JP2001348128A - Sheet conveying apparatus, image forming apparatus including the same, and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: Provided are a sheet conveying apparatus having a configuration in which rollers can be easily replaced, and an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus having the same. A feed roller shaft having one end supported by an apparatus frame body and detachably supporting a feed roller 51, a substantially coaxial line with the feed roller shaft 42, and a feed roller shaft 42 and a feed roller
51, a drive transmission shaft 101 provided at a position separated from the feed roller 51, and a coupling 102 provided between the feed roller 51 and the drive transmission shaft to engage with each other. When the engagement with the feed roller shaft 42 is released,
The feeding roller 51 can be detached from the feeding roller 51.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer provided with the sheet conveying apparatus, and an image reading apparatus such as a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are provided with a large number of roller pairs for conveying a sheet. In the prior art, a sheet feeding device having a sheet feeding roller for separating a stacked sheet one by one and feeding the separated sheet one by one from among a large number of roller pairs will be described by way of example. .

The sheet feeding device is provided with a feeding roller for feeding a sheet to an image forming unit and a separation roller for separating sheets fed by the feeding roller one by one. .

The separation roller is driven by a torque limiter to rotate in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction at a predetermined torque, and is provided with a sheet on the separation roller side among sheets to be fed in an overlapped state. The sheet has the function of separating the sheet by conveying the sheet in the reverse direction.

[0005] The sheet feeding device is further provided with an intermediate plate for urging the sheet to the feeding roller, a pull-out roller for conveying the fed sheet, and the like. Control and operation are performed using a motor or the like as a driving means.

In general, the driving of the separation roller is interlocked with the driving of the feeding roller. Therefore, a driving gear provided on a shaft supporting the feeding roller is driven to a gear on the separation roller shaft via an idler gear. This is done by inputting. In other words, the sheet feeding device is a device in which a large number of driving means and transmission means are complicated and densely integrated, and a large number of motors and gears for transmitting driving are connected to the end of the shaft supporting the feeding roller. Have been.

[0007]

However, usually,
The roller has a configuration in which the shaft supporting it penetrates the center of rotation and is held by bearings provided in the device frame,
Dense work is required at the time of assembling and maintenance of the device. In addition, in order to replace the feeding roller, the shaft holding the roller must be removed from the apparatus, and after replacing the roller, the shaft must be mounted on the apparatus again, resulting in an increase in working time.

In addition, since the roller shaft and a number of gear trains engaged with the roller shaft are also removed from the apparatus for roller replacement, it is necessary to assemble the driving means and the transmission means with high accuracy after the roller replacement. Was very difficult. In addition, there is a risk of loss or breakage due to removal from the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device having a configuration in which rollers can be easily replaced, and an image forming apparatus and an image reading device having the same.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration according to the present invention comprises a rotating body for conveying a sheet, one end supported by a frame, and the other end being connected to the rotating body. A first support shaft which is detachably supported, and which is provided on a coaxial line of the first support shaft and at a distance from the first support shaft and the rotating body, one end of which is supported by the frame body; Second
And a first engaging portion that engages with the rotating body, and a second engaging portion that engages with the second support shaft. The first engaging portion of the engaging means is detachable from the rotating body, and the rotating member is detachable from the first support shaft when the first engaging portion is detached. Features.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet conveying device of the present invention. In the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is described as being applied to a sheet feeding device. However, the present invention relates to a roller for conveying a sheet, and is not limited to only the sheet feeding device. .

<< Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus >> In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine main body, and a document table 2 made of a transparent glass plate fixedly provided is provided on the top of the copying machine main body 1. . Reference numeral 3 denotes a document pressing plate, which presses and fixes a document O placed at a predetermined position on the document table 2 with the image surface facing downward. A lamp 4 for illuminating the original O is provided below the platen 2.
Reflecting mirrors 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 for guiding the illuminated light image of the original O to the photosensitive drum 12, and an imaging lens 11
Is provided. The lamp 4 and the reflection mirrors 5, 6, and 7 move at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow a to scan the original O.

The sheet feeding section feeds the sheets stacked in the sheet cassettes 30, 31, 32, 33 built in the copying machine body 1 to the image forming section.
37, and feeding units (hereinafter, referred to as multi-feeding units) 51, 53, 55, and 70 for continuously feeding sheets of various materials and various sizes from the feeding tray 74 to the image forming unit are provided. Have been.

The image forming means includes a photosensitive drum 12 and a charger 13 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.
To develop an electrostatic latent image formed by a light image irradiated from the optical system on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 charged by the charger 13 to form a toner image to be transferred to the sheet S. A developing device 14, a transfer charger 19 for transferring the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 to the sheet S,
The image forming apparatus includes a separation charger 20 for separating the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 12 and a cleaner 26 for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after transferring the toner image. .

A transport unit 21 for transporting the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is provided downstream of the image forming means.
A fixing device 22 for fixing an image on the sheet S conveyed by the printer as a permanent image is provided. In addition, the fixing device 22
A discharge roller 24 for discharging the sheet S on which the image has been fixed from the copying machine main body 1 is provided. Further, the sheet S discharged by the discharge roller 24 is received outside the copying machine main body 1. A discharge tray 25 is provided.

{Sheet Feeding Apparatus} Next, a multi-feeding section as a sheet feeding apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the multi-feeding unit and the drum unit, and FIG. 3 is a driving development explanatory view (plan view) of the multi-feeding unit.

The copier body 1 is provided with a multi-feed tray 74 for stacking and supporting the sheet bundle S. The multi-feed tray 74 is provided with a pre-registration sensor 82 including a photo interrupter for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet S on the tray 74.

The middle plate 70 is provided so as to be swingable about the fulcrum portions 70a and 70b with respect to the front and rear side plates 63 and 64, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 by a pressing spring 72 (72a, 72b). Although a moment in the direction of pressing the feed roller 51 is urged, the feed roller 51 is appropriately pressed by the cam portion 80c shown in FIG. (Solid line).

Further, a felt 71 is provided at a contact portion of the leading end portion of the middle plate 70 with the feed roller 51 to prevent double feeding of the sheet S and to relieve an impact when the middle plate 70 is pressed. I have.

The feed roller 51 serving as a rotating body includes a pin 105 provided on a feed roller shaft 42 as a first support shaft and a first roller 105.
Detachable resin stopper 107 as a fixing member for
It is detachably supported on the feed roller shaft 42 by
The feed roller shaft 42 is rotatably mounted on a rear plate 64 as a device frame.
And it is supported by a holding portion 100 a provided on the upper support plate 100. Further, a motor M1 as a driving means and a feed driving gear 65 as a transmission means for transmitting a driving force from the motor M1 to the feeding roller shaft 42 are fixed to a rear end portion of the feeding roller shaft 42.

A drive transmission shaft as a second support shaft is provided at an end of the feed roller 51 on the side opposite to the feed drive gear 65 at a distance larger than the axial length of the feed roller 51. 101 is provided. The drive transmission shaft 101 is rotatably supported coaxially with the feeding roller shaft 42 by a holding portion 100b provided on the front side plate 63 and the upper support plate 100 as an apparatus frame.

Between the feed roller 51 and the drive transmission shaft 101,
A detachable coupling 102 as an engagement means is provided, and transmits the rotation transmitted to the feed roller 51 and the feed roller shaft 42 to the drive transmission shaft 101.

A drive transmission gear 57 as a transmission member and an idler gear are provided at the front end (the F side in FIG. 3) of the drive transmission shaft 101.
61 are arranged. Drive transmission gear 57 and idler gear 61
Drive gear, which is the transmission member on the other side that is driven and connected by
58 is a separation roller 53 as a rotating body different from the feed roller
Is fixed to a separation roller shaft 54 which is a shaft for supporting the feed roller shaft 54, the feed roller shaft 42, the feed roller
51, in synchronization with the coupling 102 and the drive transmission shaft 101,
It rotates in the direction opposite to the sheet conveyance direction.

A separation roller 53 is rotatably provided on the separation roller shaft 54 with a torque limiter 62 for generating a predetermined torque interposed therebetween. The separation roller 53 is provided to face the feed roller 51, and is configured to press the feed roller 51 with a predetermined pressure by a spring 73 with a bearing (not shown) interposed. As described above, the rotation of the separation roller shaft 54 is synchronized with the feeding roller 51, and the separation roller shaft 54 tries to rotate the separation roller in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction of the feeding roller 51. Driven to Further, the torque value of the torque limiter 62 and the pressure of the pressure spring 73 of the separation roller 53 are different depending on whether only one sheet is present in the nip formed by the feed roller 51 and the separation roller 53 or no sheet is present. Roller 53 is feeding roller by frictional force
Select to generate a return force so that the separation roller 53 reverses only when there are two or more sheets in the nip, following the feed roller 51 (stops when the feed roller 51 is stopped). Have been.

At a position where a feed drive gear 65 fixed on the feed roller shaft 42 is opposed to the feed drive gear 65, the feed drive gear 65 can be engaged with the feed drive gear 65, and a control gear as transmission means having two cutouts is provided. 80 are provided. The control gear 80 has a middle plate.
A cam portion 80c for controlling the pressurization / release of the feed roller 51 to the feed roller 51 is integrally provided. The cam portion 80c is integrally provided on the back side of the middle plate 70, 64 holes
A cam follower 70c, which extends through the base plate 64a and extends to the opposite contact position of the cam portion 80c, comes into contact with the cam follower 70c, whereby the rotation of the intermediate plate 70 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 is restricted. ing. The control gear 80 is fixed to a drive shaft 90 provided with a spring clutch 68.

The spring clutch 68, which receives the drive from the feed motor M1 via the idler gears 103, 104 and the gear 68a as transmission means, turns on the control solenoid 69 of the spring clutch 68 for a predetermined time. Thus, the phase angle of the spring clutch 68 and the notch is normally selected such that the notch of the control gear 80 is located at a position facing the feed driving gear 65. . Thus, in the normal state, the feed drive gear 65 and the feed roller shaft 4
2. The feed roller 51 can freely rotate in any direction, although the rotational load of the torque limiter 62 acts.

A pull-out roller pair 55, which is a pair of transport rollers, is disposed downstream of the feed roller 51 in the sheet transport direction. The pull-out drive roller 55a is rotatably supported on the front and rear side plates 63 and 64 by bearings (not shown), and an electromagnetic clutch 60 is provided at an end thereof.
The drive from the feed motor M1 can be connected and disconnected via the reduction gear 59. The pulling driven roller 55b is pressed by springs 56a and 56b via a bearing member (not shown) so as to face the pulling drive roller 55a. When the electromagnetic clutch 60 is turned on, the feed motor M1
Is transmitted through the reduction gear 59, and the pull-out roller pair
55 rotates in the direction in which the sheet is conveyed.

An abutment plate 78 serving as an abutment portion when the user sets the sheet S on the feed tray 74 is fixed between the separation roller 53 and the middle plate 70. A guide guide formed of a thin plate such as a polyethylene sheet or SUS material for guiding the leading end of the sheet to the nip formed by the feed roller 51 and the separation roller 53 is provided at the leading end of the abutting plate 78.
75 is provided to prevent the leading edge of the sheet from abutting against the separation roller 53 to prevent the leading edge of the sheet from being turned or broken.

{Sheet Feeding Operation} When a signal for starting sheet feeding is input, first, the solenoid 69 is turned on for a predetermined time, whereby the drive of the feed motor M1 is transmitted to rotate the control gear 80 which makes one rotation. The middle plate 70 is pressed by the cam portion 80c. By pressing the middle plate 70, the uppermost sheet of the sheets S stacked on the tray 74 and the middle plate 70 is pressed against the feeding roller 51. The control gear 80 further rotates, and the tooth forming portion of the control gear 80 meshes with the feed drive gear 65 so that the feed roller
51 rotates to feed the uppermost sheet of the sheet S. Before the rotation of the control gear 80 continues and before the leading end of the sheet S reaches the pull-out roller pair 55, the second notch of the control gear 80 reaches a position facing the feed drive gear 65, and once the feed roller 51 stops. With the feed roller 51 stopped, the pressure of the middle plate 70 is released by the cam portion 80c by the rotation of the control gear 80.

Further, the rotation of the control gear 80 continues, and the tooth forming portion of the control gear 80 meshes with the feed drive gear 65 again, so that the feed roller 51 rotates, and the leading end of the sheet S is pulled out and conveyed to the pair of rollers 55. I do.

At this time, if the second and subsequent sheets from the uppermost sheet are fed together, the fed sheets are returned by the separation roller 53 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, and are separated one by one. Sheet feeding is performed.

The sheet S that has reached the pull-out roller pair 55 driven by the drive of the feed motor M 1 via the reduction gear 59 and the gear 60 a provided on the electromagnetic clutch 60 is conveyed to the nip portion of the registration roller pair 81. Is done. After the leading edge of the sheet S is detected by the pre-registration sensor 82, the electromagnetic clutch 60 is turned off after a predetermined time, and a loop is formed on the sheet S between the pull-out roller pair 55 and the registration roller pair 81 (81a, 81b). The skew correction is performed, and the timing at which the sheet S is conveyed to the image forming unit is adjusted and the apparatus stands by.

Then, the registration clutch and the electromagnetic clutch 60 (not shown) are turned on in accordance with the image formation signal, and the registration roller pair 81 and the pull-out roller pair 55 are driven to remove the sheet S.
It is conveyed to the image forming means.

{Coupling Configuration} Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the feed roller shaft 42 and the feed roller 51 are connected to the drive transmission shaft 101 to form a drive transmission path. Of the coupling 102 will be described.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the coupling 102.
(a) is a perspective view of the coupling 102, (b) is a front view of the feeding roller 51, and (c) is a detailed cross-sectional view of a main part of the feeding roller 51 and the coupling 102.

When the coupling 102 as the engagement means is mounted on the apparatus, the first engaging portion side, which is the feed roller 51 side, is provided with the core metal of the feed roller 51 as shown in FIG. A claw portion 102a as a first engaging portion that engages with the outer periphery of a feed roller shaft 42 as a first support shaft is fitted to the center of the shaft between the coupling 102 and the feed roller shaft 42. Shaft fitting part 102 for positioning
b is provided. The shaft fitting portion 102b is a coupling 102
Penetrates the inside in the axial direction.

Further, when the apparatus is mounted, a second engaging portion, which is the drive transmission shaft 101 side, is provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive transmission shaft 101 as a second support shaft. A slit 102c as a groove that engages with a pin 101a (see FIG. 5) as a projection, and a notch 102d cut out larger than the outer diameter of the drive transmission shaft 101 to facilitate the attachment / detachment operation of the coupling 102. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the feed roller 51 which rotates while engaging with the coupling 102 includes a friction member 51a made of a member having a friction coefficient such as a rubber material, which is a portion that comes into contact with the sheet. And a metal core portion 51b that is formed of a resin material and engages with the claw portion 102a of the coupling 102. Core part 51b
Is an inner diameter portion 51c fitted to the feed roller shaft 42, and a plurality of ribs 51d radially provided from the inner diameter portion 51c in the direction of the friction member 51a.
And an outer peripheral portion 51e supporting the friction member 51a, and a gap 51f formed by the inner diameter portion 51c, the outer peripheral portion 51e, and the rib 51d.
The claw portion 10a of the coupling 102 is engaged with the claw portion 10a.
2a and the size of the gap 51f are determined.

FIG. 4C shows a state immediately before the first engaging portion of the coupling 102 is engaged with the feed roller 51 and the feed roller shaft 42. As shown in FIG. 4C, the shaft fitting portion 102b of the coupling 102 is fitted to the end of the feed roller shaft 42 to determine the position of the shaft center of the coupling 102.

Next, the engagement between the coupling 102 and the drive transmission shaft 101 will be described with reference to FIG. (a) is a front view of the second engagement portion of the coupling 102 (a view as viewed from the axial direction), and (b) and (c) are main components of the second engagement portion of the coupling 102 and the drive transmission shaft 101, respectively. It is a part detail side view and a top view.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the second engaging portion of the coupling 102 on the side of the drive transmission shaft 101 is connected to the drive transmission shaft 1.
A slit 102c as a groove for engaging with the pin 101a as the protrusion of 01 is provided vertically. Slit 102c
Is formed deeper on the feed roller 51 side than the position where the pin is fitted when engaged (when the coupling 102 is attached) because of the attachment / detachment operation of the coupling 102 described later.

A notch 102d is provided at one position (side of the tray 74) which is 90 degrees out of phase with the slit 102c. The notch 102d is used for coupling 102
It is necessary to rotate about the pin 101a with respect to the axial direction of the feed roller shaft 42, in order to prevent the coupling 102 and the drive transmission shaft 101 from interfering with each other and to facilitate attachment and detachment. Is provided.

{Attaching / Detaching Operation of Coupling} Next, an attaching / detaching operation of the coupling 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
6 is a detailed top view of the feed roller 51, the coupling 102, and the drive transmission shaft 101, that is, a view of FIG. 3 as viewed from above the middle plate 70 side.

FIG. 6A shows that the first engaging portion of the coupling 102 is engaged with the feed roller 51 and the feed roller shaft 42, and the second engaging portion is engaged with the drive transmission shaft 101. It is in a state of being mounted. To remove the coupling 102 from this state, first, a detachable resin stopper 106 as a second fixing member for restricting the coupling 102 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is removed, and the coupling 102 is coupled in the direction of arrow A. 6B is slid until the pin 101a abuts on the inner side of the slit 102c or the first engaging portion of the coupling 102 is disengaged from the feeding roller 51 and the feeding roller shaft 42.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the engagement between the claw portion 102a and the gap 51f between the feed roller 51 and the engagement between the shaft fitting portion 102b and the end of the feed roller shaft 42 are released. In this state, the coupling 102 is rotated toward the notch 102d (in the direction of arrow B) with the pin 101a as a center, and the state shown in FIG.

Then, from the state of FIG.
Drive the coupling 102 in the direction of arrow C along the arrow c.
After removing the coupling 102 and removing the coupling 102, the detachable resin stopper 107 as a first fixing member that restricts the axial movement of the feeding roller 51 is removed, and the feeding is performed in the direction of arrow D. Move the roller 51 to feed roller 51
The feed roller 51 is removed from the gap between the end of the feed roller shaft 42 and the end of the drive transmission shaft 101 which is set to have an interval larger than the width (length in the axial direction).

When the feeding roller 51 is mounted, the operation reverse to the above is performed.

As described above, the detachable coupling 102
Is used, the feed roller shaft 42 does not need to be a continuous shaft from the drive input portion on the back side of the apparatus (B side in FIG. 3) to the drive output portion on the front side (F side in FIG. 3). The replacement of the feed roller 51 can be easily performed.

Further, the coupling 10 is connected to the feed roller shaft 42.
When the drive is transmitted to the feed roller 2, it is necessary to form a fitting groove or the like in the feed roller shaft 42, but in the present invention, the drive roller 51 is driven to the coupling 102 via the metal core 51 b of the feed roller 51. Is transmitted, so that it is not necessary to form a groove or the like on the feed roller shaft 42, and the cost can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the coupling 102
Can be detached from the feed roller shaft 42 and the drive transmission shaft 101. However, the distance between the feed roller shaft 42 and the drive transmission shaft 101 is
Even when the coupling 102 is not detached from the pin 101a of the drive transmission shaft 101, such as a configuration in which the feeding roller 51 is spread to such an extent that the feeding roller 51 can be attached and detached even if it is held at 01, and the slit 102c is formed into an elongated hole shape. The effect can be obtained, and further, the loss of parts can be prevented, and work in a narrow device can be facilitated.

The positioning of the coupling 102 in the axial direction is performed by using the stopper 106.
For example, there is a method in which a coil spring or the like is provided on the drive transmission shaft 101 to urge the coupling 102 toward the feed roller 51, and when the coupling is detached, the coil spring is compressed to slide the coupling 102.

Although the stopper 107 is used to determine the position of the feed roller 51 in the axial direction, the stopper 107 need not be used if the coupling can be restricted by the coupling 102. The cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts, and the removal of the feed roller 51 can be further facilitated.

In this embodiment, the coupling 10
By moving 2 in the axial direction, the engagement with the feed roller 51 is released and the coupling 102 is disengaged, but the feed roller 51 is moved in a direction away from the coupling 102. Then, the coupling 102 may be detached to take out the feed roller 51, and a configuration and an order may be adopted.

In the present embodiment, the feeding roller 51 has a configuration in which the feeding roller shaft 42 penetrates. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coupling 102 and the feeding roller shaft 42 If the configuration is such that the axis center of can be accurately positioned,
It is not necessary that the feed roller shaft 42 penetrate the feed roller 51. For example, this can be achieved by a configuration in which a coupling protrusion that fits into the inner diameter portion 51c of the feed roller 51 is provided on the coupling 102 side.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the drive transmission structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Is an explanatory view of the coupling used in the second embodiment,
(a) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view in a state where the coupling is attached to the device, and (c) is a top view in a state where the coupling is removed.

The same reference numerals as in the first embodiment denote the same members, components, directions, and the like described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The coupling, which is the engagement means used in this embodiment, comprises a coupling 110 shown in FIG. 7A and a coupling 111 opposed thereto, and is connected by two screws 112 as fixing means. And become one.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the coupling 110. FIG. The coupling 111 has substantially the same shape as this, but differs from the coupling 110 in that the hole 110e is a tap 111e for fastening a screw. Further, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG.

The coupling 110 and the coupling 111 include:
A hole 110e for the screw 112 and a tap 111e are provided, and are connected by the screw 112 at the time of attachment.

On the side of the feed roller 151 as the first engaging portion of the couplings 110 and 111, the feed roller 151 is engaged with two protrusions 151a provided on the core metal of the feed roller 151. 1
Slits 110a and 111a for transmitting drive from the 51 to the couplings 110 and 111 are provided, and a feed roller shaft is provided.
Shaft fitting portions 110b and 111b are provided for fitting to the feed roller shaft 42 to determine the shaft center position with respect to the feed roller shaft 42 side.

On the side of the drive transmission shaft 101 as the second engagement portion of the coupling, shaft fitting portions 110c and 111c for fitting the drive transmission shaft 101 to determine the shaft center position are provided. Engagement holes 110d and 111d are provided for engaging the pins 101a of the drive transmission shaft 101 to transmit the driving force and determining the axial positions of the couplings 110 and 111.

When the coupling is mounted, as shown in FIG. 7C, the projection 151a of the feed roller 151 and the feed roller shaft 4
2. The couplings 110 and 111 are connected by two screws 112 so as to sandwich the drive transmission shaft 101 and the pin 101a provided on the drive transmission shaft 101, and the state shown in FIG.

When replacing the feed roller 151, the operation of removing the feed roller 151 after removing the screws 112 and dividing and removing the couplings 110 and 111 is performed according to the method of removing the feed roller 51 of the first embodiment. Similarly to the above, the stopper 107 is removed, and the feed roller 151 is moved along the axis to be removed. In addition, the opposite operation may be performed for the mounting method.

In this embodiment, as a method for connecting the two coupling components, the fastening with screws as the fixing means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A flexible material such as a resin material may be used, and engaging means such as a claw utilizing bending may be used.

In the first and second embodiments, the sheet feeding section is provided directly on the main body of the recording apparatus. However, the sheet feeding section is detachable from the main body of the apparatus for improving the assemblability and maintenance. It may be a unit.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the driven means driven by the drive transmission shaft 101 is connected to the separation roller 53.
However, the same effect can be obtained with a normal conveying roller, or with another roller that is not located opposite to the feeding roller.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as an example in which the present invention is applied to a multi-feed unit. However, the present invention can be applied to a cassette feed unit and a deck feed unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention is applied to a copying machine as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By providing the image reading means on the downstream side in the transport direction, the present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus.

[0069]

The present invention is constructed as described above.
When attaching and detaching the rotating body to and from the apparatus, the engagement can be easily performed by releasing the engagement of the engaging means engaged with the rotating body and the second support shaft with the rotating body.

Also, with the above configuration, the number of parts is small and the assembling is easy, so that the cost of parts and
The assembly cost can be reduced, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the user can perform the maintenance by himself, the usability related to the maintenance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a multi-feed unit and a drum unit.

FIG. 3 is a drive development explanatory view of a multi-feeding unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of engagement between a coupling and a drive transmission shaft.

FIG. 6 is a detailed top view illustrating a feed roller, a coupling, and a drive transmission shaft.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling used in a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 M1: feeding motor (driving means) S: sheet O: original 1: copying machine body 2: original platen 3: original pressing plate 4: lamp 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: reflecting mirror 11: imaging Lens 12: Photoconductor drum 13: Charger 14: Developing device 19: Transfer charger 20: Separation charger 21: Transport unit 22: Fixing unit 24: Discharge roller 25: Discharge tray 26: Cleaners 30, 31, 32, 33 ... Sheet cassettes 34, 35, 36, 37 ... Cassette feeding section 42 ... Feeding roller shaft (first support shaft) 51 ... Feeding roller (rotating body) 51a ... Friction member 51b ... Core metal part 51c ... Inner diameter part 51d ... rib 51e ... outer peripheral part 51f ... gap 53 ... separation roller 54 ... separation roller shaft 55 ... pull-out roller pair 55a ... pull-out drive roller 55b ... pull-out driven rollers 56a, 56b ... spring 57 ... drive transmission gear (transmission member) 58 ... Separate drive gear (transmission member) 59 ... reduction gear 60 ... electromagnetic clutch 60a ... gear 61 ... idler gear (transmission member) 62 ... torque limiter 63 ... front side plate (frame) 64 ... rear side plate (frame) 64a ... hole 65 ... feed drive gear (transmission means) 68 ... spring clutch 68a ... gear 69 ... control solenoid 70 ... middle plate 70a, 70b ... fulcrum 70c ... cam follower 71 ... felt 72a, 72b ... pressure spring 73 ... spring 74 ... feeding tray 75 ... guide guide 78 ... butting plate 80 ... control gear 80c ... Cam part 81 ... Registration roller pair 82 ... Pre-registration sensor 90 ... Drive shaft 100 ... Upper support plate 100a ... Holding part 100b ... Holding part 101 ... Drive transmission shaft (second support shaft) 101a ... Pin (projection part) 102 ... coupling (engaging means) 102a ... claw part (first engaging part) 102b ... shaft fitting part 102c ... slit (second engaging part) 102d ... notch 103, 104 ... idler gear 105 ... pin ( Projection) 106… Stopper (second fixing) 107) Stopper (first fixing member) 110, 111 ... Coupling (engaging means) 110a, 111a ... Slit 110b, 111b ... Shaft fitting part 110c, 111c ... Shaft fitting part 110d, 111d ... fitting Hole 110e ... Hole 111e ... Tap 112 ... Screw (fixing means) 151 ... Feeding roller (rotating body) 151a ... Projection

Claims (21)

[Claims] A rotating body that conveys a sheet, a first supporting shaft that is supported at one end by a frame body, and that detachably supports the rotating body at the other end, and on a coaxial line of the first supporting shaft. And a second support shaft provided at a position separated from the first support shaft and the rotating body, one end of which is supported by the frame, and a first engaging portion that engages with the rotating body. And a second engaging portion that engages with the second support shaft. The first engaging portion of the engaging means is detachable from the rotating body. The sheet conveying device, wherein the rotating body can be detached from the first support shaft by detaching the first engaging portion. 2. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second engaging portion of said engaging means is detachable from said second support shaft. 3. A distance between an end of the first support shaft on the side of holding the rotating body and an end of the second support shaft on the side of the rotating body is equal to an axis of the rotating body. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying device is longer than the length in the direction. 4. An end of the first support shaft on the frame side,
Alternatively, a driving means for inputting a drive to the first support shaft for rotating the rotating body is connected to an end of the second support shaft on the frame side. The sheet conveying device as described in the above. 5. The second support shaft is connected to the second end of the second support shaft opposite to the end of the second support shaft through the engagement means engaged with the rotating body. 5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission member for transmitting the drive of the driving unit transmitted to the support shaft to the support shaft of a different rotating body. 6. The rotating body according to claim 5, wherein the different rotating body is provided at a position facing the rotating body supported by the first support shaft, and rotates while being pressed against the rotating body. Sheet transport device. 7. The first engaging portion has a claw portion engageable with a metal core portion of the rotating body, and the second engaging portion is provided on a side of the second support shaft on the rotating body side. 2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a groove provided on an end portion and engaging with a protrusion protruding in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. 8. The second engagement portion is held so as to be detachable from the second support shaft, and the engagement means is connected to the second support shaft.
When detaching from the second support shaft, the second engagement shaft is rotated so that the engagement means can be rotated around the protrusion with which the groove is engaged. 8. The sheet conveying device according to claim 7, wherein a notch portion which is larger than an outer diameter of an end portion of said second support shaft is formed in said engaging portion. 9. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support shaft penetrates a rotation center of the rotator and supports the rotator. 10. The first engagement portion is configured such that a claw portion engageable with a metal core portion of the rotating body and a shaft fitting that fits into an end portion of the first support shaft that penetrates the rotating body. A mating portion, wherein the second engagement portion has a groove portion that engages with a projection portion that is provided at an end of the second support shaft on the rotating body side and that projects in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The sheet conveying device according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The second engaging portion is held so as to be detachable from the second support shaft, and when the engaging means is disengaged from the second support shaft, the groove is engaged. The second engaging portion is provided with an end portion of the second supporting shaft so that the engaging means can be pivoted about the projecting portion to be disengaged from the second supporting shaft. 10. The sheet conveying device according to claim 9, wherein a notch portion is formed which is larger than the outer diameter of the notch. 12. A second fixing member, comprising: a first fixing member that restricts axial movement of the rotating body; and a second fixing member that restricts axial movement of the engaging means. After releasing the regulation of the engaging means by the fixing member, the engaging means is moved in a direction away from the rotating body to release the engagement between the first engaging portion and the rotating body, In a state where the engagement between the second engagement portion and the second support shaft is released and the engagement means is disengaged, the regulation of the first fixing member for regulating the rotating body is released. 3. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotating body is moved in the direction of the second support shaft to be separated from the first support shaft. 13. A first fixing member for restricting axial movement of the rotating body, and a second fixing member for restricting axial movement of the engaging means, wherein After releasing the restriction of the rotating body by the fixing member, the rotating body is moved in a direction of separating from the engaging means to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the rotating body, and The restriction of the engaging means by the second fixing member is released, and the engagement of the second engaging portion with the second support shaft is released, whereby the engaging means is disengaged. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotating body is moved in the direction of the second support shaft to be separated from the first support shaft. 14. The engaging means is configured to be dividable in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction, and the engaging means, the rotating body and the second support shaft are divided by dividing the engaging means. 3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement with the sheet is released. 15. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means is a coupling member formed of an elastic material. 16. A rotator for conveying a sheet, a first support shaft for supporting the rotator, and provided on a coaxial line with the first support shaft, the first support shaft and the rotator. A second support shaft provided at a distance from the first support shaft, a transmission unit connected to the first support shaft, and transmitting drive to the first support shaft; A sheet conveying device comprising: an engagement unit that engages with the rotating body and the second support shaft to transmit the transmitted driving force to the second support shaft. 17. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said engaging means has a shape capable of engaging with a metal core of said rotating body. 18. The rotating body is detachably supported on the first support shaft, and the engaging means is configured to be detachable from the rotating body and the second support shaft. 17. The rotating body is detachable from the first support shaft by detaching the joining means.
The sheet conveying device as described in the above. 19. The positioning means for positioning the first support shaft and the second support shaft by fitting the engagement means to an end of the first support shaft. The sheet conveying device according to claim 16. 20. Any one of claims 1 to 19
An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet sent from the sheet conveying device. 21. Any one of claims 1 to 19
An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an image reading unit that reads an image of a sheet sent from the sheet conveying apparatus.