JP2015117100A - Recording medium feeding device and image formation device equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium feeding device capable of suppressing occurrence of jamming of a recording medium and improving visibility of the recording medium.SOLUTION: The recording medium feeding device includes a first feeding part which has a transportation path 11b, a second feeding part which has a transportation path 11d, and a merging part 11a at which the transportation path 11b merges with the transportation path 11d. The first feeding part constitutes a part of a feeding unit. The feeding unit is disposed at the merging part 11a, and contains a flexible and translucent film member 34. The film member 34 swings so as to expand the transportation paths 11b-11d by being pressurized against paper.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium feeding apparatus, and more particularly to a recording medium feeding apparatus including a merging unit where a plurality of conveyance paths merge and an image forming apparatus including the recording medium feeding apparatus.

  Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are provided with a plurality of paper (recording medium) conveyance paths. Usually, these paper conveyance paths are formed so as to merge before the registration roller pair. A conveyance guide member that changes the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyance path is provided at the junction of the sheet conveyance path in order to convey the sheet downstream (registration roller opposite side).

  Incidentally, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for downsizing of image forming apparatuses, and accordingly, the paper conveyance path has also been downsized. As a result, the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the paper transport path is reduced.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording medium feeding apparatus in which a conveyance guide member that changes a sheet conveyance direction of a sheet conveyance path is provided at a junction where a plurality of sheet conveyance paths merge.

JP 2007-131455 A

  However, if the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the paper transport path is reduced, the paper transport load increases, and there is a problem that thick paper or the like that is strong may not be transported. In particular, at the confluence portion of the paper transport path, it is necessary to unify the paper transport direction of each paper transport path in one direction, and it is difficult to secure a space, so the curvature radius of the curved portion is likely to be particularly small. For this reason, in the junction part of a paper conveyance path, there exists a problem that a paper conveyance load tends to increase more and a paper jam occurs especially easily.

  In addition, when the paper transport path is curved, the inside of the paper transport path is difficult to see, and the visibility of the paper is poor. Therefore, it is difficult to check whether or not a paper jam has occurred. In particular, when the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the paper transport path is small, the visibility of the paper becomes worse.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is a recording capable of suppressing the occurrence of a jam in the recording medium and improving the visibility of the recording medium. It is an object to provide a medium feeding device and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium feeding device according to the present invention has a first transport path, and is disposed opposite to a first feeding unit that feeds a recording medium, and the first feeding unit. And a second feeding section that feeds the recording medium, and a merging section where the first feeding path and the second feeding path merge, wherein the first feeding section The feeding unit constitutes a part of the feeding unit, and the feeding unit is disposed at the joining portion for feeding the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage cassette, and the first feeding portion and the second feeding portion. And a flexible and translucent film member that guides the recording medium conveyed from the section toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, the film member extending in the width direction of the recording medium, The end is fixed to the first feeding unit, the free end extends toward the joining unit, and the recording medium is carried from the first feeding unit at the joining unit. When the recording medium is pressed by the recording medium, the recording medium swings in the direction of expanding the space on the first conveyance path side, and when the recording medium is conveyed from the second feeding unit, the other surface is pressed by the recording medium. As a result, it swings in the direction of expanding the space on the second transport path side.

  According to the present invention, a flexible film member is provided at a junction where the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path merge, and the recording medium is provided from the first feeding unit at the junction. When the recording medium is conveyed, the recording medium is swung so as to widen the space on the first conveying path side by being pressed against the recording medium, and when the recording medium is conveyed from the second feeding unit, the other surface is placed on the recording medium. When pressed, it swings to widen the space on the second transport path side. As a result, the film member swings when the recording medium is pressed on one side or the other side and the space on one side or the other side (conveyance path) is expanded, so that the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the conveyance path is increased. be able to. For this reason, since it is possible to reduce the conveyance load of the recording medium, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a jam even when thick paper or the like having strong stiffness is used.

  Moreover, a film member has translucency. Thereby, it can suppress that the inside of a 1st conveyance path becomes difficult to see. In addition, since the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the conveyance path can be increased, the visibility of the recording medium can be improved. For this reason, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the recording medium is jammed.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall structure of an image forming apparatus including a recording medium feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure around a merging portion of a sheet conveyance path of a recording medium feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure around the film member of the recording medium feeding apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a conveyance path unit of the recording medium feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body and a joining portion is exposed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An image forming apparatus 100 including a recording medium feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color copying machine, and in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, four image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in order from the left side in FIG. It is installed. The image forming units Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are respectively performed by charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes. Are sequentially formed.

  These image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided with photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d which carry visible images (toner images) of the respective colors, and further rotate counterclockwise in FIG. An intermediate transfer belt 8 is provided adjacent to each of the image forming portions Pa to Pd. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1 a to 1 d are sequentially transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that moves while contacting the photosensitive drums 1 a to 1 d, and then the secondary transfer roller 9. Is transferred onto a sheet 26 as an example of a recording medium, and further fixed on the sheet 26 in the fixing device 7 and then discharged from the apparatus main body. An image forming process for each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is executed while rotating the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d clockwise in FIG.

  The paper 26 onto which the toner image is transferred is stored in a paper feed cassette (recording medium storage cassette) 10 at the lower part of the apparatus. The paper 26 is stacked on a paper stacking plate 28 of the paper cassette 10, and the pickup roller 29 is rotated while the upper surface of the paper 26 is pressed against the pickup roller (feeding member) 29 with a predetermined pressure. The feeding of the paper 26 is started. Then, only the uppermost one of the plurality of sheets 26 is separated by the conveyance roller pair (feeding member) 30 and conveyed toward the sheet conveyance path 11. The sheet 26 that has passed through the sheet conveying path 11 reaches the registration roller pair 14 and is conveyed to a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the driving roller 13 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in accordance with the image forming timing.

  A sheet made of dielectric resin is used for the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a (seamless) belt having no seam is mainly used. A cleaning blade 17 for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 when viewed from the secondary transfer roller 9.

  The image reading unit 20 includes a scanner lamp that illuminates the document during copying, a scanning optical system equipped with a mirror that changes the optical path of reflected light from the document, and a condensing lens that focuses the reflected light from the document to form an image. And a CCD sensor or the like (both not shown) that converts the imaged image light into an electrical signal, and reads a document image and converts it into image data.

  Next, the image forming units Pa to Pd will be described. There are charging devices 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d for charging the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and image information on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d around and below the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, which are rotatably arranged. The exposure device 4 for exposing the toner, the developing devices 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are removed. Cleaning devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are provided.

  When image data is input from the image reading unit 20, first, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1 a to 1 d are uniformly charged by the charging devices 2 a to 2 d, and then a light beam is irradiated according to the image data by the exposure device 4. Then, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data from the image reading unit 20 are formed on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d. Each of the developing devices 3a to 3d includes a developing roller (developer carrying member) disposed so as to be opposed to the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and a predetermined amount of two-component developer containing toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Filled. This toner is supplied onto the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d by the developing rollers of the developing devices 3a to 3d, and electrostatically adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by exposure from the exposure device 4. A toner image is formed.

  Then, the primary transfer rollers 6a to 6d apply an electric field at a predetermined transfer voltage between the primary transfer rollers 6a to 6d and the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and yellow, magenta, cyan, and cyan on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d. A black toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full-color image. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is removed by the cleaning devices 5a to 5d in preparation for the subsequent formation of a new electrostatic latent image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched over the driven roller 12 and the drive roller 13, and when the intermediate transfer belt 8 starts to rotate counterclockwise as the drive roller 13 is rotated by a belt drive motor (not shown), The sheet 26 is conveyed from the registration roller pair 14 to the nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 provided close to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a predetermined timing. A full color image is secondarily transferred onto the paper 26. The paper 26 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 7.

  The paper 26 conveyed to the fixing device 7 is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip portion (fixing nip portion) of the fixing roller pair 15 to fix the toner image on the surface of the paper 26, and a predetermined full-color image is formed. It is formed. The sheet 26 on which the full-color image is formed is distributed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance guide member 21 arranged at the branching portion of the sheet conveyance path 19 through the conveyance roller pair 16 and is sent as it is (or sent to the double-side conveyance path 23). After duplex copying, the paper is discharged to the discharge tray 18 via the discharge roller pair 24.

  Specifically, the sheet conveyance path 19 is bifurcated into the left and right forks on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 16, and one path (the path branched in the left direction in FIG. 1) communicates with the discharge tray 18. ing. The other path (the path branched in the right direction in FIG. 1) is configured to communicate with the double-sided conveyance path 23.

  Next, the structure around the merging portion 11a of the paper transport path 11 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper transport path 11 includes a transport path (first transport path) 11b for the paper feed cassette 10, a transport path 11c for an optional paper feed cassette (not shown), and a stack tray (manual feed tray). ) 31 transport path (second transport path) 11d. The conveyance paths 11b to 11d merge at the junction 11a to form one conveyance path. In addition, the double-sided conveyance path 23 is also joined to the junction part 11a.

  The conveyance path 11b is formed to be curved so as to go upward as it approaches the junction part 11a. The transport path 11 b is connected to the paper feed cassette 10, and the paper 26 is transported from the paper feed cassette 10. The pickup roller 29 and the conveyance roller pair 30 are provided in the conveyance path 11b. The transport roller pair 30 includes a feed roller 30a that transports the paper 26 fed from the pickup roller 29, and a retard roller 30b that is in pressure contact with the feed roller 30a. When a plurality of sheets 26 are fed simultaneously by the pickup roller 29, the sheet 26 is rolled by the feed roller 30a and the retard roller 30b, and only the uppermost sheet is fed toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. .

  The conveyance path 11 c is formed toward the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 100. The transport path 11c is formed so that the paper 26 is transported from the optional paper feed cassette when an optional paper feed cassette (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 100. A conveyance roller pair 32 (see FIG. 1) for conveying the paper 26 is provided in the conveyance path 11c.

  The conveyance path 11 d is connected to the stack tray 31 provided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 100, and the paper 26 is conveyed from the stack tray 31. A transport roller 33 that feeds the paper 26 is provided in the transport path 11d. Note that a second feeding unit (manual feeding unit) is configured by the conveyance path 11d and a member that supports the conveyance roller 33 and the like.

  A film member 34 having flexibility and translucency is provided at the merging portion 11 a of the paper transport path 11. The film member 34 is arrange | positioned between the conveyance path 11b and the conveyance paths 11c and 11d, and forms the inner surface of the conveyance paths 11b-11d.

  The film member 34 extends in the width direction of the paper 26 (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) and extends upward (downstream in the recording medium conveyance direction), and the film member 34. The upper end portion (free end) of the slab is disposed at a predetermined interval from the inner surface of the merging portion 11a. As a result, when the sheet 26 is conveyed from the conveyance path 11b, the film member 34 is pressed on the left side (one side) by the sheet 26 to expand the left side (one side) conveyance path 11b. When the paper 26 is transported from the right (other side) transport paths 11c and 11d adjacent to the transport path 11b, the right side (the other side) is pressed by the paper 26. As a result, the transfer paths 11c and 11d swing (bend) to the left (one side) so as to widen.

  Further, since the upper end portion (free end) of the film member 34 is disposed so as to protrude above the upper surface of the upper guide portion 36 described later, the film member 34 is swung to the left side or the right side in the paper The step portion on the inner surface of the conveyance path 11 is covered. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the paper 26 from being caught by the step portion on the inner surface of the paper conveyance path 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the center region in the width direction of the film member 34, two slits 34a from the swing end (free end) to the fixed end (base end) are formed from the center in the sheet width direction to both ends. It is formed at a predetermined interval (for example, about 60 to 70 mm). Thereby, the width direction center area | region (part pinched | interposed into the slit 34a) of the film member 34 becomes easy to bend to the left side or the right side of FIG.

  The lower part (base end) of the film member 34 is fixed to the lower guide part 35. The lower side guide part 35 forms the inner surface of a some conveyance path, for example, forms the conveyance path 11b. The upper end portion (the tip portion on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction) of the lower guide portion 35 is formed in a tapered shape and is disposed below the upper end portion of the feed roller 30a. Thereby, the nip part of the conveyance roller pair 30 can be seen from the merge part 11a side.

  Further, the upper surface of the transport path 11 b is formed by an upper guide portion 36 that is disposed to face the lower guide portion 35. The upper surface of the upper guide portion 36 is disposed above the upper end portion of the feed roller 30a. The lower guide part 35 and the upper guide part 36 form a first feeding part (cassette feeding part) having a transport path 11b. Further, the first feeding unit, the pickup roller 29, the transport roller pair 30, and the film member 34 constitute a feeding unit. This feeding unit is detachable from the apparatus main body in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  In addition, a transport path unit (opening / closing unit) 37 constituting the lower part of the double-side transport path 23 is provided on the opposite side (upper right) of the transport path 11 b with respect to the film member 34. The conveyance path unit 37 constitutes a part of the junction portion 11a. An opening / closing cover 38 (see FIG. 1) that can rotate around the conveyance roller 33 is provided on the right side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In the conveyance path unit 37, the opening / closing cover 38 rotates. By being opened (opened), it is configured to rotate (open) with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in conjunction with the opening / closing cover 38.

  Then, as the conveyance path unit 37 is rotated with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 main body, as shown in FIG. 4, the feeding unit (the film member 34, the lower guide portion 35, etc.) The joining portion 11a is exposed in a state of being fixed (attached) to the side. Thereby, the inside of the conveyance path 11b can be seen through the film member 34 from the junction part 11a side.

  In addition, the 1st feeding part containing the conveyance path 11b, the lower side guide part 35, and the upper side guide part 36, the 2nd feeding part containing the conveyance path 11d, the confluence | merging part 11a, the conveyance path unit 37, the film member 34, The pickup roller 29, the conveyance roller pair 30 and the like constitute a recording medium feeding device.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the flexible film member 34 is provided in the merging portion 11a where the conveying paths 11b to 11d merge, and the film member 34 includes the sheet 26 in the conveying path 11b in the merging portion 11a. When the left side (one side) is pressed against the paper 26, the paper 26 swings to widen the left side (one side) space (the conveyance path 11b), and the paper 26 is conveyed from the conveyance separation 11d. When the paper 26 is pressed against the right side (the other side), the paper 26 swings to widen the right side (the other side) space (the transport paths 11c and 11d). Thereby, the film member 34 is rocked by being pressed by the paper 26 and the transport paths 11b to 11d are widened, so that the radius of curvature of the curved portions of the transport paths 11b to 11d can be increased. For this reason, since the conveyance load of the paper 26 can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper jam even when thick paper or the like having strong stiffness is used.

  Moreover, as described above, the film member 34 has translucency. Thereby, it can suppress that the inside of the conveyance path 11b becomes difficult to see. In addition, since the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the transport path 11b can be increased, the visibility of the paper 26 can be improved. For this reason, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not a paper jam has occurred. When the occurrence of a paper jam in the conveyance path 11b is found, the paper 26 is pulled out by bending the film member 34 or releasing the nip portion of the conveyance roller pair 30 to facilitate the paper jam. Can be resolved.

  Further, as described above, the film member 34 is disposed in the junction portion 11a when the feeding unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. Thereby, the film member 34 can be easily arranged in the junction portion 11a only by mounting the feeding unit on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, as described above, when the conveyance path unit 37 is opened and the joining portion 11a is exposed, the conveyance path 11b can be seen from the outside of the apparatus main body through the film member 34. Thereby, the inside of the conveyance path 11b can be easily seen from the junction part 11a side only by opening the conveyance path unit 37 with respect to the apparatus main body.

  In addition, as described above, the film member 34 has two slits 34a from the swing end (free end) to the fixed end (base end) with a predetermined interval from the center in the paper width direction toward both ends. Is formed. Accordingly, the central region in the width direction of the film member 34 (the portion sandwiched between the slits 34a) can be easily bent. Therefore, when the small-size paper 26 such as a postcard or an envelope is conveyed, the paper 26 is the film member. The conveyance load received from 34 can be easily reduced.

  Further, as described above, the upper end portion of the film member 34 is disposed at a predetermined interval from the inner surface of the merge portion 11a. Thereby, the film member 34 can be easily bent to one side or the other side.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, although an example in which the present invention is applied to a tandem type color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses having a merging section where a plurality of conveyance paths merge, such as a monochrome copying machine, a monochrome printer, a digital multifunction peripheral, and a facsimile machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the recording medium feeding device of the present invention is used in an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the recording medium feeding device of the present invention may be used in apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which four conveyance paths (conveyance paths 11b-11d, double-sided conveyance path 23) merge in the junction part 11a was shown, this invention is not restricted to this, Two in the junction part 11a Or you may comprise so that three conveyance paths may join.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although shown about the example in which the two slits 34a were formed in the film member 34, this invention is not limited to this, The film member 34 may be formed with three or more slits 34a. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the opening / closing unit is a conveyance path unit has been described. However, the opening / closing unit may be a unit other than the conveyance path.

10 Paper cassette (recording medium storage cassette)
11a Junction part 11b Conveyance path (1st conveyance path)
11c transport path 11d transport path (second transport path)
26 Paper (Recording medium)
29 Pickup roller (feeding member)
30 Transport roller pair (feeding member)
34 Film member 34a Slit 35 Lower guide part 36 Upper guide part 37 Conveyance path unit (opening / closing unit)
100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

A first feeding unit that has a first conveyance path and feeds a recording medium;
A second feeding unit that is disposed opposite to the first feeding unit, has a second transport path, and feeds the recording medium;
A merging section where the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path merge;
With
The first feeding unit constitutes a part of a feeding unit,
The feeding unit is
A feeding member for feeding the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage cassette;
A flexible and translucent film member that is disposed in the junction and guides the recording medium conveyed from the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. When,
Including
The film member extends in a width direction of the recording medium, a base end is fixed to the first feeding unit, a free end extends toward the joining unit, and the recording medium is disposed at the joining unit. When the recording medium is transported from the first feeding unit, the recording medium is swung in a direction to widen the space on the first transporting path side by being pressed by the recording medium, and the recording medium is moved from the second feeding unit. When the recording medium is transported, the recording medium feeding device swings in the direction of expanding the space on the second transport path side when the other surface is pressed by the recording medium. The feeding unit is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
The recording medium feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the film member is disposed in the joining portion when the feeding unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. An opening / closing unit capable of opening the merging portion is further provided on the second feeding portion side,
3. The recording medium feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the opening / closing unit is opened and the joining portion is exposed, the first transport path is visible through the film member.   4. The film member is formed with a plurality of slits from the free end toward the base end at a predetermined interval from a central portion in the recording medium width direction toward both ends. The recording medium feeding device according to any one of the above.   5. The recording medium feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the free end of the film member is disposed at a predetermined interval from an inner surface of the merging portion. The recording medium feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming apparatus main body on which the recording medium feeding device is disposed;
With
The first feeding unit is a cassette feeding unit built in the image forming apparatus main body, and the second feeding unit is a manual feeding unit arranged in the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus.