Conveying device and image forming system

Abstract

To improve the robustness of the frame of the recording material transport device. [Solution] A conveying device for recording material, comprising a conveying section for conveying recording material, a first side plate, a second side plate facing the first side plate, and a beam member attached to the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the thickness of the first side plate and the beam member are different, one of the first side plate and the beam member has a hole, and the other of the first side plate and the beam member has an insertion part that is inserted into the hole, and a positioning section is formed by the hole and the insertion part for positioning the first side plate and the beam member in a first direction, the insertion part has a widened part, the width of the widened part in the first direction increases from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction of the insertion part into the hole, and both ends of the widened part in the first direction abut the edge of the hole in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and a function expansion apparatus detachable from the image forming apparatus are configured in a form in which functional components are attached to a frame body. In order to suppress the influence of impacts during logistics and unevenness of the installation surface, it is preferable to enhance the robustness of the entire apparatus. In order to enhance the robustness of the entire apparatus, it is required to enhance the robustness of the frame body. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for enhancing the robustness of a frame body by using a high-rigidity member having a large plate thickness for a part of the members constituting the frame body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the robustness of the frame can be increased in a recording material transport device and an image forming device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus connected to the feeding option device of Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the frame of the image forming apparatus in Example 1, seen from below. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the frame of the feeding option device of Example 1, seen from below. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the frame of the feeding option device of Example 1, seen from the upper rear. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning section of the right side plate and the rear top plate in Example 1. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the vicinity of the positioning section of the right side panel and the rear top panel in Example 1. [Figure 7] This is a view from the front of the positioning section of the rear top plate in Example 1. [Figure 8] The perspective view of the frame of the feeding option device of Example 2 as seen from the upper rear side. [Figure 9] The enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the right side plate and the rear top plate of Example 2. [Figure 10] The enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the right side plate of Example 2. [Figure 11] The top view of the vicinity of the positioning of the right side plate of Example 2 as seen from the upper side. [Figure 12] The enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the left side plate and the rear top plate of Example 2. [Figure 13] The enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the left side plate of Example 2. [Figure 14] The perspective view of the frame of the feeding option device of Example 3 as seen from the upper rear side. [Figure 15] The perspective view of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the right side plate and the rear top plate of Example 3. [Figure 16] The view of the positioning portion of the rear top plate of Example 3 as seen from the front. [Figure 17] The side view (cross-sectional view) of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the right side plate and the rear top plate of Example 3. [Figure 18] The enlarged side view (cross-sectional view) of the vicinity of the positioning portion of the right side plate and the rear top plate of Example 3. [Figure 19] The perspective view of the frame of the image forming apparatus of Example 4 as seen from the upper front side. [Figure 20] The exploded perspective view of the frame of the image forming apparatus of Example 4 as seen from the upper front side. [Figure 21] The perspective view showing the insertion portion of Example 4.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (Example 1) (Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus) Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of an image forming system 1A, which is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 1 according to Example 1 with a feed function extension device (feed option device) 100A, 200A as a transport device. In Figure 1, a laser beam printer is shown as an example of an image forming apparatus 1. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the following examples should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Therefore, unless otherwise specifically stated, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to those. In the following description, the rotation axis direction of the transport unit that transports the recording material is the Y direction, the vertical direction when the image forming system 1A is installed on a horizontal plane is the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y and Z directions is the X direction. When the image forming system 1A is installed on a horizontal plane, the X and Y directions are parallel to the horizontal direction. Also, the +X direction is forward, the -X direction is backward, the +Y direction is right, the -Y direction is left, the +Z direction is up, and the -Z direction is down.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 8) as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 8 is constructed by providing a photosensitive material such as OPC (organic photoconductive material), amorphous selenium, or amorphous silicon on a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum, nickel, or the like. The photosensitive drum 8 is rotatably supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and is rotated at a predetermined process speed by a drive source (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 8, in order along its rotational direction, are a charging member 80, a developing member 81, and a transfer roller 9 which is a transfer member. A scanner unit 7, which is an exposure means, is positioned above the photosensitive drum 8. The photosensitive drum 8, the charging member 80, and the developing member 81 are configured as a process cartridge 6 that can be integrally attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0011] The main body of the image forming apparatus 1, as other components, is arranged sequentially along the transport path of the recording material S1. The unit includes a cassette 2 for loading recording material S1, a paper feed section 3, a transport roller pair 4, a registration roller pair 5, a fixing means 10, a discharge roller pair 11, and a discharge tray 12. The recording material S1 is a sheet-like recording medium such as paper, cloth, or film.

[0012] (Operation of the image forming apparatus) Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The photosensitive drum 8, which is rotated by a drive source (not shown), is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging member 80. After charging, the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is exposed to an image based on image information by the scanner unit 7, and the charge in the exposed area is removed to form an electrostatic latent image (latent image). The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing member 81 and visualized as a toner image.

[0013] The toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred to the recording material S1 by the transfer roller 9. The transfer roller 9 is biased toward the photosensitive drum 8 by a biasing member (not shown). This configuration forms a transfer nip between the transfer roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 8. In this way, the transfer roller 9 performs a transfer operation in which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 (on the image carrier) is transferred to the recording material S1 at the transfer nip.

[0014] Meanwhile, the recording material S1 is supplied from the cassette 2, which stores the recording material S1, to the transport path by the paper feed unit 3. The recording material S1 is transported to the transfer nip section via the transport roller pair 4 and the registration roller pair 5. At the transfer nip section, the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 8 to the recording material S1 is heat-fixed by the fixing means 10. The recording material S1 that has passed through the fixing means 10 is discharged onto the discharge tray 12 via the discharge roller pair 11.

[0015] (Regarding the bottom of the image forming apparatus) Next, the configuration of the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the frame 30 that constitutes the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The bottom of the frame 30 is provided with grounding portions 21a to 21d and device mounting portions 22a to 22d. The grounding portions 21a to 21d are the surfaces that come into contact with the mounting surface when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed on a desk or the like. The device mounting portions 22a to 22d are the surfaces that come into contact with the frame 100 when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed on the frame 100 of the feed and transport option device 100A.

[0016] The contact points 21a to 21d are fitted with a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber, to prevent the image forming apparatus 1 from sliding around on a desk or other surface during user operation. Now, let's assume that when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, the contact points 21a to 21d are installed on the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A. In this case, due to differences in weight balance, the amount of compression of the rubber attached to the contact points 21a to 21d may not be uniform. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be installed at an angle to the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, and the slanting of the recording material during transport from the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A may be a factor in degrading image quality. In Embodiment 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with device mounting sections 22a to 22d. Therefore, when installing the image forming apparatus 1 on the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, the device installation parts 22a to 22d, rather than the grounding parts 21a to 21d, contact the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A. Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 is prevented from being installed at an angle relative to the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A.

[0017] Furthermore, positioning holes 23a to 23d are provided on the bottom surface of the frame 30. Positioning hole 23a, provided on the right side plate 32, is an elongated oval hole located on the right front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and positioning hole 23c is a round hole located on the right rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, positioning hole 23b, provided on the left side plate 31, is an elongated oval hole located on the left front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and positioning hole 23d is an elongated oval hole located on the left rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. These positioning holes 2 3a to 23d are used for positioning the frame 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the feed / feed option device 100A.

[0018] (Configuration of the feed / delivery option device) Next, the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A and the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A, which are connected to the image forming apparatus 1 from the outside, will be described. The feed / feed option device 100A is a recording material transport device, and by connecting it to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming system 1A can be configured that extends the feed / feed function of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 from below. The feeding option device 100A includes a cassette 102 in which the sheets S2 are stored, a paper feeding means 103 that supplies the sheets S2 stored in the cassette 102 to the transport path, and a transport roller pair 104 that transports the sheets S2. The rotation axis direction of each roller constituting the transport roller pair 104 is parallel to the Y direction. The sheets S2 stored in the cassette 102 are fed by the paper feeding means 103 and sent into the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roller pair 104, where images are formed through the process described above.

[0020] Furthermore, the frame 200 of the feeding option device 200A can be connected to the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A from below. The feeding option device 200A includes a cassette 202 in which the sheets S3 are stored, a paper feeding means 203 for supplying the sheets S3 stored in the cassette 202 to the transport path, and a pair of transport rollers 204 for transporting the sheets S3. The sheets S3 stored in the cassette 202 are fed by the paper feeding means 203 and sent into the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A by the pair of transport rollers 204, and then sent into the image forming apparatus 1, where an image is formed through the process described above.

[0021] As described above, the frames 100 and 200 of the feed and delivery option devices 100A and 200A can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 in a stacked manner, making it possible to increase the amount and types of sheets that can be accommodated inside the image forming system 1A. Figure 1 shows an example in which two feed and delivery option devices 100A and 200A are connected to the image forming apparatus 1 as functional expansion devices, but the number of connectable functional expansion devices is not limited to this, and a configuration in which one or three or more functional expansion devices can be connected is also possible. The frames 100 and 200 of these feed and delivery option devices 100A and 200A have the same configuration, and the paper feeding means 103 and 203 and cassettes 102 and 202 that they have are the same configuration as the paper feeding section 3 and cassette 2 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, viewed from below, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, viewed from the upper rear.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, similar to the image forming apparatus 1, the bottom of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A is provided with grounding portions 121a to 121d and device installation portions 122a to 122d. The grounding portions 121a to 121d are the surfaces that come into contact with the installation surface when the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A is installed on a desk or the like. The device installation portions 122a to 122d are the surfaces that come into contact with the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A when the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A is installed on top of the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A.

[0024] The ground contact points 121a to 121d are fitted with materials that have a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber, to prevent the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A from sliding around on a desk or other surface during user operation. Now, let's assume that when the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A is installed on the frame 200 of the feeding option device 200A, the ground contact points 121a to 121d are installed on the frame 200 of the feeding option device 200A. In that case, due to the difference in weight balance, the amount of compression of the rubber attached to the ground contact points 121a to 121d will not be uniform. In this case, the frame 100 of the feed-feed option device 100A is installed at an angle relative to the frame 200 of the feed-feed option device 200A, which can lead to a decrease in image quality due to the slanting of the recording material during transport. In Embodiment 1, the frame 100 of the feed-feed option device 100A is provided with device installation sections 122a to 122d. Therefore, when installing the frame 100 of the feed-feed option device 100A on top of the frame 200 of the feed-feed option device 200A, the device installation sections 122a to 122d come into contact with the frame 200 of the feed-feed option device 200A. As a result, the frame 100 of the feed-feed option device 100A is prevented from being installed at an angle relative to the frame 200 of the feed-feed option device 200A.

[0025] Furthermore, positioning holes 150 to 153 corresponding to positioning pins 140 to 143 are provided on the bottom surfaces of the left plate 131 and the right plate 132. These positioning holes 150 to 153 are used when connecting the frame 200 of the feed-feed option device 200A to the lower part of the frame 100 of the feed-feed option device 100A.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, positioning pins 140 to 143 are provided at four locations on the top surface of the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A. Positioning pins 140 and 141 are located on both ends of the frame 100 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction, left-right direction) of the transport roller pair 104. Positioning pins 142 and 143 are located on both ends of the rear top plate 133 in the Y direction. Positioning pins 140 and 142 are located near both ends of the right side plate 132 in the transport direction of the recording material (X direction, front-back direction). Positioning pins 141 and 143 are located near both ends of the left side plate 131 in the X direction. Furthermore, the rear top plate 133 does not hold the transport path and is also separated from the cassette 2. Therefore, it has a high degree of freedom in shape. In Embodiment 1, the rear top plate 133 is the most rigid component among the components that make up the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A. The positioning pins 142 and 143, which are later provided on the top plate 133, also have high rigidity.

[0027] The frame 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the feed / delivery option device 100A are electrically connected by a drawer connector 160.

[0028] The frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A has grounding sections 221a to 221d, device mounting sections 222a to 222d, positioning pins 240 to 243, positioning holes 250 to 253, a rear top plate 233, a left side plate 231, a right side plate 232, and a drawer connector 260. Since these configurations are the same as those of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0029] (Configuration of the frame of the feed / delivery option device) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A has a right-side plate 132, which is a first side plate, and a left-side plate 131 that faces the right-side plate 132. The frame 100 also has a rear top plate 133, a rear bottom plate 134, a front top plate 135, and a front bottom plate 136, which are beam members attached to the right-side plate 132 and the left-side plate 131 and connecting them. In particular, the rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 are located outside the left-side plate 131 and the right-side plate 132, and the rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 constitute the ridge portion of the frame 100, and their rigidity has a significant impact on the robustness of the frame 100.

[0030] The components that make up the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A are made of metal, and the components are fastened together with screws. The left side plate 131, the right side plate 132, the rear top plate 133, the rear bottom plate 134, the front top plate 135, and the front bottom plate 136 are metal plate-like members formed from sheet metal.

[0031] In this embodiment, the thickness of the member is defined as follows. First, there is a first surface, and the second surface is the surface parallel to the first surface and closest to the first surface. The second surface is located on the back side of the first surface. In other words, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, the first surface and the second surface overlap. The thickness is the thickness of the first surface and This is the distance to the second surface. When the thickness of a plate-shaped member is defined, the first surface is the surface with the largest area within that member. Therefore, in sheet metal, the first and second surfaces are surfaces perpendicular to the shear surface. In other words, when the thickness of a plate-shaped member is defined, the sum of the areas of the first surface, where the distance to the second surface is equal to the plate thickness, is maximized.

[0032] The rear top plate 133 has the largest plate thickness among the components that make up the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A, and its plate thickness is more than three times (about four times in this embodiment) that of the other components. That is, the plate thickness of the right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, is different from the plate thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is a beam member. The plate thickness of the right side plate 132, which is one of the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132, is thinner than the plate thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is the other of the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132. The plate thickness of the rear top plate 133 is more than three times (about four times in this embodiment) that of the right side plate 132. Similarly, the plate thickness of the left side plate 131, which is the second side plate, is different from the plate thickness of the rear top plate 133. The plate thickness of the left side plate 131, which is one of the rear top plate 133 and the left side plate 131, is thinner than the plate thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is the other of the rear top plate 133 and the left side plate 131. The thickness of the rear top plate 133 is more than three times (approximately four times in this embodiment) the thickness of the left side plate 131. Furthermore, the weight of the rear top plate 133 is heavier than the combined weight of the left side plate 131 and the right side plate 132. The rear top plate 133 is the most rigid component of the frame 100.

[0033] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 40 of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a side view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 40 of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133. Figure 7 is a view of the positioning portion 40 of the rear top plate 133 from the front.

[0034] The right side plate 132, which is one of the rear top plate 133, has a hole 402. The rear top plate 133, which is the other of the right side plate 132, has an insertion portion 401 that is inserted into the hole 402. When the insertion portion 401 is inserted into the hole 402 in the insertion direction, the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 are positioned relative to each other in a first direction (the Y direction in this embodiment).

[0035] Furthermore, the rear top plate 133 has a frame component portion 133a, and the right side plate 132 has a frame component portion 132a. The frame component portion 133a has a top plate portion 133f that extends in a direction intersecting the Z direction (XY direction), and a rear plate portion 133e which is a flat plate portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion direction (X direction) (YZ direction). The top plate portion 133f and the rear plate portion 133e are connected by a ridge portion 133d that extends in the Y direction. The insertion portion 401 is located at the end of the frame component portion 133a that is away from the ridge portion 133d in the -Z direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, the rear top plate 133 includes a bent portion 401A. The insertion portion 401 includes the bent portion 401A. That is, at least a part of the bent portion 401A is inserted into the hole 402. Furthermore, in the generatrix direction of the bent portion 401A, one end (first end) of the bent portion 401A is provided with a protruding portion (first protruding portion) 401D, and the other end (second end opposite the first end) of the bent portion 401A is provided with a protruding portion (second protruding portion) 401D. The generatrix direction of the bent portion 401A is parallel to the first direction. The insertion portion 401 includes the bent portion 401A and these protruding portions 401D. With the insertion portion 401 inserted into the hole 402 in the insertion direction (the +X direction in this embodiment), these protruding portions 401D abut against the edge of the hole 402 in the first direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, the rear top plate 133 is formed from a bent sheet metal. When sheet metal is bent, a protrusion, a so-called bent bump, is formed at the bent portion that protrudes in the direction of the generatrix of the bent portion. The protrusion 401D in this embodiment is a bent bump.

[0038] More specifically, the rear top plate 133 has a base portion 401C and a tip portion 401B extending in a direction intersecting the base portion 401C, and a bent portion 40 between the base portion 401C and the tip portion 401B 1A is provided. The base portion 401C can be considered part of the rear plate portion 133e, which is a flat plate portion. In this embodiment, the base portion 401C is located at the -Z end of the rear plate portion 133e, and the tip portion 401B extends downstream in the insertion direction (towards the +X direction). The insertion portion 401 also includes the tip portion 401B. A part of the insertion portion 401 is a widening portion in which the width in the first direction (Y direction) increases as you move from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction into the hole 402. In this embodiment, in the first direction, the width of the insertion portion 401 is increased by the protruding portion 401D. That is, the widening portion includes the protruding portion 401D.

[0039] Before the insertion portion 401 is inserted into the hole 402 (when no external force is acting), the width of the bent portion 401A of the insertion portion 401 in the positioning direction (Y direction) is greater than the width of the tip portion 401B of the insertion portion 401 in the Y direction and the width of the hole 402 in the Y direction. When the insertion portion 401 is inserted into the hole 402, the protruding portions 401D, which are both ends of the bent portion 401A in the first direction (Y direction), come into contact with the edge of the hole 402 in the first direction (Y direction). The hole 402 and the insertion portion 401 form a positioning portion 40 that positions the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 in the first direction, the Y direction. In other words, the positioning direction of the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132 by the positioning portion 40 is the Y direction.

[0040] When attaching the rear top plate 133 to the right side plate 132, the insertion portion 401, which is part of the rear top plate 133 that is thicker and more rigid, is inserted into the hole 402 of the right side plate 132, which is less rigid than the rear top plate 133. At this time, the bending portion 401A elastically deforms the right side plate 132 in the insertion direction (+X direction). As a result, in the positioning portion 40, the portion of the right side plate 132 near the hole 402 is pushed by the bending portion 401A, as shown in Figure 6, and elastically deforms in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the insertion portion 401 into the hole 402, and retracts in the +X direction.

[0041] The protruding portion 401D of the bent portion 401A, which is inserted into the hole 402, has both ends in the positioning direction (Y direction) in contact with the edge of the hole 402. In other words, two opposing faces of the inner circumferential surface of the hole 402 in the positioning direction (Y direction) have contact with both ends of the protruding portion 401D in the Y direction. With this configuration, the right side plate 132 and the highly rigid rear top plate 133 are positioned without any gaps in the Y direction, resulting in high robustness of the frame 100.

[0042] In the positioning section 40, the right-side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 are positioned without any gaps in the product width direction (Y direction). As a result, the robustness of the frame 100 is increased in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction (Y direction), and the decrease in printing accuracy due to distortion of the frame 100 can be suppressed.

[0043] Furthermore, by positioning the positioning portion 40 near the end in the -Z direction, away from the ridge portion 133d of the rear upper part of the frame 100, the torsional rigidity of the frame 100 is increased.

[0044] The insertion direction (+X direction) is toward the inside of the feeding option device 100A, which is a conveying device. Therefore, the elastically deformed and retracted portion of the right side plate 132 (the portion near the hole 402) is located inside the feeding option device 100A (towards the +X direction from the rear plate portion 133e) than the rear top plate 133. Thus, the outermost shape of the frame 100 does not change due to this elastic deformation. Consequently, the elastic deformation has no effect on the exterior parts attached to the outside of the frame 100, and on the product appearance determined by the exterior parts.

[0045] Furthermore, the rear top plate 133, which is a thick and rigid component, is heavier than the thinner right side plate 132. In Embodiment 1, there is no gap between the insertion portion 401 of the rear top plate 133 and the hole 402 of the right side plate 132 in the positioning portion 40. Therefore, when the feeding option device 100A is subjected to an impact, the heavy rear top plate 133 moves due to inertia, which can suppress distortion of the frame 100. In particular, it is possible to suppress distortion of the frame 100 in the width direction of the recording material. This helps to suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

[0046] (Positioning method) Next, the positioning of the image forming apparatus 1 and the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A will be described. When the image forming apparatus 1 is placed on the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, the positioning pins 140 to 143 of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A are fitted into the positioning holes 23a to 23d provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The positioning pins 142 and 143 are arranged on both sides in the Y direction of the highly rigid rear top plate 133. The rear top plate 133 is positioned in the Y direction relative to the right side plate 132 via the positioning section 40. Therefore, the rigidity of the seating surfaces of the positioning pins 142 and 143 is high, and changes in the positional relationship between the positioning pins 142 and 143 and the right side plate 132 are suppressed, thereby suppressing deformation of the frame 100 and deterioration of image quality due to impacts to the apparatus.

[0047] The frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A has a left side plate 231, a right side plate 232, a frame component part 232a, a rear top plate 233, a ridge part 233d, a rear plate part 233e, a top plate part 233f, a rear bottom plate 234, a front top plate 235, a front bottom plate 236, and a frame component part 233a. Since these components are the same as those of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, a detailed explanation is omitted. The positioning of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A and the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A is also the same, so a detailed explanation of the positioning pins 240-243 is omitted.

[0048] (Example 2) Embodiment 2 will be described using Figures 8 to 13. Components similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A of Embodiment 2, viewed from the upper rear. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 41 of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 in Figure 8. Figure 10 shows the right side plate 132 from the same viewpoint and position as in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a top view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 41 of the right side plate 132, viewed from above.

[0049] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 42 of the left plate 131 and the rear top plate 133 in Figure 8. Figure 13(A) shows the left plate 131 from the same viewpoint and position as Figure 12, and Figure 13(B) is a side view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 42 of the left plate 131, viewed from the side (in the -Y direction).

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A has a right-side plate 132, which is a first side plate, and a left-side plate 131 that faces the right-side plate 132. The frame 100 also has a rear top plate 133, a rear bottom plate 134, a front top plate 135, and a front bottom plate 136, which are beam members attached to the right-side plate 132 and the left-side plate 131 and connecting them. The rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 are located outside the left-side plate 131 and the right-side plate 132, and the rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 constitute the ridge portion of the frame 100, and have a significant impact on the robustness of the frame 100.

[0051] The components constituting the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A are made of metal, and the components are fastened together with screws. The left side plate 131, the right side plate 132, the rear top plate 133, the rear bottom plate 134, the front top plate 135, and the front bottom plate 136 are metal sheet metal members formed from sheet metal. The rear top plate 133 has the greatest plate thickness and rigidity among the components constituting the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A. That is, the plate thickness of the right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, is different from the plate thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is a beam member. The plate thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is one of the rear top plates 133 and the right side plate 132, is greater than the plate thickness of the other rear top plate 132. Furthermore, the thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is one of the left top plate 131 and the rear top plate 133, is greater than the thickness of the left top plate 131, which is the other of the left top plate 133.

[0052] The rear top plate 133 has a frame component portion 133a, the right side plate 132 has a frame component portion 132a, and the left side plate 131 has a frame component portion 131a.

[0053] The right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, and the rear top plate 133, which is one of the beam members, have holes 412. The other right side plate 132, which is the other of the beam members, has an insertion portion 411 that is inserted into the holes 412. The insertion portion 411 has a mountain-shaped convex shape, and its size in the product width direction (Y direction) increases from the tip towards the base (+X direction). The holes 412 are located away from the ridge portion 133d of the frame component portion 133a in the -Z direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the left side plate 131, which is the second side plate, and the rear top plate 133, which is one of the beam members, have holes 422. The left side plate 131, which is the other of the beam members, has an insertion portion 421 that is inserted into the holes 422. The insertion portion 421, like the insertion portion 411, has a shape that is cut and tapered into a mountain-shaped convex shape, and its size increases in the front-to-back direction of the product (X direction) from the tip to the base (in the -Z direction). The holes 422 are located at a position away from the ridge portion 133d of the frame component portion 133a in the +X direction.

[0055] The hole 412 in the rear top plate 133 and the insertion portion 411 in the right side plate 132 form a positioning portion 41 in the product width direction (Y direction). The right side plate 132, which is the other half of the rear top plate 133, has a flat metal plate portion 132b that intersects (orthogonal in Embodiment 2) the insertion direction, the -X direction. The insertion portion 411 is a convex portion that protrudes downstream in the insertion direction (towards the -X direction) from the flat plate portion 132b. The widening portion, the base portion 411a, is formed at the base portion of the convex portion.

[0056] When attaching the rear top plate 133 to the right side plate 132, the insertion portion 411 of the right side plate 132, which is less rigid than the rear top plate 133, is inserted into the hole 412, which is part of the rear top plate 133, which is thicker and more rigid. At this time, the insertion portion 411 undergoes elastic deformation and is retracted. That is, in the state before the insertion portion 411 is inserted into the hole 412 (when no external force is acting), the insertion portion 411 is a widening portion in which the width in the Y direction increases as it moves from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction (-X direction). The width in the Y direction of the base portion 411a on the +X direction side of the insertion portion 411 is greater than the width of the hole 412 in the Y direction. When the less rigid insertion portion 411 is inserted into the more rigid hole 412, the base portion 411a of the insertion portion 411 is elastically compressed in the Y direction. The Y-direction ends of the base portion 411a of the insertion portion 411 abut against the Y-direction edges of the hole 412 (two opposing surfaces in the Y-direction on the inner circumferential surface). This configuration positions the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 in the Y-direction without any gaps. In other words, the insertion portion 411 and the hole 412 form a positioning portion 41 that positions the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132 in a first direction (Y-direction).

[0057] The hole 422 in the rear top plate 133 and the insertion portion 421 in the left side plate 131 form a positioning portion 42 in the front-to-back direction (X direction) of the product. The left side plate 131 and the other left side plate 131 of the rear top plate 133 have a frame component portion 131a which is a flat metal plate that intersects (orthogonal in Embodiment 2) the insertion direction, which is the +Z direction. The insertion portion 421 is a protrusion that projects downstream in the insertion direction (towards the +Z direction) from the frame component portion 131a. The widened base portion 421a is formed at the base of the protrusion.

[0058] When attaching the rear top plate 133 to the left side plate 131, similar to the positioning part 41, the insertion part 421 of the left side plate 131, which has lower rigidity than the rear top plate 133, is inserted into the hole 422, which is part of the rear top plate 133, which has a larger plate thickness and higher rigidity. At this time, the insertion part 421 is more elastic. It deforms and retracts. That is, in the state before the insertion part 421 is inserted into the hole 422 (when no external force is acting), the insertion part 421 is a widening part in which the width in the X direction increases from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction (+Z direction). The width in the X direction of the root portion 421a on the -Z direction side of the insertion part 421 is greater than the width of the hole 422 in the X direction. When the less rigid insertion part 421 is inserted into the more rigid hole 422, the root portion 421a of the insertion part 421 is elastically compressed in the X direction. Both ends of the root portion 421a of the insertion part 421 in the X direction abut against the edges of the hole 422 in the X direction (two opposing surfaces in the X direction on the inner circumferential surface). With this configuration, the left plate 131 and the rear top plate 133 are positioned in the X direction without any gaps. In other words, the insertion portion 421 and the hole 422 form a positioning portion 42 that positions the rear top plate 133 and the left side plate 131 in a second direction (X direction).

[0059] Therefore, the rear top plate 133 is positioned without gaps with both the left side plate 131 and the right side plate 132, and because their positioning directions are different, the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A has high rigidity in the torsional direction.

[0060] Note that the configuration of the frame components 231a of the left plate 231 and 232a and 232b of the right plate 232 in the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A is the same as that of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0061] (Example 3) Embodiment 3 will be described using Figures 14 to 18. Note that components similar to those in Embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A in Embodiment 3, viewed from the upper rear. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 43 of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133. Figure 16 is a view of the positioning portion 43 of the rear top plate 133, viewed from the front. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the positioning portion 43 in Embodiment 3, taken from a plane including the central axis 43a. Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the positioning portion 43 in Figure 17.

[0062] As shown in Figure 14, the frame 100 of the feeding option device 100A has a right-side plate 132, which is a first side plate, and a left-side plate 131 that faces the right-side plate 132. The frame 100 also has a rear top plate 133, a rear bottom plate 134, a front top plate 135, and a front bottom plate (not shown), which are beam members attached to the right-side plate 132 and the left-side plate 131 and connecting them. The rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 are located outside the left-side plate 131 and the right-side plate 132, and the rear top plate 133 and the front top plate 135 constitute the ridge portion of the frame 100, and have a significant impact on the robustness of the frame 100.

[0063] Of the components that make up the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, all materials except the rear top plate 133 are made of metal and are formed from sheet metal. The rear top plate 133 is made of plastic. The thickness of the rear top plate 133 is sufficiently large compared to the thickness of the other components of the frame 100. That is, the thickness of the right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, is different from the thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is a beam member. The thickness of the right side plate 132, which is one of the rear top plate 133, is thinner than the thickness of the rear top plate 133, which is the other of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133. The fact that the material of the rear top plate 133 is plastic increases the degree of freedom in the shape of the rear top plate 133. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in product configuration while improving the robustness of the frame 100.

[0064] The rear top plate 133 has a frame component portion 133a, and the right side plate 132 has a frame component portion 132a.

[0065] The right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, and the right side plate 132, which is one of the rear top plate 133, which is a beam member, have holes 432. The right side plate 132, which is the first side plate, and the rear top plate 133, which is the other of the rear top plate 133, have insertion parts 431 that are inserted into the holes 432. The insertion part 431 is inserted into the hole 432 of the right side plate 132, thereby positioning the product in the width direction (Y direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0066] Furthermore, the rear top plate 133 has positioning sections 133b and 133c. The positioning sections 133b and 133c position the feeding option device 100A and the image forming apparatus 1 installed on its upper level. The frame component 133a has a top plate section 133f that extends in a flat shape in the XY direction and a rear plate section 133e that extends in a flat shape in the YZ direction. The insertion section 431 is positioned near the end of the frame component 133a, away from the ridge section 133d in the -Z direction.

[0067] The insertion portion 431 has a prism portion 433 and ribs 434 and 436. The prism portion 433 protrudes in the +X direction from the +X direction side surface 133g of the rear plate portion 133e. The prism portion 433 has a pair of opposing sides 435 perpendicular to the Z direction and a pair of opposing sides 437 perpendicular to the Y direction. Ribs 434 are provided to connect the sides 435 and surface 133g, and ribs 436 are provided to connect the sides 437 and surface 133g. Figures 16 and 18 show an example in which two ribs 434 are provided for one side 435 and two ribs 436 are provided for one side 437, but the number of ribs is not limited to this example. Ribs 434 are provided at corresponding positions on each of the pair of sides 435, and ribs 436 are provided at corresponding positions on each of the pair of sides 437. More specifically, in the example shown in Figure 18, the Y-direction position of the rib 434a provided on side 435a, which is one of the pair of side surfaces 435, is the same as the Y-direction position of the rib 434b provided on side 435b, which is the other of the pair of side surfaces 435.

[0068] Two ribs 434a and 434b, respectively, provided at corresponding positions on a pair of sides 435a and 435b, are referred to as "a pair of opposing ribs 434". The opposing direction of a pair of opposing sides 435, on which each of the opposing ribs 434 is provided, is referred to as "the opposing direction of the pair of opposing ribs 434". In the example in Figure 18, the opposing direction of the pair of opposing ribs 434 is the Z direction.

[0069] The distance between the opposing ends of a pair of opposing ribs 434 (distance in the Z direction) increases toward the base of the prism portion 433 (towards the -X direction). Similarly, the distance between the opposing ends of a pair of opposing ribs 436 (distance in the Y direction) increases toward the base of the prism portion 433 (towards the -X direction). In other words, the pair of opposing ribs 434 of the insertion portion 431 are widening portions in which the width in the second direction (Z direction) increases as you move from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the insertion portion 431 into the hole 432. Also, the pair of opposing ribs 436 of the insertion portion 431 are widening portions in which the width in the first direction (Y direction) increases as you move from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the insertion portion 431 into the hole 432.

[0070] The distance between the opposing ends (in the Z-direction) of a pair of opposing ribs 434 at the base of the prism portion 433 will now be described. This distance is greater than the size of the hole 432 in the opposing direction (Z-direction) before the insertion portion 431 of the rear top plate 133 is inserted into the hole 432 of the right side plate 132 (when no external force is acting). Therefore, when the insertion portion 431, which is part of the highly rigid rear top plate 133, is inserted into the less rigid hole 432 of the right side plate 132, the hole 432 undergoes elastic deformation so that it is pushed open in the opposing direction. As a result, the opposing ends of the pair of opposing ribs 434 of the insertion portion 431 come into contact with the edge of the hole 432 (two faces in the opposing direction on the inner circumferential surface). As a result, the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132 are positioned without any gaps in the opposing direction (Z-direction).

[0071] The same applies to the distance between the opposing ends (Y direction) of the pair of opposing ribs 436 at the base of the rectangular prism portion 433. That is, this distance is the distance before the insertion portion 431 of the rear top plate 133 is inserted into the hole 432 of the right side plate 132 (when no external force is acting). Therefore, the size of the hole 432 is larger than the size of the hole in the opposing direction (Y direction). Consequently, when the insertion portion 431, which is part of the highly rigid rear top plate 133, is inserted into the hole 432 of the less rigid right side plate 132, the hole 432 undergoes elastic deformation so as to be pushed open in the opposing direction. As a result, the opposing ends of the pair of opposing ribs 436 of the insertion portion 431 come into contact with the edge of the hole 432 (two faces of the inner circumferential surface that face each other in the opposing direction). As a result, the rear top plate 133 and the right side plate 132 are positioned without any gap in the opposing direction (Y direction).

[0072] Therefore, the hole 432 and the insertion portion 431 form a positioning portion 43 that positions the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 in the first direction, the Y direction, and the second direction, the Z direction.

[0073] The positioning parts 133b and 133c engage with holes provided in the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1 when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed on the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A. By providing the pin-shaped positioning parts 133b and 133c on the highly rigid rear top plate 133, misalignment between the image forming apparatus 1 and the feed / feed option device 100A due to impacts to the apparatus, and the resulting deterioration of image quality, can be suppressed.

[0074] The biasing means 50 has one end in contact with a fixed part (not shown) and the other end in contact with the vicinity of the hole 432 in the right side plate 132, biasing the right side plate 132 toward the rear top plate 133. The biasing means 50 biases the right side plate 132, which is one of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133, which is a beam member, toward the rear top plate 133, which is the other of the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133, in a direction parallel to the insertion direction (+X direction). With this configuration, the right side plate 132 and the rear top plate 133 are positioned without any gaps, thereby increasing the robustness of the frame 100.

[0075] In Example 3, the rear top plate 133 is made of plastic and the right side plate 132 is made of metal, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the rear top plate 133 may be made of metal and the right side plate 132 may be made of plastic.

[0076] The configuration of the frame 200 of the feed / feed option device 200A, including the positioning parts 233b and 233c with respect to the upper stage, the rear plate part 233e, the top plate part 233f, and the surface 233g, is the same as that of the frame 100 of the feed / feed option device 100A, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0077] (Example 4) Embodiment 4 will be described using Figures 19, 20, and 21. Components similar to those in Embodiments 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the frame 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 in Embodiment 4, viewed from the front. Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the frame 30 in Figure 19. Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the insertion parts 451 and 471, viewed from the same viewpoint as in Figure 20.

[0078] As shown in Figure 19, the frame 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 has opposing left plate 31 and right plate 32, and a front plate 33 and a top plate 34 which are beam members connecting them, and its components are made of metal. The left plate 31, right plate 32, front plate 33 and top plate 34 are sheet metal. The front plate 33 and top plate 34 have higher rigidity than the other parts that make up the frame 30 of the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, the front plate 33 and top plate 34 have higher rigidity than the left plate 31 and right plate 32. The top plate 34 and left plate 31 are positioned in the positioning section 45, and the top plate 34 and right plate 32 are positioned in the positioning section 44.

[0079] As shown in Figure 20, the positioning parts 44 and 45 are configured such that the insertion parts 441 and 451 formed at both ends of the top plate 34 in the Y direction are inserted into the holes 442 and 452 in the right plate 32 and the left plate 31. This allows for the positioning of the top plate 34 and the right plate 32 and the left plate 31 in the front-to-back direction (X direction) of the product.

[0080] The bent portion 451a at the base of the insertion portion 451 of the top plate 34 has a protrusion 451b that protrudes in the direction of the bend (X direction) due to the bump created by bending the metal. In the state before the insertion portion 451 is inserted into the hole 452 (when no external force is acting), the width of the protrusion 451b in the X direction is larger than the size of the hole 452 in the left side plate 31 in the X direction. Due to this protrusion 451b, when the insertion portion 451, which is part of the rigid top plate 34, is inserted into the hole 452 of the less rigid left side plate 31, the left side plate 31 is elastically deformed in the insertion direction (-Z direction) and retracted. At this time, both ends of the protrusion 451b of the insertion portion 451 in the X direction come into contact with the edges of the hole 452 in the X direction (two opposing surfaces in the X direction on the inner circumferential surface). This configuration ensures that the left panel 31 and the top panel 34 are positioned in the X direction without any gaps, thereby increasing the robustness of the frame 30. The same applies to the positioning section 44 in the X direction between the right panel 32 and the top panel 34, which is formed by the insertion section 441 and the hole 442.

[0081] The front plate 33 and the right side plate 32 are positioned by the positioning part 46, and the front plate 33 and the left side plate 31 are positioned by the positioning part 47. The insertion parts 461 and 471 formed at both ends of the front plate 33 in the Y direction are inserted into the holes 462 and 472 in the right side plate 32 and the left side plate 31, thereby positioning the front plate 33 vertically (in the Z direction) relative to the right side plate 132 and the left side plate 31.

[0082] The bent portion 471a at the base of the insertion portion 471 of the front plate 33 has a protrusion 471b that protrudes in the direction of the bend line (Z direction) due to the bump created by bending the metal. In the state before the insertion portion 471 is inserted into the hole 472 (when no external force is acting), the width of the protrusion 471b in the Z direction is larger than the size of the hole 472 in the left side plate 31 in the Z direction. Due to this protrusion 471b, when the insertion portion 471, which is part of the highly rigid front plate 33, is inserted into the hole 472 of the less rigid left side plate 31, the left side plate 31 is elastically deformed in the insertion direction (X direction) and retracted. At this time, both ends of the protrusion 471b of the insertion portion 471 in the Z direction come into contact with the edges of the hole 472 in the Z direction (two opposing surfaces in the Z direction on the inner circumferential surface). This configuration ensures that the left side plate 31 and the front plate 33 are positioned in the Z direction without any gaps, thereby increasing the robustness of the frame 30. The same applies to the Z-direction positioning portion 46 between the right side plate 32 and the front plate 33, which is provided by the insertion portion 461 and the hole 462.

[0083] Each of the above embodiments can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, in Embodiment 1, an example is shown in which the insertion part is provided on the beam member, which has a larger plate thickness, of the first side plate and the beam member. However, the insertion part may also be provided on the first side plate, which has a thinner plate thickness. In this case, when the less rigid insertion part is inserted into the more rigid hole, the widened portion having a protrusion formed by the bent bump of the bent part that constitutes the insertion part is compressed and comes into contact with the edge of the hole, thereby positioning the insertion part and the hole without any gaps. Also, in Embodiment 2, an example is shown in which the insertion part is provided on the first side plate, which has a smaller plate thickness, of the first side plate and the beam member. However, the insertion part may also be provided on the beam member, which has a thicker plate thickness. In this case, when the more rigid insertion part is inserted into the less rigid hole, the widened portion formed at the base of the protrusion that constitutes the insertion part elastically deforms the first side plate near the hole and comes into contact with the edge of the hole, thereby positioning the insertion part and the hole without any gaps.

[0084] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) A device for transporting recording materials, A transport unit for transporting the aforementioned recording material, First side panel and A second side plate opposite to the first side plate, A beam member attached to the first side plate and the second side plate, It has, Unlike the thickness of the first side plate and the thickness of the beam member, One of the first side plate and the beam member has a hole, The other of the first side plate and the beam member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the hole, The hole and the insertion portion form a positioning portion that positions the first side plate and the beam member in a first direction. The aforementioned insertion portion has a widened portion, The width of the widened portion in the first direction increases from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction of the insertion portion into the hole. A conveying device characterized in that both ends of the widened portion in the first direction are in contact with the edge of the hole in the first direction. (Configuration 2) The conveying device according to Configuration 1, wherein the thickness of one of the first side plate and the beam member is thinner than the thickness of the other of the first side plate and the beam member. (Composition 3) The conveying device according to configuration 2, wherein one of the first side plate and the beam member is elastically deformed in the insertion direction at the positioning portion. (Composition 4) The insertion direction is toward the inside of the conveying device. The conveying device according to configuration 3, wherein the elastically deformed portion of the first side plate and the beam member is located inside the conveying device more than the other of the first side plate and the beam member. (Composition 5) The conveying device according to Configuration 1, wherein the thickness of one of the first side plate and the beam member is greater than the thickness of the other of the first side plate and the beam member. (Composition 6) The first side plate and the other of the beam member are made of sheet metal. The conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the insertion portion has a bent portion that bends with the first direction as the direction of the generatrix, and at least a part of the bent portion is inserted into the hole. (Composition 7) The conveying device according to configuration 6, wherein the widened portion includes a first projection provided at one end of the bent portion in the direction of the generatrix, and a second projection provided at the other end of the bent portion in the direction of the generatrix, and the first projection and the second projection protrude in the direction of the generatrix and abut against the edge of the hole in the first direction. (Composition 8) The conveying device according to configuration 7, wherein each of the first and second protrusions is a bent bulge. (Composition 9) A conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, having a biasing member that biases one of the first side plate and the beam member toward the other of the first side plate and the beam member in a direction parallel to the insertion direction. (Composition 10) The conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the weight of the beam member is greater than the sum of the weights of the first side plate and the second side plate. (Composition 11) The conveying device described in any one of the configurations 1 to 10, An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the aforementioned recording material, An image forming system characterized by having the following features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Image forming apparatus, 1A: Image forming system, 4: Transfer roller pair, 131: Left side plate, 13 2: Right side panel, 133: Rear top panel, 40: Positioning part, 401: Insertion part, 401A: Bending part, 401D: Protruding part, 402: Hole

Claims

1. A device for transporting recording materials, A transport unit for transporting the aforementioned recording material, First side plate and A second side plate facing the first side plate, A beam member attached to the first side plate and the second side plate, It has, The thickness of the first side plate and the thickness of the beam member are different, One of the first side plate and the beam member has a hole, The other of the first side plate and the beam member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the hole, The hole and the insertion portion form a positioning portion that positions the first side plate and the beam member in a first direction. The aforementioned insertion portion has a widened portion, The width of the widened portion in the first direction increases from downstream to upstream in the insertion direction of the insertion portion into the hole. A conveying device characterized in that both ends of the widened portion in the first direction are in contact with the edge of the hole in the first direction.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of one of the first side plate and the beam member is thinner than the thickness of the other of the first side plate and the beam member.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein one of the first side plate and the beam member is elastically deformed in the insertion direction at the positioning portion.

4. The insertion direction is toward the inside of the conveying device. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the elastically deformed portion of the first side plate and the beam member is located inside the conveying device more than the other of the first side plate and the beam member.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of one of the first side plate and the beam member is greater than the thickness of the other of the first side plate and the beam member.

6. The first side plate and the other of the beam member are made of sheet metal. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insertion portion has a bent portion that bends with the first direction as the direction of the generatrix, and at least a part of the bent portion is inserted into the hole.

7. The conveying device according to claim 6, wherein the widened portion includes a first projection provided at one end of the bent portion in the direction of the generatrix, and a second projection provided at the other end of the bent portion in the direction of the generatrix, and the first projection and the second projection protrude in the direction of the generatrix and abut against the edge of the hole in the first direction.

8. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second protrusions is a bent bulge.

9. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a biasing member that biases one of the first side plate and the beam member toward the other of the first side plate and the beam member in a direction parallel to the insertion direction.

10. The weight of the beam member is greater than the sum of the weight of the first side plate and the weight of the second side plate. A conveying device as described in any one of items 1 to 5.

11. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the aforementioned recording material, An image forming system characterized by having the following features.

Images