JP2018118851A - Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability of a sheet conveying device provided with a plurality of movable guides.SOLUTION: A sheet conveying device includes a guide unit (46) having a first movable guide (40b) and a second movable guide (41b) which are movable relative to a device main body. The first movable guide (40b) forms a first conveying path between the first movable guide (40b) and a first guide portion provided in the device main body. The second movable guide (41b) forms a second conveying path between the second movable guide (41b) and a second guide portion provided in the device main body. The guide unit (46) further includes an interlocking mechanism (8) for interlocking the first movable guide (40b) and the second movable guide (41b). The interlocking mechanism (8) interlocks the first movable guide (40b) and the second movable guide (41b) from a state in which the first conveying path and the second conveying path are formed by the first movable guide (40b) and the second movable guide (41b) so as to make the first movable guide (40b) and the second movable guide (41b) move away from the first guide portion and the second guide portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  In a sheet conveying apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a multifunction machine, a part of the conveying guide is movable with respect to the apparatus main body so that a jammed sheet can be easily removed. Things exist. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a copying apparatus including a guide member that can be pulled out of the apparatus main body along a moving rail. Patent Document 2 describes a printer in which a paper discharge cover having a guide portion is rotatable with respect to a printer body, and a part of the paper discharge path is opened by opening the paper discharge cover.

JP 2001-253585 A JP 2001-121783 A

  By the way, it is conceivable to arrange a plurality of movable guides movable with respect to the apparatus main body for the purpose of facilitating the sheet removing operation. However, in such a case, if the worker moves each of the plurality of movable guides, the work load on the worker increases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a sheet conveying apparatus capable of improving workability with a configuration including a plurality of movable guides, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  A sheet conveying apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet, and a guide unit that guides a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. A first transport that is movable relative to the apparatus body, faces a first guide portion provided in the apparatus body, and passes a sheet transported by the sheet transport means between the first guide section and the first guide section. A first movable guide capable of forming a path, and is movable relative to each of the apparatus main body and the first movable guide, and is opposed to a second guide part provided in the apparatus main body, and the second guide part A second movable guide capable of forming a second conveyance path through which a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying means passes, and the first movable guide and the first guide portion When the first transport path is formed and the second transport path is formed by the second movable guide and the second guide portion, the first movable guide and the second movable guide are interlocked, so that the first And an interlocking mechanism for separating the first movable guide from the first guide portion and separating the second movable guide from the second guide portion.

  According to the structure which concerns on this invention, workability | operativity can be improved with the structure provided with the some movable guide.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Schematic which shows the double-sided conveyance part which concerns on a 1st Example. Schematic which shows the state which the opening-and-closing cover of the double-sided conveyance part concerning a 1st Example opened. Schematic which shows the structure of the guide unit which concerns on a 1st Example. Schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the guide unit which concerns on a 1st Example. Schematic which shows the double-sided conveyance part which concerns on a 2nd Example. The perspective view which shows the guide unit and opening / closing cover which concern on a 2nd Example. The perspective view for demonstrating operation | movement of the guide unit which concerns on a 2nd Example. Schematic (a) which shows the positioning structure of the guide unit which concerns on a 2nd Example, and the enlarged view (b) of the principal part. Schematic (a) for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of the opening / closing cover of the guide unit based on a 2nd Example opening, and the enlarged view (b) of the principal part. Schematic (a) which shows the positioning structure of the guide unit which concerns on a 3rd Example, and the enlarged view (b) of the principal part. Schematic (a) for demonstrating the initial stage of operation | movement when the opening / closing cover of the guide unit which concerns on 3rd Example opens, and the enlarged view (b) of the principal part. The schematic diagram (a) for demonstrating the state in the middle of the operation | movement at the time of the opening / closing cover of the guide unit which concerns on a 3rd Example opening, and the enlarged view (b) of the principal part. Schematic which shows the principal part of the double-sided conveyance part which concerns on a 4th Example. Schematic which shows the principal part of the double-sided conveyance part which concerns on a 4th Example. Schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the guide member which concerns on a 4th Example.

  Hereinafter, a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S that is a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 100 forms and outputs an image on the sheet S based on image information read from a document or image information input from an external device. The sheet S includes, in addition to plain paper, special paper such as coated paper, recording material having a special shape such as envelope and index paper, and a plastic film or cloth for an overhead projector.

  The apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes an intermediate transfer tandem type image forming unit 3 including four image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K and an intermediate transfer unit 10. The image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images. Since the configuration of each image forming unit is substantially the same except for the color of the toner used for development, the configuration of the image forming unit and the toner image forming operation will be described below using the yellow image forming unit 3Y as an example. .

  When the image forming unit 3Y is requested to form a toner image, the photosensitive drum 1 as a photosensitive member is driven to rotate, and the charging device 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. An exposure device 9 disposed below the apparatus main body 101 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with laser light based on image information to expose the drum surface, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) by the toner supplied from the developing device 6, whereby a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Similarly, toner images of corresponding colors are also formed in the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3K. The toner images formed by the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3K are primarily transferred by the primary transfer roller 11 so as to overlap each other from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 12 as an intermediate transfer body. Deposits such as toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 are removed by a cleaning device provided in each of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3K, and are collected in the collection container 27.

  The intermediate transfer belt 12 is wound around the secondary transfer inner roller 13 and the tension roller 14 and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. The tension roller 14 is urged in the direction of arrow T by an urging member such as a spring and applies an appropriate tension to the intermediate transfer belt 12. The toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S at a secondary transfer portion formed by the secondary transfer roller 16 and the intermediate transfer belt 12 facing the secondary transfer inner roller 13. Deposits such as toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 12 are removed by the belt cleaning device 26 and collected in a collection container 27. The sheet S to which the toner image is transferred is delivered to the fixing device 18. The fixing device 18 includes a heating roller 19, a counter roller 20, and a heating element 7 such as a halogen heater, and applies heat and pressure to the toner image while sandwiching and conveying the sheet S. As a result, the toner is melted and fixed, and the image is fixed on the sheet S.

  In parallel with such an image forming process, the sheet feeding unit 25 feeds the sheet S toward the image forming unit 3. The sheet feeding unit 25 includes a feeding cassette 23 as a sheet storage unit, and a feeding roller 24 that feeds the sheet S from the feeding cassette 23. The sheet fed by the feeding roller 24 is conveyed toward the registration unit 17 while being separated from other sheets by a separating means such as a retard roller or a separation pad. The feeding roller 24 is an example of a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding a sheet, and may be replaced with another feeding mechanism such as an air feeding method.

  The registration unit 17 corrects the skew of the sheet S and sends the sheet S toward the secondary transfer unit in accordance with the progress of the toner image forming operation in the image forming unit 3. Then, the sheet S on which an image is formed by passing through the secondary transfer unit and the fixing device 18 is delivered to a conveyance roller pair 38 located downstream of the fixing device 18. A flap-shaped guide member 30 that distributes the sheet S toward either the discharge roller pair 21 or the double-sided conveyance unit 29 is disposed downstream of the conveyance roller pair 38. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet S sent out from the conveyance roller pair 38 is guided toward the discharge roller pair 21 by the guide member 30, and discharged to the discharge tray 22 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 101 by the discharge roller pair 21. Is done. When performing double-sided printing, the sheet S is guided to the double-sided conveyance unit 29 by the guide member 30. As will be described later, the double-sided conveyance unit 29 conveys the sheet S toward the image forming unit 3 again through the re-conveyance path 33 in a state where the front surface and the back surface of the sheet S are switched back. Then, the sheet S on which the image is formed on the back surface by the image forming unit 3 is guided to the discharge roller pair 21 by the guide member and discharged to the discharge tray 22.

  The image forming unit 3 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet S, and may be replaced with another image forming mechanism such as a direct transfer type electrophotographic mechanism or an ink jet type.

[Double-sided transport section]
Next, the configuration of the double-sided conveyance unit 29, which is an example of the sheet conveying apparatus, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The double-sided conveyance unit 29 includes guides 40 a and 40 b that form the switchback path 40, guides 41 a and 41 b that form the upstream portion 41 of the re-conveyance path 33, a switchback roller pair 31, a conveyance roller pair 39, A pair of conveying rollers 34, 35, 36, and 37.

  The switchback path 40 is a sheet conveyance path that extends upward from the guide member 30 toward the switchback roller pair 31 positioned above the discharge roller pair 21. The switchback path 40 includes a fixed guide 40a fixed to the apparatus main body 101 and a movable guide 40b facing the fixed guide 40a. In the switchback path 40, a conveyance roller pair 39 including a driving roller 39a and a driven roller 39b is disposed, and the sheet guided to the switchback path 40 by the guide member 30 is conveyed toward the switchback roller pair 31.

  The switchback roller pair 31 provided as a reverse conveyance unit is a roller pair that can be driven in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, and reverses the sheet received from the conveyance roller pair 39 by switching back. That is, the switchback roller pair 31 rotates in the forward rotation direction to convey the sheet received from the conveyance roller pair 39 to a position where the downstream portion in the conveyance direction protrudes above the discharge tray 22. When the trailing edge of the sheet, that is, the upstream edge in the conveyance direction by the conveyance roller pair 39 passes through the regulating member 32 that separates the switchback path 40 and the re-conveyance path 33, the switchback roller pair 31 has the trailing edge of the sheet Start reversing before exiting the nip. The regulating member 32 provided as a conveyance regulating unit guides the sheet conveyed by the reverse rotation of the switchback roller pair 31 to the reconveying path 33 and regulates the reverse feeding to the switchback path 40.

  The re-conveying path 33 is a sheet conveying path extending substantially vertically from the switchback roller pair 31 toward the registration unit 17 (see FIG. 1). The upstream portion 41 of the re-conveying path 33, that is, the portion that receives the sheet fed from the switchback roller pair 31 is constituted by a fixed guide 41 a fixed to the apparatus main body 101 and a movable guide 41 b facing this. In the re-conveying path 33, a pair of re-conveying rollers 34, 35, and 36 including driving rollers 34a, 35a, and 36a and driven rollers 34b, 35b, and 36b are arranged at intervals along the sheet conveying direction. The re-conveying roller pair 34, 35, 36 conveys the sheet received from the switchback roller pair 31 toward the registration unit 17.

  The switchback path 40 corresponds to the first transport path, and the movable guide 40b and the fixed guide 40a correspond to the first movable guide and the first guide portion. The upstream portion 41 of the re-transport path 33 corresponds to the second transport path, and the movable guide 41b and the fixed guide 41a correspond to the second movable guide and the second guide portion. Further, the transport roller pair 39 corresponds to a first transport roller pair disposed in the first transport path, and the re-transport roller pair 34 corresponds to a second transport roller pair disposed in the second transport path. The upstream portion 41 of the switchback path 40 and the re-conveying path 33 is an example of a first conveying path and a second conveying path. In the first conveying path and the second conveying path, a sheet is transferred from one to the other. An independent conveyance path may be used instead of a continuous conveyance path.

[Conveying path opening configuration]
Next, a configuration for opening these conveyance paths for the purpose of removing a sheet jammed in the switchback path 40 and the re-conveyance path 33, maintenance and the like will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an opening / closing cover as a cover body supported by the apparatus main body 101 so as to be opened and closed between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIG. 3). 50 is provided. The open / close cover 50 includes a cover portion 102 that forms a part of the side surface of the apparatus main body 101 at the closed position, guides 42 a and 42 b as cover guide portions that form the conveyance path 42, and a re-conveyance roller pair 35. The In a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is in the closed position, the conveyance path 42 formed by the guides 42 a and 42 b constitutes a part of the re-conveyance path 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing cover 50 rotates from the closed position by rotating outward (rightward in the figure) with respect to the apparatus main body 101 around a rotation shaft 51 provided at the lower part. Move to the open position. In the state where the opening / closing cover 50 is in the open position, the re-transport roller pair 35 is released from the drive transmission from the drive source disposed in the apparatus main body 101, and the transport path 42 formed by the guides 42 a and 42 b is the re-transport path 33. Separate from other parts.

  Here, the movable guide 40b constituting the switchback path 40 and the movable guide 41b constituting the re-conveying path 33 constitute a guide unit 46 connected via a connection guide 43 as an intermediate member. The connection guide 43 is supported by the frame of the apparatus main body 101, and the movable guides 40b and 41b are rotatably supported by the connection guide 43, respectively.

  Each movable guide 40b, 41b is in a first position (FIG. 2) that forms a conveyance path with the corresponding fixed guide 40a, 41a and a second position (FIG. 3) that is separated from the fixed guide 40a, 41a. It is movable. When both the movable guides 40b and 41b are in the first position (hereinafter referred to as the first state of the guide unit 46), the upstream portion 41 of the switchback path 40 and the re-transport path 33 is formed. In a state where both the movable guides 40b and 41b are in the second position (hereinafter referred to as a second state of the guide unit 46), an operator can easily perform between the guide unit 46 and the fixed guides 40a and 41a. Accessible work spaces E1, E2 are formed (see FIG. 3). Further, in the second state, the driven rollers 34b and 39b of the transport roller pair 39 and the re-transport roller pair 34 are separated from the corresponding drive rollers 34a and 39a, and the nip portions of these roller pairs 34 and 39 are opened. .

  The configuration of the guide unit 46 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. However, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the guide unit 46 in the first state, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the guide in the second state. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide unit 46 includes a connection guide 43, movable guides 40 b and 41 b, a regulating member 32, torsion coil springs 44 and 48, and a moving member 45.

  The movable guides 40b and 41b are rotatable around the shaft portions 40c and 41c of the connection guide 43, respectively. The restricting member 32 is supported by the connection guide 43 so as to be swingable. The torsion coil springs 44 and 48 provided as urging means are loosely fitted to the shaft portions 40c and 41c, and the movable arms 40b and 41b of the movable guide 40b and 41b are held in the state where the fixed arm is held by the projection 43a of the connection guide 43. The protrusions 40d and 41d are pressed. Thereby, the torsion coil springs 44 and 48 urge the movable guides 40b and 41b in the direction from the first position toward the second position. The driven rollers 34b and 39b are supported by the movable guides 40b and 41b, and are positioned so as to contact the corresponding drive rollers 34a and 39a when the movable guides 40b and 41b are in the first position.

  The moving member 45 can hold the movable guides 40b and 41b in the first position by pressing the protrusions 40d and 41d of the movable guides 40b and 41b. The moving member 45 also serves as an operation unit that can be operated with the open / close cover 50 open, and is held by the operator to hold the movable guides 40b and 41b in the first position (FIG. 4). And the retracted position (FIG. 5) that is separated from the protrusions 40d and 41d. That is, in this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 8 that interlocks the movable guides 40b and 41b is configured by the connection guide 43, the torsion coil springs 44 and 48, and the moving member 45.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the moving member 45 is retracted to the retracted position, the movable guides 40b and 41b are moved to the second position by the biasing force of the torsion coil springs 44 and 48, and the guide unit 46 is moved from the first state to the second state. Switch to Further, when the moving member 45 is pushed to the holding position, the guide unit 46 is expanded by the inclined surfaces 45a and 45b of the moving member 45 against the urging force of the torsion coil springs 44 and 48 (see FIG. 4). . Thereby, movable guide 40b, 41b moves to a 1st position, and the guide unit 46 switches from a 2nd state to a 1st state.

  With such a configuration, for example, when a sheet is jammed in the vicinity of the pair of conveying rollers 39, the interlocking mechanism 8 guides the moving member 45 by moving the moving member 45 from the holding position to the retracted position with the open / close cover 50 opened. Unit 46 switches to the second state. As a result, the movable guides 40b and 41b are separated from the fixed guides 40a and 41a, and work spaces E1 and E2 that can easily access sheets jammed in the switchback path 40 and the re-conveyance path 33 are secured. In other words, the movable guides 40b and 41b capable of forming the first transport path (40) and the second transport path (41) are configured to be interlocked and separated from the fixed guides 40a and 41a by the action of the interlocking mechanism 8. The work burden for moving the plurality of movable guides is reduced. Further, since the switchback path 40 located farther from the opening / closing cover 50 (left side in FIG. 2) than the re-transport path 33 is opened together with the upstream portion 41 of the re-transport path 33, the position inside the apparatus is deep. Can also be easily accessed. When the moving member 45 is in the retracted position, the operator can swing the movable guides 40b and 41b beyond the urging range of the torsion coil springs 44 and 48, further expanding the work spaces E1 and E2. Is also possible.

  Instead of a configuration in which the moving member 45 is operated by an operator, a link mechanism is provided that moves the moving member 45 to a holding position and a retracted position in conjunction with the opening / closing cover 50 when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened / closed. May be. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide a space for gripping the moving member 45, a large work space E1, E2 for processing jam sheets and the like can be secured, and workability can be further improved. it is conceivable that.

  Next, the configuration of the double-sided conveyance unit 29B as the sheet conveying apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The double-sided conveyance unit 29B is different from the first embodiment in that the guide unit 47 is configured to move in conjunction with opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 50. In addition, the same code | symbol as Example 1 is attached | subjected to the element which is common in Example 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the double-sided conveyance unit 29B in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is opened. 7 is a perspective view showing the guide unit 47 with the opening / closing cover 50 closed, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the guide unit 47 with the opening / closing cover 50 open.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the double-sided conveyance unit 29 </ b> B includes a switchback path 40 as a first conveyance path, a re-conveyance path 33 as a second conveyance path, and a reverse conveyance unit as in the first embodiment. A switchback roller pair 31. Further, as a sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet, a plurality of roller pairs that convey the sheet via the switchback path 40 and the reconveying path 33 (see the conveying roller pair 39 and the reconveying roller pairs 34 to 37 of the first embodiment) It has. The sheet guided to the switchback path 40 by the guide member 30 is transferred to the switchback roller pair 31 via the conveying roller pair 39 and is switched back by the operation of the switchback roller pair 31. Then, the sheet sent to the re-conveying path 33 is transferred to the image forming unit 3 after passing the re-conveying roller pairs 34 to 37.

  Here, the movable guide 40b that forms the switchback path 40 and the movable guide 41b that forms the upstream part 41 of the re-conveyance path 33 constitute a guide unit 47 that is connected via a connection guide 43B. The movable guide 40b is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body 101 around a pivot shaft 52 provided at one end, and is pivotally connected to the connection guide 43B at the other end. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the connection guide 43B is movable relative to the apparatus main body 101. In addition, the movable guide 41b is rotatably connected to the connection guide 43B at one end, and is connected to the opening / closing cover 50 at the other end.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening / closing cover 50 that is rotatable about the rotation shaft 51 has a conveyance path 42 that constitutes a part of the re-conveyance path 33 in a state of being closed with respect to the apparatus main body. Guides 42a and 42b are provided. The opening / closing cover 50 is provided with support plates 42c formed with guide grooves 54 on both sides in the sheet width direction (depth direction in FIG. 7). The movable guide 41b is engaged with the guide groove 54 by an engagement pin 53 provided at the end opposite to the connection guide 43B.

  The operation of the guide unit 47 under such a configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the engagement pin 53 is positioned at one end of the guide groove 54 when the open / close cover 50 is closed. In this state, the switchback path 40 is formed by the fixed guide 40a and the movable guide 40b, and the upstream portion 41 of the re-transport path 33 is formed by the fixed guide 41a and the movable guide 41b (see FIG. 2). Note that the movable guide 40b is biased toward the fixed guide 40a by an unillustrated elastic member, thereby maintaining the posture in a state in which the opening / closing cover 50 is closed.

  When the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement pin 53 is drawn outward (rightward in the drawing) with the movement of the opening / closing cover 50, and accordingly, the movable guide 41b moves. At this time, the movable guide 40b also rotates with respect to the apparatus main body 101 via the connection guide 43B. That is, in this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 8B is configured by the connection guide 43B, the rotation shaft 52, the engagement pin 53, and the guide groove 54. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the movable guides 40b and 41b are separated from the fixed guides 40a and 41a, so that the operator can easily access the work space E3 between the guide unit 47 and the fixed guides 40a and 41a. Is formed.

  As described above, also in this embodiment, the working unit E <b> 3 can easily access the sheets jammed in the switchback path 40 and the re-conveyance path 33 by switching the guide unit 47 to the second state by the interlocking mechanism 8 </ b> B. Secured. In the present embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 8B switches the guide unit 47 to the second state in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 50, so that the operation burden on the operator can be reduced. However, the guide unit 47 may be configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by an operator holding and moving a part of the movable guide 41b in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is opened.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, as the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, a part of the guide unit 47 is moved through the opening covered by the cover 102 with the opening / closing cover 50 closed. Project outward. For this reason, a sufficiently large work space E3 can be easily secured, and workability can be further improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened to a position where the engaging pin 53 contacts the other end of the guide groove 54, the opening / closing cover 50 is locked via the guide unit 47. The rotation of the cover 50 in the opening direction is restricted (see FIG. 8). That is, the movable range of the opening / closing cover 50 is limited by using a configuration for moving the movable guides 40b and 41b. For this reason, the configuration can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which a mechanism such as a stopper capable of limiting the movable range of the opening / closing cover 50 is provided separately from the guide unit 47.

  Here, the structure for positioning the movable guides 40b and 41b and the structure for releasing the positioning of the guide unit 47 that moves in conjunction with opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9A is a schematic view showing the positioning configuration of the guide unit 47, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view showing the main part (X1). FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the positioning configuration when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view showing the main part (X2).

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the guide unit 47 has an abutting member 57 fixed to the movable guide 41b. The abutting member 57 can come into contact with a fixing member 58 fixed to the frame of the apparatus main body. The abutting member 57 includes a first abutting surface 57a extending along a direction in which the movable guide 41b approaches and separates from the fixed guide 41a, and a second abutting surface 57b extending in a direction intersecting the first abutting surface 57a. And are formed. Further, both the abutting member 57 and the fixing member 58 are arranged on both sides in the sheet width direction with respect to the movable guide 41b.

  The first abutting surface 57a abuts on the fixed member 58 and restricts the movement of the movable guide 41b to the right in the drawing, so that the distance between the movable guide 40b and the fixed guide 40a and the nip pressure of the conveying roller pair 39 are increased. It has a function to specify. Further, the second abutting surface 57a abuts on the fixed member 58 and restricts the downward movement of the movable guide 41b in the figure, so that the distance between the movable guide 41b and the fixed guide 41a and the re-conveying roller pair 34 are reduced. Has the function of defining the nip pressure. However, the shape of the abutting member 57 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed as long as the guide unit 47 can be positioned at an appropriate position in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is closed.

  In a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is closed, the movable guide 41b has the first abutting surface 57a and the second abutting surface 57a abutting against the fixing member 58, and the upstream portion 41 of the re-conveyance path between the movable guide 41b and the fixing guide 41a. It is positioned at the first position to be formed. The abutting member 57 and the fixed member 58 are such that the movable guide 41b in the first position is separated from the fixed guide 41a by a preset distance and extends in parallel with the guide surface of the fixed guide 41a in the width direction. It is arranged to become. Thereby, the stability of sheet conveyance is ensured.

  The abutting member 57 and the fixing member 58 are an example of a configuration that restricts the movement of the movable guides 40b and 41b as the first and second movable guides in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is closed. The abutting member 57 corresponds to a first engaging portion provided in one of the first and second movable guides, and the fixing member 58 is provided in the apparatus main body and can be engaged with the first engaging portion. It corresponds to 2 engaging parts.

  Further, as a configuration for releasing the positioning of the guide unit 47 by the abutting member 57 and the fixing member 58, the opening / closing cover 50 is provided with a flip-up cam 60, and the guide unit 47 is a cam follower that can contact the flip-up cam 60. A portion 61 is provided. The cam follower portion 61 is an example of a positioning release means that can release the engagement of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. The cam follower portion 61 presses the movable guide on which the first engagement portion is disposed to press the first engagement portion. It is a pressing member for detaching the joint portion from the second engaging portion. The cam follower 61 is fixed to the movable guide 41b of the guide unit 47, and is separated from the flip-up cam 60 when the open / close cover 50 is closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the flip-up cam 60 is moved to the cam follower 61 along with the rotation of the opening / closing cover 50 around the rotation shaft 51. Abut. Then, when the cam follower portion 61 is pressed by the flip-up cam 60, the movable guide 41b moves upward (arrow D1) with the connecting portion 59 with the connecting guide 43B as a fulcrum, and the abutting member 57 is fixed member 58. Separate from. The movable guide 41b is restricted from moving upward in the figure beyond a predetermined position determined by the positional relationship between the members due to interference between the re-conveying roller pair 34 or interference between the movable guide 41b and the fixed guide 41a. Yes. The moving amount d1 of the movable guide 41b by the flip-up cam 60 is set to a size that is smaller than the distance from the first position to the predetermined position and that allows the abutting member 57 to be separated from the fixed member 58. In this case, it is set larger than the length of the first abutting surface 57a.

  When the opening / closing cover 50 is further rotated in the opening direction with the butting member 57 detached from the fixing member 58, the guide unit 47 is pulled out by the action of the engaging pin 53 and the guide groove 54 as described above (FIG. 8). reference). As a result, the guide unit 37 is switched to the second state to form the work space E3 (see FIG. 6).

  When the open / close cover 50 is closed, first, the movable guide 41b moves to a position where the first butting surface 57a and the second butting surface 57b face the fixed member 58. Thereafter, when the flip-up cam 60 passes the position of the cam follower 61, the movable guide 41b moves downward due to its own weight, and the abutting member 57 contacts the fixed member 58. As a result, the movable guides 40b and 41b are positioned again at the first position where the sheet conveying path (40, 41) is formed.

  Thus, in the configuration in which the guide unit 47 is positioned by the abutting member 57 and the fixing member 58 in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is closed, the abutting member 57 is moved by the flip-up cam 60 as the opening / closing cover 50 opens. Detach from the fixing member 58. In other words, the flip-up cam 60 as the positioning release means releases the engagement of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion with the opening operation of the cover body, and the first and second movable guides are interlocked. The mechanism can be moved in a direction away from the first and second guide portions. For this reason, when the cover body is closed, the first and second movable guides are positioned at appropriate positions for forming the sheet conveyance path, and the interlocking mechanism is operable in accordance with the operation of opening the cover body. . Therefore, workability can be improved while ensuring the stability of the sheet conveying operation.

  In this embodiment, the abutting member 57 is disposed on the movable guide 41 b, the fixed member 58 is disposed on the apparatus main body, and the flip-up cam 60 as a pressing member is disposed on the opening / closing cover 50. That is, with a simple configuration in which the first engaging portion, the second engaging portion, and the positioning release means are arranged on either the first or second movable guide of the guide unit, the apparatus main body, and the cover body, respectively. A configuration is realized in which the interlocking mechanism is operable in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover body.

  Next, the configuration of the sheet conveying apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This sheet conveying apparatus is different from that of the second embodiment in the positioning configuration of the guide unit 47 and the releasing configuration thereof. In addition, the same code | symbol as Example 2 is attached | subjected to the element which is common in Example 2, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram showing the positioning configuration of the guide unit 47 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 12A and 13A both illustrate the operation of the positioning configuration when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened. It is the schematic for demonstrating. 11 (b), 12 (b), and 13 (b) are enlarged views showing main portions (X3, X4, X5) of the positioning configuration of the guide unit 47.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the guide unit 47 has a hook member 62 fixed to the movable guide 41b. Two fixing pins 64, 65 arranged in the vertical direction are arranged in the apparatus main body, and the hook member 62 has a shape opened upward, that is, a shape that can be engaged with the upper fixing pin 64. The hook member 62 and the fixing pins 64 and 65 are both arranged on both sides in the sheet width direction. The hook member 62 is another example of the first engaging portion, and the fixing pin 64 is another example of the second engaging portion that can be engaged with the first engaging portion.

  A lever 63 is provided on the opening / closing cover 50 as a configuration for releasing the positioning of the guide unit 47 by the hook member 62 and the fixing pin 64. The lever 63 is another example of a positioning release means that can release the positioning of the movable guide by releasing the first engagement portion from the second engagement portion.

  The lever 63 is configured to be positioned between the hook member 62 and the lower fixing pin 65 in a state in which the lever 63 is in contact with the lower surface 62b of the hook member 62 when the opening / closing cover 50 is closed. Therefore, when the open / close cover 50 is closed, the hook member 62 is supported by the lever 63 and the hook-shaped inner engagement surface 62 a is held at a position where it engages with the upper fixing pin 65. Accordingly, the movement of the movable guide 41b in the direction away from the fixed guide 41a is restricted, and the other movable guide 40b is also positioned via the connection guide 43B by positioning the movable guide 41b. That is, the guide unit 47 is in the first state in which each of the movable guides 40b and 41b is held at the first position.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the lever 63 moves to the right in the drawing as the opening / closing cover 50 rotates around the rotation shaft 51. Moving. At this time, the hook member 62 is pushed upward (arrow D1) along the movement locus of the lever 63. The shape of the hook member 62 is such that the amount of movement of the movable guide 41b is from the first position to the predetermined position described above. It is set to be smaller than the distance.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the opening / closing cover 50 is further rotated, the lever 63 is detached from the hook member 62 and the fixed pin 64, and the movable guide 41b is rotated downward by its own weight (arrow). D2). Here, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 13B, the distance d <b> 3 that the lever 63 lifts the hook member 62 with respect to the rotation direction of the movable guide 41 b around the connecting portion 59 is the hook member 62. The engaging surface 62a is configured to be longer than the length d2. For this reason, when the movable guide 41b is rotated downward by its own weight, the hook member 62 is detached from the upper fixing pin 64. Thereafter, the guide unit 47 is pulled out by the action of the engaging pin 53 and the guide groove 54 (see FIG. 8), and the guide unit 37 is switched to the second state to form a work space E3 (see FIG. 6). ).

  When the open / close cover 50 is closed, the lever 63 comes into contact with the hook member 62 as the open / close cover 50 rotates, and the hook member 62 and the fixing pin 65 Enter between. As a result, the movable guides 40b and 41b are positioned again at the first position where the sheet conveyance path (40, 41) is formed.

  Thus, in the configuration in which the guide unit 47 is positioned by the hook member 62 and the fixing pin 64 in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is closed, the hook member 62 is fixed by moving the lever 63 as the opening / closing cover 50 opens. Detach from pin 64. In other words, the lever 63 as the positioning release means positions the first and second movable guides at positions where the sheet conveying path is formed when the cover body is closed, and the first and second movable guides are opened as the cover body opens. 2 Positioning of the movable guide is released. For this reason, as in the second embodiment, the first and second movable guides are positioned at appropriate positions when the cover body is closed, and the first and second movable guides are moved along with the opening of the cover body. Becomes movable, and the interlocking mechanism becomes operable. Therefore, workability can be improved while ensuring the stability of the sheet conveying operation.

  In the present embodiment, the lever 63 is retracted from between the hook member 62 and the fixing pin 65, and the hook member 62 is moved downward, so that the hook member 62 is detached from the fixing pin 64. For this reason, as compared with the configuration of the second embodiment in which the movable guide 41b is pressed upward by the flip-up cam 60, the movement amount of the movable guide 41b when releasing the positioning of the guide unit 47 can be small. That is, the distance between the movable guide 41b and the fixed guide 41a when the open / close cover 50 is closed can be set to be smaller, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of members is increased, and a compact design of the image forming apparatus is possible. .

  In addition, the hook member 62 as the first engagement portion is disposed in the guide unit 47, the fixing pin 64 as the second engagement portion is disposed in the apparatus main body, and the lever 63 as the contact member is disposed in the opening / closing cover 50. doing. That is, with a simple configuration in which the first engaging portion, the second engaging portion, and the positioning release means are arranged on either the first or second movable guide of the guide unit, the apparatus main body, and the cover body, respectively. A configuration is realized in which the interlocking mechanism is operable in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover body.

  Note that the configurations of the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion, and the positioning release means described in the present embodiment and the second embodiment are, for example, the guide unit 47 of the first embodiment having a different interlocking mechanism configuration. You may apply. Further, for example, a member corresponding to the lever 63 or the flip-up cam 60 may be an operable member, and the positioning of the guide unit 47 may be released by a user operation.

  Next, the configuration of the double-sided conveyance unit 29C as the sheet conveying apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This double-sided conveyance unit 29C is different from the second embodiment in that the guide member 30 can be opened when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened. In addition, the same code | symbol as Example 1, 2 is attached | subjected to the element which is common in Example 1, 2, and description is abbreviate | omitted. 14 to 16 are schematic views showing the main part of the double-sided conveyance unit 29C.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the guide member 30 is provided at a branch portion P1 where a switchback path 40 toward the switchback roller pair 31 and a discharge path 49 toward the discharge roller pair 21 branch on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 38. Has been placed. A discharge guide 49 a that forms a discharge path 49 is provided between the conveying roller pair 38 and the discharge roller pair 21. The discharge path 49 corresponds to a third transfer path branched from the switchback path 40 corresponding to the first transfer path, and the discharge guide 49a corresponds to a third guide portion.

  The guide member 30 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 30a, and is rotated by being driven by a driving force from a driving source such as a stepping motor. As a result, the guide member 30 guides the sheet sent from the conveying roller pair 38 to the switchback path 40 (see FIG. 14), and guides the sheet sent from the conveying roller pair 38 to the discharge path 49. Can be switched to the second posture (see FIG. 15).

  Positioning members 55 and 56 as contact portions capable of contacting the guide member 30 are provided in the vicinity of the branch portion P1. The positioning member 55 is supported by the frame body of the apparatus main body 101 and regulates the clockwise rotation in the figure by contacting the guide member 30 in the first posture (see FIG. 14). Further, the positioning member 56 is provided on the movable guide 40b, and regulates the rotation in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by contacting the guide member 30 in the second posture (see FIG. 15).

  Here, when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, as shown in FIG. 16, the guide unit 47 moves along with the opening / closing cover 50, and the movable guide 40b is separated from the fixed guide 40a. In this state, the positioning member 56 provided in the movable guide 40b is retracted to the outside of the rotation locus of the guide member 30. Therefore, in a state where the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the guide member 30 is allowed to rotate in the separation direction (counterclockwise direction in the drawing) away from the discharge guide 49a and to be sufficiently separated from the discharge guide 49a. It becomes.

  Thus, the movable range of the guide member 30 is restricted when the opening / closing cover 50 is closed to improve the stability of the operation of the double-sided conveyance unit 29C, and the branching portion P1 and the discharge path are opened when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened. The accessibility to the periphery of 49 can be improved. Further, since the positioning member 56 is configured as a part of the guide unit 47, the function of releasing the restriction of the guide member in conjunction with the guide unit can be realized with a simple configuration.

[Other Embodiments]
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the double-sided conveyance units 29, 29B, and 29C that are examples of the sheet conveyance device have been described. However, the present technology is applied to a sheet conveyance device that forms another part of the image forming apparatus. Also good. For example, the present invention may be applied to a sheet feeding apparatus that transports a sheet fed from a feeding cassette. The image forming apparatus may include an optional sheet feeding apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus for processing an image formed sheet in addition to the apparatus main body including the image forming unit. The present technology may be applied as a sheet conveying device.

  Moreover, although the said Example 1-4 demonstrated the case where two movable guides 40b and 41b interlock | cooperate as a structural example for interlocking a some movable guide with an interlocking mechanism, three or more movable guides are interlock | cooperated. A configuration may be adopted.

3 ... Image forming means (image forming part) / 8, 8B ... Interlocking mechanism / 29, 29B, 29C ... Sheet conveying device (double-sided conveying part) / 30 ... Guide member / 31 ... Sheet conveying means, reverse conveying part (switchback) Roller pair) / 32 ... Conveyance restricting section (regulating member) / 34 ... Sheet conveying means, second conveying roller pair (reconveying roller pair) / 35, 36, 37, 38 ... Sheet conveying means (conveying roller pair, reconveying) Roller pair) / 39... Sheet conveying means, first conveying roller pair (conveying roller pair) / 40... First conveying path (switchback path) / 40a... First guide portion (fixed guide) / 40b. (Movable guide) / 41 ... 2nd transport path (upstream part of re-transport path) / 41a ... 2nd guide part (fixed guide) / 41b ... 2nd movable guide (movable guide) / 42 ... transport path / 42a, 42b ... Cover guide (Guide) / 43, 43B ... intermediate member (connection guide) / 44,48 ... biasing means (torsion coil spring) / 45 ... moving member, operation unit / 46,47 ... guide unit / 49 ... third conveyance path (discharge) Pass) / 49a ... third guide portion (discharge guide) / 50 ... cover body (opening / closing cover) / 57,62 ... first engaging portion (abutting member, hook member) / 58,64 ... second engaging portion (Fixing member, fixing pin) / 60 ... positioning release means, pressing member (bounce cam) / 63 ... positioning release means, contact member (lever) / 100 ... image forming apparatus / 101 ... apparatus main body / 102 ... cover part

Claims (16)

The device body;
Sheet conveying means for conveying the sheet;
A guide unit for guiding a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying means,
The guide unit is
A first sheet that is movable relative to the apparatus main body, faces a first guide portion provided in the apparatus main body, and passes between the first guide section and the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying means. A first movable guide capable of forming a conveyance path;
It is relatively movable with respect to each of the apparatus main body and the first movable guide, is opposed to the second guide part provided in the apparatus main body, and is conveyed by the sheet conveying means between the second guide part. A second movable guide capable of forming a second conveyance path through which the sheet passes,
The first movable guide is formed from the state in which the first transport path is formed by the first movable guide and the first guide portion, and the second transport path is formed by the second movable guide and the second guide portion. And an interlocking mechanism for separating the first movable guide from the first guide portion and separating the second movable guide from the second guide portion by interlocking the second movable guide.
A sheet conveying apparatus. The interlocking mechanism includes an intermediate member supported by the apparatus main body and rotatably supporting each of the first movable guide and the second movable guide;
The first movable guide and the second movable guide move relative to the first guide portion and the second guide portion by rotating around the intermediate member.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The interlocking mechanism is
A biasing means for biasing the first movable guide and the second movable guide in a direction away from the first guide portion and the second guide portion;
The first movable guide and the second movable guide are pressed against the urging force of the urging means by pressing the first movable guide and the second movable guide so that the first movable path and the second movable guide are moved. Allowing the first movable guide and the second movable guide to be separated from the first guide portion and the second guide portion by the holding position where the path is formed and the biasing force of the biasing means A movable member movable to a retreat position to be
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The interlocking mechanism has an intermediate member that is movable relative to the apparatus main body and rotatably connects the first movable guide and the second movable guide to each other.
The first movable guide is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body,
The second movable guide moves relative to the second guide portion as the intermediate member moves.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first movable guide is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body at one end, and is connected to the intermediate member at the other end.
The second movable guide is connected to the intermediate member at one end,
The first movable guide is separated from the first guide portion in conjunction with an operation in which the second movable guide is separated from the second guide portion.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The sheet conveying means includes a reverse conveying unit that switches back a sheet received via the first conveying path and sends it to the second conveying path,
The guide unit is supported by the intermediate member, guides the sheet passing through the first conveyance path toward the reverse conveyance section, and the sheet switched back by the reverse conveyance section to the second conveyance path. Having a conveyance control section to guide,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is a sheet conveying apparatus. A third guide part provided in the apparatus main body and forming a third conveyance path branched from the first conveyance path;
A first posture that guides a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying means to the first conveying path is disposed at a branching portion where the first conveying path and the third conveying path are branched, and is conveyed by the sheet conveying means. A guide member switchable to a second posture for guiding the sheet to be guided to the third transport path,
The first movable guide has a contact portion that can contact the guide member, and in the state where the first transport path is formed between the first guide and the first guide portion, By abutting on the guide member, the movement of the guide member in the separating direction away from the third guide portion is restricted, and in the state of being separated from the first guide portion, the movement of the guide member in the separating direction. Allow,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is a sheet conveying apparatus. A first engagement portion disposed on one of the first movable guide and the second movable guide;
The first movable guide and the second movable guide, which are disposed in the apparatus main body and engage with the first engagement portion, can be positioned at positions where the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path are formed. A second engagement portion;
The first engaging portion is disengaged from the second engaging portion, and the first movable guide and the second movable guide are moved away from the first guide portion and the second guide portion by the interlocking mechanism. Positioning release means for enabling the state, and
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is characterized in that: A cover body that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body,
The positioning release means is provided on the cover body, and presses the movable guide in which the first engaging portion is disposed among the first movable guide and the second movable guide in accordance with the opening operation of the cover body. By this, it is a pressing member for detaching the first engaging portion from the second engaging portion,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein A cover body that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body,
The positioning release means is provided on the cover body, and moves in a direction in which the first engagement portion comes out of the second engagement portion by contacting the first engagement portion with the cover body closed. An abutting member that restricts the movement of the cover body, and allows the first engagement portion to disengage from the second engagement portion by moving away from the first engagement portion as the cover body opens. To
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein A cover body that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body,
The interlock mechanism is configured to separate the first movable guide and the second movable guide from the first guide portion and the second guide portion in conjunction with the cover body when the cover body is opened.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is characterized. A cover body that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body,
The guide unit includes an operation unit that can be operated with the cover body open. When the operation unit is operated, the first movable guide and the second movable guide are moved by the interlock mechanism. 1 apart from the guide part and the guide part,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is characterized. The cover body has a cover portion that covers an opening provided in the apparatus main body in a state of being closed with respect to the apparatus main body,
In a state where the cover body is opened and the first movable guide and the second movable guide are separated from the first guide portion and the second guide portion by the interlocking mechanism, at least a part of the guide unit is Projecting outward of the device body through the opening,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is a sheet conveying apparatus. The cover body has a cover guide portion that forms a conveyance path located upstream or downstream of the second conveyance path in a state of being closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and in a state of being opened with respect to the apparatus main body, The cover guide part is separated from the guide unit;
The sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the sheet conveying device is characterized in that: The sheet conveying means includes
A first transport roller pair disposed in the first transport path, wherein one roller is supported by the apparatus main body, and the other roller is supported by the first movable guide;
A second transport roller pair disposed in the second transport path, wherein one roller is supported by the apparatus main body and the other roller is supported by the second movable guide,
In a state where the first movable guide and the second movable guide are separated from the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the nip portions of the first conveyance roller pair and the second conveyance roller pair are opened.
The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sheet conveying apparatus is characterized. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying apparatus,
An image forming apparatus.

Images