Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent falling of air blowing means even when the air blowing means is replaced in a state of mounting a sheet feeding apparatus in a device body.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding apparatus 235 includes: a shaft section 512a and a holding section 512b which support a fan 15a and a fan 15b with respect to a manual paper feeding tray 5; a fastening member 513 which detachably fastens the shaft section 512a and the holding section 512b to the manual paper feeding tray 5; and locking section 511a and a locking section 511b which prevent falling of the shaft section 512a and the holding section 512b where fastening to the manual paper feeding tray 5 by the fastening member 513 is released when the sheet feeding apparatus 235 is in a closed state with respect to a device body 201A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that is provided in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus so as to be able to be opened and closed, and to an image forming apparatus including the sheet feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, colorization and high image quality of image forming devices such as electrophotographic copying machines, printers, and facsimiles have become widespread. Users are increasingly demanding higher image quality and higher definition from image forming devices used in offices. In general, plain paper or recycled paper is widely used in offices. On the other hand, there is a limit to the ability of plain paper to obtain the required beautiful and attractive output. In order to obtain a more beautiful and attractive output, special paper such as coated paper or thick paper is becoming desirable.

[0003] Conventionally, such special paper is fed using a manual feeder attached to the side wall of the main body of the image forming apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, long, irregular or small size paper that cannot be set in the cassette feeder in the image forming apparatus, and high stiffness thick paper that cannot be conveyed on a conveying path other than the straight conveying path due to the large conveying resistance, were fed by the manual feeder. In particular, for coated paper, it is recommended to set only one sheet in the paper tray when feeding, which can prevent the sheets from sticking to each other, but this reduces productivity, so there was a demand for improving productivity.

[0004] In response to this, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a manual feed tray is provided with an air blowing means for blowing air onto the side edge of a sheet such as coated paper that is approximately perpendicular to the sheet feed direction. The air blowing means of Patent Document 2 blows air onto the sheet edge, causing the sheet edge to move and allowing air to get in between the sheets, loosening the adhesion between the sheets. By using such a configuration, it becomes possible to continuously feed coated paper from the manual feed tray.

[0005] On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the air blowing means is provided on the manual feed tray, which increases the size and weight of the sheet feeding device. In such a large and heavy sheet feeding device, it would be convenient if the air blowing means could be replaced without removing the sheet feeding device from the device body. Furthermore, by replacing the air blowing means without removing the sheet feeding device from the device body, the work time can be shortened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-095395 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-256819 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when replacing the air blowing means such as a fan without removing the sheet feeding device from the main body of the apparatus, there is a problem in that the air blowing means may fall and be damaged during replacement.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent the air blowing means from falling off even when the air blowing means is replaced while the sheet feeding device is attached to the apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The sheet feeding device of the present invention is a sheet feeding device that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed relative to the main body of an image forming apparatus, and is characterized in that it has a feed tray for loading sheets, a feeding means for feeding the sheets loaded on the feed tray, an air blowing means provided on the feed tray and blowing air onto widthwise ends of the sheets loaded on the feed tray that are perpendicular to the feeding direction by the feeding means, a support member that supports the air blowing means relative to the feed tray, a fastening member that detachably fastens the support member to the feed tray, and a fall prevention section that prevents the support member from falling when it is released from fastening to the feed tray by the fastening member when the sheet feeding device is in a closed state relative to the main body of the apparatus. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, even when the air blowing means is replaced with the sheet feeding device attached to the apparatus body, the air blowing means can be prevented from falling off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the manual feed tray closed. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a tray cover of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is removed. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> The configuration of an image forming apparatus 201 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. FIG.

[0014] Here, the image forming apparatus 201 is exemplified by a tandem type intermediate transfer type laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 201 can form and output a full-color or monochrome image corresponding to print image data input from a connected host device 900 on a sheet S, which is a recording medium. Here, the host device 900 is a personal computer, an image scanner, a facsimile, or the like.

[0015] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 201 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 101, an image forming unit 201B, a double-sided reversing unit 201F, an image reading device 202, a stacking unit 223, a first discharge roller pair 225a, and a second discharge roller pair 225b. The image forming apparatus 201 also includes a cassette feeding unit 230, a sheet feeding device 235, a registration roller pair 240, a feed roller 503, a retard roller 504, a sheet detection sensor 505, and an input display device 730.

[0016] The control unit 100 centrally controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 201 by reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 101. The control unit 100 performs signal processing and sequence control by transmitting and receiving information to and from the host device 900 or the input display device 730. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the sheet feeding device 235 based on an electrical signal input from a sheet presence / absence sensor 17 (to be described later) of the sheet feeding device 235. The control unit 100 executes an image forming operation based on an electrical signal input from a sheet detection sensor 505.

[0017] When image data of a document to be printed is input from the host device 900 or the image reading device 202, the control unit 100 generates image information based on the input image data. The control unit 100 performs image processing on the generated image information, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the laser scanner 210.

[0018] The storage unit 101 stores a control program in advance.

[0019] The image forming section 201B has a four-drum full-color configuration. The image forming section 201B forms an image on the sheet S fed from the cassette feeding section 230 or the sheet feeding device 235, and conveys the sheet S on which the image has been formed to the double-sided inversion section 201F, the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b. The image forming section 201B includes a secondary transfer section 201D, a fixing section 201E, a laser scanner 210, and four process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y. The image forming section 201B also includes toner cartridges 215K, 215C, 215M, and 215Y, and primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y.

[0020] The secondary transfer portion 201D is provided above the process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y. The secondary transfer portion 201D includes a transfer belt 216, a drive roller 216a, a tension roller 216b, and a secondary transfer roller 217.

[0021] The transfer belt 216 is wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. The transfer belt 216 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

[0022] The driving roller 216a is driven to rotate by a driving force from a driving unit (not shown).

[0023] The tension roller 216b is provided on the inner side of the transfer belt 216 and applies tension to the transfer belt 216.

[0024] The secondary transfer roller 217 faces the drive roller 216a via the transfer belt 216. When a secondary transfer bias is applied from a power source (not shown), the secondary transfer roller 217 transfers the color image transferred onto the transfer belt 216 onto the sheet S being transported by the pair of registration rollers 240. The secondary transfer roller 217 transports the sheet S onto which the color image has been transferred to the fixing unit 201E.

[0025] The fixing unit 201E is provided above the secondary transfer unit 201D. The fixing unit 210E forms a roller nip portion by contacting a pressure roller 220a and a heating roller 220b. The fixing unit 201E applies heat and pressure to the sheet S conveyed by the secondary transfer unit 201D in the roller nip portion, thereby melting and mixing the toners of each color of the toner image transferred to the sheet S, thereby fixing a color image to the sheet S. The fixing unit 201E conveys the sheet S with the fixed color image to the double-sided reversing unit 201F, the first discharge roller pair 225a, or the second discharge roller pair 225b.

[0026] The laser scanner 210 sequentially exposes the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, which have been charged by the charger 213, to a laser based on an electrical signal input from the control unit 100. The laser scanner 210 exposes the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to light, thereby forming electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y.

[0027] Each of the process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y forms a toner image of four colors, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). The process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y include photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y, and developers 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y.

[0028] The photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y are rotated in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 by a drive unit (not shown).

[0029] The chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to a predetermined polarity and potential.

[0030] The developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y supply toner to the electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y by the laser scanner 210. The developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y supply toner to the electrostatic latent images, thereby developing the electrostatic latent images with toner of each color and forming toner images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent images.

[0031] The toner cartridges 215K, 215C, 215M, and 215Y supply toner to the developing devices 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y.

[0032] The primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y are provided on the inner side of the transfer belt 216 so as to face the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y with the transfer belt 216 interposed therebetween, and are in contact with the transfer belt 216.

[0033] A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y from a power source (not shown), thereby causing the toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to be transferred in a sequentially superimposed manner onto the transfer belt 216. The primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y cause the toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to be transferred in a sequentially superimposed manner onto the transfer belt 216, thereby forming a toner image on the transfer belt 216.

[0034] The double-sided inversion unit 201F is provided above the fixing unit 201E. The double-sided inversion unit 201F includes a pair of inversion rollers 222 that can rotate forward and backward. Before the trailing end of the sheet S with an image formed on one side thereof in the conveying direction passes through the pair of inversion rollers 222, the pair of inversion rollers 222 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the sheet S with an image formed on one side thereof is conveyed again to the image forming unit 201B via a re-conveyance path R.

[0035] The image reading device 202 is disposed substantially horizontally above the apparatus body 201 A. The image reading device 202 reads an image of a document and outputs image data of the read image to the control unit 100.

[0036] The stacking portion 223 stacks the sheets S discharged from the apparatus main body 201A by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b.

[0037] The first discharge roller pair 225a is provided above the fixing unit 201E and discharges the sheet S conveyed by the fixing unit 201E onto the stacking unit 223.

[0038] The second discharge roller pair 225b is provided above the fixing unit 201E and discharges the sheet S conveyed by the fixing unit 201E onto the stacking unit 223.

[0039] The cassette feeding section 230 stores sheets S and feeds the stored sheets S to the image forming section 201B. The cassette feeding section 230 includes a feeding cassette 1, a pickup roller 2, a feed roller 3, and a retard roller 4.

[0040] The feeding cassette 1 stores sheets S therein.

[0041] The pickup roller 2 delivers the sheet S stored in the feeding cassette 1 to the feed roller 3 and the retard roller 4 .

[0042] The feed roller 3 and the retard roller 4 separate the sheets S sent out by the pickup roller 2 one by one and feed them to a pair of registration rollers 240 .

[0043] The pair of registration rollers 240 corrects skew of the sheet S fed by the cassette feeding unit 230 or the sheet feeding device 235, or the sheet S transported from the double-sided reversing unit 201F through the re-transport path R. The pair of registration rollers 240 transports the sheet S, the skew of which has been corrected, to the secondary transfer unit 201D of the image forming unit 201B.

[0044] The sheet feeding device 235 is removable from the apparatus main body 201A, and is provided so as to be freely opened and closed relative to the apparatus main body 201A, and is rotatable between an open state shown in Fig. 1 and a closed state shown in Fig. 4. In the open state, the sheet feeding device 235 receives sheets S and feeds the stacked sheets S to the image forming unit 201B. The configuration of the sheet feeding device 235 will be described in detail later.

[0045] The feed roller 503 and the retard roller 504 are rotated under the control of the control unit 100 to separate the sheets S sent out by a pickup roller 502 (to be described later) of the sheet feeding device 235 one by one and feed them to the pair of registration rollers 240 .

[0046] The sheet detection sensor 505 detects the sheet S fed by the sheet feeding device 235, and outputs an electrical signal according to the detection result to the control unit 100.

[0047] The input display device 730 is provided on the upper part of the device body 201A. The input display device 730 is provided with a touch panel type operation panel that displays predetermined information and accepts input operations from the user. The input display device 730 displays an operation section for selecting various buttons, and an operation section for setting paper type, basis weight, size, etc., on the operation panel. The operation panel of the input display device 730 is not limited to a touch panel type, and may be a type in which multiple keys are pressed.

[0048] <Configuration of the Sheet Feeding Device> The configuration of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0049] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of region A in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 6.

[0050] The sheet feeding device 235 has the manual feed tray 5, the side end regulating plate 14a, the side end regulating plate 14b, the fan 15a, the fan 15b, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, and the blowing nozzle 16d. The sheet feeding device 235 also has the sheet presence sensor 17, the pickup roller 502, the tray cover 510, the locking portion 511a, the locking portion 511b, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, and the fastening member 513. The fan 15a, the fan 15b, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, and the blowing nozzle 16d constitute an air blowing means.

[0051] The manual feed tray 5 serving as a feed tray holds sheets S when the sheet feeder 235 is in an open state.

[0052] Side end regulating plate 14a as a regulating member is provided on manual feed tray 5 so as to be movable in a width direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "width direction") X of sheet S perpendicular to a feed direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "feed direction") Y of sheet S relative to manual feed tray 5. Side end regulating plate 14a regulates the movement of sheet S toward one end side in the width direction X.

[0053] Side end regulating plate 14b as a regulating member is provided on manual feed tray 5 so as to be movable in width direction X relative to manual feed tray 5. Side end regulating plate 14b regulates movement of sheet S in width direction X toward the other end side.

[0054] The fan 15a is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state capable of moving in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end regulating plate 14a in the width direction X. The fan 15a is driven under the control of the control unit 100 to blow air to the blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b.

[0055] The fan 15b is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state capable of moving in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end regulating plate 14b in the width direction X. The fan 15b is driven under the control of the control unit 100 to blow air to the blowing nozzle 16c and the blowing nozzle 16d.

[0056] The blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b are provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state capable of moving in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end regulating plate 14a in the width direction X. The blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b guide the air blown by the fan 15a to one end of the sheet S in the width direction X and blow it against one end of the sheet S in the width direction X.

[0057] The blowing nozzle 16c and the blowing nozzle 16d are provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state capable of moving in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end regulating plate 14b in the width direction X. The blowing nozzle 16c and the blowing nozzle 16d guide the air blown by the fan 15b to the other end of the sheet S in the width direction X and blow the air against the other end of the sheet S in the width direction X.

[0058] The sheet presence / absence sensor 17 detects whether or not the sheet S is stacked on the manual feed tray 5, and outputs an electrical signal to the control unit 100 according to the detection result.

[0059] A pickup roller 502 as a feeding means rotates under the control of the control unit 100 to feed the top sheet S stacked on the manual feed tray 5 to a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 .

[0060] The tray cover 510 covers the bottom side, which is the lower side when the manual feed tray 5 is open. The tray cover 510 covers the fan 15a, the fan 15b, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, the blowing nozzle 16d, the locking portion 511a, the locking portion 511b, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, and the fastening member 513. The tray cover 510 is attached to the manual feed tray 5 in a detachable manner.

[0061] The locking portion 511a serving as a drop prevention portion is provided on the manual feed tray 5. The locking portion 511a is provided below the vertical direction, which is the drop direction of the shaft portion 512a when the sheet feeding device 235 is closed, and extends from the manual feed tray 5 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511a has a protruding portion 511c protruding in the opposite direction to the vertical direction at the tip of the extension direction. The locking portion 511a abuts against the shaft portion 512a at one end side of the shaft portion 512a in the width direction X, or faces the shaft portion 512a with a gap therebetween.

[0062] The locking portion 511b serving as a drop prevention portion is provided on the manual feed tray 5. When the sheet feeding device 235 is closed, the locking portion 511b is provided below the shaft portion 512a in the vertical direction, and extends from the manual feed tray 5 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511b has a protruding portion 511c protruding in the opposite direction to the vertical direction at the tip end in the extending direction. The locking portion 511b abuts against the shaft portion 512a or faces the shaft portion 512a with a gap therebetween at the other end side of the shaft portion 512a in the width direction X.

[0063] The shaft portion 512a is provided along the width direction X, and supports the holding portion 512b so as to be slidable in the width direction.

[0064] The holder 512b holds the fans 15a and 15b. The holder 512b moves in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the fans 15a and 15b in the width direction X.

[0065] The shaft portion 512a and the holder portion 512b as supporting members support the fans 15a and 15b movably in the width direction X relative to the manual feed tray 5 so that the fans 15a and 15b do not fall off the manual feed tray 5.

[0066] Fastening members 513 fasten and fix both ends of shaft portion 512a in the width direction X to manual paper feed tray 5. Fastening member 513 is capable of releasing the fastening of shaft portion 512a to manual paper feed tray 5. Here, a screw is exemplified as fastening member 513.

[0067] Here, when the fans 15a and 15b are not supported by the shaft portion 512a and the holder portion 512b, they can fall off the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0068] <Operation of the image forming device> The operation of the image forming apparatus 201 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0069] The control unit 100 starts an image forming operation such as a toner image forming operation based on an electrical signal input from the input display device 730 when a start button of the input display device 730 is pressed.

[0070] First, the control unit 100 generates image information based on image data received from the host device 900 or the image reading device 202 , and performs image processing on the generated image information, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the laser scanner 210 .

[0071] Further, under the control of the control unit 100, the chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to a predetermined polarity and potential.

[0072] Next, the laser scanner 210 sequentially exposes the surfaces of the charged photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to a laser based on the input electrical signal, whereby electrostatic latent images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, respectively.

[0073] Next, the developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y with toner of each color under the control of the control unit 100. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y.

[0074] Next, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y under the control of the control unit 100. As a result, the toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the transfer belt 216, forming a color toner image.

[0075] In parallel with the above toner image forming operation, the sheets S are fed one by one by the cassette feeding section 230 or the sheet feeding device 235 to the pair of registration rollers 240, and the skew of the sheets S is corrected by the pair of registration rollers 240.

[0076] The sheet S, whose skew has been corrected, is conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 240 to a secondary transfer portion 201D.

[0077] Next, a secondary transfer bias is applied to a secondary transfer roller 217, so that the toner images formed on the transfer belt 216 are transferred from the transfer belt 216 to the sheet S conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 201D all at once.

[0078] Next, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing section 201E and is subjected to heat and pressure in a roller nip section. As a result, the toners of the respective colors of the toner image transferred onto the sheet S melt and mix. Furthermore, a color image is fixed onto the sheet S onto which the toners of the respective colors of the toner image have melted and mixed.

[0079] Next, the sheet S on which the image has been fixed is discharged by the first discharge roller pair 225a and the second discharge roller pair 225b into the discharge space V between the image reading device 202 and the device main body 201A, and is loaded onto the stacking section 223 provided on the bottom surface of the discharge space V.

[0080] When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S on one side of which the image is fixed is conveyed to a re-conveyance path R by a pair of reversing rollers 222 and conveyed again to the image forming section 201B.

[0081] <Overall Operation of Sheet Feeding Device> The overall operation of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0082] When the start button of the input display device 730 is pressed, the sheet feeding device 235 starts a feeding operation under the control of the control unit 100 .

[0083] First, when the control unit 100 determines that sheets S such as coated paper are stacked on the manual feed tray 5 based on an electrical signal input to the control unit 100 from the sheet presence / absence sensor 17, the fans 15a and 15b are driven under the control of the control unit 100. As a result, the fan 15a blows air toward one end of the sheet S in the width direction X in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 in Fig. 3 via the blowing nozzles 16a and 16b. In addition, the fan 15b blows air toward the other end of the sheet S in the width direction X in the directions of arrows A3 and A4 in Fig. 3 via the blowing nozzles 16c and 16d.

[0084] When the air is blown, the upper sheets S of the stack of sheets S stacked on the manual feed tray 5 are lifted up, and the adhesive force between them and the lower sheets S is reduced.

[0085] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start button was pressed, the topmost sheet S of the stack of sheets S stacked on the manual feed tray 5 is sent to a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 by a pickup roller 502 .

[0086] <Operation when replacing parts of the sheet feeding device> The operation of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention during part replacement will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0087] When replacing the fans 15a and 15b of the sheet feeding device 235, the manual feed tray 5 is closed relative to the device body 201A and the tray cover 510 is removed. As a result, the fans 15a and 15b, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, the blowing nozzle 16d, the locking portions 511a and 511b, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, and the fastening member 513 are exposed to the outside.

[0088] Next, the fastening of the shaft portion 512a to the manual feed tray 5 by the fastening member 513 is released. At this time, the shaft portion 512a is supported by the locking portions 511a and 511b by abutting against the locking portions 511a and 511b without being supported by hand or other tools. The shaft portion 512a is engaged with the protruding portions 511c of the locking portions 511a and 511b so as not to roll on the locking portions 511a and 511b. This makes it possible to prevent the shaft portion 512a, the holder 512b, the fan 15a, and the fan 15b from falling in the vertical direction.

[0089] The shaft portion 512a, which has been released from the fastening member 513 to the manual feed tray 5, can be lifted together with the holding portion 512b in the direction opposite to the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 (upward in FIG. 7)) and removed. This allows the fans 15a and 15b to be replaced.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the sheet feeding device 235 is in a closed state relative to the device body 201A, the locking portion 511a and the locking portion 511b are provided to prevent the shaft portion 512a from falling after the fastening member 513 has released the shaft portion 512a from fastening to the manual paper feed tray 5. This makes it possible to prevent the fans 15a and 15b from falling even when the fans 15a and 15b are replaced with the sheet feeding device 235 attached to the device body 201A.

[0091] In this embodiment, the attachment and detachment direction of shaft portion 512a and holding portion 512b is parallel to the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the attachment and detachment direction of the shaft portion and holding portion may be a direction other than parallel to the vertical direction, taking into consideration the positional relationship of parts near locking portion 511a, locking portion 511b, and shaft portion 512a, or the working space when replacing fans 15a and 15b.

[0092] Further, in this embodiment, the fan 15a and the fan 15b of the manual sheet feeding device 235 are replaced, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a case where a fan of a sheet feeding device other than the manual sheet feeding device is replaced.

[0093] (Embodiment 2) The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] <Configuration of the Sheet Feeding Device> The configuration of a sheet feeding device 1235 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0095] In Fig. 8, the same components as those in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also, in the configuration of the sheet feeding device 1235 according to the present embodiment, the illustration and description of the components that are the same as those in the sheet feeding device 235 will be omitted.

[0096] The sheet feeding device 1235 includes a manual feed tray 5, side end regulating plates 14a, 14b, fans 15a, 15b, blowing nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The sheet feeding device 1235 also includes a sheet presence sensor 17, a pickup roller 502, a tray cover 510, a shaft portion 512a, a holding portion 512b, a fastening member 513, and engaging portions 1511a and 1511b.

[0097] The manual feed tray 5 holds sheets S when the sheet feeder 1235 is open.

[0098] The tray cover 510 covers the fan 15a, the fan 15b, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, the blowing nozzle 16d, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, the fastening member 513, the engaging portion 1511a, and the engaging portion 1511b.

[0099] The engaging portion 1511a as a fall prevention portion is provided on the manual feed tray 5. The engaging portion 1511a press-contacts and clamps the shaft portion 512a in a detachable state at one end side in the width direction X of the shaft portion 512a. The width H of the opening of the engaging portion 1511a is smaller than the diameter R of the shaft portion 512a (H < R). Note that the engaging portion 1511b as a fall prevention portion has the same shape as the engaging portion 1511a at the same position as the locking portion 511b, although not shown in the figure.

[0100] <Operation during component replacement of the sheet feeding device> The operation during component replacement of the sheet feeding device 1235 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0101] When replacing the fans 15a and 15b of the sheet feeding device 1235, the tray cover 510 is removed with the manual feed tray 5 closed with respect to the device main body 201A. As a result, the fans 15a, 15b, the blowing nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, the fastening member 513, the engaging portion 1511a, and the engaging portion 1511b are in a state of being exposed to the outside.

[0102] Next, the fastening of the shaft portion 512a to the manual feed tray 5 by the fastening member 513 is released. At this time, the shaft portion 512a is press-contacted and clamped by the engaging portion 1511a and the engaging portion 1511b without being supported by a hand or other tool. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, the fan 15a, and the fan 15b from falling in the vertical direction.

[0103] The shaft portion 512a, which has been released from the fastening member 513 to the manual feed tray 5, can be pulled and removed together with the holding portion 512b to the side (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8) in a direction away from the feed tray 5. At this time, the engaging portions 1511a and 1511b are elastically deformed, and the width H of the opening becomes larger than the diameter R of the shaft portion 512a, so that the shaft portion 512a can be easily removed by the engaging portions 1511a and 1511b. This allows the fans 15a and 15b to be replaced.

[0104] In this embodiment, when the sheet feeding device 1235 is in a closed state relative to the device body 201A, the engaging portion 1511a and the engaging portion 1511b are provided to prevent the shaft portion 512a from falling after the fastening member 513 has released the shaft portion 512a from fastening to the manual paper feed tray 5. This makes it possible to prevent the fans 15a and 15b from falling even when the fans 15a and 15b are replaced while the sheet feeding device 1235 is attached to the device body 201A.

[0105] In this embodiment, the attachment and detachment direction of shaft portion 512a and holding portion 512b is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the attachment and detachment direction of the shaft portion and holding portion may be a direction other than a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, taking into consideration the positional relationship of parts near engagement portion 1511a, engagement portion 1511b, and shaft portion 512a, or the working space when replacing fans 15a and 15b.

[0106] Further, in this embodiment, the fan 15a and the fan 15b of the manual sheet feeding device 1235 are replaced, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a case where a fan of a sheet feeding device other than the manual sheet feeding device is replaced.

[0107] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0108] Specifically, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the shaft portion 512a has a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shaft portion may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape.

[0109] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the blowing nozzle 16a, the blowing nozzle 16b, the blowing nozzle 16c, and the blowing nozzle 16d are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which air is blown directly onto both ends of the sheet S in the width direction from a fan as an air blowing means may be used without using the blowing nozzles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 5 Manual feed tray 14a Side end regulation plate 14b Side end regulation plate 15a Fan 15b Fan 16a Spray nozzle 16b Spray nozzle 16c Spray nozzle 16d Spray nozzle 100 Control section 201 Image forming device 201A Device body 201B Image forming section 235 Sheet Feeding Device 502 Pickup roller 510 Tray cover 511a Locking part 511b Locking part 512a Shaft 512b Holding part 513 Fastening members 1235 Sheet Feeding Device 1511a Engagement part 1511b Engagement part

Claims

1. A sheet feeding device that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed relative to a main body of an image forming apparatus, A feed tray for loading sheets; a feeding means for feeding the sheets stacked on the feeding tray; an air blowing means provided on the feeding tray for blowing air onto an end portion of the sheet stacked on the feeding tray in a width direction perpendicular to a feeding direction by the feeding means; a support member for supporting the air blowing means with respect to the feeding tray; a fastening member for removably fastening the support member to the feed tray; a drop prevention portion that prevents the support member from dropping when the fastening member is released from the feeding tray when the sheet feeding device is in a closed state relative to the device body; A sheet feeding device comprising:

2. The fall prevention part is a protrusion provided below the drop direction of the support member when the sheet feeding device is in the closed state, extending from the feeding tray in a direction perpendicular to the drop direction, and protruding from a tip end of the extending direction in a direction opposite to the drop direction; 2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus comprises:

3. The fall prevention part is The support member is pressed and clamped in a detachable state.

2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus comprises:

4. a regulating member movable in the width direction to regulate the movement of the sheets stacked on the feed tray in the width direction, The air blowing means is The restricting member moves in the width direction in conjunction with the movement of the restricting member in the width direction, The support member is The air blowing means is supported so as to be movable in the width direction.

4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeder.

5. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images