Sheet support apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sheet support apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The sheet support apparatus includes: a first support portion; a second support portion configured to be movable from a first position to a second position by moving to the first support portion in a first direction; and a restriction unit including (i) a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the second support portion in a case where the second support portion is in the second position, and (ii) an operation member configured to release the restriction. The restriction unit is configured to allow the second support portion in the first position to move to the second position without operating the operation member. In a state where the sheet support apparatus is mounted on a main body, a feeding roller provided in the image forming apparatus feeds a sheet supported by the first support portion in a second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to sheet support devices for supporting sheet materials and imaging devices including such sheet support devices. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-219889 discloses a paper feed cassette that can be detachably mounted on a device body. The paper feed cassette includes a cassette body and a sheet support member slidably supported relative to the cassette body. The sheet support member is configured to move relative to the cassette body between a first position and a second position, in which A4-sized or smaller sheets are accommodated, and in the second position, A4-sized or larger sheets are accommodated. The sheet support member also includes a lever with locking claws that can engage with a connecting portion on the cassette body. By operating the lever, the sheet support member can be locked in the first or second position, or it can be moved between the first and second positions.

[0003] In the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-219889, in order to move the sheet support member from the first position to the second position, the user needs to operate the rod to disengage the engaging portion from the engaging claw. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a sheet support device is provided that can be mounted to the body of an imaging apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet. The sheet support device includes: a first support portion on which the sheet is supported; a second support portion configured to support the sheet together with the first support portion, the second support portion being configured to move from a first position to a second position by moving along a first direction to the first support portion; and a limiting unit comprising: (i) a limiting portion configured to limit movement of the second support portion in both the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction when the second support portion is in the second position; and (ii) an operating member configured to release the restriction imposed by the limiting portion on the movement of the second support portion in the second position. The limiting unit is configured to allow the second support portion in the first position to move to the second position without operating the operating member. With the sheet support device mounted on the body, a feed roller provided in the imaging apparatus feeds the sheet supported by the first support portion along the second direction.

[0005] The features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of embodiments is by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a paper feed box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the limiting unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed cassette with the drawer portion in a first position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the limiting unit in the case where the drawer portion is located in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 6A This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed box with the drawer portion in the second position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 6B It is along Figure 6A The sectional view taken by line AA.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed box with the drawer portion in a third position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 8A This is a perspective view of a backdoor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8B It is along Figure 8A The sectional view taken by line BB.

[0016] Figure 8C It shows Figure 8B The diagram shows a cross-sectional view with the back door open. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Embodiments according to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment provides a sheet support device that improves the operability of a drawer portion, and an imaging device equipped with the sheet support device. Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment. The problems to be solved by this embodiment are not limited to those described above. Problems corresponding to the effects obtained with the configuration shown in this embodiment can also be categorized as other problems.

[0018] Schematic configuration of imaging equipment

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 100 includes: a device body 100A, which serves as the main body of the imaging device 100; an imaging unit 101, which transfers toner images onto a sheet S; and a sheet feeding device 102, which supplies the sheet S to the imaging unit 101. The imaging device 100 also includes a fixing unit 103, which fixes the toner images onto the sheet S in the device body 100A.

[0020] The imaging unit 101 includes a housing 300, which is attachable to and detachable from the device body 100A; a transfer roller 110; and a laser scanning unit 104, which serves as a light irradiation unit. The housing 300 includes a photosensitive drum 310, a charger 311, and a developer 313.

[0021] The sheet feeding device 102 includes: a paper feed cassette 200 supporting a sheet S; and a pickup roller 111 serving as a feed roller for feeding the sheet S. The sheet feeding device 102 also includes: a feed roller 112 conveying the fed sheet S to a pair of transfer rollers 113; and a separation roller 210 facing the feed roller 112. The sheet S supported by the paper feed cassette 200 is frictionally separated by a torque limiter (not shown) coaxially integrated with the separation roller 210.

[0022] The paper feed cassette 200, serving as a sheet support device, is configured to be mounted on the device body 100A. The paper feed cassette 200 is mounted on the device body 100A, and when the rear door 400 located on the back of the device body 100A is opened from the closed position to the open position, the paper feed cassette 200 can be extended from the device body 100A via the opening portion 400a in the direction of arrow P1. In other words, the direction of arrow P1 is the pulling direction in which the paper feed cassette 200 can be extended.

[0023] In the sheet feeding device 102, when the control unit (not shown) issues a printing signal, the pickup roller 111 and the feed roller 112 rotate counterclockwise during paper feeding. The pickup roller 111 and the feed roller 112 feed the paper feed cassette housing 211 supported on the paper feed cassette 200 in the direction of arrow P2 (see...). Figure 2 The sheet S in the sheet feed device 102 is fed to the imaging unit 101. That is, the direction of arrow P1, which is the direction in which the sheet feed cassette 200 can be pulled out, is opposite to the direction in which the sheet feed device 102 feeds the sheet. In other words, the direction of arrow P2, which is the second direction, is the direction in which the pick-up roller 111 of the sheet feed device 102 feeds the sheet.

[0024] In the imaging unit 101, the surface of the photosensitive drum 310 is charged by the charger 311. Subsequently, the laser scanning unit 104 emits a laser L from an internal light source (not shown) and illuminates the photosensitive drum 310 with the laser L. As a result, a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 310.

[0025] In the imaging unit 101, the developer 313 develops the latent image, thereby forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 310. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 310 is transferred onto a sheet S fed to a transfer clamping part by a transfer roller 114, which is formed between the photosensitive drum 310 and the transfer roller 110.

[0026] A sheet S with a transferred toner image is fed to a fixing unit 103 and heated and pressed in a fixing clamping section formed by a heating roller 115 and a pressing roller 116 of the fixing unit 103, thereby fixing the toner image on the sheet S onto the sheet.

[0027] Then, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 103 is conveyed by the transfer roller pair 117 and the sheet discharge roller pair 118 and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 119.

[0028] Paper feed box configuration

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 200. The paper feed cassette 200 includes a paper feed cassette housing 211, which serves as a first support portion for supporting sheet material. The paper feed cassette 200 also has a drawer portion 212 as a second support portion, which, together with the paper feed cassette housing 211, supports the sheet material and is configured to be extended relative to the paper feed cassette housing 211 in the direction of arrow P1, which is a first direction. The drawer portion 212 is attached to the paper feed cassette housing 211 so as to be slidably movable in the directions of arrows P1 and P2.

[0030] When the drawer portion 212 of the paper feed cassette 200 moves in the direction of arrow P1, the length of the paper feed cassette 200 in the sheet feed direction increases. When the drawer portion 212 moves in the direction of arrow P2 (which is opposite to the direction of arrow P1), the paper feed cassette 200 is configured such that the length of the paper feed cassette 200 in the sheet feed direction decreases.

[0031] The drawer portion 212 is configured to be in a first position (packaging position) when the packaging imaging device 100 is in use. This first position serves as the position of the drawer portion 212 relative to the paper feed cassette housing 211 when the length of the paper feed cassette 200 is shortened. The drawer portion 212 is configured to move from the first position in the direction of arrow P1 to be positioned in a second position (A4 position), where it accommodates sheets of A4 or LTR size or smaller. The drawer portion 212 is configured to move from the second position in the direction of arrow P1 to be positioned in a third position (LEGAL position), where it accommodates sheets larger than A4 or LTR size and equal to or smaller than LEGAL size.

[0032] When drawer portion 212 is in the first position, paper feed cassette 200 is configured not to feed sheets of A4 or LTR size. When drawer portion 212 is in the second position, paper feed cassette 200 is configured to feed sheets of A4 or LTR size, but not to feed sheets of LEGAL size. When drawer portion 212 is in the third position, paper feed cassette 200 is configured to feed sheets of LEGAL size.

[0033] A trailing edge limiting portion 216, serving as a sheet limiting portion, is attached to a drawer portion 212. This trailing edge limiting portion restricts the position of the downstream edge of the sheet supported by the paper feed cassette 200 in the direction of arrow P1, i.e., restricts the position of the trailing edge of the sheet supported by the paper feed cassette 200 in the direction of arrow P2. The drawer portion 212 is provided with a rack 216a extending in the directions of arrows P1 and P2, while the trailing edge limiting portion 216 is provided with an engaging portion 216b that can engage with the teeth of the rack 216a. The trailing edge limiting portion 216 is supported so as to be movable relative to the drawer portion 212 in the directions of arrows P1 and P2, and is positioned by engaging the engaging portion 216b with the teeth of the rack 216a. When the engagement between the rack 216a and the engaging portion 216b is released by operating the operating lever 216c, the trailing edge limiting portion 216 can move in the directions of arrows P1 and P2. By moving the drawer portion 212 and the trailing edge limiting portion 216 in the directions of arrows P1 and P2 according to the length of the sheet contained in the paper feed cassette 200, the paper feed cassette 200 limits the position of the trailing edge of the sheet, that is, the position of the downstream edge in the direction of arrow P1.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a plan view showing the limiting unit 500. (See attached image.) Figure 3As shown, the paper feed cassette 200 includes a limiting unit 500 capable of positioning a drawer portion 212 relative to the paper feed cassette housing 211. The limiting unit 500 includes: a locking member 213 supported by the drawer portion 212 as an engaging member; and a guide portion 221 disposed in the paper feed cassette housing 211. The locking member 213 is configured to engage with the guide portion 221 to position the drawer portion 212 relative to the paper feed cassette housing 211. The limiting unit 500 also includes a spring 214 biasing the locking member 213 toward the guide portion 221, and the locking member 213 is provided with an operating lever 215 (see...). Figure 2 The locking member 213 is used to move from the engaged position to the unengaged position, as will be described in detail later. The operating lever 215 is an operating member that releases the lock (motion restriction) of the drawer portion 212, which serves as the second support portion. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the operating lever 215 is both an operating member that releases the lock of the drawer portion 212 in the second position and an operating member that releases the lock of the drawer portion 212 in the third position.

[0035] The guide portion 221 includes: an inclined surface 211a along which a locking member 213, which moves in the direction of arrow P1, can slide; and a recessed portion 211b as an engaged portion, the recessed portion being recessed in the direction in which the locking member 213 is biased by the spring 214. The guide portion 221 also includes an engagement surface 211c as a third engagement surface, the engagement surface extending in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the directions of arrows P1 and P2 (i.e., in the direction of arrow R1 described below), and capable of engaging with the locking member 213. Furthermore, the guide portion 221 includes: a first linear portion 221a extending from the inclined surface 211a in the direction of arrow P2; a second linear portion 221b connecting the inclined surface 211a to the recessed portion 211b; a third linear portion 221c connecting the recessed portion 211b to the engagement surface 211c; and a fourth linear portion 221d. The first linear portion 221a, the second linear portion 221b, the third linear portion 221c, and the fourth linear portion 221d extend in a direction parallel to the directions of arrows P1 and P2, and are substantially at the same position in the direction of arrow R1.

[0036] In the limiting unit 500, when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the locking member 213 engages with the inclined surface 211a. In the limiting unit 500, when the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, the locking member 213 engages with the recessed portion 211b. In the limiting unit 500, when the drawer portion 212 is in the third position, the locking member 213 engages with the mating surface 211c.

[0037] The locking member 213 is configured such that, by user operation, the operating lever 215, which serves as a grip, can pivot about a pivot 215a in the direction of arrow R1, which intersects the directions of arrows P1 and P2. More specifically, the locking member 213 can... Figure 3 The lock member 213 pivots between the engaged position and the non-engaged position after pivoting about pivot 215a in the direction of arrow R1 from the engaged position. The end of the locking member 213 has a protrusion 213a that protrudes upstream in the direction of arrow R1. When the locking member 213 is in the engaged position, the protrusion 213a can engage with the recessed portion 211b. When the locking member 213 is in the non-engaged position, the protrusion 213a does not engage with the recessed portion 211b. The locking member 213 has a protrusion 213a that is biased toward the guide portion 221 by a spring 214. In other words, the locking member 213 is biased from the non-engaged position toward the engaged position.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed cassette 200 with the drawer portion 212 in the first position. (See image) Figure 4 As shown, with the drawer portion 212 in the first position, the paper feed cassette 200 retracts from a position capable of accommodating A4 or LTR size sheets to fit the packaging size when the imaging device 100 is packaged.

[0039] Figure 5This is a plan view of the limiting unit 500 when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position. In the first position, the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 contacts the first linear portion 221a of the guide portion 221. At this time, the locking member 213 is in the engaged position. When the drawer portion 212 is extended from the first position toward the second position in the direction of arrow P1, the locking member 213 also moves integrally with the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1. Thus, the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 slides on the inclined surface 211a of the guide portion 221. In other words, the drawer portion 212 is configured to slide on the inclined surface 211a of the guide portion 221 via the protrusion 213a and can move in the direction of arrow P1 without operating the operating lever 215 of the locking member 213. This inclined surface 211a extends obliquely in the direction of arrow P1. More specifically, the inclined surface 211a extends downstream in the direction of arrow R1 toward the downstream side of the direction of arrow P1.

[0040] As the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position toward the second position, the protrusion 213a is pressed by the inclined surface 211a, causing the locking member 213 to pivot from the engaged position to the unengaged position against the pushing force of the spring 214. That is, the locking member 213 is in the unengaged position when the protrusion 213a contacts the second linear portion 221b. When the drawer portion 212 is further extended from the first position toward the second position in the direction of arrow P1, the protrusion 213a slides on the second linear portion 221b. At this time, the locking member 213 remains in the unengaged position.

[0041] When drawer portion 212 reaches the second position, protrusion 213a engages with recessed portion 211b due to the pushing force of spring 214. At this time, locking member 213 is positioned as follows: Figure 3At the engagement position shown. The recessed portion 211b of the guide portion 221 extends in the direction of arrow R1, which intersects the directions of arrows P1 and P2, and has an engagement surface 211ba as a first engagement surface, which engages with the locking member 213. The recessed portion 211b also has an engagement surface 211bb as a second engagement surface, which is located upstream of the engagement surface 211ba in the direction of arrow P1. Similar to the engagement surface 211ba, the engagement surface 211bb extends in the direction of arrow R1. The movement of the locking member 213 in the direction of arrow P2 is restricted by the protrusion 213a that engages with the engagement surface 211ba, while the movement of the locking member 213 in the direction of arrow P1 is restricted by the protrusion 213a that engages with the engagement surface 211bb. That is, when the locking member 213 is in the second position, the recessed portion 211b restricts the movement of the locking member 213 in both the directions of arrows P1 and P2.

[0042] On the other hand, when the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position to the second position, the limiting unit 500 allows the drawer portion 212 located in the first position to move to the second position. While the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position toward the second position, the movement of the locking member 213 along the direction of arrow P1 is not restricted by the first linear portion 221a, the inclined surface 211a, and the second linear portion 221b of the guide portion 221. In other words, the limiting unit 500 is configured to allow the drawer portion 212 located in the first position to move along the direction of arrow P1 and to restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 located in the second position along both arrows P1 and P2. That is, when the drawer portion 212 is extended from the first position to the second position, it is not necessary to operate the operating lever 215 of the locking member 213. Therefore, when the drawer portion 212 is extended from the first position to the second position, the operability of the drawer portion 212 can be improved.

[0043] Using this configuration, when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, and the paper feed box 200 is subjected to a force in the direction of arrow P1 (which is the direction leading out of the drawer portion 212), the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0044] An example of the force applied to drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1 is the force applied when a user grips drawer portion 212 and pulls it out in the direction of arrow P1. Another example of the force applied to drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1 is the force applied when the sheet is placed and the trailing edge restraint portion 216 is pressed by the trailing edge of the sheet (i.e., the upstream edge in the direction of arrow P2, which serves as the feed direction).

[0045] That is, in the paper feed cassette 200, when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the sheet is disposed in the paper feed cassette 200, and the trailing edge limiting portion 216 is pressed by the trailing edge of the sheet, thereby allowing the drawer portion 212 to move from the first position to the second position. When the drawer portion 212 moves to the second position, the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 at the engagement position engages with the engagement surfaces 211ba and 211bb of the recessed portion 211b of the guide portion 221. Therefore, the drawer portion 212 is positioned in the second position.

[0046] In this way, the user can move the drawer portion 212 to the second position—an example of the position when using the drawer portion 212—simply by placing the sheet in the paper feed cassette 200 while the drawer portion 212 is in the first position. This eliminates the need for the user to grasp and pull out the drawer portion 212, thus improving its operability. During the transport of the imaging device 100, the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, thereby reducing the packaging size of the imaging device 100 during transport.

[0047] As an example of the force applied to drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1, consider a case where a smaller force is generated, such as that caused by vibrations occurring during transport of the imaging device 100. In this case, the frictional resistance between the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 and the inclined surface 211a can limit the sliding of the locking member 213 on the inclined surface 211b and its movement in the direction of arrow P1, thereby holding the drawer portion 212 in the first position.

[0048] When drawer portion 212 moves from the second position to the third position, the user operates the operating lever 215 of locking member 213 and overcomes the pushing force of spring 214, causing locking member 213 to pivot from the engaged position to the disengaged position in the direction of arrow R1. By pivoting locking member 213 to the disengaged position, the protrusion 213a of locking member 213 moves away from the engaging surface 211bb of recessed portion 211b. As a result, the lock between locking member 213 and recessed portion 211b is released, thereby allowing drawer portion 212 to move in the direction of arrow P1.

[0049] When the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 passes the engagement surface 211bb and contacts the third linear portion 221c, the user no longer needs to operate the operating lever 215 to hold the locking member 213 in the non-engaged position. With the protrusion 213a in contact with the third linear portion 221c, the locking member 213 is in the non-engaged position. When the drawer portion 212 is further extended from the second position toward the third position in the direction of arrow P1, the protrusion 213a slides on the third linear portion 221c. At this time, the locking member 213 remains in the non-engaged position.

[0050] When drawer portion 212 reaches the third position, due to the pushing force of spring 214, protrusion 213a passes through the third linear portion 221c and engagement surface 211c, and contacts the fourth linear portion 221d. At this time, locking member 213 is in the engaged position. At this time, engagement surface 211c engages with protrusion 213a of locking member 213, thereby restricting the upward movement of drawer portion 212 in the third position in the direction of arrow P1. Thus, without the need for a component separate from the limiting unit 500, the movement of drawer portion 212 in the third position in the direction of arrow P2 can be restricted, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0051] As described above, when the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 engages with the mating surfaces 211ba and 211bb of the guide portion 221, thereby restricting movement in the directions of arrows P1 and P2. Therefore, the drawer portion 212 can be easily positioned in the second position.

[0052] Figure 6A This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed box 200 with the drawer portion 212 in the second position. Figure 6B It is along Figure 6A The cross-sectional view taken by line AA in the middle.

[0053] like Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the drawer portion 212 is provided with a snap-fit ​​member 217 as a first limiting portion, while the paper feed cassette housing 211 is provided with a groove 218 as a second limiting portion and a slot portion. The snap-fit ​​member 217 includes a bent portion 217a that bends toward the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 200. The bent portion 217a is configured such that a contact portion 217aa forms an angle α with respect to the bottom surface 218b of the groove 218, and the contact portion 217aa contacts the downstream end face 218a of the groove 218 in the direction of arrow P2. The bent portion 217a is configured such that a contact portion 217ab forms an angle β with respect to the bottom surface 218b of the groove 218, and the contact portion 217ab contacts the end face 218c of the groove 218 on the side of arrow P1. Angle α is configured to be greater than angle β.

[0054] Angle α is set such that when the contact portion 217aa of the snap-fit ​​member 217 contacts the end face 218a of the groove 218, frictional resistance restricts the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P2. Angle β is set such that when the contact portion 217ab of the snap-fit ​​member 217 contacts the end face 218c of the groove 218, frictional resistance does not restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1.

[0055] In other words, even when the operating lever 215 is operated to move the locking member 213 to the non-engaged position while the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, the contact portion 217aa of the snap-fit ​​member 217 also contacts the end face 218a of the groove 218. The movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P2 is restricted by the contact portion 217ab of the end face 218c of the contact groove 218 of the snap-fit ​​member 217.

[0056] Therefore, for example, after the imaging device 100 is delivered and installed by the user, the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position to the second position. That is, when the imaging device 100 is not used by the user, the drawer portion 212 is in the first position. Even if the locking member 213 disengages from the recessed portion 211b of the guide portion 221 after the drawer portion 212 has reached the second position, the drawer portion 212 can be prevented from moving back to the first position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the drawer portion 212 from accidentally moving from the second position to the first position. When the drawer portion 212 is in the second position and an external force is applied in the direction of arrow P2 to the trailing edge limiting portion 216 which is positioned relative to the drawer portion 212, the force in the direction of arrow P2 is applied to the drawer portion 212 via the trailing edge limiting portion 216. However, the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P2 is restricted by the contact portion 217ab of the snap-fit ​​member 217, which contacts the end face 218c of the groove 218. Therefore, the drawer portion 212 and the rear edge limiting portion 216 can be easily positioned in the second position.

[0057] The drawer portion 212 can be configured to move back from the second position to the first position. For example, by pushing the drawer portion 212 from the second position to the first position with relatively strong force, the snap-fit ​​member 217 can elastically deform upward, thereby allowing the contact portion 217aa of the snap-fit ​​member 217 to cross the end face 218a of the slot 218. For example, when the imaging device 100 is not used for a long time, the user can use the above method to return the drawer portion 212 to the first position, thereby reducing the storage space of the imaging device 100.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the paper feed cassette housing 211 is provided with a groove 219, which accommodates a snap-fit ​​member 217 when the drawer portion 212 is in a first position. The snap-fit ​​member 217 is configured such that when the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position to a second position, the contact portion 217ab slides along the direction of arrow P1 on the end face 219a of the groove 219 and disengages from the groove 219.

[0059] In other words, the snap-fit ​​part 217 does not restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1 at the first position, and is configured to elastically deform when the drawer portion 212 moves from the second position to the first position to fit into the slot 218.

[0060] In other words, when the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, the snap-fit ​​engagement 217 is configured to restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P2, but does not restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 from the first position to the second position. With this configuration, when the drawer portion 212 moves from the first position to the second position, the snap-fit ​​engagement 217 and the slot 219 can be prevented from obstructing the user's operability.

[0061] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the paper feed cassette 200 with the drawer portion 212 in the third position. (See diagram below.) Figure 7 As shown, the paper feed cassette housing 211 includes a hook 220 as a claw portion, while the drawer portion 212 includes an engagement portion 220a that can engage with the hook 220 (see [reference]). Figure 2 The engaging portion 220a engages with the hook 220 at the third position, thereby restricting the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the direction of arrow P1.

[0062] This configuration prevents the drawer portion 212, located in the third position, from moving further in the direction of arrow P1 and thus detaching from the paper feed cassette housing 211. In other words, it prevents the drawer portion 212 from falling off the paper feed cassette housing 211.

[0063] like Figure 6A and Figure 7 As shown, the groove 218 provided in the paper feed cassette housing 211 is shaped to extend in the directions of arrows P1 and P2, so as not to restrict the movement of the snap-fit ​​member 217 while the drawer portion 212 moves from the second position to the third position. In other words, the snap-fit ​​member 217 and the groove 218 are configured to allow the drawer portion 212 in the second position to move downstream in the direction of arrow P1.

[0064] In this manner, the paper feed cassette 200 does not restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 from the second position to the third position via the snap-fit ​​engagement 217 and slot 218, while the snap-fit ​​engagement 217 and slot 218 restrict the movement of the drawer portion 212 in the second position along the direction of arrow P2. This configuration prevents the snap-fit ​​engagement 217 and slot 218 from hindering user operability when moving the drawer portion 212 from the second position to the third position.

[0065] Here, as Figure 1As shown, the imaging device 100 is configured such that when the paper feed cassette 200 is mounted on the device body 100A with the drawer portion 212 in the first position, the rear door 400, which serves as a door portion on the back of the device body 100A, is in a closed state. In the closed position, the rear door 400 is substantially flush with the rear cover 120, which is the downstream end face of the device body 100A in the direction of arrow P1. That is, with the paper feed cassette 200 mounted on the device body 100A, the drawer portion 212 is configured in the first position upstream of the rear cover 120 in the direction of arrow P1.

[0066] The imaging device 100 is configured such that, when the paper feed cassette 200 is mounted on the device body 100A and the drawer portion 212 is in the second or third position, the drawer portion 212 protrudes from the back of the device body 100A in the direction of arrow P1. That is, with the paper feed cassette 200 mounted on the device body 100A, the drawer portion 212 is configured to be located downstream of the rear cover 120 in the direction of arrow P1 in the second or third position.

[0067] Therefore, in the imaging device 100, space along the direction of arrow P1 can be ensured on the back of the device body 100A, and an exhaust port and an air inlet can be provided on the back of the device body 100A, which is helpful for the design of the device body 100A.

[0068] With drawer portion 212 in the second position, and with paper feed cassette 200 attached to device body 100A, at least a portion of drawer portion 212 is exposed to the outside of device body 100A. For example, the downstream end face 212a of drawer portion 212 (see...) Figure 2 It is exposed to the outside of the device body 100A in the direction of arrow P1.

[0069] Thus, the imaging device 100 can grasp the drawer portion 212 exposed from the device body 100A and pull out the paper feed box 200 in the direction of arrow P1, thereby improving the user's operability of the paper feed box 200.

[0070] Back door configuration

[0071] Next, we will refer to Figures 8A to 8C Describe the detailed configuration of the backdoor 400. Figure 8A This is a perspective view of the back door 400. Figure 8B It is along Figure 8A The sectional view taken by line BB in the middle. Figure 8C It shows that Figure 8B The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the rear door 400 in the open position.

[0072] The rear door 400 is configured to surround the rear door pivot 401. Figure 8A and Figure 8B The closing position shown is the same as Figure 8C The device pivots between the shown open positions. As described above, with the imaging device 100 in the packaged state, the drawer portion 212 of the paper feed cassette 200 is in the first position. At this time, as... Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the rear door 400 is in the closed position, in which the rear door 400 is closed relative to the device body 100A of the imaging device 100. With the paper feed cassette 200 mounted on the device body 100A, the drawer portion 212 in the first position does not overlap with the movement trajectory of the rear door 400 when it is opened or closed. That is, with the drawer portion 212 in the first position, the rear door 400 is configured to remain in the closed position. The rear door 400 closes the opening portion 400a in the closed position and opens the opening portion 400a in the open position.

[0073] The rear door 400 includes a protruding portion 402 configured to contact a rib 121 provided on the rear door hinge 401. The lower surface of the rib 121 has a curved surface. When the paper feed cassette 200 is inserted into the device body 100A, the user opens the rear door 400 from the closed position to the open position by approximately 90 degrees. At this time, when the rear door 400 is forcefully opened and pivots approximately 180 degrees to collide with the rear cover 120, a large impact noise is generated. Therefore, as the rear door 400 pivots from the closed position to the open position, the lower surface of the rib 121 slides against the protruding portion 402 to brake the opening operation of the rear door 400, thereby preventing the rear door 400 from being forcefully opened. This reduces the impact noise generated by the collision between the rear door 400 and the rear cover 120. Even during the closing operation of the rear door 400, which pivots from the open position to the closed position under its own weight, the lower surface of the rib 121 slides against the protruding portion 402 to brake the closing operation of the rear door 400, thereby preventing the rear door 400 from being closed forcefully.

[0074] Furthermore, when the rear door 400 is opened to the open position, the protruding portion 402 remains in a state of collision with the side surface of the rib 121. Thus, the rear door 400 can be held in the open position. Therefore, even when the paper feed cassette 200 is mounted on the device body 100A with the drawer portion 212 in the second or third position, the rear door 400 can be prevented from falling onto the drawer portion 212. Therefore, when sheets are placed in the paper feed cassette 200, obstruction by the rear door 400 can be reduced. For example, when sliding against the rib 121, the protruding portion 402 elastically deforms, and when the rear door 400 reaches the closed or open position, the protruding portion 402 elastically returns to its original position.

[0075] In the imaging device 100, with the rear door 400 open, the distance from the rear cover 120 to the end 400b of the rear door 400 in the direction of arrow P1 is defined as distance D1. When the paper feed cassette 200 is mounted on the device body 100A and the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, distance D1 is long enough to cover at least a portion of the top surface of the drawer portion 212 that protrudes from the rear cover 120 in the direction of arrow P1.

[0076] With this configuration, when the paper feed box 200 is mounted on the main body 100A and the drawer portion 212 is in the second position, the rear door 400 in the open position can prevent foreign objects from entering the paper feed box 200.

[0077] Overview of this embodiment

[0078] As described above, the limiting unit 500 of this embodiment restricts the movement of the drawer portion 212 located in the second position in the directions of arrow P1 and P2. Simultaneously, when the drawer portion 212 is moved from the first position to the second position, the limiting unit 500 allows the drawer portion 212 located in the first position to move in the direction of arrow P1. Therefore, by positioning the drawer portion 212 in the first position, the packaging size can be reduced during transport, and the operability of the drawer portion 212 can be improved when it is extended to the second position.

[0079] Modification Plan

[0080] In this embodiment, the paper feed cassette 200 is configured such that when a sheet is placed in the paper feed cassette 200 while the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the trailing edge restraint portion 216 is pressed by the trailing edge of the sheet. However, this is not a limitation. For example, when the trailing edge restraint portion 216 is located downstream in the direction of arrow P1, the paper feed cassette 200 can be configured such that even when an A4 or LTR size sheet is placed in the paper feed cassette 200 while the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the trailing edge of the sheet does not contact the trailing edge restraint portion 216.

[0081] The paper feed cassette 200 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the protrusion 213a of the locking member 213 is slidable on the inclined surface 211a, thereby allowing downstream movement in the direction of arrow P1. However, this is not a limitation. For example, when the drawer portion 212 is in the first position, the paper feed cassette 200 can engage with the protrusion 213a, and the paper feed cassette 200 can be configured such that the guide portion 221 has a curved surface that is concave in the direction of arrow P1, and the protrusion 213a slides on this curved surface.

[0082] The limiting unit 500 of this embodiment includes a protrusion 213a of a locking member 213 located in the drawer portion 212, and the paper feed cassette housing 211 is provided with a guide portion 221 that is recessed to accommodate the protrusion 213a, but this is not a limitation. For example, the limiting unit 500 may be configured such that the paper feed cassette housing 211 includes a protrusion protruding toward the drawer portion 212, and the drawer portion 212 includes a locking member with a recessed portion that is recessed to accommodate the protrusion.

[0083] In this embodiment, the imaging device 100 is configured such that the direction of arrow P1, which represents the direction in which the paper feed cassette 200 can be extended, is opposite to the direction of arrow P2, which represents the direction in which the sheet is fed by the sheet feed device 102, but this is not a limitation. For example, the imaging device 100 may be configured to feed the sheet supported by the paper feed cassette 200 in a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrow P1, which represents the direction in which the paper feed cassette 200 can be extended.

[0084] While this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be interpreted in the broadest sense to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A sheet support device, the sheet support device being mountable to the body of an imaging device configured to form an image on a sheet, the sheet support device comprising: The first support portion, on which the sheet is supported; A second support portion is configured to support the sheet together with the first support portion, and the second support portion is configured to be movable from a first position to a second position by moving relative to the first support portion in a first direction; as well as The limiting unit includes: (i) a limiting portion configured to limit movement of the second support portion along both a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction when the second support portion is in the second position; and (ii) an operating member configured to release the restriction imposed by the limiting portion on the movement of the second support portion in the second position. The limiting unit is configured to allow the second support portion located in the first position to move to the second position without requiring operation of the operating member, and With the sheet support device mounted on the main body, the feed roller provided in the imaging device feeds the sheet supported by the first support portion along the second direction.

2. The sheet support device according to claim 1, further comprising: A sheet limiting portion, supported by the second support portion and configured to limit the position of the downstream end of the sheet in the first direction, the sheet being supported by the first support portion and the second support portion. When the sheet limiting portion is subjected to a force along the first direction, the second support portion located at the first position moves toward the second position.

3. The sheet support device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The limiting portion includes a joining member supported by the second support portion and a joined portion disposed in the first support portion and engaged with the joining member to limit the movement of the second support portion along the first direction and the movement of the second support portion along the second direction when the second support portion is in the second position.

4. The sheet support device according to claim 3, in, The engaging member is configured to move between an engaging position and a non-engaged position, in which the engaging member engages with the engaged portion, and in the non-engaged position, the engaging member does not engage with the engaged portion.

5. The sheet support device according to claim 4, in, The limiting unit includes an inclined surface disposed on the first support portion and inclined along the first direction. The engaging member is configured to slide on the inclined surface as the second support portion moves from the first position toward the second position, so as to move from the engaging position to the non-engaged position.

6. The sheet support device according to claim 4, in, The engaging member is supported to pivot about a pivot relative to the second support portion between the engaging position and the non-engaged position. The engaging member pivots from the engaging position toward the non-engaging position along a direction intersecting the first direction, and The joined portion includes a first engagement surface that extends along a direction intersecting the first direction and engages with the engagement member located at the engagement position to restrict movement of the second support portion along the first direction when the second support portion is located at the second position.

7. The sheet support device according to claim 6, in, The joined portion includes a second joining surface, which is disposed upstream of the first joining surface in the first direction, and The second engagement surface engages with the engagement member located at the engagement position to restrict the movement of the second support portion along the second direction when the second support portion is located in the second position.

8. The sheet support device according to claim 4, in, The second support portion can be moved from the second position to the third position by moving from the second position along the first direction, and The limiting unit includes a third engagement surface disposed on the first support portion and engaging with the engagement member located at the engagement position, to limit the movement of the second support portion along the second direction when the second support portion is located at the third position.

9. The sheet support device according to claim 4, in, The operating member includes a gripping portion disposed on the engaging member to allow the engaging member to move from the engaging position to the non-engaging position.

10. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, The second support portion can be moved from the second position to the third position by moving from the second position along the first direction; The first support portion includes a claw portion; and When the second support portion is in the third position, the second support portion engages with the claw portion to restrict the movement of the second support portion along the first direction.

11. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, The second support portion includes the first limiting portion, and The first support portion includes a second limiting portion that engages with the first limiting portion to restrict movement of the second support portion along the second direction when the second support portion is in the second position.

12. The sheet support device according to claim 11, in, The second limiting part is the groove portion, and When the second support portion, which has moved from the first position to the second position, reaches the second position, the first restricting portion elastically deforms to fit into the groove portion.

13. The sheet support device according to claim 11, in, The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are configured to allow the second support portion to move along the first direction when the second support portion is in the second position.

14. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, With the sheet support device mounted on the main body, the second support portion located at the first position is upstream of the downstream end face of the main body in the first direction, and at least a portion of the second support portion located at the second position is downstream of the downstream end face in the first direction.

15. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, When the second support portion is in the first position, the second support portion cannot support the A4 size sheet in a feedable manner.

16. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, When the second support portion is in the second position, the second support portion can support A4 size sheets in a feedable manner, but cannot support LEGAL size sheets in a feedable manner.

17. The sheet support device according to claim 1, in, The second support portion can be moved from the second position to the third position by moving from the second position along the first direction, and With the second support portion in the third position, the second support portion is able to support LEGAL-sized sheets in a feedable manner.

18. An imaging device, the imaging device comprising: The sheet support device according to any one of claims 1 to 17; and The main body includes an imaging portion configured to form an image on a sheet fed from the sheet support device.

19. The imaging device according to claim 18, in, The main body includes an opening through which the sheet support device, which moves along the first direction from the main body, passes; and a door portion movable to an open position where the opening is open and a closed position where the opening is closed. With the sheet support device mounted on the main body, the door portion is in the closed position when the second support portion is in the first position, and the door portion is in the open position when the second support portion is in the second position.

20. The imaging device according to claim 18, in, With the sheet support device mounted on the main body, at least a portion of the second support portion located at the second position is exposed to the outside of the main body.

Images