JP6136840B2 - Recording medium stacking mechanism and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium stacking mechanism and an image forming apparatus.

  In the paper feed mechanism described in Patent Document 1, bearings are provided on both sides of the front end of the plate, and gears are fixed to both ends of a shaft that rotates in the bearing. Further, a rack that meshes with the gear is provided, and the tip end portion of the plate is moved up and down while being inclined by the gear and the rack.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-125853

  An object of the present invention is to press both of the other end side of the unsupported conveying member and the one end side when the conveying member and the recording medium on which one end is supported are pressed. The part side is brought into contact with the recording medium.

  The recording medium stacking mechanism according to claim 1 includes a stacking member on which a recording medium on which an image is recorded is stacked and one end in one direction is relatively movable, and one end in the one direction Is supported, rotates and conveys the recording medium stacked on the stacking member, the uppermost recording medium stacked on the stacking member, and a pressing member that presses the transporting member It is characterized by that.

  A recording medium stacking mechanism according to a second aspect is the recording medium stacking mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the recording medium stacking mechanism is attached to the stacking member, extends in a rotation axis direction of the transport member, and is close to a pressing direction with respect to the transport member. Alternatively, an extension member that is movable so as to be separated, and an upper end of the extension member and the other end of the extension member in a pressing state in which the uppermost recording medium and the transport member are pressed. A movable member that enables relative movement and synchronizes movement of one end of the extending member and movement of the other end of the extending member in a released state in which the pressing state is released. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the recording medium stacking mechanism according to the first or second aspect and the uppermost recording medium stacked on a stacking member provided in the recording medium stacking mechanism in a cantilever state. It comprises: a conveying member that conveys by rotating; and a forming member that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying member.

  According to the recording medium stacking mechanism of the first aspect, even when the conveyance member supported by one end and the recording medium are pressed, the other end side of the unsupported conveyance member and the one Both end sides of the recording medium can be brought into contact with the recording medium.

  According to the recording medium stacking mechanism of the second aspect, when one end and the other end of the extending member are relatively moved in the pressing state in which the recording medium and the conveying member are pressed and the released state in which the pressing state is released. In contrast, the movement of one end of the extending member and the movement of the other end of the extending member can be synchronized in the released state where the pressing state is released.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the image from being inclined and formed on the recording medium as compared with the case where the recording medium stacking mechanism according to the first or second aspect is not provided. .

It is the perspective view which showed the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) It is the expansion perspective view and sectional drawing which showed the movable module with which the paper supply unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is equipped. (A) (B) (C) It is the one side view, the front view, and the other side view which were used for demonstrating operation | movement of the allowance mechanism 100 of the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) (C) It is the one side view, the front view, and the other side view which were used for demonstrating operation | movement of the allowance mechanism 100 of the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) (C) It is the one side view, the front view, and the other side view which were used for demonstrating operation | movement of the allowance mechanism 100 of the paper feed unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An example of a recording medium stacking mechanism and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, an arrow V indicates the vertical direction, indicating the vertical direction of the apparatus, an arrow H indicates the horizontal direction, indicating the apparatus width direction, and an arrow D indicates the horizontal direction, indicating the apparatus depth direction.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 8, an image processing unit 12 that performs image processing on input image data is provided inside the apparatus main body 10 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The image processing unit 12 processes input image data into gradation data of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). An exposure device 14 that receives gradation data processed by the image processing unit 12 and performs image exposure with the laser beam LB is provided on the center side in the apparatus main body 10A.

  Also, above the exposure device 14 in the vertical direction, four image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are in the horizontal direction. Are arranged at intervals in the inclined direction, and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10A. These image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K form toner images of respective colors. If there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, Y, M, C, and K may be omitted.

  On the other hand, a primary transfer unit 18 is provided above the image forming units 16 of the respective colors in the vertical direction so that the toner images formed by the image forming units 16 of the respective colors are transferred in a multiple manner. Further, on the side of the primary transfer unit 18 (right side in the drawing), a sheet member P as an example of a recording medium conveyed along a conveyance path 60 by a supply conveyance unit 30 described later is multiplexed on the primary transfer unit 18. A secondary transfer roll 22 (an example of a forming member) that transfers (forms) the transferred toner image is provided.

  A fixing device 24 that fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet member P to the sheet member P by heat and pressure is provided downstream of the secondary transfer roll 22 in the conveying direction of the sheet member P. Further, on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet member P with respect to the fixing device 24, the sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge portion 26 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10. A discharge roll 28 is provided.

  On the other hand, a supply conveyance unit 30 that supplies and conveys the sheet member P is provided below and to the side of the exposure apparatus 14 in the vertical direction.

[Image forming unit]
First, the image forming unit 16 will be described.

  The image forming units 16 for the respective colors are all configured similarly. Each color image forming unit 16 includes a rotating columnar image carrier 34, a charging member 36 that charges the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 34, and the above-described exposure on the outer peripheral surface of the charged image carrier 34. A developing unit 38 that develops an electrostatic latent image formed by image exposure of the apparatus 14 with a developer (toner) to form a toner image, and a cleaning blade (not shown) that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 34. I have.

[Exposure equipment]
Next, the exposure apparatus 14 will be described.

  Inside the casing 14A of the exposure apparatus 14, a polygon mirror 32 that is a rotary polygon mirror is disposed. Laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from a semiconductor laser 54 as an example of a light source are irradiated to the polygon mirror 32 through a cylindrical lens (not shown), and the polygon The mirror 32 is deflected and scanned in the main scanning direction. Then, the laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 32 pass through the imaging lens and a plurality of mirrors (not shown) to the image carrier 34. The upper exposure position is scanned and exposed from obliquely below.

  Thus, the exposure device 14 performs scanning exposure on the image carrier 34 from obliquely below. For this reason, there is a possibility that foreign substances such as toner may fall on the exposure device 14 from the developing unit 38 provided in the image forming unit 16 of each color positioned above. Therefore, four laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K are applied to the portion facing upward on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 14A, and the image carrier 34 of the image forming unit 16 of each color. Transparent glass 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K are provided as an example of a transparent glass transparent member that transmits upward.

[Primary transfer unit and secondary transfer roll]
Next, the primary transfer unit 18 and the secondary transfer roll 22 will be described.

  The primary transfer unit 18 is disposed above the image forming unit 16 of each color in the vertical direction. The primary transfer unit 18 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 42, a drive roll 46 around which the intermediate transfer belt 42 is wound and rotationally driven to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 42 in the direction of arrow A, and the intermediate transfer belt 42 is wound around the primary transfer unit 18. A tension applying roll 48 that is applied to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 42, a driven roll 50 that is disposed vertically above the tension applying roll 48 and is driven to rotate with the intermediate transfer belt 42, and the intermediate transfer belt 42. A primary transfer roll 52 disposed on the opposite side of the image carrier 34 of each color.

  As a result, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images sequentially formed on the image carrier 34 of each color image forming unit 16 are transferred to the primary transfer of each color. Multiple rolls are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 42 by the roll 52.

  Further, a cleaning blade 56 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 42 and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 42 is disposed on the opposite side of the drive roll 46 with the intermediate transfer belt 42 interposed therebetween. Further, on the opposite side of the driven roll 50 with the intermediate transfer belt 42 interposed therebetween, a secondary transfer roll 22 for transferring the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 42 to the conveyed sheet member P is provided. .

  As described above, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images transferred in multiple onto the intermediate transfer belt 42 are conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 42. The conveyed toner image is sandwiched between the driven roll 50 and the secondary transfer roll 22 and is secondarily transferred to the sheet member P conveyed along the conveyance path 60 by a supply conveyance unit 30 described later. ing.

[Supply transport unit]
Next, the supply conveyance unit 30 as an example of a recording medium stacking mechanism that supplies and conveys the sheet member P will be described.

  The supply / conveyance unit 30 includes a sheet feeding unit 62 that is disposed below the exposure apparatus 14 in the vertical direction in the apparatus main body 10A and on which a plurality of sheet members P are stacked.

  Further, the supply conveyance unit 30 includes a sheet feeding roll 64 as an example of a conveyance member that sends the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the sheet feeding unit 62 to the conveyance path 60, and a sheet member fed by the sheet feeding roll 64. A separation roll 66 that separates P one by one and an alignment roll 68 that matches the conveyance timing of the sheet member P are provided. And each roll is arrange | positioned in this order toward the downstream from the upstream of the conveyance direction of the sheet | seat member P. As shown in FIG.

  With this configuration, the sheet member P supplied from the paper feeding unit 62 is set to a position (secondary transfer position) at which the intermediate transfer belt 42 and the secondary transfer roll 22 come into contact with each other by the rotating alignment roll 68. It comes to be sent out by. Details of the paper feed unit 62 and the paper feed roll 64 will be described later.

  Further, the supply / conveyance unit 30 forms the toner image on the other surface without discharging the sheet member P, on which the toner image is fixed on one surface by the fixing device 24, to the discharge unit 26 by the discharge roll 28. For this purpose, a double-sided conveyance device 70 is provided.

  The double-sided conveyance device 70 is arranged along the double-sided conveyance path 72 and the double-sided conveyance path 72 along which the sheet member P is conveyed so as to reverse the front and back of the sheet member P from the discharge roll 28 toward the alignment roll 68. A conveyance roll 74 and a conveyance roll 76 that convey the sheet member P are provided.

(Operation of the overall configuration)
With this configuration, an image is formed on the sheet member P as follows.

  First, gradation data of each color is sequentially output from the image processing unit 12 to the exposure device 14. The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the exposure device 14 according to the gradation data scan the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 34 charged by the charging member 36. Exposure (exposure in the main scanning direction). Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 34. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding member 34 is developed by each color developing device 38, and is formed as a toner image of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Visualized.

  Further, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images formed on the image carrier 34 circulate by the primary transfer roll 52 of the primary transfer unit 18. Multiple transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 42.

  The toner images of each color transferred onto the circulating intermediate transfer belt 42 in a multiple manner are conveyed along the conveyance path 60 from the sheet feeding unit 62 by the sheet feeding roll 64, the separation roll 66, and the alignment roll 68. Secondary transfer is performed on P by the secondary transfer roll 22.

  Further, the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 44. Then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet member P by the fixing device 44. The sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit 26 by the discharge roll 28.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both surfaces of the sheet member P, the sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed on one surface (front surface) by the fixing device 44 is not directly discharged to the discharge unit 26 by the discharge roll 28. The conveyance direction of the sheet member P is switched by reversing the discharge roll 28. And this sheet member P is conveyed along the double-sided conveyance path | route 72 by the conveyance rolls 74 and 76. FIG.

  The sheet member P conveyed along the double-sided conveyance path 72 is conveyed to the alignment roll 68 again with the front and back reversed. This time, after the toner image is transferred and fixed on the other surface (back surface) of the sheet member P, the sheet member P is discharged to the discharge portion 26 by the discharge roll 28.

(Main part configuration)
Next, the paper feed roll 64 and the paper feed unit 62 will be described.

[Paper roll]
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed roll 64 is formed in a cylindrical shaft portion 64A extending in the apparatus depth direction (an example of one direction and a rotational axis direction), and a cylindrical shape, and is attached to the shaft portion 64A. And two roll portions 64B that are spaced apart from each other.

  The shaft portion 64A is rotatably supported by a frame 80 fixed to the apparatus main body 10A (see FIG. 8) via a bearing member (not shown) on the back side in the apparatus depth direction (left side in FIG. 1) ( One end in one direction is supported). Thus, the paper feed roll 64 is in a cantilever state in which only one end portion is supported (a state in which only one end portion is supported like a cantilever beam), and the shaft portion 64A is free. The roll part 64B is detached from (replaced with) the shaft part 64A from the end.

  Further, a gear 64C to which a rotational force of a driving source (not shown) is transmitted is attached to the opposite side of the roll portion 64B with respect to the frame 80 in the shaft portion 64A.

[Paper Feed Unit]
As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet feeding unit 62 is a box-shaped tray 90 that is open at the top in the vertical direction of the apparatus, and a stacking member that is disposed inside the tray 90 and on which a plurality of sheet members P are stacked. An example bottom plate 92 is provided. A plurality of sheet members P can be stacked on the bottom plate 92 by pulling out the tray 90 from the apparatus main body 10A to one side in the apparatus width direction (left side in FIGS. 1 and 8: see arrow B) ( Details will be described later).

  The bottom plate 92 has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the vertical direction of the apparatus. The bottom plate 92 includes a base end portion 92A located on one side in the apparatus width direction (left side in FIG. 1), a tip end portion 92B located on the other side in the apparatus width direction (right side in FIG. 1), and a base end portion. The intermediate portion 92 </ b> C is formed between the proximal end portion 92 </ b> A and the distal end portion 92 </ b> B. The leading end 92B is positioned below the sheet feed roll 64 in the vertical direction of the apparatus.

  The base end portion 92A of the bottom plate 92 is attached to the bottom plate 90A of the tray 90 and is rotatably supported by a shaft member 96 extending in the apparatus depth direction. Thereby, the bottom plate 92 rotates and moves so that the tip 92B moves up and down with respect to the bottom plate 90A around the shaft member 96.

  Further, the uppermost sheet member P (hereinafter simply referred to as “the uppermost sheet member P”) stacked on the bottom plate 92 is provided between the front end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 and the bottom plate 90A. Two coil springs 98 are arranged as an example of a pressing member that is pressed against the paper feed roll 64. Specifically, the two coil springs 98 are arranged side by side in the apparatus depth direction, and a coil spring 98A disposed on the near side in the apparatus depth direction and a coil spring 98B disposed on the depth side in the apparatus depth direction are: It arrange | positions between the front-end | tip part 92B and the baseplate 90A.

  Further, the sheet feeding unit 62 is configured such that the leading end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 is inclined along the inclined sheet feeding roll 64 when the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the sheet feeding roll 64 by the coil springs 98A and 98B. A permissible mechanism 100 is provided.

  The allowance mechanism 100 includes a shaft 102 as an example of a columnar extending member that is attached to the lower surface of the distal end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 and extends in the apparatus depth direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, projecting portions 104 projecting downward are formed at both end portions of the distal end portion 92B in the apparatus depth direction, and each projecting portion 104 extends in the apparatus width direction. A long hole 104A into which the shaft 102 is inserted is formed. Further, in the tray 90, a pair of side plates 90B whose plate surfaces face the apparatus depth direction are respectively formed with guide holes 106 that extend in the apparatus vertical direction and are inserted with the shaft 102 to guide the shaft 102 in the apparatus vertical direction. Yes. Thereby, the shaft 102 moves in the guide hole 106 in the vertical direction of the apparatus, so that the bottom plate 92 rotates around the shaft member 96 and the tip portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 moves in the vertical direction of the apparatus. It has become.

  Further, the permission mechanism 100 synchronizes the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the movement of the other end of the shaft 102 in the released state in which the pressing state in which the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the paper feed roll 64 is released. The movable module 110 is provided as an example of a movable member that enables relative movement between one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 in the pressed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movable module 110 is attached to a pinion 112 attached to the front end of the shaft 102 in the apparatus depth direction, and to the end of the shaft 102 in the apparatus depth direction. The pinion 114 is provided. As a result, the pinion 112 and the pinion 114 rotate in synchronization.

  Furthermore, the movable module 110 includes a rack 118 that extends in the vertical direction of the apparatus and engages with the pinion 112, and a rack 120 that extends in the vertical direction of the apparatus and engages with the pinion 114. The rack 120 is formed integrally with the tray 90, and the rack 118 is held by a holding portion 124 formed integrally with the tray 90. The shape of the gear teeth of the pinion 112 and the shape of the gear teeth of the pinion 114 are the same, and the shape of the gear teeth of the rack 118 and the shape of the gear teeth of the rack 120 are the same.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the holding portion 124 is formed in a box shape extending in the vertical direction of the device with one side in the device width direction (left side in the drawing) opened, and the holding portion 124 has A rack 118 is held so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the apparatus. Specifically, the back surface 118A of the rack 118 and the bottom surface 124A of the holding portion 124 are in contact with each other. Furthermore, the size F in the vertical direction of the device in the holding portion 124 is made larger than the size G of the rack 118 in the vertical direction of the device. A pair of coil springs 130 that extend and contract in the vertical direction of the apparatus are arranged between the rack 118 and the holding portion 124 so that the rack 118 is sandwiched in the vertical direction of the apparatus. Thereby, in a state where the load in the vertical direction of the apparatus is not applied to the rack 118, the rack 118 is disposed inside the holding portion 124 on the center side in the vertical direction of the apparatus (see FIG. 4B).

  In this configuration, in the pressing state in which the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the bottom plate 92 is pressed against the sheet feeding roll 64 by the biasing force of the coil spring 98 (see FIG. 1), this pressing force causes the shaft 102 and the pinion 112 to move. Via the rack 118. As a result, the rack 118 moves in the vertical direction of the apparatus with respect to the holding portion 124. That is, in the pressing state, relative movement between one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 in the vertical direction of the apparatus is possible.

  As described above, the tolerance mechanism 100 allows the both ends of the distal end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 in the apparatus depth direction to move relatively.

  On the other hand, in the released state in which the pressing state is released (the state in which the uppermost sheet member P and the paper feed roll 64 are separated from each other), the pressing force by which the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the paper supply roll 64 does not occur. Accordingly, the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the movement of the other end of the shaft 102 are synchronized without the rack 118 moving in the vertical direction of the apparatus with respect to the holding portion 124. Details will be described together with an operation described later.

[Others]
When the tray 90 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10A in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10 moves the front end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 in the vertical direction of the apparatus against the urging force of the coil spring 98. A guide rail 134 that moves downward is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guide rail 134 extends in the apparatus width direction and is arranged so as to come into contact with the protruding portion 102 </ b> A of the shaft 102 protruding from the pinion 114 toward the back side in the apparatus depth direction from above. Yes. The position in the apparatus vertical direction on one side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the guide rail 134 in the apparatus width direction is the apparatus on the other side in the apparatus width direction (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 3) on the guide rail 134. Compared to the position in the vertical direction, the position is lower.

  In this configuration, when the tray 90 (see FIG. 1) mounted in the apparatus main body 10A is pulled out in the direction of arrow B, the protruding portion 102A of the shaft 102 is pressed by the guide rail 134 and moves downward in the apparatus vertical direction. . Then, the leading end 92B of the bottom plate 92 moves downward in the vertical direction of the apparatus against the urging force of the coil spring 98, and the bottom plate 92 moves to a stackable position where the sheet member P can be stacked on the bottom plate 92. (See FIG. 3).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the bottom plate 92 moves to the stackable position, the tray 90 is hooked on the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 and holds the bottom plate 92 in the stackable position. 136 is attached. And this latch member 136 is arrange | positioned in the apparatus depth side in the apparatus depth direction. In the state where the bottom plate 92 is held at the stackable position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the latch member 136 is disposed on the back side of the apparatus in the depth direction of the apparatus. Thus, the tip 92B of the bottom plate 92 and the shaft 102 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

  Further, when the tray 90 is moved in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 3 and attached to the apparatus main body 10A, the latch member 136 comes into contact with a release member (not shown) so as to be separated from the front end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92. It has become. As a result, the leading end 92B of the bottom plate 92 moves upward in the vertical direction of the apparatus by the biasing force of the coil spring 98, and the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the bottom plate 92 is pressed against the paper feed roll 64. It is supposed to be.

(Effects of main components)
Next, the operation of the main configuration will be described using the steps from mounting the tray 90 drawn from the apparatus main body 10A to the apparatus main body 10A until the sheet member P can be conveyed.

  In the state where the tray 90 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10A, as shown in FIG. 3, the latch member 136 is hooked on the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92, and the bottom plate 92 is held at the stackable position.

  In the state where the bottom plate 92 is held at the stackable position, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when viewed from the apparatus width direction (viewed from the conveyance direction of the sheet member P), the leading end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 is seen. The shaft 102 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

  Specifically, when viewed from the apparatus width direction, the front side of the distal end portion 92B and the shaft 102 in the apparatus depth direction (right side in the drawing) is the rear side of the distal end portion 92B and the shaft 102 in the apparatus depth direction (in the drawing). Compared to the left side). Further, since the load in the vertical direction of the apparatus is not applied to the rack 118, the rack 118 is disposed in the center of the vertical direction of the apparatus in the holding portion 124 as shown in FIG. 5C.

  In this state, a plurality of sheet members P are stacked on the bottom plate 92. Further, the tray 90 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10 </ b> A with the plurality of sheet members P stacked on the bottom plate 92. Specifically, when the tray 90 is moved in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 3, the tray 90 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10 </ b> A, and the latch member 136 comes into contact with a release member (not shown), and the tip of the bottom plate 92. Separated from the portion 92B (the latch is released).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the leading end 92 </ b> B of the bottom plate 92 is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 98, and the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the bottom plate 92 is moved to the paper feed roll 64. Pressed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of each member when the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the sheet feeding roll 64 will be described.

  When the urging force of the coil spring 98 that attempts to move the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 upward is applied to the tip end portion 92B, the pinion 114 is moved as shown in FIGS. It rotates while meshing with the rack 120 and moves upward. Similarly, the pinion 112 that rotates in synchronization with the pinion 114 via the shaft 102 rotates and moves upward while meshing with the rack 118.

  Here, the load in the vertical direction of the apparatus is not applied to the rack 118 until the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the paper feed roll 64. For this reason, the rack 118 does not move in the vertical direction of the apparatus with respect to the holding portion 124, and the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the movement of the other end of the shaft 102 are synchronized. In other words, in the released state in which the pressing state in which the uppermost sheet member P is pressed against the paper feed roll 64 is released, the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 are synchronized.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, when viewed from the device width direction, the distal end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 and the distal end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 and the shaft 102 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The shaft 102 moves upward. And since the front-end | tip part 92B of the bottom plate 92 inclines, the corner | angular part of the roll part 64B arrange | positioned on the right side in the figure and the uppermost sheet | seat member P contact in J part in the figure.

  Further, the top end 92B of the bottom plate 92 is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 98, and the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the bottom plate 92 is pressed against the roll portion 64B arranged on the right side in the drawing. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the cantilevered paper feed roll 64 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the free end is positioned above the support end, The tip 92B of the bottom plate 92 is also tilted along the tilted paper feed roll 64.

  Specifically, when the tip 92B of the bottom plate 92 moves upward, the pinion 114 rotates while meshing with the rack 120 and moves upward. Similarly, the pinion 112 that rotates in synchronization with the pinion 114 via the shaft 102 rotates and moves upward while meshing with the rack 118.

  In the paper feed unit according to the comparative example in which the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 is always synchronized, the leading end 92B of the bottom plate 92 does not tilt along the tilted paper feed roll 64.

  Here, in the paper feed unit 62, when the pinion 112 rotates while the uppermost sheet member P is pushed against the paper feed roll 64, a downward load is applied to the rack 118, and FIGS. ), The rack 118 moves downward with respect to the holding portion 124. As a result, one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 move relative to each other, and the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 tilts along the inclined sheet feeding roll 64 as viewed from the apparatus width direction. That is, one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 relatively move in the vertical direction of the apparatus in a pressing state in which the uppermost sheet member P stacked on the bottom plate 92 is pressed against the paper feed roll 64.

(Summary)
As described above, when the one end of the shaft 102 and the other end of the shaft 102 move relative to each other, the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 extends along the inclined sheet feeding roll 64 as viewed from the apparatus width direction. Tilt.

  Further, the leading end 92B of the bottom plate 92 is inclined along the inclined sheet feeding roll 64, so that the uppermost sheet member P and the roll portion 64B come into contact with each other (the sheet member P is only in contact with the one roll portion 64B). (Striking state) is suppressed. In the sheet feeding roll 64, both the end portions of the right side (the other end side) in FIG. 7 of each roll unit 64B and the left side (the one end side) in FIG. Contact P.

  In addition, when both end portions of the roll portion 64B are in contact with the sheet member P, the sheet member P sent to the conveyance path 60 by the paper feed roll 64 is prevented from being inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. The

  Further, in the released state where the pressing state is released, the rack 118 does not move with respect to the holding portion 124, so that the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the movement of the other end of the shaft 102 are synchronized.

  Further, since the movement of one end of the shaft 102 and the movement of the other end of the shaft 102 are synchronized in the released state, the movement of the bottom plate 92 in the upward and downward direction is more stable than in the case of not synchronizing. (Move up and down in the same posture).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the inclination of the conveyed sheet member P is suppressed, whereby the image is suppressed from being inclined and transferred to the sheet member P.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments can be taken within the scope of the present invention. This will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in the above embodiment, the paper feed roll 64 includes two roll portions 64B, but may be one or three or more.

  In the above embodiment, the uppermost sheet member P and the paper feed roll 64 are pressed against each other by the biasing force of the coil spring 98. However, a biasing member that biases the paper feed roll toward the bottom plate is provided. The uppermost sheet member P and the paper feed roll may be pressed against each other.

  In the above-described embodiment, the tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 disposed at the stackable position is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. However, by changing the configuration of the guide rail 134 and the latch member 136, the stackable position can be obtained. The tip end portion 92B of the bottom plate 92 disposed on the bottom plate 92 may not be inclined. In this case, the paper feed roll 64 is inclined when the roll portion 64B disposed on the back side in the depth direction of the apparatus and the uppermost sheet member P are in strong contact with each other.

10 Image forming apparatus 22 Secondary transfer roll (example of forming member)
30 Supply / conveyance unit (an example of a recording medium stacking mechanism)
62 Paper Feed Unit 64 Paper Feed Roll (Conveying Member)
92 Bottom plate (an example of a stacking member)
98 Coil spring (an example of a pressing member)
100 Permissible mechanism (an example of a permissible member)
102 Shaft (an example of an extended member)
110 Movable module (an example of a movable member)

Claims (3)

A recording medium on which an image is recorded and a stacking member provided so that both ends in one direction are relatively movable;
One end of the one direction is supported, a conveying member that rotates and conveys the recording medium stacked on the stacking member;
A pressing member that presses the uppermost recording medium stacked on the stacking member and the transport member;
A recording medium loading mechanism comprising: An extension member attached to the stacking member, extending in a rotation axis direction of the transport member, and movable so as to approach or separate from the transport member in a pressing direction;
In a pressing state in which the uppermost recording medium and the conveying member are pressed, the one end of the extending member and the other end of the extending member are allowed to move relative to each other, and the pressing state is released. A movable member that synchronizes the movement of one end of the extending member and the movement of the other end of the extending member,
A recording medium stacking mechanism according to claim 1. The recording medium stacking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2,
A transport member that transports the uppermost recording medium loaded on the stacking member provided in the recording medium stacking mechanism by rotating in a cantilever state;
A forming member that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying member;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images