Image forming device

Abstract

To enhance the degree of freedom for selecting a manual feed tray which is mounted on an image forming device body with a simple structure.SOLUTION: An image forming device includes: an image forming part for forming an image in a recording medium; and an image forming device body in which the image forming part is provided and in which a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray whose structure is different from that of the first manual feed tray can be selectively mounted on the same mounting position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an image forming device equipped with an openable and closable manual feed tray, characterized in that the image forming device comprises a tray bottom plate that can be moved in one direction to load recording media, and a protrusion means that moves the tray bottom plate in one direction as the manual feed tray is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-57048 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As an image forming apparatus, a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray having a different configuration from the first manual feed tray can be selectively attached to different attachment positions of the image forming apparatus main body. In this image forming apparatus, the structure for attaching the manual feed tray needs to be provided in multiple positions, which makes the configuration complicated.

[0005] The present invention aims to increase the freedom of selection of a manual feed tray to be attached to an image forming device body with a simple configuration compared to a configuration in which a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray can be attached to different mounting positions of the image forming device body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and an image forming device main body in which the image forming unit is provided, in which a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray having a different configuration from the first manual feed tray can be selectively attached to the same mounting position.

[0007] The second aspect is provided with a transport path formed in the image forming device main body, which transports the recording medium fed from the first manual feed tray and the recording medium fed from the second manual feed tray toward the image forming unit via the same route.

[0008] In a third aspect, the first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray have one end attached to the mounting position so that they can be opened and closed between a closed position and an open position relative to the image forming device main body, and the first manual feed tray is stored inside the image forming device main body in the closed position, and the second manual feed tray is located outside the image forming device main body in the closed position.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, the number of recording media that can be loaded on the second manual tray is greater than the number of recording media that can be loaded on the first manual tray.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, the first manual feed tray has a fixed height position of the loading surface on which the recording media are loaded, and the second manual feed tray has a loading surface on which the recording media are loaded that rises as the number of loaded sheets decreases.

[0011] A sixth aspect is a recording medium ejected from the first manual feed tray and an image forming unit comprising: a transport path formed in the image forming apparatus main body, which transports a recording medium ejected from the first manual feed tray and a recording medium ejected from the second manual feed tray toward the image forming unit; and a transport member disposed at the most upstream side of the transport path, which transports the recording medium in a transport direction that is horizontal or has a downward slope; the recording media are loaded on the first manual feed tray in an attitude that has a downward slope toward the downstream side of the feed direction in which the recording media are ejected from the first manual feed tray, the recording media are ejected from the first manual feed tray to the transport member in a first feed direction that has an upward slope toward the downstream side of the feed direction, and the recording media loaded on the second manual feed tray are ejected from the second manual feed tray to the transport member in a second feed direction that has a downward slope toward the downstream side of the feed direction, and in a side view, an acute angle formed by the second feed direction and the transport direction is smaller than an acute angle formed by the first feed direction and the transport direction.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, the first feed direction and the second feed direction intersect upstream of the transport member, and the recording medium sent out from the first manual feed tray changes direction toward the transport member after passing through the intersection.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, the first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray have different configurations of the feed sections that feed the loaded recording media to the image forming apparatus main body.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, the output section of the first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray has a transport roll that transports the recording medium to the image forming device main body, and an opposing roll that is arranged opposite the transport roll and sandwiches the recording medium between the transport roll and the opposing roll, and the clamping position between the transport roll and the opposing roll on the first manual feed tray is positioned at a lower position than the clamping position between the transport roll and the opposing roll on the second manual feed tray. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the configuration of the first aspect, compared to a configuration in which the first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray can be attached to different mounting positions of the image forming device main body, the configuration is simpler and provides greater freedom in selecting the manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming device main body.

[0016] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the configuration of the transport path is simplified compared to a configuration in which the transport path transports the recording medium sent from the first manual feed tray and the recording medium sent from the second manual feed tray to the image forming unit via different routes.

[0017] According to the configuration of the third aspect, a user of the image forming apparatus can select a manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body from among manual feed trays having different storage configurations in the closed position.

[0018] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, a user of the image forming apparatus can select a manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body from manual feed trays with different stackable sheet capacities.

[0019] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, a user of the image forming apparatus can select a manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body from among manual feed trays that differ in whether or not the stacking surface is raised.

[0020] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, compared to a configuration in which the acute angle between the second sending out direction and the conveying direction is larger than the acute angle between the first sending out direction and the conveying direction in side view, the inclination of the recording medium loaded on the first manual feed tray in a downward slope toward the downstream side of the sending out direction is not too steep, and the load acting on the recording medium conveyed from the second manual feed tray to the conveying path is reduced.

[0021] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the load acting on the recording medium transported from the first manual tray to the transport path is smaller than in a configuration in which the recording medium sent out from the first manual tray changes direction toward the transport member before passing through the intersection.

[0022] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, a user of the image forming apparatus can select a manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body from among manual feed trays having different configurations of the feed section.

[0023] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, a user of the image forming apparatus can select a manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body from manual feed trays having different clamping position heights. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a front sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first manual tray attached to a frame according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the first manual tray according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the first manual tray in the embodiment when located at a closed position. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first manual tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a perspective view showing mounting positions of a frame to which a first manual tray and a second manual tray according to the embodiment are attached. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second manual tray attached to a frame in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the second manual tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the second manual tray in the embodiment when located at a closed position. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second manual tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining a difference between a sending-out mechanism in a first manual tray according to the embodiment and a sending-out mechanism in a second manual tray according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (Image forming apparatus 10) An image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 10. Fig. 2 is a front sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the arrow UP shown in each of the drawings including Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 indicates the upper side (vertically upward) of the apparatus.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an apparatus that forms an image. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11 and a medium storage section 12. As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 10 also includes a medium discharge section 13, an image forming section 14, and a transport mechanism 16. Each section of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below.

[0028] (Image forming device body 11) 1 and 2 is a portion in which each component of the image forming device 10 is provided. Specifically, the image forming device body 11 has a frame 15 forming the skeleton of the image forming device 10 as shown in Fig. 3, and a housing 19 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] 3, the frame 15 has four support columns 15A extending in the vertical direction and connecting members 15B extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction to connect the support columns 15A. The frame 15 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each component of the image forming apparatus 10 is attached to the frame 15, and the frame 15 functions as a support for each component.

[0030] The housing 19 is disposed outside the frame 15 so as to surround the frame 15. Therefore, the housing 19 can also be said to be an exterior cover that surrounds the frame 15.

[0031] 2, for example, the medium storage unit 12, the image forming unit 14, and the transport mechanism 16 are provided inside the image forming device main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19). The medium discharge unit 13 is provided on one side of the image forming device main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19).

[0032] On the other side surface of image forming apparatus main body 11, first manual tray 201 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) and second manual tray 202 (see FIG. 8) having a different configuration from first manual tray 201 can be selectively attached at the same attachment position. Specifically, first manual tray 201 (see FIG. 3) and second manual tray 202 (see FIG. 8) can be attached to the same attachment position of frame 15.

[0033] 1, 2 and 3 show a configuration in which first manual feed tray 201 is attached to image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, frame 15). Fig. 8 shows a configuration in which second manual feed tray 202 is attached to image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, frame 15).

[0034] Hereinafter, the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 may be collectively referred to as the manual feed tray 20. The specific configurations of the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 will be described later.

[0035] (Medium storage section 12) 2, the medium storage unit 12 is a portion of the image forming apparatus 10 that stores a recording medium P. The recording medium P stored in the medium storage unit 12 is supplied to the image forming unit 14. As an example of the recording medium P, paper P is used.

[0036] (Media discharge section 13) 2 is a portion of the image forming apparatus 10 to which the recording medium P is discharged. The recording medium P on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 14 is discharged to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0037] (Image forming unit 14) 2 has a function of forming an image on a recording medium P sent out from a first manual feed tray 201 or a second manual feed tray 202 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 and the medium storage unit 12. Examples of the image forming unit 14 include an inkjet type image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using ink, and an electrophotographic type image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using toner.

[0038] In an inkjet type image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are ejected from an ejection unit onto a recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P. In the inkjet type image forming unit, ink droplets may be ejected from an ejection unit onto a transfer body, and the ink droplets may be transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0039] In an electrophotographic image forming section, for example, the steps of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing are performed to form an image on a recording medium P. In an electrophotographic image forming section, an image may be formed on a transfer body by performing the steps of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring, and then transferring the image from the transfer body to the recording medium P, and then fixing the image to the recording medium P, thereby forming an image on the recording medium P.

[0040] Note that examples of the image forming section are not limited to the inkjet type image forming section and the electrophotographic type image forming section described above, and various other image forming sections can be used.

[0041] (Transport mechanism 16) 2 is a mechanism for transporting the recording medium P. The transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P by a transport member 17 such as a transport roll, for example. The transport member 17 may be a transport belt or the like, and may be any member capable of applying a transport force to the recording medium P and transporting the recording medium P.

[0042] The transport mechanism 16 is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 11, and has a transport path 16A that transports the recording medium P from the medium storage unit 12 to the image forming unit 14. In the transport mechanism 16, a transport member 17 arranged on the transport path 16A transports the recording medium P from the medium storage unit 12 to the image forming unit 14.

[0043] The transport mechanism 16 is formed in the image forming apparatus body 11 and has a transport path 16B that transports the recording medium P from the image forming unit 14 to the medium discharge unit 13. In the transport mechanism 16, a transport member 17 arranged on the transport path 16B transports the recording medium P from the image forming unit 14 to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0044] Furthermore, the transport mechanism 16 has a transport path 16C that is formed in the image forming apparatus body 11 and transports the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 or the second manual feed tray 202 attached to the image forming apparatus body 11 to the image forming unit 14. In the transport mechanism 16, a transport member 17 arranged on the transport path 16C transports the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 or the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14.

[0045] In this embodiment, the conveying path 16C conveys the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 along the same route.

[0046] Further, the transport member 17(S) disposed at the most upstream side of the transport path 16C transports the recording medium P in a transport direction that is horizontal or has a downward slope. In this embodiment, the transport member 17(S) transports the recording medium P in a transport direction H1 (see FIG. 12) that has a slight downward slope.

[0047] (Overview of Manual Feed Tray 20) Here, an overview of the manual feed tray 20 (that is, the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202) will be described.

[0048] Manual feed tray 20 is a portion of image forming apparatus 10 on which recording media P are loaded (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 9). Note that the term "tray" refers to a member on which recording media P are loaded. "Manual feeding" refers to an operation of loading recording media P manually by a user of image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, manual feed tray 20 refers to a member on which recording media P are loaded manually by a user of image forming apparatus 10.

[0049] As described above, the manual feed tray 20 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11, and the recording medium P is loaded on the manual feed tray 20 in a state where it is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the manual feed tray 20 functions as a feeding device that feeds out a type of recording medium P that cannot be fed out from the medium storage unit 12 or is not suitable for feeding out from the medium storage unit 12. Such types include cardboard, postcards, envelopes, non-standard size paper, resin film, etc.

[0051] In each drawing, the direction in which the recording medium P is fed from the manual feed tray 20 is indicated by the arrow X. In each drawing, the direction intersecting (specifically, perpendicular to) the feeding direction is indicated by the arrow Y.

[0052] (First manual feed tray 201) Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing first manual tray 201 attached to frame 15. Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of first manual tray 201. Fig. 5 is a side sectional view showing first manual tray 201 in a state where it is located at the closed position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing first manual tray 201. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the attachment positions of frame 15 to which first manual tray 201 and second manual tray 202 are attached.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first manual tray 201 includes a tray body 22, a loading section 24, and a sending mechanism 30.

[0054] (Tray body 22) 3 and 4, the tray body 22 is a portion where each component of the first manual feed tray 201 is provided. As shown in Fig. 3, 4, and 5, the tray body 22 has a downstream end 22A in the sending direction (arrow X direction) attached to the image forming apparatus body 11.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 6, one end and the other end of the downstream end 22A of the tray body 22 in the intersecting direction (arrow Y direction) are provided with a mounting portion 22E to be mounted on the frame 15. A protruding portion 22F that protrudes downstream in the sending direction is formed on the mounting portion 22E. The protruding portion 22F has a shaft portion 25A and a head portion 25B having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 25A. In addition, a through hole 22G through which a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt is passed is formed below the protruding portion 22F in the mounting portion 22E.

[0056] On the other hand, the support 15A of the frame 15 has an insertion hole 15F into which the protrusion 22F is inserted, as shown in Fig. 7. The insertion hole 15F has a large diameter hole 18A having an inner diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the head 25B of the protrusion 22F, and a small diameter hole 18B having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the head 25B and equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 25A. The small diameter hole 18B is formed integrally with the large diameter hole 18A on the lower side of the large diameter hole 18A. Furthermore, a fastening hole 15G (specifically, for example, a screw hole) into which a fastening member (not shown) passed through the through hole 22G is fastened is formed on the lower side of the insertion hole 15F.

[0057] In this embodiment, each of the protruding portions 22F of the two mounting portions 22E is inserted from the head portion 25B into each of the large diameter holes 18A of the insertion holes 15F of the frame 15, and the protruding portions 22F are moved downward so that the shaft portions 25A of the protruding portions 22F are positioned in the small diameter holes 18B, thereby positioning the first manual tray 201 with respect to the frame 15. Then, the first manual tray 201 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 by fastening members (not shown) passed through each of the through holes 22G of the two mounting portions 22E to the fastening holes 15G.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tray body 22 is configured so that the upstream end 22B can move in a closing direction (the direction of arrow A in Figures 4 and 5) and an opening direction (the direction of arrow B in Figures 4 and 5) with the downstream end 22A as a fulcrum (i.e., the center of rotation).

[0059] As a result, in this embodiment, the first manual tray 201 can be opened and closed between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 5) where the upstream end 22B in the sending direction of the tray body 22 is located above the downstream end 22A, and an open position (position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) where the upstream end 22B of the tray body 22 is located to the side of the downstream end 22A. Note that the tray body 22 may be configured such that the upstream end 22B in the open position is located at a lower position than in the closed position.

[0060] 5, the first manual tray 201 is stored inside the image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19) when in the closed position. Therefore, the bottom surface 22K of the tray main body 22 of the first manual tray 201 is disposed at a position along the side surface of the housing 19 when in the closed position.

[0061] The tray body 22 is provided with an extension portion 23 that can be pulled out from the tray body 22 to the upstream side in the sending direction. By pulling out the extension portion 23 from the tray body 22 to the upstream side in the sending direction, the area in which the recording medium P can be stacked is extended.

[0062] (Loading section 24) The stacking section 24 is a portion on which the recording media P are stacked. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stacking section 24 is provided on the inside of the tray body 22 (the closing direction (the direction of arrow A in Figures 4 and 5) of the tray body 22) so as to be movable along the tray body 22. Specifically, the stacking section 24 is movable in a separation direction (the direction of arrow E in Figure 4) from the downstream end 22A (i.e., the center of rotation) of the tray body 22 to the upstream end 22B (i.e., the free end) and in an approach direction (the direction of arrow F in Figure 4) which is the opposite direction.

[0063] In this embodiment, the loading section 24 moves in the approaching and separating directions within a predetermined movement range by a link mechanism (not shown) in association with the opening and closing operation of the tray body 22. Specifically, the loading section 24 is located at the separating position (position shown in FIG. 5) when the tray body 22 is located at the closed position, and moves from the separating position to the approaching position (position shown in FIG. 4) when the tray body 22 is rotated from the closed position to the open position.

[0064] The loading section 24 is formed in a plate shape (flat shape) with its thickness direction being in the closing direction of the tray body 22 (the direction of arrow A in Figs. 4 and 5). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the tray body 22 is in the open position, the loading section 24 has an exposed loading surface 24E on which the recording media P are loaded. Therefore, the recording media P are loaded on the loading section 24 in a state where they are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus body 11. Furthermore, the recording media P are loaded on the loading section 24 in a position that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the sending direction.

[0065] Furthermore, the loading section 24 does not move in the thickness direction of the tray body 22 (that is, in the closing direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 4 and 5)), and the position of the loading surface 24E in the height direction is fixed relative to the tray body 22.

[0066] In the present embodiment, for example, 150 sheets of recording media P can be stacked on the stacking unit 24. That is, the maximum stacking amount of recording media P on the first manual feed tray 201 is, for example, 150 sheets.

[0067] Depending on the size (i.e., size) of the recording medium P, the entire recording medium P may be loaded on the loading section 24, or a portion of the recording medium P may be loaded on the loading section 24 and another portion may be loaded on the tray main body 22 (including the extension section 23).

[0068] Further, the stacking section 24 is provided with side guides 27 (see FIG. 3) that come into contact with both side ends of the recording media P stacked on the stacking section 24. The side guides 27 are movable in the intersecting direction.

[0069] (Delivery mechanism 30) The sending mechanism 30 shown in Fig. 4 is a mechanism that sends out the recording medium P loaded on the stacking unit 24 from the stacking unit 24. Specifically, the sending mechanism 30 transports the recording medium P sent out from the stacking unit 24 to the image forming apparatus main body 11. Therefore, the sending mechanism 30 can also be said to be a supply mechanism that supplies the recording medium P to the image forming apparatus main body 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the sending mechanism 30 has a sending roll 32, a transport roll 34, and an application roll 36. The sending mechanism 30 is an example of a "sending section." The application roll 36 is an example of a "counter roll."

[0070] The delivery roll 32 contacts a portion of the upper surface of the uppermost recording medium P, which is located downstream in the delivery direction, among the recording media P stacked on the stacking unit 24, and rotates to deliver the recording medium P from the stacking unit 24. The delivery roll 32 is also called a pickup roll or a nudger roll.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 4, the transport roll 34 is disposed downstream of the delivery roll 32 in the delivery direction. The application roll 36 is disposed opposite the transport roll 34. Specifically, the application roll 36 is disposed below the transport roll 34 and is in contact with the transport roll 34. When the transport roll 34 is driven to rotate, the transport roll 34 sandwiches the recording medium P delivered by the delivery roll 32 between itself and the application roll 36 and transports the recording medium P further downstream in the delivery direction. Specifically, the transport roll 34 and the application roll 36 deliver the recording medium P from the stacking section 24 in a first delivery direction S1 (see Fig. 12) that has an upward gradient toward the downstream side in the delivery direction.

[0072] Hereinafter, the position where the transport roll 34 and the application roll 36 sandwich the material is referred to as a nip position. The nip position is an example of a “sandwich position.” The transport roll 34 is also called a feed roll.

[0073] The application roll 36 is a roll that rotates when a predetermined rotational force is applied, and functions as a brake that generates a rotational load until the predetermined rotational force is applied. In this way, by the application roll 36 functioning as a brake, when multiple recording media P are overlapped and introduced into the nip position, the application roll 36 applies a conveying resistance from the lower surface side of the recording media P, suppressing double feeding of the recording media P conveyed by the conveying roll 34. The application roll 36 is also called a retard roll.

[0074] As described above, in the delivery mechanism 30, when a plurality of recording media P are delivered in a stacked state from the stacking section 24, the transport roll 34 applies a transport force to the upper recording medium P (i.e., the first recording medium P), while the application roll 36 applies a transport resistance to the lower recording medium P (the second and subsequent recording media P). That is, in the delivery mechanism 30, the transport roll 34 and the application roll 36 separate (sort) the overlapped sheets of paper P, and deliver the recording media P one by one.

[0075] (Second manual feed tray 202) Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing second manual tray 202 attached to frame 15. Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of second manual tray 202. Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of second manual tray 202 when located at the closed position. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing second manual tray 202.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second manual tray 202 includes a tray body 222, a loading section 224, and a sending mechanism 230 (see FIG. 9).

[0077] (tray body 222) 8 and 9, tray main body 222 is a portion where each component of second manual tray 202 is provided. As shown in Fig. 8, 9, and 10, tray main body 222 has a downstream end 222A in the sending direction (arrow X direction) attached to image forming apparatus main body 11.

[0078] 11, one end and the other end of the downstream end 222A of the tray main body 222 in the intersecting direction (arrow Y direction) are provided with a mounting portion 222E to be mounted on the frame 15. A protruding portion 222F that protrudes downstream in the sending direction is formed on the mounting portion 222E. The protruding portion 222F has a shaft portion 225A and a head portion 225B having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 225A. In addition, a through hole 222G through which a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt is passed is formed below the protruding portion 222F in the mounting portion 222E.

[0079] In this embodiment, each of the protruding portions 222F of the two mounting portions 222E is inserted from the head portion 225B into each of the large diameter holes 18A of the insertion holes 15F of the frame 15, and the protruding portions 222F are moved downward so that the shaft portions 225A of the protruding portions 222F are positioned in the small diameter holes 18B, thereby positioning the second manual tray 202 with respect to the frame 15. Then, the fastening members (not shown) passed through each of the through holes 222G of the two mounting portions 222E are fastened to the fastening holes 15G, whereby the second manual tray 202 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11.

[0080] In this way, the second manual tray 202 is attached to the insertion hole 15F and the fastening hole 15G of the frame 15, similarly to the first manual tray 201. That is, the second manual tray 202 and the first manual tray 201 can be selectively attached to the same attachment position in the image forming apparatus body 11. Moreover, the second manual tray 202 can be attached to the same attachment position in the image forming apparatus body 11 in place of the first manual tray 201.

[0081] Therefore, the positional relationship between the protrusions 222F and the through holes 222G of the two mounting parts 222E in the second manual tray 202 is the same as the positional relationship between the protrusions 22F and the through holes 22G of the two mounting parts 22E in the first manual tray 201. Specifically, for example, the interval between the protrusions 222F of the two mounting parts 222E in the cross direction is the same as the interval between the protrusions 22F of the two mounting parts 22E in the cross direction. Also, the interval between the through holes 222G of the two mounting parts 222E in the cross direction is the same as the interval between the through holes 22G of the two mounting parts 22E in the cross direction. Furthermore, the interval between the protrusions 222F and the through holes 222G in the vertical direction in each of the two mounting parts 222E is the same as the interval between the protrusions 22F and the through holes 22G in each of the two mounting parts 22E in the vertical direction.

[0082] Furthermore, in the second manual tray 202, the length in the intersecting direction of the tray body 222 is longer than the length in the intersecting direction of the tray body 22 of the first manual tray 201. In the first manual tray 201, the two attachment portions 22E are disposed on the outer side of the tray body 22 in the intersecting direction. That is, the tray body 22 is located between the two attachment portions 22E. In contrast, in the second manual tray 202, the two attachment portions 222E are disposed between one end and the other end of the tray body 222 in the intersecting direction.

[0083] In addition, in the second manual tray 202, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the tray body 222 is configured so that the upstream end 222B can move in a closing direction (the direction of arrow A in Figures 9 and 10) and an opening direction (the direction of arrow B in Figures 9 and 10) with the downstream end 222A as a fulcrum (i.e., the center of rotation).

[0084] As a result, in this embodiment, the second manual tray 202 can be opened and closed between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 10) where the upstream end 222B in the sending direction of the tray body 222 is located above the downstream end 222A, and an open position (position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) where the upstream end 222B of the tray body 222 is located to the side of the downstream end 222A. Note that the tray body 222 may be configured such that the upstream end 222B in the open position is located at a lower position than in the closed position.

[0085] 10, second manual tray 202 is located outside image forming apparatus body 11 (specifically, housing 19) at the closed position. Therefore, second manual tray 202 and first manual tray 201 (see FIG. 5), which are stored inside image forming apparatus body 11 (specifically, housing 19) at the closed position, are located at different positions at the closed position.

[0086] The tray body 222 is provided with an extension 223 that can be pulled out from the tray body 222 to the upstream side in the sending direction. By pulling out the extension 223 from the tray body 222 to the upstream side in the sending direction, the area in which the recording media P can be stacked is extended.

[0087] (Loading section 224) The stacking section 224 is a portion on which the recording media P are stacked. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the stacking section 224 is configured with a stacking plate provided on the inner side of the tray main body 222 (the side of the tray main body 222 in the closing direction (the direction of arrow A in Figs. 9 and 10)).

[0088] The stacking portion 224 has an upstream end 224B attached to the tray body 222 so that the downstream end 224A can move up and down (see FIG. 9). A pushing member 229 is provided below the stacking portion 224, which pushes the downstream end 224A upward by an elastic force acting on the pushing member 229.

[0089] In this way, in the second manual tray 202, the loading section 224 is pushed upward by the pushing member 229, so that the loading surface 224E on which the recording media P are loaded rises as the number of loaded sheets decreases. Therefore, unlike the first manual tray 201 in which the position of the loading surface 224E in the height direction is fixed relative to the tray body 222, in the second manual tray 202, the position of the loading surface 224E in the height direction relative to the tray body 222 changes.

[0090] In addition, in the first manual feed tray 201, the recording medium P is loaded in a position that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the sending direction relative to the loading section 24, whereas in the loading section 224 of the second manual feed tray 202, the recording medium P is loaded in a position that slopes upward toward the downstream side in the sending direction.

[0091] 8 and 9, when the tray body 222 is in the open position, the stacking surface 224E of the stacking section 224 is exposed. Therefore, the recording media P are stacked on the stacking section 224 in a state where they are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus body 11.

[0092] In this embodiment, for example, 250 sheets of recording media P can be stacked on stacking section 224. That is, for example, the maximum stacking amount of recording media P on second manual feed tray 202 is 250 sheets. Therefore, the number of recording media that can be stacked on second manual feed tray 202 is greater than the number of recording media that can be stacked on first manual feed tray 201. In other words, the stacking height at which recording media P can be stacked on second manual feed tray 202 is greater than the stacking height at which recording media P can be stacked on first manual feed tray 201.

[0093] Depending on the size (i.e., size) of the recording medium P, the entire recording medium P may be loaded on the loading section 224, or a portion of the recording medium P may be loaded on the loading section 224 and another portion may be loaded on the tray main body 222 (including the extension section 223).

[0094] Further, the stacking section 224 is provided with side guides 227 (see FIG. 8) that come into contact with both side edges of the recording media P stacked on the stacking section 224. The side guides 227 are movable in the intersecting direction.

[0095] (Delivery mechanism 230) The sending mechanism 230 shown in Fig. 9 is a mechanism that sends out the recording medium P loaded on the stacking section 224 from the stacking section 224. Specifically, the sending mechanism 230 transports the recording medium P sent out from the stacking section 224 to the image forming apparatus main body 11. Therefore, the sending mechanism 230 can also be said to be a supply mechanism that supplies the recording medium P to the image forming apparatus main body 11. As shown in Fig. 9, the sending mechanism 230 has a sending roll 232, a transport roll 234, and an application roll 236. The sending mechanism 230 is an example of a "sending section." The application roll 236 is an example of a "counter roll."

[0096] The delivery roll 232 contacts a portion of the upper surface of the uppermost recording medium P located downstream in the delivery direction among the recording media P stacked on the stacking unit 224 and rotates to deliver the recording medium P from the stacking unit 224. The delivery roll 232 is also called a pickup roll or a nudger roll.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 9, the transport roll 234 is disposed downstream of the delivery roll 232 in the delivery direction. The application roll 236 is disposed opposite the transport roll 234. Specifically, the application roll 236 is disposed below the transport roll 234 and is in contact with the transport roll 234. When the transport roll 234 is driven to rotate, the transport roll 234 sandwiches the recording medium P delivered by the delivery roll 232 between itself and the application roll 236 and transports the recording medium P further downstream in the delivery direction. Specifically, the transport roll 234 and the application roll 236 deliver the recording medium P from the stacking section 224 in a second delivery direction S2 (see Fig. 12) that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the delivery direction.

[0098] Hereinafter, the position where the transport roll 234 and the application roll 236 sandwich the material is referred to as a nip position. The nip position is an example of a “sandwich position.” The transport roll 234 is also called a feed roll.

[0099] The application roll 236 is a roll that rotates when a predetermined rotational force is applied, and functions as a brake that generates a rotational load until the predetermined rotational force is applied. In this way, when a plurality of recording media P are overlapped and introduced into the nip position, the application roll 236 functions as a brake, and the application roll 236 applies a transport resistance from the lower surface side of the recording media P, thereby suppressing double feeding of the recording media P transported by the transport roll 234. The application roll 236 may be configured to apply a transport resistance to the recording media P by rotating in the reverse direction. The application roll 236 is also called a retard roll.

[0100] As described above, in the sending mechanism 230, when a plurality of recording media P are sent out from the stacking section 224 in an overlapping state, the transport roll 234 applies a transport force to the upper recording medium P (i.e., the first recording medium P), while the application roll 236 applies a transport resistance to the lower recording medium P (the second and subsequent recording media P). That is, in the sending mechanism 230, the transport roll 234 and the application roll 236 separate (sort) the overlapping sheets of paper P, and send out the recording media P one by one.

[0101] (Differences between the sending mechanism 30 and the sending mechanism 230) Here, differences between the output mechanism 30 for the first manual tray 201 and the output mechanism 230 for the second manual tray 202 will be described.

[0102] 12, a nip position N1 between the transport roll 34 and the supply roll 36 in the first manual tray 201 is disposed at a lower position than a nip position N2 between the transport roll 234 and the supply roll 236 in the second manual tray 202. In this embodiment, the nip position N1 is located downstream of the nip position N2 in the sending direction. Note that FIG. 12 illustrates a part of each of the configurations of the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202.

[0103] In the first manual feed tray 201, the recording medium P loaded on the stacking section 24 in a position with a downward gradient toward the downstream side in the sending direction is sent out in a first sending direction S1 with an upward gradient toward the downstream side in the sending direction.

[0104] On the other hand, in the second manual feed tray 202, the recording medium P loaded in the stacking section 224 in a position with an upward gradient toward the downstream side in the sending direction is sent out in a second sending direction S2 with a downward gradient toward the downstream side in the sending direction.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 12, in a side view, the acute angle θ2 formed by the second feed direction S2 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S) is smaller than the acute angle θ1 formed by the first feed direction S1 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S).

[0106] In this embodiment, the first sending direction S1 and the second sending direction S2 intersect on the upstream side of the transport member 17(S), and the recording medium sent from the first manual tray 201 passes through the intersection PA and then changes direction toward the transport member 17(S). After changing direction, the recording medium P heads in a direction along the transport direction H1 (the direction of the arrow M).

[0107] The first sending direction S1 is a direction intersecting (specifically, perpendicular) to a line connecting the rotation centers of the transport roll 34 and the application roll 36, and is a direction passing through the nip position N1 between the transport roll 34 and the application roll 36.

[0108] The second sending direction S2 is a direction intersecting (specifically, perpendicular to) a line connecting the rotation centers of the transport roll 234 and the application roll 236 and passing through the nip position N2 between the transport roll 234 and the application roll 236.

[0109] The conveying direction H1 is a direction intersecting (specifically, perpendicular to) a line connecting the rotation centers of the pair of conveying members 17(S) and passing through a nip position of the pair of conveying members 17(S). Note that the nip position is a position where the recording medium P is sandwiched.

[0110] As described above, the output mechanism 30 for the first manual tray 201 and the output mechanism 230 for the second manual tray 202 have different configurations.

[0111] (Action according to this embodiment) In this embodiment, the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 can be selectively attached to the same attachment position in the image forming apparatus main body 11 .

[0112] This makes it possible for the image forming device 10 to be configured so that, for example, one of the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 is attached to the image forming device main body 11 as standard equipment, and the other of the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 can be attached as an optional equipment.

[0113] Here, in a configuration in which the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 can be attached to different mounting positions of the image forming apparatus main body 11 (hereinafter referred to as configuration A), structures for attaching each of the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 must be provided in multiple positions, making the configuration complex.

[0114] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 can be selectively attached to the same mounting position on the image forming apparatus main body 11, so that compared to configuration A, the configuration is simpler and the freedom in selecting the manual feed tray to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 is increased.

[0115] In this embodiment, the conveying path 16C conveys the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 along the same route.

[0116] Here, in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as configuration B) in which the conveying path 16C conveys the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 via different routes, multiple routes need to be provided, making the configuration of the conveying path 16C complex.

[0117] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the conveying path 16C conveys the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 via the same route, and therefore the configuration of the conveying path 16C is simplified compared to configuration B.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first manual tray 201 is stored inside the image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19) when in the closed position as shown in Fig. 5. On the other hand, the second manual tray 202 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19) when in the closed position as shown in Fig. 10.

[0119] This allows the user of the image forming apparatus 10 to select the manual feed tray 20 to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 from among manual feed trays 20 that have different storage configurations when in the closed position.

[0120] In this embodiment, the stacking portion 24 of the first manual feed tray 201 can hold, for example, 150 sheets of recording media P. On the other hand, the stacking portion 224 of the second manual feed tray 202 can hold, for example, 250 sheets of recording media P. Therefore, the number of recording media that can be stacked on the second manual feed tray 202 is greater than the number of recording media that can be stacked on the first manual feed tray 201.

[0121] Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can select the manual feed tray 20 to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 from among the manual feed trays 20 having different stackable sheet capacities.

[0122] In this embodiment, the first manual tray 201 has a fixed height position of the stacking surface 24E relative to the tray body 22. On the other hand, in the second manual tray 202, the stacking portion 224 is pushed upward by the pushing member 229, so that the stacking surface 224E on which the recording media P are stacked rises as the number of stacked sheets decreases.

[0123] Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can select the manual feed tray 20 to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 from among the manual feed trays 20 having different lifting and non-lifting of the loading surfaces 24E and 224E.

[0124] In this embodiment, the output mechanism 30 for the first manual tray 201 and the output mechanism 230 for the second manual tray 202 have different configurations.

[0125] Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can select the manual feed tray 20 to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 from among the manual feed trays 20 having the different configurations of the feed mechanisms 30 and 230.

[0126] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the nip position N1 between the transport roll 34 and the supply roll 36 in the first manual feed tray 201 is positioned at a lower position than the nip position N2 between the transport roll 234 and the supply roll 236 in the second manual feed tray 202.

[0127] This allows the user of the image forming apparatus 10 to select the manual feed tray 20 to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 from among manual feed trays 20 having nip positions at different heights.

[0128] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in a side view, the acute angle θ2 formed by the second feed-out direction S2 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S) is smaller than the acute angle θ1 formed by the first feed-out direction S1 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S).

[0129] Here, in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as configuration C) in which the acute angle θ2 formed by the second sending direction S2 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S) in a side view is larger than the acute angle θ1 formed by the first sending direction S1 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S), the acute angle θ1 is smaller than the acute angle θ2, so the first sending direction S1 takes an angle close to parallel to the conveying direction H1, which is horizontal or has a downward slope. As a result, the inclination of the recording medium P loaded on the first manual feed tray 201 in a posture with a downward slope toward the downstream side of the sending direction becomes steep. Also, in configuration C, the acute angle θ2 is larger than the acute angle θ1, so the second sending direction S2 takes an angle close to perpendicular to the conveying direction H1, which is horizontal or has a downward slope.

[0130] Therefore, when the recording medium P conveyed from the second manual tray 202 to the conveying path 16C changes direction toward the conveying member 17(S), the load acting on the recording medium P becomes large.

[0131] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, in a side view, the acute angle θ2 formed by the second output direction S2 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S) is smaller than the acute angle θ1 formed by the first output direction S1 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S). Therefore, compared to configuration C, the inclination of the recording medium P loaded on the first manual feed tray 201 in a posture with a downward slope toward the downstream side in the output direction is not too steep, and the load acting on the recording medium P conveyed from the second manual feed tray 202 to the conveying path 16C is reduced.

[0132] In addition, in this embodiment, the first feed direction S1 and the second feed direction S2 intersect upstream of the conveying member 17(S), and the recording medium sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 changes direction toward the conveying member 17(S) after passing through the intersection portion PA.

[0133] Here, in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as configuration D) in which the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 changes direction toward the conveying member before passing through the intersection portion PA, the recording medium P changes direction immediately after passing through the nip position N1 between the conveying roll 34 and the application roll 36, so that the load acting on the recording medium P conveyed from the first manual feed tray 201 to the conveying path 16C becomes large.

[0134] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the recording medium sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 changes direction toward the conveying member 17(S) after passing through the intersection portion PA, so that the load acting on the recording medium P conveyed from the first manual feed tray 201 to the conveying path 16C is smaller than in configuration D.

[0135] (Modification) In the present embodiment, the conveying path 16C conveys the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 via the same route, but is not limited to this. For example, the conveying path 16C may be configured to convey the recording medium P sent out from the first manual feed tray 201 and the recording medium P sent out from the second manual feed tray 202 to the image forming unit 14 via different routes.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202 have different storage configurations in the closed position, but the present invention is not limited to this and may have the same storage configuration. For example, both the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202 may be configured to be stored inside the image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19) in the closed position, or may be configured to be located outside the image forming apparatus main body 11 (specifically, the housing 19) in the closed position.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the first manual feed tray 201 and the second manual feed tray 202 have different stackable sheet numbers, but this is not limited thereto, and the stackable sheet numbers may be the same.

[0138] In the present embodiment, the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202 are different in whether the stacking surfaces 24E, 224E are raised or not, but this is not limited thereto. For example, both the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202 may be configured such that the position of the stacking surface 24E in the height direction is fixed relative to the tray body 22, or the stacking surface 224E on which the recording media P are stacked may be configured to rise as the number of stacked sheets decreases.

[0139] In addition, in this embodiment, the first manual tray 201 and the second manual tray 202 have different configurations of the sending mechanisms 30 and 230. However, this is not limited to the above, and the sending mechanisms 30 and 230 may have the same configuration.

[0140] 12, in this embodiment, the nip position N1 between the transport roll 34 and the supply roll 36 in the first manual tray 201 is disposed at a lower position than the nip position N2 between the transport roll 234 and the supply roll 236 in the second manual tray 202, but is not limited to this. The nip position N1 may be at the same height as the nip position N2, or may be disposed at a higher position than the nip position N2.

[0141] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when viewed from the side, the acute angle θ2 formed by the second feed-out direction S2 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S) is smaller than the acute angle θ1 formed by the first feed-out direction S1 and the conveying direction H1 of the conveying member 17(S). However, this is not limited to this, and the acute angle θ2 may be the same angle as the acute angle θ1, or may be larger than the acute angle θ1.

[0142] In the present embodiment, the recording medium P sent from the first manual tray 201 changes direction toward the conveying member 17(S) after passing through the intersection PA, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the recording medium P sent from the first manual tray 201 may change direction toward the conveying member before passing through the intersection PA.

[0143] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be combined in combination as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 10 Image forming device 11 Image forming device main body 14 Image forming section 16C Transport Path 17 Transporting parts 24E, 224E loading surface 30, 230 Sending mechanism (an example of a sending part) 34, 234 Transport roll 36, 236 Addition roll (an example of an opposing roll) 201 First manual feed tray 202 Second manual feed tray θ1 acute angle θ2 acute angle H1 Transport direction P Recording medium PA intersection S1 First sending direction S2 Second sending direction

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image forming apparatus main body provided with the image forming unit, in which a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray having a different configuration from the first manual feed tray can be selectively attached to the same attachment position; Equipped with The first manual feed tray has a loading surface on which the recording media are loaded, and the loading surface is fixed in a height direction. the second manual feed tray has a loading surface on which the recording media are loaded that rises as the number of loaded sheets decreases; a conveying path formed in the image forming apparatus main body, for conveying the recording medium fed from the first manual feed tray and the recording medium fed from the second manual feed tray toward the image forming unit; a conveying member disposed at the most upstream side of the conveying path and configured to convey the recording medium in a conveying direction that is horizontal or has a downward gradient; Equipped with The recording media are stacked on the first manual feed tray in a position that is inclined downward toward a downstream side in a feed direction in which the recording media are fed out from the first manual feed tray, The recording medium is fed from the first manual feed tray to the conveying member in a first feed direction that has an upward gradient toward the downstream side of the feed direction, The recording medium loaded on the second manual feed tray is fed from the second manual feed tray to the conveying member in a second feed direction that has a downward gradient toward the downstream side of the feed direction, In a side view, an acute angle formed between the second feed direction and the transport direction is smaller than an acute angle formed between the first feed direction and the transport direction. Image forming device.

2. The first feed direction and the second feed direction intersect on the upstream side of the conveying member, The recording medium fed from the first manual feed tray passes through the intersecting portion and then changes direction toward the conveying member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. A conveying path formed in the image forming apparatus body, which conveys a recording medium fed from the first manual feed tray and a recording medium fed from the second manual feed tray toward the image forming unit along the same route. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. The first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray are attached at one end to the attachment position so as to be openable and closable between a closed position and an open position relative to the image forming apparatus body, the first manual feed tray is accommodated inside the image forming apparatus main body at the closed position, The second manual feed tray is located outside the image forming apparatus main body when in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The number of recording media that can be loaded on the second manual feed tray is greater than the number of recording media that can be loaded on the first manual feed tray. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray have different configurations of a sending section that sends out the loaded recording medium to the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image forming apparatus main body provided with the image forming unit, in which a first manual feed tray and a second manual feed tray having a different configuration from the first manual feed tray can be selectively attached to the same attachment position; Equipped with The first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray have different configurations of a feed section that feeds the loaded recording medium to the image forming apparatus main body, the sending section of the first manual feed tray and the second manual feed tray includes a transport roll that transports a recording medium to the image forming apparatus main body, and an opposing roll that is disposed opposite the transport roll and sandwiches the recording medium between the transport roll and the opposing roll, A position where the transport roll and the opposing roll are sandwiched in the first manual feed tray is disposed at a lower position than a position where the transport roll and the opposing roll are sandwiched in the second manual feed tray. Image forming device.

Images