JP2021172512A - Pull-in device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve not only reduction of an impact when attaching a storage part but also improvement of operability when the storage part is pulled out.SOLUTION: A pull-in device 40 comprises: a locking member 45 extending in an insertion direction with respect to a device body 171; and a rotation member 42 rotating locking the locking member 45, a rotary damper 43 generating a resistance force and an intermediate transmitter 44 transmitting the resistance force between the rotary damper 43 and the rotation member 42 in a predetermined direction which are provided in the device body 171. The rotation member 42 can apply the resistance force via the locking member 45. The intermediate transmitter 44 transmits the resistance force in a case of the rotation of the rotation member 42 in a first direction Y1, and blocks transmission of the resistance force in a case of the rotation of the rotation member 42 in a second direction Y2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a pull-in device and an image forming apparatus including the pull-in device.

The image forming apparatus is usually provided in the paper feed section so that a paper feed cassette accommodating a plurality of sheets can be inserted and pulled out. In the paper feeding unit, the sheets are fed one by one toward the sheet transport path in order from the highest sheet among the accommodated sheets. When the sheet in the paper feed cassette runs out or the type of sheet is changed, the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the main body of the device to replenish the sheet, and then inserted into the main body of the device again and attached.

However, the paper cassette with a large number of sheets replenished is heavy, and requires force when it is inserted into the main body of the apparatus. Therefore, it often happens that the paper cassette is not inserted to the proper position. In addition, because the paper cassette is heavy, excessive force may be applied to the paper cassette, and the paper cassette may be mounted vigorously. There was also the problem that it would be damaged.

On the other hand, when the paper cassette is inserted to a certain position, the paper cassette is pulled to the mounting position while guiding the pull-in portion provided at the end of the paper cassette, and the momentum in the insertion direction of the paper cassette is increased. There is also known a configuration in which a paper feed cassette is slowly pulled in by applying a suppressing resistance force (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-151687

When a resistance force is applied to a sheet accommodating portion such as the paper feed cassette so as to soften the impact at the time of mounting, it is necessary to set a pull-in force corresponding to the resistance force to a sufficiently large size. On the other hand, this pull-in force also serves as a resistance force in the pull-out direction when the accommodating portion is pulled out. That is, by providing a configuration for reducing the impact when the accommodating portion is attached, on the contrary, there is a problem that the operating force required for pulling out the accommodating portion is increased and the operability is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is not only to reduce the impact when mounting the accommodating portion but also to improve the operability when pulling out the accommodating portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pull-in device and an image forming device capable of performing the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a retracting device provided in a device main body and a housing portion that can be inserted and pulled out from the device main body, and the housing portion is inserted in the insertion direction with respect to the device main body. An extending locking member is provided, and the device main body includes a rotating member that locks and rotates on the locking member, and a suppressing member that generates a resistance force that suppresses the rotation of the rotating member. An intermediate transmitter that transmits the resistance force only in a predetermined direction is provided between the restraining member and the rotating member, and the rotating member transmits the resistance force to the accommodating portion via the locking member. The intermediate transmitter transmits the resistance force to the rotation of the rotating member in the first direction corresponding to the insertion direction of the accommodating portion, and corresponds to the withdrawal direction of the accommodating portion. The rotation of the rotating member in the second direction is characterized in that the transmission of the resistance force is blocked.

Further, according to the present invention, in the pulling device having the above configuration, the rotating member is provided with a first engaging portion that rotates integrally with the rotating member, and the intermediate transmitter is provided with the first engaging portion. A second engaging portion that can be engaged with the joint portion and is connected to the restraining member is provided, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with the rotation in the first direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the resistance force is transmitted, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are disengaged from the rotation in the second direction, so that the transmission of the resistance force is cut off.

Further, according to the present invention, in the pulling device having the above configuration, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are brought into contact with and engaged with each other when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion rotate in the first direction. It is preferable to have a ratchet that transmits a resistance force and disengages the engagement by sliding the opposing surfaces in the rotation in the second direction.

Further, according to the present invention, in the pulling device having the above configuration, the locking member may have a rack gear along the insertion direction, and the rotating member may include a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus provided with a pull-in device according to each of the above-mentioned solutions can also be included in the technical idea of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible not only to reduce the impact when mounting the accommodating portion, but also to improve the operability when pulling out the accommodating portion.

It is sectional drawing which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the pull-in device provided in the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view of the pull-in device shown from the opposite side of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the internal structure of the pull-in device. It is a top view which shows the state at the pulling start position in the pulling device. It is a top view which shows the state at the pulling completion position of the pulling device.

The pull-in device and the image forming device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, an apparatus for forming and outputting an image, such as a copier and a multifunction device having a copying function such as a printer, or a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) including a function other than copying. It is said that.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. The image data handled by the image forming apparatus 10 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). It depends on the monochrome image used.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an optical scanning apparatus 11, and irradiates a photoconductor drum 13 as an image carrier in a charged state with a laser beam corresponding to image information composed of a digital signal to obtain an electrostatic latent image. Form. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with four developing apparatus 12, a photoconductor drum 13, a drum cleaning apparatus 14, a charging device 15, and the like in order to form four types of toner images corresponding to each color. The four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are associated with black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively.

In any of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, after the residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 is removed and recovered by the drum cleaning device 14, the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 is made uniform to a predetermined potential by the charger 15. Is charged, and the photoconductor drum 13 is exposed by the optical scanning device 11. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 is developed by the developing device 12 to form a toner image.

The developing device 12 visualizes the latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 with four color (KCMY) toners. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 13.

While the intermediate transfer belt 21 orbits, the belt cleaning device 22 removes and recovers the residual toner of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the toner images of each color on the surface of each photoconductor drum 13 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21. The toner images are superposed to form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

A nip region is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 23a of the secondary transfer device 23. The sheet conveyed through the sheet transfer path 31 is sandwiched in the nip area and conveyed, and the color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the sheet. The resist sensor 26 detects a test pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 which is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction as the intermediate transfer belt 21 moves around. In the fixing device 16, the color toner image on the sheet is fixed by sandwiching the sheet between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25, heating and pressurizing the sheet.

The paper feed device 17 includes a paper feed cassette (accommodation unit) 18 for accommodating sheets as a recording medium used for image formation, and feeds the sheets one by one in the paper feed direction from the paper feed cassette 18. .. The sheet is pulled out from the paper feed cassette 18 by the pickup roller 33, conveyed through the sheet transfer path 31, is conveyed to the output tray 39 via the discharge roller 36 via the secondary transfer device 23 and the fixing device 16. NS. As a result, the image-formed sheet is discharged to the output tray 39.

In the sheet transfer path 31, the sheet is temporarily stopped, the tips of the sheets are aligned, and then the sheet transfer is started in accordance with the transfer timing of the toner image in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 23a. A resist roller 34, a transfer roller 35 for promoting sheet transfer, and the like are arranged.

In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the paper feed cassette 18 is provided in the paper feed device 17 as a sheet accommodating portion so that it can be inserted and pulled out. The paper cassette 18 can be loaded with a large number of sheets having any one selected sheet size, such as A4 size, B5 size, and legal size.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a paper cassette 18 mounted on the paper feed device 17 with a part omitted. In the figure, the arrow X1 indicates the insertion direction of the paper feed cassette 18 with respect to the device main body 171 of the paper feed device 17 or the direction toward the back side of the device main body 171. The direction toward the front side of the apparatus main body 171 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed cassette 18 includes a bottom plate 181 and a wall portion 182, and wall portions 182 are erected on the four circumferences of the upper surface of the bottom plate 181 and are open to the top surface side. The paper feed device 17 is provided with a storage space for the paper feed cassette 18 in the device main body 171. The wall portion 182 on the front side of the paper feed cassette 18 is provided with a handle portion 183 for insertion and withdrawal operations.

(Pull-in device)
In the present embodiment, the paper feed device 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a pull-in device 40 that assists the insertion and withdrawal operations of the paper feed cassette 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the pull-in device 40 is arranged between the paper feed cassette 18 mounted on the paper feed device 17 and the back side (the leading side in the insertion direction X1) of the device main body 171.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pull-in device 40 as viewed from the back side of the device main body 171, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the locking member 45 and the rotating member 42 of the pull-in device 40. Note that FIG. 4 shows the pull-in device 40 as viewed from below on the opposite side of FIG. 3, and the housing 41 constituting the bottom of the device is not shown.

The pull-in device 40 has a function of pulling in the paper feed cassette 18 as an accommodating portion to a predetermined position (a position at which the paper can be fed is completed) in the main body 171 of the device. The housing 41 constituting the retracting device 40 is provided with a rotating member 42, a rotary damper 43 as a restraining member, an intermediate transmitter 44, and the like. The housing 41 is fixed to the device main body 171 of the paper feeding device 17. Further, as the pull-in device 40, the paper cassette 18 is provided with a locking member 45 extending along the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking member 45 is formed in an arm shape extending in the insertion direction X1 and extends from the wall portion 182 on the back side of the paper cassette 18.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotating member 42 is rotatably supported on the bottom surface of the housing 41. The rotating member 42 is a fan-shaped gear provided with a pinion gear 422, and is configured to be locked to the locking member 45 so that it can rotate about the rotating shaft 421. On one side surface of the locking member 45 facing the rotating member 42, a rack gear 451 that meshes with the pinion gear 422 is provided along the longitudinal direction (insertion direction X1). A cover that covers the entire housing 41 may be attached and covered with constituent members such as the rotating member 42.

The rotating member 42 has a rotation direction Y1 corresponding to the insertion direction X1 of the paper feed cassette 18 and a rotation direction opposite to the first direction Y1 corresponding to the withdrawal direction X2 of the paper feed cassette 18. It is rotatably supported in the second direction Y2, which is the moving direction. A rotary damper 43 is arranged on the opposite side of the locking member 45 with respect to the rotating member 42.

The rotary damper 43 is a rotating system damping device that utilizes a braking force generated by the viscous resistance of oil, and is configured so that the rotor rotates in a main body filled with oil. The rotary damper 43 generates a large load when the rotation speed is high, and generates a small load when the rotation speed is low. The generated load is transmitted to the intermediate transmission body 44 as a resistance force, and suppresses the rotation of the rotating member 42 via the intermediate transmission body 44.

The intermediate transmitter 44 acts to transmit a resistance force between the rotary damper 43 and the rotating member 42 only in a predetermined direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the intermediate transmitter 44 has a large diameter portion 441 and a small diameter portion 442 and is rotatably provided coaxially with the rotating member 42 (the same rotating shaft 421). The rotary damper 43 is provided so as to mesh with the large diameter portion 441 of the intermediate transmitter 44.

Further, the intermediate transmitter 44 is a one-way gear capable of transmitting a rotational driving force in only one direction. The intermediate transmitter 44 and the rotating member 42 are connected via a one-way mechanism, and by engaging the one-way mechanism in only one direction, the intermediate transmitter 44 and the rotating member 42 are unidirectionally engaged with each other. Only rotation is transmitted.

In the illustrated form, a ratchet mechanism is provided as a one-way mechanism. The intermediate transmitter 44 transmits a resistance force to the rotation of the rotating member 42 in the first direction Y1 corresponding to the insertion direction X1 of the paper feed cassette 18, and rotates in accordance with the withdrawal direction X2 of the paper feed cassette 18. The transmission of the resistance force is blocked from the rotation of the member 42 in the second direction Y2.

The intermediate transmitter 44 has a ratchet on a small diameter portion 442 integrally provided above the large diameter portion 441. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the small diameter portion 442 of the intermediate transmitter 44 is provided with a second ratchet 443 as a second engaging portion. The small diameter portion 442 having the second ratchet 443 is integrated with the large diameter portion 441 below the small diameter portion 442, and the large diameter portion 441 is arranged so as to mesh with the rotary damper 43.

On the other hand, the rotating member 42 is provided with a first ratchet 423 as a first engaging portion so as to be engaged with the second ratchet 443 of the intermediate transmitter 44. Both the first ratchet 423 and the second ratchet 443 have a meshing shape in which serrated claws and square recesses are alternately continuous. As shown in FIG. 3, the first ratchet 423 and the second ratchet 443 both rotate in the first direction Y1 when the facing surfaces contact and engage with each other in the rotation in the first direction Y1 in the drawing. It will move. Further, in the first ratchet 423 and the second ratchet 443, when the rotation in the second direction Y2 in the drawing is performed, the facing surfaces (sawtooth-shaped claws) slide and the engagement is disengaged.

Here, a compression spring 471 is disposed below the large-diameter portion 441 of the intermediate transmitter 44 with the housing 41. As a result, the large diameter portion 441 is urged upward. The intermediate transmitter 44 is provided so as to be constantly pressed against the first ratchet 423 of the rotating member 42 by the urging force of the compression spring 471.

When the paper cassette 18 is inserted into the apparatus main body 171 and the locking member 45 moves in the insertion direction X1, the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45 are engaged with each other at the pull-in start position of the paper cassette 18. That is, the rack gear 451 of the locking member 45 and the pinion gear of the rotating member 42 mesh with each other. After that, the rotating member 42 rotates in the first direction Y1 while the rack gear 451 and the pinion gear 422 mesh with each other.

An urging member for urging the rotating member 42 in the first direction Y1 is connected to the rotating member 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating member 42 is provided with a boss portion 424, and for example, one end of a tension spring 472 as an urging member is engaged with the boss portion 424. The other end of the tension spring 472 is fixed to the apparatus main body 171. The rotating member 42 is urged by a tension spring 472 to rotate in the first direction Y1 with the rotating shaft 421 as a fulcrum.

Further, the pull-in device 40 includes a stopper member 46 on the housing 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the stopper member 46 is provided so as to be located between the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45.

In the exemplary embodiment, the stopper member 46 has a main body portion 461 that is long along the insertion direction X1 (pull-out direction X2), a contact portion 462 projecting from one end of the main body portion 461, and the other end on the housing 41. A support protrusion 463 for supporting is provided. The main body portion 461 is axially supported by a support portion 411 erected on the housing 41 in the middle of the longitudinal direction.

A shaft holding portion 464 is provided in the middle of the main body portion 461 in the longitudinal direction. The shaft portion of the support portion 411 is held by the shaft holding portion 464. In the stopper member 46, the main body portion 461 is swingably supported around the shaft holding portion 464. The contact portion 462 projects upward from the main body portion 461, and abuts on the stopper protrusion 425 provided on the rotating member 42 in an inclined state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The rotating member 42 urged by the tension spring 472 is pressed by the contact portion 462 so as not to rotate.

Further, a torsion spring 473 is provided as an urging member on the outer surface of the shaft holding portion 464. One end of the torsion spring 473 is locked to the main body 461 of the stopper member 46, and the other end is locked to the bearing 411. The oscillating stopper member 46 can be returned to its original posture in contact with the stopper protrusion 425 of the rotating member 42 by the urging force of the torsion spring 473.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 461 includes a columnar guide portion 465 that projects from the side surface in the direction of the locking member 45. A sliding ridge 452 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the lower surface of the locking member 45. The sliding ridge 452 is projected downward from the lower surface of the locking member 45 in a strip shape. The sliding ridge 452 is provided on the tip end side of the locking member 45 with an ascending tapered portion 453 in the insertion direction X1 and is smoothly connected to the lower surface of the locking member 45.

When the locking member 45 moves in the insertion direction X1, the guide portion 465 of the stopper member 46 slides on the lower surface of the locking member 45 to abut the tapered portion 453, and further slides along the tapered portion 453. Along with this, the stopper member 46 swings in the direction of the arrow M shown in FIG. Since the contact portion 462 moves downward, it is separated from the stopper protrusion 425. As a result, the rotating member 42 is released from the stopper.

As described above, the stopper member 46 of the pulling device 40 has an action of blocking the rotation of the rotating member 42 and an action of releasing the stopper as the locking member 45 moves to make the rotating member 42 rotatable. It has both.

5A to 5C are plan views schematically showing the internal configuration of the pull-in device 40. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the rotating member 42 and the stopper member 46 are not locked, and FIG. 5B shows the stopper being released. The state at the pull-in start position where the rotating member 42 and the stopper member 46 are locked, and FIG. 5C shows the state at the pull-in complete position.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the paper feed cassette 18 is being inserted, the contact portion 462 of the stopper member 46 is in contact with the stopper protrusion 425 of the rotating member 42. In this way, when the stopper member 46 acts on the rotating member 42, the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45 are arranged in a positional relationship that does not lock.

The rotating member 42 urged as described above is in a state in which rotation in the first direction Y1 is prevented by locking the stopper member 46. Therefore, during the insertion of the paper cassette 18, the rotating member 42 cannot rotate until the stopper is released, and the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45 do not lock. Therefore, the paper cassette 18 is inserted. It can be inserted smoothly without resistance.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the paper cassette 18 is further inserted, the locking member 45 further moves in the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 4, when the locking member 45 passes through the guide portion 465 of the stopper member 46, the guide portion 465 slides along the tapered portion 453 and the sliding ridge 452. As a result, the main body portion 461 of the stopper member 46 swings in the direction of the arrow M, and the contact portion 462 separates from the stopper protrusion 425 of the rotating member 42. Since the stopper 42 is released, the rotating member 42 can rotate.

Since the rotating member 42 is urged in the first direction Y1 by the tension spring 472, the rotating member 42 rotates in the first direction Y1 when the stopper is released. As a result, the pinion gear 422 of the rotating member 42 and the rack gear 451 of the locking member 45 are locked, and the paper feed cassette 18 is started to be pulled in by the pulling device 40.

During the pull-in operation of the paper cassette 18, the load (torque) of the rotary damper 43 acts via the intermediate transmitter 44. The ratchet mechanism (one-way mechanism) of the intermediate transmitter 44 meshes the first ratchet 423 and the second ratchet 443, and the rotating member 42 and the intermediate transmitter 44 rotate together. The resistance force is transmitted between the rotating member 42 and the rotary damper 43 via the one-way mechanism of the intermediate transmitter 44. The rotating member 42 applies a resistance force to the movement of the locking member 45 in the insertion direction X1. As a result, the paper cassette 18 including the locking member 45 is slowly inserted.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the rotating member 42 rotates while applying a resistance force to the locking member 45, and pulls the paper cassette 18 to the pull-in complete position. Since the paper cassette 18 is slowly inserted to the position where the drawing is completed, the impact is suppressed, and the sheet is prevented from being displaced and the apparatus main body 171 is prevented from being damaged.

On the other hand, when the paper cassette 18 is pulled out from the main body 171 of the apparatus, the locking member 45 moves in the pulling direction X2 as shown in FIG. 5C. The rotating member 42 locked to the locking member 45 rotates in the second direction Y2. At this time, the ratchet mechanism of the intermediate transmitter 44 disengages the first ratchet 423 and the second ratchet 443 (see FIG. 4). The transmission of the resistance force between the rotating member 42 and the rotary damper 43 is cut off.

The load of the rotary damper 43 is not transmitted to the rotating member 42, and the rotating member 42 rotates in the second direction Y2 without transmitting the resistance force via the intermediate transmitter 44. The rotating member 42 rotates in the second direction Y2 in response to the amount of movement of the locking member 45 in the pulling direction X2. As a result, the locking member 45 can be moved in the pull-out direction X2 without resistance, and the paper cassette 18 can be pulled out smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the locking member 45 moves to the pull-in start position again in the pull-out direction X2, the stopper member 46 returns to the original posture by the urging force of the torsion spring 473. The contact portion 462 of the stopper member 46 is locked to the stopper protrusion 425 of the rotating member 42. As shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation of the rotating member 42 in the second direction Y2 is stopped, and the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45 are separated from each other. During that time, the paper cassette 18 can be pulled out without resistance.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the paper feed device 17 with the pull-in device 40, not only the paper feed cassette 18 is pulled in to an appropriate mounting position while reducing the impact when the paper feed cassette 18 is mounted, but also the feeding device 40 is supplied. When the paper cassette 18 is pulled out, the transmission of the resistance force can be blocked to reduce the load in the pulling direction X2, and the operability can be improved. Further, the stopper member 46 of the pull-in device 40 locks the rotating member 42 and the locking member 45 at the pull-in start position of the paper feed cassette 18, so that the resistance force can be smoothly transmitted.

In the present embodiment, the pull-in device 40 that pulls the paper feed cassette 18 into the device main body 171 of the paper feed device 17 has been described, but the pull-in device 40 that cuts off the transmission of the resistance force in the pull-out direction X2 is the paper feed device 17. It may be provided in other devices other than the above. For example, the pull-in device 40 may be provided for the accommodating portion that is inserted or pulled out in the developing device 12, the fixing device 16, or the like, and can be applied in the same manner as described above.

In addition, the configuration of each part of the pull-in device 40 according to the present invention is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the pull-in device 40 according to the above-described embodiment, the ratchet mechanism is provided as the one-way mechanism of the intermediate transmitter 44, but the ratchet mechanism is not limited to the ratchet mechanism, and a one-way clutch or the like may be used. The rotary damper 43 may be a restraining member having another configuration as long as it can generate a load (torque) acting on the rotation of the rotating member 42.

Further, in the present invention, in order to transmit the resistance force, the structure is not limited to the configuration in which the intermediate transmitter 44 and the rotating member 42 are provided on the same rotating shaft 421, and the suppressing member (rotary damper 43) is further provided. Provided on the same rotating shaft 421, these rotating members 42, the intermediate transmitter 44, and the suppressing member are arranged coaxially, and a resistance force is applied only in a predetermined direction between the suppressing member and the rotating member 42. It may be configured to transmit.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the multifunction device as shown in FIG. 1, but is a color printer, a monochrome multifunction device, a monochrome printer, a color multifunction device provided with an inkjet recording type image forming unit, a color printer, or the like. It is also applicable to other image forming devices, including devices that can be inserted and pulled out.

The technical scope of the present invention is not to be construed solely by the above-described embodiment, but is based on the scope of claims. In addition, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

10 Image forming device 11 Optical scanning device 12 Developing device 13 Photoreceptor drum 17 Paper feeding device 171 Device main body 18 Paper feeding cassette (accommodation unit)
40 Retracting device 41 Housing 411 Bearing 42 Rotating member 421 Rotating shaft 422 Pinion gear 423 1st ratchet (1st engaging part)
424 Boss 425 Stopper protrusion 43 Rotary damper (suppressing member)
44 Intermediate transmitter 441 Large diameter part 442 Small diameter part 443 Second ratchet (second engaging part)
45 Locking member 451 Rack gear 452 Sliding ridge 453 Tapered part 46 Stopper member 461 Main body part 462 Contact part 463 Supporting ridge part 464 Shaft holding part 465 Guide part

Claims (5)

A pull-in device provided in a device main body and a housing portion that can be inserted into and pulled out from the device main body.
The accommodating portion is provided with a locking member extending in the insertion direction with respect to the apparatus main body.
The device main body includes a rotating member that rotates by being locked to the locking member, a suppressing member that generates a resistance force that suppresses the rotation of the rotating member, and the suppressing member and the rotating member. An intermediate transmitter that transmits the resistance force only in a predetermined direction is provided between the two.
The rotating member can apply the resistance force to the accommodating portion via the locking member.
The intermediate transmitter transmits the resistance force to the rotation of the rotating member in the first direction corresponding to the insertion direction of the accommodating portion, and the first of the rotating members corresponding to the withdrawal direction of the accommodating portion. A pull-in device characterized by blocking the transmission of the resistance force in rotation in two directions. In the pull-in device according to claim 1,
The rotating member is provided with a first engaging portion that rotates integrally with the rotating member.
The intermediate transmitter is provided with a second engaging portion that is engageable with the first engaging portion and is connected to the restraining member.
In the rotation in the first direction, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged and the resistance force is transmitted.
A pull-in device characterized in that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are disengaged from the rotation in the second direction, and the transmission of the resistance force is cut off. In the pull-in device according to claim 2,
In the rotation of the first direction, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion contact and engage with each other to transmit the resistance force and rotate in the second direction. Is a pull-in device characterized by having a ratchet in which opposing surfaces slide to disengage from each other. In the pull-in device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A pull-in device, wherein the locking member has a rack gear along the insertion direction, and the rotating member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear. An image forming apparatus comprising the retracting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images