Image forming system

Abstract

To reduce the area for exclusive use.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a sheet S, and an ejection device 100 that is removably mounted above the image forming apparatus 10. The ejection device 100 has: an ejection part 110 to which the sheet S is ejected; a first conveyance path P11 that conveys the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10; a second conveyance path P12 that continues to the first conveyance path P11, is arranged inclined relative to the first conveyance path P11, and conveys the sheet S delivered from the first conveyance path P11 to the ejection part 110; a housing 101 that is fixed to the image forming apparatus 10; and a cover 102 that is rotatable about a rotation shaft 103 to an opening position for opening the first conveyance path P11 and a closing position for forming the first conveyance path P11. The first conveyance path P11 is inclined relative to a vertical direction such that its upper part is located closer to a side where the ejection part 110 is arranged than its lower part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a discharge device for discharging sheets is attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or printer that employs an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an inkjet method, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an image forming system such as a copier or printer that includes an image forming device having an image forming unit and a discharge device that is detachably attached to the image forming device and discharges sheets transported from the image forming device (see Patent Document 1). In this image forming system, in order to save space, the discharge device is attached to the top of the image forming device, and therefore the sheet transport path in the discharge device is set up vertically.

[0003] This discharge device is provided with multiple pairs of conveying rollers that convey sheets along a conveying path. These pairs of conveying rollers include rollers rotatably supported on a housing fixed to the image forming apparatus, and rollers rotatably supported on a cover that can be opened and closed by rotating relative to the housing. As a result, if a sheet jam occurs along the conveying path, the cover can be opened to open the conveying path between the conveying rollers and allow processing to be performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-194543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, when the cover is opened to clear a jam, the image forming device extends beyond its installation area (installation region). Therefore, the installation area of ​​the image forming system must include not only the installation area of ​​the image forming device but also the area occupied by the open cover, which increases the installation area of ​​the image forming system. If the installation area of ​​the image forming system increases, there is a risk that the installation location of the image forming system in an office or the like will be limited.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can reduce the occupied area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising an image forming device having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a discharge device that is removably attached to an upper part of the image forming device, wherein the discharge device has a discharge unit from which sheets are discharged, a first transport path that transports sheets handed over from the image forming device, a second transport path that is continuous with the first transport path and is arranged at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and that transports sheets handed over from the first transport path to the discharge unit, a first housing fixed to the image forming device, a pivot shaft arranged at the bottom of the discharge device, and a second housing that can rotate around the pivot shaft to an open position that opens the first transport path and a closed position that forms the first transport path, wherein the first transport path is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, with the upper part positioned closer to the side where the discharge unit is located than the lower part.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising an image forming device having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a discharge device that is removably attached to an upper part of the image forming device, wherein the discharge device has a discharge unit from which sheets are discharged, a first transport path that transports sheets handed over from the image forming device, a second transport path that is continuous with the first transport path and is arranged at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and that transports sheets handed over from the first transport path to the discharge unit, a first housing fixed to the image forming device, a pivot shaft arranged below the discharge device, and a second housing that can be rotated around the pivot shaft to an open position that opens the first transport path and a closed position that forms the first transport path, wherein the second housing is entirely overlapped with the image forming device when viewed from above when positioned in the open position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the area occupied by the image forming system can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover is closed in the image forming system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming system according to the first embodiment with a cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover is closed in an image forming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover of an image forming system according to a second embodiment is open. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover is closed in an image forming system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, an image forming system 1 has an image forming apparatus 10 and a discharge apparatus 100. As an example, a tandem-type full-color printer is used as the image forming apparatus 10. However, the present invention is not limited to the tandem-type image forming apparatus 10, and may be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses, and is not limited to full-color, but may be monochrome or monocolor, or may even be applied to an inkjet recording type image forming apparatus.

[0012] [Image forming equipment] The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming system 1 in a state in which a discharge device 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the front side of the image forming system 1 in the figure is referred to as the front direction F, the back side as the rear direction B, the upper side as the upper direction U, and the lower side as the lower direction D. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 10 has a feeding unit 20, an image forming unit 30 which is an example of an image forming section, and a discharge unit 40. The feeding unit 20 has a sheet cassette 21 which stores sheets S, a feeding section 22 which is made up of a roller pair which feeds the sheets S, and a registration roller pair 23 which registers the fed sheets S with the image forming unit 30 and transports them. The registration roller pair 23 is a registration roller pair.

[0014] The image forming unit 30 forms an image on the sheet S fed and conveyed by the feeding unit 20. The image forming unit 30 has four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK that form toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, an exposure unit 31, and an intermediate transfer belt 32. The four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same configuration except for the colors of the images they form. Therefore, only the configuration and image forming process of the process cartridge PY will be described, and a description of the process cartridges PM, PC, and PK will be omitted. The image forming unit 30 also has a secondary transfer unit 33 and a fixing unit 34.

[0015] The process cartridge PY has a photosensitive drum 35, which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging roller (not shown), and a developing roller 36. The photosensitive drum 35 is rotatably supported by the image forming apparatus 10 and is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). The charging roller charges the photosensitive drum 35. The developing roller 36 deposits toner of a different color (yellow, magenta, cyan, or black) onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 for each of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. The developing roller 36 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 by depositing the toner onto the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35. The exposure unit 31 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 35 with laser light based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0016] The intermediate transfer belt 32 is wound around a drive roller 32a and a tension roller 32b and rotatably tensioned. A primary transfer roller 37 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 32, facing the photosensitive drum 35 and in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 32. A secondary transfer roller 38 is provided in the secondary transfer unit 33, facing the drive roller 32a, to transfer the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 32 to the sheet S. The fixing unit 34 is disposed above the secondary transfer roller 38 in the direction U, and includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The sheet S on which the toner image has been formed is subjected to heat and pressure in a roller nip formed by the heating roller and pressure roller, causing the toners of each color to melt and mix, and the color image is fixed on the sheet S.

[0017] The discharge unit 40 is disposed in the upward direction U of the fixing unit 34, and includes a main body transport path P1, a main body discharge path P2, a pair of main body discharge rollers 43 that discharge the sheet S, a main body discharge tray 41 to which the sheet S is discharged from the pair of main body discharge rollers 43, and a main body switching unit 42. The main body transport path P1 is provided above the fixing unit 34, and communicates with a delivery opening 44 formed in the top plate of the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the main body transport path P1 extends linearly in the vertical direction (upward direction U).

[0018] The main body discharge path P2 branches off from the main body transport path P1 and is connected to a main body discharge roller pair 43. The sheet S transported along the main body discharge path P2 is discharged from the main body discharge roller pair 43 onto a main body discharge tray 41 and stacked thereon. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 has only the main body discharge tray 41 as a discharge section to which the sheet S is discharged. However, this is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus 10 may have a plurality of discharge roller pairs and a plurality of discharge trays corresponding to the plurality of discharge roller pairs.

[0019] The main body switching unit 42 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the branch point between the main body conveying path P1 and the main body discharge path P2. The main body switching unit 42 can swing about a support shaft 42a extending in the left-right direction, and can selectively swing between an upward position where the sheet conveyed from the fixing unit 34 is conveyed to the main body conveying path P1, and a discharge position for the main body discharge path P2. When the main body switching unit 42 is located in the discharge position, the sheet S is discharged to the main body discharge tray 41.

[0020] [Discharge device] Next, the configuration of the discharge device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The discharge device 100 is detachably attached to the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10. The discharge device 100 has a housing 101, which is an example of a first housing, a cover 102, which is an example of a second housing, and a pivot shaft 103. The housing 101 is fixed to the image forming apparatus 10. The pivot shaft 103 is disposed at the bottom of the discharge device 100. In this embodiment, the cover 102 is disposed on the opposite side of the first transport path P11 from the discharge unit 110, i.e., in the rear direction B. The cover 102 is rotatable about the pivot shaft 103 between an open position (shown in FIG. 2) that opens the first transport path P11 and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) that closes the first transport path P11. A receiving opening 104, which is in communication with the delivery opening 44, is formed in the bottom surface of the housing 101. The delivery port 44 and the receiving port 104 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and overlap when viewed vertically.

[0021] The discharge device 100 has a discharge section 110 to which sheets are discharged, and a first transport path P11 along which the sheet S received from the image forming apparatus 10 via the receiving port 104 is transported. The discharge section 110 has a first discharge tray 111, a second discharge tray 112, a third discharge tray 113, and a fourth discharge tray 114 onto which the sheets S are discharged. The second discharge tray 112 is disposed below the first discharge tray 111. The third discharge tray 113 is disposed below the second discharge tray 112. The fourth discharge tray 114 is disposed below the third discharge tray 113.

[0022] The first transport path P11 is formed in a straight line. The discharge device 100 has a second transport path P12 that is continuous with the first transport path P11. The second transport path P12 is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path P11, and transports the sheet S received from the first transport path P11 to a first discharge tray 111 of the discharge section 110. The discharge device 100 also has a first transport roller pair 121 that transports the sheet S on the first transport path P11. The first transport roller pair 121 has a first roller 121a that is a drive roller rotatably supported by the housing 101, and a second roller 121b that is a driven roller that is rotatably supported by the cover 102 and is in contact with the first roller 121a. When the cover 102 is in the closed position, the first roller 121a and the second roller 121b are pressed against each other. The sheet S, which has been delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 and conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 121, is conveyed to the first discharge tray 11 via the second conveying path P12.

[0023] The discharge device 100 has a third transport path P13 branching off from the first transport path P11 upstream of the first transport roller pair 121 in the sheet transport direction. The third transport path P13 is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path P11, and transports the sheet S received from the first transport path P11 to a second discharge tray 112 of the discharge section 110. The discharge device 100 also has a first switching unit 131 and a second transport roller pair 122 disposed upstream of the first switching unit 131 in the sheet transport direction and transporting the sheet S on the first transport path P11. The second transport roller pair 122 has a third roller 122a which is a drive roller rotatably supported by the housing 101, and a fourth roller 122b which is a driven roller rotatably supported by the cover 102 and comes into contact with the third roller 122a. When the cover 102 is in the closed position, the third roller 122a and the fourth roller 122b are pressed against each other. The first switching unit 131 is pivotable about a support shaft 131a extending in the left-right direction, and is selectively switched between a first position and a second position by the pivoting. The first position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the first discharge tray 111 via the first transport path P11. The second position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the second discharge tray 112 via the third transport path P13.

[0024] The discharge device 100 has a fourth transport path P14 that branches off from the first transport path P11 upstream of the second transport roller pair 122 in the sheet transport direction. The fourth transport path P14 is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path P11, and transports the sheet S passed from the first transport path P11 to a third discharge tray 113 of the discharge section 110. The discharge device 100 also has a second switching unit 132 and a third transport roller pair 123 that is disposed upstream of the second switching unit 132 in the sheet transport direction and transports the sheet S on the first transport path P11. The third transport roller pair 123 has a fifth roller 123a that is a drive roller rotatably supported by the housing 101, and a sixth roller 123b that is a driven roller that is rotatably supported by the cover 102 and is in contact with the fifth roller 123a. When the cover 102 is in the closed position, the fifth roller 123a and the sixth roller 123b are pressed against each other. The second switching unit 132 is pivotable about a support shaft 132a extending in the left-right direction, and is selectively switched between a third position and a fourth position by the pivoting movement. The third position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the first switching unit 131 via the first transport path P11. The fourth position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the third discharge tray 113 via the fourth transport path P14.

[0025] The discharge device 100 has a fifth transport path P15 branching off from the first transport path P11 upstream of the third transport roller pair 123 in the sheet transport direction. The fifth transport path P15 is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path P11, and transports the sheet S received from the first transport path P11 to a fourth discharge tray 114 of the discharge section 110. The discharge device 100 also has a third switching unit 133 and a fourth transport roller pair 124 disposed upstream of the third switching unit 133 in the sheet transport direction and configured to transport the sheet S on the first transport path P11. The fourth transport roller pair 124 has a seventh roller 124a which is a drive roller rotatably supported by the housing 101, and an eighth roller 124b which is a driven roller rotatably supported by the cover 102 and in contact with the seventh roller 124a. When the cover 102 is in the closed position, the seventh roller 124a and the eighth roller 124b are pressed against each other. The third switching unit 133 is pivotable about a support shaft 133a extending in the left-right direction, and is selectively switched between a fifth position and a sixth position by the pivoting movement. The fifth position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the second switching unit 132 via the first transport path P11. The sixth position is a position where the sheet S delivered from the image forming apparatus 10 is guided toward the fourth discharge tray 114 via the fifth transport path P15.

[0026] [cover] A pivot shaft 103 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the bottom of cover 102, and cover 102 pivots about pivot shaft 103 to open the interior of housing 101. A locking member 105 for holding cover 102 in a closed state is pivotably provided on cover 102. Housing 101 is provided with an engagement pin 106 with which a claw portion of locking member 105 engages when cover 102 is closed. When cover 102 is closed, the claw portion of locking member 105 engages with the engagement pin, thereby locking cover 102 in the closed position. Furthermore, when cover 102 is closed, locking member 105 can be rotated to move the claw portion away from engagement pin 106, thereby releasing cover 102 from the closed state and making it openable.

[0027] In addition, the locking member 105 is provided with a biasing member such as a torsion coil spring (not shown), which constantly biases the locking member 105 in the F1 direction. As a result, the locking member 105 is biased in the direction in which it engages with the engaging pin 106, so that the cover 102 shown in FIG. 2 is maintained in the closed state.

[0028] 2, when the cover 102 is in the open position, the pressure on each conveying roller pair is released. This releases the pressure for conveying the sheet S and opens the first conveying path P11, allowing the user to clear any jams that have occurred inside the discharge device 100.

[0029] [First transport path and cover] The first transport path P11 is formed in a straight line by a guide member (not shown). That is, the nip lines of the four transport roller pairs, from the first transport roller pair 121 to the fourth transport roller pair 124, are arranged so as to be linear and overlap the first transport path P11. In this embodiment, the first transport path P11 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is located further forward in the forward direction F than its lower portion. That is, the first transport path P11 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is located closer to the discharge unit 110 than its lower portion.

[0030] The cover 102 has an outer surface 102a facing the rear direction B. The outer surface 102a is disposed substantially parallel to the first conveying path P11 and is inclined relative to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is positioned further forward in the forward direction F than its lower portion. In this embodiment, when the cover 102 is in the open position, the outer surface 102a is positioned vertically as shown in FIG. 2. The cover 102 is rotatable from the closed position to the open position, and during normal use, it is configured not to open beyond the open position where the outer surface 102a is positioned vertically. In this embodiment, when the cover 102 is in the open position, the cover 102 is positioned so that the entire cover 102 overlaps the image forming apparatus 10 when viewed from above. This prevents the cover 102 from extending beyond the installation area (installation region) of the image forming apparatus 10 when the cover 102 is in the open position.

[0031] As described above, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, when the cover 102 is positioned in the open position, it is possible to prevent the cover 102 from protruding from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, even if a jam occurs in the discharge device 100 and the cover 102 is opened to remove the trapped sheets, the cover 102 does not protrude from the rear surface of the image forming apparatus 10, making it possible to remove the sheets. This makes it possible to save space occupied by the image forming apparatus 10, and to reduce restrictions on installation locations in an office or the like.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, the cover 102 is disposed so that it entirely overlaps the image forming apparatus 10 when viewed from above when in the open position, but this is not limited to this. The first transport path P11 is inclined in the forward direction F, so that the amount by which the cover 102 protrudes from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced compared to when the first transport path P11 is vertical. As a result, even if the cover 102 in the open position protrudes from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10, the space occupied by the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced compared to when the first transport path P11 is vertical.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the discharge section 110 has been described as having four stages of discharge trays, but this is not limiting. For example, it may have a single stage having only the first discharge tray 111, a two stage having only the first discharge tray 111 to the second discharge tray 112, or a three stage having only the first discharge tray 111 to the third discharge tray 113. Alternatively, it may have five or more stages of discharge trays.

[0034] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a cover 202 of a discharge device 200 opens in a forward direction F. However, other components of the transport path and the image forming device 10 are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description will be omitted. In this embodiment, an image forming system 2 has an image forming device 10 and a discharge device 200 similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0035] The discharge device 200 is detachably attached to the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10. The discharge device 200 has a housing 201 which is an example of a first housing, a cover 202 which is an example of a second housing, and a rotation shaft 203. The housing 201 is fixed to the image forming apparatus 10. The rotation shaft 203 is disposed at the bottom of the discharge device 200. In this embodiment, the cover 202 is disposed on the same side as the discharge unit 110 with respect to the first transport path P11, i.e., in the front direction F. The cover 202 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 203 between an open position (shown in FIG. 4) which opens the first transport path P11 and a closed position (shown in FIG. 3) which closes the first transport path P11.

[0036] In this embodiment as well, the first transport path P11 is formed in a straight line by a guide member (not shown). That is, the nip lines of the four transport roller pairs, from the first transport roller pair 121 to the fourth transport roller pair 124, are arranged so as to be linear and overlap the first transport path P11. In this embodiment, the first transport path P11 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is located further forward in the forward direction F than its lower portion. That is, the first transport path P11 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is located closer to the discharge unit 110 than its lower portion.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cover 102 is disposed so that when the cover 102 is in the open position, the entire cover 102 overlaps the image forming apparatus 10 when viewed from above. This prevents the cover 102 from extending beyond the installation area (installation region) of the image forming apparatus 10 when the cover 102 is in the open position. Note that in this embodiment, because the cover 102 opens in the forward direction F, there is a possibility that the leading edge of the first discharge tray 111 may slightly protrude forward from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10. However, because the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 is normally left empty for user work, the installation location is not limited by the leading edge of the first discharge tray 111 slightly protruding forward from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10.

[0038] As described above, according to the image forming system 2 of this embodiment, when the cover 202 is positioned in the open position, it is possible to prevent the cover 202 from protruding from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, even if a jam occurs in the discharge device 200 and the cover 202 is opened to remove the stuck sheets, the cover 202 does not protrude from the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 10, making it possible to remove the sheets. This makes it possible to save space occupied by the image forming apparatus 10 and reduce restrictions on installation locations in an office or the like.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first transport path P11 is inclined relative to the vertical direction so that its upper portion is positioned further forward in the forward direction F than its lower portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first transport path P11 may be vertical. In this case, if the cover 102 were configured to open in the rearward direction B as in the first embodiment, the cover 102 would significantly protrude beyond the area occupied by the image forming apparatus 10. However, in this embodiment, the cover 202 opens in the forward direction F, and therefore protrusion beyond the area occupied by the image forming apparatus 10 can be prevented.

[0040] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an image reading device 50 is provided in the image forming apparatus 10. However, the other components of the image forming apparatus 10 and the discharge device 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the image forming system 3 has the same image forming apparatus 10 and discharge device 100 as those in the first embodiment.

[0041] In the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 10 is an SFP (single function printer) having a standalone printer function. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral having an image reading device 50 on top, as shown in FIG.

[0042] The image reading device 50 has a reading unit 51 that reads an image of a placed document, and an openable and closable document holder 52 that covers the reading unit 51. The document holder 52 is provided on the reading unit 51 so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 54. The reading unit 51 has a flat document table 53, and an image of a document placed on the document table 53 can be read by a reading sensor (not shown) located inside. A user can swing the document holder 52 and place a document directly on the document table 53 to have the document read by the image reading device 50. The discharge device 100 is located above the image reading device 50. A transport roller 45 is provided above the main body switching unit 42. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 34 is transported to the delivery port 44 by the transport roller 45.

[0043] In this embodiment, the discharge section 110 of the discharge device 100 is disposed above the document holder 52 and is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the document holder 52 when the document holder 52 is opened. Therefore, the sheet S can be discharged to the discharge section 110 without interfering with the document reading operation.

[0044] As described above, according to the image forming system 3 of this embodiment, even when the image reading device 50 is provided, the space occupied by the image forming device 10 can be reduced, and restrictions on installation locations in offices, etc. can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1, 2, 3...image forming system, 10...image forming apparatus, 30...image forming unit (image forming section), 50...image reading device, 51...reading section, 52...document holder, 100...discharge device, 101...casing (first casing), 102...cover (second casing), 102a...outer surface, 103...rotating shaft, 110...discharge section, 111...first discharge tray, 112...second discharge tray, 113...third discharge tray, 114...fourth discharge tray, 121...first conveying roller pair (conveying roller pair), 121a...first roller, 121b...second roller, 122...second conveying Roller pair, 122a...third roller, 122b...fourth roller, 123...third conveying roller pair, 123a...fifth roller, 123b...sixth roller, 124...fourth conveying roller pair, 124a...seventh roller, 124b...eighth roller, 131...first switching unit, 132...second switching unit, 133...third switching unit, 200...discharge device, 201...casing (first casing), 202...cover (second casing), 203...rotating shaft, P11...first conveying path, P12...second conveying path, P13...third conveying path, P14...fourth conveying path, P15...fifth conveying path, S...sheet

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a discharge device detachably attached to an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, The discharge device is a discharge section to which the sheet is discharged; a first transport path for transporting a sheet delivered from the image forming apparatus; a second transport path that is continuous with the first transport path, is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the discharge unit; a first housing fixed to the image forming apparatus; a rotation shaft disposed at a lower portion of the discharge device; a second housing that is rotatable about the rotation axis between an open position that opens the first transport path and a closed position that forms the first transport path; the first transport path is inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that an upper portion is located closer to the discharge unit than a lower portion; An image forming system comprising:

2. When the second housing is in the open position, the second housing is entirely overlapped with the image forming apparatus when viewed from above.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a discharge device detachably attached to an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, The discharge device is a discharge section to which the sheet is discharged; a first transport path for transporting a sheet delivered from the image forming apparatus; a second transport path that is continuous with the first transport path, is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the discharge unit; a first housing fixed to the image forming apparatus; a rotation shaft disposed at a lower portion of the discharge device; a second housing that is rotatable about the rotation axis between an open position that opens the first transport path and a closed position that forms the first transport path; When the second housing is in the open position, the second housing is entirely overlapped with the image forming apparatus when viewed from above. An image forming system comprising:

4. the discharge device has a pair of conveying rollers that convey the sheet on the first conveying path, The pair of conveying rollers includes a first roller rotatably supported by the first housing, and a second roller rotatably supported by the second housing and in contact with the first roller.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

5. the conveying roller pair is a first conveying roller pair, the discharge section includes a first discharge tray and a second discharge tray that is disposed below the first discharge tray and onto which sheets are discharged; the second transport path transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the first discharge tray; The discharge device is a third transport path that branches off from the first transport path, is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the second discharge tray; a first switching unit that switches between a first position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the first discharge tray via the first transport path and a second position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the second discharge tray via the third transport path; a second conveying roller pair disposed upstream of the first switching unit in a sheet conveying direction and configured to convey the sheet on the first conveying path; The second conveying roller pair includes a third roller rotatably supported by the first housing, and a fourth roller rotatably supported by the second housing and in contact with the third roller.

5. The image forming system according to claim 4.

6. the discharge section is disposed below the second discharge tray and includes a third discharge tray onto which sheets are discharged; The discharge device is a fourth transport path that branches off from the first transport path, is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the third discharge tray; a second switching unit that is switched between a third position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the first switching unit via the first transport path and a fourth position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the third discharge tray via the fourth transport path; a third conveying roller pair disposed upstream of the second switching unit in a sheet conveying direction and configured to convey the sheet on the first conveying path, The third conveying roller pair includes a fifth roller rotatably supported by the first housing, and a sixth roller rotatably supported by the second housing and in contact with the fifth roller.

6. The image forming system according to claim 5.

7. the discharge section is disposed below the third discharge tray and includes a fourth discharge tray onto which sheets are discharged; The discharge device is a fifth transport path that branches off from the first transport path, is disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, and transports the sheet delivered from the first transport path to the fourth discharge tray; a third switching unit that is switched between a fifth position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the second switching unit via the first transport path and a sixth position where the sheet delivered from the image forming device is guided toward the fourth discharge tray via the fifth transport path; a fourth conveying roller pair disposed upstream of the third switching unit in a sheet conveying direction and configured to convey the sheet on the first conveying path, the fourth conveying roller pair includes a seventh roller rotatably supported by the first housing, and an eighth roller rotatably supported by the second housing and in contact with the sixth roller; 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein:

8. the second housing is disposed on the opposite side of the first transport path from the discharge unit; 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

9. the second housing is disposed on the same side as the discharge unit with respect to the first transport path; 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

10. the second housing has an outer surface disposed along the first transport path; 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

11. the second housing is rotatable from the closed position to the open position, the outer surface is positioned vertically when the second housing is positioned in the open position; 11. The image forming system according to claim 10.

12. an image reading device provided on an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, the image reading device having a reading unit for reading an image of a document and an openable document pressing unit for covering the reading unit; the discharge section is disposed above the document pressing section and at a position where it does not interfere with the document pressing section when the document pressing section is opened; 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

Images