Sheet feeding device

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeding device capable of reducing the time and labor required to electrically connect a second end of a first biasing spring to a metal frame when assembling a feeding unit to a device body.SOLUTION: In a sheet feeding device 1, a feeding unit 100 comprises: a lifting mechanism 6 for approaching and separating a pressure plate 31 relative to a feeding roller 21; a metal shaft 61 extending in a width direction and transmitting driving force to the lifting mechanism 6; a first biasing spring 69R which is formed of conductive material and has its first end 69R1 electrically connected to the metal shaft 61; and a unit frame 100F made of resin which rotatably supports the metal shaft 61. The unit frame 100F has a first retaining portion 101 capable of retaining a second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R. A device body 9 has a metal frame 79 with a second retaining portion 102 that retains the second end 69R2 when the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the device body 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An example of a conventional sheet feeding device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This sheet feeding device includes a housing, a pressure plate, a roller support member, a feeding guide member, a feeding roller, a lifting mechanism, a transmission shaft, and a biasing spring.

[0003] The roller support member and the feed guide member are supported by the housing. The feed roller feeds the sheet supported by the pressure plate in a feed direction toward the inside of the housing. The lifting mechanism moves the pressure plate toward and away from the feed roller.

[0004] The transmission shaft is made of metal and extends in the width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. The transmission shaft transmits the driving force to the lifting mechanism. The biasing spring is a tension coil spring. The biasing spring has a first end engaged with a first member of the lifting mechanism and a second end engaged with a spring engaging portion of the feeding guide member, thereby biasing the lifting mechanism to move the pressure plate closer to the feeding roller.

[0005] Such a sheet feeding device can simplify the manufacturing process by, for example, combining a roller support member, a feeding guide member, a feeding roller, a lifting mechanism, a transmission shaft, and a spring to form a feeding unit, and assembling the feeding unit into the internal frame of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-134705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the conventional sheet feeding device described above, when the feeding unit is assembled to the inner frame of the housing, it is necessary to ensure a ground path for the metal transmission shaft.

[0008] For this reason, this sheet feeding device may adopt a configuration in which, for example, a first end of a biasing spring made of a conductive material is electrically connected to a transmission shaft, and a second end of the biasing spring is electrically connected to a metal frame that forms part of the internal frame of the housing.

[0009] However, in this case, the second end of the biasing spring becomes free before the feeding unit is assembled to the internal frame of the housing, which may make it difficult to electrically connect the second end of the biasing spring to the metal frame when assembling the feeding unit to the internal frame of the housing.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a sheet feeding device that can reduce the time-consuming task of electrically connecting the second end of the first biasing spring to the metal frame when assembling the feeding unit to the device main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The sheet feeding device of the present invention comprises: a device main body; a pressure plate for supporting the sheet; a feeding unit assembled to the apparatus body, the feeding unit having a feeding roller that feeds the sheet supported by the pressure plate in a feeding direction toward the inside of the apparatus body; A sheet feeding device comprising: the feeding unit includes a lifting mechanism that moves the pressure plate toward and away from the feeding roller; a metal shaft extending in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and transmitting a driving force to the lifting mechanism; a first biasing spring formed of a conductive material and having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically connecting to the metal shaft; a resin unit frame that rotatably supports the metal shaft, the unit frame having a first holding portion that can hold the second end portion; The device body has a metal frame having a second holding portion that holds the second end portion when the feeding unit is assembled to the device body.

[0012] In the sheet feeding device of the present invention, the feeding unit can be assembled with the feeding roller, the lifting mechanism, the metal shaft, the first biasing spring, and the unit frame before being assembled into the device main body.

[0013] Before the feeding unit is assembled to the apparatus body, the second end of the first biasing spring can be held by the first holding portion, and the second end of the first biasing spring does not become free.

[0014] This allows the worker to easily remove the second end of the first biasing spring from the first holding part and hold it in the second holding part when assembling the feeding unit to the device body. As a result, the second end of the first biasing spring is electrically connected to the metal frame, ensuring a ground path for the metal shaft.

[0015] Therefore, the sheet feeding device of the present invention can reduce the time-consuming task of electrically connecting the second end of the first biasing spring to the metal frame when assembling the feeding unit to the device body, thereby simplifying the task of assembling the feeding unit to the device body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, showing a state in which a pressure plate of an unfolded feeding tray is separated downward from a feeding roller. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing the state in which the front cover is open and the drawer is moved to the pulled-out position. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a partial front view showing the first and second side frames, the drawer, the feeding unit, etc. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the feeding unit, the transport frame, etc. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the transport frame, the metal frame, the transport rollers, etc. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the feeding tray. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a state in which the pressure plate of the unfolded feed tray rises and comes into contact with the feed roller. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the separation pad, the feeding frame, the driving frame, the lifting mechanism, the feeding guide, and the like. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the feeding frame, the driving frame, the lifting mechanism, the feeding guide, and the like. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the feed frame, the drive frame, the lifting mechanism, etc. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the feed frame, the drive frame, the lifting mechanism, etc. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the main part of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial front view of the main part of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment is a specific example of a sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the front surface 9S of the apparatus body 9 is defined as the front of the apparatus, and the upper surface of the apparatus body 9 is defined as the top of the apparatus. The width direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The side to the right when facing the front surface 9S of the apparatus body 9, i.e., the back side of the paper in FIG. 1, is defined as one of the width directions. The front-to-back directions, up-to-down directions, and width directions shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to FIG. 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 9, a paper feed cassette 2C, an image forming section 2, and a conveying section 4.

[0020] The device body 9 is roughly box-shaped and has a discharge tray 9T on its top surface. The device body 9 has a front cover 9F that forms the upper part of the front surface 9S. The paper feed cassette 2C is located in the lower part of the device body 9 and stores multiple sheets in a stacked state.

[0021] The image forming unit 2 is located in the upper part of the apparatus main body 9. Although the explanation will be brief, the image forming unit 2 has multiple process units 2P that form images on sheets by electrophotography, a drawer 2D that supports each process unit 2P, a transfer belt, a scanner unit, and a fixing unit (not shown). Each process unit 2P has a photosensitive drum 2G, and a toner storage unit, a developing roller, and a charger (not shown).

[0022] Although the description will be brief, the transport unit 4 includes a feed roller, a separation roller and a separation pad (not shown), a transport roller 24 and a pinch roller 24P, and a discharge roller (not shown).

[0023] The conveying unit 4 feeds sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette 2C using a feed roller, separation roller, and separation pad (not shown). The conveying roller 24 and pinch roller 24P supply the sheets to the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 forms an image on the sheets. The conveying unit 4 then conveys the sheets with the images formed thereon using discharge rollers (not shown) and discharges them onto a discharge tray 9T.

[0024] <Drawer installation and pull-out positions> The image forming apparatus 1 includes a feeding tray 3. The feeding tray 3 is a multipurpose tray for feeding a plurality of types of sheets SH having different sizes, thicknesses, etc. to the image forming unit 2.

[0025] The front cover 9F supports the feed tray 3. In FIG. 1, the feed tray 3 is unfolded so as to extend forward from the vertical middle part of the front surface 9S of the device body 9, but the feed tray 3 can be stored in the front cover 9F by standing up.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 9F, with the feed tray 3 housed therein, swings so that the upper end of the front cover 9F moves forward and downward, thereby opening the upper portion of the front surface 9S of the device main body 9.

[0027] In this state, the user can grasp the handle (not shown) provided at the front end of the drawer 2D and pull or push the drawer 2D to move the drawer 2D between an attached position where it is attached inside the device main body 9 as shown in Figure 1 and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the attached position to the outside of the device main body 9 as shown in Figure 2.

[0028] The pinch roller 24P is rotatably supported by the drawer 2D, and moves together with the drawer 2D when the drawer 2D moves between the device position and the pull-out position.

[0029] <First side frame and second side frame> As shown in FIG. 3, the device main body 9 has a first side frame 9R and a second side frame 9L.

[0030] The first side frame 9R extends in the front-rear and up-down directions along one side surface in the width direction of the device body 9. The first side frame 9R is located on one side in the width direction with respect to the drawer 2D.

[0031] The second side frame 9L extends in the front-rear and up-down directions along the other side surface in the width direction of the device main body 9. The second side frame 9L is located on the other side in the width direction with respect to the drawer 2D.

[0032] The first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin, etc. The first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L support the drawer 2D by guide rails (not shown) so that the drawer 2D can move between the attached position shown in Figures 1 and 3 and the pulled-out position shown in Figure 2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the first side frame 9R has a positioning protrusion 9R1. The positioning protrusion 9R1 is a boss that protrudes forward from the front surface of the first side frame 9R. The positioning protrusion 9R1 is substantially "+" shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction. The positioning protrusion 9R1 is located below the drawer 2D in the attached position.

[0034] The second side frame 9L has a positioning protrusion 9L1. The positioning protrusion 9L1 is a column that protrudes forward from the front surface of the second side frame 9L. The positioning protrusion 9L1 is located below the drawer 2D in the attached position.

[0035] <Transport frame and metal frame> 1, 4, and 5, the device main body 9 has a transport frame 70 and a metal frame 79. In FIG. 4, a feeding unit 100 (described later) is located in front of the transport frame 70 and the metal frame 79, and only a second holding portion 102 (described later) of the metal frame 79 is shown.

[0036] 5, the transport frame 70 extends in the width direction, and at its upper end, rotatably supports the transport rollers 24. The transport frame 70 is a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0037] One end 70R of the conveying frame 70, which is located on one side in the width direction, is located on one side in the width direction and lower than the end of the conveying roller 24, which is located on one side in the width direction. The one end 70R extends in a generally flat plate shape in the up-down and width directions.

[0038] A screw insertion hole 70R1 is formed at the upper end of one end 70R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. A screw insertion hole 70R2 is formed at the lower end of one end 70R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The screw insertion holes 70R1 and 70R2 are elongated holes that are long in the width direction.

[0039] A positioning hole 70R3 is formed below the screw insertion hole 70R1 in the one end portion 70R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The positioning hole 70R3 is an elongated hole that is long in the width direction.

[0040] The other end 70L of the conveying frame 70, which is located on the other side in the width direction, is located on the other side in the width direction and lower than the other end of the conveying roller 24. The other end 70L extends in a generally flat plate shape in the up-down and width directions.

[0041] A screw insertion hole 70L1 is formed in the lower portion of the other end 70L so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. A positioning hole 70L3 is formed in the upper portion of the other end 70L so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The positioning hole 70L3 is a circular hole.

[0042] The metal frame 79 has a metal frame main body 78 and a second holding portion 102. The metal frame 79 is made by pressing and bending a steel plate.

[0043] The metal frame main body 78 has a lower portion that extends flat in the vertical and width directions, and an upper portion that extends in a curved manner upward and backward from the upper end of the lower portion. Small pieces formed on both widthwise edges of the metal frame main body 78 are fastened to the conveying frame 70, thereby assembling the metal frame 79 to the conveying frame 70.

[0044] The metal frame main body 78 is electrically connected to the earth wiring drawn to the outside of the device main body 9 by connecting to the metal internal frame of the device main body 9 via an earth connection wiring (not shown).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport frame 70 and the metal frame main body 78 form a part of a feeding path that guides the sheet from the sheet cassette 2C in the transport section 4 to the transport roller 24 and the pinch roller 24P.

[0046] 5, the second holding portion 102 is connected to a small piece formed on one widthwise edge of the metal frame main body 78. The second holding portion 102 protrudes forward at a position slightly away from the positioning hole 70R3 of the transport frame 70 toward the other widthwise edge. The tip of the second holding portion 102 is hook-shaped and protrudes upward.

[0047] Although not shown, the conveying frame 70 with the metal frame 79 attached is attached to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L by fitting the positioning holes 70R3 with the positioning protrusions 9R1 of the first side frame 9R and the positioning holes 70L3 with the positioning protrusions 9L1 of the second side frame 9L. Then, screws 70F1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 pass through the screw insertion holes 70R2 of the conveying frame 70 and are screwed into screw holes (not shown) formed in the front surface of the first side frame 9R. Screws 70F2 shown in FIG. 5 pass through the screw insertion holes 70L1 of the conveying frame 70 and are screwed into screw holes (not shown) formed in the front surface of the second side frame 9L. As a result, the conveying frame 70 is fastened to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L.

[0048] The screw insertion holes 70R1 of the transport frame 70 are used when fastening the transport unit 100, which will be described later, to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L.

[0049] <Feed tray> 1, 6, and 7, the upward surface of the unfolded feed tray 3 is a support surface 3A capable of supporting sheets SH. A feed direction DF1 in which sheets SH supported on the support surface 3A are fed toward the image forming unit 2 is a direction in which the sheets advance substantially horizontally backward toward the inside of the apparatus main body 9, and is a direction perpendicular to the width direction. The feed tray 3 has a feed tray main body 30, a pressure plate 31, and a sub-tray 30E.

[0050] The feed tray body 30 is rotatably supported by the front cover 9F. When the feed tray 3 is unfolded, the feed tray body 30 extends from the front surface 9S toward the upstream side in the feed direction DF1, inclining upward.

[0051] The pressure plate 31 is located on the upward surface of the feed tray main body 30. The pressure plate 31 is supported by the feed tray main body 30 so as to be rotatable about an axis X31. The axis X31 extends in the width direction at the upstream end of the pressure plate 31 in the feed direction DF1. The pressure plate 31 moves up and down as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 by operation of a lifting mechanism 6, which will be described later.

[0052] The sub-tray 30E is pulled out from the feeding tray main body 30 and extends in an upward inclined manner toward the upstream side in the feeding direction DF1.

[0053] The support surface 3A is configured to support the sheet SH by an upward surface of the pressure plate 31, an upward surface of the sub-tray 30E, and an upward surface between the pressure plate 31 and the sub-tray 30E in the feed tray main body 30. The downstream end 3D of the support surface 3A in the feeding direction DF1 is the downstream end of the pressure plate 31 in the feeding direction DF1.

[0054] <Transport unit> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a feeding unit 100 for feeding a sheet SH supported on a support surface 3A in a feeding direction DF1.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4, the feeding unit 100 is positioned forward of the conveying frame 70 and the metal frame 79, and is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the conveying frame 70 is not shown, and only the second holding portion 102 of the metal frame 79 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0056] 1, 3 and 4, the feeding unit 100 has a roller support member 29, a feeding guide 89 and a unit frame 100F. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the unit frame 100F has a feeding frame 90 and a drive frame 80.

[0057] The roller support member 29, the feed guide 89, the feed frame 90, and the drive frame 80 are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the feeding guide 89 and the unit frame 100F are located below the roller support member 29.

[0059] 1, the metal frame main body 78 is located downstream of the unit frame 100F in the feeding direction DF1 when the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L. As shown in Fig. 5, the second holding portion 102 protrudes from the metal frame main body 78 toward the upstream side in the feeding direction DF1.

[0060] 8 to 11, the feed frame 90 extends in the width direction. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the feed guide 89 also extends in the width direction. The feed guide 89 is attached to the feed frame 90 from above, covers the upper portion of the feed frame 90, and covers the upper side of the front portion of the feed frame 90.

[0061] 11, the feed frame 90 has two side surfaces 90S1 and 90S2. The side surface 90S1 is located on one side of the feed frame 90 in the width direction and faces the other side in the width direction. The side surface 90S2 is located on the other side of the feed frame 90 in the width direction and faces the one side in the width direction. The two side surfaces 90S1 and 90S2 and the upper surface of the feed guide 89 define a space through which the sheets SH pass.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the feed frame 90 has connecting portions 99L and 99R at the upper end side of a portion positioned outward in the width direction from the two side surfaces 90S1 and 90S2.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, the roller support member 29 also extends in the width direction, with one end in the width direction connected to the connecting portion 99R and the other end in the width direction connected to the connecting portion 99L.

[0064] 11 and 12, the feed frame 90 has a connecting end 90J. The connecting end 90J is an end located on the other side in the width direction of the feed frame 90. The connecting end 90J is located on the other side in the width direction of a separation pad 23, which will be described later. The connecting end 90J has a fastening boss 90J1 located at an upper front corner, a fastening boss 90J2 located at an upper rear corner, and a fastening boss 90J3 located at a lower front corner.

[0065] Each of the fastening bosses 90J1 to 90J3 protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the connecting end portion 90J toward the other side in the width direction, and has a female thread recessed in the center.

[0066] With the drive frame 80 positioned on the other side of the connecting end 90J of the feed frame 90 in the width direction, three screws are inserted into the drive frame 80 and then screwed into the fastening bosses 90J1 to 90J3. In this way, the drive frame 80 is connected to the connecting end 90J of the feed frame 90 and assembled to the feed frame 90.

[0067] As shown in Figure 9, one end 90R located on one side of the width direction of the feed frame 90 has an upper portion located on one side of the width direction than the connecting portion 99R, and a lower portion located downward and away from the upper portion.

[0068] The upper portion of the one end 90R extends in the vertical and width directions in a generally flat plate shape. A screw insertion hole 90R1 is formed at the upper end side of the upper portion of the one end 90R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction.

[0069] The lower portion of the one end 90R also extends in a generally flat plate shape in the vertical and width directions. A screw insertion hole 90R2 is formed at the lower end side of the lower portion of the one end 90R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction.

[0070] A positioning hole 90R3 is formed below the screw insertion hole 90R1 in the upper portion of the one end 90R so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The positioning hole 90R3 is an elongated hole that is long in the width direction.

[0071] 13 and 14, the feed frame 90 has a first holding portion 101. The first holding portion 101 is a protrusion that protrudes upward from the lower inner wall surface of a rectangular opening located below the positioning hole 90R3 in the upper portion of one end 90R.

[0072] The feed frame 90 has a through-hole 90H. The through-hole 90H is a rectangular hole formed so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction at a position slightly spaced from the positioning hole 90R3 in the upper portion of one end 90R toward the other side in the width direction.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9, the other end 80L of the drive frame 80, which is located on the other side of the width direction, has an upper portion located on one side of the width direction from the connecting portion 99L, and a lower portion located downward and away from the upper portion.

[0074] A screw insertion hole 80L1 is formed at the upper end side of the upper part of the other end portion 80L so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and a screw insertion hole 80L2 is formed at the lower end side of the lower part of the other end portion 80L so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction.

[0075] A positioning hole 80L3 is formed below the screw insertion hole 80L1 in the upper portion of the other end 80L so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The positioning hole 80L3 is a circular hole.

[0076] The feeding unit 100 is positioned forward of the transport frame 70 and the metal frame 79, and is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L by fitting the positioning hole 90R3 with the positioning protrusion 9R1 of the first side frame 9R and the positioning hole 80L3 with the positioning protrusion 9L1 of the second side frame 9L, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, a screw 90F1 passes through the screw insertion hole 90R1 of the feeding frame 90 and the screw insertion hole 70R1 of the transport frame 70 and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the front surface of the first side frame 9R. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a screw 90F2 passes through the screw insertion hole 90R2 of the feeding frame 90 and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the front surface of the first side frame 9R. 3 and 8, a screw 80F1 passes through a screw insertion hole 80L1 of the drive frame 80 and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the front surface of the second side frame 9L. A screw 80F2 passes through a screw insertion hole 80L2 of the drive frame 80 and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the front surface of the second side frame 9L. As a result, one end 90R of the feed frame 90 is connected to the first side frame 9R, and the other end 80L of the drive frame 80 is connected to the second side frame 9L.

[0077] The unit frame 100F having such a feed frame 90 and drive frame 80 serves as a reinforcing frame that extends in the width direction like a beam and is supported at both ends, and constitutes a part of the internal frame of the device main body 9.

[0078] 13, when the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the second holding portion 102 passes through the through hole 90H and protrudes forward beyond one end 90R of the feeding frame 90. The first holding portion 101 is located outside the second holding portion 102 in the width direction (on one side in the width direction).

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the feed frame 90 has a rear wall 94, a base wall 95, and two support walls 96.

[0080] The rear wall 94 extends in the width direction from one end 90R of the feed frame 90 to the connecting end 90J, and also extends in the up-down direction.

[0081] The base wall 95 is located forward of the rear wall 94. The rear edge of the base wall 95 is connected to the lower edge of the rear wall 94. The base wall 95 extends in the width direction from one end 90R of the feed frame 90 to the connecting end 90J, and also extends in the front-rear direction.

[0082] The support walls 96 are connected to the center of the rear wall 94 in the width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The support walls 96 protrude forward from the rear wall 94 and extend in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 10 , the lower ends of the front edges of the support walls 96 are connected to the front edge of the base wall 95.

[0083] <Drive force transmission mechanism> 9 and 11, the feeding unit 100 has a driving force transmission mechanism 50. The driving force transmission mechanism 50 has a well-known configuration and will not be described briefly, but it has a group of transmission gears made up of multiple gears and an electromagnetic clutch including a solenoid.

[0084] 9, the driving force transmission mechanism 50 is assembled to a drive frame 80. The drive frame 80 supports the gears of the transmission gear group that constitute the driving force transmission mechanism 50, solenoids, and the like.

[0085] 11, the driving force transmission mechanism 50 is located on the other side in the width direction from the connecting end 90J of the feed frame 90. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the driving force transmission mechanism 50 has a driving cam 59.

[0086] The drive cam 59 is formed integrally with the gear located most downstream in the drive force transmission direction in the group of transmission gears of the drive force transmission mechanism 50. The drive cam 59 protrudes toward one side in the width direction so as to approach the connecting end 90J.

[0087] 12, the drive cam 59 is an eccentric cam that rotates around an axis X59. That is, the drive frame 80 supports the drive cam 59 so that the drive cam 59 is rotatable around the axis X59.

[0088] When the image forming apparatus 1 is in a standby state, the drive force transmission mechanism 50 stops the drive cam 59 at the position shown in Fig. 12. When feeding the sheet SH supported on the support surface 3A of the feed tray 3 toward the image forming unit 2, the drive force transmission mechanism 50 transmits drive force from a drive motor (not shown) to the drive cam 59 at a predetermined timing, rotates the drive cam 59 about half a revolution in the clockwise direction on the page from the position shown in Fig. 12, and stops the drive cam 59 at that position.

[0089] Thereafter, when the image forming operation on the sheet SH supported on the support surface 3A is completed and the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the standby state, the drive force transmission mechanism 50 transmits the drive force from the drive motor (not shown) to the drive cam 59 at a predetermined timing, causing the drive cam 59 to rotate about half a turn clockwise on the paper, and stopping it at the position shown in Figure 12.

[0090] <Lifting mechanism> As shown in Figures 10 to 14, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a lifting mechanism 6. The lifting mechanism 6 has a metal shaft 61. The lifting mechanism 6 also has a driven cam 60 shown in Figures 11 and 12, two swing gears 63, and two arms 65 shown in Figures 8 and 10 to 14.

[0091] 10, the metal shaft 61 is a steel cylinder. The metal shaft 61 is located slightly above the base wall 95 and slightly behind the front edge of the base wall 95, and extends in the width direction.

[0092] One widthwise end of the metal shaft 61 is rotatably supported on the feed frame 90 at the one end 90R side. The other widthwise end of the metal shaft 61 is rotatably supported on the feed frame 90 at the connecting portion 90J side.

[0093] 11 and 12, the driven cam 60 is fixed to the other end in the width direction of the metal shaft 61. In other words, the driven cam 60 is supported by the feed frame 90 at the connecting end 90J with the metal shaft 61 interposed therebetween.

[0094] 12, the metal shaft 61 is located forward of the axis X59 of the drive cam 59. The driven cam 60 has a fixed portion 60A fixed to the metal shaft 61 and a contact portion 60B protruding in the other direction in the width direction from the fixed portion 60A at a position eccentric downward from the metal shaft 61. The contact portion 60B is capable of sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 59.

[0095] 11, the oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction is fixed to one end of the metal shaft 61 in the width direction. The oscillating gear 63 located on the other side in the width direction is fixed to the end of the metal shaft 61 located on the other side in the width direction, adjacent to the fixed portion 60A of the driven cam 60 from one side in the width direction. In other words, the oscillating gears 63 are fixed to the metal shaft 61 at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 12, each oscillating gear 63 is a sector gear with gear teeth formed on its upper portion. As shown in Fig. 11, a spring holding portion 63S is provided in a protruding manner at the lower end of the oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction. A spring holding portion 60S is provided in a protruding manner at the lower end of the fixed portion 60A of the driven cam 60.

[0097] The oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction is made of a conductive resin material and is electrically connected to the metal shaft 61. On the other hand, the oscillating gear 63 located on the other side in the width direction is made of a non-conductive resin material.

[0098] 4 and 13, the feeding unit 100 has a first biasing spring 69R. The first biasing spring 69R is a tension coil spring, and is made of a conductive material, that is, a spring steel wire.

[0099] 12, the feeding unit 100 has a second biasing spring 69L. The second biasing spring 69L is also a tension coil spring, and in this embodiment is a common part with the same specifications as the first biasing spring 69R.

[0100] 13 and 14, the first biasing spring 69R has a first end 69R1 which is the lower end and a second end 69R2 which is the upper end. The first end 69R1 is engaged with a spring holding portion 63S of the oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction. As a result, the first end 69R1 is electrically connected to the metal shaft 61 via the oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction.

[0101] 13, when the feeding unit 100 is attached to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the second holding portion 102 of the feeding frame 90 holds the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R. As a result, the second end 69R2 is electrically connected to the metal frame 79, ensuring a ground path for the metal shaft 61.

[0102] The first biasing spring 69R and the second holding portion 102 are located on one side of the metal shaft 61 in the width direction.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 12, the feeding frame 90 has a third holding portion 103 located near the fastening boss 90J1 at the connecting end portion 90J.

[0104] Although not shown in the drawings, the lower end of the second biasing spring 69L is engaged with the spring holding portion 60S of the fixed portion 60A of the driven cam 60.

[0105] The upper end of the second biasing spring 69L is a third end 69L3 located at a position away from the metal shaft 61. The third holding portion 103 holds the third end 69L3 of the second biasing spring 69L.

[0106] The second biasing spring 69L and the third holding portion 103 are located on the other side of the metal shaft 61 in the width direction.

[0107] In this way, the oscillating gear 63 located on one side in the width direction and the oscillating gear 63 located on the other side in the width direction are urged by the first urging spring 69R and the second urging spring 69L to rotate clockwise on the page of Figure 12. The urging forces of the first urging spring 69R and the second urging spring 69L press the abutment portion 60B of the driven cam 60 against the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 59.

[0108] 11, the arm 65 located on one side in the width direction is swingably supported on one end 90R side of the feed frame 90 at a position above the swing gear 63 located on one side in the width direction. The arm 65 located on the other side in the width direction is swingably supported on the connecting end 90J side of the feed frame 90 at a position above the swing gear 63 located on the other side in the width direction. In other words, each arm 65 corresponds to each swing gear 63 one-to-one.

[0109] 12, each arm 65 has gear teeth that mesh with the gear teeth of each swing gear 63, and extends forward of the gear teeth. The front end of each arm 65 is located forward of the feed frame 90.

[0110] 6, the pressure plate 31 has two passive protrusions 31A. Each passive protrusion 31A protrudes outward in the width direction from a corner of the pressure plate 31 located downstream in the feeding direction DF1 and on one side in the width direction, and from a corner of the pressure plate 31 located downstream in the feeding direction DF1 and on the other side in the width direction.

[0111] Although not shown, the front end of each arm 65 abuts against the corresponding passive protrusion 31A of the pressure plate 31 from below. In this way, each arm 65 determines the position of the pressure plate 31 in the up-down direction.

[0112] With the drive cam 59 stopped at the position shown in Fig. 12, each arm 65 positions the pressure plate 31 at the position shown in Fig. 1. When the drive cam 59 rotates about half a turn clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 12 and stops at that position, the drive cam 59 transmits the drive force from a drive motor (not shown) to the driven cam 60.

[0113] Then, the driven cam 60, together with the metal shaft 61 and each oscillating gear 63, is urged by the first urging spring 69R and the second urging spring 69L and oscillates clockwise on the page. The arms 65 oscillate counterclockwise on the page as a result of the driving force transmitted from each oscillating gear 63, and the front ends of the arms 65 lift up the passive protrusions 31A of the pressure plate 31. As a result, the arms 65 raise the pressure plate 31 to the position shown in FIG. 7 and bring it close to the feed roller 21, which will be described later. do.

[0114] That is, the first biasing spring 69R and the second biasing spring 69L bias the lifting mechanism 6 so as to move the pressure plate 31 closer to the feed roller 21.

[0115] Thereafter, when the drive cam 59 rotates further clockwise about half a turn and stops at the position shown in FIG. 12, the drive cam 59 transmits the drive force from the drive motor (not shown) to the driven cam 60.

[0116] Then, the driven cam 60, together with the metal shaft 61 and each oscillating gear 63, swings counterclockwise on the page against the biasing force of the first biasing spring 69R and the second biasing spring 69L. The arms 65 swing clockwise on the page by the driving force transmitted from each oscillating gear 63, and the front ends of the arms 65 move down while remaining in contact with the respective passive protrusions 31A of the pressure plate 31 from below. As a result, the arms 65 move the support plate 31 down to the position shown in FIG. 1, separating it from the feed roller 21, which will be described later.

[0117] In other words, the lifting mechanism 6 transmits the driving force from the drive motor (not shown) via the driving force transmission mechanism 50, the driving cam 59, and the driven cam 60, thereby moving the pressure plate 31 up and down, moving it closer to and away from the feed roller 21 (described later).

[0118] <Feed roller, separation roller, separation pad, and biasing spring> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a feeding roller 21, a separation roller 22, and a separation pad .

[0119] The roller support member 29 rotatably supports the feed roller 21 and the separation roller 22. The roller support member 29 also supports the feed roller 21 and the separation roller 22 so as to prevent fluctuations in the positions of the rotation axes of the feed roller 21 and the separation roller 22. The lower portions of the feed roller 21 and the separation roller 22 are exposed below the roller support member 29.

[0120] The feed roller 21 is located above the support surface 3A and upstream of the downstream end 3D of the support surface 3A in the feed direction DF1. The separation roller 22 is located downstream of the downstream end 3D of the support surface 3A in the feed direction DF1.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 8, the feeding guide 89 has a regulating surface 89A and a feeding surface 89B. The regulating surface 89A is a forward-facing surface extending in the width direction. The regulating surface 89A is inclined so that its upper end is located rearward of its lower end. The feeding surface 89B is an upward-facing surface connected to the upper end of the regulating surface 89A. The feeding surface 89B extends while inclining upward toward the downstream side in the feeding direction DF1. A rectangular hole 89H is formed in the center of the width direction of the feeding surface 89B to expose the separation pad 23.

[0122] 1, the regulating surface 89A faces the downstream end 3D of the support surface 3A from downstream in the feeding direction DF1. When the pressure plate 31 is in a lowered state, the regulating surface 89A abuts against and stops the downstream end of the sheet SH supported on the support surface 3A in the feeding direction DF1.

[0123] 8, separation pad 23 has friction member 23A, which is a rubber sheet or the like, and friction member holding portion 23B, which is a resin molded product. Separation pad 23 is attached to the upper surface of friction member holding portion 23B. Separation pad 23 is exposed from rectangular hole 89H in feeding surface 89B.

[0124] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the feed frame 90, two support walls 96 sandwich the separation pad 23 from the outer sides in the width direction and rotatably support the friction member holding portion 23B of the separation pad 23.

[0125] In this way, the feeding frame 90 supports the separation pad 23 so that it can move toward and away from the separation roller 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the friction member 23A of the separation pad 23 is located directly below the separation roller 22 and faces the separation roller 22. The separation pad 23 is pressed toward the separation roller 22 by the biasing spring 23S.

[0126] 7, when the lifting mechanism 6 is actuated to raise the pressure plate 31, the feed roller 21 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet SH supported on the support surface 3A. The feed roller 21 rotates in this state to feed the uppermost sheet SH toward the separation roller 22, i.e., in the feed direction DF1. The feed surface 89B guides the sheet SH fed by the feed roller 21.

[0127] The separation roller 22 takes over the sheet SH fed by the feeding roller 21 and feeds it in the feeding direction DF1. At this time, the separation roller 22 and the separation pad 23 separate the sheets SH one by one if there are multiple sheets being fed.

[0128] 1, the conveying roller 24 and the pinch roller 24P are located downstream in the feeding direction DF1 from the feeding frame 90. The conveying roller 24 and the pinch roller 24P convey the sheet SH fed by the feeding roller 21, the separation roller 22, and the separation pad 23 toward the image forming unit 2.

[0129] The process unit 2P of the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the sheet SH fed by the feed roller 21 etc. Thereafter, the conveying unit 4 conveys the sheet SH on which the image has been formed and discharges it onto the discharge tray 9T. When the image forming operation is completed, the lifting mechanism 6 is actuated to lower the pressure plate 31, as shown in FIG.

[0130] <Temporary Holding Function of First Holding Section and Modularization of Feeding Unit 100> 14, the first holding portion 101 is located on one side in the width direction of the metal shaft 61. As the first biasing spring 69R is shown by a solid line in FIG. 14, the first holding portion 101 is capable of holding the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R.

[0131] The distance between the first end 69R1 and the second end 69R2 held by the first holding portion 101 is defined as a first distance SD1. The distance between the first end 69R1 and the second end 69R2 held by the second holding portion 102 is defined as a second distance SD2. The first distance SD1 is shorter than the second distance SD2.

[0132] In the modularized state of the feeding unit 100, from the state after the first end 69R1 of the first biasing spring 69R is engaged with the spring holding portion 63S of the driven cam 63 located on one side in the width direction to the state immediately after the modularized feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the first holding portion 101 holds the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R. This provides a temporary holding function that prevents the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R from becoming free.

[0133] The state in which the feeding unit 100 is modularized is a state in which the roller support member 29, feeding guide 89, feeding frame 90 and drive frame 80 have been connected, and the drive force transmission mechanism 50, lifting mechanism 6, metal shaft 61, first biasing spring 69R, second biasing spring 69L, feeding roller 21, separation roller 22, separation pad 23, biasing spring 23S, etc. have been assembled to them.

[0134] After assembling the modularized feeding unit 100 to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the worker can easily remove the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R from the first holding portion 101 and hold it in the second holding portion 102, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 14.

[0135] The third holding portion 103 holds the third end 69L3 of the second biasing spring 69L in the following states: when the feeding unit 100 is being modularized and before the drive frame 80 is connected to the connecting end 90J of the feeding frame 90; when the modularized feeding unit 100 is before being assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L; and when the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L.

[0136] <Action and effect> In the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the feeding unit 100 can be modularized by completing the connection of the roller support member 29, feeding guide 89, feeding frame 90 and drive frame 80 before assembling it to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, and then completing the assembly of the drive force transmission mechanism 50, lifting mechanism 6, metal shaft 61, first urging spring 69R, second urging spring 69L, feeding roller 21, separation roller 22, separation pad 23, urging spring 23S, etc.

[0137] As shown by the solid line in Figure 14, before the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R is held by the first holding portion 101, so that the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R does not become free.

[0138] 13, immediately after assembling the feeding unit 100 to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the worker can easily remove the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R from the first holding portion 101 and hold it in the second holding portion 102. As a result, the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R is electrically connected to the metal frame 79, ensuring a ground path for the metal shaft 61.

[0139] Therefore, when assembling the feeding unit 100 to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment can reduce the time-consuming task of electrically connecting the second end 69R2 of the first biasing spring 69R to the metal frame 79. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can simplify the task of assembling the feeding unit 100 to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L.

[0140] 14, in the image forming apparatus 1, a first distance SD1 between the first end 69R1 and the second end 69R2 held by the first holding portion 101 is shorter than a second distance SD2 between the first end 69R1 and the second end 69R2 held by the second holding portion 102. With this configuration, when an operator removes the second end 69R2 from the first holding portion 101 and holds it in the second holding portion 102, plastic deformation of the first biasing spring 69R can be suppressed.

[0141] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the first holding portion 101 is located on the outer side in the width direction (on one side in the width direction) of the second holding portion 102. With this configuration, the worker can more easily reach the first holding portion 101 compared to a case in which the first holding portion 101 is located on the inner side in the width direction of the second holding portion 102. As a result, the worker can easily remove the second end 69R2 from the first holding portion 101 and have it held by the second holding portion 102.

[0142] 13, in the image forming apparatus 1, the second holding portion 102 protrudes from the metal frame main body 78 toward the upstream side in the feeding direction DF1, and passes through the through-hole 90H of the feeding frame 90 when the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L. This configuration improves the degree of freedom in the layout of the second holding portion 102.

[0143] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the first biasing spring 69R biases the lifting mechanism 6 so as to move the pressure plate 31 closer to the feed roller 21. With this configuration, the first biasing spring 69R serves both as part of the earth path of the metal shaft 61 and as a component that operates in cooperation with the lifting mechanism 6, thereby reducing the number of components.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 12 , the feed unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a second biasing spring 69L located on the other widthwise side of the metal shaft 61. The feed frame 90 includes a third retaining portion 103 at the connecting end 90J. The third retaining portion 103 retains the third end 69L3 of the second biasing spring 69L before the feed unit 100 is attached to the first and second side frames 9R and 9L, respectively. This configuration prevents the metal shaft 61 from being twisted by the biasing forces of the first and second biasing springs 69R and 69L on both sides in the widthwise direction. As a result, the metal shaft 61 can smoothly transmit driving force to the lifting mechanism 6. Furthermore, since the second biasing spring 69L does not need to constitute part of the ground path of the metal shaft 61, before the feeding unit 100 is assembled to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L, it is only necessary to hold the third end 69L3 of the second biasing spring 69L in the third holding portion 103, and there is no need to subsequently electrically connect the third end 69L3 to the metal frame 79. As a result, this image forming apparatus 1 can further simplify the task of assembling the feeding unit 100 to the first side frame 9R and the second side frame 9L.

[0145] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 10, the feed frame 90 rotatably supports the metal shaft 61, and as shown in Fig. 12, has a third holding portion 103. The drive frame 80 is positioned on the other side of the feed frame 90 in the width direction and is assembled to the feed frame 90, supporting the drive force transmission mechanism 50. With this configuration, the third end 69L3 of the second biasing spring 69L can be held by the third holding portion 103 of the feed frame 90, and then the drive frame 80 can be assembled to the feed frame 90.

[0146] 5, the image forming apparatus 1 has a transport frame 70 that rotatably supports the transport rollers 24. A metal frame 79 is attached to the transport frame 70. This makes it easy to connect the metal frame 79 to the metal internal frame of the apparatus body 9 via an earth connection wiring (not shown).

[0147] 3, the first and second side frames 9R and 9L of the image forming apparatus 1 support the drawer 2D so that the drawer 2D can move between an attached position and a pulled-out position. The feeding unit 100 is attached to the first and second side frames 9R and 9L. In other words, the feeding unit 100 is directly attached to the first and second side frames 9R and 9L that support the drawer 2D. In other words, only the first and second side frames 9R and 9L are interposed between the drawer 2D and the feeding unit 100. This reduces variations in the relative positional relationship between the feeding unit 100 and the drawer 2D.

[0148] 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.

[0149] In the embodiment, the sheet feeding 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 having an image reading function, or to a multifunction peripheral having an image reading device above an image forming apparatus.

[0150] In the embodiment, the first biasing spring 69R is a tension coil spring, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first biasing spring may be a compression coil spring, a torsion coil spring, etc. The same applies to the second biasing spring.

[0151] In the embodiment, the first biasing spring 69R serves both as part of the earth path of the metal shaft 61 and as a component that operates in cooperation with the lifting mechanism 6, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first biasing spring may simply constitute part of the earth path of the metal shaft. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1...sheet feeding device (image forming apparatus), 9...apparatus main body SH...sheet, 31...pressure plate, 100...feed unit DF1...feed direction, 21...feed roller, 6...lifting mechanism 61...metal shaft, 69R1...first end, 69R2...second end 69R...First biasing spring, 100F...Unit frame 101...first holding part, 102...second holding part 79...Metal frame, SD1...1st distance, SD2...2nd distance 78...Metal frame body, 90H...Through hole 69L... second biasing spring, 103... third holding portion 69L3...third end portion, 50...driving force transmission mechanism 90...feed frame, 80...drive frame 24...Transport roller, 70...Transport frame 2P: Process section, 2D: Drawer 9R...1st side frame, 9L...2nd side frame

Claims

1. A device body, a pressure plate for supporting the sheet; a feeding unit assembled to the apparatus body, the feeding unit having a feeding roller that feeds the sheet supported by the pressure plate in a feeding direction toward the inside of the apparatus body; A sheet feeding device comprising: the feeding unit includes a lifting mechanism that moves the pressure plate toward and away from the feeding roller; a metal shaft extending in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and transmitting a driving force to the lifting mechanism; a first biasing spring formed of a conductive material and having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically connecting to the metal shaft; a resin unit frame that rotatably supports the metal shaft, the unit frame having a first holding portion that can hold the second end portion, The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the device body has a metal frame having a second holding portion that holds the second end when the feeding unit is assembled to the device body.

2. 2. A sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a first distance between the first end and the second end held by the first holding portion is shorter than a second distance between the first end and the second end held by the second holding portion.

3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2 , wherein the first holding portion is positioned outward in the width direction from the second holding portion.

4. the metal frame has a metal frame main body located downstream of the unit frame in the feeding direction when the feeding unit is assembled to the device main body, the second holding portion protrudes from the metal frame main body toward the upstream side in the feeding direction, 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the unit frame has a through hole through which the second holding portion passes.

5. 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the first biasing spring biases the lifting mechanism so as to move the pressure plate closer to the feeding roller.

6. the first biasing spring, the first holding portion, and the second holding portion are located on one side of the metal shaft in the width direction, the feeding unit includes a second biasing spring located on the other side of the metal shaft in the width direction, the second biasing spring biasing the lifting mechanism so as to move the pressure plate closer to the feeding roller; The sheet feeding device of claim 5, wherein the unit frame has a third holding portion located on the other side of the metal shaft in the width direction, the third holding portion holding a third end of the second spring spring located away from the metal shaft in a state before the feeding unit is assembled to the device main body and a state after the feeding unit is assembled to the device main body.

7. the feeding unit has a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force to the metal shaft, the unit frame includes a feed frame that rotatably supports the metal shaft and has the first holding portion and the third holding portion; 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, further comprising: a drive frame mounted on the feeding frame at a position on the other side of the feeding frame in the width direction, the drive frame supporting the drive force transmission mechanism.

8. a conveying roller positioned downstream of the feeding frame in the feeding direction and configured to convey the sheet fed by the feeding roller; the device body has a transport frame that rotatably supports the transport roller, 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the metal frame is assembled to the transport frame.

9. a processing unit for forming an image on the sheet fed by the feeding roller; a drawer that supports the process unit, The apparatus main body includes a first side frame located on one side in the width direction relative to the drawer; a second side frame located on the other side of the drawer in the width direction, the first side frame and the second side frame support the drawer movably between an attached position where the drawer is attached inside the device body and a pulled-out position where the drawer is pulled out from the attached position to the outside of the device body; 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit is assembled to the first side frame and the second side frame.

Images