JP2013014396A - Medium feed device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently suck even a small medium, when sucking and conveying the medium.SOLUTION: A medium feed device (U2) includes: a holding member (22) configured to suck and hold the medium (S) at one end of a surrounding member (36) in accordance with suction of a sucking device (HF); an end alignment member (13) which includes a contact surface (51c) that can be in contact with the end edge of the medium (S), and which is configured to align the end edge of the medium (S); and a movable body (52) including a movable body (52a) which is supported movably in a direction to come close to or separate from the holding member body (23) and a proximity part (52c) which extends from the movable body (52a) in a direction to separate from the end edge of the medium (S), and which is configured to, when the contact surface (51c) of the end alignment member (13) is positioned at the inside of the surrounding member (36), come close to the lower end of the surrounding member (36) to limit the air flow from the outside to a space (37) surrounded by the surrounding member (36).

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium supply device and an image forming apparatus.

  In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is conventionally known as a medium supply apparatus that sucks and conveys a medium.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-19978 as Patent Document 1, air is exhausted from a small opening (124) formed in the paper feeding device plenum (58), and is suspended around the plenum (58). The paper is captured at the lower end of the sealing mechanism (300) arranged in a state, and the sealing mechanism (300) sealed by the paper capture is further evacuated, so that the suspended sealing mechanism (300) rises with the paper, and the drive device (600) moves the plenum (58) to the downstream side, so that the paper is delivered to the feeding roller (55) and conveyed downstream. Has been.

JP 2002-19978 A ("0023" to "0029", FIGS. 2 to 5, 16, and 17)

  An object of the present invention is to enable efficient adsorption of even a small medium when adsorbing and transporting the medium.

In order to solve the technical problem, a medium supply device according to claim 1 is provided.
A storage container in which a medium is stored;
A loading member that is supported inside the container and on which a medium is loaded;
A holding member main body disposed opposite to the stacking member and supported so as to be movable along the conveyance direction of the medium, an opening for gas suction formed in the holding member main body, and surrounding the opening An enclosure member that is arranged and extends from the holding member body to the stacking member side and is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the stacking member; and formed inside the enclosure member and by the enclosure member A surrounding space, and a suction device that is connected to the gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the space, and is attached to the stacking member side of the surrounding member as the suction device sucks. A holding member that adsorbs and holds the medium at one end;
A conveying member that is disposed downstream of the holding member in the conveying direction of the medium and conveys the medium adsorbed by the holding member toward the downstream side;
An end alignment member that has a contact surface that can contact an edge of a medium loaded on the stacking member, is supported inside the storage container, and can align the edge of the contacted medium;
A movable body supported so as to be movable toward and away from the holding member body, the movable body supported so as to be movable by the end alignment member; and an end of the medium from the movable pair body Proximity part extending in a direction away from the edge, and when the contact surface of the end aligning member is located inside the enclosing member, the perimeter is surrounded by the enclosing member in proximity to the lower end of the enclosing member The movable body having the proximity portion capable of restricting the inflow of gas from the outside to the space;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 2 is the medium supply apparatus according to claim 1,
The contacted portion in which a proximity portion with the surrounding member is made of a low friction material,
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the medium supply device according to claim 1 or 2,
The movable body configured to be detachable from the storage container;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It is provided with.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to efficiently attract even a small medium when attracting and transporting the medium, compared to a configuration having no movable body.
According to invention of Claim 2, abrasion can be reduced compared with the case where a proximity | contact part is not comprised with a low friction material.
According to invention of Claim 3, when a movable body is required, it can mount | wear.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of the suction head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a plan view. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suction head according to the first embodiment when viewed obliquely from below. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4B. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the first embodiment, and is a plan view in a state where a medium having a minimum size is accommodated. 8A and 8B are explanatory views of the side guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is a perspective view and FIG. 8B is an exploded view. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a large-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 9A illustrates the sheet feeding tray in a state where the stacking plate is moved to the lowered position before the image forming operation is started. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the image forming operation is started and the stacking plate is moved to the raised position. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the large-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied. FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the medium is adsorbed and air for separating the medium is blown from the state shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the suction head has moved from the suction position to the supply position from the state shown in FIG. 10A. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram when a large-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the suction head starts moving from the state illustrated in FIG. 10B toward the suction position. 11B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head has further moved from the state shown in FIG. 11A to reach the suction position. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a small-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 12A illustrates the sheet feeding tray in a state where the stacking plate has been moved to the lowered position before the image forming operation is started. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the image forming operation is started and the stacking plate is moved to the raised position. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when a small-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIA-XIIIA in FIG. 12B, and FIG. 13B is a conventional one in which a sealing auxiliary portion is not provided. FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which suction is started from the state shown in FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which suction is further performed from the state shown in FIG. is there. FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram when a small-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied, and FIG. 14A is an illustration of a state in which the medium is adsorbed and air for separating the medium is blown from the state shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of the state where the suction head has moved from the suction position to the supply position from the state shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a small-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the suction head starts moving from the state illustrated in FIG. 14B toward the suction position. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head has further moved from the state shown in FIG. 15A to reach the suction position. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the second embodiment.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus U includes a user interface UI as an example of an operation unit, an image scanner U1 as an example of an image information input device, a paper feeding device U2 as an example of a medium supply device, and an image forming apparatus body U3. And a paper processing device U4.

The user interface UI includes an input key such as a copy start key, a copy number setting key, a numeric keypad, and a display unit UI1.
The image scanner U1 includes an automatic document conveying device that automatically conveys a document, a scanner main body as an example of an image reading device, and the like. In FIG. 1, an image scanner U1 reads a document (not shown), converts it into image information, and inputs it to the image forming apparatus body U3.
The sheet feeding device U2 is an example of a storage container, and a plurality of sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 as an example of a sheet feeding unit, and a recording sheet as an example of a medium fed from each of the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2. A sheet feeding path SH1 is provided as an example of a conveyance path for conveying S to the image forming apparatus main body U3.

In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus main body U3 includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding device U2, a toner dispenser device U3a as an example of a developer supply unit, and a sheet conveyance path. SH2, paper discharge path SH3, paper reversal path SH4, paper circulation path SH6, and the like are provided. The image recording unit will be described later.
The image forming apparatus main body U3 includes a control unit C, a laser drive circuit D as an example of a drive circuit for latent image writing controlled by the control unit C, and a power supply circuit controlled by the control unit C. E etc. The laser drive circuit D, the operation of which is controlled by the control unit C, in advance receives a laser drive signal corresponding to image information of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black input from the image input device U1. At the set time, the images are output to the latent image forming apparatuses ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk of the respective colors.

In FIG. 1, a black image carrier unit UK has a photosensitive drum Pk as an example of an image carrier, a charger CCk, and a photoreceptor cleaner CLk as an example of a cleaner for an image carrier. . In addition, the image carrier units UY, UM, and UC of other colors Y, M, and C are also provided with photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc, chargers CCy, CCm, and CCc as an example of a discharger, and photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc. In Example 1, the K photosensitive drum Pk, which is frequently used and has a lot of surface wear, is configured to have a larger diameter than the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc of other colors, and is capable of high-speed rotation. Long life has been achieved.
Toner image forming members UY + GY, UM + GM, UC + GC, UK + GK are constituted by the image carrier units UY, UM, UC, UK and developing units GY, GM, GC, GK having a developing roll R0.

  In FIG. 1, photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are uniformly charged by chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCk, respectively, and then output from the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the laser beam Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk as an example of the latent image writing light. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are visible in the colors Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, and K: black by the developing units GY, GM, GC, and GK. The toner image is developed as an example of the image.

The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member by primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit. The images are sequentially superimposed and transferred, and a multicolor image, so-called color image, is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to a secondary transfer area Q4 as an example of an image recording area.
In the case of only black image data, only K: black photosensitive drum Pk and developing unit GK are used, and only a black toner image is formed.
After the primary transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk is cleaned by the photosensitive member cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk.

  A belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device is disposed below the image carrier units UY to UK. The belt module BM includes an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member, belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a as examples of support members of the intermediate transfer member, and the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. The belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, and T2a include a belt drive roll Rd as an example of a drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a driven member. A plurality of idler rolls Rf as an example and a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer counter member are included. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by the belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya.

A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roll T2a. A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member of the secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed so as to be separated from and contactable with the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roll T2b is A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. Further, a contact roll T2c as an example of a voltage application contact member is in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is constituted by the rolls T2a to T2c.
A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the contact roll T2c from a power supply circuit controlled by the control unit C at a preset time.

  A sheet conveyance path SH2 is disposed below the belt module BM. The recording sheet S fed from the sheet feeding path SH1 of the sheet feeding device U2 is conveyed to the sheet conveying path SH2 by a conveying roll Ra as an example of a plurality of medium conveying members, and is an example of a delivery timing adjusting member. The registration roller Rr sends the toner image to the secondary transfer region Q4 through the medium guide member SGr and the medium guide member SG1 before transfer in accordance with the time when the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording paper S by the secondary transfer device T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. In the case of a full-color image, the toner images primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper S all at once.

The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned, that is, cleaned by a belt cleaner CLB as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner. The secondary transfer roll T2B is supported so as to be separated from and contactable with the intermediate transfer belt B.
A transfer device T1 + B + T2 + CLB for transferring the image on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk onto the recording paper S by the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, the belt cleaner CLB, It is configured.
The photoconductor drums Py, Pm, Pc, Pk, the developing units GY, GM, GC, GK, the transfer devices T1 + B + T2 + CLB, and the like constitute a printer unit U3b as an example of the image recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device F through a medium guide member SG2 after transfer and a sheet conveyance belt BH as an example of a medium conveyance member before fixing. The fixing device F has a heating roll Fh as an example of a heat fixing member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member, and is fixed by a region where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in pressure contact with each other. Region Q5 is formed.
The toner image on the recording paper S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5. A first gate GT1 as an example of a conveyance path switching member is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device F. The first gate GT1 selectively switches the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet conveyance path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5 to the sheet discharge path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4 of the sheet processing apparatus U4. The sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH3 is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path SH5 of the sheet processing apparatus U4.

  A curl correction device U4a as an example of a curvature correction device is disposed in the middle of the paper transport path SH5, and a curl switching gate G4 as an example of a transport path switching member is disposed in the paper transport path SH5. Yes. The curl switching gate G4 causes the recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet conveying path SH3 of the image forming apparatus main body U3 to be curved, so-called curl direction, the first curl correction member h1 or the second curl correction member. Transport to the h2 side. The recording paper S conveyed to the first curl correction member h1 or the second curl correction member h2 is curled when passing. The recording sheet S with the curl corrected is in a so-called face-up state in which the image fixing surface of the sheet faces upward from a discharge roll Rh as an example of a discharge member to a discharge tray TH1 as an example of a discharge unit of the paper processing device U4. It is discharged at.

The sheet S conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 side of the image forming apparatus main body U3 by the first gate GT1 pushes away a second gate GT2 as an example of a conveying direction regulating member formed of an elastic thin film member. And is conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body U3.
A sheet circulation path SH6 and a sheet reversing path SH7 are connected to the downstream end of the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body U3, and a third gate as an example of a regulating member in the conveying direction is also connected to the connecting portion. GT3 is arranged. The sheet transported to the sheet transport path SH4 through the first gate GT1 passes through the third gate GT3 and is transported to the sheet reversing path SH7 side of the sheet processing apparatus U4. When performing duplex printing, the recording paper S that has been transported through the paper reversing path SH4 passes through the third gate GT3 as it is, is transported to the paper reversing path SH7, and then transported in the reverse direction, so-called. When switched back, the transport direction is regulated by the third gate GT3, and the switched recording paper S is transported to the paper circulation path SH6 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH6 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the sheet feeding path SH1.

On the other hand, when the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet reversing path SH4 is switched back after the rear end of the recording sheet S in the medium conveying direction passes through the second gate GT2 and before passing through the third gate GT3, the second gate The transport direction of the recording paper S is regulated by GT2, and the recording paper S is transported to the paper transport path SH5 with the front and back sides reversed. The recording sheet S whose front and back sides are reversed is subjected to curl correction by the curl correction member U4a, and then the image fixing surface of the sheet S faces downward in the sheet discharge tray TH1 of the sheet processing apparatus U4, so-called face-down state. Can be discharged.
A sheet transport path SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH1 to SH7. Further, a medium transport system SU is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH, V, Ra, Rr, Rh, SGr, SG1, SG2, BH, GT1 to GT3, and the like.

(Description of paper feed trays TR1 and TR2)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment.
Here, for each of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the first embodiment, only the second paper feed tray TR2 will be described in detail, and for each of the other paper feed trays TR1, the second paper feed tray TR2 is described. Since it is the same structure, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In FIG. 2, rails 1 and 1 as examples of guide members extending in the front-rear direction, that is, in the X-axis direction, are disposed outside the left and right ends of the second paper feed tray TR2. Rollers 2 and 2 as examples of rotating members are rotatably supported on the lower sides of the rails 1 and 1, respectively. The upper portions of the rollers 2 and 2 protrude above the rails 1 and 1 from holes formed in the lower surfaces of the rails 1 and 1.
Also, guided rails 3 and 3 as an example of guided members that bulge outward are provided at the lower portions of the left and right sides of each of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2, respectively. The guide rails 3 and 3 are supported on the upper surfaces of the rollers 2 and 2 on the lower surface of the rail 1. Therefore, the second paper feed tray TR2 is configured to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction along the left and right rails 1 and 1. That is, the second paper feed tray TR2 is configured to be movable between a drawing position drawn from the paper feeding device U2 and an insertion position inserted into the paper feeding device U2.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment.
2 and 3, the second paper feed tray TR2 includes a bottom plate 4, and a front wall 6, a rear wall 7, a left wall 8, and a right wall 9 that extend upward to surround the front, rear, left, and right of the bottom plate 4. . In FIG. 3, a groove-shaped end guide groove 4a extending in the left-right direction is formed on the left side of the bottom plate 4 of the second paper feed tray TR2 as an example of the first guide portion. The part is formed with a groove-shaped side guide groove 4b extending in the front-rear direction as an example of the second guide part. 2 and 3, the upper end of the right wall 9 is formed with an inclined portion 9a that is inclined to the left as it goes upward, and the inclined portion 9a guides the recording sheet S to be fed to the transport roll Ra. To do.

  On the upper surface of the bottom plate 4, a flat stacking plate 11 on which recording sheets S are stacked is disposed as an example of a stacking member. The stacking plate 11 has a left opening 11a extending from the left toward the center corresponding to the end guide groove 4a, and a front opening extending from the front and rear ends toward the center corresponding to the side guide groove 4b. 11b and a rear opening 11c are formed. The stacking plate 11 according to the first embodiment is configured to be able to be raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism using a wire as an example of a linear member (not shown). That is, the stacking plate 11 is configured to be able to move up and down between a lowered position where the recording paper S can be lowered and stacked, and a raised position where the recording paper S is raised to send out the recording paper S. Note that the lifting mechanism of the recording paper S using a wire is conventionally known as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-143658, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-149882, and the like. The detailed description is omitted.

  An end guide 12 as an example of a first end alignment member is supported in the end guide groove 4a so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the end guide groove 4a. The end guide 12 has a slide portion 12a as an example of a flat plate-shaped aligning member main body along the bottom plate 4, and a contact portion 12b extending upward from the left end of the slide portion 12a, and is substantially when viewed from the front. It is formed in an L shape. A contact surface 12c is formed on the right side surface of the contact portion 12b. The contact surface 12c can be in contact with the left end, which is an edge of the recording paper S stacked on the stacking plate 11. The left end of the bundle of sheets S is aligned.

A pair of front and rear side guides 13 is supported in the side guide groove 4b as an example of a second end alignment member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the side guide groove 4b. The pair of side guides 13 is configured to be movable in conjunction with a direction in which the pair of side guides 13 approach and separate from each other by a pinion gear as an example of a gear (not shown) and a rack in which a gear is formed on a flat plate. Note that the configuration in which the pinion gear and the rack gear move together in the direction of approaching and separating from each other is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-106567 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-24057. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.
The detailed configuration of the side guide 13 according to the first embodiment will be described later.

4A and 4B are explanatory views of the suction head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a plan view.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suction head according to the first embodiment when viewed obliquely from below.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4B.
2 and 4 to 6, a sheet take-out device 21 as an example of a medium take-out member is disposed above the second paper feed tray TR2. The sheet take-out device 21 includes a suction head 22 that can suck and hold the recording paper S on the stacking plate 11 as an example of a holding member. The suction head 22 has a box-shaped head body 23 as an example of a holding member body. The head body 23 includes a flat bottom plate portion 24 and side walls 26, 27, 28, and 29 extending in the vertical direction from the front, rear, left and right of the bottom plate portion 24.

The bottom plate portion 24 is formed with a plurality of intake ports 31 penetrating in the vertical direction as an example of an opening for gas suction. On the right side of the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 24, an inclined surface 32 is formed as an example of a bend imparting portion that inclines downward as it goes to the right and inclines to the left as it goes to the center in the front-rear direction. Further, a plurality of plate-like ribs 33 extending downward are formed at both front and rear end portions of the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 24 as an example of a bending imparting portion with a space therebetween.
4A and 6, a plurality of pins 34 projecting outward are supported on the outer surfaces of the side walls 26 to 29 as an example of the surrounding support member.

4A, 5, and 6, a plate-shaped sealing skirt 36 that extends downward is disposed on the outer surface of the head main body 23 as an example of a surrounding member so as to surround the outer periphery. In the sealing skirt 36, a long hole 36a extending in the vertical direction is formed at a position corresponding to the pin 34, and the pin 34 is supported through the long hole 36a. Accordingly, the sealing skirt 36 of the first embodiment is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the head main body 23, that is, in a direction in which the sealing skirt 36 approaches and separates from the stacking plate 11 and the stacked recording sheets S. .
Therefore, the air inlet 31 is disposed inside the sealing skirt 36 and the side walls 26 to 29, and is defined by the space surrounded by the sealing skirt 36, the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 24, and the side walls 26 to 29. The intake space 37 of the first embodiment is configured.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the first embodiment, and is a plan view in a state where a medium having a minimum size is accommodated.
In FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, a postcard S1 is set as an example of the smallest size sheet S that can be accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. The length La of the sealing skirt 36 of the suction head 22 in the transport direction is set shorter than the length L1 of the postcard S1 in the medium transport direction. Further, the length Lb in the width direction of the sealing skirt 36 of the suction head 22 is set longer than the length L2 in the width direction of the postcard S1. That is, in the first embodiment, L1> La and L2 <Lb are set.

A lid-shaped cover portion 39 is supported on the upper portion of the head main body 23 as an example of a covering member. The cover portion 39 includes a plate-like upper plate portion 39a that covers the space surrounded by the bottom plate portion 24 and the side walls 26 to 29, and side plate portions 39b, 39c, 39d that extend downward from the front, rear, left, and right of the upper plate portion 39a. 39e. 4B and 5, an exhaust duct 39f extending forward is formed as an example of a connection portion on the right side of the front side plate portion 39b. One end of a bellows 40 as an example of a flexible member is connected to the exhaust duct 39f, and an exhaust fan HF as an example of a suction device is connected to the other end of the bellows 40.
Therefore, the exhaust fan HF is connected to the intake port 31 via the exhaust port 26a, the exhaust duct 39f, and the bellows 40 as an example of the opening formed in the front side wall 26, and when the exhaust fan HF is activated, Gas and air in the intake space 37 are exhausted from the intake port 31.
The suction head 22 of the first embodiment is configured by the members having the reference numerals 23 to 39.

4 to 6, a plate-like sheet front end guide 39g extending rightward is supported on the right side 39e of the cover 39 as an example of a front end support. The sheet front end guide 39g according to the first exemplary embodiment is set to have a length in the front-rear direction so that the sheet front-end guide 39g can pass between the transport rolls Ra arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction.
The transport roll Ra according to the first exemplary embodiment is arranged so that at least a part of the roller reaches inside the outer end of the head body 23 in the front-rear direction, and an interval between the inner ends of the transport roll Ra is set. The interval is set to be narrower than the width of the minimum size sheet S. Therefore, even when the minimum-size sheet S is supplied, the transport roll Ra can be transported downstream with the sheet S interposed therebetween.

A shaft guide portion 41 as an example of a guided portion is supported on the upper surface of the cover portion 39. As an example of the guide member, the shaft guide portion 41 is supported by the main body of the paper feeding device U2 and is supported in a state in which a guide shaft 42 extending along the left-right direction that is the medium transport direction passes therethrough. The shaft guide portion 41 according to the first embodiment is supported in a state in which it can move in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 42 and cannot rotate via a linear ball bearing 43 as an example of a bearing member.
A wire fixing portion 44 as an example of a connecting member is supported on the upper surface of the shaft guide portion 41. A wire 46 as an example of a wire is fixedly supported on the wire fixing portion 44. As an example of the support member, the wire 46 is stretched around a pair of pulleys 47, a drive pulley 48, and a driven pulley 49 disposed on the left and right of the wire fixing portion 44. The drive pulley 48 includes an example of a drive source. Rotation is transmitted from a motor M1 that can rotate forward and backward. Accordingly, the wire 46 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 4B in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M1, and the suction head 22 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide shaft.

In FIG. 2, an air blowing device 50 that blows air for medium separation from below to the suction head 22 is disposed as an example of a medium separation device between the suction head 22 and the transport roll Ra. Note that the structure for separating the medium by blowing air is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-89625, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-94603, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-194027, and the like. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.
The wire 46, the pulleys 47 to 49, the motor M1, and the like constitute the head driving devices 46 to 49 + M1 of the first embodiment as an example of a holding member driving device. The suction head 22, the bellows 40, the exhaust fan HF, the head driving devices 46 to 49 + M1, the air blowing device 50, and the like constitute the sheet take-out device 21 of the first embodiment.

(Description of side guide)
8A and 8B are explanatory views of the side guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is a perspective view and FIG. 8B is an exploded view.
Hereinafter, the side guide 13 according to the first embodiment will be described. However, since the pair of front and rear side guides 13 are arranged in a front-rear symmetrical manner and have the same configuration, only the rear side guide 13 is described. Therefore, detailed description of the front side guide 13 is omitted.
In FIG. 8, the side guide 13 according to the first embodiment includes a side guide main body 51 supported by the side guide groove 4b as an example of an alignment member main body, and an elevating guide supported by the guide main body 51 as an example of a movable body main body. Part 52.

The side guide main body 51 includes a plate-like slide portion 51a extending along the bottom plate 4 and a plate-like aligning portion 51b extending upward from the rear end of the slide portion 51a as an example of a moving portion. A contact surface 51c that contacts the edge of the sheet S and aligns the sheet S is formed on the front surface that is the inner surface of the aligning portion 51b.
At the upper end of the aligning portion 51b, as an example of a support portion of the movable body, a plate-like guide support portion 51d having a thickness in the front-rear direction thinner than the aligning portion 51b is formed extending upward. A pair of left and right pins 51e protruding forward are supported on the front surface of the guide support portion 51d as an example of a movable support portion.

  A lifting guide portion 52 is supported on the guide support portion 51d. The raising / lowering guide part 52 has the plate-shaped raising / lowering guide main body 52a extended upwards as an example of the main body of a movable body. The elevating guide main body 52a is formed with a long hole 52b that extends in the vertical direction and can be inserted into the pin 51e, as an example of a supported portion, at a position corresponding to the pin 51e. Therefore, the elevating guide portion 52 of the first embodiment is supported by the side guide main body 51 via the pin 51e, and the vertical direction in which the long hole 52b guided by the pin 51e extends, that is, approaching and separating from the suction head 22. It is supported so as to be movable in the direction of movement.

At the upper end of the lifting guide body 52a, as an example of the proximity portion, a plate-like sealing auxiliary portion 52c extending rearward in a direction away from the edge of the medium is formed.
In FIG. 7, the length L11 in the left-right direction of the auxiliary sealing portion 52c of the first embodiment is set according to the length La in the transport direction of the sealing skirt 36, but is longer than the length La. It is desirable to form. The length L13 in the medium width direction between the outer ends of the pair of side guides 13 is equal to or longer than the length Lb in the medium width direction of the sealing skirt 36 before and after the sealing auxiliary portion 52c of the first embodiment. A direction length L12 is set. That is, L11 ≧ La and L13 ≧ Lb are set.
In addition, the upper surface of the sealing auxiliary part 52c of Example 1 is covered with a fluororesin as an example of a low friction material, and has a configuration with a small friction coefficient.
Further, the height of the upper surface of the sealing holding portion 52c of the first embodiment is such that it is close to the lower end of the sealing skirt 36 when the elevating guide 52 is moved to the state shown in FIG. Is set to

(Operation of Example 1)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a large-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 9A illustrates the sheet feeding tray in a state where the stacking plate is moved to the lowered position before the image forming operation is started. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the image forming operation is started and the stacking plate is moved to the raised position.
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 1 having the above-described configuration, before the job as the image forming operation is started, the stacking plates 11 of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 9A. However, the suction head 22 has moved to the suction position. As shown in FIG. 3, when a large-size sheet in which the width and length of the sheet S is larger than the width and length of the suction head 22 is used, when the job is started, the stacking plate 11 is in the raised position shown in FIG. 9B. As a result, the uppermost sheet S of the bundle of sheets S stacked on the stacking plate 11 comes close to the lower end of the sealing skirt 36.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the large-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied. FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the medium is adsorbed and air for separating the medium is blown from the state shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the suction head has moved from the suction position to the supply position from the state shown in FIG. 10A.
Next, when the exhaust fan HF is activated and the intake space 37 is sucked, the uppermost sheet S is adsorbed to the lower end of the sealing skirt 36, and the intake space 37 is almost sealed. That is, the inflow of gas from the outside is restricted to the intake space 37.
When the exhaust space 37 is further evacuated from this state, the sealed intake space 37 becomes a low pressure state, and the seat S rises together with the sealing skirt 36, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 10A.

At this time, one or a plurality of sheets S may be attracted to the lower surface of the uppermost sheet S by static electricity or the like and may rise together. In the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the exhaust of the intake space 37 is started, the air blowing device 50 is also operated to blow air onto the sheet S.
When the sheet S that has risen together with the sealing skirt 36 is further exhausted in a state where the sealing skirt 36 has moved to the upper end, the sheet S bends, comes into contact with the inclined surfaces 32 and the ribs 33, and undulates. Become. In the waved state of the sheet S, a difference occurs between the uppermost sheet S and the lower sheet, and a gap is generated between the sheets S. Therefore, air is blown into the gaps between the sheets S, and the other sheets S are separated from the uppermost sheet S, dropped and stacked on the stacking plate 11.

In the suction head 22 of the first embodiment, even when separation air is blown onto the sheet S, the upper surface of the front end portion of the sheet S is supported by the sheet front end guide 39g, and the sheet S is rolled up or curved. Is reduced.
Then, the sheet S sucked by the suction head 22 advances as the suction head 22 moves from the suction position shown in FIG. 10A to the supply position shown in FIG. 10B, and the front end in the transport direction becomes the sheet front end guide 39g. It reaches the conveyance roller Ra while being guided, and is conveyed downstream as the conveyance roller Ra rotates.

11 is an operation explanatory diagram when a large-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the suction head starts moving from the state illustrated in FIG. 10B toward the suction position. 11B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head has further moved from the state shown in FIG. 11A to reach the suction position.
10B and 11A, when the recording sheet S reaches the conveying roller Ra and starts to be conveyed, the operation of the exhaust fan HF is stopped, the exhaust of the intake space 37 is stopped, and the suction head 22 is moved to the suction position. Return to the beginning.
11A and 11B, when the recording sheet S is conveyed and the rear end passes through the sealing skirt 36, the sealing of the intake space 37 is released, the atmospheric pressure returns to the atmospheric pressure, and the sealing skirt 36 is pulled by gravity. Descend. Therefore, the sheet S is supplied by returning to the state shown in FIG. 9B and repeating the steps shown in FIGS. 10A to 11B.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a small-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 12A illustrates the sheet feeding tray in a state where the stacking plate has been moved to the lowered position before the image forming operation is started. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the image forming operation is started and the stacking plate is moved to the raised position.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when a small-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIA-XIIIA of FIG. 12B, and FIG. FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which suction is started from the state shown in FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which suction is further performed from the state shown in FIG. is there.

12 and 13A, when a small-sized sheet S such as a postcard is used, the stacking plate 11 is raised as described above with reference to FIG. 9 in a state where the side guide 13 is in contact with the side edge of the sheet S. The exhaust of the intake space 37 is performed.
At this time, when a small-sized sheet S is used, as shown in FIG. 13A, the distance L13 ′ between the inner surfaces of the side guides 13 becomes shorter than the length Lb of the sealing skirt 36 in the medium width direction. In the first embodiment, a sealing auxiliary portion 52c that projects outward in the front-rear direction is provided in the side guide 13, and the interval L13 between the outer ends of the side guide 13 is the length Lb in the width direction of the sealing skirt 36. Is set longer than. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13A, even in the case of the small-sized sheet S, the lower end of the sealing skirt 36 is in a state of facing and close to the sealing auxiliary portion 52c.

In FIG. 13B, in the conventional configuration in which the lifting guide portion 52 is not provided as in the first embodiment, a gap 03 is formed between the outer end portion in the front-rear direction of the sealing skirt 01 and the side guide 02, The intake space 04 cannot be sealed. Therefore, it is difficult to make the intake space 04 in a sufficiently low pressure state, and there is a conveyance failure such as a poor suction of the sheet 06, a drop of the sheet 06 during the movement of the suction head 07, or a misalignment of the sheet 06. May occur.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the sealing auxiliary portion 52 c is disposed close to the lower end of the sealing skirt 36, and the lifting guide portion 52 is located with respect to the side guide main body 51. Are supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the exhaust of the intake space 37 is started, the sealing auxiliary portion 52c and the sealing skirt 36 come into contact with each other to seal the front and rear of the intake space 37, and the uppermost sheet S is connected to the sealing skirt 36. The left and right sides of the intake space 37 are sealed by contact. Therefore, the lower end of the intake space 37 is in a sealed state, and as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, the elevating guide portion 52 and the seat S are lifted together with the sealing skirt 36 along with the exhaust. Therefore, in the first embodiment, even a small sheet S can be efficiently sucked compared to the conventional configuration in which the elevating guide part 52 is not provided, and the suction failure and the conveyance failure of the sheet S are reduced.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram when a small-sized sheet of Example 1 is supplied, and FIG. 14A is an illustration of a state in which the medium is adsorbed and air for separating the medium is blown from the state shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of the state where the suction head has moved from the suction position to the supply position from the state shown in FIG. 14A.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation when a small-sized sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment is supplied. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the suction head starts moving from the state illustrated in FIG. 14B toward the suction position. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head has further moved from the state shown in FIG. 15A to reach the suction position.
In FIG. 14, air is blown onto the adsorbed sheet S as in the case shown in FIG. 10, and sheets S other than the uppermost sheet S are separated and dropped. 14 and 15, the sheet S sucked by the suction head 22 moves to the downstream side as the suction head 22 moves to the supply position, is transferred to the transport roller Ra, and is transported to the downstream side. The

At this time, ascending / descending guide portion 52 does not move downstream, as shown in FIG. 14B, the suction head 22 moves between the right end portion of the sealing skirt 36 and the right end portion of the auxiliary sealing portion 52c. As a result, a gap is formed, and the sealed state of the intake space 37 is gradually released. At this time, the upper surface of the auxiliary sealing portion 52c according to the first embodiment is made of a low friction material, and between the auxiliary sealing surface 52c and the lower surface of the sealing skirt 36 as the suction head 22 moves. Wear, frictional heat, noise, etc. are reduced.
Then, as the gap increases, the force that attracts the lifting guide 52 to the raised position shown in FIG. 14 decreases, and when it becomes smaller than the gravity acting on the lifting guide 52, the lifting guide 52 is shown in FIG. 15A. The part 52 separates from the suction head 22 and descends to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 15B.
10 and 11, when the exhaust of the intake space 37 is stopped and the sheet S is conveyed to the downstream side, the sealing skirt 36 descends and returns to the state shown in FIG. 12B. . Accordingly, the sheet S is supplied by repeating the steps shown in FIGS. 12B, 14, and 15.

  Next, the paper feed tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 16, the paper feed trays TR <b> 1 and TR <b> 2 according to the second embodiment have a configuration in which the side guide 13 ′ is not provided with the lifting guide portion 52 unlike the first embodiment. In the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the second embodiment, when a small-sized sheet S such as a postcard is used, a paper feed kit 61 as an example of an additional member is attached to and detached from the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. Installed as possible.

The sheet feeding kit 61 includes a plate-like base plate 62 that is detachably supported on the elevating plate 11 as an example of a bottom plate portion. On the upper surface of the base plate 62, as an example of an end aligning member, three guide walls 63 on the front and rear that are both ends in the width direction corresponding to the size of the sheet S and on the left that are the rear ends in the conveyance direction are supported.
Further, on the front and rear guide walls 63, an elevating guide part 64 as an example of a movable body configured in the same manner as the elevating guide part 52 of the first embodiment is supported so as to be movable up and down. Therefore, the elevating guide part 64 of the second embodiment includes an elevating guide main body 64a, a long hole 64b, and a sealing auxiliary part 64c configured in the same manner as the elevating guide part 52 of the first embodiment.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the lift plate 11 is raised when the paper is fed even when the small-size sheet S is used, as in the first embodiment. The sheet feeding kit 61 is guided and lifted by the side guide 13 ′ and the lower end of the sealing skirt 36 of the suction head 22 is brought into contact with the sealing auxiliary portion 64 c at the upper end of the lifting guide portion 64. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the air intake space 37 is also sealed in the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the second embodiment, and the suction failure and the conveyance failure are reduced.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H07) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a FAX. Further, the present invention is not limited to a color image forming apparatus, and can be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. Further, the present invention is not limited to a tandem type image forming apparatus, and can be applied to a rotary type image forming apparatus.

(H02) In the embodiment, the length in the medium conveyance direction and the length in the medium width direction of the auxiliary sealing portions 52c and 64c are not limited to the relationship illustrated in the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. That is, when the exhaust fan HF has high exhaust performance and can be sufficiently adsorbed even if the intake space 37 is not completely sealed, the sealing auxiliary portions 52c and 64c have a length L11 in the medium width direction and a length in the width direction. The length L13 may be L11 <La or L13 <Lb with respect to the lengths La and Lb of the sealing skirt 36. In this case, it is desirable that L11 ≧ La and L13 ≧ Lb because a configuration with high exhaust performance is adopted or a load is applied to the exhaust device.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the pair of front and rear side guides 13 approach and separate from each other is illustrated, but is not limited thereto. For example, one side in the width direction is a fixed wall surface and only the other in the width direction. A configuration in which a side guide 13 movable in the width direction is provided is also possible. Moreover, although the side guide 13 illustrated the structure supported so that a slide movement was possible, it is not limited to this, For example, it is the structure which can change the position of the side guide 13 by inserting / removing with respect to the baseplate 4. It is also possible to do. The same applies to the end guide 12.

(H04) In the embodiment, since the length L1 in the transport direction of the postcard S1 of the minimum size is set to be longer than the length La in the transport direction of the suction head 22, the end guide 12 includes a sealing auxiliary portion 52c, Although it is not necessary to provide 64c, when L1 <La, the end guide 12 may be provided with a sealing auxiliary portion as in the case of the side guide 13.
(H05) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the sealing auxiliary portion 64c is made detachable by making the entire kit detachable by using the paper feeding kit 61 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the kit It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the sealing auxiliary portion 52c is detachably attached to the side guide 13 without using the.

(H06) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the sealing skirt 36 as an example of the surrounding member is not limited to the plate-like form illustrated in the embodiment, and for example, the sheet S generated when the sheet S is separated. In order to keep the sealing skirt along with the bending, a plurality of strip-shaped members hang down into a `` goodwill '' shape, an elastic body that elastically deforms when bending occurs, a curtain shape, etc. The form and configuration can be changed.
(H07) In the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the sealing auxiliary portions 52c and 64c are made of a low friction material, but a material other than the low friction material may be used. It is also possible to configure the lower end of the sealing skirt 36 with a low friction material.

11: Loading member,
22 ... holding member,
23 ... Holding member body,
31 ... Opening for gas suction,
36 ... enclosing member,
37 ... space,
51. Edge alignment member,
51c ... contact surface,
52, 64 ... movable body,
52a, 64a ... movable body,
52c, 64c ... proximity part,
Ra: conveying member,
S, S1 ... medium,
TR1, TR2 ... container,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U2: Medium supply device.

Claims (4)

A storage container in which a medium is stored;
A loading member that is supported inside the container and on which a medium is loaded;
A holding member main body disposed opposite to the stacking member and supported so as to be movable along the conveyance direction of the medium, an opening for gas suction formed in the holding member main body, and surrounding the opening An enclosure member that is arranged and extends from the holding member body to the stacking member side and is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the stacking member; and formed inside the enclosure member and by the enclosure member A surrounding space, and a suction device that is connected to the gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the space, and is attached to the stacking member side of the surrounding member as the suction device sucks. A holding member that adsorbs and holds the medium at one end;
A conveying member that is disposed downstream of the holding member in the conveying direction of the medium and conveys the medium adsorbed by the holding member toward the downstream side;
An end alignment member that has a contact surface that can contact an edge of a medium loaded on the stacking member, is supported inside the storage container, and can align the edge of the contacted medium;
A movable body supported so as to be movable toward and away from the holding member body, the movable body supported so as to be movable by the end alignment member; and an end of the medium from the movable pair body Proximity part extending in a direction away from the edge, and when the contact surface of the end aligning member is located inside the enclosing member, the perimeter is surrounded by the enclosing member in proximity to the lower end of the enclosing member The movable body having the proximity portion capable of restricting the inflow of gas from the outside to the space;
A medium supply apparatus comprising: The movable body in which a proximity portion with the surrounding member is made of a low friction material,
The medium supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: The movable body configured to be detachable from the storage container;
The medium supply device according to claim 1, wherein the medium supply device is provided. The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images