Sheet post-processing device, image forming system

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet post-processing device, an image forming system and an electronic device. The sheet post-processing device of the present invention includes a device body, a main body frame, a sheet conveying passage, a lifting plate, a lifting part and a track part. The main body frame constitutes the frame of the device body. The sheet conveying passage conveys sheets from a feed port arranged on a first side surface of the device body toward a discharge port formed on a second side surface of the device body. The lifting plate is lifted and lowered along the second side surface to stack the sheets discharged from the discharge port. The lifting part lifts and lowers the lifting plate. The lifting part has a pair of track parts. The pair of track parts is arranged on the main body frame and guides the lifting and lowering of the lifting plate. The main body frame is composed of a plurality of vertical frame members extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of horizontal frame members connected in a beam-like manner between adjacent vertical frame members and extending in the horizontal direction. A pair of track parts are integrally formed in a pair of vertical frame members arranged on the second side surface among the plurality of vertical frame members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device, an image forming system including the sheet post-processing device, and an electronic equipment device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an image forming system that forms images on a plurality of sheets (recording media such as printing paper) and performs a predetermined post-processing on a sheet stack formed by stacking the sheets, thereby making a predetermined booklet. As such an image forming system, a known image forming system includes: an image forming device that forms images on sheets; and a sheet post-processing device that is connected to the downstream side of the image forming device in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet post-processing device receives sheets discharged from the image forming device and performs a predetermined post-processing (stacking the received plurality of sheets to form a sheet stack and binding the sheet stack with staples, punching forming processing by punching holes with a punching forming device, etc.).

[0003] This sheet post-processing device has a frame member that serves as a skeleton of the frame. The sheet post-processing device has various devices (binding device, punching device, etc.) that constitute the sheet post-processing device fixed to the frame member. The side surfaces, bottom surface, top surface, etc. of the frame that constitute the sheet post-processing device are also fixed to the frame member. The frame member is formed by combining metal plate-shaped members (sheet metal members), etc. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of suppressing cost increase.

[0005] The sheet post-processing device of the first structure of the present invention receives the sheets discharged from the upstream side device and performs predetermined post-processing, and includes: a device body; a main body frame, which constitutes the frame of the device body; a sheet conveying path for conveying the sheets from an inlet arranged on a first side surface of the device body toward an outlet formed on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface; a lifting plate that is lifted and lowered along the second side surface to stack the sheets discharged from the outlet; and a lifting part that lifts and lowers the lifting plate, the lifting part having a pair of rail parts, the pair of rail parts being arranged on the main body frame to guide the lifting and lowering of the lifting plate, the main body frame being composed of a plurality of vertical frame members extending in a vertical direction and a plurality of horizontal frame members connected in a beam-like manner between adjacent vertical frame members and extending in a horizontal direction, the pair of rail parts being integrally formed on a pair of the vertical frame members arranged on the second side surface among the plurality of vertical frame members.

[0006] In addition, the image forming system of the second structure of the present invention includes: the image forming device, which has an image forming unit that forms an image on the thin sheet and discharges the thin sheet with the image formed on it to the downstream side; and a thin sheet post-processing device of the above structure, which is connected to the image forming device.

[0007] In addition, the electronic device device of the third structure of the present invention includes: a square device body; a main body frame, forming the skeleton of the device body; and a lifting member, which is arranged on one side of the device body and rises and falls along the one side, and the main body frame has: a hollow vertical frame member and a horizontal frame member, which are connected by welding; and a pair of rail parts, which guide the lifting and lowering of the lifting member, and the pair of rail parts are integrally formed in the vertical frame member and are arranged on the side of one side of the device body.

[0008] According to the first structure of the present invention, the main frame is composed of a plurality of horizontal frame members and vertical frame members. Therefore, the number of parts of the main frame can be relatively reduced. In addition, by reducing the number of parts of the main frame, the deterioration of the assembly performance of the main frame can be suppressed. Therefore, a sheet post-processing device that can suppress the increase in manufacturing costs can be provided.

[0009] According to the second configuration of the present invention, in the image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0010] According to the third configuration of the present invention, in the electronic device having the square main body frame, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 constituting the image forming system 100 .

[0012] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the entire main frame 41 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 .

[0013] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the main frame 41 in a state where the main tray 34 and the lifting unit 38 are attached.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a side view of the main frame 41 as viewed from the side opposite to the image forming apparatus 1 in the left-right direction.

[0015] Figure 5 The periphery ( Figure 3 An enlarged partial view of the inner side of circle A (indicated by the double-dotted line).

[0016] Figure 6 This is an enlarged side view showing the periphery of the lifting mechanism 48 of the main frame 41 on an enlarged scale.

[0017] Figure 7 It means use Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the lifting mechanism 48 is shown along the BB cutting line.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a plan view showing a modified example of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The image forming system 100 of the present invention, which is composed of an image forming apparatus 1 and a sheet post-processing apparatus 3, is described. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 of the image forming system 100 of the embodiment is described as an example of an inkjet printer, but other image forming apparatuses (such as laser printers and facsimile machines) may also be used.

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 constituting the image forming system 100. The sheet post-processing apparatus 3 is connected to the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming system 100 includes: the image forming apparatus 1, which forms an image on the paper surface of a sheet S as a recording medium (such as a plain conveyor and an envelope); and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3, which is connected to the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs a predetermined post-processing (such as a punching forming process and a stapling process) on the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0021] Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet S output from the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed toward the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 is referred to as the "sheet conveying direction". In addition, the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 is referred to as the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction, and the side of the sheet storage section 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 that stores the sheet S is referred to as the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction. In addition, the height direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is simply referred to as the "height direction". In addition, the direction orthogonal to the height direction is referred to as the "horizontal direction". In addition, the direction in which the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 are arranged in the horizontal direction is referred to as the "left-right direction", and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction (the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 1) is referred to as the "front-back direction".

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a sheet storage section 4 for storing sheets S; a sheet supply section 5 for supplying sheets S one by one from the sheet storage section 4 to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction; an image recording section 8 (image forming section) for forming an image on the paper surface of the conveyed sheet S; and a reversing conveying passage 9 for receiving the sheet S that has passed through the image recording section 8, reversing the paper surface and conveying it to the image recording section 8 again.

[0023] The sheet storage section 4 is located at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet storage section 4 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 4a for stacking a bundle of sheets S. The paper feed cassettes 4a are detachably mounted at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassettes 4a are introduced into and out of the image forming apparatus 1 from the side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the horizontal direction. By placing different types of sheets S on each paper feed cassette 4a, a booklet containing a plurality of sheets can be produced.

[0024] The sheet feeding section 5 is composed of a sheet conveying path 7a, a paper feeding section 6, and a conveying roller pair 11. The sheet conveying path 7a is connected to the sheet storage section 4. The upstream end of the sheet conveying path 7a branches into a plurality of paths and is connected to each paper feeding cassette 4a. The sheet conveying path 7a extends from the side of the sheet storage section 4 toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

[0025] The paper feed unit 6 is provided at a connection portion between each paper feed cassette 4 a and a sheet conveyance path 7 a , and feeds the sheets S from the paper feed cassette 4 a into the sheet conveyance path 7 a . The paper feed unit 6 includes a pickup roller 16 and a paper feed roller pair 10 .

[0026] The pickup roller 16 is provided above the paper feed cassette 4a and contacts the upper surface of the stack of sheets S on the paper feed cassette 4a. The pickup roller 16 rotates to convey the sheets S in contact with the pickup roller 16 toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

[0027] The feed roller pair 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the pickup roller 16 in the sheet conveying direction. The feed roller pair 10 is a pair of roller bodies that face each other with the sheet conveying path 7a sandwiched therebetween. The feed roller pair 10 faces each other and is in pressure contact with each other to form a nip portion. The sheet S conveyed by the pickup roller 16 is clamped by the nip portion of the feed roller pair 10 and conveyed to the downstream side of the sheet conveying path 7a.

[0028] A plurality of conveying roller pairs 11 are provided at midway positions of the sheet conveying passage 7a. The conveying roller pairs 11 are a pair of roller bodies that face each other with the sheet conveying passage 7a sandwiched therebetween. The conveying roller pairs 11 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip portion. The sheet S fed into the sheet conveying passage 7a by the paper feed unit 6 is conveyed toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction while passing through the nip portions of each conveying roller pair 11.

[0029] The image recording unit 8 is located above the sheet storage unit 4 and adjacent to the sheet conveyance path 7a in the height direction. The image recording unit 8 is composed of a conveyance belt 14, a plurality of inkjet heads 12, and ink cartridges.

[0030] The conveyor belt 14 is located above the sheet storage section 4. The conveyor belt 14 is an endless belt wound around a plurality of rollers including a driving roller. The conveyor belt 14 is provided with a plurality of tiny air holes (not shown). In addition, a sheet suction section (not shown) for sucking air through the air holes is provided on the inner side of the conveyor belt 14. The sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply section 5 and reaching the conveyor belt 14 is adsorbed and held on the conveyor belt 14 by the sheet suction section. In the above state, the sheet S passes under the inkjet head 12.

[0031] The inkjet heads 12 are opposite to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 14 in the height direction. Each inkjet head 12 is connected to four ink cartridges (not shown) storing four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). Each inkjet head 12 is supplied with ink in the connected ink cartridge. The inkjet head 12 ejects ink toward the sheet S that is held by the conveyor belt 14 and conveyed.

[0032] The reversing conveying path 9 is connected to the upstream and downstream portions of the sheet conveying path 7a sandwiching the image recording unit 8 in the sheet conveying direction. The reversing conveying path 9 branches from the sheet conveying path 7a on the downstream side of the image recording unit 8, passes above the image recording unit 8, and merges with the sheet conveying path 7a again on the upstream side of the image recording unit 8. A switchback portion 17 is provided at a midway position in the sheet conveying direction of the reversing conveying path 9, and the switchback portion 17 switches the conveying direction of the sheet S and reverses the paper surface direction.

[0033] When the image is recorded on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S on which the recording on one side is completed is conveyed to the reversing conveying path 9, and the conveying direction is switched (switchback). Then, after the front and back of the sheet S are reversed, the sheet S is conveyed to the image recording unit 8 again with the side on which the image is not recorded facing upward, and the image is recorded. The sheets S on which the predetermined image is recorded by the image recording unit 8 are discharged one by one from the discharge roller pair 15 provided near the opening at the downstream end of the sheet conveying path 7a.

[0034] A sheet feed inlet 31 (feed inlet) for receiving sheets S fed from the image forming apparatus 1 is provided on a first side surface 18 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 on the left-right direction. The sheet post-processing apparatus 3 is provided with a punching forming device 32 for punching sheets S fed from the sheet feed inlet 31, an end stapling unit 33 for stacking a plurality of fed sheets S to form a sheet stack and aligning the ends of the sheet stack and then stapling the stack with staples, and a saddle stitch binding and middle folding unit 36 ​​for stapling the center of the sheet stack and then folding the sheet stack into a booklet shape with the staple portion as the center.

[0035] A plurality of sheet discharge ports 30 are formed on the second side surface 19 of the sheet post-processing device 3 on the opposite side to the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction. The sheet discharge ports 30 are arranged along the height direction ( Figure 1 The sheet stacks 30 are arranged in the direction of the arrow L. A main paper tray 34, a sub-paper tray 35, and a booklet tray 37 are provided below each sheet discharge port 30. The main paper tray 34 (lifting tray) can be raised and lowered to a position suitable for discharging a sheet stack. The sub-paper tray 35 is fixed to the upper part of the sheet post-processing device 3 (above the main paper tray 34). The booklet tray 37 is fixed to the lower part of the sheet post-processing device 3 (below the main paper tray 34).

[0036] A sheet conveyance path 7 b is provided inside the sheet post-processing device 3 . The sheet conveyance path 7 b extends from the sheet introduction port 31 and branches at a midway position toward each sheet discharge port 30 .

[0037] The punching and forming device 32 is arranged at the upper part of the sheet post-processing device 3. The sheet S discharged from the image forming device 1 is supplied from the sheet feed inlet 31 provided at the upper right of the sheet post-processing device 3 and passes through the punching and forming device 32. When the sheet S passing through the punching and forming device 32 is subjected to binding processing, the sheet S is conveyed to the end binding unit 33 or the saddle stitch binding and middle folding unit 36 ​​disposed below the punching and forming device 32. When the sheet S passing through the punching and forming device 32 is not subjected to binding processing, the sheet S does not need to be conveyed to the end binding unit 33 and the saddle stitch binding and middle folding unit 36, and is discharged to the sub-tray 35 as it is.

[0038] The end binding unit 33 is composed of a binding unit and a processing tray (both not shown). The sheets S are stacked on the processing tray to form a stack of sheets. The sheet stack is bound at the ends of the stack by the binding unit provided at the ends of the processing tray with the front ends of the stack aligned, and then discharged to the main paper tray 34 along the processing tray. The lifting position of the main paper tray 34 corresponds to the height of the booklet stacked on the main paper tray 34, and is controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided at any position of the image forming system 100.

[0039] The saddle stitch binding, middle folding saddle stitch binding and middle folding unit 36 ​​arranged below the end binding unit 33 is composed of a saddle stitch binding unit, a middle folding device and a sheet guide (all not shown). The saddle stitch binding unit performs binding processing on the center of the sheet stack stacked in the sheet guide. The sheet stack bound by the saddle stitch binding unit is folded into a booklet shape by the middle folding device with the staple portion as the center, and then discharged to the booklet tray 37.

[0040] In this way, a predetermined number of sheets S supplied from the image forming apparatus 1 are conveyed to the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 to form a stack of sheets, and a predetermined post-processing is performed on the sheet stack to create a booklet.

[0041] Next, the main frame 41 constituting the frame portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 will be described in detail. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the entire main frame 41 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 .

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the main frame 41 is formed by combining vertical frame members 42a to 42r and horizontal frame members 43a to 43n into a square frame shape. The main frame 41 supports the side, top and bottom surfaces of the sheet post-processing device 3 and forms a frame portion of the frame of the sheet post-processing device 3. In addition, various devices (punching forming device 32, end binding unit 33, main paper tray 34 and middle folding unit 36) provided inside the above-mentioned sheet post-processing device 3 are fixed to the main frame 41.

[0043] The vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are prism-shaped pipe members (square pipes) whose cross sections perpendicular to the long side direction are rectangular. The vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are formed by cutting the same pipe members whose cross sections perpendicular to the long side direction are the same in shape into different lengths. The vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are made of metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.).

[0044] The vertical frame members 42a to 42r are arranged to extend in the height direction. The horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are arranged to extend in the horizontal direction. That is, the vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are orthogonal to each other. The vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are connected to each other by welding.

[0045] A bottom portion 44 is provided at the lowest position in the height direction of the main frame 41. The bottom portion 44 is formed into a rectangular frame shape by four horizontal frame members 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d connected to each other. Vertical frame members 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d extending in the height direction are connected to the four corners of the bottom portion 44.

[0046] A top portion 54 composed of horizontal frame members 43e, 43f, 43g, and 43h is provided at the upper end of the main frame 41. The top portion 54 is opposite to the bottom portion 44 in the height direction. The horizontal frame members 43e and 43f of the top portion 54 are parallel to the horizontal frame members 43a and 43c of the bottom portion 44 and are located at a position overlapping in the front-back direction. The horizontal frame members 43g and 43h of the top portion 54 are connected between the horizontal frame members 43e and 43f in a bridge-like manner. The horizontal frame members 43g and 43h are orthogonal to the horizontal frame members 43e and 43f.

[0047] A middle section 55 is formed between the bottom section 44 and the top section 54 in the height direction, and the middle section 55 is composed of horizontal frame members 43i, 43j, and 43k. The horizontal frame member 43i located on the front side of the middle section 55 is connected in a bridge-like manner between the upper ends of the vertical frame members 42a and 42c adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The horizontal frame member 43j located on the opposite side of the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction of the middle section 55 is connected in a bridge-like manner between the upper ends of the vertical frame members 42a and 42b adjacent to each other in the front-back direction. The horizontal frame member 43k located on the rear side of the middle section 55 is connected in a bridge-like manner between the upper ends of the vertical frame members 42b and 42d adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

[0048] The end of the horizontal frame member 43i on the image forming device 1 side in the left-right direction is connected to the vertical frame member 42g. The vertical frame members 42c and 42g sandwich the horizontal frame member 43i and are arranged in a straight line. The end of the horizontal frame member 43i on the opposite side of the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction is connected to the vertical frame member 42e. The vertical frame members 42a and 42e sandwich the horizontal frame member 43i and are arranged in a straight line. The end of the horizontal frame member 43k on the image forming device 1 side in the left-right direction is connected to the vertical frame member 42h. The vertical frame members 42d and 42h sandwich the horizontal frame member 43k and are arranged in a straight line. The end of the horizontal frame member 43k on the opposite side of the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction is connected to the vertical frame member 42f. The vertical frame members 42b and 42f sandwich the horizontal frame member 43k and are arranged in a straight line.

[0049] A horizontal reinforcement portion 45 is provided between the middle section 55 in the height direction and the top surface portion 54. The horizontal reinforcement portion 45 is composed of horizontal frame members 431, 43m, and 43n. The horizontal frame member 431 located on the front side of the horizontal reinforcement portion 45 is connected in a bridge-like manner between the upper ends of the vertical frame members 42e and 42g. The horizontal frame members 43m and 43n located on the rear side of the horizontal reinforcement portion 45 are connected in a bridge-like manner between the upper ends of the vertical frame members 42f and 42h.

[0050] The horizontal frame member 43m is connected to the upper end of the vertical frame member 42f and extends toward the image forming device 1 side in the left-right direction. The end of the horizontal frame member 43m on the image forming device 1 side is connected to the lower end of the vertical frame member 42i. The horizontal frame member 43n is connected to the upper end of the vertical frame member 42h and extends to the opposite side of the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction. The end of the horizontal frame member 43n on the opposite side of the image forming device 1 is connected to the lower end of the vertical frame member 42i. The horizontal frame members 43m and 43n sandwich the vertical frame member 42i and are arranged in the left-right direction. The upper end of the vertical frame member 42i is connected to the horizontal frame member 43f of the top surface portion 54.

[0051] The end of the horizontal frame member 43e of the top surface portion 54 on the side opposite to the image forming device 1 is connected to the vertical frame member 42o extending downward. The end of the horizontal frame member 43e on the image forming device 1 side is connected to the vertical frame member 42p extending downward. The lower end of the vertical frame member 42o is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43l on the side opposite to the image forming device 1. The lower end of the vertical frame member 42p is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43l on the image forming device 1 side.

[0052] The end of the horizontal frame member 43f of the top surface portion 54 on the side opposite to the image forming device 1 is connected to the vertical frame member 42q extending downward. The end of the horizontal frame member 43f on the image forming device 1 side is connected to the vertical frame member 42r extending downward. The lower end of the vertical frame member 42q is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43m on the side opposite to the image forming device 1. The lower end of the vertical frame member 42r is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43n on the image forming device 1 side.

[0053] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the main frame 41 in a state where the main tray 34 and the lifting unit 38 are attached. Figure 4 It is a side view of the main frame 41 as viewed from the side opposite to the image forming apparatus 1 in the left-right direction. Figure 5 The periphery ( Figure 3 An enlarged partial view of the inner side of circle A (indicated by the double-dotted line). Figure 6 This is an enlarged side view showing the periphery of the lifting mechanism 48 of the main frame 41 on an enlarged scale. Figure 7 It means use Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the lifting mechanism 48 is shown along the BB cutting line.

[0054] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, a lifting unit 38 is provided on the side of the main frame 41 opposite to the image forming apparatus 1 in the left-right direction. The lifting unit 38 supports the main paper tray 34 so that it can be raised and lowered. The lifting unit 38 is composed of rail parts 46a, 46b, mounting members 53a, 53b (mounting members) and a lifting mechanism 48.

[0055] The rail parts 46a and 46b are rod-shaped bodies that are elongated in the height direction along the vertical frame members 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f. The rail parts 46a and 46b are connected in a bridge-like manner between the bottom surface part 44 and the horizontal reinforcement part 45 in the height direction. The rail part 46a is adjacent to the side surface of the vertical frame members 42a and 42e on the opposite side of the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the rail part 46a is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43l on the opposite side of the image forming device 1. The lower end of the rail part 46a is connected to the horizontal frame member 43a. The rail part 46a is arranged in a straight line with the vertical frame member 42o in a manner that the horizontal frame member 43l is sandwiched in the middle.

[0056] The rail portion 46b is adjacent to the side surfaces of the vertical frame members 42b and 42f on the opposite side to the image forming device 1 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the rail portion 46b is connected to the end of the horizontal frame member 43m on the opposite side to the image forming device 1. The lower end of the rail portion 46b is connected to the horizontal frame member 43c. The rail portion 46b is arranged in a straight line with the vertical frame member 42q in a manner of sandwiching the horizontal frame member 43m.

[0057] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the rail portions 46a, 46b are formed with a rail groove 47 that is recessed toward the inner side of the main frame 41 in the front-rear direction and extends in the height direction. That is, the cross-section of the rail portions 46a, 46b is U-shaped. The rail groove 47 has a pair of guide surfaces 49a, 49b that are opposite to each other in the left-right direction in the inner peripheral surface of the rail groove 47.

[0058] return Figure 3 , Figure 4 The lifting mechanism 48 is provided on the side surface of the main frame 41 opposite to the image forming apparatus 1 in the left-right direction. The lifting mechanism 48 is composed of pulleys 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, lifting belts 51a, 51b, a driving device 52 (motor), a rotating shaft 56, and mounting members 53a, 53b.

[0059] The pulleys 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d have gear surfaces (not shown) formed on the outer circumference. The pulley 50a is rotatably supported at the corner between the horizontal frame member 43e and the vertical frame member 42o of the top surface 54. The pulley 50b is rotatably supported at the corner between the horizontal frame member 43a and the vertical frame member 42a of the bottom surface 44. The pulleys 50a and 50b are located at overlapping positions in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. That is, the pulleys 50a and 50b are arranged in a straight line along the height direction.

[0060] The pulley 50c is rotatably supported at the corner between the horizontal frame member 43f and the vertical frame member 42q of the top surface portion 54. The pulley 50d is rotatably supported at the corner between the horizontal frame member 43c and the vertical frame member 42b of the bottom surface portion 44. The pulleys 50c and 50d are located at overlapping positions in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. That is, the pulleys 50c and 50d are arranged in a straight line along the height direction.

[0061] The lifting belts 51a and 51b are endless belts. Gear surfaces (not shown) that can engage with the gear surfaces of the pulleys 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are formed on the inner circumferences of the lifting belts 51a and 51b. The lifting belt 51a is stretched between the pulleys 50a and 50b so that the gear surfaces mesh with each other. The lifting belt 51b is stretched between the pulleys 50c and 50d so that the gear surfaces mesh with each other.

[0062] The driving device 52 is fixed to the corner between the horizontal frame member 43f and the vertical frame member 42q of the top surface portion 54. The driving device 52 is connected to a power supply unit (not shown) and a control unit (not shown) provided at any position of the image forming system 100 to generate a rotational driving force. The driving device 52 is connected to the pulley 50c to apply the rotational driving force to the pulley 50c.

[0063] The rotating shaft 56 is connected between the pulleys 50a and 50c in a bridge-like manner. The rotational driving force applied to the pulley 50c is transmitted to the pulley 50a via the rotating shaft 56.

[0064] Since the mounting members 53a and 53b have the same structure, only the mounting member 53a will be described, and the description of the mounting member 53b will be omitted.

[0065] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the mounting member 53a is a plate-like body bent along the corner of the rail portion 46a. The mounting member 53a has a clamping portion 58 and a roller guide 57 (mounting piece). The clamping portion 58 clamps the lifting belt 51a in the front-back direction. The mounting member 53a is connected to the lifting belt 51a by means of the clamping portion 58. The roller guide 57 is a wheel (roller body) supported by the mounting member 53a so as to be rotatable. The outer diameter of the roller guide 57 is smaller than the relative interval between the guide surfaces 49a and 49b.

[0066] One of the guide surfaces 49a and 49b contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller guide 57, and the mounting member 53a is raised and lowered along the track groove 47 by rotating the roller guide 57. As described above, the upper end of the track portion 46a is connected to the horizontal frame member 431, and the lower end of the track portion 46a is connected to the horizontal frame member 43a. Therefore, the mounting member 53a can be raised and lowered between the horizontal frame member 431 of the horizontal reinforcement portion 45 and the horizontal frame member 43a of the bottom surface portion 44.

[0067] return Figure 3 , Figure 4The two ends of the main paper tray 34 in the front-to-back direction are connected to the mounting members 53a and 53b. When the driving device 52 applies a rotational driving force to the pulleys 50a and 50c, the lifting belts 51a and 51b rotate and circulate. When the lifting belts 51a and 51b rotate, the mounting members 53a and 53b and the main paper tray are moved in the height direction ( Figure 1 , Figure 4 The control unit of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 controls the rotational driving force of the driving device 52 to adjust the height position of the main tray 34 .

[0068] In the left-right direction, a side panel 39 is provided on the side (second side 19) of the main frame 41 opposite to the image forming apparatus 1. The side panel 39 is a plate-shaped member formed by sheet metal processing. The side panel 39 is connected to the horizontal frame member 43j and the rail portions 46a, 46b in a manner of being hung between the rail portions 46a, 46b in the front-back direction. The side panel 39 is opposite to the main paper tray 34 in the left-right direction.

[0069] As described above, the main frame 41 is composed of horizontal frame members 43a to 43n and vertical frame members 42a to 42r. Therefore, the number of parts of the main frame 41 can be relatively reduced. In addition, by relatively reducing the number of parts of the main frame 41, the deterioration of the assembly performance of the main frame 41 can be suppressed. Therefore, a sheet post-processing device 3 that can suppress an increase in manufacturing cost can be provided.

[0070] As described above, the rail portions 46a and 46b are connected in a bridge-like manner along the height direction between the bottom surface portion 44 and the horizontal reinforcement portion 45. Therefore, the rigidity of the main frame 41 is relatively improved by the rail portions 46a and 46b.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, the vertical frame member 42 and the horizontal frame member 43 are formed of the same member. Therefore, the parts can be made common, and the manufacturing cost can be further suppressed.

[0072] In addition, as described above, the vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n are formed of prismatic pipe members. Therefore, the rigidity of each vertical frame member 42a to 42r and each horizontal frame member 43a to 43n is relatively improved. Therefore, the rigidity of the main frame 41 can be relatively improved.

[0073] However, the frame members constituting the frame frame of a conventional sheet post-processing device are plate-shaped sheet metal members connected to each other by fastening members such as bolts. Therefore, when assembling the sheet post-processing device, multiple parts need to be screwed, which poses a risk of poor assembly performance. In addition, the fastening members connecting the assembled frame members also have the risk of loosening over time due to vibration during operation of the sheet post-processing device, and the frame of the sheet post-processing device also has the risk of reduced rigidity.

[0074] In this regard, the main frame 41 of the sheet post-processing device 3 of the present invention is constructed as described above, with metal vertical frame members 42a~42r and horizontal frame members 43a~43n connected by welding. Therefore, the main frame 41 can be welded and assembled on an automated production line, and the deterioration of assemblability can be suppressed. In addition, by welding the metal vertical frame members 42a~42r and the horizontal frame members 43a~43n to form the main frame 41, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the main frame 41 caused by vibration, etc., and suppress the reduction of the rigidity of the main frame 41.

[0075] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be implemented within the scope of the main purpose of the present invention. For example, the image forming system 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment adopts a structure in which the sheet post-processing device 3 is directly connected to the image forming device 1, but a structure in which an insertion device capable of inserting a cover or other insert is arranged between the sheet post-processing device 3 and the image forming device 1 can also be adopted. In this way, a cover, a back cover, and the like can be inserted into the booklet formed by the image forming system 100.

[0076] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the mounting members 53a and 53b are raised and lowered along the rail portions 46a and 46b by the rotation of the roller guide 57 supported to be rotatable, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the roller guide 57, a structure having a guide protrusion protruding from the mounting members 53a and 53b toward the inside of the rail groove 47 may be adopted. In this case, the guide protrusion slides relative to at least one of the guide surfaces 49a and 49b, and the mounting members 53a and 53b are raised and lowered along the rail portions 46a and 46b. In this way, the number of parts of the mounting members 53a and 53b can be reduced, and the increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0077] In addition, if Figure 8As shown, a gap may be provided between the track portion 46a and the vertical frame members 42a and 42e in the left-right direction, and the roller guide 57 may contact the side of the track portion 46a and the side of the vertical frame members 42a and 42e. The same is true for the track portion 46b. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide the track groove 47 in the track portions 46a and 46b, an increase in the processing cost of the track portions 46a and 46b can be suppressed. In addition, in this case, since the track portions 46a and 46b can be constituted by the same member as the vertical frame members 42a to 42r, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the main frame 41 can be further suppressed.

[0078] In addition, instead of the rail portions 46a and 46b, a structure in which rail grooves 47 are formed in the vertical frame members 42a and 42b may be adopted. In this way, the number of parts of the main frame 41 can be further reduced.

[0079] Furthermore, by using a plurality of the vertical frame members 42a to 42r and the horizontal frame members 43a to 43n, not only the sheet post-processing apparatus described above but also the frame of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or other electronic equipment can be formed.

[0080] When the present invention is applied to an image forming system combined with a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling on sheets after images are formed by the image forming device, an increase in manufacturing cost of the image forming system can be suppressed.

Claims

1. A sheet post-processing device that receives sheets discharged from an upstream device and performs predetermined post-processing, characterized in that: include: Device body; A main frame, constituting the frame of the main body of the device; a sheet conveying passage for conveying the sheet from an inlet provided on a first side surface of the apparatus body toward an outlet formed on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface; a lifting plate, which is lifted and lowered along the second side surface to stack the sheets discharged from the discharge port; as well as A lifting part is used to lift the lifting plate. The lifting part includes a pair of rail parts, and the pair of rail parts are arranged on the main frame to guide the lifting and lowering of the lifting plate. The main frame is composed of a plurality of vertical frame members extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of horizontal frame members connected between adjacent vertical frame members in a beam-like manner and extending in the horizontal direction. The pair of rail portions are integrally formed with a pair of the vertical frame members disposed on the second side surface among the plurality of vertical frame members, The lifting unit also includes: A pair of endless lifting belts circulate in an up-and-down direction along the pair of vertical frame members; A pair of pulleys are arranged opposite to each other in the up-down direction and are used to hang the lifting belt; a motor that rotates the pair of pulleys; and a pair of mounting members, mounted on the pair of lifting belts and supporting the lifting plate, The pair of mounting members have mounting pieces fixed to the pair of lifting belts, and the mounting pieces move along the pair of rail portions. The pair of rail portions are U-shaped groove portions formed on the outer side surfaces of the pair of vertical frame members in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet ejection direction. The mounting piece is guided along the inner wall surfaces of the pair of rail parts and moves up and down in the vertical direction. The mounting piece is provided with a roller body that can slide on the inner wall surface of the pair of rail parts. Each of the plurality of horizontal frame members and each of the plurality of vertical frame members except the pair of vertical frame members is a metal square tube, a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the long side direction is square, and is cut from the same tube member of the same shape, The pair of vertical frame members are metal rod-shaped bodies, and the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the long side direction is U-shaped. In the main body frame, at least each of the plurality of horizontal frame members and each of the plurality of vertical frame members except the pair of vertical frame members are joined by welding.

2. An image forming system, characterized in that: include: An image forming device including an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet and discharging the sheet on which the image is formed to a downstream side; as well as The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1 is connected to the image forming device.

Images