Sheet feeding device and imaging device

Abstract

A sheet feeding device and an imaging device. The sheet feeding device includes: an opening / closing unit including a stacking portion; a moving unit including a feed roller and a moving member supporting the feed roller; a pressing portion; and a transmitting portion configured to transmit a pressing force of the pressing portion to the moving member. The opening / closing unit is configured to press and move the moving unit in the second direction against the pressing force when the opening / closing unit moves from an open position to a closed position. The force received by the opening / closing unit from the moving unit when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position is less than a maximum force received by the opening / closing unit from the moving unit when the opening / closing unit is pressed by the pressing portion in the first direction when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device configured to feed a sheet and an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet. Background Art

[0002] Some imaging devices, such as printers, copiers, and multifunction printers, are equipped with a manual tray-type sheet feeding device (also known as a multipurpose sheet feeding device) configured to feed sheets serving as recording materials from a stacking tray provided on a side surface of the device body. This type of sheet feeding device employs a structure that uses a lifting member that moves and supports a pickup roller or feed roller to bring the pickup roller into contact with and out of contact with the sheets on the stacking tray. The lifting member is configured to transport the sheets off the stacking tray. The lifting member is urged downward in the direction of movement by a spring member or the like, causing the pickup roller to contact the sheets with a predetermined pressing force, and is controlled by a cam mechanism or the like.

[0003] Incidentally, although the manual tray type stacking tray is housed in an opening / closing unit that can be opened relative to the side surface of the device body, when the stacking tray is not in use, the opening / closing unit is closed, allowing the stacking tray to be stored within the device body. Furthermore, the lifting member must have a certain length to ensure that the pickup roller can stably contact and separate from the sheet material through the swinging operation of the lifting member. Therefore, in the manual tray type configuration, when the opening / closing unit is closed, this lifting member and pickup roller, which have a certain length, are stored within the device body.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-222457 discloses that, when the tray is open, a lift plate and a pickup roller are positioned protruding from the outside of the side surface of the device body, and are stored in the side surface of the device body in conjunction with the tray closing operation. In this case, when the tray contacts the pickup roller and pushes the pickup roller upward in conjunction with the tray closing operation, the lift plate and pickup roller move toward the device body.

[0005] However, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-222457, when the tray is closed, the pickup roller is lifted upward against the urging force of the pressure spring, which presses the lift plate downward. This urging force of the pressure spring presses the tray against the pickup roller. Because the pressure spring's deformation is greatest when the tray is closed, the force with which the pickup roller presses the tray is also greatest when the tray is closed. Therefore, if the pressure caused by the pressure spring continues to act on the tray for an extended period, such as in a high-temperature environment, the tray may experience creep deformation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing deformation of an opening unit.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding device includes: an opening / closing unit, the opening / closing unit including a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked, and the opening / closing unit is configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position relative to a device body of the sheet feeding device; a moving unit including a feed roller configured to feed sheets and a moving member supporting the feed roller, the moving member being movable relative to the stacking portion in a first direction in which the feed roller approaches the stacking portion and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a pushing portion; and a transferring portion configured to The pushing force of the pushing portion is transmitted to the movable member to push the movable member along the first direction; wherein the opening / closing unit is configured to press and move the movable unit along the second direction against the pushing force when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position, and wherein the force received by the opening / closing unit from the movable unit when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position is less than the maximum force received by the opening / closing unit from the movable unit pushed by the pushing portion along the first direction when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding device comprises: an opening / closing unit, wherein the opening / closing unit includes a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked and is configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position relative to a device body of the sheet feeding device; a moving unit, wherein the moving unit includes a feed roller configured to feed sheets and a moving member supporting the feed roller, wherein the moving member is movable relative to the stacking portion along a first direction in which the feed roller approaches the stacking portion and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a pushing portion; a transmitting portion, wherein the transmitting portion is configured to transmit the pushing force of the pushing portion to the moving member to push the moving member along the first direction; and a limiting member, wherein the limiting member is configured to move between a limiting position and a releasing position, wherein in the limiting position the limiting member contacts the transmitting portion to limit the movement of the transmitting portion The cam is moved in a direction of rotation from the center of the stacking portion to the center of the stacking portion, wherein the limiting member is retracted from the limiting position in the release position, and wherein the opening / closing unit is configured to press and move the moving unit in the second direction against the pushing force when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position, wherein when the opening / closing unit is in the open position and the transmission part is in contact with the limiting member located in the limiting position, the feed roller is configured to be in a position separated from the stacking portion, wherein when the opening / closing unit is in a position between the open position and the closed position, the moving unit is configured to contact the opening / closing unit, and the transmission part is configured to push the moving member in the first direction, and wherein when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the transmission part is configured to push the moving member in the second direction.

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the sheet feeding device of the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a diagram illustrating the operation of the swing arm of the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 1 is another diagram illustrating the operation of the swing arm of the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the door unit and the swing arm of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which the door unit of the embodiment is in an open position.

[0016] Figure 7 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which the door unit of the embodiment is moving from an open position to a closed position.

[0017] Figure 8 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which the door unit of the embodiment is in a closed position.

[0018] Figure 9 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which the door unit of the embodiment is moving from a closed position to an open position.

[0019] Figure 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a sheet feeding device of a comparative example.

[0020] Figure 10B is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a sheet feeding device of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] An embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 : is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the laser beam printer used as the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment. The overall configuration and functions of the imaging device 1 will be described below. The imaging part 1B is installed in the device body 1A of the imaging device 1 as an imaging unit, and in the imaging part 1B, four process cartridges PY, PM, PC and PK are arranged roughly in the horizontal direction, that is, in a straight-line structure or a series-type structure. Even if the color of the colorant stored as the developer is different, the structures of the process cartridges PY to PK are basically the same as each other. Each of the process cartridges PY to PK of the present embodiment is a unit in which a photosensitive drum 11 used as an image bearing member or an electronic photographic photosensitive member and a processing member (such as a developing roller 12) acting on the photosensitive drum 11 are assembled as a whole. The process cartridges PY to PK are each configured to be attachable to and detachable from the device body 1A.

[0023] The laser scanner 2 is provided above the process cartridges PY to PK, and the intermediate transfer belt unit 20 is provided below the process cartridges PY to PK. In the intermediate transfer belt unit 20, an intermediate transfer belt 21 serving as an intermediate transfer member is stretched by a driving roller 22, a driven roller 23, and a tension roller 24, and is Figure 1The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of each process cartridge PY to PK is in contact with the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. Four primary transfer rollers 25 are arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 21 so as to face the photosensitive drum 11 of each process cartridge PY to PK. The secondary transfer roller 26 is in contact with the drive roller 22 through the intermediate transfer belt 21. The fixing unit 30 and the discharge unit 40 are arranged in the upper part of the device body 1A. The discharge tray 43 is provided on the upper surface of the device body 1A. The fixing unit 30 includes a fixing film 31 having a heater substrate therein and a pressure roller 32 that is in pressure contact with the heater substrate through the fixing film 31. The discharge unit 40 includes a discharge roller 41 and a discharge roller 42.

[0024] When the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation, the photosensitive drum 11 rotates and the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged. Based on image information, i.e., print data, received from an external device, the laser scanner 2 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by scanning and exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with a laser beam. These electrostatic latent images are visualized (i.e., developed) as toner images by the developing roller 12.

[0025] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the primary transfer roller 25. At this time, the toner images formed in the respective process cartridges PY to PK are multiply transferred so as to be superimposed on one another to form a full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21. This toner image is carried by the intermediate transfer belt 21 and conveyed to the secondary transfer portion, which is the nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 26.

[0026] In parallel with the operation of the above-described image forming section 1B, a sheet S serving as a recording material is fed from the sheet feeding device 50 or 70 toward the image forming section 1B. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a storage tray type sheet feeding device 50 and a manual tray type sheet feeding device 70. Note that as the sheet S, various sheets having different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper sheets including ordinary sheets and thick sheets, plastic films, cloth, sheet materials such as coated sheets on which surface treatment has been applied, and sheet materials of special shapes such as envelopes and index sheets.

[0027] The storage tray type sheet feeding device 50 includes sheets S stacked in a storage tray 51 that is installed so as to be pull-out relative to the apparatus body 1A, and a feeding unit including a pickup roller 52, a conveying roller 53, and a separating roller 54. The pickup roller 52 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheets S stacked in the storage tray 51 and rotates to move the sheets S along the storage tray 51. Figure 1The sheet S is fed in the left direction in the direction of the conveying roller 53. The conveying roller 53 further conveys the sheet S received from the pickup roller 52. The separation roller 54 contacts the conveying roller 53 to form a separation nip, and separates the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 53 from other sheets S by applying a frictional force to the sheet passing through the separation nip. Next, the leading edge of the sheet S conveyed from the conveying roller 53 is caused to abut against the nip portion between the conveying roller 61 d and the conveying roller 62 d of the conveying roller pair 60 (i.e., the registration roller pair) in a stopped state to correct the skew of the sheet S.

[0028] The manual tray type sheet feeding device 70 is provided on one side of the apparatus main body 1A. Figure 1 on the right side surface in . The sheets S stacked on the stacking tray 81 of the door unit 80 are fed one by one. The specific configuration of the sheet feeding device 70 will be described later. The sheet S fed from the sheet feeding device 70 is conveyed toward the conveying roller pair 60 by the conveying rollers 61a, 61b, 61c, and 61d and the conveying rollers 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d. Then, the leading edge of the sheet S is brought into contact with the clamping portion of the conveying roller pair 60 in a stopped state to correct the skew of the sheet S. The operation performed by the imaging device 1 on the sheet after the sheet S reaches the clamping portion of the conveying roller pair 60 is basically the same as that in the case where the sheet S is fed from the sheet feeding device 50.

[0029] After the skew of the sheet S is corrected, the transport roller pair 60 begins transporting the sheet S, with timing synchronized with the operation of the imaging section 1B, to transport the sheet S to the secondary transfer section. The toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S in the secondary transfer section. The sheet S, to which the toner image has been transferred, is sent to the fixing unit 30, where the toner image is fixed to the sheet S by heat and pressure at the nip between the fixing film 31 and the pressure roller 32. Thereafter, the sheet S is discharged from the apparatus main body 1A by the discharge drive roller 41 and the discharge driven roller 42, and is stacked on the discharge tray 43.

[0030] The image forming section 1B is an example of an image forming unit, and a direct transfer type electrophotographic mechanism that directly transfers a toner image formed on an image bearing member onto a sheet may also be used. Furthermore, not only an electrophotographic type but also an inkjet type printing unit or an offset printing mechanism may be used as the image forming unit.

[0031] Configuration and operation of manual feed tray type sheet feeding device

[0032] Next, the configuration and feeding operation of the manual tray type sheet feeding device 70 of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 : is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the sheet feeding device 70. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the sheet feeding device 70 includes a stacking tray 81 supported by a door unit 80 and a feeding unit, wherein the feeding unit includes a pickup roller 71, a conveying roller 72, a separation roller 73, and a swing arm 74 serving as a lifting arm or a moving arm. The door unit 80 serves as an opening / closing unit of this embodiment, and is configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position (or a storage position) relative to the device body 1A. The stacking tray 81 serves as a stacking portion of this embodiment. The pickup roller 71 serves as a feeding roller of this embodiment. The swing arm 74 serves as a swing member, i.e., a lifting member or a moving member, of this embodiment. Note that the device body of the sheet feeding device refers to a housing that openably supports the opening / closing unit, and the device body 1A of the imaging device 1 is the device body of the sheet feeding device 70 in this embodiment. That is, the sheet feeding device 70 may include the device body 1A.

[0033] The pickup roller 71 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheets S stacked on the stack tray 81, and rotates to feed the sheet in the sheet feeding direction, that is, Figure 1 The sheet S is conveyed in the left direction in the direction of the conveying roller 71. The conveying roller 72 further conveys the sheet S received from the pickup roller 71. The separation roller 73 contacts the conveying roller 72 to form a separation nip, and separates the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 72 from other sheets S by applying a friction force to the sheet passing through the separation nip. Thereafter, as described above, the sheet S is conveyed toward the conveying roller pair 60 to be supplied to the image forming section 1B.

[0034] Note that the separation roller 73 is, for example, a roller member connected to a shaft fixed to the frame member of the apparatus body 1A via a torque limiter. Alternatively, a roller to which a driving force in a direction opposite to the rotation of the conveying roller 72 is input may be used as the separation member. A pad-like friction member may also be used as the separation member.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the feed roller shaft 72a supporting the conveying roller 72 is provided with Figure 1The device body 1A shown is rotatably supported by a bearing portion. The roller shaft supporting the pickup roller 71 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 74. The swing arm 74 is swingably (i.e., movable or pivotally) arranged about the feed roller shaft 72a and raises and lowers the pickup roller 71 relative to the sheet S on the stacking tray 81. This arrangement allows the pickup roller 71 to be moved between a feed position (i.e., a lower position in which the pickup roller 71 contacts the sheet S) and a separation position (i.e., an upper position in which the pickup roller 71 separates from the sheet S). In other words, the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74 are movable relative to the device body 1A and the stacking tray 81. Specifically, when the stacking tray 81 is stopped at a predetermined position relative to the device body 1A, the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74 move relative to the stacking tray 81 and the device body 1A. The portion including the swing arm 74 and the pickup roller 71 will be referred to as a moving unit. In other words, the swing arm 74 and the pickup roller 71 are part of the moving unit.

[0036] The position of the swing arm 74 corresponding to the feed position of the pickup roller 71 and the position of the swing arm 74 corresponding to the separation position of the pickup roller 71 will be described below as the feed position and separation position of the swing arm 74, respectively. Note that the lifting and lowering operations of the swing arm 74 are controlled by the lifting control mechanism described later.

[0037] Roller drive structure

[0038] The driving structure of the sheet feeding device 70 will be described below. Figure 2 As shown, the sheet feeding device 70 is provided with a partially toothless gear 91, which is rotated by the driving force provided by the motor provided in the device body 1A as a driving source. The sheet feeding device 70 also includes an input gear 72b, an output gear 72c, and a pickup gear 71a that rotates integrally with the pickup roller 71. The conveying roller 72, the feed roller shaft 72a, the input gear 72b, and the output gear 72c are coaxially arranged and configured to rotate integrally. The partially toothless gear 91 is connected to the input gear 72b via an idler gear 92. The output gear 72c is also connected to the pickup gear 71a via an idler gear 93. The idler gear 93 and the pickup gear 71a are supported by the swing arm 74.

[0039] When the partially toothless gear 91 rotates, its rotation is transmitted to the input gear 72b via the idler gear 92, causing the output gear 72c and the conveyor roller 72 to rotate. When the pickup gear 71a, located at the end of the pickup roller 71, rotates via the idler gear 93, which is connected to and driven by the output gear 72c, the pickup roller 71 also rotates. Note that the partially toothless gear 91 is a gear unit in which two spur gears, each having a partially toothless gear portion, overlap and are configured so that their rotation can be controlled by an unillustrated electromagnetic solenoid. The partially toothless gear 91 is stopped by an unillustrated restriction portion and is moved by the electromagnetic solenoid with the toothless portion facing the gear rotated by the motor. One of the spur gears in the partially toothless gear 91 is urged toward the unillustrated gear. Whenever a trigger is input to the electromagnetic solenoid and the gear portion of the urged spur gear engages with the unillustrated gear, the restriction portion moves. When one of the spur gears rotates, the other rotates, and its gear portion engages with the unillustrated gear. Then, the partially toothless gear 91 rotates once, and the conveying roller 72 and the pickup roller 71 rotate by the rotation of the partially toothless gear 91. The restriction portion restricts the partially toothless gear 91 again so that the partially toothless gear 91 stops after rotating once.

[0040] Raise and lower control mechanism

[0041] Next, we will refer to Figures 2 to 4 The configuration of the lifting and lowering control mechanism for lifting and lowering the pickup roller 71 is described. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The figure shows the direction of rotation of the pickup roller 71 (ie, the direction of the clamping width of the separation clamping portion or the sheet width direction, see FIG. Figure 2 ) is a schematic diagram of a portion of the sheet feeding device 70 when viewed. Figure 3 The pickup roller 71 is shown in a state where it is in a separated position, and Figure 4 A state in which the pickup roller 71 is located at the feeding position is shown.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the sheet feeding device 70 includes a cam 77 serving as a restricting member, a pressing spring 76, and a pressing lever 75 serving as a lifting / lowering mechanism. The cam 77 is provided coaxially with the partially toothless gear 91 and rotates together with the partially toothless gear 91.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the pressure lever 75 serving as the transmission portion or transmission member of the present embodiment is supported by the device body 1A and is capable of pivoting around an axis portion 75a that is substantially parallel to the feed roller shaft 72a. In other words, the pressure lever 75 is capable of pivoting around an axis different from the axis A1, which is the center line of the feed roller shaft 72a and is also the swing axis of the swing arm 74. The pivot axis of the pressure lever 75 is substantially parallel to the axis A1. The pressure lever 75 includes a cam contact portion 75b and an arm contact portion 75c, the cam contact portion being in contact with the cam surface (i.e., the outer peripheral surface) of the cam 77, and the arm contact portion being in contact with the protruding portion 74a that is the contact portion of the swing arm 74. The pressure lever 75 is configured to be arranged along a direction as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The cam 77 is configured to swing (i.e., move) in the directions D1 and D2 shown. The cam 77 is configured to move between a restricted position, where it restricts the position of the pressure lever 75, which is urged by the pressure spring 76, and a released position, where it retracts or retreats from the restricted position, i.e., releases the restricted position. In this embodiment, when the cam 77 is in the released position, it is separated from the cam contact portion 75b of the pressure lever 75.

[0044] Note that the arm contact portion 75c of the pressing lever 75 includes a first surface C1 and a second surface C2, both of which are in contact with the protruding portion 74a of the swing arm 74 (see FIG. Figure 6 ). Operations of the first surface C1 and the second surface C2 will be described later.

[0045] The pressurizing spring 76 serving as the pressing portion or the pressing member of this embodiment has a function of pressing the swing arm 74 to the feeding position via the pressurizing lever 75 by pressing the pressurizing lever 75 in a predetermined pivot direction. In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring attached around the shaft portion 75a of the pressurizing lever 75 serves as the pressurizing spring 76. One end portion 76a of the pressurizing spring 76 is attached to the spring hook portion 101, and the other end portion 76b is attached to the spring hook portion 75d of the pressurizing lever 75. The pressurizing spring 76 generates a force in the D1 direction (i.e., Figure 3 The pressing spring 76 generates a force to rotate the pressing lever 75 in a direction in which the cam contact portion 75b of the pressing lever 75 approaches the cam 77.

[0046] Of the swing directions of the swing arm 74, the swing direction (i.e., the first direction) along which the pickup roller 71 moves from the separation position (i.e., lowered) to the feed position will hereinafter be referred to as the E1 direction. The swing direction (i.e., the second direction opposite to the first direction) along which the pickup roller 71 moves from the feed position (i.e., raised) to the separation position will be referred to as the E2 direction. In other words, the E1 direction is the direction in which the pickup roller 71 approaches the stacking tray 81, and the E2 direction is the direction in which the pickup roller 71 moves away from the stacking tray 81 and separates therefrom.

[0047] Before starting the sheet feeding operation, the door unit 80 is located at the open position, and the cam 77 is located at the restricting position. Figure 3 As shown, before the sheet feeding operation is started, the pickup roller 71 is maintained in the separated position and is spaced apart from the stacking tray 81 and the sheet S. In this state, the cam 77 contacts the pressure rod 75 at point P1, and the pressure rod 75 contacts the swing arm 74 at point P2, so that the position of the swing arm 74 is maintained. That is, the cam 77 holds (or grabs) the pressure rod 75 pushed in the D1 direction by the pressure spring 76 by contacting the cam contact portion 75b of the pressure rod 75 at point P1, so that the pressure rod 75 is held. In addition, the swing arm 74 is pushed in the E2 direction by a swing arm pushing spring (i.e., a deadweight elimination spring) not shown. In this state, the protruding portion 74a of the swing arm 74 is in contact with the arm contact portion 75c (i.e., the deadweight elimination spring) of the pressure rod 75. Figure 6 The first surface C1) contacts the swing arm 74 so that the swing arm 74 is in the separated position.

[0048] Note that the force of the swing arm pressing spring is set to a value slightly larger than the force by which the swing arm 74 attempts to pivot in the E1 direction due to the weight of the swing arm 74 itself and the weight of the member supporting the swing arm 74. The moment in the E2 direction acting on the swing arm 74 is sufficiently smaller than the maximum value of the moment in the E1 direction applied to the swing arm 74 by the pressurizing spring 76. Therefore, when the pressurizing rod 75 is in contact with the cam 77 at point P1, the pressurizing rod 75 will not be moved. Figure 3 The swing arm 74 is pivoted in the direction D2 and the swing arm 74 is held in the position against the urging force of the swing arm urging spring. Figure 3 Because the pickup roller 71 is thus held in the separated position, the user can easily place the sheet S on the stack tray 81.

[0049] When the sheet S is fed, the door unit 80 is located at the open position, and the cam 77 is located at the release position, so that the cam 77 is separated from the pressing lever 75. In this state, the pressing lever 75 pushes the swing arm 74 in the E1 direction. Figure 4As shown, when the sheet feeding operation starts, the pickup roller 71 moves from the separation position to the feeding position and contacts the sheet S on the stacking tray 81. That is, when the sheet feeding operation starts, as described above, when the trigger is input to the electromagnetic solenoid, the part of the toothless gear 91 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) starts to rotate. Then, the cam 77 and the part of the toothless gear 91 are rotated together. Figure 4 The pressing rod 75 rotates clockwise in the middle, and the cam surface of the cam 77 retreats from the cam contact portion 75b of the pressing rod 75. Then, the pressing rod 75 is pushed in the direction D1 (i.e. Figure 4 As the pressure lever 75 pivots in the direction D1, the protruding portion 74a of the swing arm 74 is moved by the arm contact portion 75c (i.e., by the Figure 6 The first surface C1 in the sheet S is pressed, causing the swing arm 74 to swing in the direction E1. Then, when the pickup roller 71 contacts the sheet S, the swing arm 74 stops swinging in the direction E1. During the swinging of the swing arm 74 in the direction E1, the cam surface of the cam 77 separates from the pressure lever 75.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, when the pickup roller 71 is in contact with the sheet S, the pressing lever 75 is urged in the direction D1 by the urging force of the pressing spring 76, and the arm contact portion 75c of the pressing lever 75 (i.e., the first surface C1) contacts the protruding portion 74a of the swing arm 74 at point P2. The swing arm 74 is urged in the direction E1, and the force of the pressing lever 75 pressing the swing arm 74 generates a pressing force at point P3, which brings the pickup roller 71 into contact with the sheet S. In other words, because the urging force of the pressing spring 76, which serves as the urging portion, is transmitted to the swing arm 74, which serves as the lifting member, via the pressing lever 75, which serves as the transmitting portion, sufficient feeding pressure is ensured for the pickup roller 71 (i.e., the feed roller). Note that the moment in the direction E2 exerted on the swing arm 74 by the swing arm urging spring is smaller than the moment in the direction E1 exerted on the swing arm 74 by the pressing spring 76. The urging force of the pressurizing spring 76 is set so that the pickup roller 71 can come into contact with S with sufficient pressure against the urging force of the swing arm urging spring.

[0051] In parallel with the movement of the pickup roller 71 to the feeding position, the pickup roller 71 and the conveying roller 72 rotate as the drive is transmitted through the above-mentioned gear train, and a sheet S is fed from the stacking tray 81. Thereafter, the cam 77 contacts the pressure lever 75 again, and the pressure lever 75 pivots in the D2 direction. The swing arm 74 swings in the E2 direction by the force of the swing arm push spring, and the pickup roller 71 returns from the feeding position to the separation position. Therefore, the pressure lever 75 serving as the transmission portion is configured to move the moving member (i.e., the swing arm 74) in a first direction (i.e., in the E1 direction) as the cam 77 rotates, so that the feed roller (i.e., the pickup roller 71) contacts the sheet on the stacking portion, and then moves the moving member in a second direction (i.e., in the E2 direction) so that the feed roller is separated from the sheet on the stacking portion. Then, when the cam 77 completes its rotation, the sheet feeding device 70 returns to the position as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The status shown.

[0052] Door unit

[0053] The following will refer to Figures 5 to 9 The opening and closing operations of the door unit 80 of the present embodiment and the operation of the swing arm 74 associated with the operation of the door unit 80 are described. Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the door unit 80 and the swing arm 74 .

[0054] The door unit 80 serving as the opening / closing unit of the present embodiment includes a stacking tray 81, a door member 82, a cover member 83, and a door link 84. The stacking tray 81 is configured to move together with the door member 82 and to move relative to the apparatus body 1A in association with the opening and closing operations of the door member 82. The stacking tray 81 includes a width regulating member 85 configured to regulate the sheet width direction position of the sheet S, and the stacking tray 81 is supported by the door member 82. The door member 82 rotates or pivots around a fulcrum 82a supported by the apparatus body 1A (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 The rotation axis of the door member 82 is substantially parallel to the swing axis of the swing arm 74. The movement direction of the width control member 85 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the door member 82. As described below, the stacking tray 81 functions as a displacement member (i.e., a pressing member) to move the swing arm 74 of the moving unit in the E2 direction when the door unit 80 (i.e., the door member 82) is closed.

[0055] Cover member 83 functions as a shifting member to move the swing arm 74 of the moving unit in the E1 direction when door unit 80 is opened (i.e., door member 82 is opened). When door unit 80 is closed, i.e., when door member 82 is closed, stacking tray 81 is located upstream of pickup roller 71 in the direction of movement of door unit 80 (i.e., the direction of movement of door member 82). Stacking tray 81 is also located upstream of pickup roller 71 in the direction of E2. When door unit 80 is opened, i.e., when door member 82 is opened, cover member 83 is located upstream of pickup roller 71 in the direction of movement of door unit 80 (i.e., the direction of movement of door member 82). Cover member 83 is located upstream of pickup roller 71 in the direction of E1.

[0056] When the door unit 80 is opened to Figure 1 In the state of the predetermined open position shown, the stacking tray 81, the door member 82 and the cover member 83 protrude to the outside of the side surface 1S of the device body 1A. In addition, in the state where the door unit 80 is opened to the open position, the swing arm 74 and the pickup roller 71 protrude to the outside of the side surface 1S of the device body 1A. In the state where the door unit 80 is in the open position, the stacking tray 81 is exposed and allows the sheets S to be stacked on the stacking tray 81. In this state, the sheet feeding device 70 can feed the sheets S from the stacking tray 81. At the same time, when the door unit 80 is moved to the closed position, the stacking tray 81, the cover member 83, the pickup roller 71 and others are stored inside the device body 1A, that is, in the space fixed between the door member 82 and the device body 1A. That is, when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the stacking tray 81 is stored between the door member 82 (that is, a part of the door unit 80) and the device body 1A. The closed position (or storage position) of the door unit 80 is the door member 82 from Figure 1 The open position in Figure 1 counterclockwise position.

[0057] When the door unit 80 is in the closed position, in this embodiment, the outer surface of the door member 82, i.e. Figure 1 , forms the side surface of the imaging device 1 together with the side surface 1S of the device body 1A. Furthermore, with the door unit 80 in the closed position, in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the door member 82 is parallel to the side surface 1S of the device body 1A. When the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the position of the door member 82 is referred to as the closed position of the door member 82, and when the door unit 80 is in the open position, the position of the door member 82 is referred to as the open position of the door member 82. In the present embodiment, when the door unit 80 is in the closed position and the door member 82 is in the closed position, the outer surface of the door member 82 is positioned flush with the side surface 1S of the device body 1A. Figure 1It will be appreciated that when the door unit 80 is in the open position, relative to the closed position of the door member 82, at least a portion of the cover member 83, at least a portion of the swing arm 74, and the pickup roller 71 are located outside the apparatus body 1A.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, when viewed from above in the gravity direction, the cover member 83 is provided to cover at least a portion or preferably all of the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74. The cover member 83 rotates around a fulcrum 83a supported by the apparatus body 1A.

[0059] Each door link 84 includes a link shaft 84b and a guide groove 84c to connect the door member 82 and the cover member 83. Specifically, the link shaft 84b engages with the guide groove 82b of the door member 82, and the guide groove 84c engages with the link shaft 83b of the cover member 83. In addition, each door link 84 rotates around a fulcrum 84a supported by the device body 1A. When the door member 82 rotates, the link shaft 84b slides within the guide groove 82b, causing the door link 84 to rotate in conjunction with the door member 82. In addition, as the door link 84 rotates, the link shaft 83b slides within the guide groove 82b, causing the cover member 83 to rotate in conjunction with the door link 84. In other words, the cover member 83 rotates in conjunction with the door member 82. In short, each door link 84 acts as a link member to move the cover member 83 in conjunction with the door member 82.

[0060] The door link 84 and the supporting points 82a, 83a, etc. are arranged on both sides of the sheet width direction, even if a part of them is Figure 5 In addition, the following description uses Figures 6 to 8 The width control member 85 is omitted.

[0061] Operation of closing door unit

[0062] The following will refer to Figures 6 to 8 The operation of closing or storing the door unit 80 is described. Figures 6 to 8 Each is a side view when the sheet feeding device 70 is viewed in the sheet width direction (ie, in the rotation axis direction X of the pickup roller 71 ). Figure 6 The door unit 80 is shown in the open position. When no sheet feeding operation is being performed, the pickup roller 71 is in the separated position, and the cam 77 is subjected to the urging force of the pressure spring 76 at point P1, as described above. When the user grasps the door member 82 and pushes the door unit 80 upward, the door member 82 pivots upward about the fulcrum 82a, and the stacking tray 81 approaches the pickup roller 71.

[0063] The door unit 80 is configured to press the pickup roller 71 of the moving unit against the urging force of the pressing lever 75 when moving from the open position to the closed position, so that the swing arm 74 swings in the E2 direction. Figure 7 The following state is shown: the pickup roller 71 contacts the stacking tray 81 at point P3, and when the user pushes the door unit 80 further upward, the swing arm 74 starts to swing upward from the separation position. In this state, the door unit 80 is located between the open position and the closed position, and the pickup roller 71 of the moving unit contacts the door unit 80. Then, the pressure lever 75 pushes the swing arm 74 in the E1 direction. Because the pickup roller 71 is pressed by the stacking tray 81 of the door unit 80, the swing arm 74 pivots in the E2 direction. The swing arm 74 contacts the first surface C1 of the arm contact portion 75c, causing the pressure lever 75 to pivot in the D2 direction. Then, the pressure lever 75 separates from the cam 77, and the pressure spring 76 (see Figure 6 ) acts on the swing arm 74 through the first surface C1 as a force resisting the pivoting of the swing arm 74 in the E2 direction. In other words, the swing arm 74 receives the pushing force of the pressure spring 76 through the first surface C1 of the pressure lever 75 as a force resisting the pivoting of the swing arm 74 in the E2 direction, that is, as a force pushing the swing arm 74 in the E1 direction. Note that the door unit 80 may be configured to press a portion of the moving unit other than the pickup roller 71, such as the swing arm 74. Furthermore, the door unit 80 may be configured so that a portion other than the stacking tray 81 in the door unit 80 (e.g., the door member 82) presses the moving unit.

[0064] Since the swing arm 74 is urged in the direction E1 by the urging force of the pressure spring 76, the pickup roller 71 supported by the swing arm 74 pushes back the stacking tray 81 at the point P3 in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the door unit 80. That is, in the process of closing the door unit 80, the force f of the urging force of the pressure spring 76, which presses the door unit 80 in the opening direction, is applied to the door unit 80 via the pressure lever 75, the swing arm 74, and the pickup roller 71.

[0065] Figure 8 The door unit 80 is shown in a state where it has been moved to the closed position. In the state where the door unit 80 is kept in the closed position, the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74 of the moving unit are located at positions separated from the door unit 80. Figure 7After the position shown is moved, and before the door unit 80 reaches the closed position, the contact position between the pressure lever 75 and the swing arm 74 changes from the first surface C1 to the second surface C2. The second surface C2 is formed so that the swing arm 74 is urged in the direction E2 by the urging force of the pressure spring 76, with this urging force being transmitted to the swing arm 74 via the second surface C2. When the swing arm 74 is urged in the direction E2, it contacts the cover member 83, and the door unit 80 is urged toward the closed position. The swing arm 74 presses the cover member 83 until it contacts the stopper 102, described later. While the door unit 80 remains in the closed position, the swing arm 74 receives the urging force of the pressure spring 76 via the second surface C2 of the pressure lever 75 as a force urging the swing arm 74 in the direction E2.

[0066] Here, when viewed along the swing axis direction of the swing arm 74, the second surface C2 extends at an angle different from the first surface C1. The change in the direction of the urging force of the pressure spring 76 acting on the swing arm 74 along with the closing operation (or storage operation) of the door unit 80 can be expressed as follows. That is, when viewed along the direction of the axis A1 as the swing axis of the swing arm 74, in the state showing the state in the middle of the closing operation Figure 7 In the state of the door unit 80 reaching the closed position, the normal vector of the first surface C1 in contact with the swing arm 74 passes through one side of the axis A1. Figure 8 In this state, the normal vector of the second surface C2 in contact with the swing arm 74 passes through the other side of the axis A1. In other words, when the swing arm 74 is in contact with the first surface C1, the pressure lever 75 pushes the swing arm 74 in the direction E1. When the swing arm 74 is in contact with the second surface C2, the pressure lever 75 pushes the swing arm 74 in the direction E2.

[0067] Therefore, by changing the contact position of the swing arm 74 and the pressing rod 75 in association with the closing operation of the door unit 80, the direction in which the urging force of the pressing spring 76 acts on the swing axis of the swing arm 74 changes. As a result, during the closing operation of the door unit 80, the door unit 80 receives the force f from the swing arm 74 via the pickup roller 71 (see FIG. Figure 7 ). On the contrary, when the door unit 80 is in the closed position (see Figure 8 ), the pickup roller 71 is separated from the door unit 80, and the door unit 80 does not receive a force in the opening direction from the swing arm 74. That is, the force received by the door unit 80 from the moving unit in a state where the door unit 80 is in the closed position is smaller than the maximum value of the force f received by the door unit 80 from the moving unit during the closing operation of the door unit 80.

[0068] Note that when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the pickup roller 71 is separated from the stacking tray 81. Furthermore, when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74 are also separated from the cover member 83. Note that when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the movable unit can contact the cover member 83. The device body 1A is provided with a stopper 102 that restricts the swing arm 74 from pivoting in the direction E2. Because the swing arm 74 contacts the stopper 102 at point P4 when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the swing arm 74 is positioned so that a gap G is fixed between the pickup roller 71 and the stacking tray 81. In other words, when the door unit 80 is in the closed position, the stopper 102 provided on the device body 1A is subjected to the urging force of the pressure spring 76. Since the stopper 102 holds (or catches) the swing arm 74 , it may be arranged so that the urging force of the swing arm 74 acts on the stopper 102 , and so that no urging force acts on the cover member 83 .

[0069] Operation of opening door unit

[0070] Next, the operation of opening the door unit 80 will be described. Figure 9 The process of opening the door unit 80 is shown. Figure 8 When the door unit 80 is in the closed position shown, the cover member 83 is also rotated downward via the door link 84 in conjunction with this operation. Then, when the cover member 83 contacts the swing arm 74 at point P5, the swing arm 74 pivots in the direction E1 about the axis A1. When the door unit 80 is in the closed position, as described above, the swing arm 74 contacts the second surface C2 of the pressure lever 75 and is urged in the direction E2 by the urging force of the pressure spring 76. Therefore, the swing arm 74, pressed by the cover member 83, begins to swing in the direction E1 against the urging force of the pressure spring 76 in the direction E2. Thus, the door link 84 and the cover member 83 function as a linkage mechanism that causes the swing arm 74 to swing in the direction E1 in conjunction with the opening operation of the door unit 80.

[0071] If the swing arm 74 swings a certain amount, the contact position of the swing arm 74 and the pressing rod 75 changes from the second surface C2 to the first surface C1, as shown in FIG. Figure 9 When the swing arm 74 contacts the pressing lever 75 on the first surface C1, the swing arm 74 rotates in the E1 direction and separates from the cover member 83, and the pressing lever 75 rotates in the D1 direction and contacts the cam 77. Then, the swing arm 74 moves to the separation position, and the sheet feeding device 70 returns to the position shown in FIG. Figure 6In the state shown. In the state in which the swing arm 74 is in contact with the first surface C1 of the pressing lever 75, the urging force of the pressing spring 76 acts as a force to rotate the swing arm 74 in the E1 direction. Therefore, by opening the door unit 80 to the open position, the sheet feeding device 70 is placed in the following state in which the swing arm 74 can perform the sheet feeding operation of raising and lowering the pickup roller 71 as the cam 77 rotates, as described above with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As stated.

[0072] Note that the cover member 83 and the swing arm 74 are configured so as not to come into contact even if the swing arm 74 is lifted with the door unit 80 in the open position (see FIG. Figure 6 ). Therefore, even if the swing arm 74 is lifted when feeding the sheet, no hitting sound is generated by the swing arm 74 and the cover member 83. In addition, the cover member 83 does not act on the swing arm 74 during the process of moving the door unit 80 from the open position to the closed position.

[0073] Advantages of this embodiment

[0074] The advantages of this embodiment will be described below. Figure 10A and 10B The difference between the comparative example and the present embodiment is that the swing arm 174 is directly pushed by the pressure spring 176. Figure 10A As shown, the pressure spring 176 is directly connected to the swing arm 174 and applies an urging force to the swing arm 174 in the direction E1 around the axis A1. When the door unit 180 is in the open position and the sheet feeding operation is not performed, the protruding portion 174a of the swing arm 174 contacts the cam 177, and the urging force of the pressure spring 176 is received by the cam 177, so that the swing arm 174 is maintained in the separated position.

[0075] When the user lifts the door unit 180 from the open position to the closed position, the swing arm 174 swings in the direction E2 because the stacking tray 181 of the door unit 180 contacts the pickup roller 171. Figure 10B As shown in FIG. At this time, as swing arm 174 swings in the E2 direction and the contact pressure between pickup roller 171 and stacking tray 181 increases, the deformation of pressurizing spring 176 also increases. As a result, when door unit 180 is in the closed position, the force f' applied from swing arm 174 to door unit 180, pressing door unit 180 in the opening direction, reaches a maximum value.

[0076] When door unit 180 is stored in a closed position, this force f' may cause creep deformation in the components of door unit 180. Because door unit 180 is kept in a closed position, minimizing the external shape of imaging device 1 in its typical packaging for shipping products, there is concern about creep deformation in the packaged state. In addition to the aforementioned force f', the packaged imaging device 1 is susceptible to creep deformation if left in a high-temperature environment for extended periods.

[0077] The rigidity of an opening / closing unit such as door unit 180 is generally low compared to the rigidity of the apparatus body. This is because, while high-strength members are often used as the frame members of apparatus body 1A, the door unit, as an openable structure, is often subject to limitations in terms of size reduction and weight reduction in terms of the materials and dimensions of the members used for the door unit. Therefore, if, in the comparative example described above, door unit 180 is constructed of a highly rigid member so as not to deform, this results in increased cost and size of the imaging apparatus.

[0078] In contrast, according to this embodiment, as described above, the contact position between the pressing lever 75 and the swing arm 74 changes during the movement of the door unit 80 from the open position to the closed position. Consequently, the force received by the door unit 80 from the swing arm 74 when the door unit 80 is in the closed position is smaller than the maximum value of the force f received by the door unit 80 from the swing arm 74 during the closing operation of the door unit 80. This arrangement suppresses deformation of the door unit 80, for which it is difficult to ensure a higher rigidity than that of the device body 1A. Furthermore, it suppresses the door unit 80 from being opened against the user's intention by the force acting on it from the moving unit.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in a state where the door unit 80 is located at the closed position, the urging force of the pressurizing spring 76 transmitted to the swing arm 74 via the pressurizing rod 75 is released by the stopper 102 (see FIG. Figure 8 ) is carried or received. By ensuring a high rigidity of the device main body side structure, by receiving the pushing force of the pressure spring 76, it is possible to suppress the door unit 80 from generating creep deformation, which would otherwise be caused by the pushing force of the pressure spring 76 in the packaged state.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the swing arm 74 is arranged to be moved to the separated position by means of the cover member 83 connected to the door unit 80 when the door unit 80 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Unlike a storage tray-type sheet feeding device, a manual tray-type sheet feeding device is generally provided in a position exposed to the outside of the imaging device body. Therefore, the raising and lowering operation of the swing arm 74 when feeding sheets is visible to the user, and there is a possibility that the user may accidentally touch the swing arm 74. Because the cover member 83 of the present embodiment is provided so as to cover the swing arm 74 and the pickup roller 71 from above, in addition to the above-mentioned operation, such inadvertent touching by the user can be reduced by making it difficult to see the raising and lowering operation of the swing arm 74 when feeding sheets.

[0081] Modify the example

[0082] Note that according to this embodiment, when door unit 80 remains in the closed position, pressure spring 76 pushes swing arm 74 in direction E2 rather than direction E1, and door unit 80 receives no force from swing arm 74; that is, the force received by door unit 80 from swing arm 74 is zero. However, another configuration may be employed, as long as the force received by door unit 80 from swing arm 74 when door unit 80 remains in the closed position is less than the maximum force f received by door unit 80 from swing arm 74 during the closing operation of door unit 80. In other words, even if door unit 80 remains in the closed position and pickup roller 71 contacts door unit 80, this is permitted if the pushing force of pickup roller 71 is sufficiently less than the maximum force f. For example, even if door unit 80 remains in the closed position, pressure lever 75 pushes swing arm 74 in direction E1 due to the pushing force of pressure spring 76, this is permitted if the pushing force is sufficiently less than the maximum force f.

[0083] Note that the pickup roller 71 and the swing arm 74 can come into contact with the cover member 83 and, while the door unit 80 is held in the closed position, can push the cover member 83 in the direction in which the door unit 80 is closed. In this case, it is preferably arranged so that a portion of the device body 1A comes into contact with the cover member 83, so that the cover member 83 is held by the device body 1A. This arrangement makes it possible to suppress the door unit 80 from being opened by the force received from the moving unit. In this case, the pushing force received by the cover member 83 is preferably less than the maximum value of the force f received by the door unit 80 from the swing arm 74 during the closing operation of the door unit 80.

[0084] Furthermore, in addition to the torsion coil spring, a tension spring, a compression spring, a leaf spring, or the like may be used as the pressurizing spring 76 as the urging portion so as to generate a force similar to that of the pressurizing spring 76. The urging portion may also be formed integrally with the pressurizing rod 75. For example, a leaf spring formed integrally with the pressurizing rod 75 may be used as the urging portion.

[0085] Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described so that the stopper 102 (see FIG. Figure 8 ) bears the pushing force of the pressurizing spring 76, but it can be arranged so that the pushing force of the pressurizing spring 76 is borne by the cam 77. That is, in the case of omitting the stopper 102, the pressurizing rod 75 is Figure 8 The position shown is slightly pivoted in the direction D1 and contacts the cam 77. Since the urging force of the pressure spring 76 pressing the pressure lever 75 in the direction D1 is received by the cam 77 in this state, the urging force of the pressure spring 76 is not transmitted to the swing arm 74. That is, when the opening / closing unit (i.e., the door unit 80) is in the closed position, the restricting member (i.e., the cam 77) rather than the stopper 102 which is part of the device body holds the transmitting portion (i.e., the pressure lever 75).

[0086] Furthermore, although the stack tray 81 is a component integrated with the door member 82 in the present embodiment, the stack tray 81 may be configured to move relative to a frame member of an opening / closing unit such as the door member 82 .

[0087] Furthermore, the member that pushes up the swing arm 74 when the door unit 80 moves from the open position to the closed position is not limited to the stacking tray 81, and a portion of the door unit 80, such as the door member 82, may push up the swing arm 74. Furthermore, the present embodiment has been arranged so that a portion of the door unit 80 contacts the pickup roller 71 to push up the swing arm 74. However, the portion of the door unit 80 may be arranged so as to contact the swing arm 74 or another member integrated with the swing arm 74 to push up the swing arm 74.

[0088] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the door unit 80 moves from the closed position to the open position, the swing arm 74 is connected to the door unit 80 via a mechanism including the door link 84 and the cover member 83, but another connection structure may be used. For example, it may be arranged so that the swing arm 74 is connected to one end of the link member and the door unit 80 is connected to the other end of the link member, so as to connect the swing arm 74 to the opening operation of the door unit 80.

[0089] Other embodiments

[0090] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet feeding device comprising: an opening / closing unit including a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked and configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position relative to an apparatus main body of the sheet feeding apparatus; a moving unit including a feed roller configured to feed a sheet and a moving member supporting the feed roller, the moving member being movable relative to the stacking portion in a first direction in which the feed roller approaches the stacking portion and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; Pushing part; as well as a transmitting portion configured to transmit the urging force of the urging portion to the moving member to urge the moving member in the first direction; wherein the opening / closing unit is configured to press and move the moving unit in the second direction against the urging force when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position, and wherein when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position, the direction in which the movable member is pushed by the transmission part changes, and the transmission part is configured to push the movable member along the second direction when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, so that when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the force received by the opening / closing unit from the movable unit is less than the maximum force received by the opening / closing unit from the movable unit pushed by the pushing part along the first direction when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position. 2 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein in a state in which the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the moving member and the feeding roller are located at positions separated from the opening / closing unit. 3 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , further comprising a stopper provided in the device body and configured to contact and hold the moving member urged in the second direction in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the closed position.

4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 further includes a limiting member, which is configured to move between a limiting position and a release position, wherein the limiting member contacts the transfer part to limit the movement of the transfer part in the limiting position, and the limiting member retracts from the limiting position in the release position. 5 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 4 , wherein the transmitting portion is configured to urge the moving member in the first direction in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the open position and the restricting member is in the released position.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4 , wherein the restricting member is a cam configured to rotate and move the transmitting portion by a driving force supplied from a driving source in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the open position, and The transfer portion is configured to move the moving member in the first direction as the cam rotates to bring the feed roller into contact with the sheet on the stacking portion, and then move the moving member in the second direction to separate the feed roller from the sheet on the stacking portion.

7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , further comprising a restriction member configured to move between a restriction position in which the restriction member contacts the transfer portion to restrict movement of the transfer portion and a release position in which the restriction member is separated from the transfer portion; wherein the transmitting portion is configured to push the moving member in the first direction when the opening / closing unit is in the open position and the restricting member is in the release position, and wherein in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the transmitting portion is held by the restricting member.

8. A sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer portion includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacts the moving member when the opening / closing unit is in the open position, and the second surface contacts the moving member when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position.

9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the moving member is configured to swing in the first direction and the second direction relative to the stacking portion, and When viewed in the direction of the swing axis of the moving member, the angle of the first surface is different from the angle of the second surface. 10 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the moving member is configured to swing in the first direction and the second direction relative to the stacking portion. 11 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the moving member is configured to move in the second direction by contacting the feed roller with the stacking portion as the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position.

12. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the stacking portion is configured to be exposed when the opening / closing unit is in the open position and to be stored between a portion of the opening / closing unit and the device body when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position.

13. A sheet feeding device comprising: an opening / closing unit including a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked and configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position relative to an apparatus main body of the sheet feeding apparatus; a moving unit including a feed roller configured to feed a sheet and a moving member supporting the feed roller, the moving member being movable relative to the stacking portion in a first direction in which the feed roller approaches the stacking portion and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; Pushing part; a transmitting portion configured to transmit the urging force of the urging portion to the moving member to urge the moving member in the first direction; as well as a restricting member configured to move between a restricting position in which the restricting member contacts the transmitting portion to restrict movement of the transmitting portion and a releasing position in which the restricting member is retracted from the restricting position, and wherein the opening / closing unit is configured to press and move the moving unit in the second direction against the urging force when the opening / closing unit moves from the open position to the closed position, wherein the feed roller is configured to be in a position separated from the stacking portion in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the open position and the transfer portion is in contact with the restriction member located in the restriction position, wherein the moving unit is configured to contact the opening / closing unit in a state where the opening / closing unit is in a position between the opening position and the closing position, and the transmitting portion is configured to push the moving member in the first direction, and wherein in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the transmitting portion is configured to push the moving member in the second direction. 14 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 13 , wherein the transmitting portion is configured to press the moving member in the first direction in a state where the opening / closing unit is at the open position and the transmitting portion is in contact with the restricting member at the restricting position. 15 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 13 , wherein the moving member is held by the device body in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the closed position. 16 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 13 , wherein the transmitting portion is held by the restricting member in a state where the opening / closing unit is in the closed position. 17 . The sheet feeding device according to claim 13 , wherein in a state in which the opening / closing unit is in the closed position, the moving unit is in a position separated from the opening / closing unit.

18. An imaging device comprising: The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 17; as well as An image forming unit is configured to form an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding device.

Images