Transport device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport device and an image forming apparatus. The transport device includes: a transport roller that rotates and transports a recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium in a transport region from one end to the other end in an axial direction; and a guide member that is in contact with the recording medium and guides the leading end of the recording medium toward the transport roller while bending the recording medium. A facing edge, which faces the conveying region, among the edges on the conveying roller side is recessed so as to be separated from the conveying roller from side edges disposed on both sides of the facing edge.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The paper conveying device described in Patent Document 1 is a paper conveying device in which a curved conveying path is provided from a confluence portion where a plurality of conveying paths formed by conveying guides for conveying paper merge toward the downstream side in the paper conveying direction, and the paper conveying device includes a paper guide component extending from a conveying guide located in the center of the confluence portion toward the curved conveying path in the confluence portion, and the paper guide component is configured so that its extended portion does not contact other conveying guides in the confluence portion.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-50096

[0004] A guide member is provided which contacts a recording medium, bends the recording medium and changes the conveying direction of the recording medium to guide the front end of the recording medium toward a conveying roller. In the guide member, an edge on the conveying roller side extends linearly along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole.

[0005] In this structure, when the rear end of the recording medium that is guided and bent by the guide member passes the edge of the guide member, the rear end portion of the recording medium may bounce up, thereby generating a bouncing sound. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to suppress the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the recording medium passes through the edge of the guide component while maintaining the conveying performance of the recording medium, compared to a case where the edge on the conveying roller side of a guide component that guides the recording medium while bending it extends in a straight line along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole.

[0007] The conveying device involved in the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a conveying roller that rotates and clamps a recording medium in a conveying area from one end to the other end in the axial direction and conveys the recording medium; and a guide member that contacts the recording medium and guides the front end of the recording medium toward the conveying roller while bending the recording medium, and an opposing edge on the edge of the conveying roller side that is opposite to the conveying area is recessed in a manner that is separated from the conveying roller compared with side edges respectively arranged on both sides of the opposing edge.

[0008] A conveying device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the first aspect, wherein the opposing edges extend linearly along the axial direction.

[0009] The conveying device involved in the third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the second embodiment, the opening width of the recessed portion formed by separating the opposing edge from the conveying roller compared to the side edge is wider than the opposing edge in the axial direction, thereby the connecting edge connecting the opposing edge and the side edge in the edge is inclined relative to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0010] The conveying device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in any one of the first to third aspects, a distance between one of the side edges and the other side edge is shorter than a width of a minimum size recording medium.

[0011] The conveying device involved in the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the fourth aspect, the guide component has: a curved guide surface for guiding the recording medium; and ribs, which protrude from the guide surface and extend along the conveying direction of the recording medium and are arranged in plurality at intervals in the axial direction, and at least a portion of the ribs are formed within the range of the side edge of a portion through which the recording medium having the smallest dimension in the axial direction passes.

[0012] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a conveying device as described in any one of the first to fifth aspects for conveying a recording medium; and an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying device.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the conveying device involved in the first embodiment of the present invention, compared with the case where the edge of the conveying roller side in the guide member that guides the recording medium while bending it extends in a straight line along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole, it is possible to suppress the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the recording medium passes through the edge of the guide member while maintaining the conveying performance of the recording medium.

[0015] According to the conveying device of the second aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where the maximum separation distance between the opposing edges and the conveying roller is the same and the opposing edges are inclined with respect to the axial direction, it is possible to suppress the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the recording medium passes the edge of the guide member.

[0016] According to the conveying device according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the recording medium, compared with a case where the connecting edge extends in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0017] According to the conveying device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the minimum-sized recording medium can be conveyed in a stable posture compared to a case where the distance between one edge and the other edge is longer than the width of the minimum-sized recording medium.

[0018] According to the conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in conveying performance for a recording medium having a minimum size of corner curl, compared to a case where no rib is formed on the guide surface.

[0019] According to the image forming apparatus involved in the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress abnormal noise during image formation compared to a conveying apparatus having an edge on the conveying roller side of a guide member that guides the recording medium while bending it, and extending linearly along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing a toner image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 (A) and (B) are schematic structural diagrams showing a transmission unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a guide member and the like included in a conveying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 (A), (B), and (C) are process diagrams showing the process of conveying a sheet member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a guide member and the like included in a conveying unit according to a comparative embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 (A), (B), and (C) are process drawings showing a conveying unit according to a comparative embodiment of the present invention and a process of conveying a sheet member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] according to Figure 1 to Figure 7 , an example of a conveying unit and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. In addition, arrow H shown in each figure indicates a vertical direction and an apparatus up-and-down direction, arrow W indicates a horizontal direction and an apparatus width direction, and arrow D indicates a horizontal direction and an apparatus depth direction.

[0029] (Overall Structure of Image Forming Apparatus 10)

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 12 for forming a toner image by electrophotography, and a conveying unit 14 for conveying a sheet member P as a recording medium along a conveying path 16. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a storage unit 18 for storing the sheet member P, and a control unit 28 for controlling the entire apparatus.

[0031] In the image forming apparatus 10, the sheet member P accommodated in the accommodating member 18 is transported by the transporting section 14 along the transporting path 16. Then, the toner image formed by the image forming section 12 is formed on the transported sheet member P, and the sheet member P on which the toner image is formed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus body 10a.

[0032] [Image Forming Unit 12]

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming section 12 includes: a plurality of toner image forming sections 30 for forming toner images of respective colors; and a transfer section 32 for transferring the toner images formed by the toner image forming sections 30 onto a sheet member P. Furthermore, the image forming section 12 includes a fixing device 34 for fixing the toner images transferred onto the sheet member P by the transfer section 32 onto the sheet member P.

[0034] -Toner Image Forming Unit 30-

[0035] A plurality of toner image forming units 30 are provided so as to form toner images for each color. In the present embodiment, toner image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K for a total of four colors, namely yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), Y, M, C, and K added to the symbols are omitted.

[0036] The toner image forming units 30 of the respective colors are basically constructed in the same manner except for the toner used. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the toner image forming unit 30 includes a rotating cylindrical image holding body 40 and a charger 42 for charging the image holding body 40. The toner image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 44 for irradiating the charged image holding body 40 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 46 for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using a developer Z containing toner. Thus, the toner image forming units 30 of each color form images of each color using toners of each color.

[0037] And, if Figure 1As shown in the figure, the image holders 40 of each color are in contact with the transfer belt 50 (described in detail later) that is moving in a circular motion. In addition, in the circular motion direction of the transfer belt 50 (refer to the arrow in the figure), the toner image forming units 30 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) are arranged in order from the upstream side.

[0038] -Transfer unit 32-

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the transfer section 32 includes: a transfer belt 50; and a primary transfer roller 52, which is arranged on the opposite side of the image holder 40 of each color across the transfer belt 50, and transfers the toner image formed on the image holder 40 of each color to the transfer belt 50.

[0040] The transfer section 32 includes a winding roller 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound, a driving roller 58 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and which transmits a rotational force to the transfer belt 50, and a secondary transfer roller 54 which is arranged on the opposite side of the winding roller 56 with the transfer belt 50 interposed therebetween and transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P. A transfer nip NT is formed between the secondary transfer roller 54 and the transfer belt 50 to transfer the toner image to the sheet member P.

[0041] -Fixing device 34-

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the fixing device 34 is disposed downstream of a transfer nip NT in the conveying direction of the sheet member P. The fixing device 34 heats and presses the toner image transferred onto the sheet member P to fix the toner image onto the sheet member P.

[0043] [Transmission unit 14]

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying unit 14 conveys the sheet member P and discharges the sheet member P on which an image is formed to the outside of the apparatus main body 10 a. The conveying unit 14 will be described in detail later.

[0045] (Main structure)

[0046] Next, the conveying unit 14 will be described. The conveying unit 14 is an example of a conveying device.

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, the conveying section 14 includes a delivery roller 20 for delivering the sheet member P accommodated in the accommodating member 18 to the conveying path 16, and a preventing roller 22 for preventing the sheet member P delivered by the delivery roller 20 from being overlapped and conveyed. In addition, the conveying section 14 includes a conveying roller 23 for delivering the sheet member P to the transfer nip portion NT, and a discharge roller 26 for discharging the sheet member P to which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 34 to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a.

[0048] The conveying section 14 includes a conveying roller 24 that delivers the sheet member P to the conveying roller 23 , and a guide member 60 that contacts the sheet member P and guides the leading end of the sheet member P to the conveying roller 24 while bending the sheet member P delivered from the prevention roller 22 .

[0049] -Prevent roller 22-

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the prevention roller 22 is arranged downstream of the delivery roller 20 in the conveying direction of the sheet member P (hereinafter referred to as "sheet conveying direction") and the prevention roller 22 conveys the sheet member P in the device width direction.

[0051] -Transfer roller 24-

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the conveying roller 24 is arranged on the downstream side of the prevention roller 22 in the sheet conveying direction. The conveying roller 24 includes a pair of rollers 36 and 38.

[0053] The roller 36 is configured to include a cylindrical roller portion 36a formed of an elastic material and a cylindrical shaft member 36b formed of a metal material and inserted into the roller portion 36a. Figure 4 As shown, two roller portions 36a are provided at a distance from each other in the depth direction of the device.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the roller 38 is arranged on one side (left side in the figure) in the width direction of the device relative to the roller 36, and is composed of a cylindrical roller portion 38a formed of an elastic material and a cylindrical shaft member 38b formed of a metal material inserted into the roller portion 38a. Figure 4 As shown, two roller portions 38a are provided at intervals in the device depth direction. When viewed from the device width direction, the roller 38 overlaps the roller 36. Thus, the conveying roller 24 is configured so that the roller 38 is driven to rotate and convey the sheet member P in the device vertical direction.

[0055] And, if Figure 4As shown, in the axial depth direction of the device serving as the conveying roller 24, the area from the outer end (one end) of one roller portion 36a, 38a to the outer end (the other end) of the other roller portion 36a, 38a becomes the conveying area R1 which clamps the sheet part P and transmits the conveying force to the sheet part P.

[0056] -Guide member 60-

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the guide member 60 is arranged between the prevention roller 22 and the conveying roller 24 in the sheet conveying direction, and the guide member 60 has a guide surface 62 for guiding the sheet member P and a plurality of ribs 64 formed on the guide surface 62 (see Figure 4 ). In addition, regarding Figure 3 , Figure 5 , rib 64 is omitted.

[0058] The guide surface 62 is curved and Figure 4 As shown, the guide surface 62 is provided with ribs 64 extending in the sheet conveying direction at intervals in the device depth direction. As an example, the height of the ribs 64 is 1 mm.

[0059] Furthermore, in the guide member 60, an edge 66 is formed on the conveying roller 24 side and is separated from the conveying roller 24 in the sheet conveying direction. Furthermore, in the edge 66, an opposing edge 66a that is opposed to the conveying region R1 in the sheet conveying direction is recessed in a manner separated from the conveying roller 24 compared to side edges 66b disposed on both sides of the opposing edge 66a. Thus, a recessed portion 66c is formed in the guide member 60.

[0060] Specifically, the opposing edge 66a and the side edge 66b extend in a straight line in the device depth direction. In addition, a connecting edge 66d connecting the opposing edge 66a and the side edge 66b is formed on the edge 66. In addition, the connecting edge 66d is inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction in such a manner that the opening width (R2 in the figure) of the recess 66c is wider than the opposing edge 66a in the device depth direction.

[0061] Furthermore, the distance L1 between one side edge 66b and the other side edge 66b is greater than the minimum size of the sheet member P ( Figure 4 The width of the "sheet member Pm" shown in the figure is short. Moreover, at least a part of the rib 64 is formed within the range of the side edge 66b of the portion where the sheet member P with the smallest size in the depth direction of the device passes (H1 in the figure). Here, the sheet member P with the smallest size is described in the manual of the conveying unit 14 or the image forming device 10, etc.

[0062] (effect)

[0063] Next, the operation of the transmission unit 14 will be described by comparison with the transmission unit 114 according to the comparative embodiment. First, the structure of the transmission unit 114 according to the comparative embodiment will be described. The transmission unit 114 will be described mainly in terms of the parts that are different from the transmission unit 14 according to the present embodiment.

[0064] like Figure 6 As shown, in the guide member 160 provided in the conveying section 114, an edge 166 is formed on the conveying roller 24 side to face the conveying roller 24 in the sheet conveying direction. The edge 166 extends in a straight line in the device depth direction. The edge 166 overlaps with the side edge 66b of the guide member 60 involved in this embodiment. In other words, the side edge 66b of the guide member 60 overlaps with the edge 166 of the guide member 160.

[0065] First, the function of the conveying unit 114 will be described. The guide member 160 allows the conveying unit 114 to be conveyed from the preventing roller 22 (see Figure 1 ) The sheet member P fed out is bent while the leading end of the sheet member P is guided toward the conveying roller 24.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown in (A), (B), and (C), in the sheet member P that is sandwiched and conveyed by the conveying roller 24, a portion located on the upstream side of the conveying roller 24 in the sheet conveying direction is pressed against the guide surface 62 side of the guide member 160. When the rear end of the sheet member P reaches the edge 166 of the guide member 160, the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the edge 166 of the guide member 160.

[0067] Here, the guide member 160 changes the conveying direction of the sheet member P by bending the sheet member P. Therefore, Figure 7 (B) Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1C , when the rear end of the sheet member P held by the conveying roller 24 in the depth direction of the device is separated from the edge 166 of the guide member 160, the rear end portion of the curved sheet member P extends in the vertical direction and bounces up. In this way, the rear end portion of the sheet member P bounces up, thereby generating a bouncing sound. Here, the bouncing sound refers to the sound when the curved portion of the sheet member P bounces up when the curved sheet member P becomes a straight line when viewed from the width direction. The bouncing sound is particularly loud when thick paper is used as the sheet member P.

[0068] Next, the function of the conveying unit 14 according to the present embodiment will be described. The guide member 60 allows the conveying unit 14 to be conveyed from the preventing roller 22 (see Figure 1 ) The sheet member P fed out is bent while the leading end of the sheet member P is guided toward the conveying roller 24.

[0069] like Figure 5As shown in (A), (B), and (C), in the sheet member P that is sandwiched and conveyed by the conveying roller 24, a portion located on the upstream side of the conveying roller 24 in the sheet conveying direction is pressed against the guide surface 62 side of the guide member 60. When the rear end of the sheet member P reaches the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60, the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60.

[0070] Here, when the rear end of the sheet member P held by the conveying roller 24 in the depth direction of the device is separated from the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60 (refer to Figure 5 (B), (C)), the rear end portion of the bent sheet member P extends in the vertical direction and bounces up. Also, the rear end portion of the sheet member P bounces up, thereby generating a bouncing sound. However, the distance between the clamping portion of the sheet member P held by the conveying roller 24 and the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60 ( Figure 5 (L2) of (C) is greater than the distance between the nip portion of the conveying roller 24 and the edge 166 of the guide member 160 ( Figure 7 (C) The distance L3) becomes longer.

[0071] Therefore, the pressing force of the rear end portion of the sheet member P pressing the guide surface 62 of the guide member 60 when the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the guide member 60 is weaker than the pressing force of the rear end portion of the sheet member P pressing the guide surface 62 of the guide member 160 when the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the guide member 160. As a result, the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the guide member 60 is smaller than the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the sheet member P is separated from the guide member 160.

[0072] Furthermore, the distance L1 between one side edge 66b and the other side edge 66b is shorter than the width of the minimum size sheet member Pm that can be conveyed by the conveying section 14 (refer to Figure 4 ). Therefore, the conveying performance of the guide member 60 that guides the sheet member P sent out from the prevention roller 22 to the conveying roller 24 is equivalent to the conveying performance of the guide member 160 involved in the comparative embodiment. In other words, the conveying performance of the guide member 60 is maintained.

[0073] (Summarize)

[0074] As described above, in the conveying section 14, the opposing edge 66a of the edge 66 on the conveying roller 24 side that is opposed to the conveying region R1 is recessed so as to be separated from the conveying roller 24 compared to the side edges 66b disposed on both sides of the opposing edge 66a. In addition, the side edge 66b of the guide member 60 overlaps with the edge 166 of the guide member 160. Therefore, compared with the conveying section 114 according to the comparative embodiment, the conveying section 14 suppresses the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the sheet member P passes through the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60 while maintaining the conveying performance of the sheet member P.

[0075] Furthermore, in the conveying section 14, the opposing edge 66a extends in a straight line along the axial direction of the conveying roller 24. In other words, the opposing edge 66a extends in a straight line in the device depth direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the maximum separation distance between the conveying roller 24 and the opposing edge is the same as that of the present invention and the opposing edge is inclined with respect to the device depth direction, the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the sheet member P passes through the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60 is suppressed. In other words, compared with the case where the recess is triangular in shape, the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the sheet member P passes through the opposing edge 66a of the guide member 60 is suppressed.

[0076] Furthermore, in the conveying section 14, the opening width of the recess 66c ( Figure 4 The connecting edge 66d connecting the opposite edge 66a and the side edge 66b is inclined relative to the sheet conveying direction in such a manner that the connecting edge 66d is wider than the opposite edge 66a in the device depth direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the connecting edge extends in the sheet conveying direction, the sheet member P being conveyed while contacting the corner formed by the side edge 66b and the connecting edge 66d is prevented from being damaged.

[0077] Furthermore, in the conveying section 14, the distance L1 between one side edge 66b and the other side edge 66b is shorter than the width of the minimum-sized sheet member Pm that can be conveyed by the conveying section 14. Thus, compared with a case where the distance between one edge and the other edge is longer than the width of the minimum-sized sheet member Pm that can be conveyed by the conveying section 14, the minimum-sized sheet member P is conveyed in a stable posture.

[0078] Furthermore, in the conveying section 14, at least a portion of the ribs 64 are formed in a range ( Figure 4 Thus, compared with a case where no rib is formed on the guide surface, a decrease in the conveying performance of the sheet member P with the minimum size of the corner curl is suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 , the abnormal noise during image formation is suppressed compared to the case where the conveying unit 114 according to the comparative embodiment is provided.

[0080] In addition, a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and those skilled in the art will understand that various other embodiments can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the guide member 60 is arranged on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction relative to the prevention roller 22, but it can be arranged at any position as long as it changes the conveying direction of the sheet member P.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conveying roller 24 is a driving roller that transmits a driving force, but may be a driven roller.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the facing edge 66a extends linearly in the device depth direction, but the facing edge may be inclined relative to the device depth direction. However, in this case, the effect exerted by the facing edge being linear is not exerted.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connecting edge 66d is inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction in such a manner that the opening width of the recess 66c is wider than the opposing edge 66a in the device depth direction, but the connecting edge may be not inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction in such a manner that the opening width of the recess is wider than the opposing edge 66a in the device depth direction. However, in this case, the effect exerted by the connecting edge 66d being inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction in such a manner that the opening width of the recess 66c is wider than the opposing edge 66a in the device depth direction is not exerted.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the distance L1 between one side edge 66b and the other side edge 66b is shorter than the width of the sheet member Pm of the smallest size, but the distance L1 may be longer than the width of the sheet member Pm. However, in this case, the effect exerted by the distance L1 being shorter than the width of the sheet member Pm is not exerted. (((1)))

[0086] A conveying device comprising:

[0087] a conveying roller that rotates and holds the recording medium in a conveying area from one end to the other end in the axial direction and conveys the recording medium; and

[0088] A guide member contacts the recording medium, guides the front end of the recording medium toward the conveying roller while bending the recording medium, and an opposing edge on the conveying roller side that is opposite to the conveying area is recessed in a manner that is separated from the conveying roller compared to side edges respectively arranged on both sides of the opposing edge. (((2)))

[0090] The conveying device according to (((1))), wherein:

[0091] The opposing edges extend in a straight line along the axial direction. (((3)))

[0093] The conveying device according to (((2))), wherein:

[0094] The opening width of the recess formed by the opposing edge being separated from the conveying roller compared with the side edge is wider than the opposing edge in the axial direction, whereby the connecting edge connecting the opposing edge and the side edge among the edges is inclined relative to the conveying direction of the recording medium. (((4)))

[0096] The conveying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein:

[0097] The distance between one of the side edges and the other side edge is shorter than the width of the smallest size of the recording medium. (((5)))

[0099] The conveying device according to (((4))), wherein:

[0100] The guide member comprises: a curved guide surface for guiding the recording medium; and a plurality of ribs protruding from the guide surface and extending in the conveying direction of the recording medium and arranged at intervals in the axial direction.

[0101] At least a part of the rib is formed within the range of the side edge of the portion where the recording medium passes and has the smallest dimension in the axial direction. (((6)))

[0103] An image forming device comprising:

[0104] The transmission device described in any one of (((1))) to (((5))) transmits a recording medium; and

[0105] The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium transported by the transport device.

[0106] According to the conveying device involved in (((1))) of the present invention, compared with a case in which the edge on the conveying roller side of a guide member that guides the recording medium while bending it extends in a straight line along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole, it is possible to suppress the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the recording medium passes through the edge of the guide member while maintaining the conveying performance of the recording medium.

[0107] According to the conveying device involved in (((2))) of the present invention, the bouncing sound generated when the rear end of the recording medium passes the edge of the guide member can be suppressed compared to the case where the maximum separation distance between the opposing edges and the conveying roller is the same and the opposing edges are inclined relative to the axial direction.

[0108] According to the conveying device according to (((3))) of the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the recording medium, compared with a case where the connecting edge extends in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0109] According to the conveying device involved in (((4))) of the present invention, the minimum-sized recording medium can be conveyed in a stable posture compared to a case where the distance between one edge and the other edge is longer than the width of the minimum-sized recording medium.

[0110] According to the conveying device according to (((5))) of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in conveying performance for a recording medium having a minimum size of corner curl, compared to a case where no rib is formed on the guide surface.

[0111] According to the image forming apparatus involved in (((6))) of the present invention, it is possible to suppress abnormal noise during image formation, compared with a conveying apparatus having an edge on the conveying roller side of a guide member that guides the recording medium while bending it, and extending linearly along the axial direction of the conveying roller as a whole.

[0112] 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 variations optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

[0113] Explanation of symbols

[0114] 10-image forming device, 12-image forming portion, 14-transport portion (an example of a transport device), 24-transport roller, 60-guide member, 62-guide surface, 64-rib, 66-edge, 66a-opposing edge, 66b-side edge, 66c-recessed portion, 66d-connecting edge.

Claims

1. A conveying device comprising: a conveying roller that rotates and holds the recording medium in a conveying area from one end to the other end in the axial direction and conveys the recording medium; and A guide member contacts the recording medium, guides the front end of the recording medium toward the conveying roller while bending the recording medium, and an opposing edge on the conveying roller side that is opposite to the conveying area is recessed in a manner that is separated from the conveying roller compared to side edges respectively arranged on both sides of the opposing edge.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The opposing edges extend in a straight line along the axial direction.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein: The opening width of the recess formed by the opposing edge being separated from the conveying roller compared with the side edge is wider than the opposing edge in the axial direction, whereby the connecting edge connecting the opposing edge and the side edge among the edges is inclined relative to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

4. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The distance between one of the side edges and the other side edge is shorter than the width of the smallest size of the recording medium.

5. The conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The guide member comprises: a curved guide surface for guiding the recording medium; and a plurality of ribs protruding from the guide surface and extending in the conveying direction of the recording medium and arranged at intervals in the axial direction. At least a part of the rib is formed within the range of the side edge of the portion where the recording medium passes and has the smallest dimension in the axial direction.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising: The transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which transmits a recording medium; and The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium transported by the transport device.

Images