Sensor unit and image forming apparatus including the sensor unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor unit and an image forming apparatus including the sensor unit. The sensor unit of the present invention includes: a first housing constituting a first conveying surface of a sheet conveying path; a second housing constituting a second conveying surface opposite to the first conveying surface with a predetermined gap; edge detection The sensor detects the side edge of the sheet along the conveying direction; and the gap adjusting mechanism supports the first case so as to be movable in a direction in which the distance between the gaps increases from a reference value. When a sheet having a thickness greater than a reference value passes through the sheet conveyance path in a state where the first case is disposed at the first position, the first case moves toward the gap due to the sheet entering the sheet conveyance path. It moves in the direction in which the interval becomes larger, thereby allowing the passage of the sheet.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a sensor unit equipped with an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a copier, and a printer, and having a sensor for detecting a sheet edge, and an image forming apparatus including the sensor unit. Background technique [0002] Image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines, copiers, and printers are configured to record images on sheets such as paper, cloth, and OHP sheets. These image forming apparatuses can be classified into electrophotographic type, inkjet type, etc. according to the recording method. [0003] When printing on a sheet using an image forming apparatus, if the position of the sheet is shifted in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (sheet width direction), the printing position of each sheet also shifts. Therefore, in the case of binding into a book after printing, etc., high accuracy is required for the printing position of each page. [0004] In the past, an image ...

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Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, when a thick sheet such as an envelope passes through, the conveyance resistance increases, resulting in poor conveyance.

In addition, when the gap between the upper guide member and the lower guide member is set to about 2 to 3 mm, for example, when a thin sheet such as plain paper is conveyed along the upper surface of the paper conveyance path, the focal point of the edge detection sensor The side edge of the sheet cannot be detected with high precision because it is out of focus with the sheet

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