Sheet conveying device and image formation system

Abstract

To suppress a rotary shaft which rotates an opening / closing part from being large-sized in an axial direction.SOLUTION: A sheet conveying device comprises: an upper door unit which rotates on a rotary shaft 157 between a closing position and an opening position relative to a main body unit; a sheet conveying path which is formed with the main body unit when the upper door unit is located at the closing position, and conveys a sheet; a first damper 171 which imparts damping force to the upper door unit so as to reduce a rotating speed of the upper door unit when the upper door unit is rotated from the opening position toward the closing position; and a second damper 172 which is arranged side by side with the first damper 171, and imparts damping force to the upper door unit so as to reduce the rotating speed of the upper door unit when the upper door unit is rotated from the opening position toward the closing position. The first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged so as to at least partially overlap with each other when viewed from a front-rear direction Y orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed along the sheet conveying path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet transport device that transports a sheet, and an image forming system that uses the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a sheet feeding device or an image forming apparatus, a configuration in which an opening / closing part capable of opening a sheet transport path is provided is known (see Patent Document 1). In the hinge mechanism of the opening / closing part disclosed in Patent Document 1, a damper (air damper) is used as a member for improving operability during opening and closing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-39809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the hinge mechanism described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the operability of the opening and closing part when opening and closing depends on the damping force or biasing force of the damper. Therefore, for example, in order to realize suitable operability even when the weight of the opening and closing part becomes heavy, it is necessary to increase the damping force or biasing force. In order to increase the damping force or biasing force, for example, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the damper or to arrange multiple dampers in parallel in the rotation axis direction of the hinge mechanism. However, these configurations may lead to an increase in the size of the device having the hinge mechanism in the rotation axis direction.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device and an image forming system that can suppress an increase in size in the axial direction of a rotation shaft that rotates an opening / closing section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet transport device comprising: a first unit; a second unit that rotates relative to the first unit around a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position; a sheet transport path formed between the first unit when the second unit is positioned at the closed position and that transports a sheet; a first damper that applies a damping force to the second unit so as to reduce the rotation speed of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position to the closed position; and a second damper that is arranged alongside the first damper and applies a damping force to the second unit so as to reduce the rotation speed of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position to the closed position, wherein the first damper and the second damper are arranged so as to overlap at least partially when viewed from a width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction of the sheet transported along the sheet transport path.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the above-mentioned sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet to the image forming apparatus. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in size in the axial direction of the rotation shaft that rotates the opening / closing part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper door unit is in a closed position in the feeding module according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper door unit is in a maintenance position in the feeding module according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an upper door unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a frame of the upper door unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hinge of the upper door unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a damper of the hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a hinge of an upper door unit according to a first embodiment as viewed from behind. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a stopper and a retaining member are removed from the hinge of the upper door unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the hinge when the upper door unit according to the first embodiment is in a closed position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the hinge when the upper door unit according to the first embodiment is in the first open position. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the hinge when the upper door unit according to the first embodiment is slightly beyond the first open position. [Figure 13] 11 is a side view showing the hinge when the upper door unit according to the first embodiment is slightly beyond the second open position. FIG. [Figure 14] 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening angle and the torque by the damper when opening and closing the upper door unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening angle and the operating force when opening and closing the upper door unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the hinge when the upper door unit according to the second embodiment is in the second open position. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a hinge when the upper door unit according to the third embodiment is in a closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. In this embodiment, a case where an image forming system is applied to an inkjet recording system 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the inkjet recording system 1. This inkjet recording system 1 is a sheet-fed inkjet recording system that produces a recorded matter by forming an ink image on a sheet S using two liquids, a reaction liquid and an ink. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording system 1 is composed of a feeding module 100, a print module 200, a drying module 300, a fixing module 400, a cooling module 500, an inversion module 600, and a discharge module 700. A cut-paper-like sheet S supplied from the feeding module 100 is conveyed along a conveying path, processed in each module, and discharged by the discharge module 700. In each drawing, the front side in the front-rear direction Y of the inkjet recording system 1 is represented as the front F, the back side is represented as the back B, the right side in the left-right direction X is represented as the right R, the left side is represented as the left L, and the upper side in the up-down direction Z is represented as the upper U, and the lower side is represented as the lower D.

[0011] The feeding module 100 is an example of a sheet transport device that transports sheets to the print module 200, and has three storage chambers 111, 112, and 113 that store sheets S. Each storage chamber 111, 112, and 113 is configured so that it can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus (front F). The sheets S are fed one by one in each storage chamber 111, 112, and 113 by a separation belt and transport rollers (not shown), and are transported to the print module 200. The number of storage chambers 111, 112, and 113 is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more.

[0012] The print module 200 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and has a pre-imaging registration correction unit (not shown), a print belt unit 220, and a recording unit 230, and forms an image on a sheet. The sheet S conveyed from the feeding module 100 has its inclination and position corrected by the pre-imaging registration correction unit, and is conveyed to the print belt unit 220. The recording unit 230 is disposed at a position facing the print belt unit 220 with respect to the conveying path. The recording unit 230 is an example of an image forming unit, and forms an image by performing recording processing (printing) on ​​the conveyed sheet S from above U using a recording head. A plurality of recording heads are arranged along the conveying direction. In this embodiment, in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black), a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquid are provided. Note that the number of colors and the number of recording heads are not limited to five. The inkjet method may employ a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. Ink of each color is supplied to the recording head from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube. The sheet S printed by the recording unit 230 is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 220, so that the sheet S is conveyed while ensuring a clearance with the recording head. The sheet S printed by the recording unit 230 is subjected to detection of misalignment and color density of the image formed on the sheet S by an in-line scanner (not shown) arranged downstream of the recording unit in the sheet conveying direction. The detection result is used to correct the printed image.

[0013] The drying module 300 has a decoupling section 320, a drying belt unit 330, and a hot air blowing section 340, and reduces the liquid content contained in the ink applied to the sheet S by the recording section 230 of the print module 200, thereby improving the fixation of the sheet S and the ink. The sheet S printed by the recording section 230 of the print module 200 is transported to the decoupling section 320 arranged on the upstream side of the drying module 300 in the sheet transport direction. In the decoupling section 320, the sheet S can be transported from above U by air pressure and friction of the belt, and by weakly holding and transporting the sheet S on the belt, the sheet S on the print belt unit 220 on which the ink image is formed is prevented from shifting. The drying belt unit 330 is arranged below the belt D, and the hot air blowing section 340 is arranged above the belt U, facing each other with the belt in between. The sheet S transported from the decoupling section 320 is adsorbed and transported by the drying belt unit 330, and at the same time, the ink application surface is dried by receiving hot air from the hot air blowing section 340. In addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be a combination of a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.) and a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heating element.

[0014] The fixing module 400 has a fixing belt unit 410. The fixing belt unit 410 has an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit, and the sheet S conveyed from the drying module 300 passes between the heated upper belt unit and the lower belt unit, thereby fixing the ink to the sheet S.

[0015] The cooling module 500 has a plurality of cooling sections 501, and cools the high-temperature sheet S transported from the fixing module 400 along the sheet transport path. The cooling sections 501 are configured to take in outside air into a cooling box with a fan, increase the pressure inside the cooling box, and cool the sheet S by blowing air from nozzles formed in a transport guide onto the sheet S. The cooling sections 501 are disposed on both the upper U side and the lower D side of the transport path, and cool the sheet S from both sides.

[0016] The cooling module 500 also has a transport path switching unit, and can switch the transport path of the sheet S depending on whether the sheet S is transported to the inversion module 600 or to a double-sided transport path used for double-sided printing. During double-sided printing, the sheet S is transported to a transport path below the cooling module 500. In this case, the sheet S is further transported from the cooling module 500 along a double-sided transport path of the fixing module 400, the drying module 300, the print module 200, and the feeding module 100. The double-sided transport path of the fixing module 400 is provided with a first inversion unit 420 that inverts the sheet S. Then, the sheet S is transported again from the feeding module 100 to the pre-imaging registration correction unit of the print module 200, the print belt unit 220, and the recording unit 230, where it is printed.

[0017] The reversing module 600 has a second reversing section 640, and can reverse the front and back of the conveyed sheet S, and can change the front and back orientation of the discharged sheet S. The discharge module 700 has a top tray 720 and a stacking section 750, and aligns and stacks the sheets S conveyed from the reversing module 600.

[0018] [Feeding module] Next, the configuration of the feeding module 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding module 100 has a main unit 130, which is an example of a first unit, and an upper door unit 120, which is an example of a second unit. In the main unit 130, the storage cabinets 111, 112, and 113 are arranged in a vertical direction Z in a stacked manner, and the upper door unit 120 is arranged above them U. The upper door unit 120 is horizontal as shown in FIG. 2 and is displaced to a first open position (open position, maintenance position) rotated 30° from the closed position as shown in FIG. 3 by rotating upward U about the rear B side as a rotation center. That is, the upper door unit 120 rotates to the closed position and the first open position with respect to the main unit 130 about a rotation shaft 157 described later. In this embodiment, the upper door unit 120 is rotatable from a horizontal closed position through a first open position (opening angle 30°), a second open position (opening angle 60°), and a third open position (opening angle 90°).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper door unit 120 is rotatably connected to the main unit 130 by a left hinge 151 arranged on the left side L of the upper door unit 120 and a right hinge 152 arranged on the right side R of the upper door unit 120. When opening and closing the upper door unit 120, a user grips a handle 160 provided on the front side F of the upper door unit 120 and rotates it toward the user. This rotates a latch claw 161 provided on the left-right direction X of the upper door unit 120 to an unlock position, and the upper door unit 120 and the main unit 130 are unlocked. Then, the upper door unit 120 becomes rotatable about the rotation center of the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152. By opening the upper door unit 120 with respect to the main unit 130, a horizontal sheet transport path 140 provided below the upper door unit 120 D is opened, and maintenance work and jam disposal work in the sheet transport path 140 are possible. When the upper door unit 120 is located at the closed position, the sheet transport path 140 is formed between the upper door unit 120 and the main unit 130, and transports the sheets.

[0020] [Hinge Placement] Next, the relationship between the frame 153 and the left hinge 151 and right hinge 152 constituting the upper door unit 120 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper door unit 120 has various frames 153, and the left hinge 151 is disposed on the left L side of the upper door unit 120, and the right hinge 152 is disposed on the right R side. In this embodiment, a configuration in which hinges are disposed at the ends of the upper door unit 120 in the left-right direction X is described, but this is not limited to this. For example, when opening and closing a heavier upper door unit 120, hinges may be disposed not only at the ends of the upper door unit 120 in the left-right direction X, but also in the center, etc.

[0021] [Hinge configuration] Next, the detailed configuration of the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. Since the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152 have the same configuration, the left hinge 151 will be described here, and the description of the right hinge 152 will be omitted. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the left hinge 151 has a hinge base 154 and a hinge frame 175. The hinge frame 175 is an example of a second frame, and has a first member 155 and a second member 156. The first member 155 and the second member 156 are joined in the left-right direction X to be integrated as the hinge frame 175, and are attached to the hinge base 154 by a rotation shaft 157 so as to be rotatable. The upper door unit 120 has the hinge frame 175, and the hinge frame 175 is fixed to the frame 153. The hinge base 154 is an example of a first frame, and has, for example, a U-shaped cross section with an open upper side when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, and has two side plate parts aligned in the left-right direction X. The rotation shaft 157 is provided with the left-right direction X as the rotation axis direction. The main unit 130 has the hinge base 154, and the hinge base 154 is fixed to the frame of the main unit 130.

[0022] A first damper 171 and a second damper 172 are arranged in a space in the left-right direction X formed by the frames of the first member 155 and the second member 156. In this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are made of a fluid damper filled with, for example, nitrogen gas. The first damper 171 and the second damper 172 have a damping section that imparts a damping force so as to attenuate the rotation speed of the upper door unit 120, and a biasing section that imparts a biasing force that biases the upper door unit 120 from the closed position toward the first open position. In this embodiment, a case in which two dampers are provided is described, but at least two dampers are sufficient, and three or more dampers may be provided.

[0023] The first damper 171 applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120 so as to attenuate the rotation speed of the upper door unit 120 when the upper door unit 120 rotates from the first open position to the closed position. The second damper 172 is disposed next to the first damper 171, and applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120 so as to attenuate the rotation speed of the upper door unit 120 when the upper door unit 120 rotates from the first open position to the closed position.

[0024] The first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y. That is, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged so as to at least partially overlap when viewed from a width direction (front-rear direction Y) perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path 140. In this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged so as not to overlap when viewed from the left-right direction X (pivot axis direction).

[0025] The first damper 171 has a first shaft 181 which is an example of a first connecting portion connected to the hinge base 154, and a second shaft 182 which is an example of a second connecting portion connected to the hinge frame 175. The first shaft 181 is detachable in the axial direction to a through hole formed at the lower end of the first damper 171. The second damper 172 has a third shaft 183 which is an example of a third connecting portion connected to the hinge base 154, and a fourth shaft 184 which is an example of a fourth connecting portion connected to the hinge frame 175. The third shaft 183 is detachable in the axial direction to a through hole formed at the lower end of the second damper 172. The second shaft 182 and the fourth shaft 184 are attached to holes formed by penetrating the first member 155 and the second member 156 of the hinge frame 175 in the left-right direction X, for example, by using an E-ring or the like.

[0026] The hinge base 154 has a first groove 165 which is an example of a first connected portion connected to the first shaft 181, and a second groove 166 which is an example of a third connected portion connected to the third shaft 183. The first groove 165 and the second groove 166 are formed by penetrating two side plate portions of the hinge base 154 in the left-right direction X, respectively. In this embodiment, the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y, and the second shaft 182 and the fourth shaft 184 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y. As a result, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y.

[0027] Here, the first shaft 181 is an example of a first protrusion, and the first groove 165 is an example of a first long hole that engages with the first shaft 181 and guides it as the hinge frame 175 rotates. In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion of the first damper 171 and the first connected portion of the hinge base 154 are described as the first protrusion and the first connected portion is described as the first long hole, but this is not limiting. For example, the first connecting portion of the first damper 171 may be the first long hole, and the first connected portion of the hinge base 154 may be the first protrusion. That is, one of the first connecting portion and the first connected portion may be the first protrusion and the other may be the first long hole.

[0028] Further, the third shaft 183 is an example of a second protrusion, and the second groove 166 is an example of a second long hole that engages with the third shaft 183 and guides it as the hinge frame 175 rotates. In the present embodiment, the third connecting portion of the second damper 172 and the third connected portion of the hinge base 154 are described as the second protrusion and the third connected portion is described as the second long hole, but this is not limiting. For example, the third connecting portion of the second damper 172 may be the second long hole, and the third connected portion of the hinge base 154 may be the second protrusion. That is, one of the third connecting portion and the third connected portion may be the second protrusion and the other may be the second long hole.

[0029] 8 and 9, the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 are removable stepped shafts to make the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 detachable. That is, as shown in Fig. 9, the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 penetrate the hinge base 154 and the first damper 171 and the second damper 172, thereby connecting the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 to the hinge base 154. On the other hand, by pulling out the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 in one of the left-right directions X, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are detached from the hinge base 154 and become removable. Further, to prevent the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 from accidentally falling off during use of the inkjet recording system 1, a retaining member 164 that abuts against the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 to prevent them from falling off is provided in the direction in which the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 are pulled out. The retaining member 164 is detachably attached to the main unit 130 by, for example, screwing, and the first shaft 181 and the third shaft 183 can be inserted and removed in the left-right direction X by removing the retaining member 164.

[0030] The second member 156 is formed with an opening 163 having an arc shape centered on the rotation shaft 157. As shown in Fig. 8, a stopper 162 is detachably attached to the hinge base 154 at a position facing the opening 163 in the left-right direction X, for example, by screwing a bolt 167. In this embodiment, the stopper 162 is formed by crimping a shaft member onto one surface of an L-shaped sheet metal member. The sheet metal member is fixed to the hinge base 154 with a screw so that the shaft member protrudes into the opening 163.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the second member 156 opens from the closed position to the first open position, the edge of the lower D of the opening 163 abuts against the shaft member of the stopper 162, so that the opening 163 does not open any further. That is, if it is necessary to open the upper door unit 120 wider than the first open position, the stopper 162 is removed in advance. Here, the stopper 162 is an example of a restricting portion, and restricts the rotation of the upper door unit 120 to the first open position when the upper door unit 120 is rotated from the closed position. The opening 163 is an example of a contacted portion against which the stopper 162 can abut. The bolt 167 is an example of a releasing portion, and the restriction of the rotation by the stopper 162 is released by loosening or removing the bolt.

[0032] In this embodiment, the case where the arc-shaped opening 163 is provided on the upper door unit 120 side and the stopper 162 is provided on the main unit 130 side is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stopper may be provided on the upper door unit 120 side and the arc-shaped opening may be provided on the main unit 130 side. That is, it is sufficient that a regulating portion is attached to one of the main unit 130 and the upper door unit 120, and an abutted portion is provided to the other. In this way, the stopper 162 abuts against the opening 163, thereby restricting the rotation of the upper door unit 120. Also, by loosening or removing the bolt 167, the abutment between the stopper 162 and the opening 163 is released, and the restriction on the rotation of the upper door unit 120 is released.

[0033] [Hinge Placement] As shown in FIG. 5, the right hinge 152 has a third damper 173 and a fourth damper 174. The configuration of the right hinge 152 is similar to that of the left hinge 151, so detailed description will be omitted. The third damper 173 damps the rotation of the upper door unit 120 when the upper door unit 120 rotates from the first open position to the closed position. The fourth damper 174 is arranged next to the third damper 173, and damps the rotation of the upper door unit 120 when the upper door unit 120 rotates from the first open position to the closed position. In this embodiment, the left hinge 151 having the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 is provided at an end of one side (left L side) of the main unit 130 in the left-right direction X. Further, the right hinge 152 having the third damper 173 and the fourth damper 174 is provided at the end portion on the other side (right R side) of the main unit 130 in the left-right direction X.

[0034] The third damper 173 and the fourth damper 174 have a damping section that applies a damping force so as to attenuate the rotation speed of the upper door unit 120, and a biasing section that applies a biasing force that biases the upper door unit 120 from the closed position toward the first open position. In this embodiment, the sum of the biasing forces of the first damper 171, the second damper 172, the third damper 173, and the fourth damper 174 has a magnitude that rotates the upper door unit 120 from the closed position toward the first open position. In addition, it is preferable that the first damper 171 and the third damper 173 are arranged in an overlapping position, and the second damper 172 and the fourth damper 174 are arranged in an overlapping position, as viewed from the left-right direction X. This allows the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152 to have the same operating force characteristics, which will be described later. The degree of overlap of the left and right dampers as viewed from the left-right direction X may be changed to further adjust the operating force characteristics. For example, when opening and closing a heavier upper door unit 120, hinges may be arranged not only at the ends of the upper door unit 120 in the left-right direction X, but also at the center. In this case, one or more dampers are provided on the hinge at the center. That is, the sum of the biasing forces of the multiple dampers including the above-mentioned four dampers should be large enough to rotate the upper door unit 120 from the closed position to the first open position.

[0035] [Hinge opening and closing operation] Next, the opening and closing operation of the hinge will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. In Figs. 10 to 13, the first member 155 is not shown in order to show the first damper 171 and the second damper 172. The upper door unit 120, i.e., the hinge frame 175, is rotatable in a first range from the closed position to the first open position (opening angle 30°), a second range, and a third range. The second range is from the first open position to a second open position (opening angle 60°) that is more open than the first open position. The third range is from the second open position to a third open position (opening angle 90°) that is more open than the second open position.

[0036] 10 shows a state in which the left hinge 151 is in a closed position, that is, a state in which the opening angle is 0°. The first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are disposed at positions shifted from each other in the front-rear direction Y.

[0037] FIG. 11 shows a state where the left hinge 151 is opened to the first open position. In this embodiment, the opening angle of the first open position is set as a maintenance angle, and is assumed to be used for cleaning the inside of the device, removing jams, and the like. As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the opening angle is 30°, the first shaft 181 of the first damper 171 abuts against the first edge portion 165a at the bottom of the first groove 165, and the first shaft 181 of the second damper 172 abuts against the second edge portion 166a at the bottom of the second groove 166. In this state, both the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 generate an assist force. That is, within the opening angle range of 0° to 30°, which is the first range from the closed position to the first open position, both the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 generate an assist force.

[0038] In this way, when the upper door unit 120 is positioned in the first range and rotates, the first shaft 181 abuts against the first edge portion 165a of the first groove 165, and the first damper 171 applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is positioned in the first range and rotates, the third shaft 183 abuts against the second edge portion 166a of the second groove 166, and the second damper 172 applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120.

[0039] 12 shows a state in which the left hinge 151 is opened to an opening angle of 35°, which is slightly beyond the first open position, in order to replace the first damper 171. In order to rotate the left hinge 151 beyond the first open position, it is necessary to remove the stopper 162 in advance. In the opening angle of 35° state, the second shaft 182 of the first damper 171 is pulled up, and the first shaft 181 of the first damper 171 floats from the first edge portion 165a of the first groove 165.

[0040] This is a state in which the first damper 171 is fully extended, and the first shaft 181 is floating in the first groove 165, so that the first shaft 181 is not pressed downward. Therefore, if the retaining member 164 is removed in this state, it is possible to pull out the first shaft 181 of the first damper 171, and this makes it possible to replace the first damper 171. On the other hand, in the second damper 172, the first shaft 181 abuts against the second edge portion 166a of the second groove 166, and the third shaft 183 is pressed downward, so that the third shaft 183 cannot be pulled out.

[0041] In this way, when the upper door unit 120 rotates within the opening angle range of 30° to 60°, which is the second range from the first open position to the second open position, the second damper 172 applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the second range, the first shaft 181 moves away from the first edge portion 165a of the first groove 165, and the first damper 171 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the second range, the first damper 171 can be separated from the hinge base 154 by releasing the engagement between the first shaft 181 and the first groove 165.

[0042] 13 shows a state in which the left hinge 151 is opened to an opening angle of 65°, slightly beyond the second open position, in order to replace the second damper 172. When the second open position is exceeded, the third shaft 183 of the second damper 172 floats from the second edge portion 166a of the second groove 166, similar to when the first damper 171 is replaced. Therefore, the third shaft 183 of the second damper 172 is not pressed downward, and it becomes possible to replace the second damper 172.

[0043] That is, when the upper door unit 120 rotates within an opening angle range of 60° to 90°, which is a third range from the second open position to the third open position, the first shaft 181 moves away from the first edge portion 165a of the first groove 165, and the first damper 171 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, at this time, the third shaft 183 moves away from the second edge portion 166a of the second groove 166, and the second damper 172 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the third range, the third shaft 183 and the second groove 166 are disengaged, and the second damper 172 can be separated from the hinge base 154.

[0044] Next, the torque curve and operating force of the hinge in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Again, the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152 are similar, so only the left hinge 151 will be described here and the description of the right hinge 152 will be omitted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 can exert an assisting force in a first range from the closed position to the first open position (opening angle 30°). Then, in a second range from the first open position to the second open position (opening angle 60°), the first damper 171 starts to float and the assisting force disappears, and in an opening angle range of 55° to 60° just before the second open position, the second damper 172 starts to float and the assisting force disappears. Therefore, as shown in the torque curve in FIG. 14, in the first range of the opening angle of 0° to 30°, a predetermined torque curve is formed, and the torque value becomes smaller by one step in the opening angle range of 30° to 40°. Furthermore, the torque value becomes smaller by another step in the opening angle range of 50° to 60°, and the torque value becomes 0 Nmm.

[0046] In the operation force shown in FIG. 15, in the first range of the opening angle of 0° to 30°, the operation force is negative due to the assisting force of the first damper 171 and the second damper 172, and the upper door unit 120 naturally rotates in the opening direction without the user's support. On the other hand, in the range of 30° to 40°, as described in FIG. 14, the first damper 171 gradually loses its assisting force, so the operation force becomes heavy. Similarly, in the range of 50° to 60°, as described in FIG. 14, the second damper 172 gradually loses its assisting force, so the operation force becomes heavy. Thus, according to this embodiment, since multiple dampers are used, it is possible to realize a variety of operation forces compared to when only one damper is used.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged to at least partially overlap when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the space in the left-right direction X in which the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are installed while increasing the damping force compared to when only one damper is used, thereby preventing the feed module 100 from becoming larger in the left-right direction X. In this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y, and therefore it is also possible to prevent an increase in size in the up-down direction Z.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y, so that the hinge can be designed to save space even when the space in the rotation axis direction of the hinge is limited. Also, since the assist forces of multiple dampers can be utilized, it is possible to realize an appropriate operating force.

[0049] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 16. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 can be replaced at the same opening angle. However, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description is omitted.

[0050] In the first embodiment described above, in order to replace the first damper 171 and the second damper 172, the work had to be divided into two stages at the first open position (open angle 30°) and the second open position (open angle 60°). In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the first groove 265 and the second groove 266 provided in the hinge base 254 are made longer than the first groove 165 and the second groove 166 of the first embodiment. That is, the first groove 265 here is made to have a length that engages with the first shaft 281 of the first damper 171 until the upper door unit 120 rotates to an open angle of about 65° beyond the second open position. The second groove 266 is made to have a length that engages with the third shaft 283 of the second damper 172 until the upper door unit 120 rotates to an open angle of 65° beyond the second open position.

[0051] In this embodiment, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the second range, the first shaft 281 is away from the first edge portion while engaged with the first groove 265, and the first damper 171 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the second range, the third shaft 283 abuts against the second edge portion of the second groove 266, and the second damper 172 applies a damping force to the upper door unit 120.

[0052] Furthermore, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the third range, the first shaft 281 is away from the first edge portion while engaged with the first groove 265, and the first damper 171 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120. Also, when the upper door unit 120 is located in the third range, the third shaft 283 is away from the second edge portion while engaged with the second groove 266, and the second damper 172 does not apply a damping force to the upper door unit 120.

[0053] As a result, there is no need to pull out the first shaft 281 of the first damper 171 at the first open position. Then, when the upper door unit 120 rotates beyond the second open position to an opening angle of about 65°, the third shaft 183 of the second damper 172 floats in the second groove 266. At this time, the first shaft 281 of the first damper 171 and the third shaft 283 of the second damper 172 can be pulled out while the upper door unit 120 is maintained at one opening angle.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first shaft 281 of the first damper 171 and the third shaft 283 of the second damper 172 can be pulled out while the upper door unit 120 is maintained at one opening angle. Therefore, operability can be improved compared to the case where the opening angle of the upper door unit 120 is changed and the shafts of each damper are pulled out.

[0055] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 17. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a first damper 371 and a second damper 372 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z. However, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description will be omitted.

[0056] 17, when there is a design space in the up-down direction Z of the second member 156, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 do not need to be arranged offset in the front-rear direction Y as in the first embodiment. In this case, the first damper 371 and the second damper 372 are arranged offset in the up-down direction Z.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first groove 165 and the second groove 166 of the hinge base 354 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the first shaft 381 and the third shaft 383 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z, and the second shaft 382 and the fourth shaft 384 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z. As a result, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z, so that an increase in size not only in the left-right direction X but also in the front-rear direction Y can be suppressed.

[0059] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first damper 171 and the second damper 172 are configured in the same manner, and the same biasing force and damping force are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of dampers having different biasing forces and damping forces may be combined, or a plurality of dampers may be shifted in the front-rear direction Y as shown in the first and second embodiments, and a plurality of dampers may be shifted in the up-down direction Z as shown in the third embodiment. This makes it possible to realize a variety of operating forces compared to when only one damper is used. In other words, the present invention not only provides a space-saving design, but also has the effect of being a hinge that allows tuning of the operating force to realize a variety of operating forces.

[0060] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the sheet conveying device is described as being applied to the feeding module 100, but this is not limited to this, and the sheet conveying device may also be applied to other modules, such as a post-processing device connected upstream or downstream of the print module 200.

[0061] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming system has been described as being applied to the inkjet recording system 1 using an inkjet recording method, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1... inkjet recording system (image forming system), 100... feeding module (sheet conveying device), 120... upper door unit (second unit), 130... main unit (first unit), 140... sheet conveying path, 154, 254, 354... hinge base (first frame), 162... stopper (regulating portion), 163... opening (contact portion), 165, 265, 365... first groove (first connected portion, first long hole), 165a... first edge portion, 166, 266, 366... ​​second groove (second connected portion, second long hole), 166a... second edge portion, 167... button (release portion), 171...first damper, 172...second damper, 173...third damper, 174...fourth damper, 175...hinge frame (second frame), 181, 281, 381...first shaft (first connecting portion, first protrusion), 182, 382...second shaft (second connecting portion), 183, 283, 383...third shaft (third connecting portion, second protrusion), 184, 384...fourth shaft (fourth connecting portion), 200...print module (image forming device), 230...recording portion (image forming portion), X...left-right direction (sheet conveying direction), Y...front-rear direction (width direction), Z...up-down direction

Claims

1. A first unit; a second unit that rotates about a rotation axis relative to the first unit between a closed position and an open position; a sheet transport path that is formed between the second unit and the first unit when the second unit is located at the closed position and that transports a sheet; a first damper that applies a damping force to the second unit so as to damp a rotation speed of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position toward the closed position; a second damper arranged next to the first damper and applying a damping force to the second unit so as to damp a rotation speed of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position toward the closed position, the first damper and the second damper are disposed so as to at least partially overlap each other when viewed from a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path. A sheet conveying device comprising:

2. The first damper and the second damper are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from a rotation axis direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

3. The first unit has a first frame, the second unit has a second frame, the first damper has a first connecting portion connected to the first frame and a second connecting portion connected to the second frame, the second damper has a third connecting portion connected to the first frame and a fourth connecting portion connected to the second frame, The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are arranged side by side in the width direction, The second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are arranged side by side in the width direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

4. The first unit has a first frame, the second unit has a second frame, the first damper has a first connecting portion connected to the first frame and a second connecting portion connected to the second frame, the second damper has a third connecting portion connected to the first frame and a fourth connecting portion connected to the second frame, The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are arranged side by side in the up-down direction, The second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are arranged side by side in the up-down direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

5. the open position is a first open position, the second unit is rotatable within a first range from the closed position to the first open position and a second range from the first open position to a second open position that is more widely opened than the first open position, When the second unit rotates within the first range, the first damper and the second damper apply a damping force to the second unit, When the second unit rotates within the second range, the second damper applies a damping force to the second unit, and the first damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

6. the second unit is rotatable within the first range, the second range, and a third range from the second open position to a third open position that is more widely opened than the second open position, When the second unit rotates within the third range, the first damper and the second damper do not apply a damping force to the second unit.

6. The sheet transport device according to claim 5,

7. The first unit has a first frame, the second unit has a second frame, the first damper has a first connecting portion connected to the first frame and a second connecting portion connected to the second frame, the second damper has a third connecting portion connected to the first frame and a fourth connecting portion connected to the second frame, the first frame has a first connected portion connected to the first connecting portion and a third connected portion connected to the third connecting portion, one of the first connecting portion and the first connected portion is a first protruding portion, and the other is a first long hole with which the first protruding portion is engaged and guided as the second frame rotates; When the second unit is located in the first range, the first protrusion abuts against a first edge portion of the first long hole, and the first damper applies a damping force to the second unit, When the second unit is positioned in the second range, the first protrusion is separated from the first end edge portion of the first long hole, and the first damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit.

6. The sheet transport device according to claim 5,

8. the first damper is separable from the first frame by disengaging the first protrusion from the first elongated hole when the second unit is positioned in the second range.

8. The sheet transport device according to claim 7.

9. the second unit is rotatable within the first range, the second range, and a third range from the second open position to a third open position that is more widely opened than the second open position, When the second unit rotates within the third range, the first damper and the second damper do not apply a damping force to the second unit, one of the third connecting portion and the third connected portion is a second protruding portion, and the other is a second long hole that is engaged with the second protruding portion and guides the second frame as the second frame rotates; When the second unit is located in the first range and the second range, the second protrusion abuts against a second edge portion of the second long hole, and the second damper applies a damping force to the second unit, When the second unit is positioned in the third range, the second protrusion is separated from the second end edge portion of the second elongated hole, and the second damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit.

8. The sheet transport device according to claim 7.

10. the second damper is separable from the first frame by disengaging the second protrusion from the second elongated hole when the second unit is positioned in the third range.

10. The sheet transport device according to claim 9.

11. the first unit has a first frame to which the first damper and the second damper are connected, the second unit includes a second frame to which the first damper and the second damper are connected, the first damper has a first connecting portion connected to the first frame and a second connecting portion connected to the second frame, the second damper has a third connecting portion connected to the first frame and a fourth connecting portion connected to the second frame, the first frame has a first connected portion connected to the first connecting portion and a third connected portion connected to the third connecting portion, one of the first connecting portion and the first connected portion is a first protruding portion, and the other is a first long hole with which the first protruding portion is engaged and guided as the second frame rotates; one of the third connecting portion and the third connected portion is a second protruding portion, and the other is a second long hole that is engaged with the second protruding portion and guides the second frame as the second frame rotates; When the second unit is located in the first range, the first protrusion abuts against a first edge portion of the first elongated hole, causing the first damper to apply a damping force to the second unit, and the second protrusion abuts against a second edge portion of the second elongated hole, causing the second damper to apply a damping force to the second unit, When the second unit is positioned in the second range, the first protrusion is engaged with the first long hole and separates from the first edge portion, so that the first damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit, and the second protrusion is in contact with the second edge portion of the second long hole and the second damper applies a damping force to the second unit, When the second unit is positioned in the third range, the first damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit because the first protrusion is engaged with the first elongated hole and is separated from the first end edge portion, and the second damper does not apply a damping force to the second unit because the second protrusion is engaged with the second elongated hole and is separated from the second end edge portion.

7. The sheet transport device according to claim 6.

12. a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the second unit to the open position when the second unit is rotated from the closed position; A release unit that releases the restriction of rotation by the restriction unit.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

13. the restricting portion is attached to one of the first unit and the second unit, and a contact portion with which the restricting portion can contact is provided to the other of the first unit and the second unit; When the restricting portion comes into contact with the abutted portion, the rotation of the second unit is restricted, The release portion releases the abutment between the restricting portion and the abutted portion, thereby releasing the restriction on the rotation of the second unit. The sheet transport device according to claim 12 .

14. a third damper that damps the rotation of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position toward the closed position; a fourth damper arranged next to the third damper and configured to damp the rotation of the second unit when the second unit is rotated from the open position toward the closed position, the first damper and the second damper are provided at one end of the first unit in a rotation axis direction, The third damper and the fourth damper are provided at the other end of the first unit in the rotation axis direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

15. each of the first damper, the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper has a damping portion that imparts a damping force to the second unit, and a biasing portion that imparts a biasing force to the second unit from the closed position toward the open position, the biasing force of the plurality of dampers including the first damper, the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper has a magnitude that rotates the second unit from the closed position toward the open position; 15. The sheet transport device according to claim 14.

16. The first damper and the second damper have a damping section that imparts a damping force so as to attenuate the rotation speed of the second unit, and a biasing section that imparts a biasing force that biases the second unit from the closed position toward the open position.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

17. an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and the sheet conveying device according to claim 1 which conveys a sheet to the image forming device.

1. An image forming system comprising:

Images