JP5504865B2 - Conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device and an image forming apparatus.

  As a conveying device, a recording material conveying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The recording material conveying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of endless belt members that are respectively driven to circulate and move by a driving roll and convey the recording material while sandwiching the recording material in a part of the movement path. The speed difference between one of the pair of endless belt members and the drive roll that drives the endless belt is greater than the speed difference between the material and each endless belt member. Is set to be large.

JP 2009-84035 A (FIG. 1)

  It is an object of the present invention to facilitate attachment / detachment of a support while suppressing damage to the belt when attaching / detaching a support for supporting a belt for conveying a recording medium to / from a support portion. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the material to be conveyed is disposed on the upper side of the first belt and the support member that supports the annular first belt that circulates and the material to be conveyed is sandwiched between the first belt. A second belt that is conveyed by the first belt, and an outer peripheral surface that is provided on the support body along a belt width direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first belt and faces the lower side of the first belt. A plate-shaped counter plate facing each other at an interval, a support unit that detachably supports the support body along the belt width direction, and a support unit that is provided on the support unit. And a guide member that contacts the opposing plate of the support to be attached and detached and guides the opposing plate along the belt width direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium as the transported material, a fixing device that heats and fixes the image formed by the image forming unit to the recording medium, and the first 2. The transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit that is provided on an inner peripheral side of one belt or an inner peripheral side of the second belt and that cools a recording medium transported by the first belt and the second belt. And a cooling device as an image forming apparatus.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, when the support body is attached to and detached from the support portion, compared to the configuration in which the opposing member that is opposed to the outer peripheral surface facing the lower side of the belt is spaced apart. The support can be easily attached and detached while suppressing the belt from being damaged.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the cooling device for transporting the recording medium and cooling the recording medium, the outer peripheral surface facing the lower side of the belt when the support is attached to and detached from the support portion. On the other hand, it is possible to easily attach and detach the support while suppressing the belt from being damaged as compared with the configuration in which the opposing member that is opposed to each other is not guided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a cooling structure of the cooling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower belt support and the upper belt support according to the present embodiment are pulled out. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower belt support according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a support portion that supports the lower belt support according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper belt support according to the present embodiment is tilted with respect to the lower belt support. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower belt support is removed from the support portion in the state shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the upper belt support according to the present embodiment is tilted with respect to the lower belt support. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for attaching and detaching the lower belt support according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for attaching and detaching the lower belt support according to the present embodiment.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Configuration of image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that forms a color image or a black and white image. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a first casing 10A that constitutes a horizontal side portion (left side in FIG. 1). And a second housing 10B that is detachably connected to the first housing 10A and forms the other side in the horizontal direction (the right side in FIG. 1).

  An image signal processing unit 13 that performs image processing on image data sent from an external device such as a computer is provided on the second housing 10B.

  On the other hand, the first special color (V), second special color (W), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are provided on the upper portion of the first housing 10A. Toner cartridges 14V, 14W, 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K are provided so as to be replaceable along the horizontal direction.

  The first special color and the second special color are appropriately selected from colors other than yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (including transparency). In the following description, the first special color (V), the second special color (W), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are distinguished for each component. Is described by adding any one of V, W, Y, M, C, and K after the reference numeral, and the first special color (V), the second special color (W), yellow (Y), and magenta (M ), Cyan (C), and black (K) are not distinguished, V, W, Y, M, C, and K are omitted.

  Under the toner cartridge 14, six image forming units 16 corresponding to the toners of the respective colors are provided along the horizontal direction so as to correspond to the toner cartridges 14. An exposure unit 40 is provided for each image forming unit 16 between each toner cartridge 14 and the image forming unit 16.

  The exposure unit 40 receives the image data subjected to the image processing by the image signal processing unit 13 from the image signal processing unit 13, and the exposure light L (see FIG. 2) modulated according to the image data is described later. It is comprised so that the body 18 (refer FIG. 2) may be irradiated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each image forming unit 16 includes a photoreceptor 18 that is rotationally driven in one direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2). By exposing the exposure light L from each exposure unit 40 to each photoconductor 18, an electrostatic latent image is formed on each photoconductor 18.

  Around each photoconductor 18, a corona discharge (non-contact charging) scorotron charger 20 as an example of a charging device for charging the photoconductor 18 and an electrostatic unit formed on the photoconductor 18 by an exposure unit 40. A developing device 22 that develops the latent image with a developer, a blade 24 as an example of a removing member that removes the developer remaining on the photoconductor 18 after the transfer, and the charge removal by irradiating the photoconductor 18 after the transfer with light. A static elimination device 26 is provided for performing the above.

  The scorotron charger 20, the developing device 22, the blade 24, and the charge removal device 26 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 18 so as to face the surface of the photoconductor 18.

  The developing device 22 includes a developer accommodating member 22A that accommodates a developer G containing toner, and a developing roll 22B that supplies the developer G accommodated in the developer accommodating member 22A to the photoconductor 18. Yes. The developer accommodating member 22A is connected to the toner cartridge 14 (see FIG. 1) through a toner supply path (not shown), and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer unit 32 is provided below each image forming unit 16. The transfer unit 32 includes an annular intermediate transfer belt 34 that contacts each photoconductor 18, and a primary transfer roll 36 as an example of a primary transfer member that multiplex-transfers toner images formed on each photoconductor 18 to the intermediate transfer belt 34. It is comprised including.

  The intermediate transfer belt 34 includes a drive roll 38 driven by a motor (not shown), a tension applying roll 41 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 34, a counter roll 42 that faces a secondary transfer roll 62 described later, and a plurality of rolls. It is wound around the winding roll 44 and is driven to circulate in one direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) by the drive roll 38.

  Each primary transfer roll 36 is disposed opposite to the photoreceptor 18 of each image forming unit 16 with the intermediate transfer belt 34 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 36 is applied with a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity by a power supply unit (not shown). With this configuration, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 18 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 34.

  On the opposite side of the drive roll 38 with the intermediate transfer belt 34 interposed therebetween, a removing device 46 is provided for removing residual toner, paper dust and the like on the intermediate transfer belt 34 by bringing the blade into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 34. .

  Below the transfer unit 32, two recording medium storage units 48 for storing recording media such as paper are provided along the horizontal direction.

  Each recording medium accommodating portion 48 can be pulled out from the first housing 10A. Above one end side (the right side in FIG. 1) of each recording medium container 48, a delivery roll 52 that sends the recording medium P from each recording medium container 48 to the transport path 60 is provided.

  In each recording medium accommodating portion 48, a bottom plate 50 on which the recording medium P is placed is provided. The bottom plate 50 is lowered by an instruction of a control unit (not shown) when the recording medium accommodating portion 48 is pulled out from the first housing 10A. When the bottom plate 50 is lowered, a space in which the user replenishes the recording medium P is formed in the recording medium accommodating portion 48.

  When the recording medium accommodating portion 48 pulled out from the first housing 10A is attached to the first housing 10A, the bottom plate 50 is raised by an instruction from the control means. As the bottom plate 50 moves up, the uppermost recording medium P placed on the bottom plate 50 and the delivery roll 52 come into contact with each other.

  On the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction of the sending roll 52 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “downstream side”), a separation roll 56 that separates the recording media P sent from the recording medium accommodating portion 48 one by one. Is provided. A plurality of transport rolls 54 that transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction are provided on the downstream side of the separation roll 56.

  The conveyance path 60 provided between the recording medium storage unit 48 and the transfer unit 32 is configured to fold the recording medium P sent out from the recording medium storage unit 48 to the left side in FIG. The folding portion 60B extends to the transfer position T between the secondary transfer roll 62 and the opposing roll 42 so as to be folded back to the right side in FIG.

  The secondary transfer roll 62 is applied with a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity by a power feeding unit (not shown). With this configuration, the toner images of each color that have been multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 34 are secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P that has been transported along the transport path 60 by the secondary transfer roll 62.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the secondary transfer roll 62, the image forming unit 16, the primary transfer roll 36, and the intermediate transfer belt 34 constitute an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P.

  A preliminary path 66 extending from the side surface of the first housing 10 </ b> A is provided so as to join the second folding portion 60 </ b> B of the transport path 60. A recording medium P sent out from a recording medium accommodation unit (not shown) arranged adjacent to the first housing 10 </ b> A enters the conveyance path 60 through the spare path 66.

  On the downstream side of the transfer position T, a plurality of conveying belts 70 that convey the recording medium P on which the toner image has been transferred toward the second casing 10B are provided in the first casing 10A, and are conveyed to the conveying belt 70. A transport belt 80 that transports the recording medium P to the downstream side is provided in the second housing 10B.

  Each of the plurality of conveyance belts 70 and the conveyance belt 80 is formed in an annular shape and is wound around a pair of winding rolls 72. The pair of winding rolls 72 are respectively arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and when one of them is driven to rotate, the conveyance belt 70 (conveyance belt 80) moves in one direction (in FIG. 1). Cycle in the clockwise direction.

  A fixing device 82 that heats and fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium P to the recording medium P is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 80.

  The fixing device 82 includes a fixing belt 84 and a pressure roll 88 disposed so as to come into contact with the fixing belt 84 from below. A fixing unit N is formed between the fixing belt 84 and the pressure roll 88 to fix the toner image by pressurizing and heating the recording medium P.

  The fixing belt 84 is formed in an annular shape and is wound around the drive roll 89 and the driven roll 90. The drive roll 89 faces the pressure roll 88 from above, and the driven roll 90 is disposed above the drive roll 89.

  Each of the driving roll 89 and the driven roll 90 includes a heating unit such as a halogen heater. As a result, the fixing belt 84 is heated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a conveyance belt 98 that conveys the recording medium P sent from the fixing device 82 to the downstream side is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 82. The conveyor belt 98 is formed in the same manner as the conveyor belt 70.

  As an example of a conveying device that conveys the recording medium P, a cooling device 100 that conveys the recording medium P heated by the fixing device 82 and cools the recording medium P is provided on the downstream side of the conveying belt 98. . A specific configuration of the cooling device 100 will be described later. In addition, as a conveying apparatus, it is not restricted to the cooling apparatus 100, For example, the conveying apparatus which does not have a cooling function may be sufficient.

  On the downstream side of the cooling device 100, there is provided a correction device 170 that conveys the recording medium P and corrects the curl of the recording medium P.

  A detection device 180 that detects a toner density defect, an image defect, an image position defect, and the like of the toner image fixed on the recording medium P is provided on the downstream side of the correction device 170.

  The detection device 180 detects the reflected light emitted from the light source to the recording medium P and reflected upward by the recording medium P by a detection element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, thereby causing a toner density defect and an image defect. Image position defects and the like are detected.

  On the downstream side of the detection device 180, a discharge roll 198 that discharges the recording medium P on which an image is formed on one side to a discharge unit 196 attached to the side surface of the second housing 10B is provided.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides, the recording medium P sent from the detection device 180 is conveyed to the reversing path 202 provided on the downstream side of the detection device 180.

  The reversing path 202 includes a branch path 202A that branches from the transport path 60, a paper transport path 202B that transports the recording medium P transported along the branch path 202A toward the first housing 10A, and a paper transport path. A reversing path 202C is provided in which the recording medium P transported along 202B is folded back in the reverse direction and transported in a switchback manner so that the front and back surfaces are reversed.

  With this configuration, the recording medium P switched back and conveyed by the reversing path 202C is conveyed toward the first housing 10A, and further enters the conveyance path 60 provided above the recording medium container 48, and is transferred to the transfer position. It is sent to T again.

  Next, an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  The image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image signal processing unit 13 is sent to each exposure unit 40. In each exposure unit 40, each exposure light L is emitted according to the image data and exposed to each photoconductor 18 charged by the scorotron charger 20, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. At this time, ozone is generated by the scorotron charger 20 being discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 18 is developed by the developing device 22, and the first special color (V), the second special color (W), yellow (Y), magenta ( M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptors 28 of the image forming units 16V, 16W, 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K have six primary transfer rolls 36V, 36W, 36Y, 36M, and 36C. , 36K, and sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 34.

  The toner images of the respective colors that have been multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 34 are secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P conveyed from the recording medium accommodating portion 48 by the secondary transfer roll 62. The recording medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing device 82 provided inside the second housing 10B by the conveyance belt 70.

  The toner images of the respective colors on the recording medium P are fixed on the recording medium P by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device 82. Further, the recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is cooled by passing through the cooling device 100 and then sent to the correction device 170 to correct the curvature generated in the recording medium P.

  The recording medium P whose curvature is corrected is discharged to the discharge unit 196 by the discharge roll 198 after an image defect or the like is detected by the detection device 180.

  On the other hand, when an image is formed on a non-image surface where no image is formed (in the case of double-sided printing), after passing through the detection device 180, the recording medium P is reversed by the reversing path 202 and above the recording medium container 48. And a toner image is formed on the back surface according to the above-described procedure.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that does not have an intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus other than the configuration may be used.

(Configuration of the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment includes an annular first belt 110 that circulates and an annular second belt disposed on the outer peripheral side (specifically, the upper side) of the first belt 110. Belt 120.

  Hereinafter, the second belt 120 disposed on the upper side with respect to the first belt 110 will be referred to as an upper belt 120, and the first belt 110 disposed on the lower side with respect to the second belt 120 will be referred to as the lower belt 110. Will be described. In addition, as the 2nd belt 120 and the 1st belt 110, it is not restricted to the structure arrange | positioned along with an up-down direction, For example, the structure arrange | positioned along with a horizontal direction may be sufficient.

  For example, a polyimide film is used for the lower belt 110 and the upper belt 120. Note that other materials may be used for the lower belt 110 and the upper belt 120. Further, the annular lower belt 110 and the annular upper belt 120 may be a belt with a seam (seam) or a belt without a seam.

  A plurality (six in the present embodiment) of winding rolls 112 as an example of a winding member around which the lower belt 110 is wound are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the lower belt 110. The plurality of winding rolls 112 include a driving roll 112A as an example of a driving member that applies a driving force to the lower belt 110, a tension applying roll 112B as an example of a tension applying member that applies tension to the lower belt 110, and a lower belt. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) support rolls 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F as an example of a support member that supports 110 are configured.

  The plurality of winding rolls 112 are supported along the movement path of the lower belt 110 from the upstream side in the movement direction of the lower belt 110, the support roll 112C, the support roll 112D, the drive roll 112A, the support roll 112E, the support roll 112F, and the tension applying roll. 112B are arranged in this order.

  Further, the support rolls 112 </ b> C and 112 </ b> D are disposed to face the upper belt 120 with the lower belt 110 sandwiched between the support rolls 112 </ b> C and 112 </ b> D. The drive roll 112A is disposed below the support roll 112D, and the support roll 112E is disposed below the drive roll 112A. The tension applying roll 112B is disposed below the support roll 112C, and the support roll 112F is disposed below the tension applying roll 112B.

  The support rolls 112 </ b> C, 112 </ b> D, 112 </ b> E, and 112 </ b> F are configured by driven rolls that rotate following the lower belt 110. The driving roll 112A is rotationally driven by a driving force applied from a driving motor (not shown). When the driving roll 112A is rotationally driven, the lower belt 110 is circulated (rotated) in one direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3). The tension applying roll 112 </ b> B is provided with an elastic member 116 such as a compression spring, and a force toward the outer peripheral side of the lower belt 110 is applied by the elastic force of the elastic member 116. As a result, the lower belt 110 circulates in a state where tension is applied.

  The number of the plurality of winding rolls 112 is not limited to six, and may be two to five, seven or more. Further, the plurality of winding rolls 112 may be configured by changing the arrangement positions of the drive roll 112A, the tension applying roll 112B, and the support rolls 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F.

  A plurality (four in this embodiment) of pressing rolls 114 as an example of a pressing member that presses the lower belt 110 against the upper belt 120 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the lower belt 110. Specifically, the plurality of pressing rolls 114 are disposed so as to face a contact member 130 described later with the upper belt 120 and the lower belt 110 interposed therebetween. The plurality of pressing rolls 114 are rotated by the lower belt 110 that circulates and moves.

  The plurality of pressing rolls 114 are provided with an elastic member 118 such as a compression spring, and the pressing roll 114 presses the lower belt 110 against the upper belt 120 by the elastic force of the elastic member 118.

  As the plurality of pressing rolls 114 press the lower belt 110 toward the upper belt 120, the contact state between the lower belt 110 and the upper belt 120 and the contact state between the upper belt 120 and the contact member 130 are maintained. The pressing member may be, for example, a roll that does not rotate, and may be a member that presses the lower belt 110 against the upper belt 120.

  On the other hand, a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of winding rolls 122 as an example of a winding member around which the upper belt 120 is wound are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the upper belt 120. The plurality of winding rolls 122 include a driving roll 122A as an example of a driving member that applies driving force to the upper belt 120, a tension applying roll 122B as an example of an applying member that applies tension to the upper belt 120, and an upper belt. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) support rolls 122C, 122D, and 122E as an example of support members that support 120 are configured.

  The plurality of winding rolls 122 are arranged in the order of a support roll 122C, a drive roll 122A, a support roll 122D, a support roll 122E, and a tension applying roll 122B along the movement path of the upper belt 120 from the upstream side in the movement direction of the upper belt 120. Has been placed.

  The drive roll 122A is disposed to face the support roll 112D with the upper belt 120 and the lower belt 110 sandwiched between the drive roll 112D. The support roll 122D is disposed on the upper side of the drive roll 122A. The support roll 122C is disposed to face the support roll 112C with the upper belt 120 and the lower belt 110 sandwiched between the support roll 112C. The tension applying roll 122B is disposed on the upper side of the support roll 122C, and the supporting roll 122E is disposed on the upper side of the tension applying roll 122B.

  The support rolls 122C, 122D, and 122E are configured of driven rolls that rotate following the upper belt 120. The driving roll 122A is rotationally driven by a driving force applied from a driving motor (not shown). When the drive roll 122A is driven to rotate, the upper belt 120 circulates (rotates) in one direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3). The tension applying roll 122 </ b> B is provided with an elastic member 126 such as a compression spring, and the force toward the outer peripheral side of the upper belt 120 is applied by the elastic force of the elastic member 126. As a result, the upper belt 120 circulates in a state where tension is applied.

  The number of the plurality of winding rolls 122 is not limited to five, and may be two to four, six or more. The plurality of winding rolls 122 may be configured by changing the arrangement positions of the drive roll 122A, the tension applying roll 122B, and the support rolls 122C, 122D, and 122E.

  As described above, the upper belt 120 in contact with the lower belt 110 circulates and moves, so that the upper belt 120 as an example of a conveying member and the recording medium P as an example of a conveyed material between the lower belt 110 and the recording medium P. The recording medium P is transported by the lower belt 110 while being sandwiched.

  Further, on the inner peripheral side of the upper belt 120, a contact member 130 that contacts a part of the inner periphery of the upper belt 120 is disposed so as to face the lower belt 110 so that the upper belt 120 is sandwiched between the lower belt 110. Has been. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact member 130 has a U-shape (U-shape) whose upper side is opened in a side view (when viewed from one axial direction of the winding roll 122 toward the other). I am doing.

  The contact member 130 is formed in a convex shape with a bottom surface 130A protruding downward, and the bottom surface 130A forms a contact surface with which the upper belt 120 contacts. Further, the contact member 130 functions as a heat absorbing member that absorbs heat from the recording medium P via the upper belt 120 by contacting the upper belt 120 that contacts the recording medium P.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the contact member 130 is provided with a heat radiating plate 132 as an example of a heat radiating member for radiating heat from the contact member 130. The heat dissipating plates 132 are arranged along the belt width direction of the upper belt 120 (direction orthogonal to the belt moving direction), and a plurality of the heat radiating plates 132 are arranged along the belt moving direction of the upper belt 120.

  For the contact member 130 and the heat radiating plate 132, a material having better thermal conductivity than the upper belt 120 is used, and for example, it is made of a metal material. As the metal material, for example, aluminum is used. In addition, as a material of the contact member 130 and the heat sink 132, it is not limited to said material.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the heat sink as an example of the cooling unit that cools the recording medium P conveyed by the upper belt 120 and the lower belt 110 is configured by the contact member 130 and the heat radiating plate 132. A fan 134 as an example of a blowing unit is provided on the side of the heat radiating plate 132. The fan 134 feeds air between the heat radiating plates 132, takes heat away from the heat radiating plates 132, and discharges hot air to the outside.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a lower belt support 150 as an example of a support that supports the lower belt 110 and an example of a support that supports the upper belt 120. Upper belt support 160.

  The upper belt support 160 includes a pair of side plates 162A and 162B provided on each side of the upper belt 120 along a side end (end portion in the belt width direction) 120A of the upper belt 120, and a pair of side plates 162A. The plurality of winding rolls 122 (see FIG. 3) described above, which are rotatably supported at both ends in the axial direction on 162B, are configured.

  An upper plate of the upper belt support 160 is provided with a counter plate 164 which has a length along the belt width direction and faces the outer peripheral surface facing the upper side of the lower belt 110.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lower belt support 150 includes a pair of side plates 152 </ b> A and 152 </ b> B provided on the side of the lower belt 110 along the side end (end portion in the belt width direction) 110 </ b> A of the lower belt 110. And a plurality of winding rolls 112 described above, in which both axial ends are rotatably supported by the pair of side plates 152A and 152B, respectively.

  A pair of opposing members as an example facing the outer peripheral surface facing the lower side of the lower belt 110 and having a length along the belt width direction are disposed below the side plate 152A of the lower belt support 150. One end of each of the opposing plates 142A and 142B is attached. The other ends of the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B are attached to the lower portion of the side plate 152B via the attachment plate 148, respectively.

  The side plates 152A and 152B of the lower belt support 150 are provided with holding portions 153A for the operator to hold the lower belt support 150 by hand. The holding portion 153A is configured by, for example, an opening formed in the side plates 152A and 152B and into which an operator's hand can be inserted.

  Each of the side plates 152A and 152B of the lower belt support 150 is provided with a pair of pins 155 as an example of a supported portion supported by a support portion 158 described later. The pair of pins 155 project outward from the outer surfaces of the side plates 152A and 152B, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second housing 10 </ b> B is an example of a support portion 158 that detachably supports the lower belt support 150 along the belt width direction, and a support portion that supports the upper belt support 160. The counter balance 168, and a pair of slide rails 159 as an example of a pulling means that enables the support portion 158 and the counter balance 168 to be pulled out from the second housing 10B along the belt width direction are provided.

  The support portion 158 includes a pair of rod-shaped support members 158A and 158B arranged along the side plates 152A and 152B of the lower belt support 150.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the support member 158B is provided with a hole forming member 157 in which an insertion hole 157A into which the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152B is inserted is formed.

  The support member 158A is provided with a groove forming member 161 in which a groove 161A on which the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152A is placed is formed. The groove 161A is formed in a semicircular cross section with the upper side opened, and a pair of pins 155 are placed on the groove 161A from the upper side.

  In the lower belt support 150, the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152A is inserted into the insertion hole 157A, and then the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152A is placed in the groove 161A, so that the support portion 158 extends along the belt width direction. It is designed to be detachably supported.

  Between the support member 158A and the support member 158B, a pair of guide members 163 for guiding the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B of the lower belt support 150 attached to and detached from the support portion 158 along the belt width direction. Is provided. The pair of guide members 163 has a length along the belt width direction, and one end of each of the guide members 163 is attached to the support member 158A, and the other end is attached to the support member 158B. In the state where the lower belt support 150 is supported by the support portion 158, a gap is formed between the pair of opposed plates 142A and 142B and the pair of guide members 163.

  The slide rail 159 positions the support portion 158 and the counter balance 168 at predetermined positions by a stopper (not shown) as an example of positioning means provided on the slide rail 159.

  The counter balance 168 and the support portion 158 are moved to the outside of the second housing 10B along the slide rail 159, whereby the support portion 158, the lower belt support body 150, the counter balance 168, and the upper belt support body 160 are moved. The second housing 10B is pulled out integrally.

  Note that an opening / closing door 10C as an example of an opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the opening 10D is provided on the opening 10D side of the second housing 10B, and in the opened state of the opening 10D by the opening / closing door 10C, The lower belt support 150 and the upper belt support 160 are drawn out from the second housing 10B.

  The counter balance 168 is disposed on the inner side in the pulling direction of the upper belt support 160 (the back side of the second housing 10B), and as shown in FIG. The upper belt support 160 is supported so that the belt support 160 can be tilted with respect to the lower belt support 150. When the upper belt support 160 is tilted with respect to the lower belt support 150, the recording medium P is sandwiched with respect to the outer peripheral surface 110B (hereinafter referred to as the sandwiching surface 110B) of the lower belt 110 where the recording medium P is sandwiched. The outer peripheral surface 120B (hereinafter referred to as the sandwiching surface 120B) of the belt 120 is opened (exposed).

  Further, the counter balance 168 has a function of causing the upper belt support 160 to be stationaryly balanced by applying a force in the direction opposite to its own weight to the upper belt support 160. Accordingly, the upper belt support 160 is configured such that the sandwiching surface 120B of the upper belt 120 is stationary at an arbitrary opening angle with respect to the sandwiching surface 110B of the lower belt 110.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the support portion 158 supports the lower belt support 150 in a detachable manner, and the sandwiching surface 120B of the upper belt 120 is at an angle θ1 (with respect to the sandwiching surface 110B of the lower belt 110). For example, the lower belt support 150 is attached to and detached from the support portion 158 in a state where it is opened to 40 degrees (see FIG. 10).

(Operation of the cooling device according to the present embodiment)
Next, the operation of the cooling device according to this embodiment will be described.

  The operation of attaching and detaching the lower belt support 150 will be described as an operation of the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When removing the lower belt support 150 from the support portion 158, first, the opening / closing door 10C is opened to open the opening 10D of the second housing 10B (see FIG. 5). Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper belt support body 160 and the lower belt support body 150 are pulled out from the second housing 10B in the open state of the opening 10D.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the upper belt support 160 is tilted with respect to the lower belt support 150, and the sandwiching surface 110B of the lower belt 110 is opened with respect to the sandwiching surface 120B of the upper belt 120. To do.

  Next, in the open state in which the sandwiching surface 110B of the lower belt 110 is opened, as shown in FIG. 11, a hand is inserted into the holding portion 153A (see FIG. 6) of the lower belt support 150, and a pair of opposing plates The side plate 152A side is lifted until 142A and 142B are positioned above the groove forming member 161. As a result, the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152A are removed from the groove 161A, and the lower belt support 150 can be pulled out to the near side (outside).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower belt support 150 is pulled out to the near side (outside). Accordingly, the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152B are extracted from the insertion hole 157A, and the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B are guided on the pair of guide members 163.

  Next, the lower belt support 150 is lifted and the lower belt support 150 is removed from the support portion 158.

  When the lower belt support 150 is attached to the support portion 158, as shown in FIG. 12, the holding portion 153A (see FIG. 6) of the lower belt support 150 is held, and the side plates 152B of the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B. The side is placed on the pair of guide members 163 first.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower belt support 150 is slid to the hole forming member 157 side in a state where the pair of opposing plates 142 </ b> A and 142 </ b> B are respectively placed on the pair of guide members 163. Accordingly, the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B are guided by the pair of guide members 163, and the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152B are inserted into the insertion hole 157A.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower belt support 150 is lowered, the pair of pins 155 of the side plate 152A is placed in the groove 161A, and the lower belt support 150 is attached to the support portion 158.

  As described above, when the lower belt support 150 is attached to and detached from the support portion 158, the pair of opposing plates 142 </ b> A and 142 </ b> B that face the outer peripheral surface of the lower belt 110 with a space therebetween is the pair of guide members 163. Be guided to. Thus, the lower belt 110 can be easily attached to and detached from the support portion 158 while the lower belt 110 is suppressed from being damaged as compared with the configuration in which the pair of opposing plates 142A and 142B is not guided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 16 Image forming unit (an example of an image forming part)
34 Intermediate transfer belt (an example of an image forming unit)
36 Primary transfer roll (an example of an image forming unit)
62 Secondary transfer roll (an example of an image forming unit)
82 Fixing device 100 Cooling device (an example of a transport device)
110 Lower belt (example of first belt)
120 Upper belt (example of second belt)
150 Lower belt support (an example of a first belt support)
142A / 142B Counterplate (An example of counter member)
158 Supporting part 163 Guide member P Recording medium

Claims (5)

A support that supports the annular first belt that circulates;
A second belt disposed on the upper side of the first belt and transporting the transported material with the first belt with a transported material sandwiched between the first belt and the first belt;
A plate-like counter plate provided on the support body along a belt width direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the first belt and facing the outer peripheral surface facing the lower side of the first belt at an interval;
A support part that detachably supports the support body from the lower side along the belt width direction;
A guide member provided on the support portion and contacting the counter plate of the support body attached to and detached from the support portion to guide the counter plate along the belt width direction;
A transport apparatus comprising: An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium as the transported material;
A fixing device that heats and fixes the image formed by the image forming unit to the recording medium;
2. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit that is provided on an inner peripheral side of the first belt or an inner peripheral side of the second belt and cools a recording medium conveyed by the first belt and the second belt . A cooling device as a conveying device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A support that supports an annular belt that circulates; and
  A plate-like counter plate provided on the support body along a belt width direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the belt and facing the outer peripheral surface of the belt at an interval;
  A support portion that detachably supports the support body along the belt width direction;
  A guide member provided on the support portion and contacting the counter plate of the support body attached to and detached from the support portion to guide the counter plate along the belt width direction;
  A transport apparatus comprising:   A pin on the back side that is provided on the support and protrudes to the back side in the attaching / detaching direction of the support; and
  An insertion hole that is formed on the back side in the attaching / detaching direction of the support portion and into which the pin on the back side is inserted,
  The conveyance apparatus of Claim 1 or 3 provided with these.   A pin on the near side that is provided on the support and projects to the near side in the attaching / detaching direction of the support; and
  A groove formed on the front side of the attaching / detaching direction in the support portion, on which the pin on the near side is placed;
  The conveyance apparatus of any one of Claim 1, 3, 4 provided.

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