CN213028196U - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an image processing device. The image processing apparatus of an embodiment includes an apparatus main body, a rotation support portion, a manual paper feed tray, a pressure tray, an elastic member, a protrusion, and a guide member. The manual feed tray is rotatable between a housed position and an open position. The pressing tray rotates between a lowered position closest to the bottom plate of the manual paper feeding tray and a raised position farthest from the bottom plate. The elastic member applies a force to the pressing tray in a direction away from the bottom plate. The protrusion protrudes from an upper portion of the pressing tray. When the manual paper feed tray is rotated toward the storage position in a state where the pressing tray is disposed at the raised position, the guide member abuts against the projection and presses the pressing tray toward the lowered position. Through the utility model discloses, even close manual paper supply tray when the pressurization tray rises, can not lead to the pressurization tray damaged yet.

Description

Image processing apparatus

Technical Field

The present embodiment relates to an image processing apparatus.

Background

The image processing apparatus has a manual paper feed tray. The manual feed tray has a pressing tray that pushes the loaded sheet from below upward to a position of the pickup roller.

When the manual paper feed tray is closed with the pressure tray in the raised state, the pressure tray comes into contact with the apparatus main body, and there is a possibility that the pressure tray is broken.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides an image processing device which can not damage a pressurizing tray by closing a manual paper supply tray when the pressurizing tray rises.

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet; a rotation support portion provided on the apparatus main body; a manual feed tray supported rotatably about a rotation axis of the rotation support portion and rotatable between a storage position stored in the apparatus main body and an open position on which the sheet can be placed; a pressing tray provided in the manual paper feed tray so as to be relatively rotatable upward with respect to the manual paper feed tray, and rotatable between a lowered position closest to a bottom plate of the manual paper feed tray and a raised position farthest from the bottom plate; an elastic member that is provided on the manual paper feed tray and biases the pressure tray in a direction away from the bottom plate; a protrusion protruding from an upper portion of the pressing tray; and a guide member that is provided in the apparatus main body and that, when the manual paper feed tray is rotated toward the storage position in a state in which the pressing tray is arranged at the raised position, abuts against the projection and presses the pressing tray toward the lowered position.

Through the utility model discloses, even close manual paper supply tray when the pressurization tray rises, can not lead to the pressurization tray damaged yet.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a manual feed tray (lowered position) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a structural example of an elevating mechanism in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a manual feed tray showing a lowered position of a pressure tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the manual paper feed tray when the pressing force to the pressure tray is released in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a front end portion of the rear side of the manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line F8-F8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a rotation range of a tip end portion when the pressurizing tray is at a lowered position in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a rotation range of a leading end portion when a pressurizing tray is at a raised position in an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment;

fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of a manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of a manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of a manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of the manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

The image processing apparatus of an embodiment includes an apparatus main body, a rotation support portion, a manual paper feed tray, a pressure tray, an elastic member, a protrusion, and a guide member. The apparatus main body forms an image on a sheet. The rotation support portion is provided on the apparatus main body. The manual feed tray is supported to be rotatable about a rotation axis of the rotation support portion. The manual feed tray is rotatable between a storage position where the manual feed tray is stored in the apparatus main body and an open position where the sheet can be placed. The pressurizing tray is provided in the manual paper feed tray in such a manner as to be relatively rotatable upward with respect to the manual paper feed tray. The pressing tray rotates between a lowered position closest to the bottom plate of the manual feed tray and a raised position farthest from the bottom plate. The elastic member is provided on the manual feed tray, and urges the pressing tray in a direction away from the bottom plate. The protrusion protrudes from an upper portion of the pressing tray. The guide member is provided in the apparatus main body. When the manual paper feed tray is rotated toward the storage position in a state where the pressing tray is disposed at the raised position, the guide member abuts against the projection, and the pressing tray is pressed toward the lowered position.

(embodiment mode)

The image processing apparatus according to the embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified. The equivalent structure is, for example, a structure having a plane-symmetric shape with respect to an appropriate plane.

As shown in fig. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control panel 1, a scanner unit 2, a printer unit 3 (apparatus main body), a sheet feeding unit 4, a conveying unit 5, a manual paper feeding unit 10, and a control unit 6.

Hereinafter, in the case of referring to the relative position in the image processing apparatus 100, the X1 direction, the X2 direction, the Y1 direction, the Y2 direction, the Z1 direction, and the Z2 direction shown in the drawing are sometimes used. The X1 direction is a direction from left to right when standing on the front side (on the front side of the paper in fig. 1) of the image processing apparatus 100. The X2 direction is the opposite direction to the X1 direction. The Y1 direction is a direction from the back side to the front side of the image processing apparatus 100. The Y2 direction is the opposite direction to the Y1 direction. The Z1 direction is the vertically upward direction. The Z2 direction is a vertically downward direction. The X (Y, Z) direction is simply referred to as the X (Y, Z) direction without limiting the orientation of the X1(Y1, Z1) direction and the X2(Y2, Z2) direction or including both directions.

Hereinafter, a plane having a normal in the X direction is referred to as a YZ plane, a plane having a normal in the Y direction is referred to as a ZX plane, and a plane having a normal in the Z direction is referred to as an XY plane. The ZX plane is a plane parallel to the conveying direction of a sheet S described later in the image processing apparatus 100. The XY plane is a horizontal plane.

The control panel 1 operates the image processing apparatus 100 by a user performing an operation.

The scanner section 2 reads image information of a copy target as the brightness and darkness of light. The scanner section 2 outputs the read image information to the printer section 3.

The printer section 3 forms an image on the sheet S based on image information from the scanner section 2 or the outside.

The printer section 3 forms an output image (toner image) with a developer containing toner. The printer section 3 transfers the toner image onto the surface of the sheet S. The printer section 3 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the surface of the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet S.

The sheet supply section 4 supplies the sheets S to the printer section 3 one by one in accordance with the timing at which the printer section 3 forms the toner image.

The sheet feeding unit 4 includes sheet feeding cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C and a plurality of cassette sheet feeding units 21.

The paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C store sheets S of various sizes.

The cassette paper feeding portions 21 are disposed above the ends of the paper feeding cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C in the X1 direction, respectively. Each cassette paper feed section 21 has a pickup roller 22B, a paper feed roller 22A, and a separation roller 36.

Each pickup roller 22B conveys a sheet S necessary for image formation from the sheet feeding cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C to a nip portion between the sheet feeding roller 22A and the separation roller 36.

Each paper feed roller 22A conveys the sheet S conveyed to the nip portion to the conveying portion 5.

When a plurality of sheets S are conveyed, each separation roller 36 separates one sheet S.

The conveying unit 5 includes a conveying roller 23 and a registration roller 24. The conveying section 5 conveys the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply section 4 to the registration rollers 24.

The registration rollers 24 convey the sheet S in accordance with the timing at which the printer section 3 transfers the toner image onto the sheet S.

The conveying roller 23 brings the leading end of the sheet S in the conveying direction into contact with the nip portion N of the registration roller 24. The conveying roller 23 aligns the position of the tip of the sheet S in the conveying direction by bending the sheet S.

The registration rollers 24 align the tip of the sheet S fed out from the conveying rollers 23 at the nip portion N. The registration rollers 24 convey the sheet S to a transfer unit 28 described later.

The conveying unit 5 has conveying paths 30A, 30B, and 30C. After another configuration of the printer section 3 is described, the conveying paths 30A, 30B, and 30C will be described.

The printer section 3 includes image forming sections 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K, an exposure section 26, an intermediate transfer belt 27, a transfer section 28, a fixing device 29, and a transfer belt cleaning unit 35.

The image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K are arranged in this order in the X1 direction.

Each of the image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, 25K forms a toner image to be transferred onto the sheet S on the intermediate transfer belt 27.

The image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K each have a photosensitive drum 7. The image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 7, respectively.

Around each photosensitive drum 7, a charger, a developing unit 8, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminator are arranged. The primary transfer roller faces the photosensitive drum 7. The intermediate transfer belt 27 is sandwiched between the primary transfer roller and the photosensitive drum 7. The exposure section 26 is disposed below the charger and the developing device 8.

The toner cartridges 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K are disposed above the image forming units 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K. The toner cartridges 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively.

The toners in the toner cartridges 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K are supplied to the image forming units 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K through toner supply pipes (not shown).

The exposure unit 26 irradiates the surface of each charged photosensitive drum 7 with laser light. Light emission control is performed on the laser light based on image information. The exposure section 26 may also adopt a structure that emits LED light instead of laser light. In the example shown in fig. 1, the exposure section 26 is disposed below the image forming sections 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K.

Image information corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is supplied to the exposure portion 26.

The exposure portion 26 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 7 based on image information.

The intermediate transfer belt 27 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 27 is tensioned by a plurality of rollers that abut against the inner circumferential surface. The intermediate transfer belt 27 is stretched flat. The inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 abuts against the backup roller 28a at the farthest position in the X1 direction in the stretching direction. The inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 abuts against the transfer belt roller 32 at the farthest position in the X2 direction in the stretching direction.

The backup roller 28a forms a part of the transfer section 28 described later. The support roller 28a guides the intermediate transfer belt 27 to the secondary transfer position.

The transfer belt roller 32 guides the intermediate transfer belt 27 to a cleaning position.

On the lower surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 27 in the figure, the image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K are arranged in order in the X1 direction, except for the primary transfer rollers. The image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K are arranged spaced apart from each other in a region between the transfer belt roller 32 and the backup roller 28 a.

When the toner image reaches the primary transfer position, a transfer bias is applied to each of the primary transfer rollers of the image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K. Each primary transfer roller transfers the toner image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 7 onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 (primary transfer).

In the intermediate transfer belt 27, a transfer section 28 is disposed at a position adjacent to the image forming section 25K.

The transfer section 28 includes a support roller 28a and a secondary transfer roller 28 b. The secondary transfer roller 28b and the support roller 28a sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 27. The position where the secondary transfer roller 28b and the intermediate transfer belt 27 abut against each other is a secondary transfer position.

The transfer section 28 transfers the charged toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 27 onto the surface of the sheet S at the secondary transfer position. The transfer section 28 applies a transfer bias to the secondary transfer position. The transfer section 28 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 27 to the sheet S by a transfer bias.

The fixing device 29 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S. The fixing device 29 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet S by the heat and pressure. The fixing unit 29 is disposed above the transfer unit 28.

The transfer belt cleaning unit 35 faces the transfer belt roller 32. The transfer belt cleaning unit 35 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 27. The transfer belt cleaning unit 35 scrapes off the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27.

Conveyance paths 30A, 30B for conveying the sheet S from below to above are formed in this order between the registration roller 24 and the transfer portion 28 and between the transfer portion 28 and the fixing device 29, respectively.

Each of the conveying paths 30A, 30B, and 30C includes a conveying guide portion facing each other and sandwiching the sheet S, and a conveying roller provided as necessary.

The manual paper feed unit 10 feeds a sheet S on which an image is to be formed to the printer section 3.

The manual paper feed unit 10 includes a manual paper feed unit 11, a manual paper feed tray 13, and an elevating mechanism 40.

The manual feed tray 13 is rotatable about an axis extending in the Y direction. When the manual feed tray 13 is used, the manual feed tray 13 is rotated clockwise in the drawing to be opened as shown by a solid line. Sheets S of various sizes can be placed on the opened manual feed tray 13.

When the manual paper feed tray 13 is not used, the manual paper feed tray 13 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing as shown by the two-dot chain line to be accommodated in the side portion of the printer section 3 in the X1 direction.

The manual paper feed unit 11 separates and feeds the sheet S placed on the manual paper feed tray 13, and conveys the sheet S toward the registration rollers 24.

The manual paper feeding unit 11 includes a pickup roller 12B, a paper feeding roller 12A, and a separation roller 36.

The pickup roller 12B and the feed roller 12A have the same configuration as the pickup roller 22B and the feed roller 22A.

The separation roller 36 in the manual paper feed portion 11 has the same structure as the separation roller 36 in the cassette paper feed portion 21, except that it abuts against the paper feed roller 12A.

As shown in fig. 1, the control section 6 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 and the respective apparatus sections. For example, the control section 6 controls the control panel 1, the scanner section 2, the printer section 3, the sheet feeding section 4, the conveying section 5, and the manual paper feed unit 10 to convey the sheet S and form an image on the sheet S.

For example, the control unit 6 sends a control signal to a drive motor 46 described later to control the elevation of the pressurizing tray 14.

The control Unit 6 may be configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Next, the detailed configuration of the manual feed tray 13 will be described.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a manual feed tray (lowered position) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 2, the manual feed tray 13 is flat plate-shaped as a whole. The manual paper feed tray 13 has a size capable of being accommodated in a tray accommodating portion 18e of a side cover 18 covering the right side surface of the printer portion 3. The tray housing portion 18e is recessed from the surface of the side cover 18 in the X2 direction. The tray housing portion 18e has a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the manual feed tray 13 when viewed in the X2 direction.

A paper feed opening 18f through which the sheet S passes is formed in a lower portion of the tray housing portion 18 e. At the center of the Y direction of the upper portion of the paper feed opening 18f, the pickup roller 12B protrudes in the X1 direction.

At the lower end of the tray housing 18e, a rotation pivot 37 (pivot support portion) protrudes through the inner surface of the tray housing 18e in the Y direction. However, fig. 2 shows only the rotation support shaft 37 protruding from the inner surface of the tray housing 18e in the Y1 direction in the Y2 direction. Each rotation support shaft 37 is provided in the printer section 3, which is an apparatus main body of the image processing apparatus 100 that conveys the sheet S. Specifically, for example, a front side plate 3F and a rear side plate 3R (not shown) included in the printer section 3 are provided, respectively (see fig. 4).

The center axis of each rotation fulcrum 37 extends in the Y direction. The center axis of each rotation support shaft 37 is a rotation axis C1 that is the rotation center of the manual feed tray 13. Each rotation support shaft 37 is fitted in a bearing portion 13e (see fig. 3) of the manual feed tray 13, which will be described later. Therefore, the manual feed tray 13 is fixed to the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable about the respective rotation support shafts 37. That is, the manual feed tray 13 is supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the rotation fulcrum shaft 37.

Guide grooves 18a extending in the Z direction are provided on respective inner walls of the side cover 18 in the Y direction. However, fig. 2 shows only the guide groove 18a on the inner wall in the Y2 direction. Each guide groove 18a is engaged with a link 17 (see fig. 7) described later. However, in fig. 2, the link 17 is not shown for the sake of easy observation.

With this configuration, the manual paper feed tray 13 can be rotated between the storage position and the open position. At the storage position, the manual paper feed tray 13 is stored inside the tray storage portion 18e (i.e., in the apparatus main body) in a posture along the vertical plane. In the open position, the manual feed tray 13 is opened outward of the tray housing portion 18e in the X1 direction at an angle defined by a link 17 described later with respect to a horizontal plane. The manual feed tray 13 can mount the sheet S at the open position.

Hereinafter, the manual feed tray 13 in the open position will be described unless otherwise specified.

As shown in fig. 3, the manual feed tray 13 includes a bottom plate 13a, a front plate 13F, a rear plate 13R, an upper plate 13b, a pressure tray 14, a guide shutter 15, and an elastic member 16.

The bottom plate 13a forms a lower surface of the open position. In the storage position, the bottom plate 13a is substantially flush with the side cover 18 outside the tray housing portion 18 e. In the housed position, the bottom plate 13a constitutes a part of the right side surface of the image processing apparatus 100 together with the side cover 18.

The front side plate 13F protrudes upward from the end of the bottom plate 13a in the Y1 direction. The front side plate 13F has a bearing portion 13e, a mounting projection 13d, and a rotation support shaft 13 c.

The bearing portion 13e supports a rotation support shaft 37 protruding from the inner wall of the tray housing portion 18e in the Y2 direction. The bearing portion 13e is formed near the tip of the front side plate 13F in the X2 direction.

The attachment projection 13d engages with a link 17 described later. The mounting projection 13d projects in the Y1 direction from a position further in the X1 direction than the bearing portion 13 e.

The rotation support shaft 13C supports a pressure tray 14, which will be described later, so that the pressure tray 14 can rotate about a rotation axis C2 serving as a center axis of the rotation support shaft 13C. The rotation fulcrum 13c protrudes from the front side plate 13F in the Y2 direction.

The rear side plate 13R protrudes upward from the end of the bottom plate 13a in the Y2 direction. The rear side plate 13R has a surface-symmetric shape with respect to the front side plate 13F, and a ZX plane including a central axis of the bottom plate 13a in the Y direction is taken as a symmetric plane. Therefore, although not visible in fig. 3, there are provided a bearing portion 13e, a mounting projection 13d, and a rotation support shaft 13c which are provided in plane symmetry with the bearing portion 13e, the mounting projection 13d, and the rotation support shaft 13c of the front side plate 13F, respectively.

The upper plate 13b covers the upper side of the bottom plate 13a positioned in the X1 direction of each rotation support shaft 13 c. The upper plate 13b is disposed at the same height as the upper ends of the front side plate 13F and the rear side plate 13R.

The pressure tray 14 and the upper plate 13b together constitute a mounting surface on which the sheet S (not shown) is mounted. The pressing tray 14 is disposed inside the front side plate 13F and the rear side plate 13R from the top end of the upper plate 13b in the X2 direction to the top end of the bottom plate 13a in the X2 direction. The outer shape of the pressing tray 14 is substantially rectangular when viewed from above.

A flat tip placement surface 14a that is long in the Y direction is formed at the tip end of the pressure tray 14 in the X2 direction. A friction pad 14b for increasing the frictional force with the sheet S is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the distal end mounting surface 14 a. The friction pad 14B is provided at a position that can abut against the pickup roller 12B. The friction pad 14b prevents double feeding of the lowermost sheet S placed on the manual paper feed tray 13.

The end portions of the pressing tray 14 in the X1 direction are rotatably supported by the respective rotation support shafts 13c, that is, the pressing tray 14 is provided in the manual feed tray 13 so as to be relatively rotatable upward with respect to the manual feed tray 13. In the pressing tray 14, the elastic member 16 is disposed between the bottom plate 13a and the back surface side of the tip placement surface 14 a.

The elastic member 16 has a structure that pushes the pressing tray 14 upward in a direction in which the pressing tray 14 is separated from the bottom plate 13a (or, the elastic member 16 urges the pressing tray 14 in a direction away from the bottom plate 13 a). For example, as the elastic member 16, a spring or an elastic body can be suitably used.

In the present embodiment, a compression coil spring is used as the elastic member 16. The elastic members 16 are disposed below the distal end placement surface 14a and near both ends in the Y direction.

When the stackable sheets S are placed on the pressing tray 14, the urging force of the elastic member 16 has such a magnitude that: the uppermost sheet S is caused to abut against the pickup roller 12B and a frictional force that can feed the uppermost sheet S is generated between the uppermost sheet S and the pickup roller 12B.

A pair of guide fences 15 is provided in a region of the pressure tray 14 adjacent to the leading end placement surface 14a in the X1 direction. The pair of guide fences 15 sandwich both ends of the sheet S placed on the pressure tray 14 in the Y direction, and align the orientation of the sheet S in the X direction.

The pair of guide fences 15 each have a tab located on the upper side of the pressing tray 14 and extending in the X direction. The height of each guide fence 15 is higher than the total thickness of the sheets S that can be stacked on the manual feed tray 13. Each guide fence 15 is supported on the pressing tray 14 so as to be movable in the Y direction. The user can change the interval between the respective tabs of the respective guide fences 15 in the Y direction.

Cam contact surfaces 14c are formed on both ends in the Y direction of the tip end portion in the X2 direction of the pressure tray 14. However, in fig. 3, most of the cam contact surface 14c in the Y2 direction is covered by a plate-shaped protrusion 14d described later.

A cam plate portion 41a of the pressing member 41 described later comes into contact with the cam contact surface 14 c. The shape of the cam contact surface 14c is not particularly limited as long as the pressing tray 14 can be pressed toward the bottom plate 13a by a pressing force of the cam plate portion 41a described later. In the example shown in fig. 3, each cam abutment surface 14c is a flat surface along the tip end placement surface 14 a.

In the present embodiment, plate-shaped projections 14d (projections, cams) are provided between the cam abutment surfaces 14c and the tip end placement surface 14a, respectively.

Each plate-like projection 14d is plate-like and parallel to the front side plate 13F and the rear side plate 13R. Each plate-like projection 14d projects in a mountain shape above the pressing tray 14. Each plate-like projection 14d extends in the X direction from the distal end portion of the pressure tray 14 in the X2 direction to the distal end portion of the guide flapper 15 in the X2 direction.

The detailed shape of the plate-like projection 14d will be described later.

With this configuration, in the single manual feed tray 13, the distal end portion in the X2 direction of the pressure tray 14 to which the elastic member 16 applies force protrudes upward from the upper ends of the front side plate 13F and the rear side plate 13R. When an external force toward the bottom plate 13a acts on each cam abutment surface 14c, the pressurizing tray 14 descends toward the bottom plate 13 a. At the lowest position of the pressing tray 14, the upper surface of the pressing tray 14 is flush with the upper plate 13 b.

Hereinafter, the setting of the pressure tray 14 closest to the bottom plate 13a is referred to as a lowered position. The lowered position is a fixed position when the sheet S is placed on the pressing tray 14. Fig. 2 shows the manual paper feed tray 13 when the pressing tray 14 is moved to the lowered position.

In the single manual feed tray 13 shown in fig. 3, the rising position where the pressurizing tray 14 rises from the bottom plate 13a is higher than the height from the bottom plate 13a to the pickup roller 12B when the manual feed tray 13 is in the open position. Thereby, the raised friction pad 14B abuts against the pickup roller 12B at the open position in the printer section 3.

Therefore, the rising limit of the pressurizing tray 14 in the manual paper feed tray 13 in the open position when mounted in the printer section 3 is slightly lower than the rising position in the single manual paper feed tray 13. Specifically, the rising limit is a position where the friction pad 14B abuts the lower end of the pickup roller 12B.

In the present specification, the installation of the pressure tray 14 at such a rising limit is referred to as a rising position farthest from the bottom plate 13 a.

As shown in fig. 2, in the manual feed tray 13 in the open position, the pressure tray 14 is normally disposed in the lowered position by an elevating mechanism 40 described later. At this time, the user can place the sheet S on the pressing tray 14 and the upper plate 13b of the manual paper feed tray 13. For example, the sheet S may be placed up to a thickness corresponding to the distance from the friction pad 14B at the lowering position to the lower end of the pickup roller 12B.

In a state where the sheet S is placed on the pressure tray 14, the rising limit of the pressure tray 14 is a position where the uppermost surface of the sheet S abuts against the lower end of the pickup roller 12B.

As shown in fig. 1, the elevating mechanism 40 is provided in the printer section 3, i.e., the apparatus main body.

The lifting mechanism 40 switches the pressing tray 14 between the lowered position and a position above the lowered position when the manual feed tray 13 is in the open position. Specifically, the lifting mechanism 40 of the present embodiment presses the pressure tray 14 downward against the urging force of the elastic member 16 to press the pressure tray 14 to the lowered position. On the other hand, the lifting mechanism 40 releases the pressing force on the pressure tray 14 to lift the pressure tray 14.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the structure of the elevating mechanism in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4, the elevating mechanism 40 includes a pressing member 41, a drive motor 46, and a drive transmission unit 45.

The pressing member 41 abuts against each cam abutment surface 14c (not shown in fig. 4) of the pressing tray 14 to regulate the height of the pressing tray 14. Therefore, the pressing members 41 are respectively provided above the cam contact surfaces 14 c. In the case where it is necessary to distinguish the pressing members 41, the pressing member 41 on the front side (Y1 direction side) is indicated by a pressing member 41F, and the pressing member 41 on the rear side (Y2 direction side) is indicated by a pressing member 41R.

The pressing members 41F and 41R have shapes that are plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the ZX plane at the center of the respective arrangement positions. Therefore, the pressing member 41R will be described below as an example. In the following description of the pressing member 41R, the pressing member 41F may be formed in a Y1 direction instead of a Y2 direction.

The pressing member 41R has a gear portion 41g and a cam plate portion 41 a.

The gear portion 41g receives a driving force from a drive transmission portion 45 described later. The gear portion 41g is, for example, a spur gear. The rotation support shaft 44 is inserted into the center of the gear portion 41 g. A bearing into which the rotation support shaft 44 is rotatably inserted is provided at the center of the gear portion 41 g. Therefore, the gear portion 41g can rotate about the central axis O of the rotation support shaft 44. The rotation support shaft 44 protrudes in the Y1 direction from the rear side plate 3R of the apparatus main body adjacent to the gear portion 41g in the Y2 direction, for example. The rotation support shaft 44 has a length that can penetrate the pressing member 41R in the thickness direction.

The cam plate portion 41a extends radially outward from the center of the gear portion 41g, and its tip protrudes radially outward from the gear portion 41 g. The end surface of the protruding portion of the cam plate portion 41a protruding radially outward from the gear portion 41g is a cam surface 41b that presses the cam contact surface 14c downward.

The drive motor 46 is a motor that supplies a rotational drive force to a drive transmission unit 45 described later by rotation of a motor shaft 46 a. The drive motor 46 is fixed to the rear side of the rear plate 3R of the printer section 3 via a support member (not shown).

The drive motor 46 and the drive transmission unit 45 are used to swing the pressing member 41. The drive motor 46 is communicably connected to the control unit 6. For example, as the drive motor 46, a motor in which a motor shaft 46a rotates forward and backward is used.

The drive transmission unit 45 transmits the rotation of the motor shaft 46a to the pressing member 41. In the example shown in fig. 4, the drive transmission portion 45 is constituted by a gear transmission mechanism.

For example, the drive transmission unit 45 includes a first gear 45a, a second gear 45b, a rotary shaft 43, a third gear 45c, and a fourth gear 45 d.

The first gear 45a is a worm fixed to the motor shaft 46 a.

The second gear 45b is a worm gear that meshes with the first gear 45 a. The second gear 45b extends in the Y2 direction.

The rotation shaft 43 is a rotation shaft to which rotation of the second gear 45b is transmitted. The rotary shaft 43 has a length capable of penetrating the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R facing each other in the Y direction. The rotary shaft 43 is rotatably supported by bearings 45e provided on a front side plate 3F and a rear side plate 3R in the printer section 3 (i.e., the apparatus main body), respectively.

The third gear 45c and the fourth gear 45d transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 43 to the pressing members 41F and 41R. Therefore, as the third gear 45c and the fourth gear 45d, a third gear 45cF and a fourth gear 45dF on the Y1 direction side, and a third gear 45cR and a fourth gear 45dR on the Y2 direction side are arranged.

The third gear 45cR is fixed to the rear end portion of the rotary shaft 43. The third gear 45cF is fixed to the front end of the rotary shaft 43. Therefore, the third gears 45cR, 45cF rotate in the same direction as the rotation shaft 43.

The fourth gear 45dR is an idler gear provided on a transmission path between the third gear 45cR and the gear portion 41g of the pressing member 41R. The fourth gear 45dF is an idler gear provided on a transmission path between the third gear 45cF and the gear portion 41g of the pressing member 41F.

With the drive transmission portion 45 having such a structure, when the drive motor 46 rotates, the respective pressing members 41 rotate in synchronization with each other in the same direction. Therefore, the pressing member 41 swings around the center axis O in accordance with the normal and reverse rotation of the drive motor 46.

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the manual feed tray when the pressure tray is at the lowered position in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the manual paper feed tray after the pressing force on the pressing tray is released in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 5, in the swing position where the cam plate portion 41a swings clockwise to the bottom, the cam plate portion faces downward. Thereby, the cam plate portion 41a presses the cam abutment surface 14c downward. The pressing tray 14 is pressed to the lowered position. The swing position is an initial position of the pressing member 41.

As shown in fig. 6, at the swing position where the counterclockwise swing is bottomed, the cam plate portion 41a faces upward. Thus, the cam plate portion 41a is separated from the cam contact surface 14c, and thus the pressing force from the cam surface 41b is released. The pressing tray 14 is urged by an elastic member 16 (not shown) to be raised to a raised position.

Next, the end of the manual feed tray 13 in the X2 direction and the side cover 18 will be described in detail.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a front end portion of the manual paper feed tray on the rear side in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a cross section taken along line F8-F8 in fig. 7.

The manual paper feed tray 13 shown in fig. 7 is in a state of being arranged at the open position and the pressing force from the pressing member 41 is released. In the example shown in fig. 7, the pressurized tray 14 is raised to the raised position.

Hereinafter, the structure of the end portion of the manual paper feed tray 13 in the Y2 direction will be mainly described. Unless otherwise specified, the structure of the Y1-direction end portion is plane-symmetric with respect to the ZX plane passing through the Y-direction center of the manual paper feed tray 13. Therefore, the structure of the end in the Y1 direction may be such that the Y1 direction is replaced by the Y2 direction and the Y2 direction is replaced by the Y1 direction in the following description.

The manual feed tray 13 in the open position is supported by links 17 provided at both ends in the Y direction. The link 17 holds the manual feed tray 13 at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane (XY plane). Each link 17 connects each side surface of the manual feed tray 13 in the Y direction and each guide groove 18 a.

As shown in fig. 7, the link 17 located at the end in the Y2 direction has a connection hole 17a and a connection pin 17b at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

The attachment hole 17a is attached to an attachment projection 13d projecting from the manual paper feed tray 13 in the Y2 direction. The connecting pin 17b is connected to each guide groove 18a so as to be movable in the Z direction.

The side cover 18 covers the elevating mechanism 40 at both ends in the Y direction and above the paper feed opening 18 f.

For example, as shown in fig. 7, a side cover portion 18h extending in the Y direction is formed above the paper feed opening 18 f.

The side cover portions 18h cover the entire rotation shaft 43 of the elevating mechanism 40 from the X1 direction side.

For example, the inner cover portions 18b are formed at both ends of the side cover portions 18h in the Y direction. The inner cover portion 18b covers a member located on the Y2 direction side of the pressing member 41R of the elevating mechanism 40 from the Y2 direction and the X2 direction.

However, the side cover portions 18h and the inner cover portion 18b are formed with cutouts 18c and 18d, respectively, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotation support shaft 44 is exposed in the X1 direction at the cutouts 18c and 18 d.

As shown in fig. 8, the plate-like projections 14d face the rotation support shafts 44 exposed from the notches 18c and 18d at positions distant from the rotation support shafts 44 in the X1 direction. Since the plate-like projection 14d is located in the Y2 direction of the guide fence 15, the plate-like projection 14d is located outside the paper passing area of the sheet S.

The front end 14e of the pressure tray 14 in the X2 direction is located below the rotation support shaft 44. The tip 14g of the lower end of the plate-like projection 14d in the X2 direction slightly protrudes from the tip 14e in the X2 direction. In the open position, the tip end portions 14e, 14g are both located inside the apparatus main body with respect to the rotation axis C1.

The plate-like projection 14d has a cam surface 14f from an end of the distal end portion 14g in the X2 direction, and the cam surface 14f is formed by a curved surface projecting upward from the upper surface of the pressing tray 14.

The cam surface 14f is provided with a first curved surface S1, a second curved surface S2, and a third curved surface S3 in this order from the distal end portion 14g to an end portion (hereinafter referred to as a proximal end portion) of the pressure tray 14 in the X1 direction.

The first curved surface S1 is an inclined curved surface in which the rate of change in height decreases after the height from the upper surface of the pressure tray 14 has sharply increased in the direction from the distal end portion 14g to the proximal end portion.

The second curved surface S2 is smoothly connected to the end of the first curved surface S1 in the X1 direction. The second curved surface S2 is a curved surface that gradually increases and then decreases in height from the upper surface of the pressure tray 14 in the direction from the distal end portion 14g to the proximal end portion.

The third curved surface S3 is smoothly connected to the end of the second curved surface S2 in the X1 direction. The third curved surface S3 is an inclined curved surface that gradually decreases in height from the top surface of the pressure tray 14 in the direction from the distal end portion 14g to the proximal end portion and then sharply decreases.

Thus, the cam surface 14f is formed by a curved surface protruding in an inverted U shape (U shape that opens downward) from the upper surface of the pressing tray 14.

R44 represents the radius of an arc a44 that abuts against the lower outer peripheral surface of the rotation support shaft 44 about the rotation axis C1. A radius of curvature R14fU from the rotation axis C1 to the cam surface 14f at the raised position of the pressing tray 14 is at least partially larger than R44, that is, at least a part of the cam surface 14f protrudes radially outward with respect to an arc a44 that is centered on the rotation axis C1 and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rotation fulcrum shaft 44, as viewed along the rotation axis C1 when the pressing tray 14 is at the raised position. In the example shown in fig. 8, the curvature radius R14fU is longer than R44 in the second curved surface S2 and a part of the first curved surface S1 and the third curved surface S3 adjacent to the second curved surface S2. That is, the cam surface 14f is a curved surface that bulges in the same direction as the circular arc a 44.

On the other hand, a radius of curvature R14fD from the rotation axis C1 at which the pressing tray 14 is at the lowered position to the cam surface 14f (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 8) is shorter than R44.

Thus, when the manual feed tray 13 in which the pressing tray 14 is located at the raised position is turned counterclockwise in the drawing from the open position to the housed position, the cam surface 14f abuts against the rotation fulcrum 44 in this process.

On the other hand, when the manual feed tray 13 in which the pressing tray 14 is located at the lowered position is similarly rotated, the cam surface 14f does not abut against the rotation fulcrum 44. That is, when the manual paper feed tray 13 is moved from the open position to the storage position in a state where the pressing tray 14 is located at the lowered position, the plate-like projection 14d and the rotation support shaft 44 are arranged at positions not in contact with each other.

In the present embodiment, the plate-like projection 14d is an example of a projection projecting from the upper portion of the pressing tray 14. The rotation support shaft 44 is provided in the apparatus main body, and is an example of a guide member that comes into contact with the projection and guides the movement of the projection (specifically, comes into contact with the plate-shaped projection 14d and presses the pressure tray 14 toward the lowered position) when the pressure tray 14 disposed at the raised position is rotated together with the manual paper feed tray 13 (specifically, when the manual paper feed tray 13 is rotated toward the housed position in a state where the pressure tray 14 is disposed at the raised position). In the present embodiment, the rotation support shaft 44 is located inside the apparatus main body with respect to the rotation axis C1.

The distal end portion 14e of the pressure tray 14 faces the upper end portion of the support column 50 in the X2 direction. The distal end portion 13f of the bottom plate 13a faces the lower end portion of the support column 50 in the X2 direction.

When the radius of rotation of the distal end portion 14e about the rotation axis C2 is r14e and the radius of rotation of the distal end portion 13f is r13f, r14e is longer than r13 f.

The support column 50 is disposed below the paper feed opening 18f and is located inside the apparatus main body with respect to the tray housing portion 18 e. The stay 50 is disposed so as to extend in the Y direction between the front side plate 3F (see fig. 4) and the rear side plate 3R (see fig. 4) of the apparatus main body.

The paper feed guide surface 50a is formed in a paper passable area of the sheet S on the upper surface of the stay 50. The paper feed guide surface 50a guides the lower surface of the sheet S fed from the manual paper feed tray 13.

The tip guide surface 50b is formed in the paper passable area of the sheet S on the side surface of the stay 50 in the X1 direction. The leading end of the sheet S placed on the manual feed tray 13 can abut on the leading end guide surface 50 b. The leading end guide surface 50b aligns the positions of the leading ends of the sheets S in contact with each other.

The leading end guide surface 50b is disposed at a position separated from the leading end portion 14e in the X2 direction throughout the entire rotation range of the pressurizing tray 14 in the manual paper feed tray 13 at the open position.

Grooves are formed at both ends of the support column 50 in the Y direction so as not to contact the tips 14g of the plate-like projections 14 d. When the manual feed tray 13 is opened to the open position, the groove portion avoids contact with the tip end portion 14g in the rotational range between the lowered position and the raised position of the pressurizing tray 14.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.

First, an image forming operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be briefly described.

In the image processing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1, image formation is started by an operation of the control panel 1 or an external signal. Image information is obtained by reading the copy target object by the scanner section 2 and is transmitted to the printer section 3, or image information is acquired from the outside and is transmitted to the printer section 3. The printer section 3 feeds the sheet S in the sheet feeding section 4 or the sheet S in the manual paper feeding unit 10 to the registration rollers 24 based on an operation of the control panel 1 or an external signal in accordance with a control signal generated by the control section 6. Hereinafter, a case where the sheet S is supplied will be described as an example. The setting of the sheet S in the manual paper feed unit 10 is described later.

When an operation input for image formation is performed from the control panel 1, the control portion 6 performs control to start paper feeding from the sheet feeding portion 4 and image formation.

The image forming portions 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K form electrostatic latent images on the respective photosensitive drums 7 based on image information corresponding to the respective colors. Each electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 8. Accordingly, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 7.

Each toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 by each transfer roller. With the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 27, the respective toner images are sequentially overlapped without causing color shift, and are conveyed to the transfer portion 28.

The sheet S is supplied from the registration rollers 24 to the transfer section 28. The toner image that has reached the transfer portion 28 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S. The secondary-transferred toner image is fixed on the sheet S by the fixing device 29. Thereby, an image is formed on the sheet S.

In addition to image formation, the image processing apparatus 100 can also perform image erasing processing (image processing) using, for example, the fixer 29. In this case, the sheet S on which the image is formed with the decoloring toner is supplied, and the decoloring toner becomes transparent by heating. The temperature of the fixing device 29 is set to a temperature at which the decoloring toner is decolored. When the sheet S passes through the fixing device 29, the decoloring toner is decolored.

In the image forming operation, in order to place the sheet S on the manual paper feed tray 13, as shown in fig. 2, the manual paper feed tray 13 needs to be opened to an open position, and the pressing tray 14 needs to be disposed at a lowered position.

In image processing apparatus 100, when the user opens manual paper feed tray 13 to the open position, control unit 6 drives lift mechanism 40 to automatically move pressure tray 14 to the lowered position. Further, when the control section 6 receives a signal for starting image formation, the drive motor 46 is driven to release the pressing force to the pressing tray 14. Thereby, the pressure tray 14 is raised, and the sheet S on the manual paper feed tray 13 can be fed.

When the end of image formation or shortage of paper on the manual paper feed tray 13 is detected, the control section 6 automatically moves the pressing tray 14 to the lowered position.

However, the manual paper feed tray 13 can be freely opened and closed by the user. Therefore, when the pressing tray 14 is raised from the lowered position, there is a possibility that the user closes the manual paper feed tray 13. For example, when the sheet S is about to be fed from the manual feed tray 13, the user may move the manual feed tray 13 to the storage position. For example, there is a possibility that the elevating mechanism 40 may not operate normally due to a failure caused by noise or the like.

When the pressing tray 14 rotates while rising from the lowered position, there is a possibility that the tip end portion of the pressing tray 14 may contact the apparatus main body and be damaged by each other. However, since the image processing apparatus 100 includes the plate-like projection 14d and the rotation support shaft 44, the contact of the distal end portion of the pressurizing tray 14 with the apparatus main body is prevented as follows.

First, a positional relationship between the pressing tray 14 and the column 50 when the manual feed tray 13 is rotated will be described.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation range of the leading end portion when the pressure tray is located at the lowered position in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation range of the leading end portion when the pressure tray is located at the raised position in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

When the pressing tray 14 is at the lowered position, the manual paper feed tray 13 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing from the open position to the housed position. In this case, as shown in fig. 9, the tip end portion 14e rotates about the rotation axis C1 along an arc a14eD having a radius R14 eD. At this time, the distal end portion 14e does not contact the support column 50.

On the other hand, when the pressing tray 14 is at the raised position, the manual paper feed tray 13 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing from the open position to the storage position.

In this case, as shown in fig. 10, the tip end portion 14e is turned around the rotation axis C1 along an arc a14eU having a radius R14 eU. At this time, since the radius R14eU is longer than the radius R14eD, the tip end portion 14e abuts against the pillar 50 during rotation. Therefore, the manual paper feed tray 13 cannot be rotated to the storage position.

The pressing tray 14 of the present embodiment has plate-like projections 14 d. Thus, as described in detail below, the pressurized tray 14 moves toward the lowered position during rotation. As a result, contact between the pressurizing tray 14 and the column 50 is prevented.

Fig. 11 to 14 are schematic cross-sectional views showing operations of the manual paper feed tray in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 11, when the manual feed tray 13 is pivoted from the open position (see fig. 8) toward the storage position about the rotation axis C1, the plate-like projection 14d abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation support shaft 44 on the first curved surface S1. The radius R14e1 of rotation of the tip portion 14e about the rotation axis C1 is slightly smaller than R14 eU.

Further, when the manual feed tray 13 continues to rotate in the same direction, as shown in fig. 12, a reaction force f acts on the plate-like projection 14d from the rotation fulcrum shaft 44 fixed to the apparatus main body. The reaction force f forms a moment about the rotation axis C2 (not shown) in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing with respect to the pressing tray 14. Thus, the elastic member 16 (not shown) is compressed. The pressing tray 14 starts to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing with the rotation axis C2 (not shown) as the center.

Since the pressing tray 14 is closer to the bottom plate 13a, the radius of rotation R14e2 of the top end portion 14e centered on the rotation axis C1 is smaller than R14e 1.

The plate-like projection 14d rotates together with the pressing tray 14, and slides counterclockwise in the drawing with respect to the rotation support shaft 44 with the rotation support shaft 44 as a guide member.

When the manual feed tray 13 continues to further rotate in the same direction, as shown in fig. 13, the rotation fulcrum 44 relatively moves to the boundary between the first curved surface S1 and the second curved surface S2. As the manual feed tray 13 is rotated, the positional relationship between the contact position between the rotation support shaft 44 and the plate-like projection 14d and the rotation axis C2 (not shown) is also changed. This increases the arm length of the moment of the reaction force f from the rotation fulcrum 44. The reaction force f further compresses the elastic member 16 against the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 16 (not shown). The pressurizing tray 14 is further close to the bottom plate 13 a.

The radius of rotation R14e3 of the tip end portion 14e centered on the rotation axis C1 is smaller than R14e 2. Therefore, the tip end portion 14e continues to rotate in a state of being separated from the tip end guide surface 50b in the X1 direction. The same applies to the relationship between the groove portion (not shown) and the distal end portion 14 g.

When the manual feed tray 13 continues to further rotate in the same direction, as shown in fig. 14, the rotation fulcrum 44 relatively moves to the second curved surface S2. The reaction force f acts on the second curved surface S2 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the bottom plate 13 a. Therefore, the elastic member 16 (not shown) is compressed more smoothly. The pressurizing tray 14 is further close to the bottom plate 13 a.

The radius of rotation R14e4 of the tip end portion 14e centered on the rotation axis C1 is smaller than R14e 3. Therefore, the tip end portion 14e continues to rotate in a state of being separated from the tip end guide surface 50b in the X1 direction. The same applies to the relationship between the groove portion (not shown) and the distal end portion 14 g.

In the example shown in fig. 14, when the rotation fulcrum 44 reaches the boundary between the second curved surface S2 and the third curved surface S3, the tip end portion 14e moves below the lower end of the tip end guide surface 50 b. The same applies to the distal end portion 14 g.

In this way, the manual feed tray 13 is rotated to the storage position without the tip end portion of the pressurizing tray 14 abutting against the support column 50.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as the manual feed tray 13 rotates from the open position to the storage position, the cam surface 14f is formed in a shape such that the pressing tray 14 located at the raised position gradually approaches the bottom plate 13a from the raised position.

When the manual feed tray 13 is further pivoted from fig. 14 toward the storage position, the rotation support shaft 44 abuts on the third curved surface S3. The position of the pressure tray 14 is regulated by the rotation fulcrum 44 to a position corresponding to the curved shape of the third curved surface S3.

The above is an example in which the rotation support shaft 44 as a guide member is in relatively slidable contact with each curved surface of the cam surface 14f of the plate-like projection 14 d.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cam surface 14f is formed in a shape such that: as the manual feed tray 13 rotates from the open position toward the storage position, the pressurizing tray 14 disposed at the raised position gradually approaches from the raised position toward the bottom plate 13a, and then moves in a direction away from the bottom plate 13a after being pressed from the raised position toward the lowered position. With such a structure, the compression amount of the elastic member 16, i.e., the urging force of the elastic spring 16 gradually increases and then decreases toward the housed position. As a result, the amount of force for rotating the manual paper feed tray 13 to the storage position is reduced near the storage position. Since the manual paper feed tray 13 is rotated by a light load particularly near the housing position, the user can rotate the manual paper feed tray 13 to the housing position more smoothly.

However, the cam surface 14f may be formed in a shape such that the pressing tray 14 is further close to the bottom plate 13a when the manual paper feed tray 13 is disposed at the storage position, depending on the shape of the member that avoids contact with the pressing tray 14 as necessary.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the manual paper feed tray 13 is stored at the storage position in a state where the pressure tray 14 is lifted from the lowered position, the plate-like projection 14d and the rotation support shaft 44 abut against each other during the rotation of the manual paper feed tray 13. Thereby, the pressing tray 14 during rotation moves to be close to the bottom plate 13 a. As a result, since the radius of rotation of the pressure tray 14 is reduced during the rotation centered on the rotation axis C1, contact between the top end portion of the pressure tray 14 and the stay 50 is avoided.

Thus, with image processing apparatus 100, even if manual paper feed tray 13 is closed when pressure tray 14 is raised, it is possible to prevent pressure tray 14 from being damaged.

Hereinafter, modifications of the above embodiment will be described.

In the description of the embodiment, the guide member is the rotation support shaft 44 of the elevating mechanism 40, and the projection provided on the pressing tray 14 is the plate-like projection 14 d.

However, the guide member is not limited to the rotation support shaft 44, and may be provided in the apparatus main body. For example, the shaft member may be provided at a position different from the rotation fulcrum 44.

The guide member is not limited to a member that slides with the projection. For example, a rotary member such as a roller or a roller that rolls on the cam surface while coming into contact with the projection may be used as the guide member. In this case, friction with the protrusion is reduced. For example, the rotation fulcrum 44 may be provided to be rotatable about its central axis.

The guide member is not limited to the shaft member, and may be any member as long as the pressing force to the pressing tray 14 can be generated by the plate-shaped projection 14d when the plate-shaped projection 14d is in contact with the guide member. For example, in the above embodiment, the amount of lowering of the pressure tray 14 accompanying the rotation of the manual feed tray 13 is changed according to the shape of the cam surface 14f of the plate-like projection 14 d. However, a structure may be adopted in which a cam surface corresponding to the cam surface 14f is formed on the guide member, and the projection is in point contact with the cam surface in a slidable manner.

In the description of the embodiment, the plate-like projection 14d has the inverted U-shaped cam surface 14 f. Thereby, the pressurizing tray 14 is lowered, thereby avoiding contact between the pressurizing tray 14 and the pillars 50. However, the amount of decrease corresponding to the amount of rotation of the manual feed tray 13 also differs depending on the position of the member of the pressing tray 14 that needs to avoid contact. Therefore, the shape of the cam surface 14f is not limited to the inverted U-shape. For example, cam surface 14f may have an arcuate shape, an elliptical shape, a generally trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, or any other suitable curved surface.

In the description of the embodiment, the guide member is disposed inside the apparatus main body. Thus, upon rotation, the protrusion enters the interior of the device and abuts the guide member. However, the guide member may protrude to the outside of the apparatus main body. In this case, the height of the protrusion can be reduced.

In the description of the embodiment, the pressure tray 14 is automatically moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 40 controlled by the control unit 6. However, the user can raise and lower the pressurizing tray 14 by a manual operation such as a lever operation. In this case, when the user does not intentionally move the pressure tray 14 to the lowered position, the pressure tray 14 continues to be in the raised state, and therefore the manual paper feed tray 13 is highly likely to be closed in the state where the pressure tray 14 is raised. Therefore, it is more effective to have the guide member and the protrusion of the embodiment.

In the description of the embodiment, the protrusions are provided at both ends of the pressing tray 14 in the Y direction (direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction of the manual paper feed tray 13). However, the arrangement position of the protrusions is not limited to both end portions.

For example, the projection may be provided in a range from a recess lower than the mounting surface of the sheet S to the height of the mounting surface. In this case, the height of the projection becomes low, but the guide member may be projected from the apparatus main body.

For example, the guide flapper 15 may be used as a protrusion. In this case, there is a possibility that the position of the guide flapper 15 in the Y direction is changed, but as long as the guide member can be formed within the moving range of the guide flapper 15.

According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus 100 which has the pressing tray 14 provided with the plate-like projection 14d and the rotation support shaft 44 provided in the apparatus main body, and thereby can prevent the pressing tray 14 from being damaged even if the manual paper feed tray 13 is closed when the pressing tray 14 is raised.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various manners, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are included in the present invention and the equivalent scope thereof described in the claims.

Claims (10)

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

an apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet;

a rotation support portion provided on the apparatus main body;

a manual feed tray supported rotatably about a rotation axis of the rotation support portion and rotatable between a storage position stored in the apparatus main body and an open position on which the sheet can be placed;

a pressing tray provided in the manual paper feed tray so as to be relatively rotatable upward with respect to the manual paper feed tray, and rotatable between a lowered position closest to a bottom plate of the manual paper feed tray and a raised position farthest from the bottom plate;

an elastic member that is provided on the manual paper feed tray and biases the pressure tray in a direction away from the bottom plate;

a protrusion protruding from an upper portion of the pressing tray; and

a guide member that is provided in the apparatus main body and that, when the manual paper feed tray is rotated toward the storage position in a state in which the pressing tray is arranged at the raised position, abuts against the projection and presses the pressing tray toward the lowered position.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

when the manual paper feed tray is moved from the open position to the storage position in a state where the pressing tray is located at the lowered position, the projection and the guide member are arranged at positions not abutting against each other.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

the protrusions are provided at both end portions of the pressing tray in a direction intersecting a sheet conveying direction of the manual feed tray.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

the projection is a cam having a cam surface against which the guide member abuts in a relatively slidable manner.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,

when the pressing tray is at the raised position, at least a portion of the cam surface protrudes radially outward with respect to an arc that is centered on the rotation axis and that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the guide member, as viewed in a direction along the rotation axis.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5,

the cam surface is a curved surface that protrudes in the same direction as the arc.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6,

the cam surface is shaped such that the pressing tray disposed at the raised position gradually approaches the bottom plate from the raised position as the manual feed tray rotates from the open position to the storage position.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6,

the cam surface is shaped such that the pressing tray disposed at the raised position is moved in a direction away from the bottom plate after being pressed from the raised position to the lowered position as the manual feed tray is rotated from the open position to the storage position.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

in the open position, the top end of the pressing tray is located inside the apparatus main body with respect to the rotation axis.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

the guide member is rotatably provided.

Images