JP5754253B2 - Feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device that can feed a sheet-like recording medium, and an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a digital copying machine, and a facsimile machine including the feeding device.

  As a feeding device in the image forming apparatus, there is a paper feeding tray (paper feeding cassette) in which recording medium bundles can be stacked and stored, and this paper feeding tray is detachably set in the image forming apparatus main body. This paper feed tray is normally capable of being taken in and out through an opening provided on one surface of the image forming apparatus main body. That is, it is possible to attach and detach only in one direction.

  In the installation site of the image forming apparatus, there may be some obstacles on the opening side. For this reason, in recent years, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 7, there is a sheet feed tray that can be attached and detached from two directions. That is, even when it is not possible to take in and out from one direction, it is possible to take in and out from the other direction, and paper can be fed.

  By the way, when the paper feed tray is detachable from two directions as described above, a handle portion in two directions is provided for taking in and out. However, even if it is possible to detach from two directions, usually one direction is mainly used. Therefore, it will have a handle part in the direction which is not used, and there exists a possibility that the misoperation which a user may use this unused handle part may generate | occur | produce.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus that can insert and remove a sheet feeding tray from two directions, and that can effectively prevent an erroneous operation of performing a loading and unloading operation in an unused direction. It is what.

A sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a medium container on which a recording medium bundle is stacked and stored, a feeding unit for feeding a recording medium from the recording medium bundle of the medium container, and a medium container and a feeding unit. A medium storage body with respect to the apparatus main body on the upstream side in the feeding direction and / or the downstream side in the feeding direction by the feeding means in plan view. A possible feeding direction opening and an orthogonal direction opening capable of loading and unloading the medium container in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction by the feeding means in plan view are opened in the apparatus main body, An opening cover that closes the opening in the orthogonal direction is mounted, an operating handle is formed on the opening cover, and the handle is covered with a removable handle cover , and is elastically deformable. Engagement hole with which the engaging claw and the engaging claw are detachably engaged Through the first engaging means comprising is obtained by mounting the handle cover to the device body.

  According to the paper feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to put in and out the medium container in the feeding direction and put in and out the medium container in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. In addition, it is possible to close the opening in the orthogonal direction in which the medium container can be taken in and out in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction with the opening cover attached to the medium container.

  Since the handle cover can be removed, the handle portion is exposed when the handle cover is removed. In this exposed state, the medium container can be taken in and out in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction by operating the handle. If the handle cover is attached, the handle part is covered with the handle cover, and the handle part is not exposed to the outside.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a feeding device that accommodates a recording medium, an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium fed from the feeding device, and a recording medium on which the image is formed. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising at least a discharge device to be carried out, wherein the feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used as the feeding device, and a copying machine, a facsimile, Any one of a printer, a printing machine, and an inkjet recording apparatus, or a combination machine in which at least two or more of these are combined.

  In the feeding device of the present invention, the medium container can be attached and detached in two directions. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability when replenishing the recording medium and removing the jam, and it is possible to provide a feeding device that can diversify the installation location of the device. In addition, since one medium container can be taken in and out in two directions, it is possible to configure a model having different operation directions with a small number of parts as a whole, and cost can be reduced.

  If the handle cover is attached, the handle portion is not exposed to the outside, so that the user does not operate the handle portion and the medium container is not erroneously operated. For this reason, only the insertion / extraction of the medium container in the feeding direction is allowed, and the operability can be improved. In addition, if the handle cover is removed, it can be taken in and out in the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction by operating the handle portion.If the user wishes to put in and out in this direction, the handle cover is removed. do it.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device that has good operability at the time of paper replenishment and jam removal, and can be accessed in two directions at low cost (removable in two directions). Can be provided. In addition, the medium container can be prevented from being erroneously inserted and removed, and the handling property is excellent. For this reason, the image forming apparatus can be applied to various apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a printing machine, and an ink jet recording apparatus.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus using a feeding device according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the feeding device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the feeding device in a state where a medium container is pulled out along a feeding direction. It is a perspective view of a medium container and a 1st opening part cover. It is a perspective view of a medium container and a 1st opening part cover. It is a perspective view of a medium container and a holding body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the medium container as viewed from the rear. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the feeding device in a state where a medium container is pulled out along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. 1 is an overall simplified perspective view of an image forming apparatus. 1 is an overall simplified perspective view of an image forming apparatus with a handle cover removed. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the image forming apparatus with a handle cover removed. It is an expansion perspective view of a handle cover. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus using another apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus using another apparatus main body. 14A and 14B show a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14, wherein FIG. 14A is a perspective view before the handle cover and the exterior cover are attached, and FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. It is a perspective view before mounting | wearing with the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus shown in the said FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus using still another apparatus main body. FIG. 18 is a perspective view before the handle cover and the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17 are attached.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention according to embodiments shown in the drawings will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process. In this case, a color image forming apparatus using a general electrostatic image forming method is shown. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. Not what you want. The image forming apparatus includes a feeding device 100 disposed at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 1 and an image forming unit 3 disposed at an upper portion of the feeding device 100.

  As will be described in detail later, the feeding device 100 is a medium storage body 47 on which the recording medium bundle 41 is stacked and stored, and is driven while being in contact with the recording medium bundle 41 of the medium storage body 47 from above. 41 is provided with a feeding means 4 for feeding a medium from 41, and a storage box 10 for storing a medium container 47 and a feeding means. Note that the recording medium bundle 41 is a laminate of a plurality of sheet-like recording media, and the storage box 10 is stored in the apparatus main body 1 constituting the casing.

  The feeding means (feeding unit 4) has a rotating shaft 75 and a paper feed roller 42, and a separation pad 43 serving as a separating member facing the paper feed roller 42 and the paper feed roller 42 supply the feed. As the paper roller 42 rotates around its axis, one recording medium is sent out (feeded) from the recording medium bundle 41 accommodated in the medium accommodating body 47. The recording medium fed from the medium container 47 is conveyed to the registration roller 81 by the vertical conveying rollers 44 and 45. Then, the leading edge of the recording medium hits the nip between the registration roller 81 and the registration tension roller 80, and the leading edge is aligned. The registration roller 81 rotates so as to align the transfer position of the toner image and the recording medium.

  The image forming unit (image forming device) 3 includes a transfer belt device 5 disposed in the horizontal direction, and four image forming units (developers) disposed side by side in the horizontal direction above the transfer belt device 5. ) 30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K. Here, a single developing machine 30K will be described. A photoconductor (photoconductor drum) 31K as an image carrier is provided, and a charging roller 32K for charging the surface of the photoconductor 31K on the outer peripheral side of the photoconductor 31K; A developing roller 33K that develops the toner on the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 31K, a transfer roller 50K that transfers the toner to the recording medium, a cleaning unit (not shown) that scrapes off the residual toner after transfer, and the like are arranged. Yes. The same applies to other developing machines.

  Above the image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K, an optical unit 2 as an exposure unit is disposed. The optical unit 2 irradiates the photosensitive drum 31 with laser light.

  The transfer belt device 5 includes an endless transfer belt 21, a driving roller 52, and a driven roller 51, and the transfer belt 21 is wound around the driving roller 52 and the driven roller 51. Further, on the inner side of the upper running side of the transfer belt 21, a transfer roller 50 to which a transfer bias is applied is located at a position facing the photosensitive drum 31 of each of the image forming units 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K. It is arrange | positioned so that it may contact.

  In this way, the image is transferred to the recording medium by passing through the transfer belt device 5. The recording medium onto which the image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 6 where the image is fixed. The fixing device 6 includes a fixing roller 60 as a fixing member that fixes an image on a recording medium, and a pressure roller 61 as an opposing member that faces the fixing roller 60 and forms a fixing nip. In addition, a heater (not shown) as a heating unit disposed in the fixing roller 60 is disposed. The pressure roller 61 is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 60 at a predetermined pressure, and forms a fixing nip at a pressure contact portion where the pressure roller 61 is in pressure contact with each other.

  The recording medium on which the image has been fixed by the fixing device 6 is reversely discharged to the discharge portion 1 a at the top of the apparatus main body 1 via the discharge device 7. The discharge device 7 includes transport rollers 72 and 73 and discharge rollers 70 and 71. The apparatus main body 1 is provided with a manual feed tray 9.

  Next, the feeding device 100 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the feeding device 100 includes the storage box 10 that stores the medium container 47, the feeding unit 4, and the medium container 47 and the feeding unit 4 as described above. The medium container 47 is held by the holding body 46 in a state where the medium container 47 is stored in the storage box 10.

  In this case, the first direction operation for loading and unloading the medium container with respect to the storage box 10 to the upstream side and / or the downstream side in the feeding direction by the feeding means 4 in plan view, and the first direction It is possible to perform a second direction operation in which the medium container is put in and out in a direction orthogonal to the operation putting in and out direction. Here, the in / out directions in the first direction operation are the directions of arrows A1 and A2 in FIG. That is, the arrow A1 is the pull-out direction in the first direction operation, and the arrow A2 is the insertion direction (storage direction) in the first direction operation. Moreover, the in / out directions in the second direction operation are the directions of arrows B1 and B2 shown in FIG. That is, the arrow B1 is the pull-out direction in the second direction operation, and the arrow B2 is the insertion direction (storage direction) in the second direction operation.

  For this reason, the apparatus main body (casing) 1 includes a front wall 1A in which an inlet / outlet (opening) 28A of the medium container 47 along the feeding direction is formed, and an inlet / outlet along the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. (Opening) One side wall 1B in which 28A is formed, a rear wall 1D facing the front wall 1B, the other side wall C facing the one side wall 1B, and an upper wall 1E having a discharge part 1a, And a bottom wall 1F facing the top wall 1E. An exterior cover 140 is attached to the front wall 1A, the side walls 1B, 1C, and the rear wall 1D. The exterior cover 140 to which the front wall 1A and one side wall 1B are attached is configured by a rectangular flat plate having a rectangular cutout 141 formed on the lower side thereof. The opening covers 48A and 48B are fitted into the notch 141.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the medium container 47 includes a bottom wall 65 and a peripheral wall 66 erected from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall. The peripheral wall 66 includes a front wall 66a, a rear wall 66b, and a pair of side walls 66c and 66d. Further, a bottom plate 49 is attached to the bottom wall 65 to raise the downstream side in the feeding direction of the recording medium bundle 41 accommodated in the medium accommodating body 47.

  A first opening cover 48A is attached to the front wall 66a. The first opening cover 48A is provided with a handle 67 at the lower center of the front surface. The first opening cover 48A includes a container-side engaging portion (in this case, a pin member 47a) provided on the medium container 47 side, and an exterior-side engaging portion provided on the first opening cover 48A side. (In this case, the pin member 47a is attached via an engagement hole 48a in which the pin member 47a is detachably engaged).

  That is, a pair of upper and lower pin members are respectively provided on the front wall 66a side of one side wall 66c of the medium container 47 and the projecting pieces 68 provided on the other side wall 66d side of the front wall 66a of the medium container 47. 47a is provided. In this case, each pin member 47a protrudes in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. In addition, a pair of hole forming pieces 69 and 69 are provided on both sides in the width direction on the back surface of the first opening cover 48A, and a pair of upper and lower engagement holes 48a are provided in each hole forming piece 69 and 69, respectively. . In this case, the pin members 47a and 47a provided on the one side wall 66c side and the pin members 47a and 47a on the other side wall 66d side are displaced from each other along the feeding direction.

  Therefore, if the first opening cover 48A is slid along the front wall 66a of the medium container 47 in the direction of the arrow B1 with respect to the medium container 47 from the state shown in FIG. The pin member 47a is fitted (engaged) with 48a. That is, if the front wall 66a of the medium container 47 is slid in the direction of the arrow B2 along the back surface of the first opening cover 48A with respect to the first opening cover 48A, the pin member is inserted into each engagement hole 48a. 47a is fitted (engaged). As a result, even if the first opening cover 48A is pulled in the arrow A1 or pushed in the A2 direction, the medium container 47 moves together with the first opening cover 48A. That is, when the medium accommodating body 47 is taken in and out through the first opening cover 48A in the first direction operation (withdrawal using the handle portion 67 of the first opening cover 48A), the first opening cover 48A and the medium accommodating body. 47 can be integrated into and out of the first direction.

  On the other hand, in a state where the first opening cover 48A is mounted (the state shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7 and the like), the medium container 47 with respect to the first opening cover 48A. 5 in the direction of arrow B1 shown in FIG. 5, the first opening cover 48A and the medium container 47 are separated as shown in FIGS.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the guide rail 15 is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the front wall 66a of the medium accommodating body 47, and the guide rail is provided at the lower part of the back surface of the first opening cover 48A. 15 (see FIG. 4) is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the guide rail 15 on the medium container 47 side is received by the guide rail 16 on the first opening cover 48A side in the state of being stored in the storage box body, If the medium container 47 is pulled out from this state in the direction of the arrow B1 in the second direction operation, the guide rail 15 slides on the guide rail 16 and is pulled out. Further, when the medium container 47 is pushed into the state in which the guide rail 15 on the medium container 47 side is placed on the guide rail 16 on the first opening cover 48A side from the pulled-out state, the guide rail 15 Is slid on the guide rail 16 and pushed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the holding body 46 that holds the medium containing body 47 includes a bottom wall 26 and a peripheral wall 27 that stands from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 26. The peripheral wall 27 includes a rear wall 27b and a pair of side walls 27c and 27d. Therefore, an entrance / exit 28 </ b> A for the medium container 47 is formed in the peripheral wall 27.

  As shown in FIG. 6, guide rails 35 are provided below the side walls 27c and 27d of the holding body 46, and guides are provided below the outer surfaces of the side walls 66c and 66d of the medium container 47 as shown in FIG. Rails 36 are provided. In this case, the dimension between the inner surfaces of the side walls 27c and 27d is set slightly larger than the dimension between the outer surfaces of the side walls 66c and 66d.

  For this reason, if the guide rail 36 of the medium container 47 is placed on the guide rail 35 of the holder 46 and the medium container 47 is pushed into the holder 46 from the state shown in FIG. The rail 36 slides (slides) on the guide rail 35, and the medium container 47 is pushed into the holding body 46 to enter the housed state. Conversely, when the medium container 47 is pulled out from this stored state, the guide rail 36 slides (slides) on the guide rail 35 and the medium container 47 is pulled out from the holding body 46 through the entrance / exit 28A. it can.

  A second opening cover 48B is integrally provided on the outer surface side of the side wall 27d of the holding body 46. A handle 55 (see FIG. 2 and the like) is provided at the center lower portion of the surface of the second opening cover 48B.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding body 46 is provided with a holding body side engaging portion (in this case, an engaging pin 46b), and as shown in FIG. (In this case, an engagement hole 47b that is detachably engaged with the engagement pin 46b) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement pin 46b is provided on one side wall 27c side of the rear wall 27b of the holding body 46 and on the opening end side of the other side wall 27d. In this case, a pin forming piece 38 is provided on the opening end side of the other side wall 27d, and an engaging pin 46b is provided on the pin forming piece 38.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the engagement hole 47 b is provided on one side wall 66 c side of the rear wall 66 b of the medium container body 47 and on the front wall 66 a side of the other side wall 66 d of the medium container body 47. . In this case, a hole forming piece 40 protruding outward is provided on the front wall 66a side of the other side wall 66d of the medium container 47, and the hole forming piece 40 is provided with an engagement hole 47b.

  For this reason, when the medium container 47 is inserted into the holding body 46 through the doorway 28A to be in the stored state, the engaging pin 46b of the holding body 46 is engaged (fitted) with the engaging hole 47b of the medium containing body 47. )

  In this engaged state, if the handle 67 of the first opening cover 48A is grasped and the medium container 47 is pulled out from the holding body 46 along the direction of the arrow A1, the medium container 47 is pulled out via the doorway 28A. If the handle 67 of the first opening cover 48A is gripped and the medium container 47 is inserted along the direction of the arrow A2 from the pulled-out state, the medium container 47 is held via the doorway 28A. It can be stored in the body 46.

  However, in the state in which the medium container 47 is stored in the holding body 46, the engagement pin 46 b of the holding body 46 is engaged (fitted) with the engagement hole 47 b of the medium container 47 as described above. Therefore, in the second direction operation, the holder 46 and the medium container 47 can be stably put in and out in the directions of the arrows B1 and B2.

  The sheet feeding roller 42 constituting the feeding unit 4 has a rotating shaft 75 pivotally supported at a position above the entrance / exit 28 </ b> A of the holding body 46. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, standing pieces 76 and 76 are erected at the entrance / exit side ends of the side walls 27c and 27d, and the rotary shaft 75 rotates in the pivotal support holes 76a and 76a provided in the standing pieces 76 and 76. It is inserted freely. For this reason, the rotating shaft 75 is disposed along the directions of the arrows B1 and B2.

  As shown in FIG. 8B and the like, a gear member 78 is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 75 on the side opposite to the second opening cover, and the gear member 78 is provided on the storage box body 10 side. It is connected to driving force transmission means (for example, coupling) 79. In this case, the gear member 78 is attached to and detached from the rotational driving force transmission means 79 by taking in and out the medium container 47 in the second direction operation.

  By the way, the storage box body 10 includes a frame body 95 having a back frame 12, a side frame 13, and a front column 11, as shown in FIG. A guide rail 12 a is provided at the lower part of the inner surface of the back frame 12, and a guide rail 90 (see FIG. 8B) is provided at the lower part of the outer surface of the rear wall 27 b of the holding body 46.

  When the medium container 47 supported by the holder 46 is stored in the storage box 10, the first opening cover 48 </ b> A is placed on the main body side as shown in FIG. Opposing surfaces are open. That is, the entrance / exit 28B is formed. Therefore, in this state, the guide rail 15 of the medium container 47 is placed on the guide rail 16 of the first opening cover 48A, and the rear wall 27b of the holding body 46 is placed on the guide rail 12a of the back frame 12. The guide rail 90 is placed.

  In this state, if the handle 55 of the second opening cover 48B is gripped and inserted in the direction of the arrow B2, the guide rail 15 slides on the guide rail 16, and the guide rail 90 slides on the guide rail 12a. As a result, the medium container 47 supported by the holder 46 can be stored in the storage box 10 through the doorway 28B.

  Conversely, when the handle 55 of the second opening cover 48B is gripped in the retracted state and pulled in the direction of the arrow B1, the guide rail 15 slides (slides) on the guide rail 16, and the guide rail 90 slides on the guide rail 12a. As a result, the medium container 47 supported by the holder 46 can be pulled out from the storage box 10 and eventually through the doorway 28B.

  Incidentally, in the apparatus main body 1 shown in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 and the like, a rectangular flat plate-shaped handle cover 110 is detachably mounted. In this case, the recessed portion 111 is formed on the outer surface of the opening cover 48 </ b> B and the recessed portion 112 is formed on the outer surface of the exterior cover 140. That is, the recessed portion 111 of the opening cover 48B is a rectangular recessed portion provided outside the handle portion 55, and the recessed portion 112 of the exterior cover 140 is formed as shown in FIG. In the state where 48B is housed in the opening 28B, it is a flat rectangular recess connected to the recess 111 of the opening cover 48B. For this reason, the fitting recess 113 into which the handle cover 110 is fitted is formed by the recessed portions 111 and 112.

  The cover 110 is maintained in the mounted state by the first engaging means 115 and the second engaging means 116. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first engaging means 115 includes an engaging claw 120 that can be elastically deformed, and an engaging hole 121 in which the engaging claw 120 is detachably engaged. In this case, the engaging claw 120 is formed integrally with the cover 110 on the upper side of the back surface of the cover 110, and has a main body portion 120a having a rectangular cross section protruding from the back surface of the cover 110, and the main body. And a hook portion 120b provided at the tip of the portion 120a. The engagement hole 121 is a rectangular hole provided in the recessed portion 112 of the exterior cover 140. While the engaging claw 120 is elastically deformed, the tip hook portion 120 b is fitted into the apparatus main body 1 through the engaging hole 121, and the hook portion 120 b is engaged with the back surface side of the exterior cover 140. Note that the elastically deformable engagement claw 120 can be made of a general-purpose plastic such as ABS or PS, for example.

  Moreover, the 2nd engaging means 116 consists of the insertion nail | claw 122 and the insertion hole 123 in which this insertion claw 122 is inserted so that insertion / extraction is possible. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, a bar member 125 is provided on the lower side of the back surface of the cover 110, and the insertion claws 122 made of rectangular flat plate-shaped pieces are suspended from both ends of the bar member 125. . Moreover, the said insertion hole 123 is formed by providing a flat rectangular hole in the handle part corresponding | compatible part in the bottom wall 1F. Therefore, the insertion claw 122 of the cover 110 can be inserted into the insertion hole 123 of the bottom wall 1F.

  Therefore, when the cover 110 is mounted, first, the cover 110 is inclined so that the upper side of the cover 110 is separated from the exterior cover 140, and the insertion claw 122 is inserted into the fitting recess 113 from above, so that the lower side of the cover is The engagement claw 120 is fitted into the engagement hole 121 by bringing the upper side of the cover 110 closer to the exterior cover 140 at the center. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the cover 110 is fitted in the fitting recess 113, is attached to the apparatus main body 1, and covers the handle portion 55.

  In the state shown in FIG. 9, the outer surface of the exterior cover 140, the outer surface of the opening cover 48 </ b> B (the outer surface excluding the recessed recess 111), and the outer surface of the cover 110 are arranged on the same plane. . In this case, between the outer periphery of the cover 110 and the outer periphery of the fitting recess 113, and between the outer periphery of the opening cover 48B and the outer periphery of the doorway 28B and the outer periphery of the notch 141 of the exterior cover 140. It is preferable that no gaps are generated.

  By the way, the opening cover 48A in the feeding direction and the exterior cover 140 are also formed in the recessed portions 111 and 112, thereby forming a fitting recess 113 into which the cover 110 is fitted. In addition, engagement holes 121, 121 are provided in the recessed portion 112 of the front cover A, and insertion holes 123, 123 are provided in the bottom wall 1 </ b> F corresponding to the handle portion 67.

  For this reason, the cover 110 can be fitted into the fitting recess 113. Thereby, the handle portion 67 can be covered with the cover 110. Also in this case, the outer surface of the exterior cover 140, the outer surface of the opening cover 48A (the outer surface excluding the recessed portion 111), and the outer surface of the cover 110 are arranged on the same plane. In this case, between the outer periphery of the cover 110 and the outer periphery of the fitting recess 113, and between the outer periphery of the opening cover 48 </ b> A and the outer periphery of the doorway 28 </ b> A and the outer periphery of the notch 141 of the exterior cover 140. It is preferable that no gaps are generated.

  In the feeding device of the present invention, the medium container 47 can be attached and detached in two directions. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability when replenishing the recording medium and removing the jam, and it is possible to provide a feeding device that can diversify the installation location of the device. Moreover, the medium container can be stably taken in and out along this direction without providing a mechanism for suppressing the bottom plate as in the prior art. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration and achieve cost reduction.

  By providing the holding body 46 for holding the medium container 47 from the outer peripheral side, the structure on the storage box 10 side, the structure on the medium container side, and the structure on the holding body side can be simplified. In addition, it is possible to stabilize the operation of inserting and removing the medium container in two directions. In particular, the holder 46 is detained on the side of the storage box body during the first direction operation, which is normally used, and the lightweight medium container 47 can be inserted and removed to improve operability. it can.

  Since the feeding unit 4 is integrally held by the holding body 46, the operation of the first direction operation and the second direction operation is stable, and a configuration for performing these operations with a small number of parts is achieved. it can.

  Since the rotary shaft 75 of the feeding means 4 can be attached to and detached from the rotational driving force transmitting means 79 by taking in and out along the second direction, the feeding means 4 is taken out together with the medium container 47 by the second direction operation. However, when the medium container 47 is inserted (set) again, the rotation drive force transmission means 79 can be stably connected, and the operability is excellent.

  Since the rotating shaft 75 of the feeding means 4 is pivotally supported at the upper part of the entrance / exit 28A of the holding body 46, the rotating shaft 75 can be pivotally supported stably and freely, and the recording medium can be fed stably. Can be done.

  Since a separator is attached to the medium container 47, a separation mechanism (mechanism for separating the paper feed roller 42 serving as the feeding unit 4 and the separation pad 43 serving as the separator) that is necessary in the past is required. However, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  Since the first opening cover 48A is provided, the front part in the take-out direction can be protected, the rigidity of the medium container 47 can be improved, and further, the medium container can be accommodated on the storage box side. The rigidity of the part can be improved. For this reason, the rigidity of the storage box body 10 can be increased regardless of whether the medium storage body 47 is stored in the storage box body 10 or taken out of the storage box body 10. A feeding device can be provided.

  Since the handle portion 67 is provided in the first opening cover 48A, the operation during the first direction operation is stable, and the speed of the replenishment operation of the recording medium can be achieved.

  Since the accommodating body side engaging portion and the opening portion cover side engaging portion are engaged by the movement along the insertion direction of the medium accommodating body 47 in the second direction operation, the first direction operation and the second direction operation can be easily performed. This can be performed stably with the configuration, and the configuration can be simplified and the number of high-precision fastening portions can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced.

  Since the second opening cover 48B is provided, the rigidity of the holding body 46 can be improved, the medium containing body 47 can be held in a stable state, and the medium containing body 47 can be taken in and out in the second direction operation. Stabilize.

  Since the handle portion 55 is provided in the second opening portion cover 48B, the operation during the second direction operation is stable, and speeding up of the replenishment operation of the recording medium can be achieved.

  Since the accommodating body side engaging portion and the holding body side engaging portion are engaged by the movement along the inserting direction of the medium accommodating body 47 in the second direction operation, the first direction operation and the second direction operation can be performed with a simple configuration. This can be performed stably, and workability can be improved.

  Since the handle cover 110 can be removed, the handle portion 55 is exposed when the handle cover 110 is removed. In this exposed state, the medium container 47 can be taken in and out in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction by operating the handle portion 55. Further, if the handle cover 110 is attached, the handle portion 55 is covered with the handle cover 110, and the handle portion 55 is not exposed to the outside. For this reason, the user does not operate the handle portion 55 and the medium container 47 is not erroneously operated.

  In this embodiment, the handle portion 67 of the feed direction opening 28A is exposed. In this exposed state, the medium container can be taken in and out in the feeding direction by operating the handle of the feeding direction opening 28A. Further, if the handle cover 110 of the feeding direction opening is attached, the handle portion 67 is covered with the handle cover 110, and the handle portion 67 is not exposed to the outside. For this reason, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the direction in which the medium container 47 is put in and out can be selected from one of two directions, ie, the feeding direction and the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. Will be good.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the outer surface of the handle cover 110 and the outer surface of the opening cover 48A are arranged on the same plane with the handle cover 110 attached, the apparatus main body 1 is designed in design. It will be excellent.

  By providing the first engagement means 115 and the second engagement means 116, the attachment / detachment of the handle cover 110 is facilitated. In addition, the wearing state can be stably maintained. Further, it is preferable that the engaging claw 120 of the first engaging means 115 and the insertion claw 122 of the second engaging means 116 are integrally formed with the handle cover 110. By configuring in this way, the coupling means 115 and 116 can be configured with a small number of parts, and cost reduction and productivity improvement can be achieved.

  By the way, in what is shown in FIG. 13, the semicircle-shaped notch part 130 is provided in the center part of the upper edge edge of the recessed part 112 of the exterior cover 140. FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the cover 110 is attached, the user can perform an operation of inserting the finger into the notch 130 and removing the cover 110. In this case, by inserting a finger into the notch 130, hooking the cover 110 with the inserted finger, and pulling the cover 110 down to pull the engagement claw 120 out of the engagement hole 121, the cover 110 is removed. Can be removed. That is, by providing such a cutout portion 130, the detachability of the cover 110 can be improved.

  Next, FIG. 14 shows the case where the recessed portion 112 is not formed in the exterior cover 140. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the cover 110 is composed of a rectangular flat plate-shaped main body portion 110a and a flat rectangular sub-portion 110c connected to the upper side of the main body portion 110a via a bent portion 110b. . For this reason, the sub part 110c is located in the wall part 1B side rather than the main-body part 110a.

  Although not shown, the sub-part 110c is provided with an engaging claw 120 as shown in FIG. 12, and an insertion claw 122 as shown in FIG. 12 is provided on the lower side of the main body part 110a. Is provided. And the engagement hole 121,121 and the insertion holes 123,123 are provided in the apparatus main body 1 side.

  In this case, when the second opening cover 48B is inserted into the apparatus main body 1, the outer surface thereof coincides with the outer edge of the bottom wall 1F as shown in FIG. For this reason, the side wall 1B is in a state of being retracted by a predetermined dimension inward from the outer end edge of the bottom wall 1F.

  From the state shown in FIG. 15 (a), the insertion claw 122 of the cover 110 is inserted into the insertion hole 123, and the engagement claw 120 is engaged with the engagement hole 121. As shown in FIG. The cover 110 can be attached to the apparatus main body 1.

  By the way, the exterior cover 140 to which the side wall 1B is attached is constituted by a rectangular flat plate having a rectangular cutout 141 formed on the lower side thereof. For this reason, in the state shown in FIG. 16, the exterior cover 140 is attached to the side wall 1B so that the opening cover 48B is exposed to the outside through the notch 141. In this state, the exterior cover 140, the outer surface of the opening cover 48B (the outer surface excluding the recessed portion 111), and the outer surface of the main body 110a of the cover 110 are disposed on the same plane. Further, it is preferable that no gap is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the cutout portion 141 of the exterior cover 140, the outer peripheral edge of the main body 110a of the cover 110, and the outer peripheral edge of the opening cover 48B.

  Next, in the case shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the cover 110 is a rectangular flat plate-like main body part 110a and a flat rectangular shape connected to the main body part 110a via a bent part 110b, like the cover 110 shown in FIG. And a secondary portion 110c having a shape. In this case, the outer shape of the main body 110a of the cover 110 is substantially the same as the outer shape of the opening cover 48B.

  For this reason, the recessed part 111 is not provided in the opening part cover 48B. On the other hand, although not shown, the cover 110 is provided with engagement claws 120 and 120 and insertion claws 122 and 122, and as shown in FIG. 121 and 121 and insertion holes 123 and 123 are provided.

  Therefore, by inserting the insertion claw 122 of the cover 110 into the insertion hole 123 from the state shown in FIG. 18 and engaging the engagement claw 120 with the engagement hole 121, as shown in FIG. 110 can be attached to the apparatus main body 1. Thus, the outer surface of the opening cover 48B can be covered with the cover 110. In this state, the exterior cover 140 is attached to the side wall 1B so that the opening cover 48B is exposed to the outside through the notch 141. At this time, the outer surface of the exterior cover 140 and the outer surface of the main body 110a of the cover 110 are disposed on the same plane. Further, it is preferable that no gap is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the cutout portion 141 of the exterior cover 140 and the outer peripheral edge of the main body 110a of the cover 110.

  17 and 18, the dividing line on the outer surface of the apparatus main body can be reduced, and the apparatus main body is excellent in design.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention include an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, and a facsimile machine. 4 is the engagement hole 48a, and the container-side engagement portion shown in FIG. 5 is the pin member 47a. While being a pin member, it is good also considering a container side engaging part as an engaging hole. The holding body side engaging portion shown in FIG. 6 is the engaging pin 46b, and the container side engaging portion shown in FIG. 7 is the engaging hole 47b. Conversely, the holding body side engaging portion is the engaging hole. In addition, the container-side engaging portion may be a pin member.

  By the way, as the pin member 47a, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent rattling effectively by disposing the upper and lower two pieces at positions spaced apart in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. Therefore, the position of the embodiment is not limited as long as rattling can be prevented. In short, the first opening cover 48A and the medium container 47 are not separated in the first direction operation, and the first opening cover 48A can be detained on the storage box side in the second direction operation. And what is necessary is just to couple | bond the 1st opening part cover 48A and the medium container 47 in the insertion in a 2nd direction operation.

  In the embodiment, the take-out in the first direction operation is take-out to the downstream side in the feed direction, but it may be taken out to the upstream side in the feed direction. The recording medium of the present invention has a so-called heat capacity larger than that of plain paper generally used for copying, 90K paper such as an OHP sheet, card, postcard, thick paper having a basis weight of about 100 g / m 2 or more, and paper such as an envelope. Includes special sheets.

  Even if the notch portion 130 as shown in FIG. 13 is formed on the front wall side (exterior cover 140) side where the opening portion constituting the feeding direction is formed, FIG. 14 to FIG. The cover 110 and the exterior cover 140 shown in the figure may be used, or the cover 110 and the exterior cover 140 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 may be used.

In the embodiment, the engaging claw 120 is provided on the cover 110 side and the engaging hole 121 is provided on the apparatus main body side. However, the engaging claw 120 is provided on the apparatus main body side and the engaging hole 121 is provided on the cover 110 side. You may make it provide. Further, the insertion claw 122 may be provided on the apparatus main body side, and the insertion hole 123 may be provided on the cover 110 side.
You may provide in the opening part cover 48B etc., without providing the insertion hole 123 in the bottom wall 1F.

  Further, the engagement claw 120 and the insertion claw 122 are not limited to two each, and the increase / decrease is arbitrary. Therefore, the engagement hole 121 and the insertion hole 123 are the engagement claw 120 and the insertion claw 122. Various changes can be made according to the number of

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the cutout portion 130 is provided, the number of the cutout portions 130 is one in the above embodiment, but two or more may be provided. Also, the size and shape of the notch 130 can be variously changed within a range where the user can insert and remove the finger.

  As means for engaging the cover 110, other engaging means such as a screw connection may be used without using the engaging means 115 and 116 described in the above embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the engaging claw 120 and the insertion claw 122 are integrally formed with the cover 110. However, it is a matter of course that the engaging claw 120 and the insertion claw 122 may be configured as separate members and then integrated. Thus, by using different members, the material on the cover 110 side and the material of the engaging claws 120 and the insertion claws 122 can be made the same or different.

  In the image forming apparatus of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, it is basically used in a state in which the opening 28B that can be taken in and out in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction is closed. In the state shown in FIG. However, the user can remove the opening cover 110 that closes the opening 28B and close the opening A. In this case, it is preferable to have a notch 130 as shown in FIG.

1 Device body 3 Image forming unit
4 Feeding means 7 Discharge devices 28A, 28B entrance / exit 46 Holding body 47 Medium container 48A, 48B Opening cover 55, 67 Handle part 100 Feeding device 110 Handle cover 115 First engagement means 116 Second engagement means 120 Engagement Joint claw 121 Engagement hole 122 Insertion claw 123 Insertion hole 140 Exterior cover

JP 2005-280980 A JP 2008-285264 A JP-A-4-246030 JP 2007-106545 A JP 2005-255363 A JP-A-9-212236 JP 2001-310825 A

Claims (9)

A medium container on which recording medium bundles are stacked and stored, a feeding unit for feeding recording media from the recording medium bundle of the medium container, and an apparatus main body for housing the medium container and feeding means A feeding device comprising:
A feeding direction opening capable of loading and unloading the medium container with respect to the apparatus main body upstream and / or downstream in the feeding direction by the feeding means when seen in a plan view, and a feeding means when seen in a plan view And an orthogonal opening that allows the medium container to be taken in and out in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction is opened in the apparatus main body, and an opening cover that closes the orthogonal opening is attached to the medium container. An operation handle is formed in the opening cover, and the handle is covered with a removable handle cover, and an elastically deformable engagement claw and a engagement with which the engagement claw is detachably engaged. A feeding apparatus, wherein the handle cover is attached to the apparatus main body through first engaging means including a joint hole .   An opening cover that closes the feeding direction opening is attached to the medium container, and an operation handle is formed on the opening cover, and the handle is covered with a removable cover. The feeding device according to claim 1.   The feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer surface of the handle cover and the outer surface of the opening cover are disposed on the same plane in a state in which the handle cover is mounted. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an engaging claw of the first engaging means is integrally formed with a handle cover . And Sakomitsume any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that mounting the handle cover to the device body via a second engagement means comprising a insertion hole which the insertion nail is inserted into removable from The feeding device according to claim 1. The feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the insertion claw of the second engaging means is formed integrally with the handle cover . An exterior cover to be attached to a wall portion in which the opening of the apparatus main body is formed, and this exterior cover exposes only the outer surface of the handle cover or only the outer surface of the handle cover and the outer surface of the opening cover. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wall portion is covered . A first direction operation for loading / unloading the medium container with respect to the apparatus main body to the upstream side and / or the downstream side of the feeding direction by the feeding means in a plan view, and orthogonal to the loading / unloading direction of the first direction operation. In the second direction, and the apparatus main body includes a holding body for holding the medium container from the outer peripheral side, and when the first direction operation is taken out. The holding body is detained on the apparatus main body side, and the holding body is taken in and out of the apparatus main body together with the medium container during the second direction operation . The feeding device according to any one of claims. A feeding device that accommodates the recording medium, an image forming device that forms an image on the recording medium fed from the feeding device, and a discharge device that carries the recording medium on which the image is formed out of the apparatus, An image forming apparatus comprising at least
Using the feeding device according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 before Symbol feeder, copying machine, facsimile, printer, printing press, and one of the ink jet recording apparatus or they, An image forming apparatus , wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-function machine combining at least two of the above .

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