JP5690781B2 - Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a toner image is formed on a photoconductive drum in an image forming unit, and the toner image is formed in a transfer nip portion formed between the photoconductive drum and a transfer roller. It is transferred to the sheet. The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit, and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is subjected to a fixing process in the fixing unit and then discharged.

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, since sheets of different sizes are used, a plurality of sheet cassettes are arranged as sheet conveying apparatuses below the image forming unit. The sheet fed from each sheet cassette is fed to a sheet conveyance path extending vertically on one end side of the plurality of sheet cassettes, and then conveyed to the image forming unit to form a toner image. .

  In the sheet conveyance path extending across the plurality of stages of sheet cassettes, a cover that opens the sheet conveyance path to the outside is disposed in order to remove the sheet when a sheet jam occurs.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 discloses an open / close door that allows a sheet conveyance path extending in the vertical direction to be open to the outside, adjacent to a plurality of sheet cassettes.

JP-A-2005-70070

  As in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the sheet conveyance path extended so as to straddle a plurality of stages of sheet cassettes is opened by a single opening / closing door, the height of the opening / closing door increases. As a result, since the opening / closing door is opened, a wide space needs to be secured around the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of opening / closing doors are arranged adjacent to each sheet cassette of the plurality of stages of sheet cassettes, the sheet conveyance path around the fulcrum portion of the opening / closing door is not opened to the outside. For this reason, the visibility of the sheet conveyance path around the fulcrum portion decreases. Furthermore, when the sheet is jammed so as to straddle the fulcrum portion, it is difficult to take out the sheet.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an open / close cover that opens a sheet conveying path extending in the vertical direction adjacent to a plurality of sheet cassettes to the outside is disposed. An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of the sheet conveyance path from the outside and reduce the space required for opening and closing the opening / closing cover as much as possible in the sheet conveying apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the same. .

A sheet conveying apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a casing, a first conveying path that is disposed in the casing and that conveys a sheet in a vertical direction, the first conveying path that is disposed in the casing, and the first conveying path. A second conveyance path that is connected to the upper end of the path and conveys the sheet in the up-down direction; and a first rotation shaft below, and is rotated about the first rotation axis so that the housing The first cover can be opened and closed with respect to the body, and in the opened state, the first cover that exposes the first conveyance path to the outside of the housing, and the sheet width direction that intersects the sheet conveyance direction, A second rotating shaft disposed outside the transport path and below the upper end edge of the first cover in the closed state is provided, and is rotated about the second rotating shaft, so that the housing The upper part can be opened and closed with respect to the body. A second cover for exposing includes a first cover includes a first cover portion covering the first conveying path, a first rotary shaft which is arranged at the lower end portion of the first cover portion, And the second cover extends downward from the second cover portion on the outer side in the sheet width direction than the first conveyance path, the second cover portion covering the second conveyance path, A leg portion that reaches the first rotation shaft; and the second rotation shaft that is disposed coaxially with the first rotation shaft at the leg portion; and a first cover in the open state with respect to the housing. than 1 opening angle, the second opening angle in the opened state of the second cover with respect to the casing is rather small, the third with respect to the housing in the open state of the first cover in the closed state of the second cover Than the opening angle of the first cover, the first cover in the open state of the second cover. Characterized in that the fourth opening angle with respect to the housing in the open state of the over large.

  According to this configuration, the first transport path is exposed to the outside of the housing by opening the first cover. Further, the second transport path is exposed to the outside of the housing by opening the second cover. At this time, the second cover is rotated around a second rotation shaft disposed below the upper end edge of the first cover in the closed state. For this reason, with the opening of the second cover, the lower end edge of the portion of the second cover that covers the upper feeding path is separated from the housing. As a result, the upper end portion of the first conveyance path and the lower end portion of the second conveyance path are suitably exposed to the outside of the housing. As a result, even when the sheet is jammed across the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, the sheet is easily removed. Further, the second opening angle in the opened state of the second cover is set smaller than the first opening angle in the opened state of the first cover with respect to the housing. For this reason, compared with the case where the 1st conveyance path and the 2nd conveyance path are exposed outside with one cover, the space which the opening operation of the 1st cover and the 2nd cover occupies is reduced.

Further , according to this configuration, the second rotation shaft of the second cover is arranged coaxially with the first rotation shaft at the leg portion extending from the first cover portion. For this reason, even when the second cover is opened at the same angle, the second cover is opened as far as possible from the housing. As a result, the visibility of the second transport path is improved.

Further , according to this configuration, even when the second cover is opened, the first cover is opened with a fourth opening angle larger than the third opening angle. Therefore, the opening of the second cover prevents the space for exposing the first conveyance path from being narrowed.

  In the above configuration, in association with the change of the second cover from the closed state to the open state, the opening angle of the first cover with respect to the housing is changed from the third opening angle to the fourth opening angle. It is desirable to have an interlocking portion that changes.

  According to this configuration, the opening angle of the first cover is suitably changed by the interlocking portion.

  In the above configuration, the interlocking portion protrudes from the side surface of the first cover portion in the seat width direction, and serves as the first rotation shaft, and from the cylindrical portion to the first rotation shaft. A projecting portion projecting in a radial direction in rotation of the second cover, a hole opening in the leg portion of the second cover and through which the cylindrical portion is inserted, and in the leg portion, the circumference in the rotation from the hole portion. It is desirable to have a guide portion that is cut toward the radial direction with a predetermined width in the direction, and the projection portion is movable in the circumferential direction.

  According to this configuration, the opening angle of the first cover is suitably changed depending on the configuration of the cylindrical portion, the protruding portion, the hole portion, and the guide portion.

  In the above configuration, the leg portion defines a first wall portion that defines an upstream end portion of the guide portion in the rotation direction of the second cover, and a downstream end portion of the guide portion in the rotation direction. A second wall portion, and in a closed state of the first cover and the second cover, the protrusion is disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and the second cover is closed. In the state, it is preferable that the opening angle of the first cover is restricted to the third opening angle by the first cover being opened and the protrusion coming into contact with the second wall portion.

  According to this configuration, when the first cover is opened while the second cover is closed, the opening angle of the first cover is restricted to the third opening angle by the protrusions coming into contact with the second wall portion. The

  In the above configuration, when the first cover is in an open state, the second cover is opened, and the guide portion is rotated in a state where the second wall portion supports the protruding portion. It is desirable that the opening angle of the cover is changed from the third opening angle to the fourth opening angle.

  According to this configuration, the opening angle of the first cover is suitably changed from the third opening angle to the fourth opening angle in conjunction with the opening operation of the second cover.

  In the above configuration, when the first cover is closed, the second cover is opened, and the opening angle of the second cover is regulated by the first wall portion coming into contact with the protrusion. desirable.

  According to this configuration, when the second cover is opened in the closed state of the first cover, the opening angle of the second cover is suitably restricted by the first wall portion coming into contact with the protruding portion.

  In the above configuration, in the closed state of the second cover, it is bent and bridged between the second cover and the housing, and the bending is extended as the second cover is opened, It is desirable to provide a regulating member that regulates the opening angle of the second cover with respect to the housing.

According to this configuration, when the second cover is opened, the regulating member is extended and the opening angle of the second cover is suitably regulated.
An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet transported from any one of the above and the sheet transported from the first transport path or the second transport path. It is characterized by having.

  According to this configuration, even when the sheet is jammed across the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, the sheet is easily removed. Furthermore, the space occupied by the opening operation of the first cover and the second cover is reduced as compared with the case where the first transport path and the second transport path are exposed to the outside with a single cover. Accordingly, the space occupied around the image forming apparatus is reduced as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, in a sheet conveying apparatus in which an open / close cover that opens a sheet conveying path extending in the vertical direction adjacent to a plurality of sheet cassettes to the outside is disposed, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus, And the space required for the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover is reduced as much as possible.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, it is the perspective view by which the upper stage door and the lower stage door were made into the open state. FIG. 4 is a front view of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an upper door and a lower door in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which an upper door and a lower door are closed in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotation fulcrum of the upper stage door and lower stage door of the state of FIG. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotation fulcrum of the upper stage door in FIG. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotation fulcrum of the lower door in FIG. In the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is a front view showing the closed state of the upper door and the open state of the lower door. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotation fulcrum of the upper stage door and lower stage door of the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an open state of an upper door and a lower door in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotation fulcrum of the upper stage door and lower stage door of the state of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the mode of the upper stage door of the state of FIG. It is the rear view which looked at the state of FIG. 12 from the reverse direction. 1 is a front view showing an image forming apparatus provided with an opening / closing door that is referred to in comparison with each embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, as the image forming apparatus 1, a multi-function machine having a printer function and a copying function is illustrated, but the image forming apparatus may be a printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine.

<Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10 (housing) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing structure, and an automatic document feeder 20 disposed on the apparatus main body 10. In the apparatus main body 10, a reading unit 25 that optically reads a document image to be copied, an image forming unit 30 that forms a toner image on a sheet, a fixing unit 60 that fixes the toner image on a sheet, and image formation A sheet feeding unit 40 that stores a regular sheet conveyed to the unit 30, and a conveyance that conveys the regular sheet from the sheet feeding unit 40 or the sheet feeding tray 46 to the sheet discharge port 10E via the image forming unit 30 and the fixing unit 60. A path 50 and a transport unit 55 having therein a sheet transport path constituting a part of the transport path 50 are accommodated.

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) 20 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the apparatus body 10. The ADF 20 automatically feeds a document sheet to be copied toward a predetermined document reading position (a position where the first contact glass 241 is assembled) in the apparatus main body 10. On the other hand, when the user manually places the original sheet on a predetermined original reading position (position where the second contact glass 242 is disposed), the ADF 20 is opened upward. The ADF 20 includes a document tray 21 on which a document sheet is placed, a document transport unit 22 that transports a document sheet via an automatic document reading position, and a document discharge tray 23 that discharges a document sheet after reading. .

  The reading unit 25 passes through a first contact glass 241 for reading a document sheet automatically fed from the ADF 20 on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10 or a second contact glass 242 for reading a manually placed document sheet. The image is optically read. In the reading unit 25, a scanning mechanism including a light source, a movable carriage, a reflection mirror, and the like, and an image sensor are accommodated (not shown). The scanning mechanism irradiates the original sheet with light and guides the reflected light to the image sensor. The image sensor photoelectrically converts the reflected light into an analog electric signal. The analog electric signal is converted into a digital electric signal by an A / D conversion circuit and then input to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 performs a process of generating a full-color toner image and transferring it onto a sheet. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) arranged in tandem. An image forming unit 32 including four units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk for forming the respective toner images, an intermediate transfer unit 33 disposed adjacent to the image forming unit 32, and an intermediate transfer unit 33. And a toner replenishing section 34 disposed in the.

  Each of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk includes a photosensitive drum 321 and a charger 322, an exposure device 323, a developing device 324, a primary transfer roller 325, and a cleaning device disposed around the photosensitive drum 321. 326.

  The photosensitive drum 321 rotates about its axis, and an electrostatic latent image and a toner image are formed on its peripheral surface. As the photosensitive drum 321, a photosensitive drum using an amorphous silicon (a-Si) material can be used. The charger 322 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 321. The exposure device 323 includes a laser light source and optical system devices such as a mirror and a lens, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 with light based on image data of a document image. .

  The developing device 324 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 321. The developing device 324 is for a two-component developer and includes a screw feeder, a magnetic roller, and a developing roller.

  The primary transfer roller 325 forms a nip portion with the photosensitive drum 321 across the intermediate transfer belt 331 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 33, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 321 is primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 331. To do. The cleaning device 326 includes a cleaning roller and the like, and cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 after the toner image is transferred.

  The intermediate transfer unit 33 includes an intermediate transfer belt 331, a driving roller 332, and a driven roller 333. The intermediate transfer belt 331 is an endless belt that is stretched around a driving roller 332 and a driven roller 333, and toner images from a plurality of photosensitive drums 321 are superimposed on the same portion on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 331. Are transferred (primary transfer).

  A secondary transfer roller 35 is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the drive roller 332. A nip portion between the driving roller 332 and the secondary transfer roller 35 serves as a secondary transfer portion that transfers a full-color toner image overcoated on the intermediate transfer belt 331 to a sheet. A secondary transfer bias potential having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the secondary transfer roller 35, and the drive roller 332 is grounded.

  The toner supply unit 34 includes a yellow toner container 34Y, a magenta toner container 34M, a cyan toner container 34C, and a black toner container 34Bk. These toner containers 34Y, 34C, 34M, and 34Bk respectively store toner of each color, and are supplied to the developing devices 324 of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk corresponding to each color of YMCBk through a supply path (not shown). Supply toner of each color. Each toner container 34Y, 34C, 34M, 34Bk is provided with a transport screw 341 for transporting the toner in the container to a toner discharge port (not shown). The conveying screw 341 is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown), so that toner is supplied into the developing device 324.

  The sheet feeding unit 40 includes four-stage first sheet feeding cassettes 40A, second sheet feeding cassettes 40B (second sheet stacking units), and third sheets that store the standard sheet S1 among the sheets subjected to image forming processing. A sheet feeding cassette 40C (second sheet stacking unit) and a fourth sheet feeding cassette 40D (first sheet stacking unit) are provided. These paper feed cassettes can be pulled out from the front of the apparatus body 10 toward the front.

  The first sheet feed cassette 40A includes a sheet storage unit 41 that stores a sheet bundle formed by stacking the standard sheets S1 and a lift plate 42 that lifts the sheet bundle for sheet feeding. A pickup roller 43 and a roller pair of a paper feed roller 44 and a retard roller 45 are arranged on the upper right side of the paper feed cassette 40A. By driving the pickup roller 43 and the paper feed roller 44, the uppermost sheet S1 of the sheet bundle in the paper feed cassette 40A is fed out one by one and carried into the upstream end of the transport path 50. The second paper feed cassette 40B, the third paper feed cassette 40C, and the fourth paper feed cassette 40D have the same configuration as the first paper feed cassette 40A. In addition, the third paper feed cassette 40C and the fourth paper feed cassette 40D are integrally formed, and the first paper feed cassette 40A and the second paper feed cassette 40B are mounted as so-called additional paper feed cassettes. The image forming apparatus 1 can be mounted.

  A paper feed tray 46 for manual paper feed is provided on the right side surface 10 </ b> R of the apparatus main body 10. The paper feed tray 46 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 at its lower end so as to be openable and closable. When performing manual sheet feeding, the user opens the sheet feeding tray 46 as shown in the drawing and places a sheet thereon. The sheet placed on the paper feed tray 46 is carried into the transport path 50 by driving the pickup roller 461 and the paper feed roller 462.

  The conveyance path 50 includes a main conveyance path 50A that conveys a sheet (standard sheet S1) from the paper feed unit 40 to the exit of the fixing unit 60 via the image forming unit 30, and one side when performing duplex printing on the sheet. A reverse conveyance path 50B for returning the printed sheet to the image forming unit 30, a switchback conveyance path 50C for directing the sheet from the downstream end of the main conveyance path 50A to the upstream end of the reverse conveyance path 50B, and the main conveyance And a horizontal conveyance path 50D that conveys the sheet in the horizontal direction from the downstream end of the path 50A to the sheet discharge port 10E provided on the left side surface 10L of the apparatus main body 10. Most of the horizontal conveyance path 50 </ b> D is configured by a sheet conveyance path provided inside the conveyance unit 55.

  A registration roller pair 51 is disposed on the upstream side of the main transfer path 50A from the secondary transfer portion 35A. The sheet is temporarily stopped by the resist roller pair 51 in a stopped state, and skew correction is performed. Thereafter, the registration roller pair 51 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) at a predetermined timing for image transfer, whereby the sheet is sent out to the secondary transfer portion. In addition, a plurality of conveyance rollers 52 for conveying the sheet are arranged in the main conveyance path 50A.

  Further, the sheet fed from the second sheet feeding cassette 40B and the third sheet feeding cassette 40C passes through the upper feeding path 70S (second conveying path) which is a part of the conveying path 50, and then the conveying roller 52. To. Further, the sheet fed from the fourth sheet feeding cassette 40D is conveyed through the upper feeding path 70S after passing through the lower feeding path 80S (first conveying path) which is a part of the conveying path 50. Thereafter, the transport roller 52 is reached.

  The lower feeding path 80S is a conveyance path that extends in the vertical direction on the right side of the apparatus body 10 and conveys the sheet. The upper feed path 70S extends in the vertical direction in the apparatus main body 10 and is connected to the upper end portion of the lower feed path 80S.

  A paper discharge roller 53 is disposed at the most downstream end of the transport path 50. The paper discharge roller 53 feeds the sheet to a post-processing device (not shown) disposed on the left side surface 10L of the apparatus body 10 through the sheet discharge port 10E. In the image forming apparatus to which the post-processing apparatus is not attached, a sheet discharge tray is provided below the sheet discharge port 10E.

  The transport unit 55 is a unit that transports the sheet unloaded from the fixing unit 60 to the sheet discharge port 10E. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the fixing unit 60 is disposed on the right side 10R side of the apparatus main body 10, and the sheet discharge port 10E is disposed on the left side 10L side of the apparatus main body 10 facing the right side 10R. Yes. Accordingly, the transport unit 55 transports the sheet in the horizontal direction from the right side surface 10R of the apparatus main body 10 toward the left side surface 10L.

  The fixing unit 60 is an induction heating type fixing device that performs a fixing process for fixing a toner image on a sheet, and includes a heating roller 61, a fixing roller 62, a pressure roller 63, a fixing belt 64, and an induction heating unit 65. A pressure roller 63 is pressed against the fixing roller 62 to form a fixing nip portion. The heating roller 61 and the fixing belt 64 are induction-heated by an induction heating unit 65, and give the heat to the fixing nip portion. As the sheet passes through the fixing nip portion, the toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 1 further includes an upper door 70 (second cover) and a lower door 80 (first cover). The upper door 70 and the lower door 80 are disposed below the right side surface 10 </ b> R of the apparatus main body 10. The upper door 70 and the lower door 80 are arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 10. In particular, the lower portions of the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 serve as fulcrums, and the upper portions of the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 are opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 10. In the open state of the upper door 70, the upper feed path 70S is opened to the outside of the apparatus main body 10. Further, the lower feed path 80 </ b> S is opened to the outside of the apparatus main body 10 in the opened state of the lower door 80. As described above, when the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 are opened and closed, the sheet is easily taken out even when the upper feed path 70S and the lower feed path 80S are jammed.

  In the above configuration, the paper feed unit 40 (first paper feed cassette 40A, second paper feed cassette 40B, third paper feed cassette 40C, fourth paper feed cassette 40D) and upper feed path 70S, upper door 70, lower A sheet feeding device 4 (sheet conveying device) of the image forming apparatus 1 is configured by the feeding path 80 </ b> S and the lower door 80. As described above, the sheet feeding device 4 supplies the standard sheet S <b> 1 to the image forming unit 30.

  Next, opening and closing modes of the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 are opened with respect to the apparatus main body 10, and FIG. 4 is a front view thereof. Further, FIG. 5 is a view showing only the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 in the state of FIG. 4.

  On the other hand, FIG. 16 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1Z in which an integrated cover 95 that is referred to in comparison with the present embodiment is mounted so as to be opened and closed. In FIG. 16, when the integrated cover 95 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 10Z, the feeding paths corresponding to the upper feeding path 70S and the lower feeding path 80S of the present embodiment are simultaneously opened to the outside. Is done. In this case, the integrated cover 95 is disposed so as to straddle the four-stage sheet cassettes 40AZ, 40BZ, 40CZ, and 40DZ. For this reason, when the integrated cover 95 is opened, the integrated cover 95 extends rightward from the apparatus main body 10Z, and occupies a wide open / close region RZ. In other words, a wide space around the image forming apparatus 1Z is required for opening and closing the integrated cover 95.

  On the other hand, like the first door 96 and the second door 97 in FIG. 16, it is conceivable that a plurality of opening / closing doors are arranged adjacent to the plurality of sheet cassettes. In this case, compared with the case of the integrated cover 95, the space occupied by the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door is reduced, but the sheet conveyance path RS around the fulcrum portion of the second door 97 is not opened to the outside. For this reason, the visibility of the sheet conveyance path RS is lowered. Furthermore, when the sheet is jammed so as to straddle the fulcrum portion, it is difficult to take out the sheet.

  In the present embodiment, in order to solve the above-described problems, the sheet feeding device 4 and the image forming apparatus 1 including the same include an upper door 70 and a lower door 80.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lower door 80 includes a lower body portion 801 and a lower shaft portion 803 (first rotation shaft). The lower main body 801 is a main body portion of the lower door 80 and has a function of covering the lower feeding path 80S. The lower shaft portion 803 is a shaft portion disposed at the lower end portion of the side surface in the front-rear direction of the lower body portion 801. The lower door 80 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 10 by being rotated about the lower shaft portion 803.

  The upper door 70 includes an upper main body 701 and an upper leg 702. The upper main body 701 is a main body portion of the upper door 70 and has a function of covering the upper feeding path 70S. The upper leg portion 702 is a leg portion extending downward from both front and rear end portions of the upper main body portion 701. In the front-rear direction, the upper leg portion 702 is disposed outside the lower feeding path 80S. The upper leg portion 702 includes an upper support portion 703. The upper stage support portion 703 is a plate-like member that is disposed facing the front-rear direction at the lower end portion of the upper stage leg portion 702. The upper stage support portion 703 includes an upper stage shaft portion 703A. The upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A is a hole opened at the lower end portion of the upper support portion 703, and is fitted on the lower shaft portion 803 of the lower door 80. The upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A serves as a rotation shaft in the opening / closing operation of the upper door 70. Regarding the arrangement of the upper shaft portion 703A, in other words, the upper shaft portion 703A is outside the lower feeding path 80S in the sheet width direction (front-rear direction) intersecting the sheet conveyance direction of the upper feeding path 70S. Thus, it is disposed below the upper edge of the lower door 80 in the closed state. The upper door 70 is pivoted about the upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A, so that the upper portion of the upper door 70 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 10.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the upper door 70 is rotated around the upper shaft portion 703A disposed below the upper edge of the lower door 80 in the closed state. For this reason, with the opening of the upper door 70, the lower edge of the upper body portion 701 of the upper door 70 is separated from the housing (area A1 in FIG. 4). As a result, the upper end portion of the lower feed path 80S and the lower end portion of the upper feed path 70S are suitably exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 10. For this reason, even when the sheet S is jammed across the upper feeding path 70S and the lower feeding path 80S, the sheet S is easily removed. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A of the upper door 70 is disposed on the same axis as the lower shaft portion 803 of the lower door 80. For this reason, even when the upper door 70 is opened at the same angle, the upper door 70 is opened as far as possible from the apparatus main body 10. As a result, the visibility of the upper feed path 70S is improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second opening angle in the open state of the upper door 70 relative to the apparatus body 10 is larger than the first opening angle θ1 in the open state of the lower door 80 relative to the apparatus body 10. θ2 is set small. Note that a strap (not shown) is attached between the upper door 70 and the apparatus main body 10, and the length of the strap is defined in advance so that the opening angle of the upper door 70 becomes the second opening angle θ2. Yes. Similarly, a strap (not shown) is attached between the lower door 80 and the apparatus main body 10, and the length of the strap is defined in advance so that the opening angle of the lower door 80 becomes the first opening angle θ1. (Note that FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are referred to for the form of the strap).

  As described above, by setting the second opening angle θ2 smaller than the first opening angle θ1, the opening / closing region R1 in FIG. 4 becomes narrower than the opening / closing region RZ in FIG. That is, the space occupied by the opening operation of the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 is suitably reduced as compared with the case where the upper feeding path 70S and the lower feeding path 80S are exposed to the outside with a single cover.

  Next, an upper door 71 and a lower door 81 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the upper door 71 and the lower door 71 according to the present embodiment are in a closed state. The apparatus main body 10 is not shown. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing an interlocking portion that is a pivot point of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 in the state shown in FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the upper door 71 side in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lower door 81 side in FIG.

  The upper door 71 and the lower door 81 have the same basic structure as the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 described above. On the other hand, in the upper door 71 and the lower door 80, the open state of the upper door 70 is larger than the third opening angle θ3 (see FIG. 10) with respect to the apparatus main body 10 in the open state of the lower door 80 in the closed state of the upper door 70. The fourth opening angle θ4 (see FIG. 12) with respect to the apparatus main body 10 in the opened state of the lower door 80 is set to be large. Further, the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 are characterized in that the interlocking portion 9 is provided. The interlocking portion 9 changes the opening angle of the lower door 80 with respect to the apparatus body 10 from the third opening angle θ3 to the fourth opening angle θ4 in conjunction with the change of the upper door 70 from the closed state to the open state. It has a function.

  Similar to the lower door 80, the lower door 81 includes a lower main body portion 811 and a lower shaft portion 813 (first rotation shaft). The lower main body portion 811 is a main body portion of the lower door 81 and has a function of covering the lower feeding path 80S. The lower shaft portion 813 is a cylindrical member that protrudes in the seat width direction (front-rear direction) from the lower end portion of the side surface in the front-rear direction of the lower-stage main body portion 811. A shaft portion (not shown) arranged in the apparatus main body 10 is inserted into the lower shaft portion 813, so that the lower shaft portion 813 functions as a rotation shaft in the rotation of the lower door 81. That is, the lower door 81 is pivoted about the lower shaft portion 813, so that the upper portion of the lower door 81 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 10.

  Similarly to the upper door 70, the upper door 71 includes an upper main body 711 and an upper leg 712. The upper body portion 711 is a body portion of the upper door 71 and has a function of covering the upper feeding path 70S. The upper leg portion 712 is a leg portion that extends downward from both ends in the front-rear direction of the upper body portion 711. In the front-rear direction, the upper leg portion 712 is disposed outside the lower feeding path 80S. The upper leg portion 712 includes an upper support portion 713. The upper support portion 713 is a plate-like member that is disposed facing the front-rear direction at the lower end portion of the upper step leg portion 712. The upper stage support portion 713 includes an upper stage shaft portion 713A. The upper shaft portion 713 </ b> A is a portion that becomes a rotation shaft in the rotation of the upper door 71. The upper shaft portion 713A includes a hole 713B. The hole 713B is an opening that is opened in a circular shape in the upper shaft portion 713A. When the upper support portion 713 is disposed outside the lower main body portion 811, the lower shaft portion 813 of the lower door 81 is inserted through the hole 713B. By inserting the lower shaft portion 813 through the hole 713B, the upper shaft portion 713A is arranged on the same axis as the lower shaft portion 813. When the upper door 71 is rotated about the upper shaft portion 713A, the upper portion of the upper door 71 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 10.

  Furthermore, the lower door 81 includes a protrusion 813A (FIGS. 7 and 9). The protruding portion 813A is a protruding member that protrudes in the radial direction in the rotation of the lower door 80 from the outer peripheral portion of the lower shaft portion 813. Further, the upper door 71 includes a guide groove 713C (guide portion) (FIGS. 7 and 8). The guide groove 713 </ b> C is a cutout portion that is cut in the radial direction with a predetermined width in the circumferential direction in the rotation of the upper door 71 from the hole 713 </ b> B in the upper support portion 713. When the lower shaft portion 813 is inserted into the hole 713B, the protruding portion 813A is inserted into the guide groove 713C and is movable in the circumferential direction. The upper support 713 includes a groove left end 713C1 (first wall) and a groove right end 713C2 (second wall). The groove left end 713C1 defines an upstream end of the guide groove 713C in the rotation direction in which the upper door 71 is opened. Further, the groove right end portion 713C2 defines a downstream end portion in the rotation direction of the upper door 71 in the guide groove 713C.

  A strap 90 (regulating member) is disposed between the upper door 71 and the apparatus main body 10 (FIGS. 14 and 15). The strap 90 has a function of regulating the opening angle of the upper door 71 with respect to the apparatus main body 10. The strap 90 is a string-like member made of a resin material. The strap 90 includes a support portion 901, a door fixing portion 902, and a main body fixing portion 903. The support portion 901 is a main body portion of the strap 90. The support part 901 includes a bent part 901A. The bent portion 901A is a portion where the thickness of the substantially central portion of the support portion 901 in the longitudinal direction is partially thinned. The door fixing portion 902 is disposed at one end of the support portion 901 and has a ring shape. The door fixing portion 902 is engaged with a projecting portion 711 </ b> A that projects from the rear side surface of the upper body portion 711 of the upper door 71. The main body fixing portion 903 is disposed at the other end of the support portion 901 and has a ring shape. The main body fixing part 903 is engaged with a protrusion (not shown) arranged in the apparatus main body 10. As described above, in the closed state of the upper door 71, the bent portion 901 </ b> A is bent, so that the strap 90 is bent and bridged between the upper door 71 and the apparatus main body 10. When the upper door 71 is opened, the opening angle of the upper door 71 with respect to the apparatus main body 10 is restricted by the strap 90 after the bending of the bent portion 901 </ b> A is extended. In the present embodiment, the opening angle of the upper door 71 is set to 30 degrees (FIG. 12).

  Next, in addition to FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening / closing operation of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state where the upper door 71 is closed and the lower door 81 is opened. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the interlocking portion 9 of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 in the state of FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view showing an open state of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the interlocking portion 9 of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the state of the upper door 71 in the state of FIG. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the state of FIG. 12 viewed from the reverse direction.

  With reference to FIG. 6, in the closed state of upper door 71 and lower door 81, protrusion 813A is arranged between groove left end 713C1 and groove right end 713C2 of guide groove 713C. From this state, when the lower door 81 is opened while the upper door 71 is closed, the protrusion 813A comes into contact with the groove right end 713C2 of the guide groove 713C. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the opening operation of the lower door 81 is stopped. At this time, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is restricted to the third opening angle θ3. In the present embodiment, the third opening angle θ3 is set to 60 degrees. The worker can access the lower feeding path 80S using the open space.

  Further, when the upper door 71 is opened from the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the protrusion 813 </ b> A of the lower door 81 is supported by the groove right end 713 </ b> C <b> 2 of the upper door 71. The lower door 81 is integrally rotated. Then, as described above, when the upper door 71 is pulled by the strap 90 (FIG. 14), the opening operation of the upper door 71 and the lower door 81 is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is restricted to the fourth opening angle θ4. In the present embodiment, the fourth opening angle θ4 is set to 90 degrees. The operator can access the upper feeding path 70S using the space opened by the upper door 71. In addition, since the lower end portion of the upper body portion 711 of the upper door 71 is separated from the apparatus main body 10, it is possible to access the lower feeding path 80 </ b> S from between the upper body portion 711 and the apparatus body 10. Become. Furthermore, as the upper door 71 is opened, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is increased, so that the lower feeding path 80S can be accessed from between the upper door 71 and the lower door 81. In other words, the space in which the lower door 81 exposes the lower feed path 80 </ b> S with the opening operation of the upper door 71 is suppressed.

  On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, when the upper door 71 is opened in the closed state of the lower door 81, the opening angle of the upper door 71 is regulated by the strap 90 as described above. . At this time, in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 813A of the lower door 81 does not move, and the guide groove 713C of the upper door 71 is rotated clockwise. When the strap 90 stops the opening operation of the upper door 71, the groove left end portion 713C1 of the upper support portion 713 comes into contact with the protruding portion 813A. For this reason, the opening operation of the upper door 71 is also stopped by the protruding portion 813A of the lower door 81. Corresponding to the opening angle of the upper door 71 (FIG. 12), the protruding portion 813A of the closed lower door 81 and the groove left end 713C1 of the closed upper door 71 are separated by 30 degrees in the circumferential direction. Yes.

  According to the above embodiment, the upper feed path 70 </ b> S is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 10 by opening the upper door 70 (upper door 71). Further, the lower feed path 80 </ b> S is exposed to the outside of the apparatus body 10 by opening the lower door 80 (lower door 81). At this time, the upper door 70 is rotated around the upper shaft portion 703A disposed below the upper edge of the lower door 80 in the closed state. For this reason, as the upper door 70 is opened, the lower edge of the upper body portion 701 of the upper door 70 is separated from the apparatus main body 10. As a result, the upper end portion of the lower feed path 80S and the lower end portion of the upper feed path 70S are suitably exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 10. As a result, even if the sheet is jammed across the upper feeding path 70S and the lower feeding path 80S, the sheet is easily removed. Furthermore, the second opening angle θ2 in the opened state of the upper door 70 is set smaller than the first opening angle θ1 with respect to the apparatus main body 10 in the opened state of the lower door 80. For this reason, as compared with the case where the upper feed path 70S and the lower feed path 80S are exposed to the outside with a single cover, the space occupied by the opening operation of the upper door 70 and the lower door 80 is reduced. Accordingly, the space occupied around the sheet feeding device 4 and the image forming apparatus 1 is reduced as much as possible.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the upper shaft portion 703A of the upper door 70 is disposed coaxially with the lower shaft portion 803 in the upper leg portion 702 extending from the upper main body portion 701. For this reason, even when the upper door 70 is opened at the same angle, the upper door 70 is opened as far as possible from the apparatus main body 10. As a result, the visibility of the upper feed path 70S is improved.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, even when the upper door 71 is opened, the lower door 81 is opened with the fourth opening angle θ4 that is larger than the third opening angle θ3. Therefore, opening the upper door 71 prevents the space for exposing the lower feeding path 80S from being narrowed.

  Moreover, according to said embodiment, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is changed suitably by the interlocking | linkage part 9. FIG. In particular, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is suitably changed by the configuration of the lower shaft portion 813, the protruding portion 813A, the hole portion 713B, and the guide groove 713C. Specifically, when the lower door 81 is opened in the closed state of the upper door 71, the opening 813A is in contact with the groove right end 713C2, so that the opening angle of the lower door 81 is restricted to the third opening angle θ3. . In conjunction with the opening operation of the upper door 71, the opening angle of the lower door 81 is suitably changed from the third opening angle θ3 to the fourth opening angle θ4. Further, when the upper door 71 is opened in the closed state of the lower door 81, the opening angle of the upper door 71 is suitably restricted by the groove left end portion 713C1 coming into contact with the protruding portion 813A.

  The sheet feeding device 4 and the image forming apparatus 1 including the sheet feeding device 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the following modified embodiment is adopted. Can do.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the sheet feeding unit 40 has been described as having four stages of sheet feeding cassettes, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sheet may be fed from the second sheet feeding cassette 40B to the upper feeding path 70S, and the sheet may be fed from the fourth sheet feeding cassette 40D to the lower feeding path 80S. Furthermore, the upper feeding path 70S and the lower feeding path 80S may be a conveyance path that conveys a sheet in the vertical direction, and a mode in which the sheet is not directly fed may be used. That is, in a large sheet stacking apparatus that stacks a large number of sheets, when the transport path from the sheet stacking section to the image forming section is set long, the transport path for transporting the sheet in the vertical direction is The upper feed path 70S, the lower feed path 80S, the upper door 70, and the lower door 80 may be applied.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A that is the rotation shaft of the upper door 70 has been described as being arranged coaxially with the lower shaft portion 813 that is the rotation shaft of the lower door 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The upper shaft portion 703 </ b> A only needs to be disposed below the upper edge of the lower door 80.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 4 Paper feeder 10 Apparatus main body 101 Front frame 102 Bracket 102A Left wall part 102B Rear wall part 102C Right wall part 40 Paper feed part 40A 1st paper feed cassette 40B 2nd paper feed cassette 40C 3rd paper feed cassette 40D Fourth paper cassette 46 Paper feed tray 70, 71 Upper door (second cover)
70S Upper feed path (second transport path)
701, 711 Upper body part (second cover part)
702, 712 Upper leg (leg)
703, 713 Upper stage support part 703A, 713A Upper stage shaft part (second rotating shaft)
713B Hole 713C Guide groove (guide part)
713C1 groove left end (first wall)
713C2 groove right end (second wall)
80, 81 Lower door (first cover)
80S downward feed path (first transport path)
801, 811 Lower body part (first cover part)
803, 813 Lower shaft portion (first rotating shaft, cylindrical portion)
813A Protruding part 9 Interlocking part 90 Strap (regulating member)
901 Supporting part 901A Bending part 902 Door fixing part 903 Main body fixing part 95 Integrated cover

Claims (8)

A housing,
A first conveyance path disposed in the housing and conveying a sheet in a vertical direction;
A second conveyance path disposed in the housing, connected to an upper end portion of the first conveyance path, and the sheet is conveyed in a vertical direction;
A first rotating shaft is provided below, and by rotating about the first rotating shaft, the upper portion can be opened and closed with respect to the housing. In the open state, the first transport path is connected to the housing. A first cover that is exposed to the outside,
In the sheet width direction intersecting with the sheet conveyance direction, the second rotation shaft is disposed outside the first conveyance path and below the upper edge of the first cover in the closed state, A second cover that is pivotable about a second rotation axis so that the upper side can be opened and closed with respect to the casing, and in the open state, the second cover that exposes the second transport path to the outside of the casing; Have
The first cover includes a first cover portion that covers the first conveyance path, and the first rotation shaft that is disposed at a lower end portion of the first cover portion,
The second cover includes a second cover portion that covers the second conveyance path, and extends downward from the second cover portion outside the first conveyance path in the sheet width direction. And the second rotating shaft disposed coaxially with the first rotating shaft in the leg,
Than said first opening angle in the opened state of the first cover with respect to the casing, a second opening angle in the opened state of the second cover relative to the housing rather small,
A fourth angle relative to the casing in the open state of the first cover in the open state of the second cover is larger than a third opening angle in the open state of the first cover in the closed state of the second cover. A sheet conveying apparatus having a large opening angle . In conjunction with a change from the closed state of the second cover to the open state, an interlocking unit that changes the opening angle of the first cover with respect to the housing from the third opening angle to the fourth opening angle. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet conveying device is provided. The interlocking unit is
A cylindrical portion protruding from the side surface of the first cover portion in the sheet width direction and serving as the first rotation shaft;
A projecting portion projecting radially from the cylindrical portion in rotation around the first rotation axis;
A hole that is opened in the leg portion of the second cover and through which the cylindrical portion is inserted;
In the leg portion, a guide portion that is cut from the hole portion toward the radial direction with a predetermined width in the circumferential direction in the rotation, and the protrusion portion is movable in the circumferential direction;
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: The leg portion includes a first wall portion that defines an upstream end portion in the rotation direction of the second cover of the guide portion, and a second wall portion that defines a downstream end portion in the rotation direction of the guide portion. With
In the closed state of the first cover and the second cover, the protrusion is disposed between the first wall and the second wall,
In the closed state of the second cover, the first cover is opened, and the projecting portion comes into contact with the second wall portion, whereby the opening angle of the first cover is restricted to the third opening angle. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3 . In the open state of the first cover, the second cover is opened, and the guide portion is rotated in a state where the second wall portion supports the protruding portion, whereby the opening angle of the first cover is increased. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the sheet opening device is changed from the third opening angle to the fourth opening angle. The opening angle of the second cover is regulated by the second cover being opened in a closed state of the first cover and the first wall portion being in contact with the protruding portion. The sheet conveying apparatus according to 4 . In the closed state of the second cover, it is bent and bridged between the second cover and the housing, and the bending is extended with the opening of the second cover, and the second cover The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a regulating member that regulates an opening angle with respect to the housing. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet transported from the first transport path or the second transport path.

Images