Sheet discharge equipment, sheet processing equipment and imaging system

Abstract

This invention relates to a sheet discharge apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus, and an imaging system. The sheet discharge apparatus includes a guide member configured to guide the lower surface of a sheet, a discharge roller pair, a stacking portion, and a first moving member and a second moving member. Each of the first and second moving members is configured to move to a first position and a second position. The first position is a position where the first and second moving members project downstream of the discharge roller pair in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position is a position upstream of the first position in the sheet discharge direction. When viewed along the width direction of the sheet, the support portion of the first and second moving members located at the first position projects upward in the height direction relative to the tangent of the lower roller of the discharge roller pair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet discharge apparatus for discharging sheets, a sheet processing apparatus for processing sheets, and an imaging system for forming images on sheets. Background Technology

[0002] In an imaging system, sheets that have already formed an image and have undergone processing such as binding are discharged outside the equipment via a sheet discharge unit and stacked on a stacking section such as a stacking tray. A pair of rollers, for example, that clamps and transports the sheets are used as the sheet discharge unit. Furthermore, the sheet discharge unit includes units that discharge sheets one at a time, and units that discharge stacks of sheets consisting of multiple sheets.

[0003] If the newly discharged sheet from the sheet discharge unit rubs against the upper surface of the sheet already stacked on the stacked portion (hereinafter referred to as the stacked sheet), the position of the stacked sheet may become disordered due to friction, and the alignment of the sheet will deteriorate. Japanese Patent Publications No. 2007-269488 and No. 2017-043476 disclose a method to suppress the deterioration of sheet alignment by supporting the lower surface of the discharged sheet above the stacked tray with a guide member that can move in a manner that protrudes downstream of the discharge roller pair.

[0004] However, even when using the construction described in the above literature, in some cases, the leading edge of the sheet being discharged droops due to gravity and rubs against the upper surface of the stacked sheets, which may result in poor sheet alignment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a sheet discharge device, a sheet processing device, and an imaging system capable of suppressing sheet alignment deviation.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a sheet discharge device includes: a guiding member configured to guide the lower surface of a sheet to be discharged; a discharge roller pair including an upper roller configured to contact the upper surface of the sheet and a lower roller configured to contact the lower surface of the sheet, the discharge roller pair being configured to discharge the sheet in a sheet discharge direction by clamping the sheet with the upper roller and the lower roller; a stacking portion on which the sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair is stacked; and a first moving member and a second moving member, each configured to move to a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in which the first moving member and the second moving member project downstream of the discharge roller pair in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position being a position in the sheet discharge direction located at the first position. At an upstream position, a first moving part and a second moving part are arranged separately from each other in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction. Each of the first and second moving parts includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet being discharged from the discharge roller. When viewed along the sheet width direction, the support portions of the first and second moving parts at the first position project upward in the height direction relative to the tangent of the lower roller. The height direction is a direction that intersects orthogonally with both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction. The tangent of the lower roller is a straight line parallel to the guide member, tangent to the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller, and passes above the rotation axis of the lower roller.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a sheet discharge device includes: a guide member configured to guide the lower surface of a discharged sheet; a discharger configured to discharge the sheet in a sheet discharge direction; a stacking portion on which the sheet discharged by the discharger is stacked; and a first moving member and a second moving member, each configured to move to a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in the sheet discharge direction that the first and second moving members protrude downstream of the discharger, and the second position being a position in the sheet discharge direction that is upstream of the first position, the first and second moving members being arranged separately from each other in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction, wherein each of the first and second moving members includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet discharged from the discharger when the first and second moving members are in the first position, and wherein, when viewed in the sheet width direction, the support portion of the first and second moving members in the first position protrudes upward in a height direction relative to the extension of the guide member, the height direction being a direction that intersects both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction orthogonally.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a sheet discharge device includes: a discharger configured to discharge a sheet in a sheet discharge direction; a stacking portion on which the sheet discharged by the discharger is stacked; and a first moving member, a second moving member, and a third moving member, each configured to move to a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in which the first moving member, the second moving member, and the third moving member protrude downstream from the discharger in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position being a position upstream of the first position in the sheet discharge direction, wherein the third moving member is arranged in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction from the first moving member. Between the first, second, and third moving parts, each of the first, second, and third moving parts includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet delivered from the ejector when the first, second, and third moving parts are in a first position, and wherein, when the first, second, and third moving parts are in the first position, the support portions of the first and second moving parts both project upwards relative to the support portion of the third moving part in a height direction that intersects orthogonally with both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction.

[0009] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an imaging system according to a first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2A This is a perspective view showing the stacking and discharging unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 2B It is magnification Figure 2A A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0012] Figure 3A This is a perspective view showing the stacking and discharging unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B It is magnification Figure 3A A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0013] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked discharge roller pair according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figures 5A to 5D Each of the diagrams illustrates the pressing / separating motion of the stacked discharge roller pair according to the first embodiment. Figure 5E It is a timing diagram of the pressing / separating motion of the stacked discharge roller pairs.

[0015] Figure 6A and Figure 6BEach of these is a perspective view showing the bottom unit according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Each of these is a cross-sectional view of the stack discharge unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the stack discharge unit and the stack of sheets being discharged according to the first embodiment when viewed from the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

[0018] Figure 9 This diagram, viewed from above along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the sheet stack, shows the stack discharge unit and the sheet stack being discharged according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 10A and Figure 10B These are diagrams showing the cross-sectional shape of the support plate according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figures 11A to 11D Each of the diagrams illustrates the movement of the stacking and discharging unit according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figures 12A to 12D Each of the diagrams illustrates the movement of the stacking and discharging unit according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing the stacking and discharging unit according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 14A This is an exploded view showing the support plate according to the third embodiment. Figure 14B and Figure 14C This is a perspective view of the support plate according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing a portion of the bottom unit according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First Embodiment

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an imaging system 1S according to a first embodiment. The imaging system 1S of this embodiment includes an imaging device 1, an image reading device 2, a document supply device 3, and a post-processing device 4. The imaging system 1S forms an image on a sheet used as recording material and outputs the sheet after processing it by the post-processing device 4 if necessary. The operation of each device will be briefly described below, followed by a detailed description of the post-processing device 4.

[0028] The document supply device 3 conveys documents placed on the document tray 18 to the image reading units 16 and 19. Each image reading unit 16 and 19 is an image sensor that reads image information from the document surface, and reads both surfaces of the document in one document delivery. Documents whose image information has been read are discharged onto the document discharge section 20. Furthermore, by reciprocating the image reading unit 16 via the drive device 17, the image reading device 2 is able to read image information from stationary documents (including documents such as booklets that cannot be used by the document supply device 3) placed on the pressure plate glass.

[0029] Imaging apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic device including an imaging unit 1B with a direct transfer system. Imaging unit 1B includes a housing 8 containing a photosensitive drum 9 and a laser scanner unit 15 disposed above the housing 8. During imaging operations, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 9 is charged, and the laser scanner unit 15 draws an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 by exposing the photosensitive drum 9 based on image information. The electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 9 is developed into a toner image by charged toner particles, and the toner image is transferred to a transfer portion in which the photosensitive drum 9 and the transfer roller 10 face each other. The controller of imaging apparatus 1 causes imaging unit 1B to perform imaging operations based on image information read by image reading units 16 and 19 or image information received from an external computer via a network.

[0030] Imaging apparatus 1 includes multiple supply devices 6 that supply sheets one by one at predetermined intervals. Various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used as the recording material, including paper such as standard paper and cardboard, plastic film, cloth, surface-treated sheets such as coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as cover and index sheets. After skew is corrected by alignment rollers 7, the sheet supplied from the supply devices 6 is conveyed to the transfer section, where the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 9 is transferred onto the sheet. Fixing unit 11 is disposed downstream of the transfer section in the sheet transport direction. Fixing unit 11 includes a pair of rotating parts for clamping and transporting the sheet, and a heating element (e.g., a halogen lamp) for heating the toner image, and performs fixing processing on the toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing the toner image.

[0031] When the sheet with the image formed on it is discharged outside the imaging device 1, the sheet passing through the fixing unit 11 is conveyed to the post-processing device 4 via the horizontal conveying section 14. In double-sided printing, after the imaging on the first side of the sheet is completed, the sheet passing through the fixing unit 11 is conveyed to the reverse conveying roller pair 12, conveyed in a rotary manner by the reverse conveying roller pair 12, and then conveyed again to the alignment roller pair 7 via the re-conveying section 13. Then, after the image is formed on the second side of the sheet by passing through the transfer section and the fixing unit 11 again, the sheet is conveyed to the post-processing device 4 via the horizontal conveying section 14.

[0032] The imaging unit 1B described above is an example of an imaging unit that forms an image on a sheet, and it is acceptable to use an electrophotographic unit that uses an intermediate transfer system to transfer a toner image formed on a photosensitive element to the sheet via an intermediate transfer component. Furthermore, it is also acceptable to use a printing unit that uses an inkjet system or an offset printing system as the imaging unit.

[0033] Post-processing equipment

[0034] The post-processing apparatus 4, used as the sheet processing apparatus in this embodiment, includes a binding processing unit 4A serving as a processing unit. The binding processing unit performs binding processing on multiple sheets received from the imaging device 1 and discharges a stack of sheets that have undergone binding processing. Furthermore, the post-processing apparatus 4 can also simply discharge sheets received from the imaging device 1 without performing binding processing.

[0035] The post-processing device 4 includes a receiving path P1, an internal discharge path P2, a first discharge path P3, and a second discharge path P4, which serve as transport paths for conveying sheet material. It also includes an upper discharge tray 25 and a lower discharge tray 37, which are the discharge destinations onto which the sheet material is discharged. The receiving path P1 serves as the first transport path in this embodiment, through which the sheet material is received and transported from the imaging device 1. The internal discharge path P2 serves as the second transport path in this embodiment, through which the sheet material is transported toward the binding processing unit 4A. The internal discharge path P2 branches from the first discharge path P3 and the receiving path P1, which serves as the first transport path. The internal discharge path P2 extends downward within the post-processing device 4 and connects to the binding processing unit 4A. The first discharge path P3 is the transport path through which the sheet material is discharged onto the upper discharge tray 25, and the second discharge path P4 is the transport path through which the sheet material is discharged onto the lower discharge tray 37 (the third transport path).

[0036] In the receiving path P1, an inlet roller pair 21, a buffer front roller pair 22, and an inlet sensor 27 are arranged. In the first discharge path P3, a reversing roller pair 24 is arranged, which serves as an ejector (first ejector) for discharging the sheet onto the upper discharge tray 25, and as a flipping or reversing unit for sending the sheet to the inner discharge path P2 by flipping (reversing) and conveying the sheet. In the inner discharge path P2, an inner discharge roller pair 26, an intermediate conveying roller pair 28, an ejection roller pair 29, and an intermediate stacking front sensor 38 are arranged. In the second discharge path P4, a stack discharge roller pair 36 is arranged. The inlet sensor 27 and the intermediate stacking front sensor 38 are examples of sheet detection units that detect the passage of the sheet at predetermined detection positions in the conveying paths within the sheet handling equipment. As the inlet sensor 27 and the intermediate stacking front sensor 38, optical sensors, as described in another section, can be used, which detect the presence / absence of the sheet at the detection position by using light.

[0037] The sheet conveying route in post-processing equipment 4 will be described below. The buffering operation of the buffer unit 4B, including the reverse roller pair 24, and the detailed construction and operation of the binding processing unit 4A will be described in another section.

[0038] The sheet material discharged from the horizontal conveying section 14 of the imaging device 1 is received by the inlet roller pair 21 and conveyed towards the buffer front roller pair 22 via the receiving path P1. The inlet sensor 27 detects the sheet material at a detection position between the inlet roller pair 21 and the buffer front roller pair 22. The buffer front roller pair 22 conveys the sheet material received from the inlet roller pair 21 towards the first discharge path P3.

[0039] Note that at a predetermined timing after the inlet sensor 27 has detected the passage of the sheet's trailing edge, the buffer front roller pair 22 increases the sheet's conveying speed to a speed faster than that in the horizontal conveying section 14. Furthermore, it is acceptable to set the sheet conveying speed of the inlet roller pair 21 to be greater than that in the horizontal conveying section 14, and to increase the conveying speed of the inlet roller pair 21 upstream of the buffer front roller pair 22. In this case, it is appropriate to arrange a one-way clutch between the conveying roller pair in the horizontal conveying section 14 and the motor driving the conveying roller pair, so that the conveying roller pair can be freely rotated even when the sheet is pulled by the inlet roller pair 21.

[0040] When the sheet's discharge destination is the upper discharge tray 25, the reverse roller pair 24 discharges the sheet received from the buffer front roller pair 22 to the upper discharge tray 25. In this case, after the rear edge of the sheet has passed the buffer front roller pair 22 at a predetermined time, the reverse roller pair 24 decelerates to a predetermined discharge speed.

[0041] When the sheet's discharge destination is the lower discharge tray 37, the reversing roller pair 24 reverses (i.e., rotates) the sheet received from the buffer front roller pair 22 to the inner discharge path P2. A check guide 23 is arranged at the branch point of the first discharge path P3, located upstream of the reversing roller pair 24 in the sheet conveying direction, between the receiving path P1 and the inner discharge path P2. The check guide 23 controls the conveying direction of the sheet rotated by the reversing roller pair 24, preventing the sheet from being returned to the receiving path P1.

[0042] The internal discharge roller pair 26, intermediate conveyor roller pair 28, and ejector roller pair 29, arranged in the internal discharge path P2, continuously receive and deliver sheets while conveying the sheets received from the reversing roller pair 24 towards the intermediate stacking unit 35 arranged in the binding processing unit 4A. At this time, the rear edge of the sheet already stacked in the intermediate stacking unit 35 is pressed by the stack pressing mark 30 arranged adjacent to the ejector roller pair 29. This prevents the front edge of the sheet newly discharged from the ejector roller pair 29 to the intermediate stacking unit 35 from colliding with the rear edge of the sheet already stacked in the intermediate stacking unit 35. In addition, the intermediate stacking pre-sensor 38 detects the sheet between the intermediate conveyor roller pair 28 and the ejector roller pair 29.

[0043] The intermediate stacking unit 35 consists of a lower stacking guide 32 supporting the lower surface of the sheet and an upper stacking guide 31 facing the upper surface of the sheet. A longitudinal alignment reference plate 39, serving as an alignment reference for the sheet relative to the sheet transport direction, is arranged in the intermediate stacking unit 35. Furthermore, a resilient pressing guide 56 is fixed to the upper stacking guide 31 and presses the upper surface of the sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 35 with a predetermined pressing force. The sheet discharged into the intermediate stacking unit 35 abuts against the longitudinal alignment reference plate 39 downstream of the pressing guide 56 via a semi-circular (or crescent-shaped) roller 33, which serves as a first alignment member, thereby aligning the sheet in the sheet transport direction. That is, the semi-circular roller 33 rotates at a predetermined timing after the rear edge of the sheet has passed the intermediate stack front sensor 38, thereby performing the aforementioned abutment alignment. The contact pressure of the semi-circular roller 33 on the sheet is adjusted so that the semi-circular roller 33 can slide relative to the sheet after the rear edge of the sheet has abutted against the longitudinal alignment reference plate 39. Furthermore, after alignment by the semi-circular roller 33, the sheet is moved in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction by a transverse alignment impactor (not shown) that acts as an alignment member moving in the sheet width direction. Thus, the side edges of the sheet abut against a transverse alignment plate (not shown) that serves as an alignment reference for the sheet in the sheet width direction, thereby aligning the sheet in the sheet width direction.

[0044] The binding processing unit 4A includes a stapler 51, which serves as the binding unit in this embodiment, and staples the stack of sheets to predetermined positions after multiple sheets received from the internal discharge path P2 have been aligned. The stack of sheets bound by the binding processing unit 4A is fed by the push-out roller pair 29 to a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the intermediate stacking unit 35 via the stack discharge guide 34 driven by the belt 34a along the sheet transport direction. The stack of sheets then conveyed to the stack discharge unit 36 ​​via the second discharge path P4, which serves as the third transport path, is discharged by the stack discharge unit 36 ​​to the lower discharge tray 37. The detailed construction and movement of the stack discharge unit 36 ​​will be described in another section.

[0045] Note that the post-processing device 4 in this embodiment is capable of conveying A4-sized sheets (ISO 216 A4 size: short side 210mm and long side 297mm) with a long-side supply orientation. Long-side supply orientation is a sheet orientation where the long side extends parallel to the sheet conveying direction and the short side becomes perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, the stack discharge unit 36 ​​can, for example, convey a stack of A4-sized sheets that has undergone binding processing via long-side supply and discharge the stack to the lower discharge tray 37. Furthermore, the binding processing unit 4A can perform processing of binding multiple portions along one of the long sides of the sheet stack (long-side binding) and processing of binding the corners of the sheet stack (corner binding).

[0046] Both the upper discharge tray 25 and the lower discharge tray 37 can move relative to the housing of the post-processing device 4 in the upward and downward directions, respectively. The post-processing device 4 includes sheet surface detection sensors for detecting the position (stack height of the sheets) of the upper surface of the sheets on the upper discharge tray 25 and the lower discharge tray 37, and when either sensor detects a sheet, the corresponding tray descends along the A2 or B2 direction. Furthermore, when the sheet surface detection sensor has detected that a sheet has been removed from either the upper discharge tray 25 or the lower discharge tray 37, the corresponding tray rises along the A1 or B1 direction. Therefore, the rising and falling of the upper discharge tray 25 and the lower discharge tray 37 are controlled to maintain the upper surface of the stacked sheets at a constant height.

[0047] Stacked discharge unit

[0048] Next, the stack discharge unit 36 ​​will be described in detail. The stack discharge unit 36 ​​is constructed using a lower discharge tray 37, which serves as a stacking portion for stacking the sheets discharged by the stack discharge unit 36.

[0049] The stacking unit 36 ​​according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4 middle. Figure 2A and Figure 3AThis is a perspective view showing the entire discharge roller pair 46. Figure 2B and Figure 3B An enlarged view of a portion of the discharge roller pair is shown. Furthermore, Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the discharge roller pair 46, and showing the state of a portion of the stack discharge unit 36 ​​as viewed from the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

[0050] like Figure 2A and Figure 3A As shown, the stack discharge unit 36 ​​includes a unit frame 45 serving as the main frame body, a pair of discharge rollers 46 serving as a discharger for discharging sheets, and a bottom unit 95. The unit frame 45 is fixed to other frames constituting the main frame body of the post-processing equipment 4 and forms part of the main frame body of the post-processing equipment 4. The discharge roller pair 46 consists of an upper roller 48 that contacts the upper surface of the sheet and a lower roller 47 that contacts the lower surface of the sheet. Note that in Figure 2A and Figure 3A Only a portion of the bottom unit 95 (support plates 79, 80, 81 and 82) is shown in this section, and details of the bottom unit 95 will be described in another section.

[0051] In the following description, the direction in which the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller pair 46 is referred to as the sheet discharge direction D1, and the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction D1 is referred to as the sheet width direction D2. Specifically, the sheet width direction D2 is the direction of the rotation axis of the lower roller 47 and the upper roller 48 constituting the discharge roller pair 46. Viewed along the sheet width direction D2, the sheet discharge direction D1 is a direction that intersects orthogonally with the height direction D3, which connects the rotation axis of the lower roller 47 and the upper roller 48. The height direction D3 is also the sheet thickness direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the sheet passing through the discharge roller pair 46. Furthermore, the upper and lower sides of the height direction D3 refer to the upper side (upper roller 48 side based on lower roller 47) and the lower side (lower roller 47 side based on upper roller 48) relative to an imaginary plane extending along the sheet discharge direction D1 and the sheet width direction D2. When the post-processing equipment 4 is mounted on a horizontal surface, the upper and lower sides of the height direction D3 are distinct from the upward and downward directions in the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The lower surface of the sheet refers to the stacked surface facing the lower discharge tray 37 and the sheet surface in contact with the lower roller 47 of the discharge roller pair 46. The upper surface of the sheet refers to the sheet surface opposite to the lower surface and in contact with the upper roller 48 of the discharge roller pair 46.

[0052] When viewed along the sheet width direction D2, the sheet discharge direction D1 in this embodiment is inclined upwards in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, one side of the sheet width direction D2 ( Figure 2A The right side of the middle Figure 3AThe left side of the sheet (in the middle) is called the front side of the post-processing device 4, and the other side of the sheet width direction D2 ( Figure 2A The left side of the middle, Figure 3A The right side of the device is referred to as the rear side of the post-processing device 4.

[0053] like Figure 2A and Figure 3A As shown, the unit frame 45 includes a front frame 41, an upper frame 42, a rear frame 43, and a bottom frame 44, and each of the frames 41 to 44 is secured by fasteners such as screws. The front frame 41 and the rear frame 43 are plate-like members that face each other in the sheet width direction D2 and extend substantially perpendicular to the sheet width direction D2. The upper frame 42 and the lower frame 44 are plate-like members that face each other in the height direction D3 and extend along the sheet width direction D2, so as to connect the front frame 41 and the rear frame 43 to each other.

[0054] These front frames 41, upper frames 42, rear frames 43, and bottom frames 44 are arranged around a second discharge path P4 (see below) that serves as a conveying space through which the sheet discharged by the stack discharge unit 36 ​​passes. Figure 1 The discharge roller pair 46 is disposed in the opening portion of the conveying space.

[0055] Support structure of discharge roller pair

[0056] The two ends of the roller shaft 47a of the lower roller 47 of the discharge roller pair 46 are rotatably supported by the front frame 41 and the rear frame 43. On the other hand, the upper roller 48 is rotatably and movable in the direction toward and away from the lower roller 47. In particular, as Figures 2A to 3B As shown, the roller shaft 48a of the upper roller 48 is rotatably supported at both ends in the sheet width direction D2 by roller support arms 50F and 50R (see also [reference]). Figure 5A The front roller support arm 50F is supported by the front frame 41 in a swingable manner (see...). Figure 2B The rear roller support arm 50R is supported by the rear frame 43 in a swingable manner (see...). Figure 3B ).

[0057] like Figure 2B and Figure 3BAs shown, pivots 49F and 49R are fixed to the front frame 41 and the rear frame 43. Pivots 49F and 49R then engage with holes in the roller support arms 50F and 50R, causing the roller support arms 50F and 50R to swing about an axis extending along the sheet width direction D2. The roller support arms 50F and 50R rotate about a common axis. Therefore, through the swinging of the roller support arms 50F and 50R, the upper roller 48 moves towards the lower roller 47 along an arcuate track centered on the aforementioned axis and separates from the lower roller. This switches the discharge roller pair 46 between a state where it clamps and conveys the sheet between the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 (clamping state or closed state) and a state where the upper roller 48 is separated from the lower roller 47 (separated state or open state).

[0058] Figure 4 The diagram shows the appearance of a portion of the discharge roller pair 46 in a clamped state when viewed from the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1. The upper roller 48 and lower roller 47 include roller shafts 48a and 47a extending along the sheet width direction D2, and roller bodies 48b and 47b assembled to the roller shafts 48a and 47a. When the discharge roller pair 46 clamps and conveys the sheet, the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 48b of the upper roller 48 contacts the upper surface of the sheet, and the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 47b of the lower roller 47 contacts the lower surface of the sheet.

[0059] In this embodiment, the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 each include a plurality of roller bodies 48b and 47b, and the plurality of roller bodies 48b of the upper roller 48 and the plurality of roller bodies 47b of the lower roller 47 are arranged alternately with respect to the sheet width direction D2 (see [link]). Figure 2A and Figure 3A Furthermore, when viewed from the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1, the lower edges of the plurality of roller bodies 48b of the upper roller 48 in the height direction D3 bite into the lower side (i.e., below) the upper edges of the plurality of roller bodies 47b of the lower roller 47 in the height direction D3. In other words, when viewed along the sheet width direction D2, the plurality of roller bodies 48b of the upper roller 48 and the plurality of roller bodies 47b of the lower roller 47 are arranged such that the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of roller bodies 48b and 47b partially overlap each other.

[0060] In other words, the discharge roller pair 46 is a so-called comb roller pair. Because the comb roller pair is used for the discharge roller pair 46, the sheet can be gripped more forcefully and easily compared to roller pairs whose outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other, and discharge defects can be reduced more easily. However, using roller pairs whose outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other is also acceptable. Note that this will be described in another section. Figure 4 The positional relationship between the support plate 79 and the roller bodies 47b and 48b.

[0061] Pressing / separating mechanism for discharge roller pair

[0062] Next, the mechanism for generating the pressing force to hold the sheet in the discharge roller pair 46 or for separating the discharge roller pair 46 will be described. For example... Figure 2B As shown, a pressing arm 51F capable of relative rotation with respect to the roller support arm 50F, a pressing cam 90F for swinging the pressing arm 51F, and a tension spring 91F for applying force to the upward roller 48 are arranged on the front frame 41. A similar mechanism is also provided on the other side in the sheet width direction D2. That is, as described above... Figure 3B As shown, a pressing arm 51R capable of relative rotation with respect to the roller support arm 50R, a pressing cam 90R for swinging the pressing arm 51R, and a tension spring 91R for applying force to the upward roller 48 are arranged on the rear frame 43.

[0063] like Figure 2B and 3B As shown, each of the pressing arms 51F and 51R includes a pressing side rod 51a, a separating side rod 51b, and a contact portion 51c. Both the pressing side rod and the separating side rod contact the pressing cams 90F and 90R, and the contact portion contacts each roller support arm 50F and 50R. The pressing arms 51F and 51R are rotatably supported relative to the rear frame 43 around pivots 49F and 49R.

[0064] Pressing cams 90F and 90R are rotatably driven by a driving force provided by a drive mechanism, and the pressing arms 51F and 51R swing by pressing the pressing side lever 51a or the separating side lever 51b. When pressing cams 90F and 90R press the pressing side lever 51a, the pressing arms 51F and 51R swing in the pressing direction R1. When pressing cams 90F and 90R press the separating side lever 51b, the pressing arms 51F and 51R rotate in the separating direction R2.

[0065] Tension springs 91F and 91R are tensioned between the spring hooks 50a of the roller support arms 50F and 50R and the spring hooks 51d of the pressing arms 51F and 51R. When the pressing arms 51F and 51R swing along the pressing direction R1, the tension springs 91F and 91R exert force on the roller support arms 50F and 50R, causing the roller support arms 50F and 50R to follow the pressing arms 51F and 51R and swing along the pressing direction C1.

[0066] Note that stoppers 41a and 43a are arranged on the front frame 41 and the rear frame 43 to control the swaying of the roller support arms 50F and 50R in the pressing direction C1 by contacting them. When the pressing arms 51F and 51R sway in the separation direction R2, the contact portions 51c of the pressing arms 51F and 51R press the roller support arms 50F and 50R, causing the roller support arms 50F and 50R to sway in the separation direction C2.

[0067] In addition, such as Figure 2A As shown, a sensor S2 (separation origin position sensor) is arranged as a detection unit for detecting the state of the discharge roller pair 46, which transmits signals based on the rotation angle of the pressing cam 90F. In this embodiment, an optical circuit breaker shielded by a fan-shaped sensor mark 94 attached to the camshaft 90A is used as sensor S2. Sensor S2 includes a light-emitting portion (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) that emits light and a light-receiving portion (e.g., a photodiode) that receives light from the light-emitting portion. Sensor S2 changes the signal (e.g., voltage value) transmitted from the light-emitting portion in accordance with whether the light path from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion is blocked by sensor mark 94 (light-shielding state) or not blocked by sensor mark 94 (light-transmitting state). Note that, as other examples of detection units, it is acceptable to use a contact switch pressed by a protrusion arranged on the camshaft 90A, or a rotary encoder that detects the rotation of a disc attached to the camshaft 90A.

[0068] Drive structure of discharge roller pair

[0069] Next, the rotational movement of the discharge roller pair 46 and the configuration that provides driving force for the pressing / separating movement to switch the discharge roller pair 46 between the clamping and separating states will be described. As described below, multiple components constituting the drive configuration are arranged together on the rear side of the stacked discharge unit 36.

[0070] like Figure 3A As shown, the motor M2, which serves as the drive source, and the drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the motor M2 to the rollers 47a and 48a and the pressing cams 90F and 90R are supported on the rear frame 43.

[0071] The drive transmission unit includes a stepped gear (or combined gear) 57 and a oscillating gear unit 58A. The stepped gear is used to transmit the rotation of the output shaft of the motor M2 in a deceleration manner, and the oscillating gear unit is used to switch the transmission path of the drive force. The oscillating gear unit 58A includes a sun gear 58 that engages with the stepped gear 57, a gear holder 59 that oscillates around the rotation axis of the sun gear 58, and a planetary gear 61 that is rotatably supported by the gear holder 59 and engages with the sun gear 58. The gear holder 59 is pressed against the side surface of the sun gear 58 by a torque spring 60 made of leaf springs, and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the sun gear 58 by the frictional force received from the sun gear 58. When the motor M2 rotates in the first direction, the gear holder 59 moves to the position where the planetary gear 61 meshes with the release gear 62. When the motor M2 rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the gear holder 59 moves to the position where the planetary gear 61 meshes with the delivery gear 66.

[0072] The release gear 62 is connected via gears 63 and 64 to a cam drive gear 65 located on the same axis as the pressing cam 90R (see... Figure 3B In addition, the pressing cam 90R passes through the camshaft 90A (see...). Figure 3A The pressing cam 90F is connected to the pressing cam 90F located on the side of the front frame 41. Therefore, when the motor M2 rotates in the first direction, the pressing cams 90F and 90R are rotatably driven by the driving force from the motor M2, and the aforementioned pressing / separating mechanism is operated. In this case, the rotational drive of the discharge roller pair 46 is not performed.

[0073] The conveying gear 66 is connected to the drive pulley 70 via gears 67, 68, and 69. The drive pulley 70 is connected to the intermediate pulley 72 via a timing belt 74. Furthermore, the intermediate pulley 72 is connected to the driven pulley 73 fixed to the roller shaft 48a of the upper roller 48 via a timing belt 75. Additionally, the aforementioned gear 69 is fixed to the roller shaft 47a of the lower roller 47. Therefore, when the motor M2 rotates in the second direction, the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 are rotatably driven by the driving force from the motor M2. In this case, the pressing / separating motion of the discharge roller pair 46 is not performed.

[0074] Note that the aforementioned intermediate pulley 72 is arranged on the same axis as the pivot 49R (which serves as the swing axis of the roller support arm 50R). Therefore, since the distance between the driven pulley 73 and the intermediate pulley 72 on the roller shaft 48a does not change even when the roller shaft 48a of the upper roller 48 moves due to the swing of the roller support arm 50R, drive transmission can be achieved via the timing belt 75.

[0075] Furthermore, although in this embodiment the driving force for the pressing / separating motion and the rotational drive of the discharge roller pair 46 are provided by a single motor M2, it is also acceptable to arrange the drive sources for the rotational drive and the pressing / separating motion separately. For example, it is acceptable to perform the pressing / separating motion of the discharge roller pair 46 by means of solenoid oscillating roller support arms 50F and 50R.

[0076] Pressing / separating motion of the discharge roller pair

[0077] use Figures 5A to 5E This will describe the pressing / separating motion that switches the discharge roller pair 46 to the clamping and separating states. Figures 5A to 5D This is a schematic diagram viewed along the sheet width direction D2, showing the positional relationship of the components related to the pressing / separating motion of the discharge roller pair 46. Note that although in Figures 5A to 5D Only the components on the front frame 41 side are shown, but the components on the rear frame 43 side (roller support arm 50R, pressing arm 51R, pressing cam 90R, and tension spring 91R) are located at positions overlapping with the corresponding components on the front frame 41 side when viewed along the sheet width direction D2.

[0078] Figure 5E This is a timing diagram showing the operational status of each unit until the discharge roller pair 46 is switched back to the clamping state after switching to the separation state. In this timing diagram, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents: for the upper roller 48, the position of the upper roller relative to the lower roller 47; for the motor M2, the rotational speed of the motor; and for the sensor S2, whether the sensor is in a light-on or light-off state. Furthermore, (a) to (d) in the timing diagram correspond to... Figures 5A to 5D The various states are shown. Note that the controller of imaging device 1 controls the rotation of motor M2 based on the signal transmitted from sensor S2 to achieve the following movements.

[0079] 1. Clamping state ( Figure 5A )

[0080] Figure 5A The diagram shows the discharge roller pair 46 in a clamped state, i.e., the upper roller 48 is positioned closest to the lower roller 47. At this time, the pressing cam 90F contacts the pressing side lever 51a of the pressing arm 51F and presses the pressing arm 51F in the pressing direction R1. Since the roller support arm 50F is connected to the pressing arm 51F via the tension spring 91F, the roller support arm 50F is forced in the pressing direction C1, and its movement in the pressing direction C1 is controlled because the locking portion 50b engages with the stop 41a. Thus, the roller support arm 50F is positioned, and the discharge roller pair 46 is clamped (see reference). Figure 4 With the discharge roller pair 46 clamped in the same position, the separation origin position (HP) sensor is in a light-shielded state (see [link]). Figure 5E (a) in the middle.

[0081] Note that when the sheet is clamped between the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47, depending on the stiffness of the sheet, the discharge roller pair 46 may sometimes enter a slightly open state due to the reaction force received by the upper roller 48. In particular, when clamping sheets with high stiffness or stacks of sheets with a large number of sheets, the upper roller 48 is moved from its original clamping position (see...). Figure 4 The pressure cam 90F is lifted and becomes easier to separate from the lower roller 47. That is, even when the pressure cam 90F and the pressure arm 51F are in... Figure 5A As shown in the diagram, in some cases, when the upper roller is lifted by the sheet against the force applied by the tension spring 91F, the locking portion 50b of the roller support arm 50F separates from the stop 41a. This state includes the "clamping state" because if the pressing arm 51F is properly positioned, the sheet will be clamped between the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47.

[0082] As described above, the strength of the pressing force exerted by the discharge rollers 46 to clamp the sheet is determined by the spring constant of the tension spring 91F and the elongation under clamping conditions. Due to the... Figure 5A When the clamped position is further separated from the upper roller 48 and lower roller 47, the elongation of the tension spring 91F increases, thus increasing the pressing force of the discharge roller pair 46. As a result, the discharge roller pair 46 can stably convey sheets with high rigidity (e.g., cardboard and corrugated cardboard) and stacks of sheets with a large number of sheets.

[0083] 2. Sensor state transitions ( Figure 5B )

[0084] When motor M2 from Figure 5A When the sensor is activated as shown and the cam 90F and sensor mark 94 are rotated a predetermined angle (45° in this embodiment) in the direction of arrow R3, the sensor mark 94 passes the sensor S2. As a result, the sensor S2 changes from a light-blocking state (first state) to a light-transmitting state (second state). Figure 5E (b) in the middle.

[0085] 3. Separated state ( Figure 5C )

[0086] When the sensor S2 has switched from the light-blocking state to the light-transmitting state, and the cam 90F and sensor mark 94 are further rotated by a predetermined angle (224.5° in this embodiment) in the direction of arrow R3 after being pressed, the motor M2 stops. Figure 5E (c) Simultaneously, after separating from the pressing side rod 51a of the pressing arm 51F, the pressing cam 90F contacts the separating side rod 51b and pivots the pressing arm 51F along the separation direction R2. Then, the contact portion 51c of the pressing arm 51F contacts the roller support arm 50F, and the roller support arm 50F pivots together with the pressing arm 51F along the separation direction C2. As a result, the locking portion 50b of the roller support arm 50F separates from the stop 41a, and the upper roller 48 supported by the roller support arm 50F moves along the separation direction C2, causing the upper roller 48 to separate from the lower roller 47.

[0087] Motor M2 stops when the upper roller 48 is at its furthest position from the lower roller 47 (i.e., in the separated state of the discharge roller pair 46). In this embodiment, when the discharge roller pair 46 receives the sheet, the discharge roller pair 46 enters the separated state before the leading edge of the sheet (the downstream edge in the sheet discharge direction D1) reaches the discharge roller pair 46.

[0088] Because the pressing cam 90F is not in contact with the pressing side rod 51b in the separated state of the discharge roller pair 46, it is not in contact with the pressing side rod 51a. Therefore, the pressing cam 90F does not receive the force applied by the tension spring 91F (which is used to pivot the pressing arm 51F in the pressing direction R1). The pressing cam 90F only receives the torque generated by the weight of the upper roller 48, the roller support arm 50F, the pressing arm 51F, and the tension spring 91F about the pivot 49.

[0089] 4. Sensor state transitions ( Figure 5D )

[0090] When motor M2 is Figure 5C When the sensor S2 is rotated in the first direction from the separated state shown, and the cam 90F and sensor mark 94 are pressed and rotated a predetermined angle (30.5° in this embodiment) in the direction of arrow R3, the sensor mark 94 reaches the sensor S2. Thus, the sensor S2 changes from a light-transmitting state (second state) to a light-blocking state (first state). Figure 5E (d) in the middle.

[0091] When the sensor S2 has switched from the light-transmitting state to the light-blocking state, pressing the cam 90F and rotating the sensor mark 94 in the direction of arrow R3 by a predetermined angle (60° in this embodiment) stops the motor M2. Figure 5E (a')). Simultaneously, the pressing cam 90F presses the pressing side rod 51a of the pressing arm 51F, and the pressing arm 51F pivots in the pressing direction R1. The roller support arm 50F is pulled by the pressing arm 51F via the tension spring 91F and pivots in the pressing direction C1. As a result, the upper roller 48 supported by the roller support arm 50F moves in the pressing direction C1 and approaches the lower roller 47.

[0092] Motor M2 in Figure 5A The pressing arm 51F shown stops when it is moved to the end position in the pressing direction R1. Note that before the motor M2 stops, the roller support arm 50F has already stopped pivoting by contact between the locking part 50b and the stop 41a or by contact between the upper roller 48 and the upper surface of the sheet. As a result, the discharge roller pair 46 returns to Figure 5A The clamping state is shown. As described above, along... Figures 5A to 5D The process shown involves repeatedly performing clamping and separating operations by rotating motor M2.

[0093] Bottom unit

[0094] Next, using Figure 6A and Figure 6B The bottom unit 95 included in the stacking unit 36 ​​will be described. Figure 6AThis is a perspective view of the bottom unit 95 when viewed from above (from the conveyor space side of the conveying sheet) in the height direction D3. Figure 6B This is a perspective view of the bottom unit 95 when viewed from below in the height direction D3. Note that the bottom unit 95 is supported by the bottom frame 44 of the stacked unit 36, and... Figure 6B The illustration of the bottom frame 44 is omitted.

[0095] The bottom unit 95 includes a conveyor guide 77, multiple support plates 79, 80, 81 and 82, a support plate retainer 78, a sensor S3 and a motor M3.

[0096] The lower conveyor guide 77 is fixed to the bottom frame 44 by screws (not shown). That is, the lower conveyor guide 77 is fixed to the frame body of the stack discharge unit 36 ​​(and the frame body of the post-processing device 4). The lower conveyor guide 77 faces the lower surface of the sheet being conveyed toward the discharge roller pair 46, and in this embodiment serves as a guide member for guiding the sheet toward the discharge roller pair 46. The lower conveyor guide 77 includes a guide surface 77g that is inclined relative to the horizontal direction along the sheet discharge direction D1 of the discharge roller pair 46 (see also [reference]). Figure 7B The guide surface 77g serves as a guide portion for guiding the sheet by facing the lower surface of the sheet. When viewed along the sheet width direction D2, the tilt angle of the guide surface 77g is set to, for example, substantially the same as the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0097] Furthermore, the tilt angle of the guide surface 77g of the conveying lower guide 77 is set to be close to (preferably equal to, except for tolerances, etc.) the conveying lower guide 32 of the intermediate stacking unit 35 located further upstream in the sheet discharge direction D1 (see Figure 1 The tilt angle of the sheet is such that, in this embodiment, when viewed along the sheet width direction D2, the upper surface of the stack guide 32 on which the sheet stack is formed and the guide surface 77g of the conveying guide 77 are arranged on the same straight line extending along the sheet discharge direction D1. Furthermore, the upper surfaces of the support plates 79 to 82 (particularly the upper surfaces of the inner support plates 80 and 81) are arranged along the aforementioned straight line. Because bending the sheet along the conveying path is not required in this configuration, it is advantageous when handling sheet stacks with a large number of sheets or when handling sheets with high rigidity.

[0098] In this embodiment, as a plurality of support plates 79 to 82, a first support plate 79, a second support plate 80, a third support plate 81, and a fourth support plate 82 are arranged sequentially from the rear to the front in the sheet width direction D2. Each of the support plates 79 to 82 is an elongated plate-shaped (or rod-shaped) component extending along the sheet discharge direction D1. The upper surfaces 79a, 80a, 81a, and 82a of each support plate 79 to 82 are exposed above in the height direction D3 by means of a slot 77c (slit, opening) arranged in the conveying guide 77 along the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0099] When an A4-sized sheet (A4 sheet), a typical sheet size, is discharged with its long side supplied, the support plates 79 and 82 are positioned relative to the center position W0 of the sheet in the sheet width direction D2 (see...). Figure 9 The support plates 79 and 82 are respectively arranged on one side and the other side. Preferably, when the A4 sheet is divided into three or four equal parts in the sheet width direction D2, the support plates 79 and 82 are arranged in the regions on both outer sides, such that the support plates 79 and 82 provide support adjacent to the side edges of the sheet. The support plates 79 and 82 are examples of a first moving member and a second moving member arranged separately from each other in the sheet width direction D2. The support plate 80 is an example of a third moving member arranged between the first moving member and the second moving member in the sheet width direction D2. The support plate 81 is an example of a fourth moving member arranged between the third moving member and the second moving member in the sheet width direction D2.

[0100] Support plates 79 to 82 are all supported by support plate holders 78, which extend in the height direction D3 below the conveying guide 77 along the sheet width direction D2. The conveying guide 77 includes a boss 77b as a protruding portion and a groove 77a extending in the sheet discharge direction D1. The support plate holder 78 includes a groove 78a extending in the sheet discharge direction D1 and engaging with the boss 77b of the conveying guide 77, and a boss 78b as a protrusion engaging with the groove 77a of the conveying guide 77. Thus, the support plate holder 78 is slidably supported relative to the conveying guide 77 along the sheet discharge direction D1. Furthermore, support plates 79 to 82, which serve as an integral support plate unit 85 supported by the support plate holder 78, can slide relative to the conveying guide 77 along the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0101] The inner support plates 80 and 81 of the support plates 79 to 82 in the sheet width direction D2 are fastened to and fixed to the support plate holder 78 by screws (not shown). The two outer support plates 79 and 82 located in the sheet width direction D2 are pivotally attached to the support plate holder 78 by retaining members 179 and 182. The detailed construction of the support plates 79 to 82 will be described in another section.

[0102] Motor M3, serving as the drive source for moving the support plate unit 85, is connected to the support plate holder 78 via a stepped gear 87. Specifically, the first gear of the stepped gear 87 meshes with the output gear of motor M3, and the second gear of the stepped gear 87 engages with a rack 78c arranged on the support plate holder 78 extending along the sheet discharge direction D1. Therefore, the support plate holder 78 moves upstream or downstream along the sheet discharge direction D1 depending on the rotation direction and amount of rotation of motor M3.

[0103] In the following text, the upstream position of the support plate unit 85 in the moving area in the sheet discharge direction D1 ( Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 7A The location shown is referred to as the storage location of the support plate unit 85. Furthermore, the downstream position of the support plate unit 85 within the moving area in the sheet discharge direction D1 (…) Figure 7B The position shown is referred to as the protruding position of the support plate unit 85. Furthermore, the positions of the support plates 79 to 82 corresponding to the storage position and protruding position of the support plate unit 85 are referred to as the storage position and protruding position of the support plates 79 to 82. The protruding position is the first position in this embodiment, and the storage position is the second position in this embodiment.

[0104] Furthermore, a sensor S3, serving as a detection unit for controlling the position of the support plate unit 85, is attached to the bottom frame 44 via a snap-fit ​​or similar means. In this embodiment, a light circuit breaker whose light can be blocked by a light-shielding rib 78d formed on the support plate holder 78 is used as the sensor S3. The sensor S3 includes a light-emitting portion (such as a light-emitting diode) that emits light and a light-receiving portion (such as a photodiode) that receives light from the light-emitting portion. The sensor S3 changes the signal (e.g., voltage value) transmitted from the light-emitting portion based on whether the light path from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion is blocked by the light-shielding rib 78d (light-shielding state) or not blocked by the light-shielding rib 78d (light-transmitting state). In this embodiment, when the support plate unit 85 is in the stored position, the sensor S3 becomes the light-transmitting state, and when the support plate unit 85 is in the protruding position, the sensor S3 becomes the light-shielding state.

[0105] Details of the support plate

[0106] Next, we will utilize Figure 7A and 7B as well as Figures 8 to 10B The construction of support plates 79 to 82 is described in detail. Figure 7A and 7B A cross-sectional view of the bottom unit 95 is shown on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the sheet width direction D2 and passing through the support plate 82. Figure 7AThe image shows the support plates 79 to 82 in their stored positions. Figure 7B The support plates 79 to 82 are shown in the protruding position. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the stack discharge unit 36 ​​in the stack of discharged sheets S when viewed from the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0107] First, the construction of the support plates 79 and 82 located on both outer sides will be described. Although the front support plate 82 will be used for description here, the rear support plate 79 is constructed in a substantially similar manner.

[0108] like Figure 7A and 7B As shown, the support plate 82 includes a pivot 82b located at its upstream end in the sheet discharge direction D1 and pivotally supported by the support plate holder 78 and the holder member 182, and extends from the pivot 82b in the sheet discharge direction D1. The support plate 82 is oscillating about an axis extending in the sheet width direction D2, centered on the pivot 82b. Thus, the support plate 82 oscillates relative to the conveying guide 77, allowing its downstream end in the sheet discharge direction D1 to change its position in the height direction D3.

[0109] The conveying guide 77 includes a contact portion 101 that contacts the lower surface 82e of the lower side surface of the support plate 82 in the height direction D3. The contact portion 101 has a protrusion or projection shape that extends upward along the height direction D3 at the downstream end of the conveying guide 77 in the sheet discharge direction D1. The upper end of the contact portion 101 in the height direction D3 is lower than the upper edge of the lower roller 47. That is, the contact portion 101 is located below the tangent Z of the lower roller 47 in the height direction D3. The tangent Z is an imaginary straight line tangent to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 47b of the lower roller 47, extending parallel to the guide surface 77g of the conveying guide 77, and passing above the rotation axis of the lower roller 47. Alternatively, the tangent Z can be described as an imaginary straight line tangent to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 47b of the lower roller 47, extending along the sheet discharge direction D1, and passing above the rotation axis of the lower roller 47. Furthermore, the tangent Z is located slightly above the extension line Z' of the guide surface 77g of the lower guide 77.

[0110] Furthermore, the contact portion 101 is arranged adjacent to the lower roller 47. In this embodiment, the contact portion 101 is arranged upstream of the rotation axis of the lower roller 47 in the sheet discharge direction D1, and is located at a position overlapping the roller body 47b of the lower roller 47 when viewed along the sheet width direction D2. With this arrangement of the contact portion 101, the construction for swinging the support plates 79 and 82 in the height direction D3 can be arranged compactly, as described below.

[0111] The shape of the support plate 82 will be described in detail. Within the lower surface 82e of the support plate 82, the portion that contacts the contact portion 101 when the support plate 82 is in its stored position is called the first contacted portion e1, and the portion that contacts the contact portion 101 when the support plate 82 is in its protruding position is called the second contacted portion e2. The first contacted portion e1 is located downstream of the second contacted portion e2 in the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0112] The support plate 82 includes an inclined portion 82k located between the first contacted portion e1 and the second contacted portion e2. Figure 7A In the stored state of the support plate 82 shown, the lower surface 82e of the inclined portion 82k is inclined relative to the sheet discharge direction D1, such that the lower surface 82e is inclined downward in the height direction D3 towards the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1. Therefore, as the support plate 82 moves from the stored position to the protruding position, the lower surface 82e of the inclined portion 82k climbs up the contact portion 101, and the support plate 82 pivots, causing the head portion 82f of the support plate 82 to move upward in the height direction D3.

[0113] exist Figure 7B In the state shown where the support plate 82 is in the protruding position (protruding state), the second contacted portion e2 of the lower surface 82e contacts the contact portion 101, and at least the head end portion 82f of the support plate 82 protrudes upward in the height direction D3 relative to the tangent Z. Furthermore, in the protruding state of the support plate 82, the inclined portion 82k tilts upward in the height direction D3 toward the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1. The upper surfaces of the inclined portion 82k and the head end portion 82f have the function of bending the sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair 46 so that the sheet will form a curved shape, as described in another section.

[0114] Here, regardless of whether the support plate 82 is in the stored position or the protruding position, the upper surface 82a of the support plate 82 is positioned below the upper edge of the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 47 on the height direction D3 of the line connecting the rotation axes of the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 of the discharge roller pair 46. Specifically, the contact portion 101 is arranged at a position where the distance separating it from the lower side in the height direction D3 from the tangent Z is greater than the thickness of the support plate 82 at the positions of the first contact portion e1 and the second contact portion e2. More preferably, the contact portion 101 is arranged at a position where the distance separating it from the lower side in the height direction D3 from the tangent Z is greater than the maximum thickness of the support plate 82 between the first contact portion e1 and the second contact portion e2. With this configuration, the support plate 82 is prevented from protruding from the lower roller 47 in the height direction D3, and the contact pressing between the lower roller 47 and the sheet is ensured, thereby allowing the discharge roller pair 46 to more easily and stably clamp and transport the sheet.

[0115] Here, the support plate 82 includes an upstream portion 82j and a downstream portion (head end portion 82f) located on the upstream and downstream sides in the sheet discharge direction D1, which are curved relative to the inclined portion 82k. In the protruding state of the support plate 82, when viewed along the sheet width direction D2, both the upstream portion 82j and the head end portion 82f extend at an angle closer to (and including the same case) the sheet discharge direction D1 than the inclined portion 82k. The upstream portion 82j extends in a direction along the guide surface 77g of the conveying guide 77.

[0116] Considering that the sheet discharged by the discharge rollers 46 is bent by the support plate 82 to form a curved shape and that the height of the support plate 82 is rapidly reduced when it is stored, it is appropriate to have a large ratio between the length Lk of the inclined portion 82k and the protruding length L of the support plate 82. Specifically, the distance from the axis of rotation of the lower roller 47 to the position of the head end portion of the support plate 82 in the protruding position in the sheet discharge direction D1 is called the protruding length L. Furthermore, the distance from the curved portion 82d (first curved portion) between the upstream portion 82j and the inclined portion 82k to the curved portion 82c (second curved portion) between the inclined portion 82k and the head end portion 82f in the sheet discharge direction D1 is called the length Lk of the inclined portion 82k. In this case, it is acceptable if Lk is equal to or greater than half of L (preferably, equal to or greater than two-thirds). Note that when a different configuration than that of the discharge roller pair 46 is used for the discharger, the downstream position in the sheet discharge direction D1 within the area where the discharger applies conveying force to the sheet along the sheet discharge direction D1 can be used as a reference for the protrusion length L.

[0117] Using a structure similar to that of the support plate 82 described above, the rear support plate 79 also swings, so that when the support plate 79 slides between the storage position and the protruding position along the sheet discharge direction D1, the head end portion 79f will move in the height direction D3. When the support plate 79 is in the protruding position, the head end portion 79f (see...) Figure 6B It protrudes upward in the height direction D3 relative to the tangent Z. Furthermore, regardless of whether the support plate 79 is in the stored position or the protruding position, the position of the upper surface 79a of the support plate 79 in the height direction D3 on the line connecting the rotation axis of the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 of the discharge roller pair 46 is lower than the upper edge of the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 47.

[0118] Incidentally, such as Figure 4As shown, the support plate 79 is arranged in the region between the roller bodies 48b and 47b of the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47, which are adjacent to each other in the sheet width direction D2. In a cross-section passing through the rotation axis of the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47 and perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction D1, the distance in the height direction D3 between the upper edge of the roller body 47b and the upper surface 79a of the support plate 79 is called d1. In the same cross-section, the distance in the height direction D3 between the lower edge of the roller body 48b of the upper roller 48 and the upper surface 79a of the support plate 79 is called d2. In this case, the support plate 79 is preferably arranged at a position where d1 is approximately equal to d2. The foremost support plate 82 is also preferably arranged at a position where d1 is approximately equal to d2 (in terms of similar distances d1 and d2).

[0119] like Figure 8 As shown, support plates 80 and 81 are arranged in the region between the roller bodies 48b and 47b of the upper roller 48 and the lower roller 47, which are adjacent to each other in the sheet width direction D2. The foremost support plate 82 is located in front of the foremost roller among the roller bodies 47b and 48b. Therefore, support plates 79 to 82 are all positioned in the sheet width direction D2 without overlapping with the roller bodies 47b or 48b of the lower roller 47 and the upper roller 48. Furthermore, support plates 80 and 81 are preferably arranged similarly to support plates 79 and 82 at a position where d1 is approximately equal to d2.

[0120] Here, as Figure 7B As shown, at least with the support plates 79 to 82 in the protruding position, the upper surfaces 80a and 81a of the inner support plates 80 and 81 are located below the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 in the height direction D3. Preferably, the entire upper surfaces 80a and 81a of the inner support plates 80 and 81 are located below the tangent Z in the height direction D3.

[0121] As described above, when the support plates 79 to 82 are in the protruding position, and when the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 protrude upwards in the height direction D3 relative to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47, the inner support plates 80 and 81 are located below the head portions 79f and 82f. Since this positional relationship is independent of the position of the upper roller 48, it is unaffected by whether the discharge roller pair 46 is in a clamped or disengaged state.

[0122] like Figure 8 As shown, when observing the sheet stack S discharged by the discharge roller pair 46 along the sheet discharge direction D1, the sheet stack S forms a downwardly protruding curved shape due to the support of the support plates 79 to 82. That is, in the curved state where the central portion of the sheet stack S protrudes downward relative to the two side edges in the sheet width direction D2, the sheet stack S is supported by the support plates 79 to 82.

[0123] Here, the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the support plates 79 and 82, which are separated from each other in the sheet width direction D2, protrude upward in the height direction D3 relative to the plane corresponding to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47. Utilizing this positional relationship, the two side edges of the sheet stack S are lifted upward from the plane corresponding to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47, forming a downwardly protruding curved shape.

[0124] Furthermore, compared to the inner support plates 80 and 81, the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the outer support plates 79 and 82 protrude upwards in the height direction D3. In other words, utilizing this positional relationship, the two side edges of the downstream sheet stack S of the lower roller 47 are lifted, forming a downwardly protruding curved shape. For smooth bending of the sheet stack S, preferably, the protrusion of the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the support plates 79 and 82 relative to the inner support plates 80 and 81 is set to be greater on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1. That is, when viewed along the sheet width direction with the first, second, and third moving members in the first position, the support portions of the first and second moving members are inclined relative to the support portion of the third moving member in such a way that the protrusion of the support portions of the first and second moving members relative to the support portions of the third moving member increases on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

[0125] Furthermore, on the upstream side of the support plates 79 and 82, which are in a protruding position, the lower surface of the sheet stack S is held by the guide surface 77g of the conveying guide 77, thereby determining the orientation of the sheet stack S. On the downstream side of the conveying guide 77, the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the support plates 79 and 82 protrude upward in the height direction D3 from a plane corresponding to the extension line Z' of the guide surface 77g. In other words, utilizing this positional relationship, the two side edges of the sheet stack S on the downstream side of the conveying guide 77 are lifted, forming a downwardly protruding curved shape.

[0126] As a result, even with the increased length of the leading edge of the sheet stack S protruding from the head portion of the support plates 79 to 82 in the sheet discharge direction D1, sagging due to the weight of the sheet stack S becomes less likely to occur. Furthermore, the position where the leading edge of the sheet stack S begins to contact the sheets already stacked on the lower discharge tray 37 can be moved further downstream in the sheet discharge direction D1. Therefore, misalignment of the stacked sheets due to sliding friction between the newly discharged sheet stack S and the stacked sheets on the lower discharge tray 37 can be reduced.

[0127] Appropriately, the second curved portions of the outer support plates 79 and 82 on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1 are arranged adjacent to the head ends of the support plates 79 and 82. Thus, since the support plates 79 and 82 can ensure a wider inclined region between the first and second curved portions relative to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47, the curved shape of the sheet stack can be effectively formed even when using support plates 79 and 82 that are shorter than the length of the sheet stack. Therefore, since there is no unnecessary lengthening of the support plates 79 to 82, it is advantageous from the perspective of cost reduction and equipment miniaturization.

[0128] Furthermore, when the support plates 79 and 82 are in the protruding position, the first curved portion of the support plates 79 and 82 on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1 is arranged adjacent to the contact portion 101 (adjacent to the rotation axis of the lower roller 47). As a result, the oscillation of the support plates 79 and 82 begins at a timing earlier than when the support plates 79 and 82 move from the protruding position to the storage position, and the head portions 79f and 82f begin to move downward in the height direction D3. This prevents the conveying space of the sheet stack S from narrowing due to the head portions 79f and 82f, and suppresses damage to the sheet stack S caused by severe friction between the head portions 79f and 82f and the lower surface of the sheet stack S.

[0129] Incidentally, such as Figure 7B As shown, the sheet discharge direction D1 of the discharge roller pair 46 and the stacking surface 37a of the lower discharge tray 37 (see...) Figure 11A All towards Figure 7B The left-hand side (horizontal direction, which is the direction away from the side surface of the post-processing device 4) is inclined upwards. Appropriately, the inclination angle θ1 of the sheet discharge direction D1 relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle θ2 of the contacted portion on the stacking surface 37a of the lower discharge tray 37 that contacts the side surface of the post-processing device 4. Thus, the sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 46 becomes less likely to contact the stacked sheets on the lower discharge tray 37. The difference between θ1 and θ2 will be set to be equal to or greater than 1°, more preferably equal to or greater than 5°.

[0130] It is appropriate that the inclination angles of the upper surfaces 80a and 81a of the inner support plates 80 and 81 are set to be substantially the same as the inclination angle θ1 of the sheet discharge direction D1, except for tolerances, etc. On the other hand, the maximum inclination angle θ3 of the outer support plates 79 and 82 ( Figure 7BThe tilt angle of the inclined portion 82k is greater than the tilt angle θ1 of the sheet discharge direction D1. In order to effectively form the curved shape of the sheet, the difference between θ3 and θ1 is set to, for example, equal to or greater than 3°, preferably equal to or greater than 5°, and more preferably equal to or greater than 10°. At the same time, θ3 is set to less than 90°, for example equal to or less than 80°, preferably equal to or less than 70°, so that the discharge roller pair 46 can stably discharge the sheet to the lower discharge tray 37.

[0131] The positional relationship between the sheet and the support plate 79 to 82 will be further described. Figure 9 The diagram shows the state of the sheet stack S being discharged by the bottom unit 95 and the discharge roller pair 46 when viewed from above in the height direction D3. To effectively form the curvature of the sheet stack S by the two outer support plates 79 and 82, preferably, the most upwardly projecting head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 in the height direction D3 support the sheet stack S at positions adjacent to the two side edges of the sheet stack S in the sheet width direction D2. Furthermore, preferably, the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 support the sheet stack S at positions separated from the discharge roller pair 46 along the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0132] Therefore, as Figure 9 As shown, a triangle is drawn connecting the center position Pa of the leading edge of the discharged sheet stack S in the sheet width direction D2 and the positions of the two side edges Pb and Pc of the area where the discharge roller pair 46 contacts the sheet stack S in the sheet width direction D2. Suitablely, the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 support the lower surface of the sheet stack S located outside this triangle for at least a portion of the discharge period. Specifically, when the sheet stack S of size A4, a typical sheet size, is discharged with its long side supplied, it is suitable that the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 are arranged outside the triangle Tr1 drawn when the center (face center) of the sheet stack S passes the discharge roller pair 46. More preferably, the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 are located outside the triangle Tr2 drawn when the center (face center) of the sheet stack S passes the head portions of the support plates 79 and 82.

[0133] Note that it is appropriate that similar positional relationships for the aforementioned triangles Tr1 and Tr2 also hold true in the case of at least one (preferably both) of Legal and Letter sizes. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least when an A4-sized sheet stack S is discharged with its long side supplied, the lower surface of the sheet stack S is supported by four rods of support plates 79 to 82. Here, in the case of discharging, for example, sheets smaller than A4 size, it is acceptable for only the inner support plates 80 and 81 to support the lower surface of the sheet stack S. In this case, the center position of the small sheet in the sheet width direction D2 is located between the two inner support plates 80 and 81, and the two side edges of the small sheet are located inside the two outer support plates 79 and 82. The position and spacing of the four support plates 79 and 82 in the sheet width direction D2 can be appropriately varied according to conceivable sheet sizes.

[0134] The shapes of the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 will be described. Figure 10A and 10B A cross-sectional view of the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82, cut in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction D1, is shown. The head portions 79f and 82f include tapered portions 79g and 82g (first tapered portions) at their respective inner corners in the sheet width direction D2, sloping downwards in the height direction D3 towards the inner side of the sheet width direction D2. This makes damage caused by friction between the lower surface of the sheet stack S and the corners of the support plates 79 and 82 less likely to occur.

[0135] like Figure 9 As shown, when viewed along the height direction D3, the head portions 79f and 82f of the support plates 79 and 82 include tapered portions 79h and 82h (second tapered portions) located on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1 and at their respective inner corners in the sheet width direction D2. The tapered portions 79h and 82h are portions that slope outwards towards the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction D1 and towards the respective outer sides in the sheet width direction D2. The tapered portions 79h and 82h also make damage caused by friction between the lower surface of the sheet stack S and the corners of the support plates 79 and 82 less likely to occur.

[0136] The movement of the support plate during sheet discharge

[0137] Next, we will utilize Figures 11A to 11D and Figures 12A to 12D Describes the sheet discharge operation of stack discharge unit 36.

[0138] like Figure 11AAs shown, when the sheets have been stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 35 and the formation of the sheet stack S has begun, the motor M2 rotates in the first direction and performs a separation operation by means of the aforementioned pressing / separating mechanism to move the upper roller 48 in the separation direction C2, causing the discharge roller pair 46 to separate. The support plate unit 85, including the support plate 79, waits in the storage position. Note that in the stack discharge unit 36, a conveying upper guide 96 (see reference) is arranged as a guide for facing the conveying lower guide 77 and guiding the upper surface of the sheet stack S in the height direction D3. Figure 11A The upper guide 96 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the upper roller 48 via roller support arms 50F and 50R to move toward and separate from the lower guide 77.

[0139] like Figure 11B As shown, when the stack of sheets S on the intermediate stacking unit 35 is aligned and processing operations such as binding are completed, the rear edge of the stack of sheets S is pressed by the stack discharge guide 34. Thus, the stack of sheets S is discharged from the intermediate stacking unit 35 along the stack guide 32 in a direction K1 that roughly corresponds to the sheet discharge direction D1.

[0140] like Figure 11C As shown, when the front edge of the sheet stack S has reached the clamping portion of the discharge roller pair 46, the stack discharge guide 34 stops. Then, the motor M2 rotates again in the first direction and performs the clamping movement of the upper roller 48 along the pressing direction C1, so that the sheet stack S is clamped by the discharge roller pair 46 in the clamping state.

[0141] like Figure 11D As shown, the lower roller 47 and upper roller 48 are rotatably driven by the rotation of motor M2 in the second direction, and the discharge roller pair 46 begins to discharge the sheet stack S. Simultaneously, as the discharge roller pair 46 begins to discharge the sheet stack S, the stack discharge guide 34 moves in the opposite direction K2 to the sheet discharge direction D1 and stops at a predetermined position to prepare for receiving the next sheet. Up to this step, except for slight bending due to the clamping of the discharge roller pair 46, the sheet stack S is in an approximately planar position along the guide surface 77g of the conveying lower guide 77 in both the sheet discharge direction D1 and the sheet width direction D2.

[0142] like Figure 12AAs shown, parallel to the discharge roller pair 46 discharging the sheet stack S, the motor M3 rotates (forward rotation), and the support plates 79 to 82 begin to move along the L1 direction from the storage position to the protruding position (protruding movement, extension movement). Furthermore, parallel to the sliding movement of the two outer support plates 79 and 82 in the sheet discharge direction D1, the head portions 79f and 82f oscillate upward in the height direction D3. As a result, the sheet stack S begins to bend, causing the center portion in the sheet width direction D2 to protrude downward. As described above, the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the support plates 79 and 82 are tangent to the lower roller 47 (see...). Figure 7A and 7B The upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the support plates 79 and 82 protrude upwards in the height direction D3 compared to the inner support plates 80 and 81, thus lifting the two side edges of the sheet stack S. In other words, because the upper surfaces 79a and 82a of the downstream support plates 79 and 82 of the conveying guide 77 protrude upwards in the height direction D3, the two side edges of the downstream sheet stack S of the conveying guide 77 are also lifted upwards.

[0143] like Figure 12B As shown, when the support plates 79 to 82 reach the protruding position, the motor M3 stops and the movement of the support plates 79 to 82 ceases. Even after the support plates 79 to 82 have stopped, the discharge roller pair 46 continues to discharge the sheet stack S. Therefore, although the leading edge of the sheet stack S passes over the support plates 79 to 82 and protrudes downstream along the sheet discharge direction D1, the curved shape formed by the support plates 79 to 82 also inhibits the sagging of the leading edge of the sheet stack S.

[0144] like Figure 12C As shown, when the rear edge of the sheet stack S approaches the discharge roller pair 46, the motor M3 rotates in the opposite direction and begins the movement of the support plates 79 to 82 from the protruding position to the storage position along the L2 direction (storage movement). The starting timing and moving speed of the storage movement of the support plates 79 to 82 are set such that the timing of the rear edge of the sheet stack S passing through the discharge roller pair 46 is substantially the same as the timing of the support plates 79 to 82 reaching the storage position.

[0145] like Figure 12D As shown, when the rear edge of the sheet stack S passes through the discharge roller pair 46, the sheet stack S, which has lost the support of the support plates 79 to 82, falls due to its own weight and stacks on the lower discharge tray 37.

[0146] As described above, in this embodiment, the sheet is discharged while the support plates 79 to 82 supporting the lower surface of the sheet form a curved shape on the sheet. This reduces misalignment of the stacked sheets that occurs when the leading edge of the discharged sheet sags due to its own weight and slides against the stacked sheets on the tray 37.

[0147] Second Embodiment

[0148] Figure 13 A perspective view of the stack discharge unit 36 ​​according to the second embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the inner support plates 80 and 81 of the stack discharge unit 36 ​​in the first embodiment are omitted, and only the two outer support plates 79 and 82 are included. Although this embodiment differs from the first embodiment as described above, the construction of the post-processing device 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment except as described above, so a description of a construction similar to the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0149] As described in the first embodiment, when the support plates 79 and 82 are in the protruding position, the head portions 79f and 82f and the inclined portions 79k and 82k protrude upwards in the height direction D3 from the extension line Z' of the guide surface 77g of the lower guide member 77 (see...). Figure 7B That is, at least a portion of the support plates 79 and 82 in the protruding position protrudes upward in the height direction D3 relative to the extension line Z' of the guide surface 77g of the conveying lower guide 77. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, at least a portion of the support plates 79 and 82 in the protruding position protrudes upward in the height direction D3 relative to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47.

[0150] With this configuration, the sheet, guided by the lower conveyor guide 77 and discharged along the sheet discharge direction D1, has its two side edges in the sheet width direction D2 lifted by support plates 79 and 82 on the downstream side of the discharge roller pair 46 or the lower conveyor guide 77. Then, viewed from the downstream side along the sheet discharge direction D1, a curved shape is formed in which the central portion of the sheet protrudes downwards from both side edges in the sheet width direction D2. This suppresses sagging of the front edge of the sheet. That is, by omitting the inner support plates 80 and 81 in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, misalignment of the stacked sheets that occurs when newly discharged sheets are discharged from the tray 37 under sliding friction can be suppressed.

[0151] Third Embodiment

[0152] use Figures 14A to 14C and Figure 15The construction according to the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the mechanism for moving the support plates 79 and 82 in conjunction with the sliding motion of the support plates 79 and 82 is different from that in the first embodiment. Since the construction of the post-processing device 4 is similar to that of the first embodiment except as described above, the description of the construction similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0153] Figure 14A This is an exploded view of the support plate 82 according to this embodiment. Figure 14B and 14C This is a perspective view of the support plate 82 according to this embodiment. Figure 15 This is a perspective view taken from below along the height direction D3, showing the bottom unit 95 according to this embodiment.

[0154] like Figure 14A As shown, the support plate 82 includes a base 821, a pivot portion 822, and a return spring 823. The base 821 is fixed to the support plate holder 78 by screws (not shown) and faces the support plate holder 78 across the conveying guide 77.

[0155] Shaft 821a and hole 821b are arranged in base 821. Pivoting portion 822 includes hole 822a engaging shaft 821a and shaft 822b engaging hole 821b. Shafts 821a and 822b are arranged on a common axis extending along sheet discharge direction D1. Furthermore, pivoting portion 822, which serves as a protruding portion projecting in a direction intersecting sheet discharge direction D1, includes driven portion 822c and sheet support portion 822h.

[0156] The pivot portion 822 is rotatably supported relative to the base 821 in a plane perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction D1, centered around axes 821a and 822b. The pivot portion 822 moves to a lower position where the height of the sheet support portion 822h is equal to or lower than the height of the base 821 (e.g., ...). Figure 11B As shown), and the upper part of the sheet support portion 822h that protrudes upward from the base 821 in the height direction D3 (as shown). Figure 11C (As shown). The return spring 823 pushes the pivot part 822 downwards.

[0157] like Figure 15 As shown, a rib 102 extending along the sheet discharge direction D1 is provided on the conveying guide 77. The rib 102 is formed to change height along the sheet discharge direction D1, such that during the movement of the support plate 82 from the storage position to the protruding position, the rib 102 contacts the driven portion 822c of the pivot portion 822 and pivots the pivot portion 822 from the lower position to the upper position. When the support plate 82 is in the protruding position, the sheet support portion 822h is tangent to the lower roller 47 at line Z (reference). Figure 7BThe support plate 82 protrudes upward in the height direction D3. When the support plate 82 moves from the protruding position to the storage position, the pivoting portion 822 pivots to the lower position by the pushing force of the return spring 823, and the sheet support portion 822h retracts below the tangent Z. Note that although the front support plate 82 is described here, the rear support plate 79 has a similar construction.

[0158] Using this structure, when the support plates 79 and 82 are in the protruding position, the sheet support portion 822h of the support plates 79 and 82 is positioned relative to the tangent Z of the lower roller 47 (reference). Figure 7B The support plates 79 and 82, in their protruding positions, protrude upwards in the height direction D3. Specifically, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the support plates 79 and 82 protrude upwards relative to the tangent Z in the height direction D3, which contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 47b of the lower roller 47 and extends parallel to the guide surface 77g of the conveying guide 77. Furthermore, the support plates 79 and 82, in their protruding positions, protrude upwards from the inner support plates 80 and 81 in the height direction D3. Therefore, using the construction of this embodiment, results similar to those of the first embodiment can also be produced.

[0159] Other examples

[0160] Although the above embodiments describe a configuration where the discharge roller pair 46 serves as a discharger for discharging sheets (including stacks of sheets), the use of, for example, stack discharge guide 34 (see...) is also possible. Figure 1 It is also acceptable to use it as an ejector. In this case, the stack ejector guide 34 is configured such that the stack ejector guide 34 can move to a position adjacent to the opening portion in which the second ejector path P4 opens toward the outside of the post-processing device 4.

[0161] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe a post-processing device 4 connected to the imaging device 1, this technology can be applied to devices that process sheets, different from imaging systems. For example, applying this technology to sorting devices for brochures and books is acceptable. Note that "imaging system" is not limited to devices in which the independent imaging device and post-processing device 4 are connected, but includes devices in which the imaging unit and the post-processing unit are housed in a single housing.

[0162] Other embodiments

[0163] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet discharge device, comprising: A guide component, configured to guide the lower surface of the discharged sheet; The discharge roller pair includes an upper roller configured to contact the upper surface of the sheet and a lower roller configured to contact the lower surface of the sheet, and the discharge roller pair is configured to discharge the sheet in the sheet discharge direction by clamping the sheet with the upper roller and the lower roller. In the stacking section, the discharged sheets are stacked on the stacking section by the discharge rollers; First moving component; The second moving component is arranged separately from the first moving component in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction; and A third moving component is arranged between the first moving component and the second moving component in the width direction of the sheet; Each of the first moving component, the second moving component, and the third moving component is configured to move to a first position and a second position. The first position is a position in which the first moving component, the second moving component, and the third moving component protrude downstream of the discharge roller pair in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position is a position upstream of the first position in the sheet discharge direction. Each of the first moving component, the second moving component, and the third moving component includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet being conveyed from the discharge roller pair. When viewed along the sheet width direction, the supporting portions of the first and second moving parts in the first position protrude upwards in the height direction relative to the tangent of the lower roller. This height direction intersects both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction orthogonally. The tangent of the lower roller is a straight line parallel to the guide component, tangent to the outer circumferential surface of the lower roller, and passes above the rotation axis of the lower roller. When the first moving part, the second moving part, and the third moving part are in the first position, the supporting portion of the first moving part and the supporting portion of the second moving part both protrude upward in the height direction relative to the supporting portion of the third moving part.

2. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, On the downstream side of the discharge roller pair in the sheet discharge direction, the support portion of the third moving part is located below the tangent of the lower roller in the height direction.

3. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, When viewed along the sheet width direction with the first moving part, the second moving part, and the third moving part in the first position, the support portions of the first moving part and the second moving part are both tilted relative to the support portion of the third moving part in such a way that the protrusion of the support portions of the first moving part and the second moving part from the support portion of the third moving part increases towards the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

4. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, The upper roller of the discharge roller pair is configured to move toward and away from the lower roller. The discharge rollers are configured to discharge stacks of sheets that have been processed in a processing unit arranged upstream of the guide member along the sheet discharge direction.

5. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, With the first and second moving parts in the first position, the head end portion of the support portion of the first and second moving parts protrudes the most upward in the height direction in the support portion in the sheet discharge direction, and In the case where an A4-sized sheet is discharged with its long side supplied, when the first moving member and the second moving member are viewed along the height direction at the center position of the A4-sized sheet passing through the discharge roller pair in the sheet discharge direction, the head end portion of the support portion of the first moving member and the second moving member is located outside the triangle connecting the center position of the front edge of the A4-sized sheet in the sheet discharge direction and the position of the two side edges of the area where the discharge roller pair contacts the A4-sized sheet in the sheet width direction. The center position of the front edge of the A4-sized sheet in the sheet discharge direction is the center position in the sheet width direction.

6. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, When an A4-sized sheet is discharged with its long side supplied, the first moving part and the second moving part are arranged on one side and the other side in the sheet width direction relative to the center position of the A4-sized sheet.

7. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, The support portions of the first moving part and the second moving part each include a first tapered portion, which is inclined downward in the height direction toward the inside in the width direction of the sheet. The first tapered portion is disposed at the corner of the support portion of the first moving part and the second moving part that is located inside in the width direction of the sheet and above in the height direction.

8. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, Each of the first moving member and the second moving member includes a second tapered portion that is inclined outward in the sheet width direction toward the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction. The second tapered portion is disposed at the corner of the support portion of the first moving member and the second moving member that is located on the inner side in the sheet width direction and on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

9. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, in, When viewed along the width direction of the sheet in the state where the first moving part and the second moving part are in the first position, the support portion of the first moving part and the second moving part each includes an inclined portion, which is configured to be inclined upward in the height direction toward the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

10. The sheet discharge device according to claim 9, in, The support portions of the first and second moving parts each include an upstream portion positioned upstream of the inclined portion in the sheet discharge direction and a downstream portion positioned downstream of the inclined portion in the sheet discharge direction. When viewed along the sheet width direction with the first and second moving parts in the first position, both the upstream and downstream portions extend at an angle closer to the sheet discharge direction than the angle of the inclined portion. Wherein, for each of the support portions of the first moving part and the second moving part, the distance between the first curved portion and the second curved portion in the sheet discharge direction is equal to or greater than half the protrusion length of the first moving part and the second moving part in the sheet discharge direction, the first curved portion is the curved portion located between the upstream portion and the inclined portion, and the second curved portion is the curved portion located between the inclined portion and the downstream portion.

11. The sheet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It also includes a retainer configured to movably retain the first and second moving parts and slide along the sheet discharge direction. in, The first and second moving parts are configured such that the support portions of the first and second moving parts move upward in the height direction in conjunction with the sliding movement of the retainer.

12. The sheet discharge device according to claim 11, in, Each of the first and second moving parts is supported at its upstream end in the sheet discharge direction in a manner that allows it to swing about an axis extending along the sheet width direction, and The sheet discharge device also includes a contact portion fixed to the frame body of the sheet discharge device. The contact portion is configured to contact the lower surfaces of the first moving member and the second moving member in the height direction, so as to lift the first moving member and the second moving member in conjunction with the movement of the retainer to the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

13. The sheet discharge device according to claim 11, in, Each of the first and second moving parts is configured to be supported in a manner that allows it to swing about an axis extending in the sheet discharge direction, and The sheet discharge device also includes a contact portion fixed to the frame body of the sheet discharge device. The contact portion is configured to contact the first moving member and the second moving member in conjunction with the movement of the retainer on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction, thereby rotating the first moving member and the second moving member, and moving the support portion of the first moving member and the second moving member upward in the height direction.

14. A sheet discharge device, comprising: A guide component, configured to guide the lower surface of the discharged sheet; A discharge device configured to discharge sheet in the sheet discharge direction; In the stacking section, the sheets discharged by the ejector are stacked on top of each other; First moving component; The second moving component is arranged separately from the first moving component in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction; and A third moving component is arranged between the first moving component and the second moving component in the width direction of the sheet; Each of the first, second, and third moving components is configured to move to a first position and a second position. The first position is a position where the first, second, and third moving components protrude downstream of the ejector in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position is a position upstream of the first position in the sheet discharge direction. Each of the first moving component, the second moving component, and the third moving component includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet delivered from the ejector when the first and second moving components are in a first position. Specifically, when viewed along the width direction of the sheet, the supporting portions of the first, second, and third moving components, located in the first position, protrude upwards in the height direction relative to the extension line of the guide component. This height direction intersects both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction orthogonally. When the first moving part, the second moving part, and the third moving part are in the first position, the supporting portion of the first moving part and the supporting portion of the second moving part both protrude upward in the height direction relative to the supporting portion of the third moving part.

15. A sheet discharge device, comprising: A discharge device configured to discharge sheet in the sheet discharge direction; In the stacking section, the sheets discharged by the ejector are stacked on top of each other; and The first moving part, the second moving part, and the third moving part are each configured to move to a first position and a second position. The first position is a position where the first, second, and third moving parts protrude downstream from the discharger in the sheet discharge direction, and the second position is a position upstream of the first position in the sheet discharge direction. The third moving component is arranged between the first and second moving components in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction. Each of the first, second, and third moving components includes a support portion configured to support the lower surface of the sheet delivered from the ejector when the first, second, and third moving components are in a first position. When the first moving part, the second moving part, and the third moving part are in the first position, the supporting parts of the first moving part and the second moving part both protrude upward in the height direction relative to the supporting part of the third moving part. The height direction is a direction that intersects orthogonally with both the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction.

16. A sheet processing apparatus, comprising: A processing unit, which is configured to process sheets; and The sheet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is configured to discharge sheet material processed by the processing unit.

17. The sheet processing equipment according to claim 16, in, The processing unit includes an intermediate stacking section and a packing unit. Multiple sheets are stacked on the intermediate stacking section, and the packing unit is configured to bind the multiple sheets stacked on the intermediate stacking section. Among them, the sheet discharge equipment discharges stacks of sheets that have been bound by the packing unit.

18. An imaging system, comprising: An imaging unit used to form an image on a sheet; and The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 16 is configured to process a sheet on which an image has been formed by an imaging unit.

Images