that the feeding unit side paper discharge passage is adapted to be formed into a substantially vertical shape
Is preferred.

According to this technical means, the paper feed path is disposed near the front wall of each unit, and the paper discharge path is disposed near the rear wall of each unit in a substantially vertical shape. The transport is easier and the transport path is not substantially expanded due to inclination, waveform, etc., and the size is reduced.

Further, in the first invention , a reversing unit is arranged below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked and stacked,
Receiving the recording sheet discharged from the sheet feeding unit lower outlet, and inverts the recording paper comprises a reversing passage for supplying the paper feeding unit lower inlet to form a circulating path of the recording sheet
ing.

According to this technical means, since the paper feeding unit has the entrance for receiving the recording paper and the exit for sending the recording paper on the lower side, the connection with the reversing unit is easy.

A paper feed passage near the front wall of each unit,
In the case where the reversing unit is placed below the paper feeding unit in which the paper discharge path is arranged substantially vertically near the rear wall of each unit, the entrance of the recording paper from below the reversing unit and the transport path are arranged. Since there is no need, the front wall side of the unit can be used as a part of the reversing passage except for the upper outlet and the transport roller, and the reversing passage can be arranged reasonably.

Further, by arranging the paper feeding unit in the upper stage, the time lag for feeding the recording paper to the apparatus main body in the case of the transfer without using the paper reversing mechanism can be shortened, and the image forming time on the recording paper can be shortened. Can be shortened.

The reversing units are stacked and stacked.
Paper discharged from the lower exit of the paper feed unit at the bottom
Reversing unit side entrance for receiving
From the mouth along the rear wall of the unit on the same side as the rear wall of the main unit.
And a reversing unit-side discharge passage formed by the reversing unit.
Reversing unit that discharges the recording paper from the paper-side discharge passage
Branch from the lower exit and the reversing unit side discharge passage
Invert the recording paper and supply it to the lower entrance of the paper feed unit
From the reversing unit side discharge path to the reversing unit side
Switching means for switching to a reversing path.
Stocker or sorter unit below the reversing unit
And the stocker or sorter unit is
Receiving the recording paper discharged at the lower exit of the reversing unit
To discharge to the stocker or sorter unit.
It is also an effective means of the first invention to have a car or sorter unit side paper discharge passage .

Such a technical means is applied to an image forming system in which a reversing unit disposed below a lowermost sheet feeding unit and a stocker or a sorter unit are further disposed below the reversing unit. And the reversing unit 4
A reversing unit side entrance 77a for receiving the recording paper discharged from the paper feeding unit lower side exit 75b, and a reversal formed from the reversing unit side entrance 77a along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body. Unit-side paper discharge path 7
7, a reversing unit lower outlet 77b for discharging the recording sheet from the reversing unit side discharge path 77, and a recording sheet reversing from the reversing unit side discharge path 77 for reversing the recording sheet. The reversing path (switchback path) 42 to be supplied to the lower entrance 74b, and switching means (branch lever) 63 for switching from the reversing unit side discharge path 77 to the reversing path 42.

The stocker or sorter unit receives the recording paper discharged from the reversing unit lower outlet 77b and discharges the recording paper to the stocker or sorter unit. 79).

According to this technical means, the paper supply unit lower outlet 75b connected to the paper supply unit side paper discharge passage 75 formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body. The reversing unit is configured to receive the discharged recording paper. A reversing unit-side paper discharge passage 77 formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body extends from the reversing unit-side entrance 77a connected to the paper supply unit lower outlet 75b, Since the recording paper is discharged from the reversing unit side discharge passage 77 to the stocker or the sorter unit side discharge passage 78 via the reversing unit lower outlet 77b, the recording paper is discharged from the paper supply unit side in one passage. Alternatively, the recording paper is conveyed to the sorter unit, and the recording paper can be conveyed favorably.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording paper is further stored below an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) provided with a paper feeding means capable of storing recording paper supplied from inside or outside. Stacking one or more paper feed units,
The recording paper is supplied to the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit or the paper supply unit, and the supplied recording paper is supplied to a recording unit from a front wall side of the apparatus main body, and the recorded recording paper is In the image forming system configured to discharge paper, the apparatus main body has a main body side outlet for discharging recording paper after recording by the recording unit, and the paper feeding unit discharges the recording paper from the main body side outlet. A paper supply unit upper entrance for receiving the printed recording paper, a paper supply unit side paper discharge passage formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance; A paper feed unit lower outlet for discharging the recording paper from a paper feed unit side paper discharge path, wherein the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper feed units; From the outlet on the main body side To form a discharge path in the paper feed unit lower outlet, the body-side outlet of the device body
Formed on the rear wall, the main body side outlet and the paper feed unit upper side
Pass unit having a guide path communicating with the entrance
Is configured to be detachable .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, whether the recording paper can be supplied from the inside by a built-in cassette or the like or the recording paper can be supplied from the outside by a feeder or the like, The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus main body having a paper feeding unit capable of being stored. And, under the apparatus main body, one or more paper feed units in which recording paper is further stored are stacked and stacked, and the recording paper is supplied from the paper feed unit or the paper feed unit to the apparatus main body,
The present invention relates to an image forming system configured to supply the supplied recording paper to a recording unit from the front wall side of the apparatus main body and discharge the recorded recording paper.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus main body has a main body side outlet 1b for discharging the recording paper after recording by the recording section. The paper feeding unit 3A has a paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side exit 1b, and a paper feeding unit upper entrance 73a.
And a paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body, and paper feed for discharging the recording paper from the paper feed unit side discharge passage 73. having a unit lower outlet 73b and capital.

When the image forming system is constructed by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units (3A, 3B), the main body side outlet 1b is connected to the paper feed unit lower side outlet 73b. Forming a paper ejection path
The main body side outlet 1b is formed on the rear wall of the main body.
Between the main body outlet and the paper feed unit upper inlet.
Pass unit with a guide path that connects
It is characterized by having comprised in.

According to such a technical means, since the recording paper can be supplied either from the inside by the built-in cassette or the like from the outside by the feeder or the like, it is not necessary to mount the paper supply unit under the apparatus main body. Also, the image forming can be performed by the apparatus main body alone.

When the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body 1 and the plurality of paper feed units (3A, 3B), the paper feed unit 3A is discharged from the main body side outlet 1b. The received recording paper is received by the paper feed unit upper entrance 73a,
A paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 communicating with the unit 3a is formed along the unit rear wall 3a on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body 1. The outlet of the paper feed unit side discharge passage 73 is Since the paper discharge path is formed from the main body side outlet 1b to the paper feed unit lower side outlet 73b in communication with the paper feed unit lower outlet 73b opened below the unit, the paper feed unit When a reversing unit, a stocker, a sorter unit, and the like are connected to the lower side of the printer, the recording paper can be easily transported to them.

Further, in the second invention , a pass unit having a guide path which forms the outlet on the main body side on a rear wall of the apparatus main body and communicates between the outlet on the main body side and the upper inlet on the paper feeding unit. Is configured to be detachable .

By mounting the pass unit, the main body-side exit formed on the rear wall of the apparatus main body by using the guide path, a paper feeding unit and a reversing unit stacked and mounted below the apparatus main body. Thus, it is possible to satisfactorily form a recording paper transport path to the recording paper.

According to this technical means, an image can be formed on both sides by using the reversing unit, and an image can be formed by using a detachable unit or a built-in cassette on the front side of the apparatus main body with the pass unit removed. It is also possible to use a sorter unit alone or in combination with the pass unit.

The pass unit is not fixed to the paper feed unit side but is detachably mounted on the rear wall side of the apparatus main body, so that it can be connected to any unit. Therefore, a wide variety of variations can be easily performed by an arbitrary combination of the units.

When only the apparatus main body is used alone, the path unit may be removed and a paper output tray may be provided on the rear wall of the apparatus main body. As a result, a plurality of paper output paths may not be provided. In addition, the device can be downsized.

Further , the third invention is provided from inside or outside.
Image forming apparatus provided with paper feeding means capable of storing recording paper to be fed
The recording paper is placed under the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the main unit).
One or more paper feed units stored in
From the paper feeding unit or the paper feeding unit to the apparatus main body
While supplying the recording paper, the supplied recording paper is
It is supplied to the recording unit from the front wall side of the apparatus main body, and
An image forming system configured to discharge recording paper
The apparatus main body stores the information after recording by the recording unit.
An outlet on the main body side for discharging the recording paper;
Receives recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet
From the paper unit upper entrance and from the paper unit upper entrance
Formed along the rear wall of the unit on the same side as the rear wall of the device body
The paper feed unit side discharge passage formed and the paper feed unit side
The lower side of the paper feed unit that discharges the recording paper from the paper discharge path
A mouth, and the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper feeding units
When the image forming system is configured by loading,
A paper discharge path from the main body side exit to the paper feed unit lower exit
And a stocker or a sorter unit is arranged below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked in a stack, so that the recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet can be discharged to the stocker or the sorter unit. that
Features. Although a branch passage can be provided from the rear wall of the pass unit to the stocker unit or the sorter unit, the present invention can effectively accumulate recording paper by using the paper discharge passage on the rear wall side.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's just

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a system printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an apparatus main body 1 having a pass unit 2 attached to a paper discharge side from above, one or more paper feed units 3A and 3B, and a paper The reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5 are sequentially stacked via positioning pins 9.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a roller unit required for feeding small-sized paper in the paper feed units 3A and 3B, 7 denotes a manual paper feed unit also serving as an envelope feeder, and 8 denotes a paper discharge tray and a pass unit. 2 or selectively connected to the outlet of the apparatus main body 1.

Next, each unit will be described according to the flow of recording paper. The main body 1 of the apparatus selectively passes through the paper feed roller 13 from the built-in cassette 11 and the manual paper feed unit 7 or the lower paper feed units 3A and 3B. After the recording paper is fed to the registration position, the recording paper is guided to the transfer position by rotating the registration roller 15 in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 16. After the transfer, the image is fixed while being passed through the fixing roller 17, and is guided to the branch position via the discharge roller 18. Then, the sheet is discharged to the reverse sheet discharge guide 19 or the path unit 2 side by operating the branch lever 61. The recording paper inserted into the inverted paper ejection guide 19 is directly inserted into the paper ejection tray unit 20 on the upper surface, and is invertedly ejected.

On the other hand, the recording paper inserted into the pass unit 2 from the exit 1b on the apparatus body side is discharged as it is to the discharge tray 8 by operating the lever 62, or
If the paper feed unit 3A is inserted into the paper feed unit 3A through the paper feed unit 3A through the paper feed unit 3A, the paper feed unit upper entrance 73a
Is transported to the transport path 73 from the transport roller 31A of the first paper feed unit 3A, the paper feed unit lower outlet 73b,
Through the transport roller 31B of the paper feed unit 3B and the paper feed unit lower outlet 75b, the transport unit upper entrance 77a
Is transported to the transport path 77 by the transport roller 41 of the paper reversing unit 4 and guided to the position of the branch lever 63.

When the recording paper is to be printed on one side, the recording paper is directly guided from the reversing unit lower outlet 77b via the transport roller 41 to the transport path 78 on the sorter unit 5 side. Unit 5
Are sequentially inserted into each bin 54 to perform sorting work, or are switched to a transport path 79 by a branch lever 64 and are discharged to a stocker 55 via another transport roller 52.

On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing, the lever 6
3, after being led to the switchback path 42 by the switching of the switchback roller 43 and once retracted into the backpath 42 by the switchback roller 43, the switchback roller 43 is reversed at the same time as the switching of the lever 44, and the intermediate rollers 45, 46 and The sheet is guided to the feeding path 74 of the sheet feeding unit 3B on the front side via the discharge roller 47, and is fed to the sheet feeding unit lower entrances 74b and 72.
b, the second and first sheet feeding units 3 located on the front side
A, 3B feed rollers 32A, 32B, main body lower entrance 1
Then, it is guided to the registration roller 15 entrance end of the apparatus main body 1 through e.

On the other hand, cassettes 33 and 30 capable of storing sheets of an appropriate size are built in the sheet feeding units 3A and 3B, and are guided to the feeding path side by driving rotation of the sheet feeding rollers 34A and 34B, respectively. It is configured so that it can be fed to the apparatus main body 1 side. The built-in cassette 11 in the apparatus main body 1 can be pulled out from the front wall 80, the cassettes 33 and 30 for the paper feeding units 3A and 3B, and the main unit of the paper reversing unit 4 can be pulled out from the front wall. And
The replacement of the recording paper and the simplification of the jam processing are aimed at.

Next, the location of the paper detection sensor in each unit will be described. The sensor is mainly used for path switching timing control, jam detection, and, furthermore, conveyance speed switching control described later. In order to save parts, the apparatus body 1 and the paper reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5 are used. Paper feed units 3A, 3B
Is not installed.

To briefly explain the arrangement position, a paper feed sensor of a printer disposed at the entrance side of the manual feed roller, and a registration sensor disposed at the entrance side of the registration roller. At the same time, and control for switching the transport speed of the corresponding unit is performed. Reference numeral denotes a paper discharge sensor disposed on the exit side of the fixing roller 17. The paper discharge sensor controls the timing of the branch levers 61 and 62 together with the detection of a jam. The switching control of the transport speed is performed. Is a paper discharge sensor of the pass unit 2 and a paper feed sensor of the paper reversing unit 4 for performing timing control of the branch lever 63 and preparation for reversal alignment. Is the paper reversing unit 4
The sheet feeding / re-feeding sensor performs an alignment operation and detects re-feeding completion. Is a sheet feed sensor of the sorter unit 5 for controlling the timing of the branch lever 64 and preparing for the sorting operation. And are bin feed sensors of the sorter unit 5.

Next, the structure of the pass unit will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. The lower wall plate of the rear wall 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is configured to be removable. For example, when a cassette 11 containing recording paper having a size longer than A-4 size is mounted, the rear wall 1a is removed and the front wall 1a is removed. By inserting, for example, a legal size cassette 11 from the wall side, the cassette rear end 11a protrudes from the main body rear wall 1a. When the apparatus main body 1 is used alone, the discharge tray 8 is attached to the discharge port 1b.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned paper feed units 3A, 3B,
When the paper reversing unit 4, the sorter unit 5 and the like are used, the magnet chucks 21 and 1d are used while engaging the engaging projections 2c of the pass unit 2 with the discharge port end 1c provided on the rear wall 1a. To attach the pass unit 2.

The path unit 2 has an opening on the side facing the rear wall 1a of the main body, forms a cassette storage space 23 in which the rear end 11a of the cassette can be stored, and has a horizontal L-shape so as to bypass the cassette storage space 23. The guide path 24 is formed in such a manner that the start end of the guide path 24 can be aligned with the main body discharge port 1b and the end side thereof can be aligned with the unit transfer opening 73a. The pass unit 2 is formed so that the rear wall 2a and the unit rear wall 3a are flush with each other.
a, the paper discharge tray 8 is attached.

In the guide path 24, transport rollers 22 and 25 are supported at the horizontal portion and the exit end, respectively, and a branch lever 62 is disposed at the exit end of the transport roller 25 on the horizontal portion side. 62 along the discharge roller 2
Paper discharge tray 8 guided to the paper discharge end on the rear wall 2a side via
The paper is ejected on top. 27 is a solenoid for operating the branch lever 62, M is a drive motor for receiving power from the apparatus main body 1 and driving the transport roller, and changes the applied voltage from V1 to V2. It is possible to switch to a high-speed transport speed (250 mm / sec) which is, for example, 3 to 5 times the printing speed (60 mm / sec).

On the other hand, the bottom of the apparatus body 1 facing the paper feed path outlet end 72a provided on the upper surface on the front wall side of the paper feed unit 3A is recessed in a gate shape, and can be detached from the recess 81. The roller unit 6 is mounted. The roller unit 6 is connected to a vertical transport path 82 that matches the paper feed path 90 of the apparatus body 1, a relay roller 83 provided on the vertical transport path 82, and a conduction system 84 provided on the paper feed unit 3A side. The gear train 85 extends as far as possible to the opening on the bottom surface of the roller unit 6. The transport distance between the relay roller 83 of the roller unit 6 and the entrance end of the registration roller 15 is set to be smaller than the minimum-size recording paper to be printed. The roller unit 6 is mounted only when a system unit is used.

The roller unit 6 is connected to the sheet feeding unit 3.
A and 3B are also fitted and disposed in the concave portions provided on the exit end sides of the vertical transport paths 73 and 75 on the respective paper discharge sides, and the relay rollers 31A and 31B and the conduction system of the downstream unit in the same manner as described above. 8
4 and a gear train 85 extending to the opening on the bottom of the roller unit 6 so as to be connectable. The roller unit 6 is not mounted on the vertical transport path on the paper discharge side when only the paper feed unit 3A is used, and is not mounted on the paper discharge side of the paper feed unit 3A when using the paper feed units 3A and 3B. Paper feed units 3A, 3B and reversing unit 4
Or, when using a sorter unit, the sheet feeding unit 3
A and 3B are mounted on the vertical transport path on the paper discharge side.

Next, the main operation of the embodiment will be described. First, in the apparatus main body 1, the registration roller 15, the photosensitive drum 1
4. A printing operation based on a predetermined electrophotographic process is performed while driving and controlling the fixing roller 17, the discharge roller 18, and the like. During the printing operation, the drive motor M in the pass unit 2 is also driven. The applied voltage is set to a voltage V1 corresponding to the printing speed, and the motor rotates in synchronization with the printing speed.

When a sensor located at the exit side of the fixing roller 17 detects the trailing end of the recording paper, a control signal for switching the speed is transmitted via a CPU (not shown) to a motor driving circuit of the pass unit 2. And changes the applied voltage from V1 to V2, and switches to a high-speed transport speed (250 mm / sec) that is, for example, 3 to 5 times the printing speed (60 mm / sec). At the same time, the paper reversing unit 4 and the sorter unit 5
The drive motor (not shown) starts driving by applying the voltage V2 corresponding to the high-speed transport speed based on the control signal sent from the CPU. As a result, the relay roller 83 in the roller unit 6 also rotates at a high speed by being driven by the paper feed unit 3A or the conduction system from the downstream unit.

After the recording paper is conveyed to the sorter unit 5 side or reversed in the reversing unit 4, the recording paper is fed by the feed rollers 32A and 32B of the paper feed units 3A and 3B and the relay roller 83 in the roller unit 6 for the apparatus. It is conveyed and introduced into the main body 1 at a high speed toward the registration roller 15 entrance side.

The recording paper starts at the registration roller 1
When the detection sensor is operated at the entrance end, the motor driving voltage is changed from V2 to V1 based on the speed switching control signal sent from the CPU, and the printing speed is switched from the high-speed transport speed. Thus, the printing operation can be started in a state where the feeding speed of the succeeding recording paper fed from the reversing unit 4 at a predetermined recording paper interval is reduced. The recording paper inserted into the pass unit 2 can be discharged to the discharge tray 8 as needed by operating the lever 62.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, the paper feed path is disposed on the front wall side of each unit and the paper discharge path is disposed on the rear wall side, so that the recording paper can be transported rationally. It is possible to provide an image forming system in which a path can be formed and a sheet feeding unit can be stacked and arranged.

Further, since the sheet feeding unit has an entrance for receiving the recording sheet and an exit for sending the recording sheet on the lower side, the connection with the reversing unit is easy.

By arranging the paper feeding unit in the upper stage, the time lag for feeding the recording paper to the apparatus main body in the case of the transfer without using the paper reversing mechanism can be shortened, and the time for forming the image on the recording paper can be shortened. Can be shortened.

Further, since the recording paper can be supplied either from the inside by a built-in cassette or the like from the outside by a feeder or the like, the apparatus main body alone can be used without mounting a paper supply unit below the apparatus main body. Image formation can be performed.

It is also possible to form an image on both sides using a reversing unit, and to form an image using a detachable unit or a built-in cassette on the front side of the apparatus main body with the pass unit removed. Also, a sorter unit can be used alone or in combination with the pass unit. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a main part mainly showing an apparatus main body used in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is an overall view showing an internal configuration of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an attached state of each unit of the printer system.

[Description of Signs] 1 Main body 2 Pass unit 3A, 3B Paper feed unit 4 Paper reversing unit 5 Sorter unit 6 Roller unit 11 Built-in cassette

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G03G 15/00 530 G03G 15/00 530

Claims (7)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body) has one or a plurality of sheet feeding units containing recording papers stacked and stacked on a lower side thereof, and the recording is performed on the apparatus main body disposed above the sheet feeding unit. In an image forming system configured to supply paper and supply the supplied recording paper to a recording unit from a front wall side of the apparatus main body and discharge the recorded recording paper, the apparatus main body includes: A main body-side entrance for receiving recording paper supplied from below, a main body-side paper supply passage formed from the main body-side entrance along a front wall of the apparatus main body, and the recording medium supplied from the main body-side paper supply passage. A main body-side outlet for discharging the paper from the apparatus main body after forming an image on paper; the paper feeding unit; a paper feeding unit lower entrance for receiving recording paper supplied from below; From the lower entrance of the unit, A paper supply unit-side paper supply passage formed along the unit front wall on the same side as the front wall of the paper supply unit; and a recording paper formed from the paper supply unit-side paper supply passage formed at a position corresponding to the main body side entrance. A paper supply unit upper exit for discharging paper, a paper supply unit upper entrance for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet, and a unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance. A paper supply unit-side paper discharge passage formed along the paper feed unit, and a paper supply unit lower outlet for discharging the recording paper from the paper supply unit-side paper discharge passage. When the image forming system is configured by stacking paper units, a recording paper path is formed from the lower entrance of the paper supply unit to the lower exit of the paper supply unit through the apparatus main body. Image forming system . 2. When the paper feed units are stacked and arranged, the paper feed passage on the apparatus main body side and the paper feed passage on the paper feed unit side are substantially vertically connected to the front wall of the image forming system. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge unit side discharge passage is formed substantially vertically. 3. A reversing unit is arranged below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked in a stack, receives a recording sheet discharged from a lower outlet of the sheet feeding unit, and reverses the recording sheet. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a reversing passage for supplying the recording paper to the lower entrance of the paper feeding unit, thereby forming a circulation path for the recording paper. 4. An image forming system comprising: a reversing unit disposed below a lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked on top of one another; and a stocker or a sorter unit disposed below the reversing unit. The reversing unit is formed along an inverting unit-side entrance for receiving recording paper discharged from the lower outlet of the paper feeding unit, and a unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the inverting unit-side entrance. A reversing unit side discharge path, a reversing unit lower exit for discharging the recording paper from the reversing unit side discharge path, and a recording medium that branches from the reversing unit side discharge path to reverse the recording paper. A reversing path for supplying the sheet feeding unit with a lower entrance, and switching means for switching from the reversing unit side sheet discharging path to the reversing path. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a stocker or sorter unit-side paper discharge passage for receiving the recording paper discharged at the lower exit of the reversing unit and discharging the recording paper to the stocker or sorter unit. . 5. A paper feeding unit for further storing the recording paper is provided below the main body of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) having a paper feeding means capable of storing recording paper supplied from inside or outside. Or, a plurality of sheets are stacked, and the recording paper is supplied to the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit or the paper supply unit, and the supplied recording paper is supplied to a recording unit from a front wall side of the apparatus main body. In the image forming system configured to discharge the recorded recording paper, the apparatus main body has a main body side outlet configured to discharge the recording paper recorded by the recording unit, and the paper feeding unit includes: A paper supply unit upper entrance for receiving recording paper discharged from the main body side exit, and a paper supply unit formed along the unit rear wall on the same side as the rear wall of the apparatus main body from the paper supply unit upper entrance. Side discharge passage, A paper feed unit lower outlet for discharging the recording paper from a paper feed unit side paper discharge path, wherein the image forming system is configured by stacking the apparatus main body and the plurality of paper feed units; An image forming system, wherein a paper discharge path is formed from the main body side outlet to the paper feed unit lower side outlet. 6. A pass unit having a guide path which communicates between the main body side outlet and the paper feed unit upper side entrance, wherein the main body side outlet is formed in a rear wall of the apparatus main body. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein: 7. A stocker or a sorter unit is arranged below the lowermost sheet feeding unit stacked and stacked,
6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the recording paper discharged from the main body side outlet is configured to be dischargeable to the stocker or the sorter unit.