JP2013095540A - Conveyance system and conveyance roller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance system improving conveyance performance regardless of roller material, and a conveyance roller suitable for the same.SOLUTION: This conveyance system 1 incorporated in a device provided with a conveyance section for conveying a flat body includes: shafts 2 provided to be rotatively driven in the conveyance section; and conveyance rollers 3 which have cylindrical bodies 30 for allowing the shafts 2 to pass therethrough and rubber elastic bodies 33 formed to be brought into contact with the peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical bodies 30, and which are transmitted with the rotational driving force of the shafts 2. The cylindrical bodies 30 brought into contact with the rubber elastic bodies 33, as elements composing the conveyance rollers 3, are configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shafts 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport system and a transport roller.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in various fields, a conveyance system using a conveyance roller is used to convey a planar body such as paper, film, or sheet.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for feeding paper by attaching a feeding roller to a rotationally driven shaft and rotating the feeding roller. As described in the same document, the conveying roller is usually used while being fixed to a substantially central portion of the shaft.

  Further, the material of the transport roller is desired to have a high coefficient of friction with a flat body such as paper to be transported. Therefore, generally, a necessary friction coefficient is ensured by adjusting the blending of components such as synthetic rubber and elastomer having rubber elasticity (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 44449648 JP 2008-37524 A

However, the conventional transport system for transporting a planar body still has problems.
That is, as described above, in order to satisfy the transport performance of a flat body such as paper, it is necessary to ensure the friction coefficient of the roller surface. In addition, in order to maintain the coefficient of friction over a long period of time and suppress the replacement frequency of the conveying roller, it is necessary to select a roller material having excellent wear resistance.

  Generally, in order to ensure a high coefficient of friction, it is often effective to reduce the hardness of the roller. However, when the hardness of the roller is reduced, there is a problem that the roller becomes soft and wear resistance decreases. In addition, when a softening agent such as oil is added to the roller to reduce the hardness, the softening agent that has oozed out on the roller surface may contaminate a flat body such as paper.

  Furthermore, due to manufacturing variations of the transport roller, the roller diameter may be tapered in the axial direction. In this case, a lateral deviation such that a plane body such as paper moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction is likely to occur during conveyance. Moreover, this type of lateral displacement can also occur due to variations in the outer shape of the planar body.

  In the transport system known in the art, the transport roller is fixed to the shaft that is driven to rotate, so if a lateral shift occurs in a flat body such as paper in this state, the frictional force in the transport direction decreases due to the lateral shift of the flat body. To do. Therefore, even if the roller material is adjusted, the effect is not sufficiently exhibited, and there is a problem that the conveyance performance of the conveyance system remains low.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a transport system capable of improving the transport performance regardless of the roller material. Moreover, it is providing the conveyance roller suitable for the said conveyance system.

One aspect of the present invention is a transport system incorporated in an apparatus including a transport unit that transports a planar body,
A shaft that is rotatably driven in the transport unit;
The shaft includes a cylindrical body penetrating through the cylinder and a rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and a conveyance roller to which the rotational driving force of the shaft is transmitted,
The cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft (claim 1).

Another aspect of the present invention is a transport roller used in a transport system incorporated in an apparatus including a transport unit that transports a planar body,
A cylindrical body for penetrating a shaft provided rotatably in the transport section into the cylinder;
A rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body;
A conveying roller having a spring having one end fixed to an end of a cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a transport roller used in a transport system incorporated in an apparatus including a transport unit that transports a planar body,
A cylindrical body for penetrating a shaft provided rotatably in the transport section into the cylinder;
A rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
The cylindrical body includes a first cylindrical body for penetrating the shaft into the cylinder, and a second cylindrical body provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and in contact with the rubber elastic body on the outer peripheral surface. And
The first cylindrical body has a protrusion or a groove along the axial direction on the surface,
The second cylindrical body has a groove or ridge formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the ridge or groove of the first cylindrical body,
The conveying roller is characterized in that the groove or protrusion of the second cylindrical body is fitted to the protrusion or groove of the first cylindrical body.

  The conveyance system includes a shaft and a conveyance roller having the above-described configuration, and among the elements constituting the conveyance roller, a cylindrical body that contacts the rubber elastic body is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft. . That is, in the conventional transport system, the transport roller is fixed to the shaft, but the transport system positively contacts the rubber elastic body among the elements constituting the transport roller along the axial direction of the shaft. The cylindrical body is movable. Therefore, when a plane body such as paper undergoes a lateral displacement, the cylindrical body that contacts the rubber elastic body also moves in the axial direction (the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the planar body) in accordance with the lateral displacement of the planar body. Therefore, the frictional force in the transporting direction of the transporting roller is unlikely to decrease due to the lateral displacement of the planar body, and the frictional force in the transporting direction can be sufficiently secured.

  Therefore, according to the said conveyance system, conveyance performance can be improved irrespective of roller material.

  Moreover, the said conveyance roller (other aspect) has the above-mentioned structure, and the end of the spring is especially integrated with the edge part of the cylindrical body which contact | connects a rubber elastic body. Therefore, when the conveyance system uses a cylindrical body and a spring that are in contact with the rubber elastic body, when the conveyance roller is applied, the cylindrical body and the spring that are in contact with the rubber elastic body are not separately attached to the shaft. There is an advantage that can be done. In particular, this is useful when the transport roller is assembled to the shaft in the transport system or when the transport roller is replaced during maintenance.

  Moreover, the said conveyance roller (other aspect) has the structure mentioned above, and the groove part or protrusion of the 2nd cylindrical body is especially fitted by the protrusion or groove part of the 1st cylindrical body. . Therefore, in the case where this transport roller is applied to the transport system, when the plane body is laterally displaced, the second cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body is pivoted along the ridge or groove of the first tubular body. It is possible to move in the direction (axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement of the planar body). Therefore, it is suitable for the transport system. In addition, since it is not necessary to form protrusions or grooves along the axial direction on the surface of the shaft, there is an advantage that a conventional shaft can be easily used.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the conveyance system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _A 1 -A ₁ in Figure 2. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _B 1 -B ₁ of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a transport system and a transport roller according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the transport system and the transport roller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating another modification of the transport system and the transport roller according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the cross-sectional structure along the axial direction of the conveyance system which concerns on Example 3, and a conveyance roller. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _A 3 -A ₃ in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a transport system and a transport roller according to a fourth embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _A 4 -A ₄ in FIG. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _B 4 -B ₄ in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a transport system and a transport roller according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a transport system and a transport roller according to a sixth embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _A 6 -A ₆ of FIG. 14. It is a cross-sectional view taken at _B 6 -B ₆ in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a cross-sectional structure along an axial direction of a transport system and a transport roller according to a sixth embodiment.

(Description common to the above transport systems)
The conveyance system will be described. A conveyance system is a system built in the apparatus provided with the conveyance part which conveys a plane body. Specific examples of the planar body include paper, film, and sheet. The transport unit that transports this type of planar body may be configured to transport a plurality of planar bodies one by one, or may be configured to transport a continuous planar body. The former is preferred. In the former case, the planar body is often supplied from a deposit formed by depositing a plurality of planar bodies, and the lateral displacement of the planar body is likely to occur. This is because even in such a case, it is easy to ensure the frictional force in the transport direction, and thus the effect of the transport system can be sufficiently exhibited.

  Specifically, as an apparatus provided with a transport unit for transporting a flat body, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, a multi-function machine, a printing machine, a developing device, a scanner, a ticket issuing machine, an automatic cash deposit A payment machine (ATM) can be exemplified. Further, when the above transport system is applied to the paper feed mechanism in the image forming apparatus, the transport system specifically includes, for example, a pickup unit that feeds paper from the paper tray (using the transport roller as a pickup roller), and a pickup unit. Apply to the feed section (conveying roller is used as a feed roller), retard section (conveying roller is used as a retard roller), other paper transport paths, etc. that prevent double feeding of paper fed from the adjacent paper tray Is possible.

  The conveyance system includes a shaft and a conveyance roller. The shaft which comprises a conveyance system is provided in a conveyance part so that rotation drive is possible. Examples of a method of rotatably providing the shaft in the transport unit include a method of rotatably supporting both ends of the shaft. Further, the shaft may be rotatable by being connected to a driving source provided in the apparatus, or may be rotatable without being connected to the driving source. For example, when a conveyance system is applied to the above-described pickup unit and feed unit, the shaft can be rotated by being connected to a drive source. Moreover, when applying a conveyance system to the above-mentioned retard part, the shaft may be rotatable by being connected to a drive source, or may be rotatable without being connected to the drive source. In the former case, it can be connected to a drive source that rotates in the direction opposite to the paper conveyance direction.

  As the structure of the shaft, any structure of a solid body and a hollow body can be adopted. From the viewpoint of strength, cost, etc., it is preferably a solid. Specific examples of the material for the shaft include metal materials such as iron and aluminum, plastic materials such as acetal resin and ABS, and the like.

  One or two or more transport rollers constituting the transport system can be provided on the shaft. The conveyance roller has a cylindrical body and a rubber elastic body. The cylindrical body can be preferably formed in a cylindrical shape. In the transport system, the shaft passes through the cylinder of the cylindrical body. Specific examples of the material of the cylindrical body include plastic materials such as acetal resin and ABS. In addition, the axial length of the cylindrical body can be appropriately selected in consideration of the width of the planar body to be transported, the number of transport rollers provided on the shaft, and the like. Specifically, the axial length of the cylindrical body can be set to, for example, 5 mm to 400 mm.

  The rubber elastic body is formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. That is, the rubber elastic body is also formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical body passes through the cylinder. The rubber elastic body may be composed of one member, or may be composed of a combination of two or more members.

  Examples of the rubber elastic material include urethane rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, butadiene rubber, and nitrile rubber. Specifically, the thickness of the rubber elastic body can be set to 1 mm to 30 mm, for example. The length of the rubber elastic body in the axial direction is preferably substantially the same as or slightly shorter than the length of the cylindrical body in the axial direction.

  The surface of the rubber elastic body may be appropriately subjected to surface processing such as embossing, knurling, or grooving. In the case where the surface of the rubber elastic body is textured, it is easy to ensure the conveyance performance over a long period of time. In particular, when the apparatus is an image forming apparatus, the paper dust generated from the paper that is a flat body is easily captured in the recesses on the roller surface, and the reduction of the frictional force due to the paper powder is suppressed. It is advantageous to ensure the conveyance performance over the entire range.

  The transport roller is manufactured by, for example, manufacturing a cylindrical rubber elastic body having a cylinder inner diameter smaller than the cylinder outer diameter of the cylindrical body and press-fitting the cylindrical body into the cylinder of the rubber elastic body. Can do.

  The rotational driving force of the shaft is transmitted to the transport roller. The method for transmitting the rotational driving force is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, one or two or more pin portions provided on the surface of the shaft and a fitting portion to which the pin portion provided on the cylindrical body can be fitted can be used to generate the rotational driving force of the shaft. Can be communicated to. Further, by fitting one or more protrusions or grooves provided on the surface of the shaft with one or more grooves or protrusions provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical body, the rotational driving force of the shaft can be reduced. It can also be transmitted to the cylindrical body. Note that the transport roller may be connected to a torque limiter so that the rotational torque can be cut off when an excessive rotational torque is applied.

  Here, in the transport system, among the elements constituting the transport roller, the cylindrical body that comes into contact with the rubber elastic body is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft. The cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body can be moved, for example, in the middle of the shaft, preferably from a substantially central portion of the shaft to an end portion on at least one side. When the transport system has one transport roller, the substantially central portion of the shaft can be set as the initial setting position of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body.

(Description of the transport system of the first embodiment)
In the transport system, the shaft has a protrusion or groove along the axial direction on the surface, and the cylindrical body has a groove or protrusion formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the protrusion or groove of the shaft. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the groove or protrusion of the cylindrical body is fitted to the protrusion or groove of the shaft (claim 2).

  In addition, the above-mentioned "the cylindrical body has a groove or a ridge formed corresponding to the protrusion or groove of the shaft on the inner surface of the cylinder" means that when the shaft has a protrusion along the axial direction, It means that a groove on the cylindrical body side is formed at a position overlapping the protruding position of the shaft on the cylindrical inner surface of the cylindrical body. In addition, when the shaft has a groove along the axial direction, it means that the protrusion on the cylindrical body side is formed at a position overlapping the groove position of the shaft on the inner surface of the cylindrical body.

  In this case, the rotational driving force of the shaft can be transmitted to the conveying roller via the protrusions or grooves of the shaft and the grooves or protrusions of the cylindrical body. Moreover, the cylindrical body in which the groove part fits into the protrusion of the shaft or the cylindrical body in which the protrusion fits into the groove of the shaft can move in the axial direction along the protrusion or groove of the shaft. . That is, in this case, the transmission of the rotational driving force from the shaft and the movement of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body in the shaft axial direction can be performed simultaneously. In addition, since the outer diameter of the cylindrical body is easily maintained to be almost the same as the conventional outer diameter, even when the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves in the shaft axial direction, the outer diameter of the transport roller is excessively large. There is an advantage that it is difficult to grow.

  In the above, a slight gap may be formed between the shaft surface and the cylindrical inner surface of the cylindrical body, or there is no gap and the shaft surface and the cylindrical inner surface of the cylindrical body are slidable. May be.

  In the transport system, when the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is moved from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation, the cylindrical body is moved back to the initial setting position direction again. A position correction mechanism for correcting the position of the body can be provided.

  In this case, even if the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction due to rotation, after the rotation of the transport roller stops, The moved cylindrical body is returned to the periphery again. Therefore, the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is unlikely to be shifted to one side in the axial direction of the shaft, and the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is likely to be stably present at or near the initial setting position for a long period of time. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the planar body.

  The initial setting position is a position on the shaft where the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is first arranged by design, and can be determined in consideration of the number of conveyance rollers to be used. For example, when the transport system has one transport roller, the initial setting position can be approximately the center of the shaft. Further, when the transport system has two transport rollers, the initial setting position is a position that is a fixed distance away from the substantially central portion of the shaft toward one shaft end portion side, and the other shaft end from the substantially central portion of the shaft. It can be set at a position equidistant from the constant distance to the part side.

  The position correction mechanism only needs to be able to return the moved cylindrical body to the direction of the initial setting position after the rotation of the transport roller is stopped, and is necessarily required to return the cylindrical body to the same position as the initial setting position. It is not a thing. This is because if the transport roller is rotated again, the cylindrical body can be moved again in the axial direction by the rotation, and there is little meaning to return to the same position as the initial setting position strictly.

  The position correction mechanism is provided outside the movable range of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, a movement restricting body for restricting the movement of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, and the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body And a spring that is provided between the end portion and the movement restricting body and through which the shaft penetrates. At this time, the spring constant of the spring is within a range in which the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is allowed to move in the axial direction and the moved cylindrical body can be returned in the direction opposite to the moving direction. It is set (claim 4). The spring is not for restricting the axial movement of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body when the transport roller rotates.

  In this case, when the plane body is laterally displaced, the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is moved from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation. And the spring between a cylindrical body and a movement control body is compressed. After the conveyance roller stops rotating, the moved cylindrical body is pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction by the elastic force generated by compressing the spring, and the cylindrical body is rearranged at the initial setting position or its periphery. The Therefore, it is difficult for the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to remain shifted to one axial side of the shaft. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the flat body over a long period of time. Furthermore, even if the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves in the end direction of the shaft, it cannot be moved further in the end direction by the movement restricting body. Therefore, it becomes easy to prevent the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body from falling off the shaft, and it is easy to contribute to maintaining the conveyance performance.

  The movement restricting body may be provided only on one side shaft outside the movable range of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, or provided on both side shafts outside the movable range of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body. It may be. In the latter case, even if the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves in any shaft end direction along the shaft axial direction, the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is prevented from falling off. Can do. Therefore, it becomes easier to contribute to the maintenance of the conveyance performance.

  As the movement restricting body, for example, a substantially annular member having an opening for fitting a shaft from a part of the outer peripheral edge to the center part (for example, a substantially “C” shape or a substantially “e” shape in a side view). Etc.) and the like. Moreover, various plastics, metal materials, etc. can be used as a material of a movement control body. Further, the movement restricting body can be fitted and attached to a circumferential groove formed on the surface of the shaft at a predetermined position. In this case, it becomes easy to suppress the displacement of the movement restricting body itself in the shaft axis direction.

  The spring may be provided between the end of the cylindrical body that contacts the rubber elastic body and the movement restricting body. Therefore, for example, in the case where the movement restricting body is provided on both side shafts outside the movable range of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body and having one transport roller, both end portions of the cylindrical body And the respective movement restricting bodies can be provided with springs. Further, for example, when the movement restricting body is provided on both side shafts outside the movable range of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, the cylindrical shape of one of the conveying rollers is provided. Spring between the outer end of the body and the movement restricting body on the same side and / or the outer end of the cylindrical body on the other transport roller and the movement restricting body on the same side Can be provided. Furthermore, one or more springs may be provided between the inner end of the cylindrical body in one transport roller and the inner end of the cylindrical body in the other transport roller.

  The maximum length of the spring (natural length) is substantially the same as the distance between the end of the cylindrical body and the movement restricting body when the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is in the initial setting position. Can be set. In this case, the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is easily moved from the initial setting position to one side in the axial direction. In addition, after the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped, the cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body is pushed back by the spring force of the spring so that it easily returns to the initial setting position. Therefore, it becomes easier to ensure stable conveyance of the planar body.

  The spring constant of the spring depends on the size of the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, but can be in the range of 700 N / m or less, for example.

  The end of the spring may be fixed to a cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, or the end may be fixed to the movement restricting body. Or the edge part does not need to be fixed to both the cylindrical body which contacts a rubber elastic body, and a movement control body. Preferably, one end of the spring is fixed to the end of the cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body. At this time, the spring and the cylindrical body are preferably fixed so as to be coaxial. In this case, the conveying roller with the spring can be inserted through the shaft at a time. Therefore, the assembly of the transport system is facilitated. In addition, the conveyance roller can be easily replaced during maintenance. As a method of fixing the spring to the cylindrical body, for example, one end of the spring can be embedded in the cylindrical body, or the end of the cylindrical body and one end of the spring can be bonded with an adhesive or the like. .

  In addition to the position correction mechanism using a spring, the transport system can employ another position correction mechanism. That is, another position correction mechanism can be configured to include a magnet provided in a part of the shaft and a magnet provided in the cylindrical body. At this time, the magnetic force acting between the two magnets is set within a range in which the cylindrical body can be moved in the axial direction and the moved cylindrical body can be drawn in the direction opposite to the moving direction. (Claim 5).

  In this case, even if the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation, it moves by the magnetic force acting between both magnets after the conveyance roller stops rotating. The cylindrical body thus drawn is drawn in the direction opposite to the moving direction. And a cylindrical body is rearranged in the position (initial setting position) of the magnet provided in a part of shaft, or its periphery. Therefore, it is difficult for the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to remain shifted to one axial side of the shaft. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the flat body over a long period of time.

  In the transport system, the position of the magnet provided on the shaft can be set to the initial setting position, and can be determined in consideration of the number of transport rollers to be used. For example, when the transport system has one transport roller, the position of the magnet can be approximately the center of the shaft. In the case where the transport system has two transport rollers, the position of the magnet is a position away from a substantially central portion of the shaft to one shaft end portion side, and a position of the other shaft end from the substantially central portion of the shaft. It can be set at a position equidistant from the constant distance to the part side.

  Examples of a method of providing a magnet on the shaft include a method of embedding a magnet in the shaft or fitting a magnet in the outer periphery of the shaft. Moreover, a magnet can also be affixed on a shaft or a cylindrical body with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. At this time, the magnet disposed on a part of the shaft and the magnet disposed on the cylindrical body of the transport roller are disposed so as to attract each other.

(Description of the transport system of the second embodiment)
In the transport system, the cylindrical body includes a first cylindrical body having a shaft passing through the inside of the cylinder, a second cylindrical body provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body, and in contact with the rubber elastic body on the outer peripheral surface. The first cylindrical body is attached so as not to move along the axial direction of the shaft, and has a protrusion or a groove on the surface along the axial direction. A groove or protrusion formed on the inner surface corresponding to the protrusion or groove of the first tubular body is provided, and the groove or protrusion of the second tubular body is formed on the protrusion or groove of the first tubular body. A configuration in which the strip is fitted can be employed (claim 6).

  In addition, said "the 2nd cylindrical body has the groove part or protrusion formed corresponding to the protrusion or groove part of the 1st cylindrical body in the cylinder inner surface" means that the 1st cylindrical body is When it has a protrusion along an axial direction, it means that the groove part by the side of the 2nd cylindrical body is formed in the position which overlaps with the protrusion position of the 1st cylindrical body in the cylinder inner surface of the 2nd cylindrical body. In addition, when the first cylindrical body has a groove portion along the axial direction, a protrusion on the second cylindrical body side is formed at a position overlapping the groove portion position of the first cylindrical body on the inner surface of the second cylindrical body. Means that

  In this case, the first cylindrical body, which is attached so as not to move along the axial direction of the shaft, the protrusion or groove portion of the first cylindrical body, the groove portion or protrusion of the second cylindrical body, The rotational driving force of the shaft can be transmitted to the transport roller. Further, the second cylindrical body in which the groove portion is fitted to the protrusion of the first cylindrical body, or the second cylindrical body in which the protrusion is fitted to the groove portion of the first cylindrical body is the first cylindrical body. It is possible to move in the axial direction along the ridge or groove. Moreover, it is not necessary to form a protrusion or groove for moving the second cylindrical body in the axial direction on the shaft. Therefore, the shaft structure can be simplified. In particular, when the shaft is made of a metal material and the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body are made of plastic, it is easy to form the fitting structure relatively easily, thus contributing to cost reduction. Become.

  In the above, a slight gap may be formed between the surface of the first cylindrical body and the inner surface of the second cylindrical body, or there is no gap and the surface of the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body are not present. The cylinder inner surface of the body may be slidable.

  The method for transmitting the rotational driving force of the shaft to the first tubular body is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, the rotational driving force of the shaft is increased by one or more pin portions provided on the shaft surface and a fitting portion to which the pin portion provided on the first cylindrical body can be fitted. One cylindrical body can be transmitted. Further, the shaft is driven to rotate by fitting one or more protrusions or grooves provided on the surface of the shaft and one or more grooves or protrusions provided on the inner surface of the first cylindrical body. Force can be transmitted to the first tubular body.

  In the transport system, when the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is moved from the initial setting position on the shaft to one axial direction by rotation, the moved second cylindrical body is returned again to the initial setting position direction. Thus, a position correction mechanism for correcting the position of the second cylindrical body can be provided.

  In this case, even if the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation, after the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped, the position correction mechanism causes the initial setting position to be Or the 2nd cylindrical body which moved to the circumference is returned again. Therefore, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is unlikely to be shifted to one side in the axial direction of the shaft, and the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is stably present at the initial setting position or the periphery thereof for a long period of time. It becomes easy to let you. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the planar body.

  The initial setting position is a position on the shaft where the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is first arranged by design, and can be determined in consideration of the number of transport rollers to be used. For example, when the transport system has one transport roller, the initial setting position can be approximately the center of the shaft. Further, when the transport system has two transport rollers, the initial setting position is a position that is a fixed distance away from the substantially central portion of the shaft toward one shaft end portion side, and the other shaft end from the substantially central portion of the shaft. It can be set at a position equidistant from the constant distance to the part side.

  The position correction mechanism only needs to be able to return the moved second cylindrical body to the initial setting position direction after stopping the rotation of the transport roller, and necessarily returns the second cylindrical body to the same position as the initial setting position. It is not required. This is because if the transport roller is rotated again, the second cylindrical body can be moved again in the axial direction by the rotation, and therefore, there is little meaning to return to the same position as the initial setting position strictly.

  The position correction mechanism is provided outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, a movement restricting body for restricting the movement of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, a rubber elastic body, A spring that is provided between the end portion of the second cylindrical body that is in contact with the movement restricting body and through which the shaft penetrates can be configured. At this time, the spring constant of the spring allows the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to move in the axial direction and returns the moved second cylindrical body in the direction opposite to the moving direction. (Claim 8). The spring is not for restricting the movement of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body in the axial direction when the transport roller rotates.

  In this case, when the plane body is laterally displaced, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation. And the spring between a 2nd cylindrical body and a movement control body is compressed. After the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped, the moved second cylindrical body is pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction by the elastic force generated by compressing the spring, and the second cylindrical body is located at or near the initial setting position. Are rearranged. Therefore, it is difficult for the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to remain offset toward one axial direction of the shaft. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the flat body over a long period of time. Further, even when the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves in the end portion direction of the shaft, it cannot be moved further in the end portion direction by the movement restricting body. Therefore, it becomes easy to prevent the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body from falling off the shaft, and it is easy to contribute to maintaining the conveyance performance.

  The movement restricting body may be provided only on one side shaft outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, or both side shafts outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body. It may be provided above. In the latter case, even if the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves in any shaft end direction along the shaft axis direction, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is dropped. Can be prevented. Therefore, it becomes easier to contribute to the maintenance of the conveyance performance. Furthermore, the movement restricting body may be integrated with one end portion or both end portions of the first cylindrical body, or may be detachably provided.

  As the movement restricting body, for example, a substantially annular member having an opening for fitting a shaft from a part of the outer peripheral edge to the center part (for example, a substantially “C” shape or a substantially “e” shape in a side view). Etc.) and the like. In this case, the movement restricting body can be attached by being fitted in a circumferential groove formed on the surface of the shaft at a predetermined position. Moreover, when integrating a movement control body with a 1st cylindrical body, the protrusion part which protrudes to a radial direction outer side is provided in the edge part of a 1st cylindrical body, for example, and this can also be used as a movement control body. it can. In this case, the movement restricting body composed of the protrusions can be preferably formed in a flange shape. Further, the movement restricting body composed of the protruding portion can be formed of one or more protruding pieces protruding radially outward. Various plastics, metal materials, etc. can be used as materials for these movement restrictors.

  The spring may be provided between the end of the second cylindrical body that contacts the rubber elastic body and the movement restricting body. Therefore, for example, in the case where the movement restricting body is provided on both sides outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body that has one transport roller and is in contact with the rubber elastic body, the second cylindrical body A spring can be provided between both ends and each movement restricting body. Further, for example, when there are two transport rollers and movement restriction bodies are provided on both sides outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, the second of the one transport roller Between the outer end of the cylindrical body and the movement restricting body on the same side and / or the outer end of the second cylindrical body on the other transport roller, and the movement restricting body on the same side A spring can be provided between the two. Further, one or more springs may be provided between the inner end of the second cylindrical body in one transport roller and the inner end of the second cylindrical body in the other transport roller.

  The maximum length (natural length) of the spring is the distance between the end of the second cylindrical body and the movement restricting body when the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is at the initial setting position. Can be set substantially the same. In this case, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body can easily move from the initial setting position to one side in the axial direction. In addition, after the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is pushed back by the spring force of the spring and easily returns to the initial setting position. Therefore, it becomes easier to ensure stable conveyance of the planar body.

  The elastic force of the spring can be, for example, in a range of 700 N / m or less, depending on the size of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body.

  The end of the spring may be fixed to the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, or the end may be fixed to the movement restricting body. Or the edge part does not need to be fixed to both the 2nd cylindrical body and movement control body which are in contact with a rubber elastic body. Preferably, one end of the spring is fixed to the end of the second cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body. At this time, the spring and the second cylindrical body are preferably fixed so as to be coaxial. As a method for fixing the spring to the second cylindrical body, for example, one end of the spring is embedded in the second cylindrical body, or the end of the second cylindrical body and one end of the spring are bonded with an adhesive or the like. You can do it.

  In addition to the position correction mechanism that uses a spring outside, the transport system may employ another position correction mechanism that uses a spring inside. That is, the other position correction mechanism includes a one-side end portion of the first cylindrical body, and a protruding portion protruding in the cylinder inner diameter direction formed at the one-side end portion of the second cylindrical body on the same side as the one-side end portion, A spring provided between the one end portion and the projecting portion and having a shaft penetrating the inside thereof can be configured. At this time, the spring constant of the spring allows the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to move in the axial direction and returns the moved second cylindrical body in the direction opposite to the moving direction. (Claim 9). Under the present circumstances, it is preferable that both ends are fixed to the one side edge part of a 1st cylindrical body, and the protrusion part of a 2nd cylindrical body.

  In this case, when the plane body is laterally displaced, the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation. And the spring between the 1st cylindrical body and the protrusion part of a 2nd cylindrical body elastically deforms. After the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped, the moved second cylindrical body is returned in the direction opposite to the moving direction by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation of the spring, and the second cylindrical shape is located at or near the initial setting position. The body is rearranged. Therefore, it is difficult for the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to remain offset toward one axial direction of the shaft. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the flat body over a long period of time.

  In addition to the position correction mechanism using a spring, the transport system may employ another position correction mechanism. That is, another position correction mechanism can be configured to include a magnet provided in the first cylindrical body and a magnet provided in the second cylindrical body. At this time, the magnetic force acting between the magnets is within a range in which the second cylindrical body can be pulled in the direction opposite to the moving direction while allowing the second cylindrical body to move in the axial direction. (Claim 10).

  In this case, even if the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation, the magnetic force acting between the two magnets is stopped after the rotation of the transport roller is stopped. The moved second tubular body is drawn in the direction opposite to the moving direction. And the 2nd cylindrical body is rearranged in the position (initial setting position) of the magnet provided in the 1st cylindrical body, or its periphery. Therefore, it is difficult for the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to remain offset toward one axial direction of the shaft. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure stable conveyance of the flat body over a long period of time.

  As a method of providing magnets in the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body, the magnets are embedded in the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body, or the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body are Examples thereof include a method of fitting a magnet on the outer peripheral surface. Moreover, a magnet can also be affixed on a 1st cylindrical body and a 2nd cylindrical body with an adhesive agent or a double-sided tape. At this time, the magnet arranged in the first cylindrical body and the magnet arranged in the second cylindrical body are arranged so as to attract each other.

(Description of the transport roller)
In the transport roller, at least one end of the first cylindrical body is formed with a movement restricting body that protrudes radially outward and restricts the movement of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body. A structure in which a spring is provided between the end of the second cylindrical body in contact with the body and the movement restricting body can be employed.

  In this case, the position of the second cylindrical body can be corrected without attaching a movement restricting body on the shaft. Further, if this transport roller is used, it becomes easy to replace the transport roller during assembly and maintenance of the transport system.

  In the conveying roller, a protruding portion protruding in the cylinder inner diameter direction is formed at one end portion of the second cylindrical body, and the protruding portion of the second cylindrical body and the first cylindrical shape on the same side as the protruding portion. A structure in which a spring is provided between one end of the body can be employed (claim 14).

  In this case, the position of the second cylindrical body can be corrected without attaching a movement restricting body on the shaft. Further, if this transport roller is used, it becomes easy to replace the transport roller during assembly and maintenance of the transport system.

  Regarding the configuration of the transport roller, the description of the transport system can be applied mutatis mutandis, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The transport system and the transport roller according to the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example in which a conveyance system is applied to the paper feeding mechanism of the image forming apparatus will be described.

Example 1
A schematic configuration of the transport system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system of this example is a system incorporated in an image forming apparatus including a paper feeding unit 8 for feeding a paper 82. The paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus is provided opposite to each other on the downstream side of the pickup unit P and the pickup unit P that feeds the paper 82 from the paper deposit 83 formed of a plurality of papers 82 stacked on the paper tray 81. And a feed portion F and a retard portion R that prevent double feeding of the paper 82 sent from the pickup portion P. The pickup portion P includes a shaft 2 that is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is rotatably driven, and a pickup roller 3P to which the rotational driving force of the shaft 2 is transmitted. The feed unit F includes a shaft 2 that is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is capable of rotational driving, and a feed roller 3F to which the rotational driving force of the shaft 2 is transmitted. The retard portion R includes a shaft 2 that is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is rotatably driven, and a retard roller 3R to which the rotational driving force of the shaft 2 is transmitted. The transport system of this example is applied to the feed unit F in the paper feed unit 8 of the image forming apparatus, but can also be applied to the retard unit R and the pickup unit P. In FIG. 1, a pair of transport rollers 3 </ b> T is shown on the paper transport path downstream of the feed unit F and the retard unit R.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the conveyance system 1 of the present example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided to a feed unit F that constitutes a part of the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus, and the rotation of the shaft 2 And a feed roller 3F to which the driving force is transmitted. The feed roller 3 </ b> F includes a cylindrical body 30 in which the shaft 2 passes through the cylinder, and a rubber elastic body 33 formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 30. In the conveyance system 1 of this example, the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 among the elements constituting the feed roller 3 </ b> F is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft 2. That is, in this example, the feed roller 3F itself is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft 2. Details will be described below.

  The shaft 2 has a solid cylindrical portion 22 formed of SUS or the like, and a protrusion 21 formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 22 along the axial direction. Basically, the formation range of the protrusion 21 is the movable range of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. In this example, the length of the protrusion 21 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the cylindrical portion 20 in the longitudinal direction (the entire length of the shaft 2). Therefore, portions where the ridges 21 are not formed are left in a certain range on both ends of the shaft 2. In this example, the non-formation range of the protrusion 21 is out of the movable range of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33.

  The cylindrical body 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape from acetal resin or the like, and a groove 302 is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the protrusion 21 of the shaft 2 that penetrates the cylinder. More specifically, the cylindrical body 30 has a cylindrical inner surface along the outer shape of the portion of the shaft 2 where the protrusions 21 are formed. A recess formed at a position overlapping with the position of the protrusion 21 of the shaft 2 on the inner surface of the cylinder is a groove 302 of the cylindrical body 30. A slight gap C <b> 1 is provided between the surface of the shaft 2 and the inner surface of the cylindrical body 30.

  The rubber elastic body 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a rubber material whose main component is rubber such as EPDM, and the surface thereof is textured. The inner diameter of the rubber elastic body 33 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 30. In the feed roller 3 </ b> F of this example, the cylindrical body 30 is press-fitted into the cylinder of the rubber elastic body 33.

  Furthermore, in this example, the movement of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 on the outer side of the protrusion 21 on the shaft 2, that is, on the surface of the shaft 2 between the end face of the protrusion 21 and the end face of the shaft 2. A movement restricting body 35 for restricting the movement is provided.

  Specifically, the movement restricting body 35 is formed in a substantially annular shape (substantially “C” shape in a side view) having an opening 351 from a part of the outer peripheral edge to the center portion using metal or the like. . In the opening 351 of the movement restricting body 35, three projecting pieces 352 projecting inward are formed. On the other hand, an annular groove 22 is formed in the circumferential direction between the end surface of the ridge 21 on the surface of the shaft 2 and the end surface of the shaft 2. An opening 351 of the movement restricting body 35 is fitted into the annular groove 22 of the shaft 2. Specifically, a projecting piece 352 formed in the opening 351 of the movement restricting body 35 is fitted in an annular groove 22 formed on the surface of the shaft 2. As a result, the movement restricting body 35 is prevented from being displaced in the axial direction.

  In the conveyance system 1 of this example, a groove portion 302 formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 30 is fitted to the protrusion 21 formed over the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2. Therefore, when the shaft 2 is rotationally driven, the rotational driving force of the shaft 2 is transmitted to the cylindrical body 30 via the protrusion 21 of the shaft 2 and the groove portion 302 of the cylindrical body 30. Thereby, the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 can rotate. In addition, when the paper 82 is laterally displaced during the conveyance of the paper, the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is guided by the protrusion 21 of the shaft 2 in accordance with the lateral displacement of the paper 82, and the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82. Move in the axial direction on the same side. Therefore, the frictional force in the conveyance direction at the feed roller 3F is not easily lowered by the lateral displacement of the paper 82, and a sufficient frictional force in the conveyance direction can be ensured. Therefore, the conveyance system 1 of this example can improve conveyance performance irrespective of roller material.

  Further, even when the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is moved toward the end portion of the shaft 2 due to the lateral displacement of the paper 82, the rubber elastic force is further moved toward the end portion of the shaft 2 by the movement restricting body 35. The movement of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the body 33 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 from falling off the shaft 2 and contribute to maintenance of the conveyance performance.

(Example 2)
A schematic configuration of the transport system and the transport roller according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The conveyance system 1 of this example is applied to the retard portion R in the paper feeding portion 8 of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyance system 1 of this example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided on a retard portion R that constitutes a part of the paper feeding portion 8 of the image forming apparatus, and a rotational driving force of the shaft 2. And a retard roller 3R to be transmitted. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  However, in the conveyance system 1 of this example, when the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 among the elements constituting the retard roller 3R moves from the initial setting position on the shaft 2 to one side in the axial direction by rotation, A position correction mechanism that corrects the position of the cylindrical body 30 so as to return the moved cylindrical body 30 to the initial setting position direction again is provided. Note that the initial setting position in this example is a position where the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2 and the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the retard roller 3R substantially coincide.

  The position correction mechanism in the transport system 1 of this example includes the above-described movement restricting body 35 provided outside the movable range of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 and the end of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. The shaft 2 is provided between the movement restricting body 35 and the shaft 2, and the shaft 2 is configured by a spring 36 penetrating the inside. In this example, in order to achieve this configuration, the retard roller 3R of this example described below is used.

  That is, the retard roller 3R of the present example includes a cylindrical body 30 for penetrating the shaft 2 that is rotatably provided in the retard portion R that constitutes a part of the paper feeding portion 8 of the image forming apparatus, It has a rubber elastic body 33 formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 30 and a spring 36 having one end fixed to the end of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. The configurations of the cylindrical body 30 and the rubber elastic body 33 are as described in the first embodiment.

  In this example, one end of a spring 36 is fixed to one end of the cylindrical body 30 and one end of a spring 36 different from the above is fixed to the other end of the cylindrical body 30. ing. One end of the spring 36 is embedded in the end of the cylindrical body 30 so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical body 30 by insert molding or the like, and is integrated with the cylindrical body 30. And the conveyance system 1 of this example is comprised by penetrating the shaft 2 in the cylinder of the cylindrical body 30 of this retard roller 3R of this example, and the spring 36 inside. Note that the end portions of both springs 36 opposite to the cylindrical body 30 are substantially in contact with the inner surface of the movement restricting body 35.

  Here, the length (natural length) of the spring 36 at the time of the maximum extension corresponds to the movement of the end of the cylindrical body 30 when the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. It is set to be substantially the same as the distance to the regulating body 35. Further, the spring constant of the spring 36 allows the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 to move in the axial direction by the rotation of the cylindrical body 30, and after the retard roller 3R stops rotating, It is set within a range where it can be pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction.

  According to the transport system 1 of the present example using the retard roller 3R of the present example, when the paper 82 is laterally shifted during the transport of the paper, the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is aligned with the lateral displacement of the paper 82. 2 is guided by the two protrusions 21 and moves in the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82, and the spring 36 existing on the moving side is compressed. At this time, since the spring constant of the spring 36 is set as described above, movement in the axial direction by rotation of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is allowed. Further, after the rotation of the retard roller 3R is stopped, the moved cylindrical body 30 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction, that is, the initial set position direction by the elastic force generated by compressing the spring 36. Here, in this example, the length (natural length) of the spring 36 at the maximum extension is the end of the cylindrical body 30 when the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. According to the distance between the moving part and the movement restricting body 35. Therefore, the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is pushed back to a position substantially equal to the initial setting position by the elastic force of the spring 36 and rearranged.

  Therefore, according to the conveyance system 1 of the present example, it is possible to reduce the state in which the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is left offset in any one of the axial directions of the shaft 2. According to the retard roller 3R of this example, when the retard roller 3R is assembled in the conveyance system 1 of this example or when the retard roller 3R is replaced during maintenance, the cylindrical body 30 and the spring 36 that are in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 are separated. It is not necessary to attach to the shaft 2. Therefore, the assembling property and maintenance property of the transport system 1 can be improved. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In this example, the conveyance system 1 has one retard roller 3R, and an example is shown in which springs 36 are provided at both ends of the cylindrical body 30 in the retard roller 3R. In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport system 1 has two retard rollers 3 </ b> R, and one end of the spring 36 is provided at one end of the cylindrical body 30 in the retard roller 3 </ b> R. It can also be adopted. At this time, the initial setting position of each of the retard rollers 3R is set to a position where a position equidistant from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2 to each end portion and a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the retard roller 3R substantially coincide with each other. Can do. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved. However, in the case of FIG. 6, when the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 moves to the central portion side of the shaft 2, the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 after the rotation of the retard roller 3 </ b> R is stopped. Does not return to the default position. However, since the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 does not exist at one end portion of the shaft 2, there is little problem in the conveyance performance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the conveyance system 1 may have two retard rollers 3R, and one end of a spring 36 may be provided at each end of the cylindrical body 30 of the retard roller 3R. it can. In this case, another movement restricting body 35 ′ is provided at the longitudinal central portion of the shaft 2, and a spring is provided between the movement restricting body 35 ′ provided at the central portion and the movement restricting body 35 on the end side of the shaft 2. The retard roller 3R having two 36 may be disposed. Furthermore, the movement restricting body 35 ′ may not be provided in the central portion, and one or more springs may be disposed between the two retard rollers 3 </ b> R. In these cases, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

(Example 3)
A schematic configuration of the transport system and the transport roller according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The conveyance system 1 of this example is applied to the feed unit F in the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 9, the conveyance system 1 of this example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided to a feed unit F that constitutes a part of the paper feeding unit 9 of the image forming apparatus, and the rotation of the shaft 2. The feed roller 3F of the present example to which the driving force is transmitted is provided. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  However, in the conveyance system 1 of this example, among the elements constituting the feed roller 3F of this example, the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is moved from the initial setting position on the shaft 2 to one side in the axial direction by rotation. In this case, a position correction mechanism is provided for correcting the position of the cylindrical body 30 so that the moved cylindrical body 30 is returned again to the initial setting position direction. The initial setting position in this example is a position where the longitudinal center portion of the shaft 2 and the longitudinal center portion of the feed roller 3F substantially coincide. Moreover, although the example which does not provide the movement control body 35 at the both ends of the shaft 2 is shown in this example, it is also possible to provide the movement control body 35 as in the first embodiment. The shaft 2 is made of a plastic such as acetal resin.

  The position correction mechanism in the transport system 1 of the present example includes a magnet 37 a provided on a part of the shaft 2 and a magnet 37 b provided on the cylindrical body 30. The magnetic force acting between the magnets 37a and 37b is within a range in which the cylindrical body 30 can be pulled in the direction opposite to the moving direction while allowing the cylindrical body 30 to move in the axial direction. Is set. The magnet 37a on the shaft 2 side is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is fixed to a portion excluding the protrusion 21 of the shaft 2 in the longitudinal center portion of the shaft 2 so that the N pole is located on the surface. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the magnet 37 b on the cylindrical body 30 side is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the longitudinal center of the cylindrical body 30 so that the south pole is located on the surface side of the shaft 2. It is fitted and fixed to the surface of the cylindrical body 30 in the part.

  According to the transport system 1 of the present example using the feed roller 3F of the present example, when the paper 82 is laterally shifted during the transport of the paper, the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is aligned with the lateral displacement of the paper 82. It is guided by the two ridges 21 and moves in the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82. At this time, since the magnetic force acting between the magnets 37a and 37b is set as described above, movement in the axial direction by rotation of the cylindrical body 30 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is allowed. Further, after the rotation of the feed roller 3F is stopped, the moved cylindrical body 30 is pulled back in the direction opposite to the moving direction, that is, the initial set position direction by the magnetic force acting between the magnets 37a and 37b, and is almost the initial set position. Is repositioned at the same position as Therefore, according to the conveyance system 1 of the present example, it is possible to reduce the state in which the cylindrical body 30 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is left offset in any one of the axial directions of the shaft 2. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Example 4
A schematic configuration of the transport system and the transport roller according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The conveyance system 1 of this example is applied to the pickup unit P in the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the conveyance system 1 of this example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided to a pickup unit P that constitutes a part of the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus, and the rotation of the shaft 2 The pickup roller 3P of this example to which the driving force is transmitted is provided. The pickup roller 3 </ b> P includes a cylindrical body 30 in which the shaft 2 passes through the cylinder, and a rubber elastic body 33 formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 30. Here, in this example, the cylindrical body 30 is comprised from two members, the 1st cylindrical body 31 and the 2nd cylindrical body 32 provided in the outer periphery of the 1st cylindrical body 31, so that it may mention later. A rubber elastic body 33 is formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical body 32. In the conveyance system 1 of this example, among the elements constituting the pickup roller 3P of this example, the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft 2. . Details will be described below.

  The shaft 2 includes a solid cylindrical portion 20 formed of SUS or the like, and a pair of pin portions 23 erected so as to face one end of the surface of the cylindrical portion 20 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. have. In this example, unlike the first to third examples, the shaft 2 itself does not have the protrusions 21 along the longitudinal direction.

  The cylindrical body 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from acetal resin or the like, and the shaft 2 is provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body 31 through which the shaft 2 passes, and on the outer peripheral surface. And a second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. That is, in this example, the cylindrical body 30 differs from Example 1-Example 3 by the point comprised from two members. The first tubular body 31 is attached to the shaft 2 so as not to move along the axial direction of the shaft 2. Specifically, in this example, a fitting protrusion (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the first cylindrical body 31 is fitted into an annular groove (not shown) formed in the circumferential direction of the surface of the shaft 2. Yes. In addition, the attachment method to the shaft 2 of the 1st cylindrical body 31 is not limited to this.

  The 1st cylindrical body 31 has the protrusion 311 formed along the axial direction on the cylinder surface. In this example, the length of the protrusion 311 in the longitudinal direction is substantially the same as the length of the first cylindrical body 31 in the longitudinal direction. Basically, the formation range of the protrusion 311 is the movable range of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. The length in the longitudinal direction of the first tubular body 31 is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the second tubular body 32 and is shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2.

  At both end portions of the first cylindrical body 31, a movement restricting body 35 for restricting the movement of the second cylindrical body 32 that protrudes radially outward and contacts the rubber elastic body 33 is formed. The movement restricting body 35 is formed in a flange shape having a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical body 31 (except for the portion where the protrusion 311 is formed). In this example, the movement restricting body 35 at one end of the first cylindrical body 31 is formed integrally with the first cylindrical body 31. The movement restricting body 35 at the other end of the first cylindrical body 31 is retrofitted to the first cylindrical body 31 after passing the first cylindrical body 31 through the cylinder of the second cylindrical body 32. It is formed by. A fitting groove 353 along the outer shape of the pair of pin portions 23 formed on the shaft 2 is formed on the outer surface of the movement restricting body 35 at one end of the first cylindrical body 31. A pair of pin portions 23 are fitted in the fitting groove 353.

  In this example, the movement restricting body 35 is provided at both ends of the first cylindrical body 31, but the structure does not have the movement restricting body 35 or moves to one end of the first tubular body 31. A configuration in which the regulation body 35 is provided can also be employed. In these cases, the fitting groove 353 into which the pin portion 23 is fitted can be formed within the thickness range on one end face of the first cylindrical body 31. Further, the movement restricting body 35 can be detachably provided at both end portions of the first cylindrical body 31.

  In the second cylindrical body 32, a groove portion 322 is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 penetrating the cylinder. More specifically, the 2nd cylindrical body 32 has the cylinder inner surface along the external shape of the 1st cylindrical body 31 in which the protrusion 311 is formed. A concave portion formed at a position overlapping the position of the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 on the inner surface of the cylinder is a groove 322 of the second cylindrical body 32. A slight gap C <b> 2 is provided between the cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical body 31 and the cylindrical inner surface of the second cylindrical body 32.

  The rubber elastic body 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a rubber material whose main component is rubber such as EPDM, and the surface thereof is textured. The cylinder inner diameter of the rubber elastic body 33 is formed slightly smaller than the cylinder outer diameter of the second cylindrical body 32. In the pickup roller 3P of this example, the second cylindrical body 32 is press-fitted into the cylinder of the rubber elastic body 33, and the first cylindrical body 31 penetrates into the cylinder of the second cylindrical body 32. .

  The conveyance system 1 of this example using the pickup roller 3P of this example has a second cylindrical body 32 on a protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 that is attached to the surface of the shaft 2 so as not to move in the axial direction. A groove portion 322 formed on the inner surface of the cylinder is fitted. In the transport system 1 of the present example, the pin portion 23 of the shaft 2 is fitted into the fitting groove 353 formed on the outer surface of the movement restricting body 35 at one end portion of the first cylindrical body 31. Yes. Therefore, when the shaft 2 is rotationally driven, the rotational driving force of the shaft 2 is changed through the pin portion 23 of the shaft 2, the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31, and the groove portion 322 of the second cylindrical body 32. 2 is transmitted to the cylindrical body 32. Thereby, the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 can rotate. In addition, when the paper 82 is laterally displaced during the conveyance of the paper, the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is guided by the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 in accordance with the lateral displacement of the paper 82. It moves in the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82. Therefore, the frictional force in the conveyance direction at the pickup roller 3P is not easily lowered due to the lateral displacement of the paper 82, and a sufficient frictional force in the conveyance direction can be ensured. Therefore, the conveyance system 1 of this example can improve conveyance performance irrespective of roller material. In addition, unlike the first to third embodiments, it is not necessary to form the protrusions 21 along the axial direction on the surface of the shaft 2, so that there is an advantage that the conventional shaft can be easily used.

  Even when the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is moved in the direction of the end portion of the shaft 2 due to the lateral displacement of the paper 82, the movement restricting body 35 formed on the first cylindrical body 31 is used. Further movement of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 toward the end portion of the shaft 2 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 from falling off the shaft 2 and contribute to maintenance of the conveyance performance.

(Example 5)
A schematic configuration of the transport system and the transport roller according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The conveyance system 1 of this example is applied to the feed unit F in the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 13, the conveyance system 1 of this example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided to a feed unit F that constitutes a part of the paper feeding unit 8 of the image forming apparatus, and a rotational driving force of the shaft 2. The feed roller 3F of this example to be transmitted is provided. The basic configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

  However, in the conveyance system 1 of this example, among the elements constituting the feed roller 3F of this example, the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is rotated from the initial setting position on the shaft 2 to one side in the axial direction by rotation. A position correction mechanism that corrects the position of the second cylindrical body 32 so as to return the moved second cylindrical body 32 to the initial setting position direction again when moved is provided. The initial setting position in this example is a position where the longitudinal center portion of the shaft 2 and the longitudinal center portion of the feed roller 3F substantially coincide.

  The position correction mechanism in the transport system 1 of this example includes the above-described movement restricting body 35 provided outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33, and the second cylindrical shape in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. Provided between the end of the body 32 and the movement restricting body 35, the second cylindrical body 32 is constituted by a spring 36 penetrating the inside. In this example, in order to achieve this configuration, the feed roller 3F of this example described below is used.

  That is, the feed roller 3F of this example has basically the same configuration as the pickup roller 3P of Example 4 described above, but the end of the second cylindrical body 32 that contacts the rubber elastic body 33 and the first cylindrical shape. The second cylindrical body 32 is largely different from the movement restricting 35 body formed at the end of the body 31 in that a spring 36 through which the second cylindrical body 32 passes is provided.

  In this example, an example is shown in which one end of the spring 36 is fixed to each end of the second cylindrical 32 body. The spring 36 is integrated with the second cylindrical body 32 by inserting one end of the spring 36 into the end of the second cylindrical body 32 so as to be coaxial with the second cylindrical body 32 by insert molding or the like. Yes. Note that the end portions of the springs 36 opposite to the second cylindrical body 32 are substantially in contact with the inner surface of the movement restricting body 35.

  Here, the maximum length (natural length) of the spring 36 is the length of the second cylindrical body 32 when the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. The distance between the end portion and the movement restricting body 36 is set to be substantially the same. The spring constant of the spring 36 allows the second cylinder 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 to move in the axial direction due to the rotation of the second cylindrical body 32, and after the feed roller 3F stops rotating, the second cylinder that has moved. It is set within a range in which the state body 32 can be pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction.

  According to the transport system 1 of the present example using the feed roller 3F of the present example, when the paper 82 is laterally shifted during the transport of the paper, the second cylindrical 32 body that contacts the rubber elastic body 33 in accordance with the lateral shift of the paper 82. Is guided by the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 and moves in the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82, and the spring 36 existing on the moving side is compressed. At this time, since the spring constant of the spring 36 is set as described above, movement in the axial direction by the rotation of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is allowed. In addition, after the rotation of the feed roller 3F is stopped, the moved second cylindrical body 32 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction, that is, the initial set position direction by the elastic force generated by compressing the spring 36. Here, in this example, the length (natural length) of the spring 36 at the time of the maximum extension is the second cylindrical shape when the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. The distance between the end of the body 32 and the movement restricting body 35 is adjusted. Therefore, the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is pushed back to a position substantially equal to the initial setting position by the elastic force of the spring 36 and rearranged.

  Therefore, according to the transport system 1 and the feed roller 3F of the present example, the state where the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 remains offset in either one of the axial directions of the shaft 2 is reduced. Can do. Further, according to the feed roller 3F of this example, the feed roller 3F and the spring 36 are separately attached to the shaft 2 when the feed roller 2F is assembled in the conveyance system 1 of this example or when the feed roller 3F is replaced during maintenance. You don't have to. Therefore, the assembling property and maintenance property of the transport system 1 can be improved. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

(Example 6)
A schematic configuration of the transport system and the transport roller according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The conveyance system 1 of this example is applied to the retard portion R in the paper feeding portion 8 of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 14, the conveyance system 1 of this example includes a shaft 2 that is rotatably provided on a retard portion R that constitutes a part of the paper feeding portion 8 of the image forming apparatus, and a rotational driving force of the shaft 2. The retard roller 3R of this example to be transmitted is provided. The retard roller 3R includes a cylindrical body 30 in which the shaft 2 passes through the cylinder, and a rubber elastic body 33 formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 30. Here, in this example, the cylindrical body 30 is composed of two members of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 32 provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body 31 as in the fourth embodiment. The rubber elastic body 33 is formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical body 32. In the conveyance system 1 of the present example, among the elements constituting the retard roller 3R of the present example, the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft 2. . Details will be described below.

  Since the shaft 2 and the rubber elastic body 33 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. About the 1st cylindrical body 31 which comprises the cylindrical body 30, the length of the longitudinal direction of the 1st cylindrical body 31 is made substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal direction of the 2nd cylindrical body 32, This is different from the fourth embodiment in that the movement restricting body 35 is not formed at the other end of the first cylindrical body 31. In this example, the range from the inside of the movement restricting body 35 formed at one end of the first cylindrical body 31 to less than twice the length of the protrusion 311, preferably 1.5 times or less. The movable range of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is set. That is, in this example, the range in which the state where the groove portion 322 of the second cylindrical body 32 is fitted to the protrusion 311 of the first cylindrical body 31 can be maintained in the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33. It is considered as a movable range.

  About the 2nd cylindrical body 32 which comprises the cylindrical body 30, it is a cylinder inner diameter direction in the one side edge part (the side opposite to the formation side of 35 movement restrictions in the 1st cylindrical body 31) of the 2nd cylindrical body 32. It differs from Example 4 by the point which has the protrusion part 312 which protrudes. In this example, the protruding portion 312 is formed in a flange shape protruding in the cylinder inner diameter direction of the second cylindrical body 32. The projecting portion 312 can also be formed from one or more projecting pieces projecting from one end of the second cylindrical body 32 in the cylinder inner diameter direction. Further, the protruding portion 312 can be protruded in the cylinder inner diameter direction from the cylinder inner peripheral surface on the one side end portion side of the second cylindrical body 32.

  Further, in the conveyance system 1 of the present example, among the elements constituting the retard roller 3R, the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is moved from the initial setting position on the shaft 2 to one axial direction by rotation. In addition, a position correction mechanism for correcting the position of the second cylindrical body 32 is provided so that the moved second cylindrical body 32 is returned again to the initial set position direction. Note that the initial setting position in this example is a position where the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2 and the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the retard roller 3R substantially coincide.

  The position correction mechanism in the transport system 1 of this example includes one end of the first cylindrical body 31, the protruding portion 312 of the second cylindrical body 32 on the same side as the one end, and the one end and the protruding portion. The shaft 2 is provided with a spring 36 that is provided between 312 and penetrates the inside. In the transport system 1 of this example, the retard draw 3R of this example is used to achieve this configuration. In the retard roller 3R of this example, a spring 36 is provided between the protruding portion 312 of the second cylindrical body 32 and one end portion of the first cylindrical body 31 on the same side as the protruding portion 312. One end of the spring 36 is fixed to one end of the first cylindrical body 311. The other end of the spring 36 is fixed to the protruding portion 312 of the second cylindrical body 32.

  Here, the length (natural length) of the spring 36 at the maximum extension is such that the first cylindrical body 31 when the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 44 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. The distance between the one end and the protrusion 312 of the second cylindrical body 32 is set to be substantially the same. The spring constant of the spring 36 allows the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 to move in the axial direction due to the rotation, and after the retard roller 3R stops rotating, the second cylinder that has moved. It is set within a range in which the state body 32 can be pushed back in the direction opposite to the moving direction.

  According to the transport system 1 of the present example using the retard roller 3R of the present example, when the paper 82 is laterally shifted during the transport of the paper, the second cylindrical body 32 that contacts the rubber elastic body 33 in accordance with the lateral shift of the paper 82. Is guided by the protrusion 311 of the shaft 2 and moves in the axial direction on the same side as the lateral displacement direction of the paper 82, and the spring 36 existing on the moving side is elastically deformed (compressed or tensile deformed). At this time, since the spring constant of the spring 36 is set as described above, movement in the axial direction by the rotation of the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is allowed. Further, after the rotation of the retard roller 3R is stopped, the moved second cylindrical body 32 is returned to the direction opposite to the moving direction, that is, the initial setting position direction by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation of the spring 36. Here, in this example, the length of the spring 36 at the time of maximum extension (natural length) is the first cylinder when the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is at the initial setting position on the shaft 2. The distance between the one end of the cylindrical body 31 and the protrusion 312 of the second cylindrical body 32 is adjusted. Therefore, the second cylindrical body 32 in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is returned to a position substantially equal to the initial setting position by the elastic force of the spring 36 and rearranged.

  Therefore, according to the transport system 1 of the present example, it is possible to reduce the state in which the second cylindrical body 32 that is in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 is left offset in any one of the axial directions of the shaft 2. According to the retard roller 3R of the present example, the second cylindrical body 32 and the first cylinder that are in contact with the rubber elastic body 33 when the retard roller 3R is assembled in the conveyance system 1 of the present example or when the retard roller 3R is replaced during maintenance. It is not necessary to attach the body 31 and the spring 36 to the shaft 2 separately. Therefore, the assembling property and maintenance property of the transport system 1 can be improved. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

(Experimental example)
Hereinafter, in order to confirm that it is possible to improve the conveyance performance regardless of the roller material using the configuration of the conveyance system and the conveyance roller according to Example 2, a roller sample is manufactured and an evaluation test is performed. It was. In the manufactured roller sample, the shaft was made of SUS having a length of 110 mm and a diameter of 6 mm (excluding the protruding portion). The protrusions had a length of 50 mm and a cross section of 1 mm long × 2 mm wide. The cylindrical body was made of polyacetal, the axial length was 30 mm, the cylinder inner diameter was 6 mm, and the cylinder outer diameter was 16 mm. The rubber elastic body had an axial length of 24 mm, a cylinder inner diameter of 16 mm, and a cylinder outer diameter of 25 mm. At this time, EPDM, urethane rubber, or silicone rubber was used as the material of the rubber elastic body. A spring having a spring constant of 500 N / m and a natural length of 10 mm was used. One end of the spring was bonded to the end of the cylindrical body with an adhesive. For comparison, a roller sample fixed to the shaft so that the rubber elastic body did not move at all in the axial direction was also prepared.

<Durability evaluation>
The prepared various roller samples were incorporated into a feed portion of a color printer (“KY-8030” manufactured by Kyocera Corporation), and 300,000 sheets were passed. Note that “REY” manufactured by INTERNATIONAL PAPER was used as the paper used for paper feeding.

  “A” when no paper feed failure occurred at the feed section, “B” when paper feed failure occurred less than 5 times, and when a paper feed failure occurred 5 times or more and less than 10 times “C” was determined as “D” when the paper feeding failure occurred 10 times or more and less than 30 times, and “E” when the paper feeding failure occurred 30 times or more.

<Paperability evaluation>
The prepared various roller samples were incorporated into a retard portion of a color printer (manufactured by Kyocera Corporation, “KM-8030”), and 300,000 sheets were passed. Note that “REY” manufactured by INTERNATIONAL PAPER was used as the paper used for paper feeding.

  “A” when no paper passage failure occurred in the retard section, “B” when paper passage failure occurred less than 5 times, and “B” when paper passage failure occurred 5 times or less and less than 10 times. “C” was determined as “D” when the paper passage failure occurred 10 times or more and less than 30 times, and “E” when the paper passage failure occurred 30 times or more.

  The experimental results are summarized in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, when the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the shaft among the elements constituting the transport roller, regardless of the roller material It was confirmed that the conveyance performance can be improved. Further, when the roller samples 1 to 3 were examined after the experiment, it was confirmed that the cylindrical body was arranged around the initial setting position.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is possible within the range which does not impair the meaning of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyance system 2 Shaft 20 Cylindrical part 21 Projection 22 Annular groove 23 Pin part 3P Pickup roller 3F Feed roller 3R Retard roller 3T Conveyance roller 30 Tubular body 302 Groove part 31 1st tubular body 311 Projection 312 Projection part 32 2nd Tubular body 322 Groove portion 33 Rubber elastic body 35 Movement restricting body 351 Opening portion 352 Projection piece 353 Fitting groove 36 Spring 37a, b Magnet P Pickup portion F Feed portion R Retard portion 8 Paper feed portion 81 Paper tray 82 Paper 83 Paper accumulation Part C1, C2 gap

Claims (14)

A transport system incorporated in an apparatus having a transport unit for transporting a plane body,
A shaft that is rotatably driven in the transport unit;
The shaft includes a cylindrical body penetrating through the cylinder and a rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and a conveyance roller to which the rotational driving force of the shaft is transmitted,
A conveyance system, wherein a cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is configured to be movable along an axial direction of the shaft. In the conveyance system according to claim 1,
The shaft has a ridge or groove along the axial direction on the surface,
The cylindrical body has a groove or ridge formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the ridge or groove of the shaft,
The conveyance system, wherein the groove or protrusion of the cylindrical body is fitted to the protrusion or groove of the shaft. In the conveyance system according to claim 1 or 2,
When the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is moved from the initial set position on the shaft to one axial direction by rotation, the position of the cylindrical body is set so that the moved cylindrical body is returned to the initial set position direction again. A transport system comprising a position correction mechanism for correcting the above. In the conveyance system of Claim 3,
The position correction mechanism is
A movement restricting body provided outside the movable range of the tubular body in contact with the rubber elastic body, for restricting the movement of the tubular body in contact with the rubber elastic body;
A spring that is provided between an end of a cylindrical body that contacts the rubber elastic body and the movement restricting body, and in which the shaft penetrates the inside; and
The spring constant of the spring is within a range in which the cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body is allowed to move in the axial direction and the moved cylindrical body can be returned in the direction opposite to the moving direction. A transport system characterized by being set. In the conveyance system of Claim 3,
The position correction mechanism is
A magnet provided on a part of the shaft, and a magnet provided on the cylindrical body;
The magnetic force acting between the magnets is set within a range in which the cylindrical body can be moved in the axial direction and the moved cylindrical body can be drawn in the direction opposite to the moving direction. Conveying system characterized by that. In the conveyance system according to claim 1,
The cylindrical body includes a first cylindrical body in which the shaft passes through the inside of the cylinder, and a second cylindrical body provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and in contact with the rubber elastic body on the outer peripheral surface. Prepared,
The first cylindrical body is attached so as not to move along the axial direction of the shaft, and has a protrusion or a groove along the axial direction on the surface.
The second cylindrical body has a groove or ridge formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the ridge or groove of the first cylindrical body,
The conveyance system, wherein the groove or protrusion of the second cylindrical body is fitted to the protrusion or groove of the first tubular body. In the conveyance system of Claim 6,
When the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body moves from the initial setting position on the shaft to one side in the axial direction by rotation, the second cylindrical body that has moved is returned to the initial setting position direction again. 2. A transport system comprising a position correction mechanism for correcting the position of the two cylindrical bodies. In the conveyance system of Claim 7,
The position correction mechanism is
A movement restricting body provided outside the movable range of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body, for restricting the movement of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body;
A spring that is provided between an end of the second cylindrical body that is in contact with the rubber elastic body and the movement restricting body, and in which the shaft penetrates through the inside;
The spring constant of the spring allows the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to move in the axial direction and can return the moved second cylindrical body to a direction opposite to the moving direction. The transport system is characterized by being set within a certain range. In the conveyance system of Claim 7,
The position correction mechanism is
One end portion of the first cylindrical body, a projecting portion projecting in a cylinder inner diameter direction formed on one end portion of the second cylindrical body on the same side as the one end portion, the one end portion, and the above A spring provided between the projecting portion and the shaft penetrating through the interior,
The spring constant of the spring allows the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body to move in the axial direction and can return the moved second cylindrical body to a direction opposite to the moving direction. The transport system is characterized by being set within a certain range. In the conveyance system of Claim 7,
The position correction mechanism is
Comprising a magnet provided in the first cylindrical body and a magnet provided in the second cylindrical body;
The magnetic force acting between the two magnets is within a range that allows the second cylindrical body to move in the direction opposite to the moving direction while allowing the second cylindrical body to move in the axial direction. A transport system characterized by being set in. A transport roller used in a transport system incorporated in an apparatus having a transport unit for transporting a flat body,
A cylindrical body for penetrating a shaft provided rotatably in the transport section into the cylinder;
A rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body;
A conveying roller comprising: a spring having one end fixed to an end of a cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body. A transport roller used in a transport system incorporated in an apparatus having a transport unit for transporting a flat body,
A cylindrical body for penetrating a shaft provided rotatably in the transport section into the cylinder;
A rubber elastic body formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
The cylindrical body includes a first cylindrical body for penetrating the shaft into the cylinder, and a second cylindrical body provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and in contact with the rubber elastic body on the outer peripheral surface. And
The first cylindrical body has a protrusion or a groove along the axial direction on the surface,
The second cylindrical body has a groove or ridge formed on the inner surface of the cylinder corresponding to the ridge or groove of the first cylindrical body,
A conveyance roller, wherein the groove or protrusion of the second cylindrical body is fitted to the protrusion or groove of the first cylindrical body. In the conveyance roller according to claim 12,
At least one end of the first tubular body is formed with a movement restricting body that protrudes radially outward and restricts the movement of the second tubular body in contact with the rubber elastic body,
A conveyance roller, wherein a spring is provided between an end portion of the second cylindrical body in contact with the rubber elastic body and the movement restricting body. In the conveyance roller according to claim 12,
A protruding portion protruding in the cylinder inner diameter direction is formed at one end portion of the second cylindrical body,
A conveyance roller, wherein a spring is provided between the protruding portion of the second cylindrical body and one end portion of the first cylindrical body on the same side as the protruding portion.

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