JP6229626B2 - Paper width adjusting device and paper conveying device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper width adjusting device and a paper transport device.

  An image processing apparatus typified by a digital multifunction peripheral or the like is provided with a paper transport device that transports paper. The paper transport device includes a manual feed tray on which manual paper is set. When the paper is set in the manual feed tray, the paper is aligned and set in the width direction. That is, the paper is set in a state where the width of the paper is adjusted.

  Here, a technique related to sheet width alignment is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-240857 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, in a paper width adjusting device including a pair of width adjusting cursors, when performing paper width adjustment, a cylindrical driven rotating body that rotates in a horizontal direction is used, and a spring as an elastic member is biased. It is supposed to be urged away from the inner surface using Further, according to Patent Document 1, it is described that the width adjustment can be surely performed by absorbing the variation in the paper size in the width direction by the peristaltic movement of the driven rotating body biased in the direction away from the inner surface. is there.

JP 2006-240857 A

  According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a spring for applying an urging force and a cylindrical driven rotating body are used, and the widths of the sheets are adjusted using the peristaltic motion of the driven rotating body. However, according to such a configuration, it is necessary to prepare a spring and a driven rotating body, which complicates the configuration and increases costs. Further, in order to improve the sheet width alignment performance in order to reduce the risk of sheet skew when transporting the sheet, it is necessary to increase the biasing force of the spring. When the biasing force of the spring is increased, the load for moving the pair of width alignment cursors becomes large, and the operability may be deteriorated. That is, such a cursor is moved by the user himself, and as a result, the operability is deteriorated. Further, according to such a configuration, a load from the width direction is always applied to the sheet by the biasing force of the spring, and the sheet may be damaged.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a paper width adjusting device that has good operability and can reduce the risk of paper skew.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper transport device that has good operability and can reduce the risk of paper skew.

The sheet width adjusting device according to the present invention is provided on a lifting tray, on which a sheet can be placed, and which can move up and down a lowered position for setting the sheet and a raised position for conveying the sheet, A pair of guide portions that are movable in the width direction of the paper and that abut against the widthwise ends of the paper placed on the lifting tray and restrict the movement of the paper in the width direction. The pair of guide portions are rotatably supported by fitting a pair of racks connected to each of the pair of guide portions and a shaft portion protruding from the lifting tray into the provided shaft hole. The pinions that mesh with each other move so as to open and close the interval between the pair of guide portions. The pinion and the pair of racks each have a tin. The shaft portion has an inclined portion that is inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. The pinion moves to the base end side of the shaft portion by moving the pair of guide portions in the opening direction. The relationship between the inner diameter of the shaft hole provided in the pinion and the outer diameter of the shaft portion is configured such that the rotational load of the pinion is large on the proximal end side and the rotational load of the pinion is small on the distal end side.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet and a sheet width adjusting device that adjusts the position in the width direction of the sheet are included. The paper width adjusting device is provided on the lift tray, on which the paper can be placed, and can be moved up and down between a lowered position for setting the paper and a raised position for conveying the paper. And a pair of guide portions that come into contact with an end portion in the width direction of the sheet placed on the elevating tray and regulate movement of the sheet in the width direction. The pair of guide portions are rotatably supported by fitting a pair of racks connected to each of the pair of guide portions and a shaft portion protruding from the lifting tray into the provided shaft hole. The pinions that mesh with each other move so as to open and close the interval between the pair of guide portions. The pinion and the pair of racks each have a tin. The shaft portion has an inclined portion that is inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. The pinion moves to the base end side of the shaft portion by moving the pair of guide portions in the opening direction. The relationship between the inner diameter of the shaft hole provided in the pinion and the outer diameter of the shaft portion is configured such that the rotational load of the pinion is large on the base end side and the rotational load of the pinion is small on the distal end side.

  According to such a sheet width aligning device, the pinion and the pair of racks each have a tin. The shaft portion has an inclined portion that is inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. The pinion moves to the base end side of the shaft portion by moving the pair of guide portions in the opening direction. If it does so, the rotational load applied at the time of the movement which moves a pair of guide part to the opening direction can be enlarged. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the risk of the skew of the paper when the paper is conveyed. Further, it is possible to reduce the rotational load applied when moving the pair of guide portions in the closing direction. Therefore, when the user sets the sheet on the lifting tray, the load on the user can be reduced when the interval between the pair of guide portions is widened. As a result, the operability is good and the risk of sheet skew can be reduced.

  In addition, according to such a sheet transport device, the operability is good and the risk of sheet skew can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral including a paper transport device including a paper width adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral including a paper transport device including a paper width adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of a paper transport device. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of the front side of the sheet width aligning device in a state in which a distance between a pair of guide portions is widened. It is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the back side of the paper width adjusting device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged main part on the back side of the paper width adjusting device. It is an expansion perspective view which expands and shows the appearance of a pinion. It is the schematic which shows the state by which the pinion and the pair of rack were meshed. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the axial part periphery of the state which expanded the space | interval of a pair of guide parts. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of the front side of the sheet width aligning device in a state where a distance between a pair of guide portions is narrowed. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the axial part periphery of the state which narrowed the space | interval of a pair of guide parts.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “multi-function peripheral”) including a paper conveyance device including a paper width adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-function peripheral including a paper transport device including a paper width adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine including a sheet conveying device including a sheet width adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, the multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12 that controls the entire multifunction machine 11, and a display screen 21 that displays information transmitted from the multifunction machine 11 side and user input contents. It includes an operation unit 13 for inputting image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, power on / off, and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 for automatically conveying a set document to a reading unit. An image reading unit 14 that reads the image of the image, and a developing unit 23 that performs development using toner, and an image forming unit 15 that forms an image based on the read image or image data transmitted via the network 25; It is connected to the hard disk 16 for storing the transmitted image data and the input image forming conditions, and the public line 24. A facsimile communication unit 17 that performs re-reception, a network interface unit 18 for connecting to a network 25, and a paper transport device 19 that includes a manual paper feed unit and transports paper. Note that the arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images.

  The multifunction machine 11 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the document read by the image reading unit 14. Further, the multifunction machine 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 and prints it on a sheet using the image data transmitted from the computers 26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the network 25 through the network interface unit 18. It operates as a printer. That is, the image forming unit 15 operates as a printing unit that prints the requested image. In addition, the multifunction machine 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 via the DRAM using the image data transmitted from the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, and the image reading unit 14 reads the image. By transmitting the image data of the original document to the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, the facsimile apparatus operates. That is, the multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function with respect to image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in detail.

  The image processing system 27 including the multifunction device 11 includes the multifunction device 11 having the above-described configuration and a plurality of computers 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c connected to the multifunction device 11 via the network 25. In this embodiment, three computers 26a to 26c are shown. Each of the computers 26 a to 26 c can make a print request to the multi-function peripheral 11 via the network 25 to perform printing. The multi-function device 11 and the computers 26a to 26c may be connected by wire using a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, or may be connected wirelessly. A configuration in which a machine or a server is connected may be used.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the sheet conveying device 19 provided in the multifunction machine 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the sheet conveying device 19. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the paper width adjusting device included in the paper conveying device 19 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the interval between a pair of guide portions described later is widened.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the sheet conveying device 19 serves as a manual sheet feeding unit for combining sheets placed on a manual feed tray that can be opened and closed on one side surface of the multifunction machine 11. Transport to the inside of the machine 11. The sheet conveying device 19 is normally closed on one side surface of the multifunction machine 11. When printing using manually fed paper, the user uses a handle (not shown) provided in the paper transport device 19 to mount a mounting table (to be described later) in the paper transport device 19. 11 is opened from the side. The pulled-out state is the state shown in FIG.

The paper transport device 19 is disposed on the mounting table 28, placed on the mounting table 28, the transporting roller 29 that transports the paper placed on the mounting table 28, and the mounting table 28. And a sheet width adjusting device 31 that adjusts the position of the sheet placed in the width direction. The sheet conveying device 19 conveys the sheet placed on the placing table 28 toward the image forming unit 15 in the multifunction machine 11. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the direction of conveyance of the sheet corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the arrow D ₁ indicating the width direction of the sheet, is the direction indicated by the arrow D _2. The mounting table 28 and the transport roller 29 together constitute a part of a paper transport mechanism included in the paper transport device 19. On the mounting table 28, for example, a plurality of A4 size sheets can be set in a stacked manner. The conveyance roller 29 sequentially conveys the sheets set on the mounting table 28 to the inside of the multifunction machine 11. Specifically, in order to transfer the formed toner visible image onto a sheet, a developing device 23 provided in the multifunction machine 11 for developing the toner based on a photoreceptor (not shown), an electrostatic latent image, In addition, the toner images are conveyed one by one to an image forming unit 15 provided with a transfer unit (not shown) for transferring the toner image to a sheet. The transport roller 29 rotates at a predetermined timing by power transmitted from a motor (not shown) provided in the multifunction machine 11 via a plurality of gears (not shown).

  The sheet width aligning device 31 aligns the positions in the width direction of a plurality of sheets placed on the placing table 28 on the placing table 28. Specifically, the positions in the width direction of a plurality of sheets of the same size set can be aligned. With such a paper width aligning device 31, it is possible to prevent a positional deviation in image formation in the paper width direction during printing.

  The paper width adjusting device 31 is capable of placing a paper thereon, a lifting tray 32 capable of moving up and down, and a pair of guide portions that regulate movement of the paper placed on the lifting tray 32 in the width direction. 34a and 34b. The paper width adjusting device 31 is disposed on the mounting table 28 provided in the paper transport device 19. A mechanism for adjusting the width of the paper is provided on the lifting tray 32. The paper is placed on a placement surface 33 a that is a surface located on the upper side of the elevating tray 32. When the paper transport device 19 detects that a start key (not shown) provided in the operation unit 13 is pressed after the paper is set, the paper transport device 19 first lifts the lifting tray 32 by a predetermined angle. As a result, the transport roller 29 and the uppermost sheet on the lifting tray 32 come into contact with each other. Then, the transport roller 29 is rotated at a predetermined timing. Then, the set sheets are sequentially conveyed into the multifunction machine 11 by the rotation of the conveying roller 29. After the image is formed, that is, after printing, the paper is discharged out of the multifunction machine 11.

The elevating tray 32 is provided with a pair of guide grooves 39a and 39b for guiding the movement of the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b in the width direction of the paper. The pair of guide portions 34a and 34b can be manually moved on the lifting tray 32 in the width direction of the paper along the pair of guide grooves 39a and 39b. The sheet width direction is indicated by an arrow D ₁ of the direction or the opposite direction in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, according to the length in the width direction of the sheet to be set, the user pair of guide portions 34a, 34b to move in the direction of the direction or vice versa arrow D _1, a pair of guide portions 34a, determines the width of 34b. Further, the width of the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is the minimum width and the maximum width, for example, the width of the postcard size which is the minimum size used as the paper is the minimum width, and the maximum size used as the paper. The movement is also restricted so that the width of a certain A3 size becomes the maximum width.

  Each of the guide portions 34a and 34b is configured by a member obtained by bending a plate-like member in a vertical direction. Each of the guide portions 34a and 34b is configured to have a so-called substantially L-shaped cross section. The guide portions 34a and 34b are a pair of thin plate-like base portions 40a and 40b provided so as to be parallel to the elevating tray 32, and contact portions 35a and 35b erected from the respective base portions 40a and 40b. Have The contact portions 35a and 35b are in contact with both end portions in the width direction of the paper. The contact portions 35a and 35b are configured to rise from the placement surface 33a in the vertical direction. The contact portions 35a and 35b are configured to be arranged in parallel to the paper transport direction. Further, the contact portions 35a and 35b are configured to face each other in the paper width direction. Of the pair of guide portions 34 a and 34 b, one guide portion 34 a is disposed on the front side of the multifunction device 11, and the other guide portion 34 b is disposed on the rear side of the multifunction device 11.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the sheet width aligning device 31 as seen from the back side. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged main part on the back side of the paper width adjusting device. FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the periphery where a pinion described later shown in FIG. 5 is arranged. 1 to 6, the sheet width aligning device 31 includes a pair of racks 36 a and 36 b provided so as to move in the sheet width direction in conjunction with both of the pair of guide portions 34 a and 34 b, and a rack. 36a and 36b, respectively, and a pinion 41 that rotates. The racks 36a and 36b and the pinion 41 are provided on the back surface 33b side of the placement surface 33a on which the paper is placed in the lifting tray 32.

  The rack 36a is composed of an elongated thin plate-like member 37a. In the rack 36a, teeth 38a are cut in substantially the entire region from one end to the other end on one side of the long side of the thin plate-like member 37a. The teeth 38a are made of helical. That is, the teeth 38a of the rack 36a are cut in an oblique direction, and the rack 36a has a structure having a lotus. Similarly, in the rack 36b, the teeth 38b cut on one side of the long side of the long and thin thin plate-like member 37b are made of helical.

  The rack 36a is connected to the base portion 40a, and is configured to be integrated with the base portion 40a and the guide portion 34a. The rack 36b is connected to the base portion 40b and is configured to be integrated with the base portion 40b and the guide portion 34b. The sheet width adjusting device 31 uses a resin member in which a rack 36a, a base portion 40a, and a guide portion 34a are integrally formed, and the guide portion 34a and the base portion 40a are arranged on the placement surface side, and the placement surface. A rack 36a is arranged on the back surface 33b side of 33a. Similarly, in the sheet width aligning device 31, the guide portion 34b and the base portion 40b are disposed on the placement surface 33a side using a resin member in which the rack 36b, the base portion 40b, and the guide portion 34b are integrally formed. The rack 36b is arranged on the back surface 33b side of the mounting surface 33a. The rack 36a moves in the paper width direction in conjunction with the base portion 40a and the guide portion 34a. The rack 36b moves in the paper width direction in conjunction with the base portion 40b and the guide portion 34b.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the appearance of the pinion 41 in an enlarged manner. 1 to 7, the pinion 41 is a so-called helical gear. That is, the pinion 41 is a gear having a spiral shape by cutting the teeth of the spur gear in an oblique direction with respect to the axis. A shaft hole 42 penetrating in the thickness direction is provided in the center of the pinion 41. The shaft hole 42 is configured such that the inner wall surface 43 of the pinion 41 constituting the shaft hole 42 extends straight in the thickness direction. The center of the shaft hole 42 is the center of rotation of the pinion 41. In addition, the pinion 41 is provided with a recess 45 that is recessed in an annular shape from one surface in the thickness direction to the other surface between the radial direction of the tooth 44 positioned on the outer diameter side and the shaft hole 42. It has been. The pinion 41 is also made of a resin member.

  The pinion 41 is provided so as to mesh with the pair of racks 36a and 36b. That is, the teeth 44 of the pinion 41 and the teeth 38a and 38b of the racks 36a and 36b are arranged so as to mesh with each other. Due to the rotation of the pinion 41, the racks 36a and 36b move in opposite directions. That is, the rotation of the pinion 41 narrows or widens the interval in the paper width direction of the guide portions 34a and 34b interlocked with the racks 36a and 36b.

Here, the direction of the thrust load applied to the pinion 41 and the rack 36a will be briefly described. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a state in which the pinion 41 and the rack 36a are engaged with each other. The upper diagram is a diagram seen from the upper side, and the lower diagram is a diagram seen from the side. With reference to FIG. 8, the direction of inclination of the teeth 49a of the pinion 41 is the direction from the upper left to the lower right. On the other hand, the direction of inclination of the teeth 49b of the rack 36a is the direction from the upper right to the lower left. If such is the pinion 41 and the rack 36a in a state being meshed with the pinion 41 has been rotated in the direction of the arrow R ₁ in FIG. 8, the pinion 41, in the direction of arrow X ₁ in FIG. 8 working thrust load, the rack 36a, acts thrust load in the direction of arrow X ₂ in FIG.

  The paper width adjusting device 31 includes a shaft portion 46 for attaching the pinion 41. The shaft portion 46 is provided on the back surface 33b side of the elevating tray 32 so as to protrude from the back surface 33b. That is, the shaft portion 46 is provided on the elevating tray 32 so as to protrude from the side where the pinion 41 is disposed. A gap 47 is provided inside the shaft portion 46. The shape of the shaft portion 46 is roughly a shape obtained by hollowing out the center of a truncated cone-shaped member provided so as to extend upward from the back surface 33b of the mounting surface 33a. A locking piece (snap fit) formed by cutting out from the tip is formed on a part of the shaft portion 46. The shaft piece 46 is inserted so as to fit into the shaft hole 42 of the pinion 41 by bending of the locking piece having the claw portion at the tip. After the insertion, the claw portion of the locking piece engages with the edge portion of the shaft hole 42 to prevent it from coming off. The tip of the shaft portion 46 is chamfered.

  Here, the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 that faces the inner wall surface 43 that forms the shaft hole 42 of the pinion 41 has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the inner wall surface 43 so that the tip thereof becomes thinner. That is, the shaft portion 46 is provided in a tapered shape so that the outer wall surface 48 facing the inner wall surface 43 of the pinion 41 constituting the shaft hole 42 of the shaft portion 46 is tapered with respect to the inner wall surface 43. It has been. In this case, the inclined portion is provided over the entire outer wall surface 48 in the direction in which the shaft portion 46 projects.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the shaft portion 46 in a state where the distance between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is widened. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section indicated by IX-IX in FIG. With reference to FIGS. 1-9, the axial part 46 is provided so that it may become thin toward the front-end | tip part 50b from the base end part 50a located in the raising / lowering tray 32 side among the axial parts 46. FIG. The outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 in FIG. 9, the angle A ₁ between the inner wall surface 43 of the shaft hole 42 is shown at an acute angle. When the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b move in the opening direction, there is almost no space between the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 and the inner wall surface 43 of the shaft hole 42 in FIG.

  Next, in the paper width adjusting device 31 having such a configuration, a case where the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b are moved in the direction of widening will be described. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the sheet width aligning device 31 in a state where the distance between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is narrowed from the state shown in FIG. Here, a case where the state shown in FIG. 10 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, when the pair of guide portions 34 a and 34 b are moved in the direction of widening the gap, the pair of racks 36 a and 36 b and the pinion 41 are meshed with each other. . When the distance between the guide portions 34a and 34b is increased, the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 has an inclined portion that inclines so that the tip thereof becomes thinner with respect to the inner wall surface 43. The dimensional relationship of 48 diameters ≦ the diameter of the inner wall surface 43 of the pinion 41 is established. Then, when the pinion 41 rotates due to the meshing with the pair of racks 36a and 36b, it receives a thrust force in the axial direction. In this case, the pinion 41 is subjected to a load in the direction indicated by the arrow D ₂ in FIG. That is, a force is applied in a direction in which the pinion 41 is press-fitted to the shaft portion 46 side. In this case, since the load is applied so that the outer diameter of the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 moves in the larger direction (downward), as a result, the interval between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is increased. The case load increases. Therefore, it becomes difficult to move in the direction in which the interval between the guide portions 34a and 34b becomes wide. As a result, the position of the set pair of guide portions 34a and 34b can be strongly held, and the risk of skew of the paper when the paper is conveyed can be reduced. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the pinion 41 is configured to contact a part of the lifting tray 32 when the width of the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b reaches a predetermined width.

Next, the case where it moves to the direction which narrows the space | interval of a pair of guide part 34a, 34b is demonstrated. That is, the case where the state shown in FIG. 4 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the shaft portion 46 in a state where the distance between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is narrowed. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. Also, when moving the pair of guide portions 34a, and 34b are closed direction, distance _{B 1} on one side of the inner wall surface 43 of the outer wall surface 48 and the axial hole 42 of the shaft portion 46 in FIG. 11, 0. It is about 25 mm.

1 to 11, each of the pair of racks 36 a and 36 b and the pinion 41 mesh with each other even when moving in the direction of narrowing the distance between the pair of guide portions 34 a and 34 b. Is done. Here, when the interval between the guide portions 34a and 34b is narrowed, the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the inner wall surface 43 so that the tip thereof becomes thinner. The dimensional relationship of 48 diameters ≧ the diameter of the inner wall surface 43 of the pinion 41 is established. Then, the load in the direction opposite of the arrow D ₂ in FIG. 10 is loaded. That is, force is applied in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pinion 41 is press-fitted to the shaft portion 46 side. In this case, a load is applied so that the outer diameter of the outer wall surface 48 of the shaft portion 46 moves in a smaller direction. As a result, the load when the interval between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is to be reduced is reduced. Becomes smaller. Therefore, it becomes easy to move in the direction in which the distance between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b becomes narrow. As a result, the positions of the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b can be easily moved, and the operability for the user when setting paper can be improved.

  That is, according to such a sheet width aligning device 31, the pinion 41 and the pair of racks 36a and 36b each have a spear. The shaft portion 46 has an inclined portion that is inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. The pinion 41 moves to the proximal end side of the shaft portion 46 by moving the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b in the opening direction. If it does so, the rotation load concerning the time of the movement which moves a pair of guide part 34a, 34b to the opening direction can be enlarged. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the risk of the skew of the paper when the paper is conveyed. Further, it is possible to reduce a rotational load applied when the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b are moved in the binding direction. Therefore, when the user sets a sheet on the lifting tray 32, the load on the user can be reduced when the interval between the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b is widened. As a result, the operability is good and the risk of sheet skew can be reduced.

  Further, such a paper transporting device 19 has good operability and can reduce the risk of paper skew.

  In this case, since the inclined portion is provided over the entire outer wall surface 48 in the direction in which the shaft portion 46 protrudes, when the interval between the pair of guide portions 34a, 34b is widened or narrowed, The operability is good over a wide range, and the risk of skewing of the paper can be reduced.

  Further, in this case, the pinion 41 is configured to come into contact with a part of the lifting tray 32 when the width of the pair of guide portions 34a and 34b reaches a predetermined width, so that an excessive load is not applied. The risk of sheet skew can be reduced more reliably.

  In the above embodiment, the pinion is configured to come into contact with a part of the lifting tray when the width of the pair of guide portions reaches a predetermined width. The structure which does not contact | abut a part of raising / lowering tray may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the inclined portion is provided over the entire outer wall surface in the direction in which the shaft portion protrudes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the direction in which the shaft portion protrudes. A configuration may be adopted in which an inclined portion is provided in a part thereof. In this case, an inclined part may be provided in a part on the lifting tray side, an inclined part may be provided in a part on the tip side, or a plurality of inclined parts may be provided without being continuous. Moreover, you may comprise what changed the angle of the inclination part. Here, even if the inner wall surface constituting the shaft hole of the pinion does not extend straight in the thickness direction and is inclined, it is only necessary that the outer wall surface of the shaft portion is inclined with respect to the inner wall surface. .

  In the above embodiment, the shaft hole penetrates in the thickness direction of the pinion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration in which the shaft hole does not penetrate in the thickness direction of the pinion, that is, The shaft hole may be a recess that is recessed in the thickness direction of the pinion. In addition, the annular recess disposed on the outer diameter side of the shaft hole is not particularly required.

  In the above embodiment, the paper width aligning device is used as a manual paper transport device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the paper width aligning device is an ADF that automatically sets a document and reads it. This is also applied when a document is set. The paper width adjusting device is also provided in a digital multifunction peripheral and is also provided in a paper feed cassette that stores a plurality of papers to be printed.

  It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The paper width adjusting device and the paper transport device according to the present invention are effectively used when it is required to have good operability for the user and to reduce the risk of paper skew.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Multifunctional device, 12 Control part, 13 Operation part, 14 Image reading part, 15 Image formation part, 16 Hard disk, 17 Facsimile communication part, 18 Network interface part, 19 Paper conveyance apparatus, 21 Display screen, 22 ADF, 23 Developer , 24 public line, 25 network, 26a, 26b, 26c computer, 27 image processing system, 28 mounting table, 29 transport roller, 31 paper width adjusting device, 32 lifting tray, 33a, 33b surface, 34a, 34b guide section, 35a , 35b abutting part, 36a, 36b rack, 37a, 37b member, 38a, 38b, 44, 49a, 49b tooth, 39a, 39b guide groove, 40a, 40b base part, 41 pinion, 42 shaft hole, 43 inner wall surface, 45 Recess, 46 Shaft, 47 Gap, 48 outer wall surface, 50a proximal end, 50b distal end.

Claims (4)

A sheet can be placed thereon, a lifting tray that can be moved up and down between a lowered position for setting the sheet and a raised position for conveying the sheet, and a lift tray provided on the lifting tray and moving in the width direction of the sheet. A pair of guide portions that abut against an end portion in the width direction of the paper placed on the elevating tray and restrict the movement in the width direction of the paper, and the pair of guide portions includes the pair of guide portions, A pair of racks coupled to each of the pair of guide portions, and a pinion that is rotatably supported by fitting a shaft portion protruding from the elevating tray into a provided shaft hole and meshing with each of the pair of racks And a paper width adjusting device that moves so as to open and close an interval between the pair of guide portions,
The pinion and the pair of racks each have a hull,
The shaft portion has an inclined portion inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion,
The pinion moves to the base end side of the shaft portion by moving the pair of guide portions in the opening direction ,
The relationship between the inner diameter of the shaft hole provided in the pinion and the outer diameter of the shaft portion is such that the rotational load of the pinion is large on the base end side and the rotational load of the pinion is small on the distal end side. A sheet width adjusting device configured as described above . The sheet width aligning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined portion is provided over the entire outer wall surface in a direction in which the shaft portion protrudes. 3. The sheet width adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the pinion contacts a part of the lifting tray when a width of the pair of guide portions reaches a predetermined width. A paper transporting device including a paper transporting mechanism for transporting paper and a paper width adjusting device for adjusting a position in the width direction of the paper,
The paper width adjusting device is provided on the elevating tray, the elevating tray on which the paper can be placed, and capable of raising and lowering a lowered position for setting the paper and an elevated position for conveying the paper, A pair of guide portions that are movable in the width direction of the paper and that abut against the widthwise ends of the paper placed on the elevating tray and regulate the movement in the width direction of the paper,
The pair of guide portions are rotatably supported by fitting a pair of racks coupled to each of the pair of guide portions and a shaft portion protruding from the lifting tray into a provided shaft hole, The pinion that meshes with each of the pair of racks moves in conjunction to open and close the interval between the pair of guide portions,
The pinion and the pair of racks each have a hull,
The shaft portion has an inclined portion inclined so that the outer diameter decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion,
The pinion moves to the base end side of the shaft portion by moving the pair of guide portions in the opening direction ,
The relationship between the inner diameter of the shaft hole provided in the pinion and the outer diameter of the shaft portion is such that the rotational load of the pinion is large on the base end side and the rotational load of the pinion is small on the distal end side. A sheet conveying device configured as described above .

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