JP2004359441A - Paper sheet carrier and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheet carrier and an image forming apparatus in which paper sheet carrying passages including a re-carrying passage to re-carry paper sheets to a treatment position can be opened in one operation, stacked paper sheets can be visually recognized, and jamming can be easily handled. <P>SOLUTION: A re-carrying passage r2 is demarcated by an inner surface of a front cover 42 and a guide member 52, and carrying passages f3 and f4 are demarcated by guide members 46 and 48. The guide member 52 turnably supports a lower turning fulcrum 52a with the front cover 42 turnable. The guide member 48 supports a lower turning fulcrum 48a with the device body side turnable. The guide member 52 and the guide member 48 are turned as the front cover 42 is opened, and the guide member 52 is popped up by a turning lever 63 so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front cover 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus capable of easily collecting and removing a jammed conveying sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper transport device that transports a paper by passing the paper into a transport path is mounted, so that the paper is automatically supplied to a processing position of the device main body. For example, the image forming apparatus is mounted on an image forming apparatus that forms an image of a character or the like on a conveyance sheet.
[0003]
As a paper transport device mounted on this type of image forming apparatus, for example, a main transport path for transporting and unloading paper to an image forming position is defined in a vertical direction, and only by rotating an outer cover, In some cases, the main transport path is made openable so that the paper staying due to a jam or the like can be easily taken out from the main transport path to be collected and removed. In addition, the sheet conveying device includes a duplex unit having a re-transporting path for re-transporting an image-formed sheet to the image forming position on one side, and a main conveying path for forming an image on both sides of the sheet. Some are designed so that they can be mounted adjacent to the device (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-297440
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the paper transport apparatus described in this document, it is necessary to open the main transport path after rotating the duplex unit so as to be separated from the apparatus main body. In short, in the case where the image forming function is provided on both sides of the sheet, the jammed sheet cannot be collected / removed unless two rotation operations are performed, and the workability is deteriorated. was there.
[0006]
In order to check whether the paper has jammed in the main transport path or the re-transport path, it is necessary to open each of these transport paths, or use a sensor to automatically detect the paper path. There was a problem that it had to be specially arranged.
[0007]
In view of the above, the present invention provides an easy jam clearing operation, in which a single operation is performed to open a sheet conveying path, including a re-conveying path for re-conveying a sheet to a processing position, and to make the staying sheet visible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper transport apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can perform the above.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper transporting apparatus including an outer paper transporting path on an outer side of the apparatus and an inner paper transporting path on an inner side of the apparatus, which are substantially parallel to a vertical cover on an outer surface of the apparatus. The sheet is fed to the processing position by the apparatus main body by passing the sheet in the vertical direction, and the sheet transport path is formed by rotating the upright cover with the lower portion of the upright cover as a fulcrum. An openable paper transport device, comprising: an outer guide positioned near an outer surface of the device and defining one surface side of an outer paper transport path; and an outer guide positioned inside the device so as to face the outer guide. A middle / outside guide defining the other side of the paper transport path, a middle / inside guide adjacent to the middle / outside guide on the inner side of the apparatus and defining one surface side of the inner paper transport path, and facing the middle / inside guide As in the device And an inner guide that defines the other side of the inner paper transport path, and the outer guide, the inner and outer guides, and the inner and inner guide rotate with the opening operation of the upright cover, A pop-up means is attached to the inner and outer guides so as to be separated from the outer guide.
[0009]
Here, the inner and outer guides and the inner and inner guides may be integrally formed by the same member, and may be rotatably supported on the elevation cover or the apparatus body side with the lower portion as a pivot. The inner and outer guides and the inner and inner guides are separately formed by separate members, and the inner and outer guides are rotatably supported by the upright cover with the lower portion serving as a fulcrum, while the inner and inner guides rotate around the lower portion. It may be rotatably supported on the apparatus body side as a pivot point.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the outer guide, the inner and outer guides, the inner and inner guides, and the inner guide are attached substantially in parallel from the elevation cover provided on the front or side as the outer cover toward the inside of the apparatus body. Then, the outer paper transport path is defined by the outer guide and the inner and outer guides, and the inner paper transport path is defined by the inner and inner guides. The outer guide, the inner and outer guides, and the inner and inner guides rotate with the opening operation of the elevation cover, and the inner and inner guides can open the inner paper transport path by separating from the inner guide. The inner and outer guides are popped up so as to be separated from the outer guides, so that the outer paper transport path can be expanded (opened). Therefore, by simply rotating the elevation cover, the paper staying in the inner paper transport path due to the inner guide being separated from the inner guide can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed, while the outer guide and the middle guide can be removed. The transport paper staying in the outer paper transport path between the outer guides can be visually collected and removed between pop-ups.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the features of the first aspect, there is provided a lock mechanism for maintaining a closed state of the upright cover, and attaching the upright cover side in an opening direction. An urging mechanism for energizing, and a holding mechanism for holding the turning position on the elevation cover side during the rotation to the fully open position, and the urging mechanism is raised when the lock is released by the lock mechanism. The cover is urged in a rotating direction to open the cover, and the holding mechanism holds the vertical cover during the rotation.
[0012]
According to the present invention, with the unlocking of the elevation cover, the elevation cover side can be automatically rotated halfway and held, and thereafter the elevation cover is manually moved so as to release the holding by the holding mechanism. Can be rotated to the fully open position. Therefore, with the unlocking of the elevation cover, before fully opening, the outer paper transport path by the inner and outer guides and the outer guide supported by the elevation cover is rotated to connect the connecting portion from the inner paper transport path. It can be opened and exposed, and the transport paper staying at the connection portion can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the specific features of the first or second aspect, the medium-outside guide includes an outside facing sheet within a range of an outside sheet carrying path of the sheet. An opening hole for opening the guide so that the guide can be visually recognized is formed.
[0014]
According to the present invention, the inside of the outer sheet conveyance path formed by the inner and outer guides and the outer guide can be visually recognized from the outside of the inner and outer guides through the opening. Therefore, the transport paper staying in the outer paper transport path can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention which solves the above problem, in addition to the specific features of the first to third aspects, the middle and outer guides rotate in a direction further away from the outer guide from the pop-up position by the pop-up means. It is movably supported by the elevation cover.
[0016]
According to the present invention, the inner and outer guides can be rotated so as to be further separated from the outer guide from the position where the inner and outer guides pop up so as to be separated from the outer guide. Therefore, the transport paper staying in the outer paper transport path between the outer guide and the middle outer guide can be easily collected and removed.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet transporting apparatus for solving the above-described problems, further comprising a pair of rollers for nipping and transporting a sheet in the sheet transporting path, in addition to the specific features of any of the first to fourth aspects, The roller pair releases the nip pressure for nipping the conveyed paper by rotating the outer guide, the inner and outer guides, and the inner and inner guides in accordance with the opening operation of the elevation cover.
[0018]
According to the present invention, the upright cover is rotated even when the paper remains and is nipped by the pair of rollers while remaining in the outer paper transport path by the outer guide and the inner and outer guides and the inner paper transport path by the inner and inner guides and the inner guide. The nip pressure for nipping the sheet can be released only by the above operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the roller pair and the like from being damaged by forcibly removing the paper staying in the paper transport path, and to prevent the paper from being broken and remaining in the paper transport path.
[0019]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects; and a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device is nipped and conveyed by a transfer roller. A transfer unit that transfers the formed image to the sheet to form an image; and a fixing unit that fixes the image on the sheet by heating and pressing while holding the sheet on which the image has been formed and transferred by a fixing roller. An image forming apparatus, wherein the inner paper transport path defines a transport path for transporting and supplying the paper to an image forming position of a transfer unit and carrying out the image-formed paper from the transfer unit to a fixing unit. The outer sheet conveying path defines a re-conveying path for re-conveying and supplying the image-formed sheet conveyed from the fixing section to the transfer section.
[0020]
According to the present invention, the operation and effect of the present invention can be obtained, and the inner cover is separated from the inner guide by rotating the elevation cover to open the inner paper transport path between the transfer unit and the fixing unit. In addition to this, it is possible to open (open) the outer sheet conveyance path of the re-conveyance path for re-conveying and supplying the image-formed sheet to the transfer unit by popping up the middle and outer guides so as to be separated from the outer guide. Therefore, by simply rotating the elevation cover, the paper staying inside the main transport path and the re-transport path can be visually collected and easily removed.
[0021]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to the features of the sixth aspect, wherein the middle inner guide rotatably supports a transfer roller of a transfer portion and fixes the transfer roller from the transfer portion. By defining one surface side of the inner sheet transport path near the section, the nip pressure for holding the sheet is released by the rotation accompanying the opening operation of the upright cover.
[0022]
In the present invention, the nip pressure of the transfer roller for nipping the sheet is released by separating the middle inside guide from the inside guide with the rotation of the vertical cover. Therefore, when the standing cover is rotated to collect the paper staying in the transfer unit, the transfer unit may be damaged in an attempt to forcibly remove the paper, or the paper may be broken and remain in the transfer unit. Can be avoided.
[0023]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the fixing unit is configured such that the fixing roller for nipping the paper opens and closes the vertical cover. It is characterized in that the nip pressure for holding the paper in a manner separated or close to each other in conjunction therewith is released or generated.
[0024]
According to the present invention, the nip pressure of the fixing roller pair can be released only by rotating the upright cover. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fixing roller pair from being damaged by forcibly removing the paper staying in the fixing unit, or the paper from being broken and remaining in the fixing unit.
[0025]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the inner sheet transport path is set at a lower portion of the apparatus main body and pulled out upward. The upstream side for transporting the fed paper is characterized in that one side is defined by a lower portion of the upright cover and can be opened and closed with rotation of the upright cover.
[0026]
According to the present invention, the upstream side of the inner sheet conveyance path can be opened by rotating the elevation cover. Therefore, the paper staying in the lower part of the apparatus main body in the inner paper transport path can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed only by rotating the vertical cover.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 12 are views showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet conveying device according to the present invention.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is used by connecting to an external device such as a personal computer that creates and outputs an image such as a character. The image forming apparatus 100 has one surface of a recording sheet (conveying sheet). An image recording apparatus 10 for recording and forming image data such as characters received on one side or both sides by electrophotography, and a plurality of stacked recording sheets (cut sheets) are conveyed to the image recording apparatus 10 and images are recorded. And a sheet transport device 20 for carrying out the formed recording sheet outside the apparatus and stacking it.
[0029]
The image recording device 10 includes a laser light scanning device 11 that scans a laser beam based on image data, and a laser beam from the laser scanning device 11 is irradiated and scanned to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface based on the image data. And a developing device for each color for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12 with yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toners. The stored developing rotary unit 13, a waste toner tank 14 for collecting and storing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12, and receiving the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 and transferring it to recording paper A transfer belt 15 that forms a recordable toner image (monochrome image or color image) and a recording belt that is nipped and conveyed by being pressed (nip) between the transfer belt 15 and the transfer belt 15 A transfer roller 16 for transferring the toner image to the recording paper, and a recording sheet to which the toner image has been transferred and conveyed, is heated and pressed to fix the toner image, and also nips and conveys the recording paper further downstream. And a pair of rollers 17a and 17b. That is, the transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 constitute a transfer section, and the fixing roller pairs 17a and 17b constitute a fixing section. The transfer belt 15, the transfer roller 16 and the fix roller pairs 17a and 17b constitute transport means in the paper transport apparatus 20. Is also configured.
[0030]
The image recording device 10 records the image data received on one side or both sides of the recording paper by being nipped and conveyed to a recording paper forming position by the transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 and supplied. Form.
[0031]
The sheet conveying device 20 sets a plurality of recording sheets on which images are to be formed and feeds the separated sheets one by one to a conveying path f (f1 to f6 described later). A transport unit 22 that transports the paper through the transport path f and transports it to the image recording apparatus 10; a discharge unit 23 that discharges the recording paper on which an image has been recorded by the image recording apparatus 10 to the outside of the apparatus; A reversing unit 24 that passes through a re-conveying path r (r1, r2 described later) for reversing and re-conveying a recording sheet on which an image has been formed and then passes the sheet again to a conveying path f on the upstream side of the image recording apparatus 10. It has.
[0032]
The feeding section 21 is provided with an elevating plate 25a for stacking and setting a plurality of recording sheets, and presses against a sheet cassette 25 detachably attached to a lower portion of the apparatus main body and a recording sheet bundle raised by the elevating plate 25a. A pickup roller 26 that pulls out the recording paper by rotating the recording paper, and a separation that presses the pickup roller 26 at a constant pressure and slidably contacts the drawn out recording paper to restrict the recording paper from being sent downstream. And a pad 27.
[0033]
In the feeding section 21, the pickup roller 26 is pressed against the uppermost recording sheet pulled out from the sheet cassette 25, and the lower recording sheet or the separation pad 27 slides on the lower recording sheet. By contact, the difference between the coefficients of friction of the pickup roller 26, the separation pad 27, and the recording sheet can be utilized to pull out only the uppermost recording sheet pressed by the pip-up roller 26 with its rotation. Then, the single recording sheet can be separated, passed through the transport path f of the transport section 22 and fed downstream.
[0034]
The transport unit 22 receives the recording paper fed by the pickup roller 26 of the feeding unit 21 into the transport path f in addition to the transfer belt 15, the transfer roller 16, and the fixing roller pairs 17a and 17b of the image recording apparatus 10. A pair of relay rollers 28a and 28b pinched and transported further downstream, and the pair of relay rollers 28a and 28b receive the recording paper transported in the transport path f and receive an image by the transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 of the image recording apparatus 10. The pair of registration rollers 29a and 29b that pinch and convey the sheet to the recording forming position, and the image-formed recording sheet in the conveying path f that is sent out from the pair of fixing rollers 17a and 17b of the image recording apparatus 10 are pinched and conveyed further downstream. And a relay roller pair 30a, 30b.
[0035]
The transport unit 22 transfers the recording paper sent from the feed unit 21 and passed through the transport path f to the transfer belt 15 and the transfer belt 15 such that the pair of registration rollers 29 a and 29 b synchronize with the driving of the image recording apparatus 10. The sheet is nipped and conveyed to the image forming position of the image by the transfer roller 16, and thereafter is nipped and conveyed so as to pass through the fixing position by the pair of fixing rollers 17a and 17b. As a result, the recording paper is supplied to the image recording position of the image recording apparatus 10 with one surface as the image recording surface.
[0036]
The paper discharge unit 23 includes paper discharge roller pairs 31a and 31b that receive the recording paper conveyed by the relay roller pairs 30a and 30b of the conveyance unit 22 in the conveyance path f, carry out the paper onto the paper discharge table 23a, and stack the paper. The paper discharge unit 23 receives the recording paper on which the image is recorded and sent from the transport unit 22 and discharges the recording paper outside the apparatus.
[0037]
The paper discharge roller pair 31a, 31b of the paper discharge unit 23 rotates in the reverse direction according to the recording formation mode of the image to be processed, in addition to the rotation drive (paper discharge function) for discharging the recording paper onto the paper discharge table 23a. When the double-side mode in which the image is formed on both sides of the recording sheet is instructed, the recording sheet is temporarily stopped at a position where the rear end of the recording sheet carried out onto the sheet discharge table 23a is nipped. By performing reverse rotation later, a recording sheet on which an image has been recorded on one surface side is sent out to the re-transport path r. That is, the sheet discharge roller pair 31a, 31b is also used as the reversing unit 24.
[0038]
The reversing unit 24 is disposed between the pair of discharge rollers 31 a and 31 b of the discharge unit 23 and the pair of relay rollers 30 a and 30 b of the transport unit 22 in addition to the pair of discharge rollers 31 a and 31 b. A switching guide 32 for switching the path through which the sheet can pass to either the transport path f or the re-transport path r, and the pair of discharge rollers 31a and 31b receive the recording sheet passing through the re-transport path r and go further downstream. And a pair of relay rollers 30a, 30c, 34a and 34b for nipping and conveying, and the pair of relay rollers 34a and 34b receive the recording paper conveyed in the re-conveying path r and are located upstream of the pair of registration rollers 29a and 29b of the conveying unit 22. And a pair of relay rollers 35a and 35b for sending out into the transport path f. As shown in FIG. 2A, the switching guide 32 is designed to open the re-conveying path r as a recording paper passing path by its own weight, and passes through the fixing roller pairs 17a and 17b. The recording paper nipped and conveyed by the relay roller pairs 30a and 30b is transferred to the paper discharge roller pairs 31a and 31b of the paper discharge unit 23 so as to push up the switching guide 32 as shown in FIG. The relay roller pair 30a, 30b and the relay roller pair 30a, 30c are configured by pressing the relay roller 30a on the driving side and the relay roller 30b, 30c on the driven side in common, and the relay roller pair 30a, 30b While the recording sheet in the transport path f is nipped and conveyed, the relay roller pairs 30a and 30c pinch and transport the recording sheet in the re-transport path r.
[0039]
The reversing unit 24 switches the recording paper, which has been conveyed by nipping the transport path f by the relay roller pairs 30a and 30b, by pushing up the switching guide 32 and passing the recording paper to the paper discharge roller pairs 31a and 31b of the paper discharge unit 23 for switching. After exiting from the lower surface of the guide 32, when the duplex mode is instructed, the discharge roller pair 31a, 31b of the discharge unit 23 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. At this time, since the switching guide 32 opens the re-conveying path r as a recording paper passing path by its own weight, the discharge roller pair 31a, 31b re-conveys the recording sheet on which an image is formed on one side. By passing the sheet through the path r and nipping and transporting it between the relay roller pairs 30a, 30c, 34a, 34b, 35a, and 35b, the recording sheet, which has been turned upside down, is again passed through the transport path f and the registration of the transport unit 22 is performed. Transfer to roller pair 29a, 29b. As a result, the recording sheet is again conveyed and supplied to the image recording position of the image recording apparatus 10 with the other side (one side on which the image is not recorded) as the image recording surface.
[0040]
The paper transport device 20 is attached to a cassette cover 41 at a lower portion of the apparatus main body and an upper portion of the cassette cover 41 as an exterior cover on a front side (left side in the figure) for operating the apparatus main body (image forming apparatus 100). A front cover (elevated cover) 42 and an upper surface cover 43 attached to the upper surface of the apparatus main body which is continuous with the front cover 42 are openably and closably mounted. The front cover 42 is positioned at an upper position. The upper cover 43 is opened and closed while being positioned by the engagement and release of the lock mechanism 44. Inside the covers 41 to 43, various guide members that define transport paths f1 to f6 for transporting the recording paper and re-transport paths r1 and r2 are stored. The transport paths f1 to f6, the re-transport paths r1, r2, and the like are opened and closed (opened and defined) by rotating the guide members in conjunction with each other. Needless to say, the image forming apparatus 100 may be installed such that the front cover 42 is on the side.
[0041]
The cassette cover 41 is formed with a pull-out hook 41a to be gripped and attached to the front surface of the paper cassette 25 so that the paper cassette 25 can be slid toward the user and pulled out. Inside the cassette cover 41, a guide member 45 is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be located above the paper cassette 25. When the upper portion of the cassette cover 41 and the lower portion of the guide member 45 face each other, The pickup roller 26 defines a supply path s that feeds the recording paper drawn upward from the paper cassette 25 and supplies the recording paper to the transport path f1. A pickup roller 26 is rotatably supported on the guide member 45 (apparatus main body) side, and a drive-side relay roller 28a is supported on the drive side. The pickup roller 26 is separated on the cassette cover 41 (paper cassette 25) side. The pad 27 is attached, and the driven-side relay roller 28b is pivotally supported.
[0042]
Thus, when the cassette cover 41 is opened, the paper cassette 25 is pulled out from the lower portion of the apparatus main body, the supply path s is opened, the separation pad 27 from the pickup roller 26, and the drive relay roller 28a. The driven relay roller 28b can be separated, and if a recording sheet being supplied is nipped, the recording sheet can be collected and removed as it is. Note that the supply path s is also formed continuously between the paper cassette 25 and the lower portion of the cassette cover 41 so that the paper cassette 25 can be stacked in multiple stages as shown in FIG. Has become.
[0043]
Here, the relay roller pairs 28a and 28b are positioned through a plurality of members such as the paper cassette 25 and its slide mechanism and are configured to be in pressure contact with each other, so that the relay roller pairs 28a and 28b The pressing force is different from that of other roller pairs and the like, and has a mechanism in which a plurality of positioning members are interposed between the rollers 28a and 28b, thereby greatly affecting processing accuracy and assembly accuracy. For this reason, the relay roller pairs 28a and 28b are divided and formed in a short roller shape, are respectively supported by separate roller shafts, and press-contact the driven-side relay roller 28b to the drive-side relay roller 28a. The compression springs are also separately provided. As the compression spring, a spring having a small spring constant and a long stroke length is selected, and is designed to form a mutually pressed state by being largely displaced at the time of pressing. For this reason, the relay roller pairs 28a and 28b are designed so that the fluctuation of the elastic force due to the displacement of the compression spring is reduced, and even if the displacement amount of the compression spring varies due to the interposition of a plurality of positioning members, the pressure contact is stable. A force can be obtained, and the recording paper can be reliably and accurately pinched and conveyed and transferred to the downstream side.
[0044]
The front cover 42 is rotatably supported in a direction away from the apparatus main body with a position (lower part of the apparatus main body) close to the upper part of the cassette cover 41 as a rotation fulcrum 42a. With the guide surface 42b on the inner side of the main body facing the upper part of the guide member 45, similarly to the cassette cover 41, a transport path for passing the recording paper that is nipped and transported by the relay roller pairs 28a and 28b and sent out from the supply path s. f1 is defined.
[0045]
As a result, the front cover 42 can open the transport path f1 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 42a as shown in FIG. 3, so that the recording paper being supplied from the paper cassette 25 can be seen. In this case, the cassette cover 41 can be slightly pulled out to release the nip pressure between the pair of relay rollers 28a and 28b, and the collection and removal can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to collect and remove the recording paper without pulling the staying recording paper forcibly and damaging the relay roller pair 28a, 28b, or breaking and leaving the recording paper.
[0046]
Further, inside the front cover 42, transport paths (inner paper transport paths) f1 to f5 arranged inside the apparatus main body and substantially parallel to the front cover 42, A guide member 46 to 52 define a cover 42 and a re-transport path (outer sheet transport path) r2 that is substantially parallel. That is, the paper transporting device 20 is constructed vertically so that the recording paper is passed through these transport paths f1 to f5 and the re-transport path r2 and is nipped and transported in the vertical direction.
[0047]
The guide member 46 is attached to the inside of the apparatus main body so as to be continuous with the upper side of the guide member 45, and the guide members 47 and 48 are attached to the outside of the apparatus main body so as to face the guide member 46. I have. The guide member 46 axially supports the driven registration roller 29b, and the driving registration roller 29a that is in pressure contact with the driven registration roller 29b is attached to the apparatus main body, and is disposed above and below the driving registration roller 29a. Guide members 47 and 48 are arranged. That is, between each of the guide members 46 and 47 and each of the guide members 46 and 48, there are defined transfer paths f2 and f3 which are continuous with the transfer path f1. The recording paper delivered to the roller pairs 29a and 29b passes from the transport path f1 to the transport paths f2 and f3.
[0048]
Further, similarly to the front cover 42, the guide member 48 is rotatably supported in a direction away from the apparatus main body, with a lower side near the drive registration roller 29a as a rotation fulcrum 48a. The guide member 48 rotatably supports a transfer roller 16 for pressing against the transfer belt 15 at an intermediate portion (upper side of the guide member 46) inside the apparatus main body. And a transport path f3 is defined. On the upper side of the intermediate portion (transfer roller 16) inside the apparatus main body, the guide member 48 defines a one-side open conveyance path f4 for guiding the recording paper to the fixing roller pair 17a, 17b further downstream. The transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 make contact with the other side of the recording sheet before fixing in which the image has been transferred to one side by the transfer belt 15 and guide it to the pair of fixing rollers 17a and 17b so as not to deteriorate the image quality. . That is, the guide member 46 forms an inside guide, and the guide member 48 forms a middle inside guide.
[0049]
As a result, the guide member 48 can open the transport paths f3 and f4 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 48a as shown in FIG. Thus, the nip pressure for holding the recording paper can be released. Therefore, when the recording paper being conveyed is being viewed, the recording paper is not pulled without forcibly pulling the recording paper and damaging the transfer belt 15 or the transfer roller 16 or breaking the recording paper. Can be collected and removed.
[0050]
The guide members 49 to 51 are fixed to the apparatus main body. The guide member 49 defines a transport path f4 continuously with the guide member 48 when the front cover 42 is closed, while the guide members 50 and 51 are provided. Defines a transport path f5 between the fixing roller pair 17a, 17b and the relay roller pair 30a, 30b. As a result, the recording paper on which the image has been transferred and formed can be fixed via the fixing roller pairs 17a and 17b, then transferred to the relay roller pairs 30a and 30b, and further conveyed downstream.
[0051]
The guide member 52 is rotatably supported by the front cover 42 with a side near the upper part of the guide surface 42b of the front cover 42 as a rotation fulcrum 52a.
It is located between the guide member 48 and the front cover 42 main body, and can rotate together with the front cover 42 in the direction away from the apparatus main body and simultaneously in the direction away from the front cover 42. The guide member 52 faces the inner surface of the front cover 42, and defines a re-transport path r2 of the recording sheet nipped and transported by the relay roller pairs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b. The drive side relay rollers 34a and 35a are pivotally supported on the side, while the driven side relay rollers 34b and 35b are pivotally supported on the front cover 42 side. That is, the guide member 52 configures the middle and outer guides, and the inner surface of the front cover 42 configures the outer guide.
[0052]
An urging mechanism 61 is attached to the guide member 52 at a position facing the guide member 48. The urging mechanism 61 urges the guide member 48 in the extension direction, and the guide member 48 And the transfer roller 16 is pressed against the transfer belt 15.
[0053]
Further, a turning lever 63 is rotatably mounted on the upper part of the guide member 52, and the turning lever 63 urges the torsion spring 62 to turn in the direction of the front cover 42. . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, when the front cover 42 is opened, the guide member 52 is popped up so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front cover 42 by the rotation of the rotation lever 63. That is, the torsion spring 62 and the rotating lever 63 constitute pop-up means.
[0054]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 52 is popped up by the rotation lever 63 in a direction away from the inner surface of the front cover 42 with the rotation of the front cover 42, and expands the re-transport path r2. The nip pressure of the relay roller pair 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b can be released while opening and releasing can be performed. Therefore, when the recording paper being conveyed is peeping, the recording paper is not forcibly pulled to damage the relay roller pairs 34a to 35b or to break the recording paper and leave the recording paper without remaining. Can be collected and removed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 52 can be manually rotated so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front cover 42, so that the recording paper being conveyed can be more easily collected and removed. it can. At this time, the guide member 48 is released from the urging by the urging mechanism 61 and rotated about the rotation fulcrum 48a with the rotation of the guide member 52 (the rotation of the front cover 42). The recording paper can be easily collected and removed from the transport paths f3 and f4.
[0055]
The upper surface cover 43 is rotatably supported in a direction in which the front side is separated from the upper portion of the front cover 42 with the inside of the upper surface of the apparatus main body as a rotation fulcrum 43a. Guide members 53 and 54 include a transport path f6 through which the recording paper from the transport paths f1 to f5 passes, and a re-transport path r1 through which the recording paper reversely re-transports from the transport path f6 to the image forming position. Is defined by
[0056]
The guide member 53 is attached to the apparatus main body side so as to be continuous with the guide member 50 that defines the transport path f5 on the downstream side of the fixing roller 17a, and faces the inner surface of the upper cover 43 to define the transport path f6. The driven relay roller 30b and the paper discharge roller 31b are pivotally supported by the guide member 53. The guide member 54 is attached to the upper cover 43 so as to be continuous with the upper portion of the guide member 52 defining the re-transport path r2, and faces the inner surface of the upper cover 43 to define the re-transport path r1. The guide member 54 supports the driving-side relay roller 30a and the discharge roller 31a, and the driven-side relay roller 30c that is pressed against the relay roller 30a. Further, the guide member 54 is attached so that the switching guide 32 can swing.
[0057]
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the top cover 43 can open the connecting portion of the transport path f6 and the re-transport paths r1 and r2 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 43a, and can also relay the relay roller. The nip pressure of the pair 30a, 30b and the discharge roller pair 31a, 31b can be released. Therefore, when the recording paper being conveyed is being peeped, the recording paper is forcibly pulled to damage the relay roller pair 30a, 30b and the paper discharge roller pair 31a, 31b, or to break the recording paper and leave the recording paper. The recording paper can be collected and removed without being lost.
[0058]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the paper transporting device 20 has a link mechanism 71 composed of connecting plates 72 and 73 and rotating levers 74 and 75 on both sides in the paper width direction above the rotating support point 42a of the front cover 42. Attached, it is possible to restrict the front cover 42 from rotating and falling indefinitely, and to make the rotation adjustable.
[0059]
In the link mechanism 71, a base end 72a of a connection plate 72 is rotatably attached to the apparatus body side, and a base end 73a of a connection plate 73 is rotatably mounted to the front cover 42 side. In addition, since the rotating front ends 72b and 73b of the connecting plates 72 and 73 are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable, the apparatus main body side can suspend and support the front cover 42. As a result, the front cover 42 can be closed with the connecting plates 72 and 73 folded, and when opened, the connecting plates 72 and 73 close the base ends 72a and 73a as shown in FIG. By rotating so as to separate them, the opening (rotating) angle is maintained.
[0060]
Returning to FIG. 6, in the link mechanism 71, the outer peripheral surface of the base end 72a of the connecting plate 72 is formed on the cam surface 72c, and the rotating lever arrays 74 and 75 are connected to the cam surface 72c for connection. The rotation (opening) of the front cover 42 is adjusted by restricting the rotation of the plates 72 and 73.
[0061]
Specifically, the rotation lever 74 pivotally supports the rotation shaft 17c of the fixing roller 17b, and is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body with the upper portion of the rotation shaft 17c as a rotation fulcrum 74a. A tension spring 76 that urges the fixing roller 17b in a direction to approach the fixing roller 17a to apply a pressing force is attached to a distal end portion that is separated from the fulcrum 74a below the rotation shaft 17c. The rotation lever 75 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body with the intermediate portion serving as a rotation fulcrum 75 a, and one end 75 b of the rotation lever 75 is pulled by a tension spring 76. The other end 75c is in sliding contact with the cam surface 72c of the connecting plate 72 while being in contact with the pin 74b.
[0062]
The cam surface 72c of the connecting plate 72 changes the distance between the position at which the other end 75c of the rotating lever 75 slides and the base end 72a of the rotating fulcrum, as the connecting plate 72 rotates. When the front cover 42 is closed, the tension spring 76 rotates the rotation lever 74 in a direction in which the fixing roller 17b is pressed against the fixing roller 17a. On the other hand, when the front cover 42 is opened, the rotation lever 74 is rotated in a direction to separate the fixing roller 17b from the fixing roller 17a against the urging force (elastic force) of the tension spring 76. Then, the pressed state of the fixing roller pair 17a, 17b is released to release the nip pressure for nipping the recording sheet. The front cover 42 does not naturally return from the open state to the closing direction due to the biasing force of the tension spring 76 overcoming the rotational force due to its own weight.
[0063]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when the lock by the positioning lock mechanism 44 is released, the front cover 42 is pushed in the opening direction together with the guide member 52 by the urging force (reaction force) of the urging mechanism 61 that presses the guide member 48. Returning to FIG. 6, the connecting plates 72, 73 are rotated by rotating levers 74, 75 connected to the cam surface 72c of the connecting plate 72 and pulled by a tension spring 76. Attempts are restricted and held in that pivoted position. Therefore, the front cover 42 is held in a state of being automatically rotated to a position where the upper part is slightly opened, and is suddenly rotated and dropped to a completely opened state shown in FIG. Can be prevented from being generated. That is, the link mechanism 71 also constitutes a holding mechanism.
[0064]
With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9A, the paper transport device 20 is configured to operate when a paper jam error is notified and displayed on a connected personal computer or operation panel 101 (not shown). When the knob 44a of the lock mechanism 44 at the top of the front cover 42 is pinched to release the positioning lock, the front cover 42 automatically rotates so as to be separated from the edge of the top cover 43, and the re-transport path The space between r1 and r2 is expanded and exposed (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, when the recording paper on which the image has been recorded on one side is staying between the re-transport paths r1 and r2, it can be collected and removed as it is.
[0065]
Then, the front cover 42 is manually rotated further from the position in the opening direction against the elastic force of the tension spring 76 of the link mechanism 71, thereby opening the front cover 42 as shown in FIG. 9B. As a result, the guide member 48 rotates together with the guide member 52 to further separate the connecting portion between the re-transport paths r1 and r2 to open the transport path f3 and the like, and at the same time, presses the transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 into contact with each other. The state is released and the nip pressure of the fixing roller pair 17a, 17b and the like is released (see FIG. 3). Thus, when the recording paper P is staying on the re-transport path r1 side or the transport path f3, it can be collected and removed as it is.
[0066]
At this time, the guide member 52 pops up so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front cover 42 with the opening of the front cover 42 (see FIG. 3), so that the recording paper staying in the re-transport path r2 can be easily removed. As shown in FIG. 10 (c), the guide member 52 is manually lifted and rotated so as to be separated from the front cover 42 (see FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 10 (c). As shown in ()), the recording paper P staying in the re-transport path r2 can be easily collected and removed. In this state, the transport path f1 upstream of the pair of registration rollers 29a and 29b is also open, so that the recording paper staying in the transport path f1 or the transport path f2 can be easily visually recognized for collection / removal. can do.
[0067]
Further, the upper cover 43 can also open the upper transfer path f6 by rotating in the opening direction as shown in FIG. 11E (see FIG. 5). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11F, when the recording paper P stays between the transport path f6 and the re-transport paths r1 and r2, it can be collected and removed as it is. At this time, the top cover 43 is in a state of pressing the relay roller pairs 30a, 30b and the like under its own weight, and releases the nip pressure for nipping the recording paper in the transport path f6.
[0068]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12G, the upper cover 43 is rotated in the closing direction, and then the front cover 42 is lifted in the closing direction and rotated together with the guide members 52 and 48. By pressing, the biasing mechanism 61 can be compressed to generate a biasing force, and the positioning lock mechanism 44 can be engaged to be in a closed state.
[0069]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by merely unlocking and rotating the front cover 42, the inner transport paths f1, f3, and f4 in the apparatus main body can be opened, and the guide member 52 pops up. Thus, the outer re-transport path r2 can be expanded and opened. That is, in the image forming apparatus 100, not only the re-transport path r2 but also the upstream side of the transfer unit and the downstream side to the fixing unit can be opened by one operation of opening the front cover 42. At this time, the guide member 52 can also be manually rotated so as to further open the re-conveying path r2 from the pop-up state. At the same time, the transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16, the fixing roller pairs 17a and 17b, and the relay The nip pressure of the roller pairs 30a, 30b, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b and the discharge roller pairs 31a, 31b for nipping the recording paper is released. Therefore, the recording paper staying in the apparatus can be easily collected and removed without being visually perceived and damaged, and the jam can be easily removed.
[0070]
Further, when the lock is released, the front cover 42 automatically expands to the extent that the connecting portion of the re-transport paths r1 and r2 is opened and exposed, and is held in that state. Therefore, after the lock is released, the front cover 42 may be manually rotated as necessary, and it is possible to prevent the front cover 42 from rotating suddenly in the opening direction simultaneously with the release of the lock and being damaged. Can be avoided.
[0071]
Next, FIGS. 13 and 14 are views showing a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet conveying device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the characteristic portions will be described.
[0072]
In FIG. 13, the guide member 52 has a plurality of opening holes 52b formed at the rotation tip side opposite to the rotation fulcrum 52a, and the opening holes 52b are located within the recording paper conveyance range of the re-conveyance path r2. It is formed so that.
[0073]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the recording paper P staying in the re-conveyance path r2 can be visually recognized through the opening hole 52b of the guide member 52, and the guide member 52 pops up from the front cover 42 and expands. There is no need to check the presence or absence of the recording paper P by looking into the re-transport path r2.
[0074]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the recording paper staying in the apparatus can be more easily visually recognized and collected / removed, and the workability can be improved.
[0075]
Here, in the above-described embodiment, in order to position the transfer roller 16 with high accuracy and press the transfer roller 16 against the transfer belt 15 on the apparatus main body side, the transfer roller 16 is similarly supported by the guide member 48 on the apparatus main body side. Then, a configuration is adopted in which the urging mechanism 61 is urged by the urging mechanism 61. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the inner and inner guides and the outer and inner guides are separately formed as separate members of the guide members 48 and 52, and the guide member 48 of the inner and inner guide moves the lower rotation fulcrum 48a to the apparatus body side. On the other hand, the guide member 52 of the inner and outer guides rotatably supports the lower rotation fulcrum 52a on the front cover (upright cover) 42. However, it is needless to say that the configuration of the inner and inner guides and the outer and inner guides is not limited to this. May be rotatably supported by the front cover 42 or the apparatus body. In this case, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller 16 that the integrated inner and inner guides and the inner and outer guides are rotatably supported on the apparatus main body side of the transfer belt 15.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the inner paper transport path defined by the inner and inner guides and the inner guide is opened by simply rotating the elevation cover which is the outer cover of the apparatus body, and the inner and outer guides are moved from the outer guide. Since the outer paper transport path defined by popping up can be expanded and opened, the transport paper staying in the inner paper transport path and the outer paper transport path can be visually collected and removed easily.
[0077]
For example, when the image forming apparatus is mounted on an image forming apparatus, a sheet that is opened and opened at the same time as a re-conveying path for re-conveying an image-formed sheet to the transferring section while opening a space between a transfer unit and a fixing unit is used. Can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed. In addition, in the case of being mounted on the image forming apparatus, in addition, the upstream side of the inner sheet conveyance path for drawing out the sheet set in the lower part of the apparatus main body can also be opened by turning the elevation cover so that the lower part of the apparatus main body can be opened. The paper staying on the paper can be easily visually recognized and collected / removed simply by rotating the elevation cover.
[0078]
Therefore, both the paper transport paths arranged inside and outside the apparatus main body are visually opened by a single operation of rotating the elevation cover, and the staying paper is easily collected and removed. And the jam can be easily removed.
[0079]
Also, before fully opening the elevation cover, the connecting portion of the outer paper transport path from the inner paper transport path is opened / exposed so that the staying transport paper can be viewed, or an opening hole is formed in the middle / outer guide. By making the staying paper visible, or by allowing the inner and outer guides to be further rotatable in the direction away from the outer guide, the staying transport paper can be easily visually recognized and can be collected and removed.
[0080]
Further, by allowing the nip pressure for pinching the paper in the transport path to be released with the rotation of the elevation cover, for example, the transfer roller, the fixing roller pair, the transport roller pair, etc. may be damaged, or the paper may be damaged. Can be prevented from being broken and left in the transport path.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet conveying device according to the present invention, and is a transparent side view showing a schematic overall configuration thereof.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration of a main part thereof.
FIG. 3 is a perspective side view showing an open state of the cover.
FIG. 4 is a transparent side view showing an open state of the cover.
FIG. 5 is a transparent side view showing an open state of the cover.
FIG. 6 is a perspective side view showing a main part of an opening mechanism of the cover.
FIG. 7 is a transparent side view showing an open state of the cover.
FIG. 8 is a transparent side view showing an open state of the cover.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of opening and closing the cover.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining an opening and closing operation of the cover.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an opening and closing operation of the cover.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of opening and closing the cover.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet conveying device according to the present invention, and is a plan view illustrating a main configuration thereof.
FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the operation and effect.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image recording device
11 Laser beam scanning device
12 Photoconductor drum
13 Development rotary unit
14 Waste toner tank
15 Transfer belt
16 Transfer roller
17a, 17b fixing roller
17c Rotary axis
20 Paper transport device
21 Feeding unit
22 Transport unit
23 Paper output unit
24 Inversion section
25 Paper cassette
26 Pickup roller
27 Separation pad
28a, 28b, 30a-30c, 34a-35b Relay roller
29a, 29b Registration roller
31a, 31b discharge rollers
32 Switching guide
41 Cassette cover
42 Front cover
42a, 43a, 48a, 52a pivot point
43 Top cover
44 Lock mechanism
46-54 Guide member
52b opening hole
61 biasing mechanism
62 torsion spring
63 Rotating lever
71 Link mechanism
72, 73 Connecting plate
72c cam surface
74, 75 Rotating lever
74a, 75a Rotating fulcrum
76 Extension Spring
100 Image forming apparatus
f1-f6 transport route
P Recording paper
r1, r2 re-transport path

Claims (11)

The apparatus main body is provided with an outer paper transport path on the outer side of the apparatus and an inner paper transport path on the inner side of the apparatus which are substantially parallel to the vertical cover on the outer surface of the apparatus, and the paper is transported in the up and down direction through the paper transport path. A paper transport device that supplies the paper to the processing position according to the above, and enables the paper transport path to be opened by rotating the elevation cover with the lower part of the elevation cover as a rotation fulcrum,
An outer guide positioned near the outer surface of the apparatus and defining one surface of the outer paper transport path; and an inner guide positioned opposite the outer guide to define the other surface of the outer paper transport path. An inner / outer guide, an inner / inner guide adjacent to the inner / outer guide on the inner side of the apparatus, and defining one surface side of the inner paper transport path; and an inner side located inside the apparatus so as to face the inner / inner guide. An inner guide that defines the other side of the paper transport path,
The outer guide, the inner and outer guides, and the inner and inner guides rotate with the opening operation of the elevation cover, and the inner and outer guides are provided with pop-up means so as to be separated from the outer guides. Transport device. The said middle outside guide and the inside inside guide are integrally comprised by the same member, and are rotatably supported by the standing surface cover or the apparatus main body side with a lower part as a pivot. Paper transport device according to the above. The inner and outer guides and the inner and inner guides are separately formed by separate members, and the inner and outer guides are rotatably supported by the elevation cover with the lower portion serving as a pivot, while the inner and inner guides rotate at the lower portion. 2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body. A lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the elevation cover, an urging mechanism for urging the elevation cover side in the opening direction, and a rotation position on the elevation cover side during rotation to the fully open position. And a holding mechanism for holding,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the lock is released by the lock mechanism, the urging mechanism urges the elevation cover in a rotational direction to open the elevation cover, and the holding mechanism holds the elevation cover during the rotation. 4. The sheet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5. The medium guide according to claim 1, wherein an opening hole is formed in the inner and outer guides so as to open the facing outer guide so as to be visible within a range of the outer paper transport path of the paper. Paper transport device. The sheet conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the middle and outer guides are supported by an upright cover so as to be rotatable in a direction further away from the outer guide from a pop-up position by a pop-up unit. apparatus. A roller pair for nipping and transporting the paper in the paper transport path,
7. The roller pair according to claim 1, wherein the outer guide, the inner and outer guides, and the inner and inner guides rotate with the opening operation of the elevation cover to release a nip pressure for nipping the transported paper. Paper transport device according to the above. A paper transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a transfer for forming an image by transferring an image formed on the paper transported by the paper transport device while nipping and transporting the paper by a transfer roller onto the paper. And an image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the image on the sheet by applying heat and pressure while nipping and conveying the sheet on which the image is formed and transferred by the fixing roller,
The inner paper transport path defines a transport path that transports and supplies the paper to the image forming position of the transfer unit and carries out the image-formed paper from the transfer unit to the fixing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer sheet conveying path defines a re-conveying path for re-conveying and supplying the image-formed sheet conveyed from the fixing unit to the transfer unit. The middle inner guide rotatably supports the transfer roller of the transfer unit and defines one surface side of the inner sheet conveyance path near the fixing unit from the transfer unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a nip pressure for holding the sheet is released by movement. The fixing unit releases or generates a nip pressure that separates or approaches the paper and interlocks with the rotation of the fixing roller that holds the paper to open and close the elevation cover. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 8 or 9. The inner paper transport path is configured such that the upstream side for transporting the paper set at the lower portion of the apparatus main body and drawn upward has one surface side defined by the lower portion of the upright cover, and with the rotation of the upright cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus can be opened and closed.

Images