JP6160311B2 - Sheet supply apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet supply device that supplies a sheet such as a sheet, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer including the sheet supply device.

  As an example of an image forming apparatus, there is a printer in which a separate sheet feeding unit is attached to an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, and printing is performed in the apparatus main body on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The sheet feeding unit includes both a sheet feeding roller that feeds a sheet, a transport roller that transports the sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller toward the apparatus main body, a motor that rotates both rollers, and a driving force of the motor. A driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting to the roller. The driving force transmission mechanism includes a sun gear, two planetary gears meshed with the sun gear, and a bifurcated arm that holds the two planetary gears, and drives the motor by rotating the bifurcated arm. The state in which the force is transmitted to the paper feed roller and the transport roller and the state in which the driving force is transmitted only to the transport roller are switched.

JP-A-8-143177

  By the way, when the power transmission state is switched by rotating the bifurcated arm as in the driving force transmission mechanism described above, a space for rotating the bifurcated arm is required. There is a problem of increasing the size.

  Note that such a problem is not limited to a sheet feeding unit including a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of a motor to a sheet feeding roller and a conveyance roller. It is common.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet supply apparatus capable of switching the transmission state of the rotational force of a drive source without increasing the size of the apparatus.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A sheet supply apparatus that solves the above problems includes a storage unit that can store a sheet, a feeding mechanism that feeds the sheet from the storage unit, a transport mechanism that transports the sheet sent by the feeding mechanism, and the transport A driving source for driving the mechanism, and a second direction in which the driving source transmits the rotational force when the driving source rotates in the first direction to the feeding mechanism, while the driving source is in the opposite direction of the first direction. And a one-way clutch that does not transmit the rotational force when it is rotationally driven to the feeding mechanism.

  According to the above configuration, the one-way clutch can switch between a state in which the rotational force of the drive source is transmitted to the feeding mechanism and a state in which the rotational force is not transmitted to the feeding mechanism. Since the one-way clutch can be incorporated into a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the driving source, the transmission state of the driving force of the driving source can be switched without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  In the sheet supply apparatus, the sheet supply apparatus can be stacked on another sheet supply apparatus having a configuration similar to that of the sheet supply apparatus, and the rotational force of the drive source included in the sheet supply apparatus is A power transmission unit is provided for transmitting to the transport mechanism provided in the other sheet supply apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of sheet supply devices are stacked, if the drive source of one sheet supply device is driven, another sheet supply device can be supplied even if the drive source of another sheet supply device is not driven. The transport mechanism of the apparatus can be driven. Accordingly, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed even when sheets are supplied from a sheet supply apparatus in which another sheet supply apparatus is interposed between the apparatus main body.

  In the sheet feeding apparatus, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding roller for feeding out the sheet and a support shaft that supports the feeding roller, and the one-way clutch is between the feeding roller and the support shaft. Built in.

  According to this configuration, since the one-way clutch is incorporated between the feeding roller and the support shaft, it is not necessary to provide another rotating body in order to attach the one-way clutch. And since it is not necessary to ensure the space for another rotary body, the enlargement of an apparatus can be suppressed.

  When the one-way clutch is the first one-way clutch, the sheet supply device does not transmit the rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the first direction to the transport mechanism. A second one-way clutch that transmits the rotational force when rotationally driven in the second direction to the transport mechanism, and the rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the first direction, while being transmitted to the transport mechanism; And a third one-way clutch that does not transmit a rotational force when the driving source is rotationally driven in the second direction to the transport mechanism.

  According to this configuration, the rotational force of the drive source can be transmitted to the transport mechanism by the second and third one-way clutches when the drive source is driven to rotate in either the first direction or the second direction. . Therefore, when the drive source is driven to rotate in the first direction, the fed sheet can be conveyed by the conveying mechanism while the sheet is fed by the feeding mechanism. On the other hand, when the drive source is rotationally driven in the second direction, the previously sent sheet can be conveyed by the conveying mechanism without sending the next sheet from the storage unit.

  In the sheet supply apparatus, the transport mechanism includes a transport roller for transporting the sheet, a first gear that transmits a rotational force of the driving source to the transport roller, and a rotation shaft that rotates integrally with the first gear. And a second gear and a third gear supported by the rotating shaft and arranged at positions aligned in the axial direction of the first gear and the rotating shaft, and the second one-way clutch is the second gear The third one-way clutch is incorporated between the third gear and the rotary shaft.

  According to this configuration, since the second one-way clutch is incorporated between the second gear and the rotating shaft, it is necessary to secure a space for arranging the second one-way clutch outside the second gear. Absent. In addition, since the third one-way clutch is incorporated between the third gear and the rotating shaft, it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging the third one-way clutch outside the third gear. Therefore, the transmission state of the rotational force of the drive source can be switched without increasing the size of the apparatus.

An image forming apparatus that solves the above problem includes an apparatus main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the sheet supply apparatus attached to the apparatus main body.
According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the sheet feeding device.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the sheet supply apparatus of one Embodiment. The perspective view of the power transmission mechanism of the sheet supply apparatus. The perspective view of the triple gear which comprises the power transmission mechanism. The schematic diagram which shows a sheet supply apparatus when a drive source rotationally drives to the 1st direction. The schematic diagram which shows a sheet supply apparatus when a drive source rotationally drives to the 2nd direction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a sheet supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus is, for example, an ink jet printer that forms an image by attaching ink, which is an example of a liquid, to a sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 11 includes an apparatus main body 12 and one or more sheet supply apparatuses 13 that are detachably attached to the lower side in the vertical direction of the apparatus main body 12. When a plurality of sheet supply devices 13 are attached to the apparatus main body 12, the sheet supply devices 13 are stacked along the vertical direction.

  An insertion portion 15 into which the sheet 14 can be manually inserted is provided at the rear portion (the right end portion in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 12, while the front portion (the left end portion in FIG. 1) is provided. ) Is provided with a discharge unit 16 for discharging the sheet 14 from the apparatus main body 12.

  In the apparatus main body 12, conveyance roller pairs 17, 18, 19, and 20 that convey the sheet 14 from the insertion unit 15 toward the discharge unit 16 are arranged along the conveyance direction of the sheet 14. An image forming unit 21 for forming an image on the sheet 14 is disposed between the conveyance roller pair 18 and the conveyance roller pair 19 in the conveyance direction of the sheet 14.

  The image forming unit 21 includes a carriage 25 that reciprocates along a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet 14 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1), and a liquid ejecting head 26 disposed at the bottom of the carriage 25. I have. Above the image forming unit 21, a mounting unit 28 that detachably mounts a container 27 that stores ink is disposed.

  The ink contained in the container 27 is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 26 via the supply tube 29. In the image forming unit 21, printing is performed by the liquid ejecting head 26 ejecting ink onto the sheet 14 conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 17 to 20 to form an image.

  In the lower part of the apparatus main body 12, a storage cassette 31 that can store a plurality of sheets 14 in a stacked state, and a supply unit 32 that feeds the sheets 14 stored in the storage cassette 31 one by one toward the image forming unit 21. Is provided.

  The supply unit 32 includes a pickup roller 33 that contacts the uppermost sheet 14 in the storage cassette 31, a separation roller 34, and a retard roller 35 that makes a pair with the separation roller 34. Further, the supply unit 32 includes an intermediate roller 36 disposed behind the conveyance roller pair 17 and driven rollers 37 and 38 that sandwich the sheet 14 between the intermediate roller 36.

  Then, when the pickup roller 33, the separation roller 34, and the intermediate roller 36 are rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the driving force of a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 12, the sheet 14 stored in the storage cassette 31 is one. Each sheet is fed toward the conveyance roller pair 17. In the apparatus main body 12, a feeding path 39 extending upward from the bottom of the apparatus main body 12 is formed below the intermediate roller 36 and the driven roller 37.

Next, the configuration of the sheet supply device 13 will be described.
The sheet supply device 13 includes an accommodating portion 41 that can accommodate a plurality of sheets 14 stacked, a feeding mechanism 42 that feeds the sheets 14 accommodated in the accommodating portion 41 one by one, and a feeding mechanism 42 that sends out the sheets 14. A conveyance mechanism 40 that conveys the sheet 14, a feeding mechanism 42, and a drive source 48 that drives the conveyance mechanism 40 are provided.

  The feeding mechanism 42 is paired with a pickup roller 43 that comes into contact with the sheet 14 positioned at the uppermost position in the accommodating portion 41, a feeding roller 44 for feeding the sheet 14 toward the transport mechanism 40, and the feeding roller 44. A retard roller 45 is provided. The transport mechanism 40 includes a transport roller 46 and a driven roller 47 that makes a pair with the transport roller 46.

  The drive source 48 is, for example, a DC motor that can be driven to rotate in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction and the first direction by switching the direction of current. Further, the sheet supply device 13 includes a power transmission mechanism 49 for transmitting the driving force of the driving source 48 to the pickup roller 43, the feeding roller 44, and the conveying roller 46. The drive source 48 and the power transmission mechanism 49 are arranged on the outer side of the accommodating portion 41 (in front of the accommodating portion 41 in FIG. 1) in the width direction of the sheet 14 (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1). ing.

  Then, when the drive source 48 is driven to rotate and the pickup roller 43, the feeding roller 44, and the transport roller 46 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the sheets 14 stored in the storage unit 41 are one by one in the apparatus main body 12. It is supplied toward the feeding path 39. In the following description, for example, the rotation direction when the rotating body rotating by the driving force of the driving source 48 such as the pickup roller 43, the feeding roller 44, and the conveying roller 46 supplies the sheet 14 is the normal rotation direction (FIG. 1). On the other hand, the opposite rotation direction is sometimes referred to as the reverse rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1).

  The retard roller 45 is positioned on the uppermost sheet 14 and the lower side so that only the uppermost sheet 14 is fed when the pickup roller 43 sends out a plurality of sheets 14. The sheet 14 to be separated is separated. In the sheet supply device 13, a feeding path 50 extending upward from the bottom of the sheet supply device 13 is formed below the conveyance roller 46 and the driven roller 47.

Next, the configuration of the power transmission mechanism 49 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation of the motor pinion 55 attached to the output shaft of the drive source 48 is transmitted to the timing pulley 57 via the belt 56. The timing pulley 57 has a small diameter tooth portion 58.

  The first spur gear 62 constituting the first gear train 61 is engaged with the small-diameter tooth portion 58, and the second spur gear 72 and the third spur gear 73 constituting the second gear train 71 are engaged. Yes. The first gear train 61 transmits the driving force of the driving source 48 to the pickup roller 43 and the feeding roller 44, while the second gear train 71 transmits the driving force of the driving source 48 to the transport roller 46.

  The first gear train 61 includes a first spur gear 62, a first transmission gear 63 that meshes with the first spur gear 62, a first drive gear 64 that meshes with the first transmission gear 63, and a first drive gear 64. A second transmission gear 65 meshing with the second transmission gear 65 and a second drive gear 66 meshing with the second transmission gear 65 are provided. The second drive gear 66 is attached to the drive shaft 43a so as to be integrally rotatable with the drive shaft 43a that supports the pickup roller 43.

  The first drive gear 64 is attached to the support shaft 44 a so as to be able to rotate integrally with the support shaft 44 a that supports the feeding roller 44. A first one-way clutch 67 is incorporated between the feed roller 44 and the support shaft 44a.

  The one-way clutch 67 transmits the rotational force when the first drive gear 64 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) to the feed roller 44, while the first drive gear 64 rotates in the reverse direction (see FIG. 2 is not transmitted to the feeding roller 44.

  The second gear train 71 includes a second spur gear 72, a third spur gear 73, a first relay gear 74 that meshes with the third spur gear 73, a triple gear 75, an intermediate transmission gear 76, and an intermediate transmission. A third drive gear 77 and a second relay gear 78 that mesh with the gear 76 and a connecting gear 79 that meshes with the second relay gear 78 are provided.

  The third drive gear 77 is attached to a drive shaft 46 a that supports the transport roller 46. In the case where a plurality of sheet supply devices 13 are stacked, the connecting gear 79 of the sheet supply device 13 located on the upper side of the two sheet supply devices 13 arranged in the vertical direction is the sheet located on the lower side thereof. It meshes with the third drive gear 77 of the supply device 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the triple gear 75 is configured by three gears 75 a, 75 b, and 75 c that are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 81. Of the triple gear 75, the first gear 75 a meshes with the intermediate transmission gear 76, the second gear 75 b meshes with the second spur gear 72, and the third gear 75 c meshes with the first relay gear 74.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first gear 75 a is fixed to the rotary shaft 81 so as to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 81. A second one-way clutch 82 is incorporated between the second gear 75 b and the rotary shaft 81, and a third one-way clutch 83 is incorporated between the third gear 75 c and the rotary shaft 81. .

  In FIG. 4, when the triple gear 75 is viewed from the first gear 75a side along the axial direction of the rotary shaft 81, the direction (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3) that is counterclockwise is the forward rotation direction and the normal rotation direction. The opposite direction is the reverse direction. The one-way clutch 82 transmits the rotational force to the first gear 75a via the rotation shaft 81 when the second gear 75b rotates in the forward direction, while the first gear when the second gear 75b rotates in the reverse direction. No rotational force is transmitted to 75a. The one-way clutch 83 transmits a rotational force to the first gear 75a via the rotary shaft 81 when the third gear 75c rotates in the forward direction, while the first gear 83c rotates when the third gear 75c rotates in the reverse direction. No rotational force is transmitted to one gear 75a. Even if the first gear 75a rotates in the forward direction, the one-way clutches 82 and 83 do not transmit the rotational force to the gears 75b and 75c.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 11 configured as described above will be described.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, three sheet supply devices 13 are attached to the lower side in the vertical direction of the apparatus main body 12, and among the three sheet supply devices 13, in the accommodating portion 41 of the middle sheet supply device 13. A case where an image is formed on the accommodated sheet 14 will be described.

  In the following description, among the three sheet supply apparatuses 13, the one directly attached to the apparatus main body 12 is the first sheet supply apparatus 13, the middle one is the second sheet supply apparatus 13, and the lowermost one. The third sheet supply device 13 is sometimes referred to as the third sheet supply device 13.

  When an image is formed on the sheet 14 accommodated in the second sheet supply device 13, the drive source 48 of the second sheet supply device 13 is driven to rotate, and the sheet 14 accommodated in the accommodation unit 41 is moved to the device. Supply toward the main body 12. At this time, the feeding mechanism 42 first feeds the sheets 14 one by one from the accommodating portion 41, and then the transport mechanism 40 transports the sheet 14 sent by the feeding mechanism 42 toward the apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the sheet 14 is sent out from the storage portion 41, the drive source 48 rotates in the first direction, thereby rotating the motor pinion 55 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5.

  When the motor pinion 55 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, the rotation is transmitted to the timing pulley 57 via the belt 56. As the timing pulley 57 rotates, the spur gears 62, 72, 73 rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

  When the first spur gear 62 rotates in the first gear train 61, the rotation is transmitted to the first drive gear 64 via the first transmission gear 63. At this time, the first drive gear 64 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5), so that the rotation is transmitted to the feeding roller 44 via the one-way clutch 67.

  Further, the rotation of the first drive gear 64 is transmitted to the second drive gear 66 via the second transmission gear 65, whereby the pickup roller 43 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). Then, the sheet 14 with which the pickup roller 43 is in contact is taken out from the storage unit 41. Then, the sheet 14 taken out by the pickup roller 43 is sent out toward the conveyance roller 46 by the feeding roller 44 that rotates in the forward rotation direction.

  Thus, when the sheet 14 is being sent out from the accommodating portion 41, in the second gear train 71, the rotation of the second spur gear 72 is transmitted to the second gear 75b, and the rotation of the third spur gear 73 is also transmitted. This is transmitted to the third gear 75 c via the first relay gear 74.

  At this time, since the second gear 75b rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 5), the rotation of the second gear 75b is not transmitted to the first gear 75a. On the other hand, since the third gear 75c rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5), the rotation is transmitted to the first gear 75a via the one-way clutch 83.

  Then, the rotation of the first gear 75a in the forward rotation direction is transmitted to the third drive gear 77 via the intermediate transmission gear 76, and the transport roller 46 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). Accordingly, the sheet 14 sent out from the storage unit 41 is conveyed toward the feeding path 50 of the first sheet feeding device 13 disposed on the upper side by the conveying roller 46 and the driven roller 47.

  Further, the rotation of the third drive gear 77 is transmitted to the connection gear 79 of the first sheet feeding device 13 disposed on the upper side thereof. Then, the rotation of the connection gear 79 is transmitted to the third drive gear 77 via the second relay gear 78 and the intermediate transmission gear 76, and the conveyance roller 46 of the first sheet supply device 13 is rotated in the forward rotation direction (in FIG. 5). Rotate counterclockwise.

  Thus, when the sheet 14 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 40 of the second sheet supply device 13 passes through the feeding path 50 of the first sheet supply device 13, the sheet 14 is the first sheet as shown in FIG. It is transported toward the feeding path 39 of the apparatus main body 12 by the transport mechanism 40 of the supply device 13. Further, the sheet 14 that has passed through the feeding path 39 is conveyed toward the image forming unit 21 along with the rotation of the intermediate roller 36 and the conveying roller pairs 17 to 20 provided in the apparatus main body 12.

  Note that the rotation of the intermediate transmission gear 76 of the second sheet supply device 13 is rotated via the second relay gear 78 and the connecting gear 79, and the third drive gear of the third sheet supply device 13 disposed on the lower side thereof. 77. As a result, the conveyance roller 46 of the third sheet supply device 13 rotates in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5).

  That is, the third drive gear 77 and the connection gear 79 function as a power transmission unit for transmitting the rotational force of the drive source 48 to the conveyance mechanism 40 provided in the other sheet supply device 13. And when the drive source 48 provided in any one sheet supply apparatus 13 drives, the conveyance roller 46 of all the sheet supply apparatuses 13 rotates to a normal rotation direction.

  However, in the first and third sheet supply devices 13 in which the drive source 48 is not driven, when the first gear 75a rotates in the forward rotation direction with the rotation of the intermediate transmission gear 76, the one-way clutch 82, 83 does not transmit rotation to the gears 75b and 75c. Therefore, the rotation transmitted from the second sheet supply device 13 to the first and third sheet supply devices 13 is transmitted only to the first gear 75a in the first and third sheet supply devices 13, and the motor pinion 55, the pickup roller 43 and the feeding roller 44 do not rotate.

Now, after one sheet 14 is sent out from the accommodating part 41, the drive source 48 rotationally drives in the 2nd direction.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the motor pinion 55 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6, and the rotation is transmitted to the timing pulley 57 via the belt 56. Further, as the timing pulley 57 rotates, the spur gears 62, 72, 73 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  When the first spur gear 62 rotates in the first gear train 61, the rotation is transmitted to the first drive gear 64 via the first transmission gear 63. At this time, the first drive gear 64 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise in FIG. 6), so that the one-way clutch 67 does not transmit the rotational force to the feeding roller 44.

  That is, the one-way clutch 67 transmits the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the first direction to the feeding mechanism 42, while supplying the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the second direction. It is not transmitted to the feeding mechanism 42. Therefore, when the drive source 48 is driven to rotate in the second direction, the pickup roller 43 and the feeding roller 44 do not rotate and the next sheet 14 is not sent out.

  On the other hand, in the second gear train 71, the rotation of the second spur gear 72 is transmitted to the second gear 75b, and the rotation of the third gear 75c is transmitted to the third gear 75c via the first relay gear 74. The

  At this time, since the second gear 75b rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6), the rotation is transmitted to the first gear 75a via the one-way clutch 83. On the other hand, since the third gear 75c rotates in the reverse rotation direction (clockwise in FIG. 6), the rotation of the third gear 75c is not transmitted to the first gear 75a.

  Then, the first gear 75a to which the rotational force is transmitted from the second gear 75b rotates in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6). Further, since the rotation of the first gear 75a in the forward rotation direction is transmitted to the third drive gear 77 via the intermediate transmission gear 76, the transport roller 46 rotates in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). .

  That is, the one-way clutch 82 does not transmit the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the first direction to the transport mechanism 40, while the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the second direction. 40. The one-way clutch 83 transmits the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the first direction to the transport mechanism 40, while the rotational force when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the second direction is the transport mechanism. No transmission to 40.

  Therefore, in the second gear train 71, even when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in either the first or second direction, the first gear 75a that transmits the rotational force to the transport roller 46 is used in the same direction. The rotation is transmitted to the third drive gear 77, and the transport roller 46 rotates in the forward direction.

  Further, since the rotation of the third drive gear 77 of the second sheet supply device 13 is transmitted to the conveyance roller 46 provided in the first and third sheet supply devices 13, without sending out the next sheet 14, The sheet 14 sent out first from the second sheet supply device 13 is conveyed toward the supply route 39 of the apparatus main body 12 through the supply route 50 of the first sheet supply device 13.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The one-way clutch 67 can switch between a state in which the rotational force of the drive source 48 is transmitted to the feeding mechanism 42 and a state in which the rotational force is not transmitted to the feeding mechanism 42. Since the one-way clutch 67 can be incorporated in a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the driving source 48, the transmission state of the rotating force of the driving source 48 can be switched without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  (2) When a plurality of sheet supply apparatuses 13 are stacked, if the drive source 48 of one sheet supply apparatus 13 is driven, the drive source 48 of the other sheet supply apparatus 13 is not driven. The conveyance mechanism 40 of the sheet supply device 13 can be driven. Therefore, even when the sheet 14 is supplied from the sheet supply apparatus 13 in which another sheet supply apparatus 13 is interposed between the apparatus main body 12 and the apparatus main body 12, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

  (3) Since the one-way clutch 67 is incorporated between the feeding roller 44 and the support shaft 44a, it is not necessary to provide another rotating body to attach the one-way clutch 67. And since it is not necessary to ensure the space for another rotary body, the enlargement of an apparatus can be suppressed.

  (4) The one-way clutches 82 and 83 can transmit the rotational force of the drive source 48 to the transport mechanism 40 when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in either the first direction or the second direction. Therefore, when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the first direction, the fed sheet 14 can be conveyed by the conveying mechanism 40 while being fed by the feeding mechanism 42. On the other hand, when the drive source 48 is rotationally driven in the second direction, the previously sent sheet 14 can be transported by the transport mechanism 40 without sending the next sheet 14 from the storage portion 41.

  (5) Since the second one-way clutch 82 is incorporated between the second gear 75b and the rotary shaft 81, a space for disposing the second one-way clutch 82 is secured outside the second gear 75b. There is no need. Further, since the third one-way clutch 83 is incorporated between the third gear 75c and the rotating shaft 81, it is necessary to secure a space for arranging the third one-way clutch 83 outside the third gear 75c. There is no. Therefore, the transmission state of the rotational force of the drive source 48 can be switched without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  (6) When the driving source 48 provided in one of the plurality of stacked sheet supply apparatuses 13 is driven, the transport rollers 46 of all the sheet supply apparatuses 13 rotate, so that the sheets The load applied to the drive source 48 when supplying 14 can be made constant. Therefore, since the drive sources 48 having the same performance can be mounted on the plurality of sheet supply apparatuses 13, the positions of the plurality of sheet supply apparatuses 13 can be attached to the apparatus main body 12 in an arbitrary order.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
A fourth one-way clutch is incorporated in the third driving gear 77 to transfer the sheet 14 from the conveyance mechanism 40 of the sheet supply apparatus 13 to the conveyance mechanism 40 of the sheet supply apparatus 13 disposed vertically above the third drive gear 77. While the rotational force is transmitted, the rotational force may not be transmitted to the conveyance mechanism 40 of the sheet feeding device 13 disposed below the vertical direction. According to this configuration, in particular, the sheet feeding device 13 arranged on the upper side in the vertical direction requires less driving force when the sheet 14 is conveyed, so that power consumption when the sheet 14 is fed can be reduced. Can do.

  The one-way clutches 82 and 83 are not necessarily arranged coaxially. For example, the one-way clutch 83 may be incorporated into the second spur gear 72 while the one-way clutch 82 is incorporated into the first relay gear 74. The one-way clutch 67 does not necessarily have to be incorporated between the feeding roller 44 and the support shaft 44a, and may be incorporated into the first spur gear 62, for example. According to such a configuration, since the rotation of the rotating body that does not contribute to the supply of the sheet 14 can be stopped at a position closer to the drive source 48, the load on the drive source 48 is reduced, and the power consumption is increased. Can be suppressed.

When there is only one sheet supply device 13 attached to the apparatus main body 12, the connection gear 79 and the second relay gear 78 that function as a power transmission unit may not be provided.
The sheet supply apparatus 13 may not be detachable from the apparatus main body 12 and may be assembled in a non-detachable state.

  The apparatus main body to which the sheet supply apparatus 13 is attached is not limited to an apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet. For example, an apparatus main body having an image reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet, an apparatus main body having a processing unit for performing various processes such as folding and cutting on the sheet, and a counting unit that counts sheets. You may attach the said sheet supply apparatus 13 to an apparatus main body.

  The image forming unit 21 may be changed to a so-called full-line type image forming apparatus that does not include the carriage 25 but includes a long and fixed liquid jet head corresponding to the entire width of the sheet 14. In this case, the liquid ejecting head may be arranged such that the image forming range extends over the entire width of the sheet 14 by arranging a plurality of unit head portions in which nozzles are formed in parallel, or the sheet is formed on a single long head. The image forming range may extend over the entire width of the sheet 14 by arranging a large number of nozzles so as to cover the entire width of the sheet 14.

  The container 27 that stores the ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 26 is not limited to a cartridge that is detachably mounted on the carriage 25, but is a tank that is fixed to a predetermined location other than the carriage 25 in the apparatus main body 12. There may be.

  The container 27 may be configured such that a flexible pack containing ink is stored in a rigid case, or may be configured to directly store ink in a rigid case. .

  The container 27 may be provided with an injection port through which ink can be injected so that ink can be injected or replenished through the injection port. According to this configuration, ink can be replenished without removing the container 27.

  The container 27 may be disposed outside the apparatus main body 12 and the ink stored in the container 27 may be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 26 via a supply tube connected to the carriage 25. In this case, the container 27 may be fixed to the outer surface of the apparatus main body 12, or the container 27 may be disposed at a position separated from the apparatus main body 12. According to this configuration, since the size of the container 27 is not limited by the volume of the apparatus main body 12, the container 27 can be enlarged and more recording can be continuously performed.

  When ink is supplied from the outside of the apparatus main body 12 to the liquid ejecting head 26 via the supply tube, a hole or a notch for passing the supply tube may be provided in the apparatus main body 12. According to this configuration, even when the supply tube that supplies ink from the outside of the apparatus main body 12 to the liquid ejecting head 26 is formed of a material having low rigidity, the supply tube is prevented from being crushed, It is possible to secure a flow path from the container 27 disposed outside to the liquid jet head.

  Alternatively, a boss or the like is set up so that the image reading apparatus and the opening / closing body such as the lid provided to be openable / closable with respect to the apparatus body 12 are not completely closed, and the boss is formed between the apparatus body 12 and the opening / closing body. A supply tube may be passed through the gap. According to this configuration, the supply tube can be prevented from being crushed without providing holes or notches in the apparatus main body 12.

  -Materials used for image formation include fluids other than ink (liquids, liquids in which particles of functional materials are dispersed or mixed, liquids such as gels, and solids that can be ejected as fluids. ). For example, an image is formed by ejecting a liquid material that contains dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. You may make it the structure to carry out.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel), and a powder ejecting apparatus that ejects a solid such as toner (powder). (For example, a toner jet image forming apparatus) may be used. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, powders (including granules and powders), and the like.

  The image forming apparatus is not limited to an ink jet printer that forms an image by ejecting a fluid such as ink, and may be a non-impact printer such as a laser printer, an LED printer, or a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation printer). However, an impact printer such as a dot impact printer may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image forming apparatus, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 13 ... Sheet supply apparatus, 14 ... Sheet, 21 ... Image forming part, 40 ... Conveyance mechanism, 41 ... Storage part, 42 ... Feeding mechanism, 44 ... Feeding roller, 44a DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Support shaft, 46 ... Conveying roller, 48 ... Drive source, 67 ... First one-way clutch, 75a ... First gear, 75b ... Second gear, 75c ... Third gear, 81 ... Rotating shaft, 82 ... Second One-way clutch, 83 ... Third one-way clutch.

Claims (4)

An accommodating portion capable of accommodating a sheet;
A feeding mechanism for feeding out the sheet from the accommodating portion;
A transport mechanism for transporting the sheet sent out by the feed mechanism;
A drive source for driving the transport mechanism;
The rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the first direction is transmitted to the feeding mechanism, while the rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the second direction opposite to the first direction. A first one-way clutch that does not transmit to the feeding mechanism;
A second force that transmits the rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the second direction to the transport mechanism while the rotational force when the drive source is rotationally driven in the first direction is not transmitted to the transport mechanism. One-way clutch
A torque that is transmitted when the drive source is rotationally driven in the first direction is transmitted to the transport mechanism, while a torque that is transmitted when the drive source is rotationally driven in the second direction is not transmitted to the transport mechanism. With a one-way clutch,
The conveyance mechanism includes a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet, a first gear that transmits a rotational force of the driving source to the conveyance roller, a rotation shaft that rotates integrally with the first gear, and a rotation shaft. A second gear and a third gear which are supported and arranged at positions aligned in the axial direction of the first gear and the rotary shaft;
The second one-way clutch is incorporated between the second gear and the rotating shaft, while the third one-way clutch is incorporated between the third gear and the rotating shaft. A sheet feeding apparatus characterized by the above . The sheet feeding device can be stacked on another sheet feeding device having the same configuration as the sheet feeding device,
The sheet supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power transmission unit configured to transmit a rotational force of the driving source included in the sheet supply apparatus to the conveyance mechanism included in the other sheet supply apparatus. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding roller for feeding the sheet, and a support shaft that supports the feeding roller,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the first one-way clutch is incorporated between the feeding roller and the support shaft. An apparatus main body having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
Image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 attached to the apparatus main body.