Unit coupling mechanism and sheet conveying device

Abstract

To improve the workability of work for attaching and detaching units to and from a device body.SOLUTION: A shaft holder has a first connection part that projects outward from a holder body. The first connection part is formed in an oval shape to have a large diameter part and a small diameter part. The shaft holder further includes a second connection part. The second connection part has a connection hole into which the first connection part is inserted. The connection hole has a communication port through which the small diameter part of the first connection part can pass and the large diameter part cannot pass. When a first unit and a second unit are connected, the shaft holder is rotated to fix the first connection part at a first angle, thereby allowing the first connection part to pass through the communication port, and after the first connection part is inserted into the connection hole through the communication port, the shaft holder is rotated to fix the first connection part at a second angle, thereby preventing the first connection part from passing through the communication port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Claims

1. A unit coupling mechanism comprising a first unit and a second unit, having one end pivotally supported by the first unit and the other end pivoting about the pivot portion of the one end and supported so as to be detachable from the second unit, A shaft rotatably disposed at the other end, A shaft holder that supports the axial end of the aforementioned shaft, The shaft mounting plate has mounting holes to which the shaft holder is attached, The aforementioned shaft holder is A cylindrical holder body rotatably supported in the aforementioned mounting hole, It has a first connecting portion that protrudes outward in the axial direction from the holder body, The first connecting portion is formed in an oval shape when viewed from the axial direction, and has a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion whose radial width is smaller than that of the large diameter portion. The second unit further comprises a second connecting portion provided on the shaft mounting plate and positioned outward in the axial direction of the shaft mounting plate, The second connecting portion has a connecting hole that faces the mounting hole in the axial direction and into which the first connecting portion is attached. The connecting hole has a communication opening, viewed from the axial direction, through which the small-diameter portion of the first connecting part that swings together with the other end can pass, but through which the large-diameter portion cannot pass. A unit connecting mechanism that, when connecting the first unit and the second unit, rotates the shaft holder inside the mounting hole to fix the first connecting portion at a first angle so that the first connecting portion can pass through the communication opening, inserts the first connecting portion into the connecting hole through the communication opening, and then rotates the shaft holder inside the mounting hole to fix the first connecting portion at a second angle so that the first connecting portion cannot pass through the communication opening, thereby connecting the first unit and the second unit.

2. The aforementioned shaft holder is A flange formed on one end of the holder body in the axial direction, It has a locking piece extending from the flange portion to the other end of the holder body in the axial direction, The shaft mounting plate has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion to which the locking piece can be selectively engaged. The unit connecting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion is fixed at a first angle by the engagement of the locking piece and the first engaging portion, and the first connecting portion is fixed at a second angle by the engagement of the locking piece and the second engaging portion.

3. The unit connecting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the locking piece is formed in a U-shape having a first piece extending inward in the axial direction from the flange and a second piece folded back from the first piece and extending outward in the axial direction.

4. The unit connecting mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the locking piece protrudes from the side of the second piece and has a grippable operating portion.

5. The unit connection mechanism is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A conveying roller is attached to the shaft, which conveys the sheet as the shaft rotates. The first unit and the second unit are sheet conveying devices for conveying the sheets, respectively.

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