JP2001002308A - Picture image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture image forming device for preventing a paper jam caused by blocking a paper delivery port, and also increasing the quantity of recording media loaded on a waste paper tray. SOLUTION: An approaching portion 56 to a waste paper tray 50 is not fixed to a main body side wall 52, and is constituted so as to move along a portion being in the slightly recessed part of the wall 52. The upper end part of a compressed coil spring 58 is fixed to the back surface of the portion 56, and the lower end part of the spring 58 is fixed to a platelike stopper 60. Consequently the portion 56 is energized upward always by the spring 58, to be lowered in accordance with the weight of loaded recording papers 57.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a plotter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an output device of a computer or a work station, an ink jet image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium by discharging ink, or an electrophotographic system for forming an image on a print medium using a developer or the like. Image forming apparatuses are known. In these image forming apparatuses, a discharge port for discharging a recording sheet on which an image is formed is usually formed. A discharge tray on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked is disposed below the discharge port.

The recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port is sequentially stacked on a paper discharge tray, but the number of sheets to be stacked is limited. If this limit is exceeded, the recording paper stacked on the paper discharge tray will block the paper discharge port, which may cause a paper jam.

[0004] Further, recording media of various sizes are usually loaded on the paper discharge tray. Therefore, the paper discharge tray is not provided with a side regulating plate or a leading end regulating plate for regulating the positions of the leading end and the widthwise ends of the recording medium of a predetermined size. For this reason, the recording papers stacked on the paper discharge tray may be displaced from each other and not aligned neatly, resulting in poor alignment. In particular, if the curl generated due to the direction of the eyes of the recording paper and the heat of the fixing roller increases, the alignment property deteriorates, and sometimes the recording paper falls from the paper discharge tray.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to prevent a paper jam caused by a discharge port being blocked and to increase an amount of a recording medium loaded on a discharge tray. A first object is to provide a forming apparatus, and a second object is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the alignment of recording media stacked on a discharge tray is improved.

[0006]

In order to achieve the first object, a first image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a discharge port formed on a side wall of a main body for discharging a recording medium, and a discharge port for discharging the recording medium. An output tray on which a recording medium discharged from the paper exit is stacked, the discharge tray being disposed below the paper exit, forming an image on the recording medium, and discharging the recording medium from the paper exit. In the forming apparatus, (1) the paper discharge tray increases as the number of recording media stacked on the paper discharge tray increases.
The present invention is characterized in that a portion adjacent to the main body side wall is inclined so as to be lowered.

Here, the image forming apparatus includes (2) a detecting means for detecting that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position, and (3) a detection means for detecting that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position. And a controller that controls so as to stop the ejection of the recording medium upon detection.

According to a second image forming apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, a paper discharge port formed on a side wall of a main body for discharging a recording medium, and a recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port are provided. An image forming apparatus comprising a discharge tray on which a medium is stacked and disposed below the discharge port, forming an image on a recording medium, and discharging the recording medium from the discharge port.
The discharge tray is provided in accordance with (4) a mounting surface on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is mounted, and (5) a height of the recording medium mounted on the mounting surface. And a descent means for lowering the mounting surface.

According to a third image forming apparatus of the present invention for achieving the second object, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
A paper discharge port from which the recording medium is discharged, and a paper discharge tray on which the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is stacked and which is disposed below the paper discharge port, for forming an image on the recording medium. (6) In the image forming apparatus for discharging a leveraged recording medium from the discharge port, (6) the discharge tray is inclined in a direction intersecting a discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged. Is what you do.

Here, (7) the discharge tray has a mounting surface on which a recording medium is loaded, on which a plurality of ribs extending radially from the vicinity of the discharge port are formed. There may be.

(8) The paper discharge tray may have a mounting surface on which a recording medium is loaded, on which a plurality of rotatable spheres are arranged.

Here, a fourth image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the second object has a paper discharge port formed on a side wall of a main body for discharging a recording medium, and a paper discharge port formed from the paper discharge port. An output tray on which the discharged recording medium is stacked, the discharge tray being disposed below the discharge port, forming an image on the recording medium, and discharging the recording medium from the discharge port. (9) a discharge roller disposed near the discharge port for discharging the recording medium, and (10) one end rotatably fixed to a portion of the main body side wall near the discharge roller. A support rod for supporting the discharge tray, the other end of which is fixed to both ends in the width direction of the discharge tray,
(11) An eccentric roller fixed coaxially to the paper discharge roller and in contact with the support rod is provided.

According to a fifth image forming apparatus of the present invention for achieving the second object, the image forming apparatus is formed on a side wall of the main body.
A paper discharge port from which the recording medium is discharged, and a paper discharge tray on which the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is stacked and which is disposed below the paper discharge port, for forming an image on the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus for discharging a leveraged recording medium from the paper discharge port, (12) a paper discharge roller disposed near the paper discharge port for discharging a recording medium; (1) a support rod that supports the discharge tray, one end of which is rotatably fixed to a portion near the discharge roller and the other end is fixed to both ends in the width direction of the discharge tray;
4) a gear coaxially fixed to the discharge roller;
(15) The support rod is formed with teeth that mesh with the gear. (16) The support rod rotates by a fixed angle about the one end with rotation of the gear. It is characterized by being repeated.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In the image forming apparatus 10, the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged by the primary charger 14 while rotating the drum-shaped image carrier (photosensitive drum) 12 at a predetermined process speed in the direction of arrow A. Irradiating the photosensitive drum 12 with light 16 carrying image information to form an electrostatic latent image,
A developer (toner) is supplied from the developing device 18 to the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image.

On the other hand, the recording medium 20 sent out from the cassette 22 on which the recording medium 20 such as recording paper is loaded is held by the registration rollers 24 and is on standby. The recording medium 20 is conveyed from the registration roller 24 to the transfer area 26 through the transfer guide 28 at the timing when the developed image reaches the transfer area 26. The transfer area 26 is an area between the corona transfer wire 32 of the corona transfer charging device 30 and the photosensitive drum 12 and an area in the vicinity thereof. When the recording medium 20 passes through the transfer area 26, charges having a polarity opposite to that of the developed image are given to the recording medium 20 by discharging from the corona transfer wire 32, and the recording medium 20 is charged. Due to this charging, the recording medium 20 is electrostatically attracted to the photosensitive drum 12 and a developed image is transferred to the recording medium 20.

On the downstream side of the transfer area 26 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12, charges of the same polarity as the developed image are applied to the recording medium 2.
A static elimination needle 34 for giving 0 is arranged. Static elimination needle 34
Has a sharpened tip to facilitate discharge. When a high voltage is applied to the static elimination needle 34, discharge occurs from the tip, and the back surface of the recording medium 20 is neutralized. The recording medium 20 is neutralized by the discharge from the static elimination needle 34, and the recording medium 20 is easily separated from the photosensitive drum 12.

Recording medium 2 separated from photosensitive drum 12
0 is conveyed by a conveying belt 36 and is discharged to a discharge tray 50 via a fixing device 38 and a discharge roller 40. The paper discharge roller 40 is arranged near the main body side wall 52 of the image forming apparatus 10. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the transfer is removed by the cleaning device 44.

Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the paper discharge tray 50 and its surroundings will be described. The discharge tray 50 corresponds to the first and second aspects.

FIG. 2A is a side view schematically showing a discharge tray on which no recording medium is loaded, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically illustrating a paper discharge tray on which a plurality of recording media are stacked. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

A discharge port 54 through which the recording medium 57 is discharged is formed in a region between the pair of discharge rollers 40. Below the sheet discharge port 54, a plate-shaped sheet discharge tray 50 on which the recording medium 57 discharged from the sheet discharge port 54 is stacked.
Is arranged. The main body side wall 52 of the discharge tray 50
Is not fixed to the main body side wall 52, and is configured to move along a slightly concave portion of the main body side wall 52. This proximity part 5
The upper end of a compression coil spring 58 is fixed to the back surface of the coil 6. The lower end of the compression coil spring 58 is
2 is fixed to a plate-like stopper 60 fixed to a portion below the adjacent portion 56. Therefore, the proximity portion 56
Is always urged upward by the compression coil spring 58.

In the paper discharge tray 50, the paper discharge direction (arrow A)
One end portion 62a of the support rod 62 is rotatably fixed to the distal end side of the center portion (direction). This one end 62a
Is fixed on the side closer to the front end of the paper discharge tray 50 than the center of gravity of the paper discharge tray 50. This support rod 6
The other end 62b of the paper ejection roller 4
It is fixed near zero. Therefore, the discharge tray 50
Can be rotated by a predetermined angle with the one end 62a of the support rod 62 as a rotation center axis.

At the leading end of the stopper 60 in the sheet discharging direction, the sheet discharging tray 50 is positioned so that the proximity portion 56 is lowered.
A tray maximum angle position sensor 64 for detecting the angle of inclination when is inclined is disposed. A sensor arm 66 that turns on the tray maximum angle position sensor 64 when approaching the tray maximum angle position sensor 64 is fixed to the back surface of the discharge tray 50 and above the tray maximum angle position sensor 64. I have. The tray maximum angle position sensor 64 and the sensor arm 66 constitute a detecting means according to the present invention.

The proximity portion 56 of the discharge tray 50 is lowered, and the sensor arm 66 is moved to the tray maximum angular position sensor 64.
A predetermined distance, the tray maximum angle position sensor 6
4 is turned on. The inclination angle of the paper discharge tray 50 at this time is the maximum inclination angle. When the discharge tray 50 is tilted to the maximum tilt angle, a controller (not shown) controls the image forming apparatus 10 so as not to discharge the recording medium 57 from the discharge port 54.
Control the operation of.

In the state where the recording medium 57 is not stacked on the paper discharge tray 50, as shown in FIG.
Is raised to a high position by the compression coil spring 58, and the tray maximum angle position sensor 64 is off. When the recording medium 57 is successively discharged from the discharge port 54 and a large amount of the recording medium 57 is stacked on the discharge tray 50 as shown in FIG. 62
Around the center a, the proximity portion 56 is pivoted down. That is, the paper discharge tray 50 is inclined such that the adjacent portion 56 is lowered. Therefore, even if the number of recording media 57 stacked on the discharge tray 50 increases, these recording media 57 are inclined such that the end faces abutting on the main body side wall 52 are lowered. Therefore, even if a large amount of the recording medium 57 is stacked on the discharge tray 50, the recording medium 57 does not fall, and the stacking amount can be increased. Further, as the number of recording media 57 stacked on the paper discharge tray 50 increases, the proximity portion 56 of the paper discharge tray 57 goes down, so that the paper discharge port 54 is not blocked by the stacked recording media 57. For this reason, it is possible to prevent paper jam due to the paper discharge opening 54 being closed.

Referring to FIG. 3, another example of the paper discharge tray will be described. This example corresponds to claim 3.

FIG. 3A is a side view schematically showing a discharge tray on which no recording medium is loaded, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically illustrating a paper discharge tray on which a plurality of recording media are stacked. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Below the discharge port 54, a plate-shaped discharge tray 7 on which the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 is stacked.
0 is arranged. The paper discharge tray 70 is configured by combining six plates that spread in a paper discharge direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3 and going from the back side to the front side). These six plates include side plates 72 and 74 whose upper ends are rotatably fixed to the main body side wall 52 (see FIG. 1) and face each other.
Four bottom plates 76, 7 arranged between the lower ends of 2, 74
8, 80 and 82. Four bottom plates 76, 78, 8
The upper surface of 0, 82 is an example of the mounting surface according to the present invention.

The side plate 72 and the bottom plate 76 are rotatably connected by a connecting shaft 84. Further, the bottom plate 76 and the bottom plate 78
Is also rotatably fixed by the connecting shaft 86. Further, the bottom plate 78 and the bottom plate 80 are also rotatably fixed by the connecting shaft 88. Further, the bottom plate 80 and the bottom plate 82 are also rotatably fixed by the connecting shaft 90. Further, the bottom plate 82 and the side plate 74 are also rotatably fixed by the connecting shaft 92. Each connecting shaft 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 extends in the sheet discharging direction.

Of the connecting shafts 84, 88, 92, the bottom plate 76,
Torsion coil springs 94, 96, 98 (which are examples of the descent means according to the present invention) are fixed to the lower surfaces of 78, 80, and 82, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the four bottom plates 76, 78, 80, 82 form a mountain. When the recording medium 57 is not placed on the four bottom plates 76, 78, 80, and 82, the torsion coil springs 94, 96 are set so that the distance from the top of the mountain to the discharge roller 40 is L. , 98 are set.

The recording medium 57 is discharged from the paper discharge port 54, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the four bottom plates 76, 78,
When a plurality of recording media 57 are placed on the media 80 and 82, the weight of the recording media 57 is reduced by the torsion coil springs 94 and 9.
The mountain goes down, overcoming the 6,98 bias. That is, 4
The bottom plates 76, 78, 80, 82 approach flat. In this case, from the surface of the uppermost one of the plurality of recording media 57 placed on the bottom plates 76, 78, 80,
Torsion coil springs 94, 9 so that the distance to
6,98 intensities are set. Therefore, the bottom plate 76,
As the height of the recording medium 57 placed on 78, 80, 82 increases, these bottom plates 76, 78, 80, 82 descend and the peaks decrease. As a result, it is possible to prevent the discharge port 54 from being blocked, and to increase the stacking amount of the recording medium 57. In addition, paper jam caused by closing the paper discharge port 54 can be prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, another example of the paper discharge tray will be described. This example corresponds to claims 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the paper discharge tray viewed from a direction opposite to the paper discharge direction. FIG. 5A schematically shows the paper discharge tray on which no recording medium is placed. It is a top view shown, (b) is a side view of (a). In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Below the discharge port 54, a plate-shaped discharge tray 1 on which the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 is stacked.
00 is arranged. The paper discharge tray 100 has two side plates 102 and 104 facing each other. A mounting plate 106 on which a recording medium is mounted is fixed between the two side plates 102 and 104. The mounting plate 106 is inclined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium is discharged (an example of a cross direction in the present invention).

A plurality of convex ribs 108 are formed on the surface of the mounting plate 106 (an example of the mounting surface according to the present invention). These ribs 108 extend radially around a portion near the discharge port 54. Therefore, some of the plurality of ribs 108 extend toward the side plate 104. Accordingly, the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 moves (slids) on the rib 108.
It hits the side plate 104. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the end faces of the recording medium 57 are aligned and the alignment is improved.

Referring to FIG. 6, another example of the paper discharge tray will be described. This example corresponds to claim 6.

FIG. 6A is a plan view schematically showing a discharge tray on which a recording medium is not placed, and FIG.
It is a side view of (a).

In the discharge tray 110, the rib 10
8 (see FIG. 5) in that a plurality of spheres 112 are arranged. The discharge tray 110 has a plurality of spheres 112.
Are rotatably embedded, and the upper part of each sphere 112 protrudes from the surface of the paper discharge tray 110. Therefore, the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 moves (slids) on the sphere 112 and hits the side plate 104. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the end faces of the recording medium 57 are aligned and the alignment is improved.

With reference to FIG. 7, another example of the paper discharge tray will be described. This example corresponds to claim 7.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing a state in which the rear end of the sheet discharge tray is in contact with the side wall of the main body, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a rear end of a sheet discharge tray is separated from a main body side wall. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Below the discharge port 54, a plate-shaped discharge tray 1 on which the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 is stacked.
20 are arranged. A stopper 122 is formed at the rear end of the paper discharge tray 120 to prevent the loaded recording medium from falling. In the vicinity of the stopper 122 and at both ends in the width direction of the paper discharge tray 120 (the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction indicated by the arrow B direction), the paper discharge tray 12 is provided.
The other end 130b of the support rod 130 that supports the “0” is fixed. One end 130a of the support rod 130 is
2, it is rotatably fixed to a portion slightly above the paper discharge roller 40. An eccentric roller 132 is coaxially fixed to the lower discharge roller 40,
The eccentric roller 132 also rotates with the rotation of. The eccentric roller 132 is always in contact with the support rod 130. Note that the discharge tray 120 and the support rod 130 may be formed integrally or separately.

When the recording medium 57 is discharged, the discharge roller 40 rotates, and the eccentric roller 132 rotates with this rotation. Since the eccentric roller 132 is always in contact with the support rod 130, the rotation of the eccentric roller 132 causes the support rod 130 to repeatedly rotate by a fixed angle about its one end 130a. Since the other end 130b of the support rod 130 is fixed to the paper discharge tray 120, when the support rod 130 reciprocates so as to repeat the rotation, the paper discharge tray 120 also reciprocates in a certain area. The vibration caused by the reciprocating motion is transmitted to a recording medium (not shown) stacked on the discharge tray 120. Therefore, when the recording medium stacked on the paper output tray 120 is displaced in the reciprocating direction, the deviation is almost eliminated by the vibration, and the large number of recording media stacked on the paper output tray 120 are removed. Are aligned. Therefore, the alignment of the recording medium is improved.

Referring to FIG. 8, another example of the paper discharge tray will be described. This example corresponds to claim 8.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the rear end of the sheet discharge tray is in contact with the side wall of the main body, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a rear end of a sheet discharge tray is separated from a main body side wall. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Below the discharge port 54, a plate-shaped discharge tray 1 on which the recording medium 57 discharged from the discharge port 54 is stacked.
40 are arranged. A stopper 142 is formed at the rear end of the paper discharge tray 140 to prevent the loaded recording medium from falling. In the vicinity of the stopper 142 and at both ends in the width direction of the paper discharge tray 140 (the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction indicated by the arrow B direction), the paper discharge tray 14 is provided.
The other end 150b of the support rod 150 that supports the “0” is fixed. One end 150a of the support rod 150 is
2, it is rotatably fixed to a portion slightly above the paper discharge roller 40. A gear 152 is coaxially fixed to the lower discharge roller 40. This gear 152
This gear has teeth formed on only half of the circumference. Support rod 1
50 is formed with teeth that mesh with the teeth of the gear 152. Therefore, when the discharge roller 40 rotates, the gear 15
2 also rotates, and the support bar 150 is moved.

When a recording medium (not shown) is discharged, the discharge roller 40 rotates, and the gear 152 rotates with this rotation. Since the gear 152 meshes with the teeth of the support rod 150, the rotation of the gear 152 causes the support rod 150 to repeatedly rotate by a fixed angle about its one end 150a. Since the other end 150b of the support rod 150 is fixed to the paper discharge tray 140, when the support rod 150 reciprocates to repeat this rotation,
The paper discharge tray 140 also reciprocates in a certain area. The vibration caused by the reciprocating motion is transmitted to the recording medium stacked on the discharge tray 140. Therefore, when the recording medium stacked on the paper output tray 140 is displaced in the reciprocating direction, the deviation is substantially eliminated by the above-described vibration, and the large number of recording media stacked on the paper output tray 140 are removed. Are aligned. Therefore, the alignment of the recording medium is improved.

[0049]

As described above, according to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, as the number of recording media stacked on the paper output tray increases and the weight of the recording medium increases, the proximity of the paper output tray decreases. The output tray is inclined. Since this near portion is a portion that is close to the main body side wall, a portion farthest from the main body side wall (the farthest portion) in the discharge tray is relatively raised. As a result, as the number of recording media stacked on the discharge tray increases, the farthest part increases and the close part lowers, so that the entire discharge tray is further inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. For this reason, even if the number of recording media stacked on the paper discharge tray increases, these recording media are inclined so that the end surfaces that are in contact with the main body side walls are lowered.
Therefore, even if a large amount of recording medium is loaded on the paper discharge tray, the recording medium does not drop, and the loading capacity can be increased. In addition, as the number of recording media stacked on the discharge tray increases, the proximity of the discharge tray lowers, so that the discharge port is not blocked by the stacked recording media. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a paper jam due to the closing of the discharge port.

Here, when the image forming apparatus detects that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position, the image forming apparatus detects that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position. In the case where a controller for controlling the discharge of the recording medium to be stopped is provided, the above-mentioned predetermined position is set so that the recording medium loaded on the discharge tray is located immediately before the discharge opening is closed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the discharge port from being blocked by the recording medium. In addition, since the discharge of the recording medium is stopped immediately before the recording medium closes the discharge port, the amount of the recording medium stacked on the discharge tray can be increased to the maximum.

According to the second image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording medium is placed on the placing surface, the placing surface is lowered by the descending means. Since the amount of drop depends on the height of the recording medium, it is possible to prevent the discharge port from being blocked by setting the height of the recording medium to be lowered by the height of the recording medium. Can increase the load capacity.
As a result, it is possible to prevent paper jam caused by closing the paper discharge port.

According to the third image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked on the discharge tray inclined in the cross direction, and moves along the inclination of the discharge tray. And stop. For this reason, the recording medium is stacked so that the end surface of the recording medium is aligned with the lower portion of the paper discharge tray,
The alignment of the recording medium is improved.

Here, in the case where the discharge tray has a mounting surface on which a recording medium is to be loaded, on which a plurality of ribs extending radially from the vicinity of the discharge port are formed. The recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port rests on the rib, moves on the rib along the inclination of the paper discharge tray, and stops. Since the ribs extend radially from the vicinity of the paper outlet, the recording medium can easily move on the ribs. For this reason, the recording medium is stacked so that the end surface of the recording medium is evenly aligned with the lower portion of the discharge tray, and the alignment of the recording medium is further improved.

When the discharge tray has a mounting surface on which a plurality of rotatable spheres are arranged and on which a recording medium is loaded, a plurality of recording media discharged from the discharge port are provided. And moves on the sphere along the inclination of the paper discharge tray and stops. As a result, since the recording medium is stacked so that the end face of the recording medium is evenly aligned with the lower portion of the discharge tray, the alignment of the recording medium is further improved.

According to the fourth image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording medium is discharged, the discharge roller rotates, and the eccentric roller also rotates with this rotation. Since the eccentric roller is in contact with the support rod, the rotation of the eccentric roller causes the support rod to repeatedly rotate by a fixed angle about one end thereof. Since the other end of the support rod is fixed to the paper discharge tray, when the support rod reciprocates so as to rotate repeatedly, the paper discharge tray also reciprocates in a certain area. The vibration caused by this reciprocation is transmitted to the recording medium stacked on the paper discharge tray. Therefore, when the recording medium loaded on the paper output tray is displaced in the reciprocating direction, the deviation is almost eliminated by the above-described vibration, and a large number of recording media loaded on the paper output tray are aligned. . Therefore, the alignment of the recording medium is improved.

Further, according to the fifth image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording medium is discharged, the discharge roller rotates, and the gear rotates with this rotation. Since the gear meshes with the teeth of the support rod, when the gear rotates, the support rod repeatedly rotates by a fixed angle about one end thereof with the rotation. Since the other end of the support rod is fixed to the paper discharge tray, when the support rod reciprocates to repeat this rotation, the paper discharge tray also reciprocates in a certain area. The vibration caused by this reciprocation is transmitted to the recording medium stacked on the paper discharge tray. Therefore, when the recording medium loaded on the paper output tray is displaced in the reciprocating direction, the deviation is almost eliminated by the above-described vibration, and a large number of recording media loaded on the paper output tray are aligned. . Therefore, the alignment of the recording medium is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view schematically illustrating a discharge tray on which no recording medium is stacked, and FIG. 2B is a schematic view illustrating a discharge tray on which a plurality of recording media are stacked. FIG.

FIG. 3A is a side view schematically illustrating a discharge tray on which no recording medium is stacked, and FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating a discharge tray on which a plurality of recording media are stacked. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the paper discharge tray viewed from a direction opposite to a paper discharge direction.

FIG. 5A is a plan view schematically showing a paper discharge tray on which a recording medium is not placed, and FIG. 5B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 6A is a plan view schematically showing a paper discharge tray on which a recording medium is not placed, and FIG. 6B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the rear end of the paper discharge tray is in contact with the main body side wall, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the rear end of the paper discharge tray is separated from the main body side wall. FIG.

8A is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the rear end of the paper discharge tray is in contact with the main body side wall, and FIG. 8B is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the rear end of the paper discharge tray is separated from the main body side wall. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 40 Discharge roller 50, 70, 100, 110, 120, 140 Discharge tray 52 Main body side wall 56 Adjacent part 64 Tray maximum angle position sensor 66 Sensor arm 94, 96, 98 Torsion coil spring 132 Eccentric roller 152 gear

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A discharge port formed in a side wall of a main body, from which a recording medium is discharged, and a discharge sheet disposed below the discharge port, on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked. An image forming apparatus that includes a tray, forms an image on a recording medium, and discharges the recording medium from the discharge port. In the image forming apparatus, the discharge tray has a large number of recording media stacked on the discharge tray. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is inclined so that a portion close to the side wall of the main body is lowered. A detecting means for detecting that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position; and stopping the ejection of the recording medium when the detection means detects that the proximity portion has been lowered to a predetermined position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the image forming apparatus. 3. A discharge port formed on a side wall of the main body, from which a recording medium is discharged, and a discharge sheet disposed below the discharge port, on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and discharges the recording medium from the discharge port, wherein the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is placed on the discharge tray. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting surface; and a lowering unit that lowers the mounting surface according to the height of a recording medium mounted on the mounting surface. 4. A paper discharge port formed on a side wall of the main body, from which a recording medium is discharged, and a discharge paper disposed below the paper discharge port on which the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is stacked. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and discharges the recording medium from the paper discharge port, wherein the paper discharge tray is arranged in a cross direction that intersects a paper discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged. An image forming apparatus characterized by being inclined. 5. The paper discharge tray according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge tray has a plurality of ribs extending radially around a portion near the paper discharge port, and has a mounting surface on which a recording medium is loaded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the discharge tray has a mounting surface on which a plurality of rotatable spheres are arranged and on which a recording medium is loaded. . 7. A discharge port formed on a side wall of the main body, from which a recording medium is discharged, and a discharge sheet disposed below the discharge port, on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked. An image forming apparatus comprising a tray, forming an image on a recording medium, and discharging the recording medium from the discharge port, a discharge roller disposed near the discharge port, for discharging the recording medium, A support for supporting the discharge tray, one end of which is rotatably fixed to a portion of the main body side wall near the discharge roller and the other end of which is fixed to both widthwise ends of the discharge tray; An image forming apparatus comprising: a rod; and an eccentric roller that is coaxially fixed to the discharge roller and that contacts the support rod. 8. A discharge port formed on a side wall of the main body, from which a recording medium is discharged, and a discharge sheet disposed below the discharge port, on which the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked. An image forming apparatus comprising a tray, forming an image on a recording medium, and discharging the recording medium from the discharge port, a discharge roller disposed near the discharge port, for discharging the recording medium, A support for supporting the discharge tray, one end of which is rotatably fixed to a portion of the main body side wall near the discharge roller and the other end of which is fixed to both widthwise ends of the discharge tray; A rod, and a gear coaxially fixed to the paper discharge roller, wherein the support rod is formed with teeth that mesh with the gear, and the support rod is connected to the one end with the rotation of the gear. It rotates repeatedly by a fixed angle around An image forming apparatus comprising.