JP2018138487A - Sheet stacking device, feeding device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet stacking device, a feeding device, and an image formation device with a rear end regulating member having pressurizing means, capable of preventing the rear end regulating member from moving in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding tray 30 which is a sheet stacking device includes: a tray casing 301 for stacking sheets P; an end fence 107 for regulating a position of a rear end of the sheets P; an end fence fixing mechanism 210 for fixing a position of the end fence 107; and a fixing release lever 203 for releasing fixation by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 by applying operating force thereto, the end fence 107 further including a rear end pressure plate 205 and a rear end pressure spring 204 for pressing the sheets P. This sheet feeding tray 30 further includes a pressing plate protruding portion 205b which is a rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means for preventing the end fence 107 from moving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet stacking apparatus, a feeding apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet stacking device included in a feeding device of an image forming apparatus, a stacking housing for stacking sheets to be fed toward a feeding target, and a trailing end in the feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking housing There is known a sheet stacking apparatus including a rear end regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet.

In Patent Document 1, as this type of sheet stacking device, a fixing unit that fixes the position of the rear end regulating member with respect to the stacking housing, and a fixing release that releases the fixing of the rear end regulating member by the fixing unit by applying an operating force. What is provided with the operation member is described.
Further, as a known sheet stacking device that is commercially available, the rear end regulating member is configured to include a fixing unit and a fixing release operation member as in the above-described Patent Document 1, and the trailing edge regulating member feeds the sheets stacked on the stacking casing in the feeding direction. What has a pressurizing means to pressurize toward is known.

  In the known sheet stacking apparatus including the above-described pressurizing unit, there is a problem that the trailing end regulating member moves in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction in a state where the sheets are stacked on the stacking housing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a stacking case for stacking sheets to be fed toward a feeding target, and movable along the sheet feeding direction with respect to the stacking case. The rear end regulating member for regulating the position of the rear end in the sheet feeding direction, the fixing means for fixing the position of the rear end regulating member with respect to the stacking housing, and the fixing by applying an operating force. A release operation member for releasing the fixation of the trailing edge regulating member by the means, and the trailing edge regulating member comprises a pressing means for pressing the sheets stacked on the stacking casing in the feeding direction. The sheet stacking apparatus includes a trailing end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means for preventing the trailing end regulating member from moving.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet stacking apparatus in which the trailing edge regulating member includes the pressing unit, it is possible to prevent the trailing edge regulating member from moving in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. There is.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating a state where a sheet is set on the feeding tray according to the first exemplary embodiment and a lever operation is moved in a feeding direction. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. Sectional drawing of a feeding apparatus. The perspective view of a feeder. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet replenishment operation for a feeding tray. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of mounting a feeding tray on a printer main body. The schematic side view of a feeding tray. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the feeding tray according to the first embodiment in a state where no sheet is set. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the feeding tray according to the first exemplary embodiment in a state where sheets are set. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a feeding tray according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the rear end in the state where the position of the end fence is set to the “A5 horizontal size” position in the feeding tray of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the rear end of the feeding tray according to the second embodiment in a state where the position of the end fence is set to the “A5 vertical size” position. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a feeding tray according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the vicinity of a rear end of a feeding tray according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a feeding tray according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an end fence of a feeding tray according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a state in which a release operation can be performed on the feeding tray of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view illustrating a state where a release operation cannot be performed on the feeding tray according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an end fence of a feeding tray according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a feeding tray according to a seventh embodiment. Explanatory drawing which looked at the end fence vicinity of the feed tray of Example 7 from the feed direction upstream. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a state where a resistance convex member has fallen into a V-shaped groove in the feeding tray of Example 7. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a feeding tray according to an eighth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, an electrophotographic printer that forms an image by an electrophotographic method will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the following description, “image forming apparatus” refers to image formation by attaching a developer or ink to a medium such as paper, an OHP sheet, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, or the like. Means device. Further, “image formation” not only means that an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure is imparted to the medium, but also that an image having no meaning such as a pattern is imparted to the medium.

  The “sheet” in the present embodiment includes paper, coated paper, OHP sheet, label paper, film, fabric, and the like. Further, the “sheet” includes what is called a recording medium, a recording medium, a recording paper, a recording paper, or the like, which is a medium to which a developer or ink can be attached. Furthermore, the “sheet” is not limited to a flexible sheet, and includes a hard plate-shaped sheet and a relatively thick sheet.

  In the following embodiments, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like in the description of each component are examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these unless otherwise specified.

First, a basic configuration of the electrophotographic printer according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as the printer 100) according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 100. The printer 100 is a color laser printer.

  The printer 100 includes an image forming unit 400 that is an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet P, and a feeding device 300 that is a feeding unit that feeds the sheet P toward the image forming unit 400. The image forming unit 400 includes four process units 1 (K, Y, M, and C). These process units 1 are black (K) and yellow (Y) corresponding to color separation components of a color image. , Magenta (M) and cyan (C) are used to form an image.

  Each process unit 1 (K, Y, M, C) has the same configuration except that it includes a toner bottle 6 (K, Y, M, C) containing unused toners of different colors. . Therefore, the configuration of the black process unit 1K, which is one process unit 1, will be described below, and the description of the configuration of the other process units 1 (Y, M, C) will be omitted.

  The black process unit 1K includes a black image carrier 2K (for example, a photosensitive drum), a black cleaning device 3K, a black charge eliminating device, a black charging device 4K, a black developing device 5K, and the like. The black process unit 1K is detachably attached to the main body of the printer 100 so that consumable parts can be replaced at the same time.

  An exposure unit 7 is disposed above the four process units 1 (K, Y, M, and C) of the printer 100. The exposure unit 7 is configured to emit laser light from the laser diode based on the image data.

Below the four process units 1 (K, Y, M, C) of the printer 100, a transfer device 15 is disposed. The transfer device 15 includes a primary transfer roller 19 (K, Y, M, C), an intermediate transfer belt 16, and the like. The four primary transfer rollers 19 (K, Y, M, C) are intermediate transfer so as to face the four image carriers 2 (K, Y, M, C) with the intermediate transfer bell 16 therebetween. It is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the belt 16.
The intermediate transfer belt 16 circulates in a state where it is stretched around four primary transfer rollers 19 (K, Y, M, C), a drive roller 18 and a driven roller 17.

  The secondary transfer roller 20 is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 16 so as to face the driving roller 18 with the intermediate transfer belt 16 interposed therebetween. If the image carrier 2 (K, Y, M, C) is the first image carrier of each color, the intermediate transfer belt 16 has the image carried on the first image carrier of each color superimposed on the surface. A second image carrier to be transferred and synthesized.

  The belt cleaning device 21 is installed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller 20 in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 16. A cleaning backup roller 21 a is installed on the opposite side of the belt cleaning device 21 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 16.

  A feeding device 300 having a feeding tray 30 and a feeding roller 47 is installed below the printer 100, and the feeding tray 30 can store a large number of sheets P in a bundle. The feeding tray 30 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the printer 100 for replenishment of sheets P and the like. The feeding roller 47 is disposed above the feeding tray 30 installed in the printer 100, and feeds the sheet P from the feeding tray 30 toward the feeding path 31.

  The timing roller pair 14 is disposed immediately upstream of the secondary transfer roller 20, and the sheet P fed from the feeding tray 30 abuts against a registration nip formed by the two rollers and is temporarily stopped. it can. By this temporary stop, slack is formed on the leading end side of the sheet P.

  The sheet P on which the slackness is formed contacts the secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18 via the intermediate transfer belt 16 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is suitably transferred. It is sent out to the secondary transfer nip. Then, the fed sheet P is configured such that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 at the secondary transfer nip is transferred to a desired transfer position with high accuracy.

  The post-transfer conveyance path 33 is disposed above the secondary transfer nip described above. The fixing device 34 is installed in the vicinity of the upper end of the post-transfer conveyance path 33.

  The fixing device 34 includes a fixing roller 34a containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and a pressure roller 34b that rotates while contacting the fixing roller 34a with a predetermined pressure. The post-fixing conveyance path 35 is disposed above the fixing device 34 and branches into a discharge path 36 and a reverse conveyance path 41 at the upper end of the post-fixation conveyance path 35.

  A switching member 42 is disposed at the branch portion, and the switching member 42 is driven to swing around the swing shaft 42a. A discharge roller pair 37 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening end of the discharge path 36.

  The reverse conveying path 41 merges with the feeding path 31 at the other end with the branch portion. A reverse conveyance roller pair 43 is disposed in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 41. The discharge tray 44 is installed on the upper portion of the printer 100 so as to form a concave shape inward of the printer 100.

  The powder container 10 (for example, toner container) is disposed between the transfer device 15 and the feeding tray 30. The powder container 10 is detachably attached to the main body of the printer 100.

  The printer 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 needs a predetermined distance from the feeding roller 47 to the secondary transfer roller 20 due to the conveyance of the sheet P. And in order to ensure this distance, the powder container 10 is installed in the dead space produced in the up-down direction, and size reduction of the printer 100 whole is aimed at.

  The transfer cover 8 is installed above the feeding tray 30 and on the front side in the drawing direction of the feeding tray 30 (right side in FIG. 3). By opening the transfer cover 8, the inside of the printer 100 can be inspected. The transfer cover 8 is provided with a manual feeding roller for manual feeding and a manual feeding tray for manual feeding.

  The printer 100 of this embodiment is an example of an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is not limited to a laser printer. That is, the image forming apparatus can be configured as any one of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a printing machine, and an ink jet recording apparatus, or as a composite machine in which at least two of these are combined. Further, an image reading device may be added to the multifunction machine.

  Next, the basic operation of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. First, the case of performing single-sided printing will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the feed roller 47 is rotated by a feed signal from the control unit of the printer 100. Then, the feeding roller 47 separates only the uppermost sheet P of the bundled sheets P stacked on the feeding tray 30 and sends it to the feeding path 31.

  When the leading edge of the sheet P delivered by the feeding roller 47 reaches the registration nip of the timing roller pair 14, slack is formed, and the sheet P waits in that state. Then, the optimum timing (synchronization) for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 to the sheet P is achieved, and the leading edge skew of the sheet P is corrected.

  In the case of manual feeding, a bundle of sheets P stacked on the manual feeding tray passes through a part of the reverse conveyance path 41 by a manual feeding roller one by one from the uppermost sheet P, and a pair of timing rollers It is conveyed to 14 registration nips. Subsequent operations are the same as the feeding from the feeding tray 30.

Here, regarding the image forming operation, the black process unit 1K which is one of the four process units 1 will be described, and the description of the other process units 1 (Y, M, C) will be omitted. .
First, the black charging device 4K uniformly charges the surface of the black image carrier 2K to a high potential.

  The exposure unit 7 irradiates the surface of the black image carrier 2K with a laser beam L based on the image data. Then, on the surface of the black image carrier 2K irradiated with the laser beam L, the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image.

  Then, the black developing device 5K transfers the unused black toner supplied from the black toner bottle 6K to the surface portion of the black image carrier 2K on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The black image carrier 2K to which the toner has been transferred forms (develops) a black toner image on the surface thereof. Then, the toner image formed on the black image carrier 2K is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16.

  The black cleaning device 3K removes residual toner adhering to the surface of the black image carrier 2K after the intermediate transfer process. The removed residual toner is sent and collected by a waste toner conveying means to a waste toner storage unit in the black process unit 1K. Further, the black charge eliminating device neutralizes the residual charge of the black image carrier 2K from which the residual toner has been removed by the black cleaning device 3K.

  In the other color process units 1 (Y, M, C), toner images are formed on the image carrier 2 (Y, M, C) in the same manner, and the toner images overlap each other on the intermediate transfer belt 16. Transcript.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 16 to which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred so as to overlap each other travels to the secondary transfer nip between the secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the timing roller. The image is transferred to the sheet P sent out by the pair 14.

  The sheet P is sent out to the secondary transfer nip in accordance with the timing at which the toner image formed by being superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 is suitably transferred. Then, on the fed sheet P, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 in the secondary transfer separation nip is transferred with high accuracy to a desired transfer position.

  The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The sheet P conveyed to the fixing device 34 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 34a and the pressure roller 34b, and is heated and pressed to fix the unfixed toner image. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35.

  The switching member 42 is in a position where the vicinity of the upper end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35 is opened as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 at the timing when the sheet P is sent out from the fixing device 34. Then, the sheet P sent out from the fixing device 34 is sent out to the discharge path 36 via the post-fixing conveyance path 35. The discharge roller pair 37 sandwiches the sheet P sent to the discharge path 36 and discharges it to the discharge tray 44 by being driven to rotate. With these operations, single-sided printing ends.

  Next, a case where duplex printing is performed will be described. As in the case of single-sided printing, the fixing device 34 sends the sheet P to the discharge path 36. When performing duplex printing, the discharge roller pair 37 conveys a part of the sheet P to the outside of the printer 100 by rotational driving.

  When the rear end of the sheet P passes through the discharge path 36, the switching member 42 swings about the swing shaft 42 a as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3 and closes the upper end of the post-fixing transport path 35. . Then, almost simultaneously with the closing of the upper end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the discharge roller pair 37 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed out of the printer 100 and is sent to the reverse conveyance path 41.

  The sheet P sent to the reverse conveyance path 41 reaches the timing roller pair 14 via the reverse conveyance roller pair 43. The timing roller pair 14 then optimizes the timing (synchronization) for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 to the toner image non-transfer surface of the sheet P, and sends the sheet P to the secondary transfer separation nip. .

  The secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18 transfer the toner image to the toner image non-transfer surface of the sheet P when the sheet P passes through the secondary transfer nip. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33.

  The fixing device 34 fixes the unfixed toner image on the sheet P by sandwiching the conveyed sheet P between the fixing roller 34 a and the pressure roller 34 b and heating and pressing the sheet P. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35.

  The switching member 42 is in a position where the vicinity of the upper end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35 is opened as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 at the timing when the sheet P is sent out from the fixing device 34. Then, the sheet P sent out from the fixing device 34 is sent out to the discharge path 36 via the post-fixing conveyance path 35. The discharge roller pair 37 sandwiches the sheet P sent to the discharge path 36, rotates, and discharges it to the discharge tray 44. With these operations, double-sided printing ends.

  After the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the sheet P, residual toner adheres on the intermediate transfer belt 16. Then, the belt cleaning device 21 removes the residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 16. The toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transported to the powder container 10 by the above-described waste toner transport means and collected in the powder container 10.

  Next, a feeding device 300 that is a separation pad type sheet feeding device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding device 300. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the feeding device 300. FIG. 4 shows a state where the front panel 104 of the feeding tray 30 is removed.

The feed roller 47 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is disposed on the printer 100 main body side. Further, the bottom plate 46 and the cradle 49 are disposed on the feeding tray 30.
The feeding tray 30 includes a tray front part 101 and a tray rear part 102. The tray rear portion 102 is movable in a direction parallel to the feeding direction (arrow “α” direction in FIG. 5) with respect to the tray front portion 101, and the size of the feeding tray 30 in the feeding direction is changed. It has a possible configuration. An end fence 107 that regulates the position of the rear end of the sheet P in the feeding direction is disposed on the feeding tray 30. The tray rear portion 102 is provided with a rail groove portion 110 extending in a direction parallel to the feeding direction, the lower portion of the end fence 107 engages with the rail groove portion 110, and the end fence 107 extends in the feeding direction along the rail groove portion 110. It can slide in parallel directions.

  By making it possible to change the size of the feeding tray 30 in the feeding direction, the end fence 107 regulates the position of the rear end in the feeding direction for sheets P of various sizes in the feeding direction. It can be stored in the feeding tray 30.

  In the feed tray 30, a right side fence 105 and a left side fence 106, which are width direction position restricting members, are arranged on the tray front portion 101 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction. In the feeding tray 30, the position in the width direction of the sheet P stored by the right side fence 105 and the left side fence 106 is regulated, and the position of the rear end of the sheet P is regulated by the end fence 107. The position of the sheet P inside is regulated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a right lever 130 and a left lever 131 are rotatably attached to the tray front portion 101. An upper end of a bottom plate pressure spring 132 is attached to each of the right lever 130 and the left lever 131, and the lower ends of the two bottom plate pressure springs 132 are respectively hooked on the bottom plate 46.

  The feed roller 47 is rotationally stopped by a feed roller shaft 50 and a D-cut or a pin, and is supported by the printer 100 main body via a bearing.

  The feed roller shaft 50 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A drive gear is attached to the shaft end of the feed roller shaft 50.

  The drive gear is connected to a drive source such as a motor via a plurality of idle gears or drive connection members such as clutches and solenoids. The driving force is transmitted from the driving source to the feeding roller shaft 50, and the feeding roller 47 is configured to rotate counterclockwise.

  The feeding roller 47 is configured to intermittently operate at a predetermined timing by controlling the connecting time of the drive connecting member and the stop time of the driving source.

  The feed roller 47 has a surface layer portion made of rubber having a high friction coefficient so that a predetermined conveying force can be applied to the sheet P. And the sheet | seat P is fed by controlling the connection time of a drive connection member, and the stop time of a drive source.

  The dimensions of the feeding roller 47 can be configured with, for example, a diameter of 36 [mm] and a width of 45 [mm]. As the dimension, an appropriate feeding roller dimension can be selected according to the type of sheet P to be handled by the feeding apparatus 300 and the space in the apparatus.

  The bottom plate 46 of the feeding tray 30 is pivotally supported by a bottom plate rotating shaft 51 provided in the feeding tray 30. The bottom plate 46 is always urged upward by two bottom plate pressure springs 132 whose upper ends are fixed to the right lever 130 and the left lever 131, respectively.

When storing the sheet P in the feeding tray 30, the feeding tray 30 is pulled out from the main body of the printer 100, and the sheet P is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 46 and stored.
When the feeding tray 30 on which the sheet P is placed is inserted into the printer 100 main body, the right lever 130 and the left lever 131 are lifted upward and held by a lever guide member provided in the printer 100 main body. By this operation, the upper ends of the two bottom plate pressure springs 132 attached to the right lever 130 and the left lever 131 are pulled upward, the bottom plate pressure spring 132 is extended, and the bottom plate pressure spring 132 is biased by the urging force of the extended bottom plate pressure spring 132. 46 is pulled upward. As a result, the upper surface of the sheet P placed on the bottom plate 46 comes into pressure contact with the feed roller 47 mounted on the printer 100 main body side.

  When the bundle of sheets P is stored in the feeding tray 30 and inserted into the main body of the printer 100, the uppermost sheet P contacts the feeding roller 47. The sheet P is given a conveying force when the feeding roller 47 rotates due to the frictional force between the feeding roller 47 due to the biasing force of the bottom plate pressing spring 132 and the friction coefficient of the feeding roller 47, and in FIG. It is conveyed to the right.

  The cradle 49 is provided with a pad portion, which is a pad material having a high friction coefficient, and the movement of the sheet P other than the uppermost sheet P in the feeding direction is inhibited by the pad portion. A separation unit that separates the other sheets P and feeds only the uppermost sheet P is configured. When the sheet P is conveyed by the rotation of the feeding roller 47, the uppermost sheet P is separated from the other sheets P in this separation unit, and only the uppermost sheet P is moved downstream of the separation unit by the feeding roller 47. Transported and separated and transported.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a bottom plate pad 52, which is a pad material having a high friction coefficient, is installed at the front end portion of the bottom plate 46 in the feeding direction. The bottom plate pad 52 applies a constant load to the lowermost sheet P. Thereby, when a bundle of sheets P is stacked, it is possible to prevent the lowermost sheet P and the second sheet P from the lowermost sheet from being double fed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the replenishment operation of the sheet P with respect to the feeding tray 30.
After the side fences (105, 106) and the end fence 107 of the feeding tray 30 taken out from the main body of the printer 100 are set at predetermined positions, the sheet P is replenished as indicated by an arrow in FIG.
When the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from moving to the upstream side in the feeding direction by the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means of each embodiment described later.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting of the feeding tray 30 to the printer 100 main body. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the front side of the printer 100 with the feeding tray 30 removed, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the front side of the printer 100 while the feeding tray 30 is being inserted. It is.
As shown in FIG. 7A, there is a tray insertion opening 330 for inserting the feeding tray 30 below the transfer cover 8 which is the front surface of the printer 100 main body. Then, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 7B, the feeding tray 30 is inserted into the tray insertion port 330 of the printer 100 main body and pushed in to complete the setting.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the feeding tray 30, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration in which the position of the rear end of the sheet P is regulated by the end fence 107.
The feeding tray 30 includes a tray casing 301 that is a stacking casing, an end fence 107, an end fence fixing mechanism 210, and a fixing release lever 203.

  The tray casing 301 is a stacking casing that is formed by the tray front part 101 and the tray rear part 102 and that stacks sheets P to be fed toward the image forming part 400 that is a feeding target. The end fence 107 is movable in the direction along the feeding direction (the direction of the arrow “A” in FIG. 8) with respect to the tray casing 301 and regulates the position of the trailing end of the sheet P in the feeding direction. It is a regulating member.

The end fence fixing mechanism 210 is a fixing unit that fixes the position of the end fence 107 with respect to the tray casing 301.
The end fence 107 includes an L-shaped frame portion 200 that engages with the above-described rail groove portion 110 provided in the tray casing 301 and forms most of the outer shape of the end fence 107. The frame part 200 can move in the direction along the feeding direction with respect to the tray casing 301 by being engaged with the rail groove part 110, and can be moved in the vertical direction and the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 8). The movement is restricted.

The end fence fixing mechanism 210 is attached to the frame unit 200 and moves together with the frame unit 200 in the moving direction (the direction of arrow “A” in FIG. 8). And a rack gear 250 fixed to the rack.
The fixed claw 201 is slidable in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow “B” in FIG. 8) with respect to the frame part 200, and relative movement in other directions is restricted by the shape of the frame part 200. . The fixed claw pressurizing spring 202 urges the fixed claw 201 downward with respect to the frame part 200 when the upper end abuts against the frame part 200 and the lower end abuts against the fixed claw 201. The front end of the fixed claw 201 urged by the fixed claw pressure spring 202 is engaged with the rack gear 250, so that the tray housing 301 to which the rack gear 250 is fixed and the frame unit 200 to which the fixed claw 201 is attached. The positional relationship is fixed. Thereby, the position of the end fence 107 with respect to the tray housing | casing 301 is fixable.

  The fixing release lever 203 is assembled to the frame portion 200 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow “C” in FIG. When the user or the like performs an operation of moving the lever operation unit 203b in the right direction (feeding direction) in FIG. 8, the fixing release lever 203 rotates in the clockwise direction and connects to the fixing claw 201. 203c moves upward. As a result, the fixed claw 201 moves upward against the urging force of the fixed claw pressure spring 202, the engagement between the fixed claw 201 and the rack gear 250 is released, and the end fence 107 is fixed to the tray casing 301. Canceled. By releasing the fixation, the end fence 107 can be moved in the left-right direction (arrow “A” direction) in FIG. 8.

  When the end fence 107 is moved, the lever operation unit 203b moves rightward in FIG. 8 with respect to the frame unit 200 by gripping the vicinity of the upper end of the frame unit 200 and the lever operation unit 203b. . As a result, the fixing claw 201 slides upward to disengage from the rack gear 250, and the end fence 107 is released. In the state of being held as described above, the end fence 107 is slid to a predetermined position corresponding to the size of the sheet P on which the end fence 107 is set, and the hand is released from the lever operation unit 203b. Thereby, the fixed claw 201 is moved downward by the urging force of the fixed claw pressure spring 202 and engaged with the rack gear 250, and the end fence 107 can be arranged at a predetermined position.

  The interval between positions where the end fence 107 can be fixed is determined by the gear pitch of the rack gear 250, and the end fence 107 can be moved at a small pitch (1 [mm] interval, etc.) by narrowing the pitch interval. It becomes possible. By moving at a small pitch, the end fence 107 can be moved to a position corresponding to the non-standard sheet P as well as the standard size sheet P such as A4 size or A5 size.

  Further, the feeding tray 30 of the present embodiment releases the fixing of the end fence 107 by grasping the fixing release lever 203 with a hand so that the vicinity of the upper end of the frame unit 200 and the lever operation unit 203b are brought close to each other. Then, the end fence 107 can be moved by keeping the gripping state. Thereafter, when the end fence 107 reaches the target position, the position of the end fence 107 can be fixed by releasing the hand from the fixing release lever 203. In addition, the movement direction of the lever operation unit 203b when releasing the fixation and the movement direction of the end fence 107 are the same direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability of a series of operations of releasing the end fence 107, moving the end fence 107, and fixing the end fence 107.

  The end fence 107 includes a rear end pressure plate 205 and a rear end pressure spring 204 as pressure means for pressing the sheets P stacked on the tray casing 301 in the feeding direction. The rear end pressure plate 205 is assembled so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow “D” in FIG. 8 with respect to the frame portion 200 around the pressure plate rotation shaft 205a at the upper end. The rear end pressurizing spring 204 has an upstream end in the feed direction (left side in FIG. 8) abutted against the frame portion 200 and a downstream end in the feed direction (right side in FIG. 8) at the rear end pressurizing plate 205. bump into. Accordingly, the rear end pressure plate 205 is urged so that the lower end of the rear end pressure plate 205 moves to the downstream side in the feeding direction (right side in FIG. 8) with respect to the frame portion 200. The sheet P is pressurized toward the downstream side in the feeding direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30, the rear end pressure plate 205 is pushed by the bundle of sheets P, and the lower end side of the rear end pressure plate 205 is on the upstream side in the feeding direction. The rear end pressure spring 204 is in a compressed state by rotating so as to move. When the number of bundles of sheets P (the number of sets) is reduced by feeding, the force with which the sheet P pushes the rear end pressure plate 205 is reduced. As a result, the lower end side of the rear end pressurizing plate 205 is supplied to a position where the biasing force by which the rear end pressurizing spring 204 urges the rear end pressurizing plate 205 and the force by which the sheet P presses the rear end pressurizing plate 205 is balanced. Move downstream in the feed direction. Then, the position of the rear end of the sheet P regulated by the rear end pressure plate 205 moves downstream in the feeding direction.

As described above, the sheet P is lifted upward by the bottom plate 46 and conveyed by the feeding roller 47. At this time, the positional relationship between the leading end position of the sheet P and the separation unit is important, and the sheet P needs to be set and held at the same position regardless of the number of sheets P set.
In the feeding tray 30 shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the bottom plate 46 is configured to lift the sheet P upward by rotating around the bottom plate rotation shaft 51 so that the downstream end in the feeding direction is lifted. With the configuration in which the bottom plate 46 rotates in this way, if the position of the trailing end of the sheet P is constant regardless of the number of sheets P set, the leading end position of the sheet P varies depending on the number of sheets P set. If the leading end position of the sheet P fluctuates and deviates from the target range, there is a possibility that problems such as jams and leading edge turning may occur.

In contrast, in the feeding tray 30 of the present embodiment, the lower end side of the rear end pressure plate 205 of the end fence 107 moves in the feeding direction according to the number of sheets P set as described above. For this reason, when the number of sheets P set is small, the trailing edge pressure plate 205 pushes the sheet P so that the restriction position of the trailing edge of the sheet P is on the downstream side in the feeding direction, compared to when the number of sheets P is large. As a result, the position of the leading edge of the sheet P can be set to a predetermined position that can be appropriately fed by the feeding roller 47. For this reason, the position of the leading end of the sheet P with respect to the separation unit is stabilized, and the feeding device 300 can perform stable feeding.
Further, in the printer 100 including the feeding device 300 in which the feeding of the sheet P is stable, the timing for feeding the sheet P to the secondary transfer nip is stabilized, and troubles such as image positional deviation are prevented and stable image formation is performed. Is possible.

Next, the movement of the end fence 107 that may occur due to the provision of the rear end pressure plate 205 will be described.
In a state where the number of sheets P set is small or a sheet P is not set, the lower end side of the rear end pressure plate 205 has moved to the downstream side in the feeding direction, and the rear end pressure spring 204 has a natural length. Close state. In this state, the force by which the rear end pressurizing spring 204 pushes the frame portion 200 upstream in the feeding direction does not act. For this reason, even if the user performs an erroneous operation to move the lever operation unit 203b to the upstream side in the feeding direction and releases the fixation of the end fence 107, a problem that the end fence 107 moves is unlikely to occur.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the number of sheets P set is large, the lower end side of the rear end pressure plate 205 is pushed by the bundle of sheets P and moves upstream in the feeding direction, and the rear end pressure spring 204 is moved. Compresses. In this state, an urging force is applied to pressurize the rear end pressure plate 205, which the downstream end of the rear end pressurizing spring 204 abuts against the downstream side in the feed direction. The rear end pressure plate 205 hits the rear end of the bundle of sheets P, and the front end of the bundle of sheets P hits a wall portion of the tray housing 301 on the downstream side in the feeding direction. For this reason, the urging force that urges the frame portion 200 against which the end portion of the rear end pressurizing spring 204 in the compressed state abuts against the upstream side in the feeding direction acts.

  In a state where such an urging force is applied, it may occur that the user erroneously moves the lever operation unit 203b to the upstream side in the feeding direction, such as accidentally contacting the lever operation unit 203b. In such a case, since the fixing of the end fence 107 is released in a state where the urging force is applied, the end fence 107 is moved upstream in the feeding direction by the urging force of the rear end pressure spring 204.

  When the end fence 107 moves to the upstream side in the feeding direction, the force for pressing the sheet P in the feeding direction by the rear end pressure plate 205 becomes weak. As a result, the leading edge of the sheet P cannot be pushed to a predetermined position, and a gap is formed between the leading edge of the sheet P and the wall portion on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the tray housing 301, and feeding is unstable. Therefore, problems such as turning over of the sheet P and jamming are likely to occur.

  When the sheet P is not set on the feeding tray 30, the end fence 107 does not move only by moving the lever operation unit 203b to the upstream side in the feeding direction. For this reason, it is difficult for the user to recognize that the end fence 107 has moved due to the operation of the lever operation unit 203b with the sheet P set. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize that the trouble is caused by an erroneous operation on the lever operation unit 203b when a trouble such as turning over or jamming of the sheet P occurs, and there is a problem that it takes time to investigate the cause. .

  For such a problem, the feeding tray 30 according to the present embodiment includes a rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing unit described in each of the following examples. The rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means prevents the end fence 107 from moving only by applying an operating force to the fixing release lever 203 by pushing the lever operating portion 203b downstream in the feeding direction. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from moving in the direction opposite to the feeding direction due to an erroneous operation on the lever operation unit 203b. In the following embodiments, specific examples of the rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means will be described, but the members described with reference to FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

[Example 1]
Next, a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 1”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic side views of the feeding tray 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment, and are explanatory diagrams of a state where the sheet P is not set and a state where a bundle of the sheets P is set, respectively. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the feeding tray 30 in a state where the lever operation unit 203b is moved in the feeding direction from the state shown in FIG.

  The rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 according to the first embodiment functions as an operation member movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the fixing release lever 203 to the position where the fixing by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released. This is a pressure plate protrusion 205b. The pressure plate protrusion 205b is a protrusion protruding from the upstream surface of the rear end pressure plate 205 in the feed direction toward the upstream in the feed direction. The pressure plate projection 205b abuts against the fixing release lever 203 in a state where the sheet P is stacked on the tray housing 301, and restricts the movement of the fixing release lever 203 to a position where the fixing by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released. It is a pressing member abutting part.

  In the state where the sheet P is not set as shown in FIG. 9, there is no member that prevents the fixation release lever 203 from moving in the clockwise direction in FIG. Therefore, the user can move the lever operation unit 203b to a position where the engagement between the fixed claw 201 and the rack gear 250 is released by grasping the lever operation unit 203b. Then, by releasing this engagement, the end fence 107 can be moved with respect to the tray casing 301.

  When the lever operation unit 203b is pushed downstream in the feeding direction (in the direction of the arrow “E” in FIG. 1) by a user's erroneous operation on the feeding tray 30 in the state shown in FIG. Engagement with 250 may be released. In the state shown in FIG. 9, the force that moves the end fence 107 does not act on the frame portion 200 of the end fence 107, so the end fence 107 does not move.

  On the other hand, when the sheet P is set on the feeding tray 30 in the state shown in FIG. 9, the rear end pressure plate 205 rotates around the pressure plate rotation shaft 205a so that the lower end side moves upstream in the feeding direction. The state shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. At this time, the pressure plate protrusion 205 b provided on the rear end pressure plate 205 moves to a position where the rotation of the fixation release lever 203 is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the lever operating portion 203b is pushed downstream in the feeding direction (in the direction of arrow “E” in FIG. 1) by the user's erroneous operation on the feeding tray 30 in the state shown in FIG. Further, the lever operating portion 203b comes into contact with the pressure plate protrusion 205b. For this reason, it can prevent that the lever operation part 203b moves to the position which cancels engagement with the fixed nail | claw 201 and the rack gear 250, and can prevent that the end fence 107 moves.

  In the feeding tray 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment, in a state where the sheets P are stacked, the engagement between the fixing claw 201 and the rack gear 250 is not released even when the user accidentally presses the lever operation unit 203b. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from being released, and to prevent the end fence 107 from moving upstream in the feeding direction by the urging force of the rear end pressure spring 204. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the end fence 107 moving upstream in the feeding direction.

[Example 2]
Next, a second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 2”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment.

  The rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment is a stopper member that functions as a non-fixed movement restricting means for restricting movement of the end fence 107 that has been fixed by the end fence fixing mechanism 210. 221. The stopper member 221 is a detachable movement restricting member that is attachable to and detachable from the tray casing 301 and restricts the end fence 107 from moving upstream in the feeding direction by being attached to the tray casing 301. .

In the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment, after the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, a stopper member 221 is mounted between the end fence 107 and the rear end wall portion 301b of the tray casing 301. In the second embodiment, the end fence 107 is mounted on the rack gear 250 on the upstream side in the feeding direction.
In the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment, when the lever operating unit 203b is pushed downstream in the feeding direction (in the direction of the arrow “E” in FIG. 11) due to an erroneous operation by the user, the engagement between the fixing claw 201 and the rack gear 250 is increased. It is possible that the failure will be resolved. In the state shown in FIG. 11, since the sheets P are stacked, the end fence 107 is biased upstream in the feeding direction by the biasing force of the rear end pressure spring 204 in the compressed state. Abuts against the stopper member 221. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from moving upstream in the feeding direction.

  FIG. 12 shows the position of the end fence 107 as “A5 horizontal size” (position where the end fence 107 abuts the rear end of the sheet P set so that the short direction of the A5 size is parallel to the feeding direction). FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the rear end of the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment set as described above. FIG. 13 shows the position of the end fence 107 at the position “A5 vertical size” (position where the end fence 107 abuts the rear end of the sheet P set so that the longitudinal direction of the A5 size is parallel to the feeding direction). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a rear end of a feeding tray 30 according to a second embodiment that has been set.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the stopper member 221 includes a horizontal size corresponding portion 221a and a vertical size corresponding portion 221b having different lengths in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal direction and the vertical size corresponding portion of the horizontal size corresponding portion 221a. The shape is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of 221b.
In the state shown in FIG. 12, the stopper member 221 is mounted on the tray casing 301 so that the horizontal size corresponding portion 221 a is at the bottom, and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal size corresponding portion 221 a are connected to the end fence 107 and the rear end wall. It is in a state of hitting the part 301b. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 13, the stopper member 221 in the state shown in FIG. 12 is turned over so that the vertical size corresponding portion 221 b of the stopper member 221 faces down, and is further rotated by 90 °, so that the tray casing 301 Wearing. The state shown in FIG. 13 is a state where both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vertical size corresponding part 221b abut against the end fence 107 and the rear end wall part 301b.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment, the stopper member 221 is turned upside down depending on whether the setting direction of the sheet P is vertical or horizontal, and the amount of A5 size is vertical and horizontal. One stopper member 221 can also be used for the size.
When changing the size of the sheet P set in the feeding tray 30 of the second embodiment, the stopper member 221 is removed, the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, and then the stopper member 221 is mounted again.

  In the feeding tray 30 according to the second embodiment, even when the user accidentally pushes the fixing release lever 203 and performs an erroneous operation to release the fixing of the end fence 107, the end fence 107 hits the stopper member 221, and the feeding direction Cannot move upstream. Thereby, the movement of the end fence 107 due to an erroneous operation of the fixing release lever 203 can be prevented, and problems such as a jam and a tip turning due to the movement of the end fence 107 can be prevented.

Example 3
Next, a third embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 3”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of a state in which a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the third embodiment.

  The rear end regulating member erroneous movement prevention means of the feeding tray 30 of the third embodiment is a stopper member 221 that can be attached to and detached from the tray casing 301 as in the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the stopper member 221 has a stopper claw 222 and engages with the rack gear 250 to prevent the stopper member 221 from moving upstream in the feeding direction. It differs from Example 2 which abuts on the part 301b.

The stopper member 221 according to the third embodiment can be mounted on the tray casing 301 regardless of the distance between the end fence 107 and the rear end wall portion 301b. For this reason, it is possible to mount the feeding tray 30 in a state where the end fence 107 is set at a position corresponding to the sheet P having an irregular size. Therefore, the feeding tray 30 according to the third embodiment can prevent the end fence 107 disposed at a position corresponding to the irregular-sized sheet P from moving.
In the feeding tray 30 according to the third embodiment, the stopper claw 222 has a function of the detachable member side engaging portion, and the rack gear 250 has a function of the detachable member engaging rack gear.

Example 4
Next, a fourth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 4”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of the vicinity of the rear end of the feeding tray 30 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the feeding tray 30 of the fourth embodiment, the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means is a stopper member 221 that can be attached to and detached from the tray casing 301 as in the second and third embodiments. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the tray housing 301 includes a stopper engaging rack gear 260 in addition to the rack gear 250 as a detachable member engaging rack gear that engages with the stopper claw 222 of the stopper member 221.

In the fourth embodiment, after the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, the detachable stopper member 221 is aligned with the end fence 107, and the stopper claw 222 and the stopper engaging rack gear 260 provided on the tray housing 301 are provided. Fit and fit.
In the fourth embodiment, the end fence 107 cannot be moved upstream in the feeding direction due to the presence of the stopper member 221. For this reason, the movement of the end fence 107 due to an erroneous operation of the fixing release lever 203 can be prevented, and problems such as jamming and tip turning due to the movement of the end fence 107 can be prevented. Further, by providing the stopper engaging rack gear 260 and engaging the stopper claw 222, it is possible to prevent the movement of the end fence 107 disposed at a position corresponding to the sheet P having an irregular size.

Example 5
Next, a fifth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 5”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 16 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the end fence 107 of the feeding tray 30 according to the fifth embodiment. .

  The rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 according to the fifth embodiment functions as an operation member movement restricting means that restricts the movement of the fixing release lever 203 to the position where the fixing by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released. This is the release unit cover 220. The release portion cover 220 is a release operation restriction member that covers at least a part of the fixation release lever 203 and restricts the release operation with respect to the fixation release lever 203 that pushes the lever operation portion 203b in the feeding direction. By restricting the release operation, the movement of the end fence 107 can be prevented by restricting the movement of the fixation release lever 203 to the position where the fixation by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released.

In the feeding tray 30, after the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, a detachable release portion cover 220 is attached to the fixing release lever 203. Specifically, the lever operation portion 203b of the fixing release lever 203 is lightly press-fitted into the cover opening 220a of the release portion cover 220.
When changing the size of the sheet P to be set, the release portion cover 220 is removed from the fixing release lever 203, the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, and then the release portion cover 220 is attached again.

Since the lever operation portion 203b of the fixing release lever 203 is covered with the release portion cover 220, the user can be prevented from touching the lever operation portion 203b, and erroneous operation can be prevented.
Further, in a state where the release unit cover 220 is mounted, the surface of the lever operation unit 203b on the downstream side in the feeding direction (the right side in FIG. 16) abuts the edge of the cover opening 220a. Thus, the fixing release lever 203 is restricted from rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. Since the rotation of the fixation release lever 203 is restricted by the release portion cover 220, the fixation release lever 203 cannot rotate to release the fixation of the end fence 107. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of releasing the fixing with respect to the fixing release lever 203, and it is possible to prevent the movement of the end fence 107 due to the erroneous operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from moving due to the engagement between the fixed claw 201 and the rack gear 250, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by the movement of the end fence 107.

Example 6
Next, a sixth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 6”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
18 and 19 are schematic side views illustrating a state where a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the fixing release lever 203 can be moved to a position where the fixing by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released, that is, a state where a releasing operation can be performed on the fixing release lever 203. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the release operation cannot be performed on the fixing release lever 203.

  The rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 according to the sixth embodiment functions as an operation member movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the fixing release lever 203 to a position where the fixing by the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released. This is a release lever handle member 230. The release lever handle member 230 is disposed so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed release lever 203. Depending on the rotation position with respect to the fixed release lever 203, a release operation can be performed on the fixed release lever 203, and a release operation cannot be performed. You can switch to

  20 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the end fence 107 of the feeding tray 30 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of the state shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20B is the state shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing.

The release lever handle member 230 is attached to the fixed release lever 203 so as to be rotatable about the handle member rotation shaft 230a.
When the end fence 107 is moved by the feeding tray 30, the position of the release lever handle member 230 with respect to the fixing release lever 203 is set to the state shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, and the lever operating portion 203b is moved to the arrow “E” in FIG. Move in the direction. As a result, the end fence 107 is unlocked, and the end fence 107 can be moved with respect to the tray casing 301.
When the end fence 107 is moved to a predetermined position, the hand is released from the lever operation unit 203 b, the position of the end fence 107 is fixed by the end fence fixing mechanism 210, and the end fence 107 is set on the tray casing 301.

  After the end fence 107 is set at a predetermined position, the release lever handle member 230 is rotated by 90 [°] to obtain the state shown in FIGS. 19 and 20B. When changing the size of the sheet P to be set, the release lever handle member 230 is turned 90 [°] so that the fixation release lever 203 can rotate. Then, the lever operation unit 203b is moved in the direction of the arrow “E” in FIG. 18 and the fixing release lever 203 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 18 to release the fixing of the end fence 107. Thereafter, after setting the end fence 107 at a predetermined position, the release lever handle member 230 is turned 90 [°] again so that the fixation release lever 203 cannot be turned.

In the state shown in FIGS. 19 and 20B, the release lever handle member 230 abuts against the frame portion 200 of the end fence 107, and the fixing release lever 203 is restricted from rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. Since the rotation of the fixing release lever 203 is restricted by the release lever handle member 230, the fixing release lever 203 cannot rotate to release the end fence 107 from being fixed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of releasing the fixing with respect to the fixing release lever 203, and it is possible to prevent the movement of the end fence 107 due to the erroneous operation.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end fence 107 from moving due to the engagement between the fixed claw 201 and the rack gear 250, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by the movement of the end fence 107.

  In the above-described fifth embodiment, every time the end fence 107 is moved, the release unit cover 220 is removed, the end fence 107 is set, and after the setting is completed, an operation of mounting the release unit cover 220 again is required. On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation by an operation of rotating the release lever handle member 230, and an operation of attaching and detaching the member becomes unnecessary, and the setting property of the end fence 107 is improved. be able to.

Example 7
Next, a seventh embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment 7”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 21 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of the end fence 107 of the feeding tray 30 according to the seventh embodiment when viewed from the upstream side in the feeding direction.

  The rear end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 according to the seventh embodiment is a resistance protrusion that functions as a non-fixed movement restricting means for restricting movement of the end fence 107 that has been fixed by the end fence fixing mechanism 210. Member 240. The resistance convex member 240 and the convex member pressure spring 241 that pressurizes the resistance convex member 240 are provided on the end fence 107. The resistance convex member 240 is movable in the vertical direction, which is a direction in which the end convex member 107 comes in contact with and separates from the plate portion 251 (friction plate) provided on the bottom surface of the tray casing 301, and is projected by the convex member pressing spring 241. Pressurized downward. Due to this pressurization, the resistance convex member 240 abuts against the plate portion 251, and the resistance against relative movement between the end fence 107 and the tray casing 301 due to the frictional load between the convex member pressure spring 241 and the plate portion 251. Force F is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the end fence 107 according to the seventh embodiment includes an end fence fixing mechanism 210 as in the other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 22, the end fence fixing mechanism 210 and the resistance convex member 240 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the feeding tray 30. In the side view shown in FIG. The pressure spring 241 and the end fence fixing mechanism 210 are in a positional relationship where they overlap. For this reason, in FIG. 21, the schematic side view in the position where the resistance convex member 240 in the width direction and the convex member pressurization spring 241 are arrange | positioned is shown.

In Example 7, when the end fence 107 is moved, the frictional load generated between the resistance convex member 240 and the plate portion 251 is indicated by an arrow “F” in FIG. The resistance force F due to the frictional load is always generated when the end fence 107 is to be moved.
In the state where the sheet P is set on the feeding tray 30, the rear end pressure plate 205 is pressed by the sheet P, and the rear end pressure spring 204 that pressurizes the rear end pressure plate 205 downstream in the feeding direction is compressed. The rear end pressure spring 204 presses the frame portion 200 upstream in the feeding direction. The applied pressure at this time is indicated by an arrow “N” in FIG.

In the seventh embodiment, the biasing force of the convex member pressing spring 241 is set so that the resistance force F and the pressing force N satisfy the relationship “F> N”. The resistance force F is the maximum static frictional force that is generated when the resistance convex member 240 and the plate portion 251 are relatively moved from a relatively stopped state. The static frictional force is a force that acts in a direction opposite to the direction in which the objects to be moved are moved when relatively moving the stationary objects. When the force to be moved is gradually increased, a static friction force having the same magnitude as that of the force to be moved acts when the object is not moving. The static friction force acting immediately before the object starts to move relatively is the maximum static friction force.
Further, the pressing force N is based on the compression amount from the natural length of the rear end pressure spring 204 in a state in which the bundle of sheets P with the upper limit of the number of sheets to be stored is set, and the spring constant of the rear end pressure spring 204. Can be calculated.

  In the seventh embodiment, even when the sheet P is set and the rear end pressure spring 204 presses the frame portion 200 to the upstream side in the feeding direction and the lever operation portion 203b of the fixing release lever 203 is accidentally pressed, The end fence 107 can be prevented from moving by the resistance force F. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the end fence 107 moving upstream in the feeding direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the plate portion 251 of the feeding tray 30 of the seventh embodiment is provided with a V-shaped groove 252 at a position corresponding to the standard size (a position corresponding to “B6” in FIG. 22). .
FIG. 23 is a schematic side view showing a state where the tip of the resistance convex member 240 falls into the V-shaped groove 252 in the feeding tray 30 of the seventh embodiment.
By providing the V-shaped groove 252 at a position corresponding to the standard size, when the end fence 107 that moves relative to the tray housing 301 reaches a position corresponding to the sheet P of the standard size, the resistance convex member 240 becomes the V-shaped groove. It falls to 252 and stops with a “click” sound. The sound of the resistance convex member 240 falling into the V-shaped groove 252 makes it easier for the user to recognize that the end fence 107 is in a position corresponding to the standard size sheet P, and operability of changing the position of the end fence 107. Can be improved.

Example 8
Next, an eighth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “Eighth Embodiment”) of the feeding tray 30 provided with the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means will be described.
FIG. 24 is a schematic side view illustrating a state where a bundle of sheets P is stacked on the feeding tray 30 according to the eighth embodiment.

The rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means of the feeding tray 30 of the eighth embodiment is the resistance convex member 240 as in the seventh embodiment. And it differs from Example 7 by the point provided with the several groove | channel continuously formed in the feed direction on the upper surface of the plate part 251. FIG.
In the feeding tray 30 of the eighth embodiment, the tip of the resistance convex member 240 has a curved surface, and the inclination of the wall surface forming the groove of the plate portion 251 with respect to the horizontal direction is higher on the upstream side in the feeding direction than on the downstream side. Is also getting bigger. In Example 8, the wall surface on the upstream side in the feed direction of the groove extends in the vertical direction, the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction is 90 ° (right angle), and the wall surface on the downstream side in the feed direction of the groove is in the horizontal direction. The inclination angle with respect to is smaller than 90 [°].

  The maximum resistance force generated when the end fence 107 is moved upstream in the feeding direction (left side in FIG. 24) is defined as upstream movement resistance force F1. Further, the maximum resistance force generated when the end fence 107 is moved downstream in the feeding direction (right side in FIG. 24) is defined as a downstream movement resistance force F2. The upstream movement resistance force F1 and the downstream movement resistance force F2 satisfy the relationship “F1> F2.”

  When the resistance convex member 240 is moved to the upstream side in the feeding direction of the plate portion 251 against the upstream side movement resistance force F1, the resistance convex member 240 needs to get over the wall surface extending in the vertical direction in the groove. Movement force is required. On the other hand, when the resistance convex member 240 is moved to the downstream side in the feeding direction of the plate portion 251 against the downstream side movement resistance force F2, the resistance convex member 240 has a wall surface (taper surface) inclined relative to the vertical direction in the groove. Just move along. For this reason, the large moving force which moves to the feeding direction upstream side becomes unnecessary.

  Further, in the eighth embodiment, the biasing force of the convex member pressing spring 241 is set so that the upstream side movement resistance force F1 and the applied pressure N satisfy the relationship of “F1> N”. By setting in this way, even when the lever operation portion 203b of the fixing release lever 203 is accidentally pressed while the rear end pressure spring 204 pressurizes the frame portion 200 upstream in the feeding direction, the end fence 107 is pressed. Can be prevented from moving upstream in the feeding direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the end fence 107 moving upstream in the feeding direction.

  Further, by reducing the downstream side movement resistance force F2, the operability when moving the end fence 107 downstream in the feeding direction is improved, and the end fence 107 moves upstream in the feeding direction while the sheet P is set. It can prevent moving to the side.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration including one type of rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means has been described, but a configuration including a plurality of types of rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means may be employed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus is a printer has been described. The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a printer, and may be a copying machine, a facsimile, a printing machine, an ink jet recording apparatus, or the like. Further, it may be a multi-function machine in which two or more of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a printing machine, an ink jet recording apparatus, and an image reading apparatus are combined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the feeding device that feeds the sheet from the sheet stacking device in which the trailing edge regulating member includes the pressing unit is applied to the image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheet has been described. The apparatus including a feeding apparatus having a similar sheet stacking apparatus is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image reading apparatus including an image reading unit that reads an image on a sheet.

  What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.

(Aspect A)
A stacking casing such as a tray casing 301 for stacking sheets such as a sheet P to be fed toward the feeding target of the image forming unit 400 and the like, and moving along the sheet feeding direction with respect to the stacking casing A rear end regulating member such as an end fence 107 that regulates the position of the rear end of the sheet feeding direction, and a fixing means such as an end fence fixing mechanism 210 that fixes the position of the rear end regulating member with respect to the stacking housing; A fixing release operation member such as a fixing release lever 203 for releasing the fixing of the rear end regulating member by the fixing means by applying an operation force such as pushing the lever operating portion 203b downstream in the feeding direction. In a sheet stacking apparatus such as a feeding tray 30 having a pressing member such as a rear end pressurizing plate 205 and a rear end pressurizing spring 204 in which a regulating member pressurizes sheets stacked in the stacking casing in the feeding direction. , Rear end regulation Comprising a trailing edge regulating member unintentional movement prevention means such as a pressing plate projections 205b to prevent the wood moves.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the trailing edge regulating member is a sheet stacking device having a pressing unit, and the trailing edge regulating member is prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. be able to. This is due to the following reason.
As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors, an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member by a user's unexpected contact, etc., the fixing by the fixing means is temporarily released, and the trailing edge regulating member is fed to the sheet It has been found that it may move in the opposite direction to the direction.
Specifically, when changing the position of the trailing end regulating member in the feeding direction with respect to the stacking casing in accordance with the length of the feeding direction of the stacked sheets in the sheet stacking apparatus having the fixing means and the fixing release operation member. First, an operation force is applied to the fixing release operating member to release the fixing by the fixing means. Next, the rear end end regulating member is moved by applying a force in the feeding direction or the direction opposite to the feeding direction to the rear end regulating member in a state where the operating force is applied. When the rear end end regulating member is moved to a desired position, the application of the operating force to the fixing release operating member is stopped. As a result, the rear end end regulating member is fixed to the stacking casing again by the fixing means. Thereafter, by stacking the sheets on the stacking casing, the position of the rear end in the sheet feeding direction can be set to a desired position in the stacking casing.
In such a sheet stacking apparatus, the rear end regulating member has the pressing means on the rear end regulating member, and when the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking housing, the rear end regulating member is applied by the reaction force that the pressurizing means receives from the sheet bundle. In contrast, a force in the direction opposite to the feeding direction is applied. In this state, when an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member by a user's unexpected contact or the like, and the fixing by the fixing means is temporarily released, a force in the direction opposite to the feeding direction by the pressing means is applied. As a result, the trailing edge regulating member moves in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. Thereafter, when the operation force is no longer applied to the unlocking operation member, the fixing means again fixes the position of the rear end regulating member, and the rear end regulating member is fixed at the moved position. At this time, the position of the trailing edge regulating member with respect to the stacking casing is moved in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction from a desired position set before stacking sheets.
In aspect A, the rear end regulating member can be prevented from moving by the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means, so that the rear end regulating member moves even when an operating force is applied to the fixing release operating member. Can be prevented.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, the fixing release operation member such as the fixing release lever 203 is moved by applying an operation force such as pushing the lever operation portion 203b downstream in the feeding direction to fix the end fence fixing mechanism 210 or the like. The pressure plate protrusion 205b and the release portion cover 220 are configured to release the fixation release operation member from being moved to the position where the fixation release by the fixation means is released as the rear end restriction member erroneous movement prevention means. And an operation member movement restricting means such as a release lever handle member 230.
According to this, as described in the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, it is possible to prevent the fixing by the fixing means from being released only by applying the operation force to the fixing releasing operation member, and the rear end regulating member moves. Can be prevented.

(Aspect C)
In Aspect B, as the pressurizing means, a pressure member such as a rear end pressure plate 205 that pressurizes the rear end in the feeding direction of the sheet such as the sheet P, and a rear end pressurizing the pressure member in the feeding direction. And a biasing member such as a spring 204. The pressing member is provided as a control member movement restricting unit, and is fixed to the fixing release lever 203 or the like in a state where the sheet is stacked on the stacking casing such as the tray casing 301. A pressure member abutting portion such as a pressure plate projection 205b that contacts the release operation member and restricts the movement of the fixation release operation member is provided.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment, when the release operation with respect to the fixing release operation member is mistakenly performed with the sheets stacked, the fixing release operation member hits the pressing member abutting portion. Due to this contact, the fixing release operation member cannot be moved to the state where the fixing by the fixing means such as the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released, and thus the fixing by the fixing means is maintained. Therefore, even if an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member while the sheets are stacked, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving.

(Aspect D)
In the aspect B or C, as the operation member movement restricting means, an operation such as covering at least a part of the fixing release operating member such as the fixing releasing lever 203 and pushing the lever operating portion 203b with respect to the fixing releasing operation member downstream in the feeding direction. A release operation restricting member such as a release portion cover 220 that restricts the application of force is provided.
According to this, as described in the fifth embodiment, when the release operation restricting member does not cover the fixing release operating member, the release operation restricting member applies the operation force to the fixed release operating member. Is regulated. As a result, the fixing release operation member cannot be moved to a state in which the fixing by the fixing means such as the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released, so that the fixing by the fixing means is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving even when an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member without performing an operation that does not cover the fixing release operation member.

(Aspect E)
In any one of the aspects B to D, as the operation member movement restricting means, the end fence fixing mechanism is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixing release operation member such as the fixing release lever 203 and the rotation position with respect to the fixing release operation member. Operation of the release lever handle member 230 and the like for switching between a state where the fixation release operation member can be moved to a position where the fixation by the fixing means such as 210 is released and a state where the fixation release operation member cannot be moved to a position where the fixation by the fixation means is released A rotation member.
According to this, as described in the sixth embodiment, after the position of the rear end regulating member such as the end fence is set, the rotation position of the operation portion rotation member is released. The operation member releases the fixation by the fixing means. Set it to a position where it cannot move to the desired position. As a result, the fixing release operation member cannot be moved to the state where the fixing by the fixing means is released, and the fixing by the fixing means is maintained. Therefore, even if an operation force is applied to the fixation release operation member without performing an operation to rotate the operation portion rotation member to a position where the fixation release operation member can move to the release position, the rear end restriction is applied. The member can be prevented from moving.
Furthermore, every time the position of the rear end regulating member is moved, an operation of attaching / detaching another member such as the release portion cover 220 to the fixing release operating member becomes unnecessary, and the operability for moving the position of the rear end regulating member is improved. To do.

(Aspect F)
In any one of the aspects A to E, the rear end regulating member such as the end fence 107 released from the fixing by the fixing means such as the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is moved as the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means. Non-fixed movement restricting means such as a restricting stopper member 221 and a resistance convex member 240 are provided.
According to this, as described in the second, third, fourth, seventh and eighth embodiments, even when an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member and the fixing by the fixing means is released, the non-fixed movement restriction is performed. It is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving by the means.

(Aspect G)
In any one of the aspects A to C, as the non-fixed movement restricting means, the rear end restriction such as the end fence 107 can be attached to and detached from the stacking casing such as the tray casing 301 by being attached to the stacking casing. An attachment / detachment movement restricting member such as a stopper member 221 for restricting the movement of the member in the direction opposite to the feeding direction (such as the upstream side in the feeding direction) is provided.
According to this, as described in the second embodiment, the fixing by the fixing means such as the end fence fixing mechanism 210 is released in the state where the force in the direction opposite to the feeding direction acts on the rear end regulating member. Even if it is done, it can control that a back end regulation member moves to the direction contrary to a feeding direction. Therefore, even if the operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member and the fixing means is released without performing the operation of removing the attachment / detachment movement regulating member from the stacking case, the rear end regulating member moves. Can be prevented.

(Aspect H)
In the aspect G, the attachment / detachment member side engagement portion such as the stopper claw 222 and the stopper engagement rack gear 260 and the like that are engaged with each other are attached to and detached from the attachment / detachment movement restricting member such as the stopper member 221 and the stacking housing such as the tray housing 301. And a member engaging rack gear.
According to this, as described in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the movement of the rear end regulating member such as the end fence 107 arranged at the position corresponding to the irregular size sheet, and the convenience is improved.

(Aspect I)
In any of the aspects F to H, the non-fixed movement restricting means is provided on a rear end restricting member such as the end fence 107 and is in contact with or separated from the stacking case such as the tray case 301 (vertical direction or the like). And is urged against the stacking case by a resistor urging means such as a convex member pressing spring 241, thereby hitting the stacking case and generating a resistance force against relative movement with the stacking case. A moving resistor such as a resistance convex member 240 is provided.
According to this, as described in the seventh embodiment, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving. This is due to the following reason.
That is, in the configuration according to the aspect I, an operation force such as pushing the lever operation portion 203b to the downstream side in the feeding direction is applied to the fixing release operating member such as the fixing release lever 203, and further, the resistance force is applied toward the moving direction. If a large force is not applied to the rear end regulating member, the rear end regulating member does not move. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving even when an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member and the fixing means is released.

(Aspect J)
In aspect I, when the rear end regulating member such as the end fence 107 is at a predetermined position such as a position corresponding to a fixed size in the stacking housing such as the tray housing 301, the moving resistor such as the resistance convex member 240 A resistor engaging groove such as a V-shaped groove 252 to be engaged is provided in the stacking housing.
According to this, as described in the seventh embodiment, the user can easily recognize that the rear end regulating member is in a predetermined position, and the operability of the operation for changing the position of the rear end regulating member can be improved. Can be planned.

(Aspect K)
In any of the aspects F to H, the non-fixed movement restricting means is provided on a rear end restricting member such as the end fence 107 and is in contact with or separated from the stacking case such as the tray case 301 (vertical direction or the like). And is urged against the stacking casing by a resistor urging means such as a convex member pressure spring 241, thereby hitting the abutted portion such as the plate portion 251 of the stacking casing, A resistance resistor member 240 or the like that generates a resistance force against the relative movement of the resistance member. Among the resistance forces, the movement resistor is in a direction opposite to the feeding direction with respect to the stacking casing (upstream in the feeding direction). The first resistance force, such as the upstream side movement resistance force F1 generated when moving to the side), is generated downstream when the movement resistor moves in the feeding direction (downstream in the feeding direction) with respect to the stacking housing. It becomes larger than the second resistance force such as movement resistance force F2. To have an uneven shape such as a plurality of grooves on the surface of the abutting portion.
According to this, as described in the eighth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving. This is due to the following reason.
That is, in the configuration according to the aspect K, an operation force such as pushing the lever operation unit 203b to the downstream side in the feeding direction is applied to the fixing release operation member such as the fixing release lever 203, and further, the resistance force is applied toward the moving direction. If a large force is not applied to the rear end regulating member, the rear end regulating member does not move. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the rear end regulating member from moving even when an operation force is applied to the fixing release operation member and the fixing means is released. Further, the second resistance force is made smaller than the first resistance force, thereby improving the operability when the trailing edge regulating member is moved in the feeding direction, while the trailing edge regulating member is in a state where the sheets are stacked. It is possible to prevent movement in the direction opposite to the feeding direction.

(Aspect L)
In any of the aspects A to K, as a fixing means for the end fence fixing mechanism 210 or the like, a rack gear such as a rack gear 250 that is disposed in a stacking casing such as the tray casing 301 and has a plurality of teeth in the feeding direction; And a claw portion such as a fixed claw 201 which is arranged on a rear end regulating member such as the end fence 107 and is movable so as to engage with and disengage from the rack gear and urge the claw portion toward the rack gear. The fixing release operation member such as the fixing release lever 203 is given an operation force such as pushing the lever operation unit 203b downstream in the feeding direction. As a result, the claw portion is separated from the rack gear.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the rear end regulating member is fixed to the stacking casing by the fixing means and the fixing is released by the fixing release operation member.

(Aspect M)
In a feeding device such as a feeding device 300 including a stacking unit that stacks sheets such as the sheet P and a transporting unit such as a feeding roller 47 that feeds a sheet stacked on the stacking unit with a feeding force. The sheet stacking device such as the feeding tray 30 according to any one of aspects A to L is provided as a stacking unit.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, by providing the sheet stacking device that can prevent the rear end regulating member such as the end fence 107 from moving in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, The position with respect to the conveying means is stabilized, and stable feeding becomes possible.

(Aspect N)
In an image forming apparatus such as a printer 100 including an image forming unit such as an image forming unit 400 that forms an image on a sheet such as a sheet P and a feeding unit that feeds the sheet toward the image forming unit. As a means, a feeding device such as the feeding device 300 according to the aspect M is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, stable image formation is possible.

1K black process unit 1 process unit 2K black image carrier 2 image carrier 3K black cleaning device 4K black charging device 5K black developing device 6 toner bottle 6K black toner bottle 7 exposure device 8 transfer cover 10 powder Container 14 Timing roller pair 15 Transfer device 16 Intermediate transfer belt 17 Driven roller 18 Drive roller 19 Primary transfer roller 20 Secondary transfer roller 21 Belt cleaning device 21a Cleaning backup roller 30 Feed tray 31 Feed path 33 Post-transfer transport path 34 Fixing device 34a Fixing roller 34b Pressure roller 35 Post-fixing transport path 36 Discharge path 37 Discharge roller pair 41 Reverse transport path 42 Switching member 42a Swing shaft 43 Reverse transport roller pair 44 Discharge tray 46 Bottom plate 47 Feeding roller 49 Receptacle 50 Feed roller shaft 51 Bottom plate rotation shaft 52 Bottom plate pad 100 Printer 101 Tray front portion 102 Tray rear portion 104 Front panel 105 Right side fence 106 Left side fence 107 End fence 110 Rail groove portion 130 Right lever 131 Left lever 132 Bottom plate pressure spring 200 Frame Part 201 fixed claw 202 fixed claw pressure spring 203 fixation release lever 203a lever rotation shaft 203b lever operation part 203c claw coupling part 204 rear end pressure spring 205 rear end pressure plate 205a pressure plate rotation shaft 205b pressure plate protrusion 210 end Fence fixing mechanism 220 Release portion cover 220a Cover opening 221 Stopper member 221a Horizontal size corresponding portion 221b Vertical size corresponding portion 222 Stopper claw 230 Release lever handle member 230a Handle member rotating shaft 240 Resistance convex member 24 Protruding member pressure spring 250 Rack gear 251 Plate portion 252 V-shaped groove 260 Stopper engagement rack gear 300 Feed device 301 Tray housing 301b Rear end wall portion 330 Tray insertion port 400 Image forming portion F Resistance force F1 Upstream movement resistance force F2 Downstream movement resistance L Laser beam N Pressure P Sheet

Japanese Patent No. 3297554

Claims (14)

A stacking housing for stacking sheets to be fed toward the feeding target;
A rear end regulating member that is movable along the sheet feeding direction with respect to the stacking housing and regulates a position of a rear end of the sheet feeding direction;
Fixing means for fixing the position of the rear end regulating member with respect to the stacking housing;
A fixing release operating member that releases the fixing of the rear end regulating member by the fixing means by applying an operating force;
In the sheet stacking apparatus, the trailing edge regulating member includes a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the sheets stacked on the stacking casing in the feeding direction.
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing means for preventing the rear end regulating member from moving. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The fixing release operating member is configured to move by being applied with the operating force and release the fixing by the fixing means.
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: an operation member movement restricting unit that restricts movement of the fixing release operation member to a position where the fixing by the fixing unit is released as the rear end regulating member erroneous movement preventing unit. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 2,
As the pressurizing means, a pressurizing member that pressurizes the trailing end of the sheet in the feeding direction;
A biasing member that biases the pressure member in the feeding direction;
The pressure member that is provided on the pressure member as the operation member movement restricting unit and that abuts against the fixing release operation member in a state where the sheet is stacked on the stacking housing and restricts the movement of the fixing release operation member A sheet stacking device comprising a butting portion. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a release operation restriction member that covers at least a part of the fixing release operation member and restricts application of the operation force to the fixation release operation member as the operation member movement restriction unit. The sheet stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The operation member movement restricting means is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixation release operation member, and the fixation release operation member can be moved to a position where the fixation by the fixation means is released according to a rotation position with respect to the fixation release operation member. A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: an operation unit rotating member that switches between a state and a state in which the fixing release operating member cannot be moved to a position where the fixing by the fixing unit is released. In the sheet stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a non-fixed movement restricting means for restricting movement of the trailing end restricting member released from being fixed by the fixing means as the trailing end restricting member erroneous movement preventing means. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
The non-fixed movement restricting means is attachable to and detachable from the stacking case, and is attached to the stacking case to restrict the rear end restricting member from moving in a direction opposite to the feeding direction. A sheet stacking device comprising a detachable movement regulating member. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a detachable member side engaging portion and a detachable member engaging rack gear that engage with each other on the detachable movement regulating member and the stacking housing. The sheet stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The non-fixed movement restricting means is provided on the rear end restricting member, is movable in a direction contacting and separating from the stacking casing, and is biased to the stacking casing by a resistor biasing means. A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a moving resistor that hits the stacking casing and generates a resistance force relative to the stacking casing. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a resistor engaging groove that engages with the moving resistor when the rear end regulating member is at a predetermined position in the stacking casing. The sheet stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The non-fixed movement restricting means is provided on the rear end restricting member, is movable in a direction contacting and separating from the stacking casing, and is biased to the stacking casing by a resistor biasing means. A moving resistor that hits the abutted portion of the loading housing and generates a resistance force relative to the loading housing,
Of the resistance force, a first resistance force that is generated when the moving resistor moves in the direction opposite to the feeding direction with respect to the stacking housing is such that the moving resistor acts on the stacking housing. The sheet stacking apparatus is characterized in that the surface of the abutted portion has an uneven shape so as to be larger than a second resistance force generated when moving in the feeding direction. The sheet stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
As the fixing means, a rack gear disposed on the stacking housing and having a plurality of teeth in the feeding direction, and disposed on the rear end regulating member, meshes with the teeth of the rack gear, and contacts and separates from the rack gear. And a claw portion urging means for urging the claw portion toward the rack gear.
The unloading operation member is configured to separate the claw portion from the rack gear by being applied with the operation force. A stacking means for stacking sheets;
In a feeding apparatus comprising a conveying unit that applies a feeding force to the sheet stacked on the stacking unit and feeds the sheet,
A sheet feeding device comprising the sheet stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 as the stacking unit. Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a feeding unit that feeds the sheet toward the image forming unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising the feeding device according to claim 13 as the feeding means.

Images