Stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a stacking device and an image forming apparatus. The stacking apparatus includes: a stacking portion on which a sheet discharged by a discharge member is to be stacked; a tray including a placement surface on which the same sheet as the sheet stacked on the stacking portion is to be placed, in which the tray is movable with respect to the stacking portion; and a holding portion configured to hold the tray in a first state and a second state in which the tray is capable of supporting a sheet. The placement surface of the tray in the first state is in a vertical state or in a state closer to a vertical state than the placement surface of the tray in the second state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stacking device on which sheets discharged by a discharge member are stacked, and to an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a discharge port is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, through which a sheet with an image formed thereon is discharged, and the image forming apparatus is constructed to have a width of about 600 mm. Such an image forming apparatus is intended to and is mainly constructed to feed a sheet with a maximum length of about 420 mm, form an image on the sheet, and discharge the sheet with the image formed thereon through the discharge port. Therefore, the discharge tray provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is also constructed to have a tray length that enables each sheet with a maximum length of about 420 mm to be placed on the discharge tray. Therefore, for example, when an image is formed on a so-called long sheet with a length exceeding 600 mm, a discharge tray dedicated to the long sheet can be mounted to the image forming apparatus.

[0003] Here, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-341907 discloses a conventional discharge tray unit, which is used for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and enables a long sheet with an image formed thereon to be placed. The discharge tray unit of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-341907 is detachably mounted to a discharge port of the image forming apparatus and includes a curved guide portion that rotates and conveys the long sheet to be able to receive a long sheet having a length exceeding the width of the image forming apparatus.

[0004] However, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-341907, every time an image is formed on a long sheet, a dedicated discharge tray unit needs to be mounted to the discharge port. This means that when the image formation on the long sheet is completed, the discharge tray unit needs to be disassembled. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to mount and disassemble the dedicated discharge tray unit, and it is necessary to ensure a storage location for the disassembled dedicated discharge tray unit. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a stacking device includes: a stacking portion on which sheets discharged by a discharging member are to be stacked; a tray, which includes a placement surface on which sheets identical to the sheets stacked on the stacking portion are to be placed, wherein the tray is movable relative to the stacking portion; and a holding portion, which is configured to hold the tray in a first state and a second state in which the tray is able to support sheets, wherein the placement surface of the tray in the first state is in a vertical state, or in a state closer to vertical than the placement surface of the tray in the second state.

[0006] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

[0008] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in which the discharge tray unit is attached to the left side of the image forming apparatus.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the extension tray stored in the storage case.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus.

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the discharge tray unit.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the discharge tray unit as seen from an oblique lower side of the discharge tray unit.

[0013] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the extended tray.

[0014] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view of the discharge tray unit.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a service manual holder.

[0016] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the service book holder installed.

[0017] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the service book holder and the discharge tray unit mounted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] (Image Forming Apparatus)

[0019] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1: is a cross-sectional view of an image forming device 100. The image forming device 100 is a four-color full-color LED printer that adopts a tandem intermediate transfer method using an electrophotographic process. The image forming device 100 forms an image on a sheet S as a recording medium using toner based on image information input from an external host device (not shown) (such as a personal computer) to a control circuit unit (not shown). The image forming device 100 includes an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on a sheet S. The image forming unit 14 is arranged in a substantially central portion of the device body 101. The image forming unit 14 includes four image forming units U that form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in order from the left. The image forming units U that form toner images of the respective colors are almost the same. In order to avoid the complexity of the illustration, the image forming unit that forms the toner image of cyan (C) is representatively represented by the reference numeral U, and the indication of the image forming units for forming toner images of other colors by the reference numerals is omitted.

[0020] The image forming unit U includes two replaceable and detachable units, specifically, a drum unit 31 equipped with a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as "drum") 2 as an image bearing member, and a developing unit 32 equipped with a developing sleeve 5 for developing a toner image. The drum unit 31 (drum cartridge) includes: a drum 2, a charging roller 3 for charging the drum 2, and a drum cleaner (not shown) for removing the toner remaining on the drum 2. The developing unit 32 (developing cartridge) includes: a developing sleeve 5, which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 2 with toner; and a screw 7, which supplies toner to the developing sleeve 5 and stirs the toner. Here, inside the developing unit 32, the toner is circulated and transported at a high speed by the screw 7. The rotation speed of the screw 7 is extremely high relative to the rotation speed of the developing sleeve 5 or the rotation speed of the drum 2. High voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 5 via a different path from the charging roller 3. The charged toner inside the developing unit 32 is stirred by the screw 7 and uniformly coated on the developing sleeve 5. A light emitting diode (LED) exposure unit 4 including an LED light emitting element is arranged between the drum unit 31 and the developing unit 32.

[0021] Above the four image forming units U, an intermediate transfer belt unit 8 is arranged. The intermediate transfer belt unit 8 includes: four primary transfer rollers 6, which are arranged to be opposite to the drums 2 of each color, respectively; and a belt 9. Below the four image forming units U, a sheet cassette 12 is arranged. The sheet cassette 12 includes two sheet cassettes, specifically, a sheet cassette 12A located at the upper layer and a sheet cassette 12B located at the lower layer. Above the intermediate transfer belt unit 8, toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K containing toner to be supplied to the developing sleeves 5 of the four image forming units U, respectively, are detachably mounted to the device body 101. The toner supply mechanism (not shown) supplies an appropriate amount of toner from the toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K to the corresponding developing sleeves 5 at an appropriate time.

[0022] (Image Formation Process)

[0023] The following describes an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100. The same image forming process is performed in the four image forming units U. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the drum 2 rotates clockwise. The charging roller 3 is pressed into contact with the rotating drum 2 and a high voltage is applied to uniformly charge the surface of the drum 2. The LED exposure unit 4 arranged between the drum unit 31 and the developing unit 32 irradiates light from the LED light emitting element onto the uniformly charged surface of the drum 2 according to an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 2. The developing sleeve 5 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 2 into a toner image using a toner.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the process, the belt 9 as the intermediate transfer member rotates counterclockwise. The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) toner images formed on the surfaces of the four drums 2 are transferred to the surface of the belt 9 in sequence in a superimposed manner. In this way, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the surface of the belt 9.

[0025] On the right side of the inside of the apparatus body 101, a sheet conveying path 30 is provided, through which the sheet S is conveyed from the bottom to the top. In the sheet conveying path 30, the following components are arranged in order from bottom to top: a feed roller pair 13, a registration roller pair 15, a secondary transfer roller 16, a fixing device 19, and a discharge roller pair 20. The secondary transfer roller 16 is arranged to be opposite to the belt drive roller 10 on the right side of the intermediate transfer belt unit 8, and abuts against the belt drive roller 10 with a predetermined pressing force through the belt 9 in between, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip 17 between the belt 9 and the secondary transfer roller 16.

[0026] The feed roller pair 13 is driven at a predetermined control timing to separate and feed the sheets (recording material, paper) S one by one from the sheet cassette 12, and convey the sheets S to the sheet conveying path 30. The sheet S is conveyed to the secondary transfer nip 17 by the registration roller pair 15 at a predetermined control timing, and is gripped and conveyed in the secondary transfer nip 17. Therefore, in the secondary transfer nip 17, the four color toner images superimposed on the belt 9 are collectively secondarily transferred onto the sheet S, and an unfixed toner image is formed on the sheet S.

[0027] The sheet S is conveyed from the secondary transfer nip 17 to a fixing device 19. The fixing device 19 heats and presses the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image is formed is conveyed from the fixing device 19 to a discharge roller pair 20. The discharge roller pair 20 serving as a discharge member discharges the sheet S as an image-formed product onto a discharge tray 21 disposed above the toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K. The sheet S discharged by the discharge roller pair 20 is stacked on the discharge tray 21 serving as a stacking portion.

[0028] (Structure of the discharge tray unit)

[0029] In the embodiment, the width W of the apparatus body 101 in the conveying direction CD in which the sheet S is discharged is about 600 mm. Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the length of the sheet that can be placed on the discharge tray 21 is about a little over 400 mm. At the same time, as a trend of the image forming apparatus 100 in recent years, there is a demand for adaptability to various materials. The image forming apparatus 100 is expected to handle the feeding of so-called long sheets (for example, sheets with a length ranging from about 600 mm to about 1200 mm in the conveying direction CD). However, as described above, when the length of the discharge tray 21 arranged in the internal space (discharge space) DS of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is smaller than the length of the long sheet, the long sheet cannot be received on the discharge tray 21, and the long sheet falls outside the device body 101. Therefore, in an embodiment, a discharge tray unit 120 serving as a discharge unit on which a long sheet can be placed is mounted to the device body 101, thereby enabling the processing of the long sheet.

[0030] Refer to the following Figures 2 to 8C , describing the discharge tray unit 120 in the embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the discharge tray unit 120 is mounted to the left side surface 101a of the image forming apparatus 100. The discharge tray unit 120 includes a placement surface 123a on which a sheet S is placed, and the image forming unit 14 forms an image on the sheet S. The discharge tray unit 120 includes a storage case 121, a coupling portion 122, and an extension tray 123 (tray). The discharge tray 21, the extension tray 123, and the storage case 121 form the stacking device 110. Figure 3 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the extension tray 123 is stored in the storage case 121. The storage case 121 is formed to have an internal space IS ( Figure 5 , Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C ) box-shaped, the internal space IS can store the extension tray 123 ( Figure 3 The storage case 121 has a size that is large enough not to be too large for the extension tray 123.

[0031] The extension tray 123 is configured to be slidably movable and rotatable relative to the storage housing 121. Therefore, the extension tray 123 is movable relative to the discharge tray 21 of the image forming apparatus 100. The extension tray 123 may be in a first state P1 ( Figure 3 ) and the second state P2( Figure 2 ), in a first state P1, the extension tray 123 is stored in the storage case 121, and in a second state P2, the sheet S can be placed on the extension tray 123. The storage case 121 serving as a holding portion is constructed to hold the extension tray 123 in the first state P1 and in a second state P2 in which the extension tray 123 can support the sheet S. In the first state P1, the extension tray 123 is stored in the storage case 121 with the placement surface 123a being in a vertical state or a state closer to vertical. The placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123 in the first state P1 is in a vertical state, or in a state closer to vertical than the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123 in the second state P2. The storage case 121 compactly stores the extension tray 123 having a small thickness in a substantially vertical state, and therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, the width W1 of the image forming apparatus 100 mounted with the discharge tray unit 120 does not become larger than the required width W compared to the width W of the apparatus body 101. When the long sheet is discharged by the discharge roller pair 20 while the extension tray 123 is in the second state P2, the same sheet as the long sheet stacked on the discharge tray 21 is placed on the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123.

[0032] (Structure of Attaching and Removing the Ejection Tray Unit)

[0033] The discharge tray unit 120 is detachably mounted to the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100. When the discharge tray unit 120 is mounted to the apparatus body 101, the coupling portion 122 connects the storage housing 121 to the discharge tray 21 arranged in the main body inner space DS of the image forming apparatus 100. The placement surface 21a (apparatus side placement surface) of the discharge tray 21 that receives the discharged sheet S does not necessarily extend to the left side surface 101a of the apparatus body 101. The terminal portion 21b of the discharge tray 21 in the conveying direction CD is usually located slightly inward of the left side surface 101a of the apparatus body 101. The reason for this is the design of the discharge tray 21.

[0034] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100. In the main body inner space DS as a discharge space formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a discharge tray 21 including a placement surface 21a on which a sheet S having an image formed by the image forming section 14 is to be placed. Figure 4 As shown, the terminal end portion 21b of the discharge tray 21 has an arc-shaped slope, a concave shape, and a convex shape. Figure 2 As shown, in order to connect the discharge tray 21 and the discharge tray unit 120 to each other naturally and easily, the coupling portion 122 is used as a coupling portion having a shape complementary to the slope, concave shape, and convex shape of the discharge tray 21 .

[0035] In the embodiment, the coupling portion 122 is detachably mounted to the storage case 121. This is because the arrangement and size (such as length and depth) of the discharge tray 21 may differ depending on the type of the image forming apparatus 100. By preparing and replacing a plurality of types of coupling portions 122 corresponding to the plurality of types of image forming apparatuses 100, respectively, the discharge tray unit 120 can be detachably mounted to the plurality of types of image forming apparatuses 100.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, engagement holes 131A and 131B (engaged portions) for mounting the discharge tray unit 120 are provided in the left side surface 101 a of the apparatus body 101 . Figure 5 is a perspective view of the discharge tray unit 120. Figure 5As shown, hooks 124A and 124B (engaging portions) serving as mounting portions are provided on the discharge tray unit 120. Engaging holes 131A and 131B are arranged to correspond to the hooks 124A and 124B, respectively. The discharge tray unit 120 is mounted to the device body 101 by engaging the hooks 124A and 124B with the engaging holes 131A and 131B, respectively. The hooks 124A and 124B are detachably mounted to the storage housing 121 in the same manner as in the case of the coupling portion 122. This is because the positions of the engaging holes 131A and 131B may differ depending on the type of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the discharge tray unit 120 is to be mounted. In the same manner as in the case of the coupling portion 122, by preparing and replacing a plurality of types of hooks 124A and 124B corresponding to a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses 100, respectively, the discharge tray unit 120 may be detachably mounted to a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses 100.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, in the state where the extension tray 123 is pulled out, the placement surface 21a of the discharge tray 21, the upper surface 122a of the coupling portion 122, the upper surface 121a of the storage housing 121, and the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123 form a smooth surface. The length of the smooth surface in the conveying direction CD (discharge direction) may be equal to or greater than 600 mm. Figure 2 When the extension tray 123 is unfolded as shown, the extension tray 123 is constructed so that a long sheet can be placed on the extension tray 123, and the user can easily access the long sheet placed on the extension tray 123. At the connection position of the components, the edge of the placement surface of the downstream side component is lowered by one step to prevent the leading edge of the sheet from being clamped when the sheet is conveyed along the placement surface. That is, in the conveying direction CD, the upstream end of the upper surface 122a of the connecting portion 122 is lower than the downstream end of the placement surface 21a of the discharge tray 21. The upstream end of the upper surface 121a of the storage shell 121 is lower than the downstream end of the upper surface 122a of the connecting portion 122. The upstream end of the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123 is lower than the downstream end of the upper surface 121a of the storage shell 121.

[0038] Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of the discharge tray unit 120 as seen from its oblique lower side. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the bottom surface 121E of the discharge tray unit 120 has a predetermined slope. In the embodiment, the bottom surface 121E of the discharge tray unit 120 is inclined downward toward the left side surface 101a of the image forming apparatus 100. Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, an opening 125 is provided in the lower end portion of the inclined bottom surface 121E as a countermeasure against foreign matter falling into the interior of the discharge tray unit 120. For example, foreign matter such as a paper clip or a staple may enter the storage case 121 through a gap between the storage case 121 and the extension tray 123 in the upper portion of the discharge tray unit 120. In this case, the foreign matter falls into the storage case 121 and reaches the bottom surface 121E. The bottom surface 121E is inclined, so the foreign matter slides down to the lower end portion of the bottom surface 121E and is discharged to the outside of the discharge tray unit 120 through the opening 125.

[0039] (Structure of unfolded extension tray)

[0040] Next, a configuration is described in which the extension tray 123 is pulled out from the storage case 121 and is unfolded to the second state P2 in which sheets can be placed on the extension tray 123 . Figure 7 123 is a perspective view of the extension tray 123. A boss 123A (first engaging portion) and a boss 123B (second engaging portion) are arranged on one side end surface 123g of the extension tray 123, and a boss 123C (first engaging portion) and a boss 123D (second engaging portion, Figure 7 The boss 123A and the boss 123C are respectively arranged on the two side end surfaces 123g and 123h of the extension tray 123 to correspond to each other in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction CD) of the extension tray 123. The boss 123B and the boss 123D ( Figure 7 123a and 123b (not shown) are also respectively arranged on both side end surfaces 123g and 123h of the extension tray 123 to correspond to each other in the width direction.

[0041] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view of the discharge tray unit 120 . Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C123 is a diagram showing the bosses 123C and 123D of the extension tray 123 as seen through the extension tray 123. On both inner side surfaces of the discharge tray unit 120, guide rails (guide portions) 126 are provided, which engage with radially outer portions of the bosses 123A, 123B, 123C, and 123D and guide the bosses 123A, 123B, 123C, and 123D in a slidable manner. On one inner side surface of the discharge tray unit 120, one guide rail 126 is provided that engages with the bosses 123A and 123B provided on one side end surface 123g of the extension tray 123. On the other inner side surface of the discharge tray unit 120, another guide rail 126 is provided that engages with the bosses 123C and 123D provided on the other side end surface 123h of the extension tray 123.

[0042] The extension tray 123 slides and moves to the outside of the storage case 121, and then rotates, so that the extension tray 123 is extended from the first state P1 ( Figure 3 ) changes to the second state P2( Figure 2 ).like Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C In the three stages shown, the unfolding of the extension tray 123 is performed, which is accompanied by pulling out and rotating by sliding movement. First, Fig. 8A 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the bosses 123C and 123D and the guide rail 126 in a state where the entire extension tray 123 has been stored in the storage case 121. The bosses 123C and 123D are located at the lower portion of the guide rail 126. At this time, the boss 123C abuts against the lowermost end portion 126a of the guide rail 126 due to the deadweight of the extension tray 123, so that the entire extension tray 123 is stored in the storage case 121. The bosses 123C and 123D are arranged at a predetermined distance, so that the extension tray 123 is held along the guide rail 126 without rotating relative to the guide rail 126.

[0043] Next, Figure 8B 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the bosses 123C and 123D and the guide rail 126 when the extension tray 123 has been pulled out to the uppermost position. A clip 128 ( 128b ) is arranged at the uppermost end 126b of the guide rail 126 to cooperate (engage) with the radial inner side of the boss 123D. Fig. 8A ). When the extension tray 123 slides and moves upward along the guide rail 126, the radial inner side of the boss 123D cooperates with the buckle 128 provided at the uppermost end 126b of the guide rail 126. Figure 8BIn the embodiment, the radial inner side of the boss 123D is matched with the buckle 128, so the centers of the boss 123D and the buckle 128 are arranged to overlap each other. When the extension tray 123 is pulled out to the uppermost position, the buckle 128 will make a click sound, and the click sound provides recognition that the extension tray 123 has been fully pulled out.

[0044] at last, Figure 8C 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the bosses 123C and 123D and the guide rail 126 in a state where the extension tray 123 is rotated and unfolded. Figure 8B Starting from the state shown, the extension tray 123 rotates counterclockwise around the boss 123D until the boss 123C reaches the buckle 129 ( Figure 8B ). The buckle 129 is arranged immediately before the rib 127 (rotation limiting member) that limits the rotation of the extension tray 123. When the extension tray 123 rotates and the right end of the extension tray 123 abuts against the rib 127 so that the extension tray 123 reaches the predetermined unfolded position (second state P2), the buckle 129 makes a click sound. The click sound provided by the buckle 129 provides recognition that the extension tray 123 has reached the predetermined unfolded position.

[0045] When the extension tray 123 rotates, the cooperation between the boss 123D and the buckle 128 also plays a role in keeping the extension tray 123 in a proper position to prevent the rotation center from shifting when the extension tray 123 rotates. In addition, the center of gravity of the extension tray 123 is sufficiently offset to the left. Therefore, the right end of the extension tray 123 abuts against the rib 127, and the abutment is ensured by the deadweight of the extension tray 123. The guide rail 126 and the buckle 128 form a support portion that supports the extension tray 123 so that the extension tray 123 can slide and rotate.

[0046] As mentioned above, by taking Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C In the three states shown in FIG. 1 , the extension tray 123 can be easily pulled upward from the storage housing 121 and then unfolded by rotating counterclockwise to form a surface on which a long sheet is to be placed. Conversely, when the extension tray 123 is stored in the storage housing 121, by taking the same Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C By performing the reverse process shown in FIG. 1 , the extension tray 123 can be easily stored in the storage housing 121. Figure 7 As shown, a groove 123f is formed in the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123. When a sheet is placed on the placement surface 123a of the extension tray 123, the groove 123f is used as a gap for grasping the sheet with fingers, which improves the convenience of removing the sheet.

[0047] (Service Manual Holder)

[0048] As described above, the discharge tray unit 120 can be mounted to the side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the left side surface 101a of the apparatus body 101 in the embodiment). However, the unit detachably mounted to the side of the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the discharge tray unit 120. For example, the service manual holder 130 is conceivable as a unit detachably mounted to the side of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the service manual holder 130 . Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 with the service manual holder 130 installed. Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the same manner as in the case of the discharge tray unit 120, the service manual holder 130 is mounted to the left side surface 101a of the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100. The service manual holder 130 is a storage container for various manuals such as a user manual. On the right side surface 101b of the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, there is a door that is opened when clearing a jammed sheet. On the front surface 101c ( Figure 4 ) has a door that is opened when replacing the toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K (toner cartridges). Therefore, it is desirable to mount the service manual holder 130 to the left side surface 101a of the device body 101. However, considering the configuration of the discharge tray unit 120, it is desirable to also arrange the discharge tray unit 120 on the left side surface 101a of the device body 101. Therefore, without taking any measures, the discharge tray unit 120 and the service manual holder 130 are configured to be specifically and selectively mounted to the left side surface 101a of the device body 101.

[0050] Therefore, according to the embodiment, the service manual holder 130 is configured to be detachably mounted to the discharge tray unit 120 . Fig.11 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 with the service manual holder 130 and the discharge tray unit 120 mounted thereon. When the discharge tray unit 120 is mounted to the left side surface 101a of the apparatus body 101, the service manual holder 130 is mounted to the side surface 121f of the storage case 121, so that the service manual holder 130 is mounted to one side of the left side surface 101a together with the discharge tray unit 120. Figure 6 As shown, slits 121A, 121B, 121C, and 121D are provided in the side surface 121f of the storage case 121. Fig. 9As shown, hook portions 130A, 130B, 130C, and 130D are provided on the service manual holder 130. The hook portions 130A, 130B, 130C, and 130D of the service manual holder 130 are hooked into and fixed to the slits 121A, 121B, 121C, and 121D of the storage case 121. Fig.11 As shown, the service manual holder 130 is detachably mounted to the side surface 121 f of the storage case 121 of the discharge tray unit 120 .

[0051] According to the embodiment, in a state where the discharge tray unit 120 has been mounted to the image forming apparatus 100, the extension tray 123 can be compactly and easily stored in the storage case 121 and pulled out from the storage case 121. According to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for mounting and dismounting the extension tray 123 (including the placement surface 123a on which the sheet is to be placed) and the time and effort required for storing the extension tray 123. In addition, the convenience of removing the sheet placed on the extension tray 123 is improved.

[0052] In the embodiment, the discharge tray unit 120 is detachably mounted to the device body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 by an engaging unit including hooks 124A and 124B and engaging holes 131A and 131B. However, the discharge tray unit 120 is not limited thereto. For example, the discharge tray unit 120 may be fixed to the device body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 by a fixing method such as screw fixing or snap fitting. The discharge tray unit 120 may be configured so as not to fall off easily after being mounted to the image forming apparatus 100. It is only necessary that the discharge tray unit 120 be mountable to the device body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0053] In an embodiment, the coupling portion 122 and the hooks 124A and 124B are detachably mounted to the storage housing 121 and are replaceable. The coupling portion 122, the hooks 124A and 124B and the storage housing 121 are constructed separately from each other. However, the coupling portion 122 and the hooks 124A and 124B can be constructed integrally with each other. Alternatively, the coupling portion 122, the hooks 124A and 124B and the storage housing 121 can be constructed integrally with each other. This can reduce the number of parts required for each type of image forming device 100 and reduce the time and effort required to replace parts. In an embodiment, the image forming device 100 is described as an LED printer. However, the image forming device 100 is not limited to this, and can also be a laser printer, an inkjet printer, an electrophotographic copier, a multi-function peripheral (MFP), a fax device or a printer. The image forming device 100 is not limited to a printer that forms a color image, and can also be a printer that forms a monochrome image.

[0054] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A stacking device, comprising: a stacking portion on which sheets discharged by the discharging member are to be stacked; a tray including a placement surface on which sheets identical to the sheets stacked on the stacking portion are to be placed, wherein the tray is movable relative to the stacking portion; and a holding portion configured to hold the tray in a first state and a second state in which the tray can support a sheet, The placement surface of the tray in the first state is in a vertical state, or in a state closer to vertical than the placement surface of the tray in the second state.

2. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein: The tray is configured to be slidably movable and rotatable relative to the holding portion.

3. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein: The tray is slidably moved from the first state in which the tray is stored in the holding portion to the outside of the holding portion, and then the tray is rotated to enter the second state.

4. The stacking device according to claim 1, in, The holding portion includes an inclined bottom surface, and Wherein, an opening is formed in the lower end portion of the inclined bottom surface.

5. The stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The holding portion is attachable to an image forming device including an image forming portion, wherein the stacking section is provided in a discharge space formed in a main body of the image forming apparatus, and sheets on which images are formed by the image forming section are to be stacked on the stacking section, Wherein, the holding portion comprises: a coupling portion configured to connect a placement surface of the stacking portion and the placement surface of the tray to each other; and a mounting portion configured to mount the holding portion to the image forming device, and Wherein, the coupling portion and the mounting portion are detachably mounted to the holding portion.

6. The stacking device according to claim 5, wherein: The holding portion is detachably mounted to the image forming device.

7. The stacking device according to claim 5, in, The placement surface of the stacking portion, the coupling portion, and the placement surface of the tray form a surface on which a sheet is to be placed, and Wherein, the length of the surface in the conveying direction of the sheet is equal to or greater than 600 mm.

8. The stacking device according to claim 1, in, The tray includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion provided on a side surface of the tray in a width direction orthogonal to a discharge direction of the sheet discharged by the discharge member, and The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to engage with a guide portion provided in the holding portion so that the tray can slide relative to the holding portion.

9. The stacking device according to claim 8, wherein: When the tray is in the first state, the first engaging portion abuts against a lower end portion of the guide portion.

10. The stacking device according to claim 8, wherein: When the tray is in the first state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are held by the guide portion to prevent the tray from rotating.

11. The stacking device according to claim 8, wherein: When the tray slides and moves upward from the first state and the second engagement portion is located at an upper end portion of the guide portion, the tray is rotatable about the second engagement portion to enter the second state.

12. The stacking device according to claim 8, wherein: When the tray is in the second state, the first engaging portion is arranged upstream of the second engaging portion in the ejection direction, and the first engaging portion is held in abutment with the holding portion so that the second state is maintained.

13. The stacking device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein: The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are provided on respective side surfaces of the tray along the width direction.

14. A stacking device comprising: a stacking portion on which sheets discharged by the discharging member are to be stacked; a tray including a placement surface on which sheets identical to the sheets stacked on the stacking portion are to be placed, wherein the tray is movable relative to the stacking portion; and a support portion configured to support the tray in a slidable and rotatable manner, wherein the tray slides and moves from a first state and then rotates to enter a second state in which the tray can support a sheet, The placement surface of the tray in the first state is in a vertical state, or in a state closer to vertical than the placement surface of the tray in the second state.

15. The stacking device according to claim 14, further comprising: A holding portion is provided with the supporting portion and is configured to store the tray in the first state.

16. The stacking device according to claim 15, in, The holding portion includes an inclined bottom surface, and Wherein, an opening is formed in the lower end portion of the inclined bottom surface.

17. The stacking device according to claim 15, in, The holding portion is attachable to an image forming device including an image forming portion, wherein the stacking section is provided in a discharge space formed in a main body of the image forming apparatus, and sheets on which images are formed by the image forming section are to be stacked on the stacking section, Wherein, the holding portion comprises: a coupling portion configured to connect a placement surface of the stacking portion and the placement surface of the tray to each other; and a mounting portion configured to mount the holding portion to the image forming device, and Wherein, the coupling portion and the mounting portion are detachably mounted to the holding portion.

18. The stacking device according to claim 17, in, The placement surface of the stacking portion, the coupling portion, and the placement surface of the tray form a surface on which a sheet is to be placed, and Wherein, the length of the surface in the conveying direction of the sheet is equal to or greater than 600 mm.

19. The stacking device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, in, The tray includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion provided on a side surface of the tray in a width direction orthogonal to a discharge direction of the sheet discharged by the discharge member, and The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to engage with a guide portion provided in the holding portion so that the tray can slide relative to the holding portion.

20. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; as well as A stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images