Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To surely mount a conveyance unit.SOLUTION: A conveyance unit 22 includes: contact parts 69a, 69f capable of coming into contact with a storage unit 115; and recessed parts 68a, 68c recessed to the downstream side with respect to the contact parts 69a, 69f regarding the mounting direction. In the case where the contact parts 69a, 69f of the conveyance unit come into contact with the storage unit, and the conveyance unit 22 is moved from a second position to a first position by the storage unit 115, parts 115c, 115d to be positioned and the recessed parts 68a, 68c of the conveyance unit 22 do not come into contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance device and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, a configuration is known in which an image is formed on a sheet conveyed from a conveyance tray provided above a feed cassette. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the conveyance tray is moved for jam processing to remove a sheet remaining in the image forming apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the user attempts to insert the feed cassette into the apparatus main body, the feed cassette may interfere with the conveyance tray, and it may not be possible to insert the feed cassette into the image forming apparatus.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows the feed cassette to be inserted into the apparatus main body even when the conveyance tray is in the second position (open position).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: a storage unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus and houses a sheet; a transport member that transports the sheet housed in the storage unit; an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet transported by the transport member; and a transport unit positioned above the storage unit and transporting the sheet toward the transport member, the transport unit being movable to a first position for transporting the sheet and to a second position retracted below the first position, wherein the storage unit is positioned with respect to the mounting direction of the image forming apparatus. From the downstream end of the aforementioned housing unit The storage unit is positioned relative to the image forming apparatus by the engagement of the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus with the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus, and the transport unit has a contact portion at its upstream end in the mounting direction that can contact the storage unit, and a recess provided at a position corresponding to the positioning portion and recessed downstream of the contact portion in the mounting direction, wherein the contact portion of the transport unit and the storage unit come into contact, and when the transport unit is moved from the second position to the first position by the storage unit, the positioning portion of the transport unit and the recess do not come into contact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to more reliably move the transport tray, which is a transport unit, to the transport position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus [Figure 2] (a) Perspective view showing the transport unit in a first position, (b) Perspective view showing the transport unit in a second position, (c) Perspective view showing the storage unit in contact with the transport unit when the transport unit is in the second position. [Figure 3](a) A perspective view showing the transport unit in a transport position (first position) that forms a transport path, with the transport unit mounted on the image forming apparatus; (b) A perspective view showing the transport unit; (c) A perspective view showing the transport unit. [Figure 4] (a) Perspective view illustrating the transport unit, (b) Cross-sectional view at cutting line C in Figure 4(a), (c) Cross-sectional view at cutting line D in Figure 4(a) [Figure 5] (a) Perspective view showing the housing unit, (b) Perspective view of the housing unit from a different direction than (a) [Figure 6] These diagrams illustrate the relationship between the restricting member and the operating member: (a) a diagram showing the transport unit held in a first position, and (b) a diagram illustrating the process of releasing the restriction on the transport unit and moving it from the first position to the second position. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the transport unit and storage unit from a different direction than Figure 2(c). [Figure 8] This diagram shows the relationship between the storage unit and the transport unit when the transport unit is moved from the second position to the first position. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the relationship between the storage unit and the transport unit when the transport unit is moved from the second position to the first position. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the contact area of ​​the storage unit and the transport unit. [Figure 11] Diagram illustrating the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Example 1) Example 1 will be described using Figures 1 to 10. Here, a color laser beam printer is used as an example of an image forming apparatus. Furthermore, an example of an image forming apparatus is shown in which the toner images of each color on the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred to a belt, and then the toner images on the belt are transferred all at once to a sheet material.

[0011] The image forming apparatus may be a copier, multifunction printer, or facsimile machine. The image forming method does not have to be electrophotography; other image forming methods such as electrostatic recording or inkjet are also acceptable.

[0012] Furthermore, the side from which the feed cassette 115 is drawn is considered the front side (front) of the image forming apparatus 1. In each figure, the direction towards the front, which is the direction from which the feed cassette 115 is drawn, is denoted as forward F, and the opposite direction, which is the direction in which the feed cassette 115 is inserted, is denoted as rear B. Also, in each figure, the direction towards the front of the image forming apparatus 1 is denoted as upward U, the direction towards the bottom D, the direction to the left L, and the direction to the right R.

[0013] The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. The first sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding unit 106, comprises a feeding cassette 115, which is a storage unit for containing the sheet material S, and a pick roller 116, which is a feeding member for feeding the sheet material S. Furthermore, the sheet feeding unit 106 has a feed roller 117, which is a conveying member for transporting the fed sheet material S to the register roller pair 250, and a separation roller 118, which is a separation member opposite to it. The sheet S is frictionally separated by a torque limiter (not shown) built coaxially on the separation roller 118. In this embodiment, the sheet feeding unit 106 constitutes a part of the image forming apparatus 1, and the feeding cassette 115 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The mounting direction of the sheet feeding device unit 106 is the direction of arrow B in Figure 1.

[0014] When a control unit (not shown) issues a print signal, the pick roller 116 and feed roller 117 rotate clockwise in the diagram only during feeding, and the sheet material S loaded on the feeding cassette 115 is conveyed to the register roller pair 250. Subsequently, inside the intermediate transfer belt 130, the in-belt roller 105 that supports the intermediate transfer belt is sent to the secondary transfer nip section formed by the intermediate transfer belt 130 and the opposing secondary transfer roller 122.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes image forming units 111, 112, 113, and 114. Each image forming unit includes at least a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing roller that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image for development, and a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum.

[0016] In each image forming unit, an electrostatic latent image is sequentially formed on the outer peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum by laser light from the laser scanner 120. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller, and a toner image is formed.

[0017] In each image forming unit, the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 130. Next, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 is collectively transferred to the sheet material S sent to the secondary transfer nip portion. Further, the sheet material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the nip portion of the fixing film 107 and the pressure roller 108, where it is heated and pressed, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material S. The sheet material S onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged by the discharge roller 109 and the discharge roller 110.

[0018] In the manual feeding unit 206, which is the second sheet feeding device, a feeding tray 401 that is a loading member for loading the sheet material S and a pick-up roller 402 that is a feeding member for feeding the sheet material S are provided. Further, the feeding unit 206 has a feed roller 403 that is a conveying member for conveying the fed sheet material S to the conveying roller pair 310 and a separation roller 421 as a separating member.

[0019] When a print signal is issued by a control unit (not shown), the pick-up roller 402 and the feed roller 403 rotate clockwise in the figure only during feeding, and the sheet material S loaded on the feeding tray 401 is conveyed to the conveying roller pairs 310, 320, and 330. Thereafter, after the toner image is transferred and fixed to the sheet material S, it is discharged by the discharge roller 109 and the discharge roller 110.

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the sheet feeding unit 106, the feeding cassette 115, and the transport tray 22, which is configured as a transport unit that can move within the image forming apparatus 1. Note that Figure 2 is viewed from approximately the opposite direction to the cross-sectional view of Figure 1. The transport tray 22 is configured to move between a first position and a second position that is retracted from the first position. The transport tray 22 is positioned above the feeding cassette 115.

[0021] Figure 2(a) shows the transport tray 22 in a first position, which is the position where the upper surface of the transport tray 22 forms the sheet transport path P1.

[0022] Figure 2(b) shows the transport tray 22 in the second position, which is the position where the transport tray 22 has descended in the D direction along the guide groove, which will be described later as a guide means. In other words, the second position is a position that has been retracted below the first position. By moving the transport tray 22 to the second position, the transport rollers 320 and 330 are separated from the opposing driven rollers, making it easier to handle sheet jams.

[0023] The transport tray 22 is slidable within the guide groove and can move from the position shown in Figure 2(a) to the position shown in Figure 2(b). It can also move from the position shown in Figure 2(b) to the position shown in Figure 2(a). When the transport tray 22 is in the first position as shown in Figure 2(a), the feed cassette 115 can move in the pull-out direction and the insert direction relative to the sheet feed unit 106.

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the sheet feeding unit 106 and the transport tray 22. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing the transport tray 22 in a transport position (first position) forming the transport path P1, with the feed cassette 115 mounted on the sheet feeding unit 106. Figures 3(b) and 3(c) show the transport tray 22 from different perspective views.

[0025] The transport tray 22 is rotatably supported by driven rollers 65 and 66 and is biased by a biasing spring (not shown). When the transport tray 22 is in the first position shown in Figure 3(a), it forms a transport nip with the drive rollers 320 and 330 of the sheet feeding unit 106. As shown in Figures 3(b) and (c), the transport tray 22 is provided with tray protrusions 61, 62, 63, and 64, which are projections that protrude in the axial direction of the driven rollers 65 and 66. Tray protrusions 61 and 63 are the first guided parts and are provided on one end and the other end, respectively, in the axial direction. Tray protrusions 62 and 64 are the second guided parts and are provided on one end and the other end, respectively, in the axial direction. Also, as shown in Figure 3(c), the transport tray 22 is provided with transport tray cams 67a and 67b, which are cam members that protrude from the transport tray 22 in the D direction.

[0026] Furthermore, the front F of the transport tray 22 is provided with tray contact portions 69a and 69b, which serve as second contact portions and come into contact with cassette contact portions 115f and 115g, which serve as first contact portions and will be described later. On the other hand, the recesses 68a, 68b, and 68c do not come into contact with any part of the feed cassette 115.

[0027] The tray protrusions 61-64 are guided by guide grooves, which are guide means described later, and as a result, the transport tray 22 is movable between the first position and the second position.

[0028] Figure 4(a) is a perspective view illustrating the sheet feeding unit 106. The sheet feeding unit 106 includes a first side plate 70 and a second side plate 80 that support the conveyor rollers 320 and 330. Rotating shafts 95 and 96 are supported between the first side plate 70 and the second side plate 80, respectively, and the conveyor rollers 320 and 330 rotate when these shafts are rotated by a drive source (not shown). Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view at the cutting line C of Figure 4(a), showing a guide groove in the first side plate 70, which serves as a first guide portion opening on the inside of the first side plate 70. Figure 4(b) shows that the guide groove in the first side plate 70 includes horizontal portions 70a, 70b, and 70c, a front slanted portion 70d, a rear slanted portion 70e, and a rear horizontal portion 70f. The horizontal sections 70a, 70b, and 70c guide the sliding section 115b, which is the guided part of the feed cassette 115 described later, thereby supporting the feed cassette 115 so that it can slide in the pulling out direction and the insertion direction. The front inclined section 70d guides the tray projection 61 of the transport tray 22 so that it can slide.

[0029] The rear inclined portion 70e slidably guides the tray projection 62 of the transport tray 22. The rear horizontal portion 70f slidably guides the tray projection 62 of the transport tray 22 and supports the tray projection 62 from below when in the first position.

[0030] Figure 4(c) is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line D of Figure 4(a). As shown in the figure, a guide groove, which is a second guide portion symmetrical to that of the first side plate 70, is also provided on the inside of the second side plate 80. The second side plate 80 has horizontal sections 80a, 80b, and 80c, a front slanted section 80d, a rear slanted section 80e, and a rear horizontal section 80f as guide grooves. The tray protrusions 63 and 64 provided on the transport tray 22 are slidably guided with respect to the guide grooves of the second side plate 80, similar to the first side plate 70.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the feed cassette 115. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the feed cassette 115 from different perspectives. As shown in Figure 5(a), sliding parts 115a and 115b are provided on both sides of the feed cassette 115, allowing it to slide when inserted into the sheet feed unit 106.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5(b), the feeding cassette 115 is provided with positioning bosses 115c and 115d that protrude downstream in the mounting direction as positioning parts. When the feeding cassette 115 is inserted into the sheet feeding unit 106, it abuts against the abutment surface 106j (see Figure 2) provided on the sheet feeding unit 106. The feeding cassette 115 can be positioned relative to the sheet feeding unit 106 by the engagement of the positioning section (106i, see Figure 2) and positioning bosses 115c and 115d of the sheet feeding unit 106. A sensor rib 115e, which is a detection section, is provided at the rear B of the feeding cassette 115, and when the feeding cassette 115 is mounted on the sheet feeding unit 106, it engages with a detection sensor (not shown) provided on the sheet feeding unit 106. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 detects that the feeding cassette 115 has been mounted on the sheet feeding unit 106.

[0033] Furthermore, the rear B of the feeding cassette 115 is provided with cassette contact portions 115f and 115g, which are contact portions to be contacted, and can come into contact with tray contact portions 69a and 69b provided on the transport tray 22. The tray contact portions 69a and 69b are provided at the upstream end of the feeding cassette 115 in the mounting direction.

[0034] The right R and left L sides of the feed cassette 115 are provided with pressing parts, which are cassette ribs 115j and 115k, and cassette cams 115h and 115i, which are slidable with the transport tray cams 67a and 67b of the transport tray 22.

[0035] Next, we will explain the locking members 75 and 85 (see Figure 3(a)), which are locking members for positioning the transport tray 22 relative to the sheet feeding unit 106.

[0036] To hold the transport tray 22 in a first position, the sheet feeding unit 106 is provided with locking members 75 and 85, which are regulating members, and an operating lever 76, which is an operating member that makes the locking members 75 and 85 movable. The locking member 75 is provided on the inside of the first side plate 70, and the locking member 85 is provided on the outside of the second side plate 80.

[0037] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the locking member 85 and the operating lever 76. Figure 6(a) shows the transport tray 22 held in a first position. As shown in Figure 6(a), the locking member 85 comprises a locking contact portion 85a, an inclined surface 85b, and a restricting portion 85c. The locking contact portion 85a contacts the operating lever 76, and the inclined surface 85b is the surface that contacts the tray projection 63. When the transport tray 22 moves from the second position to the first position, the tray projection 63 is guided along the front inclined portion 80d, causing the inclined surface 85b and the tray projection 63 to come into contact.

[0038] An operating lever 76 is provided at the front F of the locking member 85, and is slidable in the front-rear direction on a guide portion 80g provided on the second side plate 80. The operating lever 76 has a contact portion 76a at the rear B and a pressed portion 76b at the front F. A biasing spring 77 is provided to bias the locking member 85 in the R1 direction.

[0039] As the transport tray 22 moves from the second position to the first position, the tray projection 63 rises and contacts the inclined surface 85b. As it rises further, the locking member 85 is pushed by the tray projection 63 and rotates in the R2 direction. Then, as the tray projection 63 passes the inclined surface 85b, the locking member 85 rotates in the R1 direction by the biasing spring 77. At this time, the tray projection 63 engages with the regulating part 85c, holding the transport tray 22 in the first position.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the locking member 75 on the left L is the same as the locking member 85, so its explanation is omitted. When the operating lever 76 is pressed, the locking member 75 moves in the same way as the locking member 85.

[0041] Next, using Figure 6(b), we will explain how to unlock the transport tray 22 and move it from the first position to the second position. As shown in Figure 6(b), when the user presses the pressed portion 76b of the operating lever 76 in the direction of rear B, the operating lever 76 moves to rear B, and the locking member 85 rotates in the direction of R2 against the biasing spring 77. At this time, the tray projection 63 disengages from the restricting portion 85c of the locking member 85, and at the same time, the tray projection 61 on the left L also disengages from the locking member 75. As a result, the tray projections 61 to 64 are guided down by the guide grooves of the first side plate 70 and the second side plate 80, and the transport tray 22 moves to the second position. When the transport tray 22 descends, it descends toward the second position with a force greater than its own weight due to the force of the biasing spring (not shown) that biases the driven rollers 65 and 66 provided on the transport tray 22.

[0042] Figure 2(a) shows the feed cassette 115 pulled out of the sheet feed unit 106, with the transport tray 22 in the first position. After this, inserting the feed cassette 115 into the sheet feed unit 106 will prepare the machine for printing. Figure 2(b) shows the feed cassette 115 pulled out of the sheet feed unit 106, with the transport tray 22 in the second position. To prepare the machine for printing, the transport tray 22 needs to be moved from the second position to the first position.

[0043] By pushing the transport tray 22 backward B, the transport tray 22 moves diagonally upward along the guide groove, and the tray protrusions 61 and 63 are maintained in the first position by being restricted by the locking members 75 and 85.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(c), when inserting the feed cassette 115 into the image forming apparatus 1, the feed cassette 115 can also push the transport tray 22 backward B. First, in Figure 2(b), when the user moves the feed cassette 115 backward B, the feed cassette 115 comes into contact with the transport tray 22, as shown in Figure 2(c).

[0045] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the state shown in Figure 2(c), but from a different direction than that shown in Figure 2(c). In this state, the cassette contact portions 115f and 115g provided on the feed cassette 115 contact the tray contact portions 69a and 69b provided on the transport tray 22. On the other hand, the positioning bosses 115c and 115d and the sensor rib 115e do not contact the transport tray 22 because the transport tray 22 has recesses.

[0046] From this state, when the feed cassette 115 is inserted to the rear B, the feed cassette 115 pushes the transport tray 22 to the rear B, and after the transport tray 22 rises along the guide groove, it is held in the first position, and the feed cassette 115 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1.

[0047] In this embodiment, when inserting the feeding cassette 115 into the image forming apparatus 1, the configuration ensures that the positioning bosses 115c, 115d and sensor ribs 115e of the feeding cassette 115 do not interfere with the transport tray 22, even if the transport tray 22 is in a second position.

[0048] Therefore, the feed cassette 115 can lift the transport tray 22 and move to the first position, allowing the feed cassette 115 to be attached to the image forming apparatus 1, thereby improving operability for the user.

[0049] A comparative example will be explained using Figure 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(b), the transport tray 22 of this embodiment is provided with tray contact portions 69a and 69b, which are configured to contact the cassette contact portions 115f and 115g shown in Figure 7. The tray contact portions 69a and 69b protrude from the transport tray 22. Therefore, the recesses 68a and 68c of the transport tray 22 are located in positions corresponding to the positioning boss 115c of the feed cassette 115 with respect to a direction intersecting the mounting direction, and are configured not to contact the positioning boss 115c. The cassette contact portions 115f and 115g are the parts corresponding to the tray contact portions 69a and 69b, and as shown in Figure 7, they have a shape that extends in the height direction (vertical direction).

[0050] On the other hand, in the comparative example, the transport tray 220 has a flat surface at its upstream portion 169, as shown in Figure 11(a). Figure 11(b) shows the insertion of the feed cassette 115 into the sheet feed unit 106 with the transport tray 220 in the second position. This is explained in Figure 11(c) along the cross-sectional line E, where the upstream portion 169 of the transport tray 220 is tucked under the positioning boss 115c of the feed cassette 115.

[0051] If the user attempts to push the feed cassette 115 further backward B from this position, the transport tray 220 will attempt to rise upward U along the guide grooves 70d and 70e, but the upstream portion 169 of the transport tray 220 interferes with the positioning boss 115c of the feed cassette 115. As a result, the transport tray 220 cannot rise upward U, and the user cannot insert the feed cassette 115 into the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the user must first remove the feed cassette 115 from the image forming apparatus 1, and then grasp the transport tray 220 and raise it to the first position.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(b), the tray contact portions 69a and 69b protrude, and the recesses 68a, 68b, and 68c do not come into contact with the feed cassette 115. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the transport tray 22 is in the second position, when the feed cassette 115 is inserted, the feed cassette 115 pushes the transport tray 22, making it possible to move the transport tray 22 from the second position to the first position. Details will be explained using Figures 8 and 9.

[0053] The process of moving the transport tray from the second position to the first position will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view at cutting line A in Figure 2(c), and Figure 9(a) is a cross-sectional view at cutting line B in Figure 2(c).

[0054] In Figures 8(a) and 9(a), the positions of the feed cassette 115 and the transport tray 22 are the same. Similarly, in Figures 8(b) and 9(b), 8(c) and 9(c), and 8(d) and 9(d), the positions of the feed cassette 115 and the transport tray 22 are the same.

[0055] In Figures 8(a) and 9(a), the transport tray 22 is in the second position, while in Figures 8(d) and 9(d), the transport tray 22 is in the first position. As we move from Figure 8(a) to (b), (c), and (d), we see the insertion of the feed cassette 115. Note that Figures 8 and 9 show the operation of the left L, but the right R operates similarly.

[0056] First, as shown in Figure 8(a), the cassette contact portion 115f of the feed cassette 115 is in contact with the tray contact portion 69a of the transport tray 22. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), when the feed cassette 115 is inserted to the rear B, the tray contact portion 69a moves upward U along the cassette contact portion 115f while moving to the rear B. At this time, as shown in Figure 9(b), the tray projection 61 rises along the front inclined portion 70d, and the tray projection 62 rises along the rear inclined portion 70e.

[0057] Figure 10 illustrates the shape of the cassette contact portion 115f. Figure 10 shows the area around the cassette contact portion 115f in Figure 8(b). When the angle of the cassette contact portion 115f is θ1 with respect to the insertion direction of the feed cassette 115 (rear B), and the direction in which the transport tray 22 moves is θ2, the relationship θ1 > θ2 exists, so when the transport tray 22 moves to the rear B, it can also move upward U. In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the cassette contact portion 115f in Figure 10 is straight, it is not limited to a straight shape, and may also be curved or bent.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(c), when the feed cassette 115 is inserted to the rear B, the cam 67a of the transport tray 22 slides while contacting the cassette rib 115k of the feed cassette 115. At this time, as shown in Figure 9(c), the tray projection 62 is engaged with the rear horizontal portion 70f, thereby determining its position in the height direction. At this time, the tray projection 61 is in contact with the locking member 75, but is not yet held in place.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(d), when the feeding cassette 115 is inserted to the rear B and attached to the sheet feeding unit 106, the cam 115i of the feeding cassette 115 moves to the rear B while lifting the cam 67a of the transport tray 22. At this time, the tray projection 61 is lifted upward U and then held by the locking member 75, so that the transport tray 22 is held in the first position.

[0060] As described above, according to the present invention, even when the transport tray 22 is in the second position that opens the sheet transport path, the feed cassette 115 can be inserted into the image forming apparatus 1, and the transport tray 22 can move toward the first position that forms the sheet transport path.

[0061] Therefore, since the user does not need to grasp the transport tray 22 and move it to the first position that forms the sheet transport path before inserting the feed cassette 115 into the image forming apparatus 1, operability is improved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Image forming apparatus 22 Transport tray (transport unit) 61 Guide projection 70 Guide grooves 75 Locking member (regulating member) 115 Feeding Cassette (Storage Unit)

Claims

1. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, A storage unit that is detachable from the aforementioned image forming apparatus and houses a sheet, A transport member for transporting the sheets stored in the aforementioned storage unit, An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet conveyed by the aforementioned conveying member, A transport unit positioned above the storage unit for transporting a sheet toward the transport member, comprising a first position for transporting the sheet and a second position retracted below the first position, The housing unit is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes downstream from the downstream end of the housing unit with respect to the mounting direction to the image forming apparatus, and the housing unit is positioned relative to the image forming apparatus by the engagement of the positioning portion with the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus. The transport unit has a contact portion at its upstream end in the mounting direction that can contact the housing unit, and a recess provided at a position corresponding to the positioned portion, which is recessed downstream of the contact portion in the mounting direction. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the contact portion of the transport unit and the housing unit come into contact, and the transport unit is moved from the second position to the first position by the housing unit, the positioned portion of the transport unit and the recessed portion do not come into contact.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a stopper surface that abuts against the housing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus, wherein the positioning portion is a positioning hole that opens in the mounting direction on the stopper surface.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning portion is a boss that can be inserted into the positioning hole.

4. Multiple bosses are provided in a direction intersecting the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the recesses are provided in multiple locations corresponding to the multiple bosses in a direction intersecting the mounting direction.

5. The contact portion of the transport unit is provided in multiple locations with respect to a direction intersecting the mounting direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, in a state in which the contact portion of the transport unit and the housing unit are in contact, the plurality of contact portions are located at positions corresponding to the space between the bosses.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the transport unit is moved from the second position to the first position by the housing unit, the housing unit is provided with a contact portion that extends in the height direction in the portion that contacts the contact portion of the transport unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transport unit comprises a driven roller that moves to transport a sheet.

8. The transport unit includes a first guided portion that protrudes from the end of the transport unit in the axial direction of the driven roller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a first guide portion that guides the first guided portion when the transport unit moves from the first position to the second position.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a restricting member for restricting the first guided portion, and the transport unit is maintained in the first position by the restricting member restricting the first guided portion.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the transport unit is positioned downstream of the first guided portion in the mounting direction of the transport unit and includes a second guided portion that protrudes from the end of the transport unit in the axial direction of the driven roller.

Images