Sheet storage device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sheet storage device capable of constituting a movement unit at low cost with high strength, and an image formation device provided with the same.SOLUTION: A sheet storage device includes a storage part for storing a sheet, and a movement unit supported on the storage part so as to be movable in a movement direction, in which the movement unit has a regulation member having a regulation surface for regulating a position in the movement direction of the sheet stored in the storage part and a first joint surface extending in the movement direction, and an extension member that has a second joint surface extending parallel to the first joint surface and extends to the movement direction, and the first joint surface and the second joint surface are joined to each other by an adhesive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet storage device that stores sheets and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer has a cassette capable of storing sheets at the bottom of the apparatus, and forms an image on the sheet fed from the cassette. The cassette is provided so as to be attachable to and removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the cassette is provided with a pair of movable cursors for regulating the side edge positions of the stored sheets.

[0003] Conventionally, an image forming device has been proposed in which a groove is formed in the front wall of the cassette body and a protrusion is provided on each of a pair of cursors (see Patent Document 1). When the cassette is attached to the device body, a moving platform supporting the pair of cursors moves, and the protrusions on the pair of cursors engage with the grooves on the front wall of the cassette body. This increases the strength of the pair of cursors against external forces in the width direction, and the cursors can withstand the impact even if the cassette is forcefully inserted into the device body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-89151 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires a mechanism for linking the attachment and detachment of the cassette with the moving stage, which increases the number of parts and assembly steps, resulting in increased costs.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet storage device in which a moving unit can be constructed at low cost and with high strength, and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a sheet storage device, comprising: a storage section for storing sheets; and a moving unit supported to be movable in a movement direction relative to the storage section, the moving unit including a regulating member having a regulating surface for regulating a position of the sheet stored in the storage section in the movement direction and a first bonding surface extending along the movement direction; and an extension member having a second bonding surface extending parallel to the first bonding surface and extending in the movement direction, the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface being bonded by an adhesive. the regulating member has a wall portion protruding from the first joint surface in a normal direction to the first joint surface and extending along the movement direction, It is characterized by:

[0008] The present invention also provides a sheet storage device, comprising: a storage section for storing sheets; and a moving unit supported to be movable in a movement direction relative to the storage section, the moving unit including a regulating member having a regulating surface for regulating a position of the sheet stored in the storage section in the movement direction and a first bonding surface extending along the movement direction; and an extending member having a second bonding surface extending parallel to the first bonding surface and extending in the movement direction, the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface being bonded by double-sided tape. the regulating member has a wall portion protruding from the first joint surface in a normal direction to the first joint surface and extending along the movement direction, It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a low-cost, high-strength moving unit can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic view showing a printer according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cassette is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a joint portion of a regulating member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a joint portion of the rack member. [Figure 7] 4A is a perspective view showing the regulating member with adhesive applied thereto, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the state in which the rack member is inserted into the regulating member. [Figure 8] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which the hook portion is inserted into the rectangular hole, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the rack member is slid relative to the regulating member. [Figure 9] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing how sheets are being refilled into the cassette, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing how the cassette is being mounted in the apparatus main body, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing how a regulating member abuts against the cassette main body. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a joint portion of a regulating member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a joint portion of the rack member. [Figure 12] 4A is a perspective view showing the regulating member with double-sided tape attached, FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the state where the rack member is inserted into the regulating member, and FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing the state where the boss portion is engaged with the positioning hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <First embodiment> [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A printer 1 as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is an electrophotographic laser beam printer. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0013] 1, the printer 1 has an image forming section 100 that forms an image on a sheet P, a feeding unit 15, a fixing section 20, a discharge roller pair 23, and a reversing roller pair 25. The image forming section 100 has four process cartridges 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K that form toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, and a scanner unit 4.

[0014] The four process cartridges 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K have the same configuration except for the colors of the images they form. Therefore, only the configuration and image forming process of the process cartridge 90Y will be described, and descriptions of the process cartridges 90M, 90C, and 90K will be omitted.

[0015] The process cartridge 90Y has a photosensitive drum 2, a charging roller 3, a developing roller 5, and a cleaning blade 6. The photosensitive drum 2 is formed by coating an organic photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). The image forming unit 100 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 8 wound around a drive roller 9 and a tension roller 10, and primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 8. A secondary transfer roller 11 is provided opposite the drive roller 9 so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 11 form a transfer nip N1 for transferring an image to a sheet P being transported.

[0016] The feeding unit 15 is provided at the bottom of the printer 1, and has a cassette 16 that stores sheets P, a pickup roller 17 as a feeding section capable of feeding the sheets P supported by the cassette 16, and a separation roller 14. The fixing section 20 has a fixing roller and a pressure roller that apply heat and pressure to the sheets.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of an image forming operation of the printer 1 configured as above. When an image signal is input to the scanner unit 4 from a personal computer (not shown) or the like, the scanner unit 4 irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 of the process cartridge 90Y with a laser beam corresponding to the image signal.

[0018] At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 3, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by irradiating it with laser light from the scanner unit 4. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is developed by the developing roller 5, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0019] Similarly, the scanner unit 4 irradiates the photosensitive drums of the process cartridges 90M, 90C, and 90K with laser light, forming magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images on the photosensitive drums. The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, and are transported to the transfer nip N1 by the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotated by the drive roller 9. The image forming process of each color is performed at a timing when the image is superimposed on the upstream toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 after the toner image is transferred by the primary transfer roller 7Y is collected by the cleaning blade 6.

[0020] In parallel with this image forming process, sheets P stored in cassette 16 of feeding unit 15 are sent out by pickup roller 17 and separated one by one by separation roller 14. Then, skew of sheet P is corrected by conveying roller pair 18 and registration roller pair 19, and sheet P is conveyed by registration roller pair 19 at a predetermined conveying timing in accordance with the transfer timing of the image at transfer nip N1. Note that printer 1 has manual feed tray 13 on which sheet P is placed, and sheet P placed on manual feed tray 13 may be fed by manual feed roller 13a and separation roller 13b.

[0021] Then, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the sheet P at the transfer nip N1 by a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 11. Toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is cleaned by a cleaning device (not shown). The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is applied with a predetermined heat and pressure in the fixing section 20, so that the toner is melted and fixed (fixed). The sheet P that has passed through the fixing section 20 is guided by a guide member 26 to a pair of discharge rollers 23, and is discharged to a discharge tray 24 by the pair of discharge rollers 23.

[0022] When a double-sided printing job for forming images on both sides of a sheet P is input, the sheet P, on whose front side an image is formed by the transfer nip N1, is guided by a guide member 26 to a pair of reversing rollers 25. The sheet P is then reversed by the pair of reversing rollers 25 and conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 27. The sheet P guided to the double-sided conveying path 27 is conveyed again to the pair of registration rollers 19, on whose back side an image is formed by the transfer nip N1, and the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 24 by a pair of discharge rollers 23.

[0023] [Seat storage device] Next, the sheet storage device 60 including the cassette 16 and its internal configuration will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the sheet storage device 60 has a cassette 16 that is supported so as to be attachable to and removable from the device body 1A of the printer 1. The cassette 16 has a cassette body 30 as a storage section for storing sheets P, and a pair of guide rails 35 fixed to the cassette body 30.

[0024] The sheet storage device 60 has a lift plate 34 supported rotatably about a rotation shaft 34a relative to the cassette body 30, on which the sheets P are loaded, and a pair of side regulating plates 31, 131 supported movably in a moving direction MD relative to the cassette body 30. The sheet storage device 60 also has a rear end regulating plate 65 that regulates the position of the rear end of the sheets P loaded on the lift plate 34, and a pinion gear 33 as a gear member rotatably supported by the cassette body 30. In this embodiment, the moving direction MD is a direction parallel to the mounting direction and pull-out direction of the cassette 16 relative to the apparatus body 1A, and is a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.

[0025] The cassette 16 is smoothly guided to the apparatus main body 1A by a pair of guide rails 35 sliding on a main body side rail (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 1A. When an image forming job is started, the lift plate 34 rises to a position where the top sheet stacked on the lift plate 34 contacts the pickup roller 17.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the side regulating plate 31 as the moving unit and the first moving unit is composed of a regulating member 31A as the first regulating member, and a rack member 32 as the extending member and the first extending member. The regulating member 31A has a regulating surface 31B that regulates the position of the sheet stored in the cassette body 30 in the moving direction MD. Similarly, the side regulating plate 131 as the second moving unit is composed of a regulating member 131A as the second regulating member, and a rack member 132 as the second extending member. The regulating member 131A has a regulating surface 131B that regulates the position of the sheet stored in the cassette body 30 in the moving direction MD. The cassette body 30 and the regulating members 31A and 131A are made of a resin material, and the rack members 32 and 132 are made of a metal material such as sheet metal.

[0027] The rack members 32, 132 have rack portions 42, 142 that can mesh with the pinion gear 33, and the rack portions 42, 142 are arranged to face each other with the pinion gear 33 in between. When the user moves one of the side regulating plates 31, 131 in the moving direction MD, the other of the side regulating plates 31, 131 moves in the moving direction MD due to the action of the rack portions 42, 142 and the pinion gear 133. At this time, the side regulating plates 31, 131 move in opposite directions to each other in the moving direction MD. For example, when the side regulating plate 31 moves in a predetermined direction in the moving direction MD, the side regulating plate 131 moves in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction.

[0028] Since the side regulating plates 31 and 131 have substantially the same configuration, only the side regulating plate 31 will be described in detail below, and a description of the side regulating plate 131 will be omitted.

[0029] [Details of the joints of the side regulation plates] As described later, the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 constituting the side regulating plate 31 are joined together by an adhesive. First, the joint portion 61 of the regulating member 31A will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the joint portion 61 has a joint surface 36 as a first joint surface extending parallel to the moving direction MD, a pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G protruding upward from the joint surface 36, and a regulating rib 31F provided to connect the guide ribs 31G, 31G. The joint surface 36 includes adhesive application surfaces 36A, 36B to which the adhesive 40 is applied by an adhesive applicator 41.

[0030] The pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G serving as walls are provided to face each other across the adhesive application surfaces 36A, 36B in the orthogonal direction OD perpendicular to the moving direction MD, and extend along the moving direction MD. The restricting rib 31F extends in the orthogonal direction OD so as to connect the pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G. For this reason, the guide ribs 31G, 31G and the restricting rib 31F are formed in a substantially U-shape so that the rack member 32 can be easily positioned.

[0031] A hole 31C into which a tip portion 32C (see FIG. 6) of the rack member 32 can be inserted is formed in the lower portion of the restricting rib 31F. Also, a hook portion 31D having an L-shaped cross section and a snap fit 31E protruding upward from the joint surface 36 are formed on the joint surface 36. A U-shaped groove 31H is formed around the snap fit 31E, so that the snap fit 31E is configured to be easily elastically deformable in the height direction.

[0032] [Details of the joints of the rack components] Next, the joint portion 62 of the rack member 32 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the joint portion 62 has a first portion 43 having a tip portion 32C, a second portion 44 having a rack portion 42, and a step portion 45 connecting the first portion 43 and the second portion 44. The step portion 45 connects one end of the first portion 43 and one end of the second portion 44 in the height direction.

[0033] The second portion 44 is formed with a protruding portion 44a protruding upward by press working or the like, and the protruding portion 44a is formed long and large over almost the entire length of the second portion 44 in the moving direction MD. The stepped portion 45 and the protruding portion 44a improve the strength of the rack member 32.

[0034] The rack member 32 is bonded to the bonding surface 36 of the regulating member 31A by the adhesive 40, and has a bonding surface 37 as a second bonding surface extending parallel to the first bonding surface 36. The bonding surface 37 includes a first bonded surface 37A formed in the second portion 44 and bondable to the adhesive-applied surface 36A of the regulating member 31A, and a second bonded surface 37B formed in the first portion 43 and bondable to the adhesive-applied surface 36B of the regulating member 31A. A rectangular hole 32D is formed in the protruding portion 44a of the second portion 44, and a snap-fit ​​hole 32E is formed in the first portion 43.

[0035] [Method of joining the regulating member and the rack member] Next, a method for joining the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 will be described with reference to Fig. 7(a) to Fig. 8(b). First, as shown in Fig. 7(a), an assembly worker (hereinafter simply referred to as a worker) applies adhesive 40 to the adhesive application surfaces 36A and 36B of the regulating member 31A using an adhesive applicator 41. Note that the assembly process in this embodiment is not limited to manual work by a person, and may be performed by a machine.

[0036] Then, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the worker tilts the position of rack member 32 with respect to regulating member 31A so that rack member 32 does not come into contact with adhesive application surfaces 36A and 36B, and inserts tip portion 32C into hole 31C. Next, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the worker rotates rack member 32 to align joint surface 37 of rack member 32 with joint surface 36 of regulating member 31A. At this time, snap fit 31E of regulating member 31A is pressed by rack member 32 and elastically deforms downward.

[0037] Since a pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G are formed on the regulating member 31A, the rack member 32 can be easily aligned by rotating the rack member 32 between these guide ribs 31G, 31G. In addition, since the guide ribs 31G, 31G are provided so as to surround the adhesive application surfaces 36A, 36B, even if a low-viscosity adhesive 40 is applied to the adhesive application surfaces 36A, 36B, it is possible to reduce the adhesive 40 from flowing out from the joining surface 36 to other areas. In addition, since the guide ribs 31G, 31G separate the joining surface 36 from other areas, it is possible to clarify the application position of the adhesive 40. This improves the ease of assembly.

[0038] When the joint surface 36 and the joint surface 37 are aligned, the hook portion 31D of the regulating member 31A is inserted into the rectangular hole 32D of the rack member 32. Next, the worker slides the rack member 32 toward the tip end 32C to align the snap fit 31E with the snap fit hole 32E. This causes the snap fit 31E to swing upward and engage with the snap fit hole 32E. The above-mentioned assembly and positioning methods are also applied to the side regulating plate 131.

[0039] In a state where the rack member 32 is assembled to the regulating member 31A, the hook portion 31D and the regulating rib 31F regulate the relative movement of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 in the peeling direction of the joining surfaces 36, 37, i.e., in the normal direction ND of the joining surfaces 36, 37. More specifically, the hook portion 31D and the regulating rib 31F of the regulating member 31A engage with the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C of the rectangular hole 32D formed in the rack member 32, respectively. In other words, the hook portion 31D and the regulating rib 31F are located at positions overlapping the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C, respectively, as viewed in the normal direction ND. The hook portion 31D and the regulating rib 31F constitute a first engagement portion, and the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C constitute a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion.

[0040] Therefore, the strength of the adhesive 40 in the peeling direction (normal direction ND) can be supplemented, and the relative positional accuracy of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 in the normal direction ND can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, the engagement of the snap fit 31E and the snap fit hole 32E restricts the relative movement of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 in the shear direction of the joint surfaces 36, 37, i.e., in the direction parallel to the joint surfaces 36, 37. Therefore, after the joint surfaces 36, 37 are joined by the adhesive 40, there is no need to fix the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 with a clamping tool or the like while the adhesive 40 hardens to its practical shear strength. For example, when the practical shear strength of the adhesive 40 is 23 kgf movement, it takes about 8 minutes for the adhesive 40 to harden. The snap fit 31E constitutes a third engagement portion, and the snap fit hole 32E constitutes a fourth engagement portion that engages with the third engagement portion.

[0042] In this way, by temporarily fixing the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 by engaging the snap fits 31E and the snap fit holes 32E, no special tools are required, and the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 can be inexpensively and easily assembled. Furthermore, as long as no external force is applied to the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 in the temporarily fixed state, they can be moved to the next assembly process or attached to the cassette 16.

[0043] [Refilling the cassette] Next, a description will be given of the operation of replenishing sheets in the cassette 16. When replenishing the cassette 16 with sheets P, the user first pulls out the cassette 16 from the apparatus main body 1A as shown in Fig. 9(a). Then, the user sets the sheets P in the cassette 16 and aligns the side regulating plates 31, 131 with the side edges of the sheets P.

[0044] 9(b), the user mounts the cassette 16 in the apparatus main body 1A. At this time, the cassette 16 is smoothly mounted in the apparatus main body 1A by the guide rails 35 provided on the cassette 16. Then, the positioning portion provided on the cassette 16 or the guide rails 35 abuts against the abutment portion provided on the apparatus main body 1A, so that the cassette 16 is positioned at the mounting position.

[0045] Now, consider the case where the cassette 16 is forcefully inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. When the cassette 16 hits the apparatus main body 1A at the mounting position, the sheets P press the side regulating plate 31 in the moving direction MD (mounting direction) due to the law of inertia.

[0046] In this embodiment, the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 are joined by bonding the joint surfaces 36, 37 extending parallel to the moving direction MD with an adhesive 40. Therefore, the load acting on the regulating member 31A of the side regulating plate 31 from the sheet P acts as a shear force on the joint surfaces 36, 37 between the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32.

[0047] However, because the adhesive 40 has a high shear strength, the bonding of the bonding surfaces 36, 37 is maintained even when the above load is applied, and damage to the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 can be reduced. Furthermore, the bonding of the bonding surfaces 36, 37 with the adhesive 40 can be performed inexpensively without fastening with fastening members such as screws, and the side regulating plate 31 can be constructed at low cost and with high strength. Therefore, rattling between the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 can be suppressed, and the variation in printing accuracy can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a damper or other damping member between the cassette 16 and the device main body 1A, which allows costs to be reduced and the device to be made smaller.

[0048] Furthermore, when the cassette 16 is forcefully inserted into the apparatus body 1A, the regulating member 31A of the side regulating plate 31 may be pushed by the sheet P and come into contact with the cassette body 30, as shown in Fig. 9(c). At this time, the side regulating plate 131 linked to the side regulating plate 31 moves in a direction away from the sheet P. Due to the meshing resistance between the rack members 32, 132 of the side regulating plates 31, 131 and the pinion gear 33 and the sliding resistance when the side regulating plates 31, 131 move, the regulating member 31A of the side regulating plate 31 comes into contact with the cassette body 30 with some braking being applied.

[0049] In addition, since the sheet P stored in the cassette 16 is not a rigid body, the sheet P absorbs the impact when the regulating member 31A and the cassette body 30 come into contact with each other while deforming. Furthermore, since the regulating member 31A and the cassette body 30 are made of a resin material, they can absorb the impact by elastically deforming. Furthermore, since the regulating member 31A is made of a resin material, even if it collides with the cassette body 30, it will not bend due to plastic deformation like a metal plate, and the position of the sheet can be accurately regulated.

[0050] In this way, the load acting on the regulating member 31A from the sheet P is applied to the regulating member 31A in a somewhat relaxed state, which, combined with the high shear strength of the adhesive 40 described above, reduces deformation and positional deviation of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32. In addition, since the rack member 32 is made of a metal material, deflection is suppressed and tooth skipping with respect to the pinion gear 33 can be reduced.

[0051] [Shear strength] Next, the shear strength of the adhesive 40 applied to the joining surfaces 36, 37 in this embodiment will be described. For example, if A4 size and 80 g / m2 paper are placed in the cassette 16, 2 If 500 sheets of this type are loaded, the weight of these sheets will be approximately 2.5 kg. In the following, it is assumed that when cassette 16 is vigorously loaded into apparatus main body 1A, cassette 16 is loaded at a cassette loading speed of 2.2 m / sec, which is approximately 1.5 times the normal cassette loading speed of approximately 1.5 m / sec.

[0052] When the cassette 16 abuts against the abutting portion of the apparatus main body 1A at this speed, the impact (load) W that the sheets P stored in the cassette 16 impart to the regulating member 31A is as follows, according to the formula (1) relating to kinetic energy: W=1 / 2mv 2 (W: work (J), m: mass (kg), v: speed (m / s)) =6.05 (1)

[0053] The restricting member 31A slides a few millimeters from the position corresponding to the A4 size sheet and collides with the cassette body 30. The impact force F at this time can be calculated from the equation of motion (2), the equation of uniform velocity linear motion (3), and the equation related to work (4). F = ma (2) (F: Force (N), m: Mass (kg), a: Acceleration (m / s) 2 )) as=1 / 2v 2 (3) (a: Acceleration (m / s 2 ), s: braking distance (m), v: speed (m / s)) W = Fs (4) (W: work (J), F: force (N), s: braking distance (m)) Therefore, W = (ma)s = m(as) = ​​m(1 / 2v 2 ) F=(1 / 2mv 2 ) / s =(6.05) / s(N)

[0054] The actual impact is absorbed by the elasticity of sheet P, the sliding resistance of rack member 32 and pinion gear 33, the deflection and deformation of regulating member 31A, and the deflection and deformation of cassette body 30, etc., so the braking distance is estimated to be approximately 10 mm compared to the calculation formula. If S=0.01m, F = 6.05 / 0.01 = 605 (N) = 62 (kgf) Therefore, the impact force (shear force) acting on the joint surfaces 36, 37 of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 is estimated to be 62 kgf.

[0055] The adhesive 40 used in this embodiment is an acrylic two-liquid structural adhesive (e.g., 3921 / 3926 manufactured by ThreeBond Co., Ltd., or Y611 Black S, Y612 BLACK, etc. manufactured by Cemedine Co., Ltd.). Its strength per unit area is 0.38 kgf / mm 2 It is.

[0056] The total area of ​​the adhesive application surfaces 36A and 36B of the regulating member 31A is 327 mm 2 Therefore, the shear strength is 125kgf. This means that there is a strength margin of about twice the calculated impact force of 62kgf. Incidentally, if the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32 are fixed with an M3 screw, a single M3 screw will slip at a shear strength of about 16kgf, which is not enough to withstand the calculated impact strength of 62kgf, so multiple screws are required for fixation.

[0057] At a normal cassette installation speed of 1.5 m / sec, the impact force is about 25 kgf, which is about 20% of the adhesive's shear strength of 125 kgf. Therefore, the adhesive's repeated breaking strength is estimated to be able to withstand about 100,000 impacts, so there is a sufficient margin of resistance even when considering the product lifespan.

[0058] As described above, the joining of the joining surfaces 36, 37 with the adhesive 40 can be performed at low cost, and the side regulating plate 31 can be constructed at low cost and with high strength.

[0059] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is configured by applying a double-sided tape 50 instead of the adhesive 40 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0060] [Details of the joints of the side regulation plates] As described later, the restricting member 231A as the first restricting member according to this embodiment and the rack member 232 as the extending member and the first extending member are joined together by double-sided tape 50. First, the joint portion 261 of the restricting member 231A will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the joint portion 261 has a joint surface 36 extending parallel to the moving direction MD, a pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G protruding upward from the joint surface 36, and a restricting rib 31F provided to connect the guide ribs 31G, 31G.

[0061] A hole 31C into which a tip portion 32C (see FIG. 11) of the rack member 232 can be inserted is formed in the lower portion of the restricting rib 31F. In addition, a boss portion 51 having a cylindrical cross section is formed on the joint surface 36, protruding upward from the joint surface 36.

[0062] [Details of the joints of the rack components] Next, the joint portion 262 of the rack member 232 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, the joint portion 262 has a first portion 243 having a tip portion 32C, a second portion 244 having a rack portion 42, and a step portion 245 connecting the first portion 243 and the second portion 244. The step portion 245 connects one end of the first portion 243 and one end of the second portion 244 in the height direction.

[0063] The second portion 244 is formed with a protruding portion 44a protruding upward by press working or the like, and the protruding portion 44a is formed long and large over almost the entire length of the second portion 244 in the movement direction MD. The stepped portion 245 and the protruding portion 44a improve the strength of the rack member 232.

[0064] The rack member 232 is joined to the joining surface 36 of the regulating member 231A with double-sided tape 50, and has a joining surface 37 extending parallel to the first joining surface 36. A positioning hole 52 is formed in the protruding portion 44a of the second portion 244. [Method of joining the regulating member and the rack member]

[0065] Next, a method for joining the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232 will be described with reference to Fig. 12(a) to Fig. 12(c). First, as shown in Fig. 12(a), a worker applies double-sided tape 50 to the joining surface 36 of the regulating member 231A and removes the release paper. Note that the assembly process in this embodiment is not limited to manual work by a person, and may be performed by a machine.

[0066] 12(b), the worker inserts tip portion 32C into hole portion 31C while tilting rack member 232 relative to regulating member 231A so that rack member 232 does not come into contact with double-sided tape 50. Next, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the worker rotates rack member 232 to align joint surface 37 of rack member 232 with joint surface 36 of regulating member 231A.

[0067] A pair of guide ribs 31G, 31G are formed on the regulating member 231A, so that the rack member 232 can be easily aligned by rotating the rack member 232 between these guide ribs 31G, 31G. In addition, the guide ribs 31G, 31G separate the joint surface 36 from other areas, so that the attachment position of the double-sided tape 50 can be clearly defined. This improves ease of assembly.

[0068] When the joint surfaces 36 and 37 are mated, the boss portion 51 of the regulating member 231A engages with the positioning hole 52 of the rack member 232. This restricts the relative movement of the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232 in the shear direction of the joint surfaces 36 and 37, i.e., in the direction parallel to the joint surfaces 36 and 37, and the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232 are positioned relative to each other. The boss portion 51 constitutes a third engagement portion, and the positioning hole 52 constitutes a fourth engagement portion that engages with the third engagement portion. The above-mentioned assembly method and positioning method are also similar for the side regulating plate 131.

[0069] Since the double-sided tape 50 has a high shear strength, as described in the first embodiment, even if a load is applied from the sheet P to the regulating member 231A, the bonding of the joint surfaces 36, 37 is maintained, reducing damage to the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232. Furthermore, the bonding of the joint surfaces 36, 37 with the double-sided tape 50 is not fastened by fastening members such as screws, and no special tools are required, so that the side regulating plate 31 can be constructed at low cost and with high strength.

[0070] In a state in which the rack member 232 is attached to the regulating member 231A, the regulating rib 31F regulates the relative movement of the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232 in the peeling direction of the joint surfaces 36, 37, i.e., in the normal direction ND of the joint surfaces 36, 37. This makes it possible to supplement the strength of the double-sided tape 50 in the peeling direction (normal direction ND), and improve the relative positional accuracy of the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232 in the normal direction ND.

[0071] Moreover, the double-sided tape 50 does not require a curing time, unlike the adhesive 40 of the first embodiment. Moreover, if the double-sided tape 50 is applied incorrectly, it can be peeled off and reapplied, improving ease of assembly. This makes it easier to assemble the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232, reducing costs and improving ease of assembly.

[0072] [Shear strength] Next, a description will be given of the shear strength of the double-sided tape 50 applied to the joining surfaces 36 and 37 in this embodiment. The double-sided tape 50 used in this embodiment is, for example, #8616CH manufactured by DIC Corporation, and the shear strength of the double-sided tape 50 is 0.09 kgf / mm 2 Therefore, in order to obtain the shear strength of 62 kgf calculated in the first embodiment, the adhesive area is 689 mm 2 Therefore, by making the adhesion area of ​​the double-sided tape 50 as large as possible, a margin for shear strength can be obtained.

[0073] <Other embodiments> In any of the above-described embodiments, the sheet storage device 60 has a pair of side regulating plates that can move toward or away from each other, but this is not limited to this. For example, one side regulating plate may be immovable, and only the other side regulating plate may be movable.

[0074] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the side regulating plate is composed of a regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet in the moving direction MD and a rack member that meshes with the pinion gear 33, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of the rack member, a guide member for guiding the side regulating plate in the moving direction MD relative to the cassette body 30 may be applied. The guide member does not need to be provided with a rack portion.

[0075] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the joint surfaces 36, 37 are provided parallel to the moving direction MD, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the joint surfaces 36, 37 may extend in a direction along the moving direction MD. In other words, the joint surfaces 36, 37 may extend in a direction having a component of the moving direction MD. In addition, the moving direction MD is a direction parallel to the mounting and demounting direction of the cassette 16, but this is not limited thereto.

[0076] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the regulating members 31A and 231A are made of a resin material, and the rack members 32 and 232 are made of a metal material, but this is not limiting. For example, both the regulating members and the rack members may be made of a resin material, or both the regulating members and the rack members may be made of a metal material.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the joining surfaces 36, 37 are joined by the adhesive 40 or the double-sided tape 50, but this is not limiting. For example, the joining surfaces 36, 37 may be joined by using both the adhesive 40 and the double-sided tape 50. The joining surfaces 36, 37 may also be joined by a method other than the adhesive 40 and the double-sided tape 50. For example, the joining surfaces 36, 37 may be joined by welding or insert molding, and it is sufficient that the joining surfaces extending along the movement direction MD are joined by a method other than a fastening member such as a screw.

[0078] In the first embodiment, the hook portion 31D and the restricting rib 31F engage with the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C, respectively, to restrict the relative movement of the restricting member 31A and the rack member 32 in the normal direction ND, but this is not limited to this. For example, either the engagement between the hook portion 31D and the edge portion 32Da or the engagement between the restricting rib 31F and the tip portion 32C may be provided, or both of these engagements may be omitted. Furthermore, the shapes of the hook portion 31D, the edge portion 32Da, the restricting rib 31F, and the tip portion 32C are not limited.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the hook portion 31D and the restricting rib 31F are provided on the restricting member 31A, and the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C are provided on the rack member 32, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C may be provided on the restricting member 31A, and the hook portion 31D and the restricting rib 31F may be provided on the rack member 32. That is, the hook portion 31D and the restricting rib 31F may be provided on one of the restricting member 31A and the rack member 32, and the edge portion 32Da and the tip portion 32C may be provided on the other of the restricting member 31A and the rack member 32.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the snap fit 31E is provided in the regulating member 31A, and the snap fit hole 32E is provided in the rack member 32, but this is not limited to this. For example, the snap fit hole 32E may be provided in the regulating member 31A, and the snap fit 31E may be provided in the rack member 32. That is, the snap fit 31E may be provided in one of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32, and the snap fit hole 32E may be provided in the other of the regulating member 31A and the rack member 32. Furthermore, the shapes of the snap fit 31E and the snap fit hole 32E are not limited.

[0081] In the second embodiment, the boss portion 51 is provided on the regulating member 231A, and the positioning hole 52 is provided on the rack member 232, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the positioning hole 52 may be provided on the regulating member 231A, and the boss portion 51 may be provided on the rack member 232. That is, the boss portion 51 may be provided on one of the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232, and the positioning hole 52 may be provided on the other of the regulating member 231A and the rack member 232. The shapes of the boss portion 51 and the positioning hole 52 are not limited. The boss portion 51 and the positioning hole 52 may be omitted.

[0082] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the electrophotographic printer 1 is used for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an inkjet type image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink liquid from a nozzle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1: image forming apparatus (printer) / 1A: apparatus body / 17: feeding section (pickup roller) / 30: storage section (cassette body) / 31: moving unit, first moving unit (side regulating plate) / 31A, 231A: regulating member, first regulating member / 31B: regulating surface / 31E: first engaging portion (hook portion) / 31F: first engaging portion (regulating rib) / 31G: wall portion (guide rib) / 32, 232: extension member, first extending member (rack member) / 32 C: second engagement portion (tip portion) / 32Da: second engagement portion (edge ​​portion) / 33: gear member (pinion gear) / 36: first joint surface (joint surface) / 37: second joint surface (joint surface) / 40: adhesive / 42, 142: rack portion / 50: double-sided tape / 60: sheet storage device / 100: image forming portion / 131: second moving unit (side regulating plate) / 131A: second regulating member / 132: second extending member (rack member) / MD: moving direction / ND: normal direction

Claims

1. A storage section for storing the seat; a moving unit supported so as to be movable in a moving direction relative to the storage unit, the moving unit includes a regulating member having a regulating surface that regulates a position of the sheet stored in the storage section in the moving direction and a first joint surface that extends along the moving direction, and an extending member that has a second joint surface that extends parallel to the first joint surface and extends in the moving direction, the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are bonded by an adhesive, the regulating member has a wall portion protruding from the first joint surface in a normal direction to the first joint surface and extending along the movement direction. A sheet storage device comprising:

2. A storage section for storing the seat; a moving unit supported so as to be movable in a moving direction relative to the storage unit, the moving unit includes a regulating member having a regulating surface that regulates a position of the sheet stored in the storage section in the moving direction and a first joint surface that extends along the moving direction, and an extending member that has a second joint surface that extends parallel to the first joint surface and extends in the moving direction, The first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are bonded to each other by double-sided tape, the regulating member has a wall portion protruding from the first joint surface in a normal direction to the first joint surface and extending along the movement direction. A sheet storage device comprising:

3. The first joint surface and the second joint surface extend parallel to the movement direction.

3. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is conveyed to the storage unit.

4. One of the restricting member and the extending member has a first engaging portion, the other of the regulating member and the extending member has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion to regulate positions of the regulating member and the extending member in a normal direction of the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface; 4. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet storage device is a storage unit that stores sheets.

5. One of the restricting member and the extending member has a third engaging portion, the other of the regulating member and the extending member has a fourth engaging portion that engages with the third engaging portion to regulate positions of the regulating member and the extending member in a direction parallel to the first joint surface and the second joint surface; 5. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is conveyed to the storage unit.

6. The regulating member is made of a resin material, The extension member is formed from a metal material.

6. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet storage device is a storage unit that stores sheets.

7. the moving unit, the regulating member, and the extending member are a first moving unit, a first regulating member, and a first extending member, respectively; a second moving unit supported so as to be movable in a moving direction relative to the storage section; A gear member rotatably supported in the storage portion, the second moving unit includes a second restricting member that restricts a position of the sheet stored in the storage portion in the movement direction, and a second extending member that extends in the movement direction, The first extension member and the second extension member each have a rack portion that meshes with the gear member.

7. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet storage device is a storage unit for storing sheets.

8. A sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an apparatus main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and supporting the sheet storage device so that the sheet storage device can be attached and pulled out in a direction parallel to the moving direction; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

9. the apparatus main body has a feeding section capable of feeding the sheets stored in the sheet storage device in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

Images