Medium conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To inhibit a transmission member from moving relative to one roller in an intersection direction intersecting with a biasing direction of a biasing member and an axial direction of the one roller, compared to a case where the transmission member contacts with the one roller only from the biasing direction.SOLUTION: A medium conveying device includes: one roller; the other roller; a biasing member which is disposed on a side opposite to the other roller with the one roller interposed between the other roller and the biasing member and biases the one roller toward the other roller; a transmission member that is disposed between the biasing member and the one roller and restricted by the one roller from moving relative to the one roller in an intersecting direction intersecting with a biasing direction of the biasing member and an axial direction of the one roller and transmits a biasing force of the biasing member to the one roller; and an adjustment member that adjusts the biasing force applied by the biasing member to the one roller by moving the transmission member close to or away from the one roller in the biasing direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The recording medium supplying device described in Patent Document 1 is a recording medium supplying device in which a pressing member arranged at one end of a first pivoting arm is pressed against the top surface of sheet-like recording media loaded in a stacked state on a recording medium loading section, and a first biasing means that applies a pressing force to the pressing member by biasing the first pivoting arm in the rotational direction is arranged to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the first pivoting arm, making it possible to change the pressing force of the pressing member by moving the first biasing means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-148379 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, in order to adjust the force that clamps the recording medium, a biasing member that biases one roll toward another roll, a transmission member that is positioned between the biasing member and the one roll and transmits the biasing force of the biasing member to the one roll, and an adjustment member that adjusts the degree to which the biasing force is transmitted by the transmission member are provided.

[0005] Specifically, the transmission member is arranged to contact the one roll only in the biasing direction of the biasing member, and in this configuration, the transmission member may move relative to the one roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction and the axial direction of the one roll.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to prevent the transmission member from moving relative to one roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction and the axial direction of the one roll, compared to when the transmission member is in contact with the one roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A media transport device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a rotatably supported first roll and another roll that transports a recording medium sandwiched between the first roll and the other roll; a biasing member that is arranged on the opposite side of the first roll and biases the first roll toward the other roll; a transmission member that is arranged between the biasing member and the first roll and is restricted by the first roll in its movement relative to the first roll in a direction that intersects with the biasing direction of the biasing member and the axial direction of the first roll, and transmits the biasing force of the biasing member to the one roll; and an adjustment member that adjusts the biasing force applied to the one roll by the biasing member by moving the transmission member closer to or away from the one roll in the biasing direction.

[0008] A medium conveying device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the medium conveying device described in the first aspect, the transmission member is formed with a pair of clamping surfaces that clamp the one roll from the intersecting direction.

[0009] A medium conveying device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the medium conveying device described in the second aspect, the transmission member has a U-shaped groove having a pair of clamping surfaces and an open U-shaped U-shaped groove in the force direction.

[0010] A medium conveying device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the medium conveying device described in the first aspect, the transmission member has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the adjustment member has a pressing portion formed thereon that moves in the axial direction relative to the transmission member to press the inclined surface and separate the transmission member from the one roll.

[0011] A media conveying device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the media conveying device described in the fourth aspect, the adjustment member is formed with another inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the transmission member is formed with another pressing portion that presses the other inclined surface and separates the transmission member from the one roll when the adjustment member moves.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a medium conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed by the medium conveying device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The medium conveying device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure can prevent the transmission member from moving relative to the one roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction and the axial direction of the one roll, compared to when the transmission member is in contact with the one roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member.

[0014] The medium conveying device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure can easily suppress the movement of the transmission member, compared to a case in which the movement of the transmission member is suppressed by contacting the tip of a protrusion formed on the transmission member with a roll.

[0015] In the medium transport device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the transmission member can be more easily assembled to one of the rollers than in a case where the slot has a pair of sandwiching surfaces.

[0016] The medium conveying device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure can reduce the load generated in the transverse direction on one roll when the transmission member is moved, compared to when the adjustment member moves in the transverse direction and the pressing portion presses the inclined surface.

[0017] The medium conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure can stabilize the posture of the moving transmission member compared to when an inclined surface is formed on only one of the adjustment member or the transmission member.

[0018] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure can suppress variation in the biasing force of the biasing member against one roll compared to an image forming apparatus equipped with a medium conveying device in which the transmission member contacts one roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming unit provided in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a medium conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged front view showing a medium conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are operational diagrams used to explain the operation of the medium conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are operational diagrams used to explain the operation of the medium conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view showing a medium conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are operational diagrams used to explain the operation of a medium conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are operational diagrams used to explain the operation of a medium conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] First Embodiment An example of a medium conveying device and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the up-down direction, arrow W is perpendicular to arrow H and indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the width direction, and arrow D is perpendicular to arrows H and W and indicates the horizontal direction, i.e., the depth direction.

[0021] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus 10) 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper storage unit 12, a main operation unit 14, a document reading unit 16, and a display unit 40, which are arranged in this order from bottom to top in the vertical direction. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a transport unit 18 that transports a sheet member P as a recording medium, and a management unit 20 that manages the operation of each unit.

[0022] The paper storage section 12 stores sheet material P, the main operating section 14 forms an image on the sheet material P transported from the paper storage section 12, the document reading section 16 reads the image of the document, and the display section 40 displays a screen on which the user can exchange information with the image forming device 10.

[0023] [Paper storage section 12] 1, the paper storage section 12 includes a first storage section 22, a second storage section 24, a third storage section 26, and a fourth storage section 28 that can store sheet materials P of different sizes. Furthermore, the first storage section 22, the second storage section 24, the third storage section 26, and the fourth storage section 28 each include a feed roll 32 that feeds out the stored sheet materials P one by one, and a double-feed prevention roll 34 that transports the fed sheet materials P one by one to a transport path 30 within the image forming apparatus 10.

[0024] [Transport unit 18] 1, the transport section 18 includes a plurality of transport rolls 36 that receive the sheet materials P from the double-feed prevention rolls 34 and transport them one by one along the transport path 30. The transport section 18 also includes alignment rolls 38 that are arranged upstream of a transfer position T (described later) in the transport direction of the sheet materials P (hereinafter simply referred to as the "sheet transport direction"), temporarily stop the sheet materials P, and send the sheet materials P to a secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing. The transport section 18 also includes a medium transport device 100 that receives the sheet materials P from the transport rolls 36 and passes the sheet materials P to the alignment rolls 38.

[0025] The upstream portion of the conveying path 30 in the sheet conveying direction extends from below to above on one side in the width direction. Furthermore, the downstream portion of the conveying path 30 in the sheet conveying direction extends from one side to the other in the width direction and is connected to a discharge section 80 where the sheet material P is discharged to the outside of the device main body 10a. The medium conveying device 100 described above is disposed at the end of a change section in the conveying path 30 where the conveying direction of the sheet material P changes. The medium conveying device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0026] Furthermore, a double-sided conveying path 31 along which the sheet material P is conveyed and turned over in order to form an image on the back side of the sheet material P is connected to the downstream end of the conveying path 30 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0027] The double-sided conveying path 31 has a switchback path 31a, and the sheet material P sent out from the switchback path 31a is inverted and sent to the upper end of the upstream part of the conveying path 30 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0028] A manual feed path 33 is connected to the upper end of the upstream portion of the conveying path 30 in the sheet conveying direction, along which the sheet material P supplied from a manual feed unit 82 outside the apparatus main body 10a is conveyed.

[0029] [Main operating section 14] As shown in FIG. 1, the main operating section 14 includes an image forming section 60 that forms a toner image, a transfer unit 68 that transfers the toner image onto a sheet material P, and a fixing device 58 that fixes the toner image formed on the sheet material P onto the sheet material P.

[0030] -Image forming unit 60- The image forming section 60 includes image forming units 64K, 64C, 64M, and 64Y that form toner images of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, the suffixes YMCK may be omitted unless a distinction is made.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 64 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 62 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, a charger 42 that charges the photosensitive drum 62, a developer 44 that develops an electrostatic latent image (described later) and visualizes it as a toner image, and a cleaning member 46.

[0032] The image forming section 60 also includes exposure devices 66K, 66C, 66M, and 66Y (see FIG. 1) that irradiate the photosensitive drum 62, which has been charged by the charger , with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0033] In this configuration, the charger 42 charges the rotating photosensitive drum 62, and the exposure device 66 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 62 with exposure light. The developer 44 then develops the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image.

[0034] -Transfer unit 68- 1, the transfer unit 68 includes an endless transfer belt 48, a primary transfer roll 50 that transfers a toner image from the photosensitive drum 62 (see FIG. 2) onto the transfer belt 48, and a secondary transfer roll 52 that transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 48 onto a sheet member P. The transfer unit 68 further includes an auxiliary roll 54 that is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer belt 48 from the secondary transfer roll 52, and a plurality of rolls 56 around which the transfer belt 48 is wound.

[0035] The transfer belt 48 has a triangular shape with its apex pointing downward when viewed from the depth direction, and the photosensitive drum 62 and the primary transfer roll 50 sandwich the transfer belt 48 at the base of the triangle. The secondary transfer roll 52 and the auxiliary roll 54 also sandwich the transfer belt 48 at the apex of the triangle.

[0036] Furthermore, one of the rolls 56 functions as a drive roll that rotates the transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow C in the figure.

[0037] (Action of image forming device) In the image forming apparatus 10, an image is formed as follows.

[0038] First, the charger 42 for each color shown in Fig. 2 uniformly negatively charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 62 for each color to a predetermined potential. Next, based on the image data read by the document reading unit 16 (see Fig. 1), the exposure device 66 for each color (see Fig. 1) irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 62 for each color with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0039] As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 62 for each color. The developing device 44 for each color then develops this electrostatic latent image, making it visible as a toner image. The toner images formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 62 for each color are then transferred in order to the transfer belt 48 by the primary transfer roll 50.

[0040] 1 to the conveying path 30 by the delivery roll 32, the sheet material P is sent to the transfer position T where the transfer belt 48 and the secondary transfer roll 52 come into contact with each other. At the transfer position T, the sheet material P is conveyed between the transfer belt 48 and the secondary transfer roll 52, so that the toner image on the transfer belt 48 is transferred to the sheet material P.

[0041] Furthermore, the fixing device 58 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet material P onto the sheet material P. Then, the sheet material P onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to a discharge section 80 outside the apparatus main body 10a.

[0042] (Main part configuration) Next, the medium conveying device 100 will be described.

[0043] 1, the medium conveying device 100 is disposed at the end of a change portion where the conveying direction of the sheet material P changes in the conveying path 30. In other words, when viewed from the depth direction, the medium conveying device 100 is disposed at a portion that connects the portion where the conveying path 30 curves and the portion where the conveying path 30 extends in the width direction. As a result, when conveying thick paper and plain paper as the recording medium, the medium conveying device 100 needs to apply a strong clamping force to the recording medium, and is disposed at a portion where conveying thin paper with the same clamping force as thick paper and plain paper would cause wrinkles and roll marks in the thin paper.

[0044] The medium conveying device 100 is detachable in the depth direction from the device body 10a of the image forming device 10. Specifically, by opening an opening / closing cover (not shown) provided on the image forming device 10, the user can pull out the medium conveying device 100 attached to the device body 10a toward the front in the depth direction, thereby detaching the medium conveying device 100 from the device body 10a.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a state in which the medium conveying device 100 is detached from the device main body 10a. As shown in Fig. 3, the medium conveying device 100 includes a pair of rolls 110 and 120 aligned in the vertical direction, a biasing member 130 that biases the roll 110 toward the roll 120, and a transmission member 140 that transmits the biasing force of the biasing member 130 to the roll 110. Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 includes an adjustment member 150 that adjusts the biasing force of the biasing member 130 transmitted to the roll 110 by the transmission member 140 by moving the transmission member 140 closer to or farther away from the roll 110 in the vertical direction (biasing direction).

[0046] The biasing member 130, the transmission member 140, and the adjustment member 150 are each provided in pairs and are arranged symmetrically in the depth direction with respect to the center of the medium conveying device 100. Note that the following explanation will mainly focus on the biasing member 130, the transmission member 140, and the adjustment member 150 that are arranged on the far side in the depth direction.

[0047] [Roll 110, Roll 120] 3, the rolls 110 and 120 are aligned vertically, with the roll 110 being disposed above the roll 120. The medium transport device 100 transports the recording medium sandwiched between the rolls 110 and 120. The roll 110 is an example of one roll, and the roll 120 is an example of the other roll.

[0048] -Roll 110- The roll 110 has an axial direction as the depth direction, and includes a shaft portion 110a extending in the depth direction, and a plurality of cylindrical roll portions 110b made of an elastic material or a resin material attached to the shaft portion 110a. In this embodiment, as an example, four roll portions 110b are provided and attached to the shaft portion 110a at intervals in the depth direction. The roll 110 is supported by a support member (not shown) so as to be movable in the vertical direction and rotatable about its axis. In this way, the roll 110 functions as a driven roll.

[0049] -120 rolls- The roll 120 has an axial direction as the depth direction, and includes a shaft portion 120a extending in the depth direction, and a plurality of cylindrical roll portions 120b made of an elastic material or a resin material attached to the shaft portion 120a. In this embodiment, as an example, four roll portions 120b are provided and attached to the shaft portion 120a at intervals in the depth direction.

[0050] The length of the shaft 120a of the roll 120 is shorter than the length of the shaft 110a of the roll 110. In other words, both end portions of the shaft 110a of the roll 110 protrude in the depth direction from both end portions of the shaft 120a of the roll 120. The roll 120 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a driving source (not shown). In this way, the roll 120 functions as a driving roll.

[0051] [Using member 130, transmission member 140] As shown in FIG. 3, the biasing member 130 and the transmission member 140 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, with the biasing member 130 being arranged above the transmission member 140.

[0052] The biasing member 130 is a compression coil spring arranged to extend in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the biasing member 130 is supported by a support member (not shown). In this way, the biasing direction of the biasing member 130 against the roll 110 is the vertical direction.

[0053] The transmission member 140 is made of a resin material and is disposed between the shaft portion 110a of the roll 110 and the biasing member 130. Furthermore, the transmission member 140 has a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the depth direction, and has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0054] 4, the transmitting member 140 has a contact surface 140a that contacts the lower end of the biasing member 130 and faces upward, and a U-shaped groove 140b that is U-shaped with an open bottom when viewed from the depth direction and into which the shaft portion 110a is inserted. The U-shaped groove 140b has a pair of clamping surfaces 142 that clamp the shaft portion 110a from the width direction. The width direction is an example of the cross direction.

[0055] In this way, by inserting the shaft portion 110a into the U-shaped groove 140b, the movement of the transmission member 140 relative to the roll 110 is restricted by the roll 110 in the intersecting direction (width direction) that intersects with the biasing direction (up and down direction) and axial direction (depth direction) of the biasing member 130.

[0056] 5, the transmitting member 140 is formed with an inclined surface 140c that is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction, a downward surface 140d that is connected to the upper end of the inclined surface 140c and faces downward, and a downward surface 140e that is connected to the lower end of the inclined surface 140c and faces downward. The inclined surface 140c faces outward in the depth direction and is inclined with respect to the depth direction so that the inner portion in the depth direction is lower than the outer portion. The transmitting member 140 is also formed with a depth surface 140f that is disposed between the contact surface 140a and the downward surface 140d and faces the back side in the depth direction.

[0057] Furthermore, the inward movement of the transmission member 140 in the depth direction and the rotation of the shaft portion 110a in the circumferential direction are restricted by a restricting member (not shown).

[0058] Here, the outer side in the depth direction refers to the side facing the opposite side from the center of the depth direction of the medium conveying device 100, and the inner side in the depth direction refers to the side facing the center of the depth direction of the medium conveying device 100.

[0059] [Adjustment member 150] 3 and 4, the adjustment member 150 is formed of a resin material and is disposed on the outer side in the depth direction relative to the transmission member 140. When viewed from the depth direction, the adjustment member 150 has a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction, and when viewed from the vertical direction, the adjustment member 150 has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, multiple protrusions 152 that protrude downward are formed at the four corners of the adjustment member 150. These protrusions 152 come into contact with an upward-facing guide surface 102 that is provided on the medium conveying device 100, thereby supporting the adjustment member 150 on the guide surface 102. In addition, the guide surface 102 is formed with a guide shape (not shown) that guides the movement of the adjustment member 150 in the depth direction. The depth direction is an example of the axial direction.

[0061] Furthermore, the adjustment member 150 is formed with a slot-shaped through-hole 150a into which the shaft portion 110a is inserted and which extends in the vertical direction, and a protrusion 154 which protrudes upward in the vertical direction relative to the contact surface 140a of the transmission member 140. Furthermore, the protrusion 154 of the adjustment member 150 is formed with a depth surface 150b which faces inward in the depth direction.

[0062] 5, the adjustment member 150 is formed with an inclined surface 150c that is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction, an upward surface 150d that is connected to the upper end of the inclined surface 150c and faces upward, and an upward surface 150e that is connected to the lower end of the inclined surface 150c and faces upward. The inclined surface 150c is an example of another inclined surface.

[0063] The inclined surface 150c faces inward in the depth direction and is inclined relative to the depth direction so that the inner portion in the depth direction is lower than the outer portion.

[0064] In this configuration, when the adjustment member 150 is disposed at a first position spaced apart from the transmission member 140 in the depth direction (see FIG. 5), the shaft portion 110a contacts the bottom of the U-shaped groove 140b of the transmission member 140, and the biasing force of the biasing member 130 is transmitted to the roll 110. In this state, the upward surface 150e of the adjustment member 150 and the downward surface 140d of the transmission member 140 face each other in the vertical direction. The vertical clearance between the adjustment member 150 disposed at the first position and the transmission member 140 is the distance between the upward surface 150e and the downward surface 140d, and is set to clearance L1 in this embodiment.

[0065] Then, when the user moves adjustment member 150 arranged in the first position inward in the depth direction, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, tip portion 150f of upward surface 150e of adjustment member 150 comes into contact with inclined surface 140c of transmission member 140. Furthermore, inclined surface 150c of adjustment member 150 comes into contact with tip portion 140g of downward surface 140d of transmission member 140. Tip portion 150f is an example of a pressing portion, and tip portion 140g is an example of another pressing portion.

[0066] 6 and 7, when the user moves adjustment member 150 inward in the depth direction, tip end 150f presses inclined surface 140c, and tip end 140g presses inclined surface 150c, causing transmission member 140 to move upward away from shaft portion 110a of roll 110. This places adjustment member 150 in the second position, and the biasing force applied to roll 110 by biasing member 130 is not transmitted to roll 110.

[0067] Furthermore, with adjustment member 150 disposed in the second position, inclined surface 150c of adjustment member 150 and inclined surface 140c of transmission member 140 are in surface contact, and upward surface 150e of adjustment member 150 and downward surface 140e of transmission member 140 are in surface contact. Furthermore, upward surface 150d of adjustment member 150 and downward surface 140d of transmission member 140 are in surface contact, and depth surface 150b of adjustment member 150 and depth surface 140f of transmission member 140 are in surface contact.

[0068] (action) Next, the operation of the medium transport device 100 will be described.

[0069] When the medium conveying device 100 conveys cardboard or plain paper as the recording medium, the pair of adjustment members 150 arranged on both sides in the depth direction are positioned in the first position, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. This causes the biasing force of the biasing member 130 to be transmitted to the roll 110 by the transmission member 140, increasing the force that clamps the recording medium between the roll 110 and the roll 120. In this state, the medium conveying device 100 conveys cardboard or plain paper as the recording medium.

[0070] On the other hand, when the medium conveying device 100 conveys thin paper as the recording medium, the medium conveying device 100 attached to the device main body 10a (see Figure 1) is pulled out toward the front in the depth direction by the user and detached from the device main body 10a.

[0071] Then, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the adjustment member 150, which is disposed in the first position, is moved inward in the depth direction by the user to the second position. With the adjustment member 150 disposed in the second position, the transmission member 140 moves upward away from the shaft portion 100a of the roll 110. As a result, the biasing force of the biasing member 130 is not transmitted to the roll 110. Therefore, the force that sandwiches the recording medium between the rolls 110 and 120 is weaker than when thick paper and plain paper are transported. In this state, the medium transport device 100 transports thin paper as the recording medium.

[0072] In this way, when transporting thick paper or plain paper as the recording medium, the medium transport device 100 applies a stronger clamping force to the recording medium, and when transporting thin paper as the recording medium, it applies a weaker clamping force to the recording medium than when transporting thick paper or plain paper, thereby preventing wrinkles and roll marks from occurring in the thin paper.

[0073] (summary) As described above, in the medium conveying device 100, the transmission member 140 is formed with a pair of clamping surfaces 142 that clamp the shaft portion 110a from the width direction. This prevents the transmission member 140 from moving relative to the roll 110 in the intersecting direction (width direction) that intersects with the biasing direction (vertical direction) and the axial direction (depth direction) of the roll 110, compared to when the transmission member is in contact with the roll only from the biasing direction (vertical direction) of the biasing member.

[0074] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, a pair of clamping surfaces 142 that clamp the shaft portion 110a from the width direction are formed on the transmission member 140. This makes it easier to suppress the movement of the transmission member 140 compared to when the movement of the transmission member is suppressed by abutting the tip of a protrusion formed on the transmission member against a roll.

[0075] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, the pair of clamping surfaces 142 are open downward and form part of the U-shaped groove 140b. This makes it easier to assemble the transmission member 140 to the roll 110 compared to when the elongated hole has a pair of clamping surfaces.

[0076] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, by moving the adjustment member 150 inward in the depth direction (axial direction), the tip 150f of the adjustment member 150 presses the inclined surface 140c of the transmission member 140, causing the transmission member 140 to move upward. Therefore, by moving the transmission member in the width direction (cross direction), the load applied to the roll 110 in the width direction when the transmission member 140 is moved upward is reduced compared to when the tip presses the inclined surface.

[0077] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, by moving the adjustment member 150 inward in the depth direction (axial direction), the tip 150f of the adjustment member 150 presses the inclined surface 140c of the transmission member 140, and the tip 140g of the transmission member 140 presses the inclined surface 150c of the adjustment member 150, causing the transmission member 140 to move upward. This stabilizes the posture of the moving transmission member 140 compared to when an inclined surface is formed on only one of the adjustment member or the transmission member.

[0078] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10, the transmission member 140 is prevented from moving relative to the roll 110, thereby reducing variation in the biasing force of the biasing member 130 against the roll 110, compared to when the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a medium conveying device in which the transmission member contacts the roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member.

[0079] Second Embodiment Next, an example of a medium transport device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Note that, with regard to the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0080] 8, the medium conveying device 200 according to the second embodiment includes a pair of rolls 110 and 120, a biasing member 130 that biases the roll 110 toward the roll 120, and a transmission member 240 that transmits the biasing force of the biasing member 130 to the roll 110. Furthermore, the medium conveying device 200 includes an adjustment member 250 that adjusts the biasing force transmitted to the roll 110 by the transmission member 240.

[0081] [Transmission member 240] 8, transmitting member 240 is formed with inclined surface 240c that is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction, and downward surface 240d that is connected to tip end portion 140g. Furthermore, transmitting member 240 is formed with connecting surface 240h that has one end connected to the upper end of inclined surface 240c and the other end connected to downward surface 240d.

[0082] The connecting surface 240h has a larger inclination angle with respect to the depth direction than the inclined surface 240c. Furthermore, when the adjustment member 250 is moved inward in the depth direction from the first position shown in Fig. 8, the tip 150f of the adjustment member 250 comes into contact with and presses the upper end portion of the inclined surface 240c.

[0083] [Adjustment member 250] 8, adjustment member 250 is formed with an inclined surface 250c that is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction, and an upward surface 250e that is connected to tip end 150f. Adjustment member 250 also is formed with a connection surface 250h that has one end connected to the lower end of inclined surface 250c and the other end connected to upward surface 250e.

[0084] The connecting surface 250h has a larger inclination angle with respect to the depth direction than the inclined surface 250c. Furthermore, when the adjustment member 250 in the first position shown in Fig. 8 is moved inward in the depth direction, the tip end 140g of the transmission member 240 comes into contact with and presses the lower end portion of the inclined surface 250c.

[0085] In this way, the transmission member 240 has a connection surface 240h with a larger inclination angle than the inclined surface 240c, and the adjustment member 250 has a connection surface 250h with a larger inclination angle than the inclined surface 250c. This allows the adjustment member 250 to be positioned inside the adjustment member 150 according to the first embodiment in the depth direction, while ensuring clearance L1 in the vertical direction between the adjustment member 250 positioned at the first position and the transmission member 240. In other words, the movement amount (stroke amount) of the adjustment member 250 from the first position to the second position can be shortened by the distance L2 shown in FIG. 8 compared to the movement amount of the adjustment member 150 from the first position to the second position.

[0086] (action) Next, the operation of the medium transport device 200 will be described.

[0087] When medium conveying device 200 conveys cardboard or plain paper as the recording medium, the pair of adjustment members 250 arranged on both sides in the depth direction are positioned in the first position, as shown in Fig. 8. As a result, the biasing force of biasing member 130 is transmitted to roll 110 by transmission member 240, and the force that sandwiches the recording medium between roll 110 and roll 120 becomes stronger. In this state, medium conveying device 200 conveys cardboard or plain paper as the recording medium.

[0088] On the other hand, when the medium conveying device 200 conveys thin paper as the recording medium, the medium conveying device 200 attached to the device main body 10a (see FIG. 1) is pulled out toward the front in the depth direction by the user and removed from the device main body 10a.

[0089] 8 and 9, when the user moves adjustment member 250 arranged at the first position inward in the depth direction, tip end 150f of adjustment member 250 comes into contact with the upper end portion of inclined surface 240c of transmission member 240. Also, the lower end portion of inclined surface 250c of adjustment member 250 comes into contact with tip end 140g of transmission member 240.

[0090] 9 and 10, when the user moves adjustment member 250 inward in the depth direction, tip end 150f presses inclined surface 240c, and tip end 140g presses inclined surface 250c, causing transmission member 240 to move upward away from shaft portion 110a of roll 110. This places adjustment member 250 in the second position, and the biasing force of biasing member 130 is not transmitted to roll 110.

[0091] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the medium conveying devices 100 and 200 are used in the image forming device 10, but they may also be used in a pre-processing device of an image forming device, a post-processing device of an image forming device, a ticket vending machine that conveys and sells tickets, an ATM that conveys and dispenses banknotes, etc.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rolls 110 and 120 are arranged vertically, but they may be arranged in a direction other than vertically.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adjustment members 150, 250 are moved, but it is sufficient that the adjustment members 150, 250 and the transmission members 140, 240 move relatively in the depth direction.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the transmission members 140, 240 and the shaft portion 110a of the roll 110 are spaced apart when the adjustment members 150, 250 are moved to the second position, but they do not have to be spaced apart. It is sufficient if the degree of transmission of the biasing force by the transmission members 140, 240 is adjusted by the adjustment members 150, 250.

[0095] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the user may move the adjustment members 150, 250 by displaying the paper type of the recording medium used on the display unit 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0096] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, a biasing member may be provided separately from biasing member 130 in order to ensure a minimum clamping force for clamping the recording medium between roll 110 and roll 120.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the transmission members 140, 240 are formed with the U-shaped groove 140b having a pair of clamping surfaces 142 and an open U-shaped groove 140b at the bottom, but a vertically extending slot may have a pair of clamping surfaces. In this case, the effect achieved by forming the U-shaped groove 140b is not achieved.

[0098] In addition, in the above embodiment, inclined surfaces are formed on both the transmission members 140, 240 and the adjustment members 150, 250, but an inclined surface may be formed on either one of them. In this case, the effect achieved by forming inclined surfaces on both sides is not achieved.

[0099] In addition, in the above embodiment, the adjustment members 150, 250 move in the depth direction (axial direction), but they may also move in the width direction, for example. In this case, the effect achieved by moving in the depth direction (axial direction) will not be achieved.

[0100] (((1))) A rotatably supported roll; another roll that sandwiches and transports a recording medium between the first roll and the other roll; a biasing member disposed on the opposite side of the one roll from the other roll, the biasing member biasing the one roll toward the other roll; a transmission member that is disposed between the biasing member and the first roll, the transmission member being restricted by the first roll in its movement relative to the first roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction of the biasing member and the axial direction of the first roll, and that transmits the biasing force of the biasing member to the first roll; an adjustment member that adjusts the biasing force applied to the one roll by the biasing member by moving the transmission member closer to or farther away from the one roll in the biasing direction; A medium transport device comprising:

[0101] (((2))) The transmission member is formed with a pair of clamping surfaces that clamp the one roll from the cross direction. The medium transport device according to (((1))).

[0102] (((3))) The transmission member has a pair of clamping surfaces and a U-shaped groove that is open in the biasing direction. The medium transport device according to (((2))).

[0103] (((4))) The transmission member has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, The adjustment member is formed with a pressing portion that moves in the axial direction relative to the transmission member to press the inclined surface and separate the transmission member from the one roll. A medium transport device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0104] (((5))) The adjustment member has another inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. The transmission member is formed with another pressing portion that presses the other inclined surface to separate the transmission member from the one roll when the adjustment member moves. The medium transport device according to (((4))).

[0105] (((6))) A medium conveying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium transported by the medium transport device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0106] The medium conveying device according to (((1))) can prevent the transmission member from moving relative to the one roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction and the axial direction of the one roll, compared to when the transmission member is in contact with the one roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member.

[0107] The medium conveying device according to (((2))) can easily suppress the movement of the transmission member compared to a case in which the movement of the transmission member is suppressed by bringing the tip of a protrusion formed on the transmission member into contact with one roll.

[0108] In the medium transport device according to (((3))), the transmission member can be easily assembled to one of the rollers, compared to when the elongated hole has a pair of sandwiching surfaces.

[0109] The medium conveying device according to (((4))) can reduce the load generated in the transverse direction on one roll when the transmission member is moved, compared to when the adjustment member moves in the transverse direction and the pressing portion presses the inclined surface.

[0110] The medium transport device according to (((5))) can stabilize the posture of the moving transmission member compared to when an inclined surface is formed on only one of the adjustment member or the transmission member.

[0111] The image forming apparatus according to (((6))) can suppress variation in the biasing force of the biasing member against one roll, compared to an apparatus equipped with a medium transport device in which the transmission member contacts one roll only from the biasing direction of the biasing member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Image forming device 60 Image forming unit 100 Media transport device 110 Roll (Example of a single roll) 120 Roll (an example of another roll) 130 biasing member 140 Transmission component 140b U-shaped groove 140c slope 140g Tip (an example of another pressing part) 142 Clamping surface 150 Adjustment member 150c inclined surface (an example of another inclined surface) 150f Tip (an example of a pressing part) 200 Media transport device 240 Transmission components 240c slope 250 Adjustment member 250c inclined surface (an example of another inclined surface)

Claims

1. A rotatably supported roll; another roll that sandwiches and transports a recording medium between the first roll and the other roll; a biasing member disposed on the opposite side of the one roll from the other roll, the biasing member biasing the one roll toward the other roll; a transmission member that is disposed between the biasing member and the first roll, the transmission member being restricted by the first roll in its movement relative to the first roll in a direction intersecting the biasing direction of the biasing member and the axial direction of the first roll, and that transmits the biasing force of the biasing member to the first roll; an adjustment member that adjusts the biasing force applied to the one roll by the biasing member by moving the transmission member closer to or farther away from the one roll in the biasing direction; A medium transport device comprising:

2. The transmission member is formed with a pair of clamping surfaces that clamp the one roll from the cross direction. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. The transmission member has a pair of clamping surfaces and a U-shaped groove that is open in the biasing direction. The medium transport device of claim 2 .

4. The transmission member has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, The adjustment member is formed with a pressing portion that moves in the axial direction relative to the transmission member to press the inclined surface and separate the transmission member from the one roll. The media transport device of claim 1 .

5. The adjustment member has another inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. The transmission member is formed with another pressing portion that presses the other inclined surface to separate the transmission member from the one roll when the adjustment member moves. The medium transport device of claim 4 .

6. A medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium transported by the medium transport device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images