Sheet stacking device

Abstract

To provide a sheet stacking device capable of determining size of sheets stacked based on a position of a regulation member, that is applicable to a wide range of sheets in size.SOLUTION: A size in a feeding direction is detected by a detection lever rotated by being pushed with a rear end regulation member, that is rotatably supported with an axis line along the feeding direction as a center; and a sensor for detecting a position of the detection lever.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet stacking device on which sheets are stacked. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-81446 discloses a configuration in which sheets on which images are formed are stored in a sheet stacking device. In the sheet stacking device, the rear end of the sheet is regulated by a rear end regulating member. The bottom of the rear end regulating member is detected by a sensor. Then, the length of the sheet is determined based on the position of the rear end regulating member detected by the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-81446 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The length of the bottom of the trailing end regulating member is restricted due to the convenience of the arrangement. In other words, in many cases, the bottom of the trailing end regulating member cannot be configured to exceed a predetermined length. In a configuration in which the bottom of the trailing end regulating member is detected by a sensor, the movable range of the trailing end regulating member in which one sensor can detect the trailing end regulating member is limited to the length of the bottom of the trailing end regulating member. Therefore, for example, the range of sheet sizes that the sheet stacking device can handle is limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sheet stacking device of the present invention has a loading section on which sheets are loaded, a regulating member that can move in a predetermined direction to regulate the sheets by contacting the edge of the sheets loaded on the loading section in a predetermined direction, and a detection section that detects the size of the sheets loaded on the loading section, and is characterized in that the detection section is equipped with a rotating member that is pushed by the regulating member and rotates around an axis extending in the predetermined direction, and a sensor that detects the position of the rotating member. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet stacking device that can determine the size of a stacked sheet based on the position of a regulating member and can accommodate a wide range of sheet sizes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] An outline of the internal structure of the storage facility. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the width and feed directions of a typical standard size. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first comparative example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second comparative example. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a rear end guide portion and a size detection portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a rear end guide portion and a size detection portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a rear end guide portion and a size detection portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. Note that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are included. However, the scope of the present invention is not unduly limited by the following description, and not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are essential components of the present invention.

[0009] An inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus, an inkjet recording apparatus 1. This inkjet recording apparatus 1 is a sheet-fed inkjet recording apparatus that produces a recorded matter by forming an ink image on a sheet S using two liquids, a reaction liquid and an ink.

[0011] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a paper feed module 1000, a print module 2000, a drying module 3000, a fixing module 4000, and a cooling module 5000. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 further includes a reversing module 6000 and a paper discharge stacking module 7000.

[0012] A cut sheet S supplied from the paper feed module 1000 is transported along a transport path, processed in each module, and discharged to the discharge stacking module 7000.

[0013] The sheet feeding module 1000 serving as a sheet stacking device is provided with three storage chambers 1100a-c for storing sheets S. The storage chambers 1100a-c are configured to be able to be pulled out toward the front side of the device. The sheets S in each of the storage chambers 1100a-c are fed one by one in the feeding direction by a separation belt 3001 and a conveying roller serving as a feeding section, and conveyed to the print module 2000. The number of storage chambers 1100a-c is not limited to three, and the configuration may include one, two, or four or more.

[0014] The print module 2000 has a registration correction unit, a print belt unit 2200, and a recording unit 2300, which are not shown. The sheet S conveyed from the paper feed module 1000 has its inclination and position corrected by the registration correction unit and is conveyed to the print belt unit 2200. The recording unit 2300 is disposed at a position facing the print belt unit 2200 with respect to the conveying path. The recording unit 2300 is a sheet processing unit that performs recording processing (printing) on ​​the conveyed sheet S from above with a recording head to form an image. The sheet S is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, so that a clearance with the recording head is secured. In addition, a plurality of recording heads are arranged along the conveying direction. In this example, in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and BK (black), a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquid are provided. Note that the number of colors and the number of recording heads are not limited to five. The inkjet method may employ a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, etc. Each color of ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube. The sheet S printed by the recording unit 2300 is transported to the drying module 3000.

[0015] The drying module 3000 has a decoupling unit 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing unit 3400. The drying module 3000 reduces the liquid content contained in the ink applied onto the sheet S by the recording unit 2300, and improves the fixation of the ink to the sheet S.

[0016] The sheet S printed by the recording unit 2300 of the print module 2000 is transported to the decoupling unit 3200 arranged in the drying module 3000. In the decoupling unit 3200, the sheet S can be transported by air pressure from above and friction of the belt, and by weakly holding and transporting the sheet S on the belt, misalignment of the sheet S on the print belt unit 2200 where the ink image is formed is prevented.

[0017] The sheet S conveyed from the decoupling section 3200 is adsorbed and conveyed by the drying belt unit 3300, and at the same time, hot air is blown from a hot air blowing section 3400 arranged above the belt to dry the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the drying method may be a combination of a method of applying hot air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.), and a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element.

[0018] The fixing module 4000 includes a fixing belt unit 4100. In the fixing module 4000, the sheet S conveyed from the drying module 3000 passes between a heated upper belt unit and a lower belt unit, thereby fixing the ink onto the sheet S.

[0019] The cooling module 5000 has a plurality of cooling units 5001, and cools the high-temperature sheet S transported from the fixing module 4000. The cooling unit 5001 is configured to take in outside air into a cooling box with a fan to increase the pressure inside the cooling box, and cool the sheet S by blowing air from nozzles formed in a transport guide onto the sheet S. The cooling units 5001 are arranged on both sides of the transport path, and can cool the sheet S from both sides. The cooling module 5000 also has a transport path switching unit, and can switch the transport path of the sheet S depending on whether the sheet S is transported to the inversion module 6000 or to a double-sided transport path used for double-sided printing.

[0020] During double-sided printing, the sheet S is transported to a transport path below the cooling module 5000, and is transported in the order of the fixing module 4000, the drying module 3000, and the print module 2000. The sheet is transported from the print module 2000 along a double-sided transport path of the paper feed module 1000, and is printed again by the print module 2000. The double-sided transport section of the fixing module 4000 has an inversion section 4200 that inverts the sheet S from front to back.

[0021] The reversing module 6000 can reverse the sheet S being conveyed, and can freely change the orientation of the sheet S to be discharged.

[0022] The discharged sheet stacking module 7000 has a top tray 7200 and a discharged sheet stacking section 7500, and aligns and stacks the sheets S conveyed from the reversing module 6000.

[0023] Next, the configuration and mechanism of the sheet feeding module 1000 and the storages 1100a-c for sheets S mounted therein will be described. In this embodiment, since the storages 1100a-c all have the same configuration, the following description will only describe the configuration around the storage 1100a. However, it is not an essential condition of the present invention that the storages 1100a-c all have the same configuration, and for example, the maximum and minimum sizes of the sheets that can be supported by each of the storages 1100a-c may be different. Also, the conditions and configurations for detecting paper sizes may be different for each of the storages 1100a-c.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the repository 1100a. For simplicity, peripheral parts such as the cover are omitted in Figure 2(a), and the repository frame 1110 is omitted in Figure 2(b) to show the internal configuration.

[0025] The storage 1100a includes a storage frame 1110 including its walls, and a lifter plate 1140 on which sheets are loaded and can be raised and lowered. The storage 1100a further includes a pair of side guides 1121, 1122. The pair of side guides 1121, 1122 can move in the sheet width direction 82 relative to the storage frame 1110, and contact the ends of the sheets stored in the storage 1100a (sheets loaded on the lifter plate 1140) in the sheet width direction 82. In other words, the side guides 1121, 1122 are guides that regulate the position of the sheets S in the sheet width direction 82 perpendicular to the feeding direction 81. The storage 1100a further includes an operation unit 1125 that is operated by a user when moving the pair of side guides 1121, 1122. The storage 1100a further includes a rear end guide portion 1130 as a regulating member that regulates the rear end of the sheet. The rear end guide portion 1130 contacts the upstream end in the feeding direction 81 of the sheet (hereinafter referred to as the rear end of the sheet) loaded on a lifter plate 1140 as a loading portion. The rear end guide portion 1130 is a guide portion that regulates the position of the sheet S in the sheet feeding direction 81. The rear end guide portion 1130 is supported by the storage frame 1110 so as to be movable in a moving direction that is a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the sheet feeding direction and the moving direction of the rear end guide portion 1130 are parallel to each other at least when viewed from above.

[0026] The storage 1100a includes an abutment portion 2001. The abutment portion 2001 is abutted by the downstream end in the feeding direction 81 of the sheets loaded on the lifter plate 1140 (hereinafter, referred to as the leading edge of the sheet).

[0027] The side guides 1121 and 1122 are provided with a structure for detecting their positions by a rotary sensor (not shown), and the width direction size of the sheet S can be determined steplessly.

[0028] The rear end guide portion 1130 according to this embodiment and a configuration for detecting the position of the rear end guide portion 1130 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Note that, for the sake of explanation, a part of the storage frame 1110 and a lifter plate 1140 on which the sheets S are loaded are omitted in Figures 10 to 12.

[0029] 10, a size detection unit 1150 that detects the position of the rear end guide unit 1130 is provided on the bottom surface of the storage frame 1110, upstream of the side guide units 1121 and 1122 in the feeding direction 81. A schematic diagram focusing on the size detection unit 1150 is shown in FIGS.

[0030] The size detection unit 1150 includes a detection lever 1151 as a rotating member, and a photosensor 1152 that generates a signal according to the position of the detection lever 1151. The detection lever 1151 is supported by the rotation shaft 71 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the sheet feeding direction when viewed from above. The detection lever 1151 switches between a first state in which the bottom 1130a of the rear end guide portion 1130 contacts the detection lever 1151 shown in FIG. 11 and a second state in which the bottom 1130a does not contact the detection lever 1151 shown in FIG. 12. The photosensor 1152 detects the position of the detection lever 1151. The photosensor 1152 determines whether the detection lever 1151 is in the first state or the second state.

[0031] The detection lever 1151 has a guide contact portion 1151a that contacts the rear end guide portion 1130, and a sensor lever portion 1151b that is located on the opposite side of the guide contact portion 1151a across the rotation shaft 71. The guide contact portion 1151a extends along the sheet feeding direction 81. The downstream end of the guide contact portion 1151a in the feeding direction 81 is bent downward to form a tapered portion 1151c.

[0032] When the rear end guide section 1130 is positioned within a predetermined range, the guide contact section 1151a comes into contact with the rear end guide section 1130 and is pressed down. When the guide contact section 1151a is pressed down, the sensor flag section 1151b on the opposite side moves up. The state in which the guide contact section 1151a is pressed down by the bottom section 1130a of the rear end guide section 1130 and the sensor flag section 1151b moves up is the first state (state in the first position) shown in FIG. 11. When the detection lever 1151 is in the first state, the photosensor 1152 is in the OFF state (output signal is OFF). In other words, the sensor flag section 1151b of the detection lever 1151 in the first state does not block the light path of the photosensor 1152.

[0033] The detection lever 1151 is shaped such that the moment of the sensor flag 1151b is larger than that of the guide contact portion 1151a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the rear end guide portion 1130 is in a position where it does not contact the detection lever 1151, the guide contact portion 1151a rises and the sensor flag portion 1151b falls to a second state (a state in the second position). In other words, as the rear end guide portion 1130 moves so that the bottom portion 1130a moves away from the detection lever 1151, the detection lever 1151 rotates to a position of the second state by its own weight. When the detection lever 1151 is in the second state, the photosensor 1152 is in an ON state (the output signal is ON). In other words, the sensor flag portion 1151b of the detection lever 1151 in the second state blocks the light path of the photosensor 1152.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first state corresponds to a large size sheet, and the second state corresponds to a small size sheet. That is, when the rear end guide portion 1130 passes a predetermined position that separates large and small sheets, the contact state between the detection lever 1151 and the rear end guide portion 1130 is switched. Then, the control portion 3002 (see FIG. 2) reads a signal from the photosensor 1152 to distinguish between large and small sheets.

[0035] In this embodiment, a photosensor 1152 (see Figs. 11 and 12) is used to determine the size of the sheets stacked in the storage 1100a in the feeding direction 81. Then, by comparing with a predetermined threshold value, it is confirmed whether the size is large or small. Fig. 3 shows the relationship between the width direction and feeding direction size of a representative standard size (the size of the sheet that the feeding module 1000 of this embodiment can face). As can be seen from Fig. 3, there are basically two or less combinations in which the size in the sheet width direction 82 is the same but the size in the feeding direction 81 is different. Therefore, if it can be determined whether the size in the feeding direction 81 of the sheets stored in the storage 1100a is large or small, the size of the sheet can be determined.

[0036] In order to reduce costs, the size detection in the feeding direction 81 is performed by one sensor (photo sensor 1152). That is, in order to reduce costs, the confirmation of the size in all combinations of the sheet width direction 82 is determined using a common threshold value. In this case, the settable threshold value ranges from the maximum size in the feeding direction on the small size side to the minimum size in the feeding direction on the large size side in all combinations having the same width direction. That is, the group in which the long sheet is the shortest among multiple groups of long and short sheets of a standard size compatible with the sheet feeding module 1000 and having the same width in the feeding direction is defined as the first group. The group in which the short sheet is the longest among the multiple groups is defined as the second group. The long sheet of the first group is defined as the upper limit position regulated by the rear end guide unit 1130, and the short sheet of the second group is defined as the lower limit position regulated by the rear end guide unit 1130. The size detection unit 1150 is configured so that the output of the photosensor 1152 is changed when the rear end guide unit 1130 moves between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. In the example of Fig. 3, the group consisting of G-LGL and G-LTRR corresponds to the first group, and the group consisting of LGL and LTRR corresponds to the second group.

[0037] When the standard sizes shown in FIG. 3 are used, the lower limit is the LTR size, which is 215.9 mm wide and 279.4 mm long in the feeding direction. The upper limit is the G-LGL size, which is 203.2 mm wide and 330.2 mm long in the feeding direction. Therefore, by setting a threshold value between 279.4 mm and 330.2 mm for distinguishing between large and small in the feeding direction, it is possible to distinguish between large and small in all standard sizes that can be handled. Note that this value is for the case where the standard sizes shown as an example in FIG. 3 are used. Therefore, when using other standard size groups, for example, when G-LTR and G-LGL are not included, the threshold range is between 279.4 mm and 355.6 mm, which distinguishes between LTR and LGL. In addition, when considering the error of size detection in the sheet width direction 82, it is also possible to set the threshold value in a range that can distinguish between the A4R size, which is 297 mm long in the feeding direction, and its neighboring sizes. In this embodiment, the difference between the maximum size and the minimum size in the feeding direction that the sheet feeding module 1000 can handle is greater than the threshold value. The threshold value here is the distance from the abutment portion 2001, which the leading edge of the sheet abuts against, to the trailing edge guide portion 1130 at which the output of the photosensor 1152 is changed.

[0038] Generally, many sheet stacking devices that supply sheets are provided with a mechanism for detecting the position of a regulating guide that defines the rear end in the width direction and the feed direction in order to determine the size of the stacked sheets. As a method for determining the sheet size, a rotary sensor or the like is used to perform stepless detection in the width direction. In addition, many sheet stacking devices use one or two photo sensors or the like in the feed direction to check only whether the size is larger or smaller than a set threshold value. For example, when a sheet with a width of 297 mm is detected, the only two types of sheets that are commonly used are A4 size with a feed direction of 210 mm and A3 size with a feed direction of 420 mm. Therefore, if it is possible to detect which of these the sheet falls into, the sheet size can be determined. In this way, it is assumed that standard size sheets are stacked.

[0039] (First Comparative Example) As a method for detecting the size of the sheet in the feeding direction with a small number of parts, the configuration of the first comparative example as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is considered. A sensor flag 1131 extending in the feeding direction is provided on the rear end guide portion 1130 that defines the feeding direction, and the sensor flag 1131 is detected by a sensor 1132 provided on the bottom surface of the storage frame 1110. In Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the minimum feeding direction size that the storage 1100a supports is L1, the threshold value for determining whether the size is large or small is L2, and the maximum feeding direction size is L3. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show the state in which the rear end guide portion 1130 is arranged corresponding to each size. When the sensor flag 1131 extending in the feeding direction is arranged corresponding to the minimum and maximum sizes of the sheet S, it is necessary to be inside the wall surface of the storage 1100a. Therefore, when the length of the sensor flag 1131 is F, the relationship between L1, L2, and L3 is as follows. L1>f f>L3-L2 L1>L3-L2 L2>L3-L1

[0040] As shown in the above formula, the configuration of the first comparative example can be realized with the minimum number of parts, but there is a problem that L3-L1, which is the range of sizes that can be handled in the feeding direction, cannot exceed the threshold value L2. For example, if the minimum size L1 is 266.7 mm for the G-LTR size corresponding to 203.2 mm in the width direction, and the threshold value L2 is 330.2 mm, the maximum size in the above range, then the maximum size L3 must be 596.9 mm or less.

[0041] That is, in the first comparative example shown in Figures 4 to 6, there is a limit to the setting of the threshold value for size detection due to the available paper sizes. On the other hand, in this embodiment, unlike the configuration of the first comparative example (the configuration shown in Figures 4 to 6), there is no limit to the setting of the threshold value for size detection, and it is possible to set the threshold value to any value.

[0042] (Second Comparative Example) The configuration of the second comparative example shown in Figs. 7 to 9 can be considered as a configuration that solves the problem of the first comparative example that the setting of the threshold value for size detection is limited depending on the available sheet size. In the second comparative example, as shown in Fig. 7, a sensor flag 1131 extending in the feeding direction is rotatably provided on a storage frame 1110 with an axis extending in the sheet width direction. In other words, the sensor flag 1131 rotates about an axis extending in the sheet width direction. In the second comparative example shown in Figs. 7 to 9, a biasing member 1133 is provided as a return means for switching the sensor flag 1131 from a first state to a second state.

[0043] 7 shows a state in which the rear end guide portion 1130 is on the small size side and is not in contact with the sensor flag 1131. Figs. 8 and 9 show a state in which the rear end guide portion 1130 is on the large size side and is in contact with the sensor flag 1131. When the rear end guide portion 1130 returns from the large size side to the small size side, the sensor flag also returns to a position corresponding to the small size by the biasing member 1133. Therefore, the size of the sheet in the feeding direction can be determined from a signal of a sensor 1132 that detects the position of the sensor flag 1131.

[0044] By using the configuration of the second comparative example, even if the size in the feeding direction that the storage frame 1110 can accommodate is wider, it can be accommodated by simply extending the length of the sensor flag 1131 fixed to the bottom surface. Therefore, although the number of parts is somewhat higher than in the first comparative example, it is possible to accommodate a wide range of sheet sizes in the feeding direction without being restricted by a threshold value as in the configuration shown in FIG.

[0045] However, in the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the rear end guide portion 1130 is moved from the small size side to the large size side, it is necessary to apply a force to the sensor lever 1131 against the biasing member 1133. At this time, the force is applied via the rear end guide portion 1130 to the vicinity of the base of the rotation shaft of the sensor lever 1131. This shortens the radius of the rotation moment, resulting in a configuration that places a heavy burden on the operator. It is possible to lengthen the radius of the rotation moment by moving the rotation shaft toward the tip end, but this requires extending the sensor lever 1131 itself and increasing the spring force of the biasing member 1133 that supports it, resulting in a large configuration.

[0046] In contrast to the second comparative example, in this embodiment, the detection lever 1151 is configured to swing by its own weight, and therefore can be configured at a lower cost than the second comparative example (the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) which requires the biasing member 1133. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis of the detection lever 1151 to the contact position of the rear end guide portion 1130 is always constant, so the operator does not feel a large burden when switching the contact state.

[0047] In this embodiment, in a sheet stacking device that can accommodate a wide range of sheet sizes in the feeding direction and can accommodate various standard sizes, size detection in the feeding direction can be achieved with a small number of parts, i.e., at low cost.

[0048] Although the image forming apparatus has been exemplified as having an inkjet type image forming section, the image forming apparatus may have an electrophotographic type image forming section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1000 Feeding Module 1100a Storage 1100b Storage 1100c Storage 1130 Rear end guide 1131 Sensor Flag 1132 Sensor 1150 Rear end detection unit 1151 Detection lever 1151a Guide contact part 1151b Sensor flag section 1152 Photosensor

Claims

1. A loading section where sheets are loaded; a regulating member that comes into contact with an edge of the sheet in a predetermined direction stacked on the stacking section to regulate the sheet and is movable in the predetermined direction; a detection unit that detects the size of the sheets loaded on the loading unit, The detection unit includes a rotating member that is pushed by the regulating member and rotates about an axis extending in the predetermined direction, and a sensor that detects the position of the rotating member. A sheet stacking device comprising:

2. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is configured to output different signals when the rotating member is located at a first position when the regulating member contacts the rotating member and when the rotating member is located at a second position when the regulating member is separated from the rotating member.

3. 3. The sheet stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the rotary member rotates from the first position to the second position by its own weight as the regulating member moves away from the rotary member.

4. 2. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, further comprising a feeding section that feeds the sheets stacked on the stacking section in a feeding direction parallel to the predetermined direction when viewed from above.

5. Among a plurality of groups of sheets each having a long sheet and a short sheet of a standard size compatible with the sheet stacking device and the same width in the feeding direction, a group in which the long sheet is the shortest is defined as a first group, and a group in which the short sheet is the longest is defined as a second group. The sheet stacking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection unit is configured so that the output of the sensor is changed when the regulating member moves between a position where the regulating member regulates the long sheets of the first group and a position where the regulating member regulates the short sheets of the second group.

6. abutting portion against which a leading edge of the sheet in a feeding direction is abutted when the sheet is loaded on the loading portion, the regulating member regulates a position of a trailing end of the sheet in the feeding direction, A sheet stacking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the difference between the maximum size and the minimum size in the feeding direction that the sheet stacking device can handle is greater than the distance from the abutment portion to the position of the regulating member when the output of the sensor changes when the regulating member moves.

7. abutting portion against which a leading edge of the sheet in a feeding direction is abutted when the sheet is loaded on the loading portion, the regulating member regulates a position of a trailing end of the sheet in the feeding direction, 2. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the abutting portion to a position of the regulating member when the output of the sensor is changed as the regulating member moves is 279.4 mm or more and 355.6 mm or less.

8. A sheet stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an image forming section that forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet stacking device.

Images