Recording material conveying device and image forming device

Abstract

The present invention provides a recording material conveying device and an image forming device. A recording material conveying device comprises: a conveying unit for conveying recording materials; and a supporting member arranged in a manner extending in a direction intersecting with a vertical direction and supporting the recording material stopped from below, and arranged to be able to descend, and with the descent, both ends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction, descend, and are inclined in a manner such that the one end is located lower than the other end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording material conveying device and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a first conveying guide device having a separation pad attached thereto is fixed to a device main body, and a second conveying guide device is provided to be movable between a conveying position and a retracted position.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-086039 Summary of the invention

[0004] Sometimes, a support member is provided in a recording material conveying device to support the stopped recording material from below, and the support member is arranged to be able to descend, and sometimes the support member descends when the stopped recording material is placed on the support member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it easier to remove a recording material that has stopped inside an apparatus, compared with a case where a supporting member that supports the recording material from below is lowered while maintaining a horizontal state.

[0006] The invention described in Scheme 1 is a recording material conveying device, which comprises: a conveying unit that conveys the recording material; and a supporting component that is configured to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and supports the recording material that has stopped being conveyed from below, and is configured to be able to descend, and as it descends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction both descend, and are inclined in a manner such that the one end is located lower than the other end.

[0007] The invention described in Scheme 2 is further provided with the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 1: a frame having an opening on a side and accommodating the conveying unit and the supporting component, wherein the supporting component is configured to be movable toward a side having the opening and a direction intersecting the vertical direction with the one end side as the front side.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the recording material conveying device described in claim 2, wherein the support member is provided so as to be movable in the inclined state toward the intersecting direction and toward the side where the opening is provided.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the recording material conveying device described in claim 2, wherein when the support member is moved to a direction intersecting the vertical direction and to the side where the opening is provided, the one end portion of the support member protrudes to the outside of the frame through the opening.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the recording material conveying device described in claim 1, wherein when the supporting member is lowered, the one end portion starts to lower earlier than the other end portion.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is the recording material conveying device described in claim 1, wherein when the supporting member is lowered, the inclination angle of the supporting member relative to the horizontal direction gradually increases, and thereafter, the inclination angle of the supporting member relative to the horizontal direction gradually decreases.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is that in the recording material conveying device described in claim 1, when the supporting member is lowered to the bottom, the supporting member will be in the horizontal direction.

[0013] The invention described in Scheme 8 is further provided in the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 1, wherein: a support portion supports the support member from below, and by moving the support member in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction, the support of the support member based on the support portion is released, and the support member will be able to descend.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 9 is further provided with, in the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 8: a frame having an opening on a side portion and accommodating the conveying unit and the supporting member, wherein the support of the supporting member based on the supporting portion is released by moving the supporting member toward the side in the direction of the intersection and having the opening.

[0015] The invention described in Scheme 10 is further provided with, in the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 1: a frame having an opening on the side and accommodating the conveying unit and the supporting component, and when a storage container accommodating the recording material is placed into the interior of the frame through the opening, the supporting component in a lowered state is moved upward by force from the storage container.

[0016] The invention described in Scheme 11 is a recording material conveying device, which comprises: a frame having an opening on the side; a conveying unit, which is arranged in the frame and conveys the recording material; and a supporting component, which is configured to extend in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction and supports the stopped recording material from below, and is configured to be able to descend. As it descends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction both descend, and the one end located on the side of the opening starts to descend earlier than the other end located on the side away from the opening.

[0017] The invention described in claim 12 is the recording material conveying device described in claim 11, wherein the support member is movable toward a side where the opening is provided in a direction intersecting the vertical direction with the one end portion being the front side.

[0018] The invention described in Scheme 13 is further provided in the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 11, comprising: a first guided portion, which is arranged on the one end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member is lowered; and a second guided portion, which is arranged on the other end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member is lowered, and when the first guided portion is lowered, the first guided portion moves in the vertical direction.

[0019] The invention described in Scheme 14 is a recording material conveying device, which comprises: a frame having an opening on the side; a conveying unit, which is arranged in the frame and conveys the recording material; and a supporting component, which is configured to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and supports the stopped recording material from below, and is configured to be able to descend. As it descends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction respectively descend, and the one end located on the side of the opening reaches the lowermost end earlier than the other end located on the side away from the opening.

[0020] The invention described in Scheme 15 is further provided with the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 14, comprising: a first guided portion, which is arranged on the one end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member descends; and a second guided portion, which is arranged on the other end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member descends, and after the first guided portion reaches the lowermost end, the supporting member can be moved to the side where the opening is provided in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction, and when the first guided portion reaches the lowermost end and the supporting member moves to the side where the opening is provided in the intersecting direction, the supporting member is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0021] The invention described in Scheme 16 is further provided with, in the recording material conveying device described in Scheme 14: a first guided portion, which is arranged on the one end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member descends; and a second guided portion, which is arranged on the other end side of the supporting member and is arranged to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member descends, the first guided portion moves along a linear moving path when it descends, and the second guided portion moves along a linear moving path when it descends, and the inclination angle of the moving path moved by the first guided portion relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the moving path moved by the second guided portion relative to the horizontal direction.

[0022] The invention described in Scheme 17 is an image forming device, which comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material; and a recording material conveying device that conveys the recording material, wherein the recording material conveying device is configured to include the recording material conveying device described in any one of Schemes 1 to 16.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording material stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than when the support member supporting the recording material from below is lowered while being kept in a horizontal state.

[0025] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording material placed on the supporting member and stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than in the case where the supporting member cannot move to the side where the opening is provided.

[0026] According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which the support member is moved toward the side provided with the opening without being tilted, the recording material can be easily visually recognized when the support member on which the recording material is placed is viewed through the opening.

[0027] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the recording material placed on the supporting member can be removed more easily than in a case where one end portion of the supporting member does not extend to the outside of the housing through the opening.

[0028] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the supporting member on which the recording material is placed is viewed through the opening, the recording material can be visually recognized more easily than when the one end portion and the other end portion start to descend at the same time.

[0029] According to the sixth scheme of the present invention, compared with a case where the inclination angle of the supporting member relative to the horizontal direction does not gradually increase, the recording material can be easily visually identified when observing the supporting member on which the recording material is placed through the opening, and compared with a case where the inclination angle of the supporting member relative to the horizontal direction does not gradually decrease, the recording material on the supporting member after the descent is completed can be more easily removed.

[0030] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the recording material on the supporting member after the descent is completed can be removed more easily than in the case where the supporting member is not in the horizontal direction.

[0031] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by moving the supporting member in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, the support by the supporting member of the supporting portion can be released.

[0032] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the support by the supporting member of the supporting portion can be released by moving the supporting member toward the side where the opening is provided.

[0033] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, compared with a structure in which the support member does not move upward even when the storage container is placed inside the housing, the operation burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0034] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the recording material stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than when the supporting member supporting the recording material from below is lowered while being kept in a horizontal state.

[0035] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the recording material placed on the supporting member and stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than in a case where the supporting member cannot move to the side where the opening is provided.

[0036] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the inclination angle of the support member can be increased compared to the case where the first guided portion moves obliquely downward when the first guided portion descends.

[0037] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the recording material stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than when the supporting member supporting the recording material from below is lowered while being kept in a horizontal state.

[0038] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the supporting member on which the recording material is placed is viewed through the opening, the recording material can be easily visually recognized, compared with a case where the supporting member is in the horizontal direction when the supporting member moves to the side provided with the opening.

[0039] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the supporting member is lowered, one end portion of the supporting member can be positioned lower than the other end portion.

[0040] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the recording material stopped inside the apparatus can be removed more easily than when the supporting member supporting the recording material from below is lowered while being kept in a horizontal state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 is an overall structural diagram of the image forming apparatus when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus;

[0043] Figure 2 A diagram for explaining an image forming unit;

[0044] Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing a guide component, etc.;

[0045] Figure 4 middle, Figure 4 (A)~ Figure 4 (D) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion;

[0046] Figure 5 middle, Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion;

[0047] Figure 6 middle, Figure 6 (A)~ Figure 6 (D) is a diagram illustrating another structural example of the guide component;

[0048] Figure 7 middle, Figure 7 (A)~ Figure 7 (D) is a diagram illustrating another structural example of the guide component;

[0049] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing another configuration example of a guide member and the like.

[0050] Explanation of symbols

[0051] 1-image forming device, 10-image forming unit, 20-frame, 20A-side, 21-opening, 400-storage container, 600-transmission unit, 630-support member, 630A-one end, 630B-the other end, 631-first protrusion, 632-second protrusion, P-paper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0054] The image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called tandem color printer, and includes an image forming unit 10 as an example of an image forming means. The image forming unit 10 forms an image on a paper P as an example of a recording material based on image data.

[0055] The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a housing 20 that houses various functional units. The housing 20 has openings 21 formed in a side portion 20A and a lower portion.

[0056] Here, the frame 20 is not limited to a frame composed of one part, but includes a frame composed of a plurality of parts. Furthermore, the frame 20 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube, but may be in other shapes than a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube.

[0057] Figure 2This is a diagram for explaining the image forming unit 10 .

[0058] The image forming section 10 is provided with four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K (hereinafter, also simply collectively referred to as “image forming units 11 ”) arranged in parallel with a certain interval therebetween.

[0059] The image forming units 11 have the same structure except for the toners stored in the developing device 15 (described later). The image forming units 11 form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images.

[0060] Each image forming unit 11 is provided with a photosensitive drum 12 , a charger 200 for charging the photosensitive drum 12 , and an LED print head (LPH) 300 for exposing the photosensitive drum 12 .

[0061] The photosensitive drum 12 is charged by the charger 200 . Then, the photosensitive drum 12 is exposed by the LPH 300 , and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12 .

[0062] Furthermore, each image forming unit 11 is provided with a cleaner (not shown) for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and a developer 15 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 .

[0063] The image forming section 10 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 16 for transferring the color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 12 , and a primary transfer roller 17 for sequentially transferring (primarily transferring) the color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 12 onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 .

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , a secondary transfer roller 19 for primarily transferring (secondarily transferring) the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 onto the paper P is provided at a position facing the image forming unit 10 .

[0065] In the present embodiment, a portion where the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the secondary transfer roller 19 are arranged facing each other is a secondary transfer portion T. In the present embodiment, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the paper P at the secondary transfer portion T.

[0066] And, if Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion T in the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0067] The fixing device 40 includes a fixing roller 41 having a heat source (not shown) disposed therein and a pressure roller 43 pressed against the fixing roller 41 and pressurizing the paper P together with the fixing roller 41 .

[0068] The pressure roller 43 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 41 to press the paper P moving between the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 . In other words, the pressure roller 43 presses the paper P moving on the paper conveying path R passing between the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 .

[0069] In the conveying direction of the paper P, a paper discharge roller 500 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 40 to convey (discharge) the paper P conveyed through the fixing device 40 toward the paper stacking portion 1E.

[0070] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a storage container 400 for storing the paper P supplied to the secondary transfer portion T is provided on the upstream side of the secondary transfer portion T in the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0071] The storage container 400 is placed into the housing 20 through the opening 21 provided in the side portion 20A of the housing 20 .

[0072] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a paper support portion 80 that supports the paper P set by so-called manual feeding from below is provided on the upstream side of the secondary transfer portion T in the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0073] Furthermore, a paper feed roller 81 is provided for feeding out the paper P supported by the paper support portion 80 .

[0074] Furthermore, a transport unit 600 that transports the paper P fed by the paper feed roller 81 to the secondary transfer unit T is provided.

[0075] The conveying section 600 as an example of a conveying unit includes two driving rollers 605 that are driven to rotate, and two rotating rollers 610 that are arranged in contact with the driving rollers 605 and receive a driving force from the driving rollers 605 to rotate.

[0076] The rotating roller 610 is supported by a supporting member 630 which will be described later.

[0077] Furthermore, the transporting section 600 is provided with a registration roller 601 that sends out the recording material toward the secondary transfer section T.

[0078] When the paper P is conveyed to the registration roller 601 , the registration roller 601 is in a stopped state. Then, the registration roller 601 starts rotating at a preset timing and conveys the paper P toward the secondary transfer portion T.

[0079] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a paper feed roller (not shown) is provided to feed the paper P stored in the storage container 400 toward the registration roller 601 .

[0080] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a support member 630 is provided to support the paper P stopped by the transport unit 600 from below.

[0081] In the present embodiment, when the transport of the paper P by the transport unit 600 is stopped, the paper P is supported from below by the support member 630 .

[0082] Incidentally, in this embodiment, if a jam or the like occurs in the paper P, the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance unit 600 is stopped. At this time, if the paper P stops at a position facing the support member 630 , the support member 630 supports the paper P from below.

[0083] Here, the support member 630 also functions as a guide member, and guides the paper P while supporting the paper P from below when the paper P is transported by the transport unit 600 .

[0084] A series of processing in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0085] In the image forming apparatus 1, a signal based on image data is supplied to each image forming unit 11 (see Figure 2 ).

[0086] Then, for example, in the black (K) image forming unit 11K, the photosensitive drum 12 is charged by the charger 200 while rotating in the direction of arrow A, and is exposed by the LPH 300 that emits light based on image data sent from the image processing unit (not shown).

[0087] As a result, an electrostatic latent image related to a black (K) image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed by the developing device 15, and a black (K) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12.

[0088] Similarly, in the image forming units 11Y, 11M, and 11C, toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are formed.

[0089] The color toner images formed by the image forming units 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted by the primary transfer rollers 17 onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 moving in the direction of arrow B, and a toner image in which the color toners are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 .

[0090] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the secondary transfer portion T (reference numeral 26 ) as the intermediate transfer belt 16 moves. Figure 1)move.

[0091] Then, the paper P is sent out from the paper support 80 or the storage container 400 according to the timing at which the toner image reaches the secondary transfer portion T, and the paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer portion T.

[0092] At the secondary transfer portion T, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is electrostatically transferred onto the conveyed paper P at one time by a transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roller 19 .

[0093] Thereafter, the paper P to which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 16 and is transported to the fixing device 40 .

[0094] In the fixing device 40 , the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 in a rotating state sandwich the paper P. Thus, the paper P is pressed and heated while being conveyed, and the toner image on the paper P is fixed to the paper P.

[0095] Then, the paper P after the fixing is completed is conveyed to the paper stacking portion 1E by the paper discharge roller 500 .

[0096] Here, in the present embodiment, the portion where the transport unit 600 is provided has a function of transporting the paper P as an example of recording material, and the portion where the transport unit 600 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 can also be regarded as a recording material transport device.

[0097] like Figure 1 As shown, the support member 630 is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and has one end 630A located on the opening 21 side and the other end 630B located on the side away from the opening 21 .

[0098] Incidentally, the support member 630 has one end portion 630A and the other end portion 630B whose positions are different from each other in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0099] Here, the support member 630 is provided so as to be able to descend, and is moved downward by an operator's operation as will be described later.

[0100] In this embodiment, the one end 630A and the other end 630B move downward as the support member 630 moves downward. In this embodiment, the one end 630A is located below the other end 630B, and the support member 630 is tilted (described later).

[0101] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, plate-shaped guide members 640 for guiding the supporting member 630 are provided on both the rear side and the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0102] in addition, Figure 1 The guide member 640 denoted by reference numeral 1A in the figure indicates the guide member 640 located at the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. The guide member 640 at the rear side is located at the back side of the guide member 640 at the front side.

[0103] Figure 3 It is a magnified representation Figure 1 Figure of the guide component 640 etc. shown.

[0104] In addition, in this Figure 3 In the embodiment, the rotating roller 610 (see Figure 1 ) diagram. And, in this Figure 3 In the figure, the illustration of the containing container 400 is also omitted.

[0105] In the present embodiment, a first protrusion 631 and a second protrusion 632 that cooperate with the support member 630 are provided.

[0106] The first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are guided by the guide member 640. The first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are provided on both sides of the rear side and the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0107] The first protrusion 631 as an example of the first guided portion is provided on the one end portion 630A side of the support member 630 and is provided so as to cooperate with the support member 630 .

[0108] Here, the one end portion 630A side of the support member 630 refers to a portion located closer to the one end portion 630A side of the support member 630 than the center portion C in the longitudinal direction of the support member 630 .

[0109] When the supporting member 630 descends, the first protrusion 631 is guided by the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 . More specifically, the first protrusion 631 is guided by the guide member 640 .

[0110] Furthermore, the second protrusion 632 as an example of the second guided portion is provided on the other end portion 630B side of the support member 630 and is provided so as to cooperate with the support member 630 .

[0111] Here, the other end portion 630B side of the support member 630 refers to a portion located closer to the other end portion 630B side of the support member 630 than the center portion C in the longitudinal direction of the support member 630 .

[0112] When the supporting member 630 descends, the second protrusion 632 is also guided by the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 . More specifically, the second protrusion 632 is guided by the guide member 640 .

[0113] The two guide members 640 are respectively formed with a first guide groove 641 and a second guide groove 642 .

[0114] In the present embodiment, the one end 630A side of the support member 630 is guided by the first guide groove 641 , and the other end 630B side of the support member 630 is guided by the second guide groove 642 .

[0115] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 631 is guided by the first guide groove 641 , and the second protrusion 632 is guided by the second guide groove 642 .

[0116] The first guide groove 641 is provided with a lower horizontal portion 641A located at the bottom and extending in the horizontal direction, and an upper horizontal portion 641B located at the top and extending in the horizontal direction.

[0117] Furthermore, the first guide groove 641 is provided with a connection portion 641C which is arranged obliquely with respect to the vertical direction and connects the lower horizontal portion 641A and the upper horizontal portion 641B.

[0118] Furthermore, the second guide groove 642 is provided with an upper horizontal portion 642A that is located at the uppermost position and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0119] Furthermore, the second guide groove 642 is provided with an inclined portion 642B which is arranged to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction and extends obliquely downward from a portion connected to the upper horizontal portion 642A as a starting point.

[0120] Figure 4 (A)~ Figure 4 (D) Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 .

[0121] In the present embodiment, for example, when the transport of the paper P by the transport unit 600 stops and the paper P stops at a position facing the support member 630 , the operator lowers the support member 630 .

[0122] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when a jam of the paper P occurs, the support member 630 is lowered to open the conveyance path of the paper P, and the paper P stopped at the position facing the support member 630 is removed.

[0123] More specifically, in this embodiment, when a jam of the paper P occurs, first, the storage container 400 (see Figure 1 ). Thereafter, the supporting member 630 is lowered to remove the paper P in the stopped state.

[0124] In this embodiment, the support member 630 (see Figure 1) is lowered, first, the support member 630 is moved toward the opening 21 side.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the support member 630 is movable toward a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward a side where the opening 21 is provided, with the one end portion 630A side being the front side.

[0126] More specifically, when lowering the support member 630 , first, for example, the support member 630 is moved toward the opening 21 while holding one end portion 630A of the support member 630 or an operating lever (not shown) connected to the support member 630 .

[0127] If the support member 630 is moved toward the opening 21, Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 As shown in (B) of FIG. 8 , the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 move to the positions indicated by reference numeral 4F, respectively.

[0128] Here, Figure 4 (A) shows a state before the supporting member 630 is moved.

[0129] If the support member 630 is moved toward the opening 21, Figure 4 As shown in (B), the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 move to the positions indicated by reference numeral 4F, respectively.

[0130] Furthermore, when the support member 630 is moved toward the opening 21, the rotating roller 610 (see Figure 1 ) also move toward the opening 21 side respectively.

[0131] At this time, when the paper P is sandwiched between the driving roller 605 and the rotating roller 610 and the paper P is nipped, the rotating roller 610 moves away from the driving roller 605 and the nip is released.

[0132] If the support member 630 (in Figure 4 (B) not shown) from Figure 4 The state shown in (B) is further moved toward the opening 21 side, then as shown in Figure 4 As shown in (C), the first protrusion 631 will reach the connecting portion 641C.

[0133] From then on, the first protrusion 631 begins to descend. In this embodiment, when the first protrusion 631 reaches the connecting portion 641C, Figure 4 As shown in (C), the second protrusion 632 is located at the connection portion between the upper horizontal portion 642A and the inclined portion 642B.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 631 starts to descend first. At this time, in this embodiment, one end 630A of the support member 630 (see Figure 1 ) starts to descend earlier than the other end 630B.

[0135] To further explain, in this embodiment, Figure 4 The portion indicated by the symbol 4H of (B) supports the support member 630 from below (in Figure 4 A supporting portion (not shown in (B)).

[0136] Here, the support of the support member 630 is not limited to a method of directly supporting the support member 630 , but also includes a method of supporting a portion that is linked to the support member 630 .

[0137] In this embodiment, when the support member 630 is moved in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward the side where the opening 21 is provided, the support of the support member 630 by the support portion indicated by reference numeral 4H is released, thereby allowing the support member 630 to descend.

[0138] Incidentally, when the support member 630 is moved in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward the side where the opening 21 is provided, the support by the first protrusion 631 of the support portion indicated by reference numeral 4H is released, and the support member 630 can be lowered.

[0139] In addition, regarding the second protrusion 632 side, Figure 4 The portion indicated by reference numeral 4J in (B) serves as a support portion. If the second protrusion 632 is separated from the support portion, the second protrusion 632 will fall down.

[0140] Afterwards, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are respectively Figure 4 (D)~ Figure 5 Move in the manner shown in (B).

[0141] Here, in the present embodiment, when the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are moving downward, the first protrusion 631 is located below the second protrusion 632 .

[0142] Therefore, in this embodiment, the support member 630 (refer to Figure 1 ) descends while maintaining an inclined state relative to the horizontal direction.

[0143] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 4 (C) Figure 4 (D) Figure 5 As shown in (A), the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are respectively moved downward toward the opening 21 (reference Figure 1 ) sideways.

[0144] As a result, in this embodiment, the support member 630 (see Figure 1 ) also moves toward the opening 21 while descending.

[0145] Incidentally, the support member 630 moves toward the side where the opening 21 is provided while maintaining the inclined state. In other words, the support member 630 moves in a direction intersecting the vertical direction while being inclined.

[0146] When the supporting member 630 is tilted in this manner, the paper P placed on the supporting member 630 can be visually recognized more easily than when it is not tilted.

[0147] More specifically, in the case of passing through the opening 21 (refer to Figure 1 ) When the supporting member 630 is viewed from the outside of the housing 20, the paper P placed on the supporting member 630 can be easily visually recognized.

[0148] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when the supporting member 630 is lowered in a state where the paper P stops at the position facing the supporting member 630 , the supporting member 630 is lowered in a state where the paper P is placed on the supporting member 630 .

[0149] At this time, if the supporting member 630 is inclined, the paper P placed on the supporting member 630 can be easily visually recognized.

[0150] More specifically, in this embodiment, when the supporting member 630 is inclined, the paper supporting surface 630X (refer to Figure 3 ) toward the opening 21 (reference Figure 1 Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when the support member 630 is inclined, the upper surface of the support member 630 faces the opening 21 side.

[0151] At this time, when the paper P placed on the supporting member 630 is viewed from the opening 21 side, the paper P is more easily visually recognized than when the paper supporting surface 630X is not directed toward the opening 21 side.

[0152] Furthermore, if the support member 630 is inclined as in the present embodiment, the paper P placed on the support member 630 may also move toward the opening 21 while sliding on the support member 630 .

[0153] At this time, compared with a case where the paper P does not move toward the opening 21 side, it is easier to remove the paper P placed on the supporting member 630 .

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, before the support member 630 starts to descend, Figure 3As shown, the support member 630 is arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0155] The present invention is not limited thereto, and before the support member 630 starts to descend, the support member 630 may be arranged in a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0156] More specifically, for example, before the support member 630 starts to descend, the support member 630 may be tilted so that the one end 630A is located below the other end 630B or the other end 630B is located below the one end 630A.

[0157] At this time, if the one end 630A and the other end 630B of the support member 630 start to descend as described above, the inclination of the support member 630 becomes greater than the inclination before the descending.

[0158] Here, in the present embodiment, “the support member 630 is inclined such that the one end 630A is located below the other end 630B as the support member 630 descends” is not limited to the inclination of the support member 630 in the horizontal direction as it descends.

[0159] “As the support member 630 descends, the support member 630 is inclined such that the one end 630A is located below the other end 630B” also includes a situation in which the support member 630 that is originally in an inclined state further inclines as it descends.

[0160] refer to Figure 4 (D) Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) further explains the operation of the first protrusion 631, the second protrusion 632, etc.

[0161] exist Figure 4 After the state of (D), in this embodiment, as in Figure 5 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , the first protrusion 631 reaches the lower horizontal portion 641A. At this time, in the present embodiment, the second protrusion 632 is located above the first protrusion 631 .

[0162] At this time, in the present embodiment, one end portion 630A (see Figure 3 ) will reach the lowermost end portion earlier than the other end portion 630B located on the side away from the opening 21.

[0163] Incidentally, in this embodiment, Figure 3 The area indicated by symbol 3Z becomes the movable area of ​​the support member 630, but in this embodiment, the end 630A located on the side of the opening 21 will reach the lowermost end of the movable area before the other end 630B located on the side away from the opening 21.

[0164] Thereafter, in the present embodiment, the operator moves the support member 630 further toward the front side.

[0165] Thus, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 become Figure 5 The state shown in (B).

[0166] More specifically, the first protrusion 631 is located at the left end of the lower horizontal portion 641A, and the second protrusion 632 is located at the lower end of the inclined portion 642B.

[0167] Furthermore, at this time, the support member 630 is in the horizontal direction. Incidentally, in this embodiment, when the support member 630 is lowered to the bottom, the support member 630 is in the horizontal direction.

[0168] Here, in the present embodiment, when the support member 630 is lowered, the inclination angle of the support member 630 with respect to the horizontal direction gradually increases, and then the inclination angle of the support member 630 with respect to the horizontal direction gradually decreases.

[0169] And, as mentioned above, the final support member 630 will be in a horizontal direction.

[0170] More specifically, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are Figure 4 The state shown in (B) becomes Figure 5 During the period from the state shown in (A) to the state shown in (A), the inclination angle of the support member 630 with respect to the horizontal direction gradually increases.

[0171] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are Figure 5 The state shown in (A) becomes Figure 5 During the period from the state shown in (B) to the state shown in (B), the inclination angle of the support member 630 with respect to the horizontal direction gradually decreases.

[0172] Furthermore, the supporting member 630 will be in the horizontal direction. Figure 5 In the state shown in (B), the support member 630 will be in the horizontal direction.

[0173] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 are in Figure 5 In the state shown in (B), the support member 630 (reference Figure 1 ) is in a state where one end portion 630A protrudes to the outside of the frame body 20 through the opening 21.

[0174] The operation of each unit after the removal of the paper P is completed will be described.

[0175] In the present embodiment, when the removal of the paper P is completed, the storage container 400 is returned to its original position by the operator. More specifically, when the removal of the paper P is completed, the operator puts the storage container 400 into the housing 20 through the opening 21 .

[0176] Thus, in the present embodiment, the support member 630 in the lowered state receives force from the storage container 400 and moves upward.

[0177] When the container 400 is placed into the frame 20 through the opening 21, the support member 630 (see Figure 1 ) is pressed by the storage container 400 and moves toward the inside of the frame body 20.

[0178] More specifically, Figure 1 Reference numeral 1Z indicates a state in which the one end portion 630A of the supporting member 630 is extended to the outside of the housing 20 .

[0179] In the present embodiment, the one end portion 630A is pressed by the container 400 , so that the support member 630 moves toward the inside of the housing 20 .

[0180] Furthermore, at this time, the support member 630 moves upward by performing an action opposite to the action during the above-mentioned lowering.

[0181] If the supporting member 630 moves upward, the first protrusion 631 and the second protrusion 632 will move in the same direction. Figure 4 The state configuration shown in (B).

[0182] After that, in this embodiment, the user operates an operation lever (not shown) or the like to further push the support member 630 (to move the support member 630 toward Figure 1 The supporting member 630 is moved further to the right side in the middle of the vertical direction to bring the supporting member 630 to the initial state. In other words, the supporting member 630 is brought to the state before starting to descend.

[0183] Figure 6 (A)~ Figure 6 (D) Figure 7 (A)~ Figure 7 (D) is a diagram for explaining another structural example of the guide member 640.

[0184] In this structural example, when the first protrusion 631 descends, the first protrusion 631 moves in the vertical direction.

[0185] Incidentally, in this structural example, Figure 6As shown in (A), the connection portion 641C connecting the upper horizontal portion 641B and the lower horizontal portion 641A extends in the vertical direction, and when the first protrusion 631 descends, the first protrusion 631 moves downward in the vertical direction.

[0186] Furthermore, in this structural example, Figure 7 (A) Figure 7 As shown in (B), after the first protrusion 631 reaches the lowermost end, it can be moved toward the opening 21 (reference Figure 1 ) on one side of the support member 630 (reference Figure 1 ) movement.

[0187] More specifically, in this structural example, when the first protrusion 631 reaches the connection position between the lower horizontal portion 641A and the connection portion 641C (see Figure 7 After (A)), the support member 630 may be moved to the side where the opening 21 is provided.

[0188] Incidentally, in this structural example, the connection portion 641C is along the vertical direction, and when the first protrusion 631 is moving on the connection portion 641C, the support member 630 does not move toward the opening 21 side.

[0189] When the first protrusion 631 reaches the connection portion between the connection portion 641C and the lower horizontal portion 641A, the support member 630 can be moved to the side where the opening 21 is provided.

[0190] To further explain, in this configuration example, after the first protrusion 631 reaches the lowermost end of the connection portion 641C, the first protrusion 631 can move toward the lower horizontal portion 641A.

[0191] Furthermore, at this time, after the first protrusion 631 reaches the lowermost end, the support member 630 may be moved toward the side where the opening 21 is provided.

[0192] In this structural example, since the first protrusion 631 moves in the vertical direction, the inclination angle of the support member 630 increases when the first protrusion 631 reaches the lowermost end compared to the case where the first protrusion 631 moves obliquely downward as described above.

[0193] At this time, the paper P on the supporting member 630 can be easily visually recognized. Incidentally, if the inclination angle of the supporting member 630 is large, the paper P on the supporting member 630 can be easily visually recognized when the paper P is viewed through the opening 21 .

[0194] Here, in Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the present structural example shown in FIG. 1 , when the first protrusion 631 reaches the lowermost end of the connecting portion 641C (see FIG. 1 ), Figure 7 (A)) after the support member 630 (reference Figure 1 ) moves toward the side where the opening 21 is provided, the support member 630 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction. Figure 7 (A)~ Figure 7 When (D) moves along the lower horizontal portion 641A, the support member 630 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0195] To further explain, in this structural example, the first protrusion 631 moves along the straight moving path, that is, the connecting portion 641C (see Figure 6 (C)) move.

[0196] Furthermore, the second protrusion 632 also moves along the linear moving path, that is, the inclined portion 642B (see Figure 6 (C)) move.

[0197] Furthermore, in this structural example, Figure 6 As shown in (C), the inclination angle α of the connection portion 641C relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle β of the inclined portion 642B relative to the horizontal direction.

[0198] Here, in the present embodiment, regarding the “inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction”, when the inclination angle is 90°, the 90° serves as the inclination angle.

[0199] Furthermore, when two angles, namely, an acute angle and an obtuse angle, are available, the acute angle becomes the "inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction".

[0200] In addition, although the description is omitted in the above, Figure 3 The same is true in the structural example shown in Figure 3 In the structural example shown in , the inclination angle α of the connection portion 641C with respect to the horizontal direction is also greater than the inclination angle β of the inclined portion 642B with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0201] (other)

[0202] In the above, when comparing the positions in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, the position of one end 630A of the support member 630 and the position of the first protrusion 631 are offset, and the position of the other end 630B of the support member 630 and the position of the second protrusion 632 are offset.

[0203] Here, these positional relationships are just examples, and in addition to this, for example, the first protrusion 631 may be provided at the one end 630A of the support member 630 , and the second protrusion 632 may be provided at the other end 630B of the support member 630 .

[0204] Furthermore, in the above description, the support member 630 is configured to move toward the opening 21 , but the support member 630 is not necessarily required to move toward the opening 21 , and the support member 630 may not move toward the opening 21 .

[0205] Furthermore, in the above description, the structure in which the lowering of the supporting member 630 is started by moving the supporting member 630 toward the opening 21 has been described as an example.

[0206] It is not limited to this. For example, Figure 8 A fixing mechanism is provided at a portion indicated by reference numeral 8A of the guide member 640 (showing another configuration example of the guide member 640, etc.), and the support member 630 (at the position of the guide member 640) is started by releasing the fixing by the fixing mechanism. Figure 8 (not shown in the figure) decrease.

[0207] The fixing mechanism is constituted by, for example, a rotating member 699 disposed coaxially with the first protrusion 631 and an operating lever member 700 for rotating the rotating member 699 .

[0208] The rotating member 699 is provided with a protrusion 699A that is hooked on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 . When the supporting member 630 is located upward, the protrusion 699A is hooked on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0209] When the operator rotates the rotating member 699 using the operating lever member 700, the protrusion 699A hooked on the main body side is released, and the supporting member 630 is lowered.

[0210] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various modified examples optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A recording material conveying device, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying recording materials; A support member is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and supports the stopped recording material from below, and is arranged to be able to descend, and as it descends, both one end and the other end in the intersecting direction descend, and is inclined in a manner such that the one end is located below the other end; a first guided portion, which is provided on the one end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member is lowered; and The second guided portion is provided on the other end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member is lowered. The first guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The second guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The inclination angle of the movement path along which the first guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the movement path along which the second guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction.

2. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: The frame has an opening on the side and accommodates the transmission unit and the support component. The support member is provided so as to be movable toward a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward a side where the opening is provided, with the one end side being the front side.

3. The recording material conveying device according to claim 2, wherein: The support member is provided so as to be movable in the inclined state toward the intersecting direction and toward the side where the opening is provided.

4. The recording material conveying device according to claim 2, wherein: When the support member is moved in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward the side where the opening is provided, the one end portion of the support member protrudes to the outside of the frame through the opening.

5. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: When the supporting member is lowered, the one end portion starts to lower earlier than the other end portion.

6. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: When the support member is lowered, the inclination angle of the support member with respect to the horizontal direction gradually increases, and then the inclination angle of the support member with respect to the horizontal direction gradually decreases.

7. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: If the support member is lowered to the bottom, the support member will be in a horizontal direction.

8. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: a support portion, supporting the support member from below, By moving the support member in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, the support of the support member by the support portion is released, and the support member can be lowered.

9. The recording material conveying device according to claim 8, further comprising: The frame has an opening on the side and accommodates the transmission unit and the support component. By moving the support member in the intersecting direction to the side where the opening is provided, the support of the support member by the support portion is released.

10. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: The frame has an opening on the side and accommodates the transmission unit and the support component. When a storage container storing recording materials is placed into the housing through the opening, the support member in the lowered state receives a force from the storage container and moves upward.

11. A recording material conveying device comprising: A frame body, with an opening on the side; a conveying unit, which is disposed in the frame and conveys the recording material; A support member is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and supports the stopped recording material from below, and is arranged to be able to descend, and as it descends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction both descend, and the one end located on the opening side begins to descend before the other end located on the side away from the opening; a first guided portion, which is provided on the one end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member is lowered; and The second guided portion is provided on the other end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member is lowered. The first guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The second guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The inclination angle of the movement path along which the first guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the movement path along which the second guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction.

12. The recording material conveying device according to claim 11, wherein: The support member is movable toward a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward a side where the opening is provided, with the one end portion being the front side.

13. The recording material conveying device according to claim 11, wherein: When the first guided portion descends, the first guided portion moves in the vertical direction.

14. A recording material conveying device comprising: A frame body, with an opening on the side; a conveying unit, which is disposed in the frame and conveys the recording material; A support member is arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and supports the stopped recording material from below, and is arranged to be able to descend, and as it descends, one end and the other end in the intersecting direction respectively descend, and the one end located on the opening side reaches the lowest end earlier than the other end located on the side away from the opening; a first guided portion, which is provided on the one end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side of the recording material conveying device when the supporting member is lowered; and The second guided portion is provided on the other end side of the supporting member and is provided to be linked with the supporting member, and is guided by the main body side when the supporting member is lowered. The first guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The second guided portion moves along a linear moving path when descending. The inclination angle of the movement path along which the first guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the movement path along which the second guided portion moves with respect to the horizontal direction.

15. The recording material conveying device according to claim 14, wherein: After the first guided portion reaches the lowermost end, the support member can be moved to a direction intersecting the vertical direction and to a side where the opening is provided. When the support member moves toward the intersecting direction and toward the side where the opening is provided after the first guided portion reaches the lowermost end, the support member is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

16. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material; and a recording material conveying device for conveying the recording material, The recording material conveying device is configured to include the recording material conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images