Sheet transport device and image forming system

Abstract

To improve the operability when opening and closing the transport guide section. [Solution] The sheet conveying device includes a support part (131F), a conveying guide part (11) supported by the support part so as to be able to open and close between a closed position (P1) that forms a conveying path (131e) through which sheets are conveyed and an open position that opens the conveying path, an interlocking part (50) that engages with the conveying guide part and the support part and is displaced in conjunction with the opening and closing of the conveying guide part, and a biasing part (60) that applies a biasing force (F2-1) from the interlocking part to the conveying guide part in the direction of opening the conveying guide part. The biasing force is greater than a first force acting on the interlocking part in the direction of closing the conveying guide part due to the weight of the conveying guide part when the conveying guide part is in the open position, and less than a second force (F1-1) acting on the interlocking part in the direction of closing the conveying guide part due to the weight of the conveying guide part when the conveying guide part is in the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a sheet conveying device provided in an image forming apparatus or a feeding deck that conveys a sheet, when a sheet jams in the conveyance path, the conveyance guide can be opened to open the conveyance path (see Patent Document 1). If such a conveyance guide closes due to natural dropping during jam processing for removing a jammed sheet, for example, the conveyance guide may be damaged. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure that uses a toggle spring (73) to maintain the reversing path guide (71) in an open state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a structure that uses a toggle spring (73) to maintain the reversing path guide in an open state as described above, when trying to close the reversing path guide after removing a jammed sheet, the biasing force of the toggle spring (73) acts in the closing direction. Therefore, when trying to close the reversing path guide, it may be forcefully closed, which may cause damage to the reversing path guide. Thus, it is necessary to carefully operate the reversing path guide, and there is a problem that the operability is not good.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device and an image forming system capable of improving the operability when opening and closing a conveyance guide unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a sheet conveying device for conveying sheets, comprising: a support portion; a conveying guide portion supported by the support portion so as to be able to open and close between a closed position that forms a conveying path on which sheets are conveyed and an open position that opens the conveying path; an interlocking portion engaged with the conveying guide portion and the support portion and displaced in conjunction with the opening and closing of the conveying guide portion; and a biasing portion that applies a biasing force from the interlocking portion to the conveying guide portion in the direction of opening the conveying guide portion, wherein the biasing force is greater than a first force acting on the interlocking portion in the direction of closing the conveying guide portion due to the weight of the conveying guide portion when the conveying guide portion is in the open position, and less than a second force acting on the interlocking portion in the direction of closing the conveying guide portion due to the weight of the conveying guide portion when the conveying guide portion is in the closed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the operability when opening and closing the transport guide section can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the inkjet recording system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a perspective view showing the feeding module according to this embodiment. (b) is a front view showing the transport path of the feeding module according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the main body of the feeding module according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view from the right front side showing the main body of the feeding module according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the vertical transport entrance unit when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in the closed position. [Figure 6]This is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a torsion coil spring when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in the closed position. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing the vertical transport entrance unit when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in the open position. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a torsion coil spring when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in the open position. [Figure 9] This is a front view showing the vertical transport entrance unit when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in an intermediate position. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a torsion coil spring when the transport guide according to this embodiment is in an intermediate position. [Figure 11] (a) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the closed position. (b) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the intermediate position. (c) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the open position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] This embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Configuration of the inkjet recording system] First, the configuration of the inkjet recording system 1 as an image forming system in this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the inkjet recording system 1. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the feeding module according to this embodiment. Figure 2(b) is a front view showing the transport path of the feeding module according to this embodiment. This inkjet recording system 1 is a sheet-fed inkjet recording system that manufactures a recording material by forming an ink image on a sheet S using two liquids, a reaction solution and ink.

[0011] 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. Cut sheets S supplied from the feeding module 100 are transported along the transport path, processed in each module, and discharged in the discharge module 700. In this embodiment, the sheet refers to the recording material and includes paper such as sheets and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHP), and cloth. In this embodiment, the sheet transport direction D1 is arranged so as to be 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, which acts as a sheet transport device for transporting sheets, is connected to the print module 200 and transports sheets to supply sheets to the print module 200, and facilitates the exchange of sheets between the print module 200 and the feeding module 100. The feeding module 100 has a first feeding unit 111, a second feeding unit 112, and a third feeding unit 113 as sheet supply units that contain and feed sheets S. As shown in Figure 2(b), the first feeding unit 111 has a first storage section 111a for containing sheets S and a first feeding section 111b for feeding sheets S from the first storage section 111a. The second feeding unit 112 has a second storage section 112a for containing sheets S and a second feeding section 112b for feeding sheets S from the second storage section 112a. The third supply unit 113 has a third storage section 113a for storing sheets S, and a third feeding section 113b for feeding sheets S from the third storage section 113a. The first storage section 111a, the second storage section 112a, and the third storage section 113a are each capable of storing multiple sheets and are configured to be pull out towards the front of the device. The sheets S are separated in the first storage section 111a, the second storage section 112a, and the third storage section 113a by the first feeding section 111b, the second feeding section 112b, and the third feeding section 113b, and fed one sheet at a time to be transported to the print module 200. Note that the supply unit is not limited to three units, and may have one, two, or four or more units. The feeding module 100 will be described later.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, 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 sheet transport direction D1. 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 methods using heating elements, piezoelectric elements, electrostatic elements, MEMS elements, etc. 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 detected for image misalignment and color density by an in-line scanner (not shown) located downstream of the sheet transport direction D1 of the recording unit. 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, which reduces the liquid content in the ink applied on the sheet S by the recording unit 230 of the printing module 200 and enhances 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 arranged on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction D1 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 is prevented. The drying belt unit 330 is arranged below the belt, and the warm air blowing unit 340 is arranged above the belt, facing each other with the belt in between. The sheet S conveyed from the decoupling unit 320 is adsorbed and conveyed by the drying belt unit 330, and at the same time, the ink application surface is dried by receiving hot air from the warm air blowing unit 340. In addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be configured by combining a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays) 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 to 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, which cools the high-temperature sheet S conveyed from the fixing module 400 through the sheet conveying path. 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 a nozzle formed in a conveying guide (not shown) onto the sheet S to cool the sheet S. The cooling unit 510 is arranged on both the upper side and the lower side with respect to the conveying path to cool 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, from the cooling module 500, it is further conveyed 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 print 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 2(b). As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the feeding module 100 has a device main body 100a in which each supply unit is housed, and an upper door 100b that is connected to the rear direction B side of the device main body 100a by a hinge and opens upward. The upper door 100b is supported rotatably about a rotation axis 100c with respect to the device main body 100a, and can be displaced between a closed position (see FIG. 2(b)) closed with respect to the device main body 100a and an open position (see FIG. 2(a)) opened. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis 100c is arranged with the sheet conveyance direction D1 of the conveyed sheet as the axial direction. However, the axial direction of the rotation axis 100c is not limited to the sheet conveyance direction D1. Also, the arrows in FIG. 2(b) indicate the sheet conveyance directions in each conveyance path.

[0020] The feeding module 100 includes a horizontal conveying section 120, a vertical conveying section 130, and an escape conveying section 140. The horizontal conveying section 120 has a horizontal conveying path 120a, the vertical conveying section 130 has a vertical conveying path 130a that conveys sheets in an upward direction U, and the escape conveying section 140 has a retraction conveying path 140a that conveys sheets in an upward direction U. Downstream of the horizontal conveying path 120a in the sheet conveying direction D1, a discharge path 121 is continuously provided, formed by the upper part of the vertical conveying section 130 and the lower part of the escape conveying section 140.

[0021] The vertical transport unit 130 is an example of a transport unit and transports sheets S supplied from the first supply unit 111, the second supply unit 112, and the third supply unit 113 to the recording unit 230 (see Figure 1). When supplying sheets 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, sheets S are supplied from the first supply unit 111, the second supply unit 112, and the third supply unit 113. When printing the second side of the sheet S, sheets S are supplied from the re-transport path (see Figure 1) located at the bottom of the print module 200 via the vertical transport inlet 133 and through the vertical transport path 130a of the vertical transport unit 130. The supplied sheets S are then transported from the discharge path 121 to the discharge port 122 and then to the print module 200. The vertical transport unit 130 will be described later.

[0022] A switching unit 143 is provided in the discharge path 121. The switching unit 143 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 143 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.

[0023] In this inkjet recording system 1, for example, another feeding module 100 can be connected upstream in the sheet transport direction D1. In this case, the discharge port 122 of the feeding module 100 located upstream in the sheet transport direction D1 is connected to the horizontal transport path 120a of the feeding module 100 located downstream in the sheet transport direction D1. In other words, the feeding module 100 located upstream in the sheet transport direction D1 can feed the sheets S set in each supply unit to the horizontal transport path 120a of the feeding module 100 located downstream in the sheet transport direction D1. This doubles the number of storage units in the inkjet recording system 1 that can hold sheets. Furthermore, three or more feeding modules 100 may be connected.

[0024] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned feeding module 100, if a sheet jam occurs in the horizontal transport path 120a, the jammed sheet can be checked and removed by opening the upper door 100b upwards. Also, if a malfunction occurs in the feeding module, maintenance can be performed by opening the upper door 100b upwards.

[0025] [Vertical transport section] The vertical conveying section 130 will be explained using Figures 2(b) and 3. Figure 3 is a front view of the main body 100a of the device, showing details of the first conveying section 131 and the second conveying section 132. The vertical conveying section 130 has a first conveying section 131 and a second conveying section 132. The first conveying section 131 receives sheets supplied from the first supply unit 111 and conveys them along the first conveying path 131a. The second conveying section 132 receives sheets supplied from the second supply unit 112 and conveys them along the second conveying path 132a.

[0026] The second transport path 132a is continuous with the first transport path 131a when the second transport unit 132 is connected to the first transport unit 131. The discharge path 121 is continuous with the second transport path 132a when the escape transport unit 140 is mounted on the main body 100a of the device. The first transport unit has a re-transport path 131e that receives sheets via a vertical transport inlet 133 to form an image on the second surface opposite to the first surface after an image has been formed on the first surface via the recording unit 230, and transports them to the first transport path 131a.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the main body of the device 100a has a frame 101. In this embodiment, the frame 101 refers to a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame made up of multiple rod-shaped frames connected together. The first transport unit 131 is fixed to the front F side of the frame 101 by screws 134a and 134b. The second transport unit 132 is fixed to the front F side of the frame 101 by screws 134c, 134d, 134e, and 134f.

[0028] [Movement mechanism of the vertical transport section] The vertical transport section 130 is provided so as to be movable horizontally by a moving mechanism 160 between a storage position where it is housed in the main body 100a (see Figure 2(a)) and an extended position where it is pulled out from the main body 100a (see Figure 4). The moving mechanism 160 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the vertical transport section 130 pulled out from the main body 100a. The vertical transport section 130 can be pulled out as described below by opening the door 102 shown in Figure 2(a).

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the moving mechanism 160 includes a first mechanism 161, a second mechanism 162, and a third mechanism 163. The first mechanism 161 and the second mechanism 162 are located in the lower part of the internal space of the frame 101 and are provided parallel to each other. The first mechanism 161 includes a first moving member 161a, a first auxiliary rail 161b, and a first guide rail 161c. The first guide rail 161c is fixed and supported to the frame 101 with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, and a substantially rod-shaped first auxiliary rail 161b, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is provided on the first guide rail 161c so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, a substantially rod-shaped first moving member 161a, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is provided on the first auxiliary rail 161b so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the first moving member 161a is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the frame 101.

[0030] Similarly, the second mechanism 162 includes a second movable member 162a, a second auxiliary rail 162b, and a second guide rail 162c. The second guide rail 162c is fixed and supported to the frame 101 with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, and a substantially rod-shaped second auxiliary rail 162b, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 162c so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (see Figure 5(a)). Furthermore, a substantially rod-shaped second movable member 162a, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is slidably mounted on the second auxiliary rail 162b so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the second movable member 162a is mounted so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the frame 101.

[0031] Here, the first movable member 161a and the second movable member 162a are examples of movable parts and the first movable part that support the vertical transport section 130. The first movable member 161a and the second movable member 162a are movable between a housing position in which the vertical transport section 130 is housed in the device body 100a and an extension position in which the vertical transport section 130 is extended from the device body 100a. The first guide rail 161c and the second guide rail 162c are examples of guide parts that support the first movable member 161a and the second movable member 162a and guide them relative to the device body 100a. In other words, the movable parts and the first movable part are arranged parallel to each other and each has a first movable member 161a and a second movable member 162a that are movable between the housing position and the extension position while supporting the first transport section 131.

[0032] Furthermore, the third mechanism 163 includes a third movable member 163a, a third auxiliary rail 163b, and a third guide rail 163c. The third guide rail 163c is fixed and supported to the frame 101 with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, and a substantially rod-shaped third auxiliary rail 163b, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is slidably mounted on the third guide rail 163c so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. In addition, a substantially rod-shaped third movable member 163a, with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, is slidably mounted on the third auxiliary rail 163b so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the third movable member 163a is mounted so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the frame 101. The third movable member 163a supports the second transport section 132 and is movable between a storage position and an unloading position. The third guide rail 163c supports the third movable member 163a and guides it toward the device body 100a.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the first transport unit 131 is released from the frame 101 by removing screws 134a and 134b. Similarly, the second transport unit 132 is released from the frame 101 by removing screws 134c to 134f. Once released from the frame 101, the first transport unit 131 and the second transport unit 132 are pulled out while supported by the first movable member 161a, the second movable member 162a, and the third movable member 163a, which are movably mounted on the frame 101, as shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the vertical transport unit 130 is supported by the moving mechanism 160 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and is pulled out in the front direction F and mounted in the rear direction B. In other words, when the first moving member 161a, the second moving member 162a, and the third moving member 163a move from the storage position to the withdrawal position, the vertical transport section 130 is pulled out from the device body 100a in the first direction and the horizontal direction, which is the forward direction F. As a result, the vertical transport section 130 is configured to be held on the forward direction F side of the device body 100a before being removed from the device body 100a.

[0034] [Vertical transport entrance unit of the first transport section] Next, the configuration of the vertical transport inlet unit 10 of the first transport unit 131 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10. Figure 5 is a front view showing the vertical transport inlet unit when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the closed position. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the connecting part of the interlocking link and the torsion coil spring when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the closed position. Figure 7 is a front view showing the vertical transport inlet unit when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the open position. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the connecting part of the interlocking link and the torsion coil spring when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the open position. Figure 9 is a front view showing the vertical transport inlet unit when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the intermediate position. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the connecting part of the interlocking link and the torsion coil spring when the transport guide unit according to this embodiment is in the intermediate position.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 9, the first transport unit 131 is equipped with a vertical transport entrance unit 10. This vertical transport entrance unit 10 is broadly composed of a support frame 131F as a support part, a lower guide 40, a transport guide 11 as a transport guide part, and a link mechanism 50 as an interlocking part. The lower guide 40 is fixedly supported on the support frame 131F, while the transport guide 11 is rotatably supported on the support frame 131F around a pivot axis 12. That is, the transport guide 11 is supported on the support frame 131F so that it can be opened and closed between a closed position P1 (see Figure 5) which is closed to the lower guide 40 to form a re-transport path 131e as a transport path, and an open position P2 (see Figure 7) which is open to the lower guide 40. Furthermore, the transport guide 11 is supported by the support frame 131F so that it passes through an intermediate position P3 (see Figure 9) between the closed position P1 (see Figure 5) and the open position P2 (see Figure 7) during opening and closing operations.

[0036] The vertical transport entrance unit 10 includes a first transport roller pair 31 and a second transport roller pair 32 as transport sections for transporting sheets along the re-transport path 131e. The first transport roller pair 31 has a drive roller 31a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 31b that follows it. The drive roller 31a is rotatably supported on the lower guide 40, and the driven roller 31b is rotatably supported on the transport guide 11. Similarly, the second transport roller pair 32 has a drive roller 32a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 32b that follows it. The drive roller 32a is rotatably supported on the lower guide 40, and the driven roller 32b is rotatably supported on the transport guide 11. Then, with the transport guide 11 in a closed position P1 relative to the lower guide 40, the drive roller 31a and driven roller 31b of the first transport roller pair 31 come into contact to form a nip that transports the sheet. Similarly, with the transport guide 11 in a closed position P1, the drive roller 32a and driven roller 32b of the second transport roller pair 32 come into contact to form a nip that transports the sheet.

[0037] In the transport guide 11 described above, an operating section 20 for opening and closing the transport guide 11 is located on the side surface 11S on the forward direction F side, which is one side in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction D1. The operating section 20 has a handle 21 that serves as a handle for the user to operate, and a support shaft 22 provided on the transport guide 11 that rotatably supports the handle 21. The operating section 20 also has a hook 25 fixed to the handle 21 and a fixed shaft 26 fixed to the support frame 131F and capable of engaging with the hook 25. The handle 21 is biased by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) in a direction (clockwise in the figure) in which the hook 25 engages with the fixed shaft 26 around the support shaft 22. With the operating unit 20 configured in this way, when the user lifts the handle 21 upward (counterclockwise in the figure), the hook 25 separates from the fixed shaft 26, and the lock between the hook 25 and the fixed shaft 26 is released. This allows the user to move the transport guide 11 in the opening direction W2 from the closed position P1 to the open position P2 (see Figure 7) via the support shaft 22 by simply lifting the handle 21. If the user presses the handle 21 or the transport guide 11 in the closing direction W1, or releases the handle 21 or the transport guide 11 and allows it to fall naturally, the hook 25 and the fixed shaft 26 engage, and the transport guide 11 is locked in the closed position P1. By locking the transport guide 11 against the lower guide 40 in this way, the transport force by the first transport roller pair 31 and the second transport roller pair 32 can be properly secured, and the transport function can be prevented from being affected.

[0038] Furthermore, a link mechanism 50 is positioned along the side surface 11S of the transport guide 11. The link mechanism 50 includes a first link 51 as a first interlocking member, one end of which is engaged with the transport guide 11, and a second link 52 as a second interlocking member, one end of which is engaged with the support frame 131F and the other end of which is engaged with the first link 51. The link mechanism 50 also includes a connecting shaft 53 as a connecting part that rotatably connects the first link 51 and the second link 52. In detail, one end of the first link 51 is engaged with a first engagement shaft 54 ​​supported on the side surface 11S of the transport guide 11, that is, engaged with the transport guide 11, and the other end is engaged with the second link 52 by the connecting shaft 53. Furthermore, the second link 52 is engaged at one end with a second engagement shaft 55 supported by the support frame 131F, that is, engaged with the support frame 131F, and at the other end is engaged with the first link 51 by a connecting shaft 53. Note that there is no link mechanism equivalent to the link mechanism 50 on the side opposite to the side 11S of the transport guide 11, that is, on the other side of the transport guide 11.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, connecting guide members 41 fixedly supported by the support frame 131F are arranged in a left-right direction on the lower guide 40. The connecting guide members 41 have guide grooves 41G formed in them, which act as restricting parts that limit the position in which the connecting shaft 53 slides. As a result, when the transport guide 11 is opened and closed, the link mechanism 50 is displaced in conjunction, but the range of movement of the connecting shaft 53 is restricted by the guide grooves 41G, so the link mechanism 50 can be displaced stably, and in particular the wobble of the first link 51 can be suppressed.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, a torsion coil spring 60, which is an example of a spring acting as a biasing element, is positioned close to the connecting shaft 53. The torsion coil spring 60 is formed by winding a spring wire into a coil shape to create a coil body 61, and the connecting shaft 53 is positioned and supported by passing through the coil body 61. The torsion coil spring 60 also has an end 62, which is one end of the spring wire extending from the coil body 61, and an end 63, which is the other end of the spring wire. The end 62 is attached to a first washer 51a fixed to the first link 51, and the end 63 is attached to a second washer 52a fixed to the second link 52. As a result, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 60 increases when the angle between the first link 51 and the second link 52 decreases, and decreases when the angle between the first link 51 and the second link 52 increases.

[0041] [Applying biasing force to the transport guide using a linkage mechanism and torsion coil springs] Next, the application of biasing force to the transport guide by the link mechanism 50 and the torsion coil spring 60 will be explained using Figures 5 to 10. By setting the transport guide 11 to the open position P2 (see Figure 7), even if a jam occurs in the re-transport path 131e, for example, the jammed sheet can be identified and removed.

[0042] However, in recent years, due to the demand for miniaturization of devices, there is a need to effectively utilize the space inside the device, and sometimes it is not possible to secure a sufficient movable angle in the opening and closing direction of the transport guide. In other words, in the transport guide 11 according to this embodiment, a sufficient opening angle cannot be secured when opening upwards, and the opening and closing angle from the closed position P1 to the open position P2 is less than 90 degrees. In such a transport guide 11, even in the fully open state, the center of gravity does not exceed 90 degrees, so if there is no structure to maintain the position of the transport guide 11, there is a risk that it will close by falling naturally from the open position P2, and there is a risk that it may be damaged by impact. For this reason, it is desirable to apply some kind of pressing force (biasing force) to the transport guide 11 to maintain the transport guide 11 in the open position P2. However, in the case of a guide that opens to less than 90 degrees and is pressed by a toggle spring, as in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-12170, if the maximum biasing force is exceeded, there is a risk that it will be biased in the closing direction. In that case, there is a risk that it may be damaged by impact when closing, and the operability is not good. Therefore, improvement in operability when opening and closing the transport guide 11 was desired. Accordingly, in the vertical transport entrance unit 10 according to this embodiment, the link mechanism 50 and torsion coil spring 60 described above generate a force that opposes the weight of the transport guide 11, that is, biases the transport guide 11 in the direction of opening.

[0043] In detail, as shown in Figure 7, suppose the user operates the handle 21 upward, and the transport guide 11 reaches its widest open position P2. In this case, due to the weight of the transport guide 11, a force F1-2 acts as the first force on the first link 51 from the first engagement shaft 54. The direction in which this force F1-2 acts is the direction W1 in which the transport guide 11 closes due to its own weight, because the transport guide 11 opens to less than 90 degrees relative to the re-transport path 131e (i.e., the horizontal direction). In other words, the direction in which the force F1-2 acts is the tangential direction of the circle passing through the first engagement shaft 54 ​​centered on the pivot shaft 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2, the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 is configured to be approximately the direction W1 in which the transport guide 11 closes.

[0044] When the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2, as shown in Figure 8, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 and the longitudinal direction of the second link 52 becomes angle θ2. Therefore, the biasing force exerted by the torsion coil spring 60, which receives a reaction force from the second link 52 and presses the first engagement shaft 54 ​​(i.e., the transport guide 11) against it, is a force F2-2 corresponding to the angle θ2. This force F2-2 is greater than the force F1-2 mentioned above, meaning that the transport guide 11 is held open by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 60, preventing it from closing due to its own weight, and is maintained in the open position P2. Thus, the transport guide 11 is prevented from falling to the closed position P1 due to natural fall, which could cause impact and damage. Furthermore, the angle θ2 between the first link 51 and the second link 52 at this time is obtuse, meaning they are widely spaced, which allows the user to secure space to remove the sheet from the re-transport path 131e, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0045] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, suppose the user operates the handle 21 downwards, causing the transport guide 11 to move to an intermediate position P3 between the open position P2 and the closed position P1. In this case, a force F1-3 acts on the first link 51 from the first engagement shaft 54 ​​due to the weight of the transport guide 11. As described above, the direction in which this force F1-3 acts is the direction W1 in which the transport guide 11 closes due to its own weight, and is the tangential direction of the circle passing through the first engagement shaft 54 ​​centered on the pivot shaft 12. When the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3, the force F1-3 is greater than the force F1-2 when the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2, because the transport guide 11 moves in the closing direction W1 and its center of gravity moves horizontally away from the pivot shaft 12. Furthermore, when the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3, the first link 51 is rotated (clockwise in the figure) so that its longitudinal direction faces upward compared to when the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2. That is, the second link 52 rotates around the second engagement shaft 55, and the connecting shaft 53 is guided downward by the guide groove 41G, so the position of the first engagement shaft 54 ​​goes down, but the connecting shaft 53 goes down even more, so that the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 faces upward.

[0046] When the transport guide 11 reaches the intermediate position P3, as shown in Figure 10, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 and the longitudinal direction of the second link 52 becomes an angle θ3 of approximately 90 degrees. Therefore, the biasing force exerted by the torsion coil spring 60, which receives a reaction force from the second link 52 and presses the first engagement shaft 54 ​​(i.e., the transport guide 11) against it, is a force F2-3 corresponding to the angle θ2. This force F2-3 decreases as the transport guide 11 closes, and at the intermediate position P3 shown in Figure 9, it becomes smaller than the force F1-3. Therefore, although the transport guide 11 is biased by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 60, it is also pressed to close by its own weight, and the transport guide 11 will move in the closing direction W1 even without the user having to hold it down. On the other hand, the total force generated in the direction W1 when the transport guide 11 closes due to the load F2-3 is reduced compared to the case without the link mechanism 50 and the torsion coil spring 60.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, suppose the user operates the handle 21 downwards, causing the transport guide 11 to move to the closed position P1 or just before the closed position P1. In this case, due to the weight of the transport guide 11, a force F1-1 acts as a second force on the first link 51 from the first engagement shaft 54. The direction in which this force F1-1 acts is, as described above, the direction W1 in which the transport guide 11 closes due to its own weight, and is the tangential direction of the circle passing through the first engagement shaft 54 ​​centered on the pivot shaft 12. When the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, the force F1-1 is greater than the force F1-3 when the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3, because the transport guide 11 moves in the closing direction W1 and its center of gravity moves horizontally away from the pivot shaft 12, due to the weight of the transport guide 11. Furthermore, when the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, the first link 51 is rotated (clockwise in the figure) so that its longitudinal direction faces upward compared to when the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3. That is, the second link 52 rotates around the second engagement shaft 55, and the connecting shaft 53 is guided downward by the guide groove 41G, so the position of the first engagement shaft 54 ​​goes down, but the connecting shaft 53 goes down even more, so that the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 faces upward.

[0048] When the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, as shown in Figure 6, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the first link 51 and the longitudinal direction of the second link 52 becomes an acute angle θ1. Therefore, the biasing force exerted by the torsion coil spring 60, which receives a reaction force from the second link 52 and presses the first engagement shaft 54 ​​(i.e., the transport guide 11) against it, is a force F2-1 corresponding to the angle θ1. As described above, this force F2-1 decreases as the transport guide 11 closes, and at the closed position P1 shown in Figure 5, it is smaller than the above force F1-1, but larger than the force F1-3 when the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3. Therefore, although the transport guide 11 is biased by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 60, it is also pressed to close by its own weight, and for example, the transport guide 11 will move in the closing direction W1 even without the user holding it down. However, the force F2-1 is greater than when the intermediate position P3 is present, and the total force generated in the closing direction W1 of the transport guide 11 is reduced compared to when there is no link mechanism 50 and torsion coil spring 60. Therefore, the movement speed when closing the transport guide 11 to the closed position P1 can be reduced, preventing the transport guide 11 from colliding with the lower guide 40 and causing damage. Also, since the force F1-1 generated by the weight of the transport guide 11 is slightly greater than the force F2-1 generated by the torsion coil spring 60, the user can easily close the transport guide 11 all the way and easily engage the hook 25 with the fixed shaft 26. In this way, it is not necessary for the user to carefully operate the opening and closing of the transport guide 11, thus improving the operability when opening and closing the transport guide 11.

[0049] Furthermore, when the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, the angle θ1 between the first link 51 and the second link 52 of the link mechanism 50 becomes acute, meaning it folds. As a result, the link mechanism 50 is compactly stored along the side surface 11S of the transport guide 11 between it and the support frame 131F, thus achieving space savings.

[0050] Furthermore, the link mechanism 50 is positioned in the width direction (front-to-back direction) on the same side as the handle 21 of the operating unit 20 relative to the transport guide 11. As a result, the operating force applied by the user when operating the handle 21, the forces F1-1 to F1-3 generated in the link mechanism 50 due to the weight of the transport guide 11, and the forces F2-1 to F2-3 generated by the torsion coil spring 60 all act along one side surface 11S of the transport guide 11. Therefore, twisting forces in the width direction are less likely to be generated when opening and closing the transport guide 11, in other words, twisting can be suppressed.

[0051] [Differentiation] Next, a modified example in which the torsion coil spring 60 provided in the link mechanism 50 described above is changed to a compression spring 70 will be explained using Figure 11. Figure 11(a) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the closed position. Figure 11(b) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the intermediate position. Figure 11(c) is a perspective view showing a part of the link mechanism and a compression spring when the transport guide according to another embodiment is in the open position.

[0052] As shown in Figures 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c), in this modified example, a compression spring 70 is positioned near the connecting shaft 53 of the link mechanism 50 in place of the torsion coil spring 60. Specifically, one end 71 of the compression spring 70 is attached to the first washer 51a of the first link 51, and the other end 72 of the compression spring 70 is attached to the second washer 52a of the second link 52, thus positioning the compression spring 70. In other words, the compression spring 70 is compressed between the first washer 51a of the first link 51 and the second washer 52a of the second link 52.

[0053] In this modified configuration, as shown in Figure 11(a), when the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, a force F2-1 is generated according to the angle θ1 between the first link 51 and the second link 52 and acts on the transport guide 11. Similarly, as shown in Figure 11(b), when the transport guide 11 is in the intermediate position P3, a force F2-3 is generated according to the angle θ3 between the first link 51 and the second link 52 and acts on the transport guide 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(c), when the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2, a force F2-2 is generated according to the angle θ2 between the first link 51 and the second link 52 and acts on the transport guide 11. Therefore, this modified configuration also produces the same function and effect as the torsion coil spring 60 described above. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the above embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0054] [Summary of this embodiment] The feeding module 100 according to the embodiment described above includes a link mechanism 50 in the vertical transport inlet unit 10 that engages with the transport guide 11 and the support frame 131F, and is displaced in conjunction with the opening and closing of the transport guide 11. The vertical transport inlet unit 10 also includes a torsion coil spring 60 (compression spring 70) that applies a biasing force from the link mechanism 50 to the transport guide 11 in the direction W2 that opens the transport guide 11. When the transport guide 11 is in the open position P2, the force F2-2 that biases the transport guide 11 by the torsion coil spring 60 (compression spring 70) is greater than the force F1-2 that acts on the link mechanism 50 in the direction W1 that closes the transport guide 11 due to the weight of the transport guide 11. As a result, the transport guide 11 can be maintained in the open position P2 when opened. Furthermore, when the transport guide 11 is in the closed position P1, the force F2-1 biasing the transport guide 11 by the torsion coil spring 60 (compression spring 70) is smaller than the force F1-1 acting on the link mechanism 50 in the direction W1 that closes the transport guide 11 due to the transport guide 11's own weight. As a result, when closing the transport guide 11 to the closed position P1, it can be closed by its own weight, while the force F2-1 can reduce the movement speed of the transport guide 11. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to carefully operate the opening and closing of the transport guide 11, thus improving the operability when opening and closing the transport guide 11.

[0055] Furthermore, the torsion coil spring 60 (compression spring 70) changes its biasing force in the direction of opening the transport guide 11 in accordance with the displacement of the link mechanism 50 which is linked to the transport guide 11, thereby enabling the force relationship described above.

[0056] In particular, the link mechanism 50 is configured to include a first link 51 with one end engaged with the transport guide 11, and a second link 52 with one end engaged with the support frame 131F and the other end engaged with the first link 51. Therefore, with such a simple mechanism, a mechanism that displaces in conjunction with the opening and closing of the transport guide 11 can be realized.

[0057] Furthermore, the link mechanism 50 has a connecting shaft 53 that rotatably connects the first link 51 and the second link 52. The torsion coil spring 60 (compression spring 70) is positioned close to the connecting shaft 53 and changes the magnitude of the force biasing the transport guide 11 in the opening direction W2 according to the angle formed by the first link 51 and the second link 52, which shift in accordance with the opening and closing of the transport guide 11. In other words, with this simple mechanism, it is possible to realize a structure in which the magnitude of the forces F2-1 to F2-3 that bias the transport guide 11 in the opening direction W2 according to the opening and closing of the transport guide 11 can be changed.

[0058] Furthermore, the handle 21 of the operating unit 20 and the link mechanism 50 are positioned along one side 11S in the width direction of the transport guide 11. This prevents the user's operating force and the biasing force from the torsion coil spring 60 (or compression spring 70) from being in a twisted positional relationship, thereby suppressing twisting of the transport guide 11.

[0059] Furthermore, the feeding module 100 includes the main body 100a, and the vertical transport inlet unit 10 includes a support frame 131F, a transport guide 11, a handle 21, a first transport roller pair 31, a second transport roller pair 32, etc. The vertical transport inlet unit 10 is movable between a housed position where it is housed relative to the main body 100a and an extended position where it is pulled out from the main body 100a, and the side surface 11S of the transport guide 11 is positioned facing the extension direction. In other words, the handle 21 is on the front side when the vertical transport inlet unit 10 is pulled out from the main body 100a, thus improving the operability of opening and closing the transport guide 11. Furthermore, since the link mechanism 50 is not located on the side opposite to the side surface 11S of the transport guide 11 in the width direction, the user's operating force and the biasing force from the torsion coil spring 60 (or compression spring 70) can be configured so that they do not have a twisted positional relationship. This makes it possible to suppress twisting of the transport guide 11.

[0060] [Possibility of other embodiments] In the embodiment described above, the first transport unit 131 is described as being able to be pulled out from the main body 100a of the device, but it is not limited to this. For example, it is also acceptable to simply open the front door or cover to open and close the transport guide 11.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport path formed by the transport guide 11 of the vertical transport entrance unit 10 (part of the re-transport path 131e) is described as being arranged horizontally, but this is not the only possible configuration. For example, even if the transport path formed by the transport guide 11 is inclined at about 10 degrees, as long as the center of gravity of the transport guide 11 does not exceed the vertical line of the rotation axis 18 when it is fully open, it is conceivable to configure it in the same way as in this embodiment. In other words, the horizontal direction does not need to be strictly horizontal, but refers to a direction that is aligned with the horizontal direction, and even if it is inclined within a range of about 10 degrees, it can still be called the horizontal direction. Also, the direction in which the transport guide 11 opens may be reversed in the left-right direction.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a twisting coil spring 60 and a compression spring 70 were used as examples to describe the biasing part, but it is not limited to these. For example, it could be a spring made of rubber or the like; in other words, any spring that can change the biasing force according to the angle between the first link 51 and the second link 52 is acceptable. In short, the biasing part only needs to change its biasing force according to the displacement of the link mechanism 50 that is linked to the opening and closing of the transport guide 11. Specifically, the biasing part should apply a biasing force greater than its own weight to the transport guide 11 when it is in the open position P2, and a biasing force less than its own weight to the transport guide 11 when it is in the closed position P1.

[0063] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described the application to the feeding module 100 as an example of a sheet transport device, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be applied to the printing module 200, or to other modules such as the inversion module 600 or the discharge module 700. Moreover, the sheet transport device can be applied to an inspection device that reads and inspects the image of the sheet after image formation, or an automatic document feeder that feeds the original document from which the image is read, etc.

[0064] 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]

[0065] 1…Inkjet recording system (image forming system) / 10…Vertical transport inlet unit (transport unit) / 11…Transport guide (transport guide section) / 11S…Side / 21…Handle (handle section) / 31…First transport roller pair (transport section) / 32…Second transport roller pair (transport section) / 41G…Guide groove (regulating section) / 50…Link mechanism (interlocking section) / 51…First link (first interlocking member) / 52…Second link (second interlocking member) / 53…Connecting shaft (connecting section) / 60…Torsion coil spring (biasing section, spring) / 70…Compression spring (biasing section, spring) / 100…Supply Sending module (sheet transport device) / 111a...First storage section (storage section) / 112a...First storage section (storage section) / 113a...First storage section (storage section) / 111b...First feeding section (feeding section) / 112b...Second feeding section (feeding section) / 113b...Third feeding section (feeding section) / 131F...Support frame (support section) / 131e...Re-transport path (transport path) / 200...Print module (image forming device) / 230...Recording section (image forming section) / F1-1...First force / F1-2...Second force / P1...Closed position / P2...Open position / W2...Opening direction / W1...Closing direction

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device for conveying sheets, Support part and A transport guide section supported by the support section is capable of opening and closing between a closed position that forms a transport path through which the sheet is transported and an open position that opens the transport path. An interlocking part that engages with the transport guide part and the support part and is displaced in conjunction with the opening and closing of the transport guide part, The interlocking unit provides a biasing force to the transport guide unit that biases the transport guide unit in the direction of opening the transport guide unit, The aforementioned supplementary force is When the transport guide portion is in the open position, the force acting on the interlocking portion in the direction of closing the transport guide portion due to the weight of the transport guide portion is greater than the first force acting on the interlocking portion. When the transport guide portion is in the closed position, the second force acting on the interlocking portion in the direction of closing the transport guide portion due to the weight of the transport guide portion is smaller than the second force acting on the interlocking portion in the direction of closing the transport guide portion. A sheet conveying device characterized by the following features.

2. The biasing unit changes the biasing force in accordance with the displacement of the interlocking unit. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

3. The interlocking section comprises a first interlocking member, one end of which is engaged with the transport guide section, and a second interlocking member, one end of which is engaged with the support section and the other end of which is engaged with the first interlocking member. The sheet conveying device according to feature 2.

4. The interlocking part has a connecting part that rotatably connects the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, The biasing unit is positioned close to the connecting unit and changes the biasing force according to the angle formed by the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, which move in accordance with the opening and closing of the transport guide unit. The sheet conveying device according to feature 3.

5. The biasing portion is a spring with one end engaged with the first interlocking member and the other end engaged with the second interlocking member. The sheet conveying device according to feature 4.

6. It is supported by the aforementioned support portion and includes a restricting portion that restricts the range of movement of the connecting portion, The sheet conveying device according to feature 4.

7. The transport guide section is formed so that the transport path is horizontal in the closed position and opens upward toward the open position. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

8. The transport guide section has an opening and closing angle of less than 90 degrees from the closed position to the open position. The sheet conveying device according to feature 7.

9. In the width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction, the transport guide portion is provided with a handle portion positioned on one side of the transport guide portion, The interlocking part is arranged along the side surface, The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

10. The main body of the device, A transport unit comprising the support portion, the transport guide portion, the handle portion, and a transport portion for transporting the sheet transported along the transport path, The transport unit is movable between a storage position where it is housed within the main body of the device and a withdrawal position where it is pulled out from the main body of the device in the withdrawal direction. One side of the transport guide section is the side that is positioned in the direction of the pull-out. The sheet conveying device according to feature 9.

11. The interlocking part is not located on the other side of the transport guide part. The sheet conveying device according to feature 9.

12. A storage section for accommodating multiple sheets, The system comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a feeding unit that feeds the sheet contained in the storage unit. The sheet conveying device according to feature 1.

13. The transport path is a re-transport path through which the sheet on which the image has been formed on the first surface by the image forming unit is transported. The sheet conveying device according to feature 12.

14. 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