Conveying device

Abstract

Provided is a transport device capable of suppressing the occurrence of defects caused by electrostatic adsorption of a recording medium while suppressing the occurrence of condensation in a transport path portion. The conveyance device includes: a conveyance path portion that conveys a recording medium on which an image is fixed by a fixing portion; a guide plate which is provided in the conveyance path portion and guides conveyance of the recording medium; a heat insulating material attached to the guide plate; and a conductive resin sheet provided so as to sandwich the heat insulating material between the conductive resin sheet and the guide plate, the resin sheet being grounded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses equipped with a fixing unit, condensation sometimes occurs in the guide section of the transport path because the recording medium is at a high temperature immediately after fixing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which an insulating sheet is adhered to the upper structure of the transport path, and a PET film is cantilevered and supported on the insulating sheet. In this structure, the insulating sheet is used to suppress condensation, and the PET film is used to reduce the frictional resistance of the recording medium.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-91382 Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, the recording medium may electrostatically adhere to the PET film. Therefore, due to this electrostatic adhesion, the transport resistance of the recording medium may increase, potentially leading to defects such as blockage or wrinkles in the recording medium.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a conveying device that can suppress condensation in the conveying path while also suppressing defects caused by electrostatic adsorption of the recording medium.

[0007] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, a conveying device reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises:

[0008] The transport path section transports the recording medium through which the image has been fixed by the fixing section;

[0009] A guide plate is disposed on the transport path section to guide the transport of the recording medium;

[0010] Insulating material, installed on the guide plate; and

[0011] A conductive resin sheet is configured to sandwich the insulating material between itself and the guide plate.

[0012] The resin sheet is grounded.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation in the transport path section while suppressing the occurrence of defects caused by electrostatic adsorption of the recording medium. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the overall structure of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the main parts of the control system of the image forming apparatus.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the guide section from below.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a picture of the guide section viewed from the side.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the guide section involved in the modified example from below.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the guide section involved in the modified example from below. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the overall structure of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the main parts of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color image forming apparatus that utilizes an intermediate transfer method of electrophotographic technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image by transferring the toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) formed on the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one step, overlapping the four toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421, and then transferring them a second time to the paper S (recording medium) fed from the paper tray units 51a-51c.

[0022] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 adopts the following series connection method: photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to the four colors YMCK are arranged in series in the travel direction of the intermediate transfer belt 421, and the toner images of each color are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one process.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper conveying unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and a control unit 101. The image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the "conveyor" of the present invention.

[0024] The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 103, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104. The CPU 102 reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 103 and deploys it in the RAM 104, and centrally controls the operation of each module of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the deployed program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 106 are referenced. The storage unit 106 is, for example, composed of non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) and / or hard disk drive.

[0025] The control unit 101, via the communication unit 105, performs various data transmissions and receptions with external devices (e.g., personal computers) connected to communication networks such as LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks). For example, the control unit 101 receives image data (input image data) sent from an external device and forms an image onto paper S based on this image data. The communication unit 105 is, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the image reading unit 10 is configured to include an automatic original document feeding device 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and an original image scanning device 12 (scanner), etc.

[0027] The automatic document feeding device 11 feeds the original document D, which is placed on the document tray, to the document image scanning device 12 by a conveying mechanism. The automatic document feeding device 11 can continuously read images (including both sides) of multiple original documents D placed on the document tray at once.

[0028] The original document image scanning device 12 optically scans the original document being transported to the contact glass from the automatic original document feeder 11 or placed on the contact glass, causing reflected light from the original document to form an image on the light-receiving surface of the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 12a, thus reading the original document image. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result of the original document image scanning device 12. The image processing unit 30 performs predetermined image processing on the input image data.

[0029] like Figure 2As shown, the operation display unit 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as both the display unit 21 and the operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, and the operation status of various functions according to the display control signals input from the control unit 101. The operation unit 22 has various operation keys such as numeric keys and a start key, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 101 based on various input operations performed by the user.

[0030] The image processing unit 30 includes circuitry for performing digital image processing corresponding to initial settings or user settings. For example, under the control of the control unit 101, the image processing unit 30 performs grayscale correction based on grayscale correction data (grayscale correction table). In addition to grayscale correction, the image processing unit 30 also performs various correction processes such as color correction and brightness correction, as well as compression processing. Based on the image data after these processing steps, the image forming unit 40 is controlled. Details regarding the image processing unit 30 will be described later.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming unit 40 forms an image onto the paper S according to the printing operation settings. The image forming unit 40 includes image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and intermediate transfer unit 42 for forming an image based on input image data using toners with Y, M, C, and K components.

[0032] The image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K used for the Y, M, C, and K components have the same structure. For ease of illustration and explanation, common components are represented by the same symbol; when distinguishing individual components, the symbol is modified by adding Y, M, C, or K. Figure 1 In this paper, only the constituent elements of the image forming unit 41Y used for the Y component are marked with symbols, while the constituent elements of other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K are omitted.

[0033] The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photosensitive drum 413, a charging device 414, and a drum cleaning device 415.

[0034] The photosensitive drum 413 is, for example, composed of an organic photosensitive material on which a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal substrate.

[0035] The control unit 101 controls the drive current supplied to the drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photosensitive drum 413, thereby causing the photosensitive drum 413 to rotate at a certain circumferential speed.

[0036] The charged device 414 is, for example, a charged charger, which causes the surface of the photoconductive drum 413 to be uniformly charged to a negative polarity by generating a corona discharge.

[0037] Exposure apparatus 411, for example, is composed of a semiconductor laser, which irradiates the photosensitive drum 413 with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component. As a result, in the image area of ​​the irradiated laser on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed due to the potential difference with the background area.

[0038] The developing apparatus 412 is a two-component reverse rotation developing apparatus that forms a toner image by making the electrostatic latent image visible by having the developer of each color component adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 413.

[0039] A developing bias voltage, for example, with the same polarity as the charged device 414, is applied to the developing apparatus 412, or an AC voltage with the same polarity as the charged device 414 is superimposed on a DC voltage. As a result, flipping development is performed, causing the toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure apparatus 411.

[0040] The drum cleaning device 415 has a flat drum cleaning scraper made of an elastomer that abuts against the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 to remove toner residues on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 that were not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0041] The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, multiple support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, and a cleaning device 426.

[0042] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is composed of a ring-shaped belt, which is supported by a plurality of support rollers 423. At least one of the support rollers 423 is a drive roller, and the others are driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that the roller 423A, which is arranged further downstream in the belt travel direction than the primary transfer roller 422 used for component K, is the drive roller. As a result, it is easy to keep the belt travel speed in the primary transfer section constant. By rotating the drive roller 423A, the intermediate transfer belt 421 travels at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A.

[0043] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is a conductive and elastic belt with a high-resistance layer on its surface. The intermediate transfer belt 421 is driven to rotate according to a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0044] The primary transfer roller 422 and the photosensitive drums 413 for each color component are disposed opposite each other on the inner circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 421. By clamping the intermediate transfer belt 421, the primary transfer roller 422 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 413, thereby forming a primary transfer clamping part for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0045] The secondary transfer roller 424 and the support roller 423B, which are located downstream of the drive roller 423A in the belt travel direction, are disposed opposite each other on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421. By clamping the intermediate transfer belt 421 and pressing the secondary transfer roller 424 against the support roller 423B, a secondary transfer clamping part for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the paper S is formed.

[0046] As the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer clamp, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 413 is sequentially and overlappingly transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one pass. Specifically, by applying a transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 422 and imparting a charge of opposite polarity to the toner to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 421, i.e., the side that abuts against the primary transfer roller 422, the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0047] Subsequently, as the paper S passes through the secondary transfer clamping section, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is transferred a second time to the paper S. Specifically, by applying a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 424 and imparting a charge of opposite polarity to the toner to the back side of the paper S, i.e., the side that abuts against the secondary transfer roller 424, the toner image is electrostatically transferred to the paper S. The paper S with the transferred toner image is then conveyed toward the fixing section 60.

[0048] The cleaning device 426 removes residual toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer.

[0049] The fixing unit 60 includes: an upper fixing unit 60A having a fixing surface-side member disposed on the fixing surface of the paper S, i.e., the side where the toner image is formed; a lower fixing unit 60B having a back-side support member disposed on the back side of the paper S, i.e., the side opposite to the fixing surface; and a heating source, etc. By pressing the back-side support member onto the fixing surface-side member, a fixing clamping unit for holding and conveying the paper S is formed.

[0050] The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image onto the paper S by heating and pressing the paper S, which is being transported and transferred with a secondary toner image, using a fixing clamp. The fixing unit 60 is configured as a unit within the fixing unit.

[0051] The upper fixing section 60A has an annular fixing belt 61, a heating roller 62, and a fixing roller 63, which are fixing surface side components. The fixing belt 61 is supported by the heating roller 62 and the fixing roller 63.

[0052] The lower fixing section 60B has a pressure roller 64 that serves as a back-side support member. The pressure roller 64 forms a fixing clamping section between itself and the fixing belt 61 to hold and transport the paper S.

[0053] The paper conveying unit 50 includes a paper supply unit 51, a paper discharge unit 52, and a conveying path unit 53. In the three paper supply tray units 51a to 51c that constitute the paper supply unit 51, paper S (standard paper, special paper) identified according to its basis weight, size, etc. are stored according to each type preset.

[0054] The conveying path section 53 has multiple conveying roller pairs such as blocking roller pair 53a, and a normal conveying path 53b that allows the paper S to pass through the image forming section 40 and the fixing section 60 and be discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0055] The sheets of paper S, contained in the paper supply tray units 51a-51c, are fed out one by one from the top and transported to the image forming unit 40 via the transport path 53. In the image forming unit 40, the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 is transferred a second time onto one side of the sheet of paper S, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 60. The sheet of paper S with the formed image is discharged outside the device via the paper discharge section 52 equipped with the paper discharge roller 52a.

[0056] Additionally, the transport path 53 has a retransport path 90 that flips the back of the paper S and retransports it toward the image forming unit 41 (fixing unit 60). The retransport path 90 is provided, for example, below the normal transport path 53b, and has a first path 91, a second path 92, and a third path 93.

[0057] The first path 91 is a path that branches off from the normal transport path 53b on the downstream side of the fixing section 60, for example, extending downward from the branch point with the normal transport path 53b.

[0058] The second path 92 is used to transport the paper S after the back is flipped to the image forming unit 41. It is connected to the first path 91 and the third path 93, and is connected to the upstream side of the image forming unit 41.

[0059] The third path 93 is used to flip the back of the paper S. The third path 93 is connected to the first path 91 and the second path 92 and extends in the horizontal direction. In the re-transfer path 90, the paper S transported in the first path 91 is transferred into the third path 93, thereby flipping the back of the paper S. Then, the paper S is transferred from the third path 93 into the second path 92, thereby re-transferring the back-flipped paper S toward the image forming unit 41 (fixing unit 60).

[0060] In the third path 93, there is an abutting roller 94, a delivery roller 95, and a guide section 200.

[0061] The abutment roller 94 is a roller used to abut the top of the paper S to correct the tilt of the paper S being transported to the third path 93. The abutment roller 94 is positioned horizontally in the third path 93 on the side of the connection portion towards the second path 92.

[0062] The feed roller 95 is used to feed the paper S, which has been transported to the third path 93, toward the fixing unit 60 and onto the second path 92. The feed roller 95 is positioned horizontally in the third path 93 on the side opposite to the connection portion to the second path 92.

[0063] The guide section 200 is a part that guides the transport of the paper S and is provided in the area where the abutment roller 94 and the feed roller 95 are arranged. The guide section 200 is located in the third path 93 at a position opposite to the non-image side (back side) of the paper S, for example, at the upper wall of the third path 93.

[0064] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the guide section 200 includes a guide plate 210, a heat insulation material 220, and a resin sheet 230.

[0065] The guide plate 210 is a guide component for conveying the paper S, and is configured to guide the entire width of the paper S (e.g., a width wider than the width of the paper S) in the width direction of the paper S. The guide plate 210 is made of metal, for example, and is grounded by connecting to a grounding terminal (not shown) or the like.

[0066] The insulation material 220 is a material used to prevent condensation caused by the temperature difference between the paper S and the guide plate 210. It is, for example, a rectangular sheet component made of non-woven fabric. The insulation material 220 is attached to the guide plate 210, for example, via adhesive tape (not shown).

[0067] The paper S, having just passed through the fixing clamp of the fixing section 60, becomes hot due to the high temperature of the fixing clamp. Therefore, condensation may occur due to the temperature difference between the paper S and the space between the path and the path. In particular, condensation is more likely to occur when the paper S remains in the path, such as in the third path 93 of the re-transfer path 90.

[0068] In this embodiment, an insulating material 220 is provided in the guide portion 200 of the third path 93, so the above-mentioned condensation can be suppressed.

[0069] The resin sheet 230 is a component used to suppress the frictional resistance of the paper S being guided in the guide portion 200. For example, it is a rectangular sheet component made of a conductive synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene). The resin sheet 230 is disposed on the surface of the guide portion 200 such that it sandwiches the heat-insulating material 220 between itself and the guide plate 210, and is disposed integrally in the width direction of the guide plate 210.

[0070] Furthermore, if the guide plate 210 is equipped with other components (e.g., feed roller 95, sensor), the resin sheet 230 may also have an opening in an area corresponding to a portion of the other components.

[0071] The resin sheet 230 is larger than the insulation material 220 and is configured to cover the entire insulation material 220. The portion of the resin sheet 230 that is outside the area corresponding to the insulation material 220 (the exposed portion relative to the insulation material 220) is bonded to the guide plate 210 using a conductive adhesive. That is, the resin sheet 230 is configured to contact the guide plate 210. As described above, the guide plate 210 is grounded, therefore the resin sheet 230 is also grounded.

[0072] Furthermore, when the resin sheet is configured in a non-contact state with the guide plate, i.e., in an ungrounded state, the paper may electrostatically adhere to the resin sheet. When the paper electrostatically adheres to the resin sheet, the conveying resistance increases, potentially leading to blockages, paper wrinkles, and other defects.

[0073] In this embodiment, the resin sheet 230 is grounded, thus preventing the paper S from electrostatically adsorbing onto the resin sheet 230. As a result, the aforementioned defects can be suppressed.

[0074] That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation in the transport path section 53 while suppressing the occurrence of defects caused by electrostatic adsorption of the paper S.

[0075] Furthermore, the resin sheet 230 is bonded to the guide plate 210, thereby grounding the resin sheet 230 and enabling a simple method for grounding it. As a result, the structure of the guide section 200 can be simplified.

[0076] Furthermore, since the resin sheet 230 is arranged to cover the insulation material 220, it is ensured that the resin sheet 230 adheres to the area of ​​the guide plate 210. As a result, the resin sheet 230 is prevented from peeling off from or floating from the guide plate 210, thus ensuring adequate grounding. Additionally, by preventing the insulation material 220 from contacting the paper S, the contact between the insulation material 220 and the paper S, which have relatively high frictional resistance, is avoided, thereby reducing the impact of frictional resistance.

[0077] Furthermore, since the resin sheet 230 is disposed throughout the width direction of the guide plate 210, electrostatic adsorption of the paper S within the entire width direction of the guide plate 210 can be suppressed. For example, in the case of a structure where the resin sheet is disposed in a portion of the width direction of the guide plate, if paper larger than the resin sheet is conveyed, the portion of the paper exposed from the resin sheet may be affected by electrostatic adsorption. In this embodiment, since the resin sheet 230 is disposed throughout the width direction of the guide plate 210, electrostatic adsorption can be suppressed regardless of the size of the paper being conveyed.

[0078] Furthermore, the re-transfer path 90 is the path through which the high-temperature paper S remains after passing through the fixing clamp of the fixing section 60, making it prone to condensation and electrostatic adsorption. In this embodiment, a guide section 200 is provided in the re-transfer path 90 where these problems are prone to occur, thus effectively suppressing the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems.

[0079] Furthermore, since the guide section 200 is located on the upper wall of the re-transfer path 90 (third path 93), the resin sheet 230 can be rapidly heated by the warm water vapor rising from the paper S. As a result, condensation in the guide section 200 is less likely to occur.

[0080] Furthermore, the guide portion 200 is located within the area where the contact roller 94 and the feed roller 95 are arranged. Therefore, the guide portion 200 is arranged in situations where the paper S is prone to loosening and the resin sheet 230 and the paper S are prone to contact. That is, by arranging the guide portion 200 at the location where the paper S and the resin sheet 230 are prone to electrostatic adsorption, the electrostatic adsorption of the paper S onto the resin sheet 230 can be effectively suppressed.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the resin sheet 230 is composed of a single sheet component that corresponds entirely to the guide plate 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the resin sheet 230 may also be composed of multiple sheet components.

[0082] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, multiple resin sheets 230 can also be arranged in the width direction. Two resin sheets 230 adjacent to each other in the width direction are arranged with gaps between them. The length of the gap in the width direction is, for example, 15 mm or less, and can be arbitrarily set to a length that prevents the paper S from entering the gap and directly contacting the guide plate 210, etc.

[0083] Therefore, unevenness can be formed on the conveying surface of the guide section 200, thus reducing the overall contact area with the paper S. As a result, electrostatic adsorption of the paper S onto the resin sheet 230 can be further suppressed.

[0084] Furthermore, by arranging the resin sheet 230 with a gap, this gap can become a flow path for liquid based on water vapor generated from the paper S at a high temperature. As a result, the effects of condensation in the guide section 200 can be reduced.

[0085] Alternatively, in this structure, multiple insulating materials 220 may be provided to match the shape of the resin sheet 230. For example, each insulating material 220 may be formed to be the size that covers each resin sheet 230.

[0086] This ensures sufficient bonding area for each resin sheet 230. Furthermore, the insulation material 220 does not protrude from the gaps between the resin sheets 230, thus suppressing any increase in frictional resistance caused by the insulation material 220.

[0087] In addition, in this structure, the multiple resin sheets 230 are each approximately the same size, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the multiple resin sheets may not be approximately the same size.

[0088] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, an example is illustrated where multiple resin sheets 230 include a first sheet 231, a second sheet 232, and a third sheet 233, each with a different shape. Additionally, in... Figure 6 The guide plate 210 shown is equipped with a sensor 211 for detecting paper S and a feed roller 95.

[0089] The first sheet 231 is rectangular in shape, and two of them are provided on each side of the second sheet 232 and the third sheet 233 in the width direction.

[0090] The second sheet 232 is disposed at the end of the guide plate 210 in the central part in the width direction, on the side of the abutting roller 94. A sensor 211 is disposed on the guide plate 210 at a position corresponding to the second sheet 232. A cutout 232A for mounting the sensor 211 is formed on the second sheet 232 at a position corresponding to the sensor 211.

[0091] A feed roller 95 is provided adjacent to the sensor 211 and the second sheet 232, and a third sheet 233 is provided adjacent to the feed roller 95.

[0092] The third sheet 233 is disposed in the center of the guide plate 210 in the width direction, on the side opposite to the second sheet 232, separated by the feed roller 95.

[0093] Additionally, a hole 212 is formed on the guide plate 210 at a position corresponding to the third sheet 233, through which light emitted by a sensor used to detect the paper S passes. A cut 233A is formed on the third sheet 233 at a position corresponding to the hole 212 to avoid overlap with the hole 212.

[0094] In this way, the multiple resin sheets 230 include multiple sheets with different shapes from each other, thereby enabling a sheet configuration that takes into account components such as the guide plate 210.

[0095] In addition, in the above embodiment, the resin sheet 230 is configured to cover the heat insulation material 220, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the bonding area of ​​the resin sheet 230 can be ensured, the resin sheet 230 may not be covered with the heat insulation material 220.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the resin sheet 230 is grounded by being bonded to the guide plate 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the resin sheet 230 may also be grounded by contacting a grounding terminal other than the guide plate 210.

[0097] In addition, in the above embodiment, the re-transfer path 90 has a third path 93 extending in the horizontal direction, thereby flipping the paper S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the paper S can be of any shape as long as it can be flipped.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a guide 200 is provided in the re-transfer path 90, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the path allows the fixed paper S to remain in place, a guide 200 may not be provided in the re-transfer path. Examples of paths that allow the fixed paper to remain in place include the transfer path within the reading device located downstream of the fixing unit 60 and the transfer path upstream of the post-processing unit. In the transfer path within the reading device, for example, the paper remains in the path while waiting for the reading unit to read it. Similarly, in the transfer path upstream of the post-processing unit, for example, the paper remains in the path while waiting to be transferred into the post-processing unit.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is exemplified as a conveying device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The conveying device may also be a device (reading device, post-processing device, etc.) having a conveying path in which the paper S passing through the fixing section 60 in the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed.

[0100] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely examples illustrating specific implementations of the present invention, and the scope of the invention should not be limited by them. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its gist or main features.

[0101] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1: Image forming apparatus; 53: Transport path section; 60: Fixing section; 90: Re-transport path; 91: First path; 92: Second path; 93: Third path; 94: Abutting roller; 95: Feeding roller; 200: Guide section; 210: Guide plate; 220: Insulation material; 230: Resin sheet.

Claims

1. A conveying device, comprising: The transport path section transports the recording medium through which the image has been fixed by the fixing section; A guide plate is disposed on the transport path section to guide the transport of the recording medium; Thermal insulation material is installed on the guide plate; as well as A conductive resin sheet is configured to sandwich the insulating material between itself and the guide plate. The resin sheet is grounded.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The resin sheet is bonded to the guide plate.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein, The guide plate is made of metal.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The resin sheet is configured to cover the insulation material.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The resin sheet is disposed integrally in the width direction of the guide plate.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, wherein, A plurality of the resin sheets are arranged in the width direction. Two resin sheets are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction with a gap between them.

7. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The transport path is a retransport path that flips the back of the recording medium and transports it towards the fixing unit.

8. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein, The guide plate is positioned in the transport path section opposite to the non-image side of the recording medium and on the upper wall of the transport path section.

9. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein, The conveying device also includes: An abutment roller, disposed in the conveying path section, is used to abut the top end of the recording medium; and A delivery roller, disposed in the conveying path section, is used to deliver the recording medium to the fixing section. The resin sheet is disposed within the area where the abutment roller and the delivery roller are configured.

10. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The conveying device also includes: The image forming unit forms an image onto the recording medium; and The fixing unit fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the recording medium.

Images