JP2017193415A - Sheet conveyance device and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet conveyance device which can expand a space in a device by storing a pickup roller of a tray at a low position.SOLUTION: A sheet conveyance device comprises: a housing 2; a MP tray 40 which is provided so as to be able to open/close a manual insertion opening 90a; a second pickup roller 421 which supplies a sheet into the housing 2; a second separation roller 422 which is provided in the housing 2; a first holding member 425 which holds the second pickup roller 421 in a rotatable manner around a first rotational shaft; a second holding member 426 which holds the second separation roller 422 in a rotatable manner around a second rotational shaft in parallel with the first rotational shaft; a connection part 427 which connects one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first holding member 425 and one end side of the second holding member 426 and is rotatable around a portion connecting the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426; and a protrusion part 401 which is provided in the MP tray 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus including a pickup roller that supplies a sheet supported by a tray into a housing, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a sheet conveying apparatus that includes a pickup roller that takes out a sheet supported by a tray, and that can open and close, and that accommodates the pickup roller when the tray is closed. For example, in Patent Document 1, an arm that holds the pickup roller and rotates together with the pickup roller is provided, and when the tray is closed, the pickup roller rotates together with the arm and is accommodated in the sheet conveying apparatus. A configuration is disclosed.

JP 2014-125333 A

  In the sheet conveying apparatus of Patent Document 1, the pickup roller and the separation roller are fixed by a rod-shaped arm, and the pickup roller is accommodated in the sheet conveying apparatus by rotating the arm.

  Since the pickup roller is accommodated by rotating the rod-shaped arm, a space corresponding to the length of the rod-shaped arm is required in the vertical upward direction. Therefore, for example, there arises a problem that a space for placing components other than the pickup roller in the sheet conveying apparatus is reduced accordingly.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying apparatus capable of expanding a space in the apparatus by accommodating a pickup roller of a tray at a low position.

  The sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention includes a housing having an opening on a side surface, a tray that is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening, and that supports the sheet, and a pickup roller that supplies the sheet supported by the tray into the housing. A separation roller provided in the housing and disposed downstream of the pickup roller in the sheet conveying direction; a first holding member that holds the pickup roller rotatably about a first rotation axis; A second holding member that holds the separation roller rotatably about a second rotation axis that is parallel to the first rotation axis; one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first holding member; and one end side of the second holding member And a connecting portion that is rotatable about a place where the first holding member and the second holding member are connected, and a pressing portion that is provided vertically above the separation roller. , The second holding member is capable of rotating the one end side of the second holding member, the connecting portion, the first holding member, and the pickup roller with the other end side of the second holding member as a rotation center. And when the tray is in the open position, the connecting portion has the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft such that a distance between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft is a predetermined distance. When the tray is in a closed position that closes the opening, the pick-up roller is positioned vertically above the separation roller so that the distance is shorter than the predetermined distance. The pickup roller or the first holding member is configured to be pressed vertically downward.

  According to said structure, a pick-up roller and a separation roller are accommodated under a press part in the folded state.

  According to the present invention, since the pickup roller and the separation roller are stored under the pressing portion in a folded state, the pickup roller and the separation roller can be stored in a position vertically lower than a configuration in which the pickup roller and the separation roller are not folded. it can. As a result, the space in the sheet conveying apparatus can be expanded.

1 is a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a top view of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when a MP tray exists in an open position. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when a MP tray exists in an intermediate position. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when a MP tray exists in an intermediate position. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when a MP tray exists in a closed position. It is a top view around the 2nd supply mechanism when the MP tray in modification 1 exists in an open position. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when the MP tray in the modification 1 exists in a closed position. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when the MP tray in the modification 2 exists in an open position. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a second supply mechanism when an MP tray in Modification 2 is in an intermediate position. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism periphery when the MP tray in the modification 2 exists in a closed position.

[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. In the following description, the front-rear and top-bottom directions are determined based on the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed as shown in FIG. Further, when the front side is the front side, the right hand side is the right direction, and the left hand side is the left direction.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is formed of a substantially rectangular housing 2. On the upper surface of the housing 2, a discharge tray 82 on which sheets that have been printed and discharged from the housing 2 are deposited is provided. The discharge tray 82 has an inclined surface that descends rearward, and a discharge port 83 through which the sheet is discharged is provided behind the inclined surface.

  A front opening as an example of a second opening is formed on the front surface, which is one side surface of the housing 2, for sheet jam processing or for replacing the image forming unit. A front cover 90 as an example of an openable / closable cover is attached to the front opening. The front cover 90 has a front cover shaft portion 91 having a rotation axis that is parallel to the bottom surface of the housing 2 and along the front opening portion in the vicinity of the lower end of the front opening portion. It rotates between a closed position that covers the opening (the state shown in FIG. 1) and an open position that opens the front opening.

  A manual feed opening 90 a as an example of an opening for manually feeding a sheet is formed on the front surface of the front cover 90. The manual feed opening 90a is included in the front opening. An openable and closable multipurpose tray (hereinafter referred to as MP tray) 40 for stacking manual sheets is attached to the manual feed opening 90a. The MP tray 40 is provided with an MP tray shaft portion 41 having a rotation shaft parallel to the front cover shaft portion 91 in the vicinity of the lower end of the manual opening portion 90a, and is closed to cover the manual opening portion 90a with the MP tray shaft portion 41 as a center. It rotates between the position and the open position (the state shown in FIG. 1) where the manual feed opening 90a is opened.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first supply unit 3, a second supply unit 4, a motor M, an image forming unit 5 as an example of an image forming unit, and a discharge unit 8.

  The first supply unit 3 is disposed under the image forming apparatus 1 and conveys the sheet S supported by the first supply unit 3 to the image forming unit 5. The second supply unit 4 is disposed at the front portion of the image forming apparatus 1 and conveys the sheet S supported by the second supply unit 4 to the image forming unit 5. The image forming unit 5 is disposed downstream of the first supply unit 3 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, and forms an image on the sheet S conveyed from the first supply unit 3. The discharge unit 8 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 5 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, and discharges the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The first supply unit 3 includes a sheet cassette 30, a first supply mechanism 31, a conveyance roller 32, and a registration roller 33.

  The sheet cassette 30 is detachably mounted on a sheet cassette mounting portion 2b formed at the bottom of the housing 2. The sheet cassette 30 is mounted on the sheet cassette mounting portion 2b by being inserted from the front to the rear with respect to the sheet cassette mounting portion 2b, and is positioned at the mounting position. Further, the sheet cassette 30 is located at a separation position separated from the attachment position by pulling out from the rear to the front with respect to the sheet cassette attachment portion 2b.

  The sheet cassette 30 includes a cassette main body 301 that can support a plurality of sheets S, a pressure plate 302 that is disposed in the cassette main body 301 and supports the sheet S and that can displace the sheet S in the vertical direction, and raises the pressure plate 302. And a pressure plate raising member 303.

  The pressure plate 302 is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum 304 and can be displaced in the vertical direction. When the platen raising member 303 is driven by the motor M, the tip part rises. As the pressure plate raising member 303 is raised, the pressure plate 302 is lifted, and the sheet S supported on the pressure plate 302 is raised to a supplyable position as shown in FIG.

  The first supply mechanism 31 is a mechanism that separates and takes out the sheets S supported by the sheet cassette 30 one by one and conveys them toward the conveyance roller 32. The first supply mechanism 31 includes a first pickup roller 311, a first separation roller 312, and a separation pad 313.

  The first pickup roller 311 is a roller for taking out the sheet S that has been raised to the supplyable position by the pressure plate 302, and is disposed above the pressure plate 302. The first separation roller 312 is disposed on the downstream side of the first pickup roller 311 in the sheet S conveyance direction, and the separation pad 313 is disposed to face the first separation roller 312 and toward the first separation roller 312. Is energized.

  The sheet S taken out by the first pickup roller 311 is sent to the first separation roller 312 side, separated one by one between the first separation roller 312 and the separation pad 313, and conveyed toward the conveyance roller 32. The

  The conveyance roller 32 is a roller that applies a conveyance force to the sheet S, and is disposed downstream of the first supply mechanism 31 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. A paper dust removing roller 34 is disposed at a position facing the conveying roller 32. The sheet S conveyed from the first supply mechanism 31 toward the conveyance roller 32 is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 32 and the paper dust removing roller 34 and is conveyed toward the registration roller 33.

  The registration roller 33 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 32 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The registration roller 33 restricts the movement of the leading edge of the sheet S conveyed between the registration rollers 35 arranged opposite to the registration roller 35 and temporarily stops the conveyance, and then conveys the sheet S toward the transfer position at a predetermined timing.

  The second supply unit 4 includes an MP tray 40 and a second supply mechanism 42. The upper surface when the MP tray 40 is in the open position is a sheet support surface 40a capable of supporting a plurality of sheets S. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can extend | fold the sheet | seat support surface 40a by providing the extension plate which can be folded or pulled out in MP tray 40, and extending this extension plate ahead at the time of use.

  The second supply mechanism 42 is a mechanism that separates and takes out the sheets S supported by the MP tray 40 one by one and conveys them toward the registration roller 33. The second supply mechanism 42 includes a second pickup roller 421, a second separation roller 422, and two separation pads 423 and 424.

  The second pickup roller 421 is a roller for supplying the sheet S supported by the MP tray 40 into the housing 2, and is disposed at a position facing the sheet support surface 40a when the MP tray 40 is in the open position. The separation pad 423 is disposed facing the second pickup roller 421 and is urged toward the second pickup roller 421.

  The second separation roller 422 is disposed downstream of the second pickup roller 421 in the transport direction of the sheet S when the MP tray 40 is in the open position. The separation pad 424 is disposed facing the second separation roller 422 and is urged toward the second separation roller 422.

  The sheet S taken out by the second pickup roller 421 is sent to the second separation roller 422 side, separated one by one between the second separation roller 422 and the separation pad 424, and conveyed toward the registration roller 33. The

  The image forming unit 5 includes a process cartridge 50 as an example of a process unit that transfers an image onto the surface of the sheet S conveyed from the first supply unit 3 or the second supply unit 4. The image forming unit 5 includes an exposure unit 60 that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 of the process cartridge 50 and a fixing unit 70 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet S by the process cartridge 50.

  The process cartridge 50 is disposed above the sheet cassette mounting portion 2 b in the housing 2. The process cartridge 50 includes a developer storage chamber 51, a supply roller 52, a development roller 53, a photosensitive drum 54, and a transfer roller 55.

  The developer storage chamber 51 stores toner that serves as a developer. The toner stored in the developer storage chamber 51 is sent to the supply roller 52 while being stirred by a stirring member (not shown). The supply roller 52 further supplies the toner sent from the developer storage chamber 51 to the development roller 53.

  The developing roller 53 is disposed in close contact with the supply roller 52 and carries the toner that is supplied from the supply roller 52 and positively charged by a sliding contact member (not shown).

  The photosensitive drum 54 is disposed adjacent to the developing roller 53. An electrostatic latent image based on image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 54, and positively charged toner is supplied from the developing roller 53 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is visualized to become a developer image.

  The transfer roller 55 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 54, and a transfer bias is applied by a bias applying unit (not shown). By transporting the sheet S between the photosensitive drum 54 on which the developer image is formed and the transfer roller 55 (transfer position) without being sandwiched in a state where the transfer bias is applied to the surface of the transfer roller 55, The developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 is transferred to the surface of the sheet S.

  The exposure unit 60 includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens, and a reflecting mirror, and irradiates laser light toward the photosensitive drum 54 based on image data input to the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 is exposed.

  The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressing roller 72. The heating roller 71 is rotationally driven by the driving force from the motor M, and the heating roller 71 is heated by supplying electric power from a power source (not shown). The pressing roller 72 is disposed so as to face the heating roller 71, and is in close contact with the heating roller 71 and driven to rotate. When the sheet S on which the developer image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, the sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating roller 71 and the pressing roller 72, and the developer image is fixed to the sheet S.

  The discharge unit 8 includes a discharge roller 81 and a discharge tray 82. The discharge rollers 81 are a pair of rollers, and discharge the sheet S conveyed from the fixing unit 70 toward the outside of the housing 2. The discharge tray 82 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 2, and the sheet S discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the discharge roller 81 is deposited on the discharge tray 82.

  In such an image forming apparatus 1, the housing 2 and the second supply unit 4 constitute a sheet conveying apparatus. Hereinafter, the sheet conveying apparatus will be described in detail.

[Configuration of sheet conveying apparatus]
As described above, the sheet conveying apparatus has the second supply mechanism 42 as a component of the second supply unit 4. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

  The second supply mechanism 42 includes a first holding member 425, a second holding member 426, and a connecting portion in addition to the second pickup roller 421, the second separation roller 422, and the two separation pads 423 and 424 described above. 427, an idle gear 428 as an example of a gear of the connecting portion 427, a gear 429 of the second pickup roller 421, a gear 42A of the second separation roller 422, and an urging member 42B. Further, the MP tray 40 has a protruding portion 401 as an example of a pressing portion. The housing 2 has a shielding member 21.

  The second pickup roller 421 has a first rotation shaft portion 42C that can rotate with the second pickup roller 421 about the first rotation shaft. The second separation roller 422 includes a second rotation shaft portion 42D that can rotate together with the second separation roller 422 around a second rotation shaft that is parallel to the first rotation shaft. The second rotation shaft portion 42D is rotatably supported in the housing 2 in the vicinity of the manual feed opening 90a, and is biased in the same direction as the opening direction of the MP tray 40.

  The first holding member 425 is a plate-like member disposed on each of the left and right sides of the second pickup roller 421. One end side of the first holding member 425 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to the idle gear 428, and the other end side is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft portion 42C. With this configuration, the first holding member 425 holds the second pickup roller 421 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis.

  The second holding member 426 is a plate-like member disposed on each of the left and right sides of the second separation roller 422. One end side of the second holding member 426 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to the idle gear 428, and the other end side is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft portion 42D. With this configuration, the second holding member 426 holds the second separation roller 422 so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis. Therefore, the second holding member 426 has the other end side of the second holding member 426 as the rotation center, the one end side of the second holding member 426, the connecting portion 427, the idle gear 428, the first holding member 425, and the second pickup. The roller 421 can be rotated.

  In addition, a restriction portion 42 </ b> E protruding in an L shape is provided at the upper end of the second holding member 426 on one end side in the longitudinal direction. When the MP tray 40 is in the open position, the tip of the limiting portion 42E comes into contact with the upper end portion of the first holding member 425 and stops the first holding member 425 from rotating upward. With this configuration, when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, the lower angle θ formed by the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 is less than 180 ° as shown in FIG.

  The connecting portion 427 is configured by rotatably connecting one end side of the first holding member 425 in the longitudinal direction and one end side of the second holding member 426 to the third rotating shaft portion 42F of the idle gear 428. Therefore, the connecting portion 427 enables the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 to rotate around the third rotation shaft portion 42F. When the MP tray 40 is in the open position, the connecting portion 427 is connected to the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft so that the distance between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft is a predetermined distance that is a designed distance. It is located vertically upward.

  The idle gear 428 is disposed between the gear 429 of the second pickup roller 421 and the gear 42A of the second separation roller 422 so as to mesh with both gears 429 and 42A, and transmits the rotational force of the gear 42A to the gear 429. . The idle gear 428 has a third rotation shaft portion 42 </ b> F that can rotate with the idle gear 428 around the third rotation shaft, and constitutes a connection portion 427. Since the second pickup roller 421 can be driven by using the idle gear 428, the second supply mechanism 42 can be reduced in size. One end side in the longitudinal direction of the first holding member 425 and one end side in the longitudinal direction of the second holding member 426 are rotatably connected to the third rotating shaft portion 42F of the idle gear 428.

  The gear 429 of the second pickup roller 421 is fixed to the first rotation shaft portion 42C and rotates together with the second pickup roller 421 around the first rotation shaft. The gear 429 is rotationally driven by the rotational force of the idle gear 428.

  The gear 42A of the second separation roller 422 is fixed to the second rotation shaft portion 42D and rotates together with the second separation roller 422 around the second rotation shaft. The gear 42A is rotationally driven by the driving force from the motor M.

  The biasing member 42 </ b> B is provided on the outer surface of the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426. The biasing member 42B is a torsion coil spring in the present embodiment, and the coil portion is the third rotating shaft portion 42F, one arm portion is the first rotating shaft portion 42C, and the other arm portion is the second rotating shaft portion. 42D is supported respectively. The urging member 42B urges the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 in a direction away from each other. The direction away from each other here is a direction in which the angle θ increases. As the urging member 42B, an elastic body such as various springs or rubber can be used.

  The protrusion 401 is a rectangular parallelepiped protrusion provided near the second pickup roller on the sheet support surface 40a. The protruding portion 401 protrudes in the vertical direction with respect to the sheet support surface 40a and extends in the left-right direction. The protruding portion 401 is formed at a position and height where the MP tray 40 is in contact with the second pickup roller 421 or the first holding member 425 when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position. In the present embodiment, an example in which the protruding portion 401 is in contact with the second pickup roller 421 is shown.

  As a form in which the protruding portion 401 abuts on the first holding member 425, a form in which an end portion on the protruding portion 401 side of the first holding member 425 protrudes toward the protruding portion 401 side from the second pickup roller 421 can be mentioned. For example, it is a form like the extension part of the modification 1.

  In addition, you may provide a recessed part or a level | step difference part in the sheet | seat support surface 40a instead of the protrusion part 401. FIG. The concave portion can be provided in such a size that the second pickup roller 421 fits at a position where the protruding portion 401 is provided, for example. The stepped portion can be formed, for example, by setting the sheet support surface 40 a on the opposite side of the protruding portion 401 to the second pickup roller 421 to have the same height as the protruding portion 401.

  The shielding member 21 is a member for shielding external light when the MP tray 40 is in the open position and suppressing deterioration of the second separation roller 422 due to ultraviolet rays. The shielding member 21 is an angle-shaped member that is provided above the second separation roller 422 and horizontally across the left and right side walls in the housing 2, and extends in the vertical direction with the upper surface portion 211 that extends in the horizontal direction. And a rear surface portion 212. The shielding member 21 is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the second pickup roller 421 and the idle gear 428 housed when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position.

[Operation of sheet conveying device]
The operation of the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 rotates from the open position to the closed position will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are urged away from each other by the urging force of the urging member 42B, and the restricting portion 42E. Is stopped at a position where it contacts the upper end of the first holding member 425. That is, the connecting portion 427 is positioned vertically upward from the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis so that the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is a predetermined distance, and the angle θ is less than 180 °. It is maintained at a predetermined angle.

  When the MP tray 40 is rotated from this state toward the closed position, the second pickup roller 421 is pushed up by the separation pad 423 or the sheet support surface 40a, and the second rotation axis is maintained while maintaining the angle θ. The first holding member 425, the second holding member 426, the second pickup roller 421, and the idle gear 428 rotate toward the storage position.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 401 comes into contact with the second pickup roller 421. When the MP tray 40 is further rotated from this state toward the closed position, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed by the protruding portion 401 and the sheet support surface 40a, and as shown in FIG. As a result, the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 rotate in a direction approaching each other. That is, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded in a direction in which the angle θ is decreased.

  When the MP tray 40 is further rotated from the state of FIG. 5 toward the closed position, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded in a direction in which the angle θ is further reduced. As shown in FIG. 6, when the MP tray 40 reaches the closed position, the second pickup roller 421, the second separation roller 422, and the idle gear 428 are stored in the storage position. The storage position is a position surrounded by the sheet support surface 40a, the protruding portion 401, and the shielding member 21.

  At this time, the second pickup roller 421 is positioned vertically above the second separation roller 422, and the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 come into contact with each other. That is, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed vertically downward by the protrusion 401, and the distance between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft is shorter than the predetermined distance.

  Thus, since the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are stored under the protruding portion 401 in a folded state, the position is lower in the vertical downward direction than the configuration in which the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are not folded. Can be stored. As a result, the space in the image forming apparatus 1 can be expanded. Moreover, the shielding member 21 can be installed in a low position. Accordingly, when the process cartridge 50 is attached / detached through the front opening, the shielding member 21 is not likely to be in the way, and the process cartridge 50 is easily attached / detached.

[Modification 1]
In the sheet conveying apparatus, the first holding member 425 may have an extending portion, and the MP tray 40 may have a depression as a pressing portion instead of the protruding portion 401. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the periphery of the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 7, and FIG. Sectional drawing of the 2nd supply mechanism 42 periphery in being in a closed position is shown. 7 to 9, the same members as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The extending portion 42 </ b> G is a rod-shaped portion that extends from the other end of the first holding member 425 to a position beyond the outer periphery of the second pickup roller 421 along the longitudinal direction of the first holding member 425. The recess 42H is provided at a position where the extension 42G abuts when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position. The recess 42H is formed by cutting out the sheet support surface 40a of the MP tray 40 into a rectangular shape in plan view.

  When the MP tray 40 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the recess 42H comes into contact with the extending portion 42G, and the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 have a direction in which the angle θ decreases. Folded. As shown in FIG. 9, when the MP tray 40 reaches the closed position, the extending portion 42G is pressed vertically downward by the recess 42H. Accordingly, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are further folded, and the second pickup roller 421, the second separation roller 422, and the idle gear 428 are stored in the storage position.

  As described above, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by the configuration of the first modification.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described sheet conveying apparatus, the shielding member 21 may have a shape and an arrangement that can be used as the pressing portion, and the protruding portion 401 may be omitted. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the periphery of the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, and FIG. 11 is a view of the periphery of the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 is in the intermediate position. FIG. 12 is a sectional view around the second supply mechanism 42 when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position. 10 to 12, the same members as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The shielding member 22 is an angle-shaped member that is horizontally provided above the second separation roller 422 and across the left and right side walls in the housing 2 in the same manner as the shielding member 21 described above. It has an upper surface portion 221 that extends and a rear surface portion 222 that extends in the vertical direction. The upper surface portion 221 is formed to be longer forward than the upper surface portion 211 described above. The shielding member 22 is disposed below the shielding member 21 so that the upper surface portion 221 contacts the second pickup roller 421 at the storage position.

  When the MP tray 40 is rotated from the open position toward the closed position, the second pickup roller 421 is pushed up by the sheet support surface 40a, and the second pickup roller 421 is moved to the front end of the upper surface portion 221 as shown in FIG. Abuts against the part. At this time, the first rotating shaft is positioned below the abutting portion.

  When the MP tray 40 is further rotated toward the closed position from this state, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed by the upper surface portion 221 and the sheet support surface 40a, and the second pickup roller 421 is centered on the third rotation axis. The second separation roller 422 rotates in a direction approaching each other. That is, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded in a direction in which the angle θ is decreased.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the MP tray 40 reaches the closed position, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed vertically downward by the upper surface portion 221. Accordingly, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are further folded, and the second pickup roller 421, the second separation roller 422, and the idle gear 428 are stored in the storage position.

  As described above, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by the configuration of the second modification. The rear surface portion 222 may be omitted from the shielding member 22 and only the upper surface portion 221 that is a member extending in the horizontal direction may be used. Such a configuration also functions as a pressing portion.

  In addition, you may combine each form mentioned above suitably. For example, in place of the protrusion 401 on the MP tray 40 in the above embodiment, a recess 42H as in Modification 1 may be used. Further, for example, instead of the recess 42H in the first modification, the protruding portion 401 as in the above embodiment may be used.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, the sheet conveying apparatus includes the casing 2 having the manual feed opening 90a on the side surface, and the MP tray 40 that is provided so as to be able to open and close the manual feed opening 90a and supports the sheet. In addition, the sheet conveying device includes a second pickup roller 421 that supplies a sheet supported by the MP tray 40 into the casing 2, and is provided in the casing 2, and is downstream of the second pickup roller 421 in the sheet conveying direction. And a second separation roller 422 disposed on the side. The sheet conveying apparatus also includes a first holding member 425 that holds the second pickup roller 421 rotatably about the first rotation axis, and a second rotation axis that is parallel to the first rotation axis. And a second holding member 426 that is rotatably held around the center. In addition, the sheet conveying apparatus connects one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first holding member 425 and one end side of the second holding member 426, and focuses on a place where the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are connected. Is provided with a connecting portion 427 that can be rotated. In addition, the sheet conveying device includes a pressing portion provided in the vertically upward direction of the second separation roller 422. The second holding member 426 rotates the one end side of the second holding member 426, the connecting portion 427, the first holding member 425, and the second pickup roller 421 with the other end side of the second holding member 426 as the rotation center. Is possible. Then, when the MP tray 40 is in the open position, the connecting portion 427 is vertically upward from the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft so that the distance between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft is a predetermined distance. To position. Further, when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position for closing the manual feed opening 90a, the second pickup roller 421 is positioned vertically above the second separation roller 422 and is pressed by the pressing unit so that the distance is shorter than a predetermined distance. The second pickup roller 421 or the first holding member 425 is pressed vertically downward.

  According to this configuration, since the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are stored under the pressing portion in a folded state, the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are lower in the vertical downward direction than the configuration in which the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are not folded. Can be stored in position. As a result, the space in the image forming apparatus 1 can be expanded.

  Further, according to the second modification, the pressing portion is the upper surface portion 221 provided as a member extending in the horizontal direction in the housing 2.

  According to this configuration, when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed vertically downward by the upper surface portion 221. Accordingly, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded, and the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are stored in the storage position. Therefore, the above effect can be obtained.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the MP tray 40 is provided with the protruding portion 401 that protrudes in the vertical direction with respect to the sheet support surface 40a as the pressing portion, and the protruding portion 401 has the MP tray 40 in the closed position. The second pickup roller 421 or the first holding member 425 abuts.

  According to this configuration, the second pickup roller 421 is pressed by the protrusion 401 when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position. Accordingly, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded, and the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are stored in the storage position. Therefore, the above effect can be obtained.

  Further, according to the first modification described above, the first holding member 425 has the extending part 42G that extends beyond the outer periphery of the second pickup roller 421, and the MP tray 40 serves as a sheet supporting surface as a pressing part. A recess 42H is provided for 40a. The recess 42H is provided at a position where the extension 42G abuts when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position.

  According to this configuration, when the MP tray 40 is in the closed position, the extending portion 42G is pressed vertically downward by the recess 42H. Accordingly, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are folded, and the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 are stored in the storage position. Therefore, the above effect can be obtained.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the first holding member 425 and the second holding member 426 are provided with the urging member 42B that urges the second pickup roller 421 and the second separation roller 422 in a direction away from each other. Yes.

  According to this configuration, when the MP tray 40 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the second pickup roller 421 can be reliably moved to a usable position by the biasing force of the biasing member 42B.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 427, the second pickup roller 421, and the second separation roller 422 each have a gear, and the gear of the connecting portion 427 is the same as the gear 429 of the second pickup roller 421. These are idle gears 428 that mesh with the gears 42A of the second separation roller 422, respectively.

  According to this configuration, since the second pickup roller 421 can be driven by using the idle gear 428, the sheet conveying apparatus can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the MP tray 40, the front cover 90 provided to be openable / closable with respect to the front opening including the manual feed opening 90a, and the front opening. And a process cartridge 50 that is detachable via the connector.

  According to this configuration, when the process cartridge 50 is attached / detached through the front opening, the shielding member 21 is not easily obstructed, and the process cartridge 50 is easily attached / detached.

  Moreover, according to said modification 2, the press part is the shielding member 22 provided in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  According to this configuration, the shielding member 22 can have the function of a pressing portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Case 21 Shielding member 22 Shielding member (pressing part)
40 MP tray (tray)
40a Sheet support surface 42A Gear (Separation roller gear)
42B Energizing member 42C Gear (Pickup roller gear)
42G extension part 42H depression (pressing part)
50 Process cartridge (Process section)
90 Front cover (cover)
90a Manual feed opening (opening)
401 Protruding part (pressing part)
421 Second pickup roller (pickup roller)
422 Second separation roller (separation roller)
425 First holding member 426 Second holding member 427 Connecting portion 428 Idle gear S Seat

Claims (8)

A housing having an opening on a side surface;
A tray provided so that the opening can be opened and closed, and supporting a sheet;
A pickup roller for supplying the sheet supported by the tray into the housing;
A separation roller provided in the housing and disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the pickup roller;
A first holding member that holds the pickup roller rotatably about a first rotation axis;
A second holding member that holds the separation roller rotatably about a second rotation axis that is parallel to the first rotation axis;
A connection in which one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first holding member and one end side of the second holding member are connected to each other, and the first holding member and the second holding member are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around And
A pressing portion provided vertically above the separation roller;
With
The second holding member is
With the other end side of the second holding member as a rotation center, the one end side of the second holding member, the connecting portion, the first holding member, and the pickup roller can be rotated,
When the tray is in the open position, the connecting portion is vertically above the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft so that the distance between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft is a predetermined distance. Located in the direction
When the tray is in the closed position for closing the opening, the pickup roller or the first holding member is held by the pressing portion so that the pickup roller is positioned vertically above the separation roller and is shorter than the predetermined distance. The member is pressed vertically downward,
Sheet conveying device. The pressing portion is
In the housing, provided as a member extending in the horizontal direction,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1. The tray
Protruding portions that protrude in the direction perpendicular to the sheet support surface are provided as the pressing portions,
The protrusion comes into contact with the pickup roller or the first holding member when the tray is in the closed position;
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1. The first holding member is
Having an extending portion extending beyond the outer periphery of the pickup roller;
The tray
A depression is provided for the sheet support surface as the pressing portion,
The recess is provided at a position where the extension portion abuts when the tray is in the closed position.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1. The first holding member and the second holding member are provided with a biasing member that biases the pickup roller and the separation roller in directions away from each other.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The connecting portion, the pickup roller, and the separation roller each have a gear,
The gear of the connecting portion is an idle gear that meshes with the gear of the pickup roller and the gear of the separation roller, respectively.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A cover having the tray and provided to be openable and closable with respect to a second opening including the opening;
A process part detachable through the second opening;
With
An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet conveying device according to claim 1. The pressing portion is a shielding member provided in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

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