Post-processing device and image formation device

Abstract

To improve operability.SOLUTION: A post-processing device 100 includes: a main part 101 having an operation surface 131 facing upward; a slide mechanism which slides the main part 101 in one direction relative to an image formation device; a fixing part which fixes the main part 101 to the image formation device; and a release mechanism which has an operation part 141 to be operated by a user and releases fixing by the fixing part in response to the operation part 141 being operated by the user. The operation part 141 is disposed on an operation surface 103 of the main part 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a post-processing device that performs predetermined processing on a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the post-processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming apparatuses, such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), are sometimes equipped with post-processing devices that perform post-processing such as stapling the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-20074 describes a sheet post-processing device that is provided in the internal space between a reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms the image read by the reading unit on a sheet, the sheet post-processing device comprising: a conveying means for conveying sheets; a processing tray on which sheets conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means are placed; a binding means for binding sheets placed on the processing tray; a manual insertion section that is provided at a position different from the processing tray and binds sheets that are manually inserted from outside the device; a slide mechanism that pulls the sheet post-processing device out of the internal space; a fixing section that fixes the slide mechanism to the internal space and to a conveying position where sheets are conveyed to the conveying means; and a release lever that is provided at a position overlapping the sheet placement range set in the manual insertion section and releases the fixing section.

[0004] However, in the post-processing device described in JP 2023-20074 A, the release lever is provided in a position overlapping below the loading range of the sheets set in the manual insertion section. Therefore, if a staple gets caught in the sheets set in the manual insertion section, the release lever is positioned in a position overlapping below the sheets, and the user cannot see the release lever hidden by the sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-20074 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing device with improved operability.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the operability of the post-processing device is improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the post-processing device includes a main body unit having an operating surface facing upward, a slide mechanism for sliding the main body unit in one direction relative to the image forming device, a fixing unit for fixing the main body unit to the image forming device, and a release mechanism having an operating unit operated by a user and for releasing the fixation by the fixing unit in response to the operation of the operating unit by the user, the operating unit being arranged on the operating surface of the main body unit.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes the above-described post-processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a first perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the internal configuration of an MFP. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a post-processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a post-processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a first plan view showing an example of the internal structure of the post-processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a slide mechanism of the post-processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a slide mechanism, a fixing mechanism, and a release mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a first enlarged view of the release mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second enlarged view of the release mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view illustrating movement of the post-processing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view illustrating the movement of the post-processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a third perspective view illustrating the movement of the post-processing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a second plan view showing an example of the internal structure of the post-processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus. Here, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction are defined, which intersect perpendicularly with each other. The X direction and the Y direction are parallel to the horizontal plane. Within the Y direction, the direction from the rear to the front of MFP 1 (the direction from the positive side to the negative side in the Y direction) is referred to as the front direction, and the horizontal direction from the front to the rear (the direction from the negative side to the positive side in the Y direction) is referred to as the rear direction.

[0013] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of an MFP. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, MFP 1 includes a document reading unit 2 that reads a document, an image forming unit 3 that forms an image on a sheet based on image data, a paper feed unit 4 that supplies paper to image forming unit 3, and a post-processing device 100 that performs post-processing on the paper on which the image has been formed.

[0014] The document reading unit 2 exposes the image of a document set on a document glass 11 with an exposure lamp 13 attached to a slider 12 that moves below the document glass. Light reflected from the document is guided to a lens 16 by a mirror 14 and two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A, and forms an image on a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) sensor 18.

[0015] The reflected light that forms an image on the CCD sensor 18 is converted into image data as an electrical signal within the CCD sensor 18. The image data is converted into printing data in cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and output to the image forming unit 3.

[0016] The image forming unit 3 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Here, "Y," "M," "C," and "K" represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. An image is formed by driving at least one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. A full-color image is formed by driving all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Printing data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are input to the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, respectively. The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K differ only in the color of the toner they handle. Therefore, the image forming unit 20Y for forming a yellow image will be described here.

[0017] The image forming unit 20Y includes an exposure device 21Y, a photosensitive drum 23Y, a charging roller 22Y, a developing unit 24Y, and a primary transfer roller 25Y. Around the photosensitive drum 23Y, the charging roller 22Y, the exposure device 21Y, the developing unit 24Y, the primary transfer roller 25Y, and the drum cleaning blade 27Y are arranged in this order along the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 23Y. Yellow printing data is input to the exposure device 21Y. The photosensitive drum 23Y is an image carrier. The charging roller 22Y uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 23Y. The primary transfer roller 25Y transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 23Y onto an intermediate transfer belt 30, which is also an image carrier, by the action of an electric field.

[0018] After being charged by the charging roller 22Y, the photoreceptor drum 23Y is irradiated with laser light emitted by the exposure device 21Y. The exposure device 21Y exposes the image-corresponding portion of the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23Y. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 23Y. Next, the developing device 24Y develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y with charged toner. Specifically, toner is placed on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y by the action of electric field force, thereby forming a toner image on the photoreceptor drum 23Y. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30, which is an image carrier, by the action of electric field force using the primary transfer roller 25Y. Any toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 23Y that has not been transferred is removed from the photoreceptor drum 23Y by the drum cleaning blade 27Y.

[0019] The intermediate transfer belt 30 is suspended tightly by a drive roller 33 and a driven roller 34. When the drive roller 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates, the driven roller 34 rotates counterclockwise.

[0020] As a result, the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K sequentially transfer toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. The timing at which each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is adjusted based on the detection of the reference marks on the intermediate transfer belt 30. As a result, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0021] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred to paper by the action of electric field force by the secondary transfer roller 26, which is a transfer member. The paper is transported by timing roller 31 to a nip portion where the intermediate transfer belt 30 and secondary transfer roller 26 come into contact. The paper with the transferred toner image is transported to fixing roller 32, where it is heated and pressed. This melts the toner and fixes it to the paper. The paper is then transported to post-processing device 100.

[0022] Paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A are loaded with paper sheets of different sizes. The paper sheets stored in paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A are supplied to conveyance path 39 by take-out rollers 36 and 36A attached to paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A, respectively, and sent to timing rollers 31 by paper feed rollers 37. Detector 200 is disposed upstream of timing rollers 31 in the conveyance direction. Detector 200 detects the position of the paper sheets in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper sheets.

[0023] Image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K adjust the position of the toner image formed on intermediate transfer belt 30 based on the widthwise position of the paper detected by detection unit 200. As a result, the toner image is formed at a position corresponding to the widthwise position of the paper, so that even if the paper being transported along transport path 39 shifts widthwise within transport path 39, the toner image is transferred to the appropriate position on the paper at the nip portion.

[0024] When forming a full-color image, the MFP 1 drives all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When forming a monochrome image, the MFP 1 drives only one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. It is also possible to form an image by combining two or more of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Here, we will explain an example in which the MFP 1 employs a tandem system equipped with image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that form four color toners on paper. However, the MFP 1 may also form images using a four-cycle system in which four color toners are transferred sequentially onto paper using a single photosensitive drum.

[0025] The post-processing device 100 is disposed in the storage space between the image forming unit 3 and the document reading unit 2 of the MFP 1. The post-processing device 100 is disposed on a slide surface 40, which is the upper surface of the top plate of a housing that houses the image forming unit 3, in a state where it can slide in the X direction.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a post-processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a post-processing device according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, post-processing device 100 has main body housing 101. Main body housing 101 has main body rear section 130 that protrudes toward the positive side in the X direction. Main body rear section 130 is a part of main body housing 101 and includes a part of bottom surface 132 of main body housing 101. Main body rear section 130 has operation surface 131 that faces upward, opposite bottom surface 132. Guide groove 134 extending in the X direction is formed in operation surface 131. Operation unit 141 is slidably attached to guide groove 134. Operation unit 141 is attached to operation surface 131 in a state where it is guided by guide groove 134 and is slidable in the X direction.

[0027] The post-processing device 100 has a paper output tray 115 connected to the main body housing 101 above the main body rear section 130. The post-processing device 100 has a transport path 108, receiving rollers 105, transport rollers 106, discharge rollers 107, a mounting plate 110, an edge restriction unit 111, a paddle 117, and a stapler 121 inside the main body housing 101. The transport path 108 connects the receiving opening 103 and the discharge opening 104. The receiving opening 103 is an opening formed on the side of the main body housing 101 opposite to the side to which the paper output tray 115 is connected. The receiving opening 103 is connected to the transport path 39 of the MFP 1. The direction from the receiving opening 103 toward the discharge opening 104 is the transport direction in which paper is transported. The receiving rollers 105, transport rollers 106, and discharge rollers 107 are arranged in this order along the transport direction on the transport path 108 between the receiving opening 103 and the discharge opening 104. The paper on which an image is formed by the MFP 1 passes through the transport path 39 of the MFP 1 and is received at the receiving port 103 of the post-processing device 100. The paper received at the receiving port 103 is conveyed by the receiving rollers 105 toward the conveying rollers 106. The paper conveyed by the conveying rollers 106 is conveyed toward the discharge rollers 107.

[0028] A paddle 117 is disposed in the space downstream of the discharge port 104 in the paper transport direction. The paddle 117 is movable in the vertical direction. While the paper is transported along the transport path 108, the paddle 117 is positioned at an upper position, forming a space downstream of the discharge port 104. Therefore, the leading edge of the paper transported by the discharge rollers 107 is transported toward the paper output tray 115, and the paper is discharged into the space downstream of the discharge port 104. When the trailing edge of the paper transported by the discharge rollers 107 passes through the discharge port 104, the paddle 117 moves downward. As the paddle 117 descends, the paper descends toward the loading plate 110. The paddle 117 is driven by a belt and rotates counterclockwise in the figure. As a result, the paper sandwiched between the paddle 117 and the loading plate 110 is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction. The paper is subjected to a force by the paddle 117 in the negative X direction. An edge restriction portion 111 is provided at the edge of the loading plate 110 on the negative side in the X direction. The edge restriction portion 111 has a restriction surface that is perpendicular to the upper surface of the loading plate 110. A plurality of sheets of paper stacked on the loading plate 110 is subjected to a force on the negative side in the X direction by the paddle 117. Because the plurality of sheets of paper abut against the restriction surface of the edge restriction portion 111, the second stack P2 made up of a plurality of sheets of paper is aligned on the negative side in the X direction.

[0029] An insertion slot 102 is formed in the front direction (negative side in the Y direction) of the paper output tray 115 of the main body housing 101. The insertion slot 102 has upper and lower surfaces parallel to the upper surface of the loading plate 110, and has a contact surface parallel to the regulating surface of the end regulating portion 111. When a user inserts a first stack P1 of multiple overlapping sheets of paper into the insertion slot 102, the first stack P1 contacts the contact surface, thereby determining the position of the first stack P1.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a first plan view showing an example of the internal structure of post-processing device 100. Referring to FIG. 5, post-processing device 100 has two side regulating units 113A and 113B arranged on loading plate 110 at a predetermined distance in the Y direction. Side regulating units 113A and 113B have alignment surfaces facing each other. The alignment surfaces are surfaces parallel to the X and Z directions. By adjusting the distance between side regulating units 113A and 113B, the positions in the Y direction of one or more sheets placed on loading plate 110 are determined. Therefore, the position in the X direction of second stack P2 of one or more sheets placed on loading plate 110 is determined on loading plate 110 by end regulating unit 111, and the position in the Y direction is determined by side regulating units 113A and 113B.

[0031] In post-processing device 100, guide rail 123 extending in the Y direction is disposed at a position a predetermined distance away from loading plate 110 on the negative side in the X direction. Stapler 121 is slidable on guide rail 123. Stapler 121 is driven by a drive motor to move on guide rail 123 in the Y direction. Stapler 121 staples second stack P2, the end of which on the negative side in the X direction has been aligned by end restriction unit 111 on loading plate 110, at any position in the Y direction. Second stack P2 placed on loading plate 110 is discharged onto paper discharge tray 115 by discharge rollers 107. In FIG. 5, an example of a position where stapler 121 drives staples is indicated by a dotted line.

[0032] Furthermore, when the user inserts the first bundle P1 into the insertion slot 102, the stapler 121 moves in the Y direction to a predetermined position relative to the insertion slot 102 and drives staples into the second bundle P2, which is positioned by abutting against the abutment surface. The position of the stapler 121 shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 is the position of the stapler 121 determined relative to the insertion slot 102. The user can obtain the first bundle P1 with the staples driven in by pulling out the first bundle P1 with the staples driven in from the insertion slot 102.

[0033] The operation unit 141 is attached to the operation surface 131 of the main body rear part 130. A guide groove 134 extending in the X direction is formed on the operation surface 131 of the operation unit 141. The operation unit 141 is attached so as to be slidable in the guide groove 134. The operation unit 141 is attached to the operation surface 131 at a position that does not overlap in the vertical direction with the first stack P1 inserted by the user into the insertion slot 102. The operation unit 141 is also attached to the operation surface 131 at a position that does not overlap in the vertical direction with the paper output tray 115. In other words, in a plan view, the operation unit 141 is attached to the operation surface 131 at a position that does not overlap with either the paper output tray 115 or the first stack P1 inserted by the user into the insertion slot 102.

[0034] Post-processing device 100 has a slide mechanism that is movable in the X direction relative to MFP 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the slide mechanism of a post-processing device. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the slide mechanism includes two main body rails 191A and 191B and multiple slide protrusions 133. Grooves extending in the X direction are formed in two main body rails 191A and 191B, and they are fixed to slide surface 40, which is the upper surface of the top plate of the housing of image forming unit 3 of MFP 1, at a predetermined distance in the Y direction. Multiple slide protrusions 133 are formed on bottom surface 132 of post-processing device 100 at positions corresponding to two main body rails 191A and 191B, respectively. Here, three slide protrusions 133 are arranged side by side in the X direction for main body rail 191A, and three slide protrusions 133 are arranged side by side in the X direction for main body rail 191B. The three slide protrusions 133 corresponding to main body rail 191A are slidable along the grooves formed in main body rail 191A. The three sliding protrusions 133 corresponding to the main body rail 191B are slidable along grooves formed in the main body rail 191B, thereby enabling the post-processing device 100 to move relative to the MFP 1 in the X direction.

[0035] The post-processing device 100 has a fixing mechanism 150 that fixes the post-processing device 100 to the MFP 1. The fixing mechanism 150 includes an engagement portion 149 and a fixing plate 193. The fixing plate 193 is fixed to the main body rail 191A between both ends of the main body rail 191A in the X direction. The fixing plate 193 has a fixing protrusion 195 that protrudes upward. The engagement portion 149 is provided on the bottom surface 132 of the post-processing device 100. The engagement portion 149 is flat and has an engagement groove 149A that penetrates in the vertical direction. The engagement groove 149A is L-shaped and has an opening 149B, a locking surface 149C, and an inclined surface 149D. The opening 149B opens the engagement groove 149A to the negative side in the X direction. The inclined surface 149D is a surface that is inclined with respect to the Y direction and parallel to the Z direction, and extends a predetermined distance from the opening 149B toward the positive side of the X direction. The locking surface 149C is a surface that is parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction, and is connected to the inclined surface 149D. The engaging portion 149 is attached to the bottom surface 132 in a state that is slidable in the Y direction. The engaging portion 149 is biased toward the negative side of the Y direction by an elastic member such as a spring.

[0036] In the positional relationship between engagement portion 149 and fixed plate 193 shown in FIG. 6 , engagement portion 149 is not engaged with fixed plate 193. Therefore, post-processing device 100 is not fixed to MFP 1 and is slidable in the X direction. When a user applies force to post-processing device 100 in a direction toward the negative side of the X direction, engagement portion 149 moves toward fixed plate 193. As engagement portion 149 moves, fixed protrusion 195 of fixed plate 193 enters engagement groove 149A from opening 149B. Engagement portion 149 is biased toward the negative side of the Y direction, but because fixed protrusion 195 slides along inclined surface 149D, engagement portion 149 overcomes the biasing force of the spring and moves toward the positive side of the Y direction. Then, when engagement portion 149 moves to a position where fixed protrusion 195 exceeds the end of inclined surface 149D on the positive side of the X direction, engagement portion 149 is biased by the spring and moves toward the positive side of the Y direction. As a result, fixed protrusion 195 abuts against locking surface 149C, restricting movement of post-processing device 100 in the positive X-direction. Also, fixed protrusion 195 abuts against the surface of engagement groove 149A facing locking surface 149C, restricting movement of post-processing device 100 in the positive X-direction.

[0037] Post-processing device 100 has a release mechanism that releases the fixation by the fixation mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a slide mechanism, a fixation mechanism, and a release mechanism. Fig. 7 shows the slide mechanism, fixation mechanism 150, and release mechanism 140 provided in post-processing device 100, and other members are not shown. Fig. 8 is a first view showing an enlarged view of the release mechanism. Figs. 7 and 8 show a state in which post-processing device 100 is fixed to MFP 1 by fixation mechanism 150. Release mechanism 140 includes an operation unit 141, an operation plate 143, a link member 145, and a connection member 147.

[0038] The operation unit 141 is attached to the operation surface 131 of the rear body part 130. The operation surface 131 faces upward. The operation unit 141 is attached to the operation surface 131 in a state where it can slide in the X direction. The operation unit 141 passes through the rear body part 130 in the up-down direction, and is fixed to an operation plate 143 below the bottom surface 132 of the rear body part 130.

[0039] Operation plate 143 is attached to bottom surface 132 of rear body 130 so as to be slidable in the X direction. Operation plate 143 has connection hole 143A formed in the end opposite to the end where operation unit 141 is attached. Connection hole 143A has a predetermined length in the Y direction.

[0040] The link member 145 has a rotation shaft 145A, a first protrusion 145B, and a second protrusion 145C. The rotation shaft 145A of the link member 145 is rotatably supported on the bottom surface 132 of the rear body portion 130. Therefore, the link member 145 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 145A. The first protrusion 145B is fixed to the link member 145 at a position a predetermined distance away from the rotation shaft 145A in the Y direction. The first protrusion 145B is shaped to protrude downward from the link member 145. The first protrusion 145B fits into a connection hole 143A formed in the operation plate 143. The second protrusion 145C is fixed to the link member 145 at a position a predetermined distance away from the rotation shaft 145A in the X direction. The second protrusion 145C is shaped to protrude downward from the link member 145.

[0041] The connecting member 147 has a flat plate shape extending in the Y direction. The connecting member 147 is attached to the bottom surface 132 of the rear main body portion 130 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. The connecting member 147 has a first sliding hole 147A formed at one end, and the other end is fixed to the engaging portion 149. The first sliding hole 147A has a predetermined length in the X direction. The second protrusion 145C of the link member 145 fits into the first sliding hole 147A.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a second enlarged view of the release mechanism. Fig. 9 shows a state in which release mechanism 140 has released post-processing device 100 from being fixed to MFP 1 by fixing mechanism 150. With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, in a state in which post-processing device 100 is fixed to MFP 1 by fixing mechanism 150, operation unit 141 is operated by a user and moved to the positive side in the X direction. Accordingly, connection hole 143A formed in operation plate 143 moves in the X direction. As connection hole 143A moves in the X direction, second protrusion 145C of link member 145 moves in the positive side in the X direction, and link member 145 rotates clockwise.

[0043] As the link member 145 rotates, the first protrusion 145B moves toward the negative side in the Y direction. When the first protrusion 145B moves toward the negative side in the Y direction, the engaging portion 149 moves toward the negative side in the Y direction. As a result, the locking surface 149C of the engaging groove 149A formed in the engaging portion 149 is positioned on the negative side in the Y direction relative to the fixing protrusion 195 of the fixing plate 193. Therefore, the fixing by the release mechanism 140 is released, and the post-processing device 100 becomes movable in the X direction.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view illustrating movement of post-processing device 100. FIG. 11 is a second perspective view illustrating movement of post-processing device 100. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of post-processing device 100 attached to MFP 1. The relative position of post-processing device 100 and MFP 1 in the state shown in FIG. 10 is called the processing position. When post-processing device 100 is located in the processing position relative to MFP 1, post-processing device 100 can receive sheets of paper on which images have been formed from MFP 1 and perform stapling. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of post-processing device 100 detached from MFP 1. The relative position of post-processing device 100 and MFP 1 in the state shown in FIG. 11 is called the working position. When post-processing device 100 is located in the working position relative to MFP 1, post-processing device 100 cannot receive sheets of paper on which images have been formed from MFP 1 and cannot perform stapling.

[0045] When post-processing device 100 moves from a state in which it is located in the processing position relative to MFP 1 to the positive side in the X direction indicated by the thick arrow in the figure relative to MFP 1, post-processing device 100 moves to the working position relative to MFP 1. Conversely, when post-processing device 100 moves from a state in which it is located in the processing position relative to MFP 1 to the negative side in the X direction opposite to the thick arrow in the figure relative to MFP 1, post-processing device 100 moves to the processing position relative to MFP 1.

[0046] When post-processing device 100 is located at the processing position relative to MFP 1, post-processing device 100 is fixed at the processing position relative to MFP 1 by fixing mechanism 150. When the user moves operation unit 141 toward the positive side in the X direction, post-processing device 100 is released from the fixation by fixing mechanism 150. Therefore, the direction in which the user operates operation unit 141 is the same as the positive side in the X direction in which post-processing device 100 moves from the processing position to the working position relative to MFP 1. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize the direction in which to operate operation unit 141, making operation easy.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a third perspective view illustrating movement of post-processing device 100. FIG. 13 is a second plan view showing an example of the internal structure of post-processing device 100. FIGS. 12 and 13 are views showing a state in which post-processing device 100 is located at the working position relative to MFP 1. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when post-processing device 100 is located at the working position relative to MFP 1, a working space 109 is secured between post-processing device 100 and MFP 1. Working space 109 is part of the accommodation space between image forming unit 3 and document reading unit 2 of MFP 1, and is located on the negative side of post-processing device 100 in the X direction.

[0048] The portion of the stapler 121 on the negative side in the X direction is exposed to the storage space. This allows the user to replace the cartridge that stores the staples of the stapler 121. The user can also insert their hand into the work space 109 to remove paper jammed in the post-processing device 100.

[0049] <Summary of implementation form> (Item 1) A main body having an operation surface facing upward; a slide mechanism that slides the main body in one direction relative to the image forming apparatus; a fixing portion that fixes the main body portion to the image forming apparatus; a release mechanism having an operation unit operated by a user, the release mechanism releasing the fixation by the fixation unit in response to the operation of the operation unit by the user, The post-processing device, wherein the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface of the main body.

[0050] According to this aspect, the slide mechanism causes the main body to slide in one direction relative to the image forming apparatus. The fixing portion fixes the main body to the image forming apparatus. The release mechanism releases the main body from being fixed to the image forming apparatus in response to a user operating the operation portion. Therefore, when the user operates the operation portion, the main body changes from a state in which it is fixed to the image forming apparatus by the fixing portion to a state in which it is slidable relative to the image forming apparatus. Because the operation portion is disposed on an operation surface facing upward of the main body, the user can operate the operation portion from above. Therefore, the user can easily view the operation portion. As a result, a post-processing device with improved operability can be provided.

[0051] (Item 2) An insertion port provided in the main body portion, into which a first stack of a plurality of first recording media is inserted; a post-processing unit provided in the main body and capable of performing post-processing on the first stack inserted into the insertion opening, the operation surface is disposed below the insertion opening, Item 2. The post-processing device according to item 1, wherein the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface of the main body unit at a position that does not overlap vertically with the first stack inserted into the insertion opening.

[0052] According to this aspect, the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface below the insertion opening and at a position that does not overlap vertically with the first bundle inserted into the insertion opening. Therefore, since the operation unit does not overlap vertically with the first bundle inserted into the insertion opening, the operation unit is not hidden by the first bundle, and visibility for the user can be ensured.

[0053] (Item 3) A mounting portion provided in the main body portion on which a second recording medium is mounted; the post-processing unit is capable of further performing post-processing on a second stack of the second recording media stacked on the stacking section, a discharge section where the second bundle that has been post-processed by the post-processing unit is discharged from the placement section, the operation surface is disposed below the discharge portion, Item 3. The post-processing device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the operation unit is further disposed on the operation surface of the main body unit at a position that does not overlap the discharge unit in the vertical direction.

[0054] According to this aspect, the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface below the discharge unit and at a position that does not overlap with the discharge unit in the vertical direction. Therefore, since the operation unit does not overlap with the discharge unit in the vertical direction, the operation unit is not hidden by the discharge unit, and visibility for the user can be ensured.

[0055] (Item 4) The post-processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the operation unit is a different color from the operation surface.

[0056] According to this aspect, since the color of the operation unit is different from the color of the operation surface, the position of the operation unit on the operation surface can be notified to the user.

[0057] (Item 5) The post-processing device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the release mechanism releases the fixation by the fixation part in response to the operation part moving in the one direction.

[0058] According to this aspect, the operation unit moves in the same direction as the main body unit slides relative to the image forming apparatus, which facilitates the user's operation to release the fixed main body unit.

[0059] (Item 6) An image forming apparatus equipped with the post-processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 5.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 MFP, 2 document reading unit, 3 image forming unit, 4 paper feed unit, 100 post-processing device, 101 main body housing, 102 insertion port, 103 receiving port, 104 discharge port, 105 receiving roller, 106 transport roller, 107 discharge roller, 108 transport path, 109 working space, 110 loading plate, 111 end regulating unit, 113A, 113B side regulating unit, 115 paper output tray, 117 paddle, 121 stapler, 123 guide rail, 130 main body rear, 131 operation surface, 132 bottom surface, 133 sliding protrusion, 134 guide groove, 140 release mechanism, 141 operation unit, 143 operation plate, 143A connection hole, 145 link member, 145A rotation shaft, 145B first protrusion, 145C Second protrusion, 147 connecting member, 147A first sliding hole, 149 engaging portion, 149A engaging groove, 149B opening, 149C locking surface, 149D inclined surface, 150 fixing mechanism, 191A, 191B main body rail, 193 fixing plate, 195 fixing protrusion, P1 first bundle, P2 second bundle.

Claims

1. a main body having an operation surface facing upward; a slide mechanism that slides the main body in one direction relative to the image forming apparatus; a fixing portion that fixes the main body portion to the image forming apparatus; a release mechanism having an operation unit operated by a user, the release mechanism releasing the fixation by the fixation unit in response to the operation of the operation unit by the user, The post-processing device, wherein the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface of the main body.

2. an insertion port provided in the main body portion, into which a first stack of a plurality of first recording media is inserted; a post-processing unit provided in the main body and capable of performing post-processing on the first stack inserted into the insertion opening, the operation surface is disposed below the insertion opening, The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation unit is disposed on the operation surface of the main body at a position that does not overlap the first stack inserted into the insertion opening in the vertical direction.

3. a mounting portion provided in the main body portion and on which a second recording medium is mounted; the post-processing unit is capable of further performing post-processing on a second stack of the plurality of second recording media stacked on the stacking section, a discharge section where the second bundle that has been subjected to post-processing by the post-processing unit is discharged from the placement section, the operation surface is disposed below the discharge portion, The post-processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the operation unit is further disposed on the operation surface of the main body unit at a position that does not overlap the discharge unit in the vertical direction.

4. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation portion is a color different from the color of the operation surface.

5. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism releases the fixing by the fixing part in response to the operation part moving in the one direction.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising the post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images