Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent falling of air blowing means even when the air blowing means is replaced in a state of mounting a sheet feeding apparatus in a device body.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding apparatus 235 includes: a shaft section 512a and a holding section 512b which support a fan 15a and a fan 15b with respect to a manual paper feeding tray 5; a fastening member 513 which detachably fastens the shaft section 512a and the holding section 512b to the manual paper feeding tray 5; and locking section 511a and a locking section 511b which prevent falling of the shaft section 512a and the holding section 512b where fastening to the manual paper feeding tray 5 by the fastening member 513 is released when the sheet feeding apparatus 235 is in a closed state with respect to a device body 201A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that is provided in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus so as to be able to be opened and closed, and to an image forming apparatus that includes this sheet feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, colorization and high image quality have become common in electrophotographic image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles. Users are increasingly demanding higher image quality and higher definition from image forming devices used in offices. Generally, plain paper or recycled paper is widely used in offices. However, plain paper has limitations in achieving the required clean and attractive results. To achieve cleaner and more attractive results, special paper such as coated paper or cardboard is increasingly desired.

[0003] Conventionally, such special paper has been fed using a manual paper feeder attached to the side wall of the image forming apparatus body (for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, manual paper feeders have been used to feed paper of sizes that cannot be loaded into the cassette paper feeder within the image forming apparatus, such as long, irregular, or small sizes, as well as high-rigidity cardboard that cannot be transported along transport paths other than the straight transport path due to the high transport resistance. For coated paper in particular, it is recommended to load only one sheet into the paper tray when feeding, which can prevent sheets from sticking to each other. However, this reduces productivity, so there has been a demand for improvements in productivity.

[0004] In response to this, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a manual feed tray is equipped with an air blowing device that blows air onto the side edges of sheets such as coated paper, which are approximately perpendicular to the sheet feed direction. The air blowing device in Patent Document 2 blows air onto the sheet edges, causing the sheet edges to move and allowing air to enter between the sheets, thereby loosening the adhesion between the sheets. Using this configuration makes it possible to continuously feed coated paper and other sheets from the manual feed tray.

[0005] On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the air blowing means is provided on the manual feed tray, which increases the size and weight of the sheet feeding device. In such a large and heavy sheet feeding device, it would be convenient if the air blowing means could be replaced without removing the sheet feeding device from the device main body. Furthermore, replacing the air blowing means without removing the sheet feeding device from the device main body can also shorten the work time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-095395 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-256819 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when replacing the air blowing means such as a fan without removing the sheet feeding device from the main body of the apparatus, there is a problem in that the air blowing means may fall and be damaged during replacement.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent the air blowing means from falling even when the air blowing means is replaced while the sheet feeding device is attached to the apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The sheet feeding device according to the present invention is provided so as to be freely opened and closed relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus. R, Loading the sheets Ruto Ray and Mae Note a feeding means for feeding the sheets stacked on the tray; Note It is set up in the ray and Noteair blowing means for blowing air onto the end portions of the sheets stacked on the tray in a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding means; Note a support member for supporting the air blowing means against the lay; Note a fastening member that is detachably fastened to the lay; tray is closed relative to the device body and when the tray is fastened to the fastening member, the support member and the tray are spaced apart from each other, and when the tray is closed relative to the device body and the fastening member and the tray are released from the fastening member, the support member and the tray are in contact with each other. and a fall prevention part that prevents the support member from falling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even when the air blowing means is replaced with the sheet feeding device attached to the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent the air blowing means from falling off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a manual tray of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is closed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with a tray cover removed. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a sheet feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of image forming device> The configuration of an image forming apparatus 201 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. FIG.

[0014] Here, the image forming apparatus 201 is exemplified as a tandem-intermediate transfer laser beam printer that uses an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 201 can form and output a full-color or monochrome image corresponding to print image data input from a connected host device 900 onto a sheet S, which is a recording medium. Here, the host device 900 is a personal computer, an image scanner, a facsimile machine, or the like.

[0015] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 201 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 101, an image forming unit 201B, a double-sided reversing unit 201F, an image reading device 202, a stacking unit 223, a first discharge roller pair 225a, and a second discharge roller pair 225b. The image forming apparatus 201 also includes a cassette feeding unit 230, a sheet feeding device 235, a registration roller pair 240, a feed roller 503, a retard roller 504, a sheet detection sensor 505, and an input display device 730.

[0016] The control unit 100 performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 201 by reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 101. The control unit 100 performs signal processing, sequence control, etc. by exchanging information with the host device 900 or the input display device 730. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the sheet feeding device 235 based on an electrical signal input from a sheet presence / absence sensor 17 (described later) of the sheet feeding device 235. The control unit 100 executes the image forming operation based on an electrical signal input from a sheet detection sensor 505.

[0017] When image data of a document to be printed is input from the host device 900 or the image reading device 202, the control unit 100 generates image information based on the input image data. The control unit 100 performs image processing on the generated image information, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the laser scanner 210.

[0018] The storage unit 101 stores a control program in advance.

[0019] Image forming unit 201B has a four-drum full-color configuration. Image forming unit 201B forms an image on sheet S fed from cassette feeding unit 230 or sheet feeding device 235, and transports the image-formed sheet S to duplex reversing unit 201F, first discharge roller pair 225a, or second discharge roller pair 225b. Image forming unit 201B includes secondary transfer unit 201D, fixing unit 201E, laser scanner 210, and four process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y. Image forming unit 201B also includes toner cartridges 215K, 215C, 215M, and 215Y, and primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y.

[0020] The secondary transfer unit 201D is provided above the process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y. The secondary transfer unit 201D includes a transfer belt 216, a drive roller 216a, a tension roller 216b, and a secondary transfer roller 217.

[0021] The transfer belt 216 is wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. The transfer belt 216 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

[0022] The drive roller 216a is driven to rotate by a driving force from a drive unit (not shown).

[0023] The tension roller 216b is provided inside the transfer belt 216 and applies tension to the transfer belt 216.

[0024] Secondary transfer roller 217 faces drive roller 216a across transfer belt 216. When a secondary transfer bias is applied from a power source (not shown), secondary transfer roller 217 transfers the color image transferred onto transfer belt 216 onto sheet S being transported by registration roller pair 240. Secondary transfer roller 217 transports sheet S onto which the color image has been transferred to fixing unit 201E.

[0025] Fixing unit 201E is provided above secondary transfer unit 201D. Fixing unit 201E has a roller nip formed by the contact between pressure roller 220a and heating roller 220b. Fixing unit 201E applies heat and pressure to sheet S conveyed by secondary transfer unit 201D in the roller nip, thereby melting and mixing the toners of the respective colors of the toner image transferred to sheet S and fixing the color image to sheet S. Fixing unit 201E conveys sheet S with the fixed color image to duplex reversing unit 201F, first discharge roller pair 225a, or second discharge roller pair 225b.

[0026] Based on an electrical signal input from control unit 100, laser scanner 210 sequentially exposes the surfaces of photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, which have been charged by charger 213, with a laser. Laser scanner 210 exposes the surfaces of photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to light, thereby forming electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y.

[0027] Each of the process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y forms a toner image in four colors: black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). The process cartridges 211K, 211C, 211M, and 211Y include photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y, and developers 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y.

[0028] The photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y are rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving unit (not shown).

[0029] The chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to a predetermined polarity and potential.

[0030] Developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y supply toner to the electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y by laser scanner 210. Developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y supply toner to the electrostatic latent images, thereby developing the electrostatic latent images with toner of each color and forming toner images on the surfaces of photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent images.

[0031] Toner cartridges 215K, 215C, 215M, and 215Y supply toner to developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y.

[0032] The primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y are provided inside the transfer belt 216, facing the photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y with the transfer belt 216 interposed therebetween, and are in contact with the transfer belt 216.

[0033] A primary transfer bias is applied to primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y from a power supply (not shown), thereby transferring the toner images formed on photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y onto transfer belt 216 in a sequentially superimposed manner. Primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y transfer the toner images formed on photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y onto transfer belt 216 in a sequentially superimposed manner, thereby forming toner images on transfer belt 216.

[0034] The double-sided reversing unit 201F is provided above the fixing unit 201E. The double-sided reversing unit 201F includes a pair of reversing rollers 222 that can rotate forward and backward. Before the trailing end of the sheet S in the conveying direction, on one side of which an image is formed, passes through the pair of reversing rollers 222, the pair of reversing rollers 222 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the sheet S, on one side of which an image is formed, is conveyed again to the image forming unit 201B via a re-conveyance path R.

[0035] The image reading device 202 is installed substantially horizontally above the device body 201 A. The image reading device 202 reads an image of a document and outputs image data of the read image to the control unit 100.

[0036] The stacking section 223 is configured to stack sheets S discharged from the apparatus main body 201A by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b.

[0037] The first discharge roller pair 225a is provided above the fixing unit 201E, and discharges the sheet S conveyed by the fixing unit 201E onto the stacking unit 223.

[0038] The second discharge roller pair 225b is provided above the fixing unit 201E, and discharges the sheet S conveyed by the fixing unit 201E onto the stacking unit 223.

[0039] The cassette feeding section 230 stores sheets S and feeds the stored sheets S to the image forming section 201B. The cassette feeding section 230 includes a feeding cassette 1, a pickup roller 2, a feed roller 3, and a retard roller 4.

[0040] The sheet cassette 1 stores sheets S therein.

[0041] The pickup roller 2 feeds the sheet S stored in the feeding cassette 1 to the feed roller 3 and the retard roller 4.

[0042] The feed roller 3 and the retard roller 4 separate the sheets S sent out by the pickup roller 2 one by one and feed them to a pair of registration rollers 240.

[0043] The pair of registration rollers 240 corrects skew of the sheet S fed by the cassette feeding unit 230 or the sheet feeding device 235, or the sheet S transported from the double-sided reversing unit 201F via the re-conveyance path R. The pair of registration rollers 240 transports the sheet S, the skew of which has been corrected, to the secondary transfer unit 201D of the image forming unit 201B.

[0044] The sheet feeding device 235 is detachable from the apparatus main body 201A, and is provided so as to be able to open and close freely relative to the apparatus main body 201A, and is rotatable between the open state shown in Fig. 1 and the closed state shown in Fig. 4. When the sheet feeding device 235 is in the open state, sheets S are stacked on it and the stacked sheets S are fed to the image forming unit 201B. The configuration of the sheet feeding device 235 will be described in detail later.

[0045] The feed roller 503 and the retard roller 504 rotate under the control of the control unit 100 to separate the sheets S sent out by a pickup roller 502 (described later) of the sheet feeding device 235 one by one and feed them to the pair of registration rollers 240 .

[0046] The sheet detection sensor 505 detects the sheet S fed by the sheet feeding device 235 and outputs an electric signal according to the detection result to the control unit 100 .

[0047] The input display device 730 is provided on the top of the device main body 201A. The input display device 730 is equipped with a touch panel type operation panel that displays predetermined information and accepts input operations from the user. The input display device 730 displays an operation section for selecting various buttons and an operation section for setting paper type, basis weight, size, etc. on the operation panel. The operation panel of the input display device 730 is not limited to a touch panel type, and may be a type in which multiple keys are pressed.

[0048] <Configuration of Sheet Feeding Device> The configuration of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0049] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of region A in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 6.

[0050] The sheet feeding device 235 has a manual paper feed tray 5, side edge restricting plates 14a, 14b, fans 15a, 15b, blowing nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The sheet feeding device 235 also has a sheet presence sensor 17, a pickup roller 502, a tray cover 510, locking portions 511a, 511b, shaft portions 512a, holding portions 512b, and fastening members 513. The fans 15a, 15b, blowing nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d constitute air blowing means.

[0051] The manual sheet feed tray 5, which serves as a feed tray, holds sheets S when the sheet feeder 235 is in an open state.

[0052] The side edge regulating plate 14a as a regulating member is provided on the manual feed tray 5 so as to be movable in a width direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "width direction") X of the sheet S, which is perpendicular to the feed direction Y of the sheet S (hereinafter simply referred to as "feed direction") relative to the manual feed tray 5. The side edge regulating plate 14a regulates the movement of the sheet S toward one end side in the width direction X.

[0053] The side end regulating plate 14b as a regulating member is provided on the manual feed tray 5 so as to be movable in the width direction X relative to the manual feed tray 5. The side end regulating plate 14b regulates the movement of the sheet S toward the other end side in the width direction X.

[0054] The fan 15a is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state movable in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end restricting plate 14a in the width direction X. The fan 15a is driven under the control of the control unit 100 to blow air toward the blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b.

[0055] Fan 15b is provided on manual paper feed tray 5 in a state movable in the width direction X in conjunction with movement of side end restriction plate 14b in the width direction X. Fan 15b is driven under the control of control unit 100 to blow air toward blowing nozzle 16c and blowing nozzle 16d.

[0056] The blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b are provided on the manual paper feed tray 5 in a state movable in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the side end regulating plate 14a in the width direction X. The blowing nozzle 16a and the blowing nozzle 16b guide the air blown by the fan 15a to one end of the sheet S in the width direction X and blow it against the one end of the sheet S in the width direction X.

[0057] Blowing nozzle 16c and blowing nozzle 16d are provided on manual paper feed tray 5 in a state movable in the width direction X in conjunction with movement of side end restriction plate 14b in the width direction X. Blowing nozzle 16c and blowing nozzle 16d guide the air blown by fan 15b to the other end of sheet S in the width direction X and blow it against the other end of sheet S in the width direction X.

[0058] The sheet presence / absence sensor 17 detects whether or not the sheet S is stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5, and outputs an electrical signal to the control unit 100 according to the detection result.

[0059] A pickup roller 502 as a feeding means rotates under the control of the control unit 100 to feed the top sheet S stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5 to a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 .

[0060] Tray cover 510 covers the bottom side, which is the lower side when manual paper feed tray 5 is open. Tray cover 510 covers fan 15a, fan 15b, blow nozzle 16a, blow nozzle 16b, blow nozzle 16c, blow nozzle 16d, locking portion 511a, locking portion 511b, shaft portion 512a, holding portion 512b, and fastening member 513. Tray cover 510 is detachably attached to manual paper feed tray 5.

[0061] A locking portion 511a serving as a fall prevention portion is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5. The locking portion 511a is provided vertically below the direction in which the shaft portion 512a falls when the sheet feeding device 235 is closed, and extends from the manual paper feed tray 5 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511a has a protrusion 511c at the tip end in the extension direction that protrudes in the opposite direction to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511a abuts against the shaft portion 512a or faces the shaft portion 512a with a gap therebetween at one end side of the shaft portion 512a in the width direction X.

[0062] A locking portion 511b serving as a fall prevention portion is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5. When the sheet feeding device 235 is closed, the locking portion 511b is provided vertically below the shaft portion 512a and extends from the manual paper feed tray 5 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511b has a protrusion 511c at the tip end in the extension direction that protrudes in the opposite direction to the vertical direction. The locking portion 511b abuts the shaft portion 512a or faces the shaft portion 512a with a gap therebetween at the other end side of the shaft portion 512a in the width direction X.

[0063] The shaft portion 512a is provided along the width direction X, and supports the holding portion 512b so that the holding portion 512b can slide in the width direction.

[0064] The holder 512b holds the fans 15a and 15b and moves in the width direction X in conjunction with the movement of the fans 15a and 15b in the width direction X.

[0065] The shaft portion 512a and the holder portion 512b serving as support members support the fans 15a and 15b movably in the width direction X relative to the manual paper feed tray 5 so that the fans 15a and 15b do not fall off the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0066] Fastening members 513 fasten and fix both ends of shaft portion 512a in the width direction X to manual paper feed tray 5. Fastening members 513 are capable of releasing the fastening of shaft portion 512a to manual paper feed tray 5. Here, screws are exemplified as fastening members 513.

[0067] Here, when the fans 15a and 15b are not supported by the shafts 512a and the holders 512b, they can fall off the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0068] <Operation of image forming device> The operation of the image forming apparatus 201 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0069] The control unit 100 starts an image forming operation such as a toner image forming operation based on an electrical signal input from the input display device 730 when the start button of the input display device 730 is pressed.

[0070] First, the control unit 100 generates image information based on image data received from the host device 900 or the image reading device 202, and then processes the generated image information, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the laser scanner 210.

[0071] Further, under the control of the control unit 100, the chargers 213K, 213C, 213M, and 213Y uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y to a predetermined polarity and potential.

[0072] Next, based on the input electrical signal, the laser scanner 210 sequentially exposes the surfaces of the charged photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y with a laser, thereby sequentially forming electrostatic latent images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y, respectively.

[0073] Next, developing units 214K, 214C, 214M, and 214Y develop the electrostatic latent images formed on photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y with toner of each color under the control of control unit 100. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surfaces of photoconductor drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y.

[0074] Next, a primary transfer bias is applied to primary transfer rollers 219K, 219C, 219M, and 219Y under the control of control unit 100. As a result, the toner images of each color formed on photosensitive drums 212K, 212C, 212M, and 212Y are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto transfer belt 216, thereby forming a color toner image.

[0075] In parallel with the above toner image forming operation, the sheets S are fed one by one by the cassette feeding section 230 or the sheet feeding device 235 to the pair of registration rollers 240, and the pair of registration rollers 240 corrects the skew of the sheets S.

[0076] The sheet S, whose skew has been corrected, is conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 240 to a secondary transfer portion 201D.

[0077] Next, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 217, and the toner images formed on the transfer belt 216 are transferred from the transfer belt 216 to the sheet S conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 201D.

[0078] Next, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 201E and subjected to heat and pressure in the roller nip portion. As a result, the toners of the respective colors of the toner image transferred onto the sheet S melt and mix. Furthermore, a color image is fixed onto the sheet S on which the toners of the respective colors of the toner image have melted and mixed.

[0079] Next, the sheet S with the image fixed thereon is discharged by the first discharge roller pair 225a and the second discharge roller pair 225b into the discharge space V between the image reading device 202 and the device main body 201A, and is stacked on the stacking section 223 provided on the bottom surface of the discharge space V.

[0080] When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S on which the image is fixed on one side is conveyed to a re-conveyance path R by a pair of reversing rollers 222 and conveyed again to the image forming section 201B.

[0081] <Overall Operation of Sheet Feeding Device> The overall operation of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0082] When the start button on the input display device 730 is pressed, the sheet feeding device 235 starts the feeding operation under the control of the control unit 100 .

[0083] First, when the control unit 100 determines that sheets S such as coated paper are stacked on the manual feed tray 5 based on an electrical signal input to the control unit 100 from the sheet presence / absence sensor 17, the fans 15a and 15b are driven under the control of the control unit 100. As a result, the fan 15a blows air toward one end of the sheet S in the width direction X via the blowing nozzles 16a and 16b in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 in Fig. 3. The fan 15b also blows air toward the other end of the sheet S in the width direction X via the blowing nozzles 16c and 16d in the directions of arrows A3 and A4 in Fig. 3.

[0084] When the air is blown, the upper sheets S of the stack of sheets S stacked on the manual sheet feed tray 5 float up, and the adhesive force between them and the lower sheets S is reduced.

[0085] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start button was pressed, the top sheet S of the stack of sheets S stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5 is sent to a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 by a pickup roller 502.

[0086] <Operation when replacing parts of the sheet feeding device> The operation of the sheet feeding device 235 according to the first embodiment of the present invention when replacing parts will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0087] When replacing fans 15a and 15b of sheet feeding device 235, manual paper feed tray 5 is closed relative to device main body 201A and tray cover 510 is removed. As a result, fan 15a, fan 15b, blow nozzle 16a, blow nozzle 16b, blow nozzle 16c, blow nozzle 16d, locking portion 511a, locking portion 511b, shaft portion 512a, holding portion 512b, and fastening member 513 are exposed to the outside.

[0088] Next, the fastening member 513 is used to release the shaft 512a from the manual paper feed tray 5. At this time, the shaft 512a is supported by the locking portions 511a and 511b by abutting against the locking portions 511a and 511b without being supported by hand or other tools. The shaft 512a also engages with the protrusions 511c of the locking portions 511a and 511b, preventing it from rolling on the locking portions 511a and 511b. This prevents the shaft 512a, the holder 512b, the fans 15a and 15b from falling vertically.

[0089] After the fastening member 513 is released from the manual paper feed tray 5, the shaft 512a can be lifted up together with the holding portion 512b in the direction opposite to the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 (upward in FIG. 7)) and removed. This allows the fans 15a and 15b to be replaced.

[0090] In this embodiment, when sheet feeding device 235 is closed relative to device body 201A, locking portions 511a and 511b are provided to prevent shaft portion 512a from falling after fastening member 513 is released from manual paper feed tray 5. This makes it possible to prevent fans 15a and 15b from falling even when fans 15a and 15b are replaced while sheet feeding device 235 is attached to device body 201A.

[0091] In this embodiment, the attachment and detachment direction of shaft 512a and holder 512b is parallel to the vertical direction. However, the attachment and detachment direction of shaft 512a and holder 512b is not limited to this, and may be a direction other than parallel to the vertical direction, taking into consideration the positional relationship between locking portion 511a, locking portion 511b, and parts near shaft 512a, or the working space when replacing fans 15a and 15b.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fans 15a and 15b of the manual sheet feeding device 235 are replaced, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to replacing fans of sheet feeding devices other than manual sheet feeding devices.

[0093] (Embodiment 2) The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] <Configuration of Sheet Feeding Device> The configuration of a sheet feeding device 1235 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0095] In addition, for parts having the same configuration as those in FIG. 7 in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given and their descriptions are omitted. Further, in the configuration of the sheet feeding device 1235 according to the present embodiment, for parts having the same configuration as those of the sheet feeding device 235, their illustration and description are omitted.

[0096] The sheet feeding device 1235 includes a manual paper feed tray 5, side end regulating plates 14a and 14b, fans 15a and 15b, spraying nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The sheet feeding device 1235 also includes a sheet presence / absence sensor 17, a pickup roller 502, a tray cover 510, a shaft portion 512a, a holding portion 512b, a fastening member 513, engaging portions 1511a and 1511b.

[0097] When the sheet feeding device 1235 is in an open state, sheets S are stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0098] The tray cover 510 covers the fans 15a and 15b, the spraying nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, the shaft portion 512a, the holding portion 512b, the fastening member 513, and the engaging portions 1511a and 1511b.

[0099] The engaging portion 1511a as a fall prevention portion is provided on the manual paper feed tray 5. The engaging portion 1511a is detachably press-fitted and clamped to the shaft portion 512a at one end side in the width direction X of the shaft portion 512a. The width H of the opening of the engaging portion 1511a is smaller than the diameter R of the shaft portion 512a (H < R). Note that the engaging portion 1511b as a fall prevention portion is not shown in the figure, but has the same shape as the engaging portion 1511a at the same position as the locking portion 511b.

[0100] <Operation during component replacement of the sheet feeding device> The operation during component replacement of the sheet feeding device 1235 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0101] When replacing fans 15a and 15b of sheet feeding device 1235, manual paper feed tray 5 is closed relative to device body 201A and tray cover 510 is removed. As a result, fan 15a, fan 15b, blow nozzle 16a, blow nozzle 16b, blow nozzle 16c, blow nozzle 16d, shaft 512a, holding portion 512b, fastening member 513, engaging portion 1511a, and engaging portion 1511b are exposed to the outside.

[0102] Next, the fastening member 513 is released from the shaft 512a to the manual paper feed tray 5. At this time, the shaft 512a is pressed and held by the engaging portions 1511a and 1511b without being supported by hand or other tools. This reliably prevents the shaft 512a, the holding portion 512b, the fans 15a and 15b from falling vertically.

[0103] Shaft 512a, which has been released from fastening member 513 to manual paper feed tray 5, can be removed by pulling it sideways (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8) together with holding portion 512b in a direction away from paper feed tray 5. At this time, engaging portions 1511a and 1511b elastically deform, and width H of the opening becomes larger than diameter R of shaft 512a, so that shaft 512a can be easily removed from engaging portions 1511a and 1511b. This allows fans 15a and 15b to be replaced.

[0104] In this embodiment, when the sheet feeding device 1235 is closed relative to the device body 201A, the engaging portions 1511a and 1511b are provided to prevent the shaft portion 512a from falling after the fastening member 513 is released from the manual paper feed tray 5. This makes it possible to prevent the fans 15a and 15b from falling even when the fans 15a and 15b are replaced while the sheet feeding device 1235 is attached to the device body 201A.

[0105] In the present embodiment, the attachment and detachment direction of shaft portion 512a and holding portion 512b is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. However, the attachment and detachment direction of the shaft portion and holding portion may be a direction other than a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, taking into consideration the positional relationship between engaging portion 1511a, engaging portion 1511b, and components near shaft portion 512a, or the working space when replacing fans 15a and 15b.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fans 15a and 15b of the manual sheet feeding device 1235 are replaced, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to replacing fans of sheet feeding devices other than manual sheet feeding devices.

[0107] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0108] Specifically, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the shaft portion 512a has a cylindrical shape, but this is not limiting, and the shaft portion may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the blowing nozzles 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which air is blown directly onto both widthwise ends of the sheet S from a fan as air blowing means, without using blowing nozzles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 5 Manual feed tray 14a Side edge regulation plate 14b Side edge regulation plate 15a Fan 15b Fan 16a Spray nozzle 16b Spray nozzle 16c spray nozzle 16d spray nozzle 100 control section 201 Image forming device 201A Device main body 201B Image forming section 235 Sheet feeding device 502 Pickup roller 510 Tray Cover 511a Locking part 511b Locking part 512a Shaft 512b Holding part 513 Fastening members 1235 Sheet feeding device 1511a Engagement part 1511b Engagement part

Claims

1. a tray that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed relative to a main body of the image forming apparatus and that holds sheets; a feeding means for feeding the sheets stacked on the tray; an air blowing means provided on the tray for blowing air onto an end portion of the sheet stacked on the tray in a width direction perpendicular to a feeding direction by the feeding means; a support member for supporting the air blowing means on the tray; a fastening member that detachably fastens the support member to the tray; a drop prevention part that is provided with a gap between itself and the support member when the tray is closed relative to the device body and fastened to the tray by the fastening members, and that abuts against the support member to prevent the support member from dropping when the tray is closed relative to the device body and fastening to the tray by the fastening members is released; A sheet feeding device comprising:

2. The fall prevention part is When the tray is in the closed state, the tray is provided below the support member in the vertical direction, extends from the tray in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and has a protrusion at a tip end in the extending direction that protrudes upward in the vertical direction.

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

3. The fall prevention portion detachably clamps the support member with pressure.

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

4. a regulating member movable in the width direction that regulates movement of the sheets stacked on the tray in the width direction, the air blowing means moves in the width direction in conjunction with the movement of the regulating member in the width direction, the support member supports the air blowing means so as to be movable in the width direction; 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is a sheet feeding device.

5. a sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images