JP2007204185A - Sheet carrying device and image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device provided with guide chutes for preventing adherence of water droplets to a sheet after fixation and the guide chutes used for the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet carrying device is used for the image forming device including a fixing device 2 capable of heating and fixing unfixed toner images on a sheet 1, is provided with the guide chutes 3 in one side or both sides of a sheet carrying path positioned on the downstream side of the fixing device 2, and carries and guides the sheet 1 along the guide chutes 3. The guide chute 3 is provided with a chute main body 4 having general faces 4a extending approximately along the sheet carrying path; a plurality of ribs 5 provided in the chute main body 4, projecting to the general faces 4a with no square parts on the sheet carrying path side, and extending to a direction at least including a sheet carrying direction component; and grooves 6 provided in the chute main body 4, extending so as to be adjacent to at least one lateral sides of the ribs 5, and recessed in the direction opposite to the ribs 5 with respect to the general faces 4a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic recording system, or the like, and in particular, an image forming apparatus using a fixing device that heats the toner image. The present invention relates to an improvement of a guide chute used in the above.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system, a heating type fixing device is mainly used when fixing a toner image formed on a sheet. In such a heating type fixing device, when the sheet is heated by the fixing device, the moisture contained in the sheet evaporates, and in particular, the moisture is conveyed by the sheet conveyance guide (conveyance guide) adjacent to the downstream side of the fixing device. As a result, a large amount of water evaporates and condensation occurs on the surface of the conveyance guide. Further, when the sheet heated by the fixing device passes through the conveyance guide, the conveyance guide itself is warmed, and the conveyance guide causes dew condensation.

On the other hand, when water droplets due to such dew condensation adhere to the sheet passing through the conveyance guide, particularly when image formation is performed on both sides of the sheet, image formation on the back surface of the sheet is performed on the sheet with water droplets adhered thereto. Insufficient charge causes image defects such as missing prints (white spots) (transfer defects). In addition, a wet sheet due to water droplets adhering to the sheet may stick to the conveyance guide and cause a sheet jam (jam) or a problem such as sheet deformation.
In particular, when the image forming apparatus is a high-speed device or a color-compatible device, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the fixing device, and thus many problems like this occur on the downstream side of the fixing device.

  To solve this problem, the conveyance guide on the downstream side of the fixing device is provided with ribs toward the sheet conveyance path, or holes are formed in the conveyance guide itself to allow water droplets to flow, thereby causing condensation on the conveyance guide. There has been a proposal that prevents water droplets from adhering to a sheet passing through the conveyance guide (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-306881 (Example, FIG. 2) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-76361 (Embodiment Example, Fig. 1)

  However, in the system in which ribs are provided toward the sheet conveyance path, there is no problem with dew condensation at a portion in contact with the sheet on the rib surface, but there is a concern that water droplets collected between the ribs may adhere to the sheet. There was a possibility that various problems could be caused without being wiped off. Further, in the method in which holes are formed in the conveyance guide, there is a possibility that the sheet is brought into contact with the surface where the holes are opened, thereby causing the influence of condensation. Further, in such a system, in particular, when the conveyance guide is provided above the sheet conveyance path, the drop of water droplets from the side surfaces of the ribs or the drop of water droplets from the periphery of the holes tends to occur and image defects, etc. It will also invite you. Furthermore, when the sheet comes into contact with such a conveyance guide, particularly in the case of an OHP sheet, although the influence of water droplet adhesion due to condensation hardly occurs, the sheet surface may be damaged. .

On the other hand, a device has been proposed in which a fan is attached in the vicinity of the conveyance guide and the conveyance guide is dried by the wind from the fan.
However, in order to dry the transport guide with a fan or the like in this way, there is a problem that the use of a fan or the like causes an increase in cost, or the effect is small if air circulation in the apparatus is not sufficient.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above technical problem, and in an image forming apparatus including a fixing device that fixes an unfixed toner image on a sheet by heating at least, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a sheet conveying apparatus having a guide chute (sheet conveying guide) adapted to prevent water droplet adhesion is used, and a guide chute used in the image forming apparatus.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is used in an image forming apparatus including a fixing device 2 capable of heating and fixing an unfixed toner image on a sheet 1, and is a sheet conveying path positioned on the downstream side of the fixing device 2. In a sheet conveying apparatus that provides a guide chute 3 on one or both sides of the sheet, and conveys and guides the sheet 1 along the guide chute 3, the guide chute 3 has a general surface 4a that extends substantially along the sheet conveying path. A plurality of ribs 5 provided in the chute main body 4 and projecting without corners on the sheet conveyance path side with respect to the general surface 4a and extending in a direction having at least a sheet conveyance direction component, and provided on the chute main body 4. And a groove 6 extending adjacent to at least one side of the rib 5 and recessed in the opposite direction to the rib 5 with respect to the general surface 4a.

  In such technical means, a method for forming an unfixed toner image is not particularly limited, and a method such as an electrophotographic method is appropriately applied. The fixing device 2 may be of a type that fixes an unfixed toner image by heating. For example, the fixing device 2 may be a type in which a fixing nip is formed by a heating roll and a pressure roll, or a near infrared ray is used. A lamp heater method, an IH method using induction heating, or the like may be used.

The guide chute 3 in the present invention is only required to be disposed at least on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the fixing device 2, and the number thereof is not particularly limited, and may be provided on the upstream side of the fixing device 2. .
Further, the general surface 4a of the chute body 4 of the guide chute 3 may be flat along the sheet conveyance path, or may have a concave and convex shape. You may make it provide.

Further, the rib 5 of the guide chute 3 of the present invention is provided so as to protrude from the general surface 4a on the sheet conveyance path side without a corner portion and to extend in a direction having at least a sheet conveyance direction component. As a result, resistance to the sheet 1 passing through the sheet 1 is reduced, and good transportability of the sheet 1 is ensured, and generation of unnecessary scratches on the surface of the sheet 1 can be prevented.
Further, by providing the groove 6 on at least one side of the rib 5, water droplets condensed on the rib 5 or the general surface 4 a can effectively flow to the groove 6 side, and the water droplet adheres to the sheet 1 passing through the guide chute 3. Can be suppressed. Further, when the guide chute 3 is provided above the sheet conveyance path, water droplets adhering to the groove 6 due to condensation are likely to stay, and the water droplets are difficult to flow to the rib 5 side, and the sheet passing through the guide chute 3 is easy to stay. It becomes possible to suppress water droplet adhesion to 1.
Thus, in the present invention, by providing the guide chute 3 on at least one side of the sheet conveyance path, it becomes easy to guide water droplets condensed on the guide chute 3 to the groove 6 of the guide chute 3 itself. Can be prevented from adhering to the sheet 1 being conveyed. Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to provide the guide chutes 3 on both sides of the sheet conveyance path so that the sheet 1 can be conveyed more stably and water droplet adhesion due to condensation on the sheet 1 can be further suppressed. Become.

Such ribs 5 and grooves 6 may be provided continuously with respect to the chute body 4 of the guide chute 3 or may be provided discontinuously. Further, the rib 5 and the groove 6 may be provided with a hole (hole) in a part thereof.
Further, from the viewpoint of further reducing the load on the sheet 1 during sheet conveyance, it is preferable that the rib 5 is provided substantially in parallel with the sheet conveyance direction. Moreover, it is preferable that the protruding end of the rib 5 has a curved cross-sectional shape. According to this, the friction between the rib 5 and the sheet 1 can be suppressed by making the tip of the rib 5 a curved cross-sectional shape. 1 can be further reduced, and in particular, generation of scratches on the OHP sheet can be suppressed.

Further, it is preferable that a part of the guide chute 3 is provided with a conveyance member capable of conveying the sheet 1 in the nip, and according to this, the conveyance performance of the sheet 1 with the guide chute 3 can be kept good. Become.
Further, the general surface 4a of the present invention is preferably provided with a plurality of grooves that are recessed in the direction opposite to the ribs 5 with respect to the general surface 4a continuously in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. Sometimes, for example, even when the thin sheet 1 hits the general surface 4a, water droplets due to condensation stay in the groove, so that the water droplets can be prevented from adhering to the sheet 1, and the various sheets 1 can be conveyed more stably.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to provide a water absorbing member in the groove 6. By providing the water absorbing member in the groove 6 in this way, water droplets condensed and collected in the groove 6 can be effectively reduced. It becomes possible. In addition, in the aspect provided with a groove | channel also in the general surface 4a, you may make it provide a water absorbing member also in this groove | channel. Moreover, it does not specifically limit as a water absorbing member, For example, sponge, paper quality, etc. are mentioned.
And when providing the water absorbing member in the groove | channel 6, it is preferable to arrange | position from the outer side of the chute | shoot main body 4 through the slit opened in the bottom part of the groove | channel 6, and to arrange | position facing the bottom part of the groove | channel 6, According to this, water droplets collected in the groove 6 can be evaporated on the back side by the water absorbing member, and the water droplets can be dried quickly. Further, by providing the water absorbent member so as to extend over the plurality of grooves 6, the water absorbent member can be easily attached and detached.

In the present invention, the guide chute 3 is preferably divided into a plurality of sub-chutes along the sheet conveyance direction, and at least a part of the sub-chutes is preferably provided with a moving mechanism that can move forward and backward with respect to the sheet conveyance path. By making the subchute advanceable and retreatable in this way, the height of the rib 5 can be adjusted. For example, a streak due to the rib 5 is likely to occur on the image surface of a cardboard, coated paper, OHP sheet or the like. However, it is possible to adjust appropriately, and a good image is secured. Furthermore, the entire guide chute 3 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the sheet conveyance path.
And as this moving mechanism, it is preferable to control based on any one or two or more combination information of atmospheric temperature, atmospheric humidity, and sheet type, and according to this, a better image is maintained. Will be able to.

  The present invention is intended not only for the above-described sheet conveying apparatus but also for an image forming apparatus using such a sheet conveying apparatus. In this case, an operation for forming an unfixed toner image on the sheet 1 is performed. An image engine, a fixing device capable of heating and fixing a sheet on which an unfixed toner image is formed, and the above-described sheet conveying device may be provided.

According to the present invention, as a guide chute provided on one side or both sides of a sheet conveyance path located on the downstream side of the fixing device capable of heat fixing, a chute body having a general surface extending substantially along the sheet conveyance path, and the chute A plurality of ribs provided on the main body, projecting without a corner on the sheet conveyance path side with respect to the general surface and extending in a direction having at least a sheet conveyance direction component, and provided on the chute main body, at least one side of the rib And a groove recessed in a direction opposite to the rib with respect to the general surface, the condensation of moisture evaporated from the high-temperature sheet after fixing is effectively accumulated in the groove, and the guide chute Water droplets can be prevented from adhering to the sheet passing through the sheet. For this reason, it is possible to provide a sheet conveying apparatus capable of suppressing image defects on the back surface, sheet jamming, sheet deformation, and the like due to condensation during double-sided printing.
Further, by using such a sheet conveying apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that suppresses the influence of dew condensation caused by the fixing device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus using a guide chute to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment employs, for example, an electrophotographic system, and includes yellow (Y color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), and black (K color). An image forming unit 10 that forms a four-color toner image, a paper feeding unit 50 that supplies a sheet as a sheet to the image forming unit 10, an image reading unit 60 that reads a document image and converts it into digital information, and a sheet after image formation It is composed of a paper transport unit 70 for transport.

The image forming unit 10 has a so-called quadruple tandem configuration in which image forming units 20 (20a to 20d) for sequentially forming toner images of respective colors are arranged in parallel on the intermediate transfer belt 30.
The image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 that forms and carries a toner image, facing the intermediate transfer belt 30, and a photosensitive drum 21 that is not shown is charged around the photosensitive drum 21. The charging device, an exposure device 22 such as a laser scanner that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged photosensitive drum 21, and a toner image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 (development image) The primary transfer unit 24 and the photoconductive drum which are arranged opposite to each other with the developing unit 23 and the photoconductive drum 21 sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 30 and which primarily transfer the color toner images on the photoconductive drum 21 onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. A photoreceptor cleaner (not shown) that cleans residual toner on 21 is disposed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 30 is stretched around a plurality of stretching rolls 31 to 35, and is circulated and moved, for example, with the stretching roll 31 as a driving roll and the stretching roll 33 as a tension roll. Then, at a position facing the tension roll 34 and the intermediate transfer belt 30, the secondary transfer that collectively transfers the toner images multiplexed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 onto the sheet conveyed from the paper supply unit 50. A secondary transfer device 36 such as a roll is provided, and a predetermined secondary transfer bias is applied between the stretching roll 34 as a backup roll.

On the upstream side of the secondary transfer portion (position of the secondary transfer device 36) in the paper conveyance direction, the paper supplied from the paper feed unit 50 is temporarily positioned and sent to the secondary transfer portion before the secondary transfer. A resist roll 11 and an appropriate number of transport rolls (pairs of transport rolls) are provided. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion, a conveyance belt 12 that conveys the sheet after the secondary transfer, and a fixing device 13 that fixes an unfixed toner image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 12 are provided. .
The registration roll 11 is configured such that when the sheet is fed, the arrival timing of the sheet with respect to the image output position is adjusted by a timing adjustment unit (not shown).

  The fixing device 13 in the present embodiment is a so-called free belt nip type constituted by a fixing roll 13a having a heating source and an endless belt 13b stretched between a plurality of stretch rolls. The unfixed toner image on the paper is fixed in the nip area with the endless belt 13b.

The downstream side of the fixing device 13 is divided into a path leading to the paper transport unit 70 side and a path descending obliquely downward. A guide chute 40 that removes condensation in the path is provided along with the transport rolls on the descending path (reverse transport path R5 described later).
Further, below the image forming unit 10, a path (return conveyance path R <b> 6 described later) provided with an appropriate number of conveyance members such as conveyance rolls is disposed.

  Further, the paper feeding unit 50 of the present embodiment accommodates a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 51 to 53 that can supply paper, and is provided in the vicinity of each of the paper feeding cassettes 51 to 53. Feeding rolls 54 to 56 corresponding to each are arranged. These feed rolls 54 to 56 are for feeding only one uppermost sheet from the corresponding sheet feed cassettes 51 to 53 and feeding them to the downstream side.

  Further, the image reading unit 60 reads an image of a document set on a transparent document table (platen glass). For example, an optical scanning system including a lamp, a mirror, a carriage, and the like, and scanning by the optical scanning system are performed. The lens system includes an optical image formed by the lens system, and an image reading sensor (for example, a CCD sensor) that receives the optical image formed by the lens system and converts it into an electrical signal. An operation panel 61 operated by a user is provided in the vicinity of the image reading unit 60.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, another guide chute 40 is provided between the image forming unit 10 and the paper transport unit 70 disposed on the downstream side of the image forming unit 10. The discharged paper is discharged to a discharge tray 71 provided on the side wall of the paper transport unit 70 through a route branched in two ways.

Here, a paper conveyance system in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
The papers sent out from the respective paper feed cassettes 51 to 53 in the paper feed unit 50 are sent out by the respective feed rolls 54 to 56, and the papers sent out from the paper feed cassettes 51 and 52 are passed through the paper transport path R1. On the other hand, the sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 53 is guided to the merging / conveying section 57 via the sheet conveying path R2.
The sheet guided to the merging / conveying section 57 is guided to the main conveying path R3 and is regulated by the registration roll 11, and then the multiplexed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is collectively put on the sheet by the secondary transfer unit. Transcribed. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is guided to the fixing device 13 by the conveyance belt 12. The sheet that has been fixed by the fixing device 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 71 via the guide chute 40 and the sheet conveying path R4 in the sheet conveying unit 70.

On the other hand, in order to perform new image formation (double-sided image formation) on the back side of the paper fixed by the fixing device 13, a reverse conveyance path R <b> 5 for reversely conveying the fixed paper is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 13. Further, a return conveyance path R6 for guiding the reversed sheet to the merging conveyance section 57 is provided so as to be connected in the middle of the reverse conveyance path R5.
It goes without saying that an appropriate number of conveying members (conveying rolls, conveying guides, etc.) are provided in the sheet conveying paths R1 to R6. In the figure, reference numerals 15 and 72 denote curl correction units provided in the return conveyance path R6 and the sheet conveyance path R4 in the sheet conveyance unit 70, for correcting the curl of the sheet generated in the fixing device 13. It has become a thing.

A guide chute 40 (corresponding to a sheet conveying apparatus) of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. In the figure, a guide chute 40 according to the present embodiment is composed of two guide chutes 41 and 46 (specifically, a lower guide 41 and an upper guide 46) provided on both sides of the sheet conveyance path. Paper is conveyed between the two.
The lower guide 41 protrudes from the general surface 42 of the flat chute body constituting the general surface 42 in a curved shape on the paper conveyance path side and is continuously provided in the paper conveyance direction (in this example, a plurality of ribs 43 (in this example). 3) and a groove 49 which is adjacent to both sides of the rib 43 and is recessed in the opposite direction to the rib 43 with respect to the general surface 42 (depressed in a direction away from the sheet conveyance path side). Further, both end portions of the lower guide 41 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction are bent in the same direction as the groove 49 at a substantially right angle from the general surface 42.
The height at which the tip of the rib 43 protrudes from the general surface 42 is adjusted to a height at which the paper does not contact the general surface 42 when the paper passes through the guide chute 40.

On the other hand, the upper guide 46 has the same configuration as the lower guide 41, and has a rib 48 protruding from the general surface 47 and a groove 49 recessed from the general surface. Further, both end portions of the upper guide 46 are bent similarly to the lower guide 41.
The lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are fixedly supported by attaching both ends of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 to a frame of the image forming apparatus, for example, by attachment means (not shown).
Further, two slits (not shown) are opened at both ends (bent portions) of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46, and the shafts of two pairs of transport rolls 81 and 82 are formed in these slits. Is to be inserted. In addition, the general surfaces 42 and 47 of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are provided with holes corresponding to the conveying rolls 81 and 82 (only the hole 47a of the upper guide 46 is shown in the drawing). , 82 are mounted in this hole.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the guide chute 40 of FIG. 3 as viewed from the paper transport direction. In the figure, the rib 43 of the lower guide 41 and the rib 48 of the upper guide 46 are not in contact with each other, and the sheet passes between them.
As the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46, a metal such as an aluminum alloy is preferable from the viewpoint of workability. However, the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are not limited to this. For example, the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 may be formed of resin, or a combination of both. It doesn't matter. In the case of a metal, the thermal conductivity is high and the cooling effect of the paper that has become a high temperature state after fixing can be expected. However, dew condensation tends to occur. On the other hand, a resin usually has a low thermal conductivity and cannot be expected to have a cooling effect on paper, but it can also be expected to have an effect of reducing the occurrence of condensation compared to a metal.

In the present embodiment, since the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 have the above-described structure, even if condensation occurs on the guide chute 40, it is possible to suppress water droplet adhesion to the passing paper. It has become.
FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 in the present embodiment, and shows how water droplet adhesion due to condensation affects.
In the area where the paper of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 is rubbed (near the tips of the ribs 43 and 48), even if condensation occurs, it is wiped off by the paper and there is no influence of water droplets due to condensation. In the lower guide 41, the water droplets condensed on the ribs 43 flow down into the grooves 44, and there is no possibility that the water droplets adhere to the paper. On the other hand, in the upper guide 46, condensation is likely to occur in the groove 49, but the surface area of the groove 49 is also helped, and the water droplets hardly adhere to the paper through the rib 48. The water droplets accumulated in the grooves 44 and 49 gradually disappear due to natural drying or the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the conventional method in which only the rib is provided, water drops gradually accumulate around the rib in the lower guide and eventually reach the vicinity of the tip of the rib. As a result, the paper that passes through is touched and water droplets adhere to the paper. Further, in the upper guide, the generation of condensation is concentrated at the base of the rib, and a pool is generated there. This pool gradually increases and eventually adheres to the passing paper.
In such a case, it is considered that if the height of the rib is increased, water droplets can be prevented from adhering to the paper. In particular, the length of the rib of the upper guide is increased at the side wall of the rib. Condensation drops as water droplets and falls directly on the passing paper, and on the contrary, it also encourages water droplets to adhere to the paper. Further, if the height of the rib is increased in this way, the guide chute itself is liable to be enlarged.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the tips of the ribs 43 and 48 have a shape without a corner, the load on the paper passing through the guide chute 40 is small, and unnecessary scratches or the like are generated on the paper. There is also an effect of suppressing.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize the guide chute 40 in which the influence of dew condensation is reduced while securing the conveyance performance of the passing paper.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the present embodiment, in which a water absorbing member 83 is embedded in the grooves 44 and 49 of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46. For this reason, the water droplets accumulated in the grooves 44 and 49 are effectively absorbed, and the water droplets do not adhere to the sheet passing through the guide chute 40.
The water absorbing member 83 is not particularly limited as long as it has water absorbing properties such as sponge and nonwoven fabric. And if such a water absorptive member 83 is left as it is, it will be dried gradually and water absorptivity can be maintained. In some cases, the water absorbing member 83 may be appropriately replaced.

  Further, FIG. 7 shows a modification of the water absorbing member 83 shown in FIG. In this figure, in this example, the grooves 44 and 49 of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are partially slit along the paper transport direction. Therefore, a water absorbing member 84 (preferably connected to at least a direction crossing the sheet conveying direction) is provided in the grooves 44 and 49 from the outside of the sheet conveying path to each of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 with respect to the slit. By mounting so that the portion is inserted, it is possible to realize the water absorbing member 84 that can be easily detached. In particular, in this case, since the back side of the water absorbing member 84 is open (directly exposed to the atmosphere), water droplets in the grooves 44 and 49 can be quickly dried.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the water absorbing member 84 of this example has a flat portion 84 a and a protruding portion 84 b that are integrally formed, and the protruding portion 84 b is slit into the grooves 44 and 49. It is designed to be fitted to the Therefore, when the water absorbing member 84 is replaced, it can be peeled off at once and can be easily attached.
By mounting such a water absorbing member 84 in the grooves 44 and 49, water droplets accumulated in the grooves 44 and 49 can be absorbed by the water absorbing member 84, and water droplets adhere to the paper passing through the guide chute 40. Can be prevented.
Such a water absorbing member 84 is not limited to the shape as shown in FIG. 8. For example, such a protruding portion 84 b may be provided long along the paper conveyance direction, or the protruding portion 84 b. The height may be adjusted as appropriate.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a guide chute 40 according to the second embodiment as a sheet conveying apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The guide chute 40 of the present embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the guide chute 40 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment, but the general surfaces 42 and 47 of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 of the first embodiment. The difference from Embodiment 1 is that a plurality of second grooves are also provided (see FIG. 3). Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 10 shows a view from the sheet conveyance direction of FIG. 9, and in this embodiment, the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are provided with five ribs 43 and 48, respectively. Further, a flat surface is not formed between the ribs 43 and 48 of the respective guides 41 and 46, and a plurality of grooves 85 and 86 are formed. Here, the general surface 42 of the lower guide 41 and the general surface 47 of the upper guide 46 are as indicated by virtual lines. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second grooves 85 and 86 are set as depressions substantially equivalent to the grooves 44 and 49.

In such a configuration, even when water droplet accumulation due to condensation similar to the grooves 44 and 49 occurs in the second grooves 85 and 86, it is possible to prevent water droplets from adhering to the sheet passing through the guide chute 40. In addition, for example, when the paper to be used is thin and weak, even if the paper contacts the general surfaces 42 and 47 when passing through the guide chute 40, it will not be affected by condensation.
The depths of the second grooves 85 and 86 provided on the general surfaces 42 and 47 are not limited to this, and may be appropriately selected. Needless to say, a water absorbing member may be provided in the grooves 44 and 49 and the second grooves 85 and 86.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a guide chute 40 according to Embodiment 3 as a sheet conveying apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Unlike the guide chute 40 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment, the guide chute 40 according to the present embodiment is divided in the paper transport direction. FIG. 12 is a view of the guide chute 40 of FIG. 11 as viewed from the sheet conveying direction. In FIG. 12, the transport rolls 81 and 82 are omitted. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In these drawings, the guide chute 40 of the present embodiment includes a lower guide 41 and an upper guide 46 similar to those of the first embodiment on the inlet side and the outlet side of the guide chute 40. The lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 have a space in the center along the sheet conveyance direction, and ribs 43 and 48 and grooves 44 and 49 provided on the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 are guide chute. 40 is provided only on the inlet side and the outlet side.

In the space of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46, a lower movement guide 91 and an upper movement guide 96 of members different from these are provided.
The lower moving guide 91 has a moving rib 92 that protrudes from the general surface 91a of the lower moving guide 91 toward the sheet conveyance path at a position substantially the same as the rib 43 of the lower guide 41, and a general surface adjacent to the moving rib 92. It has a configuration provided with three combinations of moving grooves 93 that are recessed from 91a. The moving rib 92 is provided over the entire length of the lower moving guide 91 along the sheet conveying direction.
Similarly to the lower movement guide 91, the upper movement guide 96 has a structure including three combinations of a movement rib 97 protruding from the general surface 96 a of the upper movement guide 96 and a depression groove 98.

Further, coil springs 101 are attached to both ends of the lower guide 41 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the other ends of the coil springs 101 are attached to both ends of the lower moving guide 91. The lower moving guide 91 is elastically biased by the coil spring 101 with respect to the lower guide 41 fixedly supported.
On the other hand, the upper moving guide 96 is also elastically biased with respect to the upper guide 46 by the coil spring 102.

Further, in the present embodiment, a motor 103 is provided outside the lower movement guide 91, and two rotary cams 105b and 105c made of, for example, POM resin are pivotally supported on a rotary shaft 105a rotated by the motor 103. ing. The rotary cams 105b and 105c are both attached eccentrically with respect to the rotary shaft 105a, and the peripheral edges of the rotary cams 105b and 105c are in contact with the surface of the lower moving guide 91.
In the present embodiment, since the lower guide 41, the motor 103, and the rotating shaft 105a are positioned on the frame of the image forming apparatus, for example, by means not shown, the rotating cams 105b and 105c are rotated by the rotation of the motor 103. As a result, the lower movement guide 91 can be moved back and forth with respect to the sheet conveyance path side.

On the other hand, the upper moving guide 96 is configured in the same manner, and the rotating cams 106b and 106c attached to the rotating shaft 106a are rotated by the rotation of the motor 104 so that the upper moving guide 96 can advance and retreat with respect to the sheet conveyance path side. It has become.
In this embodiment, by controlling the two motors 103 and 104 simultaneously, the gap between the lower movement guide 91 and the upper movement guide 96 can be adjusted. It becomes possible to select an appropriate gap according to the above.
In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the ribs 43 and 48 of the lower guide 41 and the upper guide 46 and the moving ribs 92 and 97 of the lower movement guide 91 and the upper movement guide 96 are generally at substantially the same position ( A lower movement guide 91 and an upper movement guide 96 are provided so as to have a height. In FIG. 12, in order to make the guide chute 40 in this embodiment easy to understand, the guide chute 40 is displayed with a step between the guides.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the lower movement guide 91 and the upper movement guide 96 are moved forward and backward with respect to the sheet conveyance path, so that the step between the lower guide 41 and the lower movement guide 91 and the upper guide 46 and the upper movement guide 96 are changed. A step is also generated. However, even in this case, a guide member such as a flexible film is provided at the step so as not to impair the paper transportability, and there is no problem in the paper transportability by eliminating the step. It is like that.

Since the guide chute 40 of the present embodiment has such a configuration, for example, the temperature and humidity conditions are detected by a sensor to adjust the gap between the lower moving guide 91 and the upper moving guide 96. Or a gap that matches the type of paper used. In order to determine the paper to be used, the paper cassette to be used is sensed, input on a UI (User Interface) screen, or a sensor for determining the paper is installed in the paper transport path in the apparatus. Also good.
In this way, if the gap of the paper conveyance path is adjusted by the guide chute 40 itself, when passing the paper whose surface is easily damaged, the gap is adjusted to be narrow and the condition where condensation is likely to occur is determined. Can be adjusted so as to open the gap, and the guide chute 40 can be provided with conveyance performance more suitable for environmental conditions and sheet types.
In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the guide chute 40 is divided is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the entirety can be moved back and forth with respect to the paper transport path, the transportability of the paper is further ensured. The guide chute 40 thus made can be realized. Furthermore, the shape of the ribs and grooves may not be the same for the lower guide 41, the upper guide 46, the lower movement guide 91, and the upper movement guide 96.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a guide chute according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view of the guide chute of FIG. 3 as viewed from the sheet conveyance direction. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the guide chute of Embodiment 1, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the conventional guide chute. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a guide chute as a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a guide chute as another modification of the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the water absorbing member used for the guide chute | shoot of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the guide chute | shoot which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a view of the guide chute of FIG. 9 as viewed from the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a guide chute according to a third embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the guide chute of FIG. 11 from the paper conveyance direction.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet | seat, 2 ... Fixing device, 3 ... Guide chute, 4 ... Chute main body, 4a ... General surface, 5 ... Rib, 6 ... Groove

Claims (11)

A guide chute is provided on one or both sides of a sheet conveying path located on the downstream side of the fixing unit, and is used in an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit capable of heating and fixing an unfixed toner image on a sheet. In a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys and guides a sheet,
The guide chute includes a chute body having a general surface extending substantially along the sheet conveyance path,
A plurality of ribs provided in the chute main body, projecting without a corner on the sheet conveyance path side with respect to the general surface, and extending in a direction having at least a sheet conveyance direction component;
A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a groove provided on a chute body, extending adjacent to at least one side of the rib and recessed in a direction opposite to the rib with respect to the general surface. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the guide chute is provided on both sides of the sheet conveying path. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
The rib is provided substantially in parallel with the sheet conveying direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the protruding end of the rib is formed in a curved cross-sectional shape. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet conveying apparatus, characterized in that a conveying member capable of nip conveying a sheet is provided in a part of the guide chute. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
Further, the sheet conveying apparatus characterized in that a plurality of grooves recessed in the direction opposite to the ribs with respect to the general surface are continuously provided on the general surface in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet conveying apparatus comprising a water absorbing member in the groove. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 7,
The sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the water absorbing member is provided so as to be detachable from the outside of the chute body through a slit formed in the bottom of the groove, and is disposed facing the bottom of the groove. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A guide chute divided into a plurality of sub-chutes along the sheet conveying direction;
A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a moving mechanism capable of moving at least a part of the sub-chutes so as to move forward and backward with respect to the sheet conveying path. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 9,
The sheet transport apparatus is characterized in that the moving mechanism is controlled based on any one or combination information of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, and a sheet type. An image forming engine for forming an unfixed toner image on the sheet;
A fixing device capable of heating and fixing a sheet on which an unfixed toner image is formed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1.

Images