JP2009227428A - Medium conveying member, medium feeder, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an accident generated by the fact that an object is caught in a groove of a medium conveying member body. <P>SOLUTION: The medium conveying member body (3) conveys a medium (S) according to the rotation of a rotation shaft (1). The medium conveying member (Rp) includes a medium conveying member body (3) having a supported part (4a) supported on the rotation shaft (1), a contact conveying part (5) of a circular cross section formed on a part of an outer surface, contacting with the medium (S) and conveying it, a removal part (4c)formed so that a part of the outer surface other than the contact conveying part (5) is removed, and an insertion groove (4d) to which the rotation shaft (1) can be inserted from the outside of the removal part (4a) to the part (4a) to be supported in a radial direction; and a closure member (6) for closing the removal part (4c) and rotatably supported integrally with the medium conveying member body (3). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium conveying member, a medium supply device, and an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a delivery member that feeds recording sheets stacked on a paper feed tray of an image forming apparatus, a so-called pickup roll is known.
For the pickup roll, for example, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below are known.

  In Japanese Patent No. 3740241 as Patent Document 1, as an example of a pickup roll constituted by a sheet feeding angular shaft (3) having a quadrangular section and a friction roller section (4) having a substantially C-shaped section. The technology about the paper feed roller (3 + 4) is described. In Patent Document 1, the friction roller portion (4) has the fitting hole (18) through which the sheet feeding angular shaft (3) is inserted, and a groove extending from the outer surface to the fitting hole (18) ( 19). In Patent Document 1, a feed roller cam (5, 6) penetrates through the feed angular shaft (3) and is movable in the axial direction at both axial ends of the friction roller portion (4). The sheet feeding roller cam (5, 6) is supported by a square cylindrical boss portion (13, 14) smaller than the fitting hole (18) and larger than the sheet feeding angular shaft (3). Is formed.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, after the sheet feeding angular shaft (3) is inserted into the groove (19), the friction roller portion (4) is sandwiched between the sheet feeding roller cams (5, 6), thereby The boss portions (13, 14) are fitted into the fitting holes (18), and the friction roller portion (4) is supported by the sheet feeding angular shaft (3). Moreover, in patent document 1, when replacing | exchanging the said friction roller part (4) by wear deterioration etc., the fitting with the said fitting hole (18) and the said boss | hub part (13,14) is cancelled | released. Thus, the friction roller portion (4) can be easily attached to and detached from the sheet feeding angular shaft (3) through the groove (19).

In Japanese Patent No. 3842503 as Patent Document 2, a so-called main feed roller (1) as a feed roll supported by a rotating shaft (2) and an auxiliary feed roller (so-called pickup roll) 6), there is described a technique regarding a mounting structure of the auxiliary paper feeding roller (6) formed in a half moon shape in cross section. In Patent Document 2, the roller mounting portion (16) of the rotating shaft (2) is formed in an oval cross section, and the auxiliary paper feeding roller (6) is in the long axis direction of the roller mounting portion (16). A pair of elastically deformable sandwiching pieces (17) formed extending along the two sides of the roller mounting portion (16) are mounted by sandwiching both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction.
Therefore, in Patent Document 2, a pair of the clamping pieces (17) formed of an elastic member such as a resin clamps the roller mounting portion (16), thereby the auxiliary paper feeding roller (6). Is supported by the rotating shaft (2). For this reason, the auxiliary paper feeding roller (6) can be easily attached to and detached from the rotating shaft (2) by elastically deforming the sandwiching pieces (17) in the direction of widening the gap.

  That is, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the pick-up roll having a semicircular cross section, through the opening portion of the pick-up roll main body that is opened to the extent that other objects such as a rotating shaft and an operator's finger can be inserted, A technique for detaching a pickup roll body from the rotating shaft is described.

Japanese Patent No. 3740241 ("0018" to "0025", FIGS. 1 to 6) Japanese Patent No. 3842503 ("0023" to "0025", FIG. 9, FIG. 10)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to reduce an accident that occurs when an object is fitted in a groove of a medium transport member body.

In order to solve the technical problem, the medium conveying member according to claim 1 is characterized in that:
A rotating shaft rotatably supported;
A substantially cylindrical medium conveying member main body supported by the rotating shaft and configured to convey a medium according to the rotation of the rotating shaft;
A supported portion that is formed through a central portion in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body and supported by the rotating shaft;
A cross-section arc-shaped contact transport unit that is formed on a part of the outer surface of the medium transport member body and transports the medium in contact with the medium;
A removed part formed by removing a part of the outer surface other than the contact conveying part;
An insertion groove formed extending from the supported portion to the removed portion in the radial direction of the medium transport member main body, and capable of inserting the rotating shaft from the outside to the supported portion;
The medium transport member body having:
A closing member that extends from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the medium conveying member main body and closes the removed portion, the closing member being rotatably supported integrally with the medium conveying member main body;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the medium conveying member according to claim 1,
An outer end closing portion extending from the axial end portion of the closing member to the rotary shaft side, which is the radially inner side of the medium transport member main body, and closing the axial outer end portion of the insertion groove;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 3 is the medium conveying member according to claim 2,
A sandwiching portion that is formed at an end of the outer end closing portion on the rotating shaft side and sandwiches the rotating shaft;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 4 is the medium conveying member according to claim 2 or 3,
A pair of arm portions that are formed to extend in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body at the rotation shaft side end portion of the outer end closing portion and elastically deform in a direction approaching and separating from each other, and the rotation shafts of the respective arm portions A closing member supported portion that is formed on a side end portion and sandwiches the rotating shaft, and is supported on the rotating shaft by the sandwiching portion;
A release arm portion that is disposed between the pair of arm portions and is elastically deformable, and is provided on the release arm portion, and engages with the arm portion as the release arm portion is elastically deformed so that the arm portion is The release arm portion is moved between a release position that releases the rotation shaft by the holding portion and releases the rotation shaft, and a normal position in which the arm portion approaches each other and the holding portion holds the rotation shaft. A support release unit having a release operation unit
The closing member having the closing member supported portion and the support releasing portion,
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 5 is the medium conveying member according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A small-diameter member supported by the rotating shaft, provided outside the one end in the axial direction of the medium transport member main body, and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the contact transport unit, The small-diameter member that contacts and presses the medium when not in contact with the contact conveyance unit;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 6 is the medium conveying member according to claim 5,
The rotating shaft formed with the groove,
The small-diameter member supported so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the small-diameter member having an axial positioning claw portion engaged with the groove portion;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 7 is the medium conveying member according to claim 6,
An outer end closing portion that extends from the axial end portion of the closing member to the rotary shaft side, which is the radially inner side of the medium transport member body, and closes the axial outer end portion of the insertion groove;
A pair of arm portions that are formed to extend in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body at the rotation shaft side end portion of the outer end closing portion and elastically deform in a direction approaching and separating from each other, and the rotation shafts of the respective arm portions A closing member supported portion that is formed on a side end portion and sandwiches the rotating shaft, and is supported on the rotating shaft by the sandwiching portion;
A release arm portion that is disposed between the pair of arm portions and is elastically deformable, and is provided on the release arm portion, and engages with the arm portion as the release arm portion is elastically deformed so that the arm portion is The release arm portion is moved between a release position that releases the rotation shaft by the holding portion and releases the rotation shaft, and a normal position in which the arm portion approaches each other and the holding portion holds the rotation shaft. A support release unit having a release operation unit
The outer end closing part having
The small-diameter member disposed outside the support release portion, and is engaged with the release operation portion when the small-diameter member is moved toward the support release portion, which is the inner side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The one end face in the axial direction of the small-diameter member that presses the support release portion inward in the axial direction of the insertion groove, thereby moving the release arm portion from the normal position to the release position; ,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, a medium supply device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes:
A medium storage container for storing a medium;
The medium conveying member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which conveys the medium accommodated in the medium loading container;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is provided.
The medium supply device according to claim 8 for supplying a medium;
A medium conveying device for conveying the supplied medium;
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on the conveyed medium;
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an accident that occurs when an object is fitted in the insertion groove as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to prevent the object from being inserted inward from the outside of the axial outer end of the insertion groove, compared with the case where the structure of the present invention is not provided. Accidents that occur when the object fits in the insertion groove can be reduced.

According to invention of Claim 3, the said closure member can be supported by the said rotating shaft.
According to invention of Claim 4, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, the operator can attach or detach the said closure member easily from the said rotating shaft.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided, the pressed medium can be reduced from being transported continuously to the previously transported medium.
According to the invention described in claim 6, the small-diameter member can be positioned in the axial direction.
According to invention of Claim 7, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, the operator can attach or detach the said obstruction | occlusion member easily from the said rotating shaft.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the medium supply device in which an accident that occurs when an object is fitted in the insertion groove is reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus in which the number of accidents caused by an object fitting in the insertion groove is reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

Next, examples which are specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes an automatic document feeder U1 and an image forming apparatus body U2 that supports the automatic document feeder U1 and has a transparent document reading surface PG at the upper end.
The automatic document feeder U1 includes a document feeding unit TG1 that accommodates a plurality of documents Gi to be copied and a document feeding position TG1 that is fed from the document feeding unit TG1 and passes through a document reading position on the document reading surface PG. And a document discharge portion TG2 from which the document Gi conveyed is discharged.
The image forming apparatus main body U2 includes an operation unit UI through which a user inputs an operation command signal for starting an image forming operation, an exposure optical system A, and the like.

Reflected light from the document Gi conveyed on the document reading surface PG by the automatic document feeder U1 or the document Gi manually placed on the document reading surface PG passes through the exposure optical system A to the imaging member. The image is picked up by a solid-state image pickup device CCD as an example, and is converted into electric signals of red R, green G, and blue B.
The image information conversion unit IPS converts the RGB electrical signals input from the solid-state imaging device CCD into black K, yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C image information and temporarily stores them, and stores the image information in a predetermined manner. Is output to the latent image forming apparatus driving circuit DL as image information for forming a latent image.
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black K is input to the latent image forming device driving circuit DL.

The latent image forming device drive circuit DL has drive circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and signals corresponding to input image information are arranged for each color at a predetermined time. Output to the image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.
The automatic document feeder U1, the document reading surface PG, the exposure optical system A, the solid-state imaging device CCD, the image information conversion unit IPS, and the like constitute the image reading device (U1 + PG + A + CCD + IPS) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, and Uk arranged at the center of the image forming device U in the gravitational direction are devices that form visible images of colors Y, M, C, and K, respectively.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights (not shown) emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming devices LHy to LHk respectively enter the rotating image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. To do. In Example 1, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are configured by a so-called LED: Light Emitting Diode array.
The Y visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating image carrier PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a transfer device T1y, and an image carrier cleaner CLy. In the first exemplary embodiment, the image carrier PRy, the charger CRy, and the image carrier cleaner CLy are configured as an image carrier unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U2.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y visible image forming apparatus Uy.

1 and 2, the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the latent image writing light. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k as a developer roll as an example of a developer carrier of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. A toner image as an example of a visible image is developed with the developer held in R0y, R0m, R0c, and R0k.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are supplied with a predetermined value from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

  The toner images on the image carriers PRy to PRk are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer devices T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  Above the image carriers PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can move up and down and can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer body drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of an intermediate transfer body stretching member, and a walking roll as an example of a meandering prevention member. Rw, an idler roll Rf as an example of a driven member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer region facing member, and the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B can be rotated by belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a as an example of an intermediate transfer member support member constituted by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a. It is supported by.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed facing the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the rolls T2a and T2b. ing. Further, a secondary transfer region Q4 is formed in a region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are opposed to each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are the secondary transfer areas. Transported to Q4.
The primary transfer units T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B according to the first exemplary embodiment.
The image holders PRy to PRk, the developing devices Gy to Gk, the transfer device T1 + T2 + B, and the like constitute the image recording device (PRy to PRk + Gy to Gk + T1 + T2 + B) of Example 1.

  Below the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided, and a sheet as an example of a medium container is provided on the guide rail GR. Containers, so-called paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. A recording sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 is taken out by a medium take-out member as an example of a medium transporting member, a so-called pickup roll Rp, and a separating roll Rs as an example of a medium spreading member. Are separated one by one. The recording sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path SH, which is an example of a medium transport path, by a plurality of transport rollers Ra, which is an example of a transport member, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. In addition, the image is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of a transfer region conveyance timing adjustment member.

The sheet conveyance path SH, the sheet conveyance roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, and the like constitute a medium conveyance device (SH + Ra + Rr).
Further, a medium supply device (TR1 to TR3 + Rp + Rs) is constituted by the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3, the pickup roll Rp, the separating roll Rs, and the like.

The registration roll Rr conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b has a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred has a fixing region Q5 which is a pressure contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressing fixing member. And heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region. The heat-fixed recording sheet S is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to a discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge portion.
Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roll Fh is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent coating device Fa.

  Above the belt module BM, developer cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk are disposed as an example of a developer supply container that stores yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K developers. The developers contained in the developer cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk are supplied from the developer supply path (not shown) to the developing devices Gy according to the consumption of the developer in the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. , Gm, Gc, Gk. In Example 1, the developer is composed of a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a toner provided with an external additive.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes an upper frame body UF and a lower frame body LF. The upper frame body UF includes the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk and the visible image forming apparatus. Members arranged above Uy to Uk, that is, a belt module BM and the like are supported.
The lower frame LF includes a guide rail GR that supports the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 and the paper feed members that feed paper from the trays TR1 to TR3, that is, a pickup roll Rp, a separation roll Rs, A sheet conveying roll Ra and the like are supported.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the pickup roll according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear roller is removed from the state of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the front roller is removed from the state of FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of FIG. 5 viewed from the direction of arrow VI.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the closing member is removed from the state of FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the medium transport member main body is removed from the state of FIG. 7, and is an explanatory diagram of the rotation shaft and the drive transmission pin.

3 to 8, the pickup roll Rp of the first embodiment has a rotating shaft 1 that is rotatably supported and rotated.
7 and 8, the rotating shaft 1 according to the first embodiment includes a first groove portion 1a and a second groove portion 1b as an example of a plurality of groove portions formed in a ring shape at intervals in the axial direction. Moreover, the said rotating shaft 1 is arrange | positioned between the said 1st groove part 1a and the 2nd groove part 1b, and has the through-hole 1c penetrated to radial direction. In addition, a drive transmission pin 2 as an example of a drive transmission member extending in the radial direction of the rotation shaft is supported in the through hole 1c of the first embodiment while penetrating the through hole 1c.

3 to 7, the rotary shaft 1 supports a substantially cylindrical medium transport member main body 3 that transports the recording sheet S according to the rotation of the rotary shaft 1.
The medium conveyance member main body 3 according to the first embodiment includes a core member 4 as an example of a substantially cylindrical core member. The core member 4 according to the first embodiment includes a supported portion 4a formed so as to penetrate in the axial direction along the central axis. In the supported portion 4a of the first embodiment, a pin insertion groove 4a1 as an example of a driven transmission portion that extends from the rear end portion in the axial direction to the central portion and that is concave and radially extends in accordance with the drive transmission pin 2 is used. Is formed.

In addition, the outer surface of the core member 4 has an arcuate large diameter portion 4b having a large central angle and a remaining central angle of the central angle of the large diameter portion 4b, and has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion. The small-diameter portion 4c is formed. The small-diameter portion 4c has a shape like a removed portion in which a part of the outer periphery of the core member 4 is removed in the circumferential direction. The small diameter portion 4c is formed with an insertion groove 4d extending in the radial direction from the outer surface to the supported portion 4a and extending in the axial direction.
A contact conveyance unit 5 that conveys the recording sheet S in contact with the recording sheet S is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 4b. The contact conveyance part 5 of Example 1 is comprised by elastic members, such as resin with a high friction coefficient. Moreover, the said contact conveyance part 5 is arrange | positioned by the predetermined space | interval with respect to the circumferential direction of a cross-sectional circular arc, and the some groove | channel 5a extended in an axial direction is formed in order to raise a frictional force.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view of the closing member according to the first embodiment.
4 to 6 and 9, the rotary shaft 1 supports a blocking member 6 formed to extend from the front end to the rear end in the axial direction of the medium transport member main body 3.
In FIG. 9, the closing member 6 according to the first embodiment is a flat plate formed in accordance with the circumferential width of the insertion groove 4 d so as to extend from the front end to the rear end in the axial direction and fit into the insertion groove 4 d. The closure member main body 7 has a shape. A front outer end closing portion 8 and a rear outer end closing portion 9 as an example of an outer end closing portion extending from both ends to the rotating shaft 1 side are formed at both front and rear end portions in the axial direction of the closing member body 7. Yes.

The front outer end closing portion 8 of the first embodiment is a pair of arm portions that can be elastically deformed in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 1, that is, in the direction of approaching and separating from each other in the width direction of the front outer end closing portion 8. As an example, it has front arm portions 8a and 8b. The front arm portions 8a and 8b of the first embodiment have a pair of front side clamping portions 8a1 and 8b1 formed in a semicircular concave shape according to the rotation shaft 1 at the end on the rotation shaft 1 side.
The front outer end blocking portion 8 includes a front release arm portion 8c that is disposed between the front arm portions 8a and 8b and is elastically deformable. A front-side release operation portion 8d that protrudes forward is formed at the end of the front-side release arm portion 8c of the first embodiment on the rotating shaft 1 side.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the front outer end blocking portion of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10A is a sectional view taken along the line XA-XA of FIG. 9 and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front release arm portion is disposed at the normal position. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the front roller presses the front end surface of the front release operation portion from the state of FIG. 10A and the front release arm portion moves from the normal position to the release position.
In FIG. 10, the front-side release operation unit 8 d according to the first embodiment is formed so that the width direction becomes longer as it moves forward. For this reason, when the front release operation portion 8d is pressed rearward, that is, inward of the closing member 6, and the front release arm portion 8c is elastically deformed, the front release portion 8c is interposed between the front arm portions 8a and 8b. The front side release operation part 8d enters and can be moved in a direction in which the side faces the front side arm parts 8a and 8b and is separated from each other. That is, the front side release arm 8c is moved to the normal position shown in FIG. 10A where the front side arms 8a and 8b approach each other and the front side holding portions 8a1 and 8b1 can hold the rotary shaft 1; The front arm portions 8a and 8b shown in FIG. 3 can be moved apart from each other to a release position at which the pinching of the rotary shaft 1 by the front holding portions 8a1 and 8b1 can be released.

The rear outer end closing portion 9 includes rear arm portions 9a and 9b similar to the front arm portions 8a and 8b, rear clamping portions 9a1 and 9b1 similar to the front clamping portions 8a1 and 8b1, and It has a rear release arm portion 8c similar to the front release arm portion 8c, and a front release operation portion 9d formed symmetrically with the front release operation portion 8d.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the closing member 6 is supported by the rotating shaft 1 by holding the rotating shaft 1 by the holding portions 8 a 1, 8 b 1, 9 a 1, 9 b 1. Has been.
The arm portions 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b formed with the holding portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1, 9b1 constitute the closing member supported portions 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b of the first embodiment. Further, the release arm portions 8c, 9c formed with the release operation portions 8d, 9d constitute the support release portions 8c, 9c of the first embodiment.

Further, in FIG. 3, a pair of front roller 11 and rear roller 12 as an example of a small-diameter member provided on both ends in the axial direction of the closing member 6 are slid in the rotary shaft 1 in the axial direction. Supported as possible. Each of the rollers 11 and 12 according to the first embodiment includes axial positioning claw portions 11a and 12a that engage with the groove portions 1a and 1b outward along the axial direction.
The outer diameter of each of the rollers 11 and 12 of the first embodiment is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 4b of the core member 4 and larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 4c. Further, each of the rollers 11 and 12 of Example 1 is a highly slidable member having high slidability with respect to the recording sheet S, for example, PTFE, that is, a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, so-called Teflon. It is also possible to form a surface layer with (registered trademark) or the like.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when an image is recorded on the recording sheet S, the topmost of the bundles of the recording sheets S stacked on the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR3. Only the recording sheet S is taken out by the pickup roll Rp and conveyed to the medium conveyance device (SH + Ra + Rr) through the separation roll Rs. As a result, the recording sheet S supplied by the medium supply device (TR1 to TR3 + Rp + Rs) is conveyed and inputted to the image recording device (PRy to PRk + Gy to Gk + T1 + T2 + B) via the medium conveyance device (SH + Ra + Rr). An image is recorded according to the received image information.

Here, in the pickup roll Rp of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drive transmission pin 2 supported in a state of penetrating the rotary shaft 1 is replaced with the drive transmission pin 2. It is inserted into the pin insertion groove 4a1 of the core member 4 formed accordingly. Therefore, in the pickup roll Rp of the first embodiment, the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 1 is transmitted to the medium transport member main body 3.
Further, in the pickup roll Rp according to the first embodiment, when the large-diameter portion 4b of the core member 4 is disposed on the lower side facing the recording sheet S by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 1, the large The contact conveyance unit 5 supported by the diameter portion 4b comes into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost recording sheet S. Therefore, only the uppermost recording sheet S is taken out according to the rotation of the contact conveyance unit 5 by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 1 and the frictional force of the contact conveyance unit 5.

  Further, when the uppermost recording sheet S is conveyed to the separating roll Rs and the small diameter portion 4c of the core member 4 is arranged on the lower side, each roller having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion 4c. 11 and 12 are in contact with the upper surface of the next recording sheet S. As a result, the outer surface of each of the rollers 11 and 12 presses while sliding on the upper surface of the next recording sheet S by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 1. For this reason, for example, even when the next recording sheet S is about to be sent out in a row due to static electricity or the like, the next recording sheet S is pressed. Therefore, in the pickup roll Rp according to the first embodiment, the next recording sheet S is conveyed to the separation roll Rs along with the uppermost recording sheet S, compared with the case where the rollers 11 and 12 are not arranged. Is reduced.

  Further, in the pickup roll Rp of the first embodiment, the rotating shaft 1 is sandwiched between the sandwiching portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1, and 9b1 of the closing member 6 shown in FIG. Further, the insertion groove 4d formed in the small diameter portion 4c is closed by the closing member body 7 and the outer end closing portions 8 and 9 of the closing member 6. That is, in the insertion groove 4d, the outer surface side of the small diameter portion 4c is closed by the closing member main body 7, and the front and rear end surfaces of the small diameter portion 4c are closed by the outer end closing portions 8 and 9. .

  Therefore, in the pickup roll Rp according to the first embodiment, the medium transport member body 3 and the closing member 6 are in a state where the insertion groove 4d is closed by the closing member 6 by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 1. Rotates integrally. As a result, for example, when the recording sheet S is replenished to the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 other than the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 in which the rotation shaft 1 is rotationally driven while continuing the image forming operation. The operator's finger accidentally touches the pick-up roll Rp that is being rotationally driven, and accidents such as the finger fitting into the insertion groove 4d and being caught in the rotation of the medium conveying member main body 3 are prevented. . Further, for example, during rotation of the rotary shaft 1, other objects such as the operator's writing tools and tools fit into the insertion grooves 4 d, and the objects are damaged, or the pickup roll Rp and the medium supply Accidents such as breakage of other members of the device (TR1 to TR3 + Rp + Rs) are prevented.

In the pickup roll Rp according to the first embodiment, for example, when the contact conveyance unit 5 is worn out and deteriorated as a result of feeding a large amount of the recording sheets S from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3, the contact roll 5 It is necessary to replace the transport unit 5, that is, to replace the medium transport member main body 3.
When the medium conveying member body 3 is replaced, first, from the state shown in FIG. 3, the axial positioning claw portions 11a and 12a of the rollers 11 and 12 and the grooves 1a and 1b of the rotating shaft 1 are engaged. Release the match. Next, from this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the rollers 11 and 12 are slid inward in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 1 to press both end surfaces of the closing member 6.

That is, the front end surface of the front release operation portion 8d is pressed by the rear end surface of the front roller 11, and the front end surface of the rear release operation portion 9d is pressed by the front end surface of the rear roller 12. In this case, due to the elastic deformation of the blocking member supported portions 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b and the support release portions 8c, 9c, the release arm portions 8c, 9c are moved from the normal positions shown in FIG. Move to the indicated release position. As a result, the pinching of the rotating shaft 1 by the pinching portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1, and 9b1 is released.
Therefore, in the pickup roll Rp according to the first embodiment, the closing member 6 is moved to the rotating shaft in a state where both ends of the closing member 6 are pressed by the rollers 11 and 12 to release the rotation shaft 1. The closing member 6 is easily detached from the rotating shaft 1 by being pulled out in the radial direction.

Next, from this state, the rollers 11 and 12 are slid and moved outward in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 1 to obtain the state shown in FIG. From this state, the medium conveying member body 3 is slid forward in the axial direction, and the drive transmission pin 2 is moved to the outside of the pin insertion groove 4a1. In this case, by pulling out the closing member 6 in the radial direction of the rotary shaft, the medium transport member main body 3 is detached from the rotary shaft 1 and is in the state shown in FIG.
Then, from the state of FIG. 8, a new medium transport member main body 3 is mounted on the rotary shaft 1 by performing the reverse operation to the above.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H06) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) The present invention is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can also be applied to an inkjet recording image forming apparatus.
(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine as the image forming apparatus has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a FAX, a printer, or a multifunction machine having all or a plurality of functions may be used.

(H03) In the embodiment, the closing member 6 preferably has the outer end closing portions 8 and 9 in which the holding portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1 and 9b1 for holding the rotating shaft 1 are formed. For example, the outer end closing portions 8 and 9 are omitted, and the closing member 6 constituted only by the closing member main body 7 closes only the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion groove 4d to the small diameter portion 4c. It can also be configured to be supported. Further, for example, only the holding portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1, and 9b1 are omitted, and the closing member 6 constituted by the closing member body 7 and the outer end closing portions 8 and 9 covers the entire insertion groove 4d. It can also be configured to be supported by the small diameter portion 4c in a closed state.

(H04) In the above embodiment, the closing member 6 is preferably formed with the closing member supported portions 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b and the support releasing portions 8c, 9c. Thus, it is possible to form only the clamping portions 8a1, 8b1, 9a1, and 9b1 that can be elastically deformed.
(H05) In the embodiment, it is preferable that the rollers 11 and 12 are arranged. However, one or both of the rollers 11 and 12 can be omitted. In addition, it is possible to omit only the axial positioning claw portions 11a and 12a that engage with the groove portions 1a and 1b of the rotating shaft 1, respectively.

(H06) In the above-described embodiment, the rollers 11 and 12 are slid inward in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 1 to press the both end surfaces of the closing member 6, and the clamping portions 8a1, 8b1, and 9a1. 9b1 is released, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both end surfaces of the closing member 6 may be pressed and released by an operator's finger.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the pickup roll according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear roller is removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the front roller is removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of FIG. 5 viewed from the direction of arrow VI. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the closing member is removed from the state of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the medium conveying member main body is removed from the state shown in FIG. 7, and is an explanatory view of the rotating shaft and the drive transmission pin. FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view of the closing member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the front outer end blocking portion of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10A is a sectional view taken along the line XA-XA of FIG. 9 and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front release arm portion is disposed at the normal position. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the front roller presses the front end surface of the front release operation portion from the state of FIG. 10A and the front release arm portion moves from the normal position to the release position.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... rotating shaft,
1a, 1b ... grooves,
3 ... medium transport member body,
4a ... supported part,
4c ... excised part,
4d ... insertion groove,
5 ... contact conveyance part,
6 ... Closure member,
8, 9 ... outer end blocking part,
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b ... arm part, closing member supported part,
8a1, 8b1, 9a1, 9b1 ... clamping part,
8c, 9c ... release arm, support release,
8d, 9d ... release operation part,
11, 12 ... small diameter member,
11a, 12a ... axial positioning claw portions,
(PRy˜PRk + Gy˜Gk + T1 + T2 + B)... Image recording device,
Rp: medium conveying member,
S ... medium
(SH + Ra + Rr) ... medium transport device,
TR1 to TR3: Medium container,
(TR1 to TR3 + Rp + Rs) ... medium supply device,
U: Image forming apparatus.

Claims (9)

A rotating shaft rotatably supported;
A substantially cylindrical medium conveying member main body supported by the rotating shaft and configured to convey a medium according to the rotation of the rotating shaft;
A supported portion that is formed through a central portion in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body and supported by the rotating shaft;
A cross-section arc-shaped contact transport unit that is formed on a part of the outer surface of the medium transport member body and transports the medium in contact with the medium;
A removed part formed by removing a part of the outer surface other than the contact conveying part;
An insertion groove formed extending from the supported portion to the removed portion in the radial direction of the medium transport member main body, and capable of inserting the rotating shaft from the outside to the supported portion;
The medium transport member body having:
A closing member that extends from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the medium conveying member main body and closes the removed portion, the closing member being rotatably supported integrally with the medium conveying member main body;
A medium conveying member comprising: An outer end closing portion extending from the axial end portion of the closing member to the rotary shaft side, which is the radially inner side of the medium transport member main body, and closing the axial outer end portion of the insertion groove;
The medium conveying member according to claim 1, further comprising: A sandwiching portion that is formed at an end of the outer end closing portion on the rotating shaft side and sandwiches the rotating shaft;
The medium conveying member according to claim 2, further comprising: A pair of arm portions that are formed to extend in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body at the rotation shaft side end portion of the outer end closing portion and elastically deform in a direction approaching and separating from each other, and the rotation shafts of the respective arm portions A closing member supported portion that is formed on a side end portion and sandwiches the rotating shaft, and is supported on the rotating shaft by the sandwiching portion;
A release arm portion that is disposed between the pair of arm portions and is elastically deformable, and is provided on the release arm portion, and engages with the arm portion as the release arm portion is elastically deformed so that the arm portion is The release arm portion is moved between a release position that releases the rotation shaft by the holding portion and releases the rotation shaft, and a normal position in which the arm portion approaches each other and the holding portion holds the rotation shaft. A support release unit having a release operation unit
The closing member having the closing member supported portion and the support releasing portion,
The medium conveying member according to claim 2, wherein the medium conveying member is provided. A small-diameter member supported by the rotating shaft, provided outside the one end in the axial direction of the medium transport member main body, and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the contact transport unit, The small-diameter member that contacts and presses the medium when not in contact with the contact conveyance unit;
The medium conveying member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The rotating shaft formed with the groove,
The small-diameter member supported so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the small-diameter member having an axial positioning claw portion engaged with the groove portion;
The medium conveying member according to claim 5, further comprising: An outer end closing portion that extends from the axial end portion of the closing member to the rotary shaft side, which is the radially inner side of the medium transport member body, and closes the axial outer end portion of the insertion groove;
A pair of arm portions that are formed to extend in the radial direction of the medium conveying member main body at the rotation shaft side end portion of the outer end closing portion and elastically deform in a direction approaching and separating from each other, and the rotation shafts of the respective arm portions A closing member supported portion that is formed on a side end portion and sandwiches the rotating shaft, and is supported on the rotating shaft by the sandwiching portion;
A release arm portion that is disposed between the pair of arm portions and is elastically deformable, and is provided on the release arm portion, and engages with the arm portion as the release arm portion is elastically deformed so that the arm portion is The release arm portion is moved between a release position that releases the rotation shaft by the holding portion and releases the rotation shaft, and a normal position in which the arm portion approaches each other and the holding portion holds the rotation shaft. A support release unit having a release operation unit
The outer end closing part having
The small-diameter member disposed outside the support release portion, and is engaged with the release operation portion when the small-diameter member is moved toward the support release portion, which is the inner side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The one end face in the axial direction of the small-diameter member that presses the support release portion inward in the axial direction of the insertion groove, thereby moving the release arm portion from the normal position to the release position; ,
The medium conveying member according to claim 6, further comprising: A medium storage container for storing a medium;
The medium conveying member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which conveys the medium accommodated in the medium loading container;
A medium supply apparatus comprising: The medium supply device according to claim 8 for supplying a medium;
A medium conveying device for conveying the supplied medium;
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on the conveyed medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images