Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that has an image forming apparatus and a processing unit electrically connected to each other using a drawer connector on a depth side of an in-barrel space of the image forming apparatus, and that can arrange another option unit between an ejection part of the image forming apparatus and the processing unit.SOLUTION: In an image forming system, a processing unit is removably provided in an in-barrel space of an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus and the processing unit are electrically connected using a drawer connector on a depth side of the in-barrel space. An attachment position of a unit connection part 121, which holds a drawer connector 126 on a side of the processing unit, is made changeable to two points, a first attachment position and a second attachment position, depending on the presence or absence of a punch unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 30

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a connector that can be connected to a processing unit that processes a sheet discharged from the main body of the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a configuration is known in which a processing unit can be attached that receives sheets discharged from the apparatus body in an internal space (a space formed between an image forming unit and a reading unit) and performs various processes on the sheets. The processes performed by the processing unit include processes such as stapling the sheets, punching holes in the sheets, or folding the sheets, as well as a process of simply transporting the discharged sheets.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a finisher capable of stacking a large number of sheets is disposed on the side of the main body of an image forming apparatus, and a buffer path unit that relays and conveys sheets from the discharge port of the main body to the finisher is attached. This buffer path unit is also one of the above-mentioned processing units.

[0004] This buffer path unit is attached to the device body by being inserted from the front of the image forming device toward the rear (a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction). At this time, the buffer path unit has a drawer connector at the leading end side (rear side) in the insertion direction. As the buffer path unit is inserted, the connector on the buffer path unit fits into the connector on the device body side that is arranged at a recessed position in the device body, thereby electrically connecting with the device body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-108842 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the image forming device and the processing unit are connected using a drawer connector at the back of the internal space, so if one tries to place another processing unit as an option between the discharge section of the image forming device and the processing unit, the positions of the drawer connectors will be misaligned, making it impossible to place the optional device.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system in which an image forming device and a processing unit are electrically connected using a drawer connector at the rear of the internal space of the image forming device, and in which it is possible to place another optional unit between the discharge section of the image forming device and the processing unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A representative configuration of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet processing device that performs a predetermined process on a sheet received from the image forming device, wherein the image forming device has an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet, a reading section that is arranged above the image forming section and reads an original document, and a discharge section that discharges the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming section in a first direction toward an internal space formed between the image forming section and the reading section, and the sheet processing device has a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the sheet received from the discharge section, and a connector holding section that holds a first connector for electrically connecting the image forming device and the processing unit at the rear side of the processing unit in the front-rear direction of the image forming device, and a second connector on the image forming device side that is connected to the first connector when the processing unit and a slide rail are inserted toward the rear side of the internal space of the image forming device, and the connector holding section is configured to be attachable to a plurality of locations in the first direction. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, an image forming system is provided in which the image forming device and a processing unit are electrically connected using a drawer connector at the rear of the internal space of the image forming device, and it is possible to place another optional unit between the discharge section of the image forming device and the processing unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a processing unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the processing unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are enlarged cross-sectional views of a connector portion of the image forming apparatus and the processing unit. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are partially enlarged perspective views of the processing unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a processing unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a processing unit. [Figure 28] FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the upper surface of the slide rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, and relative positions of each component of the image forming apparatus shown below do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. Also, components with the same reference numerals in each drawing have the same configuration or function, and duplicated descriptions of these components will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] In the following description, the upward direction U, downward direction D, rightward direction R, leftward direction L, backward direction B, and forward direction F shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 10, etc. are defined as follows. The side where the operation unit 11 is arranged with respect to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 is defined as the forward side (near side or front side), and the opposite side is defined as the backward side (rear side or rear side). In FIG. 1, the direction from the back to the front of the page is defined as the forward direction, and the direction from the front to the back of the page is defined as the backward direction. In addition, when the imaging unit UK that forms a black image is used as a reference, the side where the imaging unit UY that forms a yellow image is arranged is defined as the left side. When the imaging unit UY that forms a yellow image is used as a reference, the side where the imaging unit UK that forms a black image is arranged is defined as the right side. Furthermore, the vertical upward direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here is defined as the upward direction, and the vertical downward direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here is defined as the downward direction.

[0013] In the following description, the first direction is the left-right direction, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the front-rear direction, and the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is the up-down direction.

[0014] (Image forming device) The image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment, as seen from the front.

[0015] 1 is a tandem-intermediate transfer-type four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and is an example of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image on a sheet S based on image information input to a control circuit section (not shown) from an external host device (not shown) such as a personal computer.

[0016] The device body 100, which is the main unit of the image forming device 1, has an image forming unit located in approximately the center of the device that sequentially forms toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the left.

[0017] The imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK, which function as image forming sections that form toner images of each color, have a similar configuration. In order to avoid complicating the drawings, reference numerals are given to the components that make up the imaging unit UC for cyan as a representative, and reference numerals for the components that make up the other imaging units UY, UM, and UK are omitted.

[0018] Each of the four imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK is composed of a drum unit equipped with a rotating drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 2 as an image carrier, and a developing unit equipped with a developing sleeve 5 that develops a toner image. Each imaging unit is configured to be replaceable or detachable from the device main body 100, which is the main unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0019] The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum 2, a charging roller 3 for charging the photosensitive drum, and a drum cleaner unit (not shown).

[0020] The developing unit includes, in addition to the developing sleeve 5, a screw 7 for supplying toner to the developing sleeve and agitating the toner.

[0021] Between the drum unit and the developing unit, an LED exposure unit 4 equipped with an LED light emitting element is disposed.

[0022] In addition, an intermediate transfer belt unit 8 is disposed above the four imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK. The intermediate transfer belt unit 8 includes four primary transfer rollers 6 and a belt 9 disposed to face the photosensitive drums 2 of the respective colors.

[0023] Further, below the four imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK, a sheet cassette 12 is arranged. The sheet cassette 12 includes two cassettes, a cassette 12A arranged on an upper level and a cassette 12B arranged on a lower level.

[0024] Furthermore, toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K are disposed above the intermediate transfer belt unit 8. The toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K contain refill toner for the four imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK, and are detachable and replaceable. This allows the imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK of each color to be refilled with the appropriate amount of toner at the appropriate time from the corresponding toner bottles by a toner refill mechanism (not shown).

[0025] (Image formation process) In the image formation process, a latent image is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 2 of these four imaging units UY, UM, UC, and UK. As a preparatory operation, a high voltage is applied to the charging roller 3 pressed against the photosensitive drum 2, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged as the photosensitive drum 2 rotates.

[0026] Next, a high voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 5 through a route different from that of the charging roller 3, so that the charged toner inside the developing unit is uniformly coated on the surface of the developing sleeve 5. Inside the developing unit, the toner is circulated and transported at high speed by a screw 7. The rotation speed of the screw 7 is relatively very high compared to the rotation speeds of the developing sleeve 5 and the photosensitive drum 2, so that the toner can be coated evenly and without unevenness on the developing sleeve 5.

[0027] An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by changing the potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 through the emission and irradiation of the LEDs of the LED exposure unit 4, which is disposed between the drum unit and the developing unit, and the toner on the developing sleeve 5 develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image.

[0028] The toner image on the photosensitive drum is primarily transferred to the surface of the belt 9 in the order of the above colors as the belt 9, which serves as an intermediate transfer body, rotates. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image of Y+M+C+K is formed on the belt 9.

[0029] A sheet transport path for transporting a sheet S from bottom to top is disposed on the right side inside the device body 100 of the image forming apparatus 1. On this sheet transport path, from bottom to top, a pair of feeding rollers 13, a pair of registration rollers 15, a secondary transfer roller 16, a fixing unit 19, and a pair of discharge rollers 20 are disposed in this order. The secondary transfer roller 16 abuts against a belt drive roller 10 on the right side of the intermediate transfer belt unit 8 with a predetermined pressing force via the belt 9, and forms a secondary transfer nip portion 17 with the belt 9.

[0030] Here, the pair of feed rollers 13 is driven at a predetermined control timing, and the sheets (recording materials, paper) S are separated and fed one by one from the sheet cassette 12 and introduced into the sheet conveying path. Then, the pair of registration rollers 15 introduces the sheet S into the secondary transfer nip portion 17 at a predetermined control timing, and nip-conveys the sheet S. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the belt 9 is secondarily transferred collectively onto the sheet S at the secondary transfer nip portion 17, and an unfixed toner image is formed on the sheet S.

[0031] The sheet S that has left the secondary transfer nip portion 17 is introduced into a fixing unit 19, where the toner image is fixed by heat and pressure. The sheet S that has left the fixing unit 19 is discharged as an image-formed product by a pair of discharge rollers 20 into an internal space formed above an internal lower cover 30 that is disposed above a toner bottle unit 22. That is, the sheet discharge position is located in the internal space.

[0032] Here, the pair of discharge rollers 20 is provided in the apparatus main body 100, and is a discharge section that discharges the sheet S discharged from the apparatus main body 100 in the conveying direction (left direction in the first direction). The inner lower cover 30 has an installation surface on which the processing unit is installed. The installation surface of the inner lower cover 30 and the discharge section installation surface 101 on which the pair of discharge rollers 20 is provided form an inner space in the apparatus main body 100. The connector installation surface 102 on which the main body connection portion 40 is arranged defines the inner space in a direction (second direction) intersecting with the conveying direction of the sheet S. This inner space has an opening that is open to the outside. The opening is at least on the front side of the image forming apparatus in the direction (second direction) intersecting with the conveying direction of the sheet S. There may also be an opening in another direction (for example, downstream in the conveying direction of the sheet). When the processing unit is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the processing unit is inserted into the inner space from the opening. In addition, the inner lower cover 30 may also form a part of a receiving section that receives the sheets discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 20.

[0033] Furthermore, the image forming device 100 has a reading unit 1000 disposed above the image forming sections (UY, UM, UC, UK), and the image forming sections form images on sheets based on image information read by the reading unit 1000. In other words, the internal space is formed between the image forming sections (UY, UM, UC, UK) and the reading unit 1000, and is a space surrounded by the internal lower cover 30, the discharge section arrangement surface 101, the connector arrangement surface 102, and the lower surface 103 of the reading unit 1000.

[0034] (Processing Unit) Here, a processing unit that can be attached to the image forming apparatus will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a processing unit that is detachably attached to the apparatus body 100.

[0035] The processing unit is inserted into the space inside the apparatus main body 100 from the aforementioned opening, and is placed on the installation surface of the inner lower cover 30. The processing unit receives the sheet S discharged by the discharge roller pair 20, and processes it.

[0036] Generally, depending on the purpose of use, sheets after image formation (or a sheet stack consisting of multiple sheets) may be stapled, holes may be punched, or the sheets may be folded in thirds or in the middle, etc. This tendency becomes more pronounced for users who use a large number of sheets to form images.

[0037] Therefore, in order to improve the efficiency of these operations and provide high convenience to users, it is desirable for the image forming apparatus to be equipped with a processing unit that automatically performs these processes after the sheet is discharged.

[0038] The processing units that are mounted in the device body 100 of the image forming device 1 having the above-mentioned internal space can be broadly divided into two types: inner finishers that are mounted in the internal space of the device body 100, and saddle finishers that are mounted on the side of the device body 100.

[0039] The inner finisher can be installed in the space inside the body of the image forming apparatus, and enables sheet processing while minimizing the installation area of ​​the entire apparatus.

[0040] A saddle finisher is disposed on the side of an image forming apparatus and therefore requires a certain amount of installation space. However, it can be made even larger than an inner finisher and can therefore be equipped with more functions.

[0041] However, in general, the above-mentioned processing unit is often an optional device that is installed in the image forming apparatus according to the user's request. When the processing unit is not installed in the image forming apparatus, a sheet receiving tray is installed on the installation surface of the inner lower cover 30, or the sheet S is directly discharged onto the installation surface of the inner lower cover 30. Therefore, even if the processing unit is not installed, an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which the processing unit can be installed can be said to be one aspect of this embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows an example of an image forming apparatus 1 in which an inner finisher 120 is installed in the space inside the body above the inner lower cover 30. Fig. 3 shows an example of an image forming apparatus 1 in which a saddle finisher 140 is installed on the side.

[0043] 2, first, a cassette pedestal 200, which is an optional unit for increasing the number of feeding ports, is connected to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, an inner finisher 120 is connected to the internal space above the internal lower cover 30.

[0044] As can be seen from FIG. 2, even if the inner finisher 120 is added, the installation area required for the image forming apparatus 1 does not increase, and processing functions can be added in a small space.

[0045] 3, a saddle finisher 140 is disposed on the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, to which a cassette pedestal 200 is connected on the underside. Therefore, the distance between the discharge roller pair 20 that discharges the sheet and the saddle finisher 140 is the width of the space within the body. Therefore, a buffer path unit 130, which is a transport unit that relays and transports the sheet from the discharge roller pair 20 to the saddle finisher 140, which is another unit, is disposed in the space within the body.

[0046] From the above, the buffer path unit 130, like the inner finisher 120, can be said to be one of the processing units.

[0047] (Processing unit connection configuration) Here, the processing units such as the inner finisher 120 and the buffer path unit 130 are controlled in sheet transport and various processes by control signals from the image forming apparatus side. Therefore, the processing units require electrical connection means for transmitting control signals from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0048] Many of the processing units connected to the image forming apparatus have cables with connectors at the ends that are located in positions that are accessible and easily visible to the installer. Therefore, the processing unit is electrically connected to the apparatus body by following a two-step procedure of fixing the processing unit to the image forming apparatus and then manually connecting the connector on the processing unit to the connector on the image forming apparatus.

[0049] In contrast, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the installation procedure of the processing unit and shorten the installation time, the electrical connection for transmitting control signals from the main body of the apparatus is made by a drawer connector not shown in FIG. 2.

[0050] The arrangement of the drawer connector will be described below with reference to Figures 1, 4, 5, and 6. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body connection section 40 on the image forming apparatus side. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the inner finisher 120 alone, with Figure 5(A) being a perspective view of the inner finisher 120 seen from above on the front side, and Figure 5(B) being a perspective view of the inner finisher 120 seen from below on the rear side. Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the unit connection section 121 of the inner finisher 120.

[0051] The drawer connector consists of a pair of male and female connectors, and consists of a drawer connector (first connector) 126 provided on the unit connection section 121 on the inner finisher 120 side, and a drawer connector (second connector) 42 provided on the main body connection section 40 on the image forming apparatus 1 side.

[0052] The main body connector 40 on the image forming apparatus 1 side is provided in the approximate center of the connector installation surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the internal space, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. The main body connector 40 is provided on the rear side in the front-rear direction (second direction) of the internal lower cover 30 (see Fig. 7). From another perspective, the main body connector 40 is disposed on one side in the direction (second direction) intersecting the sheet discharge direction with respect to the position of the sheet discharged from the discharge section 20 (sheet discharge position). The drawer connector (second connector) 42 on the image forming apparatus 1 side is disposed in the approximate center of the drawer holding plate 41 that forms the rear side surface in the front-rear direction of the internal space, in the main body connector 40.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5B, the unit connection portion 121 on the inner finisher 120 side is provided on the leading end side with respect to insertion in the rear direction B in the front-rear direction. The drawer connector (first connector) 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is disposed at the center of the unit drawer holding plate 125 in the unit connection portion 121. When the inner finisher 120 is installed, the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is inserted into the drawer connector 42 on the image forming apparatus 1 side along a direction (second direction) intersecting the sheet discharge direction. In this way, the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side engages with the drawer connector 42 on the image forming apparatus 1 side, whereby the inner finisher 120 and the apparatus main body 100 are electrically connected to each other.

[0054] The drawer connector 42 on the side of the apparatus main body 100 has a housing in the shape of a rectangular cylinder, and a group of terminals for electrical connection with the inner finisher 120 are disposed inside the housing.

[0055] Similarly, the drawer connector 126 on the unit side has a rectangular cylindrical housing, and inside the housing, a group of terminals for electrical connection with the device main body 100 are arranged.

[0056] With the above configuration, when the inner finisher 120 is installed in the internal space of the image forming apparatus 1, the drawer connector 126 is positioned at the leading end side in the unit insertion direction, and can be easily engaged with the drawer connector 42 on the main body side by simply performing the unit installation operation, thereby enabling easy electrical connection.

[0057] Although an example of the drawer connector on the processing unit side has been described taking the case where the processing unit is the inner finisher 120 as an example, the same applies when the processing unit is the buffer path unit 130. That is, the configuration and arrangement of the unit connection parts of the buffer path unit 130 are the same as those of the inner finisher 120. In addition, the unit connection part itself used in the buffer path unit 130 may be common to the unit connection part 121 used in the inner finisher 120.

[0058] (Processing unit positioning configuration / left-right direction) Here, a configuration for positioning the processing unit in the left-right direction relative to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0059] 5(B) and 6, the inner finisher 120 includes a positioning shaft 123 as a second positioning portion that is engaged with and positioned in the apparatus body 100 of the image forming apparatus 1. The positioning shaft 123 is disposed on the tip side of the inner finisher 120 with respect to insertion in the rear direction B in the front-rear direction. The positioning shaft 123 is disposed in the unit connection portion 121 near the drawer connector 126.

[0060] 4, the device body 100 of the image forming device 1 has a positioning hole 43 as an engagement hole that engages with the positioning shaft 123. The positioning hole 43 is disposed on the surface of the device body 100 that is on the back side in the front-rear direction of the internal space. The positioning hole 43 is disposed on the back side of the internal lower cover 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0061] The positioning shaft 123 on the unit connection part 121 side is disposed so as to fit into the positioning hole 43 on the main body connection part 40 side. As shown in Fig. 6, the positioning shaft 123 is a cylindrical shaft member extending in the front-rear direction further than the drawer connector 126. The length of the positioning shaft 123 in the front-rear direction is adjusted and determined so that it engages with the positioning hole 43 before the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side engages with the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body 100 side. When the inner finisher 120 is installed, as the inner finisher 120 moves relative to the device main body 100, the state changes from (1) a state in which the positioning shaft 123 is separated from the positioning hole 43 and the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is separated from the drawer connector 42 on the device main body 100 side to (2) a state in which the positioning shaft 123 is inserted into the positioning hole 43 and the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is separated from the drawer connector 42 on the device main body 100 side. Thereafter, the state changes to (3) a state in which the positioning shaft 123 is inserted into the positioning hole 43 and the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side and the drawer connector 42 on the device main body 100 side are connected.

[0062] In this way, the positioning shaft 123 on the processing unit side first fits into the positioning hole 43 on the device main body side, so that the drawer connector 126 on the processing unit side and the drawer connector 42 on the device main body side are positioned directly opposite each other, and the connector pair fits together without riding up.

[0063] 7, 8, and 9, the fitting of positioning shaft 123 on the processing unit side with positioning hole 43 on the apparatus main body side, and the fitting of drawer connector 126 on the processing unit side with drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body side will be described. Figures 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sectional views of the image forming apparatus and the processing unit, taken along the line AA in Figure 1.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows the state immediately before the positioning shaft 123 of the inner finisher 120 fits into the positioning hole 43 on the apparatus main body side. Fig. 8 shows the state in which the drawer connector 126 on the processing unit side and the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body side are fitted together after the positioning shaft 123 fits into the positioning hole 43.

[0065] 7 and 8, it can be seen that before the fitting of the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126) begins, the positioning shaft 123 on the processing unit side is fitted into the positioning hole 43 on the apparatus main body side.

[0066] This reduces the risk of the drawer connector pair (42, 126) riding up without mating when the processing unit is attached, resulting in an inappropriate connection of the connectors.

[0067] Here, a configuration that can be used in combination with the fitting configuration of the positioning shaft 123 and the positioning hole 43 or in place of the fitting configuration to facilitate connection of the connector will be described.

[0068] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, even when the positioning shaft 123 is fitted into the positioning hole 43, the front side of the inner finisher 120 may be tilted leftward relative to the inner surface of the device main body 100 in the internal space.

[0069] This is because the outer diameter of the positioning shaft 123 has a predetermined clearance with respect to the inner diameter of the positioning hole 43. This predetermined clearance allows the positioning shaft 123 on the processing unit side to fit into the positioning hole 43 on the apparatus main body 100 side and simultaneously slide smoothly backward in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the positioning shaft 123 is inclined with respect to the positioning hole 43 within the range of this predetermined clearance, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0070] In this case, as can be seen from FIG. 9, one of the pair of drawer connectors 42, 126 may tilt left or right relative to the other, which may result in the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126) not fitting properly.

[0071] In contrast, in this embodiment, it is intended to make it easier to connect the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126) by adding a positioning configuration in the left-right direction as a configuration different from the positioning shaft 123. Note that although this is described here as an additional configuration, as mentioned above, the positioning configuration to be described below may be adopted and the fitting configuration of the positioning shaft 123 and the positioning hole 43 may be eliminated.

[0072] The positioning configuration in the left-right direction will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 and Figs. 10 to 13. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the space inside the body of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a partially enlarged perspective view of the inner lower cover 30. Figs. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of the image forming apparatus and the processing unit, taken along the line AA in Fig. 1.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5(B), the inner finisher 120, which is a processing unit, has a protrusion 122, which is a first positioning portion. The protrusion 122 is engaged with the apparatus body 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (second direction) and is restricted from moving in the left-right direction (first direction). The protrusion 122 is provided on the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120 and is formed so as to protrude downward from this lower surface 120a. In other words, the protrusion 122 is provided so as to protrude from the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120 toward the inner body lower cover 30.

[0074] 10 and 11, the device body 100 of the image forming device 1 includes grooves 50A and 50B. Each of the grooves 50A and 50B is engageable with the protrusion 122 so as to allow the protrusion 122 to move in the front-rear direction (second direction). Each of the grooves 50A and 50B restricts the engaged protrusion 122 from moving in the left-right direction (first direction). The grooves 50A and 50B are provided in the internal lower cover 30. The grooves 50A and 50B are formed in the internal lower cover 30 so as to be recessed in the up-down direction (third direction).

[0075] The projection 122 engages with either the groove 50A or the groove 50B, thereby defining the movable range of the inner finisher 120 in the left-right direction (first direction) and the front-rear direction (second direction) relative to the device main body 100. The movable range in the first direction and the movable range in the second direction are defined by the dimensions of the projection 122, the groove 50A, and the groove 50B in the corresponding directions. By limiting the movable range in the left-right direction (first direction), the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is guided to a position where it fits with the drawer connector 42 on the device main body 100 side. This makes it possible to easily connect the drawer connector pair (42, 126) even if the drawer connector pair (42, 126) cannot be seen.

[0076] When the inner finisher 120 is installed in the apparatus main body 100, first, the protrusion 122 of the inner finisher 120 fits into either the groove 50A or the groove 50B. At this time, the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is separated from the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body 100 side. Also, if the positioning shaft 123 and the positioning hole 43 are provided, the positioning shaft 123 is separated from the positioning hole 43. In this state, the inner finisher 120 can move relative to the apparatus main body 100 in a direction (second direction) intersecting the sheet discharge direction. On the other hand, in the sheet discharge direction (first direction), the movement range of the inner finisher 120 is restricted to a range narrower than the movable range in the second direction.

[0077] In the direction (second direction) intersecting the sheet discharge direction, the movable range is determined so that at least the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side and the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body 100 side can be in a state in which they are separated from each other and a state in which they are engaged with each other. One end (rear side) of the movable range in the second direction may be substantially determined by the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126) in the engaged state. The other end (front side) of the movable range in the second direction may be determined by the end of the groove 50A (or groove 50B). Alternatively, the front side of the movable range in the second direction may be determined as a position where the inner finisher 120 is substantially separated from the apparatus main body 100 by releasing the front side of the groove 50A (or groove 50B).

[0078] The movable range in the left-right direction (first direction) will be described. This left-right movable range may include at least the position where the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126) are fitted to each other. The inner finisher 120 may be configured not to move at all in the left-right direction relative to the device body 100 when the protrusion 122 is fitted into the groove 50A (or groove 50B). However, in such a design, there is a possibility that the protrusion 122 cannot be fitted into the groove 50A (or groove 50B) due to manufacturing errors. Therefore, taking such manufacturing errors into account, the width of the groove 50A (or groove 50B) in the first direction may be made larger than the width of the protrusion 122 in the first direction.

[0079] Moreover, both the groove 50A and the groove 50B are grooves formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, and the groove width in the left-right direction may be wider on the near side than on the innermost part. This allows the protrusion 122 of the inner finisher 120 to easily engage with each other on the near side of the groove 50A (or groove 50B), improving operability. In this case, the larger the groove width in the left-right direction, the more preferable it is in terms of improving operability. Also, in the state immediately before the drawer connector pair (42, 126) is fitted in the inner finisher 120, it is sufficient that the movable range in the left-right direction (first direction) is narrower than the movable range in the front-rear direction (second direction). Therefore, for example, in order to improve operability, the movable range in the left-right direction (first direction) may be wider than the movable range in the front-rear direction (second direction) in some states.

[0080] 11, the groove 50A extends in the front-rear direction (second direction) and has a left wall surface (first wall surface) 50l and a right wall surface (second wall surface) 50r that face each other in the left-right direction (first direction). Similarly, the groove 50B extends in the front-rear direction (second direction) and has a left wall surface (first wall surface) 50l and a right wall surface (second wall surface) 50r that face each other in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0081] 12, the protrusion 122 has a left side surface (first side surface) 122l and a right side surface (second side surface) 122r that face each other in the left-right direction (first direction). When the protrusion 122 is engaged with the groove 50A (or groove 50B), the left side surface (first side surface) 122l faces the left wall surface 50l of the groove 50A (or groove 50B). When the protrusion 122 is engaged with the groove 50A (or groove 50B), the right side surface (second side surface) 122r faces the right wall surface 50r of the groove 50A (or groove 50B).

[0082] By configuring the protrusion 122 and the grooves 50A and 50B as described above, it is possible to some extent to prevent the inner finisher 120 from rotating on the inner lower cover 30 of the image forming device 1 around the protrusion 122.

[0083] 12, the protrusion 122 on the underside 120a of the inner finisher 120 is positioned so as to fit into the front side of the groove 50A shown by the dashed line before the positioning shaft 123 of the inner finisher 120 engages with the positioning hole 43 on the device main body 100. At this time, the front side of the groove 50A has a slightly wider left-right width than the left-right width of the protrusion 122, so the protrusion 122 and the groove 50A can easily engage with each other. Note that there is some room for the inner finisher 120 to shift in position left-right, but this is extremely small in relation to the inclination of the inner finisher 120 and can be fully ignored.

[0084] By inserting the inner finisher 120 toward the rear of the internal space from the state shown in Fig. 12, the positioning shaft 123 fits into the positioning hole 43, and then the drawer connector 126 fits into the drawer connector 42, as shown in Fig. 13. At this time, the protrusion 122 is fitted into the innermost part of the groove 50A, and there is almost no room for misalignment in the left-right direction.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 13, when the protrusion 122 is engaged with the deepest part of the groove 50A and the positioning shaft 123 is engaged with the positioning hole 43, it is impossible to tilt the inner finisher 120 left or right as shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, the drawer connector 126 on the processing unit side and the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body 100 side can be easily engaged, the electrical connection between the unit and the apparatus main body 100 is reliably established, and the risk of poor connection or damage to the drawer connector can be reduced.

[0086] The buffer path unit 130 also has a unit connection portion 121 and a protrusion 122, similar to the inner finisher 120. Therefore, the protrusion 122 on the lower surface of the buffer path unit 130 fits into the groove 50A on the device main body 100 side, thereby restricting the movement in the left-right direction, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0087] (Processing unit positioning configuration / front-rear direction) As described above, the configuration for positioning the processing unit in the left-right direction relative to the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, but the positioning of the processing unit is not limited thereto, and a configuration for positioning the unit in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) is also provided.

[0088] Hereinafter, the positioning configuration of the processing unit in the front-rear direction relative to the image forming device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 11, 14, and 15. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming device and the processing unit. Figures 15(A) and 15(B) are enlarged cross-sectional views of the connector portion of the image forming device and the processing unit, and the cross-sectional position is the position indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 1.

[0089] 11, the device body 100 of the image forming device 1 is provided with a lever 51 as a movement restricting part that restricts movement in the front-rear direction (second direction) opposite the insertion direction (front direction) of the inner finisher 120. The lever 51 is provided on the front side of the inner body lower cover 30 and is provided so as to be able to protrude upward from the inner body lower cover 30 towards the inner finisher 120. The lever 51 is an engagement part that protrudes from the upper surface of the inner body lower cover 30 into the space inside the body and engages with the inner finisher 120.

[0090] Lever 51 is provided retractably inward from the top surface of inner lower cover 30, and is elastically biased toward the inner space by a spring (not shown). This allows lever 51 to take two positions: a state in which it protrudes into the inner space and a state in which it retracts. Lever 51 is in its normal state when it protrudes into the inner space. As shown in FIG. 11, lever 51 is shaped such that, in the front-to-back direction, the near side forms a slope 51a that slopes downward toward the front direction F, and the far side forms a vertical surface 51b.

[0091] 5(B), the inner finisher 120 has an engagement groove 127 that engages with the lever 51 on the device main body 100 side. The engagement groove 127 is provided on the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120, extends in the left-right direction (first direction), and is a groove that is recessed toward the inside of the inner finisher 120. The engagement groove 127 is disposed toward the front in the front-rear direction, and is provided closer to the front than the protrusion 122.

[0092] With the above configuration, the inner finisher 120 is positioned in the front-rear direction by the engagement of the engagement groove 127 on the processing unit side with the rear vertical surface 51 b of the lever 51 arranged on the inner lower cover 30 .

[0093] In FIG. 14, an engagement groove 127 arranged on the lower surface of the inner finisher 120 is shown in a see-through state, and the lever 51 is shown by a broken line.

[0094] 14, the vertical surface of lever 51 is engaged with engagement groove 127 by the amount that it protrudes into the internal space. By engaging the vertical surface of lever 51 with engagement groove 127 in this way, forward movement of inner finisher 120 is restricted, and it is possible to prevent inner finisher 120 from falling off image forming apparatus 1.

[0095] Furthermore, the inner finisher 120 is in contact with the upper surface of the inner lower cover 30 due to its own weight, and as long as the lever 51 protrudes into the space inside the body by a predetermined height (for example, approximately 5 mm), the engagement state can be sufficiently maintained.

[0096] Furthermore, when the inner finisher 120 is inserted into the internal space of the image forming apparatus 1, the rear end (end portion on the far side) of the inner finisher 120 first engages with the inclined surface 51a of the lever 51, pushing the lever 51 downward, so that it does not become a load on the installation operation. Furthermore, when the inner finisher 120 is inserted, the lever 51 is kept pressed down from the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120 until the vertical surface 51b engages with the engagement groove 127.

[0097] On the other hand, the inner finisher 120 can be removed from the image forming apparatus 1 by disengaging the lever 51 from the engagement groove 127 using a retraction means of the lever 51 (not shown) and pulling the inner finisher 120 out towards the front.

[0098] The configuration of the drawer connector 42 disposed in the main body connection section 40 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B).

[0099] Image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a pressure spring 61 as a biasing member that biases drawer connector 42 in a direction to engage with drawer connector 126. Drawer connector 42 is biased toward the front of apparatus main body 100 by pressure spring 61 fixed to drawer holding plate 41 with shoulder screws 60. Pressure spring 61 is disposed in two locations so as to respectively engage with ribs protruding on the left and right sides of drawer connector 42. That is, drawer connector 42 is biased by pressure spring 61 on both the left and right sides.

[0100] 15(B), drawer connector 42 can be retracted backward relative to drawer holding plate 41 up to a range t that allows compression of pressure spring 61. As a result, even if the dimension of inner finisher 120 in the depth direction varies, this variation can be absorbed within range t that drawer connector 42 can retract, and inner finisher 120 can be pushed into image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the position of engagement groove 127 on the processing unit side does not deviate from the position of lever 51 on the apparatus main body 100 side, ensuring the engagement of the pair of drawer connectors (42, 126).

[0101] At the same time, the inner finisher 120 is biased toward the front by the reaction force of the pressure spring 61, so that the engagement groove 127 is ensured to abut against the vertical surface 51b of the lever 51. In other words, the lever 51 also serves as a receiving portion that receives the biasing force of the pressure spring 61. This makes it possible to reduce positional deviation and variation in the depth direction of the inner finisher 120.

[0102] In this way, by providing a positioning configuration for the inner finisher 120 in the front-rear direction, the inner finisher 120, which is a processing unit, will not fall off to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and positional deviation and variation can also be reduced. Note that by configuring the buffer path unit 130 in the same way as the inner finisher 120 described above, the same effect can be obtained.

[0103] (Processing unit positioning configuration / upper / lower direction) Finally, with reference to Fig. 5(B), Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 16(A) and Fig. 16(B), a description will be given of a configuration for positioning the processing unit in the up-down direction relative to the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 16(A) and Fig. 16(B) are partially enlarged perspective views of the processing unit.

[0104] Basically, as described above, the inner finisher 120, which is a processing unit, is grounded to the inner lower cover 30 by its own weight, but it is preferable to provide a reliable floating control part. For that reason, a vertical positioning structure is also provided.

[0105] 10 and 11, the image forming apparatus 1 includes engagement holes 52A and 52B that are float regulating parts that regulate the position of the inner finisher 120 in the vertical direction (third direction). The engagement holes 52A and 52B are disposed in the inner lower cover 30 on the apparatus main body 100 side.

[0106] 16(A) and 16(B), the inner finisher 120 includes a positioning pin 128 that engages with the engagement hole 52A (or engagement hole 52B). The positioning pin 128 is provided on the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120 and is provided so as to be able to protrude downward from the lower surface 120a.

[0107] The positioning pin 128 is configured by fixing a parallel pin 128b having a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the shaft 128a to the tip of the shaft 128a having a predetermined diameter. The parallel pin 128b is fixed in a direction intersecting the shaft 128a.

[0108] The positioning pin 128 can be in two positions relative to the lower surface of the inner finisher 120: a retracted position shown in FIG. 16(A) and a protruding position shown in FIG. 16(B).

[0109] Furthermore, the positioning pin 128 can rotate by 90 degrees, and in FIG. 16(B), it can be seen from the phase of the parallel pin 128b at the tip that it has rotated 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow from the state in FIG. 16(A).

[0110] In addition, the position of the aforementioned engagement hole 52A is positioned so as to face directly against the positioning pin 128 on the underside of the inner finisher 120 when the inner finisher 120 is positioned by the engagement of the positioning shaft 123, the protrusion 122, and the engagement groove 127, respectively.

[0111] In this facing state, as shown in Fig. 16(B), the positioning pin 128 is rotated while projecting downward from the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120. As a result, the parallel pin 128b at the tip of the positioning pin 128 is caught on the back surface of the engagement hole 52A, preventing the inner finisher 120 from floating.

[0112] The above-described configuration makes it possible to appropriately guide the attachment and detachment of the processing unit to and from the apparatus main body 100 and the mating of the pair of drawer connectors, thereby reducing the risk of poor connection or damage to the drawer connectors.

[0113] (Configuration of unit connection part of processing unit) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which one processing unit, the inner finisher 120 (or the buffer path unit 130), is mounted on the inner body lower cover 30 in the inner body space of the device body 100 of the image forming device 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is also effective in a configuration in which multiple processing units are mounted on the inner body lower cover 30 in the inner body space of the device body 100 of the image forming device 1.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 17, depending on the installation state of the processing unit, the inner finisher 120 may be installed in the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where it has moved to the left. Fig. 17 shows a state where a punch unit 150, which is a processing unit different from the inner finisher 120, is installed between the pair of discharge rollers 20 and the inner finisher 120. As can be seen from Fig. 17, the inner finisher 120 has moved to the left by an amount equal to the width dimension of the punch unit 150.

[0115] Figure 18 shows the position of the unit connection part 121 of the inner finisher 120 that is attached to the position shown in Figure 17. It can be seen that the position of the unit connection part 121 of the inner finisher 120 shown in Figure 18 has been moved toward the punch unit 150 from the position shown in Figure 5(B).

[0116] That is, the inner finisher 120 is capable of movably disposing the unit connection part 121 including the drawer connector 126 at two positions depending on the presence or absence of the punch unit 150. In other words, the inner finisher 120 is capable of movably disposing the unit connection part 121 including the drawer connector 126 at two positions depending on the installation position relative to the inner lower cover 30. Here, a first installation position when the punch unit 150 is not present (see FIG. 2) and a second installation position when the punch unit 150 is present (see FIG. 17) are shown as examples of installation positions of the inner finisher 120.

[0117] When the punch unit 150 is not present, the inner finisher 120 installs the unit connection part 121 including the drawer connector 126 in a first position shown in Fig. 5(B) corresponding to the first installation position shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, when the punch unit 150 is present, the inner finisher 120 is configured so that the unit connection part 121 including the drawer connector 126 can be installed in a second position shown in Fig. 18 corresponding to a second installation position shown in Fig. 17 which is different from the first installation position. With this configuration, the drawer connector 126 of the inner finisher 120 can be fitted with the drawer connector 42 on the apparatus main body side, regardless of the presence or absence of other processing units.

[0118] The same applies to the positioning shaft 123 disposed on the unit connection part 121. That is, the positioning shaft 123 is provided on the unit connection part 121 together with the drawer connector 126. Therefore, the positioning shaft 123, together with the drawer connector 126, can move between the first position and the second position in the left-right direction (first direction) in the inner finisher 120.

[0119] In addition, the unit connection portion 121 of the inner finisher 120 is movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position, but the protrusion 122 and positioning pin 128 arranged on the lower surface 120a of the inner finisher 120 move together with the movement of the inner finisher 120.

[0120] Therefore, the groove portion of the inner finisher 120 includes a groove 50A which is a first groove portion, and a groove 50B which is a second groove portion formed at a position different from the groove 50A in the left-right direction (first direction). The protrusion 122 of the inner finisher 120 can be engaged with both the groove 50A and the groove 50B. Therefore, when the inner finisher 120 is attached to the internal space of the device main body 100, the protrusion 122 of the inner finisher 120 engages with either the groove 50A or the groove 50B. The groove 50A or the groove 50B which does not engage with the protrusion 122 forms a cavity between the bottom surface of the inner finisher 120 and the protrusion 122.

[0121] Similarly, the float regulating portion of the inner finisher 120 includes an engagement hole 52A which is a first float regulating portion, and an engagement hole 52B which is a second float regulating portion formed at a position different from that of the engagement hole 52A in the left-right direction (first direction). The positioning pin 128 of the inner finisher 120 engages with either the engagement hole 52A or the engagement hole 52B when the inner finisher 120 is attached to the internal space of the body.

[0122] Specifically, when the unit connection part 121 of the inner finisher 120 is disposed at a first position shown in Fig. 5(B), the protrusion 122 engages with the groove 50A, and the positioning pin 128 engages with the engagement hole 52A. On the other hand, when the unit connection part 121 of the inner finisher 120 is disposed at a second position shown in Fig. 16 which is different from the first position, the protrusion 122 engages with the groove 50B, and the positioning pin 128 engages with the engagement hole 52B.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 11, groove 50B and engagement hole 52B, which have the same shapes as groove 50A and engagement hole 52A in the first position, are arranged in the second position after movement of unit connection part 121, so that the positioning state does not change.

[0124] FIG. 19 shows the respective engagement states of the positioning shaft 123, the protrusion 122, and the engagement groove 127 when the punch unit 150 is attached, and it can be seen that there is no advantage to the state without the punch unit 150 (see FIG. 14).

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the unit connection part 121 is arranged at two different positions, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be arranged at three or more positions. In this case, the groove and the float regulating part that are the engagement partners of the protrusion 122 and the positioning pin 128 may be provided at a plurality of positions corresponding to the arrangement of the unit connection part 121. In addition, the lever 51 and the engagement groove 127 that perform the positioning in the front-rear direction are arranged closer to the front than the protrusion 122, but the arrangement is not limited to this and may be closer to the rear than the protrusion 122.

[0126] Furthermore, positioning by positioning shaft 123 may not always be necessary depending on the shape of protrusion 122. For example, if the distance of protrusion 122 in the front-to-rear direction is sufficiently long, the processing unit is restricted in position without rotating in the left-right direction simply by engaging protrusion 122 with groove 50A (or groove 50B), and no load is placed on the mating of the drawer connector pair.

[0127] Here, a brief description will be given of the configuration of the inner finisher 120. The inner finisher 120 includes a pair of conveying rollers 321 that conveys a sheet sent out from the pair of discharge rollers 20 of the image forming apparatus 100, a sheet guide 323 that guides the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 321, a pair of conveying rollers 322 that conveys the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 321, a processing tray 324 on which the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 321 is placed, a paddle 325 that conveys the sheet on the processing tray 324 in the reverse direction, and a sheet guide 323 that guides the sheet conveyed in the reverse direction by the paddle 325. The sheet stacking device includes a regulating member 327 that regulates the end of the sheet (the end on the downstream side of the arrow R of the sheet) that is fed through the feeder 321, a pair of alignment plates 326 (arranged on both sides in the sheet width direction) that align the sheet in the width direction, a stapler 328 that staples the multiple sheets (sheet stack) aligned by the regulating member 327 and the alignment plates 326, a pair of discharge rollers 329a, 329b that discharge the sheet stack that has been stapled, and a stacking tray 330 that stacks the sheet stack discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 329a, 329b.

[0128] In such an inner finisher 120, if a sheet jams between the conveying roller pair 321 and the conveying roller pair 322, in order to make it easier for the user to remove the jammed sheet, it is possible to move the inner finisher 120 in the direction of arrow L in Figure 20 and move it away from the discharge roller pair 20 of the image forming device 100 (see Figures 20 and 21).

[0129] Therefore, if the unit connection part 121 is fixed to the housing of the inner finisher 120, the inner finisher 120 cannot be moved in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, a slide rail 220 is provided having a fixed frame 221 and a movable frame 222 that is slidable in the direction of the arrow X relative to the fixed frame 221, the inner finisher 120 is attached to the movable frame 222, the unit connection part 121 is attached to the fixed frame 221, the inner finisher 120 and the drawer connector 126 are electrically connected using a harness 230, and the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is electrically connected to the drawer connector 42 on the image forming apparatus 100 side.

[0130] In other words, with the inner finisher 120 attached to the slide rail 220, the slide rail 220 and the inner finisher 120 are inserted in the direction of arrow B in Figure 25 on the installation surface of the internal lower cover 30 (the internal space defined by the internal lower cover 30, the discharge section arrangement surface 101, and the connector arrangement surface 102), so that the positioning shaft 123 fixed to the fixed frame 221 via the unit drawer holding plate 125 fits into the positioning hole 43, the positioning shaft 123a fixed to the fixed frame 221 fits into the positioning hole 43a (see Figure 25), and the drawer connector 126 fixed to the fixed frame 221 via the unit drawer holding plate 125 engages with the drawer connector 42, thereby electrically connecting the inner finisher 120 and the image forming device 100.

[0131] With this configuration, with the image forming apparatus 100 and the inner finisher 120 connected by the drawer connectors 42, 126, the user can move the inner finisher 120 in the direction of arrow L to remove a sheet that has jammed inside the inner finisher 120. The configuration of the slide rail 220 will be described below, but the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same members as in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] 22 to 24 are views of slide rail 220 viewed from above. Slide rail 220 has a fixed frame 221 and a movable frame 222 that is slidable in the direction of arrow X relative to fixed frame 221. Fixed frame 221 is provided with a guide groove that guides movement of movable frame 222 in the direction of arrow X, and movable frame 222 moves in the direction of arrow X along the guide groove.

[0133] Fig. 22 shows the positional relationship between the fixed frame 221 and the movable frame 222 (the movable frame 222 is in a first position relative to the fixed frame 221) when the inner finisher 120 is in an operable state (the state of Figs. 20 and 26), and Fig. 23 shows the positional relationship between the fixed frame 221 and the movable frame 222 (the movable frame 222 is in a second position relative to the fixed frame 221) when the inner finisher 120 is separated from the pair of discharge rollers 20 (the state of Fig. 21). Also, Fig. 24 shows the positional relationship between the fixed frame 221 and the movable frame 222 when the inner finisher 120 is attached to the internal space (Fig. 25) (the movable frame 222 is in a third position relative to the fixed frame 221).

[0134] A unit drawer holding plate 125 is fixed to the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221 (the surface facing the drawer connector 42 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the inner finisher 120 and the slide rails 220 are installed in the internal space; however, it does not have to be this surface) and, as described above, the positioning shaft 123 and the drawer connector 126 are fixed to the unit drawer holding plate 125. In addition, another positioning shaft 123a is fixed to the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221.

[0135] The positioning shafts 123, 123a and the drawer connector 126 are fixed to the rear side surface 221r ​​so as to extend in the direction of arrow B (toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction) when the inner finisher 120 and the slide rail 220 are installed in the internal space of the cabinet.

[0136] The slide rail 220 is provided with a harness guide 223 for routing a harness for connecting a substrate (not shown) of the inner finisher 120 and the drawer connector 126. One end of the harness guide 223 is fixed to the fixed frame 221 by a fixed frame connection part 225, and the other end is fixed to the movable frame 222 by a movable frame connection part 226. The harness guide 223 between the fixed frame connection part 225 and the movable frame connection part 226 is bent via shafts 224a, b, and c, and is configured so that the angle of bending changes with the movement of the movable frame 221. Specifically, axis 224b is capable of moving freely within the range of opening 221a provided in fixed frame 221, and axis 224a and axis 224c are configured to be capable of moving freely within the range of opening 221b provided in fixed frame 221. Therefore, even if movable frame 222 moves to the second position as shown in FIG. 23, the angle of the bent portion widens as harness guide 223 moves, thereby preventing harness 230 in harness guide 223 from being pulled and breaking.

[0137] A positioning pin 128 is provided on the front side of the fixed frame 221 of the slide rail 220. When the inner finisher 120 is attached, the positioning pin 128 can be pushed downward and rotated to engage with engagement hole 52A or 52B of the image forming device 100, thereby preventing the slide rail 220 and inner finisher 120 from floating and regulating movement toward the front (in the direction of arrow F) and rotation around the vertical axis.

[0138] Reference numeral 228 denotes a stopper that restricts movement of the movable frame 222 relative to the fixed frame 221. The stopper 228 is slidably attached to the movable frame 222, and by moving the stopper 228 to a fixed position, it fits into a part of the fixed frame to restrict the movement of the movable frame 222, and by moving the stopper 228 to a release position, the movable frame 222 becomes movable relative to the fixed frame 221. The stopper 228 is in the fixed position during product transportation and installation, and restricts the movement of the movable frame 222 so that the movable frame 222 with the inner finisher 120 attached does not move inadvertently, but once the inner finisher 120 and slide rail 220 are installed in the internal space of the body, the user moves the stopper 228 to the release position.

[0139] Fig. 24 shows the state (third position) of the slide rail 220 when the inner finisher 120 is attached to the internal space of the image forming apparatus 100 in order to connect the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side to the drawer connector 42 on the image forming apparatus 100 side. Fig. 25 shows the state in which the inner finisher 120 is attached to the movable frame 222 of the slide rail 220 in the third position and is in the middle of being inserted into the internal space.

[0140] 5(b) are provided on the underside (not shown) of the slide rail 220 in this embodiment, and the protrusion 122 engages with either the groove 50A or the groove 50B provided in the internal lower cover 30, and the engagement groove 127 engages with the lever 51 provided in the internal lower cover 30. The functions and effects of these are as described above.

[0141] In the present embodiment, the inner finisher 120 is inserted into the internal space by the user with the slide rail 220 in the third position, the positioning shafts 123, 123a engage with the positioning holes 43, 43a, the drawer connectors (126, 42) are connected, and in this state the user fixes the fixed frame 221 using the positioning pin 128, thereby positioning the fixed frame 221. Thereafter, the user moves the stopper 228 to the release position and moves the inner finisher 120 (movable frame 222) to the right (in the direction of arrow R) to the operating position (movable frame 222 is in the first position) shown in FIG.

[0142] In the operating position, the right end of the inner finisher 120 and part of the discharge unit mounting surface 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 overlap in the left-right direction, so if the inner finisher 120 is inserted into the space inside the body with the slide rail 220 in the first position, insertion may be difficult due to interference between components. Therefore, the inner finisher 120 can be inserted into the space inside the body with the slide rail 220 in the second position, and once the drawer connectors are connected, the slide rail 220 can be moved to the first position to smoothly install it to the operating position.

[0143] By mounting the inner finisher 120 in the internal space using such a slide rail 220, the inner finisher 120 mounted on the movable frame 222 can be moved in the direction of the arrow X with the drawer connector 42 arranged on the connector arrangement surface 102 that defines the rear side of the internal space in the front-to-rear direction (arrow FB direction) connected to the drawer connector 126 arranged on the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221 of the slide rail 220. In other words, the insertion direction (arrow B direction) when the inner finisher 120 is attached to the image forming device 100 and the movement direction (arrow X) of the movable frame 222 of the slide rail 220 intersect, but since the drawer connector 126 on the inner finisher 120 side is attached to the fixed frame 221 of the slide rail 220, the inner finisher 120 can be moved in the direction of arrow X with the drawer connector 126 and drawer connector 42 connected, and the inner finisher 120 can be moved away from the discharge roller pair 20 (in the direction of arrow L) to clear a jam with the inner finisher 120 attached to the internal space.

[0144] As described above, in the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the punch unit 150 may be disposed between the pair of discharge rollers 20 and the inner finisher 120. Therefore, the unit drawer holding plate 125 (unit connection portion 121) that supports the drawer connector 126 and the positioning shaft 123 is configured to be attachable to the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221 of the slide rail 220 at two locations.

[0145] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the slide rail 220 viewed from the rear side when the punch unit 150 is not attached (i.e., the state of Figure 26). In this state, the unit connection part 121 is shown attached to the first attachment position on the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221. When the inner finisher 120 and slide rail 220 are inserted into the internal space in this position, as shown in Figure 26, with the inner finisher 120 attached, the positioning shaft 123 is engaged with the positioning hole 43, the positioning shaft 123a is engaged with the engagement hole 43a, and the drawer connector 126 is engaged with the drawer connector 42.

[0146] Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the slide rail 220 from the rear side when the punch unit 150 is attached (i.e., the state of Fig. 27). In this state, the unit connection part 121 is attached to the second attachment position (the punch unit 150 side from the first attachment position: the arrow R side) on the rear side surface 221r ​​of the fixed frame 221. When the punch unit 150 is present, if the unit connection part 151 is attached to the second attachment position, as shown in Fig. 27, with the inner finisher 120 attached, the positioning shaft 123 is engaged with the positioning hole 43, the positioning shaft 123a is engaged with the positioning hole 43b, the positioning shaft 151 of the punch unit 150 is engaged with the positioning hole 43a, and the drawer connector 126 is engaged with the drawer connector 126.

[0147] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a harness cable 230 (hereinafter referred to as harness 230) in the case where a punch unit 150 is not provided and in the case where a punch unit 150 is provided. A finisher connection portion (connection terminal) 231, which is one end of the harness 230, is connected to a control board (not shown) of the inner finisher 120, and the harness 230 runs from there inside a rectangular tube-shaped harness guide 223, passes through a branching portion 227, and is connected to the drawer connector 126 at a connector connection portion 232 at the other end. Although the harness 230 shown in FIG. 30 looks like one piece, in reality, multiple harnesses are used. Also, the finisher connection portion 231 may be connected to the control board of the inner finisher 120 at multiple points instead of one.

[0148] 30 indicates a state in which the unit connection part 121 is attached to the first attachment position, and the harness 230a indicates the portion between the branch part 227 and the connector connection part (connection terminal) 232 connected to the drawer connector 126. Meanwhile, the unit connection part 121p (positioning shaft 123p, unit drawer holding plate 125p, drawer connector 126p) indicated by the dashed line is the same as the unit connection part 121, but indicates a state in which the unit connection part is attached to the second attachment position. And the harness 230p also indicated by the dashed line indicates the portion between the branch part 227 and the connector connection part (connection terminal) 232p connected to the drawer connector 126p.

[0149] In this embodiment, the first attachment position, the second attachment position, and the branching portion 227 are disposed at positions where the harness 230a and the harness 230p are approximately the same length, so that the harness 230 connected to the drawer connector 126 (126p) can be used in common regardless of whether or not the punch unit 150 is present. When the punch unit 150 is present, in order to connect the control board of the inner finisher 120 and the punch unit 150, the harness 230 routed from the finisher connection portion 231 to the fixed frame connection portion 225 branches toward the front (arrow F direction) and is shown by a broken line, passing between the fixed frame 221 and the bottom surface of the inner finisher 120 to connect to the control board of the punch unit 150.

[0150] As described above, since unit connection part 121 is configured to be mountable to fixed frame 221 of slide rail 220 at a first mounting position and a second mounting position, the mounting position of unit connection part 121 can be changed appropriately depending on the presence or absence of punch unit 150. As a result, even if drawer connector 42 on the image forming apparatus 100 side is fixed to connector arrangement surface 102 of image forming apparatus 100, the drawer connectors (42 and 126) can be connected to each other simply by inserting inner finisher 120 and slide rail 220.

[0151] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the punch unit 150 was disposed between the pair of discharge rollers 20 and the inner finisher 120 of the image forming apparatus 100, but it is not limited to the punch unit 150, and other processing units such as folding processing, creasing processing, and sheet reversing processing may be disposed. Also, two or more processing units may be provided between the pair of discharge rollers 20 and the inner finisher 120, and in that case, this can be accommodated by increasing the number of mounting positions of the unit connection parts 121. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] UY, UM, UC, UK ... Imaging unit (image forming section) 20 ... Discharge roller pair (discharge section) 30 …Inner body lower cover (installation surface) 40 …Main unit connection part 41 ... Drawer retaining plate 42 ... Drawer connector (second connector) 43 ... Positioning hole (engagement hole) 50A,50B…Groove (groove) 51 ... Lever (movement restriction part, engagement part) 52A, 52B ... Engagement holes (float control parts) 61 ... Pressing spring (urging member) 100 ... Image forming device 120 ... Inner finisher (processing unit) 121 ... Unit connection part 122 ... protrusion (first positioning portion) 123 ... Positioning axis (second positioning part) 126 ... Drawer connector (first connector) 127 ... Engagement groove (engagement groove) 128 ... Positioning pin 130 ... Buffer path unit (processing unit) 150 ...Punch unit (processing unit) 220 ... Slide rail 221 ... Fixed frame 222 ... Movable frame 230 ... Harness cable

Claims

1. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses capable of performing different processing on sheets received from the image forming apparatus, which can be selectively connected, The image forming apparatus is An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, A reading unit is positioned above the image forming unit and reads the original document, It has an discharge unit that discharges the sheet, which has an image formed by the image forming unit, in a first direction toward the internal space of the cylinder formed between the image forming unit and the reading unit, The aforementioned sheet processing device is A processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the sheet received from the discharge unit, The image forming apparatus has a connector holding portion that holds a first connector for electrically connecting the image forming apparatus and the processing unit at the rear of the processing unit in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, A second connector on the image forming apparatus side is provided in the internal space of the cylinder of the image forming apparatus, which connects to the first connector when the processing unit is inserted toward the rear of the internal space of the cylinder. The image forming system is characterized in that the connector holding portion is configured to be attachable to multiple different locations in the first direction so that the first connector and the second connector can be connected when connecting a single sheet processing device and when connecting multiple sheet processing devices.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the connector holding portion engages with the image forming apparatus before the first connector is connected to the second connector, and has a positioning portion that positions the first connector relative to the second connector, and the positioning portion is configured to be positionable together with the first connector at a plurality of different locations in the first direction.

Images