JP2017076918A - Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a document feeder 22; the document feeder includes a document tray on which a document is placed and an ejection tray to which a document is ejected; a document taken from the document tray into the device is fed to a reading position through a conveyance path 32. The conveyance path 32 is covered by an opening/closing cover 68, and the opening/closing cover is opened/closed with respect to a stationary cover 72. An elastic columnar member 122 is attached to the inside of a lower end of the opening/closing cover, and a flexible sheet-like member 126 is fastened at its lower end to an inner surface of an upper end of the stationary cover to have the upper end as a free end. When the opening/closing cover is closed, a surface of the elastic columnar part is brought into pressure contact with an outside surface of the flexible sheet-like member.EFFECT: A sound generated in a document conveyance path can be suppressed from leaking to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus that suppress leakage of sound generated when a sheet is conveyed in a document feeder or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a gap is sealed with a foam member for the purpose of sound insulation against sound from a gap in a cover. In this case, when the cover is opened and closed, the foamed member is scraped, and the sealing effect is gradually reduced. In addition, there is a problem that the scraped member enters the image forming apparatus as powder particles.

  In contrast, Patent Document 1 discloses that by providing two Mylar pieces 61 and 62 so as to overlap inside the opening 52 as shown in FIG. ing.

JP-A-6-110594

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the mylar pieces do not adhere to each other, the sound insulation effect is not sufficient. Moreover, since it is a combination of Mylar and Mylar, for example, if one of the waves undulates, a gap is generated and the sound insulation effect is further deteriorated, and since the surface of Mylar is hard, the sealing structure is hard and hard. Because of this combination, there was a problem that chatter noise was generated by vibration.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel paper transport device and image forming apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can be expected to have a sufficient sound insulation effect.

  The first invention includes a first housing and a second housing that can be opened and closed with respect to the first housing, at least the second housing covers the sheet conveyance path, and further the first housing and the second housing An elastic columnar member having at least a surface which is fixed to one inner side of the first casing, and a flexible sheet-like member fixed to the other inner side of the first casing and the second casing. On the other hand, when the second casing is closed, the elastic columnar member presses the flexible sheet-like member.

  In the first invention, the second housing (68) is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the first housing (72), and at least the second housing covers the paper conveyance path (32) that is a sound generation source. To do. The elastic columnar member (122) is fixed to the inner side of one of the first casing and the second casing, and the flexible sheet-shaped member (126) is fixed to the inner side of the other of the first casing and the second casing. The The elastic columnar member has elasticity at least on the surface, and the flexible sheet-like member has flexibility in a direction orthogonal to the surface. When the second casing is closed with respect to the first casing, the elastic columnar member presses the flexible sheet-shaped member, and the elastic columnar member and the flexible sheet-shaped member are in close contact with each other. Therefore, since both seal the space existing inside the first cover and the second cover, the sound generated by the paper transport path is prevented from leaking to the outside.

  According to the first invention, since the elastic columnar member and the flexible sheet-like member are in pressure contact with each other and are in close contact with each other, a sufficient sound insulation effect can be expected.

  A second invention is dependent on the first invention, wherein the elastic columnar member is fixed to the inside of the second casing, and the flexible sheet-shaped member is arranged in the first casing such that the free end faces the second casing. It is fixed to. Therefore, when the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing, the flexible sheet-like member presses the elastic columnar member.

  A third invention is dependent on the second invention, the first housing includes an upper wall, the flexible sheet-like member is provided inside the upper wall, and a free end projects from the upper end of the upper wall, The elastic columnar member is in pressure contact with a portion protruding from the upper end of the upper wall of the flexible sheet-like member. Therefore, the flexible sheet member presses the elastic columnar member at the protruding portion.

  A fourth invention is dependent on the first invention, wherein the elastic columnar member is fixed to the inside of the first housing, and the flexible sheet-like member is in the second housing so that the free end faces the first housing. When the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing, the flexible sheet member presses the elastic columnar member.

  A fifth invention is dependent on the fourth invention, the first housing includes an upper wall, and the elastic columnar member is provided inside the upper wall.

  A sixth invention is dependent on any one of the first to fifth inventions, and when the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing, the flexible sheet-like member is bent in an elastic columnar shape. Pressed against the member.

  A seventh invention is dependent on any one of the first to sixth inventions, and the elastic columnar member has an inclined surface at least at a portion to which the flexible sheet-like member is pressed.

  An eighth invention is dependent on any one of the first to seventh inventions, and the second housing is in contact with the first housing when the second housing is opened with respect to the first housing. The flexible sheet-like member does not contact the first housing at a portion other than the contact portion when the second housing is opened and closed with respect to the first housing.

  A ninth invention is a paper conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the flexible sheet-like member is a synthetic resin sheet.

  A tenth invention is a paper conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, wherein the elastic columnar member is a foamable synthetic resin member.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus including a printing unit that prints an image read from a document conveyed by the paper conveyance device of any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention on a recording sheet.

  According to this invention, since the elastic columnar member and the flexible sheet-like member are pressed against each other, a sufficient sound insulation effect can be expected.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the document feeder of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a vertical cross section of the image reading unit and the document feeder in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the document feeder in a state where the opening / closing cover is closed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the document feeder in a state where the opening / closing cover is opened. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the document feeder of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the document feeder according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a state in which the open / close cover is opened in the document feeder shown in FIG.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, an image reading unit 14 and an image forming apparatus 10 including the image reading unit 14 to which the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment of the invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus 10 including a document feeding device 22 which is an example of a sheet conveying device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external configuration of the document feeder 22 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing a longitudinal section of the image reading unit 14 and the document feeder 22.

  1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 10 to which the present invention can be applied is a full-color multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like. However, an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied may have at least one of the above functions, and is not limited to the embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body 12 and an image reading unit 14 disposed above the main body 12. The image reading unit 14 includes a document placing table 16 formed of a transparent material. A document pressing cover 18 is attached above the document placing table 16 through a hinge or the like so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The document pressing cover 18 is an example of a sheet conveying device that automatically feeds the document G placed on the document tray 20 one by one to the reading position P1 (FIG. 3) where the image reading glass is disposed. ADF (document feeder) 22 is provided. An operation unit (not shown) such as a touch panel and operation buttons for receiving an input operation by the user is provided on the front side of the document table 16.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading unit 14 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs arranged in the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 3), and the sub-scanning direction (FIGS. 1 and 3). The light source unit 24 movable in the directions Y1, Y2) parallel to the paper surface, the mirror unit 26 movable in the sub-scanning direction at a movement speed ½ of the movement speed of the light source unit 24, the imaging lens, and the line sensor An imaging unit 28 including the above is provided. The image reading unit 14 exposes the document surface with the light source unit 24 and guides reflected light reflected from the document surface to an imaging lens (not shown) of the imaging unit 28 by the mirror unit 26. Then, the reflected light is imaged on a light receiving element of a line sensor (not shown) by an imaging lens. The line sensor detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light imaged on the light receiving element, and generates image data based on the image on the document surface. As the line sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD), a contact image sensor (CIS), or the like is used.

  The image reading unit 14 irradiates the original G transported in the sub-scanning direction by the original feeding device 22 with the light emitted from the light source unit 24 while the light source unit 24 is stopped at the reading position P <b> 1 at the time of reading by the original moving method. To do. In the fixed reading method, the light source unit 24 and the mirror unit 26 are moved in the sub-scanning direction to irradiate the document placed on the document placing table 16.

  The document feeder 22 will be described in detail as shown in detail in FIG. The document feeder 22 includes a document tray 20 on which the document G is placed, a discharge tray 30 on which the document G is discharged, and a transport path for transporting the document G placed on the document tray 20 to the reading position P1. 32, a transport path 34 for transporting the document G transported to the reading position P <b> 1 to the discharge tray 30, and a transport path 36 for returning the document G that has passed the reading position P <b> 1 to the transport path 32.

  A document G is placed face up on the document tray 20. The document tray 20 is arranged in one direction (downstream in the sub operation direction) Y1 with respect to the reading position P1. The reading position P1 is a position where light is emitted from the light source unit 24 through the document reading glass 38.

  A pickup roller 40 is provided in the vicinity of the document tray 20. The pickup roller 40 takes in the document G placed on the document tray 20 into the document feeder 22 in order from the top.

  In the vicinity of the pickup roller 40, a separating roller 42 and a separation roller 44 are provided. The separation roller 42 and the separation roller 44 are provided to prevent the plurality of documents G from being conveyed to the conveyance path 32 in a state where they overlap each other (double feeding).

  The discharge tray 30 is disposed below the document tray 20, and the document G is discharged face down. Further, the discharge tray 30 is disposed on the one direction Y1 side with respect to the reading position P1. That is, the discharge tray 30 and the document tray 20 are disposed on the same side with respect to the reading position P1 in the sub-scanning direction.

  The conveyance path 32 and the conveyance path 34 are formed in a U shape when viewed from the front. Specifically, the conveyance path 32 is formed so as to extend from the one direction Y1 side with respect to the reading position P1 to the other direction (upstream side in the sub-scanning direction) Y2, and to extend from the other direction Y2 side with respect to the reading position P1 to the reading position P1. Has been. That is, the conveyance path 32 is formed so as to cross over the reading position P1 and to be folded back toward the reading position P1.

  The conveyance path 34 is formed so as to extend from the reading position P1 to the one direction Y1 side. The conveyance path 36 is provided between the conveyance path 34 and the conveyance path 32. For this reason, a circulation path is formed by a part of the transport path 34, the transport path 36, and a part of the transport path 32.

  Specifically, the circulation path includes a conveyance path 32 between the junction P2 of the conveyance path 32 and the conveyance path 36 and the reading position P1, and a junction P3 of the reading position P1, the conveyance path 34, and the conveyance path 36. An intermediate conveyance path 34 and a conveyance path 36 are included. The conveyance path 36 between the junction P3 and the discharge tray 30 functions as a switchback path for switching the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document G in the conveyance direction.

  The conveyance path 32 is provided with conveyance rollers 46a and 46b and conveyance rollers 48a and 48b, and the conveyance path 34 is provided with conveyance rollers 50a and 50b and conveyance rollers 52a and 52b. The transport rollers 46a and 46b, the transport rollers 48a and 48b, and the transport rollers 50a and 50b have a transport force stronger than the transport force of the transport rollers 52a and 52b.

  The transport rollers 46a and 46b are disposed on the downstream side near the junction P2. The conveyance rollers 48a and 48b are arranged on the upstream side in the vicinity of the reading position P1. The conveyance rollers 50a and 50b are disposed between the reading position P1 and the merging point P3, and are provided to convey the document G that has passed the reading position P1 to the conveyance rollers 52a and 52b. The transport rollers 52a and 52b are disposed between the junction P3 and the discharge tray 30 and function as discharge rollers. That is, the transport rollers 46a and 46b, the transport rollers 48a and 48b, and the transport rollers 50a and 50b are disposed in the circulation path, and the transport rollers 52a and 52b are disposed in the switchback path.

  The conveyance rollers 46a, 48a, 50a, and 52a are drive rollers that are rotationally driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown), and the conveyance rollers 46b, 48b, 50b, and 52b are respectively the drive rollers 46a, 48a, 50a. And a follower roller that rotates according to the rotation of 52a. Further, a waist member 54 is provided in the vicinity of the transport rollers 52a and 52b to seat the original G discharged from the transport path 34 to the discharge tray 30.

  A claw member 56 is movably provided near the junction P3. The claw member 56 is disposed at a position where the conveyance path 34 is blocked by its own weight. The claw member 56 is configured to open the conveyance path 34 by being pushed up by the document G when the document G is conveyed in the conveyance direction Y3.

  A lever 58 is rotatably provided on the upstream side in the vicinity of the transport rollers 46a and 46b. The lever 58 is disposed at a position that closes the transport path 32 and the transport path 36. The lever 58 is configured to be pushed up by the document G when the document G is transported on the transport path 32 or the transport path 36. A sensor 60 that detects that the lever 58 is pushed up is provided in the vicinity of the lever 58. The sensor 60 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and is provided for the control unit 62 (FIG. 1) to determine whether or not the document G is located on the upstream side in the vicinity of the conveyance roller 46.

  A lever 64 is rotatably provided on the upstream side in the vicinity of the transport rollers 48a and 48b. The lever 64 is disposed at a position that closes the conveyance path 32. The lever 64 is configured to be pushed down by the document G when the document G is transported through the transport path 32. In the vicinity of the lever 64, a sensor 66 for detecting that the lever 64 is pushed down is provided. The sensor 66 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and is provided for the control unit 62 to determine whether or not the document G is located on the upstream side in the vicinity of the transport rollers 48a and 48b.

  An open / close cover 68 that can seal or cover the above-described transport path 32 is provided. The opening / closing cover 68 is rotatably supported by shaft support portions 70 by frames 20 a (FIG. 2) formed on both side edges of the document tray 20. Specifically, in the shaft support portion 70, protrusions (not shown) are formed on both side ends of the opening / closing cover 68, and the protrusions are axially supported by recesses (not shown) formed inside the frames 20a. Accordingly, the opening / closing cover 68 is opened / closed with respect to the fixed cover 72 provided facing the opening / closing cover 68 as a result of rotating in the direction of the arrow A1 or A2 around the shaft support portion 70. Although it is not clear in the drawing, the fixed cover 72 is provided to rise from the rear end portion of the base 74 that forms the discharge tray 30, and an upper wall 76 is formed at the upper end thereof. The top wall 76 includes an outer surface and an inner surface that are both vertical or substantially vertical. Further, since the upper wall 76 is formed at the upper end of the fixed cover 72 with a thickness smaller than the thickness of the fixed cover 72, a stepped portion 124 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed at the upper end of the fixed cover 72.

  The open / close cover 68 is provided to remove a document when the document is jammed in the conveyance path 32 described above. When the opening / closing cover 68 is pulled up by holding the tip 68a (FIG. 2) on the side of the document tray 20 by hand, the opening / closing cover 68 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A1 about the shaft support portion 70, and the opening / closing cover 68 is opened. Thus, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened, the conveyance path 32 is opened, so that a document with a paper jam can be removed.

  When the opening / closing cover 68 is held and held, the opening / closing cover 68 rotates in the direction of the arrow A2 around the shaft support portion 70, and the opening / closing cover 68 can be closed as described above in FIG. When the opening / closing cover 68 is closed, the opening / closing cover 68 can cover the sheet conveyance path such as the conveyance path 32 in cooperation with the fixed cover 72. However, the paper conveyance path such as the conveyance path 32 may be at least covered with the opening / closing cover 68.

  The main body 12 is provided with the control unit 62 and the image forming unit 78 described above. Although not shown, the control unit 62 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to an input operation to an operation unit such as a touch panel. Execute the operation.

  The image forming unit 78 includes an exposure unit 80, a developing unit 82, a photosensitive drum 84, a cleaner unit 86, a charger 88, an intermediate transfer belt unit 90, a transfer roller (secondary transfer roller) 92, a fixing unit 94, and the like. An image is formed on a sheet (recording sheet) conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 96 or the manual sheet feeding cassette 98, and the image-formed sheet is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown). As image data for forming an image on a sheet, image data read by the image reading unit 14, image data transmitted from an external computer, or the like is used.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 10 corresponds to four color images of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). For this reason, each of the developing device 82, the photosensitive drum 84, the cleaner unit 86, and the charger 88 is provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, thereby providing four image stations. Composed. Further, the photosensitive drum 84, the cleaner unit 86, and the charger 88 are unitized (cartridge), and the process unit 100 is configured by these units. That is, the image forming unit 78 is provided with four process units 100 including a photosensitive drum 84, a cleaner unit 86, a charger 88, and the like. Each of the process units 100 can be individually attached and detached from the front side of the main body 12.

  The photosensitive drum 84 is an image carrier in which a photosensitive layer is formed on the surface of a cylindrical substrate having conductivity. The charger 88 applies a predetermined potential (for example, −600 V) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 84. As an example, a roller-type charger (charging roller) 88 is used.

  The exposure unit 80 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser emitting portion and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of the charged photoconductive drum 84, whereby electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data are exposed. An image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 84. The developing device 82 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 84 with toner of four colors (YMCK). The cleaner unit 86 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 84 after development and image transfer with a cleaning blade (not shown), and conveys the removed toner to a waste toner box (not shown). .

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 90 includes an intermediate transfer belt 102, a driving roller 104, a driven roller 106, four intermediate transfer rollers 108, and the like, and is disposed above the photosensitive drum 84. The intermediate transfer belt 102 is provided so as to come into contact with the respective photosensitive drums 84, and the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums 84 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 102 using the intermediate transfer roller 108. As a result, a multicolor toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 102.

  Further, a transfer roller 92 is disposed in the vicinity of the driving roller 104, and the toner formed on the intermediate transfer belt 102 when the sheet passes through the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the transfer roller 92. The image is transferred to the paper.

  The fixing unit 94 includes a heat roller 110 and a pressure roller 112 and is disposed above the transfer roller 92. The heat roller 110 is set to have a predetermined fixing temperature. When the paper passes through the nip area between the heat roller 110 and the pressure roller 112, the toner image transferred to the paper is melted. The toner image is heat-fixed on the sheet by mixing and pressing.

  In such a multifunction machine main body 12, a sheet placed on the sheet feeding cassette 96 or the manual sheet feeding cassette 98 is sent to the sheet discharge tray via the registration roller 114, the transfer roller 92 and the fixing unit 94. A first paper transport path S1 is formed. Further, when performing double-sided printing on the paper, the paper after the single-sided printing is completed and passed through the fixing unit 94 is returned to the first paper transport path S1 on the upstream side of the transfer roller 92 in the paper transport direction. The second paper transport path S2 is formed. In the first paper transport path S1 and the second paper transport path S2, a plurality of transport rollers 116 for providing a propulsive force to the paper in an auxiliary manner are provided as appropriate.

  When single-sided printing is performed in the multifunction machine main body 12, the sheets placed in the sheet feeding cassette 96 or the manual sheet feeding cassette 98 are guided to the first sheet conveying path S 1 one by one by the pickup roller 118, and the conveying roller 116. Is conveyed to the registration roller 114. Then, the registration roller 114 conveys the sheet to the transfer roller 92 at a timing when the leading edge of the sheet and the leading edge of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 102 are aligned, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. Thereafter, when the toner passes through the fixing unit 94, the unfixed toner on the paper is melted and fixed by heat, and the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown) through a transport roller (paper discharge roller) 116. .

  On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing, when the rear end of the sheet that has passed single-sided printing and has passed through the fixing unit 94 reaches the discharge roller 116 near the discharge tray, the discharge roller 116 is reversed. By rotating, the sheet runs backward and is guided to the second sheet conveyance path S2. The paper guided to the second paper transport path S2 is transported through the second paper transport path S2 by the transport roller 116, and is guided to the first paper transport path S1 on the upstream side of the registration roller 114 in the paper transport direction. At this time, the front and back sides of the sheet are reversed, and thereafter, the sheet passes through the transfer roller 92 and the fixing unit 94, whereby printing is performed on the back side of the sheet.

  In such an image forming apparatus 10, a gap as shown in FIG. 3 is formed between the open / close cover 68 of the document feeder 22 and the upper wall 76 at the upper end of the fixed cover 72. That is, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened and closed, the lower end of the opening / closing cover 68 is spaced from the fixed cover 72, that is, the upper wall 76 so that the displacement locus of the lower end of the opening / closing cover 68 does not interfere with the upper wall 76. Arranged. For this reason, sound generated when the document is conveyed through the conveyance path 32 or the like may leak to the outside through the gap.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a sound generated when the document is conveyed through the conveyance path 32 or the like is generated between the opening / closing cover 68 of the document feeder 22 and the upper wall 76 at the upper end of the fixed cover 72. The sound is prevented from leaking outside through the gap.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the longitudinal section of the document feeder 22 with the opening / closing cover 68 closed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the longitudinal section of the document feeder 22 with the opening / closing cover 68 opened.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this first embodiment, the opening / closing cover 68 is made of a foamed synthetic resin, such as polyurethane foam, called “malt” on the inner side of the lower end, that is, the lower end surface 1280 of the inner surface 128a of the mounting portion 128. The elastic columnar member 122 is fixed by a method such as adhesion. The fixed cover 72 functioning as the first housing has, for example, a lower end of a flexible sheet-like member 126 made of a synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) on the step portion 124 forming the upper wall 76. It is fixed by a method such as adhesion. Therefore, the lower portion of the outer surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126 is in contact with the inner surface of the upper wall 76, and at this time, the lower portion of the outer surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126 is the inner portion of the upper wall 76. It may be fixed to the side surface. The upper end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 is a free end, and the upper part of the flexible sheet-like member 126 protrudes from the upper end of the upper wall 76 in the direction (upward) toward the opening / closing cover 68 functioning as the second housing. To do.

  Although not clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 has a width (direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction) as shown in FIG. The length of the opening / closing cover 68 is provided over the entire width.

  In addition, the lower end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 is fixed to the stepped portion 124 by, for example, a method such as adhesion. At this time, the flexible sheet-like member 126 may not be secured because of the small thickness. Therefore, at that time, the lower end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 may be bent, for example, in an “L” shape, and an adhesive may be applied to the bent portion.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the direction of the arrow A <b> 1, for example, the attachment portion 128 to which the conveyance roller 46 a is attached is also displaced integrally with the opening / closing cover 68. Therefore, the conveyance path 32 is opened, and for example, a document that has a paper jam in the conveyance path 32 can be removed. In this state, the contact surface (contact portion) 1282 of the inner surface 128 a of the attachment portion 128 contacts the upper end portion (tip portion) of the flexible sheet-like member 126. Further, the surface (part) other than the contact surface 1282 among the inner surface 128a of the attachment portion 128 contacts (contacts) the tip of the flexible sheet-like member 126 even when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened / closed. There is no. However, the contact surface (contact portion) 1282 is a surface (portion) connected to the lower end surface 1280 and spreads in the vertical direction with the open / close cover 68 closed. Accordingly, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened, the upper end (tip) portion of the flexible sheet-like member 126 protruding from the upper end of the upper wall 76 toward the opening / closing cover 68 (upward) is slightly bent outward. However, the flexible sheet-like member 126 has flexibility, and the upper end of the upper wall 76 serves as a stopper when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened, and the opening / closing cover 68 is not further opened from the position of FIG. Therefore, the flexible sheet-like member 126 does not bend.

  That is, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the direction of the arrow A1, the flexible sheet-like member 126 bends along the curved inner surface 128a of the mounting portion 128, but the opening / closing cover 68 corrects the paper jam of the document. The time for opening is short. Therefore, plastic deformation does not occur in the flexible sheet-like member 126.

  Further, the contact surface 1282 of the opening / closing cover 68 comes into contact with the sheet surface of the upper end portion (tip portion) of the flexible sheet-like member 126. Therefore, unlike the case where the front end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 hits the contact surface 1282, the front end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 does not rub against the contact surface 1282, so that abnormal noise is not generated. rare.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 4, when the flexible sheet-like member 126 is bent, the lower end portion thereof is pressed toward the upper wall 76 side. For this reason, the flexible sheet-like member 126 can be made more difficult to peel from the upper wall 76 than in the case where it is adhered to the fixed cover 72 so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the upper wall 76.

  When the flexible sheet-like member 126 is bonded to the fixed cover 72 so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the upper wall 76, when the flexible sheet-like member 126 is bent, its lower end The portion is pressed to the side opposite to the upper wall 76. For this reason, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is easily peeled off from the upper wall 76.

  Then, when the open / close cover 68 is closed in the direction of arrow A2, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic columnar member 122 protrudes upward from the upper wall 76 of the flexible sheet-like member 126 from the outer side. Press in the direction of A2 and press. That is, the elastic columnar member 122 is, for example, polyurethane foam as described above, and at least the surface has elasticity. The flexible sheet-like member 126 is PET as described above. As a whole, the flexible sheet-like member 126 has flexibility (elasticity) in a direction orthogonal to the surface, but the surface itself is hard. Therefore, the surface of the elastic columnar member 122 is elastically deformed by the hard outer surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126, and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is strongly pressed by the reaction force of this elastic deformation. On the other hand, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is also bent (elastically deformed), and the elastic columnar member 122 is pushed back by the reaction force. That is, the flexible sheet-like member 126 presses the elastic columnar member 122 at a portion protruding upward from the upper wall 76 in a bent state. Thus, since the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 give reaction force to each other, they are in a state of being firmly pressed (contacted or closely contacted). Therefore, the gap between the opening / closing cover 68 and the fixed cover 72 (the upper wall 76 thereof) is closed.

  According to the first embodiment, since the gap between the opening / closing cover 68 and the fixed cover 72 (the upper wall 76 thereof) is closed, the sound generated inside the opening / closing cover 68 is prevented from leaking to the outside. be able to.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened and closed, the flexible sheet-like member 126 does not contact the opening / closing cover 68, so that the generation of noise due to the contact thereof is prevented. Can be prevented.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is adhered to the fixed cover 72 so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the upper wall 76, so that it contacts the outer surface of the upper wall 76. The flexible sheet-like member 126 can be more difficult to peel off from the upper wall 76 than in the case where it is adhered to the fixed cover 72 so as to be in the state of being.

In the first embodiment, since the entire elastic columnar member 122 is formed of a foamable resin, it has elasticity not only on the surface but also on the inside, but if at least the surface is elastic, it is flexible. It can be satisfactorily pressed against the hard surface of the adhesive sheet-like member 126. This is because an elastic repulsive force is generated on at least the surface of the elastic columnar member 122. The same applies to the second and third embodiments described later.
<Second embodiment>
The image forming apparatus 10 to which the document feeder 22 according to the second embodiment is applied is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the elastic columnar member 122 is changed. The contents are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first embodiment, the elastic columnar member 122 is a quadrangular column having a substantially square cross section, so that the contact with the flexible sheet-like member 126 is mainly at the corner. It was conducted. Therefore, the contact area between the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is small.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the contact area between the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is increased to further prevent the sound generated inside the opening / closing cover 68 from leaking outside. It is.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the document feeder 22 of the second embodiment. However, FIG. 6 shows a part of the document feeder 22 with the opening / closing cover 68 closed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, an inclined surface 122 a is formed on the elastic columnar member 122. Therefore, in the second embodiment, since the entire inclined surface 122a is in contact with the hard surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126, the contact state between the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is stably maintained. .

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained, and the close contact state between the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is stably maintained. It is possible to further prevent the sound generated in step 1 from leaking to the outside.

  Although not clearly shown in FIG. 6, each of the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 has the full width of the opening / closing cover 68 having a width as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as in the first embodiment. Are provided.

In the second embodiment, the inclined surface 122a is formed on a part of the elastic columnar member 122, but the shape of the elastic columnar member 122 should not be limited. For example, if the inclined surface 122a is provided at the same position as in the second embodiment, the shape of the elastic columnar member 122 may be an arbitrary polygon such as a triangle or a pentagon, or a circle or a semicircle. Good.
<Third embodiment>
The image forming apparatus 10 to which the document feeder 22 according to the third embodiment is applied is the same as the first embodiment except that the positions at which the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 are provided. Only the above will be described, and redundant contents will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of the longitudinal section of the document feeder 22 of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a state in which the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the document feeder 22 shown in FIG.

  In brief, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first embodiment, the opening / closing cover 68 is provided with the elastic columnar member 122, and the fixed cover 72 is provided with the flexible sheet-like member 126. The reverse may be used as in the document feeder 22 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the elastic columnar member 122 is fixed to the inner side of the upper wall 76 of the fixed cover 72 by, for example, a method such as adhesion, and is the inner side of the opening / closing cover 68. The flexible sheet-like member 126 is fixed by a method such as adhesion so that the free end faces the fixed cover 72. At this time, the upper portion of the elastic columnar member 122 is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper wall 76.

  However, in the third embodiment, the lower end surface 1280 of the attachment portion 128 is provided with a protrusion (projection) 128b protruding downward, and the upper part of the inner surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126 contacts the outer surface of the protrusion 128b. It will be in the state. Therefore, the upper part of the inner surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126 may be fixed to the outer surface of the protrusion 128b.

  Further, when the flexible sheet-like member 126 is fixed to the opening / closing cover 68, for example, the upper end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 is bent into, for example, an “L” shape in the bent portion, as in the first embodiment. An adhesive area can be secured by applying an adhesive.

  Although not clearly seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 are, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 as in the first and second embodiments, respectively. The opening / closing cover 68 having a wide width is provided over the entire width.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the opening / closing cover 68 is closed in the direction of the arrow A 2, the flexible sheet-like member 126 has the elastic columnar member 122 in the back part beyond the upper wall 76. It touches the surface of the protruding part. The surface of the elastic columnar member 122 is elastically deformed by the hard outer surface of the flexible sheet-like member 126, and the flexible sheet-like member 126 is strongly pressed by the reaction force of this elastic deformation. On the other hand, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is also bent (elastically deformed), and the elastic columnar member 122 is pushed back by the reaction force. That is, since both the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 give a reaction force to each other, they are in a state where they are firmly pressed (contacted or closely contacted).

  As shown in FIG. 8, also in the third embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the direction of the arrow A1, the contact surface (contact portion) 1282 of the inner surface 128a of the mounting portion 128 is flexible. It contacts the lower end portion (tip portion) of the sheet-like member 126. Further, the surface (part) other than the contact surface 1282 among the inner surface 128a of the attachment portion 128 contacts (contacts) the tip of the flexible sheet-like member 126 even when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened / closed. There is no.

  Also in the third embodiment, the contact surface 1282 of the opening / closing cover 68 abuts against the sheet surface of the lower end portion (tip portion) of the flexible sheet-like member 126. Therefore, unlike the case where the front end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 hits the contact surface 1282, the front end of the flexible sheet-like member 126 does not rub against the contact surface 1282, so that abnormal noise is not generated. rare.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, in the third embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 68 is closed in the direction of the arrow A2, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is slightly bent from the I-shaped section. In the (bent) state, the cross section is gradually curved into an S shape as the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the direction of the arrow A1. At this time, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is deformed while its outer surface slides on the inner surface of the elastic columnar member 122. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the flexible sheet-like member 126 is pressed against the elastic columnar member 122 regardless of the open / close state of the open / close cover 68.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened in the direction of the arrow A1, the elastic columnar member 122 is pushed and crushed by the contact surface 1282 of the inner surface 128a of the mounting portion 128. As described above, since the opening / closing cover 68 is opened for a short time, the elastic columnar member 122 does not undergo plastic deformation.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the gap between the opening / closing cover 68 and the fixed cover 72 (the upper wall 76 thereof) is closed, the sound generated inside the opening / closing cover 68 is externally generated. It is possible to prevent leakage.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 68 is opened and closed, the flexible sheet-like member 126 does not contact the opening / closing cover 68, so that they are in contact with each other. It is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise.

  Note that the modification of the second embodiment is also applicable to the third embodiment. That is, the inclined surface 122a is formed on the elastic columnar member 122 at a portion where the elastic columnar member 122 and the flexible sheet-like member 126 contact when the opening / closing cover 68 is closed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a housing (including a sound generation source) in which the open / close cover 68 and the fixed cover 72 are combined is used. It may be a combination of covers.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the document feeder 22 is shown as an example of the sheet conveying device. However, the present invention is a combination of two covers or casings and can be used in any type of sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet therein. Applicable.

  In addition, the configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in each embodiment is an example, and can be appropriately changed depending on the actual product specifications and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 12 ... Main body 14 ... Document reading apparatus 20 ... Document tray 22 ... Document feeder 32, 34, 36 ... Conveyance path 68 ... Opening / closing cover 72 ... Fixed cover 76 ... Upper wall 122 ... Elastic columnar member 126 ... Possible Flexible sheet-like member 128 ... Mounting portion

Claims (11)

A first housing and a second housing that can be opened and closed with respect to the first housing;
An elastic columnar member having at least a surface having elasticity, wherein at least the second casing covers a sheet conveyance path, and is fixed inside one of the first casing and the second casing, and the first casing And a flexible sheet-like member fixed to the other inside of the second casing,
The paper conveying apparatus, wherein the elastic columnar member presses the flexible sheet-like member when the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing.   The elastic columnar member is fixed to the inside of the second casing, and the flexible sheet-shaped member is fixed to the first casing such that a free end faces the second casing. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet-like member presses the elastic columnar member when the second casing is closed. The first housing includes an upper wall, and the flexible sheet-like member is provided inside the upper wall, and the free end protrudes from an upper end of the upper wall,
The elastic columnar member is in pressure contact with a portion protruding from the upper end of the upper wall of the flexible sheet-like member,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flexible sheet-like member presses the elastic columnar member at the protruding portion.   The elastic columnar member is fixed to the inside of the first casing, and the flexible sheet-shaped member is fixed to the second casing such that a free end faces the first casing. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet-like member presses the elastic columnar member when the second casing is closed against the sheet.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first housing includes an upper wall, and the elastic columnar member is provided inside the upper wall.   The flexible sheet-like member is pressed against the elastic columnar member in a bent state when the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing. Paper transport device.   The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic columnar member has an inclined surface at least on a portion to which the flexible sheet-like member is pressed. The second housing has a contact portion that contacts the first housing when the second housing is opened with respect to the first housing;
The flexible sheet-like member does not contact the first housing at a portion other than the contact portion when the second housing is opened and closed with respect to the first housing. The paper conveying apparatus in any one.   The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet-like member is a synthetic resin sheet.   The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic columnar member is a foamable synthetic resin member.   An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints an image read from a document conveyed by the sheet conveying device according to claim 1 on a recording sheet.

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