JP2507270B2 - Paper transport mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport path for transporting copy sheets and originals in an electrostatic copying machine, and more particularly to a paper transport mechanism which constitutes a curved transport path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying paper conveyance path or an original conveyance path in an electrostatic copying machine or the like is not always linear, and may be inevitably bent. Particularly, in an electrostatic copying machine having a double-sided copying function capable of forming an image on both sides of a copy sheet, a conveyance path is provided in order to invert and convey the copy sheet having an image formed on one side again. There are cases where they are arranged vertically, and a conveyance path portion having a bent shape is generated.

That is, a typical example of an electrostatic copying machine having a double-sided copying function is a copy paper conveyance path, copy paper supply means for supplying a sheet copy paper to the copy paper conveyance path, and copy paper return. And a copy sheet retransmitting means for receiving the copy sheet returned through the copy sheet returning path and for retransmitting the received copy sheet to the copy sheet conveying path. In such an electrostatic copying machine, the copy paper supplied from the copy paper supply means to the copy paper transport path is formed on one side of the copy paper while being transported through the copy paper transport path. And
When it is desired to form an image on only one side of the copy paper, the copy paper having the image formed on one side is discharged as it is from the copying machine. On the other hand, when it is desired to form an image on both sides of the copy paper, the copy paper having the image formed on one side is introduced into the copy paper return path, and is passed through the copy paper return path to the copy paper retransmitting means. Accepted. After that, the copy paper is re-supplied from the copy paper retransmitting means to the copy paper transport path, and an image is formed on the other surface of the copy paper while being re-transported through the copy paper transport path, thus forming an image on both sides. The copy paper is discharged outside the copying machine.

[0004]

Therefore, the copy paper return path is often laid out above and below the copy machine transfer path due to its structure. Therefore, the copy paper return path has a bent shape. A transport path portion is created. When a paper jam occurs in the bent copy paper transport path, it is difficult to remove the jammed paper relatively easily, and the operation for that is also complicated. That is, the bent copy paper conveyance path is divided into a plurality of linear portions, an opening mechanism is provided in each of the divided conveyance paths, and each opening mechanism is operated when the paper jammed in the conveyance path is removed. However, the operation of each opening mechanism is complicated. In addition, the provision of a plurality of opening mechanisms not only complicates the structure of the transport path but also increases the cost of the entire apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main technical problem is to open a conveying path with a simple operation when a paper jam occurs in the conveying path having a curved shape and in the vicinity thereof. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper transport mechanism that can easily remove a jammed paper and can be inexpensively configured without a complicated structure.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above main technical problem, according to the present invention, an upstream side conveyance path and a downstream side which is arranged non-linearly continuously with the upstream side conveyance path. A bent paper transport mechanism having a side transport path;
A first upstream-side transport element that constitutes the upstream-side transport path, and the first upstream-side transport element are disposed so as to face each other, and the upstream-side transport element cooperates with the first upstream-side transport element. Second configuring the path
Of the upstream transport element, the first downstream transport element that constitutes the downstream transport path, and the first downstream transport element that are disposed so as to face the first downstream transport element and cooperate with the first downstream transport element. A second downstream side transport element, which works to form the downstream side transport path, the second upstream side transport element and the first downstream side transport element, or the first upstream side transport element and the second A downstream side transport element, a movable frame body having an intermediate portion swingably supported, and the upstream side transport path and the downstream side transport path when the movable frame body is positioned at a closed position. And locating the movable frame at the open position to open the space between the first upstream side transport element and the second upstream side transport element, and the first downstream side transport element and the first downstream side transport element. There is provided a sheet transport mechanism, which is configured to open between the second downstream transport element and the second downstream transport element.

[0007]

In the paper transport mechanism according to the present invention, when the movable frame is positioned at the closed position, the second frame mounted on the movable frame is moved to the second position.
The upstream transport element and the first downstream transport element cooperate with the first upstream transport element and the second downstream transport element to form an upstream transport path and a downstream transport path. By rotating the movable frame to position it at the open position, the space between the first upstream side transport element and the second upstream side transport element is opened, and
The first downstream side transport element and the second downstream side transport element are opened.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a sheet conveying mechanism constructed according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electrostatic copying machine provided with a conveying path having a bent shape to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a sheet conveying mechanism constituted according to the present invention and its vicinity, FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state in which the sheet conveying mechanism constructed according to the present invention is opened.

The electrostatic copying machine shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the upper surface of the housing 2, a stationary transparent plate 4 on which a document (not shown) to be copied is placed, and an openable and closable document holder for covering the transparent plate 4 and the document placed thereon. The member 6 is provided. A rotary drum 8 having an electrostatic photosensitive member on its peripheral surface is rotatably mounted in a substantially central portion of the housing 2. A charging area 12, a developing area 16, a transfer area 18, and a cleaning area 20 are sequentially arranged around the rotary drum 8 which is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 10, when viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow 10. . The charging area 12 is provided with a charging corona discharger 22, the developing area 16 is provided with a developing device 24, and the transfer area 18 is provided with a transfer corona discharger 26 and a peeling corona discharger 28. The residual toner removing blade 32 is disposed in the cleaning area 20. Above the rotary drum 8, an optical system generally designated by the numeral 34 is arranged. The optical system 34 includes a movable original irradiation lamp 36, a first movable reflecting mirror 38, a second movable reflecting mirror 40, a third movable reflecting mirror 42, and a stationary lens assembly 44.
And a static reflector 46. When scanning exposure
The movable original irradiation lamp 36 and the first movable reflecting mirror 38 are
The second movable reflecting mirror 40 and the third movable reflecting mirror 42 are moved substantially horizontally to the right from the scanning exposure start position shown in FIG. 1 to the maximum scanning exposure end position, for example, at the required speed V.
Is moved substantially horizontally to the right from the scanning exposure start position shown in FIG. 1 to, for example, the maximum scanning exposure end position at half the required speed V / 2. At this time, the manuscript placed on the transparent plate 4 is irradiated by the movable manuscript irradiation lamp 36, and the reflecting mirror from the manuscript is divided into the first, second, and third parts as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Movable reflectors 38, 40 and 4
2 is sequentially reflected to reach the lens assembly 44, and then is reflected by the stationary reflecting mirror 46 to be projected on the photoconductor in the exposure area 14. When the scanning exposure is completed, the movable original irradiation lamp 36 and the first, second and third reflecting mirrors 38, 40 and 42 are returned to the scanning exposure starting position.

At one end of the housing 2, that is, at the right end in FIG. The illustrated copy paper feeding means 48 includes a lower cassette receiving portion 50a, an intermediate cassette receiving portion 50b, and an upper cassette receiving portion 50c. Lower cassette receiving part 50
a, middle cassette receiving portion 50b and upper cassette receiving portion 5
Each of 0c is selectively and detachably mounted with one of several types of copy paper cassettes 52 containing sheet copy papers of different sizes. Lower cassette receiving portion 50a,
Intermediate cassette receiving portion 50b and upper cassette receiving portion 50c
To each of the sheet feeding rollers 54a, 54a for feeding the copy sheets one by one from the copy sheet cassette 52 mounted therein.
b and 54c are provided. Lower cassette receiving part 50
The copy paper delivered from the copy paper cassette 52 mounted in a is introduced into the copy paper transport path indicated by 58 as a whole through the copy paper feed path 56a. Intermediate cassette receiver 50
The copy paper delivered from the copy paper cassette 52 mounted on the sheet b is introduced into the copy paper transport path 58 through the copy paper feed paths 56b and 56a. The copy paper delivered from the copy paper cassette 52 mounted on the upper cassette receiving portion 50c is introduced into the copy paper transport path 58 through the copy paper feed paths 56c, 56b and 56a. Copy paper feeding path 56
a is defined by guide plates 62 and 64, copy paper feed path 56b is defined by guide plates 66, 68 and 70, and a pair of feed rollers 72, and copy paper feed path 56c.
Is defined by guide plates 68, 70, 74 and 76 and a pair of feed rollers 78. Copy paper feeding means 4 shown
8 further includes a paper feed table mechanism 80. The paper feed table mechanism 80 is a table (not shown) that can be moved up and down.
The delivery roller 82 is disposed above the table. The copy paper sent from the table mechanism 80 is introduced into the copy paper transport path 58 through the copy paper feed path 56d and the copy paper re-supply path (described later). The copy paper feed path 56d is defined by the guide plates 84 and 86 and the feed roller pair 88.

The copy paper transport path 58 extends from the upstream end 90 to the downstream end 92 substantially horizontally from right to left in FIG. The copy sheet conveying path 58 is provided with the guide plate 64.
Downstream of the guide plate 94, the transport roller pair 96,
Guide plate pair 98, conveyance roller pair 100, guide plate 102, the transfer area 18 (that is, between the rotating drum 8 and the transfer corona discharger 26 and the peeling corona discharger 28), the transfer belt mechanism 104, and the guide plate 106. , Heating fixing roller pair 108,
It is defined by the guide plate pair 110 and the conveying roller pair 112.

A conveyance control means 114 is disposed adjacent to the downstream end 92 of the copy sheet conveyance path 58. The conveyance control unit 114 includes a lower movable guide member 118 and an upper movable guide member 120 that define a copy paper moving path 116 therebetween. The lower movable guide member 118 and the upper movable guide member 120 are selectively positioned at the lowered position shown by the solid line and the raised position shown by the chain double-dashed line. Transport control means 1
A copy paper discharge path 124 having a discharge roller pair 122 is provided on the downstream side of 14. At the other end of the housing 2, that is, at the left end in FIG.
Is detachably attached.

In connection with the above-mentioned transfer control means 114,
A copy paper reverse path indicated by reference numeral 128 and a copy paper return path indicated by reference numeral 130, which constitutes a conveyance path for conveying the copy paper whose conveyance direction is reversed by the copy paper reverse rotation path 128, are provided. Has been done. The copy paper reversing path 128 defined by the guide plate pair 132 extends in an appropriate curved shape from the upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the transport control means 114. At the upstream end of the copy paper reversing path 128, a reversing roller 134 that is selectively positioned at the non-acting position shown by the solid line and the working position shown by the chain double-dashed line is arranged. The copy sheet return path 130 extends from the upstream end adjacent to the upstream end of the above-mentioned transport control means 114 in a slightly downward direction from left to right in FIG. The copy paper returning path 130 is a copy paper returning means 136 that constitutes an upstream side conveying path, that is, a returning mechanism 138 arranged on the upstream side.
And a return control mechanism 140 which is disposed on the downstream side thereof and constitutes a downstream side conveyance path. The returning mechanism 138 forming the upstream side conveying path and the returning control mechanism 140 forming the downstream side conveying path are non-linearly continuous and form a bent conveying path. The copy paper returning means 136 will be described later. As will be easily understood by referring to FIG. 1, the lower movable guide member 1 of the conveyance control means 114 is provided.
When the 18 and the upper movable guide member 120 are positioned at the lower position shown by the solid line, the copy paper transport path 58 and the copy paper discharge path 124 communicate with each other via the copy paper moving path 116 in the transport control means 114. To be done. On the other hand, the lower movable guide member 118 and the upper movable guide member 12
When 0 is positioned at the ascending position indicated by the chain double-dashed line, the copy paper transport path 58 and the copy paper reverse rotation path 128 are made to communicate with each other via the copy paper moving path 116 in the transport control means 114, and the copy paper is also transported. The reverse rotation path 128 and the copy paper return path 130 are made to communicate with each other via the copy paper movement path 116 in the conveyance control means 114.

In the electrostatic copying machine shown in the figure, a copy paper retransmitting unit indicated by reference numeral 141 is provided below the copy paper returning path 130. This copy paper retransmitting means 1
41 includes a pedestal 142. The front part of the receiving table 142 is defined by the upper surface of the receiving block 144, and the rear part thereof is provided on the upper surface of the receiving block 144 at intervals in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). It is defined by the upper edges of the plurality of receiving projections 146 forming the member. The rear portion of the pedestal 142 extends slightly downward in the direction of feeding the copy paper, and the front portion thereof extends substantially horizontally. Stop means 148 is provided at the front end of the pedestal 142, that is, at the right end in FIG. The stopping means 148 is selectively positioned at either the operating position shown by the solid line or the non-operating position shown by the chain double-dashed line. A feeding roller 150 is provided on the front end of the pedestal 142. The feeding roller 150 is mounted so that it can freely move upward from a position in contact with the upper surface of the pedestal 142 (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) to a predetermined position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). And is normally forced downward by the biasing effect of its own weight (optional spring means if necessary).

Further, there is provided a copy paper re-supply path indicated by reference numeral 152, which extends from the front end of the copy paper retransmitting means 141 to the upstream end 90 of the copy paper transport path 58. The copy sheet re-supply path 152 is provided with the separation roller pair 15
4, guide plate pair 156, re-supply roller pair 158, guide plate pair 160, re-supply roller pair 162, guide plates 84, 86, 1
64, the resupply roller pair 168, and the guide plates 94 and 170.

The operation of the illustrated electrostatic copying machine as described above will be summarized as follows. The rotary drum 8 has an arrow 10.
It is rotated in the direction shown by, and in the charging area 12,
The surface of the photoconductor on the rotary drum 8 is charged to a specific polarity by the charging corona discharger 26, and in the exposure area 14, the image of the original document placed on the transparent plate 4 is transferred onto the photoconductor by the optical system 34. Scanning exposure is performed, thus forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. In the developing area 16, the developing device 2
Toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by means of 4 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. In the transfer area 18,
A copy sheet conveyed through the transfer area 18 (conveyance of the copy sheet will be further referred to later) is brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor, and the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred onto the copy sheet by the action of the transfer corona discharger 26. Transcribed. Next, the copy paper is peeled from the photoconductor by the action of the peeling corona discharger 28. The peeled copy paper is heated by a fixing roller pair 10
8, the toner image is fixed on the copy paper when passing through the heating and fixing roller pair 108. On the other hand, in the cleaning area 20, the residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoconductor by the action of the residual toner removing blade 32.

The conveyance of copy paper will be described below. First, a case of forming an image on only one side of a copy sheet will be described. In this case, the lower movable guide member 118 and the upper movable guide member 120 of the conveyance control unit 114 are positioned at the lowered position shown by the solid line. . Copy paper cassette 5 mounted on the lower cassette receiving portion 50a, the intermediate cassette receiving portion 50b, or the upper cassette receiving portion 50c.
2, or the copy paper introduced into the copy paper transport path 58 from the table (not shown) of the paper feed table mechanism 80 is transported through the copy paper transport path 58. During this time, the toner image is transferred to one surface (that is, the upper surface) of the copy paper in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed on the one surface of the copy paper by the action of the heat fixing roller pair 108, and thus the one surface of the copy paper. An image is formed on. Next, the copy paper is transferred from the copy paper transfer path 58 to the copy paper discharge path 124 through the copy paper moving path 116 in the transfer control means 114.
Is introduced to the tray 126 through the copy paper discharge path 124.
Is discharged to. Thus, a copy having an image formed on one side thereof is obtained.

When images are formed on both sides of copy paper,
First, the lower movable guide member 118 of the transfer control means 114.
And the upper movable guide member 120 is positioned at the raised position shown by the chain double-dashed line. Then, when the copying process is started,
It is introduced into the copy paper transport path 58 from the copy paper cassette 52 mounted on the lower cassette receiving portion 50a, the intermediate cassette receiving portion 50b or the upper cassette receiving portion 50c, or the table (not shown) of the paper feeding table mechanism 80. The copy paper is conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path 58. During this time, the toner image is transferred to one surface (that is, the upper surface) of the copy paper in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed on the one surface of the copy paper by the action of the heat fixing roller pair 108, and thus the one surface of the copy paper. An image is formed on. The copy paper from the copy paper conveyance path 58 is introduced into the copy paper reverse rotation path 128 through the copy paper movement path 116 in the conveyance control means 114, and proceeds through the copy paper reverse rotation path 128. At this time, the lower surface of the copy paper comes into contact with one of the pair of discharge rollers 122 which is being driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, and the slip is generated between the one discharge roller and the copy paper. Therefore, the copy paper can travel in a predetermined direction, even though such rollers are rotationally driven. When the trailing edge of the copy paper passes the downstream end of the copy paper transport path 58, that is, the nip portion of the transport roller pair 112, the reverse roller 1 provided at the upstream end of the copy paper reverse path 128.
34 is positioned at the operating position indicated by the chain double-dashed line, which presses the copy sheet against the one roller of the discharge roller pair 122. In this way, the copy paper is moved forward and backward by the action of the one discharge roller which is rotationally driven in the predetermined direction. Then, it is introduced into the copy paper returning path 130 through one of the rollers located below the conveying roller pair 92 and one of the guide plate pair 172, and advances through the copy paper returning path 130. The reverse rotation roller 134 in the copy paper reverse path 128 is returned to the non-acting position shown by the solid line at an appropriate time after the copy paper is introduced into the copy paper return path 130. The copy sheet advanced through the copy sheet return path 130 is guided to the receiving table 142 of the copy sheet retransmitting means 141 and moves to the right on the receiving table 142 in FIG. Then, the feeding roller 150 acts on the copy sheet to further feed the copy sheet to the right, and thus the leading edge of the copy sheet is brought into contact with the stop means 148 positioned at the operating position shown by the solid line. As a result, the copying paper is prevented from advancing, and the copying paper is stopped at the required position on the copying paper resending means 141. Even if the feeding roller 150 is rotated at this point, the feeding roller 1
A slippage is created between 50 and the copy sheet and the copy sheet cannot be advanced further.

When the required number of copy sheets are returned to the copy sheet retransmitting means 141 as described above, the conveyance control means 114
Lower movable guide member 118 and upper movable guide member 120
Is returned to the lowered position indicated by the solid line. Then, the stop means 148 of the copy paper retransmitting means 141 is positioned at the non-acting position indicated by the chain double-dashed line, and the copy paper retransmitting means 141 is rotated by the action of the feeding roller 150.
The copy paper is sent to the copy paper resupply path 152 from. The copy paper sent to the copy paper re-supply path 152 is advanced through the copy paper re-supply path 152 one by one, and is supplied again to the copy paper transport path 58. As easily understood by referring to FIG. 1, such a copy sheet is turned upside down by passing through a substantially semicircular copy sheet resupply path 152, and one side on which an image has already been formed is made a bottom side. In this state, it is supplied to the copy paper transport path 58. Next, the copy paper is conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path 58. At this time, the toner image is transferred to the other surface of the copy paper, that is, the upper surface in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed on the copy paper by the action of the heating and fixing roller pair 108. It is formed. Next, the copy paper is introduced from the copy paper carrying path 58 to the copy paper discharging path 124 through the copy paper moving path 116 in the carrying control means 114, and is discharged to the tray 126 through the copy paper discharging path 124. Thus, a copy having an image formed on both sides is obtained. Thus, the above-described structure and operation of the illustrated electrostatographic copying machine is merely an example of the electrostatographic copying machine to which the present invention can be applied, and therefore a detailed description thereof will not be given. , Omitted in this specification.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, the copy paper returning means 136 and its related elements will be described. A return mechanism 138 of the illustrated copy sheet return means 136.
Forms an upstream-side transport path of the transport path configured by the copy paper return path 130, and includes a first upstream-side transport element that constitutes the upstream-side transport path and the first upstream-side transport element. It is provided with a second upstream side transport element that is disposed so as to face each other and forms an upstream side transport path in cooperation with the first upstream side transport element. In this embodiment, the first upstream conveying element is the return roller 174, the guide plate 176, the return roller 178, the guide plate 1.
80, a return roller 182, and a guide plate 184, and the second upstream side transport element is the return roller 18
6, guide plate 188, return roller 190, guide plate 192,
It is composed of a return roller 194 and a guide plate 196. Further, the return control mechanism 140 causes the copy paper return path 13
0 forms a downstream side conveyance path of the conveyance path constituted by 0, and is arranged so as to face the first downstream side conveyance element that constitutes the downstream side conveyance path and the first downstream side conveyance element. A second transport path that cooperates with the first downstream transport element to form a downstream transport path
And a downstream side transport element. First in the present embodiment
The downstream-side transport elements are the return roller 198 and the guide plate 20.
0, return roller 202, guide plate 204 and return roller 2
06, and the second downstream side transport element is a return roller 208, a swing member 210, a return roller 212,
The swing member 214 and the return roller 216 are included.

In the present embodiment, between the first downstream transport element and the second downstream transport element of the return control mechanism 140 constituting the downstream transport path of the copy paper transport path, and the upstream transport path is configured. The first upstream conveying element and the second of the returning mechanism 138
The space between the upstream side transport elements is open.
More specifically, in the embodiment, the first movable frame 220 is swingably mounted between the front substrate (not shown) and the rear substrate 218 of the copying machine. The first movable frame 220 has a front wall (not shown) and a rear wall 222 that are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. One ends of the front wall and the rear wall 222 extend above the receiving projection 146 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the other ends thereof extend upward. In the embodiment, the protrusion 224 is formed at the substantially central portion of the front wall and the rear wall 222.
(Only the one provided on the rear wall 222 is shown in FIG. 2), and the protrusion (not shown) provided on the front wall is rotatably attached to the front substrate via the pin member. The projection 224 provided on the rear wall 222 is the pin member 2
It is rotatably attached to the rear substrate 218 via 26. Then, the first downstream side transport element of the return control mechanism 140 is attached to one end of the first movable frame 220.
That is, the return rollers 198, 202 and 206 are rotatably mounted between the front wall and the rear wall 222 of the first movable frame 220, and the guide plates 200 and 204 are mounted. Further, in the embodiment, most of the second upstream side transport element of the return mechanism 138 is mounted on the other end of the first movable frame 220. That is, in the embodiment, the return rollers 190 and 194 are rotatably mounted between the other ends of the front wall and the rear wall 222 of the first movable frame 220, and the guide plate 1
92 and 196 are mounted. In the example,
The remaining elements of the first upstream transport element and the second upstream transport element of the return mechanism 138 are mounted on the front substrate (not shown) and the rear substrate 218 as required. That is, the return rollers 174, 178, 182 and 186 are rotatably mounted between the front substrate and the rear substrate 218, and the guide plates 176, 18
0, 184 and 188 are mounted between the front substrate and the rear substrate 218. As described above, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the first movable frame 220 is swingable between the closed position shown in FIG. 2 and the open position shown in FIG. When it is moved to the position, it is moved from the nip portion of the return rollers 178 and 190 of the copy sheet return path 130 to the conveying roller 206.
And 216 up to the nip site.

Further, in this embodiment, the second movable frame body 228 is arranged below the first movable frame body 220. The second movable frame 228 also has a front wall (not shown) and a rear wall 230 that are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and one end of the front wall and the rear wall 230 has a connecting plate 232 interposed therebetween. It is connected. In the specific example, the other end of the front wall (not shown) of the second movable frame 228 is pivotally connected to the substantially central portion of the first movable frame 220 via a pin member (not shown). The other end of the rear wall 230 is rotatably connected to the substantially central portion of the first movable frame 220 via the pin member 234, and the return control mechanism 140 is provided between the front wall and the rear wall 230.
The first downstream transport element of the is mounted as desired.
That is, in the embodiment, the return rollers 208, 212 and 21
6 is rotatably mounted between the front wall (not shown) and the rear wall 230, and the swing members 210 and 214 are the front wall and the rear wall 23.
It is fixed to support shafts 236 and 238 that are rotatably mounted between 0 (the plurality of swing members 210 and 214 are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the support shafts 236 and 238, and are shown in FIGS. One of each of them is shown in FIG. 3).

One end of the first movable frame 220 and one end of the second movable frame 228 are further connected as follows. That is, in the specific example, the first movable frame 220
A short shaft 240 is planted on the inner surface of one end of the rear wall 222, and a short shaft 242 is also planted on the inner surface of one end of the rear wall 230 of the second movable frame body 228. One end of the connecting member 244 is rotatably connected via the. A long hole 246 is formed in the connecting member 244,
A short shaft 240 provided on the first movable frame 220 is movably received in the long hole 246. As described above, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, when the first movable frame 220 is in the closed position, the short shaft 240 is attached.
Is located at one end of the elongated hole 246 of the connecting member 244,
When the first movable frame 220 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 248 (FIG. 3) toward the open position by a predetermined angle, the short shaft 240 contacts the other end of the long hole 246 and exceeds the predetermined angle. When further rotated, the second movable frame body 228 is rotated along with the rotation of the first movable frame body 220 in the direction indicated by the arrow 248.
Is also rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 248.

In the embodiment, further, the first movable frame 220
A second holding means 252 for holding the first holding means 250 and the second movable frame body 228 in the working position shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the first holding means 250 comprises a first member 254 and a second member 256 slidably mounted within the first member 254. One end of the first member 254 has a shaft member 258 rotatably mounted between a front substrate (not shown) and a rear substrate 218.
The first member 254 and the second member 256, a biasing means 260 such as a coil spring for biasing the second member 256 in the extension direction is interposed between the first member 254 and the second member 256. A roller 262 is rotatably attached to the tip of 256. In the specific example, further, one end of the shaft member 258 penetrates a front substrate (not shown) and protrudes forward,
An operation lever 264 (shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 2 and 3) is attached to the protruding end of the shaft member 258. Further, in relation to the first holding means 250, a plate member 266 is fixed between a front wall (not shown) and a rear wall 222 of the first movable frame body 220.
A roller 262 acts on the upper surface of 6.
In the embodiment, the first movable frame 220 also has an arrow 2 due to the weight of itself and various components attached thereto.
It is configured to be biased in the direction indicated by 48 and, in this connection, a blocking means (not shown) for blocking pivoting movement of the first movable frame 220 beyond the open position.
Is attached. Since this is the case, when the operating lever 264 is operated to the release position shown in FIG. 3, the roller 262 of the first holding means 250 is moved to the first movable frame 22.
The first movable frame 2 is separated from the plate member 266 of No. 0.
The first movable frame 220 is held in the open position shown in FIG. 3 by rotating a part of 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow 248 and contacting the blocking means (not shown). On the other hand, when the operating lever 264 is operated to the locked position shown in FIG. 2, the roller 262 of the first holding means 250 acts on the upper surface of the plate member 266 of the first movable frame 220 as shown in FIG. Then, the first movable frame body 250 is held in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 by rotating the first movable frame body 250 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 248. In the embodiment, one end of the plate member 266 is bent upward, and therefore, the roller 262 of the first holding means 250 abuts on this bent portion, so that the lock position of the operation lever 264 is the locked position. Slewing motions beyond the limit are reliably prevented.

Further, the second holding means 252 is a support member 2 which is arranged below the second movable frame 228 so as to be rotatable.
A roller 270 is rotatably attached to the tip of the support member 268. In the embodiment, although not shown, the operating lever 264 and the supporting member 268 are drivingly connected to each other via a gear train, and when the operating lever 264 is in the lock position, the supporting member 268 is in the operating position shown in FIG. When in this operating position, the support member 26
8 is extended substantially vertically upward, and when the operating lever 264 is released, the support member 268 is moved to the non-acting position shown in FIG. 3 (when in the non-acting position, the support member 268 is moved to the second movable position). The pedestal 142 is positioned horizontally in the vertical direction apart from the frame body 228.

In the embodiment, an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) is associated with each of the support shafts 236 and 238.
Is attached. When a relatively long copy sheet is returned through the copy sheet return path 130, one electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) is energized and the swing member 210 is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 (from the position shown in FIG. 3)
It is located at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. Therefore, the relatively long copy paper is guided by the lower surface of the swinging member 210 and received by the upper edge of the receiving projection 146, that is, the receiving table 142. When an intermediate length copy sheet is returned through the copy sheet return path 130, the other electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) is energized and the swing member 214 is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Therefore, the copy paper of the intermediate length passes through the upper surface of the swinging member 210, is guided to the lower surface of the swinging member 214, and is received by the upper end edge of the receiving projection 146, that is, the receiving table 142. On the other hand, when a relatively short copy sheet is returned, the electromagnetic solenoid is not energized. Therefore, at this time, the copy paper passes through the upper surfaces of the swing members 210 and 214 and the return roller pair 20.
It is received in the pedestal 142 by the action of 6 and 216.

Next, the operation and effect of the copying machine having the above-mentioned copy paper return path 136 will be described.

When a paper jam occurs in the copy paper return path 130 or the copy paper retransmitting means 141, the operation lever 264 is operated to release the paper. As a result, the rollers 262 of the first holding means 250 are not moved to the first movable frame 22.
The first movable frame 2 is separated from the plate member 266 of No. 0.
20 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 248 by its own weight,
Further, when the first movable frame body 220 is rotated by a predetermined amount or more, the second movable frame body 228 is integrally formed with the first movable frame body 220 by the arrow 2
It is rotated in the direction indicated by 48, and thus the first movable frame 2
20 is held in the open position shown in FIG. 3 (a part thereof is held in the open position by contacting a blocking means (not shown)), and the second movable frame 228 is connected to the connecting member 244.
And is held in the position shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the first movable frame body 220 and the second movable frame body 228, that is, the first of the return control mechanism 140 that constitutes the downstream side conveyance path of the copy paper return path 130. A space between the downstream side transport element and the second downstream side transport element is opened as required. In addition, most of the second upstream-side transport elements forming the upstream-side transport path of the copy paper return path 130 and the first upstream-side transport elements are also opened as required. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs in the copy paper return path 130, most of the copy paper return path 130 is opened, so that the paper jammed in the copy paper return path 130 can be easily removed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second downstream side transport element of the return control mechanism 140 which defines one (upper side) of the downstream side portion of the copy paper return path 130 is different from the first downstream side transport element. Is moved upwards, and therefore,
Even if the first movable frame 220 is moved to the open position, there is a space above the receiving table 142 of the copy sheet resending means 141,
Therefore, when a paper jam occurs in the copy paper resending means 141, the jammed paper can be easily removed through this space. Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, when the first movable frame body 220 is moved to the open position, the second movable frame body 228 is also moved upward accordingly, and therefore the first movable frame body is opened. By moving the body 220 to the open position, the second movable frame body 228 and the cradle 1 of the copy sheet resending means 141 are moved.
A sufficient space is secured between the copy paper 42 and the copy paper retransmitting means 1
The jammed paper at 41 can be removed more easily. Further, when the operation lever 264 is operated in this way, the second holding means 252 is brought to the non-acting position shown in FIG. 3 via the gear train (not shown). Thus, the support member 2
68 is located substantially below the pedestal 142, and as can be understood from FIG. 3, it becomes even easier to remove the jammed paper in the copy paper resending means 141.

After removing the jammed paper as described above, the operation lever 264 is moved from the release position to the lock position. Thus, the roller 262 of the first holding means 250
Acts on the plate member 266 of the first movable frame body 220, and the first movable frame body 220 is turned in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 248 (thus, the second movable frame body 2).
28 is also turned). On the other hand, when the operation lever 264 is operated in this manner, the support member 268 of the second holding means 252 is positioned at the operating position shown in FIG. 2 via the gear train (not shown). Therefore, when operated in this way, the lower surface of the connecting plate 232 of the second movable frame 228 abuts the roller 270 of the second holding means 252, so that the pivoting movement beyond the operating position shown in FIG. Thus, the second movable frame body 228 is securely held in the operating position. Also, in relation to the second movable frame 228 being held in the working position, the pivoting movement of the first movable frame 220 causes the return rollers 208, 212 and 216 and the return rollers 198, 202 and 206. Are pressed against each other and thus the first movable frame 220 is displaced by the biasing means 26.
A biasing action of zero ensures that the closed position is maintained.

In the embodiment described above, the first movable frame 22
One end of 0 and one end of the second movable frame body 228 are connected via a connecting member 244. When the first movable frame body 220 is swung in the opening direction by a predetermined amount, the connecting member 244 is formed.
The second movable frame body 228 is also configured to be swung upward by the action of, but instead of this, the second movable frame body 228 can be swung using the second holding means 252. You can also With reference to FIG. 4 showing another embodiment (note that in FIG. 4, the same members as those in the concrete examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals), in such a modification, the second movable frame is used. A connecting plate 232 ′ connecting the front wall (not shown) and the rear wall 230 of the body 228 is provided with an action protrusion 302 protruding downward. In connection with this, the second holding means 252 is always mounted so as to be located at the first position shown in FIG. 4 (thus, in this modification, the first movable frame 220 is closed). The second movable frame body 228 is associated with the gear train for moving the second holding means 252 with the pivotal movement toward the position, and the pivotal movement of the first movable frame body 220 toward the closed position. The connecting member for turning can be omitted). The other structure of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the first
When the movable frame body 220 of the first movable frame body 220 is swung upward as indicated by an arrow 248, as will be understood from FIG.
The pivot axis (pin member 226) of the second movable frame 2 is
Since it is located above and away from the central axis of rotation of 28 (pin member 234), the action protrusion provided on the connecting plate 232 ′ of the second movable frame body 228 with the rotation of the first movable frame body 220. The section 302 comes to ride on the roller 270 of the second holding unit 252. When the first movable frame 229 is partially moved to the open position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4, the action projection 302 of the connecting plate 232 'is moved to the second holding means 252 as shown by the chain double-dashed line. When the second movable frame body 228 is completely lifted, the second movable frame body 228 is moved slightly upward from the operating position shown by the solid line, and the plurality of one-side elements and the plurality of one-side elements of the return control mechanism 140 are arranged in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. The other side elements are opened as required, and a sufficient space is created above the pedestal 142 of the copy sheet feeding means 141. In order to allow the working protrusion 302 to easily ride on the roller of the second holding means 252, it is preferable to incline the tip of the working protrusion 302 as shown in FIG.
Although the action protrusion 302 has a function of rotating the second movable frame 228 upward, a desired effect can be achieved without the action protrusion 302.

The specific embodiment in which the paper transporting mechanism constructed according to the present invention is applied to the copy paper returning path of the electrostatic copying machine has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first movable frame 220 is provided with the second upstream side transport element and the first downstream side transport element, but the first upstream side transport element and the second downstream side transport element are mounted. The transport element may be mounted on the movable frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the first movable frame 220 is biased toward the open position by its own weight. However, the biasing means is provided separately, and the first movable frame is operated by the biasing means. The body 220 can be configured to bias towards the open position. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the paper carrying mechanism according to the present invention is applied to the copy paper returning path of the electrostatic copying machine, but it may be used for other copy paper carrying paths having a bent portion. Further, it may be applied to a document feeding path having a bent portion.

[0035]

The paper transport mechanism according to the present invention configures a second upstream transport element that constitutes an upstream transport path and a first downstream transport element or an upstream transport path that configures a downstream transport path. The first downstream side transport element and the second downstream side transport element forming the downstream side transport path are mounted on a movable frame body whose intermediate portion is swingably supported, and the movable frame body is set to a closed position. When positioned, the upstream side transport path and the downstream side transport path are defined,
By positioning the movable frame at the open position, the space between the first upstream side transport element and the second upstream side transport element is opened, and the first downstream side transport element and the second downstream side transport element are opened. Since it is configured to open between the side conveying element and the side conveying element, by operating the movable frame body to the open position, it is possible to simultaneously open the upstream side conveying path and the downstream side conveying path forming the curved conveying path. . Therefore, the operation of opening the transport path is simple, and the jammed paper can be easily removed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of opening mechanisms for the transport path, the structure is simplified and an inexpensive paper transport mechanism can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration sectional view of an electrostatic copying machine provided with a conveyance path having a bent shape to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a paper transport mechanism configured according to the present invention.

3 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state in which a conveyance path defined by the sheet conveyance mechanism in FIG. 2 is opened.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the paper transport mechanism according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Housing 4: Still transparent plate 6: Original pressing member 8: Rotating drum 12: Charge area 14: Exposure area 16: Development area 18: Transfer area 20: Cleaning area 22: Charging corona discharger 24: Developing device 28: Peeling corona discharger 32: Residual toner removal blade 34: Optical system 36: Movable original irradiation lamp 38: First movable reflecting mirror 40; Second movable reflecting mirror 42; Third movable reflecting mirror 44: Still lens assembly Solid 46: Static reflecting mirror 48: Copy paper supply means 52; Copy paper cassette 58; Copy paper transport path 80: Paper feed table mechanism 114: Transport control means 116: Copy paper moving path 118: Lower movable guide member 120: Upper side Movable guide member 128: Copy paper reverse rotation path 130: Copy paper return path 134: Reverse rotation roller 136: Copy paper return means 138: Return mechanism 140: Return control Structure 141: Copying paper retransmitting means 142: Receiving stand 144: Receiving block 146: Receiving ridge 148: Stopping means 152: Copying paper re-supplying path 220: First movable frame 224: Protrusion 226: Pin member 228: No. 2 movable frame 244: connecting member 250: first holding means 252: second holding means 264: operating lever

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bent paper transport mechanism having an upstream transport path and a downstream transport path which is arranged non-linearly continuously with the upstream transport path; A first upstream transport element that constitutes the second upstream transport element, and a second upstream transport element that is arranged so as to face the first upstream transport element and that cooperates with the first upstream transport element to configure the upstream transport path. Upstream transport element, a first downstream transport element that constitutes the downstream transport path, and a first downstream transport element that are arranged to face the first downstream transport element and cooperate with the first downstream transport element. A second downstream side transport element, which works to form the downstream side transport path, the second upstream side transport element and the first downstream side transport element, or the first upstream side transport element and the second And a movable frame body having a downstream side transport element mounted therein and having an intermediate portion supported so as to be swingable, and the movable frame body is positioned at a closed position. The upstream transport path and the downstream transport path are defined, and the movable frame is positioned at the open position to open the space between the first upstream transport element and the second upstream transport element. At the same time, the sheet transport mechanism is configured to open a space between the first downstream transport element and the second downstream transport element. 2. The movable frame body is configured to be biased toward the open position, and the movable frame body is releasable to the closed position against a biasing force acting on the movable frame body. The sheet conveying mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a holding unit that holds the sheet.