JP5664083B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on both sides of a sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that can record images on both sides of a sheet is known. In such an image recording apparatus, the sheet fed from the paper feed tray is conveyed to the recording unit by the first roller pair. An image is recorded on the surface of the sheet in the recording unit. The sheet on which the image is recorded on the surface is switched back by the second roller pair on the downstream side of the recording unit. The switched-back sheet is conveyed to a refeed conveyance path provided below the recording unit and above the paper feed tray. The sheet conveyed to the resupply conveyance path is sent again from the resupply conveyance path to the first roller pair by the third roller pair provided in the resupply conveyance path. In the same manner as when an image is formed on the front side of the sheet that has reached the recording unit by the first roller pair, an image is recorded on the back side by the recording unit. Thereafter, the sheet on which images are recorded on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray by the second roller pair.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a release arm and a roller arm are attached to rollers constituting a roller pair. In the image forming apparatus, when a jam occurs in the state where the sheet is held between the roller pair, the roller is moved via the roller arm in conjunction with the pulling operation of the sheet feeding tray from the apparatus. As a result, the nipping state of the sheet by the roller pair is released.

Japanese Patent No. 3423409

  In the image recording apparatus as described above, at least a part of the path from the refeed conveyance path to the recording unit is often formed in a curved shape. When the curvature of the curved path is large in the image recording apparatus, the area occupied by the curved path becomes small inside the image recording apparatus. Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the image recording apparatus, it is desirable that the curvature of the resupply conveyance path is large, that is, the radius of curvature is small.

  However, when the sheet is conveyed along a curved path, the smaller the radius of curvature of the path, the larger the conveyance resistance, that is, the force opposite to the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheet may not be conveyed.

  As means for solving the above problem, there is means for enclosing the refeed conveyance path in the paper feed tray, that is, means for using the surface of the paper feed tray on which the paper is placed as the refeed conveyance path. As a result, the radius of curvature can be increased without increasing the size of the image recording apparatus. However, with this means, since the paper feed tray becomes large, it becomes difficult to handle the paper feed tray.

  As another means for solving the above problem, there is a means for increasing the sheet conveying force. That is, in order to convey the sheet against the conveyance resistance, the sheet conveyance force by the third roller pair provided on the upstream side of the curved path may be increased. For this purpose, the force for clamping the sheet by the third roller pair may be increased. In order to increase the force for sandwiching the sheet, for example, an arm configured as follows may be attached to the driving roller of the rollers constituting the third roller pair. In other words, the arm is rotatable about a support shaft provided at the base end, and a drive roller is attached to the tip, and the base end is upstream of the drive roller in the refeed transport path in the sheet transport direction. On the side. By attaching the arm, when the sheet receives the above-described conveyance resistance, the arm that has received the conveyance resistance via the sheet tries to rotate in a direction to press the driving roller against the sheet. That is, by attaching the arm, the sheet conveying force by the third roller pair can be increased.

  However, problems as described in detail below arise. That is, when the sheet is jammed in the refeed conveyance path while being sandwiched by the third roller pair, the sheet is pulled by being pulled in the sheet conveyance direction in the refeed conveyance path or in the direction opposite to the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, it is necessary to take out from the image recording apparatus. If the sheet cannot be taken out from the image recording apparatus by being pulled in the sheet conveying direction, the sheet needs to be taken out from the image recording apparatus by being pulled in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction.

  At this time, since the force in the same direction as the conveyance resistance described above acts on the pulled sheet, the driving roller tends to rotate in the direction in which the sheet is pressed. In such a state, if the sheet is forcibly pulled, the sheet may be torn. In addition, the third roller pair is arranged in the present situation where the image recording apparatus is downsized to attach a release arm in addition to the roller arm as in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1. It is difficult to secure a space for disposing the release arm around the space.

  In addition, since the refeed conveyance path is configured with a minimum necessary space for conveying the sheet, there is a problem that it is difficult to visually recognize the sheet jammed inside from the outside. For example, when a sheet is torn inside the refeed conveyance path, it is difficult to find and take out a piece of the torn sheet.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can easily take out a sheet jammed inside.

  (1) The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a first conveyance path that guides a sheet in the first conveyance direction, a recording unit that records an image on the sheet in the first conveyance path, and the first conveyance from the recording unit. Branching from the first conveying path at the downstream branch position in the direction, and extending from the recording unit so as to merge with the first conveying path at the upstream merging position in the first conveying direction. Consists of a second conveyance path that guides from the branch position to the second conveyance direction toward the merging position, and a driving roller and a driven roller provided in the second conveyance path, and conveys the sheet in the second conveyance direction. The driving roller is in contact with the driven roller around a support shaft disposed upstream of the driving roller in the second conveying direction. First posture, And an arm that is rotatable between a second posture in which the drive roller is separated from the driven roller, and a biasing member that biases the arm in a direction in which the drive roller contacts the driven roller. I have. At least a part of the second transport path is constituted by a first member and a second member that constitute guide surfaces facing each other. The first member is disposed on the drive roller side of the pair of conveying rollers, and a third posture capable of guiding the sheet in the second conveying path, and a first posture separated from the second member from the third posture. It is provided in four postures so that the posture can be changed, and can be brought into contact with the arm at least in the fourth posture. The arm is in the second posture against the biasing of the biasing member by the first member in the fourth posture.

  In the above-described configuration, the space constituting the second conveyance path is increased by the posture change of the first member to the fourth posture. This makes it easy to access a sheet jammed in the second conveyance path from the outside of the image recording apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to easily check whether or not a small piece of the torn sheet in the second conveyance path is clogged.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the arm is provided to increase the nip force of the pair of conveyance rollers to increase the conveyance force of the sheet, and the first member is provided to configure the second conveyance path. Yes. Then, when the first member changes its posture to the fourth posture, the arm rotates to the second posture, and the nipping of the sheet by the conveying roller pair is released. That is, in the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to add a dedicated member for nipping cancellation in order to cancel nipping of the sheet by the conveying roller pair.

  (2) The image recording apparatus of the present invention is arranged upstream of the first member in the second conveying direction and on the same side as the first member to constitute a guide surface of the second conveying path. A third member is further provided. The third member is changeable in a posture between a fifth posture capable of guiding the sheet in the second conveyance path and a sixth posture separated from a guide surface opposed to the fifth posture. The first member is supported in the third posture, and the first member can be changed in posture to the fourth posture in the sixth posture.

  The first member is supported in the third posture by the third member in the fifth posture. Further, the first member can change its posture to the fourth posture when the third member is in the sixth posture. This eliminates the need to provide a dedicated member for changing the posture of the first member. Further, when the third member is in the sixth posture, the posture of the first member is changed to the fourth posture, so that it becomes easy to access a sheet jammed in the second conveyance path from the outside of the image recording apparatus. .

  (3) The image recording apparatus of the present invention further includes a tray on which a sheet can be placed and which can be attached to and removed from the apparatus. The tray supports the third member in the fifth posture when mounted on the device, and allows the third member to change its posture to the sixth posture when removed from the device.

  The third member is supported in the fifth posture by a tray mounted on the image recording apparatus. Further, the posture of the third member can be changed to the fourth posture when the tray is removed from the image recording apparatus. This eliminates the need to provide a dedicated member for changing the posture of the third member.

  Further, when the tray is removed, the posture of the third member is changed to the sixth posture, so that the sheet jammed in the second conveyance path can be easily accessed from the outside of the image recording apparatus.

  Further, when the removed tray is reattached to the image recording apparatus, the posture of the third member is changed from the sixth posture to the fifth posture. That is, the user can return the second conveyance path to a state in which the sheet can be guided only by taking out the sheet jammed in the second conveyance path and then reattaching the tray to the image recording apparatus.

  In the present invention, without adding a dedicated member, it is possible to release the nipping of the sheet by the pair of conveyance rollers and to enlarge the space constituting the second conveyance path, thereby performing an image. A sheet jammed inside the recording apparatus can be easily taken out.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fourth guide member 34 and the transfer arm 74. FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which a first guide member 31 is added to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view with the follower roller 69 added in FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the lower side of the printer unit 11. FIG. 6 (A) shows a state where the tray 20 is mounted, and FIG. 6 (B) shows that the tray 20 is removed. The state is shown.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to a state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the side where the opening 13 is provided is the front side (front side). 8 is defined, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front side).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 is generally formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped, and a printer unit 11 of an ink jet recording system is provided at the lower part. The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The print function has a double-sided image recording function for recording images on both sides of the recording paper. The presence or absence of functions other than the print function is arbitrary. The printer unit 11 includes a casing (housing) 14 having an opening 13 formed in the front, and a tray 20 (an example of the tray of the present invention) on which recording papers of various sizes (an example of the sheet of the present invention) can be placed. 2) can be inserted and removed from the opening 13 in the front-rear direction 8. That is, the tray 20 can be attached to and removed from the multifunction machine 10.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 is provided above the tray 20 and picks up and feeds recording paper from the tray 20, and is fed by the paper feeding unit 15. An ink jet recording type recording unit 24 (an example of the recording unit of the present invention) that discharges ink droplets onto a recording sheet and records an image on the recording sheet, a path switching unit 41, and the like are provided. The recording unit 24 is not limited to the ink jet system, and various recording systems such as an electrophotographic system can be applied.

[Paper Feeder 15]
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding unit 15 is provided above the tray 20 and below the recording unit 24. The paper feed unit 15 includes a paper feed roller 25, a paper feed arm 26, and a drive transmission mechanism 27. The paper feed roller 25 is pivotally supported at the tip of the paper feed arm 26. The paper feed arm 26 rotates in the direction of an arrow 29 about a support shaft 28 provided at the base end. Thereby, the paper feed roller 25 can be brought into contact with and separated from the tray 20. That is, the paper feed roller 25 can come into contact with the recording paper placed on the tray 20. The sheet feeding roller 25 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a sheet feeding motor (not shown) by a drive transmission mechanism 27 in which a plurality of gears are engaged. The paper feed roller 25 is a curved path that will be described below by separating the recording paper from the other recording paper in contact with the uppermost recording paper among the recording papers stacked on the tray 20. Supply to 65A.

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, inside the printer unit 11, there is a conveyance path 65 (first conveyance of the present invention) from the front end (rear end) of the tray 20 through the recording unit 24 to the paper discharge holding unit 79. An example of a path) is formed. The conveyance path 65 is divided into a curved path 65 </ b> A formed between the leading end of the tray 20 and the recording unit 24, and a paper discharge path 65 </ b> B formed between the recording unit 24 and the paper discharge holding unit 79. .

  The curved path 65 </ b> A is a curved path extending from the vicinity of the upper end of the separation inclined plate 22 provided in the tray 20 to the recording unit 24. The curved path 65 </ b> A is generally formed in an arc shape centering on the inside of the printer unit 11. The recording paper fed from the tray 20 travels along the curved path 65A along the conveyance direction (the direction indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) in the first conveyance direction (the direction of the arrow attached to the one-dot chain line in FIG. (Corresponding to the first transport direction of the invention) and is guided directly below the recording unit 24. The curved path 65A is defined by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 that face each other with a predetermined interval. The outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19, and guide members 82, 83, 31 to 34, which will be described later, all extend in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 (the left-right direction 9 in FIG. 1). .

  The paper discharge path 65 </ b> B is a linear path extending from directly below the recording unit 24 to the paper discharge holding unit 79. The recording paper is guided through the paper discharge path 65B in the first transport direction. The paper discharge path 65B is formed by the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 facing each other at a predetermined interval at a location where the recording unit 24 is provided, and at a location where the recording unit 24 is not provided. The upper guide member 82 and the lower guide member 83 are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval.

  A branch position 36 (an example of a branch position according to the present invention) exists downstream of the recording unit 24 in the first transport direction. At the time of double-sided image recording, the recording paper conveyed through the paper discharge path 65B is switched back downstream of the branch position 36 and directed to a reverse conveyance path 67 (an example of the second conveyance path of the present invention) described later. Are transported.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed above the tray 20. The recording unit 24 reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). A platen 42 for holding the recording paper horizontally is provided below the recording unit 24. In the process of reciprocating in the left-right direction 9, the recording unit 24 discharges ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) from a nozzle 39 onto a recording sheet conveyed on the platen 42. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording paper in the conveyance path 65.

[Conveying rollers 45, 60, 62]
As shown in FIG. 2, a first transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 are provided between the downstream ends of the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 in the first transport direction and the recording unit 24. The pinch roller 61 is disposed below the first transport roller 60 and is pressed against the roller surface of the first transport roller 60 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). The first conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 pinch the recording sheet conveyed through the curved path 65 </ b> A and send it onto the platen 42.

  A second transport roller 62 and a spur 63 are provided between the recording unit 24 and the upper guide member 82 and the lower guide member 83. The spur 63 is disposed above the second conveyance roller 62 and is pressed against the roller surface of the second conveyance roller 62 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). The second conveying roller 62 and the spur 63 pinch the recording sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 24 and convey it to the downstream side in the first conveying direction.

  The transport rollers 60 and 62 are rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted from a transport motor (not shown) via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The drive transmission mechanism is composed of a planetary gear or the like, and rotates each of the transport rollers 60 and 62 in one rotation direction regardless of whether the transport motor is rotated in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction. Thereby, the recording sheet is conveyed in the first conveying direction.

  A third transport roller 45 and a spur 46 are provided downstream of the branch position 36 in the first transport direction. The spur 46 is disposed above the third transport roller 45 and is pressed against the roller surface of the third transport roller 45 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown).

  The third transport roller 45 is driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction by receiving a driving force in the forward / reverse rotation direction from the transport motor. For example, when single-sided recording is performed, the third transport roller 45 is rotated in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the recording sheet is nipped by the third conveying roller 45 and the spur 46 and conveyed downstream, and is discharged to the discharge holding unit 79. On the other hand, when double-sided recording is performed, the rotation direction of the third conveyance roller 45 is switched from the normal rotation direction to the reverse rotation direction with the third conveyance roller 45 and the spur 46 sandwiching the rear end portion of the recording paper. . Thereby, the recording sheet is conveyed in the direction opposite to the first conveyance direction, and is conveyed toward the reverse conveyance path 67 described later by the path switching unit 41 described below.

[Route switching unit 41]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the path switching unit 41 is disposed downstream of the second transport roller 62 in the first transport direction and upstream of the branch position 36 in the first transport direction. The path switching unit 41 includes auxiliary rollers 47 and 48, a flap 49 and a support shaft 87.

  A support shaft 87 extending in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 (left and right direction 9 in FIG. 1) is provided on the frame of the printer unit 11 and the like. The flap 49 extends from the support shaft 87 to the downstream side in the first transport direction, and is rotatably supported by the support shaft 87. An auxiliary roller 47 and an auxiliary roller 48 are pivotally supported on the flap 49. Since the roller surfaces of the auxiliary rollers 47 and 48 are in contact with the recording surface of the recording paper, they are formed in a spur shape like the spur 63 and the spur 46.

  The flap 49 is configured such that its posture can be changed, and a discharge posture (posture indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) positioned above the lower guide member 83 and an extended end portion 49 </ b> A below the branch port 36. It rotates between a reverse posture (posture indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) entering the position. The recording paper that has passed through the recording unit 24 is further transported downstream in the first transport direction when the flap 49 is in the ejection posture, and is switched back and transported to the reverse transport path 67 when the flap 49 is in the reverse posture.

[Reverse conveying path 67]
As shown in FIG. 2, the reverse conveyance path 67 is branched from the paper discharge path 65 </ b> B at the branch position 36, passes through the lower side of the recording unit 24 and the upper side of the paper feeding arm 27, and is first than the recording unit 24. It joins the curved path 65A at a merging position 37 (an example of the merging position of the present invention) on the upstream side in the conveyance direction. The recording sheet is conveyed in the second conveyance direction (corresponding to the second conveyance direction of the present invention) on the reverse conveyance path 67. Here, the second conveyance direction is a direction from the branch position 36 toward the merging direction 37 in the reverse conveyance path 67 and indicates a direction indicated by a two-dot chain line with an arrow in FIG.

  The reverse conveyance path 67 is partitioned on the upper side by the second guide member 32 (an example of the second member of the present invention). Further, the reverse conveying path 67 is partitioned by the first guide member 31 (an example of the first member of the present invention), the third guide member 33 (an example of the third member of the present invention), and the fourth guide member 34 on the lower side. Has been.

  Specifically, the lower surface of the second guide member 32 (corresponding to the guide surface of the present invention) defines the reverse conveyance path 67. The upper surface of the fourth guide member 34 defines a vicinity of the downstream end in the second transport direction (near the merge position 37) in the reverse transport path 67. The upper surface (corresponding to the guide surface of the present invention) of the first guide member 31 defines an upstream side in the second transport direction with respect to the fourth guide member 34 in the reverse transport path 67. The upper surface (corresponding to the guide surface of the present invention) of the third guide member 33 defines an upstream side in the second transport direction with respect to the first guide member 31 in the reverse transport path 67. That is, the second guide member 32, the first guide member 31, the third guide member 33, and the fourth guide member 34 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval through which the recording paper can pass.

[First guide member 31]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the first guide member 31 is a generally thin plate rectangular member whose vertical dimension 7 is shorter than the longitudinal dimension 8 and the horizontal dimension 9.

  However, the 1st guide member 31 has the missing part 105 (refer FIG. 4) in the one part. The missing portion 105 is formed as a substantially rectangular cut from the downstream end of the first guide member 31 in the second conveyance direction toward the upstream side at two locations in the left-right direction 9. Here, two places in the left-right direction 9 are positions where a fourth transport roller 68 and a transport arm 74 described later are disposed. In the present embodiment, the first guide member 31 has the missing portion 105, but the first guide member 31 may have an opening (not shown) instead of the missing portion 105.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first guide member 31 has a base end portion (back end portion) supported by a support shaft 88. Both ends of the support shaft 88 are rotatably supported by the frame 71 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the printer unit 11. As a result, the first guide member 31 can rotate in the direction of the arrow 77 with the support shaft 88 as the rotation center axis. The first guide member 31 rotates to form at least a part of the reversal conveyance path 67 and can guide the recording paper in the reversal conveyance path 67 (an attitude indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2). And the posture shown in FIG. 6A (corresponding to the third posture of the present invention), and the fourth posture that rotates downward from the third posture and is separated from the second guide member 32 than the third posture. (The posture shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 and the posture shown in FIG. 6B, which corresponds to the fourth posture of the present invention).

[Third guide member 33]
Similar to the first guide member 31, the third guide member 33 is a substantially thin flat plate rectangular member whose vertical dimension 7 is shorter than the longitudinal dimension 8 and the lateral dimension 9. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the third guide member 33 has a base end portion (front end portion) supported by the support shaft 89. Both ends of the support shaft 89 are rotatably supported by the frame 71 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) of the printer unit 11. As a result, the third guide member 33 can rotate in the direction of the arrow 78 with the support shaft 89 as the rotation center axis. The third guide member 33 rotates to form at least a part of the reversal conveyance path 67 and can guide the recording paper in the reversal conveyance path 67 in a fifth posture (the posture indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2). And the posture shown in FIG. 6A (corresponding to the fifth posture of the present invention), and the second posture rotating away from the fifth posture and being separated from the lower surface of the second guide member 32 than the fifth posture. It is possible to take six postures (the posture shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 and the posture shown in FIG. 6B, corresponding to the sixth posture of the present invention).

  On the distal end surface of the third guide member 31 on the downstream side in the second conveyance direction, a convex portion 101 extending downstream in the second conveyance direction is provided. The convex portion 101 extends from the lower side of the tip surface. And the upper surface 102 (refer FIG. 7 (B)) of the convex part 101 is the surface 103 (refer FIG. 7 (B)) near the edge part of the upstream of 2nd conveyance direction among the lower surfaces of the 1st guide member 31. Can contact.

[Fourth guide member 34]
Similar to the first guide member 31, the fourth guide member 34 is a substantially thin flat plate rectangular member whose vertical dimension 7 is shorter than the longitudinal dimension 8 and the lateral dimension 9.

[Fourth transport roller 68]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the reverse conveyance path 67 includes a fourth conveyance roller 68 (an example of a driving roller of the present invention) and a driven roller 69 (an example of a driven roller of the present invention). A conveyance roller pair 70 (an example of the conveyance roller pair of the present invention) is provided. The driven roller 69 is disposed below the recording unit 24 and above the fourth conveyance roller 68. In the present embodiment, the driven roller 69 is pivotally supported by a second frame 72 (see FIG. 5) supported at both ends by the frame 71, and is disposed at a position facing the fourth transport roller 68. The fourth transport roller 68 is pressed against the roller surface of the driven roller 69 by a coil spring (not shown) described later.

  The fourth transport roller 68 is disposed in the reverse transport path 67 at a position below and following the driven roller 69. That is, the fourth conveyance roller 68 is disposed on the same side as the first guide member 31 in the reverse conveyance path 67. The fourth transport roller 68 is driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction by receiving the driving force in the forward / reverse rotation direction from the transport motor. In the present embodiment, the conveyance roller pair 70 has a reverse conveyance path by sandwiching a recording sheet between the fourth conveyance roller 68 and the driven roller 69 when the conveyance motor is rotated in the reverse direction. The recording sheet conveyed to 67 is conveyed in the second conveyance direction.

[Transfer arm 74]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the transport arm 74 (an example of the arm of the present invention) is supported by the support shaft 28 (an example of the support shaft of the present invention) at its base end (front end). Has been. Both ends of the support shaft 28 are rotatably supported by a frame 71 (see FIG. 3) of the printer unit 11. As a result, the transfer arm 74 can rotate about the support shaft 28 as a rotation center axis (see FIG. 2). That is, in this embodiment, the rotation axis of the transport arm 74 is the same as the rotation axis of the paper feed arm 26. The rotation axes of the transport arm 74 and the paper feed arm 26 may be different.

  The fourth transport roller 68 is rotatably supported at the tip of the transport arm 74 (the end on the rear side, which corresponds to the tip of the present invention). That is, the support shaft 28 is disposed in front of the fourth transport roller 68, in other words, on the upstream side in the second transport direction. The position of the support shaft 28 in the vertical direction 7 is below the reverse conveyance path 67. That is, the transport arm 74 extends rearward and obliquely upward from the support shaft 28 to the fourth transport roller 68. As shown in FIG. 3, two transport arms 74 are provided, and one fourth transport roller 68 is attached to each transport arm 74.

  A coil spring (not shown, one example of the urging member of the present invention) such as a double torsion spring is attached to the transfer arm 74. The transport arm 74 is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow 30 in FIG. 2 by the elastic force of the coil spring. That is, the coil spring urges the transport arm 74 in the direction in which the fourth transport roller 68 contacts the driven roller 69. Thereby, the 4th conveyance roller 68 can press-contact with the driven roller 69 as mentioned above. As described above, the transport arm 74 takes the first posture (corresponding to the first posture of the present invention) in which the fourth transport roller 68 contacts the driven roller 69. Further, when the transport arm 74 rotates downward, the fourth transport roller 68 takes a second posture (corresponding to the second posture of the present invention) in which the fourth transport roller 68 is separated from the driven roller 69.

  When the transport arm 74 is in the first posture, a part of the transport arm 74 and the fourth transport roller 68 is above the upper surface of the first guide member 31 via the missing portion 105 of the first guide member 31. Located in.

  As shown in FIG. 3, contact portions 104 are provided on the outer side of the transfer arm 74 in the left-right direction 9, that is, on the left side of the left transfer arm 74 and the right side of the right transfer arm 74. The contact portion 104 is a member protruding from the left side surface of the left transfer arm 74 to the left side and protruding from the right side surface of the right transfer arm 74 to the right side. And the upper surface of the contact part 104 can contact | abut the surface 106 (refer to the back side of the area | region enclosed with the broken line of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6) near the missing part 105 among the lower surfaces of the 1st guide member 31. is there.

[Change in posture of third guide member 33 due to insertion / extraction of tray 20]
In the present embodiment, the third guide member 33 assumes a posture rotated downward due to gravity unless it is supported from below. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the third guide member 33 assumes the sixth posture in a state where the tray 20 is removed from the opening 13 of the multifunction machine 10. That is, the tray 20 can change the posture of the third guide member 33 to the sixth posture in a state where the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction device 10.

  In this state, when the tray 20 is inserted rearward from the opening 13 of the multifunction machine 10, the side surface 110 (see FIG. 6A) on the insertion direction side of the tray 20 is placed on the lower surface 111 of the third guide member 33. Abut. If the insertion of the tray 20 is continued as it is, the third guide member 33 is rotated upward by being pushed by the side surface 110 of the tray 20. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where the tray 20 is inserted all the way into the multifunction device 10, that is, in the state where the tray 20 is mounted on the multifunction device 10, the third guide member 33 is The fifth posture is achieved by being supported by the convex portion 112 provided in the vicinity of the distal end of the 20 insertion direction. Note that the third guide member 33 may take the fifth posture by being supported on the upper surface of the tray 20. In this case, the third guide member 33 or the tray 20 is configured to be longer in the vertical direction 7 than FIG. 7A, so that the third guide member 33 is supported on the upper surface of the tray 20.

[Change in posture of first guide member 31 by third guide member 33]
As described above, the upper surface 102 of the convex portion 101 of the third guide member 31 can come into contact with the surface 103 in the vicinity of the upstream end portion in the second transport direction of the lower surface of the first guide member 31 ( 2 and 6).

  In the present embodiment, the first guide member 31 assumes a posture rotated downward due to gravity unless it is supported from below. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first guide member 31 takes the fourth posture in a state where the tray 20 is removed from the opening 13 of the multifunction machine 10. At this time, the third guide member 33 takes the sixth posture. That is, the third guide member 33 can change the posture of the first guide member 31 to the fourth posture in the sixth posture. As will be described later, the first guide member 31 is supported by the transfer arm 74 in the fourth posture.

  In this state, as described above, when the third guide member 33 is pushed upward by being pushed by the tray 20, the upper surface 102 of the convex portion 101 of the third guide member 33 is moved toward the first guide member 31. Abuts against the surface 103. If the third guide member 33 continues to rotate upward as it is, the first guide member 31 is pushed upward by the upper surface 102 and is rotated upward. When the tray 20 is attached to the multifunction machine 10 and the third guide member 33 takes the fifth posture, the first guide member 31 takes the third posture by being supported by the upper surface 102.

[Change in posture of transport arm 74 by first guide member 31]
As described above, the contact portion 104 of the transfer arm 74 can contact the surface 106 in the vicinity of the missing portion 105 among the lower surface of the first guide member 31 (see FIGS. 4 and 6B). .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first guide member 31 assumes a posture rotated downward by gravity unless it is supported from below. When the first guide member 31 rotates downward, the surface 106 of the first guide member 31 comes into contact with the contact portion 104 of the transport arm 74. Here, the force by which the first guide member 31 rotates downward due to gravity is configured to be greater than the urging force of the coil spring attached to the transport arm 74. For this reason, the first guide member 31 is further rotated downward against the bias of the coil spring. As a result, the fourth transport roller 68 attached to the transport arm 74 is separated from the driven roller 69. In the state where the coil spring is most contracted, the first guide member 31 takes the fourth posture while being supported by the transfer arm 74, and the transfer arm 74 takes the second posture. That is, the first guide member 31 can contact the transport arm 74 at least in the fourth posture. Further, the transport arm 74 is brought into the second posture against the bias of the coil spring by the first guide member 31 in the fourth posture.

  In this state, as described above, when the first guide member 31 is turned upward by being pushed by the upper surface 102 of the third guide member 33, the transport arm 74 is pushed downward by the first guide member 31. Take off the state. Accordingly, the transfer arm 74 is rotated upward by being biased by the coil spring. As a result, the fourth transport roller 68 is pressed against the driven roller 69. As a result, further upward rotation of the transfer arm 74 is prevented.

  On the other hand, the first guide member 31 is further rotated upward by being pushed by the upper surface 102. As a result, the surface 106 of the first guide member 31 is separated from the contact portion 104 of the transport arm 74. As described above, the first guide member 31 rotates upward until the third guide member 33 assumes the fifth posture. The first guide member 31 takes the third posture by being supported by the upper surface 102 when the third guide member 33 takes the fifth posture.

[Effect of the embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, when the first guide member 31 changes its posture to the fourth posture, the space constituting the reversal conveyance path 67 is increased. This makes it easy to access the recording paper jammed in the reverse conveyance path 67 from the outside of the multifunction machine 10. Therefore, it is possible to easily check whether or not a small piece of recording paper that has been torn in the reverse conveyance path 67 is clogged.

  In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance arm 74 is provided to increase the nip force of the conveyance roller pair 70 and increase the conveyance force of the recording paper, and the first guide member 31 moves along the reverse conveyance path 67. It is provided for configuration. Then, the conveyance arm 74 is rotated to the second posture when the first guide member 31 is changed to the fourth posture, and the nipping of the sheet by the conveyance roller pair 70 is released. That is, in the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to add a dedicated member for releasing the clamping in order to release the holding of the recording sheet by the conveyance roller pair 70.

  In other words, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to cancel the holding of the recording sheet by the conveyance roller pair 70 without adding a dedicated member, and to increase the space constituting the reverse conveyance path 67. By doing so, the recording paper jammed inside the multifunction machine 10 can be easily taken out.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first guide member 31 is supported in the third posture by the third guide member 33 in the fifth posture. Further, the first guide member 31 can change its posture to the fourth posture when the third guide member 33 is in the sixth posture. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated member for changing the posture of the first guide member 31. In addition, when the third guide member 33 is in the sixth posture, the first guide member 31 is changed to the fourth posture, so that the sheet jammed in the reverse conveyance path 67 from the outside of the multifunction machine 10. It becomes easy to access.

  In the above-described embodiment, the third guide member 33 is supported in the fifth posture by the tray 20 attached to the multifunction machine 10. Further, the posture of the third guide member 33 can be changed to the fourth posture when the tray 20 is removed from the multifunction machine 10. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated member for changing the posture of the third guide member 33.

  Further, when the tray 20 is removed, the posture of the third guide member is changed to the sixth posture, so that the recording paper jammed in the reverse conveyance path 67 can be easily accessed from the outside of the multifunction device 10.

  Further, when the removed tray 20 is reattached to the multifunction machine 10, the posture of the third guide member 33 is changed from the sixth posture to the fifth posture. Accordingly, the posture of the first guide member 31 is also changed from the fourth posture to the third posture. That is, the user can return the reverse conveyance path 67 to a state in which the recording paper can be guided only by taking out the recording paper jammed in the reverse conveyance path 67 and then reattaching the tray 20 to the multifunction peripheral 10. .

[Modification of Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the posture of the third guide member 33 is changed by inserting and removing the tray and the posture of the first guide member 31 is changed by the third guide member 33 has been described. However, the first guide member 31 and the third guide member 33 may change their postures by being transmitted from a drive source such as a motor.

  For example, a sensor that detects the insertion / extraction of the tray 20 is provided in the multifunction machine 10, and the drive sources of the first guide member 31 and the third guide member 33 are driven or stopped based on a signal from the sensor, so that the first The posture of the guide member 31 and the third guide member 33 may be changed.

10: MFP 20: tray 24: recording unit 31: first guide member 32: second guide member 33: third guide member 65: transport path 67: reverse transport path 68: fourth transport roller 69: driven roller 70: Transport roller pair 74: transport arm

Claims (3)

A tray on which a sheet can be placed and which can be attached to and removed from the apparatus;
A first conveyance path for guiding the sheet supported by the tray in the first conveyance direction;
A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet in the first conveyance path;
It is branched from the first conveyance path at a downstream branch position in the first conveyance direction from the recording unit, and merges with the first conveyance path at a merging position in the upstream in the first conveyance direction from the recording unit. A second conveying path that guides the sheet from the branch position to the second conveying direction toward the merging position;
A driving roller and a driven roller provided in the second conveying path, and a conveying roller pair for conveying the sheet in the second conveying direction;
A first posture in which the driving roller is attached to a tip, and the driving roller is in contact with the driven roller around a support shaft disposed upstream of the driving roller in the second conveying direction; and An arm rotatable between a second posture in which the driving roller is spaced from the driven roller;
An urging member that urges the arm in a direction in which the driving roller contacts the driven roller;
At least a part of the second transport path is constituted by a first member and a second member that constitute guide surfaces that face each other.
The first member is arranged on the driving roller side of the conveying roller pair, become a third posture capable guiding sheet in the second conveyance path in response to the tray to the apparatus is mounted , In response to the removal of the tray from the device , the fourth posture is separated from the second member from the third posture, and can contact the arm at least in the fourth posture.
The image recording apparatus, wherein the arm is in the second posture against the biasing of the biasing member by the first member in the fourth posture. A first conveyance path for guiding the sheet in the first conveyance direction;
A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet in the first conveyance path;
It is branched from the first conveyance path at a downstream branch position in the first conveyance direction from the recording unit, and merges with the first conveyance path at a merging position in the upstream in the first conveyance direction from the recording unit. A second conveying path that guides the sheet from the branch position to the second conveying direction toward the merging position;
A driving roller and a driven roller provided in the second conveying path, and a conveying roller pair for conveying the sheet in the second conveying direction;
A first posture in which the driving roller is attached to a tip, and the driving roller is in contact with the driven roller around a support shaft disposed upstream of the driving roller in the second conveying direction; and An arm rotatable between a second posture in which the driving roller is spaced from the driven roller;
An urging member that urges the arm in a direction in which the driving roller contacts the driven roller;
A third member arranged upstream of the first member in the second transport direction and on the same side as the first member to form a guide surface of the second transport path ;
At least a part of the second transport path is constituted by a first member and a second member that constitute guide surfaces that face each other.
The first member is disposed on the drive roller side of the pair of conveying rollers, and a third posture capable of guiding the sheet in the second conveying path, and a first posture separated from the second member from the third posture. It is provided in four postures so that the posture can be changed, and at least in the fourth posture, it can contact the arm,
The third member is changeable in a posture between a fifth posture capable of guiding the sheet in the second conveyance path and a sixth posture separated from a guide surface opposed to the fifth posture. The first member is supported in the third posture, and the first member can be changed in posture to the fourth posture in the sixth posture.
The image recording apparatus, wherein the arm is in the second posture against the biasing of the biasing member by the first member in the fourth posture. A tray on which a sheet can be placed and which can be attached to and removed from the apparatus;
The tray supports the third member in the fifth posture when mounted on the device, and allows the third member to change posture to the sixth posture when removed from the device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2.

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