Storage system including storage unit for storing recording material

Abstract

To provide guidance such that insertion of a storage part is not prevented, in a process in which the storage part is inserted to a housing.SOLUTION: A storage system includes: a storage unit for storing a recording material; and a connection unit connected to a lower part of the storage unit. The storage unit includes: a housing; and a storage part in which the recording material is stored, and which can move between a first position drawn out of the housing and a second position inserted in the housing. The connection unit has a guide part for guiding the movement of the storage part, and in the process in which the storage part moves in the first direction from the first position to the second position, the storage part comes into contact with the guide part and is guided upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage system including a storage unit for storing a recording material.

Background Art

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage unit capable of storing a recording material as an option of the image forming apparatus, and a connection unit connected below the storage unit. The storage unit has a storage portion for storing the recording material and a housing for supporting the storage portion, and the storage portion can be pulled out or inserted with respect to the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, when the storage portion hangs downward due to its own weight during insertion of the storage portion, it is desirable that the storage portion be guided so that the insertion of the storage portion is not hindered.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to guide the storage portion so that the insertion of the storage portion is not hindered during the process of inserting the storage portion into the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] A storage system including a storage unit for storing a recording material and a connection unit connected below the storage unit, wherein the storage unit includes a housing, A storage unit for storing a recording material, the storage unit being movable between a first position pulled out from the housing and a second position inserted into the housing. having The connection unit has a guide unit for guiding the movement of the storage unit. In the process of the storage unit moving in a first direction from the first position to the second position, the storage unit abuts against the guide unit and is guided upward. A storage system characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in the process of the storage unit being inserted into the housing, it is possible to guide so that the insertion of the storage unit is not hindered.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and the scope of the present invention is not limited only to those.

[0011] In the following description and each drawing, when the image forming unit 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and in which the housing portion 30 is pulled out and inserted as described later is defined as the X direction. A direction intersecting both the Z direction and the X direction is defined as the Y direction. Note that the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 51 described later is the Y direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal directions. Also, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably orthogonal to each other. Further, if necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing are represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides are represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, respectively. In the following description, the +X direction may be referred to as the first direction, but the +X direction and the first direction are the same direction. Also, the first direction is also the direction from the first position to the second position described later. Further, in the following description, the Y direction may be referred to as the second direction.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of the Image Forming Unit> The configuration of the image forming unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the image forming unit 1. The image forming unit 1 is a unit (accommodation system) including an image forming apparatus 1a, a first accommodation unit 100, a second accommodation unit 200, and a support unit 300.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1a is a monochrome laser beam printer that forms an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic method. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to image forming apparatuses such as copiers and inkjet printers.

[0014] The first storage unit 100 is a unit that can be connected to the lower part (-Z direction side end) of the image forming apparatus 1a. The first storage unit 100 is a storage unit capable of storing a recording material, and can convey the recording material toward the image forming apparatus 1a. Therefore, by connecting the first storage unit 100 to the image forming apparatus 1a, it is possible to increase the number of recording materials to be stored, and the usability of the user can be improved.

[0015] The second storage unit 200 is a unit that can be connected to the lower part (-Z direction side end) of the first storage unit 100. The second storage unit 200 is a storage unit capable of storing a recording material, and can convey the recording material toward the first storage unit 100. Therefore, by connecting the second storage unit 200 to the image forming apparatus 1a, it is possible to increase the number of recording materials to be stored, and the usability of the user can be improved.

[0016] The support unit 300 is a unit that can be connected to the lower part (-Z direction side end) of the second storage unit 200. The support unit 300 is a support unit that supports the image forming apparatus 1a to which the first storage unit 100 and the second storage unit 200 are connected. The support unit 300 is provided with casters 301, and can move the image forming unit 1, improving the usability of the user.

[0017] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> Next, the image forming apparatus 1a will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 1a includes a housing 76, a cartridge 50, a storage unit 30, a paper feed roller 12, a first conveyance roller 13, a separation roller 36, a second conveyance roller pair 41, a transfer roller 52, a fixing unit 6, a discharge roller 8, a stacking unit 9, and a scanner 53. The cartridge 50 includes a photosensitive drum 51 and a developing roller 52. The storage unit 30 is a storage unit capable of storing a recording material.

[0018] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1a will be described. The scanner 53 irradiates the photosensitive drum 51 with light corresponding to an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51. The developing roller 52 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 with a developer stored in the cartridge 50. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0019] In parallel with such an image forming operation, the paper feed roller 12 conveys a bundle (S) of recording materials stored in the storage unit 30 to the first conveyance roller 13 and the separation roller 36. The separation roller 36 separates a single recording material from the bundle of recording materials sent from the paper feed roller 12. The separated recording material is conveyed to the second conveyance roller pair 41 by the first conveyance roller 13 and the separation roller 36. The second conveyance roller pair 41 conveys the recording material to the nip portion formed by the photosensitive drum 51 and the transfer roller 52.

[0020] The transfer roller 52 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 to the recording material conveyed to the nip portion. The fixing unit 6 fixes the toner image by heating and pressing the recording material onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer roller 52. The fixing unit 6 also conveys the recording material on which the toner image has been fixed to the discharge roller 8. The discharge roller 8 discharges the recording material conveyed from the fixing unit 6 to the stacking unit 9.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIGS. 2(a) to (b) are perspective views of the image forming apparatus 1a. Note that in FIG. 2, some components of the image forming apparatus are omitted.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the image forming apparatus 1a has a housing 76. The housing 76 has a main body right frame 90R (first frame) and a main body left frame 90L (second frame). Further, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the main body right frame 90R has a support portion (right support portion) 80R, a positioning hole 85c, and a positioning hole 85d. The main body left frame 90L has a support portion (left support portion) 80L, a positioning hole 85a, a positioning hole 85b, and a connector connection portion 87. The housing 76 also has a connection portion 64.

[0023] The main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L are members extending in the X direction and the Z direction, and are formed of sheet metal in the present embodiment. The main body right frame 90R supports the +Y direction side end portion of the cartridge 50, and the main body frame 90L supports the -Y direction side end portion of the cartridge 50. The cartridge 50 is disposed between the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L in the second direction (Y direction). The cartridge 50 can also be removed from the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L. That is, the cartridge 50 is detachable from the housing 76.

[0024] The connection portion 64 is a connection member connected to the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L respectively, and is formed of sheet metal in the present embodiment. The +Y direction side end portion of the connection portion 64 is connected to the -Z direction side end portion of the main body right frame 90R. The -Y direction side end portion of the connection portion 64 is connected to the -Z direction side end portion of the main body left frame 90L. The distance between the downstream end portion of the housing 76 in the +X direction and the connection portion 64 is shorter than the distance between the upstream end portion of the housing 76 in the +X direction and the connection portion 64. In the +X direction, the connection portion 64 (downstream connection portion) is downstream of the support portion 80R and the support portion 80L. The upper side end portion of the connection portion 64 is below the upper side end portion of the first guide portion 173 described later. A part of the connection portion 64 is below the contact surfaces 80Rb and 80Lb described later.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the housing portion 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing portion 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1a. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing portion 30 includes a front plate 30F, a rear plate (first rear end) 30B, a supported portion 30R, and a supported portion 30L. The front plate 30F is located at the end portion of the housing portion 30 on the -X direction side. The rear plate 30B is located at the end portion of the housing portion 30 on the +X direction side. The supported portion 30R is located at the end portion of the housing portion 30 on the +Y direction side. The supported portion 30L is located at the end portion of the housing portion 30 on the -Y direction side.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the supported portion 30R and the supported portion 30L are respectively in contact with the support portion 80R and the support portion 80L and are supported by the support portion 80R and the support portion 80L. More specifically, the end portion on the -Z direction side of the supported portion 30R is in contact with the contact surface 80Rb which is the end portion on the +Z direction side of the support portion 80R, and the end portion on the -Z direction side of the supported portion 30L is in contact with the contact surface 80Lb which is the end portion on the +Z direction side of the support portion 80L. Also, it can be said that the main body right frame 90R supports the supported portion 30R and the main body left frame 90L supports the supported portion 30L. Also, it can be said that the housing portion 30 is supported by the housing 76. That is, the housing portion 30 is connected to the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L respectively. Also, the housing portion 30 is located between the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L in the second direction.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(b), the housing portion 30 can move relative to the housing 76 and can take a first position (pulled-out position) (FIG. 4(b)) pulled out from the housing 76. Also, the housing portion 30 can take a second position (inserted position) (FIG. 4(a)) inserted into the housing 76 by moving relative to the housing 76. That is, the housing portion 30 can move between the first position and the second position relative to the housing 76. The housing portion 30 can move in the +X direction (insertion direction) relative to the housing 76 and move from the first position to the second position. Also, the housing portion 30 can move in the -X direction (pull-out direction) relative to the housing 76 and move from the second position to the first position.

[0028] <Configuration of the housing unit> Next, the configurations of the first housing unit 100 and the second housing unit 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first housing unit. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the first housing unit 100. FIGS. 6(b) to (c) are perspective views of the first housing portion 130, which will be described later.

[0029] The first housing unit 100 includes a first housing portion 130 capable of housing a recording material and a housing 176. The first housing portion 130 has the same configuration as the housing portion 30 described above. The first housing portion 130 includes a front plate 130F, a rear plate 130B, a first supported portion 130R, and a first supported portion 130L. The front plate 130F, the rear plate 130B, the first supported portion 130R, and the first supported portion 130L respectively correspond to the front plate 30F, the rear plate 30B, the supported portion 30R, and the supported portion 30L of the housing portion 30. Therefore, the description given for the housing portion 30 also applies to the first housing portion 130, and the description of the first housing portion 130 will be omitted.

[0030] The first housing 176 includes a right side plate 167 (third frame), a left side plate 166 (fourth frame), first engagement pins 170 (170a, 170b, 170c, 170d), a connector 186, a first connector connection portion 187, a right cover 171a, a left cover 171b, a rear cover 171c, first guide portions 173 (173a, 173b), a first connection portion 163, a second guide portion 165, and a second connection portion 164. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 176 has a first paper feed roller 112, a third conveyance roller 113, a first separation roller 136, and a pair of fourth conveyance rollers 141.

[0031] The first paper feed roller 112 conveys a bundle (S) of recording materials housed in the first housing portion 130 to the third conveyance roller 113 and the first separation roller 136. The first separation roller 36 separates a single recording material from the bundle of recording materials sent from the first paper feed roller 112. The separated recording material is conveyed to the pair of fourth conveyance rollers 141 by the third conveyance roller 113 and the first separation roller 136. The pair of fourth conveyance rollers 141 conveys the recording material toward the pair of second conveyance rollers 41.

[0032] The first engagement pins 170a to 170d are respectively provided on the top surface of the first housing unit and engaged with the positioning holes 85a, 85b, 85c, and 85d of the image forming apparatus 1a described above. Thereby, the first housing unit is connected below the image forming apparatus 1a. The connector 186 is connected to the connector connection portion 87 described above. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1a and the first housing unit 100 are electrically connected. The first connector connection portion 187 is connected to a second connector 286 described later. Thereby, the second housing unit 200 and the first housing unit 100 are electrically connected.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), the first connection portion 163 is connected to the right side plate 167 and the left side plate 166 so as to be located between the right side plate 167 and the left side plate 166 in the second direction. Similarly, the second connection portion 164 is also connected to the right side plate 167 and the left side plate 166 so as to be located between the right side plate 167 and the left side plate 166. The first connection portion 163 constitutes an upper end portion (+Z direction side) of the first housing unit 100, and the second connection portion 164 constitutes a lower end portion (-Z direction side) of the first housing unit 100. Also, the -X direction side end portion of the first connection portion 163 is upstream in the +X direction from the first guide portion 173. The first connection portion 163 is located downstream in the first direction from a first support portion (first right support portion) 180R and a first support portion (first left support portion) 180L described later. The second connection portion 164 (second downstream connection portion) is downstream in the first direction from the first support portions 180R and 180L described later. Also, the upper end portion of the second connection portion 164 is below the upper end portion of a third guide portion 273 described later. That is, it can also be said that the first guide portion 173 is above the second connection portion 164. Also, a part of the connection portion 164 is below a first contact surface 180Rb and a first contact surface 180Lb described later.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6(a), the right side plate 167 has a first support portion 180R, and the left side plate 166 has a first support portion 180L. The first supported portions 130R and 130L are supported by the first support portions 180R and 180L, respectively. More specifically, the -Z direction side end of the first supported portion 130R is in contact with the first contact surface 180Rb which is the +Z direction side end of the first support portion 180R, and the -Z direction side end of the first supported portion 130L is in contact with the first contact surface 180Lb which is the +Z direction side end of the first support portion 180L. That is to say, it can also be said that the right side plate 167 supports the first supported portion 130R, and the left side plate 166 supports the first supported portion 130L. Also, it can be said that the first housing portion 130 is supported by the first housing 176.

[0035] The first housing portion 130 can take a third position (pulled-out position) pulled out from the first housing 176 as shown in Fig. 5(b) by moving it in the +X direction with respect to the first housing 176. Also, the first housing portion 130 can take a fourth position (inserted position) inserted into the first housing 176 as shown in Fig. 5(a) by moving it in the -X direction with respect to the first housing 176. That is, the first housing portion 130 can move between the third position and the fourth position with respect to the first housing 176.

[0036] Also, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the first housing unit 100 has first positioning holes 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d. The first positioning holes 85a - d are respectively connected to second engaging pins 270a - d which the second housing unit 200 to be described later has. Thereby, the second housing unit 200 is connected below the first housing unit 100.

[0037] Next, the first guide portion 173 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear cover (exterior portion) 171c is an exterior portion that is the downstream end and the upper end on the first direction side in the first housing unit 100. The rear cover 171c includes the first guide portion 173. The first guide portion 173 abuts against the upper end of the first connection portion 163 and is above the first connection portion 163. Further, the first guide portion 173 constitutes the upper end (+Z direction side) of the first housing unit 100. Also, the first guide portion 173 is between the right side plate 167 and the left side plate 166 in the Y direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the first guide portion 173a and the first guide portion 173b each have a first contact surface 175a and a first contact surface 175b. The first contact surface 175 constitutes the +Z direction side end of the first guide portion 173. Also, the first contact surface 175 extends upward as it extends in the first direction. The functions of the first guide portions 173a and 173 will be described later.

[0039] Next, the second guide portion (guide portion) 165 will be described. The second guide portion 165 is provided at the upstream end of the first connection portion 163 in the first direction. Note that the second guide portion 165 may be integral with the first connection portion 163 and be the upstream end of the first connection portion 163 in the first direction. A slope 165a is formed at the +Z direction side end of the second guide portion 165, and the slope 165a extends upward as it extends in the first direction. Also, the second guide portion 165 is upstream of the first guide portion 173 and the connection portion 64 in the first direction. Further, the second guide portion 165 is below the first guide portion 173. The function of the second guide portion 165 will be described later.

[0040] Next, the configuration of the second housing unit 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. The second housing unit 200 is different only in that it does not have the second guide portion 165 that the first housing unit 100 has, and other configurations are the same as those of the first housing unit 100.

[0041] The second accommodating unit 200 includes a second accommodating portion 230 and a second housing 276. The second accommodating portion 130 includes a front plate 230F, a rear plate 230B, a second supported portion 230R, and a second supported portion 230L. The second accommodating portion 130 has the same configuration as the aforementioned accommodating portion 30. That is, the front plate 230F, the rear plate 230B, the second supported portion 230R, and the second supported portion 130L respectively correspond to the front plate 30F, the rear plate 30B, the supported portion 30R, and the supported portion 30L of the accommodating portion 30. Therefore, the description given for the accommodating portion 30 also applies to the second accommodating portion 230, and thus the description is omitted.

[0042] Further, the second housing 276 includes a second right side plate 267 (fifth frame), a second left side plate 266 (sixth frame), second engaging pins 270 (270a, 270b, 270c, 270d), a second connector 286, a second connector connection portion 287, a second right cover 271a, a second left cover 271b, a second rear cover 271c, third guide portions 273 (273a, 273b), a third connection portion 263, and a fourth connection portion 264. The second housing 276 also has a second paper feed roller 212, a fifth conveyance roller 213, a second separation roller 236, and a sixth conveyance roller pair 241.

[0043] Further, the third guide portions 273a and 273b respectively include second abutting surfaces 275a and 275b.

[0044] Further, the second right side plate 267 has a second support portion (second right support portion) 280R, and the second left side plate 266 has a first support portion (second left support portion) 280L.

[0045] Further, the second accommodating unit 200 has second positioning holes 285a to d. The second positioning holes 285a to d are respectively connected to third engaging pins 380a to d of a support unit 300 described later. Thereby, the support unit 300 is connected below the second accommodating unit 200.

[0046] The second housing portion 230 can take the fifth position (pulled-out position) pulled out from the second housing 276 as shown in FIG. 5(b) by moving in the +X direction with respect to the second housing 276, and can take the sixth position (inserted position) inserted into the second housing 276 as shown in FIG. 5(a) by moving in the -X direction with respect to the second housing 276. That is, the second housing portion 230 can move between the fifth position and the sixth position with respect to the second housing 276.

[0047] Since each configuration of the second housing unit 200 described above is the same as that of the first housing unit 100, the description thereof is omitted.

[0048] <Configuration of the support unit 300> Next, the configuration of the support unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support unit 300. The support unit 300 includes fourth guide portions 373a to 373b, third engagement pins 380a to 380d, and casters 301a to 301d.

[0049] The fourth guide portion 373 constitutes the end portion on the +Z direction side of the support unit 300. The fourth guide portion 373a and the fourth guide portion 373b each have a third contact surface 375a and a third contact surface 375b. The third contact surfaces 175a to 175b constitute the end portions on the +Z direction side of the third guide portion 273. Further, the third contact surface 375a and the third contact surface 375b each extend upward as they extend in the first direction.

[0050] <Hanging down of the housing portion 30> Next, the hanging down of the housing portion 30 during insertion will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the housing portion 30 and the first housing unit 100.

[0051] In the following description, a unit capable of accommodating a recording material may be referred to as an accommodation unit, and a unit connected below the accommodation unit may be referred to as a connection unit. For example, the image forming apparatus 1a of the present embodiment can be referred to as an accommodation unit, and the first accommodation unit 100 can be referred to as a connection unit. Further, the first accommodation unit 100 can be referred to as an accommodation unit, and the second accommodation unit 200 can be referred to as a connection unit. Further, the second accommodation unit 200 can be referred to as an accommodation unit, and the support unit 300 can be referred to as a connection unit.

[0052] A case where the accommodating portion 30 of the image forming apparatus 1a (accommodation unit) hangs down toward the first accommodation unit 100 (connection unit) will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the accommodating portion 30 moves from the first position to the second position, it is possible that the +X direction side of the accommodating portion 30 hangs down in the -Z direction. The causes of the hanging down of the accommodating portion 30 are related to, for example, the number of recording materials accommodated in the accommodating portion 30, the arrangement of the support portion 80, and the space 500 described later.

[0054] First, the arrangement of the support portion 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The end portion 80Re is the downstream end portion of the support portion 80R in the first direction (+X direction). The end portion 80Le is the downstream end portion of the support portion 80L in the first direction (+X direction). The end portion 90Rb is the downstream end portion of the main body right frame 90R in the first direction (+X direction). The end portion 90Lb is the downstream end portion of the main body left frame 90L in the first direction (+X direction). The end portion 90Rf is the upstream end portion of the main body right frame 90R in the first direction (+X direction). The end portion 90Lf is the upstream end portion of the main body left frame 90L in the first direction (+X direction).

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the shortest distance between the end portion 80Re and the end portion 90Rf in the first direction is shorter than the shortest distance between the end portion 80Re and the end portion 90Rb in the first direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the shortest distance between the end portion 80Le and the end portion 90Lf in the first direction is shorter than the shortest distance between the end portion 80Le and the end portion 90Lb in the first direction.

[0056] Next, the space 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIGS. 9(a) to (b) are plan views showing a part of the housing unit and a part of the connection unit.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9(a), inside the image forming apparatus 1a and the first housing unit 100, there exists a space 500. The space 500 is located between the main body right frame 90R and the main body left frame 90L in the second direction (Y direction). Also, the length of the space 500 in the second direction is longer than the length of the rear plate 30B, which is the downstream end portion of the housing portion 30 in the first direction (+X direction side), in the second direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the length of the space 500 in the first direction is shorter than the length of the housing portion 30 in the first direction. Also, the length of the space 500 in the first direction is longer than the length of the support portion 80 in the first direction.

[0058] Also, the space 500 is downstream in the first direction with respect to each of the support portions 80R and 80R. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the space 500 is below in the vertical direction with respect to each of the support portions 80R and 80R. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the space 500 is above in the vertical direction with respect to the first housing portion 130.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the space 500 is below with respect to each of the support portions 80R and 80R. Also, when viewed in the first direction, the space 500 overlaps with the connection portion 64, the first guide portion 173, and the second guide portion 165, respectively.

[0060] In the process of the housing portion 30 moving from the first position to the second position, the rear plate 30B, which is the end portion of the housing portion 30 on the first direction side, reaches downstream of the support portion 80R in the first direction from the support portion 80R. Further, when the housing portion 30 moves in the first direction, the rear plate 30B enters the space 500 and moves downward (FIG. 8(a)). At this time, at least a part of the housing portion 30 enters the space 500 and is positioned below the upper end of the connection portion 64.

[0061] If the first guide portion 173 and the second guide portion 165 are not provided in the first housing unit 100, the rear plate 30B may interfere with the upstream end portion of the connection portion 64 in the first direction and the upstream end portion of the first connection portion 163 in the first direction, preventing the insertion of the housing portion 30. Also, when the number of recording materials accommodated in the housing portion 30 is large, the weight of the entire housing portion 30 increases, and the possibility of sagging further increases.

[0062] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first guide portion 173 and the second guide portion 165 are provided so that the insertion of the housing portion 30 is not hindered. The first guide portion 173 and the second guide portion 165 are located within the space 500. More specifically, the first contact surface 175 of the first guide portion 173 and the inclined surface 165a of the second guide portion 165 are located within the space 500.

[0063] In the process of the housing portion 30 moving from the first position to the second position, the rear plate 30B of the housing portion 30 enters the space 500. Further, when the housing portion 30 moves from the first position to the second position, the housing portion 30 comes into contact with the first guide portion 173 and the second guide portion 165 respectively and is guided upward. More specifically, in the process of the housing portion 30 moving from the first position to the second position, the housing portion 30 is guided upward by coming into contact with the first contact surface 175 of the first guide portion 173 and the inclined surface 165a of the second guide portion 165.

[0064] The upper end of the first guide portion 173 is higher than the connection portion 64. Therefore, the housing portion 30 is guided upward by the first guide portion 173 more than the connection portion 64. As a result, contact between the housing portion 30 and the connection portion 64 is suppressed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the housing portion 30 can reach the second position. When the housing portion 30 is in the second position, in the +X direction, the downstream end of the housing portion 30 is located downstream of the upstream end of the connection portion 64.

[0065] Note that the first guide portion 173 and the second guide portion 165 can also be said to be guide members that contact the housing portion 30 and guide the housing portion 30 upward in the process of the housing portion 30 moving from the first position to the second position.

[0066] <Hanging of the housing portion 130> In the above description, the hanging of the housing portion 30 was described. A case where the first housing portion 130 of the first housing unit 100 (housing unit) hangs downward toward the second housing unit 200 (connection unit) will be described. The above description of the hanging of the housing 30 also applies to the hanging of the first housing portion 130, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0067] In the process of the first housing portion 130 moving from the third position to the fourth position, the rear plate 130B of the first housing portion 130 enters the space 1000. Further, when the first housing portion 130 moves from the third position to the fourth position, the first housing portion 130 contacts the third guide portion 273 and is guided upward. More specifically, the first housing portion 130 is guided upward by contacting the second contact surface 275 of the third guide portion 273. The first housing portion 130 can reach the fourth position as shown in FIG. 10(b) by being guided by the third guide portion 273.

[0068] The upper end of the third guide portion 273 is higher than the second connection portion 164. Therefore, the first accommodating portion 130 is guided above the second connection portion 164 by the third guide portion 273. As a result, contact between the second accommodating portion 230 and the second connection portion 164 is suppressed. Finally, the first accommodating portion 130 can reach the fourth position as shown in FIG. 10(b). When the first accommodating portion 130 is in the fourth position, in the +X direction, the downstream end of the first accommodating portion 130 is located downstream of the upstream end of the second connection portion 164.

[0069] Incidentally, the third guide portion 273 can also be said to be a guide member that contacts the first accommodating portion 130 and guides the first accommodating portion 130 upward in the process of the first accommodating portion 130 moving from the third position to the fourth position.

[0070] <The sag of the second accommodating portion 230> In the foregoing description, the sag of the accommodating portion 30 was described. A case where the second accommodating portion 230 of the second accommodating unit 200 (accommodating unit) sags toward the support unit 300 (connection unit) will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the second accommodating portion 200 and the support unit 300. Since the foregoing description of the sag of the accommodating portion 30 also applies to the sag of the second accommodating portion 230, detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, although the space 500 was described as being above the first accommodating portion 130 in the vertical direction, the space 1500 shown in FIG. 11 is above the support unit 300.

[0071] In the process of the second accommodating portion 130 moving from the fifth position to the sixth position, the rear plate 230B of the second accommodating portion 230 enters the space 1500. Further, when the second accommodating portion 230 moves from the fifth position to the sixth position, the second accommodating portion 230 contacts the fourth guide portion 373 and is guided upward. More specifically, the second accommodating portion 230 is guided upward by contacting the third contact surface 375 of the fourth guide portion 373. The second accommodating portion 230 can reach the sixth position as shown in FIG. 10(b) by being guided by the fourth guide portion 373.

[0072] The upper end of the fourth guide portion 373 is higher than the fourth connection portion 264. Therefore, the second housing portion 230 is guided above the fourth connection portion 264 by the fourth guide portion 373. As a result, contact between the support unit 300 and the fourth connection portion 264 is suppressed. Finally, the second housing portion 230 can reach the sixth position as shown in FIG. 11(b). When the second housing portion 230 is in the sixth position, in the +X direction, the downstream end of the second housing portion 230 is located downstream of the upstream end of the fourth connection portion 264.

[0073] In addition, the fourth guide portion 373 can also be said to be a guide member that contacts the second housing portion 230 and guides the second housing portion 230 upward in the process of the second housing portion 230 moving from the fifth position to the sixth position.

[0074] (Modification example) Next, a modification example to which the present invention is applicable will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIGS. 12(a) to (c) are perspective views of the first housing unit 100 showing modification examples 1 to 3, respectively. The shape of the first guide portion 173 described in the first embodiment only needs to be a shape that can guide the housing portion 30 upward, and the shape of the first guide portion 173 may be changed to the shapes shown in FIGS. 12(a) to (b) described later. Similarly, the shapes of the third guide portion 273 and the fourth guide portion 373 may also be changed to the shapes shown in FIGS. 12(a) to (b). In addition, the shape of the second guide portion 165 described in the first embodiment only needs to be a shape that can guide the housing portion 30 upward, and the shape of the second guide portion 165 may be changed to the shape shown in FIG. 12(c) described later.

[0075] In the following description, an example in which the shapes shown in FIGS. 12(a) to (c) are applied to the first housing unit 100 of the first embodiment will be described. However, the shapes shown in FIGS. 12(a) to (c) may also be applied to the third guide portion 273 of the second housing unit 200 or the fourth guide portion 373 of the support unit 300.

[0076] FIG. 12(a) shows Modification 1. The fifth guide portion 473 is provided on the first connection portion 163 and is a rotatable member about the second direction (Y direction). When the fifth guide portion 473 abuts on the housing portion 30, it rotates around the second direction to guide the housing portion 30 upward.

[0077] FIG. 12(b) shows Modification 2. The difference from Example 1 is that the sixth guide portion 573 is part of the first connection portion 163. The sixth guide portion 573 has a sixth abutting surface 575. The sixth abutting surface 575 abuts on the inserted housing portion 30 and guides the housing portion 30 upward.

[0078] FIG. 12(c) shows Modification 3. The end portion of the first connection portion 163 on the -X direction side has an inclined surface 163c. Therefore, when the inclined surface 165a abuts on the housing portion 30, it guides the housing portion 30 upward.

[0079] Not limited to the modifications of FIGS. 12(a) to (c) described above, the shapes of the first guide portion 173, the second guide portion 165, the third guide portion 273, and the fourth guide portion 373 described in Example 1 may be appropriately changed. For example, the shape of the first guide portion 73 may be any shape that abuts on the housing portion 30 and guides the housing portion 30 upward when the housing portion 30 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0080] The above describes Example 1 and the modifications as examples to which the present invention is applicable.

[0081] In Example 1, the first storage unit 100 was connected below the image forming apparatus 1a, the second storage unit 200 was connected below the first storage unit 100, and the support unit 300 was connected below the second storage unit 200. However, the number and order of the units to be connected may be changed as appropriate. For example, a storage unit having the same configuration as the first storage unit 100 may be added between the second storage unit 200 and the support unit 300 to the image forming unit 1 described in Example 1. Further, for example, in the image forming unit 1 described in Example 1, the second storage unit 200 may be connected below the image forming apparatus 1a. Further, the support unit 300 may be connected below the image forming apparatus 1a.

[0082] Note that the second storage unit 200 in Example 1 does not include the second guide portion 165, but the second storage unit 200 may be configured to include the second guide portion 165.

[0083] Note that in Example 1, the first guide portion 173 included two guide portions, the first guide portion 173a and the first guide portion 173b, but the number of guide portions of the first guide portion 173 may be one or plural.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1 Image forming unit 1a Image forming apparatus (storage unit) 100 First storage unit (connection unit) 76 Housing 30 Storage portion 173 First guide portion

Claims

1. A storage system comprising a storage unit for storing a recording material and a connection unit connected below the storage unit, wherein the storage unit comprises a housing, a storage portion for storing a recording material, the storage portion being movable between a first position pulled out from the housing and a second position inserted into the housing, and has, wherein the connection unit has a guide portion for guiding the movement of the storage portion, and in the process of the storage portion moving in a first direction from the first position to the second position, the storage portion abuts against the guide portion and is guided upward, characterized in that it is a storage system.

2. The housing has a first frame extending in the first direction and a second frame extending in the first direction, wherein the storage portion is between the first frame and the second frame in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction respectively, according to the storage system described in Claim 1.

3. The first frame has a right support portion that abuts against the storage portion and supports the storage portion, wherein the second frame has a left support portion that abuts against the storage portion and supports the storage portion, according to the storage system described in Claim 2.

4. A space is formed between the first frame and the second frame in the second direction, the space is downstream in the first direction and below in the vertical direction with respect to each of the right support portion and the left support portion, the storage portion has a first rear end which is the downstream end of the storage portion in the first direction, the length of the space in the second direction is longer than the length of the first rear end in the second direction, and in the process of the storage portion moving from the first position to the second position, the first rear end reaches downstream in the first direction from the right support portion and the left support portion, and when the storage portion further moves in the first direction, the first rear end enters the space and moves downward, according to the storage system described in Claim 3.

5. The connection unit has a downstream connection portion connected to each of the first frame and the second frame so as to be located between the first frame and the second frame in the second direction, the downstream connection portion is downstream of the guide portion in the first direction, and the upper end of the downstream connection portion is below the upper end of the guide portion. The accommodation system according to claim 4, wherein the downstream connection part and the guide part overlap the space when viewed in the first direction.

6. The guide part has a contact surface, The contact surface extends in a first direction from the first position toward the second position and extends upward as it extends in the first direction, The accommodation system according to claim 5, wherein the accommodation part contacts the contact surface and is guided upward in the process of moving from the first position to the second position.

7. The accommodation system according to claim 6, wherein the contact surface is within the space.

8. The connection unit has connection parts connected to the first frame and the second frame respectively so as to be located between the first frame and the second frame in the second direction, The connection part is located downstream in the first direction from the right support part and the left support part, the guide part contacts an upper end part of the connection part, and is above the connection part. The accommodation system according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. The connection unit has a guide part at an upstream end part of the connection part in the first direction, The accommodation system according to claim 8, wherein the accommodation part contacts the guide part and is guided upward in the process of moving from the first position to the second position.

10. The connection unit has an exterior part which is a downstream end part of the connection unit in the first direction and an upper end part of the connection unit, The accommodation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the exterior part includes the guide part.

11. The accommodation system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the shortest distance between a downstream end part of the right support part and an upstream end part of the first frame in the first direction is shorter than the shortest distance between the downstream end part of the right support part and a downstream end part of the first frame.

Images