JP5795875B2 - Sheet storage device and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet storage device that stacks and stores sheets and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  A sheet storage device that stacks and stores sheets is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine.

  In such a sheet storage device, generally, the uppermost sheet among the stacked sheets is externally (by a sheet supply roller (specifically, a sheet feed roller) in a sheet supply device that supplies the sheet). Specifically, the sheet is sequentially supplied toward the sheet conveyance path).

  In such a conventional sheet storage device, one or a plurality of subsequent sheets are attached to the sheet supplied to the outside by the sheet supply roller by the adhesion (adhesive force) between adjacent sheets among the stacked sheets. There may be a conveyance failure such that the sheets are sent together (multiple feeding), or are sent together with a slight delay (misfeed (consecutive conveyance)). This is particularly true in a high humidity (for example, 60% to 80%) environment, and further when sheets such as glossy paper having gloss on the surface are used as sheets, the sheets stacked in the sheet storage unit. The adhesive force between adjacent sheets tends to increase and becomes remarkable.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an envelope by a supporting unit having a stacking unit on which a region including a part on the leading end side of a sheet is stacked at a position above the bottom plate when the sheets are stacked on the sheet storage device. A sheet storage device for preventing the sinking of sheets having partially different thicknesses is disclosed.

JP 2008-222387 A

  However, in the sheet storage device described in Patent Document 1, when the sheets are stacked on the sheet storage device, the support means can prevent the sinking of partially different thicknesses, but the sheets are stacked on the sheet storage unit. It is difficult to effectively reduce the adhesion between adjacent sheets, and it is not possible to effectively prevent conveyance failures such as sheet double feeding and misfeed.

  Therefore, the present invention can effectively reduce the adhesion between adjacent sheets stacked on the sheet storage unit, thereby effectively preventing poor conveyance such as double feeding and misfeeding of sheets. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet storage device that can be used and an image forming apparatus including the sheet storage device.

The present invention, in order to solve the above problems, to provide the following sheet over preparative accommodating device and an image forming apparatus.

(1) includes a sheet accommodating portion for accommodating and stacking the sheets over preparative accommodating device sheet, said sheets stored in the sheet storing section is a sheet accommodating device to be supplied to the outside by the sheet feeding roller, the sheet The sheet storage portion is provided at a projecting portion provided on a bottom surface of the storage portion on which the sheets are stacked and at least a part thereof facing the sheet supply roller, and a central portion in the width direction of the sheet intersecting the sheet supply direction. sheet storing apparatus, wherein the bottom surface of from between said sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion and a feeding and wind device you blown to the sheet.

(2) an image forming apparatus comprising the engagement Cie over preparative accommodating apparatus in images forming apparatus the present invention.

According to engagement cie over preparative accommodating device and an image forming apparatus in the present invention, the projecting portion is provided on the bottom surface of the sheet accommodating portion, the front Kioku wind device, the sheet housed in the central portion in the width direction Since air is blown to the sheet from between the bottom surface of the portion and the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion, the adhesion force between adjacent sheets stacked on the sheet accommodating portion is effectively reduced. This makes it possible to effectively prevent conveyance failures such as double feeding and misfeeding of the sheets.

In the present invention, before Kioku wind device, it can be exemplified embodiment is provided in the protruding portion.

In this particular matter, can be provided Kioku wind device before using the space formed by the projecting portion between said sheet accommodated in the bottom surface and the sheet containing portion of the sheet accommodating portion, This makes it possible to effectively use the free space.

In the present invention, the projecting portion has a storage compartment for storing pre Kioku wind device, both side walls in the width direction of the walls of the storage compartment, the air blown from the front Kioku wind device a blast hole for passing respectively, before Kioku wind device, of the walls of the storage chamber, can be exemplified embodiment is provided on the lower side of the wall in the height direction of the protrusion.

In this particular matter, the front by using the storage chamber is a space provided in the projecting portion can be provided Kioku air device, which makes it possible to more effectively use the empty space.

In the present invention, before Kioku wind device, it can be exemplified embodiments that are configured to blow in the vicinity of the feed direction downstream side end of the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion (tip).

In this particular matter, it is possible to pre Kioku wind device is blown in the vicinity of the feed direction downstream side end of the sheet (leading end). As a result, the adhesion between adjacent sheets can be effectively reduced in the vicinity of the downstream end (leading end) in the supply direction of the sheets stacked in the sheet storage unit, and the conveyance failure is suppressed accordingly. Is possible.

In the present invention, before Kioku wind device, it can be exemplified embodiments that are configured to blow in the vicinity of the sheet supply roller for supplying the sheet.

In this particular matter, it is possible to pre Kioku wind device is blown in the vicinity of the sheet feed roller. Thereby, in the vicinity of the sheet supply roller of the sheet stacked in the sheet storage unit, it is possible to effectively reduce the adhesion force between adjacent sheets, and it is possible to suppress the conveyance failure. .

As described above, according to this onset bright, the adhesive force between the sheet housing portion adjacent stacked sheets on the sheet can be effectively alleviated and thereby, double feeding or misfeeding of the sheet Such a conveyance failure can be effectively prevented.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the paper feed tray of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the paper feed tray of the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the paper feed tray of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a paper feed tray according to the first embodiment together with a paper feed roller. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the protrusion part and 1st ventilation fan part in the paper feed tray of 1st Embodiment, Comprising: (a) supplies the cross section along the width direction of a protrusion part and a 1st ventilation fan part. It is the schematic side view seen from the direction, (b) is the schematic side view which looked at the 1st ventilation fan part of one 2nd control member from the center part of the width direction on the outer side. FIG. 3 is a block diagram mainly illustrating a control configuration of a paper feed system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the paper feed tray of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the paper feed tray of the second embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the paper feed tray of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the paper feed tray of 2nd Embodiment with a paper feed roller. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the protrusion part and 2nd ventilation fan part in the paper feed tray of 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: (a) supplies the cross section along the width direction of a protrusion part and a 2nd ventilation fan part. It is the schematic side view seen from the direction, (b) is the schematic side view which looked at the center side from the one side of the width direction of the 2nd ventilation fan part of the protrusion part. FIG. 10 is a block diagram mainly showing a control configuration of a paper feed system of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(Description of overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

  An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a color image forming apparatus that forms multicolor and single color images on a sheet P (hereinafter referred to as “paper”) P such as recording paper in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside. It is. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading device 108 and an apparatus main body 110, and the apparatus main body 110 is provided with an image forming unit 102 and a sheet conveyance system 103.

  The image forming unit 102 includes an exposure unit 1, a plurality of developing units 2, a plurality of photosensitive drums 3, a plurality of cleaning units 4, a plurality of chargers 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a plurality Toner cartridge units 21... And a fixing unit 7.

  Further, the sheet conveyance system 103 includes a sheet conveyance path S, a paper feed tray 200 that accommodates the paper P (an example of a sheet accommodation device), and a paper feed that supplies the paper P accommodated in the paper feed tray 200 to the sheet conveyance path S. An apparatus 80 (an example of a sheet supply apparatus), a manual paper feed tray 70, and a discharge tray 91 are provided.

  The manual paper feed tray 70 includes a tray portion 16, a paper feed roller 17, a separation conveyance roller 18a, and a separation member 18b (a separation pad in this example). On the tray portion 16, paper P on which an image is formed (printed) is placed. The paper feed roller 17 is provided in the vicinity of the paper supply side of the tray unit 16 and is a pickup roller that picks up the paper P from the tray unit 18 one by one and supplies it to the separation conveyance roller 18a and the separation member 18b. The separation conveyance roller 18a conveys the sheet P between the separation member 18b and conveys the sheet P to the sheet conveyance path S while separating the sheets one by one. The separation member 16b may be a separation roller. The discharge tray 91 is provided above the image forming unit 102 in the apparatus main body 110 and stacks the sheets P on which image formation (printing) has been performed face-down. The paper feeding device 80 and the paper feeding tray 200 will be described in detail later.

  An upper part of the apparatus main body 110 is provided with an original placing table 92 made of transparent glass on which an original (sheet) is placed, and an optical unit 90 for reading the original is provided below the original placing base 92. . A document reading device 108 is provided above the document table 92. The document reading device 108 automatically conveys the document on the document placing table 92. Further, the document reading device 108 is attached to the apparatus main body 110 so as to be pivotable by opening the front side, and the document can be placed manually by opening the document placing table 92. .

  The document reading device 108 can read a document that is automatically conveyed or a document placed on the document placing table 92. The entire image of the document read by the document reading device 108 is sent as image data to the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100, and an image formed based on the image data in the image forming unit 102 of the apparatus main body 110 is a sheet P. To be recorded.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using a plurality of colors (here, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y)). Therefore, the developing unit 2,..., The photosensitive drum 3,..., The cleaning unit 4,. A plurality of (here, four are provided, each being black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) so as to be formed, and a plurality of (here, four) image stations are configured by these.

  The chargers 5,... Are charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drums 3,... To a predetermined potential. In addition to the charger type as shown in FIG. A type charger can be used.

  The exposure unit 1 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser emitting unit and a reflection mirror. The exposure unit 1 is provided with a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam, and optical elements such as lenses and mirrors for guiding the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drums 3. In addition to this, as the exposure unit 1, for example, a method using a writing head in which light emitting elements such as EL (electroluminescence) and LED (light emitting diode) are arranged in an array can be employed.

  The exposure unit 1 exposes the charged photoconductive drums 3... According to the input image data, so that an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is displayed on the surface of each photoconductive drum 3. To form.

  The toner cartridge units 21,... Are units that contain toner, and are supplied to the developing tanks of the developing units 2,. In the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100, the toner supplied from the toner cartridge units 21,... To the developing tanks of the developing units 2,... Is controlled so that the toner concentration of the developer in the developing tank is constant. .

  The developing units 2... Visualize the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with toners of four colors (Y, M, C, K). Further, the cleaning units 4... Remove and collect toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drums 3... After development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drums 3,... Has an intermediate transfer belt 61 that acts as an intermediate transfer member, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and a plurality of intermediate transfer rollers. 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65.

  Four intermediate transfer rollers 64,... Are provided corresponding to each color of Y, M, C, and K. The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 stretches the intermediate transfer belt 61 together with the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63 and the intermediate transfer rollers 64, and is driven to rotate, whereby the intermediate transfer belt 61 moves in the direction of movement (arrow in FIG. 1). In the M direction, the driven roller 63 and the intermediate transfer rollers 64,.

  Each intermediate transfer roller 64,... Is applied with a transfer bias for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3,.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided so as to come into contact with the respective photosensitive drums 3. The intermediate transfer belt 61 forms a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the surface by sequentially transferring the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 3. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is, for example, endless using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drums 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is performed by intermediate transfer rollers 64 that are in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (-)) is applied to the intermediate transfer rollers 64,... The intermediate transfer roller 64,... Is based on a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, and the surface thereof is a conductive elastic material (for example, a resin material such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber) or urethane foam). It is the roller covered with. The intermediate transfer rollers 64,... Serve as transfer electrodes that uniformly apply a high voltage to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the conductive elastic material. In this embodiment, a roller-shaped transfer electrode is used as the transfer electrode, but a transfer electrode such as a brush can be used in addition to this.

  As described above, the toner images visualized in accordance with the respective hues on the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The toner images stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61 are transferred to the sheet by the transfer roller 10 constituting the secondary transfer mechanism unit disposed at the contact position between the sheet P and the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the circumferential movement of the intermediate transfer belt 61. Transferred onto P. However, the configuration of the secondary transfer mechanism is not limited to the transfer roller, and a transfer configuration such as a corona charger or a transfer belt can be used.

  At this time, the transfer roller 10 has a transfer nip formed between the transfer roller 10 and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the paper P (a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (−)). Is applied). A transfer nip is formed between the transfer roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the transfer roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62 being pressed against each other. In order to obtain the transfer nip constantly, one of the transfer roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62 is a hard roller made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material (elastic rubber or foam). The elastic roller is made of a resin material such as a functional resin.

  When the transfer roller 10 transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 61 onto the paper P, the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the paper P. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 causes toner color mixing in the next step. For this reason, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. Specifically, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 includes a cleaning member (for example, a cleaning blade) that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 61. The driven roller 63 supports the intermediate transfer belt 61 from the inner side (back side), and the cleaning member is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61 so as to be pressed toward the driven roller 63 from the outer side.

  Further, the apparatus main body 110 is provided with an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the paper P in the paper feed tray 200 to the discharge tray 91 via the image forming unit 102. Along each of the conveying rollers 12, the pre-registration roller pair 19, the registration roller pair 13, conveyance members such as a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 and a discharge roller pair 31 in the fixing unit 7 are disposed.

  Each of the transport roller pairs 12 and the pre-registration roller pair 19 is a small roller for promoting and supporting the transport of the paper P. Each conveyance roller pair 12 is provided at a plurality of locations along the sheet conveyance path S. The pre-registration roller pair 19 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the upstream side of the registration roller pair 13 in the paper P supply direction (Y direction in the figure), and conveys the paper P to the registration roller pair 13. .

  The fixing unit 7 receives the paper P on which the toner image is transferred, and sandwiches the received paper P between the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 and conveys the paper P.

  The temperature of the heat roller 71 is controlled so as to be a predetermined fixing temperature, and the toner image transferred onto the paper P is melted, mixed, and pressed to the paper P by thermocompression bonding the recording sheet together with the pressure roller 72. On the other hand, it has a function of heat fixing. The fixing unit 7 is provided with an external heating belt 73 for heating the heat roller 71 from the outside.

  The paper P after fixing the toner images of the respective colors is discharged onto the discharge tray 91 by the discharge roller pair 31.

  It is also possible to form a monochrome image using at least one of the four image forming stations and transfer the monochrome image to the intermediate transfer belt 61 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 6. This monochrome image is also transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 61 to the paper P and fixed on the paper P, similarly to the color image.

  In addition, when performing image formation on both sides as well as the front (front) side of the paper P, the image on the front surface of the paper P is fixed by the fixing unit 7, and then the paper P is discharged to the pair of discharge rollers 31 in the sheet conveyance path S. In the middle of the conveyance, the discharge roller pair 31 is stopped and then reversely rotated, the paper P is passed through the front / back reversing path Sr to reverse the front and back of the paper P, and then the paper P is moved again from the registration roller pair 13. It leads to the upstream side in the supply direction Y (upstream side of the pre-registration roller pair 19 in this example), and records and fixes an image on the back surface of the paper P in the same manner as the front surface of the paper P. To discharge.

[Configuration of paper feeder]
The sheet feeding device 80 is configured to supply the sheet P stored in the sheet feeding tray 200 to the sheet conveying path S, and includes a sheet feeding roller 81 (an example of a sheet supply roller), a separation conveying roller 82a, and a separation sheet. A member 82b (in this example, a separation roller), a lift drive unit 83 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIGS. 7 and 13 to be described later) for driving the rotary plate 211 in the paper feed tray 200 up and down, and a separation transport roller 82a And a sheet supply drive unit 84 (not shown in FIG. 1, refer to FIGS. 7 and 13) for rotating the paper feed roller 81.

  The paper feed roller 81 is provided in the vicinity of the downstream end (tip P1) in the paper feed direction Y when the paper P stored in the storage container 210 in the paper feed tray 200 is supplied. Is a pickup roller that picks up the toner and supplies it to the sheet conveying path S. The separation conveyance roller 82a conveys the sheet P between the separation member 82b and conveys the sheet P to the sheet conveyance path S while separating the sheets one by one. Note that the separation member 82b may be a separation pad.

  In the present embodiment, the paper feed roller 81 is rotatable around the axis of the separation conveyance roller 82a. The paper feed roller 81 is rotationally driven in the same direction as the separation transport roller 82a via a drive transmission means 82c such as a belt or a chain.

  The elevating drive unit 83 is configured to drive the elevating mechanism 230 in the paper feed tray 200. Here, the elevating drive unit 83 is an elevating drive actuator such as a lift-up drive motor.

The sheet supply drive unit 84 (specifically, a paper feed motor) rotates the separation conveyance roller 82a via a drive transmission mechanism such as a gear or a belt (not shown) and rotates the paper supply roller 81 via a drive transmission unit 82c. In addition, the sheet feeding device 80 is configured to be rotated about the axis of the separation conveyance roller 82a. The sheet P located at the top of the sheet P is sequentially pulled out (pick up) by the sheet feeding roller 81 by driving of the sheet supply driving unit 84, and the sheet P is rolled by the separation conveying roller 82a and the separation member 82b, thereby the sheet. One sheet is supplied toward the conveyance path S.

[Configuration of paper tray]
The paper feed tray 200 is for storing a plurality of sheets of paper P on which image information is output (printed). For example, the paper feed tray 200 accommodates about 500 sheets of standard size sheets P such as A4, A3, and B4. Possible volume is secured.

  The paper feed tray 200 includes a storage container 210 (an example of a sheet storage unit) in which a plurality of sheets of paper P to be imaged are stacked and stored in advance, and the paper P stored in the storage container 210 is fed. In the apparatus 80, the sheet is fed from the paper feed roller 81 to the sheet conveyance path S through the separation conveyance roller 82 a and the separation member 82 b. The paper feed tray 200 is provided below the exposure unit 1 in the apparatus main body 110. The paper feed tray 200 may have a multi-stage configuration that is stacked along the height direction (vertical direction, Z direction in the drawing).

  The container 210 is slidable with respect to the apparatus main body 110 by a slide mechanism (not shown) along the width direction (X direction in the drawing) of the paper P perpendicular to the paper P supply direction Y. The sheet P is accommodated by being pulled out by the user.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the paper feed tray 200 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the paper feed tray 200 of the first embodiment. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the paper feed tray 200 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the paper feed tray 200 according to the first embodiment together with a paper feed roller 81. It is. 3 and 4 show a state in which the paper P is not stored in the paper feed tray 200. FIG.

  The storage container 210 includes a rotating plate 211 that acts as a placement member on which a plurality of sheets P can be placed. At least the tip of the rotating plate 211 is movable up and down. Specifically, the rotating plate 211 is supported by the supporting members 212 and 212 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Q1 along the width direction X at the end opposite to the paper supply side.

  Specifically, the support members 212 and 212 are side plates on both sides in the width direction X of the storage container 210. The support members 212 and 212 support the rotation shafts Q1 and Q1, respectively. The rotating plate 211 has engagement support plates 211a and 211a extending upward at both ends in the width direction X. The engagement support plates 211a and 211a are provided with through holes 211b and 211b penetrating in the width direction X. Then, the rotation shafts Q1 and Q1 are fitted into the through holes 211b and 211b so as to be rotatable about the axis. Accordingly, the rotating plate 211 is configured to be supported by the support members 212 and 212 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axes Q1 and Q1. The container 210 and the rotating plate 211 are both rectangular in plan view. Further, the rotating plate 211 is provided with openings 211c and 211c through which fixed support plates 222b and 222b on the paper supply side of the second regulating member 222 described later are inserted.

  The container 210 further includes a first restricting member 221 that restricts the backward movement of the stored paper P at the upstream end (rear end) in the supply direction Y of the paper P, and the width direction X of the stored paper P. And a pair of second restricting members 222 (an example of a pair of restricting members).

  The first restricting member 221 is configured to be able to change the position in the supply direction Y in response to the size change in the supply direction Y of the stored paper P.

  Specifically, a paper placement plate 213 on which the upstream end (rear end P2) side of the paper P supply direction Y is placed is provided on the opposite side of the storage container 210 from the paper supply side. The paper placing plate 213 is provided along the bottom plate 210a of the storage container 210 at a predetermined interval from the bottom plate 210a (see FIG. 2). The paper placement plate 213 is provided with a first guide hole 213a for sliding the first regulating member 221 in the direction opposite to the supply direction Y and the supply direction Y. The first guide hole 213a is a through hole extending in the supply direction Y. Sliding grooves 221 a and 221 a that are engaged with both ends in the width direction X of the first guide hole 213 a of the sheet placing plate 213 are provided at both ends in the lower width direction X of the first restricting member 221. Yes. The first restricting member 221 has sliding grooves 221a and 221a that can slide in opposite directions of the supply direction Y and the supply direction Y at both ends in the width direction X of the first guide hole 213a in the paper placement plate 213. The position in the supply direction Y can be changed in response to the change in size of the supply direction Y of the paper P.

  Each of the pair of second restricting members 222 and 222 is configured to be able to change the position in the width direction X corresponding to the size change in the width direction X of the paper P to be stored.

  Specifically, the bottom plate 210a of the container 210 has two second guide holes 210b and 210c for sliding one second regulating member 222 in the width direction X on the downstream side and the upstream side in the supply direction Y, and the supply direction. Two second guide holes 210b and 210c for sliding the other second restricting member 222 in the width direction X on the downstream side and the upstream side of Y are provided. Each of the second guide holes (210b, 210c), (210b, 210c) is a through hole extending in the width direction X. One second restricting member 222 is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the guide plate 222a at the downstream end and the upstream end in the supply direction Y at the guide plate 222a that contacts one end in the width direction X of the paper P. Fixed support plates 222b and 222c. Similarly, the other second restricting member 222 is in contact with the guide plate 222a in contact with the other end in the width direction X of the paper P, and the guide plate 222a at the downstream end and the upstream end in the supply direction Y. It has fixed support plates 222b and 222c bent substantially at a right angle. On the downstream end and the upstream end in the lower supply direction Y of the fixed support plates 222b and 222c of the second restricting member 222, the second guide holes 210b and 210c of the bottom plate 210a are downstream in the supply direction Y. Sliding grooves 222d and 222d that are engaged with the end portion and the upstream end portion are provided. Similarly, the lower end and the upstream end in the lower supply direction Y of the fixed support plates 222b and 222c of the other second restricting member 222 in the supply direction Y of the second guide holes 210b and 210c of the bottom plate 210a. Sliding grooves 222d and 222d engaged with the downstream end and the upstream end are provided. The pair of second restricting members 222 and 222 have two second guide holes (210b and 210c) and (210b and 210c) in which the sliding grooves (222d and 222d) and (222d and 222d) are formed in the bottom plate 210a, respectively. The position in the width direction X is changed in accordance with the size change in the width direction X of the paper P by being slidably engaged in the width direction X at the downstream end and the upstream end in the supply direction Y of the paper. It can be done. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image by transporting the paper P at the center position in the width direction X. Therefore, the storage container 210 has a moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the pair of second restricting members 222 and 222 in conjunction with each other so that the position in the width direction X of the paper P becomes the center reference in the width direction X. ) Is provided. As this moving mechanism, a conventionally known one can be used. For this reason, illustration and detailed description of the moving mechanism are omitted here.

  In the paper feed tray 200 having such a configuration, the user moves the first restricting member 221 and the pair of second restricting members 222 and 222 according to the sheet size, thereby widely aligning the sheets P of various sizes. Can do.

  The first restricting member 221 may be fixed in the supply direction Y of the paper P, or the pair of second restricting members 222 and 222 may be fixed in the width direction X of the paper P.

  The paper feed tray 200 further includes an elevating mechanism 230 that elevates and lowers the front end portion of the rotating plate 211.

  The elevating mechanism 230 includes an elevating member 231 that elevates and lowers the rotating plate 211 around the rotation axis Q1 on the paper supply side. The elevating member 231 includes a rotating shaft Q2 disposed along the width direction X and a rotating portion 232 supported by the rotating shaft Q2. The rotating part 232 has a tip (rotating) side located between the rotating plate 211 and the bottom plate 210 a of the container 210. The rotation shaft Q2 is supported by a support portion 233 provided outside the storage container 210 (on the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) so as to be rotatable about its axis. The support portion 233 is formed integrally with the storage container 210.

  Further, an engaging portion 234 engaged with the movable portion 83a of the lifting / lowering drive portion 83 (see FIGS. 7 and 13) is provided at the back end (upper side in FIG. 3) of the rotation shaft Q2 with the rotation shaft Q2. It is fixed to the rotation shaft Q2 so as to rotate integrally. The engaging portion 234 of the rotation shaft Q2 and the movable portion 83a of the lifting / lowering driving portion 83 are rotated when the movable portion 83a of the lifting / lowering driving portion 83 rotates when the container 210 is attached to the apparatus main body 110 or after attachment. By engaging with the concave and convex portions, the engaging portion 234 rotates with the rotation of the movable portion 83a of the elevating drive portion 83, and the rotation shaft Q2 rotates.

  The rotating portion 232 extends outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft Q2 in a part (specifically, the central portion) in the axial direction (width direction X) of the rotating shaft Q2. The rotating portion 232 slides in contact with the back surface 211d (see FIG. 2) of the rotating plate 211 by rotating around the axis of the rotating shaft Q2, so that the rotating plate 211 is substantially parallel to the bottom plate 210a of the container 210. 2 and a rising posture (see FIG. 1) in which the rotating plate 211 rises and the rotating plate 211 is inclined. As a result, the elevating drive unit 83 rotates the rotating shaft Q2 from the movable unit 83a via the engaging unit 234, so that the rotating unit 211 moves the rotating plate 211 up and down around the rotating shaft Q1 on the paper supply side. Can be made.

  In addition, on the inner side of the storage container 210, a detection target (specifically, a magnet) 210d that is detected by a size detection sensor (specifically, a lead sensor) (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 110 side is provided. A cover member 210e is provided on the front side of the storage container 210. 2 and 3, reference numerals 211e and 241 respectively indicate a bottom surface and a separation pad of a rotating plate 211 to be described later. In FIGS. 3 to 5, reference numeral H indicates a blower hole to be described later.

  The paper feed tray 200 according to the first embodiment includes a protrusion 240 and a first blower fan 250 (an example of a first blower).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the protruding portion 240 and the first blower fan 250 portion in the paper feed tray 200 of the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a cross section along the width direction X of the protruding portion 240 and the first blower fan 250 as viewed from the supply direction Y. FIG. FIG. 6B is a schematic side view of the first blower fan 250 part of one second regulating member 222 as viewed from the center in the width direction X. FIG. 6A also shows a paper feed roller 81 that is in a state of supplying the paper P. In addition, in FIG. 6B, the configuration of the other second regulating member 222 is the same as the configuration of the one second regulating member 222, and thus illustration is omitted.

  The protrusion 240 is provided on the bottom surface 211 e of the rotating plate 211, and faces the paper feed roller 81 in a state where at least a part thereof supplies the paper P. Specifically, the protruding portion 240 is provided at the central portion in the width direction X (the position of the central portion of the stored paper P) on the bottom surface 211e of the rotating plate 211. Specifically, the height h of the protrusion 240 in the height direction Z is set to about 5 mm to 10 mm from the bottom surface 211 e of the rotating plate 211. If the height of the protruding portion 240 is too large, it becomes difficult to secure a desired stacking amount of the sheets P while maintaining the size in the height direction Z of the storage container 210. If the height of the protruding portion 240 is too small, It is difficult to secure a desired gap at both ends in the width direction X between adjacent sheets P. When the maximum size in the width direction X is A4 horizontal size (297 mm), the width d of the protrusion 240 in the width direction X is about 1/6 of the maximum size in the width direction X of the paper P (specifically, about 50 mm). ). If the width of the protrusion 240 is too large or too small, it is difficult to secure a desired gap at both ends in the width direction X between adjacent sheets P.

  The protrusion 240 extends along the supply direction Y at a position facing the paper feed roller 81 that supplies the paper P in the width direction X of the bottom surface 211 e of the rotating plate 211. Specifically, the protrusion 240 is preferably formed at least from the position facing the paper feed roller 81 in the supply direction Y to the position corresponding to the first blower fan 250. Here, the protrusion 240 is formed on the bottom surface 211 e of the rotating plate 211. It is provided over the entire supply direction Y. Specifically, the projecting portion 240 is formed by pressing a flat plate constituting the rotating plate 211 with a die by sheet metal processing to form a convex shape.

  The protrusion 240 has a quadrangular shape (specifically, a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction) in a cross-sectional view along the width direction X. However, it is not limited thereto, and any shape may be used as long as it protrudes from the bottom surface 211e. Examples of the shape of the protrusion 240 include a triangular shape and a mountain shape in a cross-sectional view along the width direction X. A plurality of protrusions 240 extending along the supply direction Y may be provided in parallel in the width direction X.

  Further, a portion of the protrusion 240 that faces the paper feed roller 81 has a frictional force that is greater than the frictional force between the stacked papers P, and is between the paper feed roller 81 and the final (lowermost) paper P. A separation pad 241 having a frictional force smaller than the frictional force therebetween is provided.

  The first blower fan 250 is configured to blow air to the paper P from both sides in the width direction X across the paper P stored in the storage container 210.

  Specifically, the first blower fan 250 is a pair of first blower fans 250 and 250 provided on both sides in the width direction X, respectively. The pair of first blower fans 250 and 250 are provided to face each other with the paper P interposed therebetween. The guide plate 222a in one second restricting member 222 has a plurality of air holes (through holes) H through which the air A (see FIG. 6A) blown from the first air blowing fan 250 passes. doing. Similarly, the guide plate 222a in the other second restricting member 222 has a plurality of air holes H through which the air A (see FIG. 6A) blown from the other first air blowing fan 250 passes. Yes. The plurality of air holes H,... Are in the vicinity of the front end P1 (see FIG. 5) of the paper P in which the air A, A from the first air blowing fans 250, 250 is accommodated in the accommodating container 210 in the guide plates 222a, 222a. It is set as the structure ventilated toward. Further, the plurality of air blowing holes H,. 5)). In addition, as the 1st ventilation fan 250, a small brushless fan motor can be mentioned, for example.

  Specifically, each of the first blower fans 250 and 250 is disposed between the position of the leading end P1 of the paper P stored in the storage container 210 and a predetermined distance α (see FIG. 5) set in advance. . Further, the paper feed roller 81 for supplying the paper P is also arranged between the position of the front end P1 of the paper P stored in the storage container 210 and a predetermined distance α. The predetermined distance α is the length in the supply direction Y of the minimum size paper P (specifically, when the minimum size of the paper P that can be conveyed by the image forming apparatus 100 is the horizontal size of A6, the length of the horizontal size of A6) ) Can be exemplified. And each 1st ventilation fan 250,250 is the outer side of each guide plate 222a, 222a so that it may blow toward the inner side (center part) of the width direction X in the position where the ventilation side opposes several ventilation holes H, .... Are fixed by a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw.

  In the paper feed tray 200 according to the first embodiment, the first blower fan 250 is provided at two locations, but may be provided at one location. In this case, for example, an air passage that communicates from the air blowing side of the first air blowing fan 250 provided at one location to the air blowing holes H of the pair of second restricting members 222 in the guide plates 222a, 222a may be provided. Moreover, the 1st ventilation fan 250 provided in each location may be one, and plural may be sufficient as it.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating mainly the control configuration of the paper feed system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 101. The control unit 101 includes a processing unit 101a such as a CPU and a storage unit 101b including a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, the processing unit 101a of the control unit 101 controls various components by loading a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 101b onto the RAM of the storage unit 101b and executing it. It is supposed to be.

  The control unit 101 is electrically connected to the elevation drive unit 83 and the sheet supply drive unit 84, and can transmit operation signals to the elevation drive unit 83 and the sheet supply drive unit 84, respectively. Specifically, the control unit 101 operates the elevation drive unit 83 to move the rotation plate 211 up and down around the rotation axis Q <b> 1 so that the paper P placed on the rotation plate 211 contacts the paper feed roller 81. It is designed to move. Specifically, the control unit 101 drives the elevating drive unit 83 to raise the rotating plate 211, while the sheet P on the rotating plate 211 comes into contact with the sheet feeding roller 81 by a detection signal from a sheet position detecting unit (not shown). When it is detected, the driving of the elevating drive unit 83 is stopped and the ascent of the rotating plate 211 is stopped. Further, the control unit 101 operates the sheet supply driving unit 84 to rotate the separation conveyance roller 82 a and the paper feed roller 81 to supply the paper P to the sheet conveyance path S.

  And the control part 101 functions also as a ventilation control means which drives the 1st ventilation fans 250 and 250 when the paper P is fed.

  In the control unit 101, the first blower fans 250 and 250 are electrically connected, and an operation signal can be transmitted to the first blower fans 250 and 250. Specifically, the control unit 101 transmits a drive signal for driving the fan motors of the first blower fans 250 and 250 to the first blower fans 250 and 250 to drive the first blower fans 250 and 250, so that the paper P The air is blown against. The control unit 101 on the apparatus main body 110 side and the first blower fans 250 and 250 are detached when the paper feed tray 200 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 110, and when the paper feed tray 200 is attached to the apparatus main body 110. Electrical connection is made by a connection terminal (not shown) to be inserted.

  The air blowing control unit drives the first air blowing fans 250 and 250 at least when the paper P is supplied by the paper feeding device 80. For example, the air blowing control unit drives the first blower fans 250 and 250 from a predetermined first time before the supply start time of the paper P by the paper supply device 80, and sets the predetermined air flow from the supply start time. After the second time elapses, the driving of the first blower fans 250 and 250 may be stopped. The air blowing control unit drives the first air blowing fans 250 and 250 from a predetermined first time before the supply start time of the paper P by the paper supply device 80, and the first air supply fan at the supply start time. The driving of 250, 250 may be stopped, or the first blower fans 250, 250 are driven from the start of supply of the paper P by the paper supply device 80, and a predetermined second time elapses from the start of supply. The driving of the first blower fans 250 and 250 may be stopped later.

  Specifically, when the air blowing control unit detects (for example, turns on) a signal (for example, an operation signal of the main motor that drives the entire drive system, see FIG. 7) indicating that the paper P is fed, A drive signal is transmitted to the 1 ventilation fan 250,250, and the 1st ventilation fan 250,250 is driven. In addition, when the signal indicating that the paper P is fed is not detected (for example, turned off), the air blowing control unit stops transmitting the drive signal to the first air blowing fans 250 and 250 and performs the first air blowing. The driving of the fans 250 and 250 is stopped. The signal indicating that the paper P is fed may be an operation signal to the paper feed roller 81. In this case, each time the paper P is fed by the paper feed roller 81, the first blower fans 250, 250 can be driven, thereby avoiding unnecessary driving of the first blower fans 250, 250, thereby reducing power consumption. Can be reduced.

According to the paper feed tray 200 of the first embodiment described above , the protrusion 240 is provided on the bottom surface 211e of the storage container 210, and the first blower fans 250 and 250 sandwich the paper P stored in the storage container 210. Since the air is blown to the paper P from both sides in the width direction X, the adhesion force between the adjacent papers P of the paper P loaded in the storage container 210 can be effectively reduced. It is possible to effectively prevent conveyance failures such as feeding and misfeeding.
Specifically, in the paper feed tray 200 of the first embodiment , since the protruding portion 240 is provided on the rotating plate 211 in the storage container 210, a gap is ensured between the adjacent sheets P at both ends in the width direction X. Accordingly, the adhesion at both ends in the width direction X of the paper P can be reduced. As described above, the air A from the first blower fans 250, 250 is supplied to the storage container 210 through the blower holes H,... Where the adhesion at both ends in the width direction X of the paper P is reduced. By blowing from both sides in the width direction X of the sheet P to be stored, the air A can be spread over the gap between the adjacent sheets P secured by the protrusion 240, and the air A can enter the gap. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the adhesion force between the adjacent sheets P of the sheets P loaded in the storage container 210. This makes it possible to effectively prevent conveyance failures such as double feeding and misfeeding of paper (particularly, paper in a high-humidity environment, and glossy paper that easily adheres between adjacent papers) P. In addition, since the gaps between the adjacent sheets P are secured by the protrusions 240, the air flow of the first blower fans 250, 250 can be reduced accordingly. As a result, a small fan can be used as the first blower fan 250, 250, and the paper feed tray 200 is maintained in the conventional size even if the first blower fan 250, 250 is provided in the paper feed tray 200. It becomes possible to do. Further, since the paper feed roller 81 is located at the center where the paper P is lifted by the protrusion 240, a desired paper feed pressure at the center of the paper P by the paper feed roller 81 can be secured. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of sheet feeding slip or the like of the paper P by the paper roller 81, and it is possible to perform a separation operation of stably feeding the paper P one by one.

  In the first embodiment, since the pair of first blower fans 250 and 250 are provided outside the pair of second restricting members 222 and 222, respectively, the sheet P stored in the storage container 210 is obstructed. However, it is possible to blow air toward the paper P.

  In the first embodiment, the pair of first blower fans 250, 250 blows air toward the vicinity of the leading end P <b> 1 of the paper P and further to the vicinity of the paper feed roller 81. In the vicinity of the front end P1 of the paper P and further in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 81, the adhesion between the adjacent papers P can be effectively reduced, and the conveyance failure such as double feed and misfeed can be suppressed accordingly. Is possible.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment together with the paper feed roller 81. It is. 9 and 10 show a state in which the paper P is not stored in the paper feed tray 200. FIG.

  In the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment, instead of the first blower fan 250 provided on the second restricting members 222 and 222, the second blower fan 260 is provided on the protruding portion 240, and the blower provided on the guide plates 222a and 222a. Except that the holes H,. Therefore, in 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and it demonstrates centering on a different point from 1st Embodiment.

  The paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment includes a second blower fan 260 (an example of a second blower) instead of the pair of first blower fans 250 and 250.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the protruding portion 240 and the second blower fan 260 portion in the paper feed tray 200 of the second embodiment. FIG. 12A is a schematic side view of a section along the width direction X of the protruding portion 240 and the second blower fan 260 as viewed from the supply direction Y. FIG. FIG. 12B is a schematic side view of the second blower fan 260 portion of the protrusion 240 as viewed from one side in the width direction X to the center side. In FIG. 12A, the paper feed roller 81 in a state where the paper P is supplied is also shown. In addition, in FIG. 12B, the configuration on the other side of the protruding portion 240 is the same as the configuration on the one side of the protruding portion 240, and thus illustration is omitted.

  The second blower fan 260 is configured to blow air to the paper P from between the bottom surface 211e of the rotating plate 211 in the storage container 210 and the paper P stored in the storage container 210 at the center in the width direction X. .

  Specifically, the second blower fan 260 is provided on the protrusion 240. In addition, as the 2nd ventilation fan 260 provided in the protrusion part 240, a small brushless fan motor can be mentioned, for example.

  The protrusion 240 has a storage chamber 242 in which the second blower fan 260 is stored. The storage chamber 242 is configured such that some walls (specifically, the walls 242a and 242a on both sides in the width direction X and the upper wall 242b in the height direction Z) are part of the protrusion 240, and the remaining Some of the walls (specifically, the walls 242c and 242c on both sides in the supply direction Y) are configured by partition members that partition the projecting portion 240 along the width direction X, and the remaining walls (specifically The lower wall 242d in the height direction Z is formed of a support member (specifically, a mounting plate for the second blower fan 260) provided on the rear surface 211d of the rotating plate 211. The second blower fan 260 is disposed in the space formed by the walls 242a and 242a on both sides in the width direction X, the walls 242c and 242c on both sides in the supply direction Y, and the upper wall 242b in the height direction Z. The wall 242d supports the rotating plate 211 on the back surface 211d. A space formed by the walls 242a, 242a on both sides in the width direction X, the walls 242c, 242c on both sides in the supply direction Y, and the upper wall 242b in the height direction Z is provided below the second blower fan 260 inside. It is blocked by the side wall 242d. 8 to 11, the lower wall 242d is not shown.

  Of the walls 242a, 242a, 242b, 242c, 242c, and 242d of the storage chamber 242, the walls 242a and 242a on both sides in the width direction X allow the air A (see FIG. 12) blown from the second blower fan 260 to pass therethrough. It has a plurality of ventilation holes (through holes) H,. In FIG. 8, illustration of the air holes H,. The plurality of blow holes H,... Are blown in the vicinity of the front end P1 (see FIG. 11) of the paper P in which the air A, A from the second blower fan 260 is received in the storage container 210 in the walls 242a, 242a. It is configured. Further, the plurality of air blowing holes H,... Are formed on the walls 242a, 242a of the paper feed roller 81 (see FIG. 11) for supplying the paper P in which the air A, A from the second air blowing fan 260 is accommodated in the accommodating container 210. It is set as the structure ventilated in the vicinity.

  Specifically, the second blower fan 260 is disposed between the position of the leading end P1 of the paper P stored in the storage container 210 and a predetermined distance β (see FIG. 11) set in advance. Further, the paper feed roller 81 for supplying the paper P is also disposed between the position of the leading end P1 of the paper P stored in the storage container 210 and a predetermined distance β. The predetermined distance β is the length in the supply direction Y of the minimum size paper P (specifically, when the minimum size of the paper P that can be conveyed by the image forming apparatus 100 is the horizontal size of A6, the length of the horizontal size of A6) ) Can be exemplified. The second blower fan 260 has a lower surface 211d of the rotating plate 211 by a lower wall 242d (specifically, a mounting plate) so that the blower side faces the upper wall 242b of the storage chamber 242 with a space therebetween. Are fixed by a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw. In this example, the second blower fan 260 is provided on the lower wall 242d so that the blower side is opposed to the upper wall 242b at an interval, but the air A from the second blower fan 260 is It is possible to bounce off the upper wall 242b and blow air from the plurality of blow holes H in the walls 242a, 242a on both sides in the width direction X.

  Note that a plurality of second blower fans 260 may be provided in the paper feed tray 200 according to the second embodiment. In this case, for example, a plurality of second blower fans 260 may be provided such that the blower side faces the upper wall 242b of the storage chamber 242, or the pair of second blower fans 260 and 260 are provided with a plurality of blower sides on the blower side. You may make it provide inside each wall 242a, 242a so that it may blow toward the inner side (outside from the center part) of the width direction X in the position which opposes the ventilation hole H ..... Further, for example, the second blower fan 260 is provided in a place different from the storage chamber 242, and the blower communicates from the blower side of the second blower fan 260 to the blower holes H of the walls 242a, 242a on both sides in the width direction X. A road may be provided.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating mainly the control configuration of the paper feed system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 101 also functions as a blowing control unit that drives the second blowing fan 260 when the sheet P is fed.

  The controller 101 is electrically connected to the second blower fan 260 and can transmit an operation signal to the second blower fan 260. Specifically, the control unit 101 sends a drive signal for driving the fan motor of the second blower fan 260 to the second blower fan 260 to drive the second blower fan 260 so that the paper P is blown. It has become. The control unit 101 and the second blower fan 260 on the apparatus main body 110 side are detached when the paper feed tray 200 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 110, and are inserted when the paper feed tray 200 is attached to the apparatus main body 110. Are electrically connected by a connection terminal (not shown).

  The air blowing control unit drives the second air blowing fan 260 at least when the paper P is supplied by the paper feeding device 80. For example, the air blowing control unit drives the second blower fan 260 from a predetermined first time before the supply start time of the paper P by the paper feeding device 80, and sets the predetermined first time from the supply start time. The driving of the second blower fan 260 may be stopped after 2 hours. Further, the air blowing control unit drives the second air blowing fan 260 from a predetermined first time before the supply start time of the paper P by the paper feeding device 80, and the second air blowing fan 260 at the time of the supply start time. The driving may be stopped, or the second blower fan 260 is driven from the supply start time of the paper P by the paper supply device 80, and the second blower fan 260 is set after a predetermined second time has elapsed from the supply start time. May be stopped.

  Specifically, when the air blowing control unit detects (for example, turns on) a signal (for example, an operation signal of a main motor that drives the entire driving system, see FIG. 13) indicating that the paper P is fed, A drive signal is transmitted to the 2 ventilation fan 260, and the 2nd ventilation fan 260 is driven. In addition, when the signal indicating that the paper P is fed is no longer detected (for example, turned off), the air blowing control unit stops transmitting the drive signal to the second air blowing fan 260 and the second air blowing fan 260. Stop driving. The signal indicating that the paper P is fed may be an operation signal to the paper feed roller 81. In this case, every time the paper P is fed by the paper feed roller 81, the second blower fan 260 can be driven, whereby unnecessary driving of the second blower fan 260 can be avoided, and power consumption can be reduced accordingly. it can.

  In the paper feed tray 200 according to the second embodiment described above, since the protruding portion 240 is provided on the rotating plate 211 of the storage container 210, a gap is ensured between the adjacent sheets P at both ends in the width direction X. Accordingly, the adhesion at both ends in the width direction X of the paper P can be reduced. Thus, the air A bounced off from the second blower fan 260 on the upper wall 242b of the storage chamber 242 in the width direction X is reduced in the adhesiveness at both ends in the width direction X of the paper P. Projecting by blowing air to the paper P from between the bottom surface 211e of the rotating plate 211 in the storage container 210 and the paper P accommodated in the storage container 210 through the air holes H of the walls 242a, 242a on both sides. The air A spreads in the gap between the adjacent sheets P secured by the section 240 and can enter the gap A. Therefore, between the adjacent sheets P of the sheets P stacked in the storage container 210. The adhesion can be further reduced. This makes it possible to effectively prevent conveyance failures such as double feeding and misfeeding of paper (particularly, paper in a high-humidity environment, and glossy paper that easily adheres between adjacent papers) P. In addition, since the gap between the adjacent sheets P is secured by the protrusions 240, the air volume of the second blower fan 260 can be reduced accordingly. As a result, a small fan can be used as the second blower fan 260, and even when the second blower fan 260 is provided in the paper feed tray 200, the paper feed tray 200 can be maintained in the conventional size. It becomes.

  In the second embodiment, since the second blower fan 260 is provided in the protrusion 240, the protrusion is formed between the bottom surface 211 e of the rotating plate 211 in the storage container 210 and the paper P stored in the storage container 210. The second blower fan 260 can be provided by using the space formed by 240 (the storage chamber 242 in this example), and thus the vacant space can be used effectively.

  By the way, when the second blower fan 260 is provided in the storage chamber 242, of the walls 242a, 242a, 242b, 242c, 242c, and 242d of the storage chamber 242, both walls 242a and 242a in the width direction X and both sides in the supply direction Y are provided. When the second blower fan 260 is attached to the walls 242c and 242c, the attachment work is performed in a relatively narrow space, so that the workability of attaching the second blower fan 260 is not good.

  In this regard, as in the second embodiment, since the second blower fan 260 is provided on the lower wall 242d, the mounting workability of the second blower fan 260 can be improved.

  In the second embodiment, the second blower fan 260 blows air in the vicinity of the front end P1 of the paper P and further in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 81, so that the front end P1 of the paper P stacked in the storage container 210 is used. Further, in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 81, the adhesion force between the adjacent papers P can be effectively reduced, and it is possible to suppress conveyance failures such as double feed and misfeed.

(Combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment)
You may combine the structure which provides the 1st ventilation fan 250 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the structure which provides the 2nd ventilation fan 260 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the adhesion force between the adjacent sheets P of the sheets P stacked in the storage container 210. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent the conveyance failure such as double feeding and misfeed of the paper P.

(Other embodiments)
Note that the configuration of the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment may be applied to the manual paper feed tray 70. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the paper P is provided at a place for storing the paper P on which an image is formed. However, the configuration of the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment is used to store a document from which an image is read. Even if it is provided at a location, it is possible to similarly suppress conveyance failures.

80 Paper feeder 81 Paper feed roller (an example of a sheet supply roller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 102 Image forming part 200 Paper feed tray (an example of a sheet storage apparatus)
210 container (an example of a sheet container)
211 Rotating plate 211e Bottom surface 221 First restriction member 222 Second restriction member (an example of a pair of restriction members)
240 Projection 242 Storage chamber 242a Wall 242b Wall 242c Wall 242d Wall 250 First blower fan (an example of a first blower)
260 Second blower fan (example of second blower)
H Blow hole P Paper (example of sheet)
P1 Front end P2 Rear end S Sheet conveyance path X Width direction Y Supply direction Z Height direction

Claims (6)

A sheet storage device including a sheet storage unit that stacks and stores sheets, wherein the sheet stored in the sheet storage unit is supplied to the outside by a sheet supply roller;
A protrusion provided on a bottom surface of the sheet storage unit on which the sheets are stacked and at least a part thereof facing the sheet supply roller;
It blower is sending air device to said sheet from between the central portion in the width direction of the sheet intersecting the feed direction as the bottom surface of the sheet accommodating portion and the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion of the sheet And a sheet storage device. The sheet storage device according to claim 1 ,
Before Kioku wind device, sheet storage device, characterized in that provided in the projecting portion. The sheet storage device according to claim 2 ,
The projecting portion has a storage compartment for storing pre Kioku wind device,
The two side walls in the width direction of the storage chamber wall having blowing holes for passing the air blown from the front Kioku wind device, respectively,
Before Kioku wind device, of the walls of the storage chamber, the sheet accommodating device, characterized in that provided on the lower side of the wall in the height direction of the protrusion. A sheet accommodating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Before Kioku wind apparatus, sheet storing apparatus characterized by being configured to blow in the vicinity of the feed direction downstream side end of the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion. A sheet accommodating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Before Kioku wind apparatus, sheet storing apparatus characterized by being configured to blow in the vicinity of the sheet supply roller for supplying the sheet. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

Images