JP6668679B2 - Transport device and image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device that conveys a sheet along a conveyance path, and an image recording device that includes the conveyance device and records an image on a sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a transport device in which a sheet is transported along a transport path formed therein. As a device provided with such a transport device, there is an image recording device such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. Some transport devices and image recording devices have a plurality of transport paths formed therein. For example, an image recording apparatus in which a sheet is fed from a plurality of feed trays to different transport paths, or an image having a transport path for reversing a sheet image-recorded on the front side to record images on both sides of the sheet There is a recording device.

  Many conveyance devices and image recording apparatuses have a configuration in which when a sheet is jammed in a conveyance path, a part of the conveyance path is exposed to the outside. As a result, a sheet jammed in the transport path can be taken out. In Patent Literature 1, a cover that defines a first conveyance path is rotatably attached to a main body, and a guide that defines the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path inside the main body relative to the cover. An image recording device in which a member is rotatably attached to a main body is disclosed. In the image recording apparatus, the first transport path and the second transport path can be exposed to the outside by rotating the cover and the guide member.

JP 2009-179449 A

  However, in the image recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the cover and the guide member rotate individually with respect to the main body. For this reason, there is a possibility that noise is generated due to rattling of the guide member. Further, if the guide member is configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body, the position of the guide member, particularly the position of the rotating tip of the guide member, may be unstable. As a result, the sheet guided by the guide member may be jammed in the first transport path or the second transport path.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a unit capable of reducing the backlash of a guide member for guiding a sheet and stabilizing the position of the guide member. .

  (1) In the transport device according to the present invention, the first transport path through which the sheet is transported in the first transport direction, and the sheet is transported in the second transport direction while being located inward of the first transport path. A housing in which a second transport path is formed, a first resin member having a first guide surface that defines the first transport path, and an interior facing the first guide surface and facing the first guide surface; A second resin member attached to the first resin member, and a third guide surface defining the second transport path, wherein the second guide surface defines the first transport path. A third resin member attached to the second resin member at a position opposite to the first resin member with respect to the second resin member, wherein the first transport path and the second transport path are connected to the casing; The first position closed to the outside of the body, and the first transport path and the second transport path Comprising a guide member movable in a second position for exposing to the outside of the body, and a metal frame attached to the second resin member at a location between the second resin member and the third resin member. The first transport path is connected to the second transport path downstream of the first resin member and the second resin member in the first transport direction. The third resin member is a member having a smaller coefficient of friction than the second resin member. A downstream end of the third resin member in the second transport direction extends to a downstream side of the first resin member and the second resin member in the first transport direction. A fourth guide surface is defined.

  According to this configuration, the second resin member is attached to the first resin member, and the third resin member is attached to the second resin member. Therefore, rattling of the second resin member and the third resin member is reduced as compared with a case where the second resin member and the third resin member are rotatably attached to the housing. Thereby, the generation of noise due to the rattling of the second resin member and the third resin member can be reduced. Further, thereby, the positions of the second resin member and the third resin member can be stabilized.

  Further, according to this configuration, since the third resin member extends further downstream in the first transport direction than the first resin member and the second resin member, the first transport path and the second transport path are guided by the guide member. Is finally guided by the third resin member in the first transport path and the second transport path. Here, a member having a small friction coefficient is used as the third resin member. Therefore, the sheet can be smoothly sent from the guide member to the downstream side of the first conveyance path. Here, if the position of the third resin member is not stable, the position of the sheet sent from the guide member to the downstream of the first conveyance path becomes unstable. Therefore, in this configuration, the metal frame is attached to the second resin member. This reduces the warpage of the second resin member, so that the shape of the second resin member can be stabilized. As a result, the positions of the second resin member and the third resin member attached to the second resin member can be stabilized.

  (2) The second resin member extends in the first transport direction and includes a curved first bending portion. The third resin member extends in the second transport direction, and includes a second curved portion having a smaller radius of curvature than the first curved portion at a position facing the first curved portion.

  According to this configuration, the first transport path and the second transport path can be curved. In addition, since the radius of curvature of the second curved portion is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first curved portion, the radius of curvature of the second transport path is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first transport path. According to this configuration, a member having a small friction coefficient is used as the third resin member constituting the second conveyance path having a small radius of curvature. Thereby, even if the radius of curvature of the second conveyance path is small, the sheet can be smoothly conveyed along the second conveyance path.

  (3) The metal frame is formed of a single plate and has a bent portion.

  According to this configuration, the strength of the metal frame can be increased. Therefore, the shape of the second resin member can be further stabilized.

  (4) The metal frame is formed of a single plate, has a bent portion at a position corresponding to the bent portion, and is bent in a direction in which the bent portion is bent at the bent portion. Have been.

  According to this configuration, since the metal frame is bent according to the shape of the second resin member, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the second resin member due to the attachment of the metal frame.

  (5) The transfer device according to the present invention further includes a roller rotatably supported by the third resin member and protruding into the second transfer path. An opening through which the rollers are inserted is formed in the metal frame.

  According to this configuration, the resistance of the sheet conveyed through the second conveyance path can be reduced by the rotation of the roller abutting on the sheet. Thus, the sheet can be smoothly conveyed along the second conveyance path.

  Further, according to this configuration, since the rollers are inserted into the openings formed in the metal frame, the overall thickness of the second resin member, the third resin member, and the metal frame can be reduced.

  (6) The second resin member is provided with an opening through which the roller is inserted.

  According to this configuration, since the rollers are inserted into the openings formed in the second resin member, the overall thickness of the second resin member, the third resin member, and the metal frame can be reduced.

  (7) The transport device according to the present invention is supported by the housing, and further includes a sheet tray that supports sheets, and the housing is extended from the sheet tray toward the first transport path. And a third transport path through which the sheets supported by the sheet tray are transported may be formed. In this case, the third transport path may be connected to the first transport path upstream of the downstream end of the fourth guide surface in the first transport direction in the first transport direction.

  (8) A transport device according to the present invention is provided with a first feeding tray disposed on the housing and supporting a sheet, and disposed on the housing and positioned above the first feeding tray. And a second feeding tray for supporting the sheet. In this case, the first transport path is a transport path through which sheets fed from the first feed tray are transported, and the second transport path is a sheet transported from the second feed tray. May be a transport path for transporting.

  (9) The conveyance device according to the present invention is disposed in the housing, and is configured to incline with respect to a sheet support surface of the second feeding tray and to feed a sheet fed from the second feeding tray. The image forming apparatus further includes a guide member having an inclined surface that comes into contact with the sheet and guides the sheet to the second conveyance path. When the guide member is at the first position, the third resin member contacts the guide member from the opposite side of the second feed tray with respect to the inclined surface.

  When a sheet having high rigidity is supported by the second feeding tray, the guide member may be bent by the inclined surface being pressed by the sheet having high rigidity fed from the second feeding tray. According to this configuration, the bending of the guide member can be reduced by the contact of the third resin member with the guide member.

  (10) The transport device according to the present invention is disposed downstream of the connection position of the first transport path with the second transport path in the first transport direction, and includes a pair of rollers for nipping and transporting a sheet. Is further provided. A downstream end of the third resin member in the second transport direction extends to a position near a position where the pair of rollers sandwich the sheet.

  According to this configuration, since the downstream end of the third resin member in the second transport direction extends to near the position where the sheet is nipped by the roller pair, the third resin member is transported along the first transport path in the first transport direction. The current sheet and the sheet being conveyed in the second conveyance direction in the second conveyance path can be easily guided to the above-described holding position.

  (11) The guide member may be supported by the housing so as to be rotatable around a lower end of the first resin member.

  (12) The image recording apparatus according to the present invention may be regarded as an image recording apparatus including the transport device, and a recording unit that records an image on a sheet transported through the first transport path.

  (13) A fourth transport path for reversing the front and back of the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit may be formed in the housing. In this case, the fourth transport path may be connected to the second transport path. The second transport path may be a transport path on which an image is recorded by the recording unit and a sheet that has passed through the fourth transport path is transported.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce rattling of the second resin member and the third resin member and to stabilize the positions of the second resin member and the third resin member.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multifunction peripheral 10. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the inside of the multifunction peripheral 10. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cover member 80 and the second guide member 72. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover member 80. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover member 80 excluding the third resin member 83. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second resin member 82 and the third resin member 83. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second resin member 82 and the metal frame 84. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second resin member 82 and the third resin member 83. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cover member 80 and the second guide member 72.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5 are defined based on the state in which the multifunction peripheral 10 is installed so as to be usable (the state in FIG. 1), and the surface provided with the opening 13 is defined as the front surface 11. A front direction 6 and a rear direction 7 are defined, and a right direction 8 and a left direction 9 are defined when the MFP 10 is viewed in the rear direction 7. The upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5 are opposite directions. The forward direction 6 and the backward direction 7 are opposite directions. The right direction 8 and the left direction 9 are opposite directions. The upward direction 4, the forward direction 6, and the right direction 8 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overall Structure of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 10 (an example of an image recording apparatus) is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The multifunction peripheral 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The MFP 10 has a function of recording images on one side and both sides of a sheet 12 (an example of a sheet, see FIG. 2) as a printing function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 10 includes a transport device, a recording unit 24, and a platen 42. The transport device includes a housing 14, a transport roller pair 57 (an example of a roller pair), a discharge roller pair 58, a first feed tray 20, a second feed tray 22, a back tray 70 (an example of a sheet tray), and a discharge tray. 21, a first feeding unit 28, a second feeding unit 29, a first guide member 71, a second guide member 72 (an example of a guide member), a cover member 80 (an example of a guide member), and a metal frame 84 (FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 14 constitutes the appearance of the multifunction peripheral 10. An opening 13 is formed in the front surface 11 of the housing 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller pair 57, the discharge roller pair 58, the first feed unit 28, the second feed unit 29, the first guide member 71, and the second guide member 72 Located inside. Inside the housing 14, a first transport path 65, a second transport path 66, a third transport path 64, and a fourth transport path 69 through which the paper 12 is transported are formed. The first feed tray 20 and the second feed tray 22 are attached to the housing 14 by being inserted in the rear direction 7 through the opening 13 with respect to the housing 14, and are mounted on the housing 14 through the opening 13. It is pulled out in the direction 6. The discharge tray 21 is supported by the second feed tray 22 and moves integrally with the second feed tray 22. Note that the discharge tray 21 may be disposed on the housing 14 independently of the second feed tray 22. The back tray 70 and the cover member 80 are supported by the housing 14. The metal frame 84 is attached to the cover member 80.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second feeding tray 22 is disposed below the recording unit 24 when mounted on the housing 14. The first feeding tray 20 is arranged below the second feeding tray 22 mounted on the housing 14 when mounted on the housing 14. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the first feed tray 20 is mounted on the housing 14, the paper 12 supported on the first feed tray 20 can be fed to the first transport path 65. In a state where the second feed tray 22 is mounted on the housing 14, the paper 12 supported by the second feed tray 22 can be fed to the second transport path 66.

  Each of the feed trays 20 and 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape whose upper side is opened. The first feeding tray 20 includes a bottom plate 75 that is supported in a state where a plurality of sheets 12 are stacked. The second feed tray 22 includes a bottom plate 76 that is supported in a state where a plurality of sheets 12 are stacked. A discharge tray 21 is supported at the upper front of the first feed tray 20.

  The paper 12 supported by the bottom plate 75 is fed to the first transport path 65 by being sent in the backward direction 7 by the first feed unit 28, and is transported through the first transport path 65 by a dashed line in FIG. 2. The sheet is transported in the direction 16 (an example of a first transport direction). When the downstream end in the transport direction 16 of the paper 12 transported along the first transport path 65 reaches the transport roller pair 57, the paper 12 is transported by the transport roller pair 57 along the first transport path 65 toward the recording unit 24 in the transport direction. It is conveyed to 16. The sheet 12 that has reached just below the recording unit 24 is image-recorded by the recording unit 24.

  The paper 12 placed on the bottom plate 76 is fed in the rearward direction 7 by the second feeding unit 29 and is fed to the second transport path 66. The paper 12 is transported along the second transport path 66 in a transport direction 17 (an example of a second transport direction) indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The downstream end of the second transport path 66 in the transport direction 17 merges with the first transport path 65 at the junction position 36 (an example of a connection position). Here, the merging position 36 is a position that is upstream of the transport roller pair 57 in the transport direction 16 and downstream of the cover member 80 in the transport direction 16. The sheet 12 transported to the first transport path 65 via the junction position 36 is transported along the first transport path 65 to the recording unit 24, similarly to the sheet 12 supported on the bottom plate 75.

[First Feeding Unit 28 and Second Feeding Unit 29]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first feeding unit 28 is provided above the first feeding tray 20 mounted on the housing 14. The first feeding unit 28 includes a first feeding roller 25, a first arm 26, and a first shaft 27.

  The first feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported by the tip of the first arm 26. The first arm 26 is rotatably supported by a first shaft 27 supported by the housing 14. The first arm 26 extends rearward from a portion supported by the first shaft 27. The first arm 26 is urged to rotate downward by its own weight or elastic force of a spring or the like. Thus, the first feeding roller 25 contacts the bottom plate 75 when the sheet 12 is not supported by the bottom plate 75. When the sheet 12 is supported by the bottom plate 75, the first feeding roller 25 contacts the uppermost sheet 12 of the supported sheets 12.

  The first feeding roller 25 is rotated by applying a driving force from a motor (not shown). The motor may be the same as or different from a motor that applies a driving force to the transport roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 described below. The rotated first feed roller 25 picks up the sheet 12 supported by the bottom plate 75 and sends it to the rearward direction 7.

  A second feeding unit 29 is provided above the second feeding tray 22 mounted on the housing 14. The second feeding section 29 includes a second feeding roller 30, a second arm 31, and a second shaft section 32. The second feeding roller 30 feeds the paper 12 supported by the bottom plate 76 to the second conveyance path 66 by being rotated by applying a driving force from a motor (not shown). The second feed roller 30, the second arm 31, and the second shaft portion 32 have the same configurations as the above-described first feed roller 25, first arm 26, and first shaft portion 27, respectively. Therefore, their detailed description is omitted.

[First Guide Member 71 and Second Guide Member 72]
As shown in FIG. 2, a first guide member 71 and a second guide member 72 are arranged inside the housing 14.

  The first guide member 71 is disposed behind the rear end of the first feed tray 20 mounted on the housing 14. The first guide member 71 has an inclined surface 73 facing the front direction 6. The inclined surface 73 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 75A of the bottom plate 75. Specifically, the inclined surface 73 is inclined toward the upward direction 4 toward the rear direction 7. The lower end of the inclined surface 73 is close to the rear end of the first feed tray 20 mounted on the housing 14. The upper end of the inclined surface 73 is close to a first resin member 81 of the cover member 80 described later. The inclined surface 73 comes into contact with the sheet 12 sent in the backward direction 7 by the first feeding roller 25. Thus, the sheet 12 is guided along the inclined surface 73 and sent to the curved path 65 </ b> A of the first transport path 65.

  The second guide member 72 is disposed behind the rear end of the second feed tray 22 mounted on the housing 14. The second guide member 72 includes an inclined surface 74 facing the front direction 6. The inclined surface 74 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 76A of the bottom plate 76 (an example of a sheet supporting surface). Specifically, the inclined surface 74 is inclined toward the rear direction 7 and the upward direction 4. The lower end of the inclined surface 74 is close to the rear end of the second feeding tray 22 mounted on the housing 14. The upper end of the inclined surface 74 is close to a third resin member 83 of the cover member 80 described later. The inclined surface 74 comes into contact with the sheet 12 sent in the backward direction 7 by the second feed roller 30. Thus, the sheet 12 is guided along the inclined surface 74 and sent to the second transport path 66.

[First transport path 65]
The first transport path 65 is a path for guiding the paper 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the first conveyance path 65 extends from the upper end of the first guide member 71 to above the discharge tray 21 via the conveyance roller pair 57 and the recording unit 24. The first transport path 65 includes a curved path 65A and a straight path 65B.

  The curved path 65A is curved forward while extending upward along the transport direction 16. The paper 12 fed in the rearward direction 7 by the first feeding unit 28 from the state supported by the first feeding tray 20 is guided along the inclined surface 73 of the first guide member 71, and follows the curved path 65A. It is transported in the transport direction 16. Thereby, the paper 12 is guided to make a U-turn from below to above. The sheet 12 having passed through the curved path 65 </ b> A is nipped by the pair of transport rollers 57. The curved path 65A is defined by a first resin member 81 of the cover member 80 and a second resin member 82 and a third resin member 83 of the cover member 80 described later.

  The straight path 65B is a path for guiding the paper 12. The straight path 65B is continuous with the downstream end of the curved path 65A in the transport direction 16 in the transport roller pair 57, and extends above the discharge tray 21. The straight path 65 </ b> B extends substantially linearly in the forward direction 6. The sheet 12 that has reached the transport roller pair 57 is transported by the transport roller pair 57 along the straight path 65B in the forward direction 6.

  The straight path 65 </ b> B is defined by the first upper guide member 54 and the first lower guide member 55 in a portion other than where the recording unit 24 is disposed. The straight path 65B is defined by the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 in a portion where the recording unit 24 is disposed.

[Second transport path 66]
The second transport path 66 is a path for guiding the paper 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the second transport path 66 is located in front of the curved path 65 </ b> A of the first transport path 65. In other words, the second transport path 66 is located on the inner side of the casing 14 than the curved path 65A of the first transport path 65. The second conveyance path 66 extends from the upper end of the second guide member 72 to the junction position 36. The second transport path 66 extends forward along the transport direction 17 and curves forward.

  The sheet 12 fed in the rearward direction 7 by the second feeding unit 29 from the state supported by the second feeding tray 22 is guided along the inclined surface 74 of the second guide member 72, and is fed to the second feeding path. 66 in the transport direction 17. Thereby, the paper 12 is guided to make a U-turn from below to above. The sheet 12 that has passed through the second transport path 66 enters the first transport path 65 from the junction position 36 and is nipped by the transport roller pair 57. The second conveyance path 66 is defined by the third resin member 83 of the cover member 80 and the rear portion of the second upper guide member 33. The rear portion of the second upper guide member 33 is curved in substantially the same direction as the third resin member 83.

[Rear tray 70]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rear tray 70 is supported by the housing 14 above the cover member 80 on the rear surface 15 of the housing 14 (see FIG. 1). The back tray 70 supports the paper 12. When supported by the back tray 70, the paper 12 is inserted into the housing 14 along a third transport path 64 described later. At this time, the leading end of the paper 12 is brought into contact with the pair of transport rollers 57. That is, the leading end of the paper 12 is inserted into the housing 14, and a portion other than the leading end is supported by the back tray 70. When the transport roller 60 of the transport roller pair 57 rotates in this state, the paper 12 supported by the back tray 70 is transported along the first transport path 65 by the transport roller pair 57. The paper 12 is subjected to image recording by the recording unit 24 and is discharged to the discharge tray 21.

  In addition, a roller that is disposed to face the back tray 70 and that abuts on the paper 12 supported by the back tray 70 may be provided. In this case, the paper 12 supported by the back tray 70 is transported along the third transport path 64 and the first transport path 65 by the rotation of the rollers. Therefore, in this case, when the paper 12 is supported by the back tray 70, the paper 12 does not need to be inserted into the housing 14.

[Third transport path 64]
The third transport path 64 is a path through which the paper 12 supported by the back tray 70 is transported. As shown in FIG. 2, the third transport path 64 is a transport path that extends from the rear tray 70 located behind and above the curved path 65A toward the curved path 65A. The third transport path 64 is connected to the curved path 65 </ b> A at the junction position 35 upstream of the junction position 36 in the transport direction 16. The junction position 35 is located upstream of the downstream end of the third resin member 83 of the cover member 80 in the transport direction 16 in the transport direction 16. The third transport path 64 is defined by the third upper guide member 67 and the first resin member 81 of the cover member 80.

[Fourth transport path 69]
The fourth transport path 69 is a path for turning the sheet 12 on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 24 upside down and reaching the recording unit 24 again. The fourth transport path 69 in the present embodiment branches off from the first transport path 65 at a branch position 69A, and merges with the second transport path 66 at a junction position 69B. The branch position 69A is located downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. Specifically, the branch position 69A is located between the discharge roller pair 58 and the reversing roller pair 56 in the first transport path 65. The transport direction 18 of the sheet 12 in the fourth transport path 69 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. The fourth transport path 69 is formed by a second upper guide member 33 (particularly, a portion other than a rear portion of the second upper guide member 33) and a second lower guide member 34 that face each other at a predetermined interval inside the housing 14. It is defined.

[Conveying roller pair 57, discharging roller pair 58, reversing roller pair 56, re-conveying roller pair 59]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller pair 57 is disposed downstream of the junction 69 </ b> B in the first transport path 65 in the transport direction 16. The transport roller pair 57 includes a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transport roller 60 is rotated by being transmitted from a motor (not shown). The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The transport roller pair 57 sandwiches the paper 12 and transports the paper 12 in the transport direction 16.

  The discharge roller pair 58 is disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 57 in the first transport path 65 in the transport direction 16. The discharge roller pair 58 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 facing each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a motor (not shown) and rotates. The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The discharge roller pair 58 sandwiches the sheet 12 and transports the sheet 12 in the transport direction 16.

  The reversing roller pair 56 is arranged downstream of the discharge roller pair 58 in the first transport path 65 in the transport direction 16. The reversing roller pair 56 includes a reversing roller 45 and a spur 46 facing each other. The reversing roller 45 is driven by a motor (not shown) and rotates. The spur 46 rotates with the rotation of the reversing roller 45. The pair of reversing rollers 56 sandwich the sheet 12 and convey the sheet 12 in the conveying direction 16 and in the direction opposite to the conveying direction 16.

  The re-conveying roller pair 59 is arranged on the fourth conveying path 69. The re-transport roller pair 59 includes a re-transport roller 51 and a driven roller 52 facing each other. The re-conveyance roller 51 is rotated by being transmitted from a motor (not shown). The driven roller 52 rotates with the rotation of the re-conveying roller 51. The re-transport roller pair 59 sandwiches the paper 12 and transports the paper 12 in the transport direction 18.

  The rollers 60, 62, 45, and 52 may be transmitted from the same motor or may be transmitted from different motors.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed between the pair of transport rollers 57 and the pair of discharge rollers 58 in the first transport path 65. In the present embodiment, the recording unit 24 records an image on the sheet 12 conveyed through the first conveyance path 65 by an inkjet method. The method by which the recording unit 24 records an image on the sheet 12 is not limited to the ink jet method, but may be another method such as an electrophotographic method.

[Route switching member 41]
As shown in FIG. 2, the path switching member 41 is disposed between the pair of discharge rollers 58 and the pair of reverse rollers 56 in the first transport path 65. The path switching member 41 includes a flap 49 and a shaft 50. The flap 49 extends from the shaft 50 supported by the first upper guide member 54 to the first transport path 65. The flap 49 is pivotally supported on a shaft 50. The flap 49 has a reversing position (a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) for closing the first transport path 65 and a discharge position (shown by a broken line in FIG. 2) that allows the paper 12 to pass along the first transport path 65. ) About the shaft 50. In addition, the flap 49 may be moved to the reversing position and the discharging position by a movement other than the rotation, for example, along the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5.

  The flap 49 in the normal state is at the inverted position due to its own weight. Note that the flap 49 may be biased to a reverse position by a spring or the like. The flap 49 is rotated around the axis 50 from the reversing position to the discharge position by being lifted by the sheet 12 conveyed in the conveying direction 16 after the image is recorded on the front surface by the recording unit 24. Thereafter, the flap 49 guides the sheet 12 conveyed in the conveyance direction 16. Further, the flap 49 rotates from the discharge position to the reverse position by its own weight in response to the rear end (upstream end in the transport direction 16) of the paper 12 transported in the transport direction 16 reaching the branch position 69A.

  In this state, when the reversing roller 45 of the reversing roller pair 56 continues to rotate in the same direction as before, the sheet 12 is transported in the transport direction 16 and is discharged to the discharge tray 21. On the other hand, when the rotation direction of the reversing roller 45 is switched to the reverse direction, the paper 12 enters the fourth transport path 69 with the upstream end in the transport direction 16 as the leading end. The sheet 12 that has entered the fourth transport path 69 is transported in the fourth transport path 69 in the transport direction 18 by the re-transport roller pair 59.

  Thereafter, the sheet 12 is transported in the transport direction 17 through the second transport path 66 via the merging position 69B. That is, the second transport path 66 is a path on which an image is recorded by the recording unit 24 and the sheet 12 that has passed through the fourth transport path 69 is transported. The paper 12 that has passed through the second transport path 66 is transported in the transport direction 16 by the transport roller pair 57 and reaches the recording unit 24 again. At this time, the back surface of the paper 12 faces the recording unit 24. The recording unit 24 performs image recording on the back surface of the paper 12. The sheet 12 on which the image is recorded on the back surface by the recording unit 24 is conveyed in the conveyance direction 16 by the discharge roller pair 58 and the reversing roller pair 56 and is discharged to the discharge tray 21.

[Cover member 80]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 80 is supported by the housing 14 below the rear tray 70 on the rear surface 15 of the housing 14 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 80 includes a first resin member 81, a second resin member 82, and a third resin member 83.

  The first resin member 81, the second resin member 82, and the third resin member 83 are each integrally formed of resin.

  The third resin member 83 is a member having a smaller coefficient of friction than the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82. In the present embodiment, the third resin member 83 is made of polyacetal (POM), and the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82 are made of polystyrene (PS). Of course, the first resin member 81, the second resin member 82, and the third resin member 83 may be made of a resin other than the above as long as the above-mentioned magnitude relationship of the friction coefficients is satisfied.

  In the following description of each configuration (the first resin member 81, the second resin member 82, and the third resin member 83) of the cover member 80, unless otherwise specified, the cover member 80 is moved to a first position (described later). Each direction (upward direction 4, downward direction 5, forward direction 6, backward direction 7, rightward direction 8, and leftward direction 9) is defined as the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

[First resin member 81]
As shown in FIG. 4, the first resin member 81 has a substantially plate-shaped base 101, a pair of side parts 102 provided on both right and left ends of the base 101, and a pair of side parts 102 on the base 101. A plurality of ribs 103 projecting forward from the front side, a connecting portion 104 connecting the front ends of the upper ends of the pair of side portions 102, and a plurality of ribs 105 connecting the upper end of the base 101 and the connecting portion 104. Have.

  An opening 106 is formed at the lower end of the pair of side parts 102. A projection 78 (see FIG. 2) provided on the rear surface 15 (see FIG. 1) of the housing 14 is inserted into the opening 106. Thereby, the cover member 80 is supported by the housing 14 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the lower end of the first resin member 81. The axis is a virtual line passing through the center of the projection 78.

  The cover member 80 is rotatable between a first position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a second position shown by a broken line in FIG. The first resin member 81 is in an upright state at the first position. The first resin member 81 is in a state of being inclined with respect to the rear surface 15 of the housing 14 (see FIG. 1) when the cover member 80 is at the second position. When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the curved path 65 </ b> A and the second transport path 66 are closed with respect to the outside of the housing 14. When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the first resin member 81 defines a curved path 65A as described later. On the other hand, when the cover member 80 is at the second position, the curved path 65 </ b> A and the second transport path 66 are exposed outside the housing 14.

  An opening 107 is formed at the upper end and the front end of the pair of side parts 102. Two openings 107 are formed in each side portion 102. The two openings 107 are formed at intervals in the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5. A projection 108 of the second resin member 82 described later is inserted into the opening 107. 4, 5, and 9 show a state in which the projection 108 is inserted into the opening 107.

  The plurality of ribs 103 are provided at intervals in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. Each rib 103 extends along the transport direction 16. When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the protruding distal end surface of each rib 103 comes into contact with the sheet 12 conveyed along the curved path 65A, and guides the sheet 12 along the curved path 65A. That is, an imaginary surface (an example of a first guide surface) including the projecting distal end surface of each rib 103 defines a curved path 65A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a side view, the protruding distal end surface of each rib 103 extends upward 4 in an upstream portion in the transport direction 16 and extends upward in a downstream portion in the transport direction 16 of the plurality of ribs 103. It is curved in the forward direction 6 toward 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of ribs 105 are provided at intervals in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. Each rib 103 extends along the front direction 6 and the rear direction 7. When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the projecting distal end surface of each rib 105 abuts on the sheet 12 conveyed along the third conveyance path 64 and guides the sheet 12 along the third conveyance path 64. That is, the virtual surface including the projecting front end surface of each rib 105 defines the third transport path 64.

[Second resin member 82]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second resin member 82 is a substantially plate-shaped member. As shown in FIG. 5, the second resin member 82 is attached to the first resin member 81. The second resin member 82 has a length in the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5 and a length in the rightward direction 8 and the leftward direction 9 longer than the length in the forward direction 6 and the rearward direction 7 when attached to the first resin member 81. , The right direction 8 and the left direction 9 are longer than the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5.

  Projections 108 are formed on both left and right ends of the second resin member 82. Two projections 108 project rightward from the right end of the second resin member 82, and two projections 108 project leftward 9 from the left end of the second resin member 82. The protrusion 108 is inserted into the opening 107 of the first resin member 81 (see FIG. 5). Thus, the second resin member 82 is attached to the first resin member 81. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the second resin member 82 can rotate integrally with the first resin member 81.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the second resin member 82 includes an extending portion 82A and a curved portion 82B (an example of a first curved portion). The extension portion 82A constitutes a lower portion of the second resin member 82, and extends upward 4 in a side view. The curved portion 82B is continuous with the upper end of the extending portion 82A. The curved portion 82B forms an upper portion of the second resin member 82, and is curved in the forward direction 6 toward the upward direction 4 in a side view.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the second resin member 82 is attached to the first resin member 81, the second resin member 82 faces the upper portion of the first resin member 81 at an interval. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, a plurality of ribs 110 are formed on a surface 109 of the second resin member 82 facing the first resin member 81. The plurality of ribs 110 are provided at intervals in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. Each rib 110 extends along the transport direction 16.

  When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the protruding distal end surface of each rib 110 abuts on the sheet 12 conveyed along the curved path 65A, and guides the sheet 12 along the curved path 65A. In other words, a virtual surface (an example of a second guide surface) including the protruding distal end surface of each rib 110 faces the rib 103 and forms the curved path 65 </ b> A inside the virtual surface including the protruding distal end surface of the rib 103. It is defined.

  Each of the ribs 110 extends in the upward direction 4 (an example of the first direction) at the extension portion 82A located at the upstream portion in the transport direction 16, and extends at the curved portion 82B located at the downstream portion in the transport direction 16. It is curved toward the front direction 6 (an example of the second direction). Further, as described above, the rib 103 of the first resin member 81 also extends and curves like the rib 110. As a result, the curved path 65A extends in the upward direction 4 in the upstream portion of the transport direction 16 and curves in the forward direction 6 toward the upward direction 4 in the downstream portion of the plurality of ribs 103 in the transport direction 16.

  As shown in FIG. 8, openings 111, 112, and 113 are formed in the second resin member 82. A plurality of openings 111, 112, and 113 are respectively formed.

  The opening 111 is formed in the extension 82A. A roller 120 described later is inserted into the opening 111. The opening 112 is formed below the opening 111 of the extension 82A. A protrusion 115 of the third resin member 83 described later is inserted into the opening 112. The opening 113 is formed in the curved portion 82B. An engagement portion 116 of a third resin member 83 described later is inserted into the opening 113.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a protruding portion 114 protruding forward is formed on a surface 124 behind the surface 109 of the second resin member 82. The protrusion 114 is inserted into a through hole 126 of the metal frame 84 described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a through hole 125 is formed in the surface 109. A screw 128 for fixing the metal frame 84 to the second resin member 82 is screwed into the through hole 125.

[Third resin member 83]
As shown in FIG. 3, the third resin member 83 is attached to the second resin member 82 at a position opposite to the first resin member 81 with respect to the second resin member 82. That is, in a state where the third resin member 83 is attached to the second resin member 82, the second resin member 82 is in a state of being sandwiched between the first resin member 81 and the third resin member 83. The third resin member 83 can rotate integrally with the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82 by being attached to the second resin member 82.

  As shown in FIG. 6, seven third resin members 83 (831 to 837) are arranged side by side along the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. The number of the third resin members 83 may be other than seven.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, each third resin member 83 is a substantially plate-shaped member. When each third resin member 83 is attached to the second resin member 82, the length of the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5 and the length of the right direction 8 and the left direction 9 are longer than the lengths of the front direction 6 and the rear direction 7. long.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each third resin member 83 has a protrusion 115 and an engagement portion 116. The protrusions 115 protrude downward from both left and right ends of the lower end of each third resin member 83. The engagement portions 116 protrude rearward from both left and right ends of the surface 117 of each third resin member 83 facing the second resin member 82 above the protrusion 115. The protruding tip of the engaging portion 116 protruding from the right end of the surface 117 of each third resin member 83 is bent in the right direction 8. The protruding tip of the engaging portion 116 protruding from the left end of the surface 117 is bent to the left 9.

  The protrusion 115 is inserted into the opening 112 of the second resin member 82. With the protrusion 115 inserted into the opening 112, the engaging portion 116 is inserted into and engaged with the opening 113 of the second resin member 82. Thereby, each third resin member 83 is in a state of being attached to the second resin member 82.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, each third resin member 83 includes an extending portion 83A and a curved portion 83B (an example of a second curved portion). The extension portion 83A constitutes a lower portion of each third resin member 83, and extends upward in a side view. The extension 83A faces the extension 82A of the second resin member 82. The curved portion 83B is continuous with the upper end of the extension 83A. The curved portion 83B forms an upper portion of each third resin member 83, and is curved in the forward direction 6 toward the upward direction 4 in a side view. The curved portion 83B faces the curved portion 82B of the second resin member 82.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in a state in which each third resin member 83 is attached to the second resin member 82, the back of the surface 117 of each third resin member 83 facing the second resin member 82. A plurality of ribs 119 are formed on the surface 118. The plurality of ribs 119 are provided at intervals in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. Each rib 119 extends along the transport direction 17.

  When the cover member 80 is at the first position, the projecting distal end surface of each rib 119 abuts on the sheet 12 conveyed along the second conveyance path 66 and guides the sheet 12 along the second conveyance path 66. That is, an imaginary surface (an example of a third guide surface) including the projecting distal end surface of each rib 119 defines the second transport path 66. The rear portion of the second upper guide member 33 that defines the second conveyance path 66 together with the third resin members 83 abuts on the sheet 12 conveyed along the second conveyance path 66, and transfers the sheet 12 to the second position. It is guided along the transport path 66. That is, the rear portion of the second upper guide member 33 defines the second conveyance path 66 inside the virtual surface including the protruding front end surface of each rib 119.

  Each rib 119 extends in the upward direction 4 at the extension portion 83A located at the upstream portion in the transport direction 17, and moves forward in the upward direction 4 at the curved portion 83B located at the downstream portion in the transport direction 17. It is curved. As described above, the second upper guide member 33 is curved in substantially the same direction as each of the third resin members 83. That is, the second upper guide member 33 is curved in substantially the same direction as each of the ribs 119.

  The radius of curvature of the curved portion 83B is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved portion 82B. As a result, the radius of curvature of the curved section defined by the curved section 83B in the second transport path 66 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved section defined by the curved section 82B in the first transport path 65.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each third resin member 83 extends to the downstream of the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82 in the transport direction 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the extending end of each third resin member 83, that is, the downstream end of the curved portion 83 </ b> B in the transport direction 17 is near the position where the transport roller pair 57 nips the paper 12. It is located in.

  As shown in FIG. 3, of the surface 117 of the curved portion 83 </ b> B of each third resin member 83, the surface of a portion extending to the downstream in the transport direction 16 from the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82. 117A (an example of a fourth guide surface) comes into contact with the paper 12 being conveyed along the curved path 65A of the first conveying path 65 from below, and guides the paper 12 along the curved path 65A. That is, the surface 117 </ b> A defines the curved path 65 </ b> A downstream of the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82 in the transport direction 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the third resin member 83 rotatably supports the four rollers 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the third resin member 832 rotatably supports one roller 120, the third resin member 834 rotatably supports two rollers 120, The three resin members 836 rotatably support one roller 120. Note that supporting the rollers 120 is not limited to the third resin members 832, 834, and 836. Further, the number of the rollers 120 is not limited to four. The third resin members 832, 834, 836 have a pair of protrusions 121 projecting rearward from the surface 117 and formed at intervals in the rightward direction 8 and the leftward direction 9. The interval between the pair of protrusions 121 is longer than the thickness of the roller 120 in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9. A notch (not shown) is formed in the pair of protrusions 121, and the shaft 122 of the roller 120 is fitted into the notch. Thus, the roller 120 is rotatably supported by the third resin members 832, 834, and 836. The configuration in which the rollers 120 are rotatably supported is not limited to the configuration described above.

  An opening 123 is formed between the pair of protrusions 121 in the third resin members 832, 834, 836. The roller 120 projects from the rear through the opening 123 to the second transport path 66. In addition, the opening 111 formed in the above-described second resin member 82 faces the opening 123 in the front direction 6 and the rear direction 7. The roller 120 is inserted into the opening 111 from the front. In the present embodiment, the roller 120 does not protrude into the first transport path 65, but may protrude.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, when the cover member 80 is at the first position, the lower end of the surface 118 of each third resin member 83 contacts the second guide member 72 from behind. In other words, when the cover member 80 is in the first position, the lower end of the surface 118 of each third resin member 83 contacts the second guide member 72 from the opposite side of the second feeding tray 22 with respect to the inclined surface 74. Touch Further, the protrusion 77 of the second guide member 72 contacts the lower end of the surface 118 of each third resin member 83. Here, a plurality of protrusions 77 protrude upward from the upper end of the second guide member 72 and are provided at intervals in the right direction 8 and the left direction 9.

[Metal frame 84]
As shown in FIG. 3, the metal frame 84 is attached to the second resin member 82 at a position between the second resin member 82 and each of the third resin members 83. The metal frame 84 is rotatable integrally with the first resin member 81, the second resin member 82, and each of the third resin members 83 by being attached to the second resin member 82. The metal frame 84 is formed as a single plate of metal such as stainless steel.

  In the following description of the metal frame 84, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the cover member 80 is at the first position (the position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2), and the respective directions (upward direction 4, downward direction 5, forward direction). A direction 6, a rearward direction 7, a rightward direction 8, and a leftward direction 9) are defined.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the metal frame 84 is a plate-shaped member. The metal frame 84 extends in the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5 and in the rightward direction 8 and the leftward direction 9 when attached to the second resin member 82.

  A through hole 126 is formed in the metal frame 84. The through holes 126 are formed at both left and right ends of the metal frame 84. The metal frame 84 is attached to the second resin member 82 by inserting the protrusion 114 of the second resin member 82 into the through hole 126. Further, a through hole (not shown) is formed in the metal frame 84. A screw 128 screwed into the through hole 125 passes through the through hole. The metal frame 84 is fixed to the second resin member 82 by screwing the screw 128 into the through hole 125.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the metal frame 84 includes an extending portion 84A and two bent portions 84B and 84C.

  The extension 84A is sandwiched between the extension 82A of the second resin member 82 and the extension 83A of each third resin member 83. That is, the extension portion 84A is provided at a position corresponding to the extension portions 82A and 83A. In a side view, the extending portion 84A extends along the upward direction 4 and the downward direction 5.

  The bent portion 84B is continuous with the upper end of the extension 84A. The bent portion 84B is sandwiched between the curved portion 82B of the second resin member 82 and the curved portion 83B of each third resin member 83. That is, the bent portion 84B is provided at a position corresponding to the curved portions 82B and 83B. In a side view, the metal frame 84 is bent from the upper direction 4 to the front direction 6 at the bending portion 84B.

  The bent portion 84C is continuous with the lower end of the extending portion 84A. The bent portion 84C is sandwiched between the extending portion 82A of the second resin member 82 and the extending portion 83A of each third resin member 83. That is, the bent portion 84C is provided at a position corresponding to the extending portions 82A and 83A. In a side view, the metal frame 84 is bent from the downward direction 5 to the rearward direction 7 at the bending portion 84C.

  Note that the directions of bending at the bent portions 84B and 84C of the metal frame 84 are not limited to the above-described directions.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the metal frame 84 has an opening 129 formed therein. The opening 129 faces the opening 123 of the third resin member 832, 834, 836 in the front direction 6 and the rear direction 7. The rollers 120 supported by the third resin members 832, 834, 836 are inserted into the openings 129.

[Effects of Embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the second resin member 82 is attached to the first resin member 81, and each third resin member 83 is attached to the second resin member 82. Therefore, the play of the second resin member 82 and each of the third resin members 83 is reduced as compared with the case where the second resin member 82 and each of the third resin members 83 are rotatably attached to the housing 14. Thus, it is possible to reduce the generation of noise due to the rattling of the second resin member 82 and each of the third resin members 83. Further, thereby, the positions of the second resin member 82 and each of the third resin members 83 can be stabilized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the third resin member 83 extends downstream of the first resin member 81 and the second resin member 82 in the transport direction 16, the first transport path 65 is provided by the cover member 80. The paper 12 guided along the second transport path 66 is finally guided along the first transport path 65 and the second transport path 66 by the third resin member 83. Here, a member having a small friction coefficient is used as the third resin member 83. Therefore, the paper 12 can be smoothly sent to the downstream side of the first transport path 65 from the cover member 80. Here, if the position of the third resin member 83 is not stable, the position of the sheet 12 sent downstream of the first conveying path 65 from the cover member 80 will not be stable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the metal frame 84 is attached to the second resin member 82. Thereby, the warpage of the second resin member 82 is reduced, so that the shape of the second resin member 82 can be stabilized. As a result, the positions of the second resin member 82 and the third resin members 83 attached to the second resin member 82 can be stabilized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second resin member 82 and the third resin members 83 are each curved, the first transport path 65 and the second transport path 66 can be curved. Further, since the radius of curvature of the curved portion 83B is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved portion 82B, the radius of curvature of the second transport path 66 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first transport path 65. According to the present embodiment, a member having a small coefficient of friction is used for each third resin member 83 constituting the second conveyance path 66 having a small radius of curvature. Thus, even if the radius of curvature of the second transport path 66 is small, the paper 12 can be smoothly transported along the second transport path 66.

  According to the present embodiment, since the metal frame 84 is bent, the strength of the metal frame 84 can be increased. Therefore, the shape of the second resin member 82 can be further stabilized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the metal frame 84 is bent in accordance with the shape of the second resin member 82, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the second resin member 82 due to the attachment of the metal frame 84. it can.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the resistance of the sheet 12 conveyed through the second conveyance path 66 can be reduced by the rotation of the roller 120 abutting on the sheet 12. Thereby, the paper 12 can be smoothly transported along the second transport path 66.

  According to the present embodiment, since the roller 120 is inserted into the opening 129 formed in the metal frame 84, the thickness of the second resin member 82, each of the third resin members 83, and the metal frame 84 as a whole is reduced. Can be smaller.

  According to the present embodiment, since the roller 120 is inserted into the opening 111 formed in the second resin member 82, the second resin member 82, each third resin member 83, and the metal frame 84 as a whole are formed. The thickness can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the sheet 12 having high rigidity is supported by the second feed tray 22, the inclined surface 74 is applied to the sheet 12 having high rigidity fed from the second feed tray 22. By being pushed, the second guide member 72 may be bent. According to this embodiment, the bending of the second guide member 72 can be reduced by the contact of the third resin members 83 with the second guide member 72.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the downstream end of each third resin member 83 in the transport direction 17 is extended to the vicinity of the position where the pair of transport rollers 57 sandwiches the paper 12, the first transport path 65 is The paper 12 being transported in the transport direction 16 and the paper 12 being transported in the second transport path 66 in the transport direction 17 can be easily guided to the above-described holding position.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the cover member 80 has moved between the first position and the second position by turning, but may move between the first position and the second position by means other than turning. . For example, the first resin member 81 may be attached to the housing 14 from the rear by moving in the front direction 6 and may be detached from the housing 14 by moving in the rear direction 7 from the mounted state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first resin member 81, the second resin member 82, and each of the third resin members 83 are provided with ribs, and the leading end surfaces of the ribs guide the paper 12. However, the rib may not be formed. In this case, for example, the surface of each of the resin members 81, 82, 83 facing each transport path guides the paper 12.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the rollers 120 are supported by the third resin member 83, but the rollers 120 may not be provided. In this case, the openings (the openings 123 of the third resin members 832, 834, and 836, the openings 111 of the second resin member 82, and the openings 129 of the metal frame 84) into which the rollers 120 are inserted may not be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the metal frame 84 has the two bent portions 84B and 84C. However, the metal frame 84 may have only one of the bent portions 84B and 84C, or may be bent. The portions 84B and 84C need not be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the first transport path 65 and the second transport path 66 are curved, but need not be curved. In this case, the second resin member 82 does not include the curved portion 82B, and the third resin member 83 does not include the curved portion 83B.

  The fourth transport path 69 is shown in FIG. 2 on the condition that the paper 12 on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 24 can reach the recording unit 24 again with the front and back reversed. The configuration may be different from the one described above. For example, the branch position 69A may be located upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16, and the merge position 69B may be located upstream of the branch position 69A in the transport direction 16.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 10 is provided with two feed trays (the first feed tray 20 and the second feed tray 22) at a lower portion thereof. Only one feed tray 20 may be provided. In this case, the second transport path 66 is used only for transporting the paper 12 on which images are recorded on both sides. That is, the sheet 12 that has passed through the fourth transport path 69 during the image recording on both sides is transported through the second transport path 66.

  In the above embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 10 has a function of recording an image on both sides of the paper 12, but the multifunction peripheral 10 may record an image on only one side of the paper 12. . In this case, the multifunction peripheral 10 may not include members for recording images on both sides (the second lower guide member 36, the path switching member 41, the reversing roller pair 45, and the like).

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP 10 includes the rear tray 70, but may not include the rear tray 70.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport device is a device for transporting the paper 12 on which an image is recorded by the print function in the multifunction peripheral 10 which is an example of the image recording device. However, the transport device is not limited to the above device. For example, the transport device may be provided in a scanner. In this case, the transport device is a device that transports a document sheet on which an image is read by a scanner.

10 Multifunction machine (image recording device)
12 ... Paper (sheet)
14 ... housing 16 ... transport direction (first transport direction)
17: Transport direction (second transport direction)
65 first conveying path 66 second conveying path 81 first resin member 82 second resin member 83 third resin member 84 metal frame 117A Surface (4th guide surface)

Claims (13)

A housing in which a first transport path through which the sheet is transported in the first transport direction, and a second transport path in which the sheet is transported in the second transport direction while being located inward of the first transport path; ,
A first resin member having a first guide surface that defines the first transport path; a second resin member that faces the first guide surface and defines the first transport path inside the first guide surface; A second resin member having a guide surface, the second resin member being attached to the first resin member, and a third guide surface defining the second conveyance path, wherein the first resin member is provided with respect to the second resin member; A first position that has a third resin member attached to the second resin member at a position opposite to the first position, and closes the first transport path and the second transport path with respect to the outside of the housing; A guide member movable to a second position exposing the first transport path and the second transport path to the outside of the housing;
A metal frame attached to the second resin member at a position between the second resin member and the third resin member,
The first transport path is connected to the second transport path downstream of the first resin member and the second resin member in the first transport direction.
The third resin member is a member having a smaller coefficient of friction than the second resin member,
A downstream end of the third resin member in the second transport direction extends to a downstream side of the first resin member and the second resin member in the first transport direction. A transport device having a fourth guide surface that defines. The second resin member extends in the first transport direction and includes a curved first bending portion,
2. The third resin member according to claim 1, further comprising a second curved portion extending in the second transport direction and having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the first curved portion at a position facing the first curved portion. 3. The transfer device as described in the above.   The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the metal frame is formed of a single plate and has a bent portion. The metal frame is constituted by a single plate, has a bent portion at a position corresponding to the first curved portion and the second curved portion, the first curved portion and the at the bending portion The transport device according to claim 2, wherein the second bending portion is bent in a direction in which the second bending portion is bent. A roller rotatably supported by the third resin member and protruding to the second transport path;
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an opening through which the rollers are inserted is formed in the metal frame.   The transport device according to claim 5, wherein an opening through which the roller is inserted is formed in the second resin member. A sheet tray supported by the housing and supporting a sheet,
A third transport path that extends from the sheet tray toward the first transport path and that transports the sheet supported by the sheet tray is formed on the housing;
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third transport path is connected to the first transport path upstream of the downstream end of the fourth guide surface in the first transport direction in the first transport direction. The transfer device as described in the above. A first feeding tray disposed on the housing and supporting a sheet;
A second feed tray, which is disposed on the housing and is located above the first feed tray and supports a sheet;
The first transport path is a transport path on which the sheet fed from the first feed tray is transported,
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second transport path is a transport path on which a sheet fed from the second feed tray is transported. The sheet is disposed on the housing, is inclined with respect to a sheet support surface of the second sheet feeding tray, and contacts the sheet fed from the second sheet feeding tray to transfer the sheet to the second conveyance path. Further comprising a guide member having an inclined surface for guiding to
9. The transport device according to claim 8, wherein when the guide member is at the first position, the third resin member contacts the guide member from the opposite side of the second feeding tray with respect to the inclined surface. 10. A roller pair that is disposed downstream of the connection position with the second conveyance path in the first conveyance path in the first conveyance direction and that pinches and conveys a sheet;
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a downstream end of the third resin member in the second transport direction extends to a position near a position at which the pair of rollers sandwich the sheet.   The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is supported by the housing so as to be rotatable around a lower end portion of the first resin member. A transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Image recording apparatus and a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet conveyed the first conveying path. A fourth conveyance path for reversing the front and back of the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit is formed in the housing;
The fourth transport path is connected to the second transport path,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second transport path is a transport path on which an image is recorded by the recording unit and a sheet that has passed through the fourth transport path is transported.

Images