Sheet material guide mechanism, sheet material supply device equipped with sheet material guide mechanism, and image forming apparatus equipped with sheet material supply device

Abstract

To provide a sheet material guide mechanism for regulating the widthwise position of a sheet material placed on a tray, which realizes high usability and, in particular, reliably regulates the width direction position of the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to a supply destination.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus (10) according to the present invention is provided with a guide mechanism 100 for regulating the position in the width direction of a sheet P as a sheet material placed on a manual feed tray 76. The guide mechanism 100 has a pair of regulating plates 110 and 120 movable manually along the width direction of the paper P, and the position of the paper P in the width direction is regulated by the pair of regulating plates 110 and 120. Here, the regulating plates 110 and 120 move in a conjugative manner, that is, interlock with each other. Further, when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the supply destination, a restraining mechanism 140 is provided for restraining the movement of the pinion gear 130 for interlocking the regulating plates 110 and 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sheet guide mechanism, a sheet supply device including the sheet guide mechanism, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet supply device, and more particularly to a sheet guide mechanism, a sheet supply device, and an image forming apparatus that regulate the position in the width direction of a sheet material such as paper placed on a tray.

Background Art

[0002] An example of this type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the technology disclosed in this Patent Document 1, a width regulating guide member, a movement regulating means, and an interlocking means are provided. The width regulating guide member is movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet material placed on the tray, and regulates the position in the width direction of the sheet material. The movement regulating means regulates the movement of the width regulating guide member. And the interlocking means interlocks the width regulating guide member and the movement regulating means. Further, the movement regulating means generates a small movement regulating force when the width regulating guide member moves at a low speed in a direction orthogonal to the sheet material conveyance direction, and generates a large movement regulating force when the width regulating guide member moves rapidly. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the width regulating guide member from moving arbitrarily due to an unexpected external force such as an impact.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] That is, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rapid movement of the width regulating guide member is restricted. Therefore, when the user moves the width regulating guide to regulate the position of the sheet material placed on the tray in the width direction, the user can only move the width regulating guide member slowly, that is, cannot move the width regulating guide member quickly. This leads to a decrease in usability including the operability (ease of use) of the width regulating guide member.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel sheet material guide mechanism, a sheet material supply device including the sheet material guide mechanism, and an image forming device including the sheet material supply device, which can realize high usability and, in particular, can surely regulate the position of the sheet material in the width direction when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve this object, the present disclosure includes a first disclosure related to a sheet material guide mechanism, a second disclosure related to a sheet material supply device including the sheet material guide mechanism, and a third disclosure related to an image forming device including the sheet material supply device.

[0007] The first disclosure related to the sheet material guide mechanism among these includes a tray, a pair of regulating members, an interlocking part, and a restraining part. A sheet material is placed on the tray. The pair of regulating members are manually movable along the width direction of the sheet material and regulate the position of the sheet material in the width direction by contacting both end edges (that is, both side edges) in the width direction of the sheet material. Here, the width direction of the sheet material is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet material when the sheet material placed on the tray is supplied to the supply destination and parallel to both main surfaces of the sheet material. The interlocking part interlocks the pair of regulating members so that the pair of regulating members move conjugately. And the restraining part restrains the movement of the interlocking part in response to the sheet material being supplied to the supply destination by supply means for supplying the sheet material to the supply destination.

[0008] Incidentally, the interlocking part includes, for example, a pair of rack gears and a pinion gear common to the pair of rack gears. The pair of rack gears are individually coupled to a pair of regulating members. Then, the pinion gear meshes with the pair of rack gears such that when one of the pair of rack gears moves, the other rack gear moves conjugately with the one rack gear. In this case, the restraining part restrains the movement of the interlocking part including the pair of rack gears and the pinion gear by restraining the movement of at least any one of the pair of rack gears and the pinion gear.

[0009] Also, the restraining part may include a restraining execution member and a restraining drive part. The restraining execution member contacts the connecting part to restrain the movement of the connecting part. Then, the restraining drive part causes the restraining execution member to contact the connecting part in response to the sheet material being supplied to the supply destination by the supply means.

[0010] Specifically, for example, the restraining part includes a state change member. This state change member changes its own state by contacting the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means. In this case, the restraining drive part uses the movement of the state change member when the state of the state change member changes to cause the restraining execution member to contact the connecting part.

[0011] Alternatively, the restraining drive part may use the movement of the posture change mechanism to cause the restraining execution member to contact the connecting part. The posture change mechanism is a mechanism that changes the posture of the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means.

[0012] As yet another configuration, the restraining part may include a detection means. This detection means detects the sheet material supplied to the supply destination when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means. In this case, the restraining drive part may cause the restraining execution member to contact the connecting part when the sheet material supplied to the supply destination is detected by the detection means.

[0013] Separately from this, when a control command is issued from a control means for controlling the supply means, the inhibition drive unit may bring the inhibition execution member into contact with the connecting portion. Here, the control command is a command for controlling the supply means to supply the sheet material to the supply destination.

[0014] The second disclosure related to the sheet material supply device in the present disclosure includes the sheet material guide mechanism related to the first disclosure and the above-described supply means.

[0015] The third disclosure related to the image forming apparatus in the present disclosure includes the sheet material supply device related to the second disclosure, and further includes an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet material as the above-described supply destination.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably regulate the position in the width direction of the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination while realizing high user-friendliness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described by taking the color image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is a so-called multi-functional peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, an image scanner function, and a fax function. Note that FIG. 1 is a view of the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 installed in a usable state as seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 10. And the left-right direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 corresponds to the front of the image forming apparatus 10. And the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 corresponds to the back of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0020] An image reading unit 12 as an image reading means is provided above the image forming apparatus 10. The image reading unit 12 reads an image of a document (not shown) and performs an image reading process to output two-dimensional read image data corresponding to the image of the document. For this reason, the image reading unit 12 has a document table 14 on which the document is placed. The document table 14 is formed of a transparent member such as glass having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and is provided so that both of its main surfaces are along the horizontal direction. And, below the document table 14, an image reading unit 16 is provided. Although detailed description is omitted, the image reading unit 16 has a light source, a mirror, a lens, a line sensor, etc., and forms a linear image reading position Pr extending along the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 10 on the upper surface of the document table 14. Further, below the document table 14, a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving (scanning) the image reading position Pr of the image reading unit 16 along the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided. That is, with a document placed on the document table 14, the image of the document is read by moving the image reading position Pr of the image reading unit 16 by the drive mechanism, and is read by a so-called fixed reading method. Note that the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 10 is called the main scanning direction. And, the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 10 is called the sub-scanning direction.

[0021] Also, above the document table 14, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 18 that also serves as a document pressing cover for pressing the document placed on the document table 14 is provided. The automatic document feeder 18 is provided so as to be transitionable between a state in which the upper surface of the document table 14 is exposed to the outside and a state in which the upper surface of the document table 14 is covered. For this reason, the automatic document feeder 18 is coupled to the main body (housing) of the image forming apparatus 10 via a suitable movable support member such as a hinge (not shown). Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the automatic document feeder 18 covers the upper surface of the document table 14. Also, when the automatic document feeder 18 is in a state of covering the upper surface of the document table 14 as shown in FIG. 1, it exhibits its original function as described below.

[0022] That is, the automatic document feeder 18 has a document placement tray 20. On this document placement tray 20, documents, strictly speaking, sheet-like documents, can be placed (set), and in particular, a plurality of documents can be stacked. Although detailed description is omitted, the automatic document feeder 18 takes in the documents placed on the document placement tray 20 one by one and conveys them along the document conveyance path 22 in the automatic document feeder 18. On the way, the document passes through the image reading position Pr, strictly speaking, passes through the fixed image reading position Pr. Thereby, the image of the document is read, and it is read in a so-called streaming reading method. Thereafter, the document is discharged to the document discharge tray 24.

[0023] In addition, the automatic document feeder 18 has a document guide mechanism 25 for regulating the position of the document placed on the document placement tray 20 in the width direction. Here, the width direction of the document is perpendicular to the conveyance direction (feeding direction) of the document by the automatic document feeder 18 and parallel to both main surfaces of the document. In other words, it is the conveyance width direction of the document, that is, the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 10. Briefly explaining this document guide mechanism 25, the document guide mechanism 25 has a pair of document regulating plates. The pair of document regulating plates can be manually moved (displaced) along the width direction of the document, and by abutting against both side edges of the document, in other words, by sandwiching both side edges of the document, the positions of both side edges of the document are mechanically regulated. Thereby, the position of the document in the width direction is regulated. Also, the pair of document regulating plates move conjugately in conjunction with each other, and specifically, symmetrically (more specifically, symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction of the document). That is, when one document regulating plate moves, the other document regulating plate moves symmetrically in conjunction with this.

[0024] Below the image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 26 as an image forming means is provided. This image forming unit 26 performs an image forming process of forming an image based on appropriate image data such as the aforementioned read image data on a sheet-like image recording medium (paper) as a sheet-like image recording medium not shown in FIG. 1, that is, it performs printing. This printing is performed by a known electrophotographic method. In addition, the image forming unit 26 adopts a tandem method in order to perform color printing.

[0025] Specifically, the image forming unit 26 has four image forming stations (sometimes called "process units") 28, 28,... as four single-color image forming means for individually forming single-color toner images of a plurality of different colors, for example, four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In addition, the image forming unit 26 has an exposure device 30 as an exposure means for performing exposure necessary for forming the single-color toner images by the respective image forming stations 28, 28,.... Further, the image forming unit 26 has a transfer unit 34 as a transfer means for sequentially transferring the single-color toner images formed by the respective image forming stations 28, 28,... to an intermediate transfer belt 32 described later, and transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 32 to the paper. In addition, the image forming unit 26 has a fixing device 36 as a fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper to the paper.

[0026] The transfer unit 34 includes an intermediate transfer belt (sometimes called a "primary transfer belt") 32, a driving roller 38 for rotating the intermediate transfer belt 32, a driven roller 40 for stretching the intermediate transfer belt 32 together with the driving roller 38, four intermediate transfer rollers (sometimes called "primary transfer rollers") 42, 42,... provided at positions corresponding to the respective image forming stations 28, 28,... inside the intermediate transfer belt 32, a transfer roller (sometimes called a "secondary transfer roller") 44 as an example of a transfer member, and the like.

[0027] The intermediate transfer belt 32 is stretched between a driving roller 38 and a driven roller 40. The driving roller 38 receives a driving force from a motor as driving means for the intermediate transfer belt (not shown) and rotates, for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the intermediate transfer belt 32 rotates (moves circularly), and the driven roller 40 rotates. Among the regions between the driving roller 38 and the driven roller 40 on the intermediate transfer belt 32, the lower region 32a is stretched along the horizontal direction, and each image forming station 28, 28,... is arranged so as to face the region 32a stretched along this horizontal direction. The region 32a where each image forming station 28, 28,... is arranged on the intermediate transfer belt 32 is called an intermediate transfer region. In this intermediate transfer region 32a, the intermediate transfer belt 32 moves from the left side to the right side of the image forming apparatus 10, that is, moves along the sub-scanning direction.

[0028] Each image forming station 28, 28,... is provided at a constant interval below the intermediate transfer region 32a of the intermediate transfer belt 32 along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 32 in the intermediate transfer region 32a, that is, along the sub-scanning direction. As described above, each of these image forming stations 28, 28,... individually forms monochromatic toner images of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, on the intermediate transfer belt 32. Although not understood from each figure including FIG. 1, each image forming station 28, 28,... is provided in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 32 in the intermediate transfer region 32a (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1). However, this order is an example and is not limited thereto. Also, each image forming station 28, 28,... has the same structure as each other except for forming monochromatic toner images of different colors on the intermediate transfer belt 32.

[0029] Each image forming station 28 has a photosensitive drum 46, a charging device 48, a developing device 50, a cleaning device 52, a charge removing device (not shown), and the like.

[0030] The photoreceptor drum 46 is an image carrier that carries the electrostatic latent image and the monochromatic toner image to be described later, and has a cylindrical substrate formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. A photosensitive layer is formed on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of this substrate. Then, the photoreceptor drum 46 is provided so that the surface of the substrate abuts against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32 in the intermediate transfer region 32a. In this state, the photoreceptor drum 46 receives a driving force from a motor as driving means for the drum (not shown) and rotates. Specifically, in FIG. 1, it rotates clockwise at a speed matching the moving speed of the intermediate transfer belt 32.

[0031] The charging device 48 is a charging means for charging the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 to a predetermined potential. The surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 charged to a predetermined potential by this charging device 48 is exposed by the aforementioned exposure device 30. The exposure device 30 is provided below the arrangement of each image forming station 28, 28, …, and exposes the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 of each image forming station 28 from below, that is, irradiates the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 with light in a manner corresponding to the image data to be used for printing. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image in a manner corresponding to the image data to be used for printing is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46. Note that the exposure device 30 is, for example, a laser scanning unit having a laser diode (not shown) as a light source and a polygon mirror as a deflecting means. Instead of this, an LED unit having an array of LEDs arranged as a light source may be adopted as the exposure device 30.

[0032] The developing device 50 is a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46. That is, the developing device 50 charges the toner by stirring the toner (not shown), and adheres the charged toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 46, thereby visualizing, that is, developing, the electrostatic latent image as a monochromatic toner image.

[0033] The monochromatic toner image visualized by development using this developing device 50 is transferred from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32 at the contact position between the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 and the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32, and is so-called intermediate transfer (primary transfer). For this purpose, an intermediate transfer roller 42 is provided so as to face the photoreceptor drum 46 with the intermediate transfer belt 32 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer roller 42 is provided so that its surface (outer peripheral surface) abuts on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32, and rotates by receiving the driving force generated by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 32, that is, rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1. Then, a predetermined intermediate transfer voltage is applied from an intermediate transfer power source (not shown) to the intermediate transfer roller 42, thereby forming a transfer electric field between the surface of the photoreceptor drum 46 and the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32. By the action of this transfer electric field, the monochromatic toner image on the photoreceptor drum 46 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 32.

[0034] In such a manner, monochromatic toner images of four colors, namely yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are individually formed on the intermediate transfer belt 32. Then, these four monochromatic toner images overlap each other, thereby forming a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 32.

[0035] The cleaning device 52 is a cleaning means for removing the residual toner on the photoreceptor drum 46 after the monochromatic toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor drum 46 onto the intermediate transfer belt 32. And a charge removing device (not shown) is a charge removing means for removing the static electricity on the photoreceptor drum 46 after the residual toner is removed by the cleaning device 52. After the static electricity is removed by this charge removing means, the processes after charging by the charging device 48 described above are repeated.

[0036] The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 32 is transferred onto the paper at the transfer nip portion Nt, which is the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 32 and the transfer roller 44. Specifically, the transfer roller 44 is provided so as to press the intermediate transfer belt 32 between itself and the drive roller 38 at a position facing the drive roller 38 with the intermediate transfer belt 32 interposed therebetween. Then, the transfer roller 44 rotates by receiving the driving force generated by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 32, that is, it rotates clockwise in FIG. 1. On top of that, a transfer bias current having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied from a transfer bias power source (not shown) to the drive roller 38. As a result, a transfer electric field is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 32 and the transfer roller 44, that is, at the transfer nip portion Nt. In this state, when the paper passes through the transfer nip portion Nt, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 32 is transferred onto the paper.

[0037] The fixing device 36 is provided on the downstream side of the transfer nip portion Nt in the paper conveyance direction of the paper conveyed along the paper conveyance path 54 described later. As described above, the fixing device 36 fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper. Specifically, the fixing device 36 heats and melts the toner image and further presses it to fix (thermally fix) the toner image to the paper. For this purpose, the fixing device 36 includes a heating roller 56 and a pressure roller 58. These heating roller 56 and pressure roller 58 are provided with their surfaces (outer peripheral surfaces) in contact with each other. The heating roller 56 is heated to a predetermined temperature (fixing temperature) by an appropriate heat source such as a lamp heater (not shown) provided inside thereof. At the same time, the heating roller 56 rotates by receiving the driving force from a motor as fixing roller driving means (not shown), for example, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1. Along with this, the pressure roller 58 also rotates, that is, it rotates in a clockwise direction as a driven rotation in FIG. 1. Then, when the paper that has passed through the transfer nip portion Nt passes through the fixing nip portion Nf, which is the contact portion between the surface of the heating roller 56 and the surface of the pressure roller 58, the toner image on the paper is fixed to the paper. With this, a series of processes for printing by the image forming unit 26 is completed.

[0038] Further, below the image forming unit 26, in other words, at the lower part within the image forming apparatus 10, a paper feeding unit 60 as paper feeding means is provided. The paper feeding unit 60 has a paper feeding cassette 62, and a plurality of sheets of paper can be accommodated (set) in a stacked manner in this paper feeding cassette 62. In addition, the paper feeding unit 60 has a pickup roller 64. Then, the paper feeding unit 60 takes out the paper accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 62 one by one by the pickup roller 64 and supplies it to the paper conveyance path 54 described below.

[0039] The paper conveyance path 54 is provided so as to reach the paper discharge port 68 to the paper discharge tray 66 from the paper feeding unit 60 via the transfer nip portion Nt and the fixing nip portion Nf. And at an appropriate position of the paper conveyance path 54, a plurality of conveyance rollers (strictly speaking, roller pairs) 70, 70,... are provided for conveying the paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 60 along the paper conveyance path 54 toward the paper discharge port 68. Among these respective conveyance rollers 70, 70,..., the conveyance roller 70a provided on the upstream side of the transfer nip portion Nt in the paper conveyance direction and at the position closest to the transfer nip portion Nt is a registration roller (sometimes called a "paper stop roller") for measuring the timing for the paper to enter the transfer nip portion Nt. And among these respective conveyance rollers 70, 70,..., the conveyance roller 70b provided on the most downstream side in the paper conveyance direction, that is, in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 68, is a paper discharge roller for discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 66 through the paper discharge port 68. Incidentally, the paper discharge tray 66 in the first embodiment is provided in the body internal space between the image reading unit 12 and the image forming unit 26, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided, for example, outside the main body of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0040] In addition, an inversion conveyance path 72 for duplex printing is provided inside the image forming apparatus 10. This inversion conveyance path 72 is a conveyance path for taking in the paper that has once passed through the fixing nip portion Nf, that is, the printed paper, and subjecting the paper again to printing by the image forming unit 26. That is, the paper taken into the inversion conveyance path 72 is supplied again to the paper conveyance path 54 via the inversion conveyance path 72, and specifically, is supplied to a position upstream of the registration roller 70a in the conveyance direction of the paper in the paper conveyance path 54. As a result, the paper supplied to the position upstream of the registration roller 70a is in a state where its front and back are inverted. Then, printing is performed again on the paper with its front and back inverted, and as a result, duplex printing is realized. A conveyance roller 74 for conveying the paper along the inversion conveyance path 72 is also provided at an appropriate position of the inversion conveyance path 72 for duplex printing.

[0041] Furthermore, a manual feed tray 76 that constitutes the paper feed unit 60 is provided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 10. A plurality of sheets of paper can be stacked (set) on this manual feed tray 76. When the manual feed tray 76 is designated as the paper supply source, the paper feed unit 60 supplies the paper from the manual feed tray 76 to the paper conveyance path 54 one sheet at a time. At that time, the paper is taken out from the manual feed tray 76 one unit at a time by a pickup roller 78 for the manual feed tray 76. The manual feed tray 76 has a guide mechanism 100 for regulating the position of the paper placed on the manual feed tray 76 in the width direction. The manual feed tray 76 including this guide mechanism 100 will be described in detail later.

[0042] In addition, the paper feed unit 60 may have an optional paper feed cassette (not shown). This optional paper feed cassette is provided below the paper feed cassette 62. When the optional paper feed cassette is designated as the paper supply source, the paper feed unit 60 supplies the paper from the optional paper feed cassette to the paper conveyance path 54 one sheet at a time. An optional conveyance roller 80 for supplying the paper from the optional paper feed cassette to the paper conveyance path 54 is provided at an appropriate position.

[0043] In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 200 as control means for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10. This control unit 200 is provided at an appropriate position within the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, for example, at a position close to the upper part. Although detailed description is omitted, the control unit 200 has a CPU as control execution means (not shown) and a main storage unit as main storage means (not shown) directly accessible by the CPU. The main storage unit includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM. The control program (firmware) for controlling the operation of the CPU is stored in the ROM, and the RAM constitutes a work area and a buffer area when the CPU executes processing according to the control program.

[0044] Now, focusing on the manual feed tray 76, the manual feed tray 76 has the guide mechanism 100 as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, this guide mechanism 100 includes a pair of regulating plates 110 and 120. This pair of regulating plates 110 and 120 is an example of a pair of regulating members according to the present disclosure. Note that FIG. 2 is a view of the guide mechanism 100 seen from a direction perpendicular to the paper placement surface 76a of the manual feed tray 76. In particular, FIG. 2A shows the appearance of the guide mechanism 100, and FIG. 2B shows the internal structure of the guide mechanism 100. Also, in FIG. 2, considering the visibility, the paper placement surface 76a of the manual feed tray 76 is shown by a dashed line, and the paper is shown by a two-dot chain line. Hereinafter, the paper may be described with the symbol "P".

[0045] The pair of regulating plates 110 and 120 have paper contact surfaces 110a and 120a that contact both side edges of the paper P as described later. The both side edges of the paper P here refer to both end edges in the width direction of the paper P. Also, the width direction of the paper P is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper P when the paper P is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54 described above, and is parallel to both main surfaces of the paper P, that is, the conveyance width direction of the paper P, which is the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 10. And each of the paper contact surfaces 110a and 120a is a plane that faces each other and is parallel to each other.

[0046] The pair of regulating plates 110 and 120 can be manually moved along the width direction of the paper P, as shown by dashed arrow 300 in Fig. 2. In order to avoid mechanical interference between appropriate portions of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 and the paper placement surface 76a, a slit-shaped notch (not shown) is provided in the paper placement surface 76a. The regulating plates 110 and 120 move conjugately in conjunction with each other, specifically, symmetrically (more specifically, linearly symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction of the paper P). That is, when one of the regulating plates 110 and 120 moves, the other moves symmetrically in conjunction with the one.

[0047] In order to realize symmetrical movement of the regulating plates 110 and 120, a pair of rack gears 112 and 122 are provided which are individually and integrally connected to the regulating plates 110 and 120. Each of the pair of rack gears 112 and 122 is a long and narrow plate-like (roughly ruler-like) member extending along the width direction of the paper P. The rack gears 112 and 122 are provided at positions offset from each other in the conveying direction of the paper P (left and right direction in FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, the rack gear 112 of the front regulating plate 110 is provided at a position to the right of the rack gear 122 of the rear regulating plate 120, but this positional relationship may be reversed. Teeth are provided on the side surfaces of the rack gears 112 and 122 facing each other.

[0048] In addition, a pinion gear 130 common to the rack gears 112 and 122 is provided at a position that corresponds to the center in the width direction of the paper P and is between the rack gears 112 and 122 in the transport direction of the paper P. In other words, the pinion gear 130 is provided so that its teeth mesh with the teeth of each of the rack gears 112 and 122.

[0049] According to this configuration, when one of the regulating plates 110 and 120 moves, the other of the regulating plates 110 and 120 moves symmetrically with respect to the former in conjunction therewith. Then, the paper contact surfaces 110a and 120a of the regulating plates 110 and 120 are brought into contact with both side edges of the paper P on the manual tray 76 (paper placement surface 76a), in other words, the regulating plates 110 and 120 are moved so as to sandwich both side edges of the paper P, whereby the position of the paper P in the width direction is mechanically regulated. Note that the rack gears 112 and 122 and the pinion gear 130 constitute an example of the interlocking portion according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Furthermore, the guide mechanism 100 includes a restraining mechanism 140 that restrains the movement of the pinion gear 130, and thus the movement of the regulating plates 110 and 120, in response to the supply of the paper P on the manual tray 76 to the paper conveyance path 54. This restraining mechanism 140 is an example of the restraining portion according to the present disclosure.

[0051] Referring also to FIG. 3, the restraining mechanism 140 includes a lever 142, a drive shaft 144, a support member 146, and a restraining member 148. Note that FIG. 3A shows the internal structure of the guide mechanism 100 when it is in a standby state waiting for the supply of the paper P on the manual tray 76 to the paper conveyance path 54, specifically, the internal structure when the guide mechanism 100 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper placement surface 76a of the manual tray 76. And FIG. 3B is a view of the state shown in FIG. 3A from the side, specifically, from the front.

[0052] When viewed from above (in a direction perpendicular to the paper placement surface 76a), the lever 142 is provided at a position corresponding to the center in the width direction of the paper P, that is, at a position facing the pinion gear 130. When viewed from the side, the lever 142 has a generally U-shaped configuration and is rotatably provided about its bent portion 142a. Further, the lever 142 is provided such that one end portion thereof extends upward and the other end portion extends downward. Furthermore, when in the standby state, the portion of the lever 142 above the bent portion 142a is positioned at a distance of several millimeters from the leading edge of the paper P (the left end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively), that is, in a posture such that it does not make contact with the leading edge of the paper P. To maintain this posture, an appropriate biasing force (in the clockwise rotation direction of the lever 142 in FIG. 3B) is applied to the lever 142 by an appropriate biasing member such as a spring (not shown). In addition, the drive shaft 144, support member 146, and stopper member 148, which will be sequentially described hereinafter, including regulating the position of the lever 142 with respect to this biasing force, are appropriately configured.

[0053] The drive shaft 144 is a generally round bar-shaped member and is supported by the support member 146 so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the pinion gear 130 and extend in a direction along the paper placement surface 76a. One end portion (the left end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively) of the drive shaft 144 is rotatably coupled to a portion below the bent portion 142a of the lever 142, and the other end portion (the right end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively) of the drive shaft 144 is fixed to the stopper member 148. The support member 146 is fixed to the housing of the manual feed tray 76 via an appropriate fixing member (not shown).

[0054] When viewed from above (in a direction perpendicular to the paper placement surface 76a), the stop member 148 is a substantially semi-circular member, and teeth engageable with the teeth of the pinion gear 130 are provided on the side surface that contacts the arc portion thereof. The stop member 148 is fixed to the other end portion of the drive shaft 144 with the side surface provided with the teeth facing the pinion gear 130. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pinion gear 130 has a length dimension such that it faces the side surface of the stop member 148 provided with the teeth.

[0055] According to the stop mechanism 140 configured as described above, when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54, that is, when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is drawn in by the pickup roller 78 for the manual feed tray 76, the leading edge of the paper P abuts against the upper portion of the lever 142. Then, against the biasing force on the lever 142, as shown in FIG. 4, particularly as shown in FIG. 4B, the lever 142 rotates. Along with this, the drive shaft 144 having one end portion coupled to the lower portion of the lever 142 moves toward the pinion gear 130. As a result, the teeth of the stop member 148 fixed to the other end portion of the drive shaft 144 mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 130. Thereby, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is stopped, and thus the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is stopped.

[0056] Note that FIG. 4 shows the guide mechanism 100 in the paper passage state when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54. Specifically, FIG. 4A shows the internal structure of the guide mechanism 100 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper placement surface 76a of the manual feed tray 76. FIG. 4B is a view of the state shown in FIG. 4A when viewed from the side (front). The lever 142, the drive shaft 144, and the support member 146 constitute an example of a stop drive unit according to the present disclosure. In particular, the lever 142 is an example of a state change member according to the present disclosure. The stop member 148 is an example of a stop execution member according to the present disclosure.

[0057] Therefore, when in the paper feeding state as shown in FIG. 4, each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 does not move. Thus, the original functions of the regulating plates 110 and 120, which is to regulate the position of the sheet P in the width direction, are surely fulfilled. When the paper feeding is completed, the lever 142 rotates by the above-described biasing force. Along with this, the engagement between the restraining member 148 and the pinion gear 130 is released, that is, it returns to the standby state shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 becomes possible. Further, when in the standby state, the drive shaft 144, the support member 146, and the restraining member 148 are appropriately configured so that the posture of the lever 142 is maintained such that the upper part of the lever 142 does not contact the leading edge of the sheet P at the very limit as described above. Specifically, for example, a stopper (not shown) that abuts against the support member 146 is provided on the other end portion of the drive shaft 144 (the end portion on the side where the restraining member 148 is fixed).

[0058] As described above, according to the present first embodiment, particularly according to the guide mechanism 100 of the manual feed tray 76, when in the standby state, each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 can move, and particularly can move very quickly. On the other hand, when in the paper feeding state, the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is restrained. Therefore, it is possible to surely regulate the position of the sheet P in the width direction when the sheet P is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54 while realizing high usability including the operability of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120.

[0059] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0060] In the present second embodiment, instead of the restraining mechanism 140 in the first embodiment, a restraining mechanism 150 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided. Other than this, it is the same as the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 5A is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 including the restraining mechanism 150 when in the standby state, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 when in the paper feeding state.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the stop mechanism 150 uses the movement of the rotary plate 76b provided on the manual feed tray 76 to stop the movement of the pinion gear 130, and thereby stop the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120. Here, the rotary plate 76b is a rectangular flat plate member that changes the posture of the sheet P, specifically, displaces the leading edge side of the sheet P slightly upward, in order to assist (facilitate) the supply of the sheet P on the manual feed tray 76 to the sheet conveyance path 54. Specifically, the rotary plate 76b is provided so as to form a part of the sheet placement surface 76, and particularly, when in the standby state as shown in FIG. 5A, it is provided so as to form a flat sheet placement surface 76a. Further, the rotary plate 76b is provided such that its four sides are parallel to the four sides of the sheet placement surface 76a of the manual feed tray 76. When the sheet P on the manual feed tray 76 (sheet placement surface 76a) is supplied to the sheet conveyance path 54, the rotary plate 76b receives a driving force from a motor as a rotary plate driving means (not shown), and rotates about the edge on its right side (right side in FIG. 5) so that the left side (left side in FIG. 5) is displaced upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the leading edge side of the sheet P on the manual feed tray 76 is displaced slightly upward. When the paper passage is completed, the rotary plate 76b returns to the posture of forming a flat sheet placement surface 76a as shown in FIG. 5A, that is, the motor as the rotary plate driving means is driven so as to achieve this.

[0062] Note that the rotary plate 76b is an example of the posture change mechanism according to the present disclosure. Also, in the first embodiment, the description of the rotary plate 76b was omitted, but in fact, the rotary plate 76b is also provided in the first embodiment. And, in order to avoid mechanical interference between appropriate parts of each of the above-described regulating plates 110 and 20 and the sheet placement surface 76a including the rotary plate 76b, a slit-shaped notch (not shown) is provided.

[0063] Now, the stop mechanism 150 in this second embodiment includes a first arm 152, a second arm 154, and a stop member 148. The first arm 152 is a rod-shaped or elongated plate-shaped member, one end of which is rotatably coupled near the left edge of the rotary plate 76b. And the other end of the first arm 152 is rotatably coupled to the second arm 154.

[0064] The second arm 154 is an elongated plate-shaped member, orthogonal to the axial direction of the pinion gear 130, and extends in the direction along the paper placement surface 76a below the pinion gear 130, and is supported by a support member (not shown) in a state displaceable along this direction. And the other end of the first arm 152 is rotatably coupled to one end of the second arm 154, specifically, to the end on the leading edge side of the paper P on the manual feed tray 76.

[0065] The stop member 156 is the same member as the stop member 148 in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the other end side of the second arm 154 with the side surface provided with its teeth facing the pinion gear 130. Note that the stop member 156 in this second embodiment is provided on the right side of the pinion gear 130, and thus the direction of the side surface provided with its teeth is opposite to the direction of the side surface provided with the teeth of the stop member 148 in the first embodiment.

[0066] According to the stop mechanism 150 configured as described above, when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54, as shown in FIG. 5B, the left side of the rotary plate 76b is displaced upward, and accordingly, the second arm 154 coupled to the rotary plate 76b via the first arm 152 is displaced toward the leading edge side of the paper P (the left side in FIG. 5). As a result, the teeth of the stop member 156 fixed to the second arm 154 mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 130. Thereby, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is stopped, and thus the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is stopped. And when the paper passage is completed, as shown in FIG. 5A, the rotary plate 76b returns to the posture forming the flat paper placement surface 76a, whereby the meshing between the stop member 156 and the pinion gear 130 is released.

[0067] Thus, according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when in the standby state, each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is movable, and particularly quick movement is possible. On the other hand, when in the paper feeding state, the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is restricted. Therefore, while achieving high usability including the operability of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120, it is possible to reliably regulate the position in the width direction of the paper P when the paper P is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54.

[0068] Note that the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 in the second embodiment cooperate with each other to constitute an example of the restricting driving part according to the present disclosure.

[0069] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0070] In the third embodiment, instead of the restricting mechanism 140 in the first embodiment, a restricting mechanism 160 as shown in FIG. 6 is provided. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 6A is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 including the restricting mechanism 160 when in the standby state, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 when in the paper feeding state. Also in the third embodiment, a rotating plate 76b is provided, but the description including its illustration is omitted here.

[0071] The restricting mechanism 160 in the third embodiment has a paper sensor 162 that detects the paper P when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54. In response to the detection of the paper P by this paper sensor 162, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is restricted, and thus the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is restricted. To achieve this, the restricting mechanism 160 includes, in addition to the paper sensor 162, a paper contact member 164, a solenoid (actuator) 166, and a restricting member 168.

[0072] The paper contact member 164 is an elongated plate-shaped member, and is rotatably provided about the vicinity 164a of the central portion in its length direction. When in the standby state as shown in FIG. 6A, this paper contact member 164 extends along the axial direction of the pinion gear 130, and the portion above the vicinity 164a of the central portion serving as its rotation axis is positioned at a distance of several millimeters from the leading edge of the paper P, that is, at a position where it does not contact the leading edge of the paper P. In order to maintain this posture, an appropriate biasing member such as a spring (not shown) applies an appropriate biasing force (in the direction in which the paper contact member 164 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6) to the paper contact member 164. In addition, an appropriate stopper (not shown) is provided to regulate the position of the paper contact member 164 with respect to this biasing force. Further, the lower end portion 164b of the paper contact member 164 is formed in a slightly larger approximate rectangular shape.

[0073] When the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54, the leading edge of the paper P contacts the upper portion of the paper contact member 164, and further, the paper contact member 164 rotates as shown in FIG. 6B against the aforementioned biasing force applied to the paper contact member 164. At this time, the paper sensor 162 is arranged such that the detection portion of the paper sensor 162 is covered by the lower end portion 164b of the paper contact member 164. The paper sensor 162 is, for example, a reflection type photoelectric sensor, but is not limited thereto. The paper detection signal Sa, which is the output signal of this paper sensor 162, is input to the aforementioned control unit 200.

[0074] The solenoid 166 is, for example, a push type, and is supported by an appropriate support member (not shown) such that its plunger 166a is orthogonal to the axial direction of the pinion gear 130 and extends in a direction along the paper placement surface 76a. Further, when in the standby state as shown in FIG. 6A, the solenoid 166 has a pulling spring (not shown) that biases (pulls in) the plunger 166a in a direction to be housed in the main body of the solenoid 166. The solenoid 166 is driven in accordance with a drive control signal Sb given from the control unit 200.

[0075] The stopper member 168 is a member similar to the stopper member 148 in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the tip of the plunger 166a of the solenoid 166 with the side surface provided with its teeth facing the pinion gear 130. Note that the stopper member 168 in this third embodiment is provided on the left side of the pinion gear 130, similar to the stopper member 148 in the first embodiment.

[0076] According to the thus configured stopper mechanism 160, when in the standby state as shown in FIG. 6A, that is, when the detection portion of the paper sensor 162 is not covered by the lower end portion 164b of the paper contact member 164, the plunger 166a of the solenoid 166 is housed in the main body of the solenoid 166. In other words, a drive control signal Sb corresponding to the paper detection signal Sa is given from the control unit 200 to the solenoid 166 so as to be in such a state. In this state, since the stopper member 168 fixed to the tip of the plunger 166a is separated from the pinion gear 130, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is not stopped, that is, the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is not stopped.

[0077] On the other hand, when in the paper passing state as shown in FIG. 6B, that is, when the detection portion of the paper sensor 162 is covered by the lower end portion 164b of the paper contact member 164, the plunger 166a of the solenoid 166 protrudes. In other words, a drive control signal Sb corresponding to the paper detection signal Sa is given from the control unit 200 to the solenoid 166 so as to be in such a state. In this state, the teeth of the stopper member 168 fixed to the tip of the plunger 166a mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 130. Thereby, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is stopped, and consequently, the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is stopped.

[0078] Thus, also according to the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, when in the standby state, each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is movable, and particularly, quick movement is possible. On the other hand, when in the paper feeding state, the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is restricted. Therefore, while realizing high usability including the operability of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120, it is possible to reliably regulate the position in the width direction of the paper P when the paper P is supplied to the paper conveyance path 54.

[0079] Note that the paper sensor 162 and the paper contact member 164 in the third embodiment constitute an example of the detection means according to the present disclosure. And the solenoid 166 in the third embodiment, in cooperation with the control unit 200 that gives a drive control signal Sb corresponding to the paper detection signal Sa to the solenoid 166, constitutes an example of the stop drive unit according to the present disclosure. Further, instead of the control unit 200, a drive control circuit dedicated to the solenoid 166 that gives a drive control signal Sb corresponding to the paper detection signal Sa to the solenoid 166 may be provided. Furthermore, instead of the solenoid 166, other electromechanical conversion elements such as a motor may be employed.

[0080] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0081] In the fourth embodiment, instead of the stop mechanism 140 in the first embodiment, a stop mechanism 170 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 7A is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 including the stop mechanism 170 when in the standby state, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the guide mechanism 100 when in the paper feeding state. Also in the fourth embodiment, a rotating plate 76b is provided, but here, the description including its illustration is omitted.

[0082] In the fourth embodiment, the locking mechanism 170 uses a paper feed control signal Sc issued from the control unit 200 to lock the movement of the pinion gear 130 when the paper P on the manual feed tray 76 is supplied to the paper feed path 54, and thus lock the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120. To achieve this, the locking mechanism 170 includes a solenoid 172 and a locking member 174. The paper feed control signal Sc is, for example, a signal for controlling the pickup roller 78 for the manual feed tray 76.

[0083] The solenoid 172 is the same as the solenoid 166 in the third embodiment, and its plunger 172a is supported by a suitable support member (not shown) so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the pinion gear 130 and extend in the direction along the paper placement surface 76a. Also, the solenoid 172 has a tension spring (not shown) that biases (draws in) the plunger 172a in the direction of housing it in the main body of the solenoid 172 when in the standby state as shown in FIG. 7A. And the above-described paper feed control signal Sc is also applied to the solenoid 172.

[0084] The locking member 174 is the same member as the locking member 148 in the first embodiment, that is, the same member as the locking member 168 in the third embodiment, and is fixed to the tip of the plunger 172a of the solenoid 172 with the side surface provided with its teeth facing the pinion gear 130. Note that the locking member 174 in the fourth embodiment is provided on the left side of the pinion gear 130, similar to the locking member 148 in the first embodiment, that is, similar to the locking member 168 in the third embodiment.

[0085] According to the locking mechanism 170 configured as described above, when in the standby state as shown in FIG. 7A, the plunger 172a of the solenoid 172 is housed in the main body of the solenoid 172, that is, the solenoid 172 is driven according to the paper feed control signal Sc so as to be in such a state. In this state, since the locking member 174 fixed to the tip of the plunger 172a is separated from the pinion gear 130, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is not locked, that is, the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is not locked.

[0086] On the other hand, when in the paper feeding state as shown in FIG. 7B, the plunger 172a of the solenoid 172 protrudes, that is, the solenoid 172 is driven in response to the paper feeding control signal Sc so as to be so. In this state, the teeth of the restraining member 174 fixed to the tip of the plunger 172a mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 130. Thereby, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is restrained, and as a result, the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 is restrained.

[0087] Thus, also according to the fourth embodiment, as in the first, second, and third embodiments, when in the standby state, each regulating plate 110 and 120 is movable, and particularly quick movement is possible. On the other hand, when in the paper feeding state, the movement of each of the regulating plates 110 and 120 is restrained. Therefore, while realizing high usability including the operability of each regulating plate 110 and 120, it is possible to surely regulate the position in the width direction of the sheet P when the sheet P is supplied to the sheet conveyance path 54.

[0088] Note that the paper feeding control signal Sc in the fourth embodiment is an example of a control command according to the present disclosure. Instead of this paper feeding control signal Sc, a signal issued from the control unit 200 for controlling other elements such as a motor as a rotating plate driving means for driving the rotating plate 76b may be used as a signal for driving the solenoid 172. Further, instead of the solenoid 172, other electromechanical conversion elements such as a motor may be employed.

[0089] [Other application examples] Each of the above embodiments is a specific example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure can also be applied to aspects other than these embodiments.

[0090] For example, in each embodiment, the teeth of the restraining members 148, 156, 168, and 174 are engaged with the teeth of the pinion gear 130, thereby restraining the movement of the pinion gear 130, and consequently restraining the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As the restraining members 148, 156, 168, and 174, members provided with a suitable elastic body such as rubber or soft resin may be used. By pressing the elastic body against the pinion gear 130, the movement of the pinion gear 130 can be restrained, and consequently the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 can be restrained.

[0091] Also, in each embodiment, the movement of the pinion gear 130 is restrained, thereby restraining the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the movement of each regulating plate 110 and 120 may be restrained by restraining the movement of either one of the rack gears 112 and 122.

[0092] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the case where the restraining mechanisms 140, 150, 160, and 170 are applied to the guide mechanism 100 of the manual tray 76 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a similar restraining mechanism may be applied to the document guide mechanism 25 of the automatic document feeder 18.

[0093] In addition, in each embodiment, the color image forming apparatus 10 has been taken as an example. However, the present disclosure can also be applied to monochrome image forming apparatuses.

[0094] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 in each embodiment is a multifunction machine. However, the present disclosure can also be applied to image forming apparatuses other than the multifunction machine, such as a printer-only machine, a copier-only machine, or a fax-only machine.

[0095] And the present disclosure can be provided not only in the form of the sheet material guide mechanism 100 but also in the form of a sheet material supply apparatus including the sheet material guide mechanism, and further in the form of an image forming apparatus including the sheet material supply apparatus.

Explanation of Symbols

[0096] 10 … Image forming apparatus 76 … Manual feed tray 76a … Paper placement surface 76b … Rotating plate 100 … Guide mechanism 110, 120 … Regulation plate 112, 122 … Rack gear 130 … Pinion gear 140, 150, 160, 170 … Locking mechanism 142 … Lever 144 … Drive shaft 146 … Support member 148, 156, 168, 176 … Locking member 152 … First arm 154 … Second arm 162 … Paper sensor 164 … Paper contact member 166, 172 … Solenoid 200 … Control unit P … Paper

Claims

1. A tray on which a sheet material is placed, a pair of regulating members that are manually movable along the width direction of the sheet material, which is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet material when the sheet material placed on the tray is supplied to a supply destination and parallel to both main surfaces of the sheet material, and that regulate the position of the sheet material in the width direction by abutting against both end edges of the sheet material in the width direction; a linking portion that interlocks the pair of regulating members so that the pair of regulating members move conjugately; and a sheet material guiding mechanism including a restraining portion that restrains the movement of the linking portion in response to the supply of the sheet material to the supply destination by supply means for supplying the sheet material to the supply destination.

2. The linking portion includes a pair of rack gears individually coupled to the pair of regulating members, and a pinion gear that meshes with the pair of rack gears such that when one of the pair of rack gears moves, the other of the pair of rack gears moves conjugately with the one, The restraining portion restrains the movement of at least one of the pair of rack gears and the pinion gear. The sheet material guiding mechanism according to claim 1.

3. The restraining portion includes a restraining execution member that abuts against the connecting portion to restrain the movement of the connecting portion, and a restraining drive portion that causes the restraining execution member to abut against the connecting portion in response to the supply of the sheet material to the supply destination by the supply means. The sheet material guiding mechanism according to claim 1.

4. The restraining portion further includes a state change member that changes its own state by abutting against the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means, The restraining drive portion causes the restraining execution member to abut against the connecting portion by utilizing the movement of the state change member when the state of the state change member changes. The sheet material guiding mechanism according to claim 3.

5. The restraining drive portion causes the restraining execution member to abut against the connecting portion by utilizing the movement of a posture change mechanism that changes the posture of the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means. The sheet material guiding mechanism according to claim 3.

6. The restraining portion further includes a detection means that detects the sheet material when the sheet material is supplied to the supply destination by the supply means, The seat material guide mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the restraining drive unit brings the restraining execution member into contact with the connecting portion when the seat material is detected by the detecting means.

7. The seat material guide mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the restraining drive unit brings the restraining execution member into contact with the connecting portion when a control command for controlling the supply means to supply the seat material to the supply destination is issued from a control means for controlling the supply means.

8. The seat material guide mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and A seat material supply device including the supply means.

9. An image forming apparatus, comprising the seat material supply device according to claim 8, and further Image forming means for forming an image on the seat material as the supply destination.

Images