Media loading device

Abstract

In a media loading device, the issue of media leaning against the surface is eliminated without increasing the retraction distance of the regulating part that controls the position of the media. [Solution] The media loading device 30 includes a loading platform 31 on which media M are loaded, an offset guide 33 which is an example of a regulating part that regulates the position of media M on the loading platform 31, and a control unit 39a that, when it detects that media M is leaning against the offset guide 33, tilts the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the media M on the loading platform 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium loading device including a loading table on which a medium is loaded.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when detecting that a medium leans on a movable fence, the discharge of the medium is stopped, and a leaning elimination operation is performed in which the movable fence is moved from a regulation position to a retreat position and then returned to the regulation position, and then the discharge of the medium is resumed. A medium discharge device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In particular, in a high-capacity paper discharge unit of an image forming apparatus capable of performing high-speed image formation on a medium such as a large number of sheets of paper, during image formation, a leaning may occur on the upstream side or the downstream side of the medium in the discharge direction. When a medium leans, image formation stops based on the detection by a leaning sensor, and the user has to eliminate the leaning and resume image formation. Therefore, it burdens the user and increases the downtime of the apparatus.

[0005] In addition, when the apparatus stops due to leaning and the user tries to deal with it, the leaning may have naturally disappeared, which also leads to a decrease in the reliability of the apparatus. In particular, when the amount of leaning is small, it has been found that it naturally disappears over time, due to the contact with the next medium, the vibration of the paper discharge tray, etc. Note that a medium is likely to lean in a medium with low stiffness such as thin paper, a medium with a large size such as A3 paper, or a medium whose set position by the user has been disturbed at a stage before image formation.

[0006] The aforementioned media discharge device, which stops media discharge (image formation) and moves the movable fence from the restricted position to the retracted position when leaning is detected, requires a longer distance for moving the movable fence (the restricting part that restricts the position of the media) to eliminate the leaning of the media. Therefore, space constraints arise, and it is not possible to eliminate the leaning of the media in narrow spaces.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a media loading device that can eliminate the leaning of media without increasing the retraction distance of the regulating part that controls the position of the media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the media loading device includes a loading platform on which media are loaded, a regulating unit for regulating the position of the media on the loading platform, and a control unit that, when it detects that the media is leaning against the regulating unit, tilts the regulating unit away from the media on the loading platform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above embodiment, the leaning of the media can be eliminated without increasing the retraction distance of the regulating part that controls the position of the media. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the internal structure of an image forming system equipped with a media loading device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the main control configuration of an image forming system equipped with a media loading device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing a media loading device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] This is a front view showing the internal structure of an offset guide in one embodiment. [Figure 4B]This is a front view showing the internal structure of an inclined offset guide in one embodiment. [Figure 5A] This is a front view showing an offset guide (without offset) and a retraction mechanism in one embodiment. [Figure 5B] This is a front view showing an offset guide (with offset) and a retraction mechanism in one embodiment. [Figure 6A] This is a front view (part 1) of a media loading device for illustrating the outline of the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 6B] This is a front view (part 2) of a media loading device for illustrating the outline of the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 6C] This is a front view (part 3) of a media loading device for illustrating the outline of the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7A] This is a front view (part 1) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7B] This is a front view (part 2) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7C] This is a front view (part 3) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7D] This is a front view (part 4) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7E] This is a front view (part 5) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Figure 7F] This is a front view (part 6) of the offset guide and retraction mechanism for explaining the operation to eliminate leaning in one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, a media loading device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an image forming system 1 including a media loading device 30 according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main control configuration of the image forming system 1.

[0014] The image forming system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an image forming device 10, an intermediate transfer device 20, and a media loading device 30. Here, the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 7F described later are an example for convenience of explanation when the discharge direction A of the media M onto the loading table 31 of the media loading device 30 is the right direction. For example, the up-down direction is the vertical direction, and the front-back and left-right directions are the horizontal directions. In FIG. 1, the straight conveyance path R1 of the media M in the image forming device 10 and the discharge path R4 of the media M in the intermediate transfer device 20 are shown by solid lines. In FIG. 1, the circulation conveyance path R2 of the media M in the image forming device 10 is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the reverse conveyance paths R3 and R5 in the image forming device 10 and the intermediate transfer device 20 are shown by broken lines. Although it is an example, the media M is a sheet-like media M such as a single sheet of paper.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 10 includes a media supply unit 11, a feeding roller 12, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 13, a suction conveyance unit 14, an inkjet head 15, conveyance path switching units 16 and 17, and a discharge unit 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device 10 includes a control unit 19a, a storage unit 19b, and an interface unit 19c. The image forming system 1 includes a single image forming device 10, but for example, it may include a plurality of image forming devices arranged in series in the conveyance path of the media M.

[0016] The media supply unit 11 is loaded with media M before image formation. The media supply unit 11 is arranged integrally with the image forming apparatus 10, but it may also be arranged separately from the image forming apparatus 10. The feed roller 12 feeds out and transports the media M located at the top of the multiple media M loaded in the media supply unit 11. Multiple pairs of transport rollers 13 are arranged in each of the straight transport path R1, circulating transport path R2, and reverse transport path R3 within the image forming apparatus 10, and transport the media M while nipping it. The suction transport unit 14 is arranged opposite the inkjet head 15. The suction transport unit 14 transports the media M by suction, for example, by a belt. The feed roller 12, the multiple transport roller pairs 13, the suction transport unit 14, and the multiple transport roller pairs 21 of the intermediate transport device 20, which will be described later, are examples of transport units that transport media M.

[0017] The inkjet head 15 is, for example, a line-head type inkjet head (not shown) for each color used in image formation. Note that the inkjet head 15 is merely one example of an image forming unit that performs image formation on the medium M, and the image forming method of the image forming apparatus 10 may be an image forming method other than the inkjet method.

[0018] The transport path switching unit 16 is, for example, a flipper, and switches the transport path of the medium M, on which an image has been formed by the inkjet head 15, between a straight transport path R1 leading to the intermediate transport device 20 and a circulating transport path R2 leading to the discharge unit 18 or the reversing transport path R3. The transport path switching unit 17 is, for example, a flipper, and switches the circulating transport path R2 of the medium M between a transport path leading to the discharge unit 18 and a transport path leading to the reversing transport path R3. The discharge unit 18 is where the medium M that is not discharged to the medium loading device 30 is loaded. The medium M is reversed in the reversing transport path R3 and transported back to the inkjet head 15, where an image is formed on the side opposite to the side on which the image has already been formed.

[0019] The control unit 19a shown in Figure 2 has one or more processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that function as an arithmetic processing unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10. This processor controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 by reading a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 19b or from a storage medium (non-transient computer-readable recording medium) that can be attached to or removed from the image forming apparatus 10 and executing it. In this way, the control unit 19a (or the image forming apparatus 10) functions as an example of a computer that executes a program. The control unit 19a may also control a plurality of transport roller pairs 21 of the intermediate transport device 20, which will be described later. The control unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 may also function as the control unit 39a of the media loading device 30, which will be described later. Furthermore, a control unit that combines the functions of the control unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 and the control unit 39a of the media loading device 30 (e.g., an image forming control device) may be located outside the image forming apparatus 10.

[0020] The memory unit 19b includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory on which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written to and read at any time and used as a working memory area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0021] The interface unit 19c exchanges various types of information with the media loading device 30, user terminal, image forming control device, etc. For example, the interface unit 19c receives image forming jobs from the user terminal (or image forming control device).

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate transport device 20 is equipped with a plurality of transport roller pairs 21. These transport roller pairs 21 transport the medium M discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 while nipping it.

[0023] The media loading device 30 includes a loading platform 31, an end fence 32, an offset guide 33, side fences 34 and 35, and a lean sensor S. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the media loading device 30 includes a loading platform lifting drive unit 38a, a magnet drive unit 38b, a control unit 39a, a storage unit 39b, and an interface unit 39c. Additionally, as shown in Figure 5A (described later), the media loading device 30 includes a retraction mechanism 36 and a stopper 37.

[0024] Although the media loading device 30 is located separately from the image forming apparatus 10, it may be located integrally with the image forming apparatus 10. In other words, the media loading device 30 may be located as part of the image forming apparatus 10. Furthermore, the media loading device 30 may not only load media M on which images have been formed in the image forming apparatus 10, but may also load media M discharged from processing devices that perform processing other than image formation on the media M, or from transport devices that transport the media M. In addition, if the intermediate transport device 20 is omitted, the media loading device 30 may receive media M directly from the image forming apparatus 10. Moreover, in the image forming system 1, if the media M discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 is transported to one of a plurality of media loading devices according to, for example, size, type, or job, the media loading device 30 according to this embodiment may be at least one of the plurality of media loading devices.

[0025] The loading platform 31 is used to load the media M that are sequentially discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 and sequentially transported by the intermediate transport device 20. The loading platform 31 is arranged to be able to be raised and lowered by the loading platform lifting drive unit 38a, which will be described later, so that the loading surface of the media M is at a constant height.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, on the upper surface of the loading platform 31, multiple ribs 31a extending in the width direction are provided on each side in the width direction (front-to-back direction) of the medium M, aligned in the discharge direction A (rightward direction). The ribs 31a have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Grooves G are formed between the multiple ribs 31a aligned in the discharge direction A, and between the multiple ribs 31a aligned in the width direction (the rear ribs 31a are not shown in Figure 3). When the loading platform 31 is in its upper limit position, the lower ends of the side fences 34 and 35 fit into the grooves G between the multiple ribs 31a aligned in the discharge direction A. Also, when the loading platform 31 is in its upper limit position, the lower end of the end fence 32 fits into the grooves G between the ribs 31a aligned in the width direction. When the loading platform 31 is in its upper limit position, the lower ends of the end fence 32 and the side fences 34 and 35 move along the grooves G according to the size of the medium M.

[0027] The upper surface of the rib 31a forms the loading surface for the medium M on the loading platform 31. The height of the rib 31a gradually increases at both ends in the width direction of the loading platform 31, becoming higher than at the central end. In this way, the loading surface for the medium M on the loading platform 31 forms a V-shape or a U-shape when viewed from the left and right sides.

[0028] Note that the rib 31a is not shown in Figures 5A, 5B, and 7A to 7F. As shown in Figures 5A, 5B, and 7A to 7F, the loading surface of the loading platform 31 may be flat. The loading platform 31 may also be a loading platform with a conveying means, such as a belt conveyor or roller conveyor, on which the medium M is loaded. The loading platform 31 may also be detachably positioned on the medium loading device 30, and when the medium M is removed, it may be lowered onto the trolley 100 and placed on the trolley 100, and removed from the medium loading device 30 together with the medium M. The loading platform 31 may also be positioned so that it cannot be raised or lowered.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the end fence 32 restricts the position of the downstream end of the medium M in the discharge direction A, the offset guide 33 restricts the position of the upstream end of the medium M in the discharge direction A, and the side fences 34 and 35 (the front side fence 34 is not shown in Figure 3 and Figures 6A to 6C described later) restrict the position of the end of the medium M in the width direction (front-back direction) perpendicular to the discharge direction A. In this way, the end fence 32, the offset guide 33, and the side fences 34 and 35 function as restricting parts that restrict the position of the medium M on the loading platform 31. These restricting parts can also be described as parts that contact the end (periphery) of the medium M discharged onto the loading platform 31. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the offset guide 33 comes into contact with the leading edge of the medium M discharged from the intermediate conveying device 20 when it abuts against it.

[0030] The end fence 32 is positioned to be movable in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction (left direction) according to the size of the medium M (length in discharge direction A). The side fences 34 and 35 are positioned to be movable in the width direction according to the width of the medium M. The offset guide 33, together with the end fence 32, offsets the loading position of the medium M on the loading platform 31 in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction. The offset guide 33 and the end fence 32 move in the discharge direction A or the opposite direction at predetermined timings, for example, for each job. As will be described later, the offset guide 33 tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 to prevent the medium M from leaning against it. Therefore, the width of the offset guide 33 in the width direction (front-back direction) should be equal to or greater than the maximum width of the medium M being discharged, so that the tilting of the offset guide 33 prevents the medium M from leaning against it. Unlike the loading platform 31, the end fence 32, offset guide 33, and side fences 34 and 35 do not move up or down in accordance with the amount of media M loaded.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4A, the offset guide 33 has a pressing portion 33a, a support shaft 33b, and a receiving recess 33c at its upper and lower ends, respectively. While it is sufficient to have one or more of these pressing portions 33a, support shafts 33b, and receiving recesses 33c, it is preferable that they be arranged not only at multiple positions in the vertical direction but also at multiple positions in the width direction (front-to-back direction) of the medium M.

[0032] The pressing portion 33a has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pressing portion 33a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 33b so as to maintain its orientation by its own weight, regardless of the inclination of the offset guide 33, which will be described later. This support shaft 33b extends horizontally in the front-rear direction within the housing recess 33c, for example.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4A, when the offset guide 33 is in a vertical position (regulating position P0 shown in Figure 5A later), the pressing portion 33a is housed in the housing recess 33c of the offset guide 33 so as not to protrude from the offset guide 33. The right end of the pressing portion 33a (the downstream end in the discharge direction A) approximately coincides with the right end of the offset guide 33. The pressing portion 33a can also be called a pressing block, pressing piece, or block. Note that in Figures 4A and 4B, the pressing portion 33a and the support shaft 33b are shown with solid lines because they are front views (cross-sectional views) showing the internal structure, but in Figures 5A to 7F, the parts housed inside the offset guide 33 are shown with dashed lines (hidden lines).

[0034] The pressing portion 33a maintains its position by its own weight regardless of the tilt of the offset guide 33. Therefore, as the offset guide 33 tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 as described later (see Figure 4B), the pressing portion 33a protrudes from the offset guide 33 toward the medium M. In addition, when the offset guide 33 returns to the restricting position P0 (Figure 5A) that restricts the medium M, the pressing portion 33a presses against the medium M that has been detected leaning.

[0035] The surface of the downstream end of the pressing portion 33a in the discharge direction A has a step 33a-1 with a convex upper part and a concave lower part. This step 33a-1 is an example of a hook portion that catches the medium M to be pressed. This hook portion may be an uneven surface with multiple convex parts, or a rough surface, etc.

[0036] The leaning sensor S shown in Figure 1 is a transmissive sensor that detects whether the medium M leans against the end fence 32 or the offset guide 33 by whether the light-receiving unit receives detection light L (shown as a dashed line) emitted horizontally by the light-emitting unit above the height of the medium M's loading surface on the loading platform 31. The light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit of the leaning sensor S are positioned downstream of the end fence 32 in the discharge direction A and upstream of the offset guide 33 in the discharge direction A. The end fence 32 and the offset guide 33 are provided with holes (not shown) to allow the detection light L emitted by the light-emitting unit to pass through, or are positioned so as not to interfere with the detection light L.

[0037] Here, even if the medium M does not lean against the end fence 32 or offset guide 33, it will pass through a position that shields the detection light L of the leaning sensor S as it is discharged onto the loading platform 31. Therefore, the control unit 39a, described later, should detect leaning of the medium M against the end fence 32 or offset guide 33 if, for example, the detection light L emitted from the light-emitting part of the leaning sensor S is blocked by the medium M and the light-receiving part of the leaning sensor S does not receive the detection light L for a specified period of time or longer. The control unit 39a may, for example, detect leaning of the medium M against the end fence 32 or offset guide 33 based on the number of medium M discharged (or the discharge interval of medium M obtained from the image forming apparatus 10) and the amount of descent of the loading platform 31 based on the detection result of a loading surface sensor (not shown) (or the detection result of the loading surface sensor). For example, if the amount of descent of the loading platform 31 is greater than the amount of descent of the loading platform 31 for the number of medium M that have passed, obtained from the history of a certain period in the past. In this case, the leaning sensor S can be omitted.

[0038] The retraction mechanism 36 shown in Figures 5A and 5B tilts the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 (see Figures 7A to 7D). The retraction mechanism 36 also moves the offset guide 33 between a position without offset (regulating position P0 in Figure 5A) and a position with offset (offset position P10 in Figure 5B) in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction.

[0039] The retraction mechanism 36 includes a magnet 36a, a first drive link 36b, a second drive link 36c, a first driven link 36d, a second driven link 36e, a first drive shaft 36f, a second drive shaft 36g, a first driven shaft 36h, a second driven shaft 36i, a first guide shaft 36j, and a second guide shaft 36k.

[0040] The magnet 36a can be attracted to and detached from the offset guide 33. Therefore, it is preferable that at least the side of the offset guide 33 facing the magnet 36a (the left side) be made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0041] The first drive link 36b is rotatably connected to the first drive shaft 36f at one end and to the first driven shaft 36h at the other end. The second drive link 36c is positioned above the first drive link 36b and is rotatably connected to the second drive shaft 36g at one end and to the second driven shaft 36i at the other end.

[0042] The first drive shaft 36f and the second drive shaft 36g are connected by a connecting plate (not shown) to maintain their relative positions, or are positioned so as to be immovable. The first driven shaft 36h and the second driven shaft 36i are connected by a connecting plate (not shown) to maintain their relative positions. As a result, the first drive link 36b and the second drive link 36c assume the same orientation.

[0043] The first driven shaft 36h is connected to the magnet 36a, for example, by fastening. The first drive shaft 36f is connected to the magnet drive unit 38b. The magnet drive unit 38b rotates the first drive link 36b clockwise in Figure 5A, thereby moving the magnet 36a in the discharge direction A. Conversely, the magnet drive unit 38b rotates the first drive link 36b counterclockwise in Figure 5A, thereby moving the magnet 36a in the opposite direction (left) of the discharge direction A.

[0044] The first driven link 36d is connected to the offset guide 33 at the first guide shaft 36j at one end and to the first driven shaft 36h at the elongated hole 36d-1. Therefore, the first driven shaft 36h is movable within the elongated hole 36d-1 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the first driven link 36d. The second driven link 36e is connected to the offset guide 33 at the second guide shaft 36k at one end and to the second driven shaft 36i at the other end. The first drive link 36b, the second drive link 36c, and the second driven link 36e may also be provided with elongated holes similar to those of the first driven link 36d.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5B, when moving the offset guide 33 to the offset position in the discharge direction A, the magnet drive unit 38b rotates the first drive link 36b (second drive link 36c) clockwise in Figure 5B, thereby moving the offset guide 33 in the discharge direction A via the first driven link 36d (second driven link 36e). This offsets the loading position of the medium M on the loading platform 31. When returning the offset guide 33 from the offset position P10 in Figure 5B to the restricted position P0 in Figure 5A, the first driven shaft 36h can move within the elongated hole 36d-1 of the first driven link 36d. However, since the first driven shaft 36h is connected to the magnet 36a, the first driven shaft 36h does not move within the elongated hole 36d-1, and the magnet 36a and the offset guide 33 return to the opposite direction of the discharge direction A as the first drive link 36b rotates.

[0046] When the offset guide 33 is in the restricted position P0, the stopper 37, as shown in Figure 7C later, contacts the lower part of the offset guide 33 when the magnet 36a, which is attracted to the offset guide 33, moves in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A, causing the offset guide 33 to tilt and the offset guide 33 to separate from the magnet 36a.

[0047] The loading platform lifting drive unit 38a shown in Figure 2 raises and lowers the loading platform 31 through drive control by the control unit 39a. The loading platform lifting drive unit 38a is, for example, an actuator such as a motor. The media loading device 30 is equipped with a loading surface sensor (not shown) that detects when the height of the loading surface of the media M on the loading platform 31 reaches a predetermined height. Based on the detection result of this loading surface sensor, the control unit 39a controls the loading platform lifting drive unit 38a to lower the loading platform 31 by, for example, a predetermined number of sheets, thereby maintaining the loading surface of the media M at a constant height.

[0048] As described above, the magnet drive unit 38b moves the magnet 36a in the discharge direction A and in the opposite direction (leftward) of this discharge direction A. The magnet drive unit 38b is, for example, an actuator such as a motor.

[0049] Furthermore, the media loading device 30 may also be equipped with a fence drive unit for moving the end fence 32 and the side fences 34 and 35.

[0050] The control unit 39a has one or more processors (e.g., CPUs) that function as arithmetic processing units that control the operation of the entire media loading device 30. This processor controls the operation of each part, such as the loading platform lifting drive unit 38a and the magnet drive unit 38b, by reading and executing a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 39b or from a storage medium (non-transient computer-readable recording medium) that can be attached to and removed from the media loading device 30. In this way, the control unit 39a (or the media loading device 30) functions as an example of a computer that executes a program. The control unit 39a may also control a plurality of transport roller pairs 21 of the intermediate transport device 20. As will be described in detail later, when the control unit 39a detects that the media M is leaning against the offset guide 33, it tilts the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the media M on the loading platform 31.

[0051] The memory unit 39b includes, for example, a ROM, which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, and a RAM, which is a semiconductor memory that can be written to and read at any time and used as a working memory area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0052] The interface unit 39c exchanges various types of information with the image forming apparatus 10, the intermediate transport device 20, etc.

[0053] Here, we will explain the general procedure for releasing the leaning motion, referring to Figures 6A to 6C.

[0054] First, as shown in Figure 6A, when the medium M leans against the offset guide 33 (regulation position P0), the lean sensor S detects the leaning of the medium M. This allows the control unit 39a to detect the leaning of the medium M. Note that in Figures 5A to 7F, the lean sensor S is only shown in Figure 6A.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6B, the control unit 39a tilts the offset guide 33 away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 (tilt position P3). This almost completely eliminates the medium M leaning against the offset guide 33.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6C, the control unit 39a returns the offset guide 33 (pressing portion 33a) to its original restricting position P0. This pushes the media M, whose leaning has been relieved, back to the loading position.

[0057] Next, referring to Figures 7A to 7F, the movement of each part of the retraction mechanism 36, along with the operation to eliminate leaning, will be explained in detail.

[0058] First, as shown in Figure 7A, when the medium M leans against the offset guide 33 (regulation position P0), the control unit 39a detects that the medium M is leaning against the offset guide 33 (regulation position P0) based on the detection result of the leaning sensor S described above.

[0059] When the control unit 39a detects that the medium M is leaning in this manner, it temporarily stops the ejection (image formation) of the medium M. Also, as shown in Figure 7B, the control unit 39a controls the drive of the magnet drive unit 38b to rotate the first drive link 36b counterclockwise in Figure 7B, thereby moving the magnet 36a in the opposite direction (left) to the ejection direction A. As a result, the offset guide 33, which is attracted to the magnet 36a, moves in the opposite direction to the ejection direction A (away from the medium M on the loading platform 31) (retraction intermediate position P1).

[0060] As the offset guide 33 moves further in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A, the lower part of the offset guide 33 comes into contact with the stopper 37, as shown in Figure 7C. Subsequently, as the first drive link 36b continues to rotate counterclockwise as shown in Figure 7C, the offset guide 33 cannot keep up with the movement of the magnet 36a in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A due to contact with the stopper 37, and the magnet 36a separates from the offset guide 33. In addition, the upper part of the offset guide 33 is pulled in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A as the second drive link 36c rotates counterclockwise as shown in Figure 7C, together with the first drive link 36b. As a result, the offset guide 33 tilts (tilting start position P2). Also, as the offset guide 33 tilts, the pressing part 33a, which maintains its position by its own weight, begins to protrude from the offset guide 33 toward the medium M. Furthermore, since the first driven shaft 36h moves within the elongated hole 36d-1, the lower part of the offset guide 33 is not pulled in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7D, if the first drive link 36b and the second drive link 36c continue to rotate counterclockwise as shown in Figure 7D, the rotation of the second drive link 36c will further pull the upper part of the offset guide 33 in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A, causing the offset guide 33 to tilt further (tilted position P3). This almost completely eliminates the leaning of the medium M against the offset guide 33. In addition, as the offset guide 33 tilts, the pressing portion 33a protrudes further from the offset guide 33 toward the medium M.

[0062] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7E, the control unit 39a moves the magnet 36a in the discharge direction A by rotating the first drive link 36b clockwise in Figure 7E through drive control of the magnet drive unit 38b. At the stage shown in Figure 7E, the magnet 36a is not attracted to the offset guide 33, so the magnet 36a does not press against the lower part of the offset guide 33. However, as the second drive link 36c rotates together with the first drive link 36b, the upper part of the offset guide 33 moves in the discharge direction A, and the inclination of the offset guide 33 decreases (intermediate return position P4). At this time, the medium M to be pressed (the medium M that has leaned) gets caught on the step 33a-1 of the pressing part 33a and is pushed back onto the loading platform 31.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7F, the control unit 39a, through drive control of the magnet drive unit 38b, further rotates the first drive link 36b clockwise in Figure 7F, causing the magnet 36a to move further in the discharge direction A, and the magnet 36a to be attracted to the offset guide 33. Then, the offset guide 33 returns to the restricted position P0. At this time, the media M, which was leaning, is pushed back by the offset guide 33, and is loaded onto the loading position on the loading platform 31 with the leaning resolved. After that, the control unit 39a resumes the discharge (image formation) of the media M. Therefore, the leaning of the media M can be automatically resolved without requiring any burden on the user, and the stop time for discharge (image formation) can be shortened.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the media loading device 30 includes a loading platform 31 on which the media M is loaded, an offset guide 33 which is an example of a regulating unit that regulates the position of the media M on the loading platform 31, and a control unit 39a that, when it detects that the media M is leaning against the offset guide 33, tilts the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the media M on the loading platform 31.

[0065] As the offset guide 33 tilts while moving away from the medium M on the loading platform 31, the medium M slides along the offset guide 33, eliminating the leaning of the medium M against the offset guide 33. Furthermore, because the offset guide 33 tilts, the distance the offset guide 33 moves away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 is shorter compared to the configuration where the offset guide 33 moves in a straight line. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the leaning of the medium M can be eliminated without increasing the retraction distance of the offset guide 33. In addition, since the ejection (image formation) of the medium M can be automatically restarted, the downtime of the medium loading device 30 can be reduced without requiring any effort from the user. Furthermore, because no effort is required from the user, it is possible to avoid a situation where the leaning of the medium M is resolved naturally when the user tries to deal with it, thereby improving the reliability of the medium loading device 30.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the restricting section that tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 restricts the position of the upstream end of the medium M in the discharge direction A to the loading platform 31, and is an offset guide 33 that offsets the loading position of the medium M on the loading platform 31 between the discharge direction A (restricting position P0 shown in Figure 5A) and the opposite direction of this discharge direction A (offset position P10 shown in Figure 5B).

[0067] This allows a single mechanism (retraction mechanism 36) to serve as both a mechanism for moving the offset guide 33 in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction, and a mechanism for tilting the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the medium M on the loading platform 31. Furthermore, the offset guide 33 can be tilted by utilizing the space upstream of the offset guide 33 in the discharge direction A. As a result, the medium loading device 30 can be made into a simpler configuration.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the offset guide 33 has a pressing portion 33a that is supported so as to maintain its posture by its own weight regardless of the inclination of the offset guide 33. This pressing portion 33a protrudes from the offset guide 33 toward the medium M (inclined position P3) as the offset guide 33 inclins away from the medium M on the loading platform 31, and presses the medium M that is detected to be leaning when the offset guide 33 returns to the restricting position P0 that restricts the medium M.

[0069] As a result, the offset guide 33 tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31, and then the pressing portion 33a pushes the medium M back onto the loading platform 31. Therefore, the leaning of the medium M can be more reliably eliminated.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pressing portion 33a has a step 33a-1, which is an example of a hook portion for hooking the medium M to be pressed.

[0071] This allows the medium M to be hooked onto the step 33a-1 of the pressing portion 33a, and the medium M to be pushed back onto the loading platform 31. Therefore, the leaning of the medium M can be eliminated more reliably.

[0072] In this embodiment, the media loading device 30 further comprises a magnet 36a, a magnet drive unit 38b, and a stopper 37. The magnet 36a is capable of being attracted to and detached from the offset guide 33. The magnet drive unit 38b moves the magnet 36a in the discharge direction A of the media M to the loading platform 31 and in the opposite direction to this discharge direction A. When the magnet 36a, which is attracted to the offset guide 33, moves in the opposite direction, the stopper 37 contacts the lower part of the offset guide 33, tilting the offset guide 33 and separating it from the magnet 36a.

[0073] This allows the offset guide 33 to be tilted while moving it away from the medium M on the loading platform 31, using a simple configuration with magnet 36a and stopper 37. Furthermore, when the regulating part is the offset guide 33, the offset guide 33 can also be moved using magnet 36a when returning the offset guide 33 from the offset position P10 to the regulating position P0.

[0074] In the above explanation, the regulating unit that tilts the medium M away from the loading platform 31 when the control unit 39a detects that the medium M is leaning was described using the offset guide 33 as an example. However, the regulating unit is not limited to those used for offsetting. The regulating unit may also be an end fence 32.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above description, the offset guide 33 tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 when leaning of the medium M is detected at the regulated position P0, which is upstream of the offset position P10 in the discharge direction A. Conversely, if leaning of the medium M is detected at the offset position P10, the control unit 39a may move the offset guide 33 to the regulated position P0, or move the offset guide 33 to the regulated position P0 and then tilt the offset guide 33 as described above, or tilt the offset guide 33 at the offset position P10 without moving it to the regulated position P0.

[0076] Furthermore, the above description described an example in which the offset guide 33 moves in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A so as to move away from the medium M on the loading platform 31, and then tilts after contact with the stopper 37. However, the movement of the offset guide 33 in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A and the tilting may start simultaneously (or almost simultaneously). Also, if the center of rotation of the tilt of the offset guide 33 is located below the medium M on the loading platform 31, the offset guide 33 will tilt away from the medium M on the loading platform 31 without moving in the opposite direction to the discharge direction A. Thus, if the offset guide 33 tilts in a way that it does not contact the medium M on the loading platform 31, it can be said that the offset guide 33 is tilting away from the medium M on the loading platform 31.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above explanation, the pressing portion 33a of the offset guide 33 protrudes toward the medium M as the offset guide 33 tilts away from the medium M on the loading platform 31. However, even before the offset guide 33 tilts, a portion of the pressing portion 33a protrudes from the offset guide 33 to an extent that does not obstruct the loading of the medium M, and even if the amount of protrusion of the pressing portion 33a increases as the offset guide 33 tilts, it can still be said that the pressing portion 33a protrudes toward the medium M as the offset guide 33 tilts.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above description, the magnet 36a moves in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction, but even if the direction of movement is not parallel to the discharge direction A and is inclined with respect to the discharge direction A, it can still be said that it moves in the discharge direction A and the opposite direction. Also, the retraction mechanism 36 has multiple components such as the magnet 36a and the first drive link 36b, but the retraction mechanism 36 is an example of a retraction mechanism for tilting the offset guide 33 while moving it away from the medium M on the loading platform 31. Therefore, the structure of the retraction mechanism 36 can be changed as appropriate.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above explanation, since the offset guide 33 is tilted so that its upper part is further away from the medium M than its lower part, even if the height at which the medium M leans is high, the leaning of the medium M can be eliminated without increasing the retraction distance of the offset guide 33. However, the offset guide 33 may also be tilted so that its lower part is further away from the medium M than its upper part.

[0080] Incidentally, the medium M may lean against the offset guide 33 or against the end fence 32. If the leaning sensor S is the aforementioned transmission sensor, it cannot determine whether the medium M is leaning against the end fence 32 or the offset guide 33. Therefore, whether the medium M is leaning against the end fence 32 or the offset guide 33, it will be assumed that the medium M is leaning against the offset guide 33, and the offset guide 33 will tilt accordingly. However, a reflection sensor, displacement sensor, contact sensor, etc., may be used as the leaning sensor S to determine whether the medium M is leaning against the offset guide 33 or not.

[0081] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. It goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Some of the inventions described in the original specification and drawings of this application are listed below.

[0082] [Note 1] A loading platform on which the media is loaded, A restricting unit that restricts the position of the medium on the loading platform, When the control unit detects that the medium is leaning against the restricting unit, it tilts the restricting unit away from the medium on the loading platform. A media loading device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

[0083] [Note 2] The regulating section is an offset guide that regulates the position of the upstream end of the medium in the discharge direction to the loading platform and offsets the loading position of the medium on the loading platform in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. A media loading device as described in Appendix 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0084] [Note 3] The regulating part has a pressing part that is supported so as to maintain its posture by its own weight regardless of the inclination of the regulating part. The pressing portion protrudes from the restricting portion toward the medium as the restricting portion tilts away from the medium on the loading platform, and presses the medium where leaning is detected when the restricting portion returns to the restricting position that restricts the medium. A media loading device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0085] [Note 4] The pressing portion has a hook portion for hooking onto the medium to be pressed. A media loading device as described in Appendix 3, characterized by the features described herein.

[0086] [Note 5] A magnet that can be attracted to and detached from the aforementioned restricting portion, A magnet drive unit that moves the magnet in the direction of discharge of the medium to the loading platform and in the opposite direction to the discharge direction, When the magnet, which is attached to the restricting part, moves in the opposite direction, a stopper comes into contact with the lower part of the restricting part, tilting the restricting part and separating it from the magnet. A media loading device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, further comprising the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Media supply section 12 retractable rollers 13 Conveyor roller pair 14. Suction and transport section 15 Inkjet heads 16,17 Transport route switching section 18 Discharge section 19a Control Unit 19b Storage section 19c Interface Section 20 Intermediate transport device 21 Conveyor roller pair 30 Media loading device 31 Loading platform 31a Rib 32 End Fence 33. Offset guide (regulating section) 33a Pressing part 33a-1 Step (hooking part) 33b Support shaft 33c Receiving recess 34,35 Side fence 36 Evacuation mechanism 36a Magnet 36b First drive link 36c Second drive link 36d First Dependent Link 36d-1 long hole 36e Second Dependent Link 36f First drive shaft 36g Second drive shaft 36h 1st driven axis 36i 2nd driven shaft 36j First guide axis 36k Second guide axis 37 Stopper 38a Loading platform lifting drive unit 38b Magnet drive unit 39a Control Unit 39b Storage section 39c Interface section 100 carts A Discharge direction G groove L light detection M medium P0 Regulatory Position P1 Position during evacuation P2 Incline start position P3 tilt position P4 Intermediate position on the return journey P10 Offset position R1 Straight-line transport route R2 Circular transport route R3 Reversal transport path R4 Emission Route R5 Reversal transport path S leaning sensor

Claims

1. A loading platform on which the media is loaded, A restricting unit that restricts the position of the medium on the loading platform, When the control unit detects that the medium is leaning against the restricting unit, it tilts the restricting unit away from the medium on the loading platform. A media loading device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The regulating section is an offset guide that regulates the position of the upstream end of the medium in the discharge direction to the loading platform and offsets the loading position of the medium on the loading platform in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. The media loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a media loading device.

3. The regulating part has a pressing part that is supported so as to maintain its posture by its own weight regardless of the inclination of the regulating part, The pressing portion protrudes from the restricting portion toward the medium as the restricting portion tilts away from the medium on the loading platform, and presses the medium where leaning is detected when the restricting portion returns to the restricting position that restricts the medium. The media loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a media loading device.

4. The pressing portion has a hook portion for hooking onto the medium to be pressed. The media loading device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is a media loading device.

5. A magnet that can be attracted to and detached from the aforementioned restricting portion, A magnet drive unit that moves the magnet in the direction of discharge of the medium to the loading platform and in the opposite direction to the discharge direction, When the magnet that has been attracted to the restricting part moves in the opposite direction, a stopper comes into contact with the lower part of the restricting part, tilting the restricting part and separating it from the magnet. The media loading device according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

Images