Media discharge device, post-processing device, and recording system

Abstract

To suppress alignment reduction on a loading part of a medium which has fallen from a pair of supports.SOLUTION: A medium discharge device 40 comprises: a conveyance path TB for conveying a medium P on which recording has been executed by a recording device 10; a discharge part 38 that discharges the medium P conveyed on the conveyance path TB; a pair of supports 60 that support the medium P discharged by the discharge part 38 on support surfaces 60a; and a loading part 33 which is provided below the supports 60 in a gravity direction and on which the medium P having fallen from the supports 60 is placed. The supports 60 have conductive members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium discharge device, a post-treatment device, and a recording system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various medium discharge devices including a discharge unit that discharges a medium and a stacking unit that stacks the medium discharged from the discharge unit have been used. Among these, there is a medium discharge device that supports the medium discharged by the discharge unit with a pair of support units and drops the medium from the pair of support units onto the stacking unit to stack the medium on the stacking unit. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a paper discharge device having a medium support unit configured to support a medium with a pair of support units and a stacking unit that stacks the medium dropped from the medium support unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional medium discharge device that supports the medium discharged by the discharge unit with a pair of support units and drops the medium from the pair of support units onto the stacking unit to stack the medium on the stacking unit, static electricity may be charged on the pair of support units as the medium repeatedly contacts the pair of support units. When static electricity is charged on the pair of support units, the medium supported by the pair of support units may be attracted by the pair of support units due to static electricity when being dropped onto the stacking unit or after being dropped onto the stacking unit, resulting in a decrease in alignment on the stacking unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the media discharge device of the present invention comprises a transport path for transporting a medium on which a recording device has been recorded, a discharge section for discharging the medium transported along the transport path, a pair of support sections for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge section on a support surface, and a loading section provided below the pair of support sections in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support sections, wherein the pair of support sections have conductive members.

[0006] Furthermore, the post-processing device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, comprises a transport path for transporting a medium on which a recording device has been recorded; a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the medium on which the recording device has been recorded; a discharge unit for discharging the medium transported along the transport path; a pair of support units for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge unit on a support surface; and a loading unit provided below the pair of support units in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support units, wherein the pair of support units have conductive members.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention provides a recording system for solving the above problems, comprising a recording device and a post-processing device for performing post-processing on and discharging a medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, wherein the post-processing device comprises a transport path for transporting the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, a discharge unit for discharging the medium transported along the transport path, a pair of support units for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge unit on a support surface, and a loading unit provided below the pair of support units in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support units, wherein the pair of support units have conductive members. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Front view of the recording system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the media ejection device of the recording system. [Figure 3]Figure 2 is a side view of the media discharge device as seen from the discharge direction. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a side view of the media discharge device as seen from the discharge direction, illustrating the challenges when closing the lower support tray. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the media discharge device. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the media discharge device. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the media discharge device. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the media discharge device. [Figure 9] A front view showing the internal configuration of the media ejection device of the recording system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 10] A front view showing the internal configuration of the media ejection device of the recording system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present invention will be described in general terms below. A media discharge device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a transport path for transporting a medium on which a recording device has been used to transport a medium, a discharge section for discharging the medium transported along the transport path, a pair of support sections for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge section on a support surface, and a loading section provided below the pair of support sections in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support sections, wherein the pair of support sections have conductive members.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the pair of support parts have conductive members. Therefore, the conductive members can release the static electricity charged on the pair of support parts to the outside of the pair of support parts, thereby suppressing a decrease in the alignment of the medium that falls from the pair of support parts onto the loading part.

[0011] The media discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pair of support portions are openable and closable by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the media, and the media is dropped onto the stacking portion when the pair of support portions are opened.

[0012] According to this aspect, the pair of support portions are openable and closable by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction, and the media is dropped onto the stacking portion when the pair of support portions are opened. For this reason, for example, a bundle of media of a desired number can be formed by the pair of support portions, and the media can be stacked on the stacking portion for each bundle of media.

[0013] The media discharge device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the pair of support portions are characterized by having the conductive member at least on the support surface.

[0014] According to this aspect, the conductive member is provided at least on the support surface. Since the support surface comes into contact with the media repeatedly, by having the conductive member on the support surface, the static electricity can be effectively released to the outside of the pair of support portions, and the decrease in the alignment of the media on the stacking portion dropped from the pair of support portions can be effectively suppressed.

[0015] The media discharge device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the pair of support portions have an opposing surface facing the stacking portion, and are characterized by having the conductive member at least on the opposing surface.

[0016] According to this aspect, the conductive member is provided at least on the opposing surface. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the media dropped onto the stacking portion from being attracted to the opposing surface by static electricity and the alignment of the media on the stacking portion from decreasing.

[0017] The media discharge device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, includes an electrostatic retreat portion formed of a conductive material, and the conductive member is grounded to the electrostatic retreat portion.

[0018] According to this aspect, the conductive member is grounded to the static electricity dissipation portion. Therefore, the static electricity charged to the pair of support portions can be effectively discharged to the outside of the pair of support portions through the static electricity dissipation portion, and the decrease in alignment on the loading portion of the medium dropped from the pair of support portions can be effectively suppressed.

[0019] The medium discharge device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the conductive member contains a conductive resin.

[0020] According to this aspect, the conductive member contains a conductive resin. Therefore, for example, a pair of light support portions can be easily formed using a material containing a conductive resin or the like.

[0021] The medium discharge device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the conductive member is a sheet member provided on at least a part of the surface of the pair of support portions.

[0022] According to this aspect, the conductive member is a sheet member provided on at least a part of the surface of the pair of support portions. Therefore, the pair of support portions can be formed using various types of constituent materials, not limited to conductive materials.

[0023] The medium discharge device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the conductive member is a coating member coated on at least a part of the surface of the pair of support portions.

[0024] According to this aspect, the conductive member is a coating member coated on at least a part of the surface of the pair of support portions. Therefore, the pair of support portions can be formed using various types of constituent materials, not limited to conductive materials.

[0025] The medium discharge device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the conductive member is a low friction member provided at least on the support surface and having a lower coefficient of static friction with respect to the medium than the support surface.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the conductive member is provided at least on the support surface and is a low-friction member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medium from being supported on the support surface in a state where it is not positioned in the desired location, and the medium falling onto the loading section in that state, which would reduce the alignment of the medium on the loading section.

[0027] A medium discharge device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the transport path is provided with a static elimination unit for eliminating static electricity from the medium being transported along the transport path.

[0028] According to this embodiment, a static elimination unit is provided in the transport path. Therefore, even if the static elimination effect of a pair of support members having conductive members decreases, the static elimination unit can compensate for the decrease in the static elimination effect of the pair of support members, thereby effectively suppressing a decrease in the alignment of the medium that has fallen from the pair of support members on the loading section.

[0029] A post-processing device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises a transport path for transporting a medium recorded by a recording device, a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device, a discharge unit for discharging the medium transported along the transport path, a pair of support units for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge unit on a support surface, and a loading unit provided below the pair of support units in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support units, wherein the pair of support units have conductive members.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the pair of support parts have conductive members. Therefore, the conductive members can release the static electricity charged on the pair of support parts to the outside of the pair of support parts, thereby suppressing a decrease in the alignment of the medium that falls from the pair of support parts onto the loading part.

[0031] A recording system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a recording system comprising a recording device and a post-processing device for performing post-processing on and discharging a medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, wherein the post-processing device comprises a transport path for transporting the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, a discharge unit for discharging the medium transported along the transport path, a pair of support units for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge unit on a support surface, and a loading unit provided below the pair of support units in the direction of gravity for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support units, wherein the pair of support units have conductive members.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the pair of support parts have conductive members. Therefore, the conductive members can release the static electricity charged on the pair of support parts to the outside of the pair of support parts, thereby suppressing a decrease in the alignment of the medium that falls from the pair of support parts onto the loading part.

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail. In each figure, the X-axis direction is the depth direction of the recording system 1. Of the X-axis directions, the +X direction, indicated by the arrow, is the direction from the back of the device to the front of the device, and the -X direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back of the device. The X-axis direction is also an example of the width direction of the media. The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the recording system 1, and of the Y-axis directions, the +Y direction, indicated by the arrow, is the left direction as viewed from the user facing the front of the device, and the -Y direction is the right direction. The Z-axis direction is the height direction of the recording system 1, and is the direction of gravity, with the +Z direction, indicated by the arrow, being upward in the direction of gravity, and the -Z direction being downward in the direction of gravity. In the following description, the +Z direction may be simply referred to as upward, and the -Z direction as simply downward.

[0034] [Example 1] First, an overview of the media discharge device 40 (media discharge device 40A), post-processing device 30, and recording system 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the recording system 1 comprises a recording device 10 and a post-processing device 30. The recording device 10 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper, and is equipped with a line head 18, which is an example of a recording unit. The recording device 10 is also a so-called multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit 12 on the top of the device.

[0035] The recording device 10 comprises a main body 14, a media storage section 16 for housing media, a media transport section (not shown) for transporting media, a line head 18 for recording on media, an internal discharge section 22 for discharging media, a relay unit 24 for transporting media to the post-processing device 30, and a control unit 20 for controlling the recording device 10, the post-processing device 30, and the media discharge device 40. Inside the main body 14, a transport path TA is provided for transporting media. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is provided in the recording device 10, but it may also be provided in the post-processing device 30 or the media discharge device 40, which will be described later.

[0036] The line head 18 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles (not shown) arranged to cover the entire X-axis area of ​​the medium. The line head 18 records data on the medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) from the plurality of ink ejection nozzles toward the medium. The control unit 20 comprises a CPU 20b and a storage unit 20a. The storage unit 20a is composed of a storage medium such as non-volatile memory. The storage unit 20a stores various programs and parameters for controlling the recording device 10, the medium ejection device 40 (described later), the post-processing device 30, etc., and the programs include programs for controlling the opening and closing operation of the lower support tray 60 (described later) and the displacement operation of the main tray 33.

[0037] The media recorded by the recording device 10 is sent to the post-processing device 30 via the relay unit 24. The post-processing device 30 comprises a device body 32, a processing tray 42 and a stapler 34 (an example of a post-processing unit) provided inside the device body 32, a media discharge device 40 that discharges the post-processed media into a support tray 60 (shown in Figure 2) that supports the media from below, and a main tray 33 provided outside the device body 32. In this embodiment, the post-processing device 30 can also form a media bundle Pt in the support tray 60 without stapling with the stapler 34, and place the unstapled media bundle Pt on the main tray 33. The media transferred from the relay unit 24 to the device body 32 is transported along the transport path TB inside the device body 32 and sent to the processing tray 42.

[0038] The configuration of the post-processing device 30 will be further described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Hereinafter, the medium will be denoted by the symbol P and referred to as medium P. A bundle of multiple mediums P will be denoted by the symbol Pt and referred to as medium bundle Pt. The direction along the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42 is defined as the A-axis direction, and the +A direction within the A-axis direction is the discharge direction for discharging the medium bundle Pt from the processing tray 42. The -A direction is the direction in which the medium P on the processing tray 42 is pulled back toward the rear end alignment section 39. In this embodiment, the A-axis direction includes the +Z direction component and the -Y direction component. The direction perpendicular to the A-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction is defined as the B-axis direction.

[0039] The guide member 35 constitutes part of the transport path TB and extends toward the processing tray 42. The medium P transported along the guide member 35 in the -Y direction is fed toward the processing tray 42 by transport rollers 46 driven by a motor (not shown). The medium P fed toward the processing tray 42 is pulled back toward the rear end alignment section 39 in the -A direction by a pull-back section 44. The pull-back section 44 comprises a first paddle 48 and a second paddle 54.

[0040] The first paddle 48 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is rotatable around a rotation axis 49 extending in the X-axis direction. The first paddle 48 is driven by a motor (not shown) in the clockwise direction in Figure 2, thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42. The second paddle 54 is also made of an elastic material such as rubber, similar to the first paddle 48, and is rotatable around a rotation axis 55 extending in the X-axis direction. The second paddle 54 is driven by a motor (not shown) in the clockwise direction in Figure 2, thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42.

[0041] A rear end alignment section 39 is provided in the -A direction relative to the processing tray 42. The rear end alignment section 39 has an alignment surface 39a parallel to the B axis direction, and the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt on the processing tray 42 abuts against the alignment surface 39a, thereby aligning the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt.

[0042] The side cursor 58 is provided to be movable in the X-axis direction by a drive source (not shown), and aligns the end of the media bundle Pt supported by the processing tray 42 in the X-axis direction by contacting it. The side cursors 58 are spaced apart along the X-axis direction, and two side cursors 58 are provided so as to be close to or far apart from each other. Figure 2 shows the side cursor 58 provided in the -X direction of the two side cursors 58.

[0043] The flap 37 is positioned alongside the rear end alignment section 39 along the X-axis direction and is pivotably mounted around a shaft portion 37a extending in the X-axis direction. The flap 37 presses the media bundle Pt on the processing tray 42 downwards near the rear end alignment section 39. The pressing member 36 is pivotably mounted around a shaft portion 36a extending in the X-axis direction. The pressing member 36 is rotatably mounted by a motor (not shown) and rotates to knock down the media P being fed toward the processing tray 42 by the transport roller 46 toward the processing tray 42. This ensures that the -A end of the media P being fed toward the processing tray 42 is properly guided toward the rear end alignment section 39.

[0044] A discharge roller 38, which is an example of a discharge section that discharges the media bundle Pt supported by the processing tray 42 in the +A direction relative to the processing tray 42, is provided. The discharge roller 38 is driven by a discharge roller drive motor (not shown). A discharge driven roller 41 is also provided above the discharge roller 38 so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the discharge roller 38. The discharge driven roller 41 is separated from the discharge roller 38 except when the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42. When the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42, it moves toward the discharge roller 38 by a power source (not shown), and nips the media bundle Pt between itself and the discharge roller 38.

[0045] In Figure 2, the discharge roller 38 discharges the media bundle Pt, which is supported on the processing tray 42 and stapled by the stapler 34, toward the lower support tray 60. In this embodiment, the post-processing is stapling by the stapler 34, but the post-processing is not limited to this, and may also be punching, which punches holes in the media bundle Pt, saddle stitching, or shift discharge, which alternately shifts the discharge position of the media bundle Pt in the media width direction (X-axis direction). Alternatively, the media bundle Pt may be discharged without post-processing and stacked in a so-called "rod" on the main tray 33.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the lower support tray 60 consists of a first movable tray 60A and a second movable tray 60B, which are spaced apart in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the media width direction. The lower support tray 60, i.e., the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B, is an example of a pair of support parts. The first movable tray 60A is located in the +X direction relative to the media bundle Pt, and the second movable tray 60B is located in the -X direction relative to the media bundle Pt. Both the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B are shaped to sandwich the X-axis end of the media bundle Pt.

[0047] The first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B are driven in the X-axis direction by a lower support tray drive motor (not shown). In Figure 3, the lower support tray 60 opens and closes as the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move in opposite directions. Specifically, the lower support tray 60 opens when the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move apart from each other, and closes when the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move closer to each other. In Figure 3, the line CL is a straight line parallel to the B-axis direction and passes through the center position in the width direction of the medium P. In the X-axis direction, the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the line CL, and the distance between the second movable tray 60B and the line CL are always the same.

[0048] When the lower support tray 60 is closed, it means that the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction is such that the media bundle Pt can be supported by the support surface 60a, as shown in Figure 3(A). When the lower support tray 60 is open, it means that the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction is such that the media bundle Pt is not supported and falls into the main tray 33, as shown in Figure 3(B).

[0049] The media bundle Pt discharged by the discharge roller 38 is temporarily supported by the closed lower support tray 60, as shown in Figure 3(A). Then, as shown in Figure 3(B), the lower support tray 60 opens, causing the media bundle Pt supported by the lower support tray 60 to fall onto the main tray 33. Once the media bundle Pt falls onto the main tray 33, the lower support tray 60 closes, as shown in Figure 3(C). When the lower support tray 60 closes, the main tray 33 moves downward to support the next media bundle Pt. By providing such a lower support tray 60, the stacking condition of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 can be improved. The main tray 33 is an example of a stacking tray that loads the media bundle Pt that falls when the lower support tray 60 opens. The main tray 33 is driven in the stacking direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, by a main tray drive motor (not shown).

[0050] As described above, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment includes a transport path TB for transporting the medium P recorded by the recording device 10, a discharge roller 38 as a discharge section for discharging the medium P transported along the transport path TB, a pair of support trays 60 consisting of a first movable tray 60A and a second movable tray 60B that support the medium P discharged by the discharge roller 38 on a support surface 60a, and a main tray 33 as a loading section provided below the lower support tray 60 in the direction of gravity for loading the medium P that has fallen from the lower support tray 60. Furthermore, the post-processing device 30 of this embodiment includes a stapler 34 as a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium P recorded by the recording device 10, together with the media discharge device 40A. Furthermore, the recording system 1 of this embodiment includes the recording device 10, together with the media discharge device 40A and the post-processing device 30.

[0051] Next, the issues that arise when the lower support tray 60 closes will be explained with reference to Figure 4 and other figures. The issues described below are particularly likely to occur when the media P is fed one sheet at a time to the lower support tray 60 in the desired number of sheets without stapling with the stapler 34, forming a media bundle Pt in the lower support tray 60, and then the media bundle Pt is placed on the main tray 33. First, as shown in Figure 2, the -A end 60c of the lower support tray 60 is located below the +A end 42b of the processing tray 42. In other words, a step is provided between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. This prevents the occurrence of the problem where the rear end Pe of the media P or media bundle Pt does not fall off while remaining on the discharge roller 38 when the media P or media bundle Pt is discharged from the processing tray 42 to the lower support tray 60.

[0052] Here, when the media bundle Pt is discharged from the processing tray 42 to the support tray 60, the media P and media bundle Pt move while in contact with the support tray 60, so the support tray 60 becomes charged with static electricity. Figure 4(A) shows the state in which the unstapled media bundle Pt, formed by feeding media P one sheet at a time, is supported by the support tray 60, and the support tray 60 is charged with static electricity. When the support tray 60 opens from this state, the media bundle Pt falls into the main tray 33. However, as described above, the support tray 60 is charged with static electricity, so as shown in Figure 4(B), for example, the top media Pt1 forming the media bundle Pt may be attracted to the support tray 60. However, even if the support tray 60 is closed in this state, as shown in Figure 4(C), the top media Pt1 will be placed on the main tray 33 in a position offset from the rest of the media bundle Pt. Note that while Figure 4(B) shows the media Pt1 being adsorbed to the support surface 60a, there are also cases where the media Pt1 is adsorbed to the opposing surface 60b, which is on the opposite side of the support surface 60a and faces the main tray 33. In this case, even if the media P and media bundle Pt were aligned when they fell, when the lower support tray 60 closes, the uppermost media Pt1 forming the media bundle Pt will be adsorbed to the lower support tray 60, and the uppermost media Pt1 will be placed on the main tray 33 in a position shifted relative to the rest of the media bundle Pt. Furthermore, while Figure 4(B) shows only the uppermost media Pt1 of the media bundle Pt being shifted relative to the rest of the media bundle Pt, there are also cases where multiple media P in the media bundle Pt are shifted relative to the rest of the media bundle Pt.

[0053] For example, in order to avoid the effects of static electricity accumulating on the lower support tray 60, such as some of the media P in the unstapled media bundle Pt being attracted to the opposing surface 60b, it is preferable to position the main tray 33 as far below the lower support tray 60 as possible. However, in such a configuration, the stacking state is easily disturbed when the media bundle Pt falls from the lower support tray 60 onto the main tray 33.

[0054] Here, we will first describe the specific configuration of the lower support tray 60 with reference to Figures 3 and 4, as well as Figures 5 to 8. In this embodiment, the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B of the lower support tray 60 are substantially symmetrical when viewed from the A-axis direction and have substantially the same configuration. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the lower support tray 60 of this embodiment includes a support member 601 having a support surface 60a and an opposing surface 60b, a metal sheet metal member 602 connected to the support member 601 by a mounting portion 604, and a metal bearing portion 603 connected to the sheet metal member 602 and supported so as to be movable along the X-axis direction with respect to a guide shaft 64 that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, the support member 601 is made of a conductive resin. Thus, it is preferable for the lower support tray 60 to have a conductive member. By having a conductive member in the lower support tray 60, static electricity charged on the lower support tray 60 can be discharged to the outside of the lower support tray 60 by the conductive member, thereby suppressing a decrease in the alignment of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 when it falls from the lower support tray 60. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the alignment of the media bundle Pt as shown in Figure 4 when the media bundle Pt is dropped from the lower support tray 60 onto the main tray 33, that is, the media bundle Pt can be loaded onto the main tray 33 without a decrease in the alignment of the media bundle Pt as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the support member 601 is made of a conductive resin, but the support member 601 may also be made of a conductive metal. However, since the lower support tray 60 becomes heavier when the support member 601 is made of a conductive metal, it is particularly preferable that the support member 601 be made of a conductive resin.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the lower support tray 60 of this embodiment can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in the width direction, which is the direction corresponding to the X axis direction, which is the direction that intersects with the +A direction corresponding to the discharge direction of the medium P. When the lower support tray 60 opens, the medium P is dropped into the main tray 33. For this reason, the medium discharge device 40A of this embodiment can form a desired number of medium bundles Pt in the lower support tray 60 and load each medium P into the main tray 33, even when stapling is not performed with the stapler 34. Moreover, by providing a lower support tray 60 with such a configuration, even when a post-processing unit other than the stapler 34 is provided, a desired number of medium bundles Pt can be easily formed in the lower support tray 60.

[0057] As described above, the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60 in this embodiment is made of a conductive resin. In other words, the lower support tray 60 in this embodiment can be described as having a conductive member on at least the support surface 60a. Since the support surface 60a is in repeated contact with the medium P, having a conductive member on the support surface 60a, as in the lower support tray 60 of this embodiment, allows static electricity to be effectively discharged to the outside of the lower support tray 60, and effectively suppresses the reduction in alignment of the medium P that falls from the lower support tray 60 on the main tray 33.

[0058] On the other hand, the lower support tray 60 in this embodiment can also be described as having an opposing surface 60b that faces the main tray 33, and having a conductive member on at least the opposing surface 60b. By having a conductive member on at least the opposing surface 60b in this way, it is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in the alignment of the medium P on the main tray 33 due to static electricity attracting the medium P that has fallen onto the main tray 33 to the opposing surface 60b.

[0059] Here, the support member 601 forming the lower support tray 60 is made of conductive resin, and similarly, the sheet metal member 602 and bearing portion 603 forming the lower support tray 60 are made of metal and are conductive. The bearing portion 603 is in contact with a metal guide shaft 64, and the guide shaft 64 is attached to a metal frame (not shown), which is grounded via casters or the like. In other words, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment is equipped with a guide shaft 64 and the like as an electrostatic discharge section made of conductive material, and the conductive members of the lower support tray 60 are grounded by the guide shaft 64 and the like as an electrostatic discharge section. Therefore, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment can effectively dissipate the static electricity charged on the lower support tray 60 to the outside of the lower support tray 60 via the guide shaft 64 and the like, and can effectively suppress the decrease in alignment of the media P that falls from the lower support tray 60 on the main tray 33.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment is provided with a static elimination brush 80 as a static elimination unit at a position opposite to the discharge roller 38. In this way, it is preferable to provide a static elimination unit in the transport path of the media P, such as the transport path TB, to eliminate static electricity from the media P being transported along the transport path. This is because, even if the static elimination effect of the lower support tray 60 having a conductive member decreases, the static elimination unit can compensate for the decrease in the static elimination effect of the lower support tray 60, thereby effectively suppressing a decrease in the alignment of media that have fallen from the lower support tray 60 on the loading section.

[0061] In this embodiment, the static elimination unit is a static elimination brush 80 composed of a metal base extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of metal string-like members whose base ends are connected to the base and whose tips contact the medium P. However, the system is not limited to this configuration. The static elimination brush 80 may have a different configuration than that of this embodiment, or the static elimination unit may have a different configuration from the static elimination brush 80, such as an ionizer. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit is located opposite the discharge roller 38, but it may be provided at other locations in the medium P transport path. For example, it may be provided in a relay unit 24, in which case the relay unit 24 can also be considered as part of the medium discharge device 40 or post-processing device 30.

[0062] In this embodiment, the main tray 33 is configured to be automatically displaceable in the Z-axis direction under the control of the control unit 20. Specifically, for example, when a predetermined thickness of media bundle Pt is loaded onto the main tray 33, it moves in the -Z direction from the initial position 33-1 to the lowered position 33-2, as shown in Figure 8. Then, when a predetermined thickness of media bundle Pt is loaded onto the main tray 33 in the lowered position 33-2, it moves a predetermined amount further in the -Z direction from the lowered position 33-2.

[0063] The media discharge device 40A of this embodiment has the following configuration, which allows the main tray 33 to be displaced in the Z-axis direction according to the stacking thickness of the media bundle Pt placed on the main tray 33, thereby automatically adjusting the drop distance from the lower support tray 60 to the placement position of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 to a desired range. More specifically, in the +A direction corresponding to the discharge direction of the media P, the device detects whether or not a threshold has been reached in terms of how high the media bundle Pt has been stacked on the main tray 33 at the upstream and downstream positions, and if it is detected that the threshold has been reached, the position of the main tray 33 is moved by a predetermined amount in the -Z direction. The specific configuration will now be described below.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment is equipped with a rear-end optical sensor 70 at a position on the -A direction side (upstream side in the discharge direction of media P) within the media P loading range of the main tray 33. The rear-end optical sensor 70 emits light in the -X direction from the light-emitting unit 70A toward the light-receiving unit 70B, and detects whether the +A direction end of the media bundle Pt has reached the light irradiation path based on whether or not the light-receiving unit 70B has received the light. When the media bundle Pt is loaded on the main tray 33 to a predetermined height or higher, the -A direction end of the media bundle Pt reaches the light irradiation path and blocks the light, so the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment moves the position of the main tray 33 by a predetermined amount in the -Z direction under the control of the control unit 20.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment is equipped with a front-side optical sensor 66. The front-side optical sensor 66 emits light in the -X direction from the light-emitting part 66A toward the light-receiving part 66B and detects whether or not the light has been received by the light-receiving part 66B. As described above, the lower support tray 60 is movable in the X-axis direction along the guide axis 64. Here, Figures 6 and 7 show the open state of the lower support tray 60 at the position shown in Figure 3(B) when the media bundle Pt is dropped into the main tray 33. However, when the lower support tray 60 is in the closed state, at the position shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(C) where the media bundle Pt can be supported, the lower support tray 60 is positioned inward in the X-axis direction. When the lower support tray 60 is in the closed state, the flag-pressing part 607, which is part of the lower support tray 60, reaches a position facing the flag 65. The flag 65 is configured to be rotatable with respect to a pivot axis in the X-axis direction. When pushed upward from the position shown in Figures 6 and 7, it rotates, causing the projection 65a on the flag 65 to be positioned between the light-emitting part 66A and the light-receiving part 66B.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the lower support tray 60 is attached to the sheet metal member 602 by a support member 601 at three mounting parts 604: mounting parts 604A, 604B, and 604C. Mounting part 604A has an elongated hole 606A and a screw 605A that fits into the elongated hole 606A, mounting part 604B has an elongated hole 606B and a screw 605B that fits into the elongated hole 606B, and mounting part 604C has a screw 605C that fits into the screw hole. Here, the support member 601 is configured to be movable relative to the sheet metal member 602 by the amount of play between the elongated hole 606A and the screw 605A, and between the elongated hole 606B and the screw 605B. In other words, the support member 601 is rotatable relative to the sheet metal member 602, with the mounting part 604C acting as a pivot axis extending in the X-axis direction.

[0067] When the lower support tray 60 is in the closed position, if a bundle of media Pt is stacked on the main tray 33 to a predetermined height or higher, the uppermost media P will come into contact with the lower support tray 60, and the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60 will be pushed up from below. Here, the flag pressing portion 607 is fixed to the support member 601 and is rotatable with the support member 601 relative to the sheet metal member 602. Therefore, when the support member 601 is pushed up from below by the uppermost media P, the flag pressing portion 607 also rotates with the support member 601 relative to the sheet metal member 602. The flag pressing portion 607 then pushes up the flag 65 from below, and the projection 65a on the flag 65 is positioned between the light-emitting portion 66A and the light-receiving portion 66B. In other words, when the media bundle Pt is stacked on the main tray 33 to a predetermined height or higher, the media bundle Pt pushes up the flag 65 via the support member 601 and the flag pushing part 607, causing the tip-side optical sensor 66 to detect the protrusion 65a. When this state occurs, the media discharge device 40A of this embodiment moves the position of the main tray 33 by a predetermined amount in the -Z direction under the control of the control unit 20.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, the media discharge device 40A has a support member 601 made of conductive resin. Thus, it is preferable to include conductive resin as a conductive member that constitutes at least a part of the lower support tray 60. This is because, for example, a lightweight tray 60 can be easily formed using a material containing conductive resin. However, the support member 601 may be made of a resin other than conductive resin, and a conductive member may be provided separately on the support member 601.

[0069] [Example 2] The media ejection device 40 (media ejection device 40B) of the recording system of Example 2 will be described below with reference to Figure 9. The recording system of this example is the same as the recording system 1 of Example 1, except for the configuration described below. In detail, the only difference is that a conductive sheet member 62 with low friction to the medium P is attached to the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60 of the media ejection device 40A of the recording system 1 of Example 1. For this reason, the media ejection device 40B of the recording system of this example has the same characteristics as the recording system 1, post-processing device 30 and media ejection device 40 of Example 1, except for the parts described below. Therefore, in Figure 9, components common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the media discharge device 40B has a sheet member 62 having higher conductivity than the support member 601 attached to the support surface 60a of the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60. Thus, a sheet member 62 provided on at least a part of the surface of the lower support tray 60 can be used as the conductive member of the lower support tray 60. In this embodiment, the support member 601 is formed of conductive resin, similar to the support member 601 of Embodiment 1, but the configuration is not limited to this, and by using a conductive sheet member 62 as the conductive member, the support member 601 and the lower support tray 60 can be formed using various types of constituent materials, not limited to conductive materials.

[0071] Furthermore, the sheet member 62 in this embodiment is a low-friction sheet member with respect to the medium P. Therefore, the medium discharge device 40B in this embodiment can be described as a conductive member of the lower support tray 60, provided at least on the support surface 60a, and having a lower static friction coefficient with respect to the medium P than the support surface 60a. With this configuration, the medium P is supported on the support surface 60a in a state where it is not positioned in the desired location, and it is possible to suppress the situation in which the medium P falls into the main tray 33 in that state, reducing the alignment of the medium P on the main tray 33.

[0072] For example, in the media discharge device 40A of Embodiment 1, before the media P is dropped from the lower support tray 60 to the main tray 33, it is possible that the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt reaches the rear end wall 61, as shown by the solid line in Figure 8, as well as the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt not reach the rear end wall 61, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 8. This is due to excessive friction between the media bundle Pt and the support surface 60a. Note that in Figure 8, the height of the media bundle Pt in the Z-axis direction shown by the dashed line in Figure 8 is shown to be on the +Z side than the height of the media bundle Pt in the Z-axis direction shown by the solid line in Figure 8. However, the actual height of the media bundle Pt in the Z-axis direction shown by the dashed line in Figure 8 is the same as the height of the media bundle Pt in the Z-axis direction shown by the solid line in Figure 8, and Figure 8 shows that only the position of the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt shown by the dashed line in Figure 8 is shifted on the +A side relative to the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt shown by the solid line in Figure 8. When there is a mix of cases where the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt reaches the rear end wall 61 and cases where the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt does not reach the rear end wall 61, the alignment of the media P on the main tray 33 in the A-axis direction deteriorates.

[0073] On the other hand, in the media discharge device 40B of this embodiment, the low-friction sheet member 62 is provided on the support surface 60a, which prevents the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt from reaching the rear end wall 61 before it falls from the lower support tray 60 to the main tray 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the alignment of the media P on the main tray 33 in the A-axis direction.

[0074] [Example 3] The media discharge device 40 (media discharge device 40C) of the recording system of Example 3 will be described below with reference to Figure 10. The recording system of this example is the same as the recording system 1 of Example 1, except for the configuration described below. In detail, the only difference is that the support surface 60a of the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60 of the media discharge device 40A of the recording system 1 of Example 1 is coated with a coating member 63 that has even higher conductivity than the support member 601. For this reason, the media discharge device 40C of the recording system of this example has the same characteristics as the recording system 1, post-processing device 30 and media discharge device 40 of Example 1, except for the parts described below. Therefore, in Figure 10, components common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the media discharge device 40C has a support surface 60a of the support member 601 of the lower support tray 60 coated with a coating member 63 that is even more conductive than the support member 601. Thus, a coating member 63 coated on at least a part of the surface of the lower support tray 60 can be used as the conductive member. The support member 601 in this embodiment is formed of a conductive resin, similar to the support member 601 in Embodiment 1, but the configuration is not limited to this, and by using a coating member 63 as the conductive member, the support member 601 and the lower support tray 60 can be formed using various types of constituent materials, not limited to conductive materials.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1...Recording system, 10...Recording device, 12...Scanner unit, 14...Main body, 16...Media storage unit, 18...Line head, 20...Control unit, 20a...Storage unit, 20b...CPU, 22...Internal discharge unit, 24...Relay unit, 30...Post-processing unit, 32...Device body, 33...Main tray (loading unit), 34...Stapler (post-processing unit), 35...Guide member, 36...Pressing member, 36a...Shaft unit, 37...Flap, 37a...Shaft unit, 38...Discharge roller (discharge unit), 39...Rear end alignment unit, 40...Media discharge device, 41...Discharge driven roller, 42...Processing tray, 42a...Support surface, 44...Retraction unit, 46...Conveyor roller, 48...First paddle, 49...Rotating shaft, 54...Second paddle, 55...Rotating shaft, 58...Side cursor, 60...Under support Ray (pair of support parts), 60a...support surface, 60b...opposing surface, 60c...end, 60A...first movable tray, 60B...second movable tray, 61...rear end wall, 62...sheet member, 63...coating member, 64...guide shaft, 65...flag, 65a...projection, 66...front side light sensor, 66A...light-emitting part, 66B...light-receiving part, 70...rear end side light sensor, 70A...light-emitting part, 70B...receiving Light unit, 80... Static elimination brush (static elimination unit), 601... Support member, 602... Sheet metal member, 603... Bearing unit, 604... Mounting unit, 604A... Mounting unit, 604B... Mounting unit, 604C... Mounting unit, 605A... Screw, 605B... Screw, 605C... Screw, 606A... Slotted hole, 606B... Slotted hole, 607... Flag pressing unit, P... Medium, Pt... Medium bundle, TA... Conveyor path, TB... Conveyor path

Claims

1. A transport path for transporting the medium on which recordings have been made by the recording device, The transport path includes a discharge unit for discharging the medium that has been transported, A pair of support parts that support the medium discharged by the discharge part on the support surface, A loading section provided below the pair of support sections in the direction of gravity, for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support sections, A static electricity avoidance section formed of a conductive material, Equipped with, The media discharge device is characterized in that the pair of support parts have conductive members grounded to the electrostatic discharge section, and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the media, and the media is dropped into the loading section when the pair of support parts are opened.

2. In the media discharge device according to claim 1, The media discharge device is characterized in that the pair of support portions have the conductive member on at least the support surface.

3. In the media discharge device according to claim 1, The media discharge device is characterized in that the pair of support portions have opposing surfaces facing the loading portion, and the conductive member is present on at least the opposing surface.

4. A transport path for transporting the medium on which recordings have been made by the recording device, A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, The transport path includes a discharge unit for discharging the medium that has been transported, A pair of support parts that support the medium discharged by the discharge part on the support surface, A loading section provided below the pair of support sections in the direction of gravity, for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support sections, A static electricity avoidance section formed of a conductive material, Equipped with, The post-processing device is characterized in that the pair of support parts have conductive members grounded to the electrostatic discharge section, and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium, and the medium is dropped into the loading section when the pair of support parts are opened.

5. A recording system comprising a recording device and a post-processing device for performing post-processing on and discharging a medium on which recordings have been made by the recording device, The aforementioned post-processing device is A transport path for transporting the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording device, The transport path includes a discharge unit for discharging the medium that has been transported, A pair of support parts that support the medium discharged by the discharge part on the support surface, A loading section provided below the pair of support sections in the direction of gravity, for loading the medium that has fallen from the pair of support sections, A static electricity avoidance section formed of a conductive material, Equipped with, The recording system is characterized in that the pair of support parts have conductive members grounded to the electrostatic discharge section, and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium, and the medium is dropped into the loading section when the pair of support parts are opened.

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