JP4487642B2 - Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a pick-up roll that picks up paper stored in a paper feed tray of an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a printer, and a feed roll that conveys the paper picked up by the pick-up roll downstream in the paper transport direction. A paper feed roll support member that is detachably supported, and between the operation position where the paper feed roll support member performs a paper feed operation and the roll attachment / detachment position where the pickup roll and the feed roll are attached / detached The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device configured to rotate at a position and an image forming apparatus including the sheet feeding device.
The reason why the paper feed roll support member is configured to be rotatable between the operation position and the roll attachment / detachment position is as follows.
(1) To improve visibility and facilitate work in operations such as roll replacement, cleaning, and paper jam removal.
(2) The work is facilitated by opening the frame structure on which the feed roll, the parts for its operation, the cover and the like are arranged.
(3) It relates to a mechanism that reduces the weight of the structure itself, reduces the operating force in the opening and closing operation, and improves workability.

In order to improve the operability of the image forming apparatus, such as replacement and cleaning of paper feed rolls such as pick-up rolls and feed rolls, and operability to make it easier to see the periphery when removing jammed paper. The following patent document is conventionally known as a conventional technique for configuring a member (feeding roll support member) that supports a feeding roll such as the pickup roll and feed roll to be rotatable (openable and closable). is there.
(1) Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-229736)
(2) Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-229737)
In the prior art described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a roll unit V2 in which a feed roll and a pickup roll are united together is described. This roll unit V2 of the prior art is a member in which a feed roll and a pickup roll are integrally assembled, and at the time of parts replacement, the feed roll and the pickup roll are replaced at the same time. Could not be replaced.

  The prior art roll unit is a small member in which a feed roll and a pickup roll are integrally assembled, and constitutes only a part of the entire sheet feeding member arranged above the sheet feeding side end of the sheet feeding tray. It was a small member. For this reason, when a paper jam (jam) occurs, even if the small roll unit is removed, most of the members in the entire sheet feeding member arranged above the sheet feeding side end of the sheet feeding tray are the original. In some cases, the jammed paper cannot be easily removed.

When the entire paper feed member arranged above the paper feed side end of the paper feed tray is configured as a pivotable member that can pivot upward, the pickup roll pivots downward for taking out the paper. Rotation drive for rotating the position of the pickup roll up and down when rotating between the picked-up sheet take-out position and the upper position where the paper can be rotated upward to perform jam release, roll attachment / detachment work, etc. If a member (for example, a solenoid) is provided on the rotating member, the weight increases, and measures such as reducing the frame thickness and weight of the frame cannot be performed), making it difficult to improve and improve performance and reduce costs. It was a cause.
(1) Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-229736) (2) Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-229737)

In order to reduce the weight of the rotating member, there is a method of fixing and arranging a solenoid for rotating the position of the pickup roll up and down without providing the rotating member. It is necessary to configure a link mechanism for rotation between the solenoid and the pickup roll supported by the rotation member. However, the link mechanism between the solenoid and the pick-up roll is not separated even when the rotating member that supports the pick-up roll is turned to the upper non-take-out position or to the lower take-out position. The structure for maintaining the connected state is complicated.
Therefore, when the pivoting member supporting the pickup roll is pivoted to an upper position where the jam clearing operation can be performed, the link mechanism between the solenoid and the pickup roll is separated and pivoted to the lower sheet take-out position. It would be advantageous to have a configuration in which the link mechanism automatically operates in conjunction with each other.

In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention has the following description (O01) as a technical problem in a sheet feeding device.
(O01) When the rotating member supporting the pickup roll is rotated upward, the link mechanism between the solenoid and the pickup roll is separated, and the link is automatically set when it is rotated to the lower sheet take-out position. To provide a sheet feeding device having a configuration in which a mechanism operates reliably in conjunction with each other.

  Next, the present invention that has solved the above problems will be described. In order to facilitate the correspondence between the elements of the present invention and elements of specific examples (examples) of the embodiments described later, Add the code enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(First invention)
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sheet feeding device according to the first invention is characterized by comprising the following structural requirements (A01) to (A04), (A010) .
(A01) An operation position that is disposed above a paper feed side end of a paper feed tray (TR1 to TR4) that stores paper and performs a paper feed operation, and a roll attachment / detachment position rotated upward about a horizontal axis. A paper feed roll support member (30) having a roll mounting surface which is supported so as to be pivotable between and downward in the state of being rotated to the operating position and upward in the roll attaching / detaching position of being rotated upward. On the roll mounting surface side, a pickup roll mounting member (V5) having a pickup roll mounting portion (42a) for detachably mounting the pickup roll (Rp) is provided with a lower sheet take-out position and an upper non-loading position. Paper that is supported so as to be rotatable between the take-out position and taken out from the paper feed trays (TR1 to TR4) by the pickup roll (Rp) is transported downstream in the paper transport direction. That the feed rolls removably said supporting paper feed roll member feed roll mounting portion is provided for mounting (30),
(A02) A protrusion member that rotates integrally with the pickup roll mounting member (V5) and protrudes in the radial direction at the end in the axial direction and is rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member (30). Pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37),
(A03) An elastic member (38) acting to always rotate the pickup roll mounting member (V5) downward in a state where the paper feed roll support member (30) is moved to the operating position;
(A010) Solenoid (26) having a telescopic rod (26a) fixedly supported, and mounting of the pick-up roll which receives a force that rotates downward by the elastic member (38) when the solenoid (26) is in a non-energized state An upward moving elastic member (28) that acts to move the member (V5) to the non-removal position against the force of the elastic member (38), and the solenoid (26) is energized. In this state, the solenoid (26) regulates the upward moving elastic member (28), and the elastic member (38) moves the pickup roll mounting member (V5) to the lower sheet take-out position. A member position adjusting device that contacts the protruding member (37a) when the sheet feeding roll support member (30) is moved to the operating position, and the roll attaching / detaching position. The paper feed roll support member (30) the pickup roller mounting member position adjusting apparatus having the telescopic rod is separated from the protruding member when moving (37a) (26a) to,
(A04) A roll rotation transmission shaft (39) rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member (30), and a rotation introduction gear (G1) attached to one end of the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) The rotation introduction gear (G1) to which a rotational force is transmitted from a gear supported by a fixed member in a state in which the paper feed roll support member (30) is rotated to the operation position, and the roll rotation transmission A rotation output gear (G2) mounted on the other end of the shaft (39), and a rotation transmission gear (G3) for transmitting the rotation of the rotation output gear (G2) to the feed roll (Rk) and the pickup roll (Rp). To G6) roll rotational force transmission member (39, G1 to G6).

(Operation of the first invention)
In the sheet feeding device according to the first aspect of the present invention having the sheet feeding rotation unit having the configuration requirements (A01) to (A04), the sheet feeding roll support member (30) is a sheet feeding tray (TR1) for storing sheets. To TR4) and is supported so as to be rotatable between an operation position where the sheet feeding operation is performed and a roll attaching / detaching position which is rotated upward about the horizontal axis. The roll mounting surface of the paper feed roll support member (30) is downward when the paper feed roll support member (30) is rotated to the operating position, and is upward when the roll is attached and detached. Become.
On the roll mounting surface side, a pickup roll mounting member (V5) having a pickup roll mounting portion (42a) for detachably mounting the pickup roll (Rp) includes a lower sheet extraction position and an upper non-removal position. It is supported so that rotation is possible. The feed roll mounting portion provided on the roll mounting surface side includes a feed roll (Rk) that transports the paper taken out from the paper feed trays (TR1 to TR4) to the downstream side in the paper transport direction by the pickup roll (Rp). Removably mounted.
The pick-up roll mounting member connecting shaft (37) having a projecting member projecting in the radial direction at the axial end and rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member (30) is connected to the pick-up roll mounting member (V5). ) And rotate together.
The elastic member (38) acts to always rotate the pickup roll mounting member (V5) downward in a state in which the paper feed roll support member (30) is moved to the operating position.
When the fixedly supported solenoid (26) is in a non-energized state, the upward moving elastic member (28) is elastically applied to the pickup roll mounting member (V5) that receives the force of turning downward by the elastic member (38). It acts to move to the non-removal position against the force of the member (38).
In a state where the solenoid (26) is energized, the solenoid (26) regulates the upward moving elastic member (28), and the elastic member (38) lowers the pickup roll mounting member (V5). Move to the paper removal position.
When the paper feed roll support member (30) moves to the operating position, the telescopic rod (26a) of the solenoid (26) contacts the protruding member (37a). The telescopic rod (26a) is separated from the protruding member (37a) when the paper feed roll support member (30) moves to the roll attaching / detaching position.
The rotation introducing gear (G1) attached to one end of the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member (30) is connected to the paper feed roll support member (30). A rotational force is transmitted from the gear supported by the fixed member while being rotated to the operating position. The rotation transmitted to the rotation introducing gear (G1) is transmitted to the rotation output gear (G2) attached to the other end of the roll rotation transmission shaft (39). The rotation transmitted to the rotation output gear (G2) is transmitted to the feed roll (Rk) and the pickup roll (Rp) by the rotation transmission gear.

(First Embodiment 1)
A sheet feeding device according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding rotation unit having the following structural requirements (A05) and (A06) is provided.
(A05) The pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37) configured by a cylindrical shaft,
(A06) The roll rotation transmission shaft (39) passing through the inside of the cylindrical shaft constituting the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37).

(Operation of Form 1 of the First Invention)
In the sheet feeding device according to the first aspect of the present invention having the sheet feeding rotation unit having the structural requirements (A05) and (A06), the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) is the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft ( 37) is penetrated through the inside of the cylindrical shaft.
Since the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37) and the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) are arranged coaxially, the gear mounted on the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) and the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37) ), The pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft (37) and the pick-up roll mounting member (V5) connected thereto are rotated around the roll rotation transmission shaft. The meshing state of the meshing gears is maintained. Therefore, the rotation of the roll rotation transmission shaft (39) can be transmitted to the pickup roll (Rp) mounted on the pickup roll mounting member (V5) even if the pickup roll mounting member (V5) rotates. is there.

(First Embodiment 2)
A sheet feeding device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention or the first aspect of the first aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding rotation unit having the following structural requirements (A07) is provided.
(A07) It has a feed roll shaft that is detachably mounted on the feed roll mounting portion, a feed roll (Rk) that is rotatably mounted on the feed roll shaft and integrally rotates, and a feed roll integrated rotation gear. Feed roll unit.

(Operation of the second aspect of the first invention)
In the sheet feeding device according to the second aspect of the first invention having the sheet feeding rotation unit having the above-described configuration requirement (A07), the feed roll shaft of the feed roll unit (V4) can be attached to and detached from the feed roll mounting portion. Installed. The feed roll (Rk) and the feed roll integrated rotation gear mounted on the feed roll shaft of the feed roll unit (V4) rotate integrally.

(Embodiment 3 of the first invention)
A sheet feeding device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention or the first or second aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding rotation unit having the following structural requirements (A08) is provided. . (A08) A pickup roll shaft that is detachably attached to the pickup roll attachment portion (42a), a pickup roll (Rp) that is rotatably attached to the pickup roll shaft and integrally rotates, and a pickup roll integrated rotation gear. And a pickup roll unit.

(Operation of the third aspect of the first invention)
In the sheet feeding device according to the third aspect of the present invention having the sheet feeding rotation unit having the configuration requirement (A08), the pickup roll shaft of the pickup roll unit is detachably mounted on the pickup roll mounting portion (42a). Is done. The pickup roll (Rp) and the pickup roll integrated rotation gear mounted on the pickup roll shaft rotate integrally.

(First aspect 4)
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device according to any one of the first aspect or the first to third aspects of the present invention, which has the following structural requirements (A09) and (A010 ' ). It is provided with.
(A09) A retard member disposed at a position in contact with the feed roll (Rk) mounted on the feed roll mounting portion of the paper feed roll support member (30) rotated to the operating position and supported by a fixing member. A retard member that acts to prevent the lower surface of the sheet conveyed to the contact portion between the feed roll (Rk) and the retard member from moving downstream in the sheet conveyance direction;
(A010 ′) A pick-up roll mounting member position adjusting device having an abutting member coupled to the distal end portion of the telescopic rod and abutting against a protruding member of the pick-up roll mounting member coupling shaft (37).

(Operation of the fourth aspect of the first invention)
In the sheet feeding device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention having the sheet feeding rotation unit having the structural requirements (A09) and (A010 ' ), the sheet feeding roll support member (30) rotated to the operating position. The retard member disposed at a position in contact with the feed roll (Rk) mounted on the feed roll mounting portion and supported by the fixing member is a sheet of paper conveyed to the contact portion between the feed roll (Rk) and the retard member. This acts to prevent the lower surface from moving downstream in the paper transport direction.
The contact member connected to the distal end of the telescopic rod of the solenoid that is fixedly supported contacts the protruding member of the pickup roll mounting member connection shaft (37).

(Second invention)
The image forming apparatus according to the second invention is characterized by comprising the following structural requirements (A011).
(A011) The sheet feeding device according to any one of the first invention or the first to fourth aspects of the first invention.

(Operation of the second invention)
The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention having the configuration requirement (A011) includes the paper feeding device according to any one of the first aspect or the first aspect of the first aspect of the invention, and therefore the image of the second aspect of the invention. The sheet feeding device used in the forming apparatus exhibits the same operation as the sheet feeding device according to any one of the first invention or the first to fourth aspects of the first invention.

The above-described present invention has the following effects (E01) to (E02).
(E01) As an improvement effect of the present invention, in a paper feeding device that moves up and down the pickup roll using the suction operation of the solenoid, a mechanism for rotating the link for transmitting the movement and transmitting the movement by sliding the surfaces. As a result, separation is easy, and even when closing from an open state, there is no need to consider the positional relationship and fitting because there is no need for a hook or hook hole that is linked to the link operation. As a result, the solenoid can be separated from the open / close frame, and the operation burden can be reduced.
(E02) Also, the shaft link that moves the pickup roll up and down is made into a pipe shape and supported by a bearing and bracket that are coaxial with the feed shaft, so that the support bracket of the pickup roll can be directly rotated. Thus, it is possible to avoid the lever from entering the paper conveyance path during operation, which is a problem in the prior art, and to increase the movable range of the pickup roll and the bracket. In addition, the cost was reduced by removing bearings and the space was reduced.

Next, specific examples (examples) of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes a UI (user interface), an image input apparatus U1, a paper feeding apparatus U2, an image forming apparatus main body U3, and a paper processing apparatus U4.

(User interface UI):
The UI has a copy start key (not shown), a copy number setting key, an input key such as a numeric keypad, and a display UI1.
(Image input device U1):
The image input device U1 includes an automatic document feeder and an image scanner.
In FIG. 1, in the image input device U1, reflected light from an illuminated original (not shown) is reflected by an exposure optical system (not shown) and a CCD (solid-state imaging device) belt-shaped pile fabric image processing circuit (not shown). (Red), G (green), and B (blue) image data are converted and input to the image forming apparatus body U3 at a predetermined timing.

(Paper Feeder U2):
The sheet feeding device U2 includes a plurality of sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4, a sheet feeding path SH1 for taking out the recording sheets S for image recording accommodated in the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4, and conveying them to the image forming apparatus body U3. Have.

(Image forming apparatus body U3):
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus body U3 includes an image recording unit (details will be described later) for recording an image on a recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding device U2, a toner dispenser device U3a, a sheet conveying path SH2, and a sheet discharge. A path SH3, a sheet reversing path SH4, a sheet circulation path SH6, and the like are included.
Further, the image forming apparatus main body U3 includes a control C, a laser driving circuit D and a power supply circuit E controlled by the control C, and the like. The laser drive circuit D, the operation of which is controlled by the control C, is laser driven in accordance with Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) image data input from the image input device U1. Signals are output to the toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, and UK of latent images forming apparatuses ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk of the respective colors at a predetermined timing. The toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, UK of the respective colors are movable between a drawing position pulled out in front of the image forming apparatus main body U3 and a mounting position mounted inside the image forming apparatus main body U3. It is supported by.

In FIG. 1, a charging device CCk, a developing device Gk, a cleaner CLk, and the like are disposed around a photosensitive drum (toner image carrier) Pk of a K (black) toner image forming apparatus UK.
Further, around the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc of other toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC, chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and developing units Gy, similar to those around the photosensitive drum Pk, respectively. Gm, Gc, cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, etc. are arranged.

  In FIG. 1, photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, Pk are uniformly charged by chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, CCk, respectively, and then output from the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, ROSk. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) colors by developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. The toner image is developed.

The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k, and a color image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B. It is formed. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
In the case of only black image data, only the K (black) photosensitive drum Pk and the developing device Gk are used, and only a black toner image is formed.
After the primary transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk is cleaned by the photosensitive drum cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk.

  The belt module BM includes a belt support roll (Rd, Rt, Rw, belt) including the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd, a tension roll Rt, a walking roll Rw, a plurality of idler rolls (free rolls) Rf, and a backup roll T2a. Rf, T2a) and the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by the belt support rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya.

A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roll T2a. The secondary transfer roll T2b of the secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed so as to be separated and press-contactable (separable) to the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roll T2b is arranged as an intermediate transfer belt. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by a region (nip) in pressure contact with B. A contact roll T2c is in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device (transfer device) T2 is constituted by the rolls T2a to T2c.
A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the toner charging polarity is applied to the contact roll T2c from the power supply circuit controlled by the control C at a predetermined timing.

A sheet conveyance path SH2 is disposed below the belt module BM. The recording sheet S fed from the sheet feeding path SH1 of the sheet feeding device U2 is conveyed to the registration roll Rr of the sheet conveying path SH2, and the timing at which the color toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. In addition, the sheet is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4 through the registration-side sheet guide SGr and the pre-transfer sheet guide SG2.
The registration-side sheet guide SGr is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body U3 together with the registration roll Rr.
The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording paper S by the secondary transfer device T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. In the case of a full-color image, the toner images primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper S all at once.

  The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLB. The secondary transfer roll T2b and the belt cleaner CLB are disposed so as to be able to be separated from and contacted (separated and freely contacted) with the intermediate transfer belt B.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is an area where the pair of fixing rolls Fh and the pressure rolls Fp of the fixing device F are in pressure contact with each other through the post-transfer sheet guide SG3 and the sheet conveying belt BH (fixing area). Transported to Q5. The toner image on the recording paper S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5. A switching gate GT1 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device F. The switching gate GT1 selectively switches the recording sheet S, which has been conveyed through the sheet conveyance path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5, to either the sheet discharge path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4. The sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH3 is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path SH5 of the sheet processing apparatus U4.
After the curl is corrected by the curl correction member U4a arranged in the paper transport path SH5, the paper is discharged face up (the image fixing surface of the paper faces upward) from the discharge roll Rh to the discharge tray TH1 of the paper processing device U4.

  The sheet conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 side of the image forming apparatus main body U3 by the switching gate GT1 is conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body U3 through the mylar gate GT2 constituted by a sheet member. . After reversing the sheet conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying paths SH3 and SH5 and face-down from the sheet discharge tray TH1 of the sheet processing apparatus U4 (the image fixing surface of the sheet faces downward). Can be discharged. In that case, the sheet is switched back immediately after the rear end of the sheet passes through the Mylar gate GT2. The Mylar gate GT2 once passes the recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4, and once the recording sheet S passed through is switched back and conveyed, it is conveyed to the sheet processing device U4 side.

A sheet circulation path SH6 is connected in the middle of the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body, and a mylar gate GT3 is disposed at the connection portion. The downstream end of the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body is connected to the sheet reversing path SH7 of the sheet processing apparatus U4.
The sheet transported to the sheet transport path SH4 through the switching gate GT1 is transported to the sheet reversing path SH7 side of the sheet processing apparatus U4 by the mylar gate GT3. The Mylar gate GT3 once passes the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet reversing path SH4 as it is, and when the recorded recording sheet S is switched back, the switched-back sheet is conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH6 side.
The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH6 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the sheet feeding path SH1.

The sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4 to the sheet processing apparatus U4 is conveyed from the sheet conveying path SH5 of the sheet processing apparatus U4 to the gate GT4. The curl correction device U4a is disposed on the downstream side of the gate GT4 in the sheet conveyance direction. The curl correction device U4a includes a first curl correction member L1 and a second curl correction member L2. The gate GT4 conveys the sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying path SH5 to either the first curl correction member L1 or the second curl correction member L2 according to the curl direction of the sheet. The first and second curl correction members L1 and L2 have a curl correction rotating belt and a curl correction rotating roll pressed against the curl correction rotating belt. The paper passing through the nip, which is the pressure contact area between the curl correction rotating belt and the curl correction rotating roll pressed against it, is corrected for curl.

  A sheet transport path SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH1 to SH7. Further, the sheet conveying device SU is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH, Ra, Rr, Rh, SGr, SG1 to SG3, BH, and GT1 to GT3.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 1, and is an explanatory view of a paper take-out portion at the right end portion of the paper feed tray TR4.
1 and 2, wherein each of the left and right of each paper feed tray TR1~TR 4 (Y-axis direction), longitudinal (X-axis direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2) rails 1 extending , 1 are arranged. A roller 3 (see FIG. 2) is rotatably supported on the lower side of the lower surface of the rail 1 disposed on the left and right of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. The upper part of the roller 3 protrudes above the rail 1 from a hole formed in the lower surface of the rail 1.

  In FIG. 2, guided rails 4 bulging outwardly are provided at the lower portions on the left and right sides of each of the paper feed trays TR <b> 1 to TR <b> 4, and the guided rail 4 is the rail 1. The lower surface of the roller 3 is supported. Accordingly, each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is configured to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) along the left and right rails 1 and 1.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, a paper placement plate 7 on which paper is placed is accommodated on the upper surface of the bottom plate 6 of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. The paper placing plate 7 is configured to be raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism using a wire (not shown). The structure for raising and lowering the paper placement plate is conventionally known, and various conventionally known structures can be employed.
When the paper placement plate 7 is raised and the paper placed on the paper placement plate 7 is sent out and transported, both side edges along the paper transport direction are the paper side edges shown in FIG. It is configured to be guided by the positioning member 8.
In FIG. 2, the front end (right end in the figure) of each of the paper feed trays TR <b> 1 to TR <b> 4 is supported by a paper front end support wall 9, and the rear end of the paper transport direction is a paper rear end support wall (not shown). ).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the paper feeding device. FIG. 3A is a view of the paper feeding device excluding the retard roll, feed roll, pickup roll mounting member, and pickup roll of the paper feeding device as viewed obliquely from the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction. 3B is a perspective view of the retard roll unit, FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the feed roll unit, FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the pickup roll mounting member, and FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the pickup roll.
2 and 3, a paper feeding device V (see FIG. 2) is arranged at the upper right of each of the paper feeding trays TR1 to TR4. The sheet feeding device V includes a sheet feeding fixing member V1 and a sheet feeding rotation unit V2 that is rotatable with respect to the sheet feeding fixing member V1. The sheet feeding fixing member V1 includes a rear fixing member V1a arranged at the rear part (-X part), a front fixing member V1b arranged at the front part (X part), the rear fixing member V1a and the front fixing member V1b. It has the intermediate fixing member V1c (refer FIG. 2) to connect.
In FIG. 3, the rear fixing member V1a of the paper feed fixing member V1 has a drive member housing case 11, and inside the drive member housing case 11, a paper feed drive motor M1 and the paper feed A gear train (not shown) rotated by the drive motor M1 is accommodated.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 3 as viewed obliquely from the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.
Figure 5 is an explanatory view of a pick-up roll mounting member position adjusting device, FIG. 5A is a perspective view, FIG. 5B is a view seen from an arrow VB of FIG 5A, the pickup roller mounting member is non-removal position of the upper (paper takeout FIG. 5C is a view as seen from the arrow VB in FIG. 5A, and is a view corresponding to a state in which the pickup roll mounting member is rotated to the lower sheet take-out position. It is.
6 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow VI A- VI A line of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the arrow VI A- VI A line of FIG. 3 with the detachable retard roll removed. 6B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XI B- XI B in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow V II A-V II A line of FIG. 3. FIG. 7A is a drawing roll unit rotated to a roll attaching / detaching position and a retard roll, a feed roll and a pickup. shows a state before mounting the roll, Figure 7B V II B-V II B line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7C is a V II C-V II C line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 7A .
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow V III A-V III A line of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a case where the sheet feeding rotation unit is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching position and the retard roll, feed roll, and pickup. shows a state in which the roll is mounted, FIG. 8B V III B-V III B line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8C is a V III C-V III C line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG 8A.

The intermediate fixing member V1c disposed between the rear fixing member V1a and the front fixing member V1b has a sheet metal frame 13 (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 to 8). A bent portion 13a bent leftward (−Y direction) and downward is formed at the upper end portion of the sheet metal frame 13, and the upper surface of the bent portion 13a is formed as a paper guide surface.
2, 4, and 6 to 8, a pair of brackets 14 and 14 are fixed to the lower portion of the central portion of the sheet metal frame 13 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). A pair of front and rear side walls 15 a, 15 a of the retard roll support member 15 are supported by the pair of brackets 14, 14 so as to be rotatable around the retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16. A retard roll mounting portion 15b is formed at the left end (-Y end) of the pair of side walls 15a.

  In FIG. 6 and FIGS. 9C and 9D to be described later, the retard roll mounting portions 15b and 15b include a small-diameter portion insertion groove 15b1 having a narrow width on the outer end side in the axial direction and a small-diameter portion on the axially central side of the small-diameter portion insertion groove 15b1. An insertion groove 15b2 and a large-diameter portion holding hole 15b3 are provided. The small-diameter partial insertion grooves 15b1 and 15b2 have the same width, and the large-diameter partial holding hole 15b3 is a circular hole having a larger diameter than the small-diameter partial insertion grooves 15b1 and 15b2.

In FIG. 4, the retard roll support member 15 is rotatably supported by a retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16 parallel to a straight line connecting the pair of retard roll mounting portions 15 b, 15 b. The rotation transmission gear 16a is attached to an intermediate portion between the pair of retard roll attachment portions 15b and 15b. The retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16 extends rearward (in the −X axis direction) and is connected to the output shaft of the one-way clutch 17. The input shaft 18 of the one-way clutch 17 extends rearward, is attached to the rear end of the input shaft 18, and a gear (not shown) meshes with a gear train inside the drive member housing case 11.
Therefore, when the sheet feeding drive motor M1 in the drive member housing case 11 rotates, the rotation is caused by the retard roll rotation transmission gear 16a via the input shaft 18, the one-way clutch 17, and the retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16. Is transmitted to.

A torsion spring 19 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) is wound around the outer end portion of the retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16, and one outer end portion of the torsion spring 19 is locked to the bracket 14 and the other outer end portion. The portion is locked to the side wall 15 a of the retard roll support member 15. Then, due to the action of the torsion spring 19, the retard roll support member 15 always receives turning force (upward turning force) for moving the retard roll mounting portion 15 b upward. The retard roll support member 15 that receives upward turning force by the action of the torsion spring 19 has a position in which the upper end surfaces of the pair of side walls 15a are in contact with the distal end portions of the bent portions 13a of the sheet metal frame 13 (see FIG. upper limit position is restricted by 6 reference).

9 is an explanatory view of a retard roll mounting portion of the retard roll support member and a retard roll unit that is detachably mounted on the retard roll mounting portion. FIG. 9A is a front view of the retard roll unit, and FIG. 9B is a retard roll unit. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state before the retard roll unit is mounted on the retard roll mounting unit, and FIG. 9D is a view from the arrow IX ID in FIG. 9C. FIG. 9E is a diagram showing a state in which the retard roll unit is mounted on the retard roll mounting portion.
In FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the axis of the retard roll unit V3 is constituted by an expansion / contraction shaft 20 whose length in the axial direction expands and contracts. The telescopic shaft 20 includes a cylindrical outer shaft 21 having an inner shaft insertion hole 21a, an inner shaft 22 having a pair of inner shaft members 22a and 22a inserted into the inner shaft insertion hole 21a from both ends, and the inner shaft. The coil spring 23 is disposed between the members 22a and 22a.
The inner shaft member 22a has a small-diameter portion 22a1 that forms an outer end in the axial direction, and a large-diameter portion 22a2 that has a cylindrical outer surface at the axially central portion that connects to the small-diameter portion 22a1. The coil spring 23 is disposed between the inner shaft members 22a and 22a in a state where the large diameter portions 22a2 of the pair of inner shaft members 22a are respectively inserted from both ends of the inner shaft insertion hole 21a.

In FIG. 9B, protrusions connected to the coil spring 23 in a fitted state are formed on the inner end portion of the large-diameter portion 22a2 of the inner shaft member 22a, and both ends of the coil spring 23 are connected to the pair of inner members. The shaft member 22a is fitted and connected to the protrusion. Further, a ring-shaped projecting portion having a small inner diameter is formed at the central portion of the inner shaft insertion hole 21a. A pair of inner shaft members 22a connected by the coil springs 23 by the ring-shaped protruding portions 21b are configured not to fall out of the inner shaft insertion holes 21a.
The telescopic shaft 20 is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 21 to 23. On the surface of the outer shaft 21 of the telescopic shaft 20, a gear (retard roll integrated rotating gear) 24 and a retard roll Rs that rotate integrally with the retard roll Rs are provided. The gear 24 is a gear that meshes with a rotation transmission gear 16a (see FIG. 4) mounted on the retard roll rotation transmission shaft 16.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the length of the telescopic shaft 20 contracts when the telescopic shaft 20 is pressed from both ends. When the telescopic shaft 20 is contracted as shown in FIG. 9C and inserted into the retard roll mounting portions 15b and 15b and then the telescopic shaft 20 is extended, the telescopic shaft 20 is moved as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9E. It can be easily mounted on the retard roll mounting portions 15b, 15b. The telescopic shaft 20 can be easily detached from the retard roll mounting portions 15b, 15b by the reverse operation.

In FIG. 5 , a solenoid 26 is disposed below the rear end (-X end) of the paper feed rotation unit V2. In FIG. 5, the lower end of the case of the solenoid 26 is fixedly supported by a fixing member, and the telescopic shaft 26a of the solenoid 26 extends upward. A plate 27 is connected to the upper end of the telescopic shaft 26a . A compression coil spring 28 is disposed around the telescopic shaft 26 a, and the compression coil spring 28 is compressed between the upper end of the case of the solenoid 26 and the plate 27. The telescopic shaft 26 a receives a force that is always extended by the compression coil spring 28.

3, 7, and 8, the sheet feeding rotation unit V <b> 2 has a sheet metal rotation plate (sheet feeding roll support member) 30. Left ends of both ends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the rotating plate 30 are supported by the axes V2 a and V2 a so as to be rotatable with respect to the rear fixing member V1a and the front fixing member V1b. The rotating plate 30 is rotatable between a roll attaching / detaching position indicated by a solid line position in FIGS. 7 and 8 and an operation position indicated by a two-dot line (a position where a paper feeding operation is performed). In the operation position indicated by the two-dot chain line of the rotating plate 30, the downward surface (lower surface) is formed as a roll mounting surface on which the feed roll Rk and the pickup roll Rp are mounted. The roll mounting surface is configured to face upward in a state where the roll mounting surface is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching position indicated by the solid line so that the roll attaching / detaching operation can be easily performed.

Figure 10 is a main portion explanatory view of the rotation unit for a paper feed, Fig. 10A is a view seen from an arrow X in FIG. 7, FIG. 10B is a view seen from an arrow X B of FIG 10A, FIG. 10C is a view 10A is arrow X C -X C line cross-sectional view of.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a main part of the paper feeding rotation unit, as viewed from the arrow XI in FIG.
3, 10, and 11, the rotation plate 30 has openings 30 a, 30 b, and 30 c (see FIGS. 3 and 10).
Figure 10, side walls 31 and 32 by bending a portion of the rotating Plate 30 made of sheet metal are formed on both ends in the longitudinal direction (X axis direction) of the opening 30a in FIG. 11. Wherein the rear end of the opening 30b (-X end) is formed with side walls 33, 34 by bending a portion of the rotating Plate 30, side wall 33 is disposed adjacent in parallel to the side walls 31 ing. Wherein the front end of the opening 30c (X end), and the side wall 35 by bending a portion of the rotating Plate 30 is formed, the side walls 35 are disposed adjacent in parallel to the side wall 32.

10 and 11, the side walls 31 and 32 are formed with feed roll mounting large-diameter grooves 31a and 32a, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10B, the feed roll mounting large-diameter grooves 31a and 32a have tapered grooves whose intervals become narrower from the outer end opening toward the inner end large-diameter hole.
The side walls 33 and 35 are formed with feed roll mounting small-diameter grooves 33a and 35a, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10C, the feed roll mounting small-diameter grooves 33a and 35a have tapered grooves whose intervals become narrower from the outer end opening toward the inner end small-diameter groove.
The feed roll mounting large diameter groove 31a and the feed roll mounting small diameter groove 33a form a feed roll mounting portion (31a + 33a) for mounting the front end of the feed roll unit V4 (see FIG. 12 described later). A feed roll mounting portion (32a + 35a) for mounting the rear end of the feed roll unit V4 (see FIG. 12 described later) is formed by the large diameter groove 32a and the feed roller mounting small diameter groove 35a. A feed roll mounting portion (31a + 33a + 32a + 35a) is formed by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 31a, 33a, 32a, and 35a.

  When the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the operation position (the two-dot chain line position in FIGS. 7 and 8) where the sheet feeding operation is performed, the rotating plate 30 faces downward and rotates to the roll attaching / detaching position (solid line position in FIGS. 7 and 8). A pick-up roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 11) formed of a cylindrical shaft is rotatably supported on the roll mounting surface that faces upward in a moved state. A protruding member 37 a (see FIG. 5) that protrudes in the radial direction at the axial end is provided at the rear end of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37. The front end portion of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 constituted by the cylindrical shaft passes through the side wall 32 (see FIGS. 5 and 10) in a rotatable manner. 10 and 11, a torsion spring (elastic member) 38 is mounted on the front end portion of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 constituted by the cylindrical shaft. One end of the torsion spring 38 is connected to the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37, and the other end is locked to the roll mounting surface of the rotating plate 30. The torsion spring 38 acts so as to always rotate the protruding member 37a (see FIG. 5) of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 downward.

A roll rotation transmission shaft 39 penetrates the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 constituted by the cylindrical shaft in a rotatable manner. A rotation introducing gear G1 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) is attached to the rear end portion of the roll rotation transmission shaft 39. In the state where the rotation plate 30 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3 or to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. The rotation is introduced by meshing with a gear train (not shown) arranged inside the drive member housing case 11 of V1a.
10 and 11, the front end portion of the roll rotation transmission shaft 39 passes through the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37, and the front end rotates to the side wall 31 via a low friction cylindrical member 40 made of a resin material. It is installed as possible.
The roll rotation transmission shaft 39 is provided with a rotation output gear G2. The rotation output gear G2 meshes with a gear G3 rotatably supported on the side wall 32. Accordingly, the rotation of the rotation introducing gear G1 attached to the rear end of the roll rotation transmission shaft 39 is transmitted to the gear G3 via the roll rotation transmission shaft 39 and the gear G2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the pickup roll mounting member V <b> 5 includes a connection plate 41 and a pair of front and rear side walls 42 and 42 provided at both front and rear ends of the connection plate 41. The rear side wall 42 is integrally connected to the front end of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37, and the front side wall 42 is rotatably supported on the low friction cylindrical member 40. Accordingly, the pair of side walls 42, 42 and the connecting plate 41 is integrally with the pickup roller mounting member connecting shaft 37, Ru Oh rotatable on said roll rotation transmission shaft 39.
Pickup roll mounting portions 42a and 42a are formed on the pair of side walls 42 and 42, respectively. A gear G4 is rotatably mounted on the rear side wall 42, and the gear G4 meshes with the rotation output gear G2 . A light shielding plate 43 is fixed to the front side wall 41.
The pickup roll mounting member V5 is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 41 to 43 and G4.

6, 10, and 11, a pipe-up roll position sensor SN is fixed to the side wall 34. The pipe-up roll position sensor SN has a light emitting element SN1 and a light receiving element SN2 arranged with a space therebetween. The light shielding plate 43 of the pickup roll mounting member V5 is disposed between the light emitting element SN1 and the light receiving element SN2.
When the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 formed by the cylindrical shaft rotates on the roll rotation transmission shaft 39, the pickup roll mounting member V5 rotates integrally with the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37. At this time, since the light shielding plate 43 of the pick-up roll mounting member V5 rotates, the amount of light detected by the light receiving element SN2 of the pick-up roll position sensor SN changes. Therefore, the rotation angle of the pick-up roll mounting member V5 can be detected from the amount of light detected by the light receiving element SN2 of the pick-up roll position sensor SN.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the feed roll mounting portion and the feed roll unit that is detachably mounted on the feed roll mounting portion, FIG. 12A is a front view of the feed roll unit, and FIG. 12B is a feed roll mounting portion. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state mounted | worn to.
In FIG. 12, a feed roll unit V4 that is detachably mounted on the feed roll mounting portion (31a + 33a + 32a + 35a) has a telescopic shaft 40 whose length in the axial direction expands and contracts.
The telescopic shaft 45 is configured in the same manner as the telescopic shaft 20, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Telescopic shaft 45 includes a cylindrical outer shaft 46 having an inner shaft insertion hole 46a, a pair of inner shaft member 47a inserted from opposite ends into said shaft insertion hole 46a, the inner shaft 47 with 47a, the inner shaft The coil spring 48 is disposed between the members 47a and 47a . The inner shaft member 47a has a small-diameter portion (outer end portion of the telescopic shaft 45 ) 47a1 that forms the outer end portion in the axial direction, and a cylindrical outer surface of the axially central side portion that is connected to the small-diameter portion 47a1. A large-diameter portion 47a2 .
A rotatable outer shaft 46 of the telescopic shaft 45 supports a gear (feed roll integrated rotating gear) G5 and a feed roll Rk that rotate integrally with the feed roll Rk. The gear G5 is a gear that meshes with the gear G3 (see FIG. 10).
The attaching / detaching work of the feed roll unit V4 to the feed roll mounting portion (31a + 33a + 32a + 35a) is performed in a state where the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the attaching / detaching work position (roll attaching / detaching position) indicated by the solid line in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of a pickup roll unit that is detachably attached to the pickup roll attachment portion of the pickup roll attachment member, FIG. 13A is a front view of the pickup roll unit, and FIG. 13B is a pickup roll unit attached to the pickup roll attachment portion. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mounted state.
In FIG. 13, a pickup roll unit V6 that is detachably attached to the pickup roll attachment portions 42a, 42a of the pickup roll attachment member V6 has a telescopic shaft 50 whose length in the axial direction expands and contracts.
Since the telescopic shaft 50 is configured in the same manner as the telescopic shaft 20, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The telescopic shaft 50 includes a cylindrical outer shaft 51 having an inner shaft insertion hole 51a, an inner shaft 52 having a pair of inner shaft members 52a and 52a inserted into the inner shaft insertion hole 51a from both ends, and the inner shaft member. The coil spring 53 is disposed between 52a and 52a. The inner shaft member 52a has a small-diameter portion (outer end portion of the telescopic shaft 50) 52a1 that forms the outer end portion in the axial direction, and a large cylindrical outer surface that is an axially central portion connected to the small-diameter portion 52a1. And a diameter portion 52a2.
A rotatable outer shaft 51 of the telescopic shaft 50 supports a gear (pickup roll integrated rotating gear) G6 and a pickup roll Rp that rotate integrally with the pickup roll Rp. The gear G6 is a gear that meshes with the gear G4 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). The gears G3 to G6 constitute rotation transmission gears (G3 to G6) that transmit the rotation of the rotation output gear G2 to the feed roll Rk and the pickup roll Rp.
The roll rotation transmission shaft 39 and the rotation transmission gears (G3 to G6) constitute roll rotation force transmission members (39, G1 to G6).
The pick-up roll unit V6 is attached to and detached from the pick-up roll mounting portions 42a and 42a in a state where the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the attaching / detaching position (roll attaching / detaching position) indicated by the solid line in FIG.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the paper feeder of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the pickup roll mounting member V5, the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37, the roll rotation transmission shaft 39, and the gears G1 to G4 are disposed on the roll mounting surface of the rotating plate 30. Etc. are mounted.
The retard roll unit V3 is easily attached to the retard roll mounting portions 15b and 15b of the retard roll support member 15 in a state in which the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching work position shown by the solid line in FIGS. Can be attached to.
The feed roll unit V4 is easily attached to and detached from the feed roll mounting portion (31a + 33a + 32a + 35a) of the rotating plate 30 in a state where the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching work position shown by the solid line in FIGS. can do. Further, the pickup roll unit V6 has the pickup roll mounting member V5 mounted on the rotating plate 30 in a state where the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching work position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. It can be easily attached to and detached from the pickup roll mounting portions 42a and 42a.
Accordingly, the retard roll unit V3, the feed roll unit V4, and the pickup roll unit V6 can be replaced individually, and may be replaced according to the life of each roll unit. Therefore, each roll unit can be easily replaced separately at an appropriate time.

In the state shown in FIG. 3 or in the state where the rotating plate 30 is moved to the two-dot chain line position in FIG. 7 (that is, the state where the rotating plate 30 is rotated to the operating position), the rotation introduction attached to the rear end portion of the roll rotation transmission shaft 39. The gear G1 meshes with a gear train (not shown) disposed in the drive member housing case 11 of the rear fixing member V1a. Further, the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 is constantly receiving a downward rotating force by the torsion spring 38 (see FIG. 10), but the protruding member 37a (see FIG. 5) at the rear end of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37. The plate 27 that is in contact with the lower surface of the reference 26 is lifted upward by a compression coil spring 28 that acts to constantly extend the telescopic shaft 26a of the solenoid 26. In the state in which the protruding member 37a is lifted upward (the state shown in FIG. 5B), the pickup roll mounting member V5 that rotates integrally with the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 is also held at the position rotated upward. .

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the pickup roll mounting member V5 is rotated to the upper non-removing position (a position where the paper is not removed).
FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the pickup roll mounting member V5 is rotated to the lower sheet take-out position.
When the solenoid 26 is extended by the compression spring 28 as shown in FIG. 5B and the solenoid 26 is energized in the state where the pickup roll mounting member V5 is rotated upward as shown in FIG. 14, the telescopic rod 26a of the solenoid 26 is supplied. Contracts. When the telescopic rod 26a contracts, the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft 37 is rotated by the action of a torsion spring 38 (see FIG. 10). At this time, the projecting member 37a and the pickup roll mounting member V5 rotate downward. At this time, the pickup roll mounting member V5 and the pickup roll Rp mounted thereon are in the state shown in FIG.
When the energization of the solenoid 26 is stopped in the state of FIG. 15, the state returns to the state of FIG.

According to the first embodiment, transport rolls (rolls for transporting paper) such as the retard roll Rs, feed roll Rk, and pick-up roll Rp used in the paper feeder can be easily replaced without using a tool. Can do.
In addition, it is possible to prevent occurrence of loss of parts, forgetting assembly, assembly errors, and the like during replacement work of a transport roll (roll for transporting paper) used in the paper feeder.
Further, the replacement work of the retard roll unit V3, the feed roll unit V4, and the pickup roll unit V6 used in the paper feeder can be performed with one hand.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. A modified example (H01) of the present invention is exemplified below.
(H01) A non-rotating retard member can be used instead of the rotating retard roll. As the retard member in this case, various conventional retard members that act so as to prevent the lower surface of the sheet conveyed to the contact portion with the feed roll from moving downstream in the sheet conveying direction can be used.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the paper feeding device. FIG. 3A is a view of the paper feeding device excluding the retard roll, feed roll, pickup roll mounting member, and pickup roll of the paper feeding device as viewed obliquely from the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction. 3B is a perspective view of the retard roll unit, FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the feed roll unit, FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the pickup roll mounting member, and FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the pickup roll. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. Figure 5 is an explanatory view of a pick-up roll mounting member position adjusting device, FIG. 5A is a perspective view, FIG. 5B is a view seen from an arrow VB of FIG 5A, the pickup roller mounting member is non-removal position of the upper (paper takeout FIG. 5C is a view as seen from the arrow VB in FIG. 5A, and is a view corresponding to a state in which the pickup roll mounting member is rotated to the lower sheet take-out position. It is. 6 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow VI A- VI A line of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the arrow VI A- VI A line of FIG. 3 with the detachable retard roll removed. 6B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XI B- XI B in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow V II A-V II A line of FIG. 3. FIG. 7A is a drawing roll unit rotated to a roll attaching / detaching position and a retard roll, a feed roll and a pickup. shows a state before mounting the roll, Figure 7B V II B-V II B line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7C is a V II C-V II C line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 7A . FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a portion viewed from the arrow V III A-V III A line of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a case where the sheet feeding rotation unit is rotated to the roll attaching / detaching position and the retard roll, feed roll, and pickup. shows a state in which the roll is mounted, FIG. 8B V III B-V III B line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8C is a V III C-V III C line cross-sectional enlarged view of FIG 8A. 9 is an explanatory view of a retard roll mounting portion of the retard roll support member and a retard roll unit that is detachably mounted on the retard roll mounting portion. FIG. 9A is a front view of the retard roll unit, and FIG. 9B is a retard roll unit. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state before the retard roll unit is mounted on the retard roll mounting unit, and FIG. 9D is a view from the arrow IX ID in FIG. 9C. FIG. 9E is a diagram showing a state in which the retard roll unit is mounted on the retard roll mounting portion. Figure 10 is a main portion explanatory view of the rotation unit for a paper feed, Fig. 10A is a view seen from an arrow X in FIG. 7, FIG. 10B is a view seen from an arrow X B of FIG 10A, FIG. 10C is a view 10A is arrow X C -X C line cross-sectional view of. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a main part of the paper feeding rotation unit, as viewed from the arrow XI in FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the feed roll mounting portion and the feed roll unit that is detachably mounted on the feed roll mounting portion, FIG. 12A is a front view of the feed roll unit, and FIG. 12B is a feed roll mounting portion. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state mounted | worn to. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of a pickup roll unit that is detachably attached to the pickup roll attachment portion of the pickup roll attachment member, FIG. 13A is a front view of the pickup roll unit, and FIG. 13B is a pickup roll unit attached to the pickup roll attachment portion. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mounted state. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the pickup roll mounting member V5 is rotated to the upper non-removing position (a position where the paper is not removed). FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the pickup roll mounting member V5 is rotated to the lower sheet take-out position.

Rp ... Pickup roll,
TR1 to TR4 ... paper feed tray,
V5: Pickup roll mounting member,
30: Roll support member for paper feeding (rotating plate)
37 ... Pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft,
38 ... an elastic member,
39: Roll rotation transmission shaft,
42a ... pickup roll mounting part,
G1 ... rotation introduction gear,
G2: Rotation output gear,
G3 to G6: Rotation transmission gear,
39, G1-G6 ... Roll rotational force transmission member

Claims (6)

A paper feeding device including a paper feeding rotation unit having the following structural requirements (A01) to (A04) , (A010) ,
(A01) Arranged above the end of the paper feed side of the paper feed tray for storing paper, and capable of rotating between an operation position where the paper feeding operation is performed and a roll attaching / detaching position rotated upward about a horizontal axis A roll-feeding roll support member having a roll-mounting surface that is downward when it is rotated to the operating position and that is upward when it is rotated upward. The pickup roll mounting member having a pickup roll mounting portion for detachably mounting the pickup roll is supported so as to be rotatable between a lower sheet extraction position and an upper non-removal position, and is provided by the pickup roll. Before a feed roll mounting portion is provided for detachably mounting a feed roll for transporting paper taken out from the paper feed tray to the downstream side in the paper transport direction. Roll support member for paper feed,
(A02) A pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft that has a protruding member that rotates integrally with the pickup roll mounting member and protrudes in the radial direction at an axial end, and is rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member ,
(A03) An elastic member that acts to always rotate the pickup roll mounting member downward in a state where the paper feed roll support member is moved to the operating position;
(A010) A solenoid having a telescopic rod fixedly supported and the pickup roll mounting member that receives a force that rotates downward by the elastic member when the solenoid is not energized against the force of the elastic member. and a upward movement elastic member acts to move the non-removal position, in a state of being energized to the solenoid and the solenoid to regulate the upward movement elastic member, the elastic member is a pickup roll placement A pick-up roll mounting member position adjusting device for moving a member to the lower sheet take-out position , wherein when the paper feed roll support member is moved to the operating position, the protruding roll member is brought into contact with the protruding member and moved to the roll attaching / detaching position. The pickup roll mounting portion having the telescopic rod that is separated from the projecting member when the paper feed roll support member moves Position adjusting device,
(A04) a roll rotation transmission shaft rotatably supported by the paper feed roll support member, and a rotation introduction gear attached to one end of the roll rotation transmission shaft, wherein the paper feed roll support member is The rotation introducing gear to which a rotational force is transmitted from a gear supported by a fixed member while being rotated to an operating position, a rotation output gear attached to the other end of the roll rotation transmission shaft, and the rotation output gear And a rotation transmission gear for transmitting the rotation of the rotation to the feed roll and the pickup roll. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a paper feeding rotation unit having the following configuration requirements (A05) and (A06):
(A05) The pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft constituted by a cylindrical shaft;
(A06) The roll rotation transmission shaft passing through the inside of a cylindrical shaft constituting the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a paper feeding rotation unit having the following configuration requirements (A07):
(A07) A feed roll unit having a feed roll shaft detachably mounted on the feed roll mounting portion, a feed roll rotatably mounted on the feed roll shaft and integrally rotating, and a feed roll integrated rotating gear. . The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the following configuration requirements (A08):
(A08) A pickup roll unit having a pickup roll shaft detachably attached to the pickup roll attachment portion, a pickup roll rotatably attached to the pickup roll shaft and integrally rotating, and a pickup roll integrated rotation gear . The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a sheet feeding fixing member having the following configuration requirements (A09) and (A010 ') :
(A09) A retard member disposed at a position in contact with a feed roll mounted on a feed roll mounting portion of a paper feed roll support member rotated to the operating position and supported by a fixed member, A retard member that acts to prevent the lower surface of the sheet conveyed to the contact portion with the retard member from moving downstream in the sheet conveyance direction ;
(A010 ′) A pickup roll mounting member position adjusting device having a contact member that is connected to a distal end portion of the telescopic rod and contacts a protruding member of the pickup roll mounting member connecting shaft. An image forming apparatus having the following configuration requirements (A011),
(A011) The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images