Sheet transport device

Abstract

To provide a sheet transport device which makes a first side guide less likely to cause resistance to a sheet fed even in a structure which detects a position of the first side guide.SOLUTION: A sheet transport device 1 includes: a sheet tray 100; a first side guide 110; a moving member 50 which contacts with the first side guide 110 to move; a sensor 70 which outputs a signal corresponding to a position of the moving member 50; and a control unit C1 which detects a position of the first side guide 110 according to the signal of the sensor 70. The first side guide 110 integrally has: a guide part 111 having a first contact surface 111T which contacts with a sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 from one side in a width direction, the guide part 111 configured to guide the sheet SH; and a contact part 115 having a second contact surface 115T which is located at one side in the width direction relative to the first contact surface 111T and contacts with the moving member 50 from the other side in the width direction, the contact part 115 spaced apart from the guide part 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional sheet conveying device. In this sheet conveying device, as shown in FIG. 2, a cassette holds sheets to be fed in a feeding direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a lateral restriction plate moves in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction to position the sheets on the cassette in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 4, a cam has an arm. The cam rotates around a rotation axis when the arm abuts against the lateral restriction plate. A switch outputs an ON / OFF signal according to the position at which the rotating cam presses the protrusion. A control unit shown in FIG. 2 detects the position of the lateral restriction plate according to the switch signal and determines the size of the sheets stacked in the cassette. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-124504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional sheet conveying device, when a pushing force is applied from the arm to the lateral regulating plate, there is a risk that the lateral regulating plate will bend toward the sheet on the cassette, and as a result, there is a risk that the lateral regulating plate will be more likely to exert resistance on the sheet being fed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a sheet conveying device in which the first side guide is unlikely to exert resistance on the sheet being fed, even when the device is configured to detect the position of the first side guide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sheet conveying device of the present invention includes: a sheet tray on which a sheet to be fed in a feeding direction is placed; a first side guide that moves in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction to position the sheets on the sheet tray in the width direction; a moving member that moves by coming into contact with the first side guide; a sensor that outputs a signal according to the position of the moving member; a control unit that detects the position of the first side guide in response to the signal from the sensor; Equipped with The first side guide is a guide portion having a first contact surface that contacts the sheet on the sheet tray from one side in the width direction and guides the sheet; a contact portion having a second contact surface located on one side in the width direction relative to the first contact surface and contacting the moving member from the other side in the width direction, the contact portion being spaced apart from the guide portion; It is characterized by having the above integrally.

[0007] In the sheet conveying device of the present invention, the abutment portion is separated from the guide portion. That is, there is a gap between the abutment portion and the guide portion. As a result, even if a force from the moving member acts to push back the second abutment surface of the abutment portion in the other width direction, causing the abutment portion to bend, the force is unlikely to be transmitted from the abutment portion to the guide portion, and a situation in which the guide portion bends in the other width direction and the first abutment surface is pressed against a sheet on the sheet tray is unlikely to occur.

[0008] Therefore, even if the sheet conveying device of the present invention is configured to detect the position of the first side guide, the first side guide is unlikely to exert resistance on the sheet being fed, and as a result, the sheet can be fed smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet tray, the first and second side guides, the moving member, and the contact sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the side frame as seen from the sheet tray side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the side frame as seen from the opposite side to the sheet tray. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the side frame as seen from the opposite side to the sheet tray. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first and second side guides and the rack and pinion mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the first side guide. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the first side guide. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of the compression coil spring, showing the sheet tray, rack and pinion mechanism, moving members, etc. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section AA of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the moving member, the compression coil spring, and the contact sensor. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial side view showing a part of the side frame, the moving member, and the contact sensor. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. 2, illustrating a state in which the first side guide positions an A4 size sheet on the sheet tray in the width direction. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG. 2, illustrating a state in which the first side guide positions an A4 size sheet on the sheet tray in the width direction. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14, showing a state in which the first side guide positions a sheet smaller than A4 size on the sheet tray in the width direction. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 15, showing a state in which the first side guide positions a sheet smaller than A4 size on the sheet tray in the width direction. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating backlash in meshing of the first rack teeth with the pinion gear in the rack-pinion mechanism. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view showing a first side guide according to a modified image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention.

[0012] In Figure 1, the side of the device main body 9 where the opening 9H and front cover 9F are provided is defined as the front of the image forming device 1, and the side that is on the left when facing the opening 9H and front cover 9F is defined as the left side of the image forming device 1, and the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions are indicated.

[0013] In this embodiment, the width direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is the left-right direction. One side of the width direction is the left, and the other side of the width direction is the right. The directions shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to the directions shown in Figure 1.

[0014] <General configuration of image forming apparatus> 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer that forms an image on a sheet SH by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a substantially box-shaped device main body 9, and an image forming unit 3, a sheet tray 100, a feeding unit 20, a pair of discharge rollers 29, and a control unit C1 housed in the device main body 9.

[0015] The control unit C1 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU, an interface circuit, and a storage unit (not shown). The control unit C1 performs overall control of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, including control of the image forming unit 3, the feeding unit 20, and the pair of discharge rollers 29.

[0016] The sheet tray 100 is located below the image forming unit 3 and at the bottom of the device body 9. As shown in Fig. 3, the sheet tray 100 is a resin member having a generally flat plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0017] Sheets SH before images are formed are placed in a stack on the sheet tray 100. The sheet tray 100 is large enough to accommodate sheets SH of A4 to A6 size, postcards, etc. The sheets SH are paper, overhead projector sheets, etc.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first side guide 110 and a second side guide 120 arranged on a sheet tray 100. The first side guide 110 is located on one side in the width direction, i.e., the left side, of the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100. The second side guide 120 is located on the other side in the width direction, i.e., the right side, of the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100.

[0019] The first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 move linearly toward and away from each other in the width direction, thereby positioning the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100 in the width direction. The specific configurations of the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 will be described in detail later.

[0020] Oscillating shafts 109L and 109R are formed at the front left corner and the front right corner of the sheet tray 100. The oscillating shafts 109L and 109R are centered on an oscillating axis X100 that extends in the left-right direction.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 4 to 6, the device main body 9 has a side frame 90. The side frame 90 is an example of the "frame" of the present invention. In this embodiment, the side frame 90 is a resin member manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the side frame 90 is located to the left of the sheet tray 100.

[0022] Although FIG. 1 shows only a portion of the side frame 90, the side frame 90 extends in the front-rear and up-down directions along the left side surface of the device main body 9.

[0023] 4, a shaft hole 90H centered on the oscillation axis X100 is formed in a front lower corner of the side frame 90. A support shaft 90F is formed in the side frame 90 at a position slightly forward from the shaft hole 90H so as to protrude rightward.

[0024] Although not shown in the drawings, the device main body 9 has another side frame that is located to the right of the sheet tray 100 and that forms a pair with the side frame 90. A shaft hole having the same configuration as the shaft hole 90H but on the opposite side is also formed through the other side frame, and a support shaft having the same configuration as the support shaft 90F but on the opposite side is formed.

[0025] 1, the shaft hole 90H of the side frame 90 supports the swing shaft 109L of the sheet tray 100. Although not shown, a shaft hole of another side frame (not shown) supports the swing shaft 109R of the sheet tray 100. As a result, the device main body 9 supports the sheet tray 100 so that it can swing around the swing axis X100.

[0026] A support shaft 90F of the side frame 90 and a support shaft of another side frame (not shown) support a front cover 9F so that the front cover 9F can swing.

[0027] An opening 9H is provided in the lower portion of the front surface of the device main body 9. The left-right length of the opening 9H is greater than the left-right length of the sheet tray 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the opening 9H is located above the sheet tray 100, away from the sheet tray 100, to an extent that does not interfere with the user's operation of placing sheets SH in a stack on the sheet tray 100. Note that the sheet tray 100 in this embodiment is not detachable from the device main body 9. Therefore, when the user places sheets SH, they insert the sheets SH onto the sheet tray 100 through the opening 9H without moving the sheet tray 100.

[0028] The front cover 9F opens the opening 9H while being positioned forward of the sheet tray 100 and extending in the front-rear and left-right directions. In this state, the front cover 9F supports the portion of the sheet SH placed on the sheet tray 100 that protrudes forward from the opening 9H.

[0029] Although not shown, the front cover 9F closes the opening 9H by swinging from the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and standing up.

[0030] 2, a discharge tray 9T is formed on the top surface of the apparatus main body 9. The discharge tray 9T supports the sheet SH on which the image formation has been completed.

[0031] The feeding unit 20 is located below the image forming unit 3 and close to the rear and bottom of the apparatus main body 9. The feeding unit 20 has a feeding roller 21, a separation roller 22, a separation pad 22A, and a pair of conveying rollers 23, which are arranged along the conveying path P1. The feeding unit 20 also has a lever 20L that abuts against the lower surface of the sheet tray 100 from below.

[0032] The conveying path P1 travels a short distance backward from the rear end of the sheet tray 100, then turns around, travels upward along the rear surface of the device main body 9, turns again, and travels forward along the top surface of the device main body 9 to reach the discharge tray 9T.

[0033] The feed roller 21 is located at the upstream end of the conveying path P1 and faces the rear end of the sheet tray 100 from above. The lever 20L swings to swing the sheet tray 100 and raise the rear end of the sheet tray 100. As a result, the topmost sheet SH placed on the sheet tray 100 comes into contact with the feed roller 21.

[0034] The feeding roller 21 feeds the top sheet SH placed on the sheet tray 100 in a feeding direction DF1 and sends it to the conveying path P1. The feeding direction DF1 is a direction that advances substantially horizontally from the front to the rear and is perpendicular to the width direction. The feeding direction DF1 is also perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0035] When a plurality of sheets SH fed by the feeding roller 21 are piled up, the separation roller 22 and the separation pad 22A separate the sheets one by one.

[0036] The conveying roller pair 23 nips the sheets SH separated one by one by the separation roller 22 and the separation pad 22A, and conveys them upward along the rear surface of the apparatus main body 9.

[0037] In this way, the sheet SH fed by the feeding section 20 passes through the image forming section 3 midway along the upwardly extending portion of the conveying path P1.

[0038] The image forming unit 3 has a developing cartridge 3C, a scanner unit 8, and a fixing unit 7. The developing cartridge 3C, the scanner unit 8, and the fixing unit 7 are supported by a side frame 90 and another side frame (not shown).

[0039] The configuration of the developing cartridge 3C is well known, so a brief description will be given. The developing cartridge 3C includes a photosensitive drum 5, a transfer roller 6, a developing roller 3E, a charger 3F, and a toner container 3G.

[0040] The photosensitive drum 5 is located midway along the upwardly extending portion of the conveying path P1. The photosensitive drum 5 rotates around an axis extending in the width direction. The transfer roller 6 is located behind the photosensitive drum 5. The transfer roller 6 rotates while sandwiching the conveyed sheet SH together with the photosensitive drum 5. The developing roller 3E, the charger 3F, and the toner storage unit 3G are located around the photosensitive drum 5.

[0041] The scanner unit 8 is located at a position forward and away from the developing cartridge 3C, and includes a laser light source, a polygon mirror, an fθ lens, a reflecting mirror, etc. The scanner unit 8 emits a laser beam backward to irradiate the photosensitive drum 5.

[0042] As the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly positively charged by the charger 3F, and then exposed to high-speed scanning of a laser beam emitted from the scanner unit 8. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the sheet SH is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

[0043] Next, the developing roller 3E supplies the toner stored in the toner storage section 3G to the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image. Then, when the sheet SH, transported by the transport roller pair 23, passes between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer roller 6, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred onto the sheet SH.

[0044] The fixing unit 7 is located above the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer roller 6, near the upper end of the rear surface of the device main body 9 and the rear end of the upper surface. The fixing unit 7 heats and presses the sheet SH that has passed between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer roller 6 while sandwiching it between a heating roller 7A and a pressure roller 7B and transporting it, thereby thermally fixing the toner image onto the sheet SH.

[0045] The pair of discharge rollers 29 is located at the downstream end of the conveying path P1. The pair of discharge rollers 29 nips the sheet SH that has passed through the fixing unit 7 and is conveyed along the conveying path P1, and discharges the sheet onto a discharge tray 9T.

[0046] <First side guide, second side guide and rack and pinion mechanism> As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the first side guide 110 is a resin member in which a guide portion 111, a slide portion 113, a first rack portion 151, a contact portion 115, a connection portion 116, a first reinforcing rib 117, and a second reinforcing rib 118 are integrally formed.

[0047] As shown in Figures 7, 10 and 11, the second side guide 120 is a resin member in which a guide portion 121, a slide portion 123, a second rack portion 152, an elastic deformation portion 129, a locking claw 129Q and a knob 129P are integrally formed.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 are manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0049] 7 and 10, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a rack-and-pinion mechanism 150 that moves the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 closer to and farther apart in the width direction. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 150 is configured to have a pinion gear 153, a first rack portion 151 of the first side guide 110, and a second rack portion 152 of the second side guide 120.

[0050] <Details of the first side guide> As shown in FIG. 3, in the first side guide 110, the guide portion 111 and the slide portion 113 are located near the left end of the sheet tray 100.

[0051] The guide portion 111 protrudes upward on the sheet tray 100 and extends in the feeding direction DF1. As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the slide portion 113 is connected to the lower end 111D side of the guide portion 111 and extends toward the other side in the width direction, and also extends in the feeding direction DF1.

[0052] The guide portion 111 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the guide portion 111 has a first contact surface 111T. The first contact surface 111T is located at the front end, the rear end, and the middle in the front-rear direction on the right side surface of the guide portion 111. The first contact surface 111T contacts the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 from one side in the width direction, thereby allowing the guide portion 111 to guide the sheet SH.

[0053] 7 to 9, the slide portion 113 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the front-rear and width directions. The slide portion 113 supports one edge side in the width direction of the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100 from below.

[0054] The first rack portion 151 is connected to the lower surface of the slide portion 113 at a central portion in the front-rear direction, and extends elongatedly toward the other side in the width direction.

[0055] The first rack portion 151 has a first regulated surface 151A and a second regulated surface 151B. The first regulated surface 151A is a front end surface that extends in the width direction and is located upstream of the first rack portion 151 in the feeding direction DF1. The second regulated surface 151B is a rear end surface that extends in the width direction and is located downstream of the first rack portion 151 in the feeding direction DF1.

[0056] The first rack portion 151 also has first rack teeth 151G and a biasing piece 151S. The first rack teeth 151G have a plurality of gear teeth arranged in the width direction and located upstream of the first rack portion 151 in the feeding direction DF1. The biasing piece 151S is located downstream of the first rack portion 151 in the feeding direction DF1 and protrudes in the width direction like a cantilever. The biasing piece 151S accumulates a restoring force when the tip end thereof is pressed forward.

[0057] 3 and 10, the sheet tray 100 has a guide groove 105. The guide groove 105 is a groove that penetrates the sheet tray 100 in the vertical direction and extends elongatedly in the width direction. The guide groove 105 accommodates the first rack portion 151 so that it can move linearly in the width direction.

[0058] The guide groove 105 has a first restriction surface 105A and a second restriction surface 105B. The first restriction surface 105A is an inner wall surface extending in the width direction at the front of the guide groove 105. The second restriction surface 105B is an inner wall surface extending in the width direction at the rear of the guide groove 105.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the first regulating surface 105A abuts against the first regulated surface 151A of the first rack portion 151, thereby regulating the first rack portion 151 from moving upstream, i.e., forward, in the feeding direction DF1.

[0060] The second regulating surface 105B comes into contact with the second regulated surface 151B of the first rack portion 151, thereby regulating the first rack portion 151 from moving downstream in the feeding direction DF1, that is, backward.

[0061] The biasing piece 151S of the first rack portion 151 accumulates a restoring force as its tip is pressed against the second regulating surface 105B, and biases the first rack portion 151 forward. The biasing piece 151S presses the first regulated surface 151A against the first regulating surface 105A, thereby preventing the first rack portion 151 from rattling within the guide groove 105.

[0062] As the first rack portion 151 is guided by the guide groove 105, the first side guide 110 moves linearly in the width direction together with the first rack portion 151.

[0063] 7 and 9, the contact portion 115 is a small rectangular plate-like piece extending in the front-rear and up-down directions at a position spaced apart from the guide portion 111 on one side in the width direction. In other words, there is a gap between the contact portion 115 and the guide portion 111.

[0064] The upper end of the contact portion 115 is located slightly lower than the upper end of the guide portion 111. The lower end of the contact portion 115 is located close to the lower end 111D of the guide portion 111.

[0065] The contact portion 115 has a second contact surface 115T. The second contact surface 115T is the left surface of the contact portion 115 and is located on one side in the width direction relative to the first contact surface 111T. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the second contact surface 115T contacts the moving member 50 (described later) from the other side in the width direction.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the connection portion 116 has a connection plate portion 116C and connection ribs 116A and 116B.

[0067] The connecting plate 116C is a small rectangular plate extending in the front-rear and width directions. The left end of the connecting plate 116C is connected to the lower end 115D of the abutting portion 115. The right end of the connecting plate 116C is connected to the middle portion of the left side surface of the guide portion 111 in the front-rear direction.

[0068] The connecting ribs 116A and 116B are small pieces shaped like an inverted "L" when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The upper end of the connecting rib 116A is connected to the front end of the connecting plate portion 116C. The upper end of the connecting rib 116B is connected to the rear end of the connecting plate portion 116C. The right ends of the connecting ribs 116A and 116B are connected to the left side surface of the guide portion 111. The lower ends of the connecting ribs 116A and 116B extend to the left end of the slide portion 113.

[0069] That is, connecting portion 116 extends from the side of lower end 115D of abutting portion 115 toward the side of lower end 111D of guide portion 111 to connect abutting portion 115 and the left side surface of guide portion 111, and further extends to the left end of slide portion 113. As shown in Fig. 7, the cross-sectional shape of the portion where connecting portion 116 connects to the left side surface of guide portion 111 is an inverted "U" shape when viewed along the width direction.

[0070] The first reinforcing rib 117 and the second reinforcing rib 118 are small triangular pieces when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The first reinforcing rib 117 and the second reinforcing rib 118 are also spaced apart from the guide portion 111 on one side in the width direction, and there is a gap between them.

[0071] The first reinforcing rib 117 protrudes toward the other side in the width direction from the side edge located upstream in the feeding direction DF1 of the abutting portion 115, i.e., the front edge, and extends in the up-down direction. The lower end of the first reinforcing rib 117 is connected to the front end of the connecting plate portion 116C of the connecting portion 116.

[0072] The second reinforcing rib 118 protrudes toward the other side in the width direction from the side edge located downstream in the feeding direction DF1 of the contact portion 115, i.e., the rear edge, and extends in the vertical direction. The lower end side of the second reinforcing rib 118 is connected to the rear end of the connecting plate portion 116C of the connecting portion 116.

[0073] <Details of the second side guide> As shown in FIG. 3, in the second side guide 120, the guide portion 121 and the slide portion 123 are located near the right end of the sheet tray 100.

[0074] The guide portion 121 protrudes upward on the sheet tray 100 and extends in the feeding direction DF1. The slide portion 123 is connected to a lower end 121D of the guide portion 121 and extends toward one side in the width direction, and also extends in the feeding direction DF1.

[0075] 7, the guide portion 121 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. The guide portion 121 has a sheet contact surface 121T. The sheet contact surface 121T is located at the front end, the rear end, and the middle in the front-rear direction on the left side surface of the guide portion 121. The sheet contact surface 121T contacts the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 from the other side in the width direction, thereby allowing the guide portion 121 to guide the sheet SH.

[0076] The slide portion 123 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the front-rear and width directions, and supports the other edge side in the width direction of the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100 from below.

[0077] The second rack portion 152 is connected to the lower surface of the slide portion 123 at a central portion in the front-rear direction, and extends elongatedly toward one side in the width direction.

[0078] The second rack portion 152 has regulated surfaces 152A and 152B. The regulated surface 152A is a front end surface that extends in the width direction and is located upstream of the second rack portion 152 in the feeding direction DF1. The regulated surface 152B is a rear end surface that extends in the width direction and is located downstream of the second rack portion 152 in the feeding direction DF1.

[0079] The second rack portion 152 also has second rack teeth 152G and an urging piece 152S. The second rack teeth 152G have a plurality of gear teeth arranged in the width direction and located downstream of the second rack portion 152 in the feeding direction DF1. The urging piece 152S is located upstream of the second rack portion 152 in the feeding direction DF1 and protrudes in the width direction like a cantilever. The urging piece 151S stores a restoring force when its tip is pressed backward.

[0080] 3 and 10, the sheet tray 100 has a guide groove 106. The guide groove 106 is a groove that passes through the sheet tray 100 in the vertical direction and extends elongatedly in the width direction. The guide groove 106 accommodates the second rack portion 152 so that it can move linearly in the width direction.

[0081] Guide groove 106 has restriction surfaces 106A and 106B. Restriction surface 106A is an inner wall surface that extends in the width direction at the front of guide groove 106. Restriction surface 106B is an inner wall surface that extends in the width direction at the rear of guide groove 106.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 10, the regulating surface 106A comes into contact with the regulated surface 152A of the second rack portion 152, thereby regulating the second rack portion 152 from moving upstream, that is, forward, in the feeding direction DF1.

[0083] The regulating surface 106B comes into contact with the regulated surface 152B of the second rack portion 152, thereby regulating the second rack portion 152 from moving downstream in the feeding direction DF1, that is, backward.

[0084] The biasing piece 152S of the second rack portion 152 stores a restoring force when its tip is pressed against the regulating surface 106A, and biases the second rack portion 152 rearward. The biasing piece 152S presses the regulated surface 152B against the regulating surface 106B, thereby preventing the second rack portion 152 from rattling within the guide groove 106.

[0085] As the second rack portion 152 is guided by the guide groove 106, the second side guide 120 moves linearly in the width direction together with the second rack portion 152.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, the elastic deformation portion 129 is capable of elastic deformation independently of the guide portion 121 and the slide portion 123 due to two grooves formed on the front end side of the guide portion 121 and the slide portion 123.

[0087] A base 129A of the elastic deformation portion 129 is connected to the front end of the slide portion 123. As shown in Fig. 11, the elastic deformation portion 129 extends from the base 129A toward the other side in the width direction, then bends and extends upward, and then bends again and extends toward one side in the width direction so as not to interfere with the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100.

[0088] The tab 129P is connected to and protrudes upward from the tip of the elastically deforming portion 129. The locking claw 129Q is formed on the lower bent portion of the elastically deforming portion 129 and protrudes downward.

[0089] 3 and 11, a locking tooth row 100Q is formed at a position facing the locking claw 129Q on the upper surface of the sheet tray 100. The locking tooth row 100Q has a plurality of locking teeth aligned in the width direction.

[0090] When the knob 129P is not operated by the user, the locking claw 129Q is engaged with the locking tooth row 100Q, which prevents the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152 from moving in the width direction.

[0091] When the knob 129P is operated by the user and displaced to the left, the elastic deformation portion 129 is elastically deformed, the locking claw 129Q rises, and the engagement between the locking claw 129Q and the sheet tray 100 is released. This allows the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152 to move in the width direction.

[0092] <Details of the rack and pinion mechanism> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, in the rack-and-pinion mechanism 150, the pinion gear 153 is rotatably supported on the lower surface side of the sheet tray 100 between the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 in the width direction.

[0093] The first rack portion 151 is located rearward of the pinion gear 153. The first rack teeth 151G mesh with the pinion gear 153. The second rack portion 152 is located forward of the pinion gear 153. The second rack teeth 152G mesh with the pinion gear 153 on the side opposite to the first rack portion 151.

[0094] In this way, the rack and pinion mechanism 150 connects the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 together.

[0095] When the knob 129P is not operated by the user, the first side guide 110 and the first rack portion 151, like the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152, cannot move in the width direction.

[0096] When the knob 129P is operated by the user to release the engagement between the locking claw 129Q and the sheet tray 100, the first side guide 110 and the first rack portion 151 become movable in the width direction, similar to the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152.

[0097] When the user moves the second side guide 120 linearly in the width direction, the movement is transmitted to the first side guide 110 via the rack and pinion mechanism 150. As a result, the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 move closer to or farther apart in the width direction.

[0098] <Moving member, compression coil spring, and contact sensor> When controlling the image forming operation, etc., of the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit C1 makes adjustments according to the size of the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100. For example, sheets SH smaller than A4 size require a shorter time to pass through the conveying path P1 than sheets SH of A4 size. Therefore, when the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100 are smaller than A4 size, the control unit C1 makes adjustments to shorten the operating times of the developing cartridges 3C, the scanner unit 8, etc.

[0099] As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 12 to 17, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a moving member 50, a compression coil spring 59 and a contact sensor 70 so that the control unit C1 can accurately determine the size of the sheet SH placed on the sheet tray 100.

[0100] The compression coil spring 59 is an example of a "biasing spring" in the present invention. The contact sensor 70 is an example of a "sensor" in the present invention. In this embodiment, the control unit C1 determines whether the size of the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 is A4 size or a size smaller than A4 size.

[0101] 12 and 13, the moving member 50 is a resin member integrally having a guided portion 51, an intermediate portion 53, a sensor contact portion 57, and a regulated portion 55. In this embodiment, the moving member 50 is manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0102] The guided portion 51 has a generally rectangular columnar shape extending in the width direction, and includes a groove 51D and ribs 52A and 52B.

[0103] The groove 51D is recessed upward from the lower surface of the guided portion 51 and extends in the width direction. The groove 51D is open on one side in the width direction. The guided portion 51 accommodates a compression coil spring 59 in the groove 51D. The other end of the compression coil spring 59 in the width direction is engaged with the moving member 50 by abutting against the other inner wall surface of the groove 51D in the width direction. The compression coil spring 59 has a coil axis X59 extending in the width direction.

[0104] The rib 52A protrudes forward from the left portion of the front side surface of the guided portion 51 and extends in the width direction. The rib 52B protrudes forward from the left portion of the rear side surface of the guided portion 51 and extends in the width direction.

[0105] The guided portion 51 has a third contact surface 51T. The third contact surface 51T is a tip surface of the guided portion 51 facing right. In other words, the third contact surface 51T is located on the other side of the guided portion 51 in the width direction and is formed at the tip facing the first side guide 110. The third contact surface 51T intersects with the coil axis X59.

[0106] The intermediate portion 53 extends upward from the guided portion 51 and then extends upstream in the feeding direction DF1. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 53R are formed on the inside of the portion of the intermediate portion 53 that curves from upward to forward. The front end 53A of the intermediate portion 53 is located at a position where the plurality of reinforcing ribs 53R disappear.

[0107] The sensor contact portion 57 is connected to the front end 53A of the intermediate portion 53. The sensor contact portion 57 extends in the front-rear direction and the width direction in a flat plate shape.

[0108] The regulated portion 55 is connected to the front end of the sensor contact portion 57. The regulated portion 55 is a rib-shaped portion that protrudes slightly upward from the front end of the sensor contact portion 57 and extends in the width direction.

[0109] 13, the sensor contact portion 57 is located between the guided portion 51 and the regulated portion 55 when viewed in the width direction. The regulated portion 55 and the sensor contact portion 57 are located above the guided portion 51 and upstream in the feeding direction DF1.

[0110] The contact sensor 70 is a well-known microswitch. The contact sensor 70 has a sensor actuator 75 and a sensor main body 71. The sensor main body 71 supports the sensor actuator 75 so that the sensor actuator 75 can swing. The sensor actuator 75 protrudes upward in one width direction from the upper surface side of the sensor main body 71.

[0111] 4 to 6, the side frame 90 has a guide hole 95H. The guide hole 95H is a rectangular hole that passes through the side frame 90 in the width direction.

[0112] 5 and 6, the side frame 90 has a guide base 91 and restriction ribs 92A and 92B. The guide base 91 and the restriction ribs 92A and 92B are connected from one side in the width direction to a wall portion of the side frame 90 in which the guide hole 95H is formed.

[0113] The upper surface of the guide base 91 is flush with the inner wall surface below the guide hole 95H. A spring locking portion 91S is formed on the left end of the upper surface of the guide base 91 so as to protrude upward.

[0114] The restricting ribs 92A and 92B each extend in the front-rear and width directions at a position spaced upward from the upper surface of the guide base 91. The restricting rib 92A is located forward of the guide base 91. The restricting rib 92B is located rearward of the guide base 91. The rear end face of the restricting rib 92A is flush with the front inner wall surface of the guide hole 95H. The front end face of the restricting rib 92B is flush with the rear inner wall surface of the guide hole 95H.

[0115] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower surface of the guided portion 51 is guided by the upper surface of the guide base 91 and the lower inner wall surface of the guide hole 95H so as to be movable in the width direction.

[0116] 13, the front side surface of guided portion 51 is guided by the rear end surface of restricting rib 92A and the front inner wall surface of guide hole 95H so as to be movable in the width direction. The rear side surface of guided portion 51 is guided by the front end surface of restricting rib 92B and the rear inner wall surface of guide hole 95H so as to be movable in the width direction.

[0117] The ribs 52A and 52B of the guided portion 51 are restricted from moving upward by restricting ribs 92A and 92B.

[0118] In this way, the guided portion 51 is guided by the side frame 90 so as to move linearly in the width direction.

[0119] 14, one end in the width direction of the compression coil spring 59 is locked to a spring locking portion 91S. The compression coil spring 59 biases the moving member 50 toward the other side in the width direction.

[0120] 6, 13, and 15, a rib that is located above the regulated portion 55 of the side frame 90, protrudes to one side in the width direction, and extends in the front-to-rear direction has a regulating surface 93 formed on the lower surface thereof. The regulating surface 93 is a flat surface that faces downward and extends in the width direction.

[0121] The upper end surface of the regulated portion 55 abuts against the regulating surface 93 from below. The widthwise length of the regulating surface 93 is as large as the linear stroke of the movable member 50. The regulating portion 55 is restricted from moving upward by the regulating surface 93. The up-down direction is an example of a "first direction perpendicular to the widthwise direction" in the present invention. The upward direction is an example of "one of the first directions" in the present invention.

[0122] In this way, the side frame 90 supports the moving member 50 so as to be movable linearly in the width direction at a position spaced apart from the first side guide 110 on one side in the width direction, as shown in FIGS.

[0123] The third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 can come into contact with the second contact surface 115T of the first side guide 110. As shown in Fig. 10 , the third contact surface 51T comes into contact with the second contact surface 115T between the first regulating surface 105A and the second regulating surface 105B in the feeding direction DF1.

[0124] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when the first side guide 110 moves in one direction in the width direction to guide an A4-sized sheet SH, the third abutment surface 51T abuts against the second abutment surface 115T, causing the movable member 50 to move linearly in one direction in the width direction against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59.

[0125] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, when the first side guide 110 moves in the other width direction to guide a sheet SH smaller than A4 size, the movable member 50 moves linearly in the other width direction while maintaining the third abutment surface 51T in contact with the second abutment surface 115T due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59.

[0126] Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the middle portion 53 of the moving member 50 comes into contact with the upper edge of the guide hole 95H and stops, causing the third contact surface 51T to move away from the second contact surface 115T.

[0127] 5, 6, and 15, the side frame 90 has a sensor pedestal 97. The sensor pedestal 97 is located above the guide hole 95G and the guide pedestal 91 and upstream in the feeding direction DF1. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor pedestal 97 is located directly below the regulating surface 93.

[0128] As shown in Fig. 15, the contact sensor 70 is supported by the side frame 90 with the sensor main body 71 attached to the sensor base 97. A signal wiring 71W extends downward from the sensor main body 71. The signal wiring 71W is routed toward the control unit C1. As shown in Fig. 13, the sensor main body 71 is located above the guided portion 51 and upstream in the feeding direction DF1.

[0129] The sensor abutment portion 57 of the movable member 50 is positioned above and spaced apart from the sensor main body 71. As shown in Fig. 15, the sensor abutment portion 57 can abut against the sensor actuator 75. When the first side guide 110 moves in one direction in the width direction to guide the A4 size sheet SH, the sensor actuator 75 abuts against the sensor abutment portion 57 of the movable member 50, which moves together with the first side guide 110, and swings so as to fall downward in one direction in the width direction.

[0130] As shown in Figure 17, when the first side guide 110 moves to the other side in the width direction to guide a sheet SH smaller than A4 size, the sensor actuator 75 moves away from the sensor abutment portion 57 of the moving member 50 that moves together with the first side guide 110, thereby swinging back to its original position.

[0131] The sensor body 71 incorporates a switch circuit that switches between connection and disconnection in response to the swing of the sensor actuator 75. The contact sensor 70 outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal depending on the position of the moving member 50.

[0132] Specifically, the contact sensor 70 outputs an ON signal when the first side guide 110 is in a position to guide an A4-sized sheet SH, and the movable member 50 is in a position where it has moved linearly to one side in the width direction, as shown in Figure 15.

[0133] On the other hand, the contact sensor 70 outputs an OFF signal when the first side guide 110 is in a position to guide a sheet SH smaller than A4 size, as shown in Figure 17, and the movable member 50 is in a position where it has moved linearly in the other direction in the width direction.

[0134] The control unit C1 detects the position of the first side guide 110 in response to a signal from the contact sensor 70 transmitted via the signal wiring 71W.

[0135] Specifically, when the signal from the contact sensor 70 is an ON signal, the control unit C1 detects that the first side guide 110 is in a position to guide an A4-sized sheet SH, and determines that the size of the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 is A4 size.

[0136] On the other hand, when the signal from the contact sensor 70 is an OFF signal, the control unit C1 detects that the first side guide 110 is in a position to guide a sheet SH smaller than A4 size, and determines that the size of the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 is smaller than A4 size.

[0137] <Action and effect> 7 and 9, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the contact portion 115 is spaced apart from the guide portion 111. In other words, there is a gap between the contact portion 115 and the guide portion 111. As a result, even if a force acts from the third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 to push back against the second contact surface 115T of the contact portion 115 in the other direction in the width direction, causing the contact portion 115 to bend, as shown in FIG. 14, the force is unlikely to be transmitted from the contact portion 115 to the guide portion 111, and a situation in which the guide portion 111 is bent in the other direction in the width direction and the first contact surface 111T is pressed against the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 is unlikely to occur.

[0138] Therefore, even though the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment is configured to detect the position of the first side guide 110, the first side guide 110 is unlikely to exert resistance on the sheet SH being fed, and as a result, the sheet SH can be fed smoothly.

[0139] 3, in the image forming apparatus 1, the guide portion 111 protrudes upward above the sheet tray 100 and extends in the feeding direction DF1. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the first side guide 110 has a connection portion 116 that extends from the lower end 115D of the contact portion 115 toward the lower end 111D of the guide portion 111 and connects the contact portion 115 and the guide portion 111. With this configuration, even if a force acts from the third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 to push back against the second contact surface 115T of the contact portion 115 in the other direction in the width direction, the connection portion 116 transmits the force from the contact portion 115 to the lower end 111D of the guide portion 111, and therefore the force is less likely to be transmitted from the contact portion 115 to the guide portion 111. As a result, the situation in which the guide portion 111 is bent toward the other side in the width direction and the first contact surface 111T is pressed against the sheets SH on the sheet tray 100 is even less likely to occur.

[0140] 14, in the image forming apparatus 1, the contact portion 115 is spaced apart from the guide portion 111 on one side in the width direction. With this configuration, a gap is formed in the width direction between the contact portion 115 and the guide portion 111. This prevents the contact portion 115 from interfering with the guide portion 111 even if a force acts from the third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 to push back the second contact surface 115T of the contact portion 115 toward the other side in the width direction, causing the contact portion 115 to bend.

[0141] 7 and 9, the first side guide 110 has a first reinforcing rib 117 and a second reinforcing rib 118. The first reinforcing rib 117 and the second reinforcing rib 118 are also spaced apart from the guide portion 111 to one side in the width direction. The lower ends of the first reinforcing rib 117 and the second reinforcing rib 118 are connected to the connecting portion 116. With this configuration, even if a force acts from the third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 to push back against the second contact surface 115T of the contact portion 115 toward the other side in the width direction, the first reinforcing rib 117 and the second reinforcing rib 118 can reduce the amount of deflection of the contact portion 115. As a result, the movement of the moving member 50 can reliably follow the position of the first side guide 110, making it less likely that the signal output by the contact sensor 70 will vary depending on the position of the moving member 50. As a result, the control unit C1 can detect the position of the first side guide 110 with high accuracy in accordance with the signal from the contact sensor .

[0142] 7 and 9, the first side guide 110 in the image forming apparatus 1 has a slide portion 113. The connection portion 116 extends to the slide portion 113. With this configuration, even if a force acts from the third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 to push back the second contact surface 115T of the contact portion 115 in the other direction in the width direction, the connection portion 116 transmits the force from the contact portion 115 to the lower end 111D side of the guide portion 111 and to the slide portion 113, making it even more difficult for the force to be transmitted from the contact portion 115 to the guide portion 111.

[0143] 10 , the sheet tray 100 in the image forming apparatus 1 has a first restricting surface 105A that restricts the first rack portion 151 of the rack and pinion mechanism 150 from moving upstream in the feeding direction DF1, and a second restricting surface 105B that restricts the first rack portion 151 from moving downstream in the feeding direction DF1. The third contact surface 51T of the moving member 50 abuts against the second contact surface 111T of the first side guide 110 between the first restricting surface 105A and the second restricting surface 105B in the feeding direction DF1. This configuration can prevent the first side guide 110 and the first rack portion 151 from being easily twisted by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59 acting on the first side guide 110 via the moving member 50.

[0144] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 7, the rack-and-pinion mechanism 150 that moves the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 closer to and farther apart in the width direction has a pinion gear 153, a first rack portion 151, and a second rack portion 152. As shown in Fig. 11, the second side guide 120 has a locking claw 129Q that engages with the sheet tray 100, and a knob 129P that is operated and displaced to release the engagement between the locking claw 129Q and the sheet tray 100. When the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152 move in the other direction in the width direction with the locking claw 129Q and the sheet tray 100 disengaged, as shown in Fig. 18(a), the first rack portion 151 is pushed by the pinion gear 152 and moves in one direction in the width direction against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59. As a result, the first rack teeth 151 of the first rack portion 151 are maintained in contact with the pinion gear 152 from one side in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 18(b), when the second side guide 120 and the second rack portion 152 move in one side in the width direction, the first rack portion 151 moves toward the other side in the width direction so as to follow the pinion gear 152 due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59. As a result, the first rack teeth 151 of the first rack portion 151 are maintained in contact with the pinion gear 152 from one side in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 11, even when the locking claw 129Q of the second side guide 120 is engaged with the sheet tray 100, the first rack teeth 151 of the first rack portion 151 are maintained in contact with the pinion gear 152 from one side in the width direction. In other words, the backlash of the meshing of the first rack teeth 151G with the pinion gear 153 is formed so that the first side guide 110 and the first rack portion 151 can move in one direction in the width direction against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59. As a result, even when the sheets SH fed from the sheet tray 100 exert a force that presses the first side guide 110 in one direction in the width direction, the first side guide 110 can escape to one direction in the width direction by the amount of the backlash. At this time, the second side guide 120 connected to the first side guide 110 via the pinion gear 153 can also escape to the other direction in the width direction.As a result, the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 are less likely to exert resistance on the sheet SH being fed.

[0145] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0146] (Variation) The present invention also includes a modified configuration of first side guide 110 of image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19. In this modified configuration, notch 111C is provided in a portion of guide portion 111 that faces contact portion 115 in the width direction. In this case, even if contact portion 115 bends, the bending is less likely to be transmitted to first side guide 110, and it is easy to simplify the mold for injection molding first side guide 110.

[0147] In the embodiment, the sheet conveying device of the present invention is embodied as the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to an image reading device, or to a multifunction peripheral having an image reading device above an image forming apparatus.

[0148] In the embodiment, the first side guide 110 and the second side guide 120 move closer to and away from each other to position the sheet SH on the sheet tray 100 in the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which only the first side guide is provided on the sheet tray and the first side guide biases the sheet to one side to position the sheet in the width direction.

[0149] In the embodiment, the sensor is a contact sensor 70, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sensor may be a non-contact sensor such as a photointerrupter that detects the position of the moving member without contact, or an induction-type proximity sensor that outputs an ON or OFF signal, or a linear encoder that outputs the position of the moving member numerically.

[0150] In the embodiment, the first side guide 110 moves linearly in the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first side guide may move in the width direction while tracing a curved trajectory using a parallel link or the like.

[0151] In the embodiment, the moving member 50 moves linearly in the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the moving member may swing around a swing axis that intersects with the width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1...sheet conveying device (image forming apparatus), DF1...feeding direction SH...Sheet, 100...Sheet tray 110...first side guide, 50...moving member 70...sensor (contact sensor), C1...control unit 111T...first contact surface, 111...guide portion 115T...Second contact surface, 115...Contact part 115D...Lower end of contact portion, 111D...Lower end of guide portion 116...connecting portion, 117...first reinforcing rib, 118...second reinforcing rib 113...Slide section, 90...Frame (side frame) 59... Urging spring (compression coil spring), 120... Second side guide 150...Rack and pinion mechanism, 153...Pinion gear 151G...First rack tooth, 151...First rack part 152G...Second rack tooth, 152...Second rack part 105A...first restriction surface, 105B...second restriction surface 129Q...locking claw, 129P...knob

Claims

1. a sheet tray on which sheets to be fed in a feeding direction are placed; a first side guide that moves in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction to position the sheets on the sheet tray in the width direction; a moving member that moves by coming into contact with the first side guide; a sensor that outputs a signal according to the position of the moving member; a control unit that detects the position of the first side guide in response to the signal from the sensor; Equipped with The first side guide is a guide portion having a first contact surface that contacts the sheet on the sheet tray from one side in the width direction and guides the sheet; a contact portion having a second contact surface located on one side in the width direction relative to the first contact surface and contacting the moving member from the other side in the width direction, the contact portion being spaced apart from the guide portion; A sheet conveying device comprising:

2. the guide portion protrudes upward on the sheet tray and extends in the feeding direction, 2. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first side guide has a connecting portion that extends from a lower end side of the contact portion toward a lower end side of the guide portion and connects the contact portion and the guide portion.

3. 3. The sheet transport device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion is spaced apart from the guide portion to one side in the width direction.

4. the first side guide has a first reinforcing rib that protrudes from a side edge of the contact portion that is located upstream in the feeding direction toward the other side in the width direction and extends in the up-down direction, and a second reinforcing rib that protrudes from a side edge of the contact portion that is located downstream in the feeding direction toward the other side in the width direction and extends in the up-down direction, The first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib are also spaced apart from the guide portion to one side in the width direction, 4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3, wherein a lower end of the first reinforcing rib and a lower end of the second reinforcing rib are connected to the connecting portion.

5. the first side guide has a slide portion that is connected to the lower end side of the guide portion, extends toward the other side in the width direction, and extends in the feeding direction, and supports the sheets on the sheet tray from below; 5. The sheet transport device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion extends to the slide portion.

6. a frame that supports the moving member so as to be linearly movable in the width direction at a position spaced apart from the first side guide in the width direction; a biasing spring that biases the moving member toward the other side in the width direction; a second side guide positioned on the other side in the width direction relative to the sheets on the sheet tray; a rack and pinion mechanism that moves the first side guide and the second side guide closer to and apart from each other in the width direction, the rack and pinion mechanism including: a pinion gear rotatably supported on the sheet tray between the first side guide and the second side guide in the width direction; a first rack portion having a plurality of gear teeth aligned in the width direction and having first rack teeth that mesh with the pinion gear, and moving in the width direction integrally with the first side guide; and a second rack portion having a plurality of gear teeth aligned in the width direction and having second rack teeth that mesh with the pinion gear on the opposite side to the first rack portion, and moving in the width direction integrally with the second side guide; Equipped with the sheet tray has a first regulating surface that regulates the first rack portion from moving upstream in the feeding direction, and a second regulating surface that regulates the first rack portion from moving downstream in the feeding direction, 5. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the moving member abuts against the second abutment surface between the first regulating surface and the second regulating surface in the sheet feeding direction.

7. a frame that supports the moving member so as to be linearly movable in the width direction at a position spaced apart from the first side guide in the width direction; a biasing spring that biases the moving member toward the other side in the width direction; a second side guide positioned on the other side in the width direction relative to the sheets on the sheet tray; a rack and pinion mechanism that moves the first side guide and the second side guide closer to and apart from each other in the width direction, the rack and pinion mechanism including: a pinion gear rotatably supported on the sheet tray between the first side guide and the second side guide in the width direction; a first rack portion having a plurality of gear teeth aligned in the width direction and having first rack teeth that mesh with the pinion gear, and moving in the width direction integrally with the first side guide; and a second rack portion having a plurality of gear teeth aligned in the width direction and having second rack teeth that mesh with the pinion gear on the opposite side to the first rack portion, and moving in the width direction integrally with the second side guide; Equipped with 5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second side guide has a locking claw that engages with the sheet tray, and a knob that is operated and displaced to release the engagement between the locking claw and the sheet tray.

Images