Conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To suppress generation of hitting sound when a loop is eliminated as compared with a case where a recording medium directly hits a guide member.SOLUTION: The transport device includes a positioning roller, a butting roller that butts a leading end of the recording medium against the positioning roller and forms a loop in the recording medium between the butting roller and the positioning roller, a driving member that rotationally drives the stopped positioning roller to eliminate the loop and transport the recording medium, a guide member that is disposed between the butting roller and the positioning roller in a transport direction of the recording medium, is separated from the recording medium in which the loop is formed, and guides the recording medium in which the loop is eliminated to a downstream side in the transport direction, and a bending member that is bent by coming into contact with the recording medium when the driving member rotationally drives the positioning roller and is pressed against the guide member by the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The paper transport device described in Patent Document 1 is a paper transport device that includes a paper feed means that feeds out paper stored in a paper feed section one sheet at a time, a pair of registration rollers that stop the paper and transport it at a predetermined timing, a transport means that transports paper fed from the paper feed means to the pair of registration rollers, a first transport guide plate that guides the back side of the paper from the transport means to the pair of registration rollers, and a second transport guide plate that guides the front side of the paper, and it is described that a sound-absorbing material layer is arranged on the inner surface of the side that guides the paper of at least one of the first and second transport guide plates, and a low-friction layer with lower friction resistance than the sound-absorbing material layer is formed at a predetermined interval on the sound-absorbing material layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-40565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, there are alignment rolls that align the leading edge of a recording medium as it is being transported. An abutting roll, located upstream of the alignment roll in the transport direction of the recording medium, abuts the leading edge of the recording medium against the stopped alignment roll. This forms a loop between the alignment roll and the abutting roll, aligning the leading edge of the recording medium. After the loop is formed, the alignment roll is rotated to transport the recording medium downstream in the transport direction.

[0005] The loop is eliminated by rotating the alignment roll, and when the loop is eliminated, the recording medium directly strikes the guide member that guides the recording medium, generating a striking noise.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress the generation of hitting noise when the loop is released, compared to when the recording medium directly hits the guide member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The conveying device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: an alignment roll that aligns the position of the leading edge of a recording medium; an abutting roll that abuts the leading edge of the recording medium against the stopped alignment roll and forms a loop in the recording medium between the alignment roll; a driving member that rotates the stopped alignment roll to eliminate the loop and convey the recording medium; a guide member that is positioned between the abutting roll and the alignment roll in the conveying direction of the recording medium, is separated from the recording medium in which the loop has been formed, and guides the recording medium in which the loop has been eliminated downstream in the conveying direction; and a bending member that bends when it comes into contact with the recording medium in which the loop is eliminated and is pressed against the guide member by the recording medium.

[0008] A conveying device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the first aspect, the flexible members are provided in multiple locations spaced apart in the axial direction of the abutting roll, and are arranged in the axial direction at least on one side and the other side of the center of the recording medium being conveyed.

[0009] A conveying device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the second aspect, the flexible members are provided in pairs and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the recording medium being conveyed in the axial direction.

[0010] A conveying device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the first aspect, the flexible member is formed from a resin film, has a base end attached to the guide member, and is cantilevered with a tip end that is a free end downstream of the base end in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0011] A conveying device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the fourth aspect, the cantilever portion of the flexible member is trapezoidal in shape with the base end side as the lower base.

[0012] A conveying device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the conveying device described in the fourth aspect, the flexible member has a bent portion formed in a convex shape toward the recording medium on which the loop is formed, when viewed in the axial direction of the abutting roll.

[0013] An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by including the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed by the conveying device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the conveying device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when the loop is released, the generation of hitting noise can be suppressed compared to when the recording medium directly hits the guide member.

[0015] In the transport device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the occurrence of hitting noise can be effectively suppressed compared to when only one flexible member is arranged in the center of the recording medium.

[0016] In the conveying device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, changes in the conveying posture of the recording medium when the flexible member bends can be suppressed compared to when the flexible member is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the center of the recording medium.

[0017] In the conveying device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the increase in the conveying resistance of the recording medium can be suppressed compared to when the tip of the flexible member is cantilevered and positioned upstream of the base end in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0018] In the transport device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the cantilever portion can be deflected evenly compared to when the cantilever portion is rectangular.

[0019] In the conveying device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, damage to the recording medium can be suppressed compared to when the edge of the flexible member comes into contact with the recording medium when the loop is released.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, noise can be reduced compared to when the image forming apparatus is provided with a conveying device in which the recording medium directly hits the guide member when the loop is released. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming unit provided for image formation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of a control unit provided in the transport device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view showing a flexible member provided in a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are process diagrams illustrating a conveying process of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are process diagrams illustrating a conveying process of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are process diagrams illustrating a conveying process of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are process diagrams illustrating a conveying process of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An example of a conveying device and an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. Note that arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, i.e., the up-down direction of the device. Arrow W is perpendicular to arrow H and is horizontal, indicating the width direction of the device. Arrow D is perpendicular to arrows H and W and is horizontal, indicating the depth direction of the device.

[0023] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus 10) 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 60 and an image forming unit 12 that forms a toner image. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a conveying device 14 that conveys a sheet material P as a recording medium along a conveying path 14a, and a storage member 18 that stores the sheet material P.

[0024] In this configuration, in the image forming apparatus 10, the sheet material P stored in the storage member 18 is transported along the transport path 14a by the transport device 14. Furthermore, a toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 based on image data read by the image reading unit 60. Furthermore, this toner image is formed on the sheet material P being transported, and the sheet material P with the toner image formed thereon is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a.

[0025] [Image forming unit 12] 1, the image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 30 that respectively form toner images of each color, and a transfer unit 32 that transfers the toner images formed in the toner image forming units 30 onto a sheet member P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 12 includes a fixing device 34 that fixes the toner images transferred onto the sheet member P by the transfer units 32 onto the sheet member P.

[0026] -Toner image forming unit 30- A plurality of toner image forming units 30 are provided to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, toner image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are provided for a total of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals will be omitted.

[0027] The toner image forming units 30 for each color are basically configured the same except for the toner used. As shown in FIG. 2, each toner image forming unit 30 includes a rotating, cylindrical image carrier 36 and a charger 42 that charges the image carrier 36. Furthermore, each toner image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 44 that irradiates the charged image carrier 36 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image, and a development device 46 that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with developer G containing toner. Thus, each toner image forming unit 30 for each color forms an image of that color using the toner of that color.

[0028] 1, the image carriers 36 of each color are in contact with a rotating transfer belt 50 (described in detail later). In the rotation direction of the transfer belt 50 (see the arrow in the figure), the toner image forming units 30 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are lined up in this order from the upstream side.

[0029] -Transfer section 32- 1, the transfer unit 32 includes an endless transfer belt 50. The transfer unit 32 further includes primary transfer rolls 52 that are arranged on the opposite side of the image carriers 36 of each color across the transfer belt 50 and transfer the toner images formed on the image carriers 36 of each color to the transfer belt 50.

[0030] The transfer unit 32 also includes a winding roll 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound, and a driving roll 58 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and which transmits a rotational force to the transfer belt 50. This causes the transfer belt 50 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

[0031] Furthermore, the transfer unit 32 includes a secondary transfer roll 54, which is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer belt 50 from the winding roll 56 and which transfers the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 50 onto the sheet material P. A transfer nip NT is formed between the secondary transfer roll 54 and the transfer belt 50 to transfer the toner image onto the sheet material P.

[0032] -Fusing unit 34- 1, the fixing device 34 is disposed downstream of the transfer nip NT in the conveying direction of the sheet member P. The fixing device 34 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the sheet member P to fix it to the sheet member P.

[0033] In this configuration, toner images of each color, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), are formed on the respective image carriers 36 by the toner image forming units 30. The toner images formed on the image carriers 36 are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) onto the transfer belt 50 by the primary transfer roll 52. The toner images are then transferred from the transfer belt 50 by the secondary transfer roll 54 onto the sheet member P, which is conveyed while being sandwiched between the transfer belt 50 and the secondary transfer roll 54.

[0034] Furthermore, the sheet member P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported toward the fixing device 34. Then, the fixing device 34 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet member P onto the sheet member P.

[0035] [Transport device 14] 1, the conveying device 14 includes a plurality of conveying rolls. The conveying device 14 sends out the sheet material P stored in the storage member 18 to a conveying path 14a, passes the sheet material P through the transfer nip NT, and discharges the sheet material P to the outside of the apparatus main body 10a. The conveying device 14 will be described in detail later.

[0036] [Image reading unit 60] As shown in FIG. 1 , the image reading unit 60 is disposed above the discharge rolls 28 that discharge the sheet material P. The image reading unit 60 includes a document transport unit 62 and a document reading unit 64. The document transport unit 62 and the document reading unit 64 are connected by a hinge 64a provided in the document reading unit 64. The image reading unit 60 also includes a paper feed table 66 that feeds the document S to the document transport unit 62. The image reading unit 60 also includes a discharge table 68 that discharges the document S that has been transported by the document transport unit 62 and read by the document reading unit 64. The paper feed table 66 and the discharge table 68 are attached to the document transport unit 62.

[0037] In this configuration, by rotating the document transport unit 62 around the hinge portion 64a, the upper surface (platen glass) of the document reading unit 64 is opened upward. Then, the document reading unit 64 reads an image of the document S transported by the document transport unit 62 and an image of the document S placed on a platen glass (not shown) arranged on the upper surface of the document reading unit 64.

[0038] (Main part configuration) Next, the transport device 14 will be described in detail. 1, the conveying device 14 includes a discharge roll 28 that discharges the sheet member P on which the toner image has been formed to the outside of the device main body 10a. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conveying device 14 includes a delivery roll 20, a double-feed prevention roll 22, a butting roll 24, and a positioning roll 26. The delivery roll 20, the double-feed prevention roll 22, the butting roll 24, and the positioning roll 26 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet member P (hereinafter referred to as the "sheet conveying direction").

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3, the conveying device 14 further includes paper guides 70, 72, and 74, a detection member 78, and a bending member 90. As shown in Fig. 4, the conveying device 14 further includes a motor 110 that rotates the delivery roll 20 and a motor 112 that rotates the double-feed prevention roll 22. The conveying device 14 further includes a motor 114 that rotates the abutting roll 24 and a motor 116 that rotates the alignment roll 26. The conveying device 14 also includes a control unit 98 that controls the operation and non-operation of the motors 110, 112, 114, and 116. The motor 116 is an example of a driving member.

[0040] [Feed-out roll 20, double-feed prevention roll 22] The axial direction of the delivery roll 20 is the depth direction, and as shown in Fig. 3, the delivery roll 20 is disposed so as to come into contact with the uppermost sheet member P among the sheet members P stacked in the storage member 18. The delivery roll 20 delivers the uppermost sheet member P stacked in the storage member 18 to the conveyance path 14a.

[0041] The double-feed prevention roll 22 has its axial direction as the depth direction, and is disposed downstream in the sheet conveying direction relative to the delivery roll 20 and on one side in the width direction (left side in the drawing) relative to the delivery roll 20. The double-feed prevention roll 22 prevents double feeding of the sheet material P delivered by the delivery roll 20, and conveys the sheet material P downstream in the sheet conveying direction.

[0042] [Stopping roll 24, paper guide 70] 3, the abutting roll 24 has its axial direction as the depth direction, and is disposed downstream in the sheet conveying direction relative to the double-feed prevention roll 22 and obliquely above (above the left side in the figure) the double-feed prevention roll 22. Therefore, the conveying path 14a in the portion between the double-feed prevention roll 22 and the abutting roll 24 is curved.

[0043] The abutting roll 24 is composed of a roll 80 and a roll 82. The roll 80 is disposed on the outside of the curved conveying path 14a, and the roll 82 is disposed on the inside of the curved conveying path 14a.

[0044] 5, the roll 80 has a shaft 80a and a plurality of cylindrical roll portions 80b into which the shaft 80a is inserted and which are spaced apart in the depth direction. Similarly, the roll 82 has a shaft 82a and a plurality of cylindrical roll portions 82b into which the shaft 82a is inserted and which are spaced apart in the depth direction.

[0045] 3, the paper guide 70 has a guide surface 70a for forming the curved conveying path 14a between the double-feed prevention roll 22 and the abutting roll 24. As a result, the sheet material P conveyed by the double-feed prevention roll 22 is guided toward the abutting roll 24 by the guide surface 70a of the paper guide 70.

[0046] [Alignment roll 26, paper guide 72, paper guide 74] 3, the alignment roll 26 has its axial direction as the depth direction, and is disposed downstream in the sheet conveying direction relative to the double-feed prevention roll 22 and obliquely above (above the right side in the figure) the double-feed prevention roll 22. Therefore, the conveying path 14a in the portion between the abutting roll 24 and the alignment roll 26 is curved.

[0047] The paper guides 72 and 74 extend in the depth direction and are disposed between the abutting roll 24 and the alignment roll 26 in the sheet conveying direction, as shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the paper guide 72 is disposed on the outside of the curved portion of the conveying path 14a, and the paper guide 74 is disposed on the inside of the curved portion of the conveying path 14a. The paper guide 74 is an example of a guide member.

[0048] The paper guide 72 is in the shape of a curved plate and has a guide surface 72a facing the transport path 14a.

[0049] The paper guide 74 is shaped like a curved plate and has a guide surface 76 facing the conveyance path 14a. The guide surface 76 of the paper guide 74 and the guide surface 72a of the paper guide 72 are spaced apart, so that a loop is formed in the sheet material P being conveyed between the guide surface 76 and the guide surface 72a. The loop refers to a curved bulge formed in the sheet material P by a compressive force.

[0050] When viewed from the depth direction, the guide surface 76 has a protrusion 76a that protrudes toward the conveying path 14a and a flat portion 76b on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the protrusion 76a. Furthermore, the guide surface 76 has a curved portion 76c on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the protrusion 76a.

[0051] When viewed from the depth direction, the flat portion 76b is inclined such that the upstream portion in the sheet conveying direction is spaced apart from the conveying path 14a relative to the downstream portion in the sheet conveying direction. Also, when viewed from the depth direction, the curved portion 76c is curved so that the side facing the conveying path 14a is recessed.

[0052] [Detection member 78, flexible member 90] 3, the detection member 78 is disposed upstream of the alignment roll 26 in the sheet conveying direction, so that the detection member 78 detects the leading edge of the sheet material P conveyed along the conveying path 14a.

[0053] The flexible member 90 is formed using a resin film. In this embodiment, as an example, Mylar (registered trademark) having a thickness of 0.18 mm is used as the resin film.

[0054] 5, two flexible members 90 are provided spaced apart in the depth direction. The two flexible members 90 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the sheet material P being conveyed in the depth direction and so as not to overlap with the roll portion 82b of the roll 82 in the depth direction.

[0055] 5, 6A, and 6B, the flexible member 90 has an attachment portion 92 attached to the flat portion 76b of the paper guide 74, and a cantilever portion 94 extending from the attachment portion 92 toward the conveying path 14a. Specifically, the flexible member 90 has a cantilever shape in which a base end is attached to the paper guide 74 and a tip end is a free end downstream of the base end in the sheet conveying direction.

[0056] Furthermore, a bent portion 94a is formed at the tip of the cantilever portion 94, which is bent so as to be convex toward the sheet material P to be conveyed. The cantilever portion 94 also has a base end portion 94b on the mounting portion 92 side with the bent portion 94a in between, and a tip portion 94c on the opposite side of the base end portion 94b with the bent portion 94a in between.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6(A), the expanded shape of the cantilever portion 94 is trapezoidal when viewed in the thickness direction of the flexible member 90. As a result, the base end portion 94b and the tip end portion 94c are also trapezoidal. As shown in Fig. 3, the flexible member 90 protrudes toward the paper guide 72 relative to the protrusion 76a of the paper guide 74. In this embodiment, the cantilever portion 94 is an isosceles trapezoid.

[0058] [Control unit 98] 4 controls the rotation of each roll by controlling the operation / non-operation of each motor 110, 112, 114, 116. The control of each motor 110, 112, 114, 116 by the control unit 98 will be explained below together with the operation.

[0059] (action) Next, the operation of the conveying device 14 will be described. Specifically, a process of conveying the sheet material P loaded in the storage member 18 to the transfer nip NT in order to form an image on the sheet material P will be described. Note that in the initial state in which the sheet material P is not being conveyed, the rotation of all the rolls is stopped.

[0060] When the control unit 98 shown in FIG. 3 receives an instruction to convey the sheet members P stacked in the storage member 18 from a UI (interface) not shown, the control unit 98 activates the motors 110, 112, and 114 (see FIG. 4).

[0061] This rotates the feed roll 20, the double-feed prevention roll 22, and the abutment roll 24. Then, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the feed roll 20 feeds the uppermost sheet material P stacked in the storage member 18 to the conveying path 14a. In addition, the double-feed prevention roll 22 prevents double feeding of the sheet material P fed by the feed roll 20, and conveys the sheet material P toward the paper guide 70 on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

[0062] Furthermore, the abutting roll 24 receives the sheet material P guided by the guide surface 70a of the paper guide 70, and transports the sheet material P toward the alignment roll 26 through between the paper guide 72 and the paper guide 74. Then, the leading edge of the sheet material P transported by each roll abuts against the nip portion of the alignment roll 26, which is stopped.

[0063] Here, when the leading edge of the sheet material P reaches the portion of the conveying path 14a facing the detection member 78, the detection member 78 detects the leading edge of the sheet material P. The control unit 98 receives a detection signal from the detection member 78 and continues to operate the motors 110, 112, 114 for a predetermined time after receiving the signal, thereby causing the feed roll 20, the double feed prevention roll 22, and the abutting roll 24 to continue conveying the sheet material P. In other words, the control unit 98 causes the feed roll 20, the double feed prevention roll 22, and the abutting roll 24 to continue conveying the sheet material P while the leading edge of the sheet material P is stopped.

[0064] 8(A) and (B), a compressive force in the sheet conveying direction is generated in the portion of the sheet material P between the guide surface 72a of the paper guide 72 and the guide surface 76 of the paper guide 74, forming a loop (bulge). As a result, the leading edge of the sheet material P hits hard against the nip portion of the alignment roll 26, and the leading edge of the sheet material P is aligned. Note that, in the state in which a loop is formed in the sheet material P, the sheet material P and the bending member 90 are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 8(B).

[0065] Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 98 deactivates the motors 110, 112, and 114, and stops the conveyance of the sheet material P by the delivery roll 20, the double feed prevention roll 22, and the abutting roll 24. Furthermore, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 98 activates the motor 116 to rotate the alignment roll 26. Then, the control unit 98 causes the alignment roll 26 to convey the sheet material P.

[0066] 9(A) and (B), the loop (bulge) formed between the guide surface 72a of the paper guide 72 and the guide surface 76 of the paper guide 74 gradually becomes smaller. In other words, the loop is gradually eliminated. As the loop of the sheet material P is eliminated, the sheet surface of the sheet material P comes into contact with the protrusion 90a of the bending member 90 (see FIG. 9(B)).

[0067] 10(A) and 10(B), as the loop is further released, the bending member 90 is pressed by the sheet material P and bent. Then, the bent bending member 90 is pressed against the guide surface 76 of the paper guide 74 by the sheet material P. Then, the alignment roll 26 conveys the sheet material P downstream in the conveyance direction. Note that the delivery roll 20, the double feed prevention roll 22, and the abutment roll 24 rotate in response to the sheet material P being conveyed.

[0068] (summary) As described above, in the conveying device 14, the bending member 90 comes into contact with and bends the sheet material P before the sheet material P, whose loop is to be released, hits the guide surface 76 of the paper guide 74. This reduces the generation of hitting noise when the loop is released compared to when the sheet material P directly hits the paper guide 74. Here, "directly" means that the sheet material P comes into contact with the paper guide 74 without anything sandwiched between the paper guide 74 and the sheet material P.

[0069] Furthermore, in the conveying device 14, a plurality of flexible members 90 are provided at intervals in the depth direction (axial direction of the abutting rolls 24), and are arranged at least on the near side and the far side in the depth direction with respect to the center of the conveyed sheet material P. This effectively suppresses the generation of hitting noise compared to when only one flexible member is arranged in the center of the sheet material P.

[0070] Furthermore, in the conveying device 14, the flexible members 90 are disposed symmetrically in the depth direction with respect to the center of the conveyed sheet material P. This suppresses changes in the conveying posture of the sheet material P when the flexible members 90 bend, compared to when the flexible members are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the center of the sheet material P.

[0071] In the conveying device 14, the flexible member 90 is formed of a resin film, and has a cantilever shape with its base end attached to the paper guide 74 and its tip end being a free end downstream of the base end in the sheet conveying direction. This suppresses an increase in conveying resistance of the sheet member P compared to when the tip end is located upstream of the base end in the sheet conveying direction.

[0072] In the transport device 14, the cantilever portion 94 of the flexible member 90 is trapezoidal in shape with the base end at the bottom. This allows the cantilever portion to bend evenly compared to when the cantilever portion is rectangular.

[0073] Furthermore, in the conveying device 14, the flexible member 90 is formed with a bent portion 94a that comes into contact with the sheet material P when the loop is released. This reduces damage to the sheet material P compared to when the edge of the flexible member hits the sheet material P when the loop is released.

[0074] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a conveying device 14. Therefore, conveying noise is reduced compared to when the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a conveying device in which the sheet material P directly hits the paper guide when the loop is released.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, the flexible members 90 are arranged at least on the front and rear sides in the depth direction relative to the center of the sheet material P being conveyed. However, for example, only one flexible member may be arranged in the center of the sheet material P. However, in this case, the effect achieved by arranging the flexible members on the front and rear sides in the depth direction relative to the center of the sheet material P is not achieved.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the flexible member 90 is cantilevered (supported at one end), but it may be supported at both ends. In this case, however, the effect achieved by the cantilevered structure will not be achieved.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the conveying device 14 includes the control unit 98, but the control unit of the image forming apparatus 10 may also function as the control unit of the conveying device 14.

[0078] In addition, in the above embodiment, the cantilever portion 94 of the flexible member 90 is trapezoidal, but the cantilever portion may have another shape, such as a rectangular shape. However, in this case, the effect achieved by the cantilever portion 94 being trapezoidal will not be achieved.

[0079] (((1))) a registration roll for aligning the leading edge of the recording medium; abutting roll that abuts the leading edge of the recording medium against the stopped alignment roll to form a loop in the recording medium between the alignment roll and the abutting roll; a driving member that rotates the stopped alignment roll to eliminate the loop and transport the recording medium; a guide member disposed between the abutting roll and the alignment roll in the conveying direction of the recording medium, the guide member being spaced apart from the recording medium on which the loop has been formed and guiding the recording medium from which the loop has been eliminated to the downstream side in the conveying direction; a flexible member that is in contact with the recording medium whose loop is being released and is flexible, and is pressed against the guide member by the recording medium; A conveying device comprising:

[0080] (((2))) a plurality of the bending members are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the abutting roll, and are arranged at least on one side and the other side of the center of the recording medium being conveyed in the axial direction; The conveying device according to (((1))).

[0081] (((3))) a pair of the flexible members are provided, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the recording medium being transported in the axial direction; The conveying device according to (((2))).

[0082] (((4))) the flexible member is formed of a resin film, and has a cantilever shape with a base end attached to the guide member and a tip end that is a free end downstream of the base end in the conveying direction of the recording medium; The conveying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0083] (((5))) The cantilever portion of the flexible member is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the base end side as a lower base. The conveying device according to (((4))).

[0084] (((6))) the flexible member has a bent portion formed on the recording medium side on which the loop is formed, as viewed in the axial direction of the abutting roll. The conveying device according to (((4))) or (((5))).

[0085] (((7))) A conveying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0086] In the conveying device according to (((1))), when the loop is released, the generation of hitting noise can be suppressed compared to when the recording medium directly hits the guide member.

[0087] In the conveying device according to the (((2))) aspect, the generation of hitting noise can be effectively suppressed compared to when only one flexible member is disposed in the center of the recording medium.

[0088] In the conveying device according to (((3))), it is possible to suppress changes in the conveying posture of the recording medium when the bending member bends, compared to when the bending member is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the center of the recording medium.

[0089] In the conveying device according to (((4))), the increase in the conveying resistance of the recording medium can be suppressed compared to when the flexible member is cantilevered such that the tip is positioned upstream of the base end in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0090] In the transport device according to (((5))), the cantilevered portion can be deflected evenly compared to when the cantilevered portion is rectangular.

[0091] In the conveying device according to (((6))), damage to the recording medium can be suppressed compared to when the edge of the flexible member comes into contact with the recording medium when the loop is released.

[0092] In the image forming apparatus according to (((7))), noise can be reduced compared to an apparatus including a conveying device in which the recording medium directly strikes the guide member when the loop is released. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10 Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 14 Conveyor equipment 24 Totsuto Roll 26 Alignment roll 72 Paper guide (an example of a guide member) 90 Flexible member 94 Cantilevered part 94a Bend part 116 Motor (an example of a driving member)

Claims

1. a registration roll for aligning the leading edge of the recording medium; abutting roll that abuts the leading edge of the recording medium against the stopped alignment roll to form a loop in the recording medium between the alignment roll and the abutting roll; a driving member that rotates the stopped alignment roll to eliminate the loop and transport the recording medium; a guide member disposed between the abutting roll and the alignment roll in the conveying direction of the recording medium, the guide member being spaced apart from the recording medium on which the loop has been formed and guiding the recording medium from which the loop has been eliminated to the downstream side in the conveying direction; a flexible member that is in contact with the recording medium whose loop is being released and is flexible, and is pressed against the guide member by the recording medium; A conveying device comprising:

2. a plurality of the bending members are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the abutting roll, and are arranged at least on one side and the other side of the center of the recording medium being conveyed in the axial direction; The conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. a pair of the flexible members are provided, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the recording medium being transported in the axial direction; The conveying device according to claim 2 .

4. the flexible member is formed of a resin film, and has a cantilever shape with a base end attached to the guide member and a tip end that is a free end downstream of the base end in the conveying direction of the recording medium; The conveying device according to claim 1 .

5. The cantilever portion of the flexible member is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the base end side as a lower base. The conveying device according to claim 4.

6. the flexible member has a bent portion formed on the recording medium side on which the loop is formed, as viewed in the axial direction of the abutting roll. The conveying device according to claim 4.

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

Images