Sheet conveying system

Abstract

To improve operability when separating a second conveying device from a first conveying device.SOLUTION: A sheet conveyance system includes a first conveyance device (100) capable of conveying a sheet, a second conveyance device (200) capable of conveying the sheet to the first conveyance device (100), horizontally movable, and connectable to the first conveyance device (100), a lock mechanism capable of switching between a locked state in which the second conveyance device (200) is locked to the first conveyance device (100) and an unlocked state in which the lock is released, and a biasing mechanism (250) that outputs a biasing force (F1) for separating the second conveyance device (200) from the first conveyance device (100) when the lock mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying system including a first conveying device and a second conveying device capable of conveying a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a system that includes an image forming apparatus and a large-capacity deck device (storage device) has been proposed as a system for printing on a large number of sheets (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In such a system, it is necessary to open the sheet transport path near the large-capacity deck device (storage device) in the image forming apparatus when a paper jam occurs in the transport path or when maintenance of the apparatus is performed. For this reason, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration that can open the vertical transport path without moving the large-capacity deck device. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration that can move the storage device horizontally by pressing an opening / closing member that can open the transport path when the opening / closing member is moved to an open position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-144841 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-194543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the device of Patent Document 1, if a paper jam occurs in the area where it overlaps horizontally with the large-capacity deck device, the large-capacity deck device must ultimately be moved, but this movement of the large-capacity deck device is simply done manually. Also, in the device of Patent Document 2, for example, when a large number of sheets are loaded in the storage device, there may be a large resistance when moving the opening / closing member to the open position, which means there is a problem with poor operability when moving the storage device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sheet conveying system that can improve operability when moving the second conveying device away from the first conveying device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet conveying system comprising: a first conveying device capable of conveying a sheet; a second conveying device capable of conveying a sheet between the first conveying device, movable horizontally, and connectable to the first conveying device; a locking mechanism switchable between a locked state in which the second conveying device is connected to the first conveying device, and an unlocked state in which the locking is released; and a biasing mechanism that outputs a biasing force to move the second conveying device away from the first conveying device when the locking mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when moving the second conveying device away from the first conveying device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening and closing door of the image forming apparatus is opened and the feeding device is separated from the image forming apparatus; FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a perspective view showing the handle and door lock mechanism of the opening and closing door, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing the rotation shaft of the opening and closing door. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a door hook shaft and an opening / closing door hook of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6]1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the door hook is engaged with the door hook shaft of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the door hook is disengaged from the door hook shaft of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connection lock mechanism of the feeding device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 1A is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing mechanism, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the biasing mechanism in a contracted state, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing the biasing mechanism in a distracted state. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a feeding device is connected to an image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device are not engaged before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device have started to engage before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device are engaged when the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 1A is a perspective view showing the connection lock mechanism and the urging mechanism before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the connection lock mechanism and the urging mechanism when the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook of the feeding device is engaged with the connecting hook shaft of the image forming device when the opening / closing door is in the closed position, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook of the feeding device is engaged with the connecting hook shaft of the image forming device when the opening / closing door starts to rotate, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming device and the connecting hook of the feeding device are disengaged when the opening / closing door rotates further. [Figure 14]1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device is connected to the image forming device, FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device starts to move away from the image forming device, and FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device is moved away from the image forming device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Image formation system configuration] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming system 1 as a sheet conveying system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming system according to this embodiment.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 100 as a first conveying apparatus that conveys sheets, and a feeding apparatus 200 connectable to the image forming apparatus 100 as a second conveying apparatus that conveys sheets. That is, the feeding apparatus 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 to convey sheets between the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding apparatus 200. In the following description, a monochrome laser printer system that uses an electrophotographic method to form images will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 may be a copier, facsimile, multifunction peripheral, or the like, other than a printer. The image forming apparatus 100 may also be a full-color laser printer system that uses an electrophotographic method to form images, or may use other methods, such as an inkjet method, instead of an electrophotographic method.

[0011] (Configuration of feeding device) The feeding device 200 includes a storage case 210 capable of storing multiple sheets, a control unit 203, a feeding roller 222, a separation roller pair 225, a conveyance roller pair 237, and the like. The sheets stored in the storage case 210 are fed by the feeding roller 222, which moves up and down and rotates at a predetermined timing in response to a signal from a control unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 10 (described later), and are separated one by one by the separation roller pair 125. The sheets separated one by one by the separation roller pair 125 are conveyed toward the vertical conveyance path 152 of the image forming apparatus 100 by the conveyance roller pair 226. In other words, the sheets can be continuously fed from the storage case 210 toward the image forming apparatus 100. The feeding roller 222, the separation roller pair 225, and the conveyance roller pair 237 form a conveyance unit that conveys sheets in the feeding device 200. As for types of sheets, plain paper, thin paper, cardboard, and the like can be used, as well as plastic sheets.

[0012] (Configuration of image forming device) Image forming apparatus 100 is configured to include an apparatus main body 101 and an image reading device 102 disposed on top of apparatus main body 101. The apparatus main body 101 is also configured to include an image forming section 110, a feeding section 120, a control section 140, an image forming transport path 150, and the like inside. That is, image forming apparatus 100 transports various sheets fed from feeding section 120 (plurality of feeding cassettes 121) or from storage 210 in feeding device 200, separated one by one, to image forming section 110. Then, after an image is formed on the sheet in image forming section 110, the sheet is discharged to discharge tray 129.

[0013] Specifically, the image reading device 102 irradiates a document placed on a platen 103 with light from a scanning optical system light source and inputs the reflected light into a CCD to read the document image. The image reading device 102 is also provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF) 104, which can automatically transport a document set on a tray 105 to a reading unit of the image reading device 102 and read the document image. The read document image is then converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to a laser scanner 113 of an image forming unit 110, which will be described later. Note that the laser scanner 113 may also receive image data transmitted from an external electronic device such as a computer.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a control unit 140 that controls the transport of sheets and the execution of image forming processing, and selects the sheets to be fed to the image forming unit 110 from the feeding unit 120 and the feeding device 200, and specifies the printing method, number of copies to be printed, etc.

[0015] The feeding section 120 includes a plurality of feeding cassettes 121 that store various types of sheets, a feeding roller 122, and a pair of separation rollers 125. The sheets stored in the feeding cassette 121 are fed by the feeding roller 122 that moves up and down and rotates at a predetermined timing, and are separated one by one by the pair of separation rollers 125 and conveyed to a vertical conveying path 152. The vertical conveying path 152 is connected to the image forming conveying path 150.

[0016] The image forming conveying path 150 includes a conveying roller pair 131 and a registration roller pair 133. The sheet guided from the conveying roller pair 131 by the registration roller pair 133 is sent to the image forming unit 110 at a predetermined timing. The sheet fed from the feeding device 200 passes through a conveying roller pair 226 and a connecting path 151, and then a vertical conveying path 152 to join the image forming conveying path 150, that is, is conveyed into the image forming apparatus 100.

[0017] The image forming unit 110 includes a photosensitive drum 111, a charger 112, a laser scanner 113, a developing unit 114, a transfer belt 115, a cleaner 117, etc. During image formation, the photosensitive drum 111 is rotated, and first the surface of the photosensitive drum 111 is uniformly charged by the charger 112. Then, the charged photosensitive drum 111 is irradiated with laser light from the laser scanner 113, which is emitted in response to an image signal, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111. Furthermore, the electrostatic latent image thus formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 114.

[0018] Thereafter, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 111 is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer voltage applied to a transfer belt 115. Furthermore, the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 116 where the toner image is fixed, and then the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 129 via a pair of discharge rollers 119.

[0019] When a toner image is formed on the back side of the sheet, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 116 is transported to a switchback path 118. Then, the sheet is turned over by the switchback path 118 and transported again to the transfer belt 115 of the image forming unit 110. The sheet with the toner image transferred to the back side is transported to the fixing device 116, where the toner image is fixed, and then the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 129 by a pair of discharge rollers 119. Note that any residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 111 after transfer is removed by a cleaner 117.

[0020] [Connected and separated states of the image forming apparatus and the feeding apparatus] Next, a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200 are connected and a state in which they are disconnected and separated will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the image forming apparatus is open and the feeding device is separated from the image forming apparatus.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, rails 301 are fixed below image forming apparatus 100, and feeding device 200 is disposed on rails 301 so as to be movable horizontally in the X1-X2 direction. Note that a plurality of rollers (not shown) are disposed below feeding device 200, and these rollers roll on rails 301, allowing feeding device 200 to move horizontally. Feeding device 200 is locked in a connected state to image forming apparatus 100 by a connection lock mechanism 230 (see Fig. 7), which will be described in detail later. In this connected state, feeding device 200 is able to transport sheets loaded in storage 210 to image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] In this connected state, the opening / closing door 160, which serves as an opening / closing member of the image forming apparatus 100, is located at a closed position P1, and is locked at the closed position P1 by a door lock mechanism 170 (see FIG. 4(a)), which will be described in detail later. A guide G1 is arranged on the inside (the side of the apparatus main body 101) of the opening / closing door 160 (see FIG. 3), and a guide G2 is arranged on the image forming apparatus 100. When the opening / closing door 160 is closed so as to be located at the closed position P1, the guide G1 and the guide G2 are arranged opposite each other, and a vertical conveying path 152 (see FIG. 1) is formed therebetween.

[0023] As will be described in detail later, by operating the handle 171 to move the opening / closing door 160 to the open position P2 and open it, the connection lock mechanism 230 (see FIG. 7) is released. Then, as will be described in detail later, a biasing force F1 of the separation assist mechanism 250 and a pressing force F2 of the opening / closing door 160 are generated (see FIG. 14(b)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, rollers (not shown) of the feeding device 200 roll on rails 301, and the feeding device 200 moves in the X1 direction, which is the direction away from the image forming apparatus 100. This creates a distance between the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200, and creates a space for the opening / closing door 160 to be opened to the open position P2. Then, by opening the opening / closing door 160, the vertical conveying path 152 described above is opened, making it possible to remove a sheet jammed in the vertical conveying path 152, for example. Thereafter, the opening / closing door 160 is closed to the closed position P1, and the feeding device 200 is pressed and moved in the X1 direction, whereby the connection lock mechanism 230 (see FIG. 7) is locked, and the image forming device 100 and the feeding device 200 are returned to the connected state.

[0024] [Configuration of opening / closing door and door locking mechanism] Next, the door lock mechanism 170 as a second lock mechanism for locking the opening / closing door 160 to the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. Figure 4(a) is a perspective view showing the handle of the opening / closing door and the door lock mechanism. Figure 4(b) is an exploded perspective view showing the rotation shaft of the opening / closing door. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the door hook shaft and opening / closing door hook of the image forming apparatus. Figure 6(a) is a schematic view showing a state in which the opening / closing door hook is engaged with the door hook shaft of the image forming apparatus. Figure 6b is a schematic view showing a state in which the opening / closing door hook is disengaged from the door hook shaft of the image forming apparatus.

[0025] (Opening and closing door configuration) As shown in Fig. 5, the opening / closing door 160 is formed in a shape or size that closes the opening 190 formed in the side wall 101W of the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, and forms the same plane as the side wall 101W when in the closed position P1. As shown in Fig. 4(b), the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with rotation holes 192, 192 near the bottom end of the opening 190, and the opening / closing door 160 is provided with rotation shafts 162, 162 near its bottom end. The rotation shafts 162, 162 of the opening / closing door 160 are fitted into the rotation holes 192, 192 of the apparatus body 101, so that the opening / closing door 160 is rotatably supported by the apparatus body 101 with the rotation shafts 162, 162 as fulcrums. The rotation holes 192 and the rotation shafts 162 are disposed below the upper surface 200U (see FIG. 3) of the feeding device 200. As a result, when the opening / closing door 160 is opened while the feeding device 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, the side surface 160S (see FIG. 14) of the opening / closing door 160 comes into contact with the feeding device 200.

[0026] (Door lock mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 5, the door lock mechanism 170 is configured to include a handle 171, a hook shaft 172, door hooks 173, a pressure spring 174, and lock shafts 191. The hook shaft 172 is attached to the handle 171, and door hooks 173 are attached to both ends of the hook shaft 172. The hook shaft 172 is rotatably attached to the door 160, and the handle 171 and door hook 173 are fixed to the hook shaft 172. The door 160 has a release hole 161, which allows an operator to access and operate the handle 171. The door hook 173 is biased clockwise in FIG. 4(a) by the pressure spring 174. When the operator rotates the handle 171 counterclockwise, the door hook 173 also rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 171. When the operator releases the handle 171, the opening / closing door hook 173 and the handle 171 are rotated clockwise by the biasing force of the pressure spring 174, and both the opening / closing door hook 173 and the handle 171 return to their original positions.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, lock shafts 191 are arranged near the upper end of the opening 190 of the device body 101 so as to face the respective door hooks 173. When the door 160 is moved to the closed position P1 and closed relative to the opening 190, the door hooks 173 engage with the lock shafts 191 as shown in Fig. 6(a), thereby locking the door 160 to the device body 101. As shown in Fig. 6(b), when an operator operates the handle 171 counterclockwise around the hook shafts 172, the door hooks 173 are rotated counterclockwise against the biasing force of the pressure spring 174. This disengages the door hooks 173 from the hook shafts 172, disengaging them and allowing the door 160 to open.

[0028] [Configuration of the interlocking lock mechanism] Next, a lock mechanism or first lock mechanism, i.e., a connection lock mechanism 230, that can lock the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding apparatus 200 in a connected state, will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the connection lock mechanism of the feeding apparatus. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the connection hook shaft of the image forming apparatus.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, feeding device 200 includes housing 201, which has side surface 201S disposed opposite image forming apparatus 100. Side surface 201S of housing 201 is formed with sheet discharge outlet 201a for conveying sheets to image forming apparatus 100 and hook openings 201b, 201b through which coupling hooks 233, 233 of coupling lock mechanism 230 protrude. Coupling lock mechanism 230 is configured with support plates 231, 231, hook shaft 232, coupling hooks 233, 233 as engaging members, pressure spring 234 as a pressing member, and coupling shafts 181, 181 as engaged members (see FIG. 8). Coupling hooks 233, 233 are fixed to hook shaft 232, which is rotatably supported by support plates 231, 231 relative to housing 201. 7 by a pressure spring 234, and is configured to maintain its posture relative to the horizontal direction. The connecting hooks 233 have hook claws 233a at their tips as engaging claws that engage with the connecting shafts 181.

[0030] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, near the lower end of the opening / closing door 160 of the image forming apparatus 100, a connecting shaft 181 is arranged so as to face each of the connecting hooks 233 when the feeding device 200 is placed on the rail 301 (see FIG. 3).

[0031] [Configuration of separation assist mechanism] Next, the configuration of the separation assist mechanism 250 as a biasing mechanism that outputs a biasing force to separate the feeding device 200 from the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9(a) is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing mechanism. Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the biasing mechanism in a contracted state. Fig. 9(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the biasing mechanism in an extended state.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the separation assist mechanism 250 includes a storage hole 251 formed in the housing 201 of the feeding device 200, a biasing spring 252 as a biasing member, and an abutting member 253. The storage hole 251 is formed deep enough to accommodate the abutting member 253 (see FIG. 9(b)), and is formed with an elongated engagement rail 251a extending in the direction in which the abutting member 253 slides (i.e., the X1-X2 direction). One of the abutting members 253 has an abutting portion 253a that can abut against a side wall 101W of the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, and an engagement claw 253b that extends from the abutting portion 253a in the X2 direction and engages with the engagement rail 251a. As a result, the abutting member 253 is configured to be slidable by the engagement claw 253b being guided by the engagement rail 251a. A biasing spring 252 is compressed between the receiving hole 251 and the contact member 253 .

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9(b), when feeding device 200 is connected to image forming apparatus 100, abutting member 253 abuts against side wall 101W (see FIG. 12(b)) of apparatus body 101, compressing biasing spring 252 and pushing abutting member 253 into storage hole 251. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(c), when feeding device 200 is separated from image forming apparatus 100, abutting member 253 presses side wall 101W by protruding from storage hole 251 due to the biasing force of biasing spring 252. This outputs a biasing force (assist force) that separates feeding device 200 from image forming apparatus 100. At this time, engaging claw 253b of abutting member 253 abuts against end 251b of engaging rail 251a, preventing abutting member 253 from coming off. Moreover, the biasing force of the biasing spring 252 is preferably set so as to output a pressing force of 20 N or more in order to assist the horizontal movement of the feeding device 200.

[0034] [Operation when image forming apparatus and feeding device are connected] Next, the operation of connecting the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 11(a) is a schematic view showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device are not engaged before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 11(b) is a schematic view showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device have started to engage before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 11(c) is a schematic view showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device are engaged when the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view showing the connection lock mechanism and the biasing mechanism before the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12(b) is a perspective view showing the connection lock mechanism and the biasing mechanism when the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0035] 10, when connecting feeding device 200 to image forming apparatus 100, the movement of feeding device 200 is not linked to the movement of opening / closing door 160. Therefore, first, with image forming apparatus 100 and feeding device 200 spaced apart, an operator closes opening / closing door 160 to closed position P1. In this state, connecting shaft 181 of connection lock mechanism 230 is fixed to opening / closing door 160, and therefore faces connecting hook 233, which is maintained in a horizontal direction.

[0036] Next, the operator moves feeding device 200 in the X1 direction by sliding it on rail 301. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(a), hook claw 233a of connecting hook 233 of connecting lock mechanism 230 comes into contact with connecting shaft 181 fixed to image forming apparatus 100. Then, connecting shaft 181 presses hook claw 233a along its inclined surface, causing connecting hook 233 to rotate counterclockwise in the V1 direction in the figure against the biasing force of pressing spring 234. When feeding device 200 is subsequently moved in the X1 direction, hook claw 233a climbs over the apex (lower end) of connecting shaft 181 as shown in FIG. 11(b). As a result, connecting hook 233 rotates clockwise in the V2 direction in the figure due to the biasing force of pressing spring 234. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the hook claw 233a engages with the connecting shaft 181, the connection lock mechanism 230 is put into a locked state, and the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding apparatus 200 are put into a connected state.

[0037] On the other hand, before the connection lock mechanism 230 is locked, i.e., before the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200 are connected, the abutting member 253 of the separation assist mechanism 250 protrudes from the storage hole 251 as shown in FIG. 12(a). That is, the abutting member 253 is in standby at the maximum stroke with the engagement claw 253b abutting against the end 251b of the engagement rail 251a. Then, when the operator moves the feeding device 200 toward the image forming apparatus 100, the abutting member 253 abuts against the side wall 101W of the apparatus body 101 as shown in FIG. 12(b). When the operator further moves the feeding device 200 toward the image forming apparatus 100, the connection lock mechanism 230 is locked, and the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200 are connected. At this time, the abutting member 253 is pressed against the side wall 101W of the device body 101, causing the urging spring 252 to contract, and the abutting member 253 is stored inside the storage hole 251. In this state, the abutting member 253 is in a standby state while urging (pressing) the side wall 101W of the device body 101 with the urging force of the urging spring 252.

[0038] [Operation when disconnecting the image forming apparatus from the feeding device] Next, the operation of releasing the connection between the image forming apparatus 100 and the feeding device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook of the feeding device is engaged with the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus when the opening / closing door is in the closed position. FIG. 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook of the feeding device is engaged with the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus when the opening / closing door starts to rotate. FIG. 13(c) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the connecting hook shaft of the image forming apparatus and the connecting hook of the feeding device are disengaged when the opening / closing door rotates further. FIG. 14(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 14(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device starts to separate from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 14(c) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the urging mechanism and the opening / closing door when the feeding device is separated from the image forming apparatus.

[0039] When disconnecting the image forming apparatus 100 from the feeding device 200, the operator moves the opening / closing door 160 from the closed position P1 to the open position P2, thereby disconnecting the image forming apparatus 100 from the feeding device 200 and moving the feeding device 200 away from the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 13(a), when the opening / closing door 160 is in the closed position P1, the connection lock mechanism 230 is in a locked state, and the connecting hook 233 is engaged with the connecting shaft 181 by the biasing force of the pressing spring 234.

[0040] From this state, the operator operates the handle 171 to release the door lock mechanism 170 (see FIG. 6(b)), and as shown in FIG. 13(b), the operator rotates the opening / closing door 160 from the closed position P1 in the U1 direction. Then, the connecting hook 233 rotates in the V1 direction against the biasing force of the pressing spring 234. At this time, the feeding device 200 is pressed by the opening / closing door 160 and starts moving in a direction away from the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13(c), when the operator rotates the opening / closing door 160 in the U1 direction to open it, the connecting hook 233 rotates in the V1 direction, and the hook claw 233a of the connecting hook 233 moves over the apex (lower end) of the connecting shaft 181. This releases the connecting lock mechanism 230. Therefore, the feeding device 200 is released from the connection with the image forming apparatus 100 and is free to move horizontally.

[0041] Next, a description will be given of the movement (separation operation) of feeding device 200 due to the pressing force F2 of opening / closing door 160 against feeding device 200 and the biasing force F1 (assisting force) of separation assist mechanism 250. As shown in FIG. 14(a), in image forming apparatus 100, opening / closing door 160 is closed at closed position P1, and feeding device 200 is connected to image forming apparatus 100. In this state, image forming apparatus 100 and feeding device 200 are locked by connection lock mechanism 230 (see FIG. 13(a)), and in separation assist mechanism 250, abutting member 253 is housed in housing hole 251 and biasing spring 252 is contracted. Therefore, abutting member 253 is in contact with side wall 101W of apparatus body 101 of image forming apparatus 100, and is in standby state while being biased against side wall 101W by the biasing force of biasing spring 252. In other words, since the connection lock mechanism 230 is locked, the connection lock mechanism 230 receives the pressing force F2 of the opening / closing door 160 and the biasing force F1 of the separation assist mechanism 250, which will be described later.

[0042] 14(b), the operator operates the handle 171 to unlock the door lock mechanism 170, and rotates the opening / closing door 160 in the U1 direction to open it. Then, as described above, the connection lock mechanism 230 is unlocked. Also, the contact portion 160Sp of the side surface 160S of the opening / closing door 160 abuts against a part of the housing 201 of the feeding device 200 (for example, the end portion of the upper part on the image forming device 100 side). This causes a pressing force F2 to be applied to the feeding device 200 in response to the operator's rotation of the opening / closing door 160.

[0043] Furthermore, with the release of the connection lock mechanism 230, the separation assist mechanism 250, which had been on standby with the abutting member 253 being biased against the side wall 101W by the biasing force of the biasing spring 252, is now in a state in which it applies the biasing force F1 of the biasing spring 252 to the housing 201 of the feeding device 200. In this embodiment, the protrusion amount (stroke amount) of the abutting member 253 of the separation assist mechanism 250 from the storage hole 251 is set to approximately 80 mm. Therefore, while the feeding device 200 moves 80 mm, the separation assist mechanism 250 assists the operating force of the opening / closing door 160.

[0044] Therefore, when the door 160 is opened, the biasing force that separates the feeding device 200 from the image forming apparatus 100 is the sum of the biasing force F1 of the separation assist mechanism 250 and the pressing force F2 of the door 160. Therefore, the pressing force F2 with which the operator presses and moves the feeding device 200 with the door 160 is assisted by the biasing force F1 of the separation assist mechanism 250, that is, the force with which the operator operates the door 160 is reduced. Note that the position at which the contact portion 160Sp of the side surface 160S of the door 160 comes into contact with the feeding device 200 changes depending on the rotation angle of the door 160; that is, the more the door 160 is opened, the more the contact portion 160Sp moves upward.

[0045] 14(c), feeding device 200 is finally separated from image forming apparatus 100 (side wall 101W) by 150 mm. Therefore, when feeding device 200 moves 80 mm or more, it is no longer able to receive assistance from separation assist mechanism 250. However, since an inertial force is generated by pressing separation assist mechanism 250, the operating force for opening and closing door 160 is reduced compared to when feeding device 200 is moved by operating opening and closing door 160 alone.

[0046] [Summary of this embodiment] As described above, in the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, when the connection lock mechanism 230 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the separation assist mechanism 250 outputs the biasing force F1 that separates the feeding device 200 from the image forming device 100. This can assist the operating force for moving the feeding device 200.

[0047] Furthermore, as the opening / closing door 160 is moved from the closed position P1 to the open position P2, the linkage locking mechanism 230 is switched from a locked state to an unlocked state. This allows the linkage locking mechanism 230 to be unlocked simply by operating the opening / closing door 160, improving operability.

[0048] Furthermore, when the opening / closing door 160 is moved from the closed position P1 to the open position P2, the opening / closing door 160 comes into contact with the feeding device 200 and presses the feeding device 200 in a direction separating it from the image forming apparatus 100. At this time, the separation assist mechanism 250 outputs a biasing force F1 that separates the feeding device 200 from the image forming apparatus 100, thereby reducing the force required by the operator to operate the opening / closing door 160. Furthermore, since the pressing force F2 with which the opening / closing door 160 presses the feeding device 200 is also reduced, the load on the opening / closing door 160 can be reduced, and the occurrence of damage to the opening / closing door 160 can also be reduced.

[0049] [Possibilities for other embodiments] In this embodiment, the description has been given of a configuration in which the interlocking lock mechanism 230 is switched from a locked state to an unlocked state when the open / close door 160 is moved from the closed position P1 to the open position P2. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the interlocking lock mechanism 230 may be switched from a locked state to an unlocked state by an operator operating a release lever (not shown). In this case, it is conceivable that the operator directly presses the feeding device 200 to separate it from the image forming apparatus 100. Even in this case, the separation assist mechanism 250 outputs a biasing force F1 that separates the feeding device 200 from the image forming apparatus 100. This can assist the operating force for moving the feeding device 200.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the feeding device 200 is described as being movable horizontally by rolling on rails 301 using rollers (not shown). However, this is not a limitation, and the feeding device 200 may be installed directly on a floor or the like. In particular, if a long-pile carpet or the like is laid on the floor on which the feeding device 200 is installed, a large pressing force is required to move the feeding device 200. However, in the present embodiment, the separation assist mechanism 250 outputs and assists with the biasing force F1 that separates the feeding device 200 from the image forming apparatus 100, thereby reducing such pressing force. Therefore, even if a carpet or the like is laid and the feeding device 200 is pressed by the opening / closing door 160, the load on the opening / closing door 160 can be reduced, and the occurrence of damage to the opening / closing door 160 can also be reduced.

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is described as the first conveying apparatus and the feeding apparatus 200 as the second conveying apparatus as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and any apparatus that conveys sheets may be used. In particular, a configuration may be adopted in which the upstream apparatus in the sheet conveying direction is the first conveying apparatus, and an apparatus on the discharge side, such as a finisher, is the second conveying apparatus. In this case, it is possible to disconnect the apparatus, such as the finisher, from the upstream apparatus and open the conveying path of the upstream apparatus by opening an opening / closing door. Furthermore, the first conveying apparatus may be any apparatus that conveys sheets, such as a bookbinding apparatus, an inspection apparatus, a cooling apparatus, an inverting apparatus, an inserter, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1...image forming system (sheet conveying system) / 100...first conveying device, image forming device / 101...device main body / 101W...side wall / 160...opening / closing door (opening / closing member) / 162...rotating shaft / 170...door locking mechanism (second locking mechanism) / 181...connecting shaft (engaged member) / 190...opening / 200...second conveying device, feeding device / 200U...upper surface / 230...connecting locking mechanism (locking mechanism, first locking mechanism) / 233...connecting hook (engaging member) / 233a...hook claw (engaging claw) / 234...pressure spring (pressing member) / 250...separation assist mechanism (urging mechanism) / 252...urging spring (urging member) / 253...contact member / F1...urging force / P1...closed position / P2...open position

Claims

1. a first conveying device capable of conveying a sheet; a second conveying device capable of conveying a sheet between itself and the first conveying device, movable in a horizontal direction, and connectable to the first conveying device; a lock mechanism switchable between a locked state in which the second transport device is locked while connected to the first transport device, and an unlocked state in which the lock is released; a biasing mechanism that outputs a biasing force that separates the second transport device from the first transport device when the locking mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. A sheet transport system characterized by:

2. the first conveying device has an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that forms a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed and an open position that opens the conveying path; the locking mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state as the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position.

2. The sheet transport system according to claim 1.

3. When the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the locking mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the opening / closing member abuts against the second conveying device, thereby pressing the second conveying device in a direction separating it from the first conveying device, and the biasing mechanism outputs a biasing force that separates the second conveying device from the first conveying device.

3. The sheet transport system according to claim 2.

4. the locking mechanism has an engaging member disposed on the second transport device and an engaged member disposed on the opening / closing member and brought into the locked state by being engaged with the engaging member, and when the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position, the engagement between the engaging member and the engaged member is released, thereby releasing the lock.

4. The sheet transport system according to claim 3.

5. the engaging member has an engaging claw that engages with the engaged member, and is disposed rotatably with respect to the second conveying device; The locking mechanism has a pressing member that presses the engaging claw toward the engaged member, and when the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position, the engaged member moves, the engaged member rotates the engaging member against the pressure of the pressing member, and the engaging claw climbs over the engaged member, thereby releasing the engagement between the engaging member and the engaged member and releasing the lock.

5. The sheet transport system according to claim 4.

6. the urging mechanism includes an urging member disposed on the second transport device, and an abutting member disposed slidably relative to the second transport device, urged toward the first transport device by the urging member, and capable of abutting against the first transport device.

4. The sheet transport system according to claim 3.

7. the first transport device has a sidewall with an opening that is closed when the opening / closing member is in the closed position; the abutting member abuts against the side wall at least in a state in which the second transport device is connected to the first transport device.

7. The sheet transport system according to claim 6.

8. the opening / closing member is supported by the first conveying device and is rotatable between the closed position and the open position around a rotation axis that is positioned below an upper surface of the second conveying device.

4. The sheet transport system according to claim 3.

9. the locking mechanism is a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism that is switchable between a locked state in which the opening / closing member is locked to the apparatus body of the first conveying device and an unlocked state in which the lock is released when the opening / closing member is in the closed position; 3. The sheet transport system according to claim 2.

10. the second conveying device is a feeding device that stores a plurality of sheets and feeds the sheets to the first conveying device, the first conveying device is an image forming device that forms an image on the sheet fed from the feeding device; 10. The sheet transport system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet transport system comprises: a first conveyor;

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