JP2019011162A - Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus which solves a problem that the sheet transport ability could be reduced in a configuration where a reverse path for conveying the sheet reversed in the reversing part intersects with a transport path for conveying the sheet toward the loading part.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of this invention comprises a second ejected paper reversing part 110 in which a sheet S is reversed in the configuration where a transport path C intersects with a reverse path B. The second ejected paper reversing part 110 is provided at a downstream side of the cross point BC where the transport path C and the reverse path B intersect, with respect to the conveying direction of sheet S transported toward the sheet ejection tray 114. The second ejected paper reversing part 110 transports the sheet S toward the sheet ejection tray 114, while reversing the sheet S transported on the transport path C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus that continuously conveys sheets, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  In recent years, the use of double-sided printing in image forming apparatuses has become widely used. Also, a configuration of an image forming apparatus that improves sheet transportability by providing a plurality of transport paths for transporting sheets and a stacking unit for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of an image forming apparatus having a switchback type reversing unit provided for performing double-sided printing and a plurality of discharge trays as stacking units. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a sheet can be discharged from the reversing unit to the first discharge tray, and duplex printing can be performed by reversing the conveyed sheet in the reversing unit and conveying it again to the image forming unit. It can be performed.

JP 2007-91358 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the reversing path for transporting the sheet reversed in the reversing unit and the transporting path for transporting the sheet from the image forming unit toward the second discharge tray intersect. As a result, the following problems may occur. That is, while the sheet is reversed at the reversing unit, it is difficult to discharge the sheet toward the second discharge tray, and thus the sheet conveyance performance may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, the present invention reduces sheet transportability in a configuration in which a reversing path for transporting a sheet reversed in the reversing unit and a transport path for transporting the sheet toward the stacking unit intersect. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device or an image forming apparatus that can be suppressed.

  The present invention includes a storage unit that stores sheets, a first stacking unit that stacks sheets, a first transport path for transporting sheets from the storage unit toward the first stacking unit, and the storage unit. A first conveying means provided on the downstream side of the first conveying path with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed toward the first stacking unit, and reverses and conveys the sheet conveyed to the first conveying path; A reversing path for transporting the sheet reversed by the first transporting unit to the first transporting path; a second stacking section provided at a position different from the first stacking section; A second conveyance path for branching from one conveyance path and conveying the sheet toward the second stacking unit, wherein the storage section includes the second conveyance path and the reverse path To the second stacking unit In the second transport path, the sheet transported to the second transport path is transported toward the reverse path on the downstream side of the intersection where the second transport path and the reverse path intersect. And a second conveying unit capable of conveying the sheet toward the second stacking unit while being reversed.

  According to the present invention, in the configuration in which the reversing path for transporting the sheet reversed in the reversing unit and the transporting path for transporting the sheet toward the stacking unit intersect, the sheet transportability is reduced. A sheet conveying device or an image forming apparatus that can be suppressed can be provided.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating sheet conveyance in a first paper discharge reversing unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating sheet conveyance in a second paper discharge reversing unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the mechanism which moves the 1st guide member in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating configurations of a first paper discharge reversing unit and a second paper discharge reversing unit in the second embodiment. In Example 2, it is a schematic diagram explaining the skew tooth structure of each guide member. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of each guide member when a sheet is conveyed to a first discharge reversing unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of each guide member when a sheet is conveyed to a second discharge reversing unit in the second embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus of a modification. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining conveyance of a sheet in a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example using a laser beam printer provided with the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described. However, the constituent elements described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

Example 1
<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 including a sheet conveying device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 20, a feeding unit 30, a laser scanner unit 40, a fixing unit 50, a first paper discharge reversing unit 100 (first transport unit), a second A paper discharge reversing unit 110 (second transport unit), a flapper 121, and a (first guide member) are provided.

  A sheet feeding cassette 31 serving as a storage unit is detachably provided on the upstream side of the image forming unit 20 with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheets S stored in a stacked state are fed to a feeding roller 32 and a separation roller 33. To feed the image forming unit 20. A paper discharge tray 104 serving as a first stacking unit on which sheets S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 after image formation is completed is provided on the downstream side of the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a process cartridge 21 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and a transfer roller 22. The process cartridge 21 includes a photosensitive drum 23 serving as an image carrier and a charging roller. A roller 24 and a developing roller 25 are included. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 23 uniformly charged by the charging roller 24 with light from the laser scanner unit 40 based on the image information. By developing the electrostatic latent image with toner carried on the developing roller 25, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The developed toner image is fed from the paper feed cassette 31 by the transfer roller 22, transferred to the sheet S conveyed toward the conveyance path A (first conveyance path), and heated and pressed by the fixing unit 50. As a result, the image is fixed on the sheet S. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed from the conveyance path A toward the first sheet discharge reversing unit 100 and is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 104.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an image reading unit 80 at the top, a sheet processing unit 116 having an alignment mechanism and a stapling mechanism for aligning the sheets S, and a discharge as a second stacking unit on which the sheets S are stacked. A paper tray 114 is provided. By conveying the sheet S from the conveyance path A toward the second sheet discharge reversing unit 110, the sheet S is conveyed to the conveyance path C (second conveyance path), and the sheet is conveyed from the sheet discharge roller 123 to the sheet processing unit 116. S can be discharged, or the sheet S can be discharged to the discharge tray 114. The conveyance path C is branched from the conveyance path A, and a flapper 121 is provided at a branch point AC between the conveyance path A and the conveyance path C.

  The first paper discharge reversing unit 100 includes a driving roller 101 (first rotary body), a paper discharge roller 102 (second rotary body), a reverse roller 103 (third rotary body), and a flapper 105 ( A second guide member). The driving roller 101 is rotated by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and the paper discharge roller 102 and the reverse roller 103 are rotated by the rotation of the driving roller 101. Further, the paper discharge roller 102 is in contact with the drive roller 101, and the reversing roller 103 is in contact with the drive roller 101 at a position different from the paper discharge roller 102 in the circumferential direction of the drive roller 101.

  The second paper discharge reversing unit 110 includes a driving roller 111 (fourth rotary member), a paper discharge roller 112 (fifth rotary member), a reverse roller 113 (sixth rotary member), and a flapper 115 ( A third guide member). The driving roller 111 rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and the paper discharge roller 112 and the reverse roller 113 rotate following the rotation of the driving roller 111. Further, the discharge roller 112 is in contact with the drive roller 111, and the reversing roller 113 is in contact with the drive roller 111 at a position different from the discharge roller 112 in the circumferential direction of the drive roller 111.

  Next, the conveyance of the sheet S in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d) and FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams for explaining the conveyance of the sheet S in the first paper discharge reversing unit 100, and FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating the second paper discharge reversing unit. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating conveyance of a sheet S at 110.

<Conveyance of Sheet S in First Discharge Reversing Unit 100>
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flapper 105 is switched in the standby position in synchronization with the rotation direction of the drive roller 101. In a normal state, the drive roller 101 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise) in which the sheet S can be discharged to the discharge tray 104 from a position where the drive roller 101 and the discharge roller 102 abut. At this time, the flapper 105 is held at the first position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the sheet S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 104, the sheet S is provided on the downstream side of the flapper 121 by the guide surface 121 a (first guide surface) of the flapper 121. You will be guided toward. Thereafter, the sheet S is guided to the guide surface 105a (third guide surface) of the flapper 105, and is discharged to the discharge tray 104 from a position where the driving roller 101 and the discharge roller 102 abut.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when images are formed on both sides of the sheet S and discharged to the paper discharge tray 104, driving is performed while the leading edge of the sheet S is conveyed along the guide surface 121 a of the flapper 121. The rotation direction of the roller 101 is switched from counterclockwise to clockwise. At this time, the rotation direction of the drive roller 101 is switched, and the flapper 105 moves to the second position shown in FIG. The sheet S is guided by the guide surface 105b (fourth guide surface) of the flapper 105, and is conveyed in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow from the position where the driving roller 101 and the reverse roller 103 abut.

  Thereafter, with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the conveyance path A, the rotation direction of the driving roller 101 is returned counterclockwise again at the timing when the trailing end of the sheet S passes the downstream end of the flapper 121, and the flapper 105 is moved to the first position. Move to position. 2C, the sheet S is guided by the guide surface 105b of the flapper 105, and is conveyed toward the reverse path B from the position where the drive roller 101 and the reverse roller 103 abut. At this time, the sheet S conveyed toward the reversing path B is guided to a guide surface 121b (second guide surface) which is a surface opposite to the guide surface 121a of the flapper 121. Then, after being conveyed again from the reverse path B to the image forming unit 20, as shown in FIG. 2A, the sheet is discharged from the position where the driving roller 101 and the paper discharge roller 102 abut to the paper discharge tray 104.

  Note that, according to the configuration of the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 of the present embodiment, the first sheet S1, which is the preceding sheet, is conveyed toward the reversing path B and reversed as shown in FIG. Meanwhile, the second sheet S2 that is the succeeding sheet of the first sheet S1 can be discharged toward the discharge tray 104. Thus, by transporting two continuous sheets S while passing each other, the transportability of the sheets S can be improved.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the first discharge reversing unit 100 has been described with an example of the three consecutive rollers of the reversing roller 103, the driving roller 101, and the discharge roller 102, but is not limited thereto. A configuration in which the sheet S is reversed and discharged by switching the rotation direction of the driving roller using a pair of rollers including a driving roller and a driven roller may be used. Further, the sheet S is reversed and the sheet S is discharged by two pairs of rollers each composed of a driving roller and a driven roller, and a flapper serving as a second guide member is provided between the two pairs of rollers. The structure which guides conveyance of this may be sufficient. When the sheet S is reversed and discharged using a pair of rollers, it is difficult to convey the two consecutive sheets S while passing each other like the first sheet discharge reversing unit 100 of this embodiment. It becomes. However, in the configuration in which the sheet S is reversed and the sheet S is discharged by the two pairs of rollers, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first discharge reversing unit 100 of the present embodiment.

<Conveyance of Sheet S in Second Discharge Reversing Unit 110>
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the flapper 115 switches the standby position in synchronization with the rotation direction of the drive roller 111. In a normal state, the driving roller 111 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise) in which the sheet S can be discharged to the paper discharge tray 114 from a position where the drive roller 111 and the paper discharge roller 112 abut. At this time, the flapper 115 is held at the third position shown in FIG.

  When transporting the sheet S toward the second paper discharge reversing unit 110, first, the flapper 121 is changed from the first state shown in FIG. 2A to the second state shown in FIG. Rotate. Accordingly, the sheet S conveyed from the fixing unit 50 is conveyed toward the second paper discharge reversing unit 110 by being guided by the guide surface 121 b of the flapper 121. The configuration for rotating the flapper 121 will be described in detail later.

  When the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 114, as shown in FIG. 3A, the sheet S conveyed toward the second discharge reversing unit 110 is guided by the guide surface 115a (fifth guide) of the flapper 115. Screen). After that, the sheet is conveyed from the position where the driving roller 111 and the discharge roller 112 abut in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure, and then discharged to the discharge tray 114.

  In the present embodiment, the sheet S can be reversed not only by the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 but also by the second paper discharge reversing unit 110. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the sheet S is reversed by the second paper discharge reversing unit 110, the driving roller 111 is moved while the leading edge of the sheet S is conveyed along the guide surface 121 a of the flapper 121. Switch the direction of rotation from counterclockwise to clockwise. At this time, the rotation direction of the drive roller 111 is switched, and the flapper 115 is moved to the fourth position shown in FIG. Then, the sheet S is guided by the guide surface 115b (sixth guide surface) of the flapper 115, and is conveyed in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow from the position where the drive roller 111 and the reverse roller 113 abut.

  Thereafter, with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the conveyance path C, the rotation direction of the driving roller 111 is returned counterclockwise again at the timing when the trailing end of the sheet S passes the downstream end of the flapper 121, and the flapper 115 is moved to the third direction. Move to position. 3C, the sheet S is guided by the guide surface 115b of the flapper 115 and conveyed toward the reversing path B from the position where the driving roller 111 and the reversing roller 113 are in contact. Then, after being conveyed again from the reverse path B to the image forming unit 20, as shown in FIG. 3A, the sheet is discharged from the position where the driving roller 111 and the discharge roller 112 abut to the discharge tray 114.

  According to the configuration of the second paper discharge reversing unit 110 of the present embodiment, the first sheet S1 is conveyed from the reversing path D toward the reversing path B and reversed as shown in FIG. Meanwhile, the second sheet S2 can be conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 114. Thus, by transporting two continuous sheets S while passing each other, the transportability of the sheets S can be improved.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in the comparative example that does not have the second paper discharge reversing unit 110, the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 reverses the first sheet S1, and the second sheet S2 is discharged. Consider the case of transporting toward the tray 114. In the comparative example, the sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the solid line arrow and discharged to the paper discharge tray 114 by the driving roller 511 rotating in one direction and the driven roller 521 rotating following the driving roller 511. Is possible. In the following, in the configuration of the comparative example of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the conveyance path C and the reversing path B intersect, so that the conveyance trajectory of the first sheet S1 conveyed toward the reversing path B and the second sheet S2 conveyed in the conveyance C When the conveyance locus intersects, the following problem occurs. That is, with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the reverse path B, the second sheet S2 cannot be conveyed toward the conveyance path C until the trailing edge of the first sheet S1 has passed through the flapper 121, and the sheet S There is a possibility that the transportability of the resin may deteriorate.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second paper discharge reversing unit 110 is provided downstream of the intersection BC where the conveyance path C and the reversing path B intersect. . As shown in FIG. 3D, the second sheet S2 can be conveyed toward the sheet discharge tray 114 while the first sheet S1 is reversed by the second sheet discharge reversing unit. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the transportability of the sheet S with respect to the configuration.

  Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the second sheet S2 is discharged to the discharge tray 104, the first sheet S1 is reversed by the first discharge reversing unit 100 and the second sheet S2 is transferred to the discharge tray 114. When the sheet S <b> 2 is discharged, the first sheet S can be reversed by the second discharge reversing unit 110. By transporting the continuous sheets S in this way, the plurality of sheets S are reversed while passing each other in the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 or the second paper discharge reversing unit 110. Therefore, the sheet S can be efficiently conveyed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the second sheet S2 is discharged to the discharge tray 104, the first sheet S is reversed by the second discharge reversing unit 110, and the first discharge reversing unit 100 performs the first reversal. The three sheets S2 may be discharged to the discharge tray 104.

  In the present embodiment, the second discharge reversing unit 110 has been described with an example of three consecutive rollers of the reversing roller 113, the driving roller 111, and the discharge roller 112, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sheet S is reversed and the sheet S is conveyed by two pairs of rollers each composed of a driving roller and a driven roller, and a flapper serving as a third guide member is provided between the two pairs of rollers. The structure which guides conveyance of this may be sufficient.

<Rotation structure of flapper 121>
Next, a mechanism for rotating the flapper 121 from the first state to the second state will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A is a schematic diagram for explaining the flapper 121 and the flapper rotation mechanism 400 in the first state, and FIG. 4B is a schematic view of the flapper 121 and the flapper rotation mechanism 400 in the second state. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B, the flapper 121 includes a rotating shaft 121c (first rotating shaft) that rotates from the first state to the second state, and both ends of the rotating shaft 121c. And a guide arm 121d as a support portion for supporting the. With respect to the direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft 121c, both ends of the guide surface 121a and the guide surface 121b of the flapper 121 are free ends. In addition, with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet S guided by the flapper 121, a guide surface 121a and a guide surface 121b are formed on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotation shaft 121c. With this configuration, the flapper 121 can guide the sheet S to the first discharge reversing unit 100 by the guide surface 121a, and can guide the sheet S to the second discharge reversing unit 110 by the guide surface 121b. .

  When the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 104, the switching link 405 as a switching member that comes into contact with the flapper 121 is held at the first position shown in FIG. At this time, the flapper 121 is urged by the spring 406 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The switching link 405 is adjacent to the switching cam 407 at the first position. The switching cam 407 has a missing gear 408 and an engaging portion (not shown) on the same axis, and the engaging portion engages with the arm portion 409a of the solenoid 409 so that the position is maintained. Yes. In this embodiment, the flapper rotating mechanism 400 that rotates the flapper 121 from the first state to the second state includes a switching link 405, a spring 406, a switching cam 407, a missing gear 408, and a solenoid 409. .

  When the flapper 121 is rotated from the first state to the second state, the switching link 405 as a switching member in contact with the flapper 121 moves to the second position shown in FIG. More specifically, the solenoid 409 is energized to release the engagement between the arm portion 409a and the engagement portion (not shown), the drive is transmitted to the toothless gear 408, and the switching cam 407 is rotated to switch. The cam 407 is rotated. At this time, the arm 409a of the solenoid 409 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) different from the engaging portion engaged in the state of FIG. The rotation is stopped when the position shown in b) is reached. The switching cam 407 urges the switching link 405, and further, the switching link 405 urges the flapper 121, so that the flapper 121 changes from the first state to the second state.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in the second embodiment, the configurations of the flapper 205, the flapper 215, and the flapper 221 as the respective guide members are the same as the flapper 105, the flapper 115, and the flapper 121 as the respective guide members in the first embodiment. The configuration is different. In the following description, configurations and operations that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and portions that are different from the configurations and operations in the first embodiment are mainly described.

  FIG. 8 illustrates the first discharge reversing unit 200 (first transport unit), the second discharge reversing unit 210 (second transport unit), and the flapper 221 (first guide member) in this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining a structure. As shown in FIG. 8, the flapper 205 and the flapper 215 each have a configuration in which a part thereof overlaps the flapper 221.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first paper discharge reversing unit 200 includes a driving roller 201 (first rotating body), a paper discharge roller 202 (second rotating body), and a reverse roller 203 (third rotation). Body) and a flapper 205 (second guide member). The second paper discharge reversing unit 210 includes a driving roller 211 (fourth rotary member), a paper discharge roller 212 (fifth rotary member), a reverse roller 213 (sixth rotary member), and a flapper. 215 (third guide member). The conveyance of the sheet S in the first paper discharge reversing unit 200 and the second paper discharge reversing unit 210 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  6A is a schematic diagram for explaining that the flapper 205 and the flapper 221 have a skewer configuration, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram for explaining that the flapper 215 and the flapper 221 have a skewer configuration. FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the flapper 205 when the sheet S is conveyed to the first paper discharge reversing unit 200. FIGS. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the flapper 205 when the sheet S is conveyed to the second paper discharge reversing unit.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the upstream side of the flapper 205 and the flapper 221 with respect to the sheet conveyance direction when conveying the sheet S from the conveyance path A to the first paper discharge reversing unit 200 (illustrated in FIG. 5). The downstream side has a configuration of a skewer that intersects each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is possible to overlap the toothed portions of the flapper 205 and the flapper 221. As a result, the flapper 205 and the flapper 221 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other during the operation of the flapper 205, and the generation of abnormal noise and the consumption of parts can be suppressed. Further, because of the configuration of the skew teeth, no gap is generated on the conveyance path of the sheet S in the state of FIG. 7A, so that it is possible to suppress erroneous conveyance and jamming of the sheet S.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the upstream side of the flapper 215 with respect to the sheet conveyance direction when the sheet S is conveyed from the conveyance path A to the second paper discharge reversing unit 210 (illustrated in FIG. 5). The downstream side of the flapper 221 has a skewer configuration that intersects each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the toothed portions of the flapper 215 and the flapper 221 can be overlapped, and the generation of abnormal noise and the consumption of parts can be suppressed and stabilized during the operation of the flapper 215. Thus, the sheet S can be conveyed.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and noise is generated during the operation of the flapper 205, the flapper 215, and the flapper 221 as the guide members. In addition, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the parts and to stably convey the sheet S.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of three consecutive rollers as the first discharge reversing unit and the second discharge reversing unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 9, the first paper discharge reversing unit 300 or the second paper discharge reversing unit 310 may be configured to convey the sheet S by two roller pairs.

(Example 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the image reading unit 80 at the top, the sheet processing unit 116 having an alignment mechanism and a stapling mechanism for aligning the sheets S, and a discharge tray as a second stacking unit on which the sheets S are stacked. 114, and the image forming apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which the image reading unit 80, the sheet processing unit 116, and the paper discharge tray 114 are provided as options.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of this embodiment in which the option 450 is provided in the image forming apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the option 450 having the paper discharge tray 414 and the sheet processing unit 416 as the second stacking unit will be described. However, the configuration of the option is not limited to this, and the sheet processing unit 416 is not provided. Or a device having an image reading unit 80.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the option 450 and the image forming apparatus 4 before the option 450 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 4, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a subsequent image forming apparatus 4. FIG. In the following description, portions common to the image forming apparatus 1 of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the first paper discharge reversing unit 100 as the first transport unit is provided in the image forming apparatus 4, and the second paper discharge reversing unit 410 as the second transport unit is provided. The option 450 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 4 includes a rear door 125 that can open the reverse path B by opening and closing. By removing the rear door 125 and mounting the option 450, as shown in FIG. 10B, the image forming apparatus 4 having the first discharge reversing unit 100 and the second discharge reversing unit 410 can be obtained. it can.

31 Paper feed cassette (container)
104 Paper discharge tray (first stacking unit)
114 Discharge tray (second stacker)
100 First paper discharge reversing section (first transport means)
110 Second paper discharge reversing section (second transport means)
A transport path (first transport path)
B Reverse path C Transport path (second transport path)
S sheet

Claims (13)

A storage unit for storing sheets, a first stacking unit for stacking sheets, a first transport path for transporting sheets from the storage unit toward the first stacking unit, and the first stacking unit from the storage unit A first conveying means provided on the downstream side of the first conveying path with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed toward the section, and reverses and conveys the sheet conveyed to the first conveying path; and the first conveying A reversing path for transporting the sheet reversed by the means to the first transport path again, a second stacking section provided at a position different from the first stacking section for stacking sheets, and the first transport path A second conveyance path for branching and conveying a sheet toward the second stacking unit, wherein the second conveyance path and the reversing path intersect,
With respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the storage unit toward the second stacking unit, in the second conveyance path, the second conveyance is performed downstream of the intersection where the second conveyance path and the reverse path intersect. A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a second conveying unit capable of conveying a sheet toward the second stacking unit while conveying and reversing the sheet conveyed to the path toward the reversing path. .   The first conveying means includes a first rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force, a second rotating body that rotates following the first rotating body, and a circumferential direction of the first rotating body. A third rotating body in contact with the first rotating body at a position different from the second rotating body with respect to the first loading body by the first rotating body and the second rotating body. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is discharged to a portion, and the sheet is conveyed to the reversing path by the first rotating body and the third rotating body. The sheet is provided at a branch point between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, and in the first state, the sheet is guided toward the first conveyance means by the first guide surface, and is rotated from the first state. In the second state, the first guide member for guiding the sheet toward the second conveying means by the second guide surface opposite to the first guide surface, the first rotating body, and the second rotating body And a second guide member that guides the sheet to either the position where the first rotating body and the third rotating body are in contact with each other,
The second guide member has a third guide surface for guiding the sheet to a position where the first rotating body and the second rotating body are in contact with each other, and the sheet is the first rotating body and the third rotating member. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a fourth guide surface that guides to a position where the body abuts.   The downstream side of the first guide member and the upstream side of the second guide member in the transport direction in which the sheet is transported from the storage unit toward the first transport unit are in contact with each other in the direction intersecting the transport direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet conveying apparatuses overlap each other. The second conveying means includes a fourth rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force, a fifth rotating body that rotates following the fourth rotating body, and a circumferential direction of the fourth rotating body. A sixth rotating body in contact with the fourth rotating body at a position different from the fifth rotating body with respect to
The fourth rotating body and the sixth rotating body convey and reverse the sheet toward the reversing path, and the fourth rotating body and the fifth rotating body move the sheet to the first rotating body. 5. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus conveys the sheet toward a stacking unit. The sheet is provided at a branch point between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, and in the first state, the sheet is guided toward the first conveyance means by the first guide surface, and is rotated from the first state. In the second state, the first guide member for guiding the sheet toward the second conveying means by the second guide surface opposite to the first guide surface, the fourth rotating body, and the fifth rotating body. A third guide member that guides the sheet to either the position where the second rotating body abuts or the position where the fourth rotating body and the sixth rotating body abut,
The third guide member has a fifth guide surface that guides the sheet to a position where the fourth rotating body and the fifth rotating body are in contact with each other, and the sheet is the fourth rotating body and the sixth rotating body. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a sixth guide surface that guides to a position where the body abuts.   The downstream side of the first guide member and the upstream side of the third guide member with respect to the conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed from the storage unit toward the second conveyance unit are in contact with each other with respect to a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sheet conveying apparatuses overlap each other. In the case where the first sheet and the second sheet following the first sheet are continuously conveyed, and when the second sheet is conveyed and discharged toward the second stacking unit,
The first sheet according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet is conveyed toward the second stacking unit while being conveyed and reversed by the second conveying unit. The sheet conveying apparatus of any one of Claims. In the case where the first sheet and the second sheet following the first sheet are continuously conveyed, and when the second sheet is conveyed and discharged toward the first stacking unit,
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet is conveyed toward the first stacking unit while being reversed by conveying the first sheet toward the reversing path. The sheet conveying apparatus of any one of Claims. The sheet is provided at a branch point between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, and in the first state, the sheet is guided toward the first conveyance means by the first guide surface, and is rotated from the first state. A first guide member for guiding the sheet toward the second conveying means by a second guide surface opposite to the first guide surface in the second state,
The said 1st guide member guides a sheet | seat in the direction which goes to the said inversion path from the said 1st conveyance means by the said 2nd guide surface in the said 1st state, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sheet conveying apparatus according to item.   The first guide member has a rotation shaft that rotates from the first state to the second state, and both ends of the first guide member are in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is a free end.   In the first guide member, the first guide surface is formed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotation shaft with respect to the sheet conveyance direction in the first conveyance path, and the upstream side of the rotation shaft. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second guide surface is formed on the downstream side.   An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet and the sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first conveying path is a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus that conveys the image.

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