JP5591572B2 - Medium conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium conveying apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer that forms an image on a sheet, and an image forming apparatus.

  A conventional image forming apparatus forms a toner image in an image forming unit in accordance with image data, transfers the formed toner image to a recording sheet in a transfer unit, conveys the toner image to a fixing unit, and transfers the toner image transferred in the fixing unit. After fixing the image, the sheet is discharged to a stacker portion outside the apparatus by a discharge roller. The medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit corrects the skew by a pair of registration rollers and is conveyed to the image forming unit. In an image forming apparatus having a double-sided printing function, a sheet for reversing the recording surface is used. A merging portion of a sheet conveyance path that includes a conveyance section and joins the conveyance path of the supplied sheet and the conveyance path of the reversed sheet before the pair of registration rollers is included (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-179282 (paragraphs 0013 to 0016, FIG. 1)

  However, if a paper jam occurs in the recording paper passing through the merge section, the removal method differs depending on the conveyance path of the recording paper up to the merge section, but it takes time to specify the conveyance path. There is a problem that the operation of removing the jammed paper is complicated and troublesome.

The medium carrying device according to the present invention is:
A first medium transport path for guiding the medium to be transported; a second medium transport path for joining the first medium transport path to guide the medium to be transported; and a third medium transport for guiding the medium to be transported A transparent guide member that is configured by a path and a transparent member, and is disposed so as to oppose a merging portion where the first medium conveying path and the second medium conveying path merge, and guides the medium at the merging portion When,
A boundary guide member formed of a colored member provided between the first medium transport path and the second medium transport path, and the first medium transport arranged to face the boundary guide member Comprising a colored guide member having a color different from that of the boundary guide member, and an opposing guide member arranged to face the boundary guide member and constituting the second medium conveyance path,
In the direction from the transparent guide member toward the boundary guide member,
Arranged in order of the transparent guide member, the guide member, the boundary guide member, the counter guide member from the upstream side,
The guide member and the transparent guide member are arranged so as to face each other on the upstream side of the merging portion in the medium conveyance direction of the first medium conveyance path to constitute the third medium conveyance path,
In the medium conveyance direction, the downstream end of the guide member is located upstream of the downstream end of the boundary guide member,
The medium from the first medium transport path to the junction is guided by the boundary guide member and the guide member, and the boundary guide member and the transparent guide member,
The downstream end of the boundary guide member in the medium transport direction has a notch shape, and the downstream end and the downstream end of the guide member are visible from the position of the transparent guide member. It is characterized by.

Another medium conveying apparatus according to the present invention is:
A first medium transport path for guiding the medium to be transported; a second medium transport path for joining the first medium transport path to guide the medium to be transported; and a third medium transport for guiding the medium to be transported A transparent guide member that is configured by a path and a transparent member, and is disposed so as to oppose a merging portion where the first medium conveying path and the second medium conveying path merge, and guides the medium at the merging portion A boundary guide member formed of a colored member provided between the first medium transport path and the second medium transport path, and disposed so as to face the boundary guide member. A medium conveying path, a colored guide member having a color different from the boundary guide member, and an opposing guide member arranged to face the boundary guide member and constituting the second medium conveying path ,
In the direction from the transparent guide member toward the boundary guide member,
Arranged in order of the transparent guide member, the guide member, the boundary guide member, the counter guide member from the upstream side,
The guide member and the transparent guide member are arranged so as to face each other on the upstream side of the merging portion in the medium conveyance direction of the first medium conveyance path to constitute the third medium conveyance path,
In the medium conveyance direction, the downstream end of the guide member is located upstream of the downstream end of the boundary guide member,
The medium from the first medium transport path to the junction is guided by the boundary guide member and the guide member, and the boundary guide member and the transparent guide member,
The downstream end of the boundary guide member and the downstream end of the guide member in the medium transport direction are visible from the position of the transparent guide member.

  According to the present invention, since the conveyance path of the medium causing the jam can be easily specified, the medium causing the jam can be removed smoothly.

1 is a main part configuration diagram schematically showing a main part configuration of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a medium carrying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above. (A) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the principal part cross section of a medium conveying apparatus cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. 2, (b) is operation | movement explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a movable guide. . FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the medium transport device in the vicinity of a first merge portion as viewed obliquely from above with a second paper feed tray and a transparent guide member removed. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the shape of a movable guide. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the guide member used in Embodiment 1, (a) is the perspective view which looked at the front side, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the back side. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyance route of a recording sheet fed from a first sheet feeding tray to a registration roller pair and a state of a movable guide. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyance route of a recording sheet fed from a second sheet feeding tray to a registration roller pair and a state of a movable guide. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing a state of a conveyance route and a movable guide of a recording sheet conveyed through a conveyance path of a duplex conveyance unit to a pair of registration rollers. It is the elements on larger scale seen from the arrow B direction above the transparent guide member shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale seen from the arrow B direction above the transparent guide member shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale seen from the arrow B direction above the transparent guide member shown in FIG. When the guide member is colored, it is the elements on larger scale seen from the upper arrow B direction. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when a paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when a recording sheet conveyed from a first sheet feeding tray has jammed. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when a recording sheet that has been transported through a transport path of a duplex transport section causes a paper jam. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a part of a medium transport device provided with a guide member employed in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the principal part cross section of a medium conveying apparatus cut | disconnected by CC line which passes through the partial protrusion shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the guide member used in Embodiment 2, The figure (a) is the perspective view which looked at the front side, The figure (b) is the perspective view which looked at the back side. In Embodiment 2, it is a figure where it uses for description of the relationship between the some partial protrusion 356b of a guide member, and the groove | channel formed in the guide surface of a 4th guide. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a paper removal method when a paper jam occurs in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a paper removal method when a paper jam occurs in the second embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram schematically showing a main part configuration of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration as a color electrophotographic printer, for example. In the figure, a first paper feed tray 100 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000 and accommodates recording sheets 101 stacked inside. Inside the first paper feed tray 100, a paper placement plate 102 is rotatably provided on the support shaft 102a, and the recording paper 101 is placed on the paper placement plate 102. Further, the first paper feed tray 100 is provided with a guide member (not shown) for regulating the stacking position of the recording paper 101, and the side of the paper in the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording paper 101 and the paper feeding direction. And the loading position of the recording paper 101 to be accommodated is kept constant.

  Lifting means such as a spring is provided on the feeding side of the first paper feed tray 100 so that the uppermost sheet of the recording sheets 101 stacked on the sheet loading plate 102 reaches a position where it contacts the pickup roller 202. Lift the bottom of the mounting plate 102.

  A paper feeding unit 200 that feeds the recording paper 101 one by one is provided on the feeding side of the first paper feed tray 100. The paper feeding unit 200 includes a pickup roller 202 provided so as to be pressed against the recording paper 101 raised to a certain height, and a feed roller 203 and a retard roller 204 for separating the recording paper 101 fed by the pickup roller 202 one by one. A pair of rollers is provided. Further, the paper feeding unit 200 is provided with a paper presence / absence detection unit 205 that detects the presence / absence of the recording paper 101 and a paper remaining amount detection unit 206 that detects the remaining amount of paper. In addition, it is also possible to arrange a separating piece instead of the retard roller 204.

  The recording paper 101 that has been fed out from the paper feeding unit 200 by one sheet is sent to the paper transport unit 300 that transports the recording paper 101 fed from the first paper feed tray 100 to the registration roller pair 304. Here, the recording paper 101 passes through the paper sensor 301 and is sent to the conveyance roller pair 302. The conveyance roller pair 302 is rotated by a driving unit (not shown) from the time when the recording paper 101 passes through the paper sensor 301, for example, and sends out the recording paper 101. The recording paper 101 sent out from the conveying roller pair 302 passes through the paper sensor 303, further passes through a movable guide 307 and the like which will be described later, and is sent to the registration roller pair 304. Note that the paper transport unit 300 here refers to a transport path and transport means for transporting the recording paper 101 fed from the first paper feed tray 100 to the registration roller pair 304.

  The registration roller pair 304 is started to rotate by a drive unit (not shown) at a timing delayed by a predetermined time from the time when the recording paper 101 passes the paper sensor 303. Therefore, the recording sheet 101 is pushed into the pressure contact portion of the registration roller pair 304 in a slightly bent state, and the skew is corrected. The recording paper 101 sent out by the registration roller pair 304 passes through the writing sensor 305 and is sent to the image forming unit 400.

  The image forming unit 400 includes four toner image forming units 430 arranged in series, and a transfer unit 460 that transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 430 to the upper surface of the recording paper 101 by Coulomb force. The four toner image forming units 430 arranged in series have the same configuration, and only the colors of the toners used, that is, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are used. Is different. Therefore, the internal configuration of the black (K) toner image forming unit 430 located on the most upstream side will be described as an example.

  The toner image forming unit 430 includes a photosensitive drum 431 that carries a toner image, a charging roller 432 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 431, and an LED head 433 that includes an LED array that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 431. A developing roller 434 that forms a toner image on the electrostatic latent image by frictional charging, a toner supply unit 436 that supplies toner to the developing roller 434, a cleaning blade 435 that scrapes off residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 431 after transfer, and the like. Is provided.

  The transfer unit 460 is paired with an endless transfer belt 461 that electrostatically attracts and conveys paper, a drive roller 462 that is rotated in the direction of an arrow by a drive unit (not shown), and drives the transfer belt 461 to move. And a tension roller 463 that stretches the transfer belt 461 and a transfer roller that is disposed so as to be pressed against the photosensitive drum 431 of the toner image forming unit 430 and applies a voltage to transfer the toner image to the recording paper 101. 464, a cleaning blade 465 that scrapes and cleans the toner adhering to the transfer belt 461, and a toner box 466 that accumulates toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 465.

  The toner image forming unit 430 and the transfer belt 461 are driven in synchronization, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the recording paper 101 conveyed by being electrostatically attracted to the transfer belt 461. The recording paper 101 to which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming unit 400 in this manner is sent to a fixing unit 500 that fixes the toner image to the recording paper 101 with heat and pressure.

  The fixing unit 500 includes a halogen lamp 503 serving as a heat source therein, and includes a roller pair of an upper roller 501 and a lower roller 502 whose surfaces are formed of an elastic body, and the toner on the recording paper 101 sent from the image forming unit 400. Heat and pressure are applied to the image to melt the toner image and fix it on the recording paper 101. Thereafter, the recording paper 101 is discharged to the stacker unit 505 by the discharge roller pair 504 via the conveyance roller pair 470.

  The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a second paper feed tray 600 that is different from the first paper feed tray 100. The second paper feed tray 600 has a function similar to that of the first paper feed tray 100 and is generally called an MPT (Multi-Purpose Tray) or a manual feed tray. It is often used for a wide variety of paper such as thin paper that cannot be handled, thick paper, narrow paper, and long paper. The second paper feed tray 600 is mounted on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1000, and when used, the cover (not shown) of the second paper feed tray 600 is opened and the recording paper 101 is stacked, and the paper Is disposed so as to abut on the paper feed roller 601 of the paper feed unit 610. The recording paper 101 fed out by the paper feed roller 601 of the paper feed unit 610 is sent to the paper transport unit 300 and passes through the paper sensor 303. Hereinafter, the first paper feed tray described above is used. The paper is transported in the same manner as in the case of the recording paper fed out from 100, and printing processing is performed.

  The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a double-sided conveyance unit 700 that conveys the recording paper 101 having a toner image fixed on the surface thereof by the fixing unit 500 when performing double-sided printing. The double-sided conveyance unit 700 is provided with a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 701 and a conveyance path 702 (second medium conveyance path) for conveying the recording sheet on which the surface is printed to the sheet conveyance unit 300 again. The front surface printed recording paper 101 sent out by the transport roller pair 470 is turned upside down through a guide means and a front / back reversing mechanism (not shown), and then transported through a transport path 702 by a plurality of transport roller pairs 701 to be fed to the paper sensor 303. Thereafter, the sheet is transported in the same manner as in the case of the recording sheet fed from the first sheet feeding tray 100, and printing processing on the back surface is performed.

  The stacker cover 800 that forms the stacker unit 505 in the closed state is held by the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000 so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 800a. The stacker cover 800 holds four LED heads 433 respectively positioned at predetermined positions of the four toner image forming units 430 via head holders 801. In FIG. 1, a state in which the stacker cover 800 is opened is indicated by a solid line, and a state in which the stacker cover 800 is closed is indicated by a dotted line.

  The X, Y, and Z axes in FIG. 1 take the X axis in the transport direction when the recording paper 101 passes through each toner image forming unit 430, take the Y axis in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 431, The Z axis is taken in a direction perpendicular to these two axes. Moreover, when each axis | shaft of X, Y, and Z is shown in the other figure mentioned later, the axial direction of these coordinates shall show a common direction. That is, the X, Y, and Z axes in each figure indicate the arrangement direction when the depicted portion of each figure constitutes the image forming apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. Here, the Z-axis is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

  Next, the paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 600 to the transport path of the paper transport unit 300, which is the transport path of the recording paper fed out from the first paper feed tray 100, in the vicinity of the upstream side of the paper sensor 303. The configuration of the portion where the recording paper conveyance path and the recording paper conveyance path sent from the double-side conveyance unit 700 merge will be described in more detail. For the sake of simplicity, the recording paper sent from the first paper feed tray 100 is 101a, the recording paper sent from the second paper feed tray 600 is 101b, and sent from the duplex conveyance unit 700. In some cases, the recording paper is described as 101c. For convenience, the portion where the recording paper conveyance path 702 sent from the double-side conveyance section 700 joins the paper conveyance path of the paper conveyance section 300 may be referred to as a first merge section.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the medium conveying device according to the present invention as seen obliquely from above, and FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the principal part of the medium conveying device taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the medium conveyance device in the vicinity of the first merge portion as viewed obliquely from above, with the second paper feed tray 600 and a guide member 306 described later removed.

  In FIG. 3A, the roller pair of the feed roller 203 and the retard roller 204 and the transport roller pair 302 transport and transport the recording paper 101a fed from the first paper feed tray 100 (FIG. 1) as described above. On the downstream side of the roller pair 302, a first guide 308 for guiding the upper surface side (recording surface side) of the recording paper 101a and a second guide 309 for guiding the lower surface side are arranged. The recording paper 101 a to be recorded is guided toward the registration roller pair 304 at the next stage.

  As described above, the paper feed roller 601 feeds the recording paper 101b from the second paper feed tray 600 (FIG. 2) and feeds the recording paper 101b to one sheet, and on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 601 is the upper surface side of the recording paper 101b. A third guide 602 for guiding (the recording surface side) and the first guide 308 for guiding the lower surface side are arranged to guide the recording paper 101b toward the registration roller pair 304 at the next stage. As is clear from FIG. 3A, the first guide 308 has a shape that guides the recording paper 101b on its upper surface and guides the recording paper 101a on its lower surface.

As described above, the conveyance roller pair 703 further conveys the recording paper 101c that has been reversed in the double-sided conveyance unit 700 (FIG. 1) for duplex printing and conveyed on the conveyance path 702. On the downstream side, the second guide 309 that guides the recording sheet 101c on the upper surface side (the non-recorded surface side) and the lower surface side (the already recorded surface side ) guide it. A fourth guide 704 is arranged to guide the recording paper 101 c conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 703 toward the registration roller pair 304 at the next stage. As it is apparent from FIG. 3, the second guide 309 guides the recording paper 101 a at its upper surface, is arranged with a shape that guides the recording sheet 101c at the other side different from the upper surface.

  In the portion where the conveyance path 702 merges with the conveyance path 300a (first medium conveyance path) of the sheet conveyance section 300, both the conveyance paths are partitioned and the first merge section is formed as a guide for both conveyance paths. A guide 307 (boundary guide member) is disposed. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the shape of the movable guide 307.

  As shown in the figure, the movable guide 307 has a pair of rotating arms extending from the guide portion 307c on both sides, with notches 307a formed in a comb shape at a plurality of positions at the tip of the guide portion 307c. 307b is formed. The distal ends of the pair of rotating arms 307b are rotatably held by, for example, the second guide 309, and the position of the guide portion 307c can be moved. Here, the case where the tip portion of the guide portion 307c is formed in a comb shape by the plurality of notches 307a is shown, but a plurality of holes may be formed instead of the plurality of notches 307a. .

  FIG. 3B is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the movable guide 307. As shown in FIG. 5B, the movable guide 307 is supported so that the tip of the rotating arm 307b (FIG. 5) can rotate around a virtual axis 309a indicating the axial position. The tip of the guide portion 307c is in contact with the guide surface of the fourth guide 704 (opposing guide member) by its own weight. As will be described later, when the leading end of the recording sheet 101c conveyed through the conveying path 702 comes into contact with the guide portion 307c, the recording sheet 101c is rotated clockwise as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. Further, it is possible to move to the conveyance path 300a.

Further, the sheet conveying unit 300 is provided with a guide member 306 on the upper surface (surface to be recorded from) of the recording sheet 101 near the upstream of the registration roller pair 304 and for guiding the recording roller 101 to the registration roller pair 304. It is arranged. The guide member 306 is made of a transparent material, and is disposed at a position where the inside of the first joining portion, the movable guide 307, the first guide 308, and the like can be seen from the outside (upper side) as will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the guide member 306 (transparent guide member). FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the front side, and FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the back side. As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of rotating shaft protrusions 306a are formed on both sides of the guide member 306, and the pair of rotating shaft protrusions 306a are rotatably held by, for example, the frame of the medium transport device. The position is restricted at the guide position shown, and it is configured to be able to rotate counterclockwise from this guide position. Note that, here, an example in which rotation is possible is shown, but a configuration in which the guide position shown in FIG. 3 is fixed is also possible.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the medium carrying device of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing the conveyance route of the recording paper 101a fed from the first paper feed tray 100 (FIG. 1) to the registration roller pair 304 and the state of the movable guide 307. As shown in the figure, the recording paper 101 a fed out by one sheet from the paper feeding unit 200 (FIG. 1) is sent to the conveyance roller pair 302 of the paper conveyance unit 300. The recording paper 101 a delivered from the conveyance roller pair 302 moves between the first guide 308 and the second guide 309, and then the transparent guide member 306 and the leading end abut against the guide surface of the fourth guide 704. The guide is guided by the upper surface of the movable guide 307 and the fourth guide 704 in the state, and is pushed into the nip portion of the registration roller pair 304 through the first joining portion.

  FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the state at this time as viewed from the direction of arrow B above the transparent guide member 306 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, since the recording paper 101a (shaded portion) passes over the movable guide 307, the movable guide 307 is hidden and cannot be seen in the portion through which the recording paper 101a passes. Since the guide member 306 is formed of a transparent member, it is not depicted in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the transport route of the recording paper 101b fed from the second paper feed tray 600 (FIG. 1) to the registration roller pair 304 and the state of the movable guide 307. As shown in the drawing, the recording sheet 101b fed out by the sheet feeding roller 601 is fed to a guide member 306 and a conveyance path 603 (third medium conveyance) between the third guide 602 and the first guide 308. The guides 306, the transparent guide member 306, and the upper guide of the movable guide 307 and the fourth guide 704 in the state where the tip portion is in contact with the guide surface of the fourth guide 704. Then, it passes through the first joining portion and is pushed into the nip portion of the registration roller pair 304.

  FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the state at this time as viewed from the direction of arrow B above the transparent guide member 306 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, since the recording paper 101b (shaded portion) passes over the first guide 308, the movable guide 307 and the first guide 308 are hidden and cannot be seen in the portion through which the recording paper 101b passes. . Since the guide member 306 is formed of a transparent member, it is not depicted in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing the transport route to the registration roller pair 304 and the state of the movable guide 307 of the recording paper 101c transported through the transport path 702 of the duplex transport section 700 (FIG. 1). As shown in the figure, the recording paper 101c sent out from the conveying roller pair 703 moves between the second guide 309 and the fourth guide 704, and the leading end of the recording paper 101c eventually comes into contact with the lower surface of the movable guide 307. While pushing up the movable guide 307 by the pushing force by the conveyance, the movable guide 307 moves between the lower surface of the movable guide 307 and the fourth guide 704 and is sent from the first junction to the conveyance path 300, and then the transparent guide member 306 and the first guide 306 Guided by the four guides 704 and pushed into the nip portion of the registration roller pair 304.

  FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the state at this time as viewed from the direction of arrow B above the transparent guide member 306 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the recording paper 101c (shaded portion) is formed of the same color resin as the upper surface of the fourth guide 704 formed of colored resin, and a notch 307a is formed at the leading end. The recording sheet 101c can be seen from the notch 307a of the movable guide 307. Note that the guide member 306 is not illustrated in FIG. 12 because it is formed of a transparent member.

  Accordingly, when the recording paper 101 passes through the vicinity of the movable guide 307 and the user sees the passage area from the direction of arrow B (see, for example, FIG. 7) and the movable guide 307 is visible, the recording paper being conveyed It can be determined that 101 is the recording sheet 101 c sent from the conveyance path 702 of the duplex conveyance unit 700.

  FIG. 13 is a view when the guide member 306 is colored. In this case, since the user cannot see the state in the vicinity of the movable guide 307 to which the recording sheet 101 is conveyed from the outside of the guide member 306, the recording sheet 101 is sent from the conveyance path 702 of the duplex conveying unit 700. It cannot be determined whether or not.

  Next, a method for removing a recording sheet when the recording sheet conveyed toward the registration roller pair 304 is jammed in the middle will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when a paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 1000. When a paper jam occurs, the stacker cover 800 (FIG. 1) is opened and the image forming unit 400 is taken out. Here, it is assumed that the image forming unit 400 includes four toner forming units 430 and is configured as a unit. In the present embodiment, since the guide member 306 is formed of a transparent resin or the like, the inside can be visually confirmed through the transparent guide member 306 at this stage.

  Note that, here, it is described as a configuration in which the inside can be visually confirmed through the transparent guide member 306 for the first time when the image forming unit 400 is taken out, but the image forming unit 400 is attached. Of course, it may be of a configuration that allows visual confirmation.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when the recording paper 101a conveyed from the first paper feed tray 100 is jammed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, if the recording paper 101a is passing near the movable guide 307 as shown in FIG. 7, the paper passes through the transparent guide member 306 from the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. In the area, the movable guide 307 cannot be seen by the recording paper 101a, but the first guide 308 can be seen. As a result, it becomes clear that the recording paper 101 causing the paper jam is the recording paper 101a conveyed from the first paper feed tray 100, and the user pulls out the paper force set 100 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the paper feeding unit 200 (FIG. 1) can be opened, and the paper jammed recording paper 101a that has appeared can be easily removed.

  Similarly, when the recording paper 101b conveyed from the second paper feed tray 600 is jammed, as shown in FIG. 8, if the recording paper 101b is passing near the movable guide 307, a transparent guide As shown in FIG. 11, the movable guide 307 and the first guide 308 cannot be seen by the recording paper 101b in the paper passage area as viewed from the direction of the arrow B through the member 306. As a result, it becomes clear that the recording paper 101 that has caused the paper jam is the recording paper 101 b conveyed from the second paper feed tray 600, so that the user checks the second paper feed tray 600. The jammed recording sheet 101b can be easily removed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a coping method when the recording paper 101c conveyed in the conveyance path 702 (FIG. 9) of the duplex conveying unit 700 is jammed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, if the recording paper 101c is passing the vicinity of the movable guide 307 as shown in FIG. 9, the paper passes through the transparent guide member 306 from the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. In the area, the recording paper 101 c can be seen from the notch 307 a of the movable guide 307. As a result, it becomes clear that the recording paper 101 having the paper jam is the recording paper 101c sent from the conveyance path 702 of the double-sided conveyance unit 700, and the user moves the transfer unit 460 as shown in FIG. By lifting, the double-sided conveyance unit 700 can be opened, and the jammed recording sheet 101c can be easily removed.

  At this time, since the notch 307 is formed in the movable guide 307, the recording paper 101 c can be seen from the notch 307 even when the leading end of the recording paper 101 c has not yet passed the leading end of the movable guide 307. Can determine the transport route. In addition, when performing the visual confirmation, the visibility can be further improved by forming the first guide 308 and the movable guide 307 in different colors.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the recording paper conveyed on the upper side or the lower side of the movable guide 307 in which the notch 307 a is formed, and these recording papers are conveyed to the conveyance roller 304. Since it can be confirmed through the transparent guide member 306 to be guided, when a paper jam occurs on the upstream side of the conveyance roller 304, it is possible to confirm the conveyance path where the paper jam has occurred and the state of occurrence thereof. Workability can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of a part of the medium transport apparatus provided with the guide member 356 employed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. FIG. 19 is a main part cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the main part of the medium transporting device, taken along the line C-C passing through the partial protrusion 356 b shown, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the guide member 356. Is a perspective view of the front side, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the back side.

  The image forming apparatus employing the guide member 356 is mainly different from the image forming apparatus 1000 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above in that the guide member 356 (corresponding to 306 in the first embodiment) has a partial protrusion. 356b is formed. Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus employing this guide member 356, parts common to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, or the drawings are omitted and the description is omitted, and the differences are noted. Explain mainly.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of rotating shaft protrusions 356a are formed on both sides of the guide member 356, and as shown in FIG. 18, the pair of rotating shaft protrusions 356a can rotate freely on the frame of the medium transport device, for example. Is retained. As with the guide member 306 described in the first embodiment, the guide member 356 is regulated at the guide position shown in FIG. 7, and the range from this guide position to the retracted position shown in FIG. Therefore, it can be freely rotated. This rotation is performed, for example, by a user as necessary as described later, and a knob 356c is formed on the guide member 356 so that the user can use it during the rotation.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, a plurality of partial projections 356 b are formed at the end portion of the guide member 356 so as to protrude substantially parallel to the guide surface in the width direction of the guide member 356. The relationship between the plurality of partial projections 356b and the groove 704a formed on the guide surface of the fourth guide 704 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the guide member 356 is rotated in the direction of arrow E from the guide position, the tip of the partial protrusion 356b moves along the locus of the arc indicated by the dotted line b in FIG. The unprojected tip portion 356d, which is the tip portion of the portion that has not been moved, moves along the locus of an arc indicated by a dotted line a in FIG. At this time, the movement trajectory of the dotted line a does not come into contact with the fourth guide 704, and the movement trajectory of the dotted line b has an overlapping relationship with the guide surface of the fourth guide 704 in which the groove 704a is formed. Each shape and arrangement relation are taken into consideration.

  The groove 704a formed on the guide surface of the fourth guide 704 is located at a position facing the plurality of partial protrusions 356 of the guide member 356, and the partial protrusions 356b pass without contacting when the guide member 356 rotates. It is formed in a circular arc shape so that it can be made. In other words, the guide member 356 rotates so that the plurality of partial projections 356 a overlap the guide surface of the fourth guide 704 in each part without contacting the fourth guide 704 when rotating.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the medium carrying device of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams for explaining a sheet removal method when a paper jam occurs while the leading end of the recording sheet 101 passes around the guide surface where the groove 704a of the fourth guide 704 is formed. . When a paper jam occurs, the stacker cover 800 (FIG. 1) is opened and the image forming unit 400 is taken out. Here, it is assumed that the image forming unit 400 includes four toner forming units 430 and is configured as a unit. In the present embodiment, since the guide member 356 is formed of a transparent resin or the like, it is possible to visually check the inside through the transparent guide member 356 at this stage.

  Note that, here, it is described as a configuration in which the inside can be visually confirmed through the transparent guide member 306 for the first time when the image forming unit 400 is taken out, but the image forming unit 400 is attached. Of course, it may be of a configuration that allows visual confirmation.

  For example, when the leading end of the jammed recording paper 101a is positioned on the groove 704a of the fourth guide 704 shown in FIG. 20, when the user rotates the guide member 356 in the direction of arrow E, the partial protrusion 356b Enters the groove 704a of the guide 704 and overlaps the guide surface of the fourth guide 704, abuts against the leading edge of the recording paper 101a as shown in FIG. 21, and pushes it back, finally as shown in FIG. In order to easily remove the jammed recording sheet 101a, the leading end is turned up.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. When it is confirmed that the leading edge of the sheet is fed from the sheet feeding tray and is located around the groove 704 a of the fourth guide 704, the paper is jammed by rotating the guide member 356 in the opening direction. Since the leading edge of the paper can be turned up, the operability and workability of paper removal can be improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the movable guide 307 is configured to be rotatably held by the second guide 309. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the distal end portion thereof is connected to the fourth guide 704. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a predetermined gap through which the recording paper can pass is maintained and fixed integrally.

  Further, in the above-mentioned claims and the description of the embodiments, the words “upper” and “lower” are used for the sake of convenience, and the absolute positional relationship in the state in which the device is arranged is shown. It is not limited.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a copying machine that forms an image on a recording material by using an electrophotographic system. It can be used for an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a printer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 1st paper feed tray, 101 recording paper, 102 paper mounting plate, 102a support shaft, 200 paper feeding part, 202 pickup roller, 203 feed roller, 204 retard roller, 205 paper presence / absence detection part, 206 paper remaining quantity detection , 300 paper transport unit, 300a transport path, 301 paper sensor, 302 transport roller pair, 303 paper sensor, 304 registration roller pair, 305 writing sensor, 306 guide member, 306a rotating shaft protrusion, 307 movable guide, 307a notch Part, 307b rotating arm, 307c guide part, 308 first guide, 309 second guide, 309a virtual axis point, 356 guide member, 356a rotating axis protrusion, 356b partial protrusion, 356c knob, 356d unprojected tip, 400 Image forming unit 430 Toner image forming unit, 431 photosensitive drum, 432 charging roller, 433 LED head, 434 developing roller, 435 cleaning blade, 436 toner supply unit, 460 transfer unit, 461 transfer belt, 462 drive roller, 463 tension roller, 464 transfer roller, 465 Cleaning blade, 466 toner box, 470 transport roller pair, 500 fixing unit, 501 upper roller, 502 lower roller, 503 halogen lamp, 504 discharge roller pair, 505 stacker unit, 600 second paper feed tray, 601 paper feed roller, 602 Third guide, 603 conveyance path, 610 sheet feeding section, 700 double-side conveyance section, 701 conveyance roller pair, 702 conveyance path, 703 conveyance roller pair, 704 fourth guide, 704a groove, 80 0 stacker cover, 800a rotation fulcrum, 801 head holder, 1000 image forming apparatus.

Claims (9)

A first medium conveyance path for guiding a medium to be conveyed;
A second medium conveyance path that joins the first medium conveyance path and guides the medium to be conveyed;
A third medium conveyance path for guiding the medium to be conveyed;
A transparent guide member made of a transparent member, disposed so as to oppose the merge portion where the first medium conveyance path and the second medium conveyance path merge, and guiding the medium at the merge portion;
A boundary guide member formed of a colored member provided between the first medium conveyance path and the second medium conveyance path;
A colored guide member having a color different from that of the boundary guide member, the first medium transport path arranged to face the boundary guide member ;
An opposing guide member arranged to face the boundary guide member and constituting the second medium conveyance path,
In the direction from the transparent guide member toward the boundary guide member,
Arranged in order of the transparent guide member, the guide member, the boundary guide member, the counter guide member from the upstream side,
The guide member and the transparent guide member are arranged so as to face each other on the upstream side of the merging portion in the medium conveyance direction of the first medium conveyance path to constitute the third medium conveyance path,
In the medium conveyance direction, the downstream end of the guide member is located upstream of the downstream end of the boundary guide member,
The medium from the first medium transport path to the junction is guided by the boundary guide member and the guide member, and the boundary guide member and the transparent guide member,
The downstream end of the boundary guide member in the medium transport direction has a notch shape, and the downstream end and the downstream end of the guide member are visible from the position of the transparent guide member. A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. A first medium conveyance path for guiding a medium to be conveyed;
A second medium conveyance path that joins the first medium conveyance path and guides the medium to be conveyed;
A third medium conveyance path for guiding the medium to be conveyed;
A transparent guide member made of a transparent member, disposed so as to oppose the merge portion where the first medium conveyance path and the second medium conveyance path merge, and guiding the medium at the merge portion;
A boundary guide member formed of a colored member provided between the first medium conveyance path and the second medium conveyance path;
A colored guide member having a color different from that of the boundary guide member, the first medium transport path arranged to face the boundary guide member ;
An opposing guide member arranged to face the boundary guide member and constituting the second medium conveyance path,
In the direction from the transparent guide member toward the boundary guide member,
Arranged in order of the transparent guide member, the guide member, the boundary guide member, the counter guide member from the upstream side,
The guide member and the transparent guide member are arranged so as to face each other on the upstream side of the merging portion in the medium conveyance direction of the first medium conveyance path to constitute the third medium conveyance path,
In the medium conveyance direction, the downstream end of the guide member is located upstream of the downstream end of the boundary guide member,
The medium from the first medium transport path to the junction is guided by the boundary guide member and the guide member, and the boundary guide member and the transparent guide member,
The medium conveying apparatus, wherein the downstream end portion of the boundary guide member and the downstream end portion of the guide member in the medium conveying direction are visible from the position of the transparent guide member.   The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the boundary guide member has a notch-shaped portion.   The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the boundary guide member has a hole.   The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transparent guide member is formed from an upstream side to a downstream side of the merging portion in the medium conveying direction. Medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the boundary guide member is formed by a colored resin. The boundary guide member is rotatably held, the medium conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tip portion is in contact with the opposing guide member by its own weight in the natural state. The transparent guide member is rotatably held around a shaft portion formed near an end portion on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction, and the other side of the medium is opposed to the transparent guide member by the rotation. A projection that overlaps the guide surface of the opposing guide member that guides the surface side;
The groove | channel for avoiding contact | abutting with the said projection part is formed in the location which overlaps with the said projection part of the said guide surface of the said opposing guide member, The Claim 1 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. The medium transport device according to any one of the above. An image forming apparatus comprising the medium feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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