Patent Description:
An image forming apparatus includes an image former, a post-processing device, and a tray. The image former forms an image on a sheet. The post-processing device performs post processing on the sheet on which an image has been formed. The sheet subjected to the post processing is to be stacked on the tray. In addition, some of such image forming apparatuses are equipped with a tray that is lifted or lowered to allow a large number of sheets to be stacked on the tray.

As an example of such an image forming apparatus, <CIT> discloses a configuration in which a post-processing device and a liftable tray are unitized and the unit is installed in an in-body space of the image forming apparatus for the purpose of placing a large number of sheets in a space-saving manner.

However, the configuration disclosed in <CIT> requires replacement of the entire unit when the post-processing device is to be replaced with another post-processing device that performs a different post processing process (for example, a binding process, a hole punching process, or a folding process) or when an optional device is to be installed in the in-body space. <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>, and <CIT> disclose background art to the invention.

The present disclosure has been made so as to solve such a problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a media conveying apparatus that includes a tray on which a large number of media can be put and has a high degree of freedom in terms of installation space.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present disclosure provides a media conveying apparatus that includes a pair of first defining members, a pair of second defining members, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a tray. The pair of first defining members defines an upstream part of a conveyance path in a conveyance direction. The pair of second defining members defines a downstream part of the conveyance path in the conveyance direction. The first conveyor conveys a medium in the upstream part in the conveyance direction. The second conveyor conveys the medium in the downstream part in the conveyance direction. The tray is disposed downstream from the pair of second defining members in the conveyance direction. The tray stacks the medium ejected from the conveyance path. The pair of first defining members and the pair of second defining members are movable relative to each other in the conveyance direction to lengthen and shorten the conveyance path including the upstream part and the downstream part.

The present disclosure also provides an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming device, a housing, and the media conveying apparatus. The image forming device forms an image on a medium. The housing houses the image forming device and has an in-body space. The media conveying apparatus is detachably installed in the in-body space. The tray moves up and down along an outer wall of the housing.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a media conveying apparatus that includes a tray on which a large number of media can be put and has a high degree of freedom in terms of installation space.

A description is provided of an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. <FIG> are external views of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S which is an example of a sheet medium (typically, a sheet of paper). As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and an image forming device <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating components of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an in-body space <NUM> that is accessible from the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The in-body space <NUM> is located, for example, slightly above the center of the housing <NUM> in the vertical direction. An outer wall of the housing <NUM> has been cut out to expose the in-body space <NUM> to the outside. Furthermore, the in-body space <NUM> can accommodate a binding unit <NUM> (post-processing device), a first conveyance unit <NUM> and a second conveyance unit <NUM> (media conveying apparatus), and a hole punching unit <NUM> and a folding unit <NUM> (optional devices).

More specifically, <FIG> illustrates a state in which only the binding unit <NUM> has been disposed in the in-body space <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state in which the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> have been disposed in the in-body space <NUM>, together with the binding unit <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state in which both the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> have been disposed in the in-body space <NUM>, together with the binding unit <NUM>, the first conveyance unit <NUM>, and the second conveyance unit <NUM>. Alternatively, one of the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> may be disposed in the in-body space <NUM>, together with the binding unit <NUM>, the first conveyance unit <NUM>, and the second conveyance unit <NUM>.

The image forming device <NUM> forms an image on the sheet S stored in a tray, and ejects the sheet S on which the image has been formed to the binding unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, or the folding unit <NUM>. The image forming device <NUM> may be an inkjet image forming device that forms an image with ink, or may be an electrophotographic image forming device that forms an image with toner. Since the image forming device <NUM> has a known configuration, a detailed description of the configuration of the image forming device <NUM> is omitted.

The hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are installed in the in-body space <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> such that the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are located downstream from the image forming device <NUM> and upstream from the binding unit <NUM> on a conveyance path (a path indicated by a dashed arrow in each of <FIG>) of the sheet S from the image forming device <NUM> to the binding unit <NUM>. That is, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming device <NUM> is subjected to one or both of a hole punching process (described below) by the hole punching unit <NUM> and a folding process (described below) by the folding unit <NUM>, and is then delivered to the binding unit <NUM> and subjected to a binding process to be described below.

The hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are detachably installed in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. When the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are removed, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming device <NUM> is directly delivered to the binding unit <NUM> and subjected to the binding process. Furthermore, another optional device such as a liquid applying unit is detachably installed at a location in the in-body space <NUM> where the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> were disposed before being removed.

When the liquid applying unit is installed, the sheet S on which the image has been formed by the image forming device <NUM> is first delivered to the liquid applying unit and subjected to a liquid applying process, and is then delivered to the binding unit <NUM> and subjected to the binding process. The liquid applying process refers to a process of applying liquid to a binding position on the surface of the sheet S at which the sheet S is to be bound by the binding unit <NUM>. Note that any optional device other than the liquid applying unit may be installed at the location in the in-body space <NUM> where the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> were disposed before being removed, so as to perform a desired process on the sheet S. Optional devices may be omitted.

Furthermore, each of the binding unit <NUM>, the first conveyance unit <NUM>, the second conveyance unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and the liquid applying unit is unitized, to which an input-output interface of the sheet S can be connected. That is, in the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the binding unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and the liquid applying unit are replaceable according to the intended use of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

More specifically, input interfaces of the binding unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and the liquid applying unit can be connected to an output interface of the image forming device <NUM>. The input interface of the binding unit <NUM> can also be connected to the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and the liquid applying unit. An output interface of the binding unit <NUM> can be connected to an input interface of the first conveyance unit <NUM>. Furthermore, an input interface of the second conveyance unit <NUM> can be connected to an output interface of the first conveyance unit <NUM>. Adjacent units are detachably connected to each other by a mechanical lock, a magnet, or the like. The units installed in the in-body space <NUM> are each connected to a controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) by a harness for transmitting and receiving various signals.

<FIG> is a side view of the binding unit <NUM>, which illustrates an internal configuration thereof. <FIG> is a plan view of the binding unit <NUM>, which illustrates the internal configuration thereof. <FIG> is a plan view of the binding unit <NUM>, which illustrates a position of a binder <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the binding unit <NUM>, which illustrates a slit 31a. The binding unit <NUM> performs the binding process (post processing) of binding a plurality of sheets S (sheet bundle Sb) on which images have been formed by the image forming device <NUM>. However, a specific example of the post-processing device is not limited to the binding unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the binding unit <NUM> includes a binding case <NUM>, an output tray <NUM>, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, an internal tray <NUM>, a tapping roller <NUM>, return rollers <NUM>, end fences <NUM> and 40R, side fences <NUM> and 41R, and the binder <NUM>.

The binding case <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating the components (<NUM> to <NUM>) of the binding unit <NUM>. A conveyance path Ph1 is formed in the internal space of the binding case <NUM>. The conveyance path Ph1 is a space through which the sheet S passes. The output tray <NUM> is supported on an outer surface of the binding case <NUM>. The sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb conveyed by the conveyance roller pairs <NUM> to <NUM> is stacked on the output tray <NUM>.

The conveyance roller pairs <NUM> to <NUM> are arranged on the conveyance path Ph1 at predetermined intervals. The conveyance roller pairs <NUM> to <NUM> convey the sheet S along the conveyance path Ph1. The conveyance roller pair <NUM> includes a driving roller 33a and a driven roller 33b disposed in such a way as to face each other across the conveyance path Ph1. The driving roller 33a and the driven roller 33b are rotatably supported by the binding case <NUM>. The rotary drive force of a conveyance motor is transmitted to the driving roller 33a to rotate the driving roller 33a forward in a direction of conveying the sheet S (clockwise direction in <FIG>). The driven roller 33b is disposed in such a way as to face the driving roller 33a across the conveyance path Ph1, and is driven by rotation of the driving roller 33a. Driving the conveyance motor causes the sheet S nipped by the driving roller 33a and the driven roller 33b to be conveyed along the conveyance path Ph1.

The conveyance roller pairs <NUM> to <NUM> each have a basic configuration in common with the conveyance roller pair <NUM>. However, the conveyance roller pair <NUM> includes a driving roller 36a and a driven roller 36b that can be brought into contact with and separated from the driving roller 36a. The conveyance roller pair <NUM> may be slidable in the width direction so as to implement a sorting process in which the sheets S are shifted in the width direction and ejected to the output tray <NUM>.

The internal tray <NUM> temporarily supports the plurality of sheets S conveyed by the conveyance roller pair <NUM>. The tapping roller <NUM> is supported at an end of a rotation arm above the internal tray <NUM>. As the rotation arm is rotated, the tapping roller <NUM> supplies the sheet S nipped by the conveyance roller pair <NUM> to the internal tray <NUM>. The return rollers <NUM> rotate in contact with the upper surface of the sheet S supported by the internal tray <NUM> to guide the sheet S toward the conveyance roller pair <NUM>. Hereinafter, a direction from the conveyance roller pair <NUM> toward the end fences <NUM> and 40R is referred to as a "first conveyance direction", and a direction orthogonal to the first conveyance direction and the thickness direction of the sheet S supported by the internal tray <NUM> is referred to as a "main scanning direction".

The end fences <NUM> and 40R are in contact with downstream ends of the sheets S supported by the internal tray <NUM> in the first conveyance direction, and align positions of the sheets S in the first conveyance direction. The side fences <NUM> and 41R are in contact with both width-direction ends of the sheets S supported by the internal tray <NUM> to align positions of the sheets S in the main scanning direction.

The binder <NUM> is disposed at a downstream end of the sheet bundle Sb supported by the internal tray <NUM> in the first conveyance direction. The binder <NUM> is movable along the sheet bundle Sb supported by the internal tray <NUM> in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the first conveyance direction. As an example, the binder <NUM> is a press-bonding binder that presses and deforms the sheet bundle Sb to bind the sheet bundle Sb. As another example, the binder <NUM> is a needle binder that causes a binding needle to penetrate the sheet bundle Sb and binds the sheet bundle Sb. As still another example, the binding unit <NUM> may include both the press-bonding binder and the needle binder.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the slit 31a for manual binding is provided at a position facing the binder <NUM> of the binding case <NUM>. A corner of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the binding case <NUM> through the slit 31a can be manually bound by the binder <NUM>. The binding case <NUM> further includes guide walls 31b and 31c in such a way as to surround the slit 31a. The guide wall 31b performs the positioning of the sheet bundle Sb to be manually bound (that is, the sheet bundle Sb having a corner to be inserted into the slit 31a) in the first conveyance direction. The guide wall 31c performs the positioning of the sheet bundle Sb to be manually bound (that is, the sheet bundle Sb having a corner to be inserted into the slit 31a) in the main scanning direction.

Next, the binding process will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the binding unit <NUM> in which the sheet S has not yet reached the conveyance roller pair <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the binding unit <NUM> in which the sheet S has reached the conveyance roller pair <NUM>. <FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a state of the binding unit <NUM> performing the binding process. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the binding unit <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG> as viewed from the thickness direction of the sheet S. <FIG> are diagrams illustrating the binding unit <NUM> in a state where the sheet bundle Sb subjected to the binding process is ejected to the output tray <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the binding unit <NUM> rotates the conveyance roller pairs <NUM> to <NUM> in the forward direction to convey the sheet S supplied from the image forming device <NUM> along the conveyance path Ph1. At this time, the driving roller 36a and the driven roller 36b of the conveyance roller pair <NUM> are separated from each other.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the binding unit <NUM> brings the tapping rollers <NUM> into contact with the sheet S having passed through the conveyance roller pair <NUM>, and rotates the tapping rollers <NUM> to store the sheet S in the internal tray <NUM>. In the binding unit <NUM>, the side fences <NUM> and 41R are moved in the width direction as illustrated in <FIG> to align, in the width direction, positions of the sheets S stored in the internal tray <NUM>.

Thus, the binding unit <NUM> forms the sheet bundle Sb on the internal tray <NUM> by repeating the process illustrated in <FIG>. Next, the binding unit <NUM> causes the binder <NUM> to face a binding position of the sheet bundle Sb in response to a predetermined number of sheets S being stacked on the internal tray <NUM>. Then, the binding unit <NUM> drives the binder <NUM> to bind the sheet bundle Sb supported by the internal tray <NUM>.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the binding unit <NUM> brings the return rollers <NUM> into contact with the press-bonded sheet bundle Sb, and rotates the return rollers <NUM> to cause the sheet bundle Sb to be nipped by the driving roller 36a and the driven roller 36b. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, the binding unit <NUM> rotates the conveyance roller pair <NUM> in the forward direction to eject the sheet bundle Sb to the output tray <NUM>.

Next, a configuration of the media conveying apparatus will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a side view of the media conveying apparatus in a state where the distance between a first conveyor <NUM> and a second conveyor <NUM> has been increased. <FIG> is a plan view of a main part of the media conveying apparatus in the same state. <FIG> is a side view of the media conveying apparatus in a state where the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM> has been reduced. <FIG> is a plan view of the main part of the media conveying apparatus in the same state.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the media conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM>. Therefore, in the present specification, the media conveying apparatus is referred to as a "media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>)". The first conveyance unit <NUM> is disposed upstream from the second conveyance unit <NUM> in the second conveyance direction. Hereinafter, a direction from the first conveyance unit <NUM> toward the second conveyance unit <NUM> along a conveyance path Ph2 formed inside the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is referred to as a "second conveyance direction".

The media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be detachably installed in the in-body space. The input interface of the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be connected to the output interface of the binding unit <NUM>. More specifically, the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to the output interface of the binding unit <NUM> from which the output tray <NUM> has been removed. The media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a function of putting a large number of sheets S or sheet bundles Sb ejected from the binding unit <NUM> on an output tray <NUM>.

The first conveyance unit <NUM> mainly includes a first housing <NUM>, a pair of first defining members 52a and 52b, a pair of first guides 53a and 53b, a sheet sensor <NUM>, and the first conveyor <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating the components (<NUM> to <NUM>) of the first conveyance unit <NUM>.

The pair of first defining members 52a and 52b is disposed at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction inside the first housing <NUM>. An upstream part of the conveyance path Ph2 in the second conveyance direction is formed between the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b. That is, the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b defines the upstream part of the conveyance path Ph2 in the second conveyance direction.

The pair of first guides 53a and 53b is disposed at an upstream end of the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b in the second conveyance direction. The pair of first guides 53a and 53b is disposed such that the distance between the first guides 53a and 53b increases toward the upstream side in the second conveyance direction. The pair of first guides 53a and 53b plays a role of guiding the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb ejected from the binding unit <NUM> to a space between the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b.

The sheet sensor <NUM> is installed at an upstream end of the conveyance path Ph2 defined by the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b in the second conveyance direction (typically, at the position of the pair of first guides 53a and 53b). The sheet sensor <NUM> outputs a detection signal to the controller <NUM> when the sheet S is located at an installation position (that is, located between the pair of first guides 53a and 53b), and stops outputting the detection signal when the sheet S is not located at the installation position. For example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor may be employed as the sheet sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration of the first conveyor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first conveyor <NUM> is disposed downstream from the sheet sensor <NUM> in the second conveyance direction. The first conveyor <NUM> conveys the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the second conveyance direction in the conveyance path Ph2 defined by the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b. The first conveyor <NUM> includes, for example, a driving roller 55a, a driven roller 55b, a drive motor 55c, a driving force transmission mechanism 55d, an arm 55e, and a pressing mechanism 55f.

The driving roller 55a is disposed on one side of the conveyance path Ph2 in the thickness direction (on the same side as the first defining member 52a in the present embodiment). The driven roller 55b is disposed on the other side of the conveyance path Ph2 in the thickness direction (on the same side as the first defining member 52b in the present embodiment). That is, the driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b are disposed in such a way as to face each other across the conveyance path Ph2. The driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b nip the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the conveyance path Ph2 defined by the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b, and rotate.

The drive motor 55c generates driving force for rotating the driving roller 55a. The driving force of the drive motor 55c is transmitted to the driving roller 55a via the driving force transmission mechanism 55d. The driving force transmission mechanism 55d includes a gear, a pulley, a timing belt, or a combination thereof. As a result, the driving roller 55a rotates in a direction (counterclockwise direction in <FIG>) in which the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the conveyance path Ph2 is conveyed in the second conveyance direction. The driven roller 55b is driven by rotation of the driving roller 55a. The driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b nip the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the conveyance path Ph2, and rotate to convey the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the second conveyance direction.

The arm 55e rotatably supports the driven roller 55b. The arm 55e rotates in a direction in which the driven roller 55b comes into contact with the driving roller 55a and in a direction in which the driven roller 55b separates from the driving roller 55a. The pressing mechanism 55f presses the driven roller 55b against the driving roller 55a. The magnitude of pressing force to be generated by the pressing mechanism 55f is set such that the driven roller 55b can be brought into contact with and separated from the driving roller 55a according to the thickness of the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb entering a space between the driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b, and that the driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b can nip and convey the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb. As a result, the distance between the driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b is adjusted according to the thickness of the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the conveyance path Ph2. That is, the first conveyor <NUM> can convey the sheets S or the sheet bundles Sb having different thicknesses.

The second conveyance unit <NUM> mainly includes a second housing <NUM>, a pair of second defining members 62a and 62b, a pair of second guides 63a and 63b, a sheet sensor <NUM>, the second conveyor <NUM>, a second conveyor <NUM>, the output tray <NUM>, and a lift <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating the components (<NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM>) of the second conveyance unit <NUM>. In addition, the second housing <NUM> supports the output tray <NUM> with an outer wall in such a way as to allow the output tray <NUM> to be raised and lowered. More specifically, when the second conveyance unit <NUM> is installed in the in-body space <NUM>, a portion of the second housing <NUM> that supports the output tray <NUM> is disposed along an outer surface of the housing <NUM> outside the in-body space <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The pair of second defining members 62a and 62b is disposed at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction inside the second housing <NUM>. A downstream part of the conveyance path Ph2 in the second conveyance direction is formed between the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b. That is, the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b defines the downstream part of the conveyance path Ph2 in the second conveyance direction. The distance between the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b is larger than the distance between the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b.

The pair of first defining members 52a and 52b and the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b do not need to fully cover the entire conveyance path Ph2, but just need to partially cover the conveyance path Ph2 to such an extent that the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb conveyed in the second conveyance direction can be supported.

The pair of second guides 63a and 63b is disposed at an upstream end of the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b in the second conveyance direction. The pair of second guides 63a and 63b is disposed such that the distance between the second guides 63a and 63b increases toward the upstream side in the second conveyance direction. The pair of second guides 63a and 63b plays a role of guiding the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb ejected from the first conveyance unit <NUM> to a space between the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b.

The sheet sensor <NUM> is installed at an upstream end of the conveyance path Ph2 defined by the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b in the second conveyance direction (typically, at the position of the pair of second guides 63a and 63b). The sheet sensor <NUM> outputs a detection signal to the controller <NUM> when the sheet S is located at an installation position (that is, located between the pair of second guides 63a and 63b), and stops outputting the detection signal when the sheet S is not located at the installation position. For example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor may be employed as the sheet sensor <NUM>.

The second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed downstream from the sheet sensor <NUM> in the second conveyance direction. The second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed away from each other in the second conveyance direction. Furthermore, the second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> are driven (rotated) in conjunction with each other by a common drive motor 65c. The second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> convey the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb in the second conveyance direction in the conveyance path Ph2 defined by the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b. The configurations of the second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> may be similar to the configuration of the first conveyor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, for example.

The output tray <NUM> is supported on an outer surface of the second housing <NUM> on the downstream side of the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b in the second conveyance direction. Furthermore, the output tray <NUM> is disposed below a downstream end (outlet) of the conveyance path Ph2 in the second conveyance direction. The output tray <NUM> can be raised and lowered along the outer surface of the second housing <NUM>. The sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb ejected from the conveyance path Ph2 by the second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM> is stacked on the output tray <NUM>.

The lift <NUM> raises and lowers the output tray <NUM>. The lift <NUM> includes, for example, pulleys 68a and 68b, a timing belt 68c that is an endless annular belt, and a lifting motor 68d. The pulleys 68a and 68b are located away from each other in the vertical direction, and are each rotatably supported by the second housing <NUM>. The timing belt 68c is stretched around the pulleys 68a and 68b. The lifting motor 68d generates driving force for rotating the pulley 68a (raising and lowering the output tray <NUM>). As a result, the output tray <NUM> moves up and down which is coupled to the timing belt 68c circulating around the pulleys 68a and 68b.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating the periphery of a cover 61b disposed on the second housing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, an opening 61a is formed in a side wall of the second housing <NUM>. The opening 61a penetrates the side wall of the second housing <NUM> at a position facing the pair of second guides 63a and 63b. The second housing <NUM> includes the cover 61b that can move (rotate in the present embodiment) to a closed position (<FIG>) and an open position (<FIG>). The cover 61b closes the opening 61a at the closed position, and opens the opening 61a at the open position.

Furthermore, one (the lower second guide 63a in the present embodiment) of the pair of second guides 63a and 63b is rotatable in a direction away from the other (the upper second guide 63b in the present embodiment) of the pair of second guides 63a and 63b, with a downstream end of the one of the pair of second guides 63a and 63b in the second conveyance direction serving as a rotation center. As a result, when the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb is stuck (hereinafter, referred to as "jam") in the conveyance path Ph2 at the positions of the second guides 63a and 63b, the second guide 63a is rotated in a direction away from the second guide 63b, and the cover 61b is moved to the open position. Thus, the sheet S or sheet bundle Sb that has caused the jam can be removed.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first housing <NUM> of the first conveyance unit <NUM> is slidably supported by a guide rod <NUM> (slide mechanism) extending in the second conveyance direction in the in-body space <NUM>. That is, the first conveyor <NUM> is slidable in the second conveyance direction along the guide rod <NUM>. More specifically, the first conveyance unit <NUM> moves in a direction in which the first conveyance unit <NUM> comes into contact with the second conveyance unit <NUM> and in a direction in which the first conveyance unit <NUM> moves away from the second conveyance unit <NUM>, without changing the relative positions of the components (<NUM> to <NUM>). The binding unit <NUM> may be movable along the guide rod <NUM> together with the first conveyance unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the first conveyance unit <NUM> slides in a direction away from the second conveyance unit <NUM>, the conveyance path Ph2 (in other words, the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM>) is lengthened. As a result, the input interface of the binding unit <NUM> can be connected to the output interface of the image forming device <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. When the distance between the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> is maximized, the downstream end of the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b and the upstream end of the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b (more specifically, the pair of second guides 63a and 63b) in the second conveyance direction are separated from each other in the second conveyance direction.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the first conveyance unit <NUM> slides in a direction in which the first conveyance unit <NUM> approaches the second conveyance unit <NUM>, the conveyance path Ph2 (in other words, the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM>) is shortened. At this time, the first housing <NUM> enters the second housing <NUM>, and the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b enters the space between the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b. As a result, a space that can accommodate one or both of the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> is formed between the output interface of the image forming device <NUM> and the input interface of the binding unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Note that the first conveyance unit <NUM> may be manually slid by a user of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, or may be slid by the driving force of a slide motor.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the second conveyance unit <NUM> is fixed and the first conveyance unit <NUM> is slid in the second conveyance direction. As another example, the first conveyance unit <NUM> may be fixed, and the second conveyance unit <NUM> may be slid in the second conveyance direction. As still another example, both the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> may be slid in the second conveyance direction. That is, the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> (more specifically, the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b and the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b) just need to be configured such that the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> can move relative to each other in the second conveyance direction in such a way as to lengthen or shorten the conveyance path Ph2.

Next, configurations of the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a schematic configuration diagram of the hole punching unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic configuration diagram of the folding unit <NUM>. Since the configurations of the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are already known, detailed description thereof is omitted, but for example, the following configurations are conceivable.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the hole punching unit <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a sheet sensor <NUM>, a punch pin <NUM>, and a punch chad container <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating the components of the hole punching unit <NUM>. A conveyance path Ph3 is formed in the internal space of the housing <NUM>. The sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming device <NUM> passes through the conveyance path Ph3. The sheet sensor <NUM> detects that the sheet S supplied from the image forming device <NUM> has reached a predetermined position. The punch pin <NUM> punches a hole in the sheet S detected by the sheet sensor <NUM>. Punch chads that have fallen off from the sheet S fall into the punch chad container <NUM>. Thus, the hole punching unit <NUM> implements the punching process for punching a hole in the sheet S.

The folding unit <NUM> performs the folding process in which the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming device <NUM> is folded into a predetermined shape (for example, Z fold, letter fold-out, or half fold). As illustrated in <FIG>, the folding unit <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a conveyance roller pair <NUM>, a first folding roller <NUM>, a second folding roller <NUM>, and a third folding roller <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a box shape to form an internal space for accommodating the components of the folding unit <NUM>. A main conveyance path Ph4 and a return conveyance path Ph5 are formed in the internal space of the housing <NUM>. The main conveyance path Ph4 and the return conveyance path Ph5 are spaces through which the sheet S passes. The conveyance roller pair <NUM> conveys the sheet S along the main conveyance path Ph4. The first folding roller <NUM> is rotatably supported by the housing <NUM> at a position facing the main conveyance path Ph4. The second folding roller <NUM> is rotatably supported by the housing <NUM> at a position facing both the main conveyance path Ph4 and the return conveyance path Ph5. The third folding roller <NUM> is rotatably supported by the housing <NUM> at a position facing the return conveyance path Ph5.

The folding unit <NUM> rotates the conveyance roller pair <NUM>, the first folding roller <NUM>, and the second folding roller <NUM> in the forward direction. Next, the folding unit <NUM> rotates the conveyance roller pair <NUM> in the forward direction, and rotates the first folding roller <NUM>, the second folding roller <NUM>, and the third folding roller <NUM> in the reverse direction. As a result, the sheet S enters the return conveyance path Ph5 with a folding position at the head, and is nipped by the second folding roller <NUM> and the third folding roller <NUM>. As a result, the sheet S is folded at the folding position. Next, the folding unit <NUM> rotates the conveyance roller pair <NUM>, the first folding roller <NUM>, and the second folding roller <NUM> in the forward direction at a timing when the rear end of the sheet S passes through the nipping position of the second folding roller <NUM> and the third folding roller <NUM>. As a result, the sheet S is ejected from the folding unit <NUM> with the folding position at the head.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> has a configuration in which a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>, a read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, a hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM>, and an interface (I/F) <NUM> are connected via a common bus <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> is an arithmetic unit, and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is a volatile storage medium that allows data to be read and written at high speed. The CPU <NUM> uses the RAM <NUM> as a work area for data processing. The ROM <NUM> is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD <NUM> is a non-volatile storage medium that allows data to be read and written and has a relatively large storage capacity. The HDD <NUM> stores, e.g., an operating system (OS), various control programs, and application programs.

By an arithmetic function of the CPU <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> processes, for example, a control program stored in the ROM <NUM> and an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM <NUM> from a storage medium such as the HDD <NUM>. Such processing configures a software controller including various functional modules of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The software controller thus configured cooperates with hardware resources of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to construct functional blocks that implement functions of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. That is, the CPU <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, and the HDD <NUM> form the controller <NUM> that controls operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The I/F <NUM> is an interface that connects the image forming device <NUM>, the binding unit <NUM>, the first conveyance unit <NUM>, the second conveyance unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and an operation panel <NUM> to the common bus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> causes, through the I/F <NUM>, the image forming device <NUM>, the binding unit <NUM>, the first conveyance unit <NUM>, the second conveyance unit <NUM>, the hole punching unit <NUM>, the folding unit <NUM>, and the operation panel <NUM> to operate.

The operation panel <NUM> includes an operation device that receives instructions from a user and a display serving as a notifier that notifies the user of information. The operation device includes, for example, physical input buttons and a touch panel overlaid on a display. The operation panel <NUM> acquires information from an operator through the operation device, and provides the operator with information through the display. A specific example of the notifier is not limited to the display, and may be a light emitting diode (LED) lamp or a speaker.

The controller <NUM> controls conveyance of the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb based on detection signals output from the sheet sensors <NUM> and <NUM> and rotary encoders of the drive motors 55c and 65c. First, the controller <NUM> causes the drive motor 55c to rotate, in response to the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>. As a result, the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb supplied from the binding unit <NUM> is nipped by the first conveyor <NUM>, conveyed in the second conveyance direction, and supplied to the second conveyance unit <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> causes the drive motor 65c to rotate, in response to the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>. As a result, the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb is nipped by the second conveyors <NUM> and <NUM>, conveyed in the second conveyance direction, and ejected to the output tray <NUM>.

In addition, the controller <NUM> starts to count pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the drive motor 55c, in response to the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>. In a case where the output of the detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM> is not stopped even if the number of counted pulse signals reaches a predetermined value (that is, even if the first conveyor <NUM> is driven by a predetermined amount), the controller <NUM> determines that the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb is stuck between the pair of first defining members 52a and 52b, and provides notification of occurrence of the jam through the operation panel <NUM>.

Similarly, the controller <NUM> starts to count pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the drive motor 65c, in response to the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>. In a case where the output of the detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM> is not stopped even if the number of counted pulse signals reaches a predetermined value (that is, even if the second conveyor <NUM> is driven by a predetermined amount), the controller <NUM> determines that the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb is stuck between the pair of second defining members 62a and 62b, and provides notification of occurrence of the jam through the operation panel <NUM>.

Next, a description will be given of conveyance control to be performed by the controller <NUM> according to the type of optional device installed in the in-body space <NUM>. <FIG> is an example of data contained in an option table. <FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a relationship between the type of optional device installed in the in-body space <NUM> and the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM>.

The HDD <NUM> stores the option table illustrated in <FIG>. The option table shows relationships between optional devices installed in the in-body space <NUM> and the states of a first installation signal and a second installation signal and distance information. The first installation signal is in a high (H) state when the hole punching unit <NUM> is installed, and is in a low (L) state when the hole punching unit <NUM> is not installed. The second installation signal is in a high (H) state when the folding unit <NUM> is installed, and is in a low (L) state when the folding unit <NUM> is not installed. The distance information refers to a distance between the output interface of the image forming device <NUM> and the input interface of the binding unit <NUM> (length in the second conveyance direction) necessary for installation of an optional device in the in-body space <NUM>.

As an example, in a case where only the hole punching unit <NUM> is installed as an optional device, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first installation signal is in the H state, and the second installation signal is in the L state. At this time, it is necessary to shorten the conveyance path Ph2 by a length X1 so as to install the optional device. When the conveyance path Ph2 is shortened by the length X1, the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM> in the second conveyance direction is denoted by L1. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may start to drive the drive motor 55c in response to the number of pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the drive motor 65c reaching a first predetermined number (a number corresponding to the conveyance distance L1) after the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>.

As another example, in a case where both the hole punching unit <NUM> and the folding unit <NUM> are installed as optional devices, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first installation signal and the second installation signal are in the H state. At this time, it is necessary to shorten the conveyance path Ph2 by a length "X1 + X2" so as to install the optional devices. When the conveyance path Ph2 is shortened by the length "X1 + X2", the distance between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM> in the second conveyance direction is denoted by L2 (< L1). Therefore, the controller <NUM> may start to drive the drive motor 55c in response to the number of pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the drive motor 65c reaching a second predetermined number (a number corresponding to the conveyance distance L2) after the start of output of a detection signal from the sheet sensor <NUM>.

As described above, the controller <NUM> may control the drive timings of the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM> according to the length of the conveyance path Ph2 between the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM>. In this case, the sheet sensor <NUM> may be omitted.

According to the above embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, the following operational effects can be obtained.

According to the above embodiment, the length of the conveyance path Ph2 can be adjusted according to the size of an optional device installed in the in-body space <NUM>. Thus, the degree of freedom can be improved in terms of installation space in the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) including the output tray <NUM> on which a large number of sheets S or sheet bundles Sb can be put.

According to the above embodiment, since the second guides 63a and 63b are disposed at the ends of the second defining members 62a and 62b, it is possible to prevent the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb passing through the conveyance path Ph2 from being stuck in the conveyance path Ph2 between the first defining members 52a and 52b and the second defining members 62a and 62b.

According to the above embodiment, since the cover 61b is disposed in such a way as to face the second guides 63a and 63b, where a jam is most likely to occur in the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>), the workability of jam handling is improved. The opening and the cover may be disposed at positions facing the first guides 53a and 53b of the first housing <NUM>.

According to the above embodiment, the second guide 63a is rotatable in a direction away from the second guide 63b, so that the workability of jam handling is further improved. Instead of making the second guide 63a rotatable, the second guide 63a may be made of a highly flexible material such as Mylar®.

According to the above embodiment, occurrence of a jam is detected by the sheet sensor <NUM>, and notification thereof is provided through the operation panel <NUM>. As a result, the downtime of the image forming apparatus <NUM> can be shortened.

Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, since the distance between the driving roller 55a and the driven roller 55b is adjusted by the pressing mechanism 55f, it is possible to handle the sheets S or the sheet bundles Sb having various thicknesses.

According to the above embodiment, the first conveyance unit <NUM> and the second conveyance unit <NUM> are unitized, and the entire first conveyance unit <NUM> is slid in the second conveyance direction. Thus, the configuration can be simplified as compared with a case where the components (<NUM> to <NUM>) of the first conveyance unit <NUM> are separately slid. In addition, since the relative positions of the components (<NUM> to <NUM>) do not change, deterioration in conveyance accuracy can be prevented.

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the image forming apparatus <NUM> in which various optional devices can be installed, by installing the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the above embodiment in the in-body space <NUM>. In addition, since it is not necessary to replace the media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) in accordance with the size of an optional device, the downtime of the image forming apparatus <NUM> can be minimized.

Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, since the drive timings of the first conveyor <NUM> and the second conveyor <NUM> are controlled in accordance with the length of the conveyance path Ph2 to be lengthened or shortened, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors that detect the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb. This also contributes to energy saving.

Claim 1:
A media conveying apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a pair of first defining members (52a, 52b) defining an upstream part of a conveyance path in a conveyance direction;
a pair of second defining members (62a, 62b) defining a downstream part of the conveyance path in the conveyance direction;
a first conveyor (<NUM>) to convey a medium in the upstream part defined by the pair of first defining members (52a, 52b) in the conveyance direction;
a second conveyor (<NUM>, <NUM>) to convey the medium in the downstream part defined by the pair of second defining members (62a, 62b) in the conveyance direction; and
a tray (<NUM>) disposed downstream from the pair of second defining members (62a, 62b) in the conveyance direction, the tray (<NUM>) to stack the medium ejected from the conveyance path,
wherein the pair of first defining members (52a, 52b) and the pair of second defining members (62a, 62b) are movable relative to each other in the conveyance direction to lengthen and shorten the conveyance path including the upstream part and the downstream part
characterized by:
a first conveyance unit (<NUM>) including a first housing that houses the pair of first defining members (52a, 52b) and the first conveyor (<NUM>); and
a second conveyance unit (<NUM>) including a second housing that houses the pair of second defining members (62a, 62b), and the second conveyor (<NUM>, <NUM>), the second housing having an outer wall that supports the tray (<NUM>),
wherein the conveyance path is shortened as the first housing enters the second housing.