JP2012066913A - Sheet storage apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet storage apparatus for storing sheets, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet storage apparatus which can secure operability when storing sheets while preventing the occurrence of skew and jamming in association with sheet feeding by holding the sheet in a reference position without pressing the sheet by a regulating member.SOLUTION: The sheet storage apparatus includes: a first regulating member for regulating the sheets placed on a stacking part; a first regulating member moving means for moving the first regulating member in a direction to abut on the sheet from a position separated from the sheet; and a driving means 17 for supplying power to the first regulating member moving means. If receiving a predetermined amount of resistance force in association with the movement of the first regulating member when the first regulating member abuts on the sheet, transmission of power from the driving means 17 to the first regulating member is intercepted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet storage device that stores a sheet, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet storage device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet storage device having a sheet feeding cassette or the like for storing the sheet is provided, and the sheet is supplied from the sheet storage device to the image forming apparatus. An image is formed on the sheet.

  When a sheet is stored in such a sheet storage device, it is stored in order to prevent occurrence of JAM (paper jam) or the like and ensure stable feeding performance when the sheet is supplied to the image forming apparatus. The sheet is held at a predetermined reference position by regulating the side edge of the sheet with a regulating member such as a fence. Conventionally, regarding the regulation of the sheet by the regulating member, a configuration in which the user manually operates the regulating member so as to match the side edge of the sheet, and the regulating member is provided at a position determined in advance according to the sheet size standard. The configuration is known.

  However, in the case of a configuration in which the user manually operates the regulating member, there is a problem in that the feeding performance is deteriorated due to variations in the set position of the regulating member depending on the way the user operates. More specifically, because the user's set of regulating members is insufficient, there is a gap between the sheet and the regulating member, or at the side edge of the sheet because the user presses the regulating member excessively. When the pressure is applied, there is a problem that skew (a state in which the parallelism of the plane of the sheet is broken in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction) or JAM occurs when the sheet is supplied.

  On the other hand, even in the case of a configuration in which the regulating member is provided at a predetermined position, a gap is generated between the sheet and the regulating member due to variations in the sheet size, or pressure is applied to the side edge of the sheet. As a result, there has been a problem that skew and JAM occur when the sheet is supplied. Further, when the width of the position where the sheet is held is the same as the width of the sheet, it is difficult for the user to put in the sheet when the sheet is accommodated, and there is a problem in operability.

  With respect to such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a cassette that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the cassette is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the image forming apparatus is biased by a side pressure spring. Press the side pressure plate that regulates the sheet material placed on the cassette with the pressure bar, and when the cassette is removed, hold the pressure bar in a position that does not press the side pressure plate with the electromagnetic solenoid. An image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus having a paper feed cassette that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is based on the detection result of the size of the paper placed on the lift plate and the paper stacking amount. Thus, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus that controls a moving distance of a side fence that regulates a side edge of a sheet placed in a sheet feeding cassette from both sides.

JP-A-10-101232 JP 2007-62934 A

  However, in the image forming apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, although user operability at the time of sheet accommodation is improved to some extent, when a loaded paper is regulated, a regulating member such as a side fence is used as a paper. Therefore, there is a problem in that pressure is applied to the side edge of the sheet, and skew and JAM are generated when the sheet is supplied.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. By holding the sheet at the reference position without pressing the sheet by the regulating member, the skew or JAM associated with the sheet feeding can be reduced. An image forming apparatus capable of preventing occurrence of misalignment at the time of sheet storage and preventing misalignment during image formation and occurrence of JAM during sheet conveyance by including the sheet storage apparatus and the sheet storage apparatus. The issue is to provide.

  In one aspect of the sheet storage device of the present invention to achieve the above object, a storage unit that stores sheets, a stacking unit on which the sheets stored in the storage unit are mounted, and a stacking unit A first restricting member that restricts an end face of the placed sheet, a first restricting member moving unit that moves the first restricting member from a position spaced from the sheet in a direction to contact the sheet, and the first restricting member. A driving means for supplying power for moving the member to the first restricting member moving means; and a predetermined amount of resistance force accompanying the movement of the first restricting member when the first restricting member comes into contact with the seat A first restricting member that cuts off transmission of power from the driving means to the first restricting member.

  Further, in the sheet storage device, the first restricting member moving unit converts the first shaft that is connected to the driving unit and is rotationally driven, and the rotational force of the first shaft into the moving force of the first restricting member. The first limiting member has a torque limiter having the first axis as a rotation axis.

  Further, the sheet storage device includes a second restricting member that restricts a moving amount of the first restricting member by the first restricting member moving unit.

Furthermore, in the sheet storage device,
The stacking portion has a first surface on which the sheet is placed, and the first surface has a convex portion provided along a direction in which the first regulating member moves.

Furthermore, the sheet storage device includes:
The mounting portion is provided with a detachable attachment portion, and the first restricting member moving means has a restriction releasing member that moves the first restricting portion in a direction to release the restriction of the sheet by the first restricting member. When the accommodating portion is removed from the attachment portion, the connection between the driving means and the first restricting member moving means is disconnected, and the restriction releasing member restricts the first restricting member to the seat restriction. Move in the direction to release.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and includes the sheet storage device.

  According to the sheet storage device of the present invention, the first restricting member restricts the sheet to the reference position without pressing the sheet according to the size of the sheet placed on the stacking unit, and between the sheet and the first restricting member. Therefore, when the sheet is supplied, skew and JAM can be prevented from occurring, and a stable feeding property can be ensured.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the skewed sheet is prevented from being supplied, it is possible to prevent occurrence of JAM in the sheet conveyance path, and positional deviation and image inclination during image formation. it can.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of image forming apparatus GS1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the side control part in the sheet | seat accommodation apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, a side control part movement means, and a 1st limitation member. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the side control part in the sheet | seat accommodation apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, a side control part movement means, and a 1st limitation member. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the side control part in the sheet | seat accommodation apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, a side control part movement means, and a 1st limitation member. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the side control part in the sheet | seat accommodation apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, a side control part movement means, and a 1st limitation member. It is a schematic upper view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows an example of sheet | seat accommodating apparatus SH1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus GS1”) according to Embodiment 1 which is an example of the present invention. The image forming apparatus GS1 includes a sheet storage device (hereinafter, “sheet storage device SH1”) according to Embodiment 1 which is an example of the present invention. First, the image forming apparatus GS1 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Image forming apparatus GS1>
The image forming apparatus GS1 includes an automatic document conveying device 40 that conveys a document, an image reading unit 20 that reads an image of the conveyed document at an image reading position and generates image data, and a sheet that stores and / or supplies a sheet S. Storage unit 300 and manual feed supply unit 310, and image formation for forming an image on the sheet S conveyed from sheet storage unit 300 or manual feed supply unit 310 by an electrophotographic method based on image data generated by image reading unit 20 Unit 50, an unfixed sheet conveying device 60 located on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction (left side in FIG. 1) from image forming unit 50, and fixing located on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction from unfixed sheet conveying device 60. Apparatus 70, reversing conveyance unit 800 for reversing the sheet S on which an image is fixed on one side, and a discharge unit for supporting the sheet S on which an image has been formed and discharged It has a 10, a.

  Further, the image forming apparatus GS1 includes a control unit 90 that controls each process such as image formation, a memory 91 that stores data necessary for each process, a timer 92 that measures an operation time and the like of each process, and image formation. A sheet storage device SH1 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

  The automatic document feeder 40 includes a document feeding table 41 on which documents are stacked, a document registration unit GRB that transports documents loaded on the document feeding table 41 while controlling the conveyance timing and posture, and an image reading position. A platen roller 42 that conveys a document conveyed from the document registration unit GRB, a document reversing conveyance unit 44 that reverses the front and back of the document in duplex scanning, and a document discharge table 43 on which the discharged document is stacked. Have.

  The image reading unit 20 includes a movable first scanning unit 21 having a lamp and a mirror for illuminating a document, and two mirrors. The second scanning unit 21 is movable at a speed half that of the scanning unit 21. The scanning unit 22 includes a lens and an image sensor, a light receiving unit 23 that generates an image signal, and a platen glass 24 on which a document is placed.

  The image reading unit 20 can operate in a mode for reading a document conveyed by the automatic document conveyance device 40 and a mode for reading a document placed on the platen glass 24.

  The sheet S stacked on the document feeding table 41 is conveyed to the image reading position after the sheet conveyance timing and the posture of the sheet S are controlled in the document registration unit GRB.

  The document conveyed to the image reading position is read by the scanning unit, and the image information is stored in the memory 91. The stored image information of the original is subjected to image processing necessary for correcting misalignment, and then converted into an electrical image signal by the light receiving unit 23. The image information converted into the electrical image signal is input to the image forming unit 50. Note that the image information may be input to the image forming unit 50 from an external device such as a personal computer (not shown).

  The sheet storage unit 300 includes a sheet storage device SH1 having a storage unit such as a paper feed tray that can be individually inserted into and removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus GS1, although details will be described later. Here, the image forming apparatus GS1 main body is formed with a recess along the shape of the housing portion, and the housing portion is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus GS1 main body by inserting and removing the housing portion. be able to.

  The image forming apparatus GS1 can include a plurality of sheet storage devices SH1, and can store different types of sheets S. The type of the sheet S stored in each sheet storage apparatus SH1 can be set using, for example, an operation panel 93 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus GS1. Information regarding the set type of the sheet S is input to the control unit 90 and stored in the memory 91. Moreover, you may set from external apparatuses, such as a personal computer not shown.

  The manual feed supply unit 310 includes a manual feed tray 311 provided in the image forming apparatus GS1 main body so as to be openable and closable, and a supply roller for supplying the sheets S stacked on the manual feed tray 311. For example, when an image is formed on the sheet S stacked on the manual feed tray 311, the supply roller rotates according to the image forming operation, and is separated and conveyed one by one from the sheet S stacked on the manual feed tray 311. It is like that.

  The sheet S transported from the sheet storage device SH1 or the manual feed tray 311 is transported along a sheet transport path provided with a pair of transport rollers, and is transported to the image forming unit 50 through the sheet registration unit SRB.

  The sheet registration unit SRB corrects the skew of the sheet S (conveyance when the sheet S is inclined with respect to the sheet conveyance direction) and aligns the sheet S so that there is no inclination with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. Carries the sheet.

  Although details will be described later, when the sheet S accommodated in the sheet accommodating device SH1 is conveyed to the image forming apparatus GS1, the sheet is appropriately held when the sheet is accommodated, thereby preventing skew during conveyance. Further, jam (clogging of the sheet S) accompanying the conveyance of the sheet S is prevented, and the sheet conveyance timing and the posture of the sheet S are appropriately controlled in the sheet registration unit SRB, so that the image misalignment and the image inclination occur. Generation of image information is prevented.

  The image forming unit 50 includes an image carrier 51 formed of a rotating drum-shaped photosensitive member, a charging device 52 that charges the image carrier 51, an exposure device 53 that exposes the image carrier 51 based on an image signal, A developing unit 54 that forms an image on the image carrier 51 with a developer including toner and a carrier, and a transfer unit 55 that transfers the image on the image carrier 51 to the sheet S that has passed through the sheet resist unit SRB. Yes. A charging device 52, an exposure device 53, a developing unit 54, and a transfer unit 55 are arranged in this order along the rotation direction of the image carrier 51 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 51. Further, an image carrier cleaning means 56 provided with an image carrier cleaning blade is provided at a position downstream of the transfer means 55.

  The image carrier 51 has a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal substrate. In FIG. 1, the rotation axis is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Yes.

  The charging device 52 is, for example, a scorotron charger having a grid electrode and a discharge electrode, and charges the surface of the image carrier 51.

  The exposure device 53 includes a laser irradiation device, and exposes the image carrier 51 by irradiating laser light. The laser beam can be irradiated based on the image signal of the document read at the image reading position.

  The charging device 52 and the exposure device 53 constitute an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 51.

  The developing unit 54 includes, for example, a developer accommodating unit and a developing sleeve that contains a magnet and rotates while holding the developer. When an image is formed, the developing sleeve 54 is connected to the developing sleeve from a voltage application unit (not shown). And / or an alternating bias voltage is applied.

  The transfer means 55 faces the surface of the image carrier 51 and is provided with a transfer member provided so as to form a transfer region, and a transfer current supply device (for example, a constant current power source) connected to the transfer member (see FIG. (Not shown). As the transfer member, for example, a transfer roller can be used.

  The transfer unit 55 transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier 51 onto the sheet S by supplying a transfer current to a transfer roller by a transfer current supply device (not shown), for example, so-called contact transfer. It can be a method.

  The sheet S that has passed through the sheet registration portion SRB is conveyed to the transfer nip portion in synchronization with the image on the image carrier 51 in the advancing direction, so that the image is transferred without deviation.

  When an image is transferred to the sheet S at the transfer nip portion, for example, the controller 90 applies the transfer member to the transfer member so as to obtain an appropriate transfer current according to the type of the sheet S conveyed to the transfer nip portion. Adjusted voltage.

  The image carrier cleaning means 56 has, for example, an image carrier cleaning blade. The image carrier cleaning blade is made of, for example, an elastic material such as urethane rubber, and is provided such that its base end portion is supported by a support member and its front end portion is in contact with the surface of the image carrier 51. . The direction extending from the base end side of the image carrier cleaning blade can be a so-called counter direction, which is the direction opposite to the moving direction due to the rotation of the image carrier 51 at the contact portion.

  The unfixed sheet conveyance device 60 includes, for example, a conveyance roller and a conveyance belt, and conveys the sheet S by rotating the conveyance belt by the conveyance roller. Further, for example, the sheet S may be conveyed by being sucked onto the conveyance belt using a fan (not shown).

  The fixing device 70 includes, for example, a heating roller 211, a pressure roller 71, and a fixing roller 72, and pressurizes and heats the toner image transferred on the sheet S to fix it. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 70 is conveyed along a conveyance path, and is discharged to a discharge unit 810 outside the image forming apparatus via a discharge roller. When the image on the sheet S is fixed in the fixing device 70, for example, the control unit 90 adjusts the fixing temperature and the fixing speed according to the type of the sheet S conveyed to the fixing device 70. The fixing speed and / or the temperature of the heating roller are adjusted.

  The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 70 and has an image formed on one side (first surface) is subjected to reversal conveyance unit 800 that is a switchback reversing mechanism in order to form an image on the back surface (second surface). It can be conveyed again to the image forming unit 50 through the sheet resist unit SRB.

<Sheet storage device SH1>
Next, the sheet storage device SH1 provided in the image forming apparatus GS1 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

  The sheet storage device SH1 includes a storage unit 10 that stores the sheet S, a supply unit 11 that supplies the sheet S stored in the storage unit 10 to the image forming apparatus GS1, and a sheet S stored in the storage unit 10. The stacking unit 12 to be moved, the stacking unit moving means 13 for raising and lowering the stacking unit 12, and the upstream end (left side in FIG. 2) of the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12 are regulated. The rear end restricting portion 14, the first side restricting portion 15a and the second side restricting portion 15b for restricting the side end surface of the seat, the side restricting portion moving means 16 for moving the side restricting portion 15a, and the side restricting portion moving means. Drive means 17 for driving 16 and a first restricting member 18 for restricting movement of the side restricting portion 15a.

  The storage unit 10 is a paper feed tray, and is supplied to supply a sheet S stored in the storage unit 10 to a position downstream of the storage unit 10 in the sheet supply direction (right side in FIG. 2). Means 11 are provided.

  The supply unit 11 includes a supply unit 111 that sends out the sheet S to the image forming apparatus GS1 side, and a pickup unit 112 that sends out the sheet S to the supply unit 111. Here, the supply unit 111 and the pickup unit 112 constitute double feed prevention means for preventing multiple feed of the plurality of sheets S placed on the stacking unit 12.

  The pickup unit 112 is a pickup roller, and rotates the sheet S in the supply direction side (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) to convey the sheet S placed on the stacking unit 12 to the supply unit 111.

  The supply unit 111 includes a pair of paper feed rollers including a paper feed roller 1111 and a separation roller 1112 to which a torque limiter is connected.

  When the sheet S is conveyed from the pickup unit 112, the supply unit 111 rotates the sheet feeding roller 1111 in the sheet S supply direction side (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), and the separation roller 1112 is driven in reverse. This is a so-called torque limiter reverse roller system in which the sheets S are sent one by one (in the direction of arrow T1 in FIG. 2) to the image forming apparatus GS1 side. The supply unit 111 may be of a so-called torque limiter type in which, for example, the separation roller 1112 connected with the torque limiter is rotated only in the paper feeding direction (clockwise in FIG. 1). The supply unit 11 may be provided on the image forming apparatus GS1 side, and the sheet storage apparatus SH1 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus GS1 main body.

  The stacking unit 12 has a placement surface 121 on which at least one sheet S is placed. The placement surface 121 is an area for holding a placed sheet so that it can be fed appropriately, and has a reference holding area that is set according to the size of the sheet. When a sheet is placed outside the reference holding area, skew (a state in which the parallel plane of the sheet is broken horizontally or vertically) or JAM (sheet jam) occurs when the sheet is fed. Sometimes.

  The stacking unit moving unit 13 includes a contact unit 131 that contacts the stacking unit 12, and a first support shaft 132 that transmits power for moving the stacking unit 12 to the contact unit 131.

  The contact portion 131 is configured so that the first support shaft 132 rotates, so that the stacking position, which is a position when the sheets are placed on the stacking portion 12, and the foremost sheet S placed on the stacking portion 12. The sheet S is configured to be movable between a sheet feeding position where the sheet S can be fed by the feeding unit 11 (in the direction of arrow T2 in FIG. 2). When the contact portion 131 is at the stacking position, the surface on which the sheets S of the stacking portion 12 are placed is horizontal, and when the contact portion 131 is at the paper feed position, The surface on which the sheet S is placed is inclined. In addition, horizontal here is the concept containing substantially horizontal. The abutting portion 131 is in a paper feeding position when an image is formed on the sheet S stored in the storage portion 10.

  The rear end restricting portion 14 is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the storage portion, and comes into contact with the end surface on the upstream side in the supply direction of the sheet placed on the stacking portion 12. The sheet is held in the reference holding area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first side restricting portion 15 a includes a first side restricting member 151 a that restricts one end side in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction T <b> 1 of the sheet placed on the placing surface 121. The second side restricting portion 15b is provided at a position facing the first side restricting member 151a with the sheet S interposed therebetween, and is the other end in the direction orthogonal to the supply direction T1 of the sheet placed on the placement surface 121. And a second side regulating member 151b for regulating the part side.

  The first side regulating member 151a and the second side regulating member 151b have a first regulating surface 1511a and a second regulating surface 1511b for regulating the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12, respectively. The first restricting surface 1511a is provided with a second support shaft 152a extending in a direction perpendicular to the first restricting surface 1511a. In addition, although mentioned later for details, the 2nd support shaft 152a has the groove | channel provided in the diagonal direction with respect to the axial direction as a 1st engaging part.

  In this way, the sheet placed on the placement surface 121 is regulated so as to be positioned in the reference holding region by the side regulating unit 15 and the rear end regulating unit 14. In other words, the side restricting portion 15 and the rear end restricting portion 14 hold the sheet placed on the placing surface 121 so that the sheet is at the reference position.

  The side restricting portion moving means 16 includes a third support shaft 161 provided substantially parallel to the second support shaft 152a, a first rotating portion 162 having the third support shaft 161 as a rotation axis, and a first side restricting portion. And a support portion 163 that supports the member 151a.

  The 1st rotation part 162 is a screw gear, and has a convex part as the 2nd engaging part engaged with the slot of the 2nd support shaft 152a. By connecting the groove of the second support shaft 152a to the screw gear, the second support shaft 152a is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction by the rotation of the screw gear. In addition, about the connection of the 1st rotation part 162 and the 2nd support shaft 152a, the axis | shaft of the 2nd support shaft 152a or the 3rd support shaft 161 in any one of a 1st engagement part and a 2nd engagement part, for example. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion may be engaged with each other by forming a groove provided in an oblique direction with respect to the direction and forming a convex portion engaging with the groove on the other side.

  The support portion 163 is a tension coil spring 163a, and one end portion is connected to the inner wall of the accommodating portion 10 and the other end portion is connected to the back surface of the first regulating surface 1511a.

  The side regulating portion moving means 16 can translate the first side regulating member 151a, as will be described in detail later. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first regulating surface 1511 a regulates the one end side in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction T <b> 1 of the sheet placed on the placing surface 121. The first position i1 can be translated between the position i1 and the second position i2 where the restriction is released by separating from the sheet placed on the placement surface 121. Note that the first side regulating member 151a in the first position regulates the sheet without pressing the one end side of the sheet.

  Moreover, the support part 163 is. The first restriction surface 1511a of the first side restriction member 151a is supported so as to be moved to the second position i2. In other words, the natural length of the tension coil spring 163a is equal to the length between the back surface of the first regulating surface 1511a at the second position i2 and the inner wall of the housing portion 10. Note that the support portion 163 is not limited to a tension coil spring, and may be an elastic body such as a compression spring or a leaf spring, for example.

  The driving unit 17 includes a motor 171 that supplies power for moving the first side regulating member 151 a to the side regulating unit moving unit 16 and a gear mechanism 172 connected to the motor 171.

  The motor 171 can take a driving state in which the third support shaft 161 is rotationally driven via the gear mechanism 172 and a stopped state in which the rotational driving of the third support shaft 161 is stopped. When the motor 171 is in the driving state, the first rotating portion 162 rotates and the second support shaft 152a moves, so that the first restricting surface 1511a moves in the direction toward the first position i1. On the other hand, when the motor 171 is in the stopped state, the stress applied to the support portion 163 is weakened, so that the first restriction surface 1511a moves in the direction toward the second position i2.

  The motor 171 rotates the first support shaft 132 via the gear mechanism 172 to move the contact portion 131 between the loading position and the supplyable position. However, the motor 171 rotates the first rotation shaft. A motor for driving may be provided separately.

  Further, the motor 171 and the gear mechanism 172 are provided on the image forming apparatus GS1 side as shown in FIG. When the container 10 is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus GS1 main body, the gear mechanism 172, the first support shaft 132, and the third support shaft 161 are attached and detached. Here, a hole into which the first support shaft 132 or the third support shaft 161 is inserted and removed is formed at the center of each gear constituting the gear mechanism 172.

  In addition, you may provide the motor 171 and the gear mechanism 172 in the accommodating part 10 side. In this case, the motor 171 and the power supply source that supplies power to the motor 171 are attached and detached when the container 10 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus GS1 main body.

  The first limiting member 18 is a torque limiter, and can block the driving force transmitted from the driving means 17 to the side restricting portion moving means 16. The torque limiter has a movable part that can rotate about the third support shaft 161 as a rotation axis, and a fixed part that is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the third support shaft 161.

  The movable part is connected to the first rotating part 162, and is configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed part when a certain amount of rotational torque is applied. In other words, it is configured so that it rotates idly with respect to the fixed portion when a certain amount of rotational torque is applied.

  Next, an operation when the housing unit 10 is attached to the image forming apparatus GS1 from a state where it is detached from the image forming apparatus GS1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The container 10 removed from the image forming apparatus GS1 is in a state in which the first support shaft 132 and the third support shaft 161 are pulled out from the hole formed in the gear mechanism 172 and can freely rotate as shown in FIG. It has become. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the contact portion 131 is in the loading position. The tension coil spring 163a is in a natural length state, and supports the first side regulating member 151a so that the first regulating surface 1511a is at the second position i2. Here, the natural length is a concept including a state substantially equal to the natural length.

  When the accommodating portion 10 is attached to the image forming apparatus GS1, as shown in FIG. 4, the first support shaft 132 and the third support shaft 161 are inserted into holes formed in the gear mechanism 172, and the rotation is restricted. It will be in the state. At this time, the control unit 90 starts counting of the timer 92 and controls the motor 171 to be in a driving state. Thereby, the 3rd support shaft 161 is rotationally driven, and the 1st rotation part 162 rotates via a torque limiter. Due to the rotation of the first rotating part 162, the second support shaft 152a moves in the direction in which the first restricting surface 1511a is directed to the first position i1. Here, the motor 171 moves the first restriction surface 1511a with a force larger than the force that moves the first restriction surface 1511a by the support portion 163 from the first position i1 to the second position i2, that is, the first restriction surface 1511a. The third support shaft 161 is rotationally driven so as to move the one-side regulating member 151a. Further, the stacking unit moving unit 13 moves the stacking unit 12 from the stacking position to the paper feeding position. The control unit 90 controls the motor 171 to be in a driving state when a job is input to the image forming apparatus, and controls the stacking unit moving unit 13 to move the stacking unit 12 to the sheet feeding position. May be.

  When the first restricting surface 1511a reaches the first position i1, the first restricting surface 1511a comes into contact with the end surface in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction T1 of the sheet placed on the placing surface 121, and When the rotational torque applied to the movable part increases, in other words, the resistance force applied to the movable part of the first limiting member 18 increases, so that the movable part idles with respect to the fixed part. Here, the first position i1 varies depending on the size of the sheet placed on the placement surface 121. That is, the first restriction surface 1511a is held at the first position i1 corresponding to the size of the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12, and is restricted to the reference holding area without pressing the sheet.

  In addition, the control part 90 transfers the motor 171 to a stop state, when the count time of the timer 92 reaches predetermined time. At this time, since the third support shaft 161 is inserted into the hole formed in the gear mechanism 172 and the rotation is restricted, the first restriction surface 1511a does not go to the second position i2, Is held at position i1. The predetermined time is set as a sufficient time to reach the first position i1 from the second position i2 for all size sheets that can be stored in the sheet storage apparatus SH1. It is remembered.

  Here, the value of the rotational torque that is set as the threshold value at which the movable part idles with respect to the fixed part is larger than the force of the support part 163 to direct the first restriction surface 1511a toward the second position i2, and the first restriction surface. 1511a is a value smaller than the force of pressing the sheet beyond the first position i1, and is set in consideration of the frictional resistance force accompanying the movement of the first side regulating member 151a.

  As described above, when the storage unit 10 is attached to the image forming apparatus GS1, the first side regulating member 151a regulates the reference holding area without excessively pressing the sheet. Occurrence of JAM can be prevented.

  Next, an operation when the housing unit 10 is attached to the image forming apparatus GS1 and is detached from the image forming apparatus GS1 will be described.

  When the container 10 is removed from the image forming apparatus GS1, as shown in FIG. 3, the first support shaft 132 and the third support shaft 161 are pulled out from the hole formed in the gear mechanism 172, and free rotation is performed. It becomes possible. At this time, the support portion 163 having an elastic member moves the first restricting surface 1511a in the direction toward the second position i2 to restore the natural length. That is, when the container 10 is detached from the image forming apparatus GS1, the first side regulating member 151a moves so that the first regulating surface 1511a is at the second position i2. At this time, the 1st rotation part 162 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation in case motor 171 is in a drive state. Further, the contact portion 131 is at the loading position.

  As described above, when the accommodating portion 10 is detached from the image forming apparatus GS1, the first side regulating member 151a moves so that the first regulating surface 1511a is at the second position i2, and is placed on the placing surface 121. Since the first side regulating member 151a is supported so that the width between the first side regulating member 151a and the second side regulating member 151b is wider than the width of the seat to be placed, the sheet can be easily placed in the housing portion 10. Can be accommodated, and operability at the time of sheet replenishment is secured.

  According to the sheet storage device SH1 as described above, according to the size of the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12, the first regulating member regulates the reference holding area without excessively pressing the sheet, Since it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the first regulating member and the sheet, it is possible to prevent skew and JAM from occurring during sheet feeding, and to ensure stable feeding.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus GS1 including the sheet storage apparatus SH1 as described above, the supply of the skewed sheet is prevented, so that the occurrence of JAM in the sheet conveyance path, the image misalignment, and the image Can be prevented.

  The sheet storage device SH1 and the image forming apparatus GS1 are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention can be variously improved and modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side restricting portion moving means 16 may include a second restricting member 164 that restricts the amount of movement of the first side restricting member 151a. 15b has a fourth support shaft 152b extending in a direction perpendicular to the second restricting surface 1511b of the second side restricting member 151b, and the fourth support shaft 152b is second through the second restricting member 164. It may be connected to the support shaft 152a. In addition, the 4th support shaft 152b is provided with the groove | channel provided in the diagonal direction with respect to the axial direction as a 2nd engaging part similarly to the 2nd support shaft 152a.

  More specifically, the second restricting member 164 is a pinion gear, and has a convex portion as a second engaging portion that engages with the grooves of the second support shaft 152a and the fourth support shaft 152b. . By connecting the grooves of the second support shaft 152a and the fourth support shaft 152b to the second restricting member 164, the second support shaft 152a and the fourth support shaft 152b can move in directions opposite to each other in the axial direction. In other words, the second support shaft 152a and the fourth support shaft 152b are opposite to each other with respect to the direction (insertion / removal direction) in which the housing portion 10 is inserted into and removed from the recess of the image forming apparatus GS1 main body. It is provided to be movable in the direction. Therefore, when the first restriction surface moves upstream in the insertion direction, the second restriction surface moves downstream in the insertion direction, and when the first restriction surface moves downstream in the insertion direction. The second restriction surface moves upstream in the insertion direction.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the pinion gear as the second restricting member 164 restricts the movement amount of the first side restricting member 151a to be constant regardless of the size of the sheet, in other words. The distance between the first position i1 and the second position i2 may be limited to a predetermined distance α regardless of the sheet size.

  More specifically, the pinion gear is held with a play that can move in the same direction as the movement direction of the second support shaft 152a, and the side regulating member 15b has a pinion gear as the second restricting member 164. When moving, it is provided so as not to move with respect to the moving direction of the second support shaft 152a. Therefore, when the first restricting surface 1511a moves from the first position i1 to the second position i2, the second restricting member 164 moves from the restricting position i3 to the release position i4 as shown in FIGS. Move to.

  For example, even when the sheet S1 that is A4 paper is supplied vertically (FIGS. 7 and 8) due to the play of the second restricting member 164, the sheet S2 that is B5 paper is supplied vertically (FIG. 9). Even in FIG. 10), the distance between the first position i1 and the second position i2 is the predetermined distance α.

  As described above, when the side restricting portion moving unit 16 includes the second restricting member 164, the size of the sheet placed on the stacking portion 12 is reduced when moving from the first position i1 to the second position i2. Regardless, only the first side regulating member 151a can move by a predetermined distance α. That is, even when the size of the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12 is changed, the distance between the first position i1 and the second position i2 is constant, and the storage unit is set in the image forming apparatus. Variation in time when moving from the second position i2 to the first position i1 can be prevented. Thereby, productivity accompanying image formation can be improved.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the support portion 163 may be a wire mechanism 163b having a wire 1631b. One end portion of the wire 1631b is connected to the upper surface of the stacking portion 12, and the other end portion is connected to the back surface of the first regulating surface 1511a. Here, the wire mechanism 163b is in a state where the wire 1631b is stretched so that the first restriction surface 1511a is at the second position i2 when the contact portion 131 of the stacking portion moving means 13 is at the stacking position. The wire 1631b is configured to be loosened so that the first restriction surface 1511a can be moved to the first position i1 when the contact portion 131 is at the paper feed position.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the surface on which the sheet S of the stacking unit 12 is placed is provided with a convex portion having a ridge line along the direction in which the first side regulating member 151 a moves. Good. According to such a configuration, even when the number of sheets placed on the stacking unit 12 is small, or even when the rigidity of the sheets placed on the stacking unit 12 is low, the sheets are stored in the stacking unit 12. The sheet can be bent along the convex portion to increase the rigidity of the sheet. Thereby, when the 1st control surface 1511a contacts with a sheet | seat with the movement to the 1st position i1, it can prevent that the edge of a sheet | seat deform | transforms. Note that the surface on which the sheet S of the stacking unit 12 is placed may be provided with a plurality of convex portions along the moving direction of the first side regulating member. In addition, the convex portion does not necessarily have a ridge line in the direction in which the first side regulating member 151a moves, and the sheet placed on the stacking unit 12 is along the direction in which the first side regulating member 151a moves. Any configuration that curves so as to have a ridgeline.

  The present invention can also be applied to tandem color copiers, monochrome copiers, printers, FAX machines, and multi-function machines thereof.

GS1 Image forming apparatus S Sheet 40 Automatic document conveying device 41 Document feeding table GRB Document registration unit 42 Platen roller 43 Document discharge table 44 Document reversing conveying unit 20 Image reading unit 21 First scanning unit 22 Second scanning unit 23 Light receiving unit 24 Platen glass 300 Sheet storage unit 301a, 301b, 301c Storage tray 302a, 302b, 302c Paper feed roller 310 Manual feed unit 311 Manual feed tray 50 Image forming unit 51 Image carrier 52 Charging device 53 Exposure device 54 Development unit 55 Transfer Means 56 Image carrier cleaning means 60 Unfixed sheet conveyance device 70 Fixing device 71 Pressure roller 72 Fixing roller 800 Reverse conveyance portion 810 Discharge portion 90 Control portion 91 Memory 92 Timer 93 Operation panel SRB Sheet registration portion GRB Document registration portion SH1 Sheet storage device 1 Storage unit 11 Supply unit 111 Supply unit 1111 Feed roller 1112 Separating roller 112 Pickup unit 12 Stacking unit 121 Loading surface 13 Stacking unit moving unit 131 Contacting unit 132 First support shaft 14 Rear end regulating unit 15a First side regulating unit 15b Second side restricting portion 151a First side restricting member 151b Second side restricting member 1511a First restricting surface 1511b Second restricting surface 152a Second support shaft 152b Fourth support shaft 16 Side restricting portion moving means 161 Third support shaft 162 First rotating part 163 Supporting part 163a Compression spring 163b Wire mechanism 1631b Wire 164 Second restricting member 17 Driving means 171 Motor 172 Gear mechanism 18 First restricting member T1 Sheet feeding direction T2 Stacking part moving direction
i1 1st position
i2 2nd position
i3 Restricted position
i4 Release position

Claims (6)

An accommodating portion for accommodating the sheet;
A stacking unit on which the sheet stored in the storage unit is placed;
A first regulating member that regulates an end surface of the sheet placed on the stacking unit;
First restricting member moving means for moving the first restricting member from a position away from the sheet in a direction to contact the sheet;
Drive means for supplying power for moving the first restricting member to the first restricting member moving means;
When receiving a predetermined amount of resistance force accompanying the movement of the first restricting member when the first restricting member is brought into contact with the seat, power is transmitted from the driving means to the first restricting member. A sheet storage device comprising: a first restricting member for blocking. The first restricting member moving means includes
A first shaft connected to the driving means and driven to rotate;
A converter that converts the rotational force of the first shaft into the moving force of the first restricting member;
The first limiting member is
The sheet storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a torque limiter having the first axis as a rotation axis. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a second restricting member that restricts a movement amount of the first restricting member by the first restricting member moving unit. The stacking unit has a first surface on which the sheet is placed,
4. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first surface has a convex portion provided along a direction in which the first restricting member moves. 5. . An attachment portion that is detachable from the housing portion;
The first restricting member moving means includes
A regulation release member that moves the first regulation part in a direction to release the regulation of the sheet by the first regulation member;
When the housing part is removed from the attachment part,
The connection between the driving means and the first restricting member moving means is cut off, and the restricting member moves the first restricting member in a direction to release the restriction of the sheet. The sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet storage device according to claim 1.

Images