Sheet conveying device and image forming system

Abstract

To miniaturize a drive unit.SOLUTION: A sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet includes: a central shaft (176); a drive unit that outputs a driving force; an engagement hole (171H) that engages with the central shaft (176); a first arm unit (171A) disposed on an outer diameter side of the engagement hole (171H) and drivably connected to the drive unit; a second arm unit (171B) disposed on the outer diameter side of the engagement hole (171H); and a rotating member (171) that switches a position of the second arm unit (171B) by being rotated about the central axis (176) to a first position and a second position rotated from the first position by the drive of the drive unit, in which a center of gravity (171G) of the rotating member (171) is located on the inner diameter side of an inner diameter surface (171Ha) of the engagement hole (171H) when viewed in an axial direction of the central axis (176).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in image forming apparatuses and image forming systems such as printers and copiers, a sheet conveying device is provided for conveying a sheet in order to form an image on the sheet or to discharge the sheet on which an image has been formed. In such a sheet conveying device, an opening / closing member such as an opening / closing door that opens and closes the sheet conveying path so that it can be opened when the sheet is jammed or for maintenance is performed. If the opening / closing member is opened during sheet conveyance, it may cause a malfunction or tearing of the sheet, so a lock unit that can lock the opening / closing member has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). This lock unit is configured to rotate a rotating member (locking member) by a solenoid, and is configured to be switchable between a state in which the rotating member is engaged with a holder fixed to the door and a state in which the engagement between the rotating member and the holder is released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-10074 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the device of Patent Document 1, the center of rotation of the rotating member (locking member) is separated from the center of gravity of the rotating member, so a moment is generated by the weight of the rotating member when it rotates. This necessitates increasing the output performance of the solenoid that outputs the driving force to rotate the rotating member, which causes a problem of an increase in the size of the solenoid.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet transport device and an image forming system that enable a reduction in the size of a drive unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet transporting device for transporting a sheet, the sheet transporting device having a central axis, a drive unit that outputs a drive force, an engagement hole that engages with the central axis, a first arm portion that is positioned at an outer diameter than the engagement hole and is drivingly connected to the drive unit, and a second arm portion that is positioned at an outer diameter than the engagement hole, and a rotating member that switches the position of the second arm portion by being rotated about the central axis to a first position and a second position rotated from the first position by driving the drive unit, wherein the center of gravity of the rotating member is located on the inner diameter side of the inner diameter surface of the engagement hole when viewed in the axial direction of the central axis.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet transporting device for transporting a sheet, the sheet transporting device having a central axis, a drive unit that outputs a drive force, an engagement hole that engages with the central axis, a first arm portion that is positioned at an outer diameter than the engagement hole and is drivingly connected to the drive unit, and a second arm portion that is positioned at an outer diameter than the engagement hole, and a rotating member that switches the position of the second arm by being rotated around the central axis between a first position and a second position rotated from the first position by driving the drive unit, wherein the center of gravity of the rotating member is located on the inner diameter side of the outer diameter surface of the central axis when viewed in the axial direction of the central axis. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the driving section can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]1 is a perspective view showing a feeding module in a state where an upper door unit according to the embodiment is closed; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a feeding module in a state where an upper door unit according to the embodiment is open. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a perspective view showing a unit lock mechanism of the upper door unit according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a handle and a handle lock mechanism of the unit lock mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in the embodiment when the handle is locked. [Figure 7] 13 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in the embodiment when the handle is unlocked. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a rotating member according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating member according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where an inkjet recording system 1 is applied as an image forming system will be described.

[0011] [Inkjet recording system] First, the schematic configuration of the inkjet recording system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of the inkjet recording system 1 according to the present embodiment. The inkjet recording system 1 as an image forming system is a cut-sheet type 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. The cut-paper-like sheet S supplied from the feeding module 100 is conveyed along a conveying path, processed in each module, and discharged by a discharge module 700 as a sheet stacking device.

[0012] The feeding module 100 has three storage chambers 110a, 110b, and 110c as sheet storage sections for storing sheets S. Each of the storage chambers 110a, 110b, and 110c is configured to be able to be pulled out toward the front side of the apparatus. The sheets S are fed one by one in each of the storage chambers 110a, 110b, and 110c by a separation belt and a transport roller (not shown), and are transported to the print module 200. The number of storage chambers 110a, 110b, and 110c is not limited to three, and the configuration may have one, two, or four or more.

[0013] The print module 200 as an image forming apparatus has a pre-imaging registration correction unit, a print belt unit 220, and a recording unit 230 (not shown). 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 image forming unit that performs recording processing (printing) on ​​the conveyed sheet S from above with a recording head to form an image on the sheet S. 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 can 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 transported by the print belt unit 220, so that the sheet S is transported while ensuring a clearance with the recording head. The sheet S printed by the recording unit 230 has its misalignment and color density of the image formed on the sheet S detected by an in-line scanner (not shown) arranged downstream of the recording unit in the sheet transport direction. The detection result is used to correct the printed image.

[0014] 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 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, and the hot air blowing section 340 is arranged above the belt, 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 sheet S receives hot air from the hot air blowing section 340 and the ink application surface is dried. 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The cooling module 500 has a plurality of cooling sections 510, and cools the high-temperature sheet S transported from the fixing module 400. The cooling sections 510 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 510 are disposed both above and below the transport path, and cool the sheet S from both sides.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 sheet S conveyed from the reversing module 600 on the top tray 720 or the stacking section 750, or discharges the sheet S to an external tray (not shown) or the like.

[0019] [Feed module configuration] Next, a detailed configuration of the feeding module 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state where the upper door unit according to this embodiment is closed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state where the upper door unit according to this embodiment is open.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the feeding module 100 includes a main unit 130 and an upper door unit 120 that is disposed above the main unit 130 and can be opened and closed in the vertical direction with respect to the main unit 130. In the main unit 130, the storage cabinets 110a to 110c are disposed vertically stacked and supported by a main frame 130F. As shown in Fig. 3, a left hinge 151 and a right hinge 152 are disposed above the main unit 130, which are upstream and downstream in the sheet conveying direction and are disposed on the left and right as viewed from the front. The left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152 connect the upper door unit 120 to the main unit 130 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction.

[0021] 3, the upper surface 130S of the main unit 130 forms a lower surface as a first surface of the horizontal conveying path 140 as a conveying path for conveying a sheet, and the lower surface 120S of the upper door unit 120 forms an upper surface as a second surface of the horizontal conveying path 140. That is, the upper door unit 120 is arranged so as to be able to open and close between a closed position where it is closed relative to the main unit 130 and an open position where it is open, and forms the horizontal conveying path 140 in the closed position and opens the horizontal conveying path 140 in the open position. By opening the horizontal conveying path 140 in this manner, maintenance work and jam removal work can be performed within the horizontal conveying path 140.

[0022] [Unit lock mechanism] Next, the unit lock mechanism 160 that locks the upper door unit 120 in the closed position will be described with reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state in which the upper door unit according to this embodiment is open. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the unit lock mechanism of the upper door unit according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the handle and handle lock mechanism of the unit lock mechanism according to this embodiment.

[0023] 3 and 4, the unit lock mechanism 160 has a handle 166 disposed near the center in the left-right direction of the upper door unit 120 as an operation part that is operated by, for example, a user to release the lock in the closed position of the upper door unit 120. Handle rotation shafts 165 that serve as the rotation center of the handle 166 are provided on both left and right ends of the handle 166.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, in the unit lock mechanism 160, a rotation transmission part 167 for transmitting the rotation operation of the handle 166 to the latch rotation shaft 162 is provided on the rear side of the handle 166 in the upper door unit 120. For example, when the handle 166 is pushed upward by a user, the handle 166 rotates clockwise (in the direction of the arrow CW), and the rotation transmission part 167 rotates downward. When the rotation transmission part 167 rotates, it comes into contact with and presses a rotation receiving part 168 fixed to the latch rotation shaft 162, and the latch rotation shaft 162 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow CCW). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the latch claws 161 provided on both the left and right ends of the latch rotation shaft 162 rotate, and the engagement between the latch fixing shaft 164 and the latch claws 161 is released, and the lock of the upper door unit 120 is released. This allows the upper door unit 120 to be opened and closed relative to the main unit 130, centering on the rotation center of the left hinge 151 and the right hinge 152. In other words, the unit lock mechanism 160 is configured to be unlocked by operating the handle 166.

[0025] In the unit lock mechanism 160, a latch biasing spring 163 for biasing the latch claw 161 to a position where it engages with the latch fixed shaft 164 is provided between the main body frame 130F (see FIG. 3), not shown in FIG. 4, and the latch claw 161. In addition, in the unit lock mechanism 160, a handle biasing spring 169 for biasing the handle 166 toward the initial position is provided between the bracket 130Fa fixed to the main body frame 130F and the handle 166.

[0026] [Handle lock mechanism configuration] Next, the handle lock mechanism 170 will be described with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The handle lock mechanism 170 locks the rotation of the handle 166 of the unit lock mechanism 160 (making the operation of the handle 166 inoperable), thereby further locking the locked state of the unit lock mechanism 160. Fig. 6 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in a state in which the handle according to this embodiment is locked. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in a state in which the handle according to this embodiment is unlocked. Fig. 8 is a front view showing a rotating member according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a rotating member according to this embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the handle lock mechanism 170 is disposed on the rear side of the rotation transmission part 167 of the handle 166. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the handle lock mechanism 170 has a solenoid 172 that outputs a driving force as a driving part, and a rotating member 171 that is connected to the solenoid 172 and is provided so as to be rotatable about a center CT (see Fig. 8) of a central shaft 176 as a rotation center. The handle lock mechanism 170 also has a support base 174 that supports the rotating member 171 via the solenoid 172 and the central shaft 176, and a position detection sensor 179 as a rotation position detection part that detects the position (posture) of the rotating member 171 in the rotation direction.

[0028] The solenoid 172 includes a movable core 172B and an electromagnetic drive unit 172A that pulls the movable core 172B upward in the direction of the arrow Z2 by a magnetic force generated by power supplied to the movable core 172B. On the other hand, the rotating member 171, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, roughly includes an engagement hole 171H and three arms, a first arm 171A, a second arm 171B, and a third arm 171C, that are arranged so as to extend radially outward from the engagement hole 171H. As shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, a central shaft 176 is arranged on the inner diameter side of the engagement hole 171H, and the central shaft 176 is fitted into the engagement hole 171H, so that the central shaft 176 and the rotating member 171 are integrally engaged (connected). The central shaft 176 is supported rotatably at a position not shown in the drawings relative to the support base 174.

[0029] 8 and 9, a connecting hole 171d is formed in the first arm portion 171A of the rotating member 171. As shown in Fig. 6 and 7, the movable iron core 172B is drivingly connected to this connecting hole 171d, thereby connecting the solenoid 172 and the rotating member 171. In other words, the first arm portion 171A has a function of drivingly connecting the rotating member 171 and the solenoid 172.

[0030] 8 and 9, a lock restriction portion 171a is bent and formed at the tip of the outer diameter side of the second arm portion 171B, and is capable of entering below a rotation transmitting portion 167 and a rotation receiving portion 168, which will be described in detail later. This allows the second arm portion 171B to have a function of locking the rotation of the handle 166.

[0031] Further, the third arm portion 171C is formed to function as a flag member of the position detection sensor 179. That is, the position detection sensor 179 is made up of, for example, an optical sensor, which is turned OFF when the third arm portion 171C blocks light, and is turned ON when the third arm portion 171C is separated. That is, the third arm portion 171C has a function as a flag for the position detection sensor 179.

[0032] [Handle lock mechanism operation] Next, the operation of the handle lock mechanism 170 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. In the solenoid 172, a control unit (not shown) supplies power to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A, and a current is applied to a coil (not shown). Then, a magnetic force is generated in the electromagnetic drive unit 172A, and as shown in Fig. 6, the electromagnetic drive unit 172A moves and drives the movable iron core 172B to be pulled upward as indicated by the arrow Z2. When the movable iron core 172B is pulled upward, the first arm portion 171A is pulled upward via the connecting hole 171d, and the rotating member 171 is at the first position P1 as shown in Fig. 6. In addition, when the rotating member 171 is at the first position P1, the third arm portion 171C serving as a flag member is separated from the position detection sensor 179, and the position detection sensor 179 is turned ON, and it is detected that the rotating member 171 is at the first position P1.

[0033] When the rotating member 171 is in the first position P1, the lock regulating portion 171a formed at the tip of the second arm portion 171B enters by slipping under the rotation transmitting portion 167 and the rotation receiving portion 168 (see FIG. 5). Then, even if a user tries to operate the handle 166, the lock regulating portion 171a regulates (hinders) the rotation transmitting portion 167 and the rotation receiving portion 168 so that they do not rotate downward. This makes the handle 166 unable to rotate (locked by the unit lock mechanism 160), that is, locks the handle 166 so that it cannot be operated. Therefore, the handle lock mechanism 170 locks the rotation of the handle 166 of the unit lock mechanism 160, that is, prevents the upper door unit 120 from being unlocked.

[0034] On the other hand, when the power supply to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A is stopped by a control unit (not shown) in the solenoid 172, the magnetic force of the electromagnetic drive unit 172A is not generated, and the movable iron core 172B falls and moves downward as indicated by the arrow Z1 due to its own weight, as shown in FIG. 7. When the movable iron core 172B moves downward, the first arm portion 171A is lowered downward via the connecting hole 171d due to the influence of the moment due to its own weight. Therefore, the rotating member 171 rotates from the first position P1 shown in FIG. 6 around the central axis 176 to the second position P2 shown in FIG. 7. When the rotating member 171 is located at the second position P2, the third arm portion 171C serving as a flag member blocks the position detection sensor 179, and the position detection sensor 179 is turned OFF, and the rotating member 171 is detected as being at the second position P2.

[0035] When the rotating member 171 is located at the second position P2, the lock regulating part 171a formed at the tip of the second arm part 171B retreats from below the rotation transmitting part 167 and the rotation receiving part 168. This makes the handle 166 rotatable (operable) (a state in which the unit lock mechanism 160 is unlocked). In this state, for example, when a user operates the handle 166, the rotation transmitting part 167 and the rotation receiving part 168 are not restricted (hindered) by the lock regulating part 171a, so that the handle 166 rotates. Therefore, the rotation transmitting part 167 and the rotation receiving part 168 rotate, and the latch rotation shaft 162 rotates, and the engagement between the latch fixing shaft 164 and the latch claw 161 is released as described above, that is, the lock of the upper door unit 120 is released.

[0036] In this embodiment, the solenoid 172 is arranged so that the movable iron core 172B can be moved in the vertical direction, and the electromagnetic drive unit 172A of the solenoid 172 is configured to pull the movable iron core 172B upward by magnetic force. As a result, when power is supplied to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A, the handle lock mechanism 170 locks the rotation of the handle 166, and when power is not supplied to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A, the handle lock mechanism 170 unlocks the rotation of the handle 166. For this reason, the upper door unit 120 can be unlocked when a power outage occurs or when the power is turned off, for example, and maintenance work on the horizontal conveying path 140 and jam removal work can be performed.

[0037] [Gap between the butt of the support stand and the movable iron core] As described above, the handle lock mechanism 170 is supported by the support base 174, and the support base 174 is provided with the abutment portion 178 below the solenoid 172. The first arm portion 171A of the rotating member 171 is formed to have an arm body 171c and an abutment portion 171e formed to protrude downward from the arm body 171c.

[0038] When the power supply to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A is stopped as described above, the rotating member 171 rotates from the first position P1 to the second position P2 as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the abutment portion 171e provided on the first arm portion 171A abuts against the butt portion 178 as a positioning portion provided on the support base 174, and the rotating member 171 is positioned at the second position P2. As a result, the movable iron core 172B of the solenoid 172 stops with a gap of a predetermined distance from the butt portion 178. That is, when the movable iron core 172B comes into contact with or gets too close to the butt portion 178 of the support base 174 made of a magnetic material such as iron, the magnetic flux escapes from the movable iron core 172B to the butt portion 178, and the driving force by the magnetic force of the solenoid 172 decreases. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 171e abuts against the butting portion 178, preventing the movable iron core 172B and the butting portion 178 from approaching each other at a predetermined distance, thereby preventing the driving force of the solenoid 172 from decreasing.

[0039] [Materials for rotating parts] In this embodiment, in order to prevent magnetic flux from escaping from the rotating member 171 connected to the movable iron core 172B by the first arm portion 171A, the rotating member 171 is formed of a non-magnetic material. Since the rotating member 171 has the lock restricting portion 171a formed at the tip of the second arm portion 171B, it is necessary to use a material with high strength for the rotating member 171. For this reason, austenitic SUS, which is a non-magnetic metal material, is used as the material for the rotating member 171. This makes it possible to prevent the magnetic flux of the solenoid 172 from escaping to the rotating member 171, and to prevent a decrease in the driving force of the solenoid 172.

[0040] [Center of gravity of rotating parts] Next, the center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figure 8, the rotating member 171 is formed with an engagement hole 171H into which the central shaft 176 penetrates and engages (fits). The outer diameter surface 176a of the central shaft 176 fits into the inner diameter surface 171Ha of the engagement hole 171H, and the central shaft 176 and the rotating member 171 are configured to rotate integrally with the center CT of the central shaft 176 as the center of rotation. Note that the central shaft 176 may not rotate, and the engagement hole 171H of the rotating member 171 may rotate while sliding against the outer diameter surface 176a of the central shaft 176.

[0041] The center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 according to this embodiment is designed to be on the inner diameter side of the inner diameter surface 171Ha of the engagement hole 171H when viewed in the axial direction of the central shaft 176. More preferably, the center of gravity position 171G is designed to be substantially the same position as the center CT of the engagement hole 171H and the central shaft 176. As a result, when the rotating member 171 rotates, the movement range of the center of gravity position 171G falls within the range of the inner diameter surface 171Ha of the engagement hole 171H, and the effect of the moment (rotation moment) due to the weight of the rotating member 171 can be minimized. Therefore, the required driving force performance of the solenoid 172 can be minimized, the solenoid 172 can be made smaller, and the power consumption (current value) applied to the solenoid 172 can be reduced.

[0042] In this embodiment, the center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 is designed to be on the inner diameter side of the inner diameter surface 171Ha of the engagement hole 171H in the axial direction. However, for example, the central shaft 176 may be a so-called crimped shaft and crimped into the engagement hole 171H of the rotating member 171. In this case, the inner diameter surface 171Ha of the engagement hole 171H has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter surface of the central shaft 176. Therefore, in consideration of the case where the central shaft 176 is crimped into the engagement hole 171H, for example, it is considered to design the center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 to be on the inner diameter side of the outer circumferential surface of the crimped portion of the central shaft 176 with an expanded diameter in the axial direction. This also minimizes the influence of the moment due to the weight of the rotating member 171, and the required driving force performance of the solenoid 172 can be minimized.

[0043] [Balance adjustment section] Next, balance adjustment portion 171b as an adjustment shape portion for adjusting center of gravity position 171G of rotating member 171 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The closer center of gravity position 171G of rotating member 171 is to engagement hole 171H and center CT of central shaft 176, the smaller the moment of rotating member 171 becomes, and the required driving force performance of solenoid 172 can be reduced. However, the shapes of first arm portion 171A, second arm portion 171B, and third arm portion 171C need to be shapes to achieve their functions, and if they are designed with only shapes to achieve the functions in mind, there is a risk that center of gravity position 171G will move away from center CT.

[0044] For this reason, the rotating member 171 according to this embodiment is formed with a balance adjustment portion 171b for adjusting the center of gravity position 171G. In this embodiment, the balance adjustment portion 171b is formed on the third arm portion 171C, and the center of gravity position 171G is adjusted to approach the center CT by the distance (position) from the center CT and the shape (e.g., thickness) of the balance adjustment portion 171b. In other words, by providing the balance adjustment portion 171b, the center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 can be designed to coincide with the center CT of the engagement hole 171H and the central shaft 176.

[0045] In this embodiment, the rotating member 171 is given the shape of the balance adjustment portion 171b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the balance adjustment portion may be a weight attached as a separate part, or the rotating member 171 may be provided with a recess or hole to reduce the weight. The position at which the balance adjustment portion is provided is not limited to the third arm portion 171C, and may be any position on the rotating member 171. In particular, when weight is added to the center of gravity position 171G of the rotating member 171 without the balance adjustment portion, the balance adjustment portion is provided on the opposite side of the center CT, and when weight is reduced, the balance adjustment portion is provided on the side where the center CT is located.

[0046] [Possible alternative embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the rotating member 171 has three arm portions, namely, the first arm portion 171A, the second arm portion 171B, and the third arm portion 171C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotating member may have two arm portions or four or more arm portions. In particular, if the position detection sensor 179 is configured to detect the first arm portion 171A or the second arm portion 171B as a flag member, the third arm portion can be eliminated.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the solenoid 172 is arranged so that the movable core 172B moves in the vertical direction, and the electromagnetic drive unit 172A pulls the movable core 172B upward when power is supplied. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the arrangement direction of the solenoid 172 may be in any direction, and in particular, the electromagnetic drive unit 172A may push the movable core 172B upward when power is supplied. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the movable core 172B moves downward by its own weight when power is not supplied, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the movable core 172B may move by a biasing member such as a spring when power is not supplied. In this case, the smaller the biasing force of the biasing member, the more compact the solenoid 172 can be.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the rotating member 171 is described as being made of a non-magnetic metal material, but the material is not limited to this and may be any material. For example, when a magnetic body is used as the material for the rotating member 171, it is possible to interpose a member that acts as a magnetic shield between the solenoid 172 and the rotating member 171. Furthermore, the material is not limited to a metal material, and the rotating member may be made of a resin material or the like.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the opening / closing member that opens and closes with respect to the apparatus main body has been described as one that opens the horizontal conveying path 140 by rotating the upper door unit 120 in the vertical direction, but is not limited to this. For example, covers, doors, units, etc. that open and close to open the conveying path, perform maintenance on internal parts, replace consumables (ink, etc.), etc. are considered as opening / closing members. In addition, the opening / closing direction of these opening / closing members is not limited to the vertical direction, and the opening / closing direction may be in any direction, such as opening and closing on a vertical axis on the side.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the lock restriction portion 171a of the second arm portion 171B of the rotating member 171 is described as locking or unlocking the rotation of the handle 166 of the unit lock mechanism 160. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the rotating member 171 may directly lock or unlock an opening / closing member that opens and closes with respect to the main body.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the upper door unit 120 is locked in the closed position by the unit lock mechanism 160, but this unit lock mechanism 160 is merely an example and may have any structure.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the feed module 100 is described as using the handle lock mechanism 170 as an example of a sheet conveying device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device that conveys sheets may be used, such as a feed deck, an image forming device, a finisher, a hole punching device, a bookbinding device, or other processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...inkjet recording system (image forming system) / 100...sheet feeding device (sheet transport device) / 110a, 110b, 110c...storage (sheet storage section) / 120...second unit / 120S...lower surface (first surface) / 130...first unit / 130S...upper surface (second surface) / 160...unit lock mechanism / 166...handle (operation section) / 171...rotating member / 171A...first arm section / 171B...second arm section / 171C...third arm part / 171G...center of gravity position / 171H...engagement hole / 171Ha...inner diameter surface / 171b...balance adjustment part (adjustment shape part) / 171c...arm body / 171e...contact part / 172...solenoid (driving part) / 172A...electromagnetic driving part / 172B...movable iron core / 176a...outer diameter surface / 178...positioning part / 179...position detection sensor (rotation position detection part) / 200...print module (image forming device) / CT...center axis / P1...first position / P2...second position

Claims

1. In a sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet, A central axis, A drive unit that outputs a drive force; a rotating member having an engagement hole that engages with the central shaft, a first arm portion that is disposed on an outer diameter than the engagement hole and is drivingly connected to the drive unit, and a second arm portion that is disposed on an outer diameter than the engagement hole, and that switches a position of the second arm portion by being rotated about the central shaft to a first position and a second position rotated from the first position by being driven by the drive unit, The rotation member has a center of gravity located radially inward from an inner diameter surface of the engagement hole as viewed in the axial direction of the central axis. A sheet conveying device comprising:

2. The rotation member has a center of gravity located on an inner diameter side relative to an outer diameter surface of the central shaft as viewed in the axial direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

3. The center of gravity of the rotating member is substantially the same as the center of the engagement hole when viewed in the axial direction.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

4. The rotating member has an adjustment shape portion formed in a shape that adjusts the center of gravity position.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

5. the rotating member has a third arm portion disposed on an outer diameter side of the engagement hole, a rotation position detection unit that detects a position of the rotating member by detecting a position of the third arm unit; 2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

6. The driving unit has a movable iron core and an electromagnetic driving unit that drives the movable iron core by a magnetic force generated by supplied power.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

7. a positioning portion that abuts against the rotating member when the rotating member is rotated from the first position to the second position to position the rotating member at the second position, The first arm portion has an arm body and an abutment portion formed to protrude from the arm body in a rotation direction of the rotating member and abut against the positioning portion at the second position.

7. The sheet transport device according to claim 6.

8. The rotating member is made of a non-magnetic metal material.

7. The sheet transport device according to claim 6.

9. The driving unit is disposed so that the movable core is movable in a vertical direction, The electromagnetic driving unit pulls the movable iron core upward by the magnetic force.

9. The sheet transport device according to claim 8.

10. In a sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet, A central axis, A drive unit that outputs a drive force; a rotating member having an engagement hole that engages with the central shaft, a first arm portion that is disposed on an outer diameter than the engagement hole and is drivingly connected to the drive unit, and a second arm portion that is disposed on an outer diameter than the engagement hole, and that switches a position of the second arm by being rotated about the central shaft between a first position and a second position rotated from the first position by being driven by the drive unit, The rotating member has a center of gravity located on an inner diameter side relative to an outer diameter surface of the central shaft when viewed in the axial direction of the central shaft. A sheet conveying device comprising:

11. a first unit having a first surface that forms a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed; a second unit that is disposed so as to be capable of opening and closing between a closed position where the second unit is closed with respect to the first unit and an open position where the second unit is opened from the closed position, the second unit having a second surface that faces the first surface in the closed position to form the transport path; a unit lock mechanism having an operation portion, capable of locking the second unit in the closed position, and capable of unlocking the second unit in the closed position by operating the operation portion; the second arm locks the operation unit so that it cannot be operated when the rotating member is in the first position, and enables the operation unit to be operated when the rotating member is in the second position.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

12. the first unit has a sheet storage section that stores and supports a plurality of sheets, The sheet is fed by conveying the sheet from the sheet storage unit. The sheet transport device according to claim 11 .

13. A sheet conveying device according to claim 11 or 12; and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet.

1. An image forming system comprising:

Images