JPH07112843A - Sheet conveying device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smoothly and surely convey a recording medium having its leading end part which downward curls and to prevent occurrence of jamming. CONSTITUTION:First guide means composed of a conveying guide 51 and a conveyer belt 51 is located on the image transfer drum side, an inlet guide 54 as second guide means B is located on the fixing unit 9 side. A sheet-like member 55 made of rubber or resin and serving as third guide means C1 is secured at its one end to the lower surface 51a of the conveying guide 51 but is set at the other to be free on the upper surface of the inlet guide 54. The sheet-like member 55 forms a smooth conveying path for connecting the conveying guide 51 with the inlet guide 54 when the leading end of a recording medium S passes therethrough, and guides and supports the recording medium S. Further, the sheet-like member 55 is curved so as to allow the recording medium S to downward loop in order to absorb shocks exerted upon the recording medium when the recording medium S enters between fixing rollers 9a, 9a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet-shaped recording medium and an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet conveying apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows an example of a color image forming apparatus for forming a full color image.

In the color image forming apparatus of this embodiment, a photosensitive drum 1 which is an image carrier is rotatably supported in the direction of an arrow, and a corona charger 2, an optical system 3, a developing device 4 are provided around the photosensitive drum 1. A transfer device (transfer means) 5 and a cleaning device 6 are arranged.

The optical system 3 is, for example, a laser beam exposure apparatus shown in the figure, which is composed of a document scanning section and a color separation filter and irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a color-separated optical image or an optical image E corresponding thereto.

The photosensitive drum 1 uniformly charged by the charger 2 is irradiated with a light image E for each separated color to form a latent image. The developing device 4 is a rotary developing device, and four developing devices around the central axis 4b, that is, a black developing device 4Bk, a cyan developing device 4c, a magenta developing device 4m, and a yellow developing device 4y.
And a predetermined developing device is rotated to a developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by toner having a resin as a base.

Further, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is
The recording medium is transferred to the recording medium supplied from the recording medium cassette 7 via the conveying system and the transfer device 5 to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 (according to the recording medium conveying path shown by the dotted line in the figure). In this example, the transfer device 5 includes a transfer drum 5a, a transfer corona charger 5b, a suction corona charger 5c for electrostatically attracting a recording medium, and a suction roller 5g, an inner corona charger 5d, and an outer corona charger 5e. A recording medium carrying sheet 5f made of a dielectric material is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape in an opening area of a peripheral surface of a transfer drum 5a which is rotatably driven.

As the transfer drum 5a rotates, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the recording medium carried on the recording medium carrying sheet 5f by the transfer charger 5b.

A desired number of color images are transferred onto the recording medium sucked and conveyed by the recording medium carrying sheet 5f to form a full-color image.

When the transfer of the desired number of toner images is completed in this way, the recording medium is separated from the transfer drum 5a by the separating means 8 and discharged onto the tray 10 via the heat roller fixing device 9 as fixing means. .

On the other hand, after the transfer, the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to the image forming step again after the residual toner on the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 6.

Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, an apparatus adopting an electrophotographic recording system has been widely used. This involves developing the latent image formed on the image carrier to form a visible image (toner image formation), transferring the visible image to a recording medium using electrostatic recording, and then thermally transferring the transferred image. It is configured to be fixed.

Further description will be given with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

After separating the transfer drum 5a, the fixing roller 9a
The recording medium conveying path to the recording medium is located at the entrance of the fixing device (fixing means) 9 and the conveying means 52 such as the first conveying guide 51 and the conveying belt inclined downward toward the downstream in the conveying direction and the upward direction. It is composed of an inlet guide 54 which is inclined to. The arrangement is usually V-shaped. This is because the peripheral speed of the fixing roller 9a is generally slowed by several% with respect to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum so that the fixing roller 9a does not pull the recording medium and adversely affect the transfer. When the leading edge of the recording medium enters the contact portion (nip) between the fixing roller 9a and the fixing roller 9a,
This is because the speed difference may cause a shock and disturb the unfixed image. Therefore, the shock is absorbed by forming the path as a V-shape and forming (curving) a small loop in the downward direction.

Recently, an apparatus for forming a full-color image on both sides of a recording medium has been devised and put into practical use. In that case, after the series of operations as described above, the recording medium on which the image is formed is turned upside down by some means, and then the series of image forming operations described above is performed again, and the sheet is discharged outside the apparatus.

In the apparatus as described above, when the toner image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by being pressed and heated, the front and rear portions of the recording medium are warped upward and the image side is concave. Occurs. The curl is caused by various factors such as moisture in the recording medium, the nip shape of the fixing roller 9a, temperature, humidity, material of the recording medium, and toner amount. However, in the case of a full-color image, the curl is the largest factor. Is experimentally known to be the toner amount.

[0016]

However, in the case of double-sided image recording, the following problems occur.

When images are formed on both sides of the recording medium, 1
After the recording operation of the first side is completed, the recording of the second side is started, the transfer of the toner image is completed, and the recording medium separated from the transfer drum 5a by the separating means 8 is conveyed to the fixing device 9 by the conveying means 52. At this time, the recording medium is curled according to the amount of the fixed toner for the above-mentioned reason, but the unfixed toner image is recorded on the upper surface and the fixed image is recorded on the lower surface, so that the recording medium is conveyed in the transport direction. The front and rear parts of the are curled downward.

In this case, as described above, the transfer drum 5a
Since the conveying path from the fixing roller 9a to the fixing roller 9a is formed in a V shape, the leading edge of the recording medium curled downward is caught in the valleys of the feeding guide 51 and the feeding means 52 and the entrance guide 54, and the leading edge jumps up and is undetermined. The toner image on the background is disturbed, or in the worst case, the fixing device 9 is folded in two.
Sometimes it rushes into and causes a jam.

Therefore, if it is attempted to prevent the tip from being caught by forming the conveying path in a substantially linear shape, the fixing device 9
Since there is no portion to absorb the shock when the recording medium rushes in, there is a problem that the unfixed toner image is disturbed.

[0020]

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and conveys a sheet-shaped recording medium (S) separated from a transfer means (5) to a fixing means (9). In the sheet conveying device, the first guide unit (A) located on the transfer unit (5) side to convey the recording medium (S) and the recording medium located on the fixing unit (9) side. (S) is guided between the second guide means (B) and the first guide means (A) and the second guide means (B), and the leading end of the recording medium (S). When the recording medium (S) passes, a smooth conveying path is formed to guide the recording medium (S), and when the leading end of the recording medium (S) enters the fixing means (9), the recording medium (S) is ) Third guide means (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ ) for allowing the curved deformation of
It is characterized by having.

The third guide means (C ₁ )
A sheet-like member (55) having elasticity, one end of which is fixed to the first guide means (A) so as not to come into contact with the recording medium, while the other end of the second member is formed into the second member.
The guide means (B) is placed on the guide surface of the recording medium.

The third guide means (C ₂ ) comprises a guide plate (56) for guiding the recording medium and an elastic body (57) for elastically supporting the guide plate (56). It is characterized by being.

Further, a detecting means (K) for detecting that the front end of the recording medium has passed through the second guide means (B).
And the third guide means (C ₃ ) is composed of a guide plate (58) for guiding the recording medium and a rotating mechanism (R) for operating the guide plate (58). (5
One end of 8) is rotatably supported, while the other end is linked to the rotating mechanism (R).

In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the recording medium transferred by the transfer means (5) is guided to the fixing means (9) by the sheet conveying device as described above. There is.

[0025]

According to the present invention, as a result of having the above-mentioned characteristic structure, the recording medium (S) separated from the transfer means (5) is provided with the first guide means (A) and the third guide means (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃₎ and second guide means (B) and reliably conveyed to the fixing means (9) through and to absorb the inrush shock to the fixing means (9). That is, the sheet-like member (55) as the third guide means (C ₁ ) has the first guide means (A) and the second guide means (B) when the recording medium (S) passes through.
The recording medium (S) is formed so as to form a smooth conveyance path that connects the recording medium (S) and does not hinder the movement of the recording medium (S).
Support and guide. On the other hand, this third guide means (C
The sheet-like member (55) as ₁ ) is a recording medium (S).
When the recording medium rushes into the fixing means (9), the portion placed on the recording medium guide surface of the second guide means (B) is displaced by the force received from the recording medium (S), and the recording medium (S) is curved and deformed. Is elastically deformed so as to allow the shock absorber to absorb the shock acting on the recording medium (S). After the recording medium (S) has completely passed, the sheet-like member (55) as the third guide means (C ₁ ) is restored to its original state by its elastic force.

Further, in the third guide means (C ₂ ), the guide plate (56) is supported at a predetermined position by the elastic body (57) when the recording medium passes, and the third guide means (C ₂ ) A smooth transport path connecting the second guide means (B) is formed to smoothly guide and support the recording medium. On the other hand, the third guide means (C ₂ ) is deformed by the force received from the recording medium by the elastic body (57) supporting the guide plate (56) when the recording medium plunges into the fixing means (9). Allowing the curved deformation of the recording medium to absorb the shock acting on the recording medium. After the recording medium has completely passed, the guide plate (56) returns to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic body (57).

Furthermore, the third guide means (C ₃ ) is provided with a guide plate (5) by a rotating mechanism (R) when the recording medium passes.
8) is held at a predetermined position, and a smooth conveyance path connecting the first guide means (A) and the second guide means (B) is formed to smoothly guide and support the recording medium. On the other hand, in the third guide means (C ₃ ), the leading end of the recording medium is the second
When it passes a predetermined position of the guide means (B), the rotation mechanism (R) operates in response to the signal from the detection means (K) to rotate the guide plate (58), thereby causing the curving deformation of the recording medium. Accepts and absorbs the shock acting on the recording medium. When the recording medium has completely passed the detecting means (K), the rotating mechanism (R) receives the signal from the detecting means (K) and rotates the guide plate (58) to the original position.

The reference numerals in parentheses are for the purpose of contrasting with the drawings, but do not limit the structure of the present invention.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This color image forming apparatus has a digital color image reader section in the upper part and a digital color image printer section in the lower part. Then, the reader unit exposes and scans the original 30 placed on the original table glass 31 with the exposure lamp 32, collects the reflected light image from the original 30 on the full color sensor 34 with the lens 33, and outputs the color separated image signal. To get. The color-separated image signal passes through an amplifier circuit (not shown), is processed by a video processing unit (not shown), and is sent to the printer section.

The printer unit carries the photosensitive drum 1 which is an image carrier so as to be freely rotatable in the arrow direction,
Around the photosensitive drum 1, a pre-exposure lamp 11, a corona charger 2, a laser exposure optical system 3, a potential sensor 12, four developing devices 4y, 4c, 4m, 4Bk having different colors, a light amount detecting means 13 on the drum, and a transfer. A device (transfer means) 5 and a cleaning device 6 are arranged. The laser exposure optical system 3 converts an image signal from the reader unit into an optical signal by a laser output unit (not shown), reflects the converted laser light on the polygon mirror 3a, and passes the lens 3b and the mirror 3c. After
The laser light is projected onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

In the printer unit, when the image is formed on the printer unit, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow to eliminate the charge by the exposure lamp 11, and then the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charger 2 to make the photosensitive drum 1 Then, a light image E is emitted for each separated color to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, of the developing devices 4y, 4c, 4m, and 4Bk, a predetermined developing device is operated to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and a toner image based on the resin is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. To form. The developing devices 4y, 4c, 4m and 4Bk are operated by the eccentric cams 24y, 24c, 24m and 24Bk.
The photosensitive drum 1 is selectively approached according to each separated color.

Further, in this printer section, the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the recording medium supplied from the recording medium cassette 7 to the position facing the photosensitive drum 1 via the conveying system and the transfer device 5.
Transfer the above toner image. The transfer device 5 has a transfer drum 5a, a transfer charger 5b, an attraction charger 5c for electrostatically attracting a recording medium, and an attraction roller 5g facing the attraction roller 5g, an inner charger 5d, and an outer charger 5e. ing. The recording medium carrying sheet 5 made of a dielectric material is provided in the peripheral opening area of the transfer drum 5a which is rotatably driven.
f is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape. A dielectric sheet such as a polycarbonate film is used as the recording medium carrying sheet 5f.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred by the transfer charger 5b onto the recording medium carried by the recording medium carrying sheet 5f as the transfer drum 5a rotates.

In this way, a desired number of color images are transferred to the recording medium sucked and conveyed by the recording medium carrying sheet 5f,
A full-color image is formed on the recording medium.

In the case of this full-color image formation, when the transfer of the four color toner images is completed as described above, the recording medium is transferred from the transfer drum 5a by the action of the separation claw 8a, the separation push-up roller 8b and the separation charger 5h. It is separated and discharged to the tray 10 via the fixing device (fixing means) 9.

On the other hand, after the transfer, the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to the image forming process again after the residual toner on the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 6.

When images are to be formed on both sides of the recording medium, the conveying path switching guide 19 is driven immediately after the recording medium is ejected from the fixing device 9 to convey the recording medium in the vertical path 2.
After being guided to the reversing path 21a via 0, the reversing roller 21b is reversely rotated so that the trailing end of the fed recording medium is set to the leading end and the recording medium is ejected in the direction opposite to the fed direction, and the recording is performed. The medium is stored in the intermediate tray 22. After that, an image is formed again on the other surface of the recording medium by the above-described image forming step.

Further, in order to prevent the powder from being scattered and adhered on the recording medium supporting sheet 5f of the transfer drum 5a and the oil from being adhered to the recording medium, the brush is interposed via the fur brush 14 and the recording medium supporting sheet 5f. Cleaning is performed by the action of the backup brush 15 that faces 14 and the backup brush 17 that faces the roller 16 via the oil removing roller 16 and the recording medium carrying sheet 5f. Such cleaning is performed before or after image formation, and at any time when a jam (paper jam) occurs.

Further, in this example, the eccentric cam 25 is operated at a desired timing and the cam follower 5i integrated with the transfer drum 5a is actuated, so that the gap between the recording medium carrying sheet 5f and the photosensitive drum 1 is changed. The configuration is such that it can be set arbitrarily. For example, during standby or when the power is off, the transfer drum 5a and the photosensitive drum 1
Separate.

FIG. 2 shows a sheet conveying device.
This will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

When images are formed on both sides of the recording medium S, 2
The recording medium S on which the toner image has been transferred to the first surface is separated from the transfer drum 5a in the same manner as the first surface, and the conveyance guide 51 and the conveyance belt 52 that constitute the first guide means A from above the separation claw 8a. Guided to the top. The conveyor belt 52 is an endless rubber belt that is wound around a drive shaft 53a and a driven shaft 53b, and the peripheral speed of the fixing roller 9a is increased by the drive shaft 53a that rotates based on a driving force from a drive source (not shown). It is rotating at the same peripheral speed as.

The fixing device 9 includes fixing rollers 9a and 9a.
An inlet guide 54 (second guide unit B) for surely feeding the recording medium S to the nip (contact portion) a is provided. A predetermined interval is provided between the upstream end (right end in the drawing) of the inlet guide 54 and the downstream end (left end in the drawing) of the transport guide 51 and the transport belt 52.

Further, one end of a sheet-like member 55 having elasticity as the third guide means C ₁ is fixed to the non-sheet passing surface (lower surface) 51a of the above-mentioned transport guide 51. On the other hand, the other end of the sheet-like member 55 is connected to the inlet guide 5
It is placed on top of No. 4 without being fixed. As a result, the sheet-like member 55 connects the transport guide 51 and the inlet guide 54 with a smooth curved surface, and forms a smooth transport path for the recording medium S (see FIG. 2A). The sheet-shaped member 55
The material is preferably a rubber or resin-like elastic member having a certain degree of rigidity (rigidity).

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The recording medium which has advanced on the conveyance guide 51 and the conveyance belt 52 reaches the sheet-like member 55 (see FIG. 2A). At this time, as described above, in the recording medium having the image after fixing on the lower surface, the front end is often curled downward, but even if it is, one end of the sheet-like member 55 is conveyed. Since the sheet-shaped member 55 is fixed to the non-sheet-passing surface 51a side of the guide 51 and the sheet-shaped member 55 has a smooth curved surface, the leading end of the sheet-shaped member 55 does not get caught and the inlet guide 54 is provided from the conveyance guide 51 side.
It is transported smoothly to the side. As described above, since the other end of the sheet-like member 55 is placed on the entrance guide 54 without being fixed and there is nothing that hinders the conveyance of the recording medium S, the recording medium S is not caught here either. It is smoothly fed into the nip of the fixing roller 9a. (See FIG. 2B.) At this time, the sheet-shaped member 55 allows the portion placed on the entrance guide 54 to be displaced by the force received from the recording medium S, and allows the recording medium S to be curved and deformed. As a result, the recording medium S is
A slight loop can be formed in the downward direction by overcoming the waist (elastic force) of the sheet-shaped member 55, and a shock received from the fixing roller 9a when entering the nip of the fixing roller 9a can be absorbed (Fig. 2 (c)).

After the recording medium S has completely passed, the sheet-like member 55 is restored to its original state by its elastic force.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the downward curled recording medium S separated from the transfer drum 5a can be reliably conveyed to the fixing roller 9a, and the rush shock to the fixing device 9 can be absorbed. No problems such as jams will occur. Further, in this embodiment, a large effect can be obtained with a simple and inexpensive mechanism. <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the sheet-like member 55 is used as the third guide means C ₁ , but this may be an elastic body and a guide plate held by the elastic body.

This embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

In a predetermined space provided at the upstream end (right end in the figure) of the entrance guide 54 and the downstream ends of the conveyance guide 51 and the conveyance belt 52, recording is performed as the third guide means C ₂ . A guide plate 56 for guiding and supporting a medium (not shown) and a coil spring 57 as an elastic body for supporting the guide plate 56 from below are arranged. Comb-shaped notches (not shown) are provided at both ends of the guide plate 56, and the inlet guide 54 is engaged with the notches.
Also, a comb-shaped notch (not shown) is formed on the conveyance guide 51 as well.
Are formed. As a result, a smooth transport path connecting the transport guide 51 and the entrance guide 54 is formed,
The recording medium can smoothly pass through the joint portion of the guides 51, 56, 54. Further, in the third guide means C ₂ , when the leading end of the recording medium plunges into the nip of the fixing rollers 9a, 9a, its coil spring 57 receives the force from the recording medium and is elastically deformed in the compression direction, and the guide plate 56. To allow the curved deformation of the recording medium. as a result,
Since the recording medium can overcome the biasing force of the coil spring 57 and form a small loop in the downward direction, it is possible to absorb the shock received when the recording medium plunges between the fixing rollers 9a and 9a. The behavior of the recording medium at this time is similar to that of the first embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment as well, the downward curled recording medium separated from the transfer drum 5a (see FIG. 1) can be reliably conveyed to the fixing roller 9a and fixed in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Since a rush shock to the container 9 can also be absorbed, problems such as a jam will not occur.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it is expected that the durability and reliability will be superior to those of the first embodiment. Further, although the coil spring 57 is used as the elastic member in this embodiment, the cost can be reduced by using an elastic member such as urethane foam. In addition, it is possible to use bellows made of rubber or resin material. <Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the third guide means C is used.
_Although the upward pressing force of ₁ and C ₂ is always constant, it is difficult to set the pressure, and when a very thin (weak) recording medium is used, a downward loop is not formed. It may be difficult in some cases. In view of this, the present embodiment provides a mechanism capable of smoothly and reliably transporting a recording medium having a downward curl and absorbing a shock of the recording medium entering the fixing device.

This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The third guide means C ₃ located between the transport guide 51 (first guide means A) and the entrance guide 54 (second guide means B) guides and supports a recording medium (not shown). It comprises a guide plate 58 and a rotating mechanism R for operating the guide plate 58. Of these, the guide plate 58
Has a rotation center 58a at its upstream end and rotates downward due to its own weight. The guide plate 58 is pressed upward by the cam 59 that constitutes the rotating mechanism R when the recording medium passes therethrough, and a smooth transport path that does not hinder the downward curling recording medium. To form. When the recording medium passes over the detection sensor lever 60 protruding from the upper surface of the entrance guide 54 disposed adjacent to the fixing device 9, the photo sensor 61 provided below the entrance guide 54 is shielded from light and the recording medium passes. To detect. The sensor lever 6
0 and the photo sensor 61 constitute the detecting means K.

The above-mentioned cam 59 is fixed to the cam shaft 62, and a gear (not shown) for receiving drive and a spring clutch (not shown) are fixed to one end of the cam shaft 62.
The cam shaft can be selectively rotated / stopped by 180 ° in cooperation with the drive gear, the spring clutch, and a plunger (not shown) that controls the operations of the spring clutch. Then, the plunger is operated in response to the detection signal of the passage of the recording medium, the cam is rotated 180 °, and the guide plate 58 is rotated downward by its own weight. As a result, when the recording medium enters the fixing roller 9a, a space is formed so that the recording medium can loop downward.
The cam 59, the cam shaft 62, the gear, the spring clutch and the plunger constitute a rotating mechanism R.

Also in this embodiment, the above-described configuration makes it possible to reliably convey the recording medium having the downward curl separated from the transfer drum 5a to the fixing roller 9a, and at the time of entering the fixing device 9, the recording medium. It can also absorb the shock that acts on.

Further, in this embodiment, stable conveyance and fixing can be performed regardless of the type of recording medium.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the first guide means is arranged on the transfer means side, while the second guide means is arranged on the fixing means side. When the leading edge of the recording medium passes between the means and the second guide means, a smooth conveying path is formed to guide the recording medium, and when the leading edge of the recording medium enters the fixing means, recording is performed. Since the third guide means for allowing the curved deformation of the medium is arranged, the recording medium having the downward curl separated from the transfer means can be reliably conveyed to the fixing means, and at the time of entering the fixing means which acts on the recording medium. Since the shock can be absorbed, the unfixed toner image on the recording medium is not disturbed, and the jamming of the recording medium can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic sectional view of the sheet conveying device showing a state when the leading edge of the recording medium is passed, and FIG. 2B is a schematic sectional view of the sheet conveying device showing a state after passing the leading edge of the recording medium. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet conveying device when the leading end of the recording medium enters the fixing roller.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional transport path.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Transfer Device (Transfer Means) 9 Fixing Device (Fixing Means) 51 Conveyance Guide (First Guide Means A) 52 Conveyor Belt (First Guide Means A) 54 Entrance Guide (Second Guide Means B) 55 Sheet Form Member (third guide means C ₁ ) 56 Guide plate (third guide means C ₂ ) 57 Elastic body (third guide means C ₂ ) 58 Guide plate (third guide means C ₃ ) R Rotation mechanism (Third guide means C ₃ ) S recording medium K detecting means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet transporting device for transporting a sheet-shaped recording medium separated from a transfer device to a fixing device, wherein the first recording medium is located at the transfer device side and transports the recording medium.
Second guide means for guiding the recording medium located on the fixing means side.
Located between the first guide means and the second guide means, and when the leading edge of the recording medium passes, a smooth transport path is formed to guide the recording medium. And a third guide unit which allows the curved deformation of the recording medium when the front end of the recording medium enters the fixing unit. 2. The third guide means is made of a sheet-like member having elasticity, and one end of the third guide means is fixed to the first guide means so as not to come into contact with the recording medium,
2. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other end is placed on the recording medium guide surface of the second guide means. 3. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third guide unit includes a guide plate that guides the recording medium and an elastic body that elastically supports the guide plate. 4. A detection means for detecting that the front end of a recording medium has passed through the second guide means, and a guide plate for guiding the recording medium to the third guide means, and the guide plate. 2. A sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotating mechanism for activating the rotating member, wherein one end of the guide plate is rotatably supported while the other end is linked to the rotating mechanism. apparatus. 5. A transfer means for transferring a visible image formed on an image carrier to a recording medium according to image information, a fixing means for fixing the transferred image on the recording medium, and a recording transferred by the transfer means. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying device according to claim 1, which guides a medium to the fixing unit.