Sheet transport device and image forming system

Abstract

With two members having different axes of rotation, rotating one member causes the other member to move upward against gravity. [Solution] The system includes a merging guide 102 that is displaceable to a closed first position, a second position that is opened upward from the first position, and a third position. The merging guide 102 stops at any position in the first range when it is located in the first range from the first position to the third position and no external force is acting on it, and stops at any position in the second range when it is located in the second range from the third position to the second position and no external force is acting on it. When the merging guide 102 is located in the second range, it rotates independently of the upper unit 101 without engaging the roller 104 with the lever 105, and when the merging guide 102 is located in the first range and the roller 104 is engaged with the lever 105, it rotates in conjunction with the upper unit 101.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet, and an image forming system to which the same is applied.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers, those provided with a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet as a recording material have become widespread (see Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, the sheet conveying device is provided, for example, in a buffer path that connects the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and a finisher that is a post-processing device, for conveying a sheet. In this sheet conveying device, a reversing door provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. Further, among an upper guide member and a lower guide member that form the buffer path, the lower guide member is provided so as to be rotatable above the reversing door about a rotation axis having a longitudinal direction in the sheet width direction. Thus, the reversing door and the lower guide member have different rotation directions from each other and their rotation trajectories overlap.

[0003] The lower guide member is locked in a closed position by a guide hook rotatably provided on a latch shaft. When the reversing door is opened, a contact portion at the upper part of the reversing door contacts and presses a lock release member of the latch shaft, releasing the lock of the lower guide member by the guide hook. As a result, the lower guide member rotates downward due to its own weight, and the buffer path is opened. With this configuration, even if the rotation directions of the reversing door and the lower guide member are different from each other, they can be interlocked and opened in one operation, improving the operability when opening the conveyance path during jam processing or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, the sheet transport device described in Patent Document 1 above has the problem that, after the lock on the lower guide member is released by the reversing door, the lower guide member rotates due to its own weight, so it cannot be applied to configurations in which, for example, the lower guide member rotates upward.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a sheet conveying device and an image forming system that enable two members having different axes of rotation to be linked together so that one member is rotated, thereby moving the other member upward against gravity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a sheet conveying device for conveying sheets, comprising: a first rotating member that is rotatable about a first pivot axis and displaceable between a closed first position, a second position opened upward from the first position, and a third position located between the first and second positions, and having an engaging portion; and a second rotating member that is rotatable about a second pivot axis arranged in a direction intersecting the first pivot axis and displaceable between a closed fourth position and a fifth position opened upward from the fourth position, and having an engaged portion that can engage with the engaging portion, wherein the first rotating member is The sheet conveying device is characterized in that, when the first rotating member is located in a first range from the first position to the third position and no external force is acting on it, it stops at any position in the first range; when the first rotating member is located in a second range from the third position to the second position and no external force is acting on it, it stops at any position in the second range; when the first rotating member is located in the second range, it rotates independently of the second rotating member without engaging the engaging portion with the engaged portion; and when the first rotating member is located in the first range and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, it rotates in conjunction with the second rotating member.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system characterized by comprising an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and the above-mentioned sheet transport apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, with respect to two members having different axes of rotation, rotating one member can cause the other member to move upward against gravity in conjunction with it. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view showing a feeding module according to an embodiment, where (a) shows the transport path and (b) shows the case where two units are connected in the sheet transport direction. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the opening and closing of the upper unit in the feeding module according to the embodiment, where (a) shows the upper unit in the closed state and (b) shows the upper unit in the open state. [Figure 4] In the state in which the upper unit according to the embodiment is closed, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and the merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line AA in Figure 4(a). [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a lever according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened 8 degrees, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the BB line in Figure 6(a). [Figure 7] This graph shows the relationship between the weight of the junction guide according to the embodiment and the moment of the tension coil spring. [Figure 8]In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened to its maximum of 23 degrees, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the CC line in Figure 8(a). [Figure 9] In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened 11 degrees, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the DD line in Figure 9(a). [Figure 10] In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened 23 degrees and the merging guide closed, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the EE line in Figure 10(a). [Figure 11] In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened 5 degrees and the merging guide closed, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the FF line in Figure 11(a). [Figure 12] In the embodiment, with the upper unit opened three times and the merging guide closed, (a) is a side view of the upper unit and merging guide viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the GG line in Figure 12(a). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 12(b). In this embodiment, the case in which the image forming system is applied to the inkjet recording system 1 is described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the inkjet recording system 1. This inkjet recording system 1 is a sheet-fed inkjet recording system that produces a recording material by forming an ink image on a sheet S using two liquids, a reaction liquid and an ink. As shown in Figure 1, the inkjet recording system 1 consists of a feeding module 100, a print module 200, a drying module 300, a fixing module 400, a cooling module 500, an inversion module 600, and an discharge module 700. The cut sheet S supplied from the feeding module 100 is transported along the transport path, processed in each module, and discharged in the discharge module 700. In this embodiment, the sheet is a recording material and includes paper such as sheets and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHP), cloth, etc. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sheet transport direction D1 is arranged so that it is in the left-right direction of the inkjet recording system 1, and the right side is denoted as right direction R, the left side as left direction L, the front side as forward direction F, the back side as rear direction B, the top side as upward direction U, and the bottom side as downward direction D.

[0012] The feeding module 100 is an example of a sheet transport device that transports sheets S. It is connected to the print module 200 and transports sheets, thereby supplying sheets to the print module 200 and transferring sheets between the two modules. The feeding module 100 has three storage compartments 111, 112, and 113 for storing sheets S. Each storage compartment 111, 112, and 113 is designed to be pull out to the front of the device. Sheets S are fed one by one in each storage compartment 111, 112, and 113 by a separation belt and transport rollers (not shown) and transported to the print module 200. Note that the storage compartments 111, 112, and 113 are not limited to three; there may be one, two, or four or more. The feeding module 100 will be described later.

[0013] The print module 200 is an example of an image forming apparatus and includes a pre-image registration correction unit (not shown), a print belt unit 220, and a recording unit 230, which transport the sheet S. The sheet S transported from the feed module 100 has its tilt and position corrected by the pre-image registration correction unit and is transported to the print belt unit 220. The recording unit 230 is positioned opposite the print belt unit 220 with respect to the transport path. The recording unit 230 is an example of an image forming unit and forms an image on the transported sheet S by performing a recording process (printing) on ​​the sheet S from above using a recording head. Multiple recording heads are arranged along the transport direction. In this embodiment, in addition to the four colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black), there are a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction solution. Note that the number of colors is not limited to four, and the number of recording heads is not limited to five. The inkjet method can employ various methods, including those using heating elements, piezoelectric elements, electrostatic elements, and MEMS elements. Each color of ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube. The sheet S printed in the recording unit 230 is transported by a print belt unit 220, ensuring clearance with the recording head. The sheet S printed in the recording unit 230 is scanned by an inline scanner (not shown) located downstream of the recording unit in the sheet transport direction to detect any misalignment or color density of the image formed on the sheet S. The detection results are used to correct the printed image.

[0014] The drying module 300 has a decoupling unit 320, a drying belt unit 330, and a warm air blowing unit 340, and reduces the liquid content in the ink applied onto the sheet S by the recording unit 230 of the printing module 200, thereby enhancing the fixing property between the sheet S and the ink. The sheet S printed by the recording unit 230 of the printing module 200 is conveyed to the decoupling unit 320 disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the drying module 300. In the decoupling unit 320, the sheet S can be conveyed by the air pressure from above and the friction of the belt, and by weakly holding and conveying the sheet S on the belt, the deviation of the sheet S on the printing belt unit 220 forming the ink image can be prevented. The drying belt unit 330 is disposed below the belt, and the warm air blowing unit 340 is disposed above the belt, facing each other with the belt interposed therebetween. The sheet S conveyed from the decoupling unit 320 is adsorbed and conveyed by the drying belt unit 330, and at the same time, receives hot air from the warm air blowing unit 340 and the ink application surface is dried. In addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be configured by combining a method of irradiating electromagnetic waves (such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays) onto the surface of the sheet S or a conduction heat transfer method by contact with a heating element.

[0015] The fixing module 400 has a fixing belt unit 410. The fixing belt unit 410 has an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit, and can fix the ink onto the sheet S by passing the sheet S conveyed from the drying module 300 between the heated upper belt unit and the lower belt unit.

[0016] The cooling module 500 has a plurality of cooling units 510, and cools the high-temperature sheet S conveyed through the sheet conveying path from the fixing module 400. The cooling unit 510 is configured to take in outside air into the cooling box with a fan, increase the pressure in the cooling box, and blow the air ejected from the nozzles formed in the conveying guide against the sheet S to cool the sheet S. The cooling unit 510 is disposed on both the upper side and the lower side with respect to the conveying path, and cools the sheet S from both sides.

[0017] In addition, the cooling module 500 has a conveyance path switching unit 520, and can switch the conveyance path of the sheet S according to whether the sheet S is conveyed to the inversion module 600 or to the duplex conveyance path used during duplex printing. During duplex printing, the sheet S is conveyed to the conveyance path below the cooling module 500. In this case, it is further conveyed from the cooling module 500 along the duplex conveyance paths of the fixing module 400, the drying module 300, the printing module 200, and the feeding module 100. A first inversion unit 420 for inverting the front and back of the sheet S is provided in the duplex conveyance path of the fixing module 400. Then, again, it is conveyed from the feeding module 100 to the pre-image registration correction unit, the printing belt unit 220, and the recording unit 230 of the printing module 200, and is printed by the recording unit 230.

[0018] The inversion module 600 has a second inversion unit 640, can invert the front and back of the conveyed sheet S, and can change the front and back orientation of the discharged sheet S. The discharge module 700 has a top tray 720 and a stacking unit 750, and stacks the sheets S conveyed from the inversion module 600 in an aligned manner.

[0019] [Feeding Module] Next, the configuration of the feeding module 100 will be described using FIGS. 2(a) and (b). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the feeding module 100. FIG. 2(a) is a front view showing the conveyance path in the feeding module 100, and FIG. 2(b) is a front view when two feeding modules 100 are arranged side by side in the sheet conveyance direction D1. The feeding module 100 has a horizontal conveyance unit 120, a vertical conveyance unit 130, and an escape conveyance unit 140. The horizontal conveyance unit 120 has a horizontal horizontal conveyance path 120a, the vertical conveyance unit 130 has a vertical conveyance path 130a for conveying the sheet upward in the U direction, and the escape conveyance unit 140 has an escape conveyance path 140a for conveying the sheet upward in the U direction. A discharge path 121 formed by the upper part of the vertical conveyance unit 130 and the lower part of the escape conveyance unit 140 is continuously provided downstream in the sheet conveyance direction D1 of the horizontal conveyance path 120a.

[0020] When supplying a sheet S from the feeding module 100 to the print module 200 located downstream in the sheet transport direction D1, the following operations are performed. When printing the first side of the sheet S, the sheet S is supplied from the storage compartments 111 to 113. When printing the second side of the sheet S, the sheet S is supplied from the re-transport path (see Figure 1) located at the bottom of the print module 200 via the vertical transport inlet 131 and through the vertical transport path 130a of the vertical transport section 130. The supplied sheets S are then transported to the print module via the discharge path 121 and the discharge port 122.

[0021] A switching unit 141 is provided in the discharge path 121. The switching unit 141 can switch the transport path by rotation, switching whether to transport the sheets being transported in the discharge path 121 to the discharge port 122 or to the escape transport path 140a of the escape transport unit 140. If a jam or malfunction occurs during printing, the switching unit 141 switches the transport path to the escape transport path 140a of the escape transport unit 140, and moves the sheets that are stuck in the transport path to the discharge tray provided on the top of the feed module 100.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2(b), the feed module 100 can be expanded by connecting multiple units in series in the sheet transport direction D1. For example, two units, the first feed module 100A connected to the print module 200 and the added second feed module 100B, can be connected in series in the sheet transport direction D1. In this case, the sheets supplied from the second feed module 100B are transported through the horizontal transport section 120 of the first feed module 100A, pass through the discharge path 121, and are discharged to the print module 200 in the same way as the sheets supplied from the first feed module 100A.

[0023] [Opening and closing the upper unit in the feed module] The following describes the operation of opening the feeding module 100 when performing jam processing, etc., using Figures 3(a) and 3(b). In Figures 3(a) and later, the rightward direction R in the left-right direction is indicated as the X direction, the forward direction F in the front-back direction is indicated as the Y direction, and the upward direction U in the up-down direction is indicated as the Z direction. The feeding module 100 has a lower unit 110 that houses storage compartments 111 to 113, and an upper unit 101 which is positioned above the lower unit 110 and can be opened and closed by rotation relative to the lower unit 110. A horizontal transport path 120a and a discharge path 121 are formed between the upper unit 101 and the lower unit 110.

[0024] The upper unit 101 is an example of a second pivot member and is rotatably mounted around an upper pivot shaft 101a, which is an example of a second pivot shaft with the X direction as its longitudinal direction. The upper unit 101 has a guide surface at its lower end that faces the lower unit 110 and forms a horizontal transport path 120a and a discharge path 121, and the horizontal transport path 120a and the discharge path 121 can be opened and closed by rotation. The upper unit 101 is displaceable between a closed fourth position (see Figure 3(a)) and a fifth position (see Figure 3(b)) that is opened upward from the fourth position. In the fourth position, the upper unit 101 forms the horizontal transport path 120a and the discharge path 121, and in all other positions, it opens the horizontal transport path 120a and the discharge path 121. The upper unit 101 is supported by a gas spring (not shown).

[0025] The lower unit 110 has a guide surface at its upper end that faces the upper unit 101 and forms a horizontal transport path 120a and a discharge path 121. On the guide surface of the lower unit 110, upstream in the sheet transport direction D1 at the position where the vertical transport path 130a merges with the discharge path 121, a merging guide 102, which is a guide member, is provided. The merging guide 102 is an example of a first rotating member and is a transport guide that guides the sheet transported in the vertical transport path 130a to the discharge path 121.

[0026] The merging guide 102 is positioned below the upper unit 101 and has a first guide portion 102b. The first guide portion 102b is a guide surface that faces the upper unit 101, which is positioned in the fourth position, when the merging guide 102 is in the first position. When the upper unit 101 is in the fourth position, it has a transport guide portion 101d, which is an example of a second guide portion that faces the merging guide 102, which is in the first position. The first guide portion 102b and the transport guide portion 101d form a discharge path 121, which is an example of a first transport path that transports the sheet between them. A lower guide member 107 is also positioned below the merging guide 102, which is in the first position. The merging guide 102 has a third guide portion 102c that faces the lower guide member 107 when it is in the first position. The third guide portion 102c and the lower guide member 107 form a vertical transport path 130a, which is an example of a second transport path that transports the sheet S between them.

[0027] At the point where the vertical transport path 130a merges with the discharge path 121, jamming may occur, in which case jamming treatment is required. In this case, to facilitate the treatment of jammed sheets, the merging guide 102 is designed to open upward, as shown in Figure 3(b). The merging guide 102 is rotatably mounted around a lower pivot shaft 102a, which is an example of a first pivot shaft with the Y direction as its longitudinal direction. The merging guide 102 is displaceable between a closed first position (see Figure 4(b)), a second position opened upward from the first position (see Figure 3(b)), and a third position located between the first and second positions (see Figure 3(b)).

[0028] In this embodiment, the upper pivot axis 101a, which is the pivot axis of the upper unit 101, is positioned with the sheet transport direction D1 (X direction) of the sheet being transported as its longitudinal direction. The lower pivot axis 102a, which is the pivot axis of the merging guide 102, is positioned with the width direction (Y direction), which is perpendicular to the sheet transport direction D1, as its longitudinal direction. The upper pivot axis 101a and the lower pivot axis 102a are in a positional relationship that intersects, i.e., is twisted, and in this embodiment, their axes do not intersect. However, this is not limited to this, and their axes may intersect. Alternatively, the upper pivot axis 101a and the lower pivot axis 102a are not limited to being perpendicular when viewed from above, and can be at any angle other than parallel. Thus, the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102 have different rotation axis directions and are positioned in overlapping positions in the vertical direction, so their respective rotation trajectories overlap.

[0029] [Linkage between the upper unit and the merging guide] The merging guide 102 and the upper unit 101 will be explained using Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Figure 4(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102 viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction when the upper unit 101 is closed, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line AA in Figure 4(a). The merging guide 102 is a component that constitutes part of the discharge path 121 and part of the vertical transport path 130a. A lower guide member 107 is provided in the downward direction D of the merging guide 102. Part of the discharge path 121 is formed by the escape transport section 140 in the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102, and part of the vertical transport path 130a is formed by the merging guide 102 and the lower guide member 107.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4(b), the sheet transport direction D1 in the discharge path 121 is horizontal, and the sheet transport direction D2 in the vertical transport path 130a is diagonally upward toward the discharge path 121. The merging guide 102 is rotatable around the Y axis with respect to the lower pivot shaft 102a, and tension coil springs 103 are provided at both ends in the Y direction. The tension coil springs 103 are connected to the merging guide 102 at the lower end 103a and to the frame of the lower unit 110 at the upper end 103b, biasing the merging guide 102 in a direction that allows it to stand upright against its own weight. That is, the tension coil springs 103 are an example of a second biasing part, and bias the merging guide 102 toward the second position. A roller 104 is provided at the tip in the -X direction when the merging guide 102 is in the first position. The roller 104 is an example of an engaging part, and is freely openable relative to the merging guide 102.

[0031] On the other hand, the upper unit 101 is rotatable around the X-axis about the upper pivot shaft 101a, and has a lever 105 in the Y-direction at the position where the roller 104 of the merging guide 102 is provided. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the lever 105 in detail. The lever 105 is rotatable around a pivot shaft 105a with the Y-direction as its axial direction. The lever 105 is an example of an engaged part and is engageable with the roller 104. That is, the lever 105 is an example of a hook supported by the upper unit 101 so as to be rotatable between an engaged position in which it engages with the roller 104 and a retracted position in which it is retracted from the roller 104. In this embodiment, when the merging guide 102 is in the first position and the upper unit 101 is in the fourth position, the roller 104 is engaged with the lever 105.

[0032] The lever 105 is provided with a torsion coil spring 106 wound around a pivot shaft 105a. One end of the torsion coil spring 106 engages with an engagement hole 101b formed in the frame of the upper unit 101, and the other end engages with a notch 105b inside the lever 105. The torsion coil spring 106 presses the lever 105 against the abutment surface 101c of the frame of the upper unit 101, and when it receives a moment that resists the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 106, the lever 105 can rotate. The torsion coil spring 106 is an example of a first biasing part, and biases the lever 105 toward the engagement position.

[0033] Figure 6(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102, viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, with the upper unit 101 rotated 8 degrees around the upper pivot axis 101a compared to the state in which the upper unit 101 is closed. Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when Figure 6(a) is cut along line BB. At this time, as the upper unit 101 rotates, the lever 105 and the roller 104 come into contact, causing the merging guide 102 to be pulled up around the lower pivot axis 102a and rotated 10 degrees.

[0034] In other words, when the upper unit 101 is rotated from the fourth position to the fifth position, the roller 104 engages with the lever 105, causing the merging guide 102 to rotate from the first position to the third position. Here, when the merging guide 102 is in the first range (opening angle 0 to 10 degrees) described later, and the engagement portion of the lever 105 is located below the roller 104, the lever 105 engages with the roller 104 in such a way that it does not exceed the upward position.

[0035] Here, the moment acting on the confluence guide 102 will be explained using the graph shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the weight of the confluence guide 102 and the moment of the tension coil spring 103. The horizontal axis of the graph is the opening angle of the confluence guide 102, and the vertical axis is the moment acting on the confluence guide 102 around the lower pivot axis 102a. The solid line in the graph is the moment in the direction in which the tension coil spring 103 opens the confluence guide 102, and the dotted line is the moment in the direction in which the confluence guide 102 closes due to its own weight. In this embodiment, the weight of the confluence guide 102 is 19.6 N, and the tensile force of the tension coil spring 103 is 70 N per spring when the confluence guide 102 is closed.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, when the opening angle of the confluence guide 102 is between 0 and 10 degrees, the moment in the direction of closing the confluence guide 102 due to its own weight is greater than the moment in the direction of opening the confluence guide 102 due to the tension coil spring 103. Therefore, the confluence guide 102 is in a closed state due to its own weight.

[0037] When the opening angle of the merging guide 102 shown in Figures 6(a) and (b) is 10 degrees, the opening and closing moments are balanced. When the opening angle of the merging guide 102 exceeds 10 degrees, the opening moment due to the tension coil spring 103 becomes larger. That is, the biasing force of the tension coil spring 103 is smaller than the moment due to the weight of the merging guide 102 when the merging guide 102 is in the first range, and larger than the moment due to the weight of the merging guide 102 when the merging guide 102 is in the second range.

[0038] Therefore, when the opening angle of the merging guide 102 is between 0 and 10 degrees, the merging guide 102 is pulled up by the lever 105. That is, when the merging guide 102 is in the first range (opening angle of 0 to 10 degrees) and the roller 104 is engaged with the lever 105, it rotates in conjunction with the upper unit 101. In contrast, at an opening angle greater than 10 degrees, the merging guide 102 will open due to the biasing force of the tension coil spring 103 even if the lever 105 and the roller 104 are not in contact.

[0039] In other words, the merging guide 102 is located within a first range from the first position (opening angle 0 degrees) to the third position (opening angle 10 degrees), and stops at the first position if no external force is acting. However, it is not limited to stopping at the first position in this case; it may stop at any position within the first range. Furthermore, the merging guide 102 is located within a second range from the third position (opening angle 10 degrees) to the second position (opening angle 34 degrees), and stops at the second position if no external force is acting. However, it is not limited to stopping at the second position in this case; it may stop at any position within the second range. In this embodiment, the first position is horizontal, and the rotation angle of the merging guide 102 from the first position to the second position is less than 90 degrees. This prevents a configuration in which the opening angle exceeds 90 degrees, crossing the point of consideration against gravity (vertical direction) and ensuring an open state. In this embodiment, the rotation angle of the merging guide 102 from the first position to the second position is less than 90 degrees, but it is not limited to this and may be 90 degrees or more. In that case, a configuration can be applied such that the opening angle exceeds 90 degrees, crossing the point of consideration against gravity (vertical direction) and ensuring an open state.

[0040] Figure 8(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the confluence guide 102, viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, when the upper unit 101 is fully open and rotated 23 degrees from the closed state around the upper pivot axis 101a. Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the CC line in Figure 8(a). At this time, the opening angle of the confluence guide 102 is 34 degrees. In this state, the lever 105 and the roller 104 are separated in the Z direction, but as shown in the moment in Figure 7, the opening moment due to the tension coil spring 103 is greater than the closing moment due to the weight of the confluence guide 102. As a result, the confluence guide 102 overcomes its own weight and stands on its own. In this way, the confluence guide 102 can open in conjunction with the opening operation of the upper unit 101.

[0041] In other words, when the merging guide 102 is in the third position, and the upper unit 101 rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position to the sixth position, which is the position where the engagement between the roller 104 and the lever 105 is released, the engagement between the roller 104 and the lever 105 is released. Also, when the merging guide 102 is in the second range (opening angle of 10 to 34 degrees), the roller 104 can rotate independently of the upper unit 101 without engaging with the lever 105. For this reason, it may be configured to close in conjunction with the rotation of the upper unit 101, or it may be configured to close independently of the upper unit 101.

[0042] [The merging guide closes in conjunction with the upper unit.] Next, the operation of the merging guide 102 closing in conjunction with the upper unit 101 will be explained using Figures 9(a) and 9(b). Figure 9(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102, viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, when the upper unit 101 is closed by 12 degrees and opened by 11 degrees, starting from the state in Figure 8 where the upper unit 101 is open by 23 degrees. Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the merging guide 102 is cut along the DD line in Figure 9(a).

[0043] At this time, the merging guide 102 is closed to 19 degrees from the 34-degree open state shown in Figure 8, resulting in an opening angle of 15 degrees. As the upper unit 101 closes, the roller 104 provided on the merging guide 102 comes into contact with the area outside the paper passage area of ​​the transport guide section 101d of the upper unit 101, and the merging guide 102 is pushed by the transport guide section 101d and closes in conjunction. At that time, the roller 104 rolls against the transport guide section 101d as it closes, so even though the roller 104 is in contact with the transport guide section 101d, it can close smoothly without getting caught or damaged. As it continues to close, when the merging guide 102 is in the first range (opening angle 0 to 10 degrees), the roller 104 engages with the lever 105, and the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102 are closed, as shown in Figure 4. In other words, when the merging guide 102 is positioned within the first range (opening angle 0 to 10 degrees) and the roller 104 is engaged with the lever 105, it rotates in conjunction with the upper unit 101. As described above, the merging guide 102 can be closed in conjunction with the closing operation of the upper unit 101.

[0044] In other words, when the merging guide 102 is in the second position and the upper unit 101 is in the fifth position, and it is rotated toward the fourth position, the roller 104 engages with the lever 105 when it reaches the sixth position. As a result, the merging guide 102 rotates in conjunction with the upper unit 101.

[0045] [Closing operation of the upper unit when the merging guide is closed first] Next, the operation of the upper unit 101 when the merging guide 102 closes before the upper unit 101 will be explained using Figures 10(a) to 12(b). Figure 10(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102, viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, when the upper unit 101 is open at 23 degrees and the merging guide 102 is closed. Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the EE line in Figure 10(a). When the opening angle of the merging guide 102 is 10 degrees or less, the moment of the merging guide 102's own weight is stronger than the moment of the tension coil spring 103, so the merging guide 102 can be closed by itself without being linked to the upper unit 101.

[0046] Next, Figure 11(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102 viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, when the upper unit 101 is closed from a 23-degree open position to a 19-degree open position, leaving it open by only 5 degrees. Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along the FF line in Figure 11(a). At this time, the inclined surface 105c formed on the lower part of the lever 105 provided on the upper unit 101 and the roller 104 provided on the merging guide 102 are in contact, and this state is maintained. When the merging guide 102 is located in the first range (opening angle 0 to 10 degrees) and the roller 104 is not engaged with the lever 105, it rotates independently of the upper unit 101.

[0047] Next, Figure 12(a) is a side view of the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102, viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction, with the upper unit 101 closed two more times and opened only three times. Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when Figure 12(a) is cut along the GG line. As shown in Figure 11(b), when the inclined surface 105c of the lever 105 and the roller 104 come into contact, a moment is generated with respect to the pivot axis 105a of the lever 105 in the opposite direction to when the torsion coil spring 106 abuts the lever 105 against the abutment surface 101c. In this state, when the lever 105 is pushed down, as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), the lever 105 rotates and retracts away from the roller 104 in the -X direction.

[0048] Subsequently, when the upper unit 101 is closed further, the upper unit 101 and the merging guide 102 are in the closed position as shown in Figure 4(b). At this time, the lever 105 returns to its original position as shown in Figure 4(b) by the torsion coil spring 106 and engages with the roller 104. That is, as the upper unit 101 descends, the roller 104 overcomes the slope 105c of the lever 105 and engages with the lever 105. In other words, when the merging guide 102 is in the first position and the upper unit 101 is in the fifth position, and is rotated toward the fourth position, the lever 105 of the merging guide 102, which is in the first position, engages with the roller 104 as the upper unit 101 rotates. Thus, when the merging guide 102 is in the first range (opening angle 0 to 10 degrees) and the lever 105 is positioned above the roller 104, the lever 105 can descend and the engaging portion can pass below the roller 104. As described above, even if the merging guide 102 is closed before the upper unit 101, the upper unit 101 can still be closed.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the merging guide 102 is in the first range and the roller 104 is engaged with the lever 105, it rotates in conjunction with the upper unit 101. This allows the merging guide 102 to be pulled up in conjunction even when it rotates upward against gravity. This makes it possible to rotate one of two members having different pivot axes, thereby causing the other member to move upward against gravity. This improves operability during jamming and maintenance.

[0050] In the embodiments described above, the application to the feed module 100 was explained as an example of a sheet transport device, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be applied to the print module 200, or to other modules. Furthermore, the feed module 100 and the print module 200 may be used as a sheet transport device, or the entire inkjet recording system 1 may be used as a sheet transport device. Any combination of modules from the inkjet recording system 1, including the feed module 100, may be used as a sheet transport device.

[0051] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described the case in which the image forming system is applied to an inkjet recording system 1 of the inkjet recording method, it is not limited to this and may also be applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1... Inkjet recording system (image forming system), 100... Feeding module (sheet transport device), 101... Upper unit (second rotating member), 101a... Upper rotating shaft (second rotating shaft), 101d... Transport guide section (second guide section), 102... Confluence guide (first rotating member), 102a... Lower rotating shaft (first rotating shaft), 102b... First guide section, 102c... Third guide section, 103... Tension coil spring 103 (second biasing section), 104... Roller (engaging section), 105... Lever (engaged section, hook), 106... Torsion coil spring (first biasing section), 107... Lower guide member, 121... Discharge path (first transport path), 200... Print module (image forming device), 230... Recording section (image forming section), D1... Sheet transport direction, S... Sheet

Claims

1. In a sheet transport device that transports sheets, A first pivot member having an engaging portion, which is rotatable around a first pivot axis and displaceable between a closed first position, a second position opened upward from the first position, and a third position located between the first and second positions, The second pivot member is rotatable about a second pivot axis arranged in a direction intersecting the first pivot axis, and is displaceable between a closed fourth position and a fifth position opened upward from the fourth position, and has an engaged portion that can engage with the engaging portion, The first rotating member is, If the object is located within the first range from the first position to the third position and no external force is acting on it, it will stop at any position within the first range. If the object is located within the second range from the third position to the second position and no external force is acting on it, it will stop at any position within the second range. When the first rotating member is located within the second range, it rotates independently of the second rotating member without engaging the engaging portion with the engaged portion. When the first rotating member is located within the first range and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, it rotates in conjunction with the second rotating member. A sheet conveying device characterized by the following features.

2. The first rotating member rotates independently of the second rotating member when the first rotating member is located within the first range and the engaging portion is not engaged with the engaged portion. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

3. When the first rotating member is located within the first range and the engaged portion is located below the engaging portion, the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion without exceeding its upward position. When the first rotating member is located within the first range and the engaged portion is located above the engaging portion, the engaged portion can descend and pass below the engaging portion. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

4. When the first rotating member is in the first position and the second rotating member is in the fourth position, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion. When the second rotating member is rotated from the fourth position toward the fifth position, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion, causing the first rotating member to rotate from the first position toward the third position. When the first rotating member is in the third position, and the second rotating member rotates from the fourth position toward the fifth position to the sixth position, which is the position where the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released. When the second rotating member is rotated from the sixth position toward the fifth position, the first rotating member rotates independently of the second rotating member. When the first rotating member is in the second position and the second rotating member is in the fifth position, and the second rotating member is rotated toward the fourth position, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion when the second rotating member reaches the sixth position, and the first rotating member rotates in conjunction with the second rotating member. When the second rotating member is rotated toward the fourth position from a state in which the first rotating member is in the first position and the second rotating member is in the fifth position, the engaging portion of the first rotating member, which is in the first position, engages with the engaged portion as the second rotating member rotates. The sheet conveying device according to feature 3.

5. The engaged portion is, A hook is rotatably supported on the second rotating member, with an engagement position in which the engaging portion engages and a retracted position in which the hook is retracted from the engaging portion. It has a first biasing part that biases the hook toward the engagement position, The aforementioned hook, When the first rotating member is in the first position, the second rotating member is rotated toward the fourth position, thereby contacting the engaging portion and rotating toward the retracted position against the biasing force of the first biasing portion, and when the second rotating member is in the fourth position, the contact with the engaging portion is released and the second rotating member is positioned toward the engaging position by the biasing force of the first biasing portion. When the first rotating member is in the third position and the second rotating member is in the sixth position, the engagement with the engaging portion is released. When the first rotating member is in the second position and the second rotating member is in the fifth position, and the second rotating member is rotated toward the fourth position, the second rotating member engages with the engagement portion when it reaches the sixth position. The sheet conveying device according to feature 4.

6. The first position is a horizontal position, The rotation angle of the first rotating member from the first position to the second position is less than 90 degrees. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

7. The first rotating member is biased toward the second position by a second biasing unit, The biasing force of the second biasing unit is When the first rotating member is in the first range, the moment is smaller than the moment due to the weight of the first rotating member. When the first rotating member is in the second range, the moment due to the weight of the first rotating member is greater than the moment due to the weight of the first rotating member. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

8. The first rotating member is positioned below the second rotating member and has a first guide portion that, when in the first position, faces the second rotating member when it is in the fourth position. The second rotating member, when positioned in the fourth position, has a second guide portion that faces the first guide portion positioned in the first position. The first guide section and the second guide section form a first transport path for transporting the sheet between the first guide section and the second guide section. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

9. A lower guide member is provided, which is positioned below the first rotating member located in the first position. The first rotating member has a third guide portion that faces the lower guide member when it is in the first position, The third guide portion and the lower guide member form a second transport path for transporting the sheet between the third guide portion and the lower guide member. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

10. The second pivot axis is positioned with the sheet being transported in the longitudinal direction, The first pivot axis is positioned with its longitudinal direction being perpendicular to the sheet transport direction, The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

11. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, A sheet transport device comprising: An image forming system characterized by the following features.

Images