Sheet storing device and image forming system equipped with the same

Abstract

To provide a down-sized sheet storing device.SOLUTION: A prescribed frame has a main frame section and a drum arrangement section located on one side in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction opposite to the main frame section. A winding drum on the prescribed frame side is located in the drum arrangement section, and relay pulleys on the prescribed frame side, which are located in the drum arrangement section, include a first relay pulley on which the first wire is wound, a second relay pulley on the same axis as the first relay pulley and located outside of the first relay pulley in the first direction on which the second wire is wound, and a third relay pulley located in the main frame section on which the second wire is wound. The drum arrangement section is located inwardly in the first direction from the main frame portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet storage device and an image forming system including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional sheet storage device includes a set plate on which sheets are set. The set plate is supported so as to be movable up and down. The set plate moves up to hold the top surface of the topmost sheet on the set plate at a predetermined position. Such a sheet storage device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The set plate (sheet stacking plate) in Patent Document 1 is connected to a wire. In Patent Document 1, the set plate is raised and lowered by winding and unwinding the wire connected to the set plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-217266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a configuration in which a wire is connected to a set plate and the set plate is raised and lowered by winding and unwinding the wire, it is necessary to place a mechanism including a winding drum connected to the wire outside the set plate, which results in a larger sheet storage device.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sheet storage device and an image forming system equipped with the same, which can be made smaller in size in a configuration in which a wire is connected to a set plate on which a sheet is set and the set plate is raised and lowered by winding and unwinding the wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a sheet storage device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a set plate reciprocating in the vertical direction and on which sheets are set, a pair of plate-shaped frames arranged to face each other in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction with the set plate in between, a wire connected to both ends of the set plate in the first direction, a plurality of winding drums arranged outside each of the pair of plate-shaped frames in the first direction, connected to the wire and rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction, winding the wire by rotating in one direction to lift the set plate and unwinding the wire by rotating in the other direction to lower the set plate, and a plurality of relay pulleys arranged outside each of the pair of plate-shaped frames in the first direction, rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction, and around which the wire is wound. A predetermined frame of the pair of plate-shaped frames has a main frame portion and a drum arrangement portion located on one side of the main frame portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The wire includes a first wire connected to an end of the set plate on the side of the specified frame in the second direction, and a second wire connected to an end of the set plate on the side of the specified frame in the second direction. The winding drum on the side of the specified frame among the plurality of winding drums is arranged in the drum arrangement section. The relay pulley on the side of the specified frame among the plurality of relay pulleys includes a first relay pulley arranged in the drum arrangement section and around which the first wire is wound, a second relay pulley arranged on the same axis as the first relay pulley and outwardly of the first relay pulley in the first direction and around which the second wire is wound, and a third relay pulley arranged in the main frame section and around which the second wire is wound. The drum arrangement section is located inward in the first direction from the main frame section.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including the sheet storage device described above and an image forming device connected to the sheet storage device. The sheet storage device feeds sheets to the image forming device. The image forming device prints on the sheets fed from the sheet storage device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the configuration of the present invention, a wire is connected to a set plate on which sheets are set, and the set plate is raised and lowered by winding and unwinding the wire, so that the sheet storage device can be made compact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet storage device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet storage device according to the embodiment in a state where an outer cover is not provided. [Figure 4] 11 is a perspective view of a lifting mechanism for a set plate of a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 6 is a perspective view of a winding motor of the lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 5 and its periphery. [Figure 6] 4 is a plan view of a sheet storage area of ​​the sheet storage device according to the embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram (a plan view seen from above) of a mechanism for moving a pair of width direction regulating cursors of a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of a front winding drum and its surroundings in the sheet storage device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a top view of members disposed on the front side of a front frame of a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged view of the front winding drum and its periphery shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a front frame of a sheet storage device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a sheet storage device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming system 100S including the same will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] <Image forming system configuration> The sheet storage device 100 has an external appearance as shown in Fig. 1. The sheet storage device 100 is connected to an image forming apparatus 1000 as shown in Fig. 2. When the sheet storage device 100 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1000, it constitutes an image forming system 100S together with the image forming apparatus 1000. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming system 100S (i.e., the sheet storage device 100 connected to the image forming apparatus 1000). Fig. 2 corresponds to a front view of the image forming system 100S.

[0013] The sheet storage device 100 is installed on a floor surface together with the image forming apparatus 1000. The direction perpendicular to the floor surface (flat surface) on which the sheet storage device 100 is installed corresponds to the "up-down direction".

[0014] Here, one of the horizontal directions perpendicular to the up-down direction corresponds to the “first direction”, and the other direction perpendicular to the one direction corresponds to the “second direction”. In the following description, one horizontal direction is given the symbol D1 and is simply referred to as the first direction D1, and the other horizontal direction is given the symbol D2 and is simply referred to as the second direction D2.

[0015] The first direction D1 corresponds to the front-rear direction when the sheet storage device 100 is viewed from the front. One side of the first direction D1 is the front side (i.e., the near side when viewed from the front of the device), and the other side opposite to the one side of the first direction D1 is the rear side (i.e., the far side when viewed from the front of the device).

[0016] The second direction D2 corresponds to the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the sheet storage device 100. One side of the second direction D2 is the right side, and the other side opposite to the one side of the second direction D2 is the left side.

[0017] The sheet storage device 100 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1000. The sheet storage device 100 may be an optional device. The sheet storage device 100 is disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0018] The sheet storage device 100 stores sheets S. For example, the sheets S are paper. The sheet storage device 100 feeds the sheets S to the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the sheet storage device 100 functions as a feeding device.

[0019] The sheet storage device 100 is located on the right side of the image forming apparatus 1000 and feeds the sheet S from the right side to the left side of the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the direction from the right side to the left side of the second direction D2 is the feeding direction of the sheet S from the sheet storage device 100 to the image forming apparatus 1000. In this configuration, the first direction D1 is a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet S.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 1000 prints an image on the sheet S fed from the sheet storage apparatus 100. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 1000 is an electrophotographic method. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 1000 may be an inkjet method.

[0021] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> The image forming apparatus 1000 transports the sheet S fed from the sheet storage apparatus 100 along a transport path. The image forming apparatus 1000 prints an image on the sheet S being transported. In FIG. 2, the transport path for the sheet S is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a photoconductor drum 1001 and a transfer roller 1002. The photoconductor drum 1001 carries a toner image on its peripheral surface. The transfer roller 1002 is in pressure contact with the photoconductor drum 1001, forming a transfer nip between the photoconductor drum 1001 and the transfer roller 1002. The transfer roller 1002 rotates together with the photoconductor drum 1001. When a sheet S being conveyed enters the transfer nip, a transfer process is performed on the sheet S, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

[0023] Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1000 further includes a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The charging device charges the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001 into a toner image.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a pair of fixing rollers 1003. The pair of fixing rollers 1003 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller has a built-in heater. The pressure roller is pressed against the heating roller to form a fixing nip between the heating roller and the pressure roller. The pressure roller rotates together with the heating roller. When the sheet S being transported enters the fixing nip, a fixing process is performed on the sheet S, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing nip is discharged to an output tray ET.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a feed roller 1004. The feed roller 1004 feeds a sheet S to a conveying path from a sheet cassette CA in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the image forming apparatus 1000 is also capable of printing on a sheet S set in the sheet cassette CA.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1000 also includes an image reading apparatus 1005. The image reading apparatus 1005 reads an original document and generates image data of the original document. The image forming apparatus 1000 is capable of printing an image based on the image data of the original document onto a sheet S (i.e., copying the original document).

[0027] <Configuration of the Sheet Storage Device> As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet storage device 100 includes a front frame Ff and a rear frame Fr. The front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are plate-shaped frames made of sheet metal. The front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr correspond to a "pair of plate-shaped frames." The front frame Ff is disposed on the front side, and the rear frame Fr is disposed on the rear side. The front frame Ff has a front surface portion whose plate thickness direction is the first direction D1, and the rear frame Fr has a rear surface portion whose plate thickness direction is the first direction D1. The front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are disposed such that the front surface portion and the rear surface portion face each other in the first direction D1.

[0028] The sheet storage device 100 has a sheet storage area between the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. The sheet storage area is covered from above by a top cover CV (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0029] The top cover CV is rotatably supported by the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr. The top cover CV is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction D1. The top cover CV rotates with the left end as a fulcrum, swinging the right end up and down. In other words, the top cover CV opens and closes with respect to the upper opening of the sheet storage area.

[0030] By rotating the right end of the top cover CV upward (in other words, opening the top cover CV), the upper opening of the sheet storage area is exposed. Then, with the top cover CV open, sheets S are stored in the sheet storage area through the upper opening of the sheet storage area. From this state, by rotating the right end of the top cover CV downward (in other words, closing the top cover CV), the upper opening of the sheet storage area is blocked.

[0031] The sheet storage device 100 includes a set plate 1. The set plate 1 is made of sheet metal. The set plate 1 is disposed in a sheet storage area, which is an area between the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. In other words, the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are disposed to face each other in the first direction D1 with the set plate 1 in between. In further words, the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are disposed outward in the first direction D1 with respect to the set plate 1. The front frame Ff is disposed in front of the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The rear frame Fr is disposed in rear of the set plate 1 in the first direction D1.

[0032] The outward side in the first direction D1 is a direction from the center of the first direction D1 of the sheet storage area toward the front side or rear side of the first direction D1 of the sheet storage area. For example, the outward side in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff is the front side of the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff (i.e., the outside opposite the sheet storage area side of the front frame Ff), and the outward side in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr is the rear side of the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr (i.e., the outside opposite the sheet storage area side of the rear frame Fr).

[0033] On the other hand, the inward side in the first direction D1 is a direction from the front or rear side of the first direction D1 of the sheet storage area toward the center of the first direction D1 of the sheet storage area. For example, the inward side in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff is the rear side of the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff (i.e., the sheet storage area side of the front frame Ff), and the inward side in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr is the front side of the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr (i.e., the sheet storage area side of the rear frame Fr).

[0034] The setting plate 1 has a setting section 10 in which the sheets S are set in a sheet storage area. The sheets S are stacked in the vertical direction on the setting plate 1. The setting plate 1 is supported so as to be movable back and forth in the vertical direction.

[0035] The sheet storage device 100 includes a lifting mechanism 2. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 2 is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The lifting mechanism 2 reciprocates the setting plate 1 in the up-down direction. The lifting mechanism 2 raises the setting plate 1 to maintain the up-down position of the uppermost sheet S set on the setting plate 1 at a predetermined position.

[0036] The lifting mechanism 2 includes a wire 20 that is connected to both ends of the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The lifting mechanism 2 lifts and lowers the set plate 1 by winding and unwinding the wire 20.

[0037] The wire 20 includes a first wire 201, one end of which is connected to the right front end of the set plate 1, a second wire 202, one end of which is connected to the left front end of the set plate 1, a third wire 203, one end of which is connected to the right rear end of the set plate 1, and a fourth wire 204, one end of which is connected to the left rear end of the set plate 1.

[0038] Specifically, the set plate 1 has four connecting parts 11, 12, 13, and 14. The connecting part 11 is provided at the right front end of the set part 10, the connecting part 12 is provided at the left front end of the set part 10, the connecting part 13 is provided at the right rear end of the set part 10, and the connecting part 14 is provided at the left rear end of the set part 10. The front frame Ff also has long holes LH (see FIG. 3) on the right and left sides in the second direction D2, whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction and which penetrate in the plate thickness direction. Although not shown, the rear frame Fr also has long holes on the right and left sides in the second direction D2, whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction and which penetrate in the plate thickness direction.

[0039] The connecting portion 11 protrudes outward (i.e., toward the front) in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff through a long hole LH on the right side in the second direction D2 of the front frame Ff. The connecting portion 12 protrudes outward (i.e., toward the front) in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff through a long hole LH on the left side in the second direction D2 of the front frame Ff. The connecting portion 13 protrudes outward (i.e., toward the rear) in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr through a long hole on the right side in the second direction D2 of the rear frame Fr. The connecting portion 14 protrudes outward (i.e., toward the rear) in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr through a long hole on the left side in the second direction D2 of the rear frame Fr.

[0040] Then, the first wire 201 is connected to the connecting portion 11. The second wire 202 is connected to the connecting portion 12. The third wire 203 is connected to the connecting portion 13. The fourth wire 204 is connected to the connecting portion .

[0041] The lifting mechanism 2 includes a front winding drum FD, a rear winding drum RD, a front relay pulley FP, a rear relay pulley RP, and a winding motor M. The front winding drum FD and the rear winding drum RD correspond to the "winding drum." The front relay pulley FP and the rear relay pulley RP correspond to the "relay pulley."

[0042] The front winding drum FD includes a first winding drum 211 to which the other end of the first wire 201 is connected, and a second winding drum 212 to which the other end of the second wire 202 is connected. The rear winding drum RD includes a third winding drum 213 to which the other end of the third wire 203 is connected, and a fourth winding drum 214 to which the other end of the fourth wire 204 is connected. The front winding drum FD and the rear winding drum RD each rotate in one direction to wind up the wire 20 connected to them, and rotate in the other direction to unwind the wire 20 connected to them.

[0043] The front winding drum FD is disposed outward of the front frame Ff in the first direction D1. On the other hand, the rear winding drum RD is disposed outward of the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. Although not shown, the first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 may be configured as a single winding drum. Similarly, the third winding drum 213 and the fourth winding drum 214 may be configured as a single winding drum. That is, the first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 may be integrated with each other, and the third winding drum 213 and the fourth winding drum 214 may be integrated with each other.

[0044] The first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 are arranged in this order from the front frame Ff side toward the outside in the first direction D1. The fourth winding drum 214 and the third winding drum 213 are arranged in this order from the rear frame Fr side toward the outside in the first direction D1.

[0045] The first to fourth winding drums 211 to 214 are supported rotatably about the same axis extending in the first direction D1. That is, the second winding drum 212 is disposed on the same axis as the first winding drum 211 and outward of the first winding drum 211 in the first direction D1. The third winding drum 213 is disposed on the same axis as the fourth winding drum 214 and outward of the fourth winding drum 214 in the first direction D1.

[0046] Specifically, the first to fourth winding drums 211 to 214 are attached to the same rotating shaft 210 and rotate together with the rotating shaft 210. The rotating shaft 210 extends parallel to the first direction D1, with one end in the axial direction rotatably supported by the front frame Ff and the other end opposite to the one end in the axial direction rotatably supported by the rear frame Fr. The first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 are disposed at the right end of the front frame Ff in the second direction D2, and the third winding drum 213 and the fourth winding drum 214 are disposed at the right end of the rear frame Fr in the second direction D2. That is, one end of the rotating shaft 210 is rotatably supported at the right end of the front frame Ff in the second direction D2, and the other end of the rotating shaft 210 is rotatably supported at the right end of the rear frame Fr in the second direction D2.

[0047] The winding motor M is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 210. The rotation of the rotating shaft 210 rotates the first to fourth winding drums 211-214. The winding motor M is disposed outside the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. The winding motor M is connected to the rear end of the rotating shaft 210 via a transmission mechanism 23 including a plurality of gears such as a screw gear.

[0048] The front relay pulley FP is disposed outward in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff. The front relay pulley FP is disposed above the front winding drum FD (i.e., the rotating shaft 210). The front relay pulley FP is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction D1. The front relay pulley FP is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft (reference number omitted) attached to the front frame Ff. The wire 20 is wound around the front relay pulley FP. The front relay pulley FP includes a first relay pulley 221, a second relay pulley 222, and a third relay pulley 223.

[0049] The first relay pulley 221 is disposed at the right end of the front frame Ff in the second direction D2. The first relay pulley 221 is disposed near the front winding drum FD and to the left of the front winding drum FD in the second direction D2. The first relay pulley 221 is disposed at a position closer to the front winding drum FD in the second direction D2 than the third relay pulley 223. In other words, the first relay pulley 221 is disposed closer to the right in the second direction D2 than the third relay pulley 223. The first wire 201 is wound around the first relay pulley 221.

[0050] The second relay pulley 222 is disposed on the same axis as the first relay pulley 221. That is, the positions of the rotation shafts of the first relay pulley 221 and the second relay pulley 222 in the up-down direction coincide with each other, and the positions of the rotation shafts of the first relay pulley 221 and the second relay pulley 222 in the second direction D2 coincide with each other.

[0051] Moreover, the second relay pulley 222 is disposed outward in the first direction D1 from the first relay pulley 221. In other words, the second relay pulley 222 is disposed outward on the opposite side to the front frame Ff side of the first relay pulley 221. In further words, the first relay pulley 221 and the second relay pulley 222 are arranged in this order from the front frame Ff side toward the outside in the first direction D1. The second wire 202 is wound around the second relay pulley 222.

[0052] The third relay pulley 223 is disposed to the left of the second relay pulley 222 in the second direction D2. The third relay pulley 223 is disposed at a position farther away from the front take-up drum FD in the second direction D2 than the second relay pulley 222. That is, the third relay pulley 223 is disposed closer to the left of the second relay pulley 222 in the second direction D2. The vertical position of the third relay pulley 223 is the same as (including approximately the same as) the vertical position of the second relay pulley 222. The position of the third relay pulley 223 in the first direction D1 is the same as (including approximately the same as) the position of the second relay pulley 222 in the first direction D1. The second wire 202 is wound around the third relay pulley 223.

[0053] The rear relay pulley RP is disposed outward of the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. The rear relay pulley RP is disposed above the rear take-up drum RD (i.e., the rotating shaft 210). The rear relay pulley RP is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction D1. The rear relay pulley RP is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft (reference number omitted) attached to the rear frame Fr. The wire 20 is wound around the rear relay pulley RP. The rear relay pulley RP includes a fourth relay pulley 224, a fifth relay pulley 225, and a sixth relay pulley 226.

[0054] The fourth relay pulley 224 is disposed at the right end of the rear frame Fr in the second direction D2. The fourth relay pulley 224 is disposed near the rear take-up drum RD and to the left of the rear take-up drum RD in the second direction D2. The fourth relay pulley 224 is disposed at a position closer to the rear take-up drum RD in the second direction D2 than the sixth relay pulley 226. In other words, the fourth relay pulley 224 is disposed closer to the right in the second direction D2 than the sixth relay pulley 226. The third wire 203 is wound around the fourth relay pulley 224.

[0055] The fifth relay pulley 225 is disposed on the same axis as the fourth relay pulley 224. That is, the positions of the rotation shafts of the fourth relay pulley 224 and the fifth relay pulley 225 in the up-down direction coincide with each other, and the positions of the rotation shafts of the fourth relay pulley 224 and the fifth relay pulley 225 in the second direction D2 coincide with each other.

[0056] Moreover, the fifth relay pulley 225 is disposed inward of the fourth relay pulley 224 in the first direction D1. In other words, the fifth relay pulley 225 is disposed on the rear frame Fr side of the fourth relay pulley 224. In further other words, the fifth relay pulley 225 and the fourth relay pulley 224 are arranged in this order from the rear frame Fr side toward the outside in the first direction D1. The fourth wire 204 is wound around the fifth relay pulley 225.

[0057] The sixth relay pulley 226 is disposed to the left of the fifth relay pulley 225 in the second direction D2. The sixth relay pulley 226 is disposed at a position farther away from the rear winding drum RD in the second direction D2 than the fifth relay pulley 225. That is, the sixth relay pulley 226 is disposed to the left of the fifth relay pulley 225 in the second direction D2. The vertical position of the sixth relay pulley 226 is the same as (including approximately the same as) the vertical position of the fifth relay pulley 225. The position of the sixth relay pulley 226 in the first direction D1 is the same as (including approximately the same as) the position of the fifth relay pulley 225 in the first direction D1. The fourth wire 204 is wound around the sixth relay pulley 226.

[0058] The first wire 201 extends from the connecting portion 11 of the set plate 1, is wound around a first relay pulley 221, and reaches the first winding drum 211. The second wire 202 extends from the connecting portion 12 of the set plate 1, is wound around a third relay pulley 223 and a second relay pulley 222 in this order, and reaches the second winding drum 212.

[0059] The third wire 203 extends from the connecting portion 13 of the set plate 1, is wound around a fourth relay pulley 224, and reaches the third winding drum 213. The fourth wire 204 extends from the connecting portion 14 of the set plate 1, is wound around a sixth relay pulley 226 and a fifth relay pulley 225 in this order, and reaches the fourth winding drum 214.

[0060] As the winding motor M rotates in the forward direction, the first to fourth winding drums 211-214 rotate in one direction, and the first to fourth wires 201-204 are wound by the first to fourth winding drums 211-214. This causes the set plate 1 to rise. On the other hand, as the winding motor M rotates in the reverse direction, the first to fourth winding drums 211-214 rotate in the other direction, and the first to fourth wires 201-204 are unwound from the first to fourth winding drums 211-214. This causes the set plate 1 to descend.

[0061] 2 and 3, the sheet storage device 100 includes a feeding unit 3. The feeding unit 3 feeds a sheet S from the sheet storage device 100 (i.e., a sheet storage area) to the image forming apparatus 1000. The feeding unit 3 includes a pickup roller 31 and a transport roller pair 32.

[0062] The pickup roller 31 is supported rotatably. The pickup roller 31 is disposed at a position where it can come into contact with the downstream end of the sheet S in the feeding direction from above when the sheet S is set on the set plate 1. The pickup roller 31 is supported rotatably. The pickup roller 31 comes into contact with the sheet S set on the set plate 1 from above, and rotates in that state to pull out the sheet S from the set plate 1.

[0063] The transport roller pair 32 is supported rotatably. The transport roller pair 32 is a pair of rollers that are in pressure contact with each other. The transport roller pair 32 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 31 in the feeding direction. The transport roller pair 32 nips the sheet S pulled out from the set plate 1 by the pickup roller 31 and rotates. In this way, the transport roller pair 32 transports the sheet S toward the image forming apparatus 1000. The number of transport roller pairs 32 to be installed is not particularly limited, and can be changed according to the length of the transport path of the sheet S from the pickup roller 31 to the image forming apparatus 1000, etc.

[0064] The sheet S on the set plate 1 is sent from the right side to the left side in the second direction D2. That is, on the set plate 1, the left end of the sheet S in the second direction D2 is the front end, and the right end of the sheet S in the second direction D2 is the rear end. Also, on the set plate 1, the first direction D1 (i.e., the front-to-rear direction) is the width direction of the sheet S.

[0065] The lifting mechanism 2 raises the setting plate 1 to bring the topmost sheet S on the setting plate 1 into contact with the pickup roller 31. When the sheets S are continuously fed from the sheet storage device 100 to the image forming apparatus 1000, the lifting mechanism 2 repeatedly raises and stops the setting plate 1. This maintains the contact between the topmost sheet S on the setting plate 1 and the pickup roller 31.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet storage device 100 includes width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B and a rear end restriction cursor 4C. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C are supported so as to be movable back and forth in the horizontal direction. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C move in the horizontal direction by the user's operation. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C contact the edge of the sheet S set on the set plate 1 from the horizontal direction. As a result, the width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C restrict the horizontal positional deviation of the sheet S on the set plate 1.

[0067] The width direction regulating cursors 4A and 4B move in a first direction D1 to come into contact with the edge of the sheet S on the set plate 1 from the first direction D1, regulating misalignment of the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The width direction regulating cursors 4A and 4B sandwich the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The rear end regulating cursor 4C moves in a second direction D2 to come into contact with the edge of the sheet S on the set plate 1 from the second direction D2, regulating misalignment of the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the second direction D2.

[0068] In addition, when viewed from above, the set plate 1 has openings (reference numbers omitted) on the movement paths of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B, and has an opening (reference number omitted) on the movement path of the rear end restriction cursor 4C. Therefore, even if the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B move in the first direction D1, they do not come into contact with the set plate 1. Even if the rear end restriction cursor 4C moves in the second direction D2, it does not come into contact with the set plate 1. In other words, even if the sheet S is small compared to the set plate 1 when viewed from above, the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B can be brought into contact with the edge of the sheet S without coming into contact with the set plate 1, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C can be brought into contact with the edge of the sheet S without coming into contact with the set plate 1. In FIG. 6, the set plate 1 is hatched.

[0069] The width direction restriction cursor 4A contacts the edge of the sheet S from the front side in the first direction D1, and the width direction restriction cursor 4B contacts the edge of the sheet S from the rear side in the first direction D1. Specifically, the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B each have a plate-shaped side portion 40 that contacts the edge of the sheet S. The side portions 40 of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B stand upright in the vertical direction, and the first direction D1 is the plate thickness direction. The side portions 40 of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B face each other in the first direction D1.

[0070] The width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B move in the first direction D1 in conjunction with each other. When the width direction restriction cursor 4A moves rearward, the width direction restriction cursor 4B moves forward, narrowing the distance between the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1. When the width direction restriction cursor 4A moves frontward, the width direction restriction cursor 4B moves rearward, widening the distance between the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1.

[0071] In order to link the movements of the width-direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1, the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is provided with a rack 401 extending rearward in the first direction D1, and the width-direction restriction cursor 4B is provided with a rack 402 extending forward in the first direction D1, as shown in Fig. 7. A gear 400 that rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction is provided between the racks 401 and 402 in the second direction D2. The gear 400 meshes with the racks 401 and 402.

[0072] When moving the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1, the user operates the width direction restriction cursor 4A to move the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1. That is, the width direction restriction cursor 4A is supported so as to be manually (i.e., operated by the user) movable back and forth. In this configuration, the width direction restriction cursor 4A corresponds to the "restriction cursor."

[0073] The sheet storage device 100 includes a cursor movement mechanism including a guide shaft 51 and a guide rail GL to enable the width-direction restriction cursor 4A to move back and forth in the first direction D1. The guide shaft 51 and the guide rail GL extend in the first direction D1 and guide the width-direction restriction cursor 4A to move back and forth in the first direction D1. The cursor movement mechanism also includes a stopper (not shown). The stopper is connected to the width-direction restriction cursor 4A.

[0074] The stopper has a guide hole into which the guide shaft 51 is inserted. When the stopper is tilted, the movement of the width direction regulating cursor 4A in the first direction D1 is restricted by contact resistance between the guide shaft 51 and the inner edge of the guide hole. The stopper is constantly biased to be tilted by a biasing member (not shown) such as a coil spring.

[0075] The cursor movement mechanism includes a lever 61 for transitioning the stopper from a tilted state to an upright state. The lever 61 is operated by the user. When the lever 61 is operated, it presses the stopper in a direction in which the stopper transitions from the tilted state to the upright state. When the lever 61 is operated, the stopper in the tilted state is raised, and the stopper transitions to the upright state. This enables the width-direction restricting cursor 4A to move back and forth in the first direction D1.

[0076] Some components of the cursor movement mechanism, such as the lever 61, are attached to the width-direction restriction cursor 4A. For this reason, when the cursor movement mechanism is installed in the sheet storage device 100, the size of the width-direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1 becomes larger than when the cursor movement mechanism is not installed. Therefore, when the cursor movement mechanism is installed in the sheet storage device 100, it is necessary to expand at least the area in which the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is disposed in the first direction D1 among the area between the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1.

[0077] <Previous frame configuration> The configuration of the front frame Ff will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 and Figs. 8 to 10. The front frame Ff has a portion EP bent outward in the first direction D1 over substantially the entire circumference (see Figs. 3, 8 and 9). Figs. 9 and 10 correspond to a cross section obtained by cutting the upper end portion of the front frame Ff, including the portion EP, in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the front frame Ff is hatched in Figs. 9 and 10.

[0078] The front frame Ff is a plate-shaped frame having a main frame portion 71 and a drum placement portion 72. That is, the front frame Ff corresponds to the "predetermined frame". In this configuration, the front winding drum FD (i.e., the first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212) corresponds to the "winding drum on the predetermined frame side". Also, the front relay pulley FP (i.e., the first relay pulley 221, the second relay pulley 222, and the third relay pulley 223) corresponds to the "relay pulley on the predetermined frame side". Furthermore, in this configuration, the rear frame Fr corresponds to the "frame other than the predetermined frame".

[0079] Of the front frame Ff, a front portion having a plate thickness direction in the first direction D1 has a main frame portion 71 and a drum mounting portion 72. The front frame Ff integrally has the main frame portion 71 and the drum mounting portion 72. In other words, the drum mounting portion 72 is not a member that is later attached to the main frame portion 71.

[0080] The main frame portion 71 is a portion of the front frame Ff other than the right end portion in the second direction D2. The main frame portion 71 is located outside the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1. In other words, the main frame portion 71 covers the width direction restriction cursor 4A from the outside in the first direction D1. In further other words, the width direction restriction cursor 4A faces the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1.

[0081] The drum mounting portion 72 is an end portion on the right side in the second direction D2 of the front frame Ff. The drum mounting portion 72 is a portion located to the right of the main frame portion 71 in the second direction D2. The drum mounting portion 72 is a portion located to the right of the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the second direction D2. In other words, the main frame portion 71 faces the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1, while the drum mounting portion 72 does not face the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1.

[0082] The front winding drum FD is disposed in the drum mounting section 72. A first relay pulley 221 is disposed in the drum mounting section 72. The first relay pulley 221 is disposed on the left side of the front winding drum FD in the second direction D2 in the drum mounting section 72. The second relay pulley 222 is disposed on the same axis as the first relay pulley 221 and outward of the first relay pulley 221 in the first direction D1. That is, the second relay pulley 222 is disposed in the drum mounting section 72. The third relay pulley 223 is disposed in the main frame section 71.

[0083] Here, the drum mounting portion 72 is located further inward in the first direction D1 than the main frame portion 71. For example, the front frame Ff is formed from a single plate material. The plate material constituting the front frame Ff is a metal plate. The single plate material is bent so that a portion of it is recessed toward the portion that will become the main frame portion 71. This makes it easy to obtain the front frame Ff having, as the drum mounting portion 72, a portion recessed inward in the first direction D1 than the main frame portion 71.

[0084] In this embodiment, the drum placement portion 72 is located inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71, so that the size of the sheet storage device 100 in the first direction D1 can be reduced. That is, the sheet storage device 100 can be made compact.

[0085] Specifically, the first winding drum 211 is disposed in the drum mounting portion 72. Also, the first relay pulley 221 is disposed in the drum mounting portion 72. Therefore, when the drum mounting portion 72 is positioned inward of the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1, at least a part of the first winding drum 211 is inward of the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1. Similarly, at least a part of the first relay pulley 221 is inward of the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1. As a result, when the drum mounting portion 72 is positioned inward of the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1, the size of the sheet storage device 100 in the first direction D1 is smaller than when the position of the drum mounting portion 72 in the first direction D1 is the same as that of the main frame portion 71.

[0086] A first wire 201 is connected to the first winding drum 211. The first wire 201 is wound around only the first relay pulley 221. For this reason, even if both the first winding drum 211 and the first relay pulley 221 are completely positioned inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71, the first wire 201 will not come into contact with the front frame Ff.

[0087] Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance D in the first direction D1 between the main frame portion 71 (its front surface) and the drum mounting portion 72 (its front surface) is equal to or greater than the width W in the first direction D1 of the first winding drum 211. This allows the first winding drum 211 to be positioned completely inward in the first direction D1 than the main frame portion 71. In addition, since the width in the first direction D1 of the first relay pulley 221 is smaller than the width W in the first direction D1 of the first winding drum 211, the first relay pulley 221 can also be positioned completely inward in the first direction D1 than the main frame portion 71.

[0088] The width W of the first winding drum 211 in the first direction D1 refers to the width in the first direction D1 of a drum portion of the first winding drum 211 around which the first wire 201 is wound, and does not include the rotation shaft of the first winding drum 211. The width W of the first relay pulley 221 in the first direction D1 refers to the width in the first direction D1 of a portion around which the first wire 201 is wound, and does not include the rotation shaft of the first relay pulley 221.

[0089] In this way, if the distance D in the first direction D1 between the main frame portion 71 and the drum mounting portion 72 is equal to or greater than the width W in the first direction D1 of the first winding drum 211, the first winding drum 211 and the first relay pulley 221 can be placed inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. However, if the distance D in the first direction D1 between the main frame portion 71 and the drum mounting portion 72 is too large, the second winding drum 212 and the second relay pulley 222 will be placed inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. In this case, the third relay pulley 223 is placed outward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71, making it difficult to wind the second wire 202 around it.

[0090] For this reason, in this embodiment, the second winding drum 212 and the second relay pulley 222 are disposed outward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. In other words, the distance D in the first direction D1 between the main frame portion 71 and the drum mounting portion 72 is set so that the second winding drum 212 and the second relay pulley 222 are disposed outward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. As a result, even if the drum mounting portion 72 is positioned inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71, the second wire 202 connected to the second winding drum 212 can be easily wound around the second relay pulley 222 and the third relay pulley 223.

[0091] In this embodiment, the main frame portion 71 is located outward of the width-direction regulating cursor 4A in the first direction D1, while the drum mounting portion 72 is located to the right of the width-direction regulating cursor 4A in the second direction D2 (i.e., on one side of the second direction D2). The width-direction regulating cursor 4A is not present inside the drum mounting portion 72 in the first direction D1. As a result, even if the position of the drum mounting portion 72 in the first direction D1 is inside the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1, the drum mounting portion 72 does not come into contact with the width-direction regulating cursor 4A.

[0092] <Modification> 11 , the front frame Ff has a plate-like member 720 that is a separate member from the main frame portion 71 as the drum mounting portion 72. The plate-like member 720 as the drum mounting portion 72 may be attached to the main frame portion 71 or may be attached to another frame of the sheet storage device 100.

[0093] An opening 70 penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed in the front frame Ff because the plate-like member 720 is used as the drum mounting portion 72. The front frame Ff has the opening 70 on the right side of the main frame portion 71 in the second direction D2.

[0094] Moreover, the plate-shaped member 720 serving as the drum mounting portion 72 is disposed inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. The plate-shaped member 720 is exposed outward in the first direction D1 from the opening 70. The front take-up drum FD (i.e., the first take-up drum 211 and the second take-up drum 212), the first relay pulley 221, and the second relay pulley 222 are disposed on the plate-shaped member 720.

[0095] Here, the first winding drum 211 and the first relay pulley 221 are disposed inward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71. On the other hand, the second winding drum 212 and the second relay pulley 222 protrude outward in the first direction D1 from the main frame portion 71 through the opening 70.

[0096] In the modified example, the plate-shaped member 720 (i.e., the drum arrangement portion 72) is arranged inside the main frame portion 71 in the first direction D1, and the front winding drum FD, the first relay pulley 221, and the second relay pulley 222 are arranged on the plate-shaped member 720, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the sheet storage device 100 in the first direction D1. In addition, since the second winding drum 212 and the second relay pulley 222 protrude outward in the first direction D1 beyond the main frame portion 71 through the opening 70, it is not difficult to wind the second wire 202 around it.

[0097] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 set board 4A Width direction restriction cursor (restriction cursor) 20 Wire 70 aperture 71 Main frame section 72 Drum placement section 100 Sheet storage device 100S Image Forming System 201 First Wire 202 2nd Wire 211 First winding drum 212 Second winding drum 221 First relay pulley 222 2nd relay pulley 223 3rd relay pulley 720 Plate-shaped members 1000 Image forming device D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction FD Front winding drum (winding drum) FP Front relay pulley (Relay pulley) Ff Front frame (plate frame, specified frame) Fr Rear frame (plate frame) M Winding motor RD Rear take-up drum (take-up drum) RP Rear Relay Pulley (Relay Pulley)

Claims

1. A set plate that can move back and forth in the vertical direction and on which a sheet is set; a pair of plate-like frames arranged to face each other in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction with the set plate therebetween; a wire connected to both ends of the set plate in the first direction; a plurality of winding drums arranged outside the pair of plate-like frames in the first direction, connected to the wire, and rotatable about axes extending in the first direction, rotating in one direction to wind up the wire and lift the set plate, and rotating in the other direction to unwind the wire and lower the set plate; a plurality of relay pulleys arranged on the outside of each of the pair of plate-shaped frames in the first direction, rotatable about axes extending in the first direction, and around which the wire is wound; A predetermined frame of the pair of plate-shaped frames is A main frame part, a drum mounting portion located on one side of the main frame portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The wire is a first wire connected to an end of the set plate on one side of the predetermined frame in the second direction; a second wire connected to an end of the set plate on the other side in the second direction on the side of the predetermined frame, The winding drum on the predetermined frame side among the plurality of winding drums is disposed in the drum arrangement section, Among the plurality of relay pulleys, the relay pulley on the predetermined frame side is a first relay pulley disposed in the drum placement section and around which the first wire is wound; a second relay pulley that is disposed on the same axis as the first relay pulley and outwardly of the first relay pulley in the first direction, and around which the second wire is wound; a third relay pulley disposed in the main frame portion and around which the second wire is wound, The drum arrangement portion is located inward in the first direction from the main frame portion.

2. The winding drum on the predetermined frame side is a first winding drum connected to the first wire; a second winding drum arranged on the same axis as the first winding drum and outwardly of the first winding drum in the first direction and connected to the second wire; The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance in the first direction between the main frame portion and the drum mounting portion is equal to or greater than a width of the first winding drum in the first direction.

3. The sheet storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the second winding drum and the second relay pulley are disposed outward in the first direction from the main frame portion.

4. The predetermined frame is formed from a single plate material, The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the drum placement portion is a portion of the plate member that is bent to be recessed inward in the first direction relative to the main frame portion.

5. the predetermined frame has a plate-like member as the drum arrangement portion, the plate-like member being a separate member from the main frame portion, the predetermined frame has an opening penetrating in the first direction on one side of the main frame portion in the second direction, the plate-like member is disposed inward in the first direction from the main frame portion and is exposed outward in the first direction from the opening, The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the take-up drum, the first relay pulley, and the second relay pulley on the predetermined frame side are disposed on the plate-shaped member.

6. a regulating cursor that is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in the first direction and that regulates a positional deviation of the sheet in the first direction by contacting the sheet on the set plate from the first direction; the main frame portion is located outside the restricting cursor in the first direction, The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the drum arrangement portion is located on one side of the regulating cursor in the second direction.

7. A winding motor is provided to rotate the plurality of winding drums, The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the winding motor is disposed outward in the first direction of the frame other than the predetermined frame of the pair of plate-shaped frames.

8. A sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an image forming apparatus connected to the sheet storage device, the sheet storage device feeds the sheet to the image forming device; The image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus prints on the sheets fed from the sheet storage apparatus.

Images