Image recording device

Abstract

To provide an image recording device that can be made compact while ensuring a retraction area for a paper feed unit. [Solution] The device comprises a recording unit 24 that records an image on a sheet, a tray 20 on which sheets can be placed and which can be inserted and removed from the device, a paper feed roller 25 that feeds the sheets placed on the tray 20, a guide member 33 that forms part of a reverse conveying path 67 for guiding sheets that have been printed on the front side in the recording unit 24 back to the recording unit 24 for printing on the back side, and a hole 81 opened in the guide member 33 through which the paper feed roller 25 in a retracted position enters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus capable of recording images on both sides of a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image recording apparatus capable of recording images on both sides of a sheet has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a duplex image forming apparatus as an example of this type of image recording apparatus. In the duplex image forming apparatus, a sheet fed out from a sheet supply unit is conveyed by a conveyance roller to an image forming unit composed of a photosensitive drum or the like. An image is recorded on the front surface of the sheet in the image forming unit. The sheet on which the image is recorded on the front surface is switched back by a discharge roller on the downstream side of the image forming unit. The switched-back sheet reaches the conveyance roller again through a sheet refeeding conveyance path provided below the image forming unit. The sheet has an image recorded on the back surface by the image forming unit in the same manner as when an image is formed on the front surface. Thereafter, the sheet on which images are recorded on both sides is discharged to a discharge tray by a discharge roller.

[0003] The above-described sheet refeeding conveyance path is provided above a tray for storing sheets, and includes an arm rotatably provided in the vertical direction about a predetermined rotation axis therebetween, and a sheet supply roller provided at an end of the arm and feeding out the sheets stored in the tray by rotation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In such a configuration, when the tray is inserted into and removed from the duplex image recording apparatus, if the arm and the sheet feeding roller hit the side plate of the tray or the like, the insertion and removal of the tray cannot be properly performed. In order to solve such a problem, the duplex image recording apparatus may be configured such that the arm and the sheet feeding roller retract above the tray when the tray is inserted and removed.

[0006] However, when the duplex image recording apparatus is configured as described above, a space for retracting the arm and the sheet feeding roller is required inside the duplex image recording apparatus. As a result, the duplex image recording apparatus becomes larger in size.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can reduce the size of the image recording apparatus while securing a retraction area for a sheet feeding unit having an arm and a feeding roller.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] (1) The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, and below the recording unit is provided a tray on which a sheet can be placed and which can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus, a first guide member that forms a curved first conveyance path for guiding the sheet fed from the tray to the recording unit, and is provided between the recording unit and the tray, a rotatable arm, and a roller rotatably provided on the tip side of the arm for feeding the sheet placed on the tray to the first conveyance path. The feeding unit is rotatable between a feeding posture in which the roller feeds the sheet placed on the sheet placement surface of the tray and a retracted posture in which the roller retracts from the insertion / removal area of the tray, and a second guide member provided between the recording unit and the feeding unit in the feeding posture, and forms at least a part of a second conveyance path for guiding the sheet having an image recorded on one surface to the first conveyance path. The area for the feeding unit to take the retracted posture and the area where the second guide member forms at least a part of the second conveyance path overlap in a side view, and an opening is formed in the second guide member into which at least a part of the feeding unit rotated to the retracted posture enters.

[0009] For example, when the tray is inserted into or removed from the image recording apparatus, if the paper feeding unit hits the side plate of the tray or the like, the insertion and removal of the tray cannot be properly performed. To solve such a problem, the image recording apparatus may be configured such that the paper feeding unit retracts above the tray when the tray is inserted or removed. In the above-described configuration, the paper feeding unit can take a retracted posture above the tray. However, when the image recording apparatus is configured as described above, a region for retracting the paper feeding unit is required inside the image recording apparatus. As a result, the image recording apparatus becomes larger in size.

[0010] However, in the above-described configuration, in the process of inserting or removing the tray from the apparatus, when the paper feeding unit is rotated from the supply posture to the retracted posture, at least a part of the paper feeding unit enters the opening. As a result, it is possible to share the region for retracting the paper feeding unit and the region where the second guide member forms at least a part of the second conveyance path. Therefore, the image recording apparatus can be downsized while securing a retraction region for the paper feeding unit.

[0011] (2) The image recording apparatus of the present invention is provided in the paper feeding unit, and when the paper feeding unit is in the state of the fifth posture, further includes a stopper that contacts the second guide portion to prevent the surface of the roller from contacting the second guide member. When the surface of the roller contacts the second guide member, the surface of the roller may be damaged. However, in the above-described configuration, the stopper can prevent the contact between the surface of the roller and the second guide member.

[0012] (3) In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, in the process of inserting or removing the tray from the apparatus, the paper feeding unit can be rotated to the retracted posture by being pushed by the tray.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] ​​In the present invention, an opening is formed in the second guide member. Therefore, it is possible to share the area for retracting the paper feeding unit and the area where the second guide member forms at least a part of the second conveyance path. As a result, while securing the retraction area of the paper feeding unit, the image recording apparatus can be miniaturized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed for use (the state in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the side where the opening 13 is provided as the front side (front), and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 is generally formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a printer unit 11 using an inkjet recording method is provided at the lower part. The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. As the print function, it has a duplex image recording function for recording images on both sides of the recording paper. Note that the presence or absence of functions other than the print function is arbitrary. The printer unit 11 has a casing (housing) 14 with an opening 13 formed on the front surface, and a paper feed cassette 78 provided with a tray 20 (an example of the tray of the present invention) on which recording papers of various sizes (an example of the sheet of the present invention) can be placed is insertable and removable in the front-rear direction 8 from the opening 13. An operation panel 17 is provided at the upper part of the front surface of the multifunction machine 10. The operation panel 17 is a device for operating the printer unit 11. The multifunction machine 10 operates based on operation inputs from the operation panel 17.

[0017] [Configuration of Printer Unit 11] Next, the configuration of the printer unit 11 will be described while referring to FIG. 2. Note that in FIG. 2, the front side (right side of the paper surface) of the paper feed cassette 78 is not shown. The printer unit 11 includes a paper feed unit 15 (an example of the paper feed unit of the present invention) that picks up and feeds the recording paper from the tray 20, an inkjet recording method recording unit 24 (an example of the recording unit of the present invention) that discharges ink droplets onto the recording paper fed by the paper feed unit 15 to record an image on the recording paper, a path switching unit 41, and the like. Note that the recording unit 24 is not limited to the inkjet method, and various recording methods such as the electrophotographic method are applicable.

[0018] [Conveyor Path 65] Inside the printer unit 11, a conveyance path 65 is formed that extends from the leading end (the rear end portion) of the tray 20, passes through the recording unit 24, and reaches the paper discharge holding unit 79. The conveyance path 65 is divided into a curved path 65A (an example of the first conveyance path of the present invention) formed between the leading end of the tray 20 and the recording unit 24, and a paper discharge path 65B formed between the recording unit 24 and the paper discharge holding unit 79. The curved path 65A is a curved passage that extends from near the upper end of the separation inclined plate 22 (an example of the inclined plate of the present invention) provided on the tray 20 across the recording unit 24.

[0019] The separation inclined plate 22 extends obliquely upward to the rear in the left - right direction 9 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) at the rear end portion of the tray 20. The angle formed between the separation inclined plate 22 and the sheet placement surface of the tray 20 is an angle at which the recording paper placed on the sheet placement surface is smoothly guided to the curved path. For example, the angle formed between the separation inclined plate 22 and the sheet placement surface is set to half of the angle formed between a straight line parallel to the sheet placement surface and the extension line from the start end 64 of the curved path 65A. From the above, the separation inclined plate 22 is provided integrally with the tray 20 along the conveyance direction of the recording paper from the sheet placement surface to the curved path 65A, and constitutes an inclination at an angle that relaxes the angle formed between the sheet placement surface and the curved path 65A.

[0020] The curved path 65A is generally formed in an arc shape centered on the inner side of the printer unit 11. The recording paper fed from the tray 20 is guided to the recording unit 24 via the curved path 65A. The curved path 65A is partitioned by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 that face each other at a predetermined interval. That is, the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 are examples of the first guide members of the present invention. Note that the outer guide member 18, the inner guide member 19, the upper guide member 82, the lower guide member 83, the upper inclined guide member 32, the lower inclined guide member 33, and the support member 43, which will be described later, all extend in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 (the left - right direction 9 in FIG. 1).

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer guide member 18 rotates about the base axis 84 in the direction of arrow 85. This rotation is performed, for example, manually by the user of the multifunction machine 10.

[0022] The paper discharge path 65B is a straight path extending from the downstream side of the recording unit 24 in the first conveyance direction to the paper discharge holding unit 79. Here, the first conveyance direction refers to the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed through the conveyance path 65 (the direction indicated by the one-dot chain line with an arrow in FIG. 2).

[0023] A branch port 36 is formed on the downstream side of the recording unit 24 in the first conveyance direction. During double-sided image recording, the recording paper conveyed through the paper discharge path 65B is switched back on the downstream side of the branch port 36 and conveyed toward the inversion conveyance path 67 (an example of the second conveyance path of the present invention) described later.

[0024] [Recording unit 24] The recording unit 24 is disposed above the tray 20. The recording unit 24 reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (main scanning direction) of FIG. 2. A platen 42 for horizontally holding the recording paper is provided below the recording unit 24. In the process of reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction, the recording unit 24 discharges the ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) from the nozzles 39 onto the recording paper conveyed on the platen 42. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper.

[0025] Between the end of the curved path 65A and the recording unit 24, a first conveyance roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 are provided. The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the roller surface of the first conveyance roller 60 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). The first conveyance roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 hold the recording paper conveyed along the curved path 65A and send it onto the platen 42. Also, between the recording unit 24 and the start of the paper discharge path 65B, a second conveyance roller 62 and an accelerating roller 63 are provided. Similar to the pinch roller 61, the accelerating roller 63 is pressed against the roller surface of the second conveyance roller 62. The second conveyance roller 62 and the accelerating roller 63 hold the recording paper on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 24 and convey it to the downstream side in the first conveyance direction (the paper discharge holding unit 79 side).

[0026] The first conveyance roller 60 and the second conveyance roller 62 are rotationally driven by having a rotational driving force transmitted thereto from a conveyance motor (not shown) via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The drive transmission mechanism is composed of a planetary gear or the like, and rotates the first conveyance roller 60 and the second conveyance roller 62 in one rotational direction so as to convey the recording paper in the first conveyance direction, regardless of whether the conveyance motor rotates forward or backward.

[0027] [Paper feeding unit 15] The paper feeding unit 15 is provided below the recording unit 24 and above the tray 20, that is, between the recording unit 24 and the tray 20. The paper feeding unit 15 conveys the recording paper accommodated in the tray 20 toward the curved path 65A. The paper feeding unit 15 includes a paper feeding roller 25 (an example of the roller of the present invention), a paper feeding arm 26 (an example of the arm of the present invention), and a drive transmission mechanism 27.

[0028] The paper feeding roller 25 picks up the recording paper placed on the tray 20 and feeds it to the curved path 65A, and is rotatably supported at the tip of the paper feeding arm 26. The paper feeding roller 25 is rotationally driven when a rotational force is transmitted thereto from an ASF (Auto Sheet Feed) motor (not shown), which is a drive source different from the conveyance motor, via the drive transmission mechanism 27. The drive transmission mechanism 27 is supported by the paper feeding arm 26 and is composed of a plurality of gears arranged substantially linearly. The ASF motor is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction, and the paper feed roller 25 is rotated in a direction to feed the recording paper to the curved path 65A by the rotation of the ASF motor.

[0029] The paper feed arm 26 has its base end supported by the base shaft 28 and is rotatable about the base shaft 28 as the central axis. Therefore, the paper feed arm 26 can move up and down in a manner that allows it to contact and separate from the tray 20. Further, the paper feed arm 26 is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow 29 in FIG. 2 by its own weight or the elastic force of an elastic member such as a spring. For this reason, the paper feed roller 25 can be pressed against the upper surface of the recording paper housed in the tray 20. That is, the paper feed unit 15 assumes a first posture (corresponding to the first posture of the present invention) in which the paper feed roller 25 contacts the surface on which the recording paper is placed in the tray 20 (corresponding to the sheet placement surface of the present invention; hereinafter referred to as the sheet placement surface).

[0030] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper feed unit 15 is pushed upward when the tray 20 is inserted into the printer unit 11 or when the tray 20 is pulled out from the printer unit 11 by being pushed by the upper surface of the tray 20 (for example, the separation inclined plate 22). That is, the paper feed unit 15 is rotatable to a fifth posture (corresponding to the fifth posture of the present invention) in which it separates from the sheet placement surface and retreats from the insertion area of the tray 20 by being pushed upward by the separation inclined plate 22 in the process of inserting and removing the tray 20 with respect to the multifunction machine 10.

[0031] Note that what pushes the paper feed unit 15 is not limited to the separation inclined plate 22. For example, it may be the side wall 21 of the tray 20 (see FIG. 2), or both the side wall 21 of the tray 20 and the separation inclined plate 22.

[0032] Also, as described above, the paper feed arm 26 is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow 29 in FIG. 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the tray 20 is pulled out from the printer unit 11, the paper feed unit 15 is pressed against the frame 77 of the multifunction machine 10 disposed below the tray 20. That is, in a state where the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10, the paper feed roller 25 can rotate to a second posture (corresponding to the second posture of the present invention) where it is lower than the first posture. From the above, the paper feed arm 26 rotates between the first posture, the fifth posture, and the second posture.

[0033] [Path switching unit 41] As shown in FIG. 2, the path switching unit 41 is disposed near the branch port 36 in the conveyance path 65. The path switching unit 41 includes a third conveyance roller 45, a boosting roller 46, and a flap 49.

[0034] The third conveyance roller 45 is provided on the downstream side of the lower guide member 83. The third conveyance roller 45 is rotatably supported by the frame of the printer unit 11 or the like. The boosting roller 46 is pressed against the roller surface of the third conveyance roller 45 by its own weight or a spring or the like.

[0035] The third conveyance roller 45 is transmitted with a driving force in the forward and reverse rotation directions from a conveyance motor and rotates in either the forward or reverse direction. For example, when single-sided recording is performed, the third conveyance roller 45 rotates in the forward direction. Thereby, the recording paper is sandwiched between the third conveyance roller 45 and the boosting roller 46 and conveyed downstream, and is discharged to the paper discharge holding unit 79. On the other hand, when double-sided recording is performed, the rotation direction of the third conveyance roller 45 is switched from forward rotation to reverse rotation while the third conveyance roller 45 and the boosting roller 46 sandwich the rear end portion of the recording paper.

[0036] The support shaft 87 extending in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 (the left - right direction 9 in FIG. 1) is provided on the frame of the printer unit 11 or the like. The flap 49 extends generally downstream from the support shaft 87. The flap 49 is pivotally supported on the support shaft 87. Auxiliary rollers 47 and 48 formed in a flapper shape are pivotally supported on the flap 49.

[0037] The flap 49 is configured to be able to change its posture, and rotates between a discharge posture (the posture shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2) where it is located above the lower guide member 83 and a reverse posture (the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) where the extending end portion 49A enters below the branch port 36. When the flap 49 is in the discharge posture, the recording paper that has passed through the recording unit 24 is further conveyed downstream in the first conveyance direction. When the flap 49 is in the reverse posture, it is switched back and conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 67.

[0038] [Reverse conveyance path 67] The reverse conveyance path 67 guides the recording paper from the downstream side of the recording unit 24 in the first conveyance direction in the conveyance path 65 to the upstream side of the first conveyance roller 60 in the first conveyance direction in the conveyance path 65. The reverse conveyance path 67 branches from the paper discharge path 65B at the branch port 36, passes between the recording unit 24 and the paper feed arm 27, and merges with the curved path 65A at the merging portion 37 on the upstream side of the recording unit 24 in the first conveyance direction. The recording paper is conveyed in the second conveyance direction through the reverse conveyance path 67. Here, the second conveyance direction refers to the direction indicated by the two - dotted line with an arrow in FIG. 2. From the above, the reverse conveyance path 67 is a path for guiding the recording paper with an image recorded on at least one surface by the recording unit 24 to the curved path 65A.

[0039] The reverse conveyance path 67 is divided into a first path 67A and a second path 67B. The first path 67A is defined by an upper inclined guide member 32 having an inclined surface inclined obliquely downward rearward from the branch port 36 and a lower inclined guide member 33.

[0040] The second path 67B is defined by a rotation guide member 70 (an example of the second guide member of the present invention) rotatably supported in the directions indicated by the arrows 30 and 34 in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a support member 43 attached to the frame of the printer unit 11 and supporting the recording unit 24.

[0041] The reverse conveyance path 67 is provided with a fourth conveyance roller 68 and a boosting roller 69. The boosting roller 69 is pressed against the roller surface of the fourth conveyance roller 68 by its own weight or a spring or the like. The fourth conveyance roller 68 conveys the recording paper in the second conveyance direction by rotating. The fourth conveyance roller 68 is rotationally driven by the transmission of a rotational force from a conveyance motor. The direction of rotation of the fourth conveyance roller 68 is the direction for conveying the recording paper in the second conveyance direction.

[0042] [Rotation guide member 70] The rotation guide member 70 is provided between the recording unit 24 and the paper feeding unit 15. The rotation guide member 70 is a generally thin flat plate rectangular member whose dimension in the vertical direction 7 is shorter than the dimensions in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The tip end portion (the rear end portion) of the rotation guide member 70 is curved obliquely upward. As a result, the reverse conveyance path 67 and the curved path 65A form a substantially arc-shaped path, and the recording paper conveyed through the reverse conveyance path 67 is smoothly guided to the curved path 65A.

[0043] The base end portion (the front end portion) of the rotation guide member 70 is supported by the base shaft 73 of the paper feeding unit 15 and is rotatable about the base shaft 73 as a central axis. By being supported by the base shaft 73, the rotation guide member 70 can move up and down so as to be able to approach and separate from the recording unit 24.

[0044] By rotating, the rotation guide member 70 can take a third posture (corresponding to the third posture of the present invention) forming at least a part of the reverse conveyance path 67, a sixth posture (corresponding to the sixth posture of the present invention) approaching the recording unit 24 side more than the third posture, and a fourth posture (corresponding to the fourth posture of the present invention) separating from the recording unit 24 side more than the third posture.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the third posture is a posture in which the upper surface of the rotation guide member 70 maintains a predetermined interval through which the support member 43 and the recording paper can pass. When the rotation guide member 70 is in the third posture, the rotation guide member 70 is supported by the side wall 21 of the tray 20. The side walls 21 of the tray 20 are erected along the front-rear direction 8 from both end portions in the left-right direction 9 of the bottom plate on which the recording paper is placed. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end portions of the side walls 21 of the tray 20 are shown by broken lines. In the present embodiment, a support member 80 projects from the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70, and the rotation guide member 70 is supported by the side wall 21 by bringing the support member 80 into contact with the side wall 21. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the illustration of the side wall 21 is omitted.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the sixth posture is a posture in which the upper surface of the rotation guide member 70 approaches the vicinity of the support member 43 when the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70 is pushed by the paper feeding unit 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth posture is a posture in which when the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10, the rotation guide member 70 follows the rotation of the paper feeding unit 15 to the second posture and approaches the vicinity above the frame 77 of the multifunction machine 10 because the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70 is no longer supported by the side wall 21 of the tray 20.

[0047] [Hole 71] An opening is provided at a position facing the paper feeding roller 25 on the surface of the rotation guide member 70 through which the recording paper is conveyed (corresponding to the sheet conveying surface of the present invention; hereinafter referred to as the sheet conveying surface). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rotation guide member 70 is in the fourth posture, a first hole 71 (an example of the first opening of the present invention) is provided at a position where at least a part of the paper feeding roller 25 (for example, the roller surface above the paper feeding arm 26 of the paper feeding roller 25) abuts on the rotation guide member 70 if no opening is provided in the rotation guide member 70.

[0048] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the rotation guide member 70 is in the third posture, if no opening is provided in the rotation guide member 70, at least a part of the paper feed roller 25 and / or the paper feed arm 26 (for example, the roller surface above the paper feed arm 26 of the paper feed roller 25 or the upper surface of the paper feed arm 26) abuts against the rotation guide member 70, a second hole (an example of the second opening of the present invention) is provided at the position.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first hole 71 and the second hole are shared and are the same hole. However, depending on the relative positional relationship between the rotation guide member 70 and the paper feed roller 25, the position where the paper feed roller 25 abuts against the rotation guide member 70 may be different when the rotation guide member 70 is in the fourth posture and the third posture. In that case, the first hole and the second hole are provided separately. Hereinafter, the hole in which the first hole 71 and the second hole are shared is simply referred to as the hole 71.

[0050] By providing the hole 71 in the rotation guide member 70, in the state where the rotation guide member 70 is in the fourth posture, at least a part of the paper feed roller 25 in the second posture penetrates and protrudes above the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70. Further, in the state where the rotation guide member 70 is in the third posture, at least a part of the paper feed unit 15 rotated to the fifth posture penetrates and protrudes above the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70.

[0051] [Protrusion 72] As shown in FIG. 3, a protrusion 72 is provided in the vicinity of the upper surface of the paper feed arm 26 near the paper feed roller 25. As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 72 (an example of the stopper of the present invention) abuts against the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70 when the paper feed unit 15 is in the fifth posture. The position where the protrusion 72 is provided is not limited to the upper surface of the paper feed arm 26 as long as contact between the surface of the paper feed roller 25 and the rotation guide member 70 due to the rotation of the paper feed unit 15 can be prevented.

[0052] [Plate-like member 75] As shown in FIG. 3, a spindle 74 is provided at a position near the end on the spindle 73 side of the hole 71 on the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70. Also, a plate-like member 75 (an example of the opening / closing member of the present invention) having substantially the same shape as the hole 71 is provided at a position closing the hole 71. The base end portion of the plate-like member 75 is supported by the spindle 74 and is rotatable about the spindle 74 as a central axis.

[0053] The plate-like member 75 is rotationally biased downward by its own weight or by an elastic force of an elastic member such as a spring. However, it is configured not to be rotated below the position closing the hole 71 (the position shown in FIG. 3) by a regulating member (not shown) or the like. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, when the paper feeding unit 15 is in the first posture, the plate-like member 75 is rotated to a position closing the hole 71. As a result, the plate-like member 75 forms a part of the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the paper feeding unit 15 is in the fifth posture, the plate-like member 75 is pushed by the surface of the paper feeding roller 25 and is rotated to a position opening the hole 71.

[0054] In the above description based on FIGS. 3 and 6, the case where the plate-like member 75 is provided in a configuration where only the paper feeding roller 25 penetrates the hole 71 has been described. However, the plate-like member 75 may be provided when at least a part of the paper feeding unit 15 including the paper feeding arm 26 penetrates the hole 71 in addition to the paper feeding roller 25. In this case, the plate-like member 75 is configured to be able to change its posture to a position closing and opening the hole 71 through which at least a part of the paper feeding unit 15 including the paper feeding arm 26 penetrates.

[0055] Note that the plate-like member 75 is not limited to changing its posture to a position closing and opening the hole 71 by being rotated. For example, the plate-like member 75 may change its posture by being slid parallel to the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70.

[0056] [Elastic member] As shown in FIG. 4, an elastic member 76 (an example of the elastic member of the present invention), such as a spring, is provided on the lower surface (the surface opposite to the sheet conveyance surface) of the rotation guide member 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 76 is provided at the lowermost position when the rotation guide member 70 takes the fourth posture. And when the rotation guide member 70 takes the fourth posture, the elastic member 76 abuts against the frame 77 of the multifunction machine 10. Note that the illustration of the elastic member 76 is omitted except in FIG. 4.

[0057] [Rotation of the paper feeding unit 15 and the rotation guide member 70] As shown in FIG. 3, when the process of recording an image on the recording paper is being executed, the paper feeding unit 15 is in the first posture and the rotation guide member 70 is in the third posture. When the above process is not being executed, in the process of removing the tray 20 from the multifunction machine 10, the rotation guide member 70 rotates from the third posture to the sixth posture in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feeding unit 15 from the first posture to the fifth posture. Then, when the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10, the paper feeding unit 15 rotates from the fifth posture to the second posture, and the rotation guide member 70 rotates from the sixth posture to the fourth posture.

[0058] Details are described below. In the state shown in FIG. 3, when the tray 20 is pulled out from the printer unit 11, that is, moved forward, the paper feeding arm 26 rotates upward by the tray 20 so that the inner surface 23 of the separation inclined plate 22 does not contact the paper feeding roller 25. Accordingly, the paper feeding roller 25 also rotates upward. Thus, the paper feeding unit 15 rotates from the first posture to the fifth posture. When the paper feeding roller 25 rotates upward by a predetermined amount, the paper feeding roller 25 contacts the plate-like member 75.

[0059] In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, when the tray 20 is further moved forward and the paper feed roller 25 rotates further upward (see arrow 30 in FIG. 5), the plate-like member 75 is pushed by the paper feed roller 25 and rotates upward (see arrow 31 in FIG. 5). Also, the protrusion 72 abuts against the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70. In this state, when the paper feed roller 25 rotates further upward (see arrow 34 in FIG. 6), the rotation guide member 70 is pushed by the protrusion 72 and rotates upward integrally with the paper feed unit 15 (see arrow 35 in FIG. 6). That is, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 72 constitutes the interlocking portion of the present invention that rotates the rotation guide member to the sixth posture in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feed unit 15 to the fifth posture.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the above rotation continues until the paper feed roller 25 abuts against the upper end of the separation inclined plate. In the state of FIG. 6, the paper feed unit 15 is in the fifth posture, and the rotation guide member 70 is in the sixth posture.

[0061] In FIG. 6, the paper feed unit 15 is shown in the fifth posture by a solid line. On the other hand, the rotation guide member 70 is shown in the third posture by a broken line. As is clear from FIG. 6, the paper feed unit 15 takes the third posture in the region where the rotation guide member 70, which had been in the fifth posture until then, existed by pushing the rotation guide member 70 upward. That is, the region for the paper feed unit 15 to take the fifth posture and the region for the rotation guide member 70 to take the third posture overlap.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the paper feed arm 26 of the paper feed unit 15 in the fifth posture is arranged such that its longitudinal direction (front-rear direction 8) is substantially parallel to the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70 in the sixth posture.

[0063] In the state of FIG. 6, when the tray 20 is completely pulled out from the multifunction machine 10, the paper feeding unit 15 is not supported by the tray 20 and the separation inclined plate 22. Then, the paper feeding unit 15, which is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow 29 in FIG. 2, moves downward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface of the paper feed roller 25 is rotated to a second posture at a position lower than the height of the sheet placement surface of the tray 20 that existed until then.

[0064] [Effects of the Embodiment] The rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the fourth posture when the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10. As a result, the space between the recording unit 24 and the rotation guide member 70 becomes larger. Therefore, since the outer guide member 18 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the multifunction machine 10, even if the recording paper gets jammed in the rotation guide member 70, the recording paper can be easily taken out. However, when the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the fourth posture as described above, access to the paper feed roller 25 is obstructed by the rotation guide member 70.

[0065] However, according to the above-described embodiment, the rotation guide member 70 is provided with a hole 71. And when the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the fourth posture, at least a part of the paper feed roller 25 passes through the hole 71 and protrudes above the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70. Thereby, access to the paper feed roller 25 is no longer obstructed by the rotation guide member 70. Therefore, the paper feed roller 25 can be easily cleaned.

[0066] When the tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10, if the paper feed unit 15 hits the tray 20, the separation inclined plate 22, or both the tray 20 and the separation inclined plate 22, the insertion and removal of the tray 20 cannot be properly executed. In order to solve such a problem, the multifunction device 10 may be configured such that the paper feed unit 15 retracts above the tray 20 when the tray 20 is inserted and removed. In the above-described embodiment, the paper feed unit 15 can retract to the fifth posture above the tray 20. However, when the multifunction device 10 is configured as described above, a space for retracting the paper feed unit 15 is required inside the multifunction device 10. As a result, the multifunction device 10 becomes larger.

[0067] However, in the above-described embodiment, in the process of inserting and removing the tray 20 with respect to the multifunction device 10, when the paper feed unit 15 is rotated from the first posture to the fifth posture, at least a part of the paper feed unit 15 protrudes above the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70 through the hole 71. As a result, the space for retracting the paper feed unit 15 can be shared with the space above the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70. Therefore, the multifunction device 10 can be downsized while securing a retraction area for the paper feed unit 15.

[0068] When the surface of the paper feed roller 25 comes into contact with the rotation guide member 70, the surface of the paper feed roller 25 may be damaged. However, in the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 72 can prevent contact between the surface of the paper feed roller 25 and the rotation guide member 70. Further, in the above-described embodiment, while the protrusion 72 serves as a stopper for preventing contact between the surface of the paper feed roller 25 and the rotation guide member 70, the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the sixth posture in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feed unit 15 to the fifth posture. As a result, compared with a configuration in which a mechanism for preventing contact between the surface of the paper feed roller 25 and the rotation guide member 70 is provided separately from a mechanism for rotating the rotation guide member 70 in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feed unit 15, the number of components arranged in the multifunction device 10 can be reduced. As a result, the multifunction device 10 can be downsized.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the paper feed arm 26 and the sheet conveyance surface of the rotation guide member 70 are parallel to each other. As a result, the distance between the paper feed arm 26 and the rotation guide member 70 can be reduced. Therefore, the multifunction machine 10 can be miniaturized.

[0070] If the rotation guide member 70 is provided with the hole 71, there is a possibility that the recording paper may be caught in the hole 71 and jammed. In order to prevent this, a member for preventing the recording paper from being guided to the hole 71 on the sheet conveyance surface may be provided on the rotation guide member 70. Examples of such a member include a convex portion provided along the periphery of the hole 71. However, the provision of the convex portion increases the thickness of the rotation guide member 70. As a result, the multifunction machine 10 is enlarged. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, in a state where the recording paper is conveyed through the reverse conveyance path 67, a plate-like member 75 for closing the hole 71 is provided. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the recording paper is caught in the hole 71 and jammed without increasing the thickness of the rotation guide member 70.

[0071] As in the above-described embodiment, by sharing the hole through which at least a part of the paper feed roller 25 passes when the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the fourth posture and the hole through which at least a part of the paper feed unit 15 passes when the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the third posture, the number and area of the holes 71 provided in the rotation guide member 70 can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the recording paper is caught in the hole 71 and jammed.

[0072] When the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10, the rotation guide member 70 is rotated to the fourth posture. At this time, the rotation guide member 70 may contact a housing or the like that constitutes the bottom surface of the multifunction machine 10 existing below the tray 20 and make a loud noise. However, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic member 76 alleviates the impact when the rotation guide member 70 contacts the landing surface. Thereby, the noise when the rotation guide member 70 contacts the landing surface can be reduced.

[0073] [Modification Example 1 of the Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the protrusion 72 is the interlocking part of the present invention has been described. However, the interlocking part is not limited to the protrusion 72. For example, the paper feed arm 26 may be the interlocking part. In this case, when the paper feed arm 26 rotates, it is the paper feed arm 26, rather than the protrusion 72, that abuts against the lower surface of the rotation guide member 70. And in this state, when the paper feed unit 15 further rotates upward, the rotation guide member 70 is pushed by the paper feed arm 26 and rotates upward integrally with the paper feed unit 15.

[0074] In the present embodiment, by assuming the sixth posture, the rotation guide member 70 is disposed in the space existing between itself and the recording unit 24. Therefore, the paper feed unit 15 can exist in the space where the rotation guide member 70 has been present until then. Accordingly, the composite machine 10 can be downsized while securing the retraction area of the paper feed unit 15.

[0075] [Modification Example 2 of the Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the composite machine 10 is provided with the rotatable rotation guide member 70 as a member constituting at least a part of the reverse conveyance path 67 has been described. However, the member constituting at least a part of the reverse conveyance path 67 may be a fixed member that does not rotate. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower side of the reverse conveyance path 67 may be constituted only by the non-rotatable lower guide member 33 (an example of the second guide member of claim 10 of the present invention). In this case, the reverse conveyance path 67 is defined by the upper guide member 32 and the support member 43 disposed on the upper side, and the lower guide member 33 disposed on the lower side.

[0076] In the case of such a configuration, the paper feed unit 15 has a first posture (corresponding to the first posture of claim 10 of the present invention. The posture shown by the broken line in FIG. 7) in which the paper feed roller 25 abuts against the sheet placement surface of the tray 20, and a seventh posture (corresponding to the second posture of claim 10 of the present invention. It is rotatable to the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 7. The rotation is executed in the same manner as the rotation from the first posture to the fifth posture in the above-described embodiment. Further, on the surface of the lower guide member 33 through which the recording paper is conveyed (corresponding to the sheet conveyance surface of claim 10 of the present invention), at least a part of the paper feed unit 15 rotated to the seventh posture penetrates and projects upward from the upper surface of the lower guide member 33. A third hole 81 (an example of the third opening of claim 10 of the present invention) is provided. The role of the third hole 81 is the same as that of the hole 71 in the above-described embodiment.

[0077] For example, when the tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction machine 10, if the paper feed unit 15 hits the side plate of the tray 20 or the like, the insertion and removal of the tray 20 cannot be properly executed. In order to solve such a problem, the multifunction machine 10 may be configured such that the paper feed unit 15 retracts above the tray 20 when the tray 20 is inserted and removed. In the present embodiment, the paper feed unit 15 can take a seventh posture above the tray 20. However, when the multifunction machine 10 is configured as described above, a space for retracting the paper feed unit 15 is required inside the multifunction machine 10. As a result, the multifunction machine 10 becomes larger.

[0078] However, also in the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the space for retracting the paper feed unit 15 can be shared with the space above the sheet conveyance surface of the lower guide member 33. Therefore, the multifunction machine 10 can be miniaturized while securing a retraction area for the paper feed unit 15.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 10: Multifunction machine 15: Paper feed unit 20: Tray 22: Separation inclined plate 24: Recording unit 70: Rotation guide member 71: Hole 72: Projection 75: Plate-like member 76: Elastic member

Claims

1. A recording unit that records an image on a sheet, A tray provided below the recording unit and on which the sheet can be placed, A first conveyance path for guiding the sheet fed from the tray to the recording unit, A paper feeding unit including a rotatable arm and a roller rotatably provided at the tip side of the arm, the roller being rotatable so as to move between a first position and a second position above the first position, A guide member that forms a second conveyance path for guiding the sheet with an image recorded on one surface to the first conveyance path, A rotatable member that forms at least a part of the second conveyance path for guiding the recorded sheet, The rotatable member is located at a lower position when the roller is located at the first position, and is located at an upper position above the lower position and pushed by the paper feeding unit when the roller is located at the second position. An image recording apparatus.

2. A restricting unit that restricts the rotation of the rotatable member, The rotatable member rotates downward due to its own weight and is located at the lower position where it is not rotated downward by the restricting unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the rotatable member is in the lower position, the paper feeding unit is in the first position where it does not contact the rotatable member. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. A restricting unit that restricts the rotation of the rotatable member, The rotatable member rotates downward due to the elastic force of an elastic member and is located at the lower position where it is not rotated downward by the restricting unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The rotation axis about which the rotatable member rotates is provided on the lower surface of the guide member. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The rotatable member has a surface on which the sheet is conveyed. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

7. In the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed through the second conveyance path, the rotation axis of the rotatable member is located upstream of the rotation tip of the rotatable member. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

8. When the paper feeding unit rotates in response to the movement of the tray, the rotatable member is pushed by the paper feeding unit and is located at an upper position above the lower position. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The tray has side walls, When the side wall contacts the paper feeding unit, the paper feeding unit rotates so that the roller moves from the first position to the second position. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

Images