JP2000255806A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device having a shading structure for preventing a recording medium contained in a sheet containing means from being exposed. SOLUTION: A main body 12 of an image forming device 10 has an upper chamber 42a and a lower chamber 42b therein. The upper chamber 42a is formed of a shading roller, and shaded by a pair of rollers 92 disposed in the vicinity of a penetrating hole 94, while the lower chamber 42b is shaded by guide plates 102a, 102b, and 104a, 104b attached over from the vicinity of the penetrating hole 94 to a penetrating hole 98, and a pair of rollers 106 formed of shading rollers and attached to the guide plates 104a, 104b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus having a light-shielding structure of a sheet accommodating means for accommodating the recording medium. It relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording sheet, the recording sheet is housed inside a main body of the apparatus in order to sequentially record images on recording sheets of different sizes. A configuration having two loading portions each capable of loading a magazine into which the magazine is mounted has been widely adopted.

[0003]

In this type of image recording apparatus, a door is provided in the apparatus main body, and by opening the door, maintenance of each apparatus housed in the apparatus main body is performed. Is performed.
At this time, in order to prevent the recording sheets stored in the magazine from being exposed, the magazine is provided with a shutter for shielding light.

[0004] However, when the door is opened, if the user forgets to attach the shutter to the magazine, or if the door is accidentally opened, there is a possibility that the recording sheet is exposed.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, and has as its object to provide an image recording apparatus having a light-shielding structure for preventing exposure of a recording medium stored in a sheet storing means. And

[0006]

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for recording an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium, and is provided inside a main body of the apparatus constituting the image recording apparatus. A first chamber, a first sheet accommodation unit arranged in the first chamber and accommodating the recording medium, and provided inside the apparatus main body constituting the image recording apparatus in close proximity to the first chamber. A second chamber, and disposed in the second chamber,
A second sheet accommodating means for accommodating the recording medium, a first passage hole communicating from the first chamber to the second chamber, and an exterior of the second chamber inside the apparatus main body from the second chamber. A second passage hole leading to the first chamber;
First recording medium is taken out from the first sheet storage means and sent to the second chamber through the first passage hole.
Sheet take-out means, disposed in the second chamber, taking out the recording medium from the second sheet storage means,
A second channel that is sent to the outside of the second chamber through the second passage hole;
The first sheet take-out means, wherein the first sheet take-out means comprises first light-blocking means for preventing light from entering the first chamber through the first passage hole, and wherein the second sheet take-out means is provided. The means is provided with a second light blocking means for preventing light from entering the second chamber from the first passage hole and the second passage hole (the invention according to claim 1).

The first light-shielding means comprises a first light-shielding roller pair provided in the vicinity of the first passage hole, and the second light-shielding means comprises the first light-passing roller. A bulging space portion surrounded to form a bulging space from the hole to the second passage hole, and a third bulge communicating with the second sheet accommodating means formed in the bulging space portion. A second pair of light-shielding rollers mounted in the passage hole (the invention according to claim 2).

By configuring the image recording apparatus in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent exposure of the recording medium stored in the sheet storing means.

In this case, the first pair of light shielding rollers is surrounded by a first frame part surrounding the first passage hole and a first light shielding part covering the roller member except for the opening. The second light shielding roller pair is surrounded by a second frame part surrounding the third passage hole and a second light shielding part covering the roller member except for the opening. ).

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] In the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment,
A dry system is employed in which an image recording medium on which a latent image is formed by irradiating a laser beam is developed (developed) into the latent image by using a dry developing method without using a processing liquid. .

The dry developing method includes the following (1) to
It is possible to adopt the method (4).

(1) A method of transferring a latent image onto an image receiving material by superposing the photosensitive material on which the latent image has been formed on the image receiving material and heating (pressing simultaneously, if necessary) (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JP-A-5-113629, JP-A 8-
No. 62803, JP-A-9-152705, JP-A-9-258404, JP-A-9-61978, JP-A-10-71740, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-9
0181, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-13326, and Japanese Patent Application No. 10-18172).

(2) A system in which a latent image is visualized by superposing a photosensitive material on which a latent image is formed with a processing material and heating the same (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-274295, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-1998) No. 17192).

(3) After forming a latent image on a photosensitive material having a photosensitive layer in which silver halide acting as a photocatalyst, silver salt acting as an image forming substance, a reducing agent for silver ions, and the like are dispersed in a binder, A method of visualizing a latent image by heating this photosensitive material to a predetermined temperature {for example,
"The heat-processed silver system (Thermally Proces
sed Silver Systems) "[B. By Shely,
Imaging Processes and Materials Neblette 8
Plate, Sturge, V.E. Walwor
th), A. Edited by Shepp, page 2, 1996
Year], Research Disclosure 17029 (1978
Year), EP803764A1, EP803765A1
No., JP-A-8-212521.

(4) Photosensitivity comprising a thermoresponsive microcapsule containing a colorless electron-donating dye, a compound having an electron acceptor and a polymerizable vinyl monomer in the same molecule, and a photopolymerization initiator. A method using a light- and heat-sensitive recording material provided with a heat-sensitive recording layer (see, for example, JP-A-4-249251), or a heat-responsive microcapsule containing a colorless electron-donating dye, an electron-accepting compound, A method using a light and heat sensitive recording material provided with a light and heat sensitive recording layer containing a polymerizable vinyl monomer and a photopolymerization initiator (see, for example, JP-A-4-21252).

In the methods (1) and (2), a small amount of water may be added to the photosensitive material in order to promote the visualization of the latent image formed on the photosensitive material.

In the present embodiment, the above (1) to (1)
The light-sensitive material and the light- and heat-sensitive recording material used in the method (4) are collectively referred to as a heat-developable light-sensitive material.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image recording apparatus 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the upper left portion of the front (operation surface) of the apparatus main body 12 of the image recording apparatus 10, a touch panel 14 having an operation section for operating the image recording apparatus 10 and a monitor function is provided. A door 16 is provided below the touch panel 14 on the front of the apparatus main body 12. By opening the door 16, a sheet supply unit 22, which will be described later, which is disposed inside the apparatus main body 12,
Maintenance can be performed on the front transport unit 24, the image recording unit 26, the transfer unit 28, the heat development unit 30, and the discharge unit 34.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus 10.

The image recording apparatus 10 includes a sheet supply unit 22, a pre-conveyance unit 24, an image recording unit 26, and a transfer unit provided in the order of the conveyance path of a recording sheet 20 as an image recording medium made of a photothermographic material. 28, a thermal developing unit 30, and a discharging unit 34. The image recording apparatus 10 includes a sheet supply unit 22, a front conveyance unit 24, an image recording unit 26, a transfer unit 28, a heat development unit 30, and a discharge unit 3.
4 has a control unit 36 for controlling the operation.

A chamber 42 is formed at a substantially central portion inside the apparatus main body 12 using light shielding plates 40a to 40c.
The sheet supply unit 22 is provided in the chamber 42. The chamber 42 is divided into an upper chamber (first chamber) 4 by a light shielding plate 40b.
2a and a lower chamber (second chamber) 42b. The upper chamber 42a is provided with an upper loading section 44a and an upper sheet (first sheet take-out means) 46a, and the lower chamber 42b is provided with a lower section. A loading section 44b and a lower sheet section (second sheet take-out means) 46b are provided.

A magazine (first sheet accommodating means) 48a and a magazine (second sheet accommodating means) 48b are provided in the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b, respectively.
These magazines 48a, 4
A plurality of recording sheets 20 are stored in each of the recording sheets 8b.

Usually, the recording sheets 20 of different sizes are stored in the magazines 48a and 48b, respectively. For example, the magazine 48a has an H-cut (half-cut) size (3
The recording sheet 20 of 5.4 cm × 43.0 cm) or B4 size is accommodated, and the magazine 48 b accommodates the recording sheet 20 of 6 pieces (20.3 cm × 25.4 cm).

As shown in FIG. 1, the door 16 provided on the front of the apparatus main body 12 has magazine mounting holes 50a, 50b.
Are formed, and these magazine mounting holes 50a, 50
The magazines 48a and 48b are attached to and detached from the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b via the b.

On the front side of the magazines 48a and 48b, shutter insertion holes 52a and 52b are formed, respectively. Through these shutter insertion holes 52a and 52b, light-shielding shutters 54a and 54b shown in FIG. Are mounted on the upper surfaces of the magazines 48a and 48b, respectively. As described above, the magazines 48a and 48b are provided with the shutters 54a and 5b.
When the door 16 is opened, the recording sheet 20 stored in the magazines 48a and 48b is prevented from being exposed when the door 16 is opened.

The upper and lower sheets 46a and 46b provided at the upper right portion of the upper and lower chambers 42a and 42b respectively have suction plates 60a and 60b which can enter the magazines 48a and 48b, respectively. Have. Suction cup 6
Displacement means (not shown) for displacing the suction discs 60a, 60b is connected to 0a, 60b.

As shown in FIG. 3, a roller pair (first light blocking roller pair) 90 is disposed downstream of the suction plate 60a in the upper sheet portion 46a. A roller pair 92 is disposed downstream along the axis. In addition, near the downstream side of the roller pair 92 in the light shielding plate 40b, a passage hole (first passage hole) communicating with the lower chamber 42b is provided.
94 are formed.

The light shielding plate 40c has a passage hole (second passage hole) 98 communicating with the outside of the lower chamber 42b. Then, in FIG. 3, the passage hole 9 in the light shielding plate 40b is
The guide plates 102a, 10a provided so as to extend from the vicinity of the right side of FIG.
2b and guide plates 104a and 104b provided so as to extend from the vicinity of the left side of the passage hole 94 in the light shielding plate 40b to the vicinity of the left side of the passage hole 98 in the light shielding plate 40c. A transport path (bulging space) of the recording sheet 20 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide plate 1
02a and 102b are directly connected, while guide plates 104a and 104b are connected via a roller pair (second light blocking roller pair) 106. That is, the roller pair 106 is disposed downstream of the suction plate 60b in the lower sheet portion 46b, and is formed by the gap (third passage hole) provided between the guide plates 104a and 104b. A transport path is configured.

In this case, the roller pair 92 is configured as a light-shielding roller that prevents light from entering the upper chamber 42a through the passage hole 94. The roller pair 106
The guide plate 10 passes through the passage hole 94 or the passage hole 98.
The light that has entered the expanded space formed by the guide plates 104a and 104b and the guide plates 104a and 104b further
The lower chamber 42b is configured as a light blocking roller that prevents the lower chamber 42b from entering the lower loading portion 44b. That is,
The sheet supply unit 22 is provided with a light shielding structure for preventing exposure of the recording sheets 20 stored in the magazines 48a and 48b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the roller pair 92 includes a pair of rotating shafts 92a and a roller member 92b. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation shaft 92a is rotatably supported by a bearing member 110 attached to the support member.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the roller pair 9
A light-shielding member 112 formed of a light-shielding plate made of a synthetic resin or the like is attached to 2. The light-blocking member 112 is formed in a box shape so as to surround the passage hole 94, and both ends along the axis of the rotating shaft 92 a are supported by the support member 108. And a light-shielding portion 112b having a substantially U-shaped cross section protruding toward the bottom. The light shielding portion 112b is provided with a small gap between the roller member 92b and the roller member 92 except for a portion near the entrance and the exit of the roller pair 92.
b.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Are both protruding portions 112c protruding toward the rotation shaft 92a.
It is formed as.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of roller members 92
b are in contact with each other, for example, the light entering the exit side of the roller pair 92 from the passage hole 94
b and cannot pass between the roller member 92b and the light shielding portion 112b. In this case, this light
Roller member 92b and light-shielding portion 112 formed of a light-shielding plate
b, the air is gradually attenuated when passing through the roller pair 92, so that the roller pair 92 cannot reach the entrance side.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Are formed as the protruding portions 112c protruding toward the rotating shaft 92a, so that light that has entered between the rotating shaft 92a and the protruding portion 112c is also gradually attenuated, The roller pair 92 cannot reach the entrance side.

As described above, by forming the roller pair 92 as a light-shielding roller, the upper chamber 42 a
Light is prevented from entering the interior.

The roller pair 106 employs a light-shielding structure substantially similar to that of the roller pair 92.
6 is a recording sheet 2 that passes from the passage hole 94 to the passage hole 98.
Guide plates 102a and 102 that form the transport path of No. 0 in a bag shape
b and the guide plates 104a and 104b, the guide plate 1
Since it is attached to the side of the lower chamber 04a, 104b, light is prevented from entering the lower loading portion 44b in the lower chamber 42b through the passage hole 94 or the passage hole 98.

As shown as a modification in FIG. 6, a shutter 116 for opening and closing the passage hole 94 under the driving action of the cylinder 114 may be provided without using the light shielding structure for the roller pair 106.

As shown in FIG. 2, a front transport section 24 is provided on the downstream side of the sheet supply section 22, that is, on the lower right portion inside the apparatus main body 12. This front transport unit 2
4 is a roller pair 130 arranged near the passage hole 98;
A roller pair 132 disposed downstream of the roller pair 130
And a width shifting claw 134 disposed between the roller pair 130 and 132. A displacement mechanism 136 for displacing the width shifting claw 134 in the width direction of the recording sheet 20 is connected to the width shifting claw 134. Further, a plate 138 is arranged in the front conveyance section 24 along the conveyance path of the recording sheet 20.

In the vicinity of the roller pair 132 on the downstream side of the roller pair 132, a correction roller 194 for correcting the conveying direction of the recording sheet 20 is arranged. The correction roller 194 has an axis rotatable in a plane orthogonal to the recording sheet 20 and is fixed using a fixing unit (not shown) so that the axis has a predetermined inclination angle.
In this case, the inclination angle of the correction roller 194 is set to an angle such that the conveyance direction of the recording sheet 20 after passing through the correction roller 194 is corrected in a predetermined direction.

An image recording section 26 for forming a latent image on the recording sheet 20 is provided on the downstream side of the front transport section 24, that is, on the lower left portion inside the apparatus main body 12. The image recording unit 26 includes a first roller pair 200 and a second roller pair 202 that are driven to rotate in synchronization with each other.
202 is openable and closable. In this case, the first and second roller pairs 200 and 202 form a sub-scanning mechanism 204 that conveys the recording sheet 20 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2).

First and second roller pairs 200, 202
Between them, a guide plate 206 and a pressing roller 208 for pressing the recording sheet 20 against the guide plate 206 are arranged. The pressing roller 208 is configured to be vertically displaceable so as to press the recording sheet 20 by its own weight. Such a pressing roller 2
By providing 08, it is possible to prevent the recording sheet 20 from becoming loose or the like.

Above the sub-scanning mechanism 204, an optical system 210 for irradiating the recording sheet 20 conveyed in the sub-scanning direction with a laser beam L in the main scanning direction (a direction substantially orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction). Is provided. In this case, the optical system 2
10, the second roller pair 202 and the pressing roller 20
8 is irradiated with the laser light L.

The optical system 210 has a wavelength of 66 as a light source.
It has two semiconductor lasers of 0 nm and an output of 30 mW. The laser lights output from these semiconductor lasers are multiplexed and further deflected by a rotary polygon mirror, and then converted as laser light L via an fθ lens. Scanning is performed on the recording sheet 20. In this case, the beam diameter of the laser light L is set to 100 μm, and the pitch in the sub-scanning direction is 25 μm.
Is set to Then, the laser light L is applied four times,
Scanning is performed on the recording sheet 20 based on the same image information. That is, an image (latent image) having a width of one pixel is formed on the recording sheet 20 by scanning the laser light L four times in the main scanning direction while shifting the position in the sub-scanning direction by 25 μm.

On the back side of the recording sheet 20 viewed from the optical system 210, a sensor 212 for detecting the position of the leading end of the recording sheet 20 is provided. A lens 214 for correcting a shift in the irradiation direction of the laser light L is disposed above the sensor 212 along the irradiation direction of the laser light L.

A transfer section 28 is provided on the downstream side of the image recording section 26, that is, on the left side inside the apparatus main body 12. The transfer unit 28 is provided near the downstream side of the second roller pair 202 in the image recording unit 26.
A pair of guide plates 220a and 220b are provided. Of the guide plates 220a and 220b, the guide plate 220a disposed outside is openable and closable about the rotation shaft 220c as a fulcrum. Therefore, even when the recording sheet 20 is jammed between the guide plates 220a and 220b, the recording sheet 2
0 can be easily taken out.

A roller pair 221 is disposed downstream of the guide plates 220a and 220b, and a pair of guide plates 222a and 222b is disposed further downstream. Of the guide plates 222a and 222b, the guide plate 222a disposed outside is freely openable and closable about the rotation shaft 222c as a fulcrum. For this reason, the guide plates 222a, 22
Even when the recording sheet 20 is jammed during 2b, the recording sheet 20 can be easily taken out.

Two pairs of rollers 223 and 224 are arranged downstream of the guide plates 222a and 222b. A one-way clutch (not shown) for restricting rotation of the roller pairs 223 and 224 is connected to a rotation shaft (not shown) of the roller pairs 223 and 224. Further, a cleaning roller 225 is disposed downstream of the roller pair 224.

On the downstream side of the transfer section 28, that is, on the upper left portion inside the apparatus main body 12, heat for developing the latent image (thermal development) on the recording sheet on which the latent image is formed is used. A developing unit 30 is provided. This heat developing section 30
Are four plate heaters 230 arranged on the same circumference.
a to 230d. These plate heaters 23
The inner surfaces 232a to 232d of Oa to 230d are formed in a substantially circular arc shape in cross section, and the conveying path of the recording sheet 20 is configured to be circumferential along the inner surfaces 232a to 232d.

Three pressing rollers 234 are in contact with the inner surfaces 232a to 232d of the plate heaters 230a to 230d, respectively. Also, the plate heater 230
A pair of rollers 236 is arranged near the upstream side of a, and a pair of rollers 238 is arranged near the downstream side of the plate heater 230d. Further, a roller pair 240 is disposed downstream of the roller pair 238.

A sensor unit 242 for measuring the density of the image recorded on the recording sheet 20 is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance downstream from the roller pair 240.
The sensor unit 242 includes a light emitting element 242a and a light receiving element 242b. Further, the sensor unit 242 is connected to a displacement mechanism (not shown), and it is possible to change an arrangement position of the recording sheet 20 along the conveyance path by the displacement mechanism. In this case, the position of the sensor unit 242 can be adjusted so that the density of the image is measured after the recording sheet 20 is sufficiently cooled.

The heat developing section 30 includes an exhaust fan 243.
Is arranged. A fan is not provided in an area where the sheet supply unit 22, the front conveyance unit 24, the image recording unit 26, and the transfer unit 28 are arranged. For this reason,
Generation of dust and the like is avoided.

A heat insulating material 244 is provided on the inner wall surface of the apparatus main body 12 so as to surround the heat developing section 30.
By providing the heat insulating material 244 in this manner, heat from the plate heaters 230a to 230d can
Is not transmitted to the recording sheet 20 discharged onto the discharge tray 292.

A discharge section 34 is provided on the downstream side of the heat developing section 30, that is, on the upper right portion inside the apparatus main body 12.

The discharge section 34 has a roller pair 250 and a movable guide plate 252 for switching the transport path, which is disposed downstream of the roller pair 250. The movable guide plate 252 is connected to a drive device (not shown) such as a solenoid, and is driven to rotate within a predetermined range around the rotation shaft 253 by the drive device.

At the downstream side of the movable guide plate 252, a first guide plate 254 constituting one transport path (lower transport path) of the recording sheet 20 and the other transport path (upper transport path) of the recording sheet 20 are provided. A second guide plate 256 that constitutes a (conveyance path) is disposed.

A roller pair 260 is disposed at a position downstream of the first guide plate 254 and close to a first discharge port 258 formed on the right side wall of the apparatus main body 12. Hereinafter, the direction from the roller pair 260 to the later-described first discharge tray 290 via the first discharge port 258 is referred to as a first discharge direction a.

The second guide plate 256 is formed in a curved shape, and its downstream end is located in a protruding portion 262 formed in the upper right corner of the apparatus main body 12. At a position on the downstream side of the second guide plate 256 and close to a second discharge port 266 formed on the left side wall of the protrusion 262,
A roller pair 268 is provided. Hereinafter, the roller pair 268
From the second discharge tray 292 through the second discharge port 266.
Is referred to as a second discharge direction b.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The recording sheet 2 discharged from the first discharge port 258 is located at a position below the first discharge port 258 on the right side wall of the recording sheet 2.
A first discharge tray 290 that accommodates 0 is attached. Further, a second discharge tray 292 is formed integrally with the apparatus main body 12 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 on the downstream side of the second discharge port 266.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control section 36 is provided at a bottom portion inside the apparatus main body 12. This control unit 3
6 includes a control device 310 and a power supply device 312. In addition, the control unit 36 supplies the power supply device 312 with:
A cooling fan 314 is provided.

The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
Basically, it is configured as above,
The operation and effect will be described.

First, the magazines 48a and 48b containing the recording sheets 20 are mounted on the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b, respectively (see FIG. 2). Then, based on the instruction to the touch panel 14, the magazine 48
The recording sheet 20 is taken out from either one of the recording sheets 20a and 48b.

The magazine 48 mounted on the upper loading section 44a
In a, by driving a displacement means (not shown) connected to the suction disk 60a, the suction disk 60a enters the magazine 48a and sucks the recording sheet 20.
Then, the recording sheet 20 is supplied to the roller pair 90 by driving the displacement means.

The recording sheet 20 is conveyed by a pair of rollers 90 and is supplied to a pair of rollers 92. Further, the recording sheet 20 is conveyed by the roller pair 92,
Through the guide plates 102a, 10a in the lower chamber 42b.
2b and the guide plates 104a and 104b.

On the other hand, in the magazine 48b mounted on the lower loading section 44b, by driving a displacement means (not shown) connected to the suction plate 60b, the suction plate 60b is driven.
b enters the magazine 48b and sucks the recording sheet 20. Then, the recording sheet 20 is supplied to the roller pair 106 by driving the displacement unit, and is sent downward between the guide plates 102a and 102b and the guide plates 104a and 104b by the roller pair 106.

Guide plates 102a, 102b and guide plate 1
04a, 104b, the recording sheet 20 sent between
The toner is supplied to the roller pair 130 constituting the front transport unit 24 through the passage hole 98.

The recording sheet 20 is sent to the roller pair 132 by the roller pair 130, and at that time, the position in the width direction is adjusted by the width shifting claw 134 disposed between the roller pairs 130 and 132.

The recording sheet 20 has a pair of rollers 132
When the paper passes through the correction roller 194 provided on the downstream side of the printer, the transport direction is corrected in a predetermined direction according to the inclination angle of the correction roller 194. And the correction roller 19
The recording sheet 20 that has passed through 4 is supplied to a first roller pair 200 that forms the sub-scanning mechanism 204 of the image recording unit 26.

The recording sheet 20 supplied to the first roller pair 200 is further sent to the second roller pair 202,
The first and second roller pairs 200 and 202, which are driven in synchronization with each other, rotate in the sub-scanning direction (FIG. 2).
(In the direction of arrow A). At this time, the recording sheet 20 is pressed against the guide plate 206 by the pressing roller 208.

When the recording sheet 20 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the first and second roller pairs 200 and 202, the laser light L from the optical system 210 emits the recording sheet 20.
Is irradiated in the main scanning direction to form a latent image on the recording sheet 20. At this time, the position of the leading end of the recording sheet 20 is confirmed by the sensor 212 that detects the laser light L from the optical system 210 via the lens 214.

The recording sheet 20 on which the latent image has been formed in the image recording section 26 is conveyed by the second pair of rollers 202, and guide plates 220a and 220 constituting the transfer section 28.
The roller is sent to the roller pair 221 via b. Further, the recording sheet 20 is conveyed by a roller pair 221 and passes through guide plates 222a and 222b to form two roller pairs 223 and 22.
4 sequentially.

A one-way clutch is connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the pair of rollers 223 and 224, and the rotation of the pair of rollers 223 and 224 is regulated by the one-way clutch.

The recording sheet 20 that has passed through the pair of rollers 223 and 224 is sent to the heat developing unit 30 after dust and the like are removed by the cleaning roller 225.

The recording sheet 20 is sequentially supplied to the plate heaters 230a to 230d by the roller pair 236. At this time, the recording sheet 20 is
Is pressed down by the plate heaters 230a to 230d, and is thermally developed by the heat from the plate heaters 230a to 230d. Then, the recording sheet 20 after the heat development is conveyed to the downstream side via the roller pairs 238 and 240.

In this case, the conveying speed of the recording sheet 20 by the pressing roller 234 is adjusted to be higher than the conveying speed by the pair of rollers 223 and 224. This is because the recording sheet 20 has a plate heater 230a.
This is for avoiding being pushed between the pressing roller 234 and the holding roller 234. The roller pair 223, 2
A one-way clutch (not shown) is connected to the recording sheet 24 and the recording sheet 20 from the pair of rollers 223 and 224 to the heat developing unit 30 is operated by the operation of the one-way clutch.
Delivery is carried out smoothly.

A sensor unit 242 is provided downstream of the roller pair 240. The light emitting element 242a and the light receiving element 242b constituting the sensor unit 242 measure the density of the image recorded on the recording sheet 20. You. Then, the recording sheet 2 that has passed through the sensor unit 242
“0” is sent to the discharge unit 34.

While the recording sheet 20 supplied to the roller pair 250 of the discharge section 34 is conveyed by the roller pair 250, the conveyance path is switched by a movable guide plate 252 provided downstream thereof. When the movable guide plate 252 is shifted downward, the recording sheet 20 is in the first position.
When the movable guide plate 252 is shifted upward, the recording sheet 20 is sent to the upper transport path along the second guide plate 256. Can be

The recording sheet 20 sent to the lower conveying path
Is supplied to the roller pair 260 via the first guide plate 254, and the first discharge port 258 is supplied by the roller pair 260.
Sent to Then, the first discharge port 258
Are discharged along the discharge direction a of the first discharge port 258.
Is stored in a first discharge tray 290 provided below the printer.

On the other hand, the recording sheet 20 sent to the upper conveyance path is moved along a second guide plate 256 by a pair of rollers 268.
Supplied to Then, the sheet is sent to the second discharge port 266 by the roller pair 268, and is discharged onto the second discharge tray 292 from the second discharge port 266 in the second discharge direction b.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the upper chamber 42a is constituted by the light shielding roller, and is shielded from light by the roller pair 92 provided near the passage hole 94. The lower chamber 42b is provided with guide plates 102a and 102b attached from the vicinity of the passage hole 94 to the vicinity of the passage hole 98.
And light shielding rollers, which are constituted by guide plates 104a and 104b and a light shielding roller, and are shielded from light by a roller pair 106 attached to the guide plates 104a and 104b.

For this reason, exposure of the recording sheet 20 stored in the magazines 48a and 48b mounted on the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b can be reliably prevented.

[0084]

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
A first sheet take-out means provided in the first chamber;
Since the light shielding structure is provided in both the second sheet take-out means provided in the chamber, the recording medium accommodated in the first and second sheet accommodation means provided in the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. Is reliably prevented from being exposed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image recording apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view mainly showing a light shielding structure in an upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion constituting the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a light-shielding structure in a pair of rollers constituting the upper sheet portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially omitted vertical sectional view showing a light shielding structure of a pair of rollers constituting an upper sheet portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the light shielding structure shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image recording device 12 ... Device main body 20 ... Recording sheet 22 ... Sheet supply part 40a-40c ... Light shielding plate 42a ... Upper chamber 42b ... Lower chamber 44a ... Upper loading part 44b ... Lower loading part 46a ... Upper sheet part 46b ... Lower sheet part 48a, 48b Magazine 90, 92, 106 Roller pair 92a Rotating shaft 92b Roller member 94, 98 Passage hole 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b Guide plate 108 Support member 110 Bearing member 112 ... Light shielding member 112a ... Frame part 112b ... Light shielding part 112c ... Projection part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium, comprising: a first chamber provided inside an apparatus main body constituting the image recording apparatus; A first sheet accommodating means for accommodating the recording medium; and a first sheet accommodating means inside an apparatus main body constituting the image recording apparatus.
A second chamber provided in close proximity to the chamber, a second sheet storage unit disposed in the second chamber and storing the recording medium, and a first sheet communicating from the first chamber to the second chamber. A passage hole, a second passage hole communicating from the second chamber to the outside of the second chamber inside the apparatus main body, and being disposed in the first chamber, from the first sheet storage means to the recording medium. Taking out the recording medium from the second sheet accommodating means, wherein the first sheet taking out means is disposed in the second chamber, and the recording medium is taken out from the second sheet accommodating means. A second sheet take-out unit that sends the sheet to the outside of the second chamber through a second passage hole, wherein the first sheet take-out unit transmits light from the first passage hole into the first chamber. A first light-blocking means for preventing the paper from entering, and taking out the second sheet The image recording apparatus further comprises a second light blocking means for preventing light from entering the second chamber from the first passage hole and the second passage hole. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first light blocking means comprises a first light blocking roller pair provided near said first passage hole, and said second light blocking means. The means includes: a bulging space portion surrounded to form a bulging space from the first passage hole to the second passage hole; and the second sheet housing formed in the bulging space portion. And a second pair of light blocking rollers mounted in a third passage hole communicating with the means side. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first pair of light shielding rollers includes a first frame portion surrounding the first passage hole, and a first light shielding member covering the roller member except for an opening. The second pair of light shielding rollers is surrounded by a second frame part surrounding the third passage hole, and a second light shielding part covering the roller member except for the opening. An image recording apparatus, comprising: