Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in which a movable guide disposed in an apparatus body can be disposed close to a cassette.SOLUTION: An apparatus main body; a cassette which includes a storing portion for storing a sheet and is mounted on the apparatus main body so as to be drawable in a pull-out direction from a storing position; a feeding unit which feeds the sheet stored in the storing portion downstream in the pull-out direction; a movable guide which guides the sheet fed by the feeding unit, the movable guide being supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable in a first direction; A movable guide disposed downstream of the storage portion in the pull-out direction in a state where the cassette is at the storage position, wherein the movable guide is moved in the first direction by the cassette in a process of attaching the cassette to the apparatus main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets and an image forming apparatus that forms images on sheets. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that a movable guide is arranged on a cassette that is attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus so as to be removable, and that the movable guide falls when the cassette is removed from the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-11093 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a movable guide for guiding sheets fed from a cassette is provided in the apparatus body, it is preferable to dispose the movable guide at a position closer to the cassette.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a movable guide disposed in the apparatus main body can be disposed close to a cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet feeding device comprising: an apparatus main body; a cassette having a storage section for storing sheets and attached to the apparatus main body so that it can be pulled out in a pulling-out direction from a storage position; a feeding means for feeding the sheets stored in the storage section downstream in the pulling-out direction; and a movable guide for guiding the sheets fed by the feeding means, the movable guide being supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable in a first direction and being positioned downstream of the storage section in the pulling-out direction when the cassette is in the storage position, wherein the movable guide is moved in the first direction by the cassette during the process of attaching the cassette to the apparatus main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a movable guide disposed in the apparatus main body can be disposed close to a cassette. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support structure for a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cassette according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a cassette and a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 3A and 3B are explanatory views of a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 3A to 3C are explanatory views of a movable guide according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a support structure for a movable guide according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are explanatory views of a movable guide according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a support structure for a movable guide according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are explanatory views of a movable guide according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Example 1 An image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment (Example 1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] In the following description and in each drawing, the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum Dr provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the X direction. The direction intersecting both the X direction and the Z direction is referred to as the Y direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are preferably perpendicular to each other.

[0012] (Outline of image forming device) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A and a cassette 2. The cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A in a manner that allows it to be pulled out in a pulling-out direction Dd relative to the apparatus main body 1A. The apparatus main body 1A in this embodiment refers to the portion of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the cassette 2.

[0013] The apparatus main body 1A includes an image forming unit 1B and a housing that houses the image forming unit 1B. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 1B is an intermediate transfer tandem electrophotographic unit. That is, the image forming unit 1B includes four process units PY, PM, PC, and PK, an exposure unit 1E, an intermediate transfer belt ITB as an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer roller 1T as a transfer member, and a fixing unit 1D. Each process unit PY, PM, PC, and PK includes a photosensitive drum Dr as an image carrier, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and the like that act on the photosensitive drum Dr.

[0014] The cassette 2 is configured to be able to load (store) sheets S of various sizes and basis weights. The sheets S, which are recording materials (recording media), can be a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, surface-treated sheet materials such as coated paper, specially shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0015] The cassette 2, together with a feed roller 7 and the like disposed in the apparatus main body 1A, constitutes a sheet feeding device 1F in this embodiment. Details of the sheet feeding device 1F will be described later.

[0016] An overview of a series of operations (image forming operations) performed by the image forming apparatus 1 to form images on sheets S while transporting the sheets S one by one will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 starts the image forming operation upon receiving an image formation instruction (print instruction) from, for example, an external computer. During the image forming operation, the photosensitive drums Dr of the process units PY to PK and the intermediate transfer belt ITB are rotated. The charging device charges the surface of the photosensitive drum Dr. The exposure unit 1E exposes the photosensitive drum Dr based on image information received along with the print instruction, thereby writing an electrostatic latent image onto the surface of the photosensitive drum Dr. The developing device carries toner as a developer on a developing roller and supplies it to the photosensitive drum Dr, developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. As a result, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed in the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK, respectively. These toner images are transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt ITB by applying a voltage to the primary transfer rollers corresponding to each photosensitive drum Dr. At this time, the toner images of each color are superimposed to form a full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt ITB. This image is carried on the intermediate transfer belt ITB and transported to the secondary transfer section formed between the intermediate transfer belt ITB and the secondary transfer roller 1T.

[0017] Meanwhile, sheet feeding device 1F feeds sheets S one by one from cassette 2 toward the secondary transfer section. At the secondary transfer section, an image is transferred (secondary transfer) from intermediate transfer belt ITB to sheet S by applying a voltage to secondary transfer roller 1T. After passing through the secondary transfer section, sheet S is thermally fixed to the image in fixing unit 1D. After passing through fixing unit 1D, sheet S is discharged to the outside of apparatus main body 1A by a pair of discharge rollers and stacked on a discharge tray provided on the top surface of apparatus main body 1A.

[0018] In the above description, the image forming unit 1B is merely one example of an image forming means that forms an image on the sheet S. The image forming means may be, for example, a direct transfer electrophotographic unit. Furthermore, the image forming means is not limited to the electrophotographic type, and may be, for example, an inkjet printing unit.

[0019] (sheet feeding device) A description will be given of a sheet feeding device 1F provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Fig. 3.

[0020] 3 and 4, the sheet feeding device 1F includes a cassette 2, a feeding roller 7, a pair of separation rollers (8, 9), a pair of registration rollers (hereinafter referred to as a pair of registration rollers 110), and a movable guide 13. The feeding roller 7, the pair of separation rollers (8, 9), the pair of registration rollers 110, and the movable guide 13 are arranged in the device main body 1A.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the cassette 2 when it is pulled out from the device main body 1A. As shown in Fig. 5, the cassette 2 has a storage section 2a (cassette frame) that stores sheets S, a gripping section 2b (Fig. 2), and a middle plate 3 (Fig. 3) and regulating plates 4, 5, and 6 that are provided in the storage section 2a.

[0022] The gripping portion 2b is a portion that is gripped when a user pulls out the cassette 2 in the pull-out direction Dd. The middle plate 3 is a support member (stacking member) that supports the lower surface of the sheets S set in the cassette 2 and is configured to be able to move up and down relative to the bottom of the storage section 2a. The regulating plates 4 and 5 are a pair of regulating members that regulate the end position in the sheet width direction of the sheets S set in the cassette 2. Here, the sheet width direction is a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction Df in which the sheets S are fed from the cassette 2, and is the same as the X direction in this embodiment. The regulating plate 6 is a regulating member that regulates the rear end position in the sheet feeding direction Df of the sheets S set in the cassette 2. The first guide 12 is disposed downstream of the storage section 2a in the sheet feeding direction Df and guides the lower surface of the sheets S fed from the storage section 2a.

[0023] 4, the feed roller 7 is disposed above the storage section 2a when the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A. The feed roller 7 is an example of a feeding means that feeds the sheets S from the cassette 2. In this embodiment, the sheet feeding direction Df by the feed roller 7 is substantially the same as the pull-out direction Dd. In other words, the feed roller 7 (feeding means) feeds the sheets S stored in the storage section 2a of the cassette 2 downstream in the pull-out direction Dd.

[0024] The pair of separation rollers (8, 9) is composed of a feed roller 8 and a retard roller 9 in contact with the feed roller 8. The feed roller 8 further conveys the sheet S received from the feed roller 7 in the sheet feeding direction Df. A driving force in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction Df is input to the retard roller 9 via a torque limiter. The retard roller 9 is an example of a separation member that separates the sheet by applying a frictional force to the sheet S in a nip portion (separation nip) formed between the feed roller 8 and the retard roller 9. Note that, for example, a pad-shaped elastic member (separation pad) in contact with the feed roller 8 may be used as the separation member.

[0025] The pair of registration rollers 110 includes a drive roller 10 that rotates by the driving force of a drive source (motor), and a driven roller 11 that rotates following the drive roller 10. The pair of registration rollers 110 is disposed downstream of the separation nip and upstream of the secondary transfer portion on the conveyance path that runs from the cassette 2 to the pair of discharge rollers via the secondary transfer portion and the fixing unit 1D.

[0026] 2, a user can refill the cassette 2 with sheets S or replace sheets S already set in it by pulling out the cassette 2 from the device main body 1A in the pulling-out direction Dd. When the cassette 2 is pulled out from the device main body 1A, the connection between the drive device provided in the device main body 1A and the lifting mechanism of the middle plate 3 provided in the cassette 2 is released. As a result, the middle plate 3 descends under its own weight.

[0027] The cassette 2 that has been pulled out from the device main body 1A is inserted in the mounting direction opposite to the pulling direction Dd, and is thereby mounted in the device main body 1A. The device main body 1A is provided with a pulling device that pulls the cassette 2 into a predetermined storage position (mounting position) within the device main body 1A. The force received from the pulling device causes an abutment portion provided at the downstream end of the cassette 2 in the mounting direction to abut against the device main body 1A, thereby positioning the cassette 2 at the storage position. When the cassette 2 is in the storage position, feeding of sheets S from the cassette 2 is permitted.

[0028] The control unit of the apparatus main body 1A can detect the attachment and removal of the cassette 2 to and from the apparatus main body 1A based on a detection signal from a sensor (not shown). When the control unit detects the attachment of the cassette 2, it activates the drive device to raise the intermediate plate 3. Furthermore, when the control unit detects that the uppermost sheet S has reached a predetermined height based on a detection signal from a sheet sensor (not shown), it determines that feeding of the sheet S can be performed. The predetermined height is a height at which the sheet S can be fed by the rotation of the feed roller 7 and smoothly reach the separation nip. When the amount of sheets S on the intermediate plate 3 decreases due to the execution of an image forming operation, the control unit controls the drive device so that the uppermost sheet S reaches the predetermined height.

[0029] When the image forming operation starts, the feed roller 7 rotates while in contact with the uppermost sheet S, thereby feeding the sheet S from the cassette 2 in the sheet feeding direction Df. The pair of separation rollers (8, 9) transports the sheet S fed from the cassette 2 while separating it. Specifically, when only one sheet S enters the separation nip, the retard roller 9 rotates following the feed roller 8 and the sheet S due to slip of the torque limiter. When multiple sheets S enter the separation nip, the sheets S other than the uppermost sheet S in contact with the feed roller 8 are prevented by the retard roller 9 from passing through the separation nip.

[0030] (Manual feed section) 3 and 4, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a manual feed unit 15 (multipurpose feed unit, multi-feed unit). The manual feed unit 15 can feed sheets S that the user manually sets from outside the image forming apparatus 1 when the user wants to use sheets that cannot be set in the cassette 2 (for example, cardboard or small-sized paper) or when the user wants to use a small number of special sheets.

[0031] The manual feed unit 15 has a manual tray with a middle plate 16, a feed roller 17, a separation roller 18, and a conveyance roller pair 19. When a sheet is fed from the manual feed unit 15, the middle plate 16 rises about the rotation shaft 16a, and the top sheet of sheets Sb set on the middle plate 16 abuts against the feed roller 17. The feed roller 17 then rotates to feed the top sheet. The separation roller 18 abuts against the feed roller 17. Even if the feed roller 17 feeds two or more sheets, the separation roller 18 prevents the passage of sheets other than the top sheet, so the sheets Sb are fed one by one. After passing through the feed roller 17 and the separation roller 18, the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 19 toward the registration roller pair 110.

[0032] (Transport path) The following describes the conveying paths provided in the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the sheet S fed from the cassette 2 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 110 through a first conveying path 20A (cassette feeding path) shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, the sheet S fed from the manual feeding unit 15 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 110 through a second conveying path 20B (manual feeding path). In other words, the first conveying path 20A and the second conveying path 20B join together upstream of the registration roller pair 110.

[0033] The movable guide 13 in this embodiment is disposed at the junction of the first conveying path 20A and the second conveying path 20B. That is, the movable guide 13 is disposed at the junction of the first conveying path 20A, along which the sheet is conveyed from the cassette 2 toward the pair of registration rollers 110 (conveying unit), and the second conveying path 20B, along which the sheet is conveyed from a sheet supply source (manual feed section 15) other than the cassette 2 toward the pair of registration rollers 110 (conveying unit).

[0034] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first transport path 20A and at least a portion of the second transport path 20B are formed by a cassette 2. Specifically, the cassette 2 in this embodiment has a first guide 12, a U-shaped guide 21, and a second guide 22. The first guide 12 forms a portion of the first transport path 20A. The U-shaped guide 21 and the second guide 22 form a portion of the second transport path 20B.

[0035] More specifically, the movable guide 13 provided in the device main body 1A has a first guide surface 13a (FIG. 1) and a second guide surface 13b (FIG. 8). The device main body 1A also has a first main body guide 61 and a second main body guide 62 (FIG. 4).

[0036] In this embodiment, the first conveying path 20A is a conveying path formed by the first main body guide 61, the first guide 12 of the cassette 2, and the first guide surface 13a of the movable guide 13. The first main body guide 61 guides the upper surface of the sheet fed from the cassette 2. The first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the first guide surface 13a of the movable guide 13 guide the lower surface of the sheet fed from the cassette 2 (see also FIG. 6). Note that FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13 when they are attached to the apparatus main body 1A.

[0037] The first conveying path 20A is a conveying path that is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction Df. The first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the first guide surface 13a of the movable guide 13 are inclined upward toward the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction Df so as to guide the leading edge of the sheet fed from the cassette 2 upward.

[0038] In this embodiment, the second conveying path 20B is a conveying path formed by the second main body guide 62, the U-shaped guide 21 and second guide 22 of the cassette 2, and the second guide surface 13b of the movable guide 13. The second main body guide 62 guides the upper surface of the sheet fed from the manual feed unit 15. The U-shaped guide 21 and second guide 22 of the cassette 2 and the second guide surface 13b of the movable guide 13 guide the lower surface of the sheet fed from the manual feed unit 15.

[0039] 4, the second conveying path 20B is a curved conveying path that guides a sheet, which is fed diagonally downward from the pair of conveying rollers 19, diagonally upward. The leading edge of the sheet fed from the pair of conveying rollers 19 is guided upward by being guided in this order by a U-shaped guide 21 that is curved concavely upward, a second guide 22 that is inclined upward in the Y direction, and the second guide surface 13b of the movable guide 13.

[0040] In this way, the guides (12, 21, 22) arranged in the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13 arranged in the device main body 1A can smoothly guide sheets fed from multiple sheet supply sources toward the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110.

[0041] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has an internal cassette transport path 23 as a third transport path. The internal cassette transport path 23 is a transport path that branches off from the second transport path 20B, extends downward, and opens at the bottom surface of the cassette 2. The internal cassette transport path 23 is formed by a guide surface that continues with the second guide 22 and a guide surface that continues with the U-shaped guide 21. When an optional feeding device is connected to the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1, the internal cassette transport path 23 functions as a transport path that receives sheets fed from the optional feeding device and guides them to the registration roller pair 110.

[0042] (movable guide) The movable guide 13 will be described using FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 9(a) and 9(b), etc. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the movable guide 13. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the movable guide 13 as seen from the first guide surface 13a side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable guide 13 as seen from the second guide surface 13b side. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams for explaining the swinging of the movable guide 13, and are schematic diagrams showing the movable guide 13 and the pair of registration rollers 110 as seen in the sheet width direction (X direction). Note that the movable guide 13 in this embodiment is basically symmetrical in the sheet width direction. Therefore, when the drawings and explanations only describe the structure of one end of the movable guide 13 in the sheet width direction, the same structure is generally provided on the other end of the movable guide 13.

[0043] The movable guide 13 is a guide member that guides sheets fed from the cassette 2 by the feed roller 7 (feeding means). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the movable guide 13 has a first guide surface 13a, a second guide surface 13b, shaft portions 13c and 13d, first contact portions 13e and 13f, second contact portions 13g and 13h, and contacted portions 13i and 13j. The components of the movable guide 13 will be described below, and the contacted portions 13i and 13j will be described later.

[0044] 7, as described above, the first guide surface 13a is a guide portion that guides a sheet when the sheet is fed from the cassette 2. The first guide surface 13a extends in the sheet width direction (X direction) over an area (maximum paper passing area) through which a sheet of the maximum size that can be set in the cassette 2 passes. Furthermore, the first guide surface 13a is formed with a plurality of guide ribs 13a1 that each extend along the sheet movement direction.

[0045] 8, as described above, second guide surface 13b is a guide portion that guides a sheet when the sheet is fed from manual feed portion 15. Second guide surface 13b extends in the sheet width direction (X direction) over an area (maximum paper passing area) through which a sheet of the maximum size that can be set in the manual feed tray passes. In addition, second guide surface 13b is formed with a plurality of guide ribs 13b1 that each extend along the sheet movement direction.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, shafts 13c and 13d protruding in the sheet width direction (X direction) are provided at both ends of the movable guide 13 in the sheet width direction (X direction). The shafts 13c and 13d are supported by a frame 14 (FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)) constituting the frame of the device main body 1A. The shafts 13c and 13d are swing fulcrums when the movable guide 13 swings, and the frame 14 is a support member that supports the shafts 13c and 13d (swing fulcrums). The movable guide 13 of this embodiment swings about a swing axis Ax1 that passes through the shafts 13c and 13d and extends in the sheet width direction (X direction), thereby being movable between a first position (a position for cassette feeding) and a second position (a position for manual feeding), which will be described later. In this embodiment, the swing axis Ax1 passes through the center of the shaft 13c and the center of the shaft 13d.

[0047] The first contact portions 13e, 13f and the second contact portions 13g, 13h are configured to contact parts of the device main body 1A to hold the movable guide 13 in the first position or the second position. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the frame 14 of the device main body 1A has first main body contact portions 26, 27 corresponding to the first contact portions 13e, 13f of the movable guide 13, and second main body contact portions 28, 29 corresponding to the second contact portions 13g, 13h of the movable guide 13.

[0048] In this embodiment, two first contact portions 13e, 13f are arranged at one end and the other end of the movable guide 13 in the sheet width direction (X direction) (FIGS. 7 and 8). Correspondingly, two first main body contact portions 26, 27 are arranged on the frame 14 of the apparatus main body 1A at positions corresponding to the two first contact portions 13e, 13f. Also, in this embodiment, two second contact portions 13g, 13h are arranged on one end and the other end of the movable guide 13 in the sheet width direction (X direction) (FIG. 7). Correspondingly, two second main body contact portions 28, 29 are arranged on the frame 14 of the apparatus main body 1A at positions corresponding to the two second contact portions 13g, 13h.

[0049] The first contact portions 13e, 13f and the second contact portions 13g, 13h are provided at positions away from the shaft portions 13c, 13d when viewed in the sheet width direction (X direction) (see FIG. 9(a)). In this embodiment, the first contact portions 13e, 13f and the second contact portions 13g, 13h are arranged downstream of the shaft portions 13c, 13d in the sheet conveying direction in which the sheet fed from the cassette 2 moves toward the nip portion of the registration roller pair 110.

[0050] The first contact portions 13e and 13f are surfaces of the movable guide 13 facing one side (-Y side) in the Y direction that intersects both the sheet width direction (X direction) and the sheet conveying direction (approximately Z direction) at the nip portion of the registration roller pair 110. The second contact portions 13g and 13h are surfaces of the movable guide 13 facing the other side (+Y side) in the Y direction.

[0051] (Swing of the movable guide) The movable guide 13 can swing between a first position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) in which the movable guide 13 guides a sheet conveyed through the first conveying path 20A to the pair of registration rollers 110, and a second position (position shown in FIG. 9(b)) in which the movable guide 13 guides a sheet conveyed through the second conveying path 20B to the pair of registration rollers 110. The first position is a position in which the movable guide 13 guides a sheet fed from the cassette 2 toward the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110 by the first guide surface 13a. The second position is a position in which the movable guide 13 guides a sheet fed from the manual feeding unit 15 toward the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110 by the second guide surface 13b.

[0052] The movable guide 13 is in the first position when the first contact portions 13e, 13f of the movable guide 13 are in contact with the first main body contact portions 26, 27 of the frame 14. In addition, the movable guide 13 is in the second position when the second contact portions 13g, 13h of the movable guide 13 are in contact with the second main body contact portions 28, 29 of the frame 14.

[0053] In this embodiment, the movable guide 13 is pressed by a sheet fed from the cassette 2 or the manual feed unit 15, so that the movable guide 13 can change its position between the first position and the second position.

[0054] Specifically, when a sheet fed from cassette 2 comes into contact with first guide surface 13a of movable guide 13 while movable guide 13 is in the second position (FIG. 9(b)), movable guide 13 is pressed by the sheet and swings in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9(a) (clockwise direction in the figure). Then, first contact portions 13e and 13f come into contact with first main body contact portions 26 and 27, thereby maintaining movable guide 13 in the first position. That is, when pressed by the sheet fed from cassette 2, movable guide 13 changes from the second position in FIG. 9(b) to the first position in FIG. 9(a). Then, the leading edge of the sheet is guided toward the nip portion of registration roller pair 110 by first guide surface 13a of movable guide 13 in the first position.

[0055] On the other hand, when a sheet fed from manual feed unit 15 comes into contact with second guide surface 13b of movable guide 13 while movable guide 13 is in the first position (FIG. 9A), movable guide 13 is pressed by the sheet and swings in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9B (counterclockwise in the figure). Then, second contact portions 13g and 13h come into contact with second main body contact portions 28 and 29, thereby maintaining movable guide 13 in the second position. That is, when pressed by the sheet fed from manual feed unit 15, movable guide 13 changes from the first position in FIG. 9A to the second position in FIG. 9B. Then, the leading edge of the sheet is guided toward the nip portion of registration roller pair 110 by second guide surface 13b of movable guide 13 in the second position.

[0056] Incidentally, the drive roller 10 of the pair of registration rollers 110 in this embodiment is made up of a plurality of rubber rollers lined up in the sheet width direction as shown in Fig. 1. The driven roller 11 is also made up of a plurality of rubber rollers lined up in the sheet width direction, similar to the drive roller 10. Therefore, the pair of registration rollers 110 forms a plurality of nip portions (contact portions where the plurality of rubber rollers of the drive roller 10 and the plurality of rubber rollers of the driven roller 11 come into contact with each other) spaced apart in the sheet width direction.

[0057] A plurality of protrusions 13p protruding downstream in the sheet conveying direction are formed on a tip 13t of the movable guide 13. The tip 13t is an end portion of the movable guide 13 on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction at the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110. Each protrusion 13p is located in an area between the plurality of nip portions of the pair of registration rollers 110 in the sheet width direction, within the tip 13t of the movable guide 13 extending in the sheet width direction.

[0058] 9(a), when the movable guide 13 is in the first position and viewed in the sheet width direction, the convex portion 13p of the movable guide 13 overlaps with one roller (drive roller 10) of the pair of registration rollers 110. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the pair of registration rollers 110 and the movable guide 13 change slightly due to assembly tolerances or the like, the movable guide 13 can smoothly guide the sheet fed from the cassette 2 to the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110.

[0059] 9(b), when viewed in the sheet width direction with the movable guide 13 in the second position, the convex portion 13p of the movable guide 13 overlaps with the other roller (driven roller 11) of the pair of registration rollers 110. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the pair of registration rollers 110 and the movable guide 13 change slightly due to assembly tolerances or the like, the movable guide 13 can smoothly guide the sheet fed from the manual feed unit 15 to the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110.

[0060] In this embodiment, the movable guide 13 is maintained in the first position or the second position by its own weight while not pressed by the sheet. The movable guide 13 may be configured to be biased toward one of the first position or the second position by a biasing means such as a torsion coil spring, and to move to the other of the first position or the second position only while pressed by the sheet. The position of the movable guide 13 may also be controlled by being driven by an actuator such as a solenoid.

[0061] (Support structure of movable guide) Here, it will be explained that the apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment supports the movable guide 13 so as to be movable in the Z direction, which is the first direction. FIG.

[0062] 1, the frame 14 of the device main body 1A is provided with support grooves 24 and 25 as support portions that support the shaft portions 13c and 13d of the movable guide 13. One support groove 24 supports one shaft portion 13c of the movable guide 13, and the other support groove 25 supports the other shaft portion 13d of the movable guide 13. In this embodiment, the support grooves 24 and 25 are holes formed in a surface of the frame 14 that extends in the Y and Z directions (a surface that extends in a direction intersecting the sheet width direction).

[0063] 9(a) and 9(b), the relationship between the shape and length of the shaft portion 13c on one side in the seat width direction and the support groove 24 will be described. Note that the relationship between the shape and length of the shaft portion 13d on the other side in the seat width direction and the support groove 25 is substantially the same as the relationship between the shaft portion 13c and the support groove 24.

[0064] 9(a), the shaft portion 13c (13d) of the movable guide 13 is cylindrical with a diameter D. The support groove 24 (25) of the frame 14 is shaped like an elongated hole whose width Wz in the Z direction is longer than its width Wy in the Y direction.

[0065] The width Wy of the support groove 24 (25) in the Y direction is approximately equal to the diameter D of the shaft portion 13c (13d). Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion 13c (13d) of the movable guide 13 in the Y direction is restricted by the support groove 24 (25).

[0066] On the other hand, the width Wz of the support groove 24 (25) in the Z direction is larger than the diameter D of the shaft portion 13c (13d). In other words, the support groove 24 (25) is a hole portion whose width Wz in the first direction (Z direction) is larger than the outer diameter (D) of the shaft portion 13c (13d) of the movable guide 13. Therefore, the shaft portion 13c (13d) of the movable guide 13 is movable in the Z direction along the support groove 24 (25). In other words, the movable guide 13 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A so as to be movable in the first direction via the engagement between the shaft portion 13c (13d) and the support groove 24 (25).

[0067] In this embodiment, the support groove 24 (25) substantially extends in the Z direction. Therefore, the first direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. However, the first direction may be a direction different from the Z direction (for example, diagonally upward to the upper right or diagonally upward to the left in FIG. 9(a)). The first direction is preferably a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the longitudinal direction (sheet width direction, X direction) of the movable guide 13. Furthermore, the first direction is preferably a direction intersecting with the movement direction (second direction) when the movable guide 13 swings around the shaft portion 13c (13d). The movement direction when the movable guide 13 swings around the shaft portion 13c (13d) represents the movement direction of the tip 13t of the movable guide 13, which is approximately the Y direction in this embodiment. Furthermore, the first direction is a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the installation direction Da and the removal direction Dd of the cassette 2.

[0068] The difference (Wz-D) between the width Wz of the support groove 24 (25) in the Z direction and the diameter D of the shaft portion 13c (13d) defines the distance that the movable guide 13 can move in the Z direction (first direction). The support groove 24 (25) and the shaft portion 13c (13d) are configured so that this difference (Wz-D) is greater than the moving distance of the movable guide 13 when the cassette 2 is attached, which will be described below.

[0069] (Movement of the movable guide when the cassette is installed) The contact portions 13i and 13j of the movable guide 13 and the movement of the movable guide 13 when the cassette 2 is mounted in the apparatus main body 1A will be described.

[0070] 8, the contact portions 13i and 13j are provided on the lower part of the movable guide 13. The contact portions 13i and 13j are configured to be in contact with the cassette 2 when the cassette 2 is installed, thereby positioning the movable guide 13 in the Z direction (first direction).

[0071] In this embodiment, the contact portions 13i and 13j are located at the upstream end of the movable guide 13 in the sheet conveying direction at the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 110. When viewed in the sheet width direction, the contact portions 13i and 13j are located on the opposite side from the tip end 13t of the movable guide 13, with the shaft portion 13c (13d) sandwiched between them. The movable guide 13 in this embodiment has two contact portions 13i and 13j arranged to sandwich the center of the movable guide 13 in the sheet width direction, but the positions and number of the contact portions 13i and 13j can be changed.

[0072] 5, the cassette 2 has protrusions 30, 31 as abutment portions that can abut against the abutment portions 13i, 13j of the movable guide 13. The protrusions 30, 31 are disposed on the upper surface 2u of the cassette 2 that faces upward and is provided between the first guide 12 and the second guide 22 described above, and protrude upward. In this embodiment, the cassette 2 has two protrusions 30, 31 that correspond to the two abutment portions 13i, 13j.

[0073] A plurality of guide ribs, including ribs 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, are formed on the first guide 12 and the upper surface 2u of the cassette 2. These ribs 12a to 12d protrude upward from the base surface of the first guide 12 and the base surface of the upper surface 2u, and extend along the conveyance direction of the sheets fed from the cassette 2. These ribs 12a to 12d come into contact with the sheets fed from the cassette 2, and function to facilitate smooth sheet conveyance.

[0074] One of the protrusions 30 is disposed between two adjacent ribs 12a, 12b inside the maximum paper passage area in the sheet width direction (X direction). The other protrusion 31 is disposed between two adjacent ribs 12c, 12d inside the maximum paper passage area in the sheet width direction (X direction). The upper surfaces of the protrusions 30, 31 are preferably recessed below the ridges of the ribs 12a to 12d. This prevents the ribs 12a to 12d provided on the cassette 2 from interfering with the function of the protrusions 30, 31 (the function of abutting against the abutment portions 13i, 13j of the movable guide 13 to move the movable guide 13).

[0075] Note that multiple ribs aligned in the sheet width direction are also provided on the first guide surface 13a of the movable guide 13. The ribs on the first guide surface 13a of the movable guide 13 and the multiple ribs provided on the first guide 12 and upper surface 2u of the cassette 2 are positioned at positions offset from each other in the sheet width direction so that the ribs do not come into contact with each other when the cassette 2 is attached or detached.

[0076] The movement of the movable guide 13 when the cassette 2 is installed will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) to 10(c). Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the cassette 2 being pulled out from the device main body 1A and inserted in the installation direction Da toward the storage position. Figure 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the cassette 2 is installed in the storage position (installed state of the cassette 2). Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a state between Figures 10(a) and 10(c).

[0077] 10(a), before the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 13 is held in a state in which the shaft portion 13c (13d) abuts against the lower end portion 24a (25a) of the support groove 24 (25) of the frame 14. In this state, the abutted portion 13i (13j) is positioned lower than the protrusion 30 (31) in the Z direction. In a direction perpendicular to the oscillation axis Ax1 of the movable guide 13, the abutted portion 13i (13j) is closer to the oscillation axis Ax1 than the downstream end (tip 13t or protrusion 13p) of the movable guide 13 in the sheet conveying direction. In other words, in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis Ax1 of the movable guide 13, the distance between the abutted portion 13i (13j) and the swing axis Ax1 is shorter than the distance between the downstream end (tip 13t or convex portion 13p) of the movable guide 13 and the swing axis Ax1 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0078] When the cassette 2 is moved in the installation direction Da, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the first guide 12 of the cassette 2 comes into contact with the lower surface of the movable guide 13. At this stage, the portion that comes into contact with the movable guide 13 is a slope 12s (Fig. 6) that is part of the first guide 12 and is located downstream of the protrusions 30 and 31 in the installation direction Da. The slope 12s is an example of a contact portion that comes into contact with the movable guide 13 during the process of installing the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A, and is configured to move the movable guide 13 in the Z direction (first direction).

[0079] In this embodiment, the inclined surface 12s of the first guide 12 is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the installation direction Da (in other words, inclined upward toward the downstream side in the withdrawal direction Dd). Therefore, as the cassette 2 is inserted into the device main body 1A in the installation direction Da, which is opposite to the withdrawal direction Dd, the inclined surface 12s moves the movable guide 13 upward. As a result, the shaft portion 13c (13d) of the movable guide 13 moves away from the lower end portion 24a (25a) of the support groove 24 (25).

[0080] When the cassette 2 is further inserted and reaches the storage position, as shown in Fig. 10(c), the contact portion 13i (13j) of the movable guide 13 rides on the protrusion 30 (31) of the cassette 2. In other words, when the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 13 is positioned in the first direction (Z direction) by the cassette 2. With the contact portion 13i (13j) in contact with the protrusion 30 (31), the movable guide 13 can swing between the first position (Fig. 9(a)) and the second position (Fig. 9(b)).

[0081] When the cassette 2 attached to the apparatus main body 1A is removed, the movable guide 13 moves in the reverse order of the process of the cassette 2 attachment described above. That is, when the cassette 2 is removed in the removal direction Dd from the state shown in FIG. 10(c), the protrusion 30 (31) of the cassette 2 moves away from the abutment portion 13i (13j) of the movable guide 13. The movable guide 13 moves downward along the inclination of the first guide 12 as shown in FIG. 10(b). When the cassette 2 is further removed in the removal direction Dd, the movable guide 13 is held in a state in which the shaft 13c (13d) abuts against the lower end 24a (25a) of the support groove 24 (25) of the frame 14 as shown in FIG. 10(a).

[0082] (Summary of this Example) In this embodiment, the movable guide 13 that guides the sheets fed by the feed roller 7 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A so as to be movable in a first direction (Z direction). When the cassette 2 is in the storage position, the movable guide 13 is disposed downstream of the storage portion 2a of the cassette 2 in the pull-out direction Dd. Then, during the process of installing the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 13 is moved in the first direction (Z direction) by the cassette 2.

[0083] This configuration allows the movable guide 13 arranged in the apparatus main body 1A to be arranged close to the cassette 2.

[0084] By arranging the movable guide 13 close to the cassette 2, for example, the sheet fed from the cassette 2 can be transferred more smoothly to the movable guide 13, which has the advantage of enabling the sheet to be fed more stably.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 13 is positioned in the first direction (Z direction) by the cassette 2. This improves the relative positional accuracy between the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13 in the first direction (Z direction), making it possible to more smoothly transfer the sheets fed from the cassette 2 to the movable guide 13.

[0086] Further, the cassette 2 is provided with a first guide 12 as an upstream guide that guides the sheet upstream of the movable guide 13 in the sheet conveying direction when the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A. By arranging the movable guide 13 close to the cassette 2, it is possible to reduce the gap G1 (FIG. 10(c)) between the first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13 of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0087] Generally, in a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets from a cassette 2 that can be pulled out of the device main body 1A, a gap (clearance) is provided between a guide on the cassette 2 side and a guide on the device main body 1A side. This gap is provided as a margin to prevent the guides from interfering with each other when inserting or removing the cassette 2, even in the event of, for example, component tolerances, slight deformation of components during transport, or rattle during operation. However, if a sheet gets caught in the gap between the guides, it can cause a paper jam. To prevent the leading edge of a sheet from getting caught in the gap, a step is sometimes provided by retracting the upstream end of the downstream guide from the downstream end of the upstream guide. However, when transporting stiff sheets such as cardboard, this step can cause the trailing edge of the sheet to bounce.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the gap G1 between the first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13 of the apparatus main body 1A can be reduced as described above, thereby reducing the possibility of a jam (paper jam). In addition, since the gap G1 is small, the step between the first guide 12 and the movable guide 13 for avoiding a jam (paper jam) can also be reduced, thereby reducing the bouncing noise during sheet transport.

[0089] In this embodiment, the contact portion (slope 12s) of the cassette 2 that comes into contact with the movable guide 13 during installation of the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A is located between the ribs 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of the first guide 12. Therefore, even if a friction mark is left on the slope 12s due to contact with the movable guide 13, the friction mark can be prevented from affecting sheet conveyance. Furthermore, compared to a case where the contact portion of the cassette 2 that comes into contact with the movable guide 13 during installation of the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A is located outside the maximum sheet-passing area in the sheet width direction, the image forming apparatus 1 can be made more compact in the sheet width direction. Here, the maximum sheet-passing area refers to the range in the sheet width direction through which a sheet with the longest width in the sheet width direction, among all sheets that can be set in the cassette 2, can pass.

[0090] Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the movable guide 13 is disposed higher than in this embodiment and does not come into contact with the cassette 2 when the cassette 2 is attached, the configuration of this embodiment can save the space required for arranging the cassette 2 and the movable guide 13. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0091] Example 2 As Example 2, an example will be described in which the configuration related to the movable guide 13 is different from Example 1. The parts other than the movable guide 13 of the sheet feeding device 1F and the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 may be the same as those of Example 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, elements with the same reference symbols as those of Example 1 will be assumed to have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in Example 1, and the following will mainly describe the parts that are different from Example 1.

[0092] 11 is a perspective view showing the movable guide 40 and the drive roller 10 of the pair of registration rollers 110 according to this embodiment. Near both ends of the movable guide 40 in the sheet width direction (X direction), levers 41 and 42 and springs 43 and 44 are arranged as interlocking mechanisms for moving the movable guide 40 in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the cassette 2. The levers 41 and 42 are arranged in the device main body 1A. The springs 43 and 44 are biasing members that bias the levers 41 and 42, and tension springs are used in this embodiment.

[0093] The levers 41 and 42 each have a shaft 41a and 42a, a first arm 41b and 42b, and a second arm 41c and 42c. The levers 41 and 42 are rotatable around the shaft 41a and 42a extending in the sheet width direction (X direction). The first arms 41b and 42b are engaging portions that engage with the shafts 40a and 40b that protrude from both ends of the movable guide 40 in the sheet width direction (X direction). The second arms 41c and 42c are contacted portions (pressed portions) that come into contact with pressing portions 45 and 46 (FIGS. 12(a) to 12(c)) provided on the cassette 2. The levers 41 and 42 are biased by corresponding springs 43 and 44 in a rotation direction R1 in which the first arms 41b and 42b press the shafts 40a and 40b of the movable guide 40 upward.

[0094] Similar to the movable guide 13 of the first embodiment, the movable guide 40 of the present embodiment is supported by the apparatus main body 1A by engaging the shafts 40a and 40b with the support grooves 24 and 25 (see FIG. 1) of the frame 14. Therefore, the movable guide 40 is movable in the Z direction (first direction) and swingable in a swing direction (second direction) around the shafts 40a and 40b.

[0095] The movement of the movable guide 40 when the cassette 2 is installed will be described with reference to Figures 12(a) to 12(c). Note that Figures 12(a) to 12(c) show the configuration and operation of one end of the movable guide 40 in the sheet width direction (X direction), but the configuration and operation of the other end of the movable guide 40 are basically the same as those shown in Figures 12(a) to 12(c).

[0096] 12(a), before the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 40 is held in a state in which the shaft 13c (13d) abuts against the upper end 24b (25b) of the support groove 24 (25) of the frame 14 due to the biasing force of the springs 43 (44). More specifically, the first arm 41b (42b) of the lever 41 (42) lifts the shaft 40a (40b) of the movable guide 40 upward in the Z direction due to the biasing force of the spring 43 (44).

[0097] When the cassette 2 is moved in the installation direction Da, as shown in Figure 12(b), the pressing portion 45 (46) of the cassette 2 comes into contact with the second arm 41c (42c) of the lever 41 (42). By pressing the second arm 41c (42c), the lever 41 (42) rotates clockwise in the figure against the biasing force of the spring 43 (44). The rotation of the lever 41 (42) moves the first arm 41b (42b) downward, and the movable guide 40 moves downward along the support groove 24 (25) due to its own weight.

[0098] When the cassette 2 is further inserted and reaches the storage position, the shaft 40a (40b) of the movable guide 40 abuts against the lower end 24a (25a) of the support groove 24 (25), as shown in FIG. 12(c).

[0099] When the cassette 2 attached to the apparatus main body 1A is removed, the movable guide 13 moves in the reverse order to the process of removing the cassette 2 described above. That is, when the cassette 2 is removed in the removal direction Dd from the state shown in FIG. 12(c), the pressing portion 45 (46) of the cassette 2 retracts from the second arm 41c (42c) of the lever 41 (42). Then, the lever 41 (42) rotates counterclockwise in the figure due to the biasing force of the spring 43 (44), and the first arm 41b (42b) moves the shaft 40a (40b) of the movable guide 40 upward (FIG. 12(a)).

[0100] (Summary of this Example) In this embodiment, the movable guide 40 that guides the sheets fed by the feed roller 7 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A so as to be movable in a first direction (Z direction). When the cassette 2 is in the storage position, the movable guide 40 is disposed downstream of the storage portion 2a of the cassette 2 in the pull-out direction Dd. Then, during the process of installing the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 40 is moved in the first direction (Z direction) by the cassette 2.

[0101] This configuration allows the movable guide 40 arranged in the device main body 1A to be arranged close to the cassette 2. In addition, the gap and step between the first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the movable guide 40 of the device main body 1A can be made small, reducing the possibility of paper jams and the sound of the rear end bouncing.

[0102] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movement of the cassette 2 in the mounting direction Da is converted into movement of the movable guide 40 in the Z direction (first direction) by the lever 41 (42) as an interlocking member arranged in the apparatus main body 1A. Therefore, even if it is difficult to configure the movable guide 13 to move by bringing a part of the cassette 2 into direct contact with the movable guide 13, as in the case of the inclined surface 12s in the first embodiment, for example, the movable guide 40 can be moved in the Z direction (first direction) in conjunction with the mounting or removal of the cassette 2.

[0103] Example 3 As Example 3, an example will be described in which the configuration related to the movable guide 13 is different from Example 1. The parts other than the movable guide 13 of the sheet feeding device 1F and the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 may be the same as those of Example 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, elements with the same reference symbols as those of Example 1 will be assumed to have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in Example 1, and the following will mainly describe the parts that are different from Example 1.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the movable guide 50 and the pair of registration rollers 110 according to this embodiment. Mounting portions 50a and 50b are provided at both ends of the movable guide 50 in the sheet width direction (X direction). Holes are formed in the mounting portions 50a and 50b, through which the roller shaft 51 of the driven roller 11 of the pair of registration rollers 110 is inserted. By inserting the roller shaft 51 into the holes in the mounting portions 50a and 50b, the movable guide 50 can swing in a swing direction R2 ( FIG. 14(a) ) about the roller shaft 51. In other words, the movable guide 50 according to this embodiment swings in a first direction (swing direction R2) about the roller shaft 51 of the conveying roller (driven roller 11) that conveys a sheet that has been conveyed while being guided by the movable guide 50.

[0105] The roller shaft 51 is rotatably held by the frame of the apparatus main body 1A. That is, the movable guide 50 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A so as to be movable in a swing direction R2, which is the first direction.

[0106] The movable guide 50 of this embodiment does not have the function of swinging between the first position and the second position, unlike the movable guides 13 and 40 of Examples 1 and 2. In other words, the movable guide 50 cannot swing in a second direction different from the first direction (swing direction R2).

[0107] The mounting portion 50a has an abutment portion 50c, a spring hook portion 50d, and a stopper portion 50e (FIG. 13). The abutment portion 50c is the portion that is pressed by a pressing portion 53 (FIG. 14(b)) of the cassette 2 when the cassette 2 is installed. One end of a spring 52 (tension spring) is connected to the spring hook portion 50d. The other end of the spring 52 is connected to the frame of the device main body 1A. The movable guide 50 is biased by the spring 52 in a predetermined swing direction R2 (FIG. 14(a)) around the roller shaft 51. The stopper portion 50e can abut against a butting portion of the device main body 1A.

[0108] The movement of the movable guide 40 when the cassette 2 is installed will be described with reference to Figures 14(a) to (c). Note that Figures 14(a) to (c) show the configuration and operation of one end of the movable guide 50 in the sheet width direction (X direction), but the configuration and operation of the other end of the movable guide 50 are basically the same as those shown in Figures 14(a) to (c).

[0109] 14(a), before the cassette 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 50 is in a position rotated in the swing direction R2 by the biasing force of the spring 52. In this state, the stopper portion 50e abuts against an abutment portion of the apparatus main body 1A, thereby restricting further rotation of the movable guide 50 in the swing direction R2.

[0110] 14(b), when the cassette 2 is moved in the mounting direction Da, the pressing portion 53 of the cassette 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 50c of the mounting portion 50a. By pressing the contact portion 50c, the movable guide 50 swings around the roller shaft 51 in the clockwise direction in the figure (the opposite direction to the swing direction R2) against the biasing force of the spring 52.

[0111] When the cassette 2 is further inserted and reaches the storage position, the movable guide 50 is positioned with the pressing portion 53 of the cassette 2 abutting against the abutting portion 50c of the mounting portion 50a, as shown in FIG. 14(c).

[0112] (Summary of this Example) In this embodiment, the movable guide 50 that guides the sheets fed by the feed roller 7 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A so as to be movable in a first direction (swing direction R2). When the cassette 2 is in the storage position, the movable guide 50 is disposed downstream of the storage portion 2a of the cassette 2 in the pull-out direction Dd. Then, during the process of installing the cassette 2 in the apparatus main body 1A, the movable guide 50 is moved in the first direction (Z direction) by the cassette 2.

[0113] This configuration allows the movable guide 50 arranged in the device main body 1A to be arranged close to the cassette 2. In addition, the gap and step between the first guide 12 of the cassette 2 and the movable guide 50 of the device main body 1A can be made small, reducing the possibility of paper jams and the sound of the rear end bouncing.

[0114] The movable guide 50 of this embodiment does not have the function of swinging between the first position and the second position as in the first and second embodiments. However, compared to the first and second embodiments, the movable guide 50 can be moved in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the cassette 2 with a simpler configuration. For example, there are cases where the image forming apparatus 1 does not have the manual feed unit 15 and the second conveyance path 20B for manual feeding (FIG. 4), or where the distance from the movable guide 50 to the pair of registration rollers 110 is sufficient and measures against the trailing edge bouncing can be taken separately. In these cases, the configuration of this embodiment is effective because the adverse effects of the trailing edge bouncing are unlikely to occur even if the movable guide 50 does not swing between the first position and the second position as in this embodiment.

[0115] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the sheet feeding device 1F is described as being incorporated into the image forming apparatus 1. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be applied to a sheet feeding device that has a housing independent of the apparatus main body 1A (housing) of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be able to feed sheets. In this case, the "apparatus main body" may be the housing of the sheet feeding device that is connected to the apparatus main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0116] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following: (Configuration 1) A device body, a cassette having a storage portion for storing sheets and attached to the device body so as to be capable of being pulled out in a pulling direction from a storage position; a feeding unit that feeds the sheets stored in the storage unit downstream in the pull-out direction; a movable guide that guides the sheets fed by the feeding means, the movable guide being supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable in a first direction, and being disposed downstream of the accommodation section in the pulling-out direction when the cassette is at the accommodation position; and the movable guide is moved in the first direction by the cassette during the process of mounting the cassette to the apparatus body; A sheet feeding device characterized by: (Configuration 2) The movable guide is swingable in a second direction different from the first direction. 2. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 3) the device body has a support member that supports a swing fulcrum portion when the movable guide swings in the second direction and that is movable in the first direction; 3. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) the swing fulcrum portion is a shaft portion extending in the direction of the swing axis of the movable guide, The support member has a hole portion that is engaged with the shaft portion, and the hole portion has a width in the first direction that is larger than an outer diameter of the shaft portion. 4. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) The sheet conveying device further includes a conveying unit for conveying the sheet, the movable guide is disposed at a junction of a first conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed from the cassette toward the conveying unit and a second conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed from a sheet supply source other than the cassette toward the conveying unit. 5. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. (Configuration 6) the movable guide is swingable between a first position in which the movable guide guides the sheet transported through the first transport path to the transport unit and a second position in which the movable guide guides the sheet transported through the second transport path to the transport unit. 6. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 5, (Configuration 7) When the cassette is attached to the storage position, the movable guide is positioned in the first direction by the cassette. 7. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) the cassette has an upstream guide disposed upstream of the movable guide in a sheet feeding direction by the feeding means; 8. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) the cassette has an upper surface facing upward and a protrusion disposed on the upper surface and protruding upward; When the cassette is attached to the apparatus body, the protrusion comes into contact with the movable guide, thereby positioning the movable guide in the first direction, 9. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. (Configuration 10) the cassette has a plurality of guide ribs arranged on the upper surface portion, the guide ribs being aligned in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the feeding means and each extending along the sheet feeding direction, the protrusion is disposed inside an area through which a sheet of a maximum size that can be set in the cassette passes in the sheet width direction and between the plurality of guide ribs, The upper surface of the protrusion is recessed below the ridge lines of the plurality of guide ribs. 10. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 9, (Configuration 11) the cassette has a contact portion configured to come into contact with the movable guide and move the movable guide in the first direction during the process of mounting the cassette to the apparatus body. 11. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) the contact portion is a slope that slopes upward toward the upstream side in the drawing direction, the movable guide is moved upward by the inclined surface as the cassette is inserted into the apparatus body in an installation direction opposite to the extraction direction. 12. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 11. (Configuration 13) the cassette has an upstream guide disposed upstream of the movable guide in the sheet feeding direction of the feeding means, the upstream guide is provided with a plurality of guide ribs aligned in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and each extending along the sheet feeding direction; The inclined surface is provided between the plurality of guide ribs in the seat width direction. 13. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 12. (Configuration 14) a linkage mechanism disposed in the device body, the linkage mechanism having an engaging portion that engages with the movable guide and an abutted portion that abuts against the cassette, the abutted portion being pressed by the cassette, thereby moving the movable guide in the first direction in conjunction with the attachment of the cassette to the device body; 14. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13. (Configuration 15) the interlocking mechanism includes a lever provided with the engaging portion and the abutted portion and rotatably supported by the device body; 15. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 14. (Configuration 16) The sheet conveying device further includes a conveying roller that conveys the sheet conveyed while being guided by the movable guide, The movable guide is configured to swing in the first direction around the roller axis of the conveying roller. 2. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 17) a sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device; An image forming apparatus comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1A... device body / 2... cassette / 2a... storage section / 13, 40, 50... movable guide / 14... support member (frame) / Z, R2... first direction

Claims

1. A device body, a cassette having a storage portion for storing sheets and attached to the device body so as to be capable of being pulled out in a pulling direction from a storage position; a feeding unit that feeds the sheets stored in the storage unit downstream in the pull-out direction; a movable guide that guides the sheets fed by the feeding means, the movable guide being supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable in a first direction, and being disposed downstream of the accommodation section in the pulling-out direction when the cassette is at the accommodation position; and the movable guide is moved in the first direction by the cassette during the process of mounting the cassette to the apparatus main body; A sheet feeding device characterized by:

2. The movable guide is swingable in a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

3. the device body has a support member that supports a swing fulcrum portion when the movable guide swings in the second direction and that is movable in the first direction; 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

4. the swing fulcrum portion is a shaft portion extending in the direction of the swing axis of the movable guide, the support member has a hole portion that is engaged with the shaft portion, the hole portion having a width in the first direction that is larger than an outer diameter of the shaft portion; 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

5. The sheet conveying device further includes a conveying unit for conveying the sheet, the movable guide is disposed at a junction of a first conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed from the cassette toward the conveying unit and a second conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed from a sheet supply source other than the cassette toward the conveying unit.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

6. the movable guide is swingable between a first position in which the movable guide guides the sheet transported through the first transport path to the transport unit and a second position in which the movable guide guides the sheet transported through the second transport path to the transport unit.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

7. When the cassette is attached to the storage position, the movable guide is positioned in the first direction by the cassette.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

8. the cassette has an upstream guide disposed upstream of the movable guide in a sheet feeding direction by the feeding means; 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

9. the cassette has an upper surface facing upward and a protrusion disposed on the upper surface and protruding upward; When the cassette is attached to the apparatus body, the protrusion comes into contact with the movable guide, thereby positioning the movable guide in the first direction, 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

10. the cassette has a plurality of guide ribs arranged on the upper surface portion, the guide ribs being aligned in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the feeding means and each extending along the sheet feeding direction; the protrusion is disposed inside an area through which a sheet of a maximum size that can be set in the cassette passes in the sheet width direction and between the plurality of guide ribs, The upper surface of the protrusion is recessed below the ridge lines of the plurality of guide ribs.

10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

11. the cassette has a contact portion configured to come into contact with the movable guide and move the movable guide in the first direction during the process of mounting the cassette to the apparatus main body; 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

12. the contact portion is a slope that slopes upward toward the upstream side in the drawing direction, As the cassette is inserted into the device body in an installation direction opposite to the extraction direction, the movable guide is moved upward by the inclined surface.

12. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the cassette has an upstream guide disposed upstream of the movable guide in the sheet feeding direction of the feeding means, the upstream guide is provided with a plurality of guide ribs aligned in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and each extending along the sheet feeding direction; The inclined surface is provided between the plurality of guide ribs in the seat width direction.

13. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 12.

14. a linkage mechanism disposed in the device body, the linkage mechanism having an engaging portion that engages with the movable guide and an abutted portion that abuts against the cassette, the abutted portion being pressed by the cassette, thereby moving the movable guide in the first direction in conjunction with the attachment of the cassette to the device body; 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

15. the interlocking mechanism includes a lever provided with the engaging portion and the abutted portion and rotatably supported by the device body; 15. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The sheet conveying device further includes a conveying roller that conveys the sheet conveyed while being guided by the movable guide, The movable guide is configured to swing in the first direction around a roller axis of the conveying roller.

2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

17. a sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 16; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images