Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeding device in which a feeding unit containing an abutting member can be stored compactly in a device body, and to provide an image forming device provided with the same.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding device comprises: a device body; a sheet support part; and a feeding unit which has a feeding part and an abutting member, and is supported so as to be movable with respect to the device body among a feeding position, a standby position and a second storage position. When the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position, the abutting member moves together with the feeding unit so as to be stored in the device body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a manual feed device has been proposed that has a manual feed tray that is disposed on the side of a printer body and can be opened and closed relative to the printer body, and a sheet feed unit that feeds sheets loaded on the manual feed tray (see Patent Document 1). In this manual feed device, when the manual feed tray is closed relative to the printer body, the sheet feed unit is stored inside the printer body in order to reduce the size of the printer body.

[0003] Generally, a manual feed device is known that includes an abutting member against which the leading edge of a sheet stacked on a manual feed tray abuts, thereby regulating the position of the sheet in the feeding direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-5986 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If an abutting member is provided in the manual feed device described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the abutting member will interfere with the sheet feed unit or the printer body when the manual feed tray is closed to store the sheet feed unit in the printer body, which may hinder the printer body and the manual feed device from being configured compactly.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device in which a feeding unit including an abutting member can be stored compactly in the device main body, and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a sheet feeding device, comprising: a device main body; a sheet supporting section supported movably with respect to the device main body between a sheet supporting position capable of supporting a sheet and a first storage position stored in the device main body; a feeding section configured to feed the sheet supported on the sheet supporting section in a feeding direction; and an abutting member configured to abut against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported on the sheet supporting section, thereby restricting movement of the sheet in the feeding direction, the feeding unit being supported movably with respect to the device main body between a feeding position where the feeding section abuts against the sheet supported on the sheet supporting section to feed the sheet, a standby position where the feeding section is separated from the sheet supported on the sheet supporting section, and a second storage position stored in the device main body, the abutting member moving together with the feeding unit to be stored in the device main body when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position. death , When the feeding unit is located at the standby position, it is located at a stop position that restricts movement of the sheet supported on the sheet support portion in the feeding direction, the feeding unit has a locking member that can transition between a locking state in which the locking member is locked at the stop position and a release state in which the locking of the locking member at the stop position is released, the sheet support portion has a pressing portion that presses the locking member when moving from the sheet support position to the first storage position, thereby transitioning the locking member from the locking state to the release state, and the locking member is in the locking state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position and in the release state when the feeding unit is located at the feeding position and the second storage position. It is characterized by:

[0008] The present invention also provides a sheet feeding device, comprising: an apparatus body; a sheet support section supported movably with respect to the apparatus body between a sheet support position capable of supporting a sheet and a first storage position in which the sheet is stored with respect to the apparatus body; and a feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet supported by the sheet support section in a feeding direction. Department abutting member that abuts against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported by the sheet supporting portion, thereby restricting movement of the sheet in the feeding direction; ,of A feeding unit having a feeding Department a feeding position where the sheet support member can be brought into contact with the sheet supported by the sheet support member and fed; Department a feeding unit supported movably with respect to the device body between a standby position where the feeding unit is separated from the sheet supported by the sheet support portion and a second storage position where the feeding unit is stored with respect to the device body, and the abutting member is configured to abut the feeding unit when the feeding unit is at the standby position a sheet supporting portion for supporting the sheet on the sheet support portion in the feeding direction, the sheet supporting portion supporting the sheet on the sheet support portion being supported on the sheet support portion being supported on the sheet support portion; a holding member for holding the holding member in the holding state when the sheet supporting portion is located at the waiting position, the holding member being rotatably supported by the holding member, the holding member being in the holding state when the sheet supporting portion is located at the waiting position, the holding member being in the holding state when the sheet supporting portion is located at the waiting position, the holding member being in the holding state when the sheet supporting portion is located at the sheet support portion; It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the feeding unit including the abutting member can be stored compactly in the main body of the apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic view showing a printer according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a manual feed unit of the printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4A is a perspective view showing the manual feed unit, FIG. 4B is a side view showing a configuration for holding the manual feed unit, and FIG. 4C is an assembly perspective view showing a feed coupling and an arm rotation lever. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a drive transmission mechanism, and FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit located at the standby position, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit located at the feeding position. [Figure 7] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit is being stored in the apparatus main body, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit stored in the apparatus main body. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a manual feed section according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a manual feed unit, and FIG. 4B is a side view showing a configuration for holding the manual feed unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit located at the standby position, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit located at the feeding position. [Figure 11] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit is being stored in the apparatus main body, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the feeding unit stored in the apparatus main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <First embodiment> [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The printer 1 as an image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms a monochrome toner image. In the following description, the sheet S is a material on which an image is formed by the printer 1, and includes, for example, paper, OHT sheets, etc.

[0012] 1, the printer 1 has a main body feeding section 10 and a manual feed section 20 that feed stacked sheets. The printer 1 also has an image forming section 5 that forms an image on the sheet fed by the main body feeding section 10 or the manual feed section 20, a fixing device 6 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet, and a pair of discharge rollers 8 that can discharge the sheet to a discharge tray 9.

[0013] When an image formation job is output to the printer 1, an image formation process is started by the image forming unit 5 based on image information input from an external computer or the like connected to the printer 1. The image forming unit 5 includes a laser scanner 52, a process cartridge P having a photosensitive drum 51, and a transfer roller 53. A charging roller, a developing roller, and the like (not shown) are provided around the photosensitive drum 51. The photosensitive drum 51 and the transfer roller 53 form a transfer nip T1.

[0014] The laser scanner 52 irradiates the photosensitive drum 51 with laser light based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 51 is pre-charged by a charging roller, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 51 by irradiating it with the laser light. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller, and a monochrome toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 51.

[0015] In parallel with the above-mentioned image forming process, sheets S are fed from the main body feeding section 10 or the manual feeding section 20. The main body feeding section 10 has a cassette 11 that can be pulled out and attached to the device main body 1A of the printer 1, a feeding roller 12, and a separation roller pair 13. The sheets S stored in the cassette 11 are fed by the feeding roller 12, and the sheets S fed by the feeding roller 12 are separated one by one by the separation roller pair 13.

[0016] The manual feed section 20 as a sheet feeding device has a manual feed tray 24 supported by a manual feed cover 25 rotatably supported on the apparatus main body 1A, a pickup roller 21, and a separation roller pair consisting of a conveyance roller 22 and a separation roller 23. The conveyance roller 22 and the separation roller 23 form a separation nip N1. The sheets S supported on the manual feed tray 24 are fed by the pickup roller 21 as a feeding section and a feeding roller, and the sheets S fed by the pickup roller 21 are separated one by one by the separation nip N1.

[0017] For example, the middle plate may be raised by inputting an image forming job, and the sheet supported by the middle plate may be brought into contact with the feed roller. In addition, one of the separation roller pair may be a pad, and a torque limiter system or a retard roller system may be applied.

[0018] The sheet S sent out from the main body feeding section 10 or the manual feeding section 20 is further conveyed by a conveying roller pair 49 and a registration roller pair 50. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 51 is transferred to the sheet S at the transfer nip T1 by the electrostatic load bias applied to the transfer roller 53. Residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 51 is collected by a cleaning blade (not shown). The sheet S with the transferred toner image is applied with a predetermined heat and pressure by the fixing film 61 and pressure roller 62 of the fixing device 6, so that the toner is melted and fixed (fixed). A heating member such as a ceramic heater is disposed inside the fixing film 61. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 6 is discharged to a discharge tray 9 by a discharge roller pair 8.

[0019] When forming images on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S with an image formed on its first side is switched back by the reversing roller pair 7 and conveyed to the double-sided conveying path CP. The double-sided conveying path CP guides the sheet S toward the conveying roller pair 49. The sheet S is then conveyed again to the transfer nip T1 by the conveying roller pair 49 and the registration roller pair 50, where an image is formed on the second side of the sheet S and the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 9.

[0020] [Details of manual feed section] Next, a detailed configuration of the manual feed section 20 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the manual feed section 20 has a part of the device body 1A, a sheet support section 70, and a feed unit 19 that is held by the device body 1A and disposed above the sheet support section 70. The sheet support section 70 is supported so as to be movable (openable and closable) relative to the device body 1A between a sheet support position (see Fig. 2) where it can support a sheet and a storage position (see Fig. 7(b)) as a first storage position where it is stored relative to the device body 1A.

[0021] The sheet support section 70 has a manual feed cover 25, a manual feed tray 24, tray links 16, 17, and side regulating plates 26, 27. The manual feed cover 25 is supported by the right cover 18 of the apparatus body 1A so as to be openable and closable, and constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the apparatus. The manual feed tray 24 is held on the upper part of the manual feed cover 25. The manual feed cover 25 is configured so as to be positionable at a predetermined opening angle by the tray links 16, 17. One end of the tray links 16, 17 is connected to the manual feed tray 24, and the manual feed tray 24 is configured so as to be movable along the manual feed cover 25 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the manual feed cover 25.

[0022] The manual feed tray 24 supports the side regulating plates 26, 27 so as to be movable in a width direction W perpendicular to the feeding direction FD of the sheet S, and an operation lever 28 is provided on the side regulating plate 26. The side regulating plates 26, 27 are linked by an interlocking mechanism (not shown) so as to move in opposite directions to each other in the width direction W. When the user sets the sheet S on the manual feed tray 24, the user grips the operation lever 28 and moves the side regulating plates 26, 27 to regulate the positions of both ends of the sheet S in the width direction W.

[0023] [Feeding unit] Next, the feeding unit 19 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 4(c). As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4(a), the feeding unit 19 has a feed bearing 31, a feed coupling 32, a feed shaft 30 as a rotating shaft, a pickup arm 29, a pickup roller 21, and a transport roller 22. The feeding unit 19 also has an abutment member 201, an abutment restriction member 202, and a movement restriction member 203.

[0024] The feed bearing 31 is held by the right cover 18 of the apparatus main body 1A, and supports the feed shaft 30 so as to be relatively rotatable. A feed coupling 32 is provided at the end of the feed shaft 30 opposite the feed bearing 31. A transport roller 22 serving as a transport rotor is fixed to approximately the center of the feed shaft 30 in the width direction W, and a feed gear 22a is provided at one end of the transport roller 22.

[0025] A pickup arm 29 is rotatably supported on the feed shaft 30, and a roller holding portion 29a that rotatably supports the pickup roller 21 is provided at approximately the center of the pickup arm 29 in the width direction W.

[0026] A pickup gear 21a is provided at one end of the pickup roller 21. A gear train 34 is rotatably supported by the roller holding portion 29a, and the gear train 34 meshes with the feed gear 22a and the pickup gear 21a. As a result, when the feed shaft 30 rotates, the conveying roller 22 rotates, and the rotation of the pickup gear 21a is transmitted to the pickup gear 21a by the gear train 34, so that the pickup roller 21 also rotates.

[0027] The movement restricting member 203 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the feed shaft 30, and is disposed adjacent to the roller holding portion 29a of the pickup arm 29 in the width direction W. The movement restricting member 203 is configured to be rotatable independently of the pickup arm 29.

[0028] The movement restricting member 203 supports the abutment member 201 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 201s. The roller holding portion 29a of the pickup arm 29 supports the abutment restricting member 202 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 202s. The operation of the feeding unit 19 will be described later. The rotation axis 202s is coaxial with the rotation center of the pickup roller 21.

[0029] The abutting member 201 restricts movement of the sheet S in the feeding direction FD by abutting against a downstream end of the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 in the feeding direction FD at an abutting position described later.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4(a), a groove 18U is provided in the right cover 18 of the apparatus main body 1A, and a feed bearing 31 of the feeding unit 19 is engaged with the groove 18U. A hook-shaped latch 35 is rotatably supported on the right cover 18, and the latch 35 is biased upward by a torsion spring 36, as shown in Fig. 4(b). This prevents the feed bearing 31 engaged with the groove 18U from falling off due to the latch 35.

[0031] 4(a) and 4(c), an arm rotation lever 37 and a feed gear 38 are provided on the side of the device main body 1A opposite to the latch 35 in the width direction W. The arm rotation lever 37 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has an inner circumferential surface 37a. The feed gear 38 is provided with a coupled portion 38c, and the coupled portion 38c is disposed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface 37a of the arm rotation lever 37.

[0032] An outer peripheral surface 32a of a feed coupling 32 provided at one end of the feed shaft 30 is rotatably supported by an inner peripheral surface 37a of an arm rotating lever 37. A coupling portion 32c that engages with a coupled portion 38c of a feed gear 38 is provided at the tip of the feed coupling 32. The rotation of the feed gear 38 is transmitted to the feed shaft 30 by the engagement between the coupled portion 38c and the coupling portion 32c.

[0033] Further, the arm rotating lever 37 is provided with a protrusion 37B. The pickup arm 29 is provided with a groove 29U disposed near the feed coupling 32, and the groove 29U engages with the protrusion 37B. Although described in detail below, the pickup arm 29 rotates about the feed shaft 30 in conjunction with the arm rotating lever 37 as a result of the protrusion 37B engaging with the groove 29U. As a result, the pickup roller 21 rotatably supported by the pickup arm 29 comes into contact with and separates from the sheet S supported by the manual feed tray 24.

[0034] The feed bearing 31 and the feed coupling 32 of the feeding unit 19 are detachable from the apparatus main body 1A. That is, the feeding unit 19 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0035] [Drive transmission mechanism] Next, a drive transmission mechanism 60 for transmitting the drive force from the drive motor M provided in the apparatus main body 1A to the feed shaft 30 and the pickup arm 29 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the drive transmission mechanism 60 is disposed inside the right cover 18 (see Fig. 2). The drive transmission mechanism 60 has a drive frame 45, an input gear 44, a missing tooth gear 40, and a feed idler gear 39 rotatably supported by the drive frame 45, a feed gear 38, a pressure arm 43, and a torsion spring 42.

[0037] The input gear 44 is driven by a drive motor M. As shown in Fig. 5(b), the missing-tooth gear 40 has teeth formed around its entire circumference, including a plurality of teeth 40ts having a first tooth width and a plurality of teeth 40te having a second tooth width narrower than the first tooth width. The teeth 40te are formed only in the region G1, and the teeth 40ts are formed in the other regions of the missing-tooth gear 40.

[0038] The teeth 40te having a wide tooth width can mesh with both the input gear 44 and the feed idler gear 39, and the teeth 40ts having a narrow tooth width can mesh with the input gear 44 but do not mesh with the feed idler gear 39. In other words, the missing tooth gear 40 does not mesh with the feed idler gear 39 in the region G1, and at this time, the rotation of the missing tooth gear 40 is not transmitted to the feed idler gear 39.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the pressure arm 43 is supported rotatably about a rotation shaft 43a with respect to the drive frame 45, and a torsion spring 42 is provided around the rotation shaft 43a to bias the pressure arm 43 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 5(a). The pressure arm 43 is provided with a separation rib 43S and a pressure rib 43P. The arm rotation lever 37 is provided with a lever 37L, and the lever 37L is disposed between the separation rib 43S and the pressure rib 43P.

[0040] Further, a control cam 41 that rotates integrally with the missing tooth gear 40 is provided coaxially with the missing tooth gear 40, and the control cam 41 is configured to be able to press the pressure arm. Then, as the control cam 41 rotates together with the missing tooth gear 40, the control cam 41 presses the pressure arm 43 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 42. As a result, as the pressure arm 43 rotates, the lever 37L disposed between the separation rib 43S and the pressure rib 43P swings, and the arm rotation lever 37 rotates. When the arm rotation lever 37 rotates, the protrusion 37B engages with the groove 29U, causing the pickup arm 29 to rotate around the feed shaft 30.

[0041] [Feeding operation of the feeding unit] Next, the feeding operation of the sheet S by the feeding unit 19 will be described with reference to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b). Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position, and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit 19 is located at the feeding position. Note that the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position when attached to the apparatus main body 1A. Moreover, regardless of whether the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position or the feeding position, the manual feed cover 25 is opened relative to the apparatus main body 1A. That is, the sheet support section 70 is located at a sheet supporting position capable of supporting a sheet.

[0042] First, the state of the feeding unit 19 before the start of the feeding operation of feeding the sheet S will be described with reference to Fig. 6(a). For example, when the sheet support section 70 is open relative to the apparatus main body 1A and a print job is not input, the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position shown in Fig. 6(a). At this time, the pickup roller 21 is located above the position Lp (shown by the dashed line) of the sheet corresponding to the full load upper limit claw 27L provided on the side regulating plate 27.

[0043] More specifically, when the feeding unit 19 is in the standby position, the pickup arm 29 is in the raised position. The pickup roller 21 supported by the pickup arm 29 in the raised position is spaced apart from the sheet supported by the manual feed tray 24. At this time, the abutment member 201 is stopped at the abutment position by the abutment restriction member 202.

[0044] As described above, the movement restricting member 203 is configured to be rotatable about the feed shaft 30 independently of the pickup arm 29, and is biased in the clockwise direction in Fig. 6(a) by its own weight. The movement restricting member 203 is positioned at the position shown in Fig. 6(a) by abutting against the right cover abutment portion 18A provided on the right cover 18. Note that the movement restricting member 203 may be biased in the clockwise direction by a biasing member such as a spring, not limited to its own weight.

[0045] A contact portion 203A is provided on the movement restricting member 203 as a holding member, and the abutment restricting member 202 as a locking member is held in an locked state in which the abutment member 201 is locked at the abutment position by contacting the contact portion 203A. The abutment member 201 can transition between an locked state and a release state in which the locking of the abutment member 201 at the abutment position, which will be described later, is released. In the locked state, the abutment restricting member 202 abuts against an abutment portion 201t of the abutment member 201, thereby restricting the rotation of the abutment member 201, even if the abutment member 201 tries to rotate clockwise around the rotation axis 201s.

[0046] In addition, the abutment regulating member 202 is biased in the counterclockwise direction by its own weight so as to contact the contact portion 203A when the pickup arm 29 is in the raised position, but is not limited to this. For example, a biasing member such as a spring that biases the abutment regulating member 202 in the counterclockwise direction may be provided.

[0047] In this way, when the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position, the abutting member 201 is engaged at the abutting position that restricts the movement of the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 in the feeding direction FD. This prevents the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 from entering the separation nip N1, reducing conveyance problems such as double feeding. This makes it possible to achieve a stable feeding operation.

[0048] For example, when a print job is input and a feeding operation is started, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the drive motor M is driven, and the input gear 44 rotates, causing the missing tooth gear 40 to rotate in the clockwise direction CW. Note that while the print job is being executed, the drive of the drive motor M is maintained. Also, in the state of the drive transmission mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 5(a), the feeding unit 19 is located at the standby position as shown in Fig. 6(a).

[0049] When the missing tooth gear 40 rotates in the clockwise direction CW, the control cam 41 also rotates in the clockwise direction CW integrally with the missing tooth gear 40. As a result, the control cam 41 moves away from the pressure arm 43, and the pressure arm 43 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 43a due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 42. Then, the pressure rib 43P of the pressure arm 43 presses upward the lever 37L provided on the arm rotation lever 37, and the arm rotation lever 37 rotates clockwise.

[0050] When the arm rotation lever 37 rotates clockwise, the projection 37B engages with the groove 29U, causing the pickup arm 29 to rotate clockwise around the feed shaft 30 in FIG. 6(b). As a result, the pickup arm 29 descends from the raised position as shown in FIG. 6(b), and the pickup roller 21 supported by the pickup arm 29 comes into contact with the sheet S with a contact pressure Fp. The position of the pickup arm 29 at this time is referred to as the lowered position, and the position of the feeding unit 19 is referred to as the feeding position. In other words, when the feeding unit 19 is located at the feeding position, the pickup roller 21 comes into contact with the sheet S and can feed it.

[0051] In addition, when the pickup arm 29 rotates from the raised position to the lowered position, the abutment regulating member 202 rotates in the clockwise direction while rubbing against the contact portion 203A. This is because the abutment regulating member 202 is supported rotatably on the pickup arm 29 around the rotation shaft 202s, while the contact portion 203A is provided on the movement restricting member 203. In this manner, when the abutment regulating member 202 rotates in the clockwise direction around the rotation shaft 202s, the abutment regulating member 202 moves away from the abutment portion 201t of the abutment member 201. Therefore, the abutment regulating member 202 transitions from the locked state to the released state in which the abutment at the abutment position of the abutment member 201 is released. That is, when the feeding unit 19 moves from the standby position to the feeding position, the abutment regulating member 202 is pressed by the contact portion 203A of the movement restricting member 203, and transitions from the locked state to the released state.

[0052] 5(a), when the drive motor M is driven, a driving force is transmitted to the feed gear 38 via the missing tooth gear 40 and the feed idler gear 39. Then, when the coupled portion 38c of the feed gear 38 engages with the coupling portion 32c of the feed coupling 32, the feed shaft 30, the conveying roller 22, and the pickup roller 21 rotate.

[0053] Therefore, the sheet S, which comes into contact with the pickup roller 21 at a contact pressure Fp, is fed by the pickup roller 21 and, as shown in Fig. 6(b), ascends the conveying guide 47 and is guided to the separation nip N1. The sheet S presses against the abutment member 201 located at the abutment position, and is conveyed downstream in the feeding direction FD by the separation nip N1. As described above, the pickup arm 29 descends to the lowered position, and the abutment regulating member 202 transitions to the released state, so that the sheet S can be conveyed while pushing up the abutment member 201.

[0054] When the drive motor M is further rotated and the control cam 41 contacts the pressure arm 43 again, the pressure arm 43 is rotated by the control cam 41 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5(a) against the biasing force of the torsion spring 42. As a result, the pressure rib 43P of the pressure arm 43 separates from the lever 37L, and the separating rib 43S abuts against the lever 37L. Then, the separating rib 43S presses the lever 37L downward, and the arm rotating lever 37 rotates in the counterclockwise direction.

[0055] When the arm rotating lever 37 rotates counterclockwise, the projection 37B engages with the groove 29U, causing the pickup arm 29 to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 6(b) around the feed shaft 30. As a result, the pickup arm 29 rises from the lowered position to the raised position as shown in Fig. 6(a), and the feeding unit 19 returns to the standby position.

[0056] In this way, the feeding unit 19 feeds the sheets stacked on the manual feed tray 24 one by one until the print job is completed. More specifically, the pickup roller 21 rises and falls each time it feeds a sheet, and feeds the sheet S when it comes into contact with the sheet S with contact pressure Fp. Also, the abutment member 201 is released from the abutment position by the pickup roller 21 descending, and is pushed up by the sheet S. Therefore, the abutment member 201 does not obstruct the feeding of the sheet S. When the print job is completed, the drive motor M stops with the feeding unit 19 positioned at the standby position.

[0057] [Storing the feeding unit] Next, a configuration for storing the feeding unit 19 in the apparatus main body 1A will be described with reference to Figures 7(a) and 7(b). As shown in Figure 6(a) above, when the feeding unit 19 is in the standby position, the sheet support section 70 is in a sheet support position that is open to the apparatus main body 1A. At this time, the abutting member 201 is positioned relative to the holding section 150 (see Figures 6(a) and 7(a) and 7(b)) that is composed of the pickup arm 29 and the movement restricting member 203 so that the abutting member 201 is in the abutting position. The holding section 150 holds the pickup roller 21 and the abutting member 201.

[0058] 7(a), when the sheet supporting portion 70 is closed from the sheet supporting position toward the storage position (see FIG. 7(b)) relative to the apparatus main body 1A, the manual feed tray 24 slides upward along the manual feed cover 25 by the tray links 16 and 17. This creates a space for storing the feeding unit 19.

[0059] When the sheet supporting portion 70 is further closed in the counterclockwise direction relative to the apparatus main body 1A, the manual feed cover 25 comes into contact with the pickup arm 29, and the pickup arm 29 also rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30. As shown in Fig. 7(a) , when the pickup arm 29 rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30, the abutment portion 29d provided on the pickup arm 29 abuts against the movement restricting member 203. In this state, when the pickup arm 29 further rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30, the movement restricting member 203 also rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30 together with the pickup arm 29.

[0060] At this time, when manual feed cover 25 exceeds a certain closing angle, mountain-shaped rib 25A serving as a pressing portion provided on manual feed cover 25 starts to contact bumping restriction member 202. Then, by being pressed by mountain-shaped rib 25A rotating together with manual feed cover 25, bumping restriction member 202 rotates clockwise about rotation shaft 202s with respect to pickup arm 29.

[0061] As a result, the abutment regulating member 202 transitions from a locked state in which the abutment member 201 is locked at the abutment position to a released state in which the locked state is released, and the rotation restriction of the abutment member 201 is released. Then, the abutment member 201 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 201s by its own weight or by being pressed by the pushing portion 25p of the manual feed cover 25, and is stored in the device main body 1A together with the feeding unit 19 as shown in FIG. 7(b). The position of the feeding unit 19 at this time is a stored position as the second stored position, and the position of the abutment member 201 is a stored position as the third stored position. In other words, when the feeding unit 19 moves from the standby position to the stored position, the abutment member 201 moves together with the feeding unit 19 to be stored in the device main body 1A. That is, when the feeding unit 19 moves from the standby position to the stored position, the abutment member 201 moves relative to the holding portion 150 while being released from its positioning relative to the holding portion 150. Further, the feeding unit 19 is rotatable about a feed shaft 30 to a feeding position, a standby position, and a storage position.

[0062] Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when viewed in the axial direction of the feed shaft 30, that is, in the width direction W, the distance between the tip 201f of the abutting member 201 located at the abutting position and the axial center of the feed shaft 30 is defined as distance D1. The tip 201f is the part of the abutting member 201 located at the farthest position from the rotating shaft 201s. Also, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the distance between the tip 201f of the abutting member 201 located at the storage position and the axial center of the feed shaft 30 is distance D2. Distance D2 is shorter than distance D1. In this embodiment, distances D1 and D2 are the distances between the tip 201f and the axial center of the feed shaft 30, but even if distances D1 and D2 are the distances between the tip 201f and the outer circumferential surface of the feed shaft 30, distance D2 is shorter than distance D1.

[0063] In this way, when the sheet support portion 70 and the feeding unit 19 are rotated to the storage position, the abutting member 201 rotates toward the feed shaft 30 so as to be contained within the volume of the pickup arm 29 and the movement restricting member 203. That is, the abutting member 201 rotates from the abutting position to the storage position in conjunction with the rotation (movement) of the feeding unit 19 from the standby position to the storage position, so that the feeding unit 19 including the abutting member 201 can be stored compactly in the apparatus main body 1A. This allows the apparatus main body 1A to be made compact.

[0064] 6A, when the feeding unit 19 is in the standby position, the abutment member 201 is reliably locked at the abutment position by the locked abutment regulating member 202. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet S supported by the manual feed tray 24 from entering the separation nip N1, thereby reducing conveyance failures.

[0065] Furthermore, the feeding unit 19 is configured to be detachable from the device main body 1A, and the abutting member 201 is provided on the feeding unit 19. For this reason, even if the user presses the sheet S with excessive force against the abutting member 201 that is locked at the abutting position, causing the abutting member 201 to be deformed or damaged, the abutting member 201 can be easily replaced, improving maintainability.

[0066] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is configured by modifying the configuration of the feeding unit of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration as the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0067] [Feeding unit] Next, the feeding unit 219 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 9(b). As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9(a), the feeding unit 219 has a feed bearing gear 231, a feed coupling 32, a feed shaft 30, a pickup arm 229, a pickup roller 21, and a conveying roller 22. The feeding unit 219 also has an abutment member 205 and an abutment restriction arm 204.

[0068] The feed bearing gear 231 is held by the right cover 18 of the apparatus main body 1A, and supports the feed shaft 30 so as to be relatively rotatable. A feed coupling 32 is provided on the end of the feed shaft 30 opposite to the end on the side on which the feed bearing gear 231 is provided.

[0069] Further, a pickup arm 229 is rotatably supported on the feed shaft 30, and a roller holding portion 29a that rotatably supports the pickup roller 21 is provided at approximately the center of the pickup arm 229 in the width direction W. The roller holding portion 29a supports the abutment member 205 rotatably about a rotation shaft 205s. The rotation shaft 205s is coaxial with the rotation center of the pickup roller 21.

[0070] The abutment restriction arm 204 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the feed shaft 30, and is disposed adjacent to the roller holding portion 29a in the width direction W. The abutment restriction arm 204 is configured to rotate independently of the pickup arm 229 and integrally with the feed bearing gear 231.

[0071] Feed bearing gear 231 has gear portion 231a, and gear portion 231a meshes with an idler gear (not shown) that rotates in conjunction with manual feed cover 25. For this reason, when manual feed cover 25 is opened or closed relative to apparatus main body 1A, feed bearing gear 231 rotates, and abutment restriction arm 204 rotates integrally with feed bearing gear 231 about feed shaft 30.

[0072] The abutting member 205 restricts the movement of the sheet S in the feeding direction FD by abutting against the downstream end of the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 in the feeding direction FD at an abutting position described later.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 9(a), a groove 18U is provided in the right cover 18 of the apparatus main body 1A, and a feed bearing gear 231 of the feeding unit 219 is engaged with the groove 18U. A hook-shaped latch 35 is rotatably supported on the right cover 18, and the latch 35 is biased upward by a torsion spring 36, as shown in Fig. 9(b). This prevents the feed bearing gear 231 engaged with the groove 18U from falling off due to the latch 35.

[0074] The pickup arm 229 rotates about the feed shaft 30 in conjunction with the arm rotating lever 37, similar to the first embodiment. Also, the second embodiment has a drive transmission mechanism 60 (see FIG. 5(b)) that transmits the drive of the drive motor M to the arm rotating lever 37 and the feed gear 38, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the drive transmission mechanism 60 will be omitted.

[0075] The feed bearing gear 231 and the feed coupling 32 of the feeding unit 219 are detachable from the apparatus main body 1A. That is, the feeding unit 219 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0076] [Feeding operation of the feeding unit] Next, the feeding operation of the sheet S by the feeding unit 219 will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit 219 is located at the standby position, and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the feeding unit 219 is located at the feeding position. Note that the feeding unit 219 is located at the standby position when attached to the apparatus main body 1A. Moreover, regardless of whether the feeding unit 219 is located at the standby position or the feeding position, the manual feed cover 25 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 1A. That is, the sheet support section 70 is located at a sheet supporting position where it can support a sheet.

[0077] First, the state of the feeding unit 219 before the start of the feeding operation for feeding the sheet S will be described with reference to Fig. 10(a). For example, when the sheet support section 70 is open relative to the apparatus main body 1A and a print job is not input, the feeding unit 219 is located at the standby position shown in Fig. 10(a). At this time, the pickup roller 21 is located above the position Lp (shown by the dashed line) of the sheet corresponding to the full load upper limit claw 27L provided on the side regulating plate 27.

[0078] More specifically, when the feeding unit 219 is in the standby position, the pickup arm 229 is in the raised position. The pickup roller 21 supported by the pickup arm 229 in the raised position is spaced apart from the sheet supported by the manual feed tray 24. At this time, the abutting member 205 is stopped at the abutting position by the abutment restriction arm 204.

[0079] As described above, the bumping restriction arm 204 is configured to be rotatable about the feed shaft 30 independently of the pickup arm 229, and is also configured to be rotatable about the feed shaft 30 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the manual feed cover 25. When the manual feed cover 25 is held in the open state as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the bumping restriction arm 204 does not rotate even if the pickup arm 229 moves up and down.

[0080] Abutment member 205 is provided with abutment portion 205A, and abutment restriction arm 204 as a locking member comes into contact with abutment portion 205A to lock abutment member 205 at the abutment position. In the locked state, abutment restriction arm 204 abuts against abutment portion 205A of abutment member 205, thereby restricting the rotation of abutment member 205 even if abutment member 205 tries to rotate clockwise around rotation shaft 205s.

[0081] In this way, when the feeding unit 219 is located at the standby position, the abutting member 201 is engaged at the abutting position that restricts the movement of the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 in the feeding direction FD. This prevents the sheet S supported by the sheet supporting portion 70 from entering the separation nip N1, reducing conveyance problems such as double feeding. This makes it possible to achieve a stable feeding operation.

[0082] For example, when a print job is input and a feeding operation is started, the pickup arm 229 is lowered from the raised position as shown in FIG. 10(b) by the action of the drive transmission mechanism 60 (see FIG. 5(a)). Then, the pickup roller 21 supported by the pickup arm 229 contacts the sheet S with a contact pressure Fp. The position of the pickup arm 229 at this time is the lowered position, and the position of the feeding unit 219 is the feeding position. In other words, when the feeding unit 219 is located at the feeding position, the pickup roller 21 can abut against the sheet S and feed it.

[0083] Furthermore, as the pickup arm 229 rotates from the raised position to the lowered position, the abutment member 205 also swings downward about the feed shaft 30. This releases the engagement between the abutment member 205 and the abutment restriction arm 204, and the abutment restriction arm 204 transitions to a release state in which the engagement of the abutment member 205 at the abutment position is released. Furthermore, the abutment member 205 rotates clockwise as it is pressed by the manual feed tray 24.

[0084] Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, the drive motor M is driven to rotate the pickup roller 21. Thus, the sheet S, which comes into contact with the pickup roller 21 at the contact pressure Fp, is fed by the pickup roller 21 and, as shown in FIG. 10(b), moves up the conveying guide 47 and is guided to the separation nip N1. The sheet S presses the abutment member 205 and is conveyed downstream in the feeding direction FD by the separation nip N1. As described above, the pickup arm 229 descends to the lowered position, causing the abutment restriction arm 204 to transition to the release state, so that the sheet S can be conveyed while pushing up the abutment member 205.

[0085] When the drive motor M is further rotated, the drive transmission mechanism 60 (see FIG. 5(a)) operates to rotate the pickup arm 229 counterclockwise in FIG. 10(b) about the feed shaft 30. As a result, the pickup arm 229 rises from the lowered position to the raised position as shown in FIG. 10(a), and the feeding unit 219 returns to the standby position again.

[0086] In this way, the feeding unit 219 feeds the sheets stacked on the manual feed tray 24 one by one until the print job is completed. More specifically, the pickup roller 21 rises and falls each time it feeds a sheet, and feeds the sheet S when it comes into contact with the sheet S with contact pressure Fp. Also, the abutment member 205 is released from the abutment position by the pickup roller 21 descending, and is pushed up by the sheet S. Therefore, the abutment member 205 does not obstruct the feeding of the sheet S. When the print job is completed, the drive motor M stops with the feeding unit 219 positioned at the standby position.

[0087] [Storing the feeding unit] Next, a configuration for storing the feeding unit 219 in the apparatus main body 1A will be described with reference to Figures 11(a) and 11(b). As shown in Figure 10(a) described above, when the feeding unit 219 is in the standby position, the sheet support section 70 is in a sheet support position that is open to the apparatus main body 1A. At this time, the abutting member 205 is positioned relative to a holding section 250 (see Figures 10(a) and 11(a) and 11(b)) that is constituted by the pickup arm 229 and the abutment restriction arm 204 so as to be in the abutment position. The holding section 250 holds the pickup roller 21 and the abutting member 205.

[0088] 11(a), when the sheet supporting portion 70 is closed from the sheet supporting position toward the storage position (see FIG. 11(b)) relative to the apparatus main body 1A, the manual feed tray 24 slides upward along the manual feed cover 25 by the tray links 16 and 17. This creates a space for storing the feeding unit 219.

[0089] At this time, the abutment restriction arm 204 rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30 in conjunction with the closing operation of the manual feed cover 25. As a result, the abutment restriction arm 204 moves away from the abutting portion 205A of the abutment member 205, and transitions from a locked state in which the abutment member 205 is locked at the abutment position to a released state in which the locked state is released. Then, the restriction on the rotation of the abutment member 205 is released.

[0090] When the sheet supporting portion 70 is further closed in the counterclockwise direction relative to the apparatus main body 1A, the manual feed cover 25 comes into contact with the pickup arm 229, and the pickup arm 229 also rotates counterclockwise around the feed shaft 30.

[0091] When manual feed cover 25 exceeds a certain closing angle, mountain-shaped rib 25A serving as a pressing portion provided on manual feed cover 25 starts to contact abutment member 205. Then, abutment member 205 is pressed by mountain-shaped rib 25A rotating together with manual feed cover 25, and rotates clockwise about rotation shaft 205s relative to pickup arm 229.

[0092] 11(b), the abutting member 205 is stored in the apparatus main body 1A together with the feeding unit 219. The position of the feeding unit 219 at this time is set as a second storage position, and the position of the abutting member 205 is set as a third storage position. In other words, when the feeding unit 219 moves from the standby position to the storage position, the abutting member 205 is pressed by the mountain-shaped rib 25A, and moves toward the storage position together with the feeding unit 219. That is, when the feeding unit 219 moves from the standby position to the storage position, the abutting member 205 moves relative to the holding portion 250 while being released from its positioning relative to the holding portion 250. The feeding unit 219 is also rotatable about the feed shaft 30 to the feeding position, the standby position, and the storage position.

[0093] Furthermore, when the manual feed cover 25 is closed in the counterclockwise direction, the abutment restriction arm 204 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction about the feed shaft 30 and is stored in the apparatus main body 1A.

[0094] Here, as shown in FIG. 10(a), when viewed in the axial direction of the feed shaft 30, that is, in the width direction W, the distance between the tip 205f of the abutting member 205 located at the abutting position and the axial center of the feed shaft 30 is defined as distance D3. The tip 205f is the part of the abutting member 205 farthest from the rotating shaft 205s. Also, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the distance between the tip 205f of the abutting member 205 located at the storage position and the axial center of the feed shaft 30 is distance D4. Distance D4 is shorter than distance D3. In this embodiment, distances D3 and D4 are the distances between the tip 205f and the axial center of the feed shaft 30, but even if distances D3 and D4 are the distances between the tip 205f and the outer circumferential surface of the feed shaft 30, distance D4 is shorter than distance D3.

[0095] In this way, when the sheet support section 70 and the feeding unit 219 are rotated to the storage position, the abutting member 205 rotates toward the feed shaft 30 so as to be contained within the volume of the pickup arm 229 and the abutment restriction arm 204. That is, the abutting member 205 rotates from the abutting position to the storage position in conjunction with the rotation (movement) of the feeding unit 219 from the standby position to the storage position, so that the feeding unit 219 including the abutting member 205 can be stored compactly in the apparatus main body 1A. This allows the apparatus main body 1A to be made compact.

[0096] 10(a), the abutting member 205 is reliably locked at the abutting position by the locked abutment restriction arm 204. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet S supported by the manual feed tray 24 from entering the separation nip N1, thereby reducing conveyance failures.

[0097] Furthermore, the feeding unit 219 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1A, and the abutting member 205 is provided on the feeding unit 219. For this reason, even if the user presses the sheet S with excessive force against the abutting member 205 that is locked at the abutting position, causing the abutting member 205 to be deformed or damaged, the abutting member 205 can be easily replaced, improving maintainability.

[0098] In any of the above-described embodiments, the feeding units 19 and 219 are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1A, but this is not limiting. For example, the feeding units 19 and 219 may be fixed to the apparatus main body 1A with screws or the like.

[0099] In the first embodiment, the abutment restriction member 202 and the movement restriction member 203 are provided in the feeding unit 19, but are not limited to this. For example, either or both of the abutment restriction member 202 and the movement restriction member 203 may be provided in the apparatus main body 1A or the sheet support unit 70.

[0100] Further, although the abutment restriction arm 204 in the second embodiment is provided in the feeding unit 219, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the abutment restriction arm 204 may be provided in the apparatus main body 1A or the sheet support portion .

[0101] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the pickup roller 21 and the transport roller 22 are configured as rollers, but are not limited to this. For example, the pickup roller 21 and the transport roller 22 may be configured as other rotating bodies such as belts.

[0102] In addition, the abutting member 201 in the first embodiment is formed in a claw shape, and the abutting member 205 in the second embodiment is formed in a rod shape, but this is not limited. That is, the shape and material of the abutting members 201 and 205 are not limited and may be set arbitrarily. However, from the viewpoint of storing the abutting members 201 and 205 in the apparatus main body 1A, it is preferable that the abutting members 201 and 205 have an elongated shape.

[0103] 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.

[0104] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configuration examples and method examples. (Configuration 1) A device body, a seat support section supported movably with respect to the device body between a seat support position capable of supporting a seat and a first storage position in which the seat support section is stored with respect to the device body; a feeding unit including a feeding section which feeds a sheet supported on the sheet support section in a feeding direction, and an abutting member which abuts against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported on the sheet support section, thereby restricting movement of the sheet in the feeding direction, the feeding unit being supported movably between a feeding position where the feeding section abuts against the sheet supported on the sheet support section to feed the sheet, a standby position where the feeding section is separated from the sheet supported on the sheet support section, and a second storage position where the feeding section is stored in the device body; the abutting member moves together with the feeding unit so as to be stored in the device body when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position. A sheet feeding device comprising: (Configuration 2) the abutting member is located at a butting position for restricting movement of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion in the feeding direction when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, and is located at a third storage position in which the abutting member is stored in the device body when the feeding unit is located at the second storage position. 2. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 1, (Configuration 3) The abutting member is rotatable around a rotation axis, the feeding unit has a conveying rotating body that conveys the sheet fed by the feeding section, and is rotatable about a rotation axis of the conveying rotating body to the feeding position, the standby position, and the second storage position; When viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, a distance between a tip end of the abutting member located at the third storage position that is farthest from the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft of the conveying rotor is shorter than a distance between the tip end of the abutting member located at the abutting position and the rotation shaft of the conveying rotor. 3. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) The device further includes a locking member that can transition between a locking state in which the abutting member is locked at the abutting position and a release state in which the abutting member is released from the abutting position, the locking member is in the locked state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, and in the released state when the feeding unit is located at the feeding position and the second storage position. 4. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) The feeding unit has the locking member. 5. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 4. (Configuration 6) The seat support portion has a pressing portion that presses the locking member when moving from the seat support position to the first storage position, thereby transitioning the locking member from the locked state to the released state. 6. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 4 or 5. (Configuration 7) the feeding unit has a holding member that holds the locking member in the locked state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position; 7. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 4 to 6. (Configuration 8) The abutment member is rotatably supported by the holding member, When the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the feeding position, the locking member is pressed by the holding member to transition from the locked state to the released state. 8. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 7, (Configuration 9) The locking member is configured to move in conjunction with the seat support portion and is separated from the abutment member when the seat support portion moves from the seat support position to the first storage position. 6. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 4 or 5. (Configuration 10) the seat support portion has a pressing portion that presses the abutment member toward the third storage position when the seat support portion moves from the seat support position to the first storage position. 10. The sheet feeding device according to configuration 9, (Configuration 11) The feeding unit is detachable from the device body. 11. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) The seat support portion includes a cover that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the device. 12. The sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. (Configuration 13) A sheet feeding device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device, 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 14) A device body, a seat support section supported movably with respect to the device body between a seat support position capable of supporting a seat and a first storage position in which the seat support section is stored with respect to the device body; a feeding unit including a feeding roller that feeds a sheet supported on the sheet support portion in a feeding direction, an abutting member that abuts against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported on the sheet support portion to restrict movement of the sheet in the feeding direction, and a holding portion that holds the feeding roller and the abutting member, the feeding unit being supported movably between a feeding position where the feeding roller abuts against the sheet supported on the sheet support portion to feed the sheet, a standby position where the feeding roller is separated from the sheet supported on the sheet support portion, and a second storage position where the feeding unit is stored in the device body; the abutment member is positioned relative to the holding portion so as to be at an abutment position that restricts movement of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion in the feeding direction when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, and when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position, the abutment member moves relative to the holding portion while being released from its positioning relative to the holding portion. A sheet feeding device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1: Image forming apparatus (printer) / 1A: Apparatus body / 5: Image forming section / 19, 219: Feeding unit / 20: Sheet feeding device (manual feeding section) / 21: Feeding section, feeding roller (pickup roller) / 22: Transport rotating body (transport roller) / 25: Cover (manual feed cover) / 25A: Pressing section / 30: Rotating shaft (feed shaft) / 70: Sheet support section / 150, 250: Holding section / 201, 205: Abutting member / 202: Locking member (abutting control member) / 203: Holding member (movement control member) / 204: Locking member (abutting control arm) / D1, D2, D3, D4: Distance / 201f, 205f: Tip / FD: Feeding direction / S: Sheet

Claims

1. A device body, a seat support portion supported movably with respect to the device body between a seat support position capable of supporting a seat and a first storage position in which the seat support portion is stored with respect to the device body; a feeding unit including a feeding section which feeds a sheet supported on the sheet support section in a feeding direction, and an abutting member which abuts against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported on the sheet support section, thereby regulating movement of the sheet in the feeding direction, the feeding unit being supported movably between a feeding position where the feeding section abuts against the sheet supported on the sheet support section to feed the sheet, a standby position where the feeding section is separated from the sheet supported on the sheet support section, and a second storage position where the feeding section is stored in the device body; the abutting member moves together with the feeding unit to be stored in the apparatus body when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position, and is located at an abutting position that restricts movement of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion in the feeding direction when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, the feeding unit has a locking member that can transition between a locking state in which the abutting member is locked at the abutting position and a release state in which the abutting member is released from the abutting position, the seat support portion has a pressing portion that presses the locking member when moving from the seat support position to the first storage position, thereby transitioning the locking member from the locked state to the released state, the locking member is in the locked state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, and in the released state when the feeding unit is located at the feeding position and the second storage position. A sheet feeding device comprising:

2. An apparatus body, a seat support portion supported movably with respect to the device body between a seat support position capable of supporting a seat and a first storage position in which the seat support portion is stored with respect to the device body; a feeding unit including a feeding section which feeds a sheet supported on the sheet support section in a feeding direction, and an abutting member which abuts against a downstream end in the feeding direction of the sheet supported on the sheet support section, thereby regulating movement of the sheet in the feeding direction, the feeding unit being supported movably between a feeding position where the feeding section abuts against the sheet supported on the sheet support section to feed the sheet, a standby position where the feeding section is separated from the sheet supported on the sheet support section, and a second storage position where the feeding section is stored in the device body; the abutting member moves together with the feeding unit to be stored in the apparatus body when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the second storage position, and is located at an abutting position that restricts movement of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion in the feeding direction when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, the feeding unit includes a locking member that can transition between an engagement state in which the abutting member is locked at the abutting position and a release state in which the abutting member is released from the engagement at the abutting position, and a holding member that holds the locking member in the engagement state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, The abutment member is rotatably supported by the holding member, the locking member is in the locked state when the feeding unit is located at the standby position, and in the released state when the feeding unit is located at the feeding position and the second storage position, and transitions from the locked state to the released state by being pressed by the holding member when the feeding unit moves from the standby position to the feeding position. A sheet feeding device comprising:

3. the abutting member is located at a third storage position where the abutting member is stored in the apparatus body when the feeding unit is located at the second storage position; 3. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeder.

4. The abutting member is rotatable around a rotation axis, the feeding unit has a conveying rotating body that conveys the sheet fed by the feeding section, and is rotatable about a rotation axis of the conveying rotating body to the feeding position, the standby position, and the second storage position; When viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, a distance between a tip end of the abutting member located at the third storage position that is farthest from the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft of the conveying rotor is shorter than a distance between the tip end of the abutting member located at the abutting position and the rotation shaft of the conveying rotor.

4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3,

5. The feeding unit has the locking member.

5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet conveying device.

6. The feeding unit is detachable from the device body.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet conveying device.

7. The seat support portion includes a cover that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the device.

7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet conveying device.

8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 , an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device, 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images