Sheet conveyance device and image forming system

Abstract

To improve usability.SOLUTION: This sheet conveyance device comprises: a device body having a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet; an upper door unit openably / closably disposed at a closed position where it is closed with respect to the device body and an open position where it is opened from the closed position; a unit lock mechanism 160; and a grip lock mechanism 170. The unit lock mechanism 160 has a grip 166 displaceable to first and second positions, and can lock the upper door unit at the closed position when the grip 166 is at the first position, and unlock the upper door unit at the closed position when the grip 166 is at the second position. The grip lock mechanism 170 can lock the grip 166 at the first position, and unlock the grip 166 at the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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, there is a risk of malfunction or tearing of the sheet, so a lock unit capable of locking 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 opening / closing member and a state in which the engagement between the rotating member and the holder is released.

[0003] Meanwhile, an opening / closing mechanism that uses a lock mechanism linked to an operating part (handle) and a toggle latch mechanism has been proposed as an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing an opening / closing member relative to the device body (see Patent Document 2). In this opening / closing mechanism, the toggle latch mechanism is used to assist the user in closing the opening / closing member, improving operability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-10074 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-252947 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the mechanism for switching the lock state of the opening / closing member by the solenoid described in Patent Document 1 is applied to the opening / closing mechanism described in Patent Document 2, the following problem may occur. That is, in this case, even if the opening / closing member is locked in the closed state by the solenoid, it is possible to operate the operation unit, such as by pulling up the handle. For this reason, the user may be able to operate the operation unit but the opening / closing member will not open, which may lead to poor usability, such as an attempt to force the opening / closing member open or a suspicion of a malfunction of the opening / closing mechanism.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device and an image forming system that can improve usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet transport device comprising: an apparatus main body having a transport section for transporting a sheet; an opening / closing member arranged to be openable and closable to a closed position closed to the apparatus main body and an open position opened from the closed position; a first lock unit having an operation unit displaceable between a first position and a second position, capable of locking the opening / closing member to the closed position when the operation unit is located at the first position and unlocking the opening / closing member in the closed position when the operation unit is located at the second position; and a second lock unit capable of locking the operation unit to the first position and unlocking the operation unit in the first position.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including the above-mentioned sheet conveying device and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, usability can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [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] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the inkjet printing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a feeding module in a state where an upper door unit according to the embodiment is closed; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a feeding module in a state where an upper door unit according to the embodiment is open. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a perspective view showing a unit lock mechanism of the upper door unit according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a handle and a handle lock mechanism of the unit lock mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in the embodiment when the handle is locked. [Figure 8] 13 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in the embodiment when the handle is unlocked. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a rotating member according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating member according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a perspective view showing a unit lock mechanism of the upper door unit according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a perspective view showing a handle and a handle lock mechanism of a unit lock mechanism according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a handle lock mechanism in a modified example in which the handle is locked. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a handle lock mechanism in a modified example in which the handle is unlocked. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a rotating member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In this embodiment, a case where an inkjet recording system 1 is applied as an image forming system will be described.

[0012] [Inkjet recording system] First, the schematic configuration of an inkjet recording system 1 according to this 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 this embodiment. The inkjet recording system 1 as an image forming system is a cut-sheet type (sheet-fed type) inkjet recording system that produces a recorded matter in which an ink image is formed 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-sheet-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.

[0013] The feeding module 100 is an example of a sheet transport device, and has three storage units 110a, 110b, and 110c as sheet storage units for storing sheets S. Each storage unit 110a, 110b, and 110c is configured to be able to be pulled out toward the front side of the device. The sheets S are fed one by one in each storage unit 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 units 110a, 110b, and 110c is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more. In addition, by connecting another feeding module further upstream of the feeding module 100, so-called multiple connection, it is possible to have even more sheet feeding units.

[0014] The print module 200 has a pre-imaging registration correction unit (not shown), a print belt unit 220, and a recording unit 230. The print module 200 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and the sheet S conveyed from the feed module 100 that forms an image on the sheet is conveyed to the print belt unit 220 after the inclination and position of the sheet are corrected by the pre-imaging registration correction unit. 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 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] [Control system] 2 is a block diagram for explaining the control unit 240 of the inkjet recording system 1. The control unit 240 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 241, a memory 242, and the like. The CPU 241 executes predetermined control programs and the like to realize various processes performed by the inkjet recording system 1. The memory 242 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various programs and various data in a predetermined storage area.

[0021] The control unit 240 also has various functional units such as an operation panel 243, an image formation control unit 245, an opening / closing control unit 246, and a detection control unit 247. The operation panel 243 accepts various operations performed by the user, such as various information (size information, basis weight information, surface property information, etc.) related to the sheet used for printing, and an instruction to execute or interrupt printing. The image formation control unit 245 issues an instruction to the recording unit 230 and controls image formation. The opening / closing control unit 246 controls a solenoid 172, which will be described later. The detection control unit 247 inputs a signal from a position detection sensor 179, which will be described later. Note that, for example, the CPU 241 may be configured to receive various information related to the sheet used for printing via a computer 244 connected via a network.

[0022] [Feed module configuration] Next, a detailed configuration of the feeding module 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state where the upper door unit according to this embodiment is closed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state where the upper door unit according to this embodiment is open.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 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. The main unit 130 is an example of an apparatus main body, and includes a conveying section 101 (see FIG. 1) such as a conveying roller that conveys a sheet. In the main unit 130, storage cabinets 110a to 110c are supported by a main frame 130F and are disposed in a vertically stacked manner. The storage cabinets 110a to 110c are an example of a sheet storage section, and store and support a plurality of sheets. The feeding module 100 conveys the sheets from the storage cabinets 110a to 110c to feed the sheets.

[0024] 4, a left hinge 151 and a right hinge 152 are disposed upstream and downstream in the sheet conveying direction above the main unit 130, and are disposed on the left and right sides 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.

[0025] 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 an example of an opening and closing member, and is arranged so as to be openable and closable between a closed position where it is closed to the main unit 130 and an open position where it is opened from the closed position. The upper door unit 120 has a lower surface 120S that forms the horizontal conveying path 140 facing the upper surface 130S in the closed position. The upper door unit 120 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 disposal work in the horizontal conveying path 140 are possible.

[0026] [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. 4, 5, and 6. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the feeding module in a state in which the upper door unit according to this embodiment is open. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the unit lock mechanism of the upper door unit according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the handle and handle lock mechanism of the unit lock mechanism according to this embodiment.

[0027] 4 and 5, in the unit lock mechanism 160, a handle 166 is 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 of the upper door unit 120 in the closed position. 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. The handle 166 is an example of an operation part, and is provided so as to be displaceable between a first position (upward position) and a second position (downward position).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, 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. 5, the latch claw 161 provided on both the left and right ends of the latch rotation shaft 162 rotates, and the engagement between the latch fixing shaft 164 provided on the upper door unit 120 and the latch claw 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.

[0029] In this embodiment, the latch claw 161 is an example of an engaging portion, and the latch fixing shaft 164 is an example of an engaged portion that can engage with the latch claw 161. The latch claw 161, the latch fixing shaft 164, and the latch rotation shaft 162 constitute a locking mechanism 180. The locking mechanism 180 can lock the upper door unit 120 in the closed position by engaging the latch claw 161 with the latch fixing shaft 164, and can unlock the upper door unit 120 from the closed position by releasing the engagement between the latch claw 161 and the latch fixing shaft 164.

[0030] The rotation transmitting part 167 is an example of a first fixed member, and is fixed to the handle 166. The rotation receiving part 168 is an example of a second fixed member, and is fixed to the latch claw 161, and displaces in conjunction with the rotation transmitting part 167 when the handle 166 displaces from the first position to the second position. The rotation transmitting part 167 and the rotation receiving part 168 constitute a transmitting part 181. When the handle 166 displaces from the first position to the second position, the transmitting part 181 displaces in conjunction with the handle 166, and transmits the displacement of the handle 166 to the latch claw 161, thereby releasing the engagement between the latch claw 161 and the latch fixing shaft 164. The unit locking mechanism 160 is an example of a first locking unit, and includes the handle 166, the locking mechanism 180, and the transmitting part 181. This allows the unit locking mechanism 160 to lock the upper door unit 120 in the closed position when the handle 166 is located in the first position, and to unlock the upper door unit 120 in the closed position when the handle 166 is located in the second position.

[0031] 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. 4), not shown in FIG. 5, 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.

[0032] In addition, in this embodiment, the latch claw 161 is attached to the handle 166 side (main unit 130 side) and the latch fixing shaft 164 is provided on the upper door unit 120 side, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a latch claw may be provided as an engaging portion on the upper door unit 120 side, and a shaft member may be provided as an engaged portion on the handle 166 side.

[0033] [Handle lock mechanism configuration] Next, the handle lock mechanism 170 will be described with reference to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 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. 7 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in a state in which the handle according to this embodiment is locked. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism in a state in which the handle according to this embodiment is unlocked. Fig. 9 is a front view showing a rotating member according to this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a rotating member according to this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, 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. 7 and 8, 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. 9) 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.

[0035] The solenoid 172 is configured to have a movable core 172B and an electromagnetic drive unit 172A that pulls up and moves the movable core 172B in the direction of the arrow Z2 by a magnetic force generated by supplied power. On the other hand, the rotating member 171 has an engagement hole 171H and three arms, a first arm 171A, a second arm 171B, and a third arm 171C, which are arranged so as to extend outward from the engagement hole 171H, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. As shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, 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 figure relative to the support base 174.

[0036] 9 and 10, a connecting hole 171d is formed in the first arm portion 171A of the rotating member 171. As shown in Fig. 7 and 8, 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.

[0037] 9 and 10, 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] [Handle lock mechanism operation] Next, the operation of the handle lock mechanism 170 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. In the solenoid 172, power is supplied to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A by the control unit 240 (see Fig. 2), 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. 7, 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 rotation position P1 as a regulating position as shown in Fig. 7. In addition, when the rotating member 171 is at the first rotation 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 the control unit 240 detects that the rotating member 171 is at the first rotation position P1.

[0040] When the rotating member 171 is in the first rotating 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. 6). 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 in a non-rotatable state (locked state of 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.

[0041] On the other hand, when the control unit 240 stops supplying power to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A 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. 8. When the movable iron core 172B moves downward, the first arm portion 171A is lowered downward through 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 rotation position P1 shown in FIG. 7 around the central axis 176 to the second rotation position P2 as the release position shown in FIG. 8. Note that, when the rotating member 171 is positioned at the second rotation 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 by the control unit 240 as being at the second rotation position P2.

[0042] That is, the rotating member 171 is an example of a restricting member, and is displaceable between a first rotation position and a second rotation position. The rotating member 171 is located at the first rotation position P1 by the drive of the solenoid 172, and is located at the second rotation position P2 by the weight of the rotating member 171 when the drive of the solenoid 172 stops. This makes it possible to prevent the upper door unit 120 from being locked at the closed position when the power supply to the solenoid 172 is stopped due to a power outage, for example.

[0043] When the rotating member 171 is located at the second rotating 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 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.

[0044] 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, and maintenance work on the horizontal conveying path 140 and jam processing work can be performed. That is, the solenoid 172 is an example of a drive unit, and displaces the rotating member 171 between the first rotation position P1 and the second rotation position P2. In addition, the solenoid 172 locks the handle 166 in the first position by displacing the rotating member 171 to a first rotation position P1, and unlocks the handle 166 from the first position by displacing the rotating member 171 to a second rotation position.

[0045] In this embodiment, the handle lock mechanism 170 abuts against the rotation transmitting part 167 to restrict the displacement of the rotation transmitting part 167, thereby locking the displacement of the transmitting part 181. This makes it possible to reliably restrict the displacement of the handle 166 at the upstream part of the transmission path, improving reliability. However, this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if the handle lock mechanism 170 abuts against at least a part of the transmitting part 181 to restrict it, and for example, the handle lock mechanism 170 may abut against the rotation transmitted part 168 to restrict it.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the handle lock mechanism 170 is adapted to lock the handle 166 in the first position by locking the displacement of the transmission part 181. This makes it possible to cut off the power transmission from the handle 166 to the lock mechanism 180. However, this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the handle lock mechanism 170 is capable of locking the handle 166 in the first position and is capable of releasing the lock of the handle 166 in the first position. For example, the displacement of the handle 166 may be directly restricted, or the displacement of the lock mechanism 180 may be directly restricted.

[0047] In this manner, in this embodiment, since the handle lock mechanism 170 is provided, the upper door unit 120 can be controlled and locked in the closed position to prevent the user from accidentally opening it, for example, during sheet transport or when the device is hot.

[0048] [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.

[0049] When the power supply to the electromagnetic drive unit 172A is stopped as described above, the rotating member 171 rotates from the first rotation position P1 to the second rotation position P2 as shown in Fig. 8. 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 rotation 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 approaches 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.

[0050] [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.

[0051] [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 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 9, 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 together 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] [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 9 and 10. 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] As described above, the feeding module 100 of this embodiment has the unit lock mechanism 160 capable of locking the upper door unit 120 in the closed position, and the handle lock mechanism 170 capable of locking the handle 166 in the first position. Therefore, when the upper door unit 120 is controlled and locked in the closed position, even if a user tries to operate the handle 166, the handle 166 is fixed and does not move. This allows the user to immediately recognize that the handle 166 is locked because it cannot be operated, and the user will not try to forcefully open the upper door unit 120 or suspect a malfunction of the opening and closing mechanism, thereby improving usability.

[0058] [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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the rotating member 171 is located at the first rotation position P1 by the drive of the solenoid 172, and when the drive of the solenoid 172 stops, the rotating member 171 is located at the second rotation position P2 by its own weight. However, this is not limited to this, and the rotating member 271 may be located at the second rotation position P2, which is the release position, by the drive of the solenoid 172, and when the drive of the solenoid 172 stops, the rotating member 271 may be located at the first rotation position P1, which is the restriction position, by its own weight. This makes it possible to avoid the upper door unit 120 being locked at the closed position, for example, when a failure occurs that causes the solenoid 172 to continue to be energized.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 240 detects that the rotating member 171 is at the first rotation position P1 when the position detection sensor 179 is ON, and detects that the rotating member 171 is at the second rotation position P2 when the position detection sensor 179 is OFF. However, this is not limited to this, and the control unit 240 may detect that the rotating member 271 is at the second rotation position P2 when the position detection sensor 179 is ON, and that the rotating member 271 is at the first rotation position P1 when the position detection sensor 179 is OFF.

[0067] The configuration of this modified example will be briefly described with reference to Figs. 11 to 15. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a unit lock mechanism 260 of an upper door unit according to a modified example. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the handle 166 and the handle lock mechanism 270 of the unit lock mechanism 260 according to a modified example. Fig. 13 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism 270 in a state in which the handle 166 according to the modified example is locked (first rotation position P1). Fig. 14 is a front view showing the handle lock mechanism 270 in a state in which the handle 166 according to the modified example is unlocked (second rotation position P2). Fig. 15 is a front view showing a rotation member 271 according to a modified example.

[0068] According to the unit lock mechanism 260 and the handle lock mechanism 270, when a current is supplied to the solenoid 172, the rotating member 271 rotates to the first rotation position P1 as shown in Fig. 13. This makes it impossible to operate the handle 166, and the upper door unit 120 is locked in the closed position. At this time, the position detection sensor 179 is OFF, so that the control unit 240 detects that the rotating member 171 is in the first rotation position P1.

[0069] On the other hand, when no current is supplied to the solenoid 172, the rotating member 271 rotates to the second rotation position P2 as shown in Fig. 14. This allows the user to open the upper door unit 120 by operating the handle 166. At this time, the position detection sensor 179 is ON, so that the control unit 240 detects that the rotating member 171 is in the second rotation position P2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1... inkjet recording system (image forming system), 100... feeding module (sheet conveying device), 110a to 110c... storage (sheet storage section), 120... upper door unit (opening / closing member), 120S... lower surface (second surface), 130... main unit (apparatus main body), 130S... upper surface (first surface), 160, 260... unit lock mechanism (first lock unit), 161... latch claw (engagement section), 164... la A fixed shaft (engaged portion), 166... ​​a handle (operation portion), 167... a rotation transmitting portion (first fixed member), 168... a rotation transmitting portion (second fixed member), 170, 270... a handle lock mechanism (second lock unit), 171... a rotating member (regulating member), 172... a solenoid (driving portion), 172A... an electromagnetic driving portion, 172B... a movable iron core, 180... a lock mechanism, 181... a transmitting portion, 200... a print module (image forming apparatus)

Claims

1. an apparatus body having a conveying unit that conveys a sheet; an opening / closing member that is arranged so as to be openable and closable between a closed position where the opening / closing member is closed relative to the device body and an open position where the opening / closing member is opened from the closed position; a first lock unit having an operating part displaceable between a first position and a second position, capable of locking the opening / closing member in the closed position when the operating part is located at the first position, and capable of unlocking the opening / closing member in the closed position when the operating part is located at the second position; a second lock unit capable of locking the operation unit at the first position and unlocking the operation unit at the first position, A sheet conveying device comprising:

2. The first lock unit is a locking mechanism having an engaging portion and an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion, capable of locking the opening / closing member in the closed position by engaging the engaging portion with the engaged portion, and capable of unlocking the opening / closing member in the closed position by releasing the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion; a transmission portion that displaces in conjunction with the operation portion when the operation portion is displaced from the first position to the second position, and transmits the displacement of the operation portion to the engagement portion to release the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion, the second lock unit locks the operation part at the first position by locking the displacement of the transmission part, 2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

3. the transmission unit has a first fixed member fixed to the operation unit, and a second fixed member fixed to the engagement unit and displaced in conjunction with the first fixed member when the operation unit displaces from the first position to the second position, the second lock unit abuts against the first fixed member to restrict displacement of the first fixed member, thereby locking displacement of the transmission part; 3. The sheet transport device according to claim 2.

4. The second lock unit is A restricting member that is displaceable between a restricting position and a releasing position; a drive unit that displaces the regulating member between the regulating position and the release position, The drive unit locks the operation unit at the first position by displacing the restricting member to the restricting position, and unlocks the operation unit from the first position by displacing the restricting member to the release position.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

5. The regulating member is The drive unit is driven to the restricted position, When the driving of the driving unit is stopped, the regulating member is located at the release position due to its own weight.

5. The sheet transport device according to claim 4.

6. The driving unit has a movable iron core and an electromagnetic driving unit that moves the movable iron core by a magnetic force generated by supplied power, The regulating member is displaced by the movement of the movable iron core.

5. The sheet transport device according to claim 4.

7. the device body has a first surface that forms a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed; the opening / closing member has a second surface that faces the first surface and forms the transport path when in the closed position; 2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

8. the device body 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.

2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1.

9. A sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet.

1. An image forming system comprising:

Images