Sheet supply device and image forming system

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet supply device capable of properly setting the position of the sheet supplied to an image forming apparatus. [Solution] The sheet supply device 1, which is positioned to the side of the image forming apparatus and supplies a sheet, which is a recording medium, to the image forming apparatus, comprises a device body 2 and a position adjustment mechanism 20. The device body 2 has a sheet supply port 63 on which sheets are loaded and which supplies sheets to the image forming apparatus, positioned on the surface 2C facing the image forming apparatus. The position adjustment mechanism 20 is positioned on the surface 2C facing the device body 2 and can adjust the relative position of the device body 2 with respect to the image forming apparatus in the sheet width direction Dw which is perpendicular to the sheet transport direction Dc.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A conventional image forming system may include an image forming device such as a copying machine or a printer, and a sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device can accommodate sheets (recording media) in units of thousands. The sheet feeding device is arranged on the side of the image forming device and can supply sheets to the image forming unit of the image forming device.

[0003] For example, a conventional paper feeding device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is mounted on the side surface of an image forming device. The paper feeding device approaches or separates from the image forming device on a fixed rail fixed to the side surface of the image forming device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art, there is a problem that there is no mechanism for adjusting the sheet position in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device to the image forming device. As a result, the image writing position has to be adjusted in the image forming device, and if the image forming device does not have a mechanism for adjusting the image writing position, there is a concern that a problem may occur in that an image cannot be written (recorded) at an appropriate position on the sheet.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a sheet supply device and an image forming system that can properly set the position of the sheet supplied to the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a sheet supply device that is arranged to the side of an image forming apparatus and supplies a sheet which is a recording medium to the image forming apparatus, comprising a device body and a position adjustment mechanism. The device body has a sheet supply port on which the sheets are loaded and which supplies the sheets to the image forming apparatus, and the sheet supply port is arranged on the surface facing the image forming apparatus. The position adjustment mechanism is arranged on the surface facing the device body and is capable of adjusting the relative position of the device body with respect to the image forming apparatus in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the configuration of the present invention, the sheet supply device is provided with a position adjustment mechanism on the surface facing the image forming apparatus, where a sheet supply port for supplying sheets to the image forming apparatus is located, which allows adjustment of the relative position of the device body with respect to the image forming apparatus in the sheet width direction. In other words, the position of the sheet supply port of the sheet supply device with respect to the image forming apparatus can be appropriately and arbitrarily adjusted in the sheet width direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to properly set the position of the sheets supplied to the image forming apparatus in the sheet supply device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sheet supply device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the lower part of the sheet supply device facing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first position adjustment mechanism of the sheet supply device. [Figure 5]Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the surface of the sheet supply device facing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the sheet supply device facing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second position adjustment mechanism of the sheet supply device. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the detection unit of the second position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the inside of the detection unit of the second position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the detection unit of the second position adjustment mechanism and the detection piece of the image forming apparatus inserted into the detection unit. [Figure 11] Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the front side of the second position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged view showing the hook member of the second position adjustment mechanism in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second position adjustment mechanism from the inside. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the lever member and link member of the second position adjustment mechanism. [Figure 15] Figure 12 is an enlarged view showing the hook member of the second position adjustment mechanism and the connected part of the image forming apparatus that is connected to the hook member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an image forming system 301 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 301 comprises an image forming apparatus 501 and a sheet supply device 1.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 501 may be, for example, a so-called multifunctional device corresponding to monochrome printing, which has functions such as printing, scanning (image reading), facsimile transmission, etc. Note that the image forming apparatus 501 may be a device such as a copier, a printer, etc., or may be a device corresponding to color printing.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 501 includes a document conveyance unit 503 and an image reading unit 504. The document conveyance unit 503 is placed on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 501. The image reading unit 504 is disposed inside, below the document conveyance unit 503. The image of the document stacked on the document conveyance unit 503 or the image of the document placed on the contact glass (not shown) on the upper surface of the image reading unit 504 is read by the image reading unit 504.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 501 further includes a sheet supply unit 505, a sheet conveyance unit 506, an image forming unit 507, an exposure unit 508, a transfer unit 509, a fixing unit 510, a sheet discharge unit 511, and an image forming control unit 512.

[0015] The sheet supply unit 505 is disposed at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 凭01. The sheet supply unit 505 accommodates a plurality of sheets (recording media) S before the image is printed (formed), and separates and feeds out the sheets S one by one during printing.

[0016] The sheet conveyance unit 506 extends in the vertical direction along the side wall of the image forming apparatus 501. The sheet conveyance unit 506 conveys the sheet S sent out from the sheet supply unit 505 to the transfer unit 509 and the fixing unit 510, and further discharges the sheet S after fixing to the sheet discharge unit 511. The sheet conveyance unit 506 has a merging portion 5061. The merging portion 5061 is an opening on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 501 in the facing area with the sheet supply apparatus 1. The merging portion 5061 merges the sheet conveyance paths of the sheet supply apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 501 receives the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply apparatus 1 through the merging portion 5061.

[0017] The image forming unit 507 is located above the sheet supply unit 505. The image forming unit 507 comprises a photoreceptor drum 5071 and a developing device 5072. The exposure unit 508 is located to the side of the image forming unit 507 and irradiates the image forming unit 507 with laser light controlled based on image data. In the image forming unit 507, an electrostatic latent image of the original document is formed on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 5071 by the laser light irradiated from the exposure unit 508. The developing device 5072 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 5071 to develop it and form a toner image (image).

[0018] The transfer unit 509 is positioned on the sheet transport path of the sheet transport unit 506, which is adjacent to the photoreceptor drum 5071. The transfer unit 509 transfers the toner image formed on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 5071 to the sheet S.

[0019] The fixing unit 510 is positioned above the transfer unit 509. The fixing unit 510 heats and pressurizes the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet S.

[0020] The sheet ejection unit 511 is located below the image reading unit 504. Once the toner image has been fixed and printing is complete, the sheet S is transported to the sheet ejection unit 511 and ejected. The sheet ejection unit 511 has an opening on its front, and the printed sheet (printed material) is removed from the front.

[0021] The image forming control unit 512 includes a CPU, an image processing unit, a memory unit, and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). Based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit, the CPU controls the operation of each component provided in the image forming apparatus 501 to perform processing related to the functions of the image forming apparatus 501. The sheet supply unit 505, the sheet transport unit 506, the image forming unit 507, the exposure unit 508, the transfer unit 509, and the fixing unit 510 each receive individual commands from the image forming control unit 512 and perform printing (image formation) on the sheet S in conjunction with each other.

[0022] The memory unit consists of a combination of non-volatile memory devices (not shown), such as program ROM (Read Only Memory) and data ROM, and volatile memory devices (not shown), such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0023] With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 501 forms an image on the sheet S.

[0024] The sheet supply device 1 is positioned adjacent to the image forming apparatus 501 on its external side. The sheet supply device 1 is detachably connected to the side of the image forming apparatus 501. The sheet supply device 1 can also be connected to other devices such as copiers and printers, in addition to the multifunction printer. The sheet supply device 1 holds multiple sheets S before image formation (printing) is performed in the image forming apparatus 501, separates the sheets S one by one, and supplies them to the image forming apparatus 501.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the sheet supply device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sheet supply device 1 shown in Figure 1. In the following description of the sheet supply device 1, the direction from right to left in Figure 1 is referred to as the "sheet transport direction" of the sheet supply device 1, and is shown as arrow Dc in Figure 1 and subsequent figures. The "sheet width direction," which is perpendicular to the sheet transport direction Dc, is the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 501 and the sheet supply device 1, and is the depth direction of the paper in Figure 1, and is shown as arrow Dw in Figure 2 and subsequent figures.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet supply device 1 comprises a device body 2, a cover member 3, a sheet loading tray 4, a lifting drive unit 5, a sheet supply unit 6, and a transport control unit 7.

[0027] The main body of the device 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with a storage space inside capable of accommodating thousands of sheets S. The main body of the device 2 includes a sheet loading tray 4, a lifting drive unit 5, and a sheet supply unit 6 inside. The main body of the device 2 has an opening 2a on its top surface. The opening 2a is a replenishment port for sheets S to be supplied to the sheet supply device 1.

[0028] The cover member 3 is formed in a substantially flat shape and is positioned in the opening 2a of the device body 2. The cover member 3 is supported by the device body 2 via a rotating shaft 3a that extends in the sheet width direction Dw and is provided at the downstream end in the sheet conveying direction Dc. The cover member 3 swings about the axis of the rotating shaft 3a and can open and close relative to the opening 2a of the device body 2.

[0029] The sheet loading tray 4 is formed in a roughly rectangular, horizontally extending, roughly flat shape and is placed inside the device body 2. The sheet loading tray 4 is attached to a guide member (not shown) that extends in the vertical direction and is movable in that vertical direction. In other words, the sheet loading tray 4 is supported within the device body 2 so as to be able to move up and down. Sheets S are loaded onto the upper surface of the sheet loading tray 4. That is, sheets S are loaded inside the device body 2.

[0030] The lifting drive unit 5 is located inside the main body 2 of the device. The lifting drive unit 5 includes a plurality of wires 51, a plurality of relay pulleys 52, a winding pulley 53, and a drive source 54.

[0031] In this embodiment, the lifting drive unit 5 has, for example, four wires 51. Two wires 51 are arranged at each end of the sheet loading tray 4 in the sheet width direction Dw. One end of each of the four wires 51 is connected to a total of four locations at both ends of the sheet width direction Dw, upstream and downstream of the sheet transport direction Dc of the sheet loading tray 4, i.e., near the four corners of the roughly rectangular sheet loading tray 4. The other end of each of the four wires 51 is connected to the winding pulley 53.

[0032] The intermediate pulleys 52 are positioned above the sheet loading tray 4, at both ends in the sheet width direction Dw. More specifically, four intermediate pulleys 52 are positioned above the connection points of the four wires 51 to the sheet loading tray 4. The wires 51 are wound around the intermediate pulleys 52.

[0033] The winding pulleys 53 are positioned one at each end of the sheet loading tray 4 in the sheet width direction Dw. The winding pulleys 53 are connected to a drive source 54, which is, for example, a motor. The winding pulleys 53 rotate in either forward or reverse direction by the rotational driving force of the drive source 54.

[0034] In the lifting drive unit 5, when the drive source 54 rotates the winding pulley 53 in the forward direction, each wire 51 is wound onto the outer surface of the winding pulley 53, and the sheet loading tray 4 rises. Conversely, when the drive source 54 rotates the winding pulley 53 in the reverse direction, each wire 51 is unwound from the winding pulley 53, and the sheet loading tray 4 lowers. In this way, the lifting drive unit 5 raises and lowers the sheet loading tray 4. The operation of the lifting drive unit 5 is controlled by the transport control unit 7.

[0035] The sheet supply unit 6 is located on the upper part of the main body 2 of the device. The sheet supply unit 6 includes a pickup roller 61, a pair of transport rollers 62, and a sheet supply port 63.

[0036] The pickup roller 61 is positioned above the upstream portion of the sheet loading tray 4 in the sheet transport direction Dc. The pickup roller 61 is positioned opposite the sheet loading tray 4 in the vertical direction. The pickup roller 61 contacts the sheet S loaded on the sheet loading tray 4 at a predetermined transport position in the vertical direction. The transport roller pair 62 is positioned downstream of the pickup roller 61 with respect to the sheet transport direction Dc.

[0037] When the sheet S loaded on the sheet loading tray 4 is in a predetermined transport position, the pickup roller 61 rotates, and the sheet S is sent downstream in the sheet transport direction Dc. The sheet supply unit 6 then uses the transport roller pair 62 to transport the sheet S that the pickup roller 61 has sent from the sheet loading tray 4 further downstream in the sheet transport direction Dc. In this way, the sheet supply unit 6 contacts the sheet S loaded on the sheet loading tray 4 at the predetermined transport position and transports the sheet S downstream in the sheet transport direction Dc.

[0038] The sheet supply port 63 opens on the opposing surface 2C of the main body of the apparatus 2, which is the side facing the image forming apparatus 501, and connects to the confluence section 5061 of the image forming apparatus 501. The sheet supply device 1 supplies sheets S to the image forming apparatus 501 through the sheet supply port 63 of the sheet supply unit 6. The operation of the sheet supply unit 6 is controlled by the transport control unit 7.

[0039] The transport control unit 7 includes a CPU, an image processing unit, a memory unit, and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). The transport control unit 7 is communicatively connected to the image forming control unit 512 of the image forming apparatus 501. The transport control unit 7 receives commands from the image forming control unit 512 and uses the CPU to control the operation of each component provided in the sheet supply device 1 based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit, thereby performing processing related to the functions of the sheet supply device 1. The lifting drive unit 5 and the sheet supply unit 6 each receive commands individually from the transport control unit 7 and transport the sheet S in conjunction with each other.

[0040] The functions of the transport control unit 7 may also be provided by the image forming control unit 512 of the image forming apparatus 501.

[0041] Next, the detailed configuration of the main body 2 of the sheet supply device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the main body 2 includes a position adjustment mechanism 20. The position adjustment mechanism 20 is located on the surface 2C of the main body 2 facing the image forming apparatus 501. The position adjustment mechanism 20 includes a first position adjustment mechanism 20A and a second position adjustment mechanism 20B.

[0042] Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the lower part of the surface 2C of the sheet supply device 1 in Figure 2 that faces the image forming apparatus 501. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first position adjustment mechanism 20A of the sheet supply device 1 in Figure 3. The first position adjustment mechanism 20A is located at the bottom of the device body 2. The first position adjustment mechanism 20A comprises a first positioning member 21A and a sliding member 22A.

[0043] The first positioning member 21A is positioned along the opposing surface 2C of the device body 2. More specifically, the first positioning member 21A is positioned in the center of the opposing surface 2C in the sheet width direction Dw. A bottom frame 2FL extending in the sheet width direction Dw is provided at the lower part of the opposing surface 2C of the device body 2. The first positioning member 21A is fixed to the center of the bottom frame 2FL of the device body 2 in the sheet width direction Dw. The first positioning member 21A is a plate-shaped member extending along the sheet width direction Dw, and is formed, for example, from sheet metal.

[0044] The first positioning member 21A has first positioning holes 211A formed at each end in the sheet width direction Dw. The first positioning holes 211A are formed as elongated holes (rectangular shape) extending in the sheet width direction Dw and penetrate the first positioning member 21A in the thickness direction (sheet conveying direction Dc).

[0045] Screws 2D are attached to the bottom frame 2FL of the device body 2, at locations corresponding to each of the two first positioning holes 211A. The width (height) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first positioning hole 211A, which is an elongated hole extending in the sheet width direction Dw, is narrower than the diameter of the screw head 2D, and is sized to allow the threaded portion of the screw 2D to pass through. The screws 2D are inserted into the first positioning holes 211A and tightened.

[0046] The first positioning member 21A is fixed to the bottom frame 2FL by screws 2D in first positioning holes 211A formed at each end in the sheet width direction Dw. By loosening the screws 2D, the first positioning member 21A can move within the range of the elongated hole along the longitudinal direction of the first positioning hole 211A, i.e., the sheet width direction Dw (front-to-back direction of the device body 2). This allows the mounting position of the first positioning member 21A relative to the opposing surface 2C of the device body 2 to be adjusted in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0047] Regarding the first position adjustment mechanism 20A, the image forming apparatus 501 is equipped with a long rail 521. The long rail 521 extends from the image forming apparatus 501 toward the sheet supply device 1 along the sheet transport direction Dc in the sheet supply device 1. The long rail 521 has a fixed portion 521f at one end on the image forming apparatus 501 side in the longitudinal direction (sheet transport direction Dc of the sheet supply device 1). The fixed portion 521f has a plate shape extending along the sheet width direction Dw and is formed, for example, of sheet metal. The long rail 521 is connected (fixed) to the image forming apparatus 501 at one end in the sheet transport direction Dc via the fixed portion 521f.

[0048] The long rail 521 is located below the first positioning member 21A of the sheet supply device 1 adjacent to the image forming apparatus 501, and is positioned in the center of the opposing surface 2C in the sheet width direction Dw. The long rail 521 has a trough-like cross-section with a bottom surface extending in the sheet transport direction Dc of the sheet supply device 1 and a pair of side surfaces extending upward from both ends of the bottom surface in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0049] The slide member 22A is positioned vertically between the first positioning member 21A and the long rail 521, and is positioned in the center of the opposing surface 2C in the sheet width direction Dw. The slide member 22A has a trough-like cross-section with an upper surface portion extending in the sheet transport direction Dc and a pair of side portions extending downward from both ends of the upper surface portion in the sheet width direction Dw. The pair of side portions of the slide member 22A have a wider gap between them than the pair of side portions of the long rail 521. The slide member 22A is positioned to straddle the long rail 521. The slide member 22A is then movable along the sheet transport direction Dc on the long rail 521.

[0050] The slide member 22A has a fixed portion 22Af at one end on the image forming apparatus 501 side in the longitudinal direction (sheet transport direction Dc). The fixed portion 22Af has a plate shape extending along the sheet width direction Dw and is formed, for example, from sheet metal. The slide member 22A is fixed to the first positioning member 21A at one end in the sheet transport direction Dc via the fixed portion 22Af.

[0051] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the surface 2C of the sheet supply device 1 in Figure 2 that faces the image forming apparatus 501. Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the surface 2C of the sheet supply device 1 in Figure 2 that faces the image forming apparatus 501. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B of the sheet supply device 1 in Figure 5. The second position adjustment mechanism 20B is located above the first position adjustment mechanism 20A and is positioned near the center of the opposing surface 2C in the vertical direction. The second position adjustment mechanism 20B comprises a second positioning member 21B, a detection unit 22B, and a coupling mechanism 30B.

[0052] The second positioning member 21B is positioned along the opposing surface 2C of the device body 2. More specifically, the second positioning member 21B is a plate-like member that extends over substantially the entire area of ​​the opposing surface 2C along the sheet width direction Dw, and is formed, for example, from sheet metal. The second positioning member 21B straddles the front frame 2FF and the rear frame 2FB of the device body 2 and is fixed at both ends in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0053] The second positioning member 21B has second positioning holes 211B formed at both ends in the sheet width direction Dw. At each end in the sheet width direction Dw, the second positioning member 21B is positioned side by side at two locations spaced apart in the vertical direction. The second positioning holes 211B are formed as elongated holes (rectangular shape) extending in the sheet width direction Dw and penetrate the second positioning member 21B in the thickness direction (sheet conveying direction Dc).

[0054] Screws 2E are attached to the front frame 2FF and rear frame 2FB of the device body 2, at locations corresponding to each of the four second positioning holes 211B. The width (height) of the second positioning hole 211B, which is an elongated hole extending in the sheet width direction Dw, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is narrower than the diameter of the screw head 2E, and is sized to allow the threaded portion of the screw 2E to pass through. The screws 2E are inserted into the second positioning holes 211B and tightened.

[0055] The second positioning member 21B is fixed to the front frame 2FF and the rear frame 2FB, respectively, by screws 2E in second positioning holes 211B formed at both ends in the sheet width direction Dw. By loosening the screws 2E, the second positioning member 21B can move within the range of the elongated hole along the longitudinal direction of the second positioning hole 211B, i.e., the sheet width direction Dw (front-to-back direction of the device body 2). This allows the mounting position of the second positioning member 21B relative to the opposing surface 2C of the device body 2 to be adjusted in the sheet width direction Dw.

[0056] The detection unit 22B is formed on the second positioning member 21B. More specifically, the detection unit 22B is located on the rear side (left side in Figures 5 and 6) of the opposing surface 2C in the sheet width direction Dw of the second positioning member 21B. Furthermore, the detection unit 22B is located in front of the second positioning hole 211B adjacent to the rear frame 2FB in the sheet width direction Dw, and below the hook member 31B of the connecting mechanism 30B, which will be described later.

[0057] Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the detection unit 22B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 6. Figure 9 is an enlarged view showing the inside of the detection unit 22B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 8. Figure 10 is an enlarged view showing the detection unit 22B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 8 and the detection piece 522 of the image forming apparatus 501 that is inserted into the detection unit 22B. Note that the detection piece 522 of the image forming apparatus 501 shown in Figure 10 is actually provided on the side (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 501.

[0058] The detection unit 22B has a recess 22Br and sensors 22Bs.

[0059] The recess 22Br is formed in a concave shape that is recessed toward the inside of the apparatus body 2 from one surface of the second positioning member 21B which is parallel to the opposing surface 2C. On the side of the image forming apparatus 501, a detection piece 522 (see Figure 10) is provided at a location opposite to the detection unit 22B, which protrudes toward the sheet supply device 1. When the sheet supply device 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 501, the recess 22Br has a shape and size that can receive the detection piece 522 provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 501.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the sensors 22Bs are positioned inside the recess 22Br. The sensors 22Bs consist of contact-type or non-contact-type sensors that detect the entry of the detection piece 522 of the image forming apparatus 501 into the recess 22Br. In this embodiment, the sensors 22Bs consist of push-button type switches. When the sheet supply device 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 501, the sensors 22Bs detect that the detection piece 522 of the image forming apparatus 501 makes contact and is pushed in. The detection signal from the sensors 22Bs is transmitted to the transport control unit 7. As a result, the detection unit 22B detects the approach of the image forming apparatus 501 to the apparatus body 2.

[0061] The coupling mechanism 30B is attached to the second positioning member 21B. More specifically, the detection unit 22B is located on the front and rear sides of the opposing surface 2C in the sheet width direction Dw, and is positioned inside the device body 2 more than the second positioning member 21B.

[0062] Figure 11 is an enlarged view showing the front side of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 6. Figure 12 is an enlarged view showing the hook member 31B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 7, seen from the inside. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the lever member 34B and link member 33B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 13. Figure 15 is an enlarged view showing the hook member 31B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B in Figure 12 and the connected portion 523 of the image forming apparatus 501 that is connected to the hook member 31B. Note that the connected portion 523 of the image forming apparatus 501 shown in Figure 10 is actually provided on the side (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 501.

[0063] The connecting mechanism 30B includes a hook member 31B, a shaft 32B, a link member 33B, a lever member 34B, and a biasing member 35B.

[0064] The hook members 31B are arranged in pairs at two locations in the sheet width direction Dw, on the front and rear sides of the opposing surfaces 2C. The second positioning member 21B has rectangular openings 212B that penetrate in the thickness direction at the locations where each of the pair of hook members 31B is positioned. A portion of the hook members 31B protrudes toward the image forming apparatus 501 through the openings 212B of the second positioning member 21B. The tip of the hook member 31B that protrudes toward the image forming apparatus 501 from the second positioning member 21B is formed in a downwardly curved hook shape.

[0065] A pair of hook members 31B are fixed to a shaft 32B that extends in the sheet width direction Dw inside the second positioning member 21B. The shaft 32B is supported by the second positioning member 21B so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the sheet width direction Dw. The shaft 32B connects the pair of hook members 31B. That is, the hook members 31B are pivotably attached to the second positioning member 21B.

[0066] As shown in Figure 15, the tip of the hook member 31B has inclined surfaces 31Bs that slope downward as you move from the image forming apparatus 501 side towards the sheet supply device 1 side (from right to left in Figure 15). On the side of the image forming apparatus 501, opposite to the hook member 31B, there is a concave connecting portion 523 (see Figure 15) that is recessed toward the inside of the image forming apparatus 501.

[0067] When the sheet supply device 1 approaches the image forming apparatus 501, the tip of the hook member 31B is pushed up along the inclination of the inclined surface 31Bs as the inclined surface 31Bs comes into contact with the tip of the connected portion 523 of the image forming apparatus 501, and catches on the tip of the connected portion 523. As a result, the hook member 31B engages with the image forming apparatus 501.

[0068] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the link member 33B is positioned near the front hook member 31B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B. The link member 33B is fixed to the front end of the shaft 32B and extends radially outward from the shaft 32B. The link member 33B is rotatable together with the shaft 32B about the axis of the shaft 32B, which extends in the seat width direction Dw.

[0069] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the lever member 34B is positioned near the front hook member 31B and link member 33B of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B. The lever member 34B is connected to the link member 33B at its lower end and extends in the vertical direction. The lever member 34B is supported by a sliding part (not shown) provided on the main body of the device 2 and is mounted to be reciprocally movable in the sheet transport direction Dc of the sheet supply device 1 (the direction of approaching and moving away from the image forming apparatus 501).

[0070] An operating part 34Bh is provided at the upper end of the lever member 34B, which can be touched by the user to operate the coupling mechanism 30B. The lever member 34B is biased by the biasing member 35B in a direction toward the image forming apparatus 501. The user can move the lever member 34B toward the image forming apparatus 501 by pushing the operating part 34Bh toward the image forming apparatus 501, against the biasing force of the biasing member 35B.

[0071] The lever member 34B moves toward the image forming apparatus 501 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 35B, thereby rotating the shaft 32B around its axis via the link member 33B and rotating the hook member 31B to the connection position with the connected part 523. Conversely, the lever member 34B moves toward the image forming apparatus 501 due to user operation, thereby rotating the shaft 32B around its axis via the link member 33B and rotating the hook member 31B to the disconnection position with the connected part 523.

[0072] As described above, the coupling mechanism 30B operates the lever member 34B, causing the pair of hook members 31B to swing simultaneously via the link member 33B and the shaft 32B. The coupling mechanism 30B then uses the pair of hook members 31B to connect and disconnect the main body 2 to the image forming apparatus 501.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the sheet supply device 1 is provided with a position adjustment mechanism 20 on the surface 2C facing the image forming apparatus 501, where the sheet supply port 63 for supplying sheets S to the image forming apparatus 501 is located. This mechanism allows for adjustment of the relative position of the device body 2 with respect to the image forming apparatus 501 in the sheet width direction Dw. In other words, the position of the sheet supply port 63 of the sheet supply device 1 with respect to the image forming apparatus 501 can be adjusted as appropriate and arbitrarily in the sheet width direction Dw. Therefore, the sheet supply device 1 can properly set the position of the sheets S supplied to the image forming apparatus 501.

[0074] Furthermore, by including a first position adjustment mechanism 20A and a second position adjustment mechanism 20B in the position adjustment mechanism 20, the relative position of the device body 2 with respect to the image forming apparatus 501 can be adjusted at two locations: the lower and upper parts of the device body 2. This suppresses the occurrence of distortion and waviness in the sheet transport path from the sheet supply device 1 to the image forming apparatus 501. Therefore, it becomes possible to enhance the effect of properly setting the position of the sheet S supplied to the image forming apparatus 501 in the sheet supply device 1.

[0075] Furthermore, the first position adjustment mechanism 20A includes a first positioning member 21A and a sliding member 22A, which allows the sheet supply device 1 to be moved along the long rail 521 of the image forming apparatus 501 when connecting or disconnecting the sheet supply device 1 to the image forming apparatus 501. This makes it possible to easily perform the work of connecting or disconnecting the sheet supply device 1 to the image forming apparatus 501 after properly setting the position of the sheet S.

[0076] Furthermore, the second position adjustment mechanism 20B includes a second positioning member 21B, a detection unit 22B, and a coupling mechanism 30B, enabling detection of approach to the image forming apparatus 501 and connection and disconnection of the sheet supply device 1 to and from the image forming apparatus 501. The coupling mechanism 30B allows the sheet supply device 1 to engage with the image forming apparatus 501 at the location of the second position adjustment mechanism 20B, i.e., at a location close to the sheet supply port 63. Therefore, the sheet supply device 1 can enhance the effect of properly setting the position of the sheet S supplied to the image forming apparatus 501.

[0077] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 30B comprises a pair of hook members 31B arranged side by side in the sheet width direction Dw, a shaft 32B, and a lever member 34B. By operating the lever member 34B, the pair of hook members 31B can be simultaneously swung around the axis of the shaft 32B. In other words, by operating the lever member 34B, the coupling between the sheet supply device 1 and the image forming apparatus 501 can be easily released.

[0078] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made to implement the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0079] For example, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 501 is an image forming apparatus for monochrome printing, but it is not limited to such a model. The image forming apparatus may be, for example, an image forming apparatus for color printing. [Industrial applicability]

[0080] The present invention is applicable to a sheet feeding device and an image forming system equipped with the sheet feeding device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1. Sheet feeding device 2. Main unit of the device 2C Opposite surface 6. Sheet supply unit 20 Position adjustment mechanism 20A 1st position adjustment mechanism 20B 2nd position adjustment mechanism 21A First positioning member 21B Second positioning member 22A Slide Member 22B Detection Unit 30B Connection mechanism 31B Hook Member 32B shaft 33B Link member 34B Lever component 34Bh Operation unit 35B Biasing member 63 Sheet supply port 301 Image Forming System 501 Image forming apparatus 506 Sheet transport section 507 Image forming unit 5061 Confluence 521 Long rail 522 detection pieces 523 Connected part Dc Sheet transport direction Dw Seat width direction S Seat

Claims

1. A sheet supply device positioned to the side of an image forming apparatus and supplying a sheet which is a recording medium to the image forming apparatus, The apparatus body, on which the aforementioned sheets are loaded and on which a sheet supply port for supplying the sheets to the image forming apparatus is located on the surface facing the image forming apparatus, A position adjustment mechanism is provided on the opposing surface of the apparatus body, which is capable of adjusting the relative position of the apparatus body with respect to the image forming apparatus in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction. A sheet supply device characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The position adjustment mechanism is, A first position adjustment mechanism is located at the bottom of the main body of the device, A second position adjustment mechanism is positioned above the first position adjustment unit, The sheet supply device according to claim 1, characterized by including the following:

3. The image forming apparatus has a long rail, one end of which is connected to the image forming apparatus in the sheet transport direction, and which extends toward the main body of the apparatus along the sheet transport direction. The first position adjustment mechanism is, A first positioning member is arranged along the opposing surface of the device body, and its mounting position relative to the device body is adjustable in the sheet width direction, A slide member fixed to the first positioning member and movable along the long rail in the sheet transport direction, The sheet supply device according to claim 2, characterized by comprising:

4. The second position adjustment mechanism is, A second positioning member is arranged along the opposing surface of the device body and whose mounting position relative to the device body is adjustable in the sheet width direction, A detection unit is formed on the second positioning member to detect the approach of the image forming apparatus to the main body of the apparatus, A coupling mechanism having a hook member that is pivotably attached to the second positioning member and engages with the image forming apparatus, wherein the hook member is pivoted to connect and disconnect the main body of the apparatus to the image forming apparatus, The sheet supply device according to claim 2, characterized by comprising:

5. The aforementioned coupling mechanism is Multiple hook members arranged at multiple locations in the width direction of the sheet, A shaft extending along the width direction of the sheet and connecting a plurality of the hook members, A lever member for rotating the shaft, Equipped with, The sheet supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that by operating the lever member, a plurality of the hook members are simultaneously swung to release the connection of the device body to the image forming apparatus.

6. A sheet supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An image forming apparatus connected to the sheet supply device and which forms an image on the sheet supplied from the sheet supply device, An image forming system characterized by comprising the following features.

Images