JP6547494B2 - Sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus provided with a plurality of sheet feeding units.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a sheet feeding apparatus including a plurality of feeding units stacked one on top of the other (Patent Document 1). Such a sheet feeding apparatus is disposed under the printer, and printing can be performed on various types of sheets by, for example, feeding different types of sheets from the respective feeding units to the printer.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 11-160940

  However, in the conventional sheet feeding apparatus, since the plurality of feeding units are simply stacked, the feeding units stacked in multiple stages may be deformed or distorted due to the weight of the printer or an external force. In addition, when the supply units are stacked in multiple stages, the positional relationship between the printer and the lower supply units is likely to be shifted due to the buildup of variations in parts due to the stacking. As a result, there arises a problem that the printing position is shifted.

  Therefore, the present invention has an object of stabilizing conveyance of a sheet from each supply unit in a sheet supply apparatus in which the supply units are stacked in multiple stages.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the sheet feeding device concerning the present invention has the 1st feeding unit which has the 1st feed tray which stores a sheet, and the 1st frame which supports the 1st feed tray movably, and the above. A second supply unit disposed under the first supply unit and including a second supply tray for accommodating sheets, and a second frame for movably supporting the second supply tray; and extending in the vertical direction, A first support frame for connecting a first frame and the second frame, a first positioning portion for positioning the first frame vertically with respect to the first support frame, and a second support frame for the second support frame And a second positioning portion positioned above and below the frame.
The entire lower surface of the first frame positioned by the first positioning portion is vertically spaced from the entire upper surface of the second frame positioned by the second positioning portion.

  According to this configuration, by connecting the first frame and the second frame with the first support column frame, it is possible to suppress deformation of each supply unit, and therefore, it is possible to stabilize conveyance of the sheet from each supply unit. Can. In addition, by arranging the entire lower surface of the first frame and the entire upper surface of the second frame at the upper and lower intervals, even if the supply units are stacked, the supply units are not affected by the manufacturing error. Therefore, for example, when the image forming apparatus is installed on the sheet feeding apparatus, the positional relationship between the image forming apparatus and each feeding unit can be suppressed, and as a result, the conveyance of the sheet can be stabilized. The print position can be suppressed from shifting.

  Further, in the above configuration, the first positioning portion is provided on a reference surface provided on the upper end side of the first support column frame, and on an upper portion of the first frame, and an upper frame contacting the reference surface from above And may be included.

  According to this, since the load of the first supply unit is received at the upper end of the first support frame, for example, when the image forming apparatus is installed on the first supply unit, the load of the image forming apparatus is the first support frame. You can receive it efficiently.

  In the configuration described above, the second positioning portion may be a through hole formed in the first support column frame, and a boss fitted in a hole provided in the second frame in a state of entering the through hole. May be included.

  According to this, the second positioning portion can be configured simply.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the first support frame has a protrusion projecting upward from the reference surface, and the upper frame has an engagement hole for engaging the protrusion, and the engagement is performed. The first frame may be positioned in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction with respect to the first support frame by the engagement between the joint hole and the projection.

  According to this, the first frame can be positioned in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first support frame.

  Further, in the above configuration, a plurality of the second supply units are provided side by side vertically, and a plurality of the second positioning units are provided corresponding to the plurality of second supply units, and The movement in the orthogonal direction is mutually restricted by the engagement of the recess and the protrusion among the two supply units vertically adjacent to one supply unit and the plurality of second supply units, and the lowermost second positioning unit The through hole to be configured is a round hole, and the through hole configuring the second positioning portion other than the lowermost portion is a long hole extending in the orthogonal direction, and the boss in a state of entering the round hole is the second The lowermost second frame may be positioned in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first support frame by fitting into the hole of the frame.

  According to this, for example, in the case where all the through holes are elongated holes extending in the orthogonal direction, the plurality of second frames are orthogonal to the first frame in order from the top by the gap between the recess and the protrusion. When the shift is made one by one, the shift amount of the lowermost second frame with respect to the first frame may become too large due to the stacking of the shift amounts. Further, for example, when all the through holes are round holes, the operation of fitting the bosses into the holes of the second frame through the round holes becomes complicated. On the other hand, in the configuration described above, by making the lowermost through hole a round hole, the uppermost first frame and the lowermost second frame are positioned in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first support frame. A second frame located between them is positioned orthogonal to the uppermost first frame or the lowermost second frame via the recess and the protrusion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the shift amount due to the gap between the concave portion and the convex portion. Further, since the through holes other than the lowermost ones are long holes, the work of fitting the boss into the hole of the second frame can be facilitated.

  In the above-described configuration, the first support frame includes a first wall extending in the vertical direction, and a second wall extending in the vertical direction from the first wall and extending in a direction intersecting the first wall. The upper frame may be supported by the first wall and the second wall.

  According to this, since the rigidity of the first support frame can be increased, the load of the first supply unit can be favorably received by the rigid first support frame.

  In the configuration described above, the first support frame has a fixing portion to which the upper frame is fixed, and the upper frame has a fixing portion to be fixed to the fixing portion, and the fixing portion When the upper frame contacts the reference surface in a state before being fixed to the fixing portion, a gap may be provided between the fixed portion and the fixing portion.

  According to this, when the fixed portion is fixed to the fixing portion, the upper frame can be strongly pressed to the reference surface, and therefore, the first frame can be accurately positioned in the vertical direction.

  In the configuration described above, the reference surface is configured of a first reference surface provided on the first wall and a second reference surface provided on the second wall, and the first reference surface and the second The reference planes may be arranged on the same plane.

  According to this, by pressing the first reference surface and the second reference surface arranged on the same plane against the upper frame, the perpendicularity of the first support frame with respect to the upper frame can be improved. When the image forming apparatus is installed on the upper frame of the apparatus, the occurrence of printing deviation can be suppressed.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, two of the first support frames are provided with the first supply unit and the second supply unit interposed therebetween, and the through holes are provided in one of the first support frames; The through holes provided in the other first support frame may be symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane between the two first support frames.

  According to this, by making the respective through holes provided in the two first support frames symmetrical, it is possible to form the respective through holes of the two first support frames in the same type, so While being able to improve position accuracy, manufacturing cost can be lowered.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the reference plane may be symmetrical with respect to the virtual plane.

  According to this, by making the respective through holes of the two first column frames and the respective reference surfaces symmetrical, it is possible to form the respective through holes of the two first column frames and the respective reference surfaces in the same mold. Therefore, the variation in the position of each through hole with respect to each reference surface can be eliminated.

  Further, in the above configuration, the first wall is disposed to face the first frame outside the first frame, and the second wall extends outward from the first wall. Good.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the first support frame may have a third wall extending outward from the first wall and extending in the vertical direction.

  According to this, the rigidity of the first support frame can be made higher.

  In the above-described configuration, a second support frame may be provided, which is disposed outside the first frame at an interval from the first support frame, and connects the first frame and the second frame.

  According to this, since the first frame and the second frame are connected by the first support frame and the second support frame, deformation of each frame can be further suppressed.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, a connection frame may be provided to connect the first support frame and the second support frame.

  According to this, since the first frame and the second frame are connected by the first support frame and the second support frame connected by the connection frame, deformation of each frame can be further suppressed.

  In the configuration described above, the second wall or the third wall has a communication hole for passing the connection frame, and the connection frame is fixed to the first wall through the communication hole. May be

  According to this, the connection frame can be favorably fixed to the first support frame having a U-shaped cross section.

  Further, in the configuration described above, the second support frame extends inward from the fourth wall facing the first frame outside the first frame, and faces the first frame from the fourth wall. And the connection frame may be fixed to the fourth wall.

  For example, as compared with the case where the second support frame is configured to have a U-shaped cross section opening to the outside, the connection frame can be slid toward the first support frame while being held against the fourth wall of the second support frame. The connecting frame can be easily passed through the communication hole, and the mounting operation of the connecting frame can be easily performed.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet feeding apparatus in which the feeding units are stacked in multiple stages, the conveyance of the sheet from each feeding unit can be stabilized.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a laser printer and an additional sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a frame structure of the additional sheet feeding device. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a frame structure of the additional sheet feeding device. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st support body. They are an enlarged perspective view (a) which shows the relationship between the front upper frame and the 1st support column frame, and an enlarged perspective view (b) which shows the upper end part of the 1st support column frame. They are an enlarged perspective view (a) which shows the relation between the upper frame on the rear side and the second support frame, and an enlarged perspective view (b) showing the upper end portion of the second support frame. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd support body. It is a perspective view which shows each support | pillar flame | frame. They are the side view (a) which looked at the left 1st support column frame from the left side, and the side view which looked at the right 1st support column frame from the right side (b). They are a perspective view (a) and a sectional view (b) showing the 1st boss. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a frame structure of the additional sheet feeding device, schematically represented by a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement which removes a 2nd support body from the top. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement which removes a 3rd support body from the bottom. It is sectional drawing which cut what represented simply the flame | frame structure of the expansion paper feeder which concerns on a modification by the surface orthogonal to the front-back direction. It is the side view which looked at the frame structure of FIG. 14 from the left side. It is a side view which shows the operation | movement which removes the 2nd support body of FIG. 15 from the front.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall configuration of the laser printer will be described, and then the features of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In the following description, directions will be described in the direction shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side is referred to as “front side”, the left side is referred to as “back side”, the front side is referred to as “left”, and the back side is referred to as “right side”. . Further, the vertical direction toward the paper surface is referred to as "vertical direction".

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 has a housing 2, and a sheet feeding unit 3 and an image forming unit 4 provided in the housing 2. An additional sheet feeding device 10 is added as an example of the device. Further, a sheet discharge tray 21 is formed on the top surface of the housing 2.

  The sheet feeding unit 3 includes a sheet feeding tray 31 for storing sheets P as an example of a sheet, and a sheet feeding mechanism 32 for conveying the sheets P in the sheet feeding tray 31 to the image forming unit 4. The paper feed tray 31 is provided at the lower part of the housing 2 and is attachable to and detachable from the housing 2 from the front. The sheet feeding mechanism 32 is driven by a motor M provided in the housing 2.

  The image forming unit 4 is disposed on the sheet feeding tray 31. The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 5, a processing unit 6, and a fixing device 7.

  The scanner unit 5 is provided at an upper portion in the housing 2 and includes a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown). In the scanner unit 5, the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by high speed scanning.

  The process unit 6 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 61, a transfer roller 62, a developing roller 63, and a toner storage unit 64.

  In the processing unit 6, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown) and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 5. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

  Next, after the toner in the toner container 64 is carried by the developing roller 63, the toner on the developing roller 63 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. Be done. Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62, whereby the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the sheet P.

  The fixing device 7 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 which is disposed to face the heating roller 71 and presses the heating roller 71. In the fixing device 7 configured as described above, the toner transferred onto the sheet P is thermally fixed while the sheet P passes between the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72.

  The sheet P thermally fixed by the fixing device 7 is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge roller 81 and placed on the sheet discharge tray 21.

  The additional sheet feeding device 10 includes a first sheet feeding unit 100 as an example of a first feeding unit, a second sheet feeding unit 200 as an example of a second feeding unit, a third sheet feeding unit 300, and a fourth sheet feeding. A unit 400 and a control device 11 are provided. The first sheet feeding unit 100 is disposed at the top of the additional sheet feeding device 10, the second sheet feeding unit 200 is disposed second from the top, and the third sheet feeding unit 300 is disposed third from the top. The fourth sheet feeding unit 400 is disposed at the lowest position. The first sheet feeding unit 100 includes a first sheet feeding tray 110 as an example of a first sheet feeding tray, a first support 120 supporting the first sheet feeding tray 110 movably in the front-rear direction, and a motor 101. A first pickup roller 102, a first downstream roller 103, and a pressure plate 104 are provided.

  The first sheet feeding tray 110 is a tray for storing the sheet P, and is attachable to and detachable from the first support 120. The first pickup roller 102 and the first downstream roller 103 are rollers for conveying the sheet P, and are rotated by the transmission of the driving force from the motor 101. In addition, a separation roller and a separation pad (not shown) are provided between the first pickup roller 102 and the first downstream roller 103, and a plurality of sheets of paper P are overlapped by the first pickup roller 102. When transported, they are separated one by one by the separation roller and the separation pad.

  The first pickup roller 102 is a roller for feeding the sheet P in the first sheet feeding tray 110, and on the lower side thereof, a pressure plate 104 capable of moving the front end portion up and down is provided. The pressure plate 104 is pivotable between a contact position where the front end of the sheet P is raised to contact the first pickup roller 102 and a separation position where the front end of the sheet P is lowered and separated from the first pickup roller 102 There is. Specifically, the pressure plate 104 is disposed at the separation position when the sheet P in the first sheet feeding tray 110 is not fed, and is configured to swing to the contact position when the sheet P is fed. There is.

  The first downstream roller 103 is a roller that conveys the sheet P toward the sheet feeding mechanism 32 of the laser printer 1, and conveys the sheet P sent from the first pickup roller 102 upward. It is configured.

  The second sheet feeding unit 200 is disposed below the first sheet feeding unit 100, and moves the second sheet feeding tray 210 as an example of the second feed tray and the second sheet feeding tray 210 in the front-rear direction. A second support 220 which can be supported, an electromagnetic clutch 201, a second pickup roller 202, a second downstream roller 203, and a pressure plate 204 are provided.

  The second sheet feeding tray 210 is a tray for storing the sheet P, and is attachable to and detachable from the second support 220. The second support 220 is vertically spaced from the first support 120. Specifically, the entire upper surface 220U of the second support 220 is spaced above and below the entire lower surface 120L of the first support 120.

  The second pickup roller 202 and the second downstream roller 203 are rollers for conveying the sheet P, and are rotated by transmitting the driving force from the motor 101 through the electromagnetic clutch 201. Further, between the second pickup roller 202 and the second downstream roller 203, the separation roller and the separation pad (not shown) as described above are provided.

  The pressure plate 204 and the second downstream roller 203 have substantially the same structure as the pressure plate 104 and the first downstream roller 103 described above. That is, the pressure plate 204 can be appropriately moved to the contact position and the separated position described above. The second downstream roller 203 is configured to transport the sheet P toward the paper feeding mechanism 32 of the laser printer 1 via the first downstream roller 103 by transporting the sheet P upward.

  The third sheet feeding unit 300 and the fourth sheet feeding unit 400 have substantially the same structure as the second sheet feeding unit 200. Specifically, the third sheet feeding unit 300 is disposed below the second sheet feeding unit 200, and the third sheet feeding tray 310 as an example of the second feed tray and the third sheet feeding tray 310 in the front-rear direction And an electromagnetic clutch 301, a third pickup roller 302, a third downstream roller 303, and a pressure plate 304. As shown in FIG. The fourth sheet feeding unit 400 is disposed below the third sheet feeding unit 300, and the fourth sheet feeding tray 410 as an example of the second supply tray and the fourth sheet feeding tray 410 in the front-rear direction A fourth support 420 movably supported, an electromagnetic clutch 401, a fourth pickup roller 402, a fourth downstream roller 403, and a pressure plate 404 are provided.

  The third pickup roller 302 and the third downstream roller 303 are configured to be rotated by transmitting the driving force from the motor 101 via the two electromagnetic clutches 201 and 301. The fourth pickup roller 402 and the fourth downstream roller 403 are configured to rotate by transmitting the driving force from the motor 101 via the three electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, and 401.

  The entire upper surface 320U of the third support 320 is disposed at an interval above and below the entire lower surface 220L of the second support 220. In addition, the entire upper surface 420U of the fourth support 420 is disposed at an interval above and below the entire lower surface 320L of the third support 320.

  The control device 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output circuit, and the like, and mainly controls the motor 101 and the electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, and 401. Specifically, when receiving the print command, the control device 11 determines whether to feed a sheet using any of the sheet feeding units 100 to 400.

  The control device 11 turns off the motor 101 and turns off the electromagnetic clutches 201, 301 and 401 when it is determined that the paper feeding is not performed from any of the paper feeding units 100 to 400. Leave as it is. In addition, when it is determined that the paper feeding is performed by any of the paper feeding units, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and appropriately turns on / off the respective electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, and 401, that is, connection・ Disconnect.

  Specifically, when feeding paper by the first sheet feeding unit 100, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and feeds the sheet feeding units 200 to 200 arranged below the first sheet feeding unit 100. All the electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, 401 of 400 are turned off. When feeding is performed by the second sheet feeding unit 200, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and turns on the electromagnetic clutch 201 of the second sheet feeding unit 200 so that the second sheet feeding unit 200 can be operated. The electromagnetic clutches 301 and 401 disposed below are turned off.

  When feeding is performed by the third sheet feeding unit 300, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and turns on the electromagnetic clutches 201 and 301 of the second sheet feeding unit 200 and the third sheet feeding unit 300. The electromagnetic clutch 401 disposed below the third sheet feeding unit 300 is turned off. When feeding is performed by the fourth sheet feeding unit 400, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and turns on all the electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, and 401.

  That is, when feeding a sheet P by a predetermined sheet feeding unit among the sheet feeding units 100 to 400, the control device 11 turns on the motor 101 and is disposed below the predetermined sheet feeding unit. Turn off the electromagnetic clutch and turn on the other electromagnetic clutches. Note that, after the motor 101 and the electromagnetic clutches 201, 301, and 401 are in the above-described state, the control device 11 appropriately moves the pickup roller corresponding to the predetermined sheet feeding unit to the contact position, thereby the predetermined sheet feeding unit. Feed by

  Next, the frame structure of the additional sheet feeding device 10 will be described in detail. Note that FIG. 2 to be referred to shows a state in which the exterior panel, the control board having the control device 11, and the respective paper feed trays 110 to 410 are removed from the additional paper feeding device 10. In the following description, the third support 320 and the fourth support 420 having substantially the same structure as the second support 220 are attached to the respective components constituting the support and the components provided on the support. The maximum digit of the numeral part of the reference symbol is "3" and "4", respectively, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first support 120, the second support 220, the third support 320, and the fourth support 420 are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, and their front portions are It is connected by two 1st support | pillar frames 510,520, and the rear side part is connected by two 2nd support | pillar frames 530,540.

  The left first support frame 510 and the left second support frame 530 are connected by three connection frames 610, 620, 630. In addition, the right first support frame 520 and the right second support frame 540 are also connected by three connection frames 640, 650, and 660. Furthermore, the lower end portions of the column frames 510 to 540 are fixed to the base plate 550 via auxiliary frames 671, 672, 673, and 674 (illustration of the auxiliary frame 674 disposed on the right rear is omitted). .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first support 120 is made of a first left side frame 121 made of resin as an example of a first frame, a first right side frame 122 made of a resin, and metal made as an example of a first positioning portion. Upper frame 123, 124, a first lower frame 125, 126 made of metal, and a first front frame 127 made of resin. The first left frame 121 and the first right frame 122 are connected at the front and rear of their upper surfaces by the first upper frames 123 and 124, respectively, and at the front and rear of their lower surfaces by the first lower frames 125 and 126, respectively. The upper part of the front surface is connected by the first front frame 127.

  The first left side frame 121 and the first right side frame 122 move the lower guide rails RL1 and RR1 movably supporting the lower surface of the first sheet feeding tray 110 and the upper surface of the sheet feeding tray 110 inward in the left-right direction. It has an upper guide rail RR2 (not shown for the first left side frame 121) which can be supported. A first drive mechanism 150 for driving the first pickup roller 102 and the like is provided outside the first left frame 121 in the left-right direction. That is, the lower guide rails RL1 and RR1 and the upper guide rail RR2 are provided on the first sheet feed tray 110 side of the first left frame 121 and the first right frame 122, and the first sheet feed of the first left frame 121 is performed. The first drive mechanism 150 is provided on the side opposite to the tray 110.

  Two engaging bosses 121C and 121D as an example of a convex portion are formed on the front and rear of the upper surface 121U of the first left frame 121 so as to project upward. In addition, two engaging bosses 122C and 122D as an example of a convex portion are formed on the front and rear of the upper surface 122U of the first right side frame 122 so as to project upward, respectively. A total of four engaging bosses 121 C, 121 D, 122 C, 122 D are fitted in four engaging holes (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the housing 2 of the laser printer 1. Thereby, the movement of the first support body 120 and the housing 2 in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, that is, in the front-rear and left-right directions is mutually restricted.

  The first upper frame 123 and the first upper frame 124 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The first upper frame 123 provided on the front side is a long plate-like frame extending in the left-right direction, and the left end extends to the outside of the first left frame 121 and the right end is the first right frame 122 It extends to the outside more than. Further, the first upper frame 124 provided on the rear side is a long plate-like frame extending in the left-right direction, the left end extends to the outer side than the first left frame 121, and the right end is the first It extends to the outside of the right side frame 122. The first upper frames 123 and 124 receive the load of the laser printer 1.

  A left end portion of the first upper frame 123 is fixed to the first left side frame 121 with a screw, and a right end portion is fixed to the first right side frame 122 with a screw. A left end portion of the first upper frame 124 is fixed to the first left side frame 121 with a screw, and a right end portion is fixed to the first right side frame 122 with a screw.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), in the left upper end 123A of the first upper frame 123 on the front side which protrudes outward in the left-right direction with respect to the first left frame 121, the first upper frame 123 is Two circular fixing holes 123B and 123C (see also FIG. 4) into which two screws S1 and S2 for fixing to the support frame 510 are inserted are formed at an interval in the front-rear direction. The portion around each of the fixing holes 123B and 123C is a fixed portion 123D fixed to a fixing portion 511E described later of the first support frame 510. The fixed portion 123D overlaps with the fixing portion 511E as viewed in the vertical direction. The lower surface of the fixed portion 123D is a flat surface substantially along a horizontal plane. The left end portion 123A of the first upper frame 123 protrudes outward in the left-right direction more than the fixing portion 511E. Further, the left end portion 123A protrudes outward in the left-right direction more than a second reference surface 512F and a third reference surface 513F which will be described later.

  Two engagement holes 123E and 123F engaged with two second projections 511C and 511D of the first support frame 510 described later mutually in the front-rear direction inside the fixing holes 123B and 123C at the left end 123A. It is formed at intervals. The two second protrusions 511C and 511D are long plate-like protrusions extending in the front-rear direction, and the two engagement holes 123E and 123F are holes extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating vertically. The engagement boss 121C formed on the upper surface 121U is inserted through a portion of the first upper frame 123 that is inside the left end portion 123A in the left-right direction, that is, a portion supported by the upper surface 121U of the first left frame 121 Holes 123G are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the structure of the right end portion 123H of the first upper frame 123 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction with respect to the first right side frame 122 is substantially the same as the structure of the left end portion 123A. Briefly described, two fixing holes 123b and 123c and two engaging holes 123e and 123f are provided in the right end portion 123H with the same purpose, substantially the same shape, and substantially the same arrangement as the respective portions on the left end portion 123A side. Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), on the left side of the rear first upper frame 124, three screws S3 for fixing the first upper frame 124 to the second support frame 530, Three circular fixing holes 124B, 124C, 124D into which S4, S5 are inserted are formed. The two fixing holes 124B and 124C are formed in the left end 124A of the first upper frame 124 which protrudes to the left relative to the first left frame 121, and the remaining one fixing hole 124D is the first upper frame 124. Of the left side portion of the left side frame 121 is formed on a protruding piece 124E which protrudes to the rear side relative to the first left side frame 121. The portions around the fixing holes 124B, 124C, 124D are fixed portions 124F, 124G fixed to fixing portions 531E, 532E of the second support frame 530 described later. The fixed parts 124F and 124G overlap the fixing parts 531E and 532E when viewed from the vertical direction. The lower surfaces of the fixed portions 124F and 124G are flat surfaces substantially along a horizontal plane. The left end portion 124A of the first upper frame 123 protrudes outward in the left-right direction more than the fixing portion 531E.

  Two engagement holes 124H and 124J engaged with two later-described second protrusions 531C and 531D of the second support frame 530 in the front-rear direction are provided inside the fixing holes 124B and 124C in the left end portion 124A in the left-right direction. It is formed at intervals. The two second protrusions 531C and 531D are long plate-like protrusions extending in the front-rear direction, and the two engagement holes 124H and 124J are holes extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating in the up-down direction. The engagement boss 121D formed on the upper surface 121U is inserted through a portion of the first upper frame 124 that is on the inner side in the left-right direction of the left end 124A, that is, a portion supported by the upper surface 121U of the first left frame 121 Hole 124K is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the structure on the right side of the first upper frame 124, specifically, the structure near the right end 124L that protrudes outward in the left-right direction with respect to the first right frame 122 is substantially the same as the structure near the left end 124A. It has a structure. Briefly described, three fixing holes 124b, 124c, 124d, and projecting pieces 124e are provided in the right portion of the first upper frame 124 with the same purpose, substantially the same shape, and substantially the same arrangement as the portions on the left side. Two engagement holes 124h and 124j and a through hole 124k are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second support 220 includes a second left frame 221 made of resin as an example of a second frame, a second right frame 222 made of resin, and a second upper frame 223 made of metal. And second lower frames 225 and 226 made of metal and a second front frame 227 made of resin. The second left frame 221 and the second right frame 222 are connected at the front and rear of the upper surface thereof by the second upper frame 223, 224 and at the front and rear of the lower surface thereof by the second lower frame 225, 226 The upper part of the front surface is connected by a second front frame 227.

  The second right frame 222, the second lower frames 225 and 226, and the second front frame 227 substantially correspond to the first right frame 122, the first lower frames 125 and 126, and the first front frame 127 of the first support 120. It has the same structure. The second upper frames 223 and 224 have a shorter length in the left-right direction than the first upper frames 123 and 124 of the first support body 120. Specifically, the left and right end edges of the second upper frames 223 and 224 are positioned substantially at the same position as the outer surfaces of the second left frame 221 and the second right frame 222 in the left-right direction, or inward in the left-right direction doing.

  The second left side frame 221 and the second right side frame 222 move the lower guide rails RL 3 and RR 3 movably supporting the lower surface of the second sheet feeding tray 210 and the upper surface of the sheet feeding tray 110 inward in the left-right direction. It has an upper guide rail RR4 (not shown for the second left side frame 221) which can be supported. A second drive mechanism 250 for driving the second pickup roller 202 and the like is provided outside the second left side frame 221 in the left-right direction.

  In addition, the second left frame 221 has a second main frame 230 made of resin that has substantially the same structure as the first left frame 121 of the first support 120, and a second resin made of resin attached to the second main frame 230. And a subframe 240. The second sub-frame 240 is a frame supporting a gear (not shown) for transmitting the driving force from the first drive mechanism 150 to the second drive mechanism 250, and is provided on the upper part of the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the second main frame 230 And a portion thereof protrudes upward from the upper surface 231 of the second main frame 230.

  A portion of the second sub-frame 240 that protrudes in this manner is accommodated in the first accommodation recess 121B formed on the lower surface 121L of the first left side frame 121 of the first support body 120 shown in FIG. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface 232 of the second main frame 230 also accommodates part of a third sub-frame (not shown) that constitutes a third support 320 disposed therebelow. The second accommodation recess 233 is formed.

  A circular first hole 234 as an example of a second positioning portion is formed in the front lower portion of the second main frame 230 so as to open outward in the left-right direction, and a circular second hole 235 is formed in the rear upper portion It is formed to open outward in the left-right direction. Two engaging bosses 231C and 231D as an example of a convex portion are formed on the front and rear of the upper surface 231 of the second main frame 230 so as to project upward.

  Further, two engaging bosses 222C and 222D as an example of a convex portion are formed on the front and rear of the upper surface 222U of the second right side frame 222 so as to protrude upward. And a total of four engagement bosses 231C, 231D, 222C, 222D are formed on the lower surface of the first left side frame 121 and the first right side frame 122 of the first support body 120, and four engagements as an example of a concave portion The holes H11 to H14 (see FIG. 11) are fitted. Here, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame structure schematically shown, which is cut by a plane passing through the two front engagement bosses 231C and 222C and orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In addition, the structure of each part such as the two engagement bosses 231D and 222D on the rear side and the two engagement holes H13 and H14 on the rear side is the respective engagement bosses 231C and 222C on the front side and the engagement holes H11 on the front side. Since the structure is substantially the same as the structure of each portion such as H12, H12, etc., each portion on the rear side is shown in parentheses in FIG.

  By thus engaging the engagement bosses 231C, 231D, 222C, 222D with the engagement holes H11 to H14, the movements of the first support 120 and the second support 220 in the front-rear and left-right directions are mutually restricted. It is done. Similarly, the second support 220 and the third support 320, and the third support 320 and the fourth support 420 also have four engagement bosses EB31 to EB34 and EB41 to EB44 and four engagement members respectively. By engagement with the joint holes H21 to H24 and H31 to H34, movement in the front, rear, left, and right directions is mutually restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first support frame 510 is a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section extending in the vertical direction, and has a first wall 511, a second wall 512, and a third wall 513. . The upper end of the first support frame 510 is substantially at the same position as the upper end of the first left frame 121, and the lower end of the first support frame 510 is the main frame 430 of the lowermost fourth support 420 (see FIG. 11). It is arranged at almost the same position as the lower end of the.

  The first wall 511 is a long plate-like portion extending in the up-down direction, and faces the second main frame 230 from the outside in the left-right direction. At the lower end portion of the first wall 511, a first reference plane A51 and a second reference plane A52 which contact the upper surface of the base plate 550 (see FIG. 3) are provided.

  The second wall 512 is a long plate-like portion extending in the vertical direction, and extends outward from the front end of the first wall 511 in the left-right direction. The third wall 513 is a long plate-like portion extending in the vertical direction, and extends outward from the rear end of the first wall 511 in the left-right direction. At the lower end portion of the second wall 512, a third reference surface A53 which contacts the upper surface of the base plate 550 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The reference planes A51, A52, and A53 provided at the lower end portion of the first support frame 510 are disposed on the same plane, and are pressed against the base plate 550 by the load of the laser printer 1. It is possible to improve the squareness of the one post frame 510. The reference surface may be at least two or more.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the first wall 511 includes a long plate-like portion 511A extending in the vertical direction, a first protrusion 511B for positioning the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion 511B. It has two 2nd protrusions 511C and 511D as an example of a projection for positioning top frame 123 to the front and back, right and left direction, and fixed part 511E to which the 1st top frame 123 is fixed. The first protrusion 511B protrudes upward from a substantially central portion of the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A, and has a long plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 511B serves as a first reference surface 511F as an example of a first positioning portion, which contacts the first upper frame 123 from below to position the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction. There is. The first reference surface 511F is a flat shape extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The second projection 511C is adjacent to the front side of the first projection 511B with a slight gap, and projects upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A, and more specifically, projects upward than the first reference surface 511F. It is formed. The second protrusion 511D is disposed on the rear side of the first protrusion 511B with a part of the fixing portion 511E interposed therebetween, and protrudes upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A, and more specifically, than the first reference surface 511F. It is formed to project upward. And each 2nd protrusion 511C, 511D engages with each engagement hole 123E, 123F of the 1st upper flame | frame 123 mentioned above, and, thereby, the 1st supply with respect to the 1st support | pillar flame | frame 510 is carried out. The paper unit 100 is positioned in the front, rear, left, and right directions.

  The fixing portion 511E is formed to extend outward in the left-right direction from the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A, and mainly includes a long plate-shaped base portion E1 extending in the front-rear direction, the base portion E1, and a plate It has two legs E2 and E3 connecting the part 511A. Further, the upper surface of the fixing portion 511E has a flat shape extending in the substantially horizontal direction. Mounting holes E11 and E12 into which screws S1 and S2 are screwed are formed in the front end portion and the rear end portion of the base portion E1.

  The leg E2 extends upward from the front end of the second projection 511C on the front side of the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A, and then extends outward in the left-right direction to be connected to the front end of the base E1. The leg E3 extends upward from a portion of the upper end of the plate-like portion 511A between a portion between the first protrusion 511B and the second protrusion 511D on the rear side, and then extends outward in the left-right direction to form the rear end of the base E1. Connected to

  And the fixing | fixed part 511E comprised in this way is arrange | positioned in a position lower than the 1st reference plane 511F in the up-and-down direction. Thereby, when the first upper frame 123 contacts the first reference surface 511F in a state before the fixed portion 123D of the first upper frame 123 is fixed to the fixed portion 511E, the fixed portion 123D and the fixed portion 511E There is a gap between the

  Therefore, when fastening the fixed portion 123D to the fixing portion 511E by the screws S1 and S2, the first support frame 510 is drawn to the first upper frame 123, and the first reference surface 511F is moved to the first upper frame 123. The first upper frame 123 can be favorably positioned in the vertical direction with respect to the first support frame 510. In addition, after fastening the to-be-fixed portion 123D and the fixing portion 511E with the screws S1 and S2, the fixing portion 511E is deformed so that the upper surface of the fixing portion 511E and the first reference surface 511F are at the same position in the vertical direction. It may be arrange | positioned, and the upper surface of fixing | fixed part 511E may be arrange | positioned in the position lower than the 1st reference plane 511F.

  The second wall 512 has a long plate-like portion 512A extending in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion 512B for positioning the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 512B protrudes upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 512A, and has a long plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 512B is a second reference surface 512F as an example of a first positioning portion, which contacts the first upper frame 123 from below to position the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction. There is. The second reference surface 512F is a flat shape extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The third wall 513 has a long plate-like portion 513A extending in the vertical direction, and a first protrusion 513B for positioning the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 513B protrudes upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 513A, and has a long plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 513B serves as a third reference surface 513F as an example of the first positioning portion, which contacts the first upper frame 123 from the bottom to position the first upper frame 123 in the vertical direction. There is. The third reference surface 513F has a flat shape extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The three reference planes 511F, 512F, 513F are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction. Specifically, the three reference planes 511F, 512F, 513F are disposed on the same plane. That is, the three reference planes 511F, 512F, and 513F are disposed at positions higher than the fixing portion 511E and lower than the second protrusions 511C and 511D. Thereby, the first upper frame 123 is positioned in the vertical direction by the reference surfaces 511F, 512F, and 513F, and is supported from below by the first wall 511, the second wall 512, and the third wall 513. In addition, when the first upper frame 123 contacts each reference surface 511F, 512F, 513F in a state before the fixed portion 123D of the first upper frame 123 is fixed to the fixing portion 511E, the first upper frame 123 is fixed to the fixed portion 123D. A gap is provided between the portion 511E. Therefore, when fastening the fixed portion 123D to the fixing portion 511E by the screws S1 and S2, the first support frame 510 is drawn to the first upper frame 123, and each reference surface 511F, 512F, 513F is Since the upper frame 123 can be strongly pressed, the perpendicularity of the first support frame 510 with respect to the first upper frame 123 can be improved.

  Here, each reference surface 511F, 512F, 513F may be formed by punching, and the fixing portion 511E may be bent to a position slightly lower than each reference surface 511F, 512F, 513F.

  The mounting holes E11 and E12 described above are disposed inside the three reference surfaces 511F, 512F and 513F. More specifically, the mounting holes E11 and E12 are substantially triangular, surrounded by three reference surfaces 511F, 512F, 513F and the longitudinal ends of the reference surfaces 511F, 512F, 513F, or more specifically, hexagonal. It is arranged in the area of shape. As a result, when the fixed portion 123D is fastened to the fixing portion 511E by the screws S1 and S2, the three reference surfaces 511F, 512F, and 513F can be reliably made along the first upper frame 123, so that the first upper portion The perpendicularity with respect to the frame 123 can be improved, and the vertical positioning of the first upper frame 123 can be favorably performed. In the present embodiment, two screws S1 and S2 are fixed in the above-described hexagonal region, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more screws may be fixed.

  Further, the area of the second reference surface 512F disposed on the front side of the first support frame 510 is larger than the area of the third reference surface 513F disposed on the rear side, and the area of the third reference surface 513F on the rear side is , And the area of the first reference surface 511F disposed on the right side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, at the end of the plate-like portion 513A of the third wall 513 on the first wall 511 side, three connecting frames 610, 620, 630 (see FIG. 3) are directed from the rear to the front. Three communication holes 513C, 513D, and 513E for passing therethrough are formed at intervals in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 9A, the front end portions of the connection frames 610 to 630 are fixed to the plate portion 511A at positions corresponding to the communication holes 513C to 513E in the plate portion 511A of the first wall 511. A plurality of mounting holes A1 to A9 into which screws for screwing are inserted are formed.

  In the plate-like portion 511A, positions corresponding to the first holes 234, 334, 434 (see FIGS. 7 and 11) of the second support 220, the third support 320, and the fourth support 420 are provided. The first through holes A11, A12, and A13, which are examples of second positioning portions, are respectively formed. Each of the first through holes A11 to A13 is a hole into which first bosses B11, B12 and B13 (see FIG. 3) as an example of a second positioning portion to be described later are fitted, and at the front end of the plate portion 511A. It is lined up at intervals in the vertical direction.

  Among the three, the lowermost first through holes A13 are round holes, and the two first through holes A11 and A12 other than the lowermost are elongated holes extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the length in the lateral direction of the first through hole A11 corresponding to the second support 220 is the diameter of the first hole 234 formed in the second main frame 230 of the second support 220. It is bigger than that. The first through holes A12 and the first holes 334 corresponding to the third support 320 have substantially the same shape as the first through holes A11 and the first holes 234 corresponding to the second support 220, respectively. The diameter of the first through hole A13 corresponding to the fourth support 420 is larger than the diameter of the first hole 434 formed in the fourth support 420, and is substantially the same as the length in the lateral direction of the first through hole A11. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 9, screws for fixing the first bosses B11, B12 and B13 (see FIG. 3) to the plate-like portion 511A are twisted on the upper and lower sides of the first through holes A11 to A13. Two mounting holes A14 to A19 to be inserted are formed. Rectangular engaging holes A20, A21, A21, A21, A21, A21, B21 engage with parts of the first bosses B11 to B13 on the mounting holes A14, A16, A18 disposed on the first through holes A11 to A13, respectively. A22 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the first boss B11 is a first fitting portion B111 fitted in the first hole 234 of the second main frame 230, and a first of the first support frame 510. A second fitting portion B112 fitted to the through hole A11, a flange portion B113 fixed to the first support frame 510 by screws S6 and S7, and an engagement engaged with the engagement hole A20 of the first support frame 510 And a claw portion B114. Since the first bosses B12 and B13 have the same structure as the first boss B11, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The first fitting portion B111 is formed in a cylindrical shape that matches the first hole 234, and the end on the second main frame 230 side is tapered such that the diameter gradually decreases toward the second main frame 230. It has become. The opening of the first hole 234 is a tapered surface 234A that gradually expands in diameter toward the first support frame 510 in order to guide the first fitting portion B 111 into the first hole 234. .

  The second fitting portion B112 is provided at an end portion of the first fitting portion B111 on the outer side in the left-right direction, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter larger than that of the first fitting portion B111. Specifically, the second fitting portion B112 is formed to be fitted to the upper and lower end edges of the first through hole A11 which is a long hole elongated in the front-rear direction. The second fitting portion of the first boss B13 disposed at the lowermost position has substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the first through hole A13 which is a round hole.

  The flange portion B113 is a portion of a plate-like portion formed to extend upward and downward from the second fitting portion B112, and through holes B115 through which the screws S6 and S7 are inserted in the upper and lower end portions thereof. B116 is formed. Specifically, a boss-like portion having the first fitting portion B111 and the second fitting portion B112 and the flange portion B113 are separate members and are formed in the hole B117 formed in the central portion of the flange portion B113. The bosses are fixed by caulking or the like.

  The engagement claw portion B114 is formed to extend inward in the left-right direction from a substantially central portion of the upper end of the flange portion B113. In the first boss B11 configured as described above, the first fitting portion B111 is fitted in the first hole 234 in a state where the second fitting portion B112 is in the first through hole A11. Thus, the second support 220 is vertically positioned with respect to the first support frame 510. Also, the third support 320 and the fourth support 420 are also vertically positioned with respect to the first support frame 510 by the same method.

  The lowermost fourth support body 420 is, as shown in FIG. 11, a first fitting portion B131 in a state in which the second fitting portion B132 of the first boss B13 is fitted in the first through hole A13 which is a round hole. By being fitted into the first holes 434, the first support frame 510 is also positioned in the front-rear direction. And each support 220-420 positioned with respect to the 1st support | pillar flame | frame 510 is fixed to the 1st support | pillar flame | frame 510 with a screw (For example, screw S8 mentioned later: Refer FIG.10 (b)). As described above, when the supports 220 to 420 are fixed to the first support frame 510 with screws, the supports 220 to 420 and the first support frame 510 abut each other in the left-right direction. 220 to 420 are positioned in the left-right direction with respect to the first support frame 510.

  Here, the structure around the screw described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10. In the following, the structure around the screw S8 for fixing the second support 220 to the first support frame 510 will be described as a representative, and the structure around the screw for fixing the other support is the same. Description is omitted because of the structure.

  The screw S8 shown in FIG. 10 (b) passes through the insertion hole A23 formed in the first support frame 510 shown in FIG. 9 (a) and passes through the second main frame 230 of the second support 220 shown in FIG. It is fastened to a fastening hole 236 formed on the lower front side. A fastening hole 237 is formed in the rear upper portion of the second main frame 230, in which a screw for fixing the second support 220 to the second support frame 530 is fastened.

  The first boss B11 is attachable to and detachable from the first support frame 510 by appropriately fastening and releasing the screws S6 and S7. In other words, the first boss B11 moves laterally in the first through hole A11 as shown in FIG. 11 and in the first through hole A11 as shown in FIG. It can move to the retracted position out of the hole 234.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the right first support frame 520 is disposed so as to sandwich the supports 120 to 420 with the left first support frame 510. Since the right first support frame 520 has substantially the same structure as the left first support frame 510, the rules for each part of the first support frame 520 corresponding to each part of the first support frame 510 are ruled out. The description is omitted as appropriate. Specifically, for a code that has a 3-digit number in each part, change the second digit of the number part from "1" to "2", and change the sign represented by "A + number" to "Z + number" The description will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A and 9B, the right first support frame 520 is similar to the three first through holes A11, A12 and A13 provided in the left first support frame 510. And three first through holes Z11, Z12, and Z13. The respective first through holes A11 to A13 of the left first support frame 510 and the respective first through holes Z11 to Z13 of the right first support frame 520 have left-right symmetry, in other words, two first support frames 510, 520. And is symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane parallel to the plate-like portion 511A.

  The first through holes Z11 to Z13 of the first support frame 520 on the right side have second fitting of third bosses B31, B32, and B33 having the same structure as the first boss B11, as shown in FIG. Joints (symbols and abbreviations) are adapted to be fitted. In addition, the first fitting portions (reference numerals omitted) of the third bosses B31 to B33 fit into the first holes 222B, 322B and 422B formed in the right side frames 222, 322 and 422 of the supports 220 to 420, respectively. It is supposed to match.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left second support frame 530 is disposed at an interval in the front-rear direction from the first support frame 510 on the outer side in the left-right direction of each of the supports 120 to 420. The right second support frame 540 has substantially the same structure as the left second support frame 530. Therefore, the rules for the respective portions of the second support frame 540 corresponding to the respective portions of the second support frame 530 will be described. The description is omitted as appropriate. Specifically, for a code having a three-digit number in each part, change the second digit of the number part from "3" to "4", and change the sign represented by "A + number" to "Z + number" The description will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second support frame 530 is a member having a substantially L-shaped cross section extending in the vertical direction, and has a fourth wall 531 and a fifth wall 532. The upper end of the second support frame 530 is substantially at the same position as the upper end of the first left frame 121, and the lower end of the second support frame 530 is the main frame 420 of the lowermost fourth support 420 (see FIG. 11). It is arranged at almost the same position as the lower end of the.

  The fourth wall 531 is a long plate-like portion extending in the up-down direction, and faces the first left frame 121 from the outside in the left-right direction. At the lower end portion of the fourth wall 531, a first reference surface A61 is provided to be in contact with the upper surface of the base plate 550 (see FIG. 3).

  The fifth wall 532 is a long plate-like portion extending in the vertical direction, and extends inward in the left-right direction from the rear end of the fourth wall 531 so as to face the first left frame 121 from the rear side There is. The lower end portion of the fifth wall 532 is provided with a second reference surface A62 that contacts the upper surface of the base plate 550 (see FIG. 3). The reference planes A61 and A62 provided at the lower end portion of the second support frame 530 are disposed on the same plane, and are pressed against the base plate 550 by the load of the laser printer 1, whereby the second support columns for the base plate 550 are formed. It is possible to improve the squareness of the frame 530. Note that three or more reference planes may be provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fourth wall 531 is a long plate-like portion 531A extending in the vertical direction, and a first projection 531B for positioning the first upper frame 124 in the vertical direction. And two second protrusions 531C and 531D for positioning the first upper frame 123 in the front-rear and left-right direction, and a fixing portion 531E to which the first upper frame 124 is fixed. The first protrusion 531B protrudes upward from a substantially central portion of the upper end of the plate-like portion 531A, and has a long plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 531B serves as a first reference surface 531F as an example of a first positioning portion, which contacts the first upper frame 124 from below to position the first upper frame 124 in the vertical direction. There is. The first reference surface 531F has a flat shape extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The second projection 531C is adjacent to the front side of the first projection 531B with a slight gap, and projects upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 531A, and more specifically, projects upward than the first reference surface 531F. It is formed. The second protrusion 531D is integrally provided on the rear side of the first protrusion 511B, and is formed so as to protrude upward from the first reference surface 531F. The second protrusions 531C and 531D are engaged with the engagement holes 124H and 124J of the first upper frame 124 described above. The paper unit 100 is positioned in the front, rear, left, and right directions.

  The fixing portion 531E is formed to extend outward in the left-right direction from the upper end of the plate portion 531A, and mainly includes a long plate-like base portion E4 extending in the front-rear direction, a base portion E4, and a plate-like portion. It has two legs E5 and E6 connecting the part 531A. Further, the upper surface of the fixing portion 531E has a flat shape extending in the substantially horizontal direction. Mounting holes E41 and E42 into which the screws S3 and S4 are screwed are formed in the front end portion and the rear end portion of the base portion E4.

  The leg E5 extends upward from the front end of the second protrusion 531C of the upper end of the plate-like portion 531A, and then extends outward in the left-right direction to be connected to the front end of the base E4. The leg E6 extends upward from a portion of the upper end of the plate-like portion 531A on the rear side of the rear second protrusion 511D, and then extends outward in the left-right direction to be connected to the rear end of the base E4.

  The fifth wall 532 is a long plate-like portion 532A extending in the vertical direction, a first projection 532B for positioning the first upper frame 124 in the vertical direction, and a fixing portion 532E to which the first upper frame 124 is fixed. And. The first protrusion 532B protrudes upward from the upper end of the plate-like portion 532A, and has a long plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The tip end surface of the first protrusion 532B serves as a second reference surface 532F as an example of a first positioning portion, which contacts the first upper frame 124 from below to position the first upper frame 124 in the vertical direction. There is. The second reference surface 532F has a flat shape extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Here, the first reference surface 531F described above is wider than the second reference surface 532F, in other words, the size in the longitudinal direction is larger. Thereby, in the case where the second support frame 530 is formed in a substantially L shape in cross section, the first upper frame 124 can be formed at any point of the second reference surface 532F and at both ends of the wide first reference surface 531F. It is possible to support at two points, that is, stably at three points. Note that the first reference surface 531F may be configured by two surfaces by forming a notch at the center in the longitudinal direction of the first reference surface 531F. Also in this case, the first upper frame 124 can be supported stably at three points.

  The mounting holes E41 and E42 into which the screws S3 and S4 described above are screwed are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first reference surface 531F and sandwich an imaginary line passing through the longitudinal center of the first reference surface 531F. It is provided one by one. As a result, when the first upper frame 124 is fastened to the fixing portion 531E with the screws S3 and S4, both end portions of the first reference surface 531F can be pressure-welded to the first upper frame 124. It is possible to do Further, by disposing the two screws S3 and S4 across the virtual line in this manner, the first upper frame 124 can be pressed over the entire area of the first reference surface 531F. The perpendicularity with the support frame 530 can be taken out.

  The fixing portion 532E is formed to extend outward in the front-rear direction from the upper end of the plate-like portion 532A, and mainly includes a long plate-like base portion E7 extending in the left-right direction, a base portion E7, and a plate-like shape. It has two legs E8 and E9 connecting the part 532A. Further, the upper surface of the fixing portion 532E has a flat shape extending in the substantially horizontal direction. A central portion in the left-right direction of the base portion E7 is a bulging portion E71 that bulges forward, and a mounting hole E72 into which the screw S5 is screwed is formed in the bulging portion E71.

  By screwing the screw S5 into the fixing portion 532E corresponding to the narrow second reference surface 532F in this manner, the second reference surface 532F can be reliably pressed against the first upper frame 124. There is. Here, since the fixing portion 531E is bent outward since the first left side frame 121 is disposed inside, the screws S3 and S4 fastened to the fixing portion 531E are the first reference surface. It is disposed on the opposite side of the second reference surface 532F with the 531F interposed therebetween. Therefore, when the first upper frame 124 is fastened to only one fixing portion 531E with the screws S3 and S4, the first upper frame 124 bends about the first reference surface 531F, and the second reference surface 532F and the first upper frame There may be a gap between it and 124. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the first upper frame 124 is also fastened to the other fixing portion 532E with the screw S5, the second reference surface 532F can be reliably pressure-welded to the first upper frame 124.

  When the fixing portions 531E and 532E are bent inward, the first upper frame 124 may be fastened to only one of the fixing portions with a screw. In this case, since the screws are disposed inside the second support frame 530 having an L-shaped cross section, the first upper frame 124 is reliably provided at three points of the first reference surface 531F and the second reference surface 532F. Can be pressed into contact with the

  The two reference surfaces 531F and 532F are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction. Specifically, the two reference surfaces 531F and 532F are disposed on the same plane. Thus, the first upper frame 124 is vertically positioned at the respective reference surfaces 531 F and 532 F, and is supported from below by the fourth wall 531 and the fifth wall 532.

  The two fixing portions 531E and 532E are disposed at the same position in the vertical direction, and more specifically, at a position lower than the reference surfaces 531F and 532F in the vertical direction. Thus, when the first upper frame 124 contacts the reference surfaces 531F and 532F in a state before the fixed portions 124F and 124G of the first upper frame 124 are fixed to the fixing portions 531E and 532E, the fixed portion 124F , 124G and the fixing portions 531E, 532E. Thereby, an effect similar to the effect obtained by the structure in the vicinity of the fixed portion 511E of the first support frame 510 described above, that is, pressing the reference surfaces 531F and 532F of the second support frame 530 strongly to the first upper frame 124 It is possible to obtain the effect of being able to do so and the effect of being able to improve the perpendicularity of the second support frame 530 with respect to the first upper frame 124.

  Here, each reference surface 531F, 532F may be formed by punching, and the fixing portion 531E, 532E may be bent to a position slightly lower than each reference surface 531F, 532F.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of mounting holes into which screws for fixing the rear end portions of the connection frames 610 to 630 to the plate portion 531A are screwed into the plate portion 531A of the fourth wall 531 Symbol abbreviations) are formed. At positions corresponding to the second holes 235, 335, and 435 (see FIG. 11) of the second support 220, the third support 320, and the fourth support 420 in the plate-like portion 531A, the second through holes are provided. A31, A32 and A33 are respectively formed. The second through holes A31 to A33 are holes into which second bosses B21, B22, and B23 (see FIG. 11) described later are fitted. The second through holes A31 to A33 are vertically spaced at the rear end of the plate portion 531A. Lined up.

  Among the three, the lowermost second through hole A33 is a round hole, and the other two lower second through holes A31 and A32 are long holes extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the length in the lateral direction of the second through hole A31 corresponding to the second support 220 is the diameter of the second hole 235 formed in the second main frame 230 of the second support 220. It is bigger than that. The second through holes A32 and the second holes 335 corresponding to the third support 320 have substantially the same shape as the second through holes A31 and the second holes 235 corresponding to the second support 220, respectively. The diameter of the third through hole A33 corresponding to the fourth support 420 is larger than the diameter of the second hole 435 formed in the fourth support 420, and is substantially the same as the length in the lateral direction of the second through hole A31. It has become. Specifically, the length in the short direction of each of the second through holes A31 to A33 is substantially the same as the diameter of the second fitting portion (reference numeral omitted) of each of the second bosses B21 to B23.

  Here, each of the second bosses B21 to B23 has a structure similar to that of the first boss B11 described above. Therefore, in the plate portion 531A, in addition to the second through holes A31 to A33, the attachment holes A34 to A39 for attaching the second bosses B21 to B23 to the second support frame 530 and the engagement holes A40 to A42 is provided.

  Each of the second bosses B21 to B23 can be moved to a fitting position to be fitted to the second holes 235 to 435 and a retracted position to move in the second through holes A31 to A33 and to be separated from the second holes 235 to 435 It has become. Each of the second bosses B21 to B23 is configured to be fitted to the second holes 235 to 435 provided in the respective supports 220 to 420 in a state of being fitted to the upper and lower ends of the second through holes A31 to A33. ing. Thus, the supports 220 to 420 are positioned in the vertical direction with respect to the second support frame 530 by the second bosses B21 to B23.

  After the supports 220 to 420 are positioned relative to the second support frame 530 by the second bosses B21 to B23, the supports 220 to 420 and the second support frame 530 are fixed by screws.

  The second through holes Z31, Z32, and Z33 of the second support frame 540 on the right, which are substantially the same as the second support frame 530 on the left, have the same structure as the first boss B11, as shown in FIG. The second fitting portions (symbols and abbreviations) of the three fourth bosses B41, B42, and B43 are fitted. In addition, the first fitting portion (reference numeral omitted) of each fourth boss B41 is fitted to the second holes 222E, 322E, 422E formed in the right side frames 122 to 422 of the respective supports 120 to 420. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left connecting frames 610 to 630 are members having a substantially U-shaped cross section opening in the left and right direction outside, and are connected to the first support frame 510 and the second support frame 530. . Specifically, the front end portions of the connection frames 610 to 630 are fixed to the first wall 511 after passing through the communication holes 513C, 513D, 513E formed in the first support frame 510 from the rear to the front, The rear end portion is fixed to the fourth wall 531 of the second support frame 530. In addition, since the connection frames 640 to 660 on the right side have substantially the same structure as the connection frames 610 to 630 on the left side, the description will be omitted.

Next, a method of assembling the additional sheet feeding device 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, first, the first support 120 is assembled by appropriately connecting the frames 121 to 127 constituting the first support 120. Thereafter, the first drive mechanism 150 and the like are assembled to the first left side frame 121.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the 2nd support 220 is assembled by connecting each flame | frame 221-227 which comprises the 2nd support 220 suitably. After that, the second drive mechanism 250 and the like are assembled to the second left frame 221.

  Further, the third support 320 and the fourth support 420 are assembled in the same manner as the method of assembling the second support 220 and the method of assembling the second drive mechanism 250 and the like to the second support 220. The second drive mechanism and the like are assembled to the bodies 320 and 420.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the supports 120 to 420 to which the above-described parts are assembled are used at the time of use from the top of the first support 120, the second support 220, the third support 320, the fourth In order to line up in order of the support body 420, it mutually overlaps in the state which predetermined space | interval opened. In addition, as a method of leaving a predetermined interval, for example, when stacking the respective supports 120 to 420 from below, a method of sandwiching a spacer which can be removed later between the respective supports 120 to 420, or There is a method of placing the supports 120 to 420 on a predetermined jig with the side surfaces of the supports 120 to 420 facing downward, for example, and arranging the supports 120 to 420 horizontally so as to have a predetermined distance from each other.

  When stacking the supports 120 to 420 in this manner, the engagement bosses EB41 to EB44 of the fourth support 420 are engaged with the engagement of the third support 320 as schematically shown in FIG. The mating holes H31 to H34 are fitted, and the engaging bosses EB31 to EB34 of the third support 320 are fitted on the engaging holes H21 to H24 of the second support 220, respectively. The engagement holes H11 to H14 of the first support member 120 are fitted to the mating bosses 231C, 231D, 222C, and 222D. Thereby, the movement to the left-right direction of each support body 120-420 is mutually regulated.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, while inserting the second protrusions 511C and 511D at the upper end of the left first support frame 510 into the engagement holes 123E and 123F of the first upper frame 123, the reference surfaces 511F to 513F is brought into contact with the lower surface of the left end portion 123A of the first upper frame 123. Then, while holding the state, the fixing portion 123D and the fixing portion 511E are fastened by the screws S1 and S2. Thus, the first support frame 510 is positioned and fixed in the vertical direction with respect to the first support 120. The right first support frame 520 is also positioned and fixed to the right end portion 123H of the first upper frame 123 in the same manner.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, while inserting the second protrusions 531C and 531D at the upper end of the left second support frame 530 into the engagement holes 124H and 124J of the first upper frame 124, the reference surfaces 531F, 532F is brought into contact with the lower surface of the left side portion of the first upper frame 124. Then, while holding the state, the fixed portions 124F and 124G and the fixing portions 531E and 532E are fastened by the screws S3 to S5. Thereby, the second support frame 530 is positioned and fixed in the vertical direction with respect to the first support 120. The right second support frame 540 is also positioned and fixed to the right portion of the first upper frame 124 in the same manner.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, while the three first bosses B 11 to B 13 are fitted through the respective first through holes A 11 to A 13 of the first support frame 510, the second support 220, the third The first holes 234, 334, 434 of the support 320 and the fourth support 420 are fitted. Under the present circumstances, since a worker can visually recognize each 1st hole 234,334,434 through each 1st through-hole A11-A13 larger than each 1st hole 234,334,434, each 1st boss B11 The mounting work of ~ B13 can be easily performed.

  The mounting operation of such bosses is similarly performed for the first support column frame 520 on the right side and the two second support column frames 530 and 540 on the rear side. As a result, the lowermost fourth support 420 is positioned in the front-rear and vertical directions with respect to the column frames 510 to 540, and the second support 220 and the third support 320 are positioned in the vertical direction.

  After that, each support | pillar flame | frame 510-540 is fixed to each support body 120-420 by a screw. Next, the support columns 510 to 540 are connected by the connection frames 610 to 660, the auxiliary frames 671 to 674, and the base plate 550. Then, after attaching a control board, an exterior panel, etc., the assembly work of the additional sheet feeding device 10 is completed by attaching each sheet feeding tray 110-410 to each support 120-420.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 showing the additional sheet feeding device 10 in a simplified manner, a method of replacing the supports 120 to 420 will be described. First, the method of replacing the second support 220 located at the top from the top will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, after removing a plurality of screws for fastening the support frames 510 to 540 and the first support 120, the first support 120 is placed on the support frames 510 to 540 from above. Remove. Thereafter, a plurality of screws for fastening the support frames 510 to 540 and the second support 220, and the bosses B11, B21, B31, and B41 corresponding to the second support 220 and the support frames 510 to 540 are fastened. After removing the plurality of screws, the bosses B11, B21, B31, and B41 are removed from the support columns 510 to 540.

  Thereby, the restriction of the movement of the second support 220 in the vertical direction is released, so that the second support 220 can be removed from above with respect to each of the support columns 510 to 540. Thereafter, a new second support 220 is inserted from above into the inner side of each support column frame 510 to 540, and after positioning is performed by the bosses B11, B21, B31, and B41, each support column frame 510 to 540 Fix it. And the 1st support body 120 is fixed to each support | pillar flame | frame 510-540 in the procedure similar to the attachment operation mentioned above.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when replacing the third support 320 located third from the top, first, the auxiliary frames 671 to 674 (see FIG. 3) attached to the lower ends of the support columns 510 to 540 (see FIG. 3) And the base plate 550, the base plate 550 is removed from the respective auxiliary frames 671 to 674. Thereafter, a plurality of screws for fastening the support frames 510 to 540 and the fourth support 420 and the bosses B13, B23, B33, and B43 corresponding to the fourth support 420 and the support frames 510 to 540 are fastened. After removing the plurality of screws, the bosses B13, B23, B33, and B43 are removed from the pillar frames 510 to 540.

  Thus, the restriction of the movement of the fourth support 420 in the vertical direction is released, so that the fourth support 420 can be removed from the lower side with respect to each of the pillar frames 510 to 540. Similarly, the third support 320 is also removed from below with respect to each support frame 510-540. Thereafter, a new third support 320 is inserted from below into the inside of each support column frame 510 to 540, and after positioning by the bosses B12, B22, B32, and B42, to each support column frame 510 to 540 Fix it. Similarly, the fourth support 420 is also fixed to each support frame 510-540. Then, the base plate 550 is fixed to each of the auxiliary frames 671 to 674.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
By connecting the supports 120 to 420 with the support columns 510 to 540, deformation of the supports 120 to 420 can be suppressed, so that the sheet P is transported from the sheet feeding units 100 to 400. It can be stabilized. In addition, since the entire lower surface of the upper support and the entire upper surface of the lower support among the two vertically adjacent supports are arranged at an interval in the upper and lower, each sheet feeding unit 100 to 400 Even when stacked, the sheet feeding units 100 to 400 are not affected by the manufacturing error. Therefore, the positional relationship between the laser printer 1 provided on the additional sheet feeding device 10 and each of the sheet feeding units 100 to 400 can be prevented from shifting, and as a result, the conveyance of the sheet P can be stabilized. The print position can be suppressed from shifting.

  Since the first upper frames 123 and 124 constituting the first support 120 are supported by the upper ends of the support frames 510 to 540, the load of the laser printer 1 can be well received by the upper ends of the support frames 510 to 540. it can.

  The second positioning portion for positioning the second support 220 to the first support frame 510 is a first through hole A11 formed in the first support frame 510 and a state in which the second support 220 enters the first through hole A11. The second positioning portion can be simply configured because the first boss B11 fitted in the first hole 234 provided in the second support 220 is used.

  The second protrusions 511C and 511D formed on the first support frame 510 are engaged with the engagement holes 123E and 123F formed on the first upper frame 123 of the first support body 120, so that the first support body 120 can be It can position with respect to the support | pillar flame | frame 510 in the front and rear, right and left direction. By making the lowermost first through hole A13 in the first support frame 510 a round hole, the lowermost fourth support 420 can be positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the first support frame 510.

  The second support 220 engages with the engagement bosses 231C, 231D, 222C, 222D and the engagement holes H11 to H14 with respect to the first support 120 positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the first support frame 510. It is positioned in the front and back direction by the case. The third support 320 is in the front-rear direction by the engagement between the engagement bosses EB41 to EB44 and the engagement holes H31 to H34 with respect to the fourth support 420 positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the first support frame 510. Is positioned at Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of displacement due to the gap between the engagement boss and the engagement hole from being accumulated. In addition, since the first through holes A11 and A12 other than the lowermost one are long holes, the work of fitting the first bosses B11 and B12 into the first holes 234 and 334 of the supports 220 and 320 is facilitated. Can.

  Since the first support frame 510 is formed in a substantially U-shape in a sectional view having the first wall 511, the second wall 512, and the third wall 513, the rigidity of the first support frame 510 can be increased. Further, since the first upper frame 123 is supported by the walls 511 to 513 of the first support frame 510, the load of the first sheet feeding unit 100 can be made excellent by the walls 511 to 513 of the rigid first support frame 510. Can receive.

  When the first upper frame 123 contacts the reference surfaces 511F to 511F in a state before the fixed portion 123D of the first upper frame 123 is fixed to the fixing portion 511E of the first support frame 510, the fixed portion 123D and Since a gap is provided between the fixing portion 511E and the fixing portion 511E, the first upper frame 123 can be strongly pressed against the reference surfaces 511F to 511F when fixing the fixed portion 123D to the fixing portion 511E. Therefore, the first support 120 can be accurately positioned in the vertical direction with respect to the first support frame 510, and the perpendicularity of the first support frame 510 with respect to the first upper frame 123 can be improved. In addition, by fixing the fixed portion 123D and the fixing portion 511E with a screw, the first support frame 510 is forcibly positioned with respect to the first upper frame 123, so variations due to assembly can be reduced. .

  By arranging the three reference planes 511F to 513F on the same plane, the respective reference planes 511F to 513F can be reliably made to follow the first upper frame 123, so that the first support frame 510 with respect to the upper frame 123 is straight. The angle can be improved. As a result, in the laser printer 1 fixed to the upper frame 123 of the additional sheet feeding device 10, the occurrence of printing deviation can be suppressed. In addition, since the squareness can be secured with component accuracy, the adjustment process can be made unnecessary.

  Since the first through holes A11 to A13 and Z11 to Z13 of the two first column frames 510 and 520 are configured to be symmetrical in the left and right direction, the first through holes A11 to A13 and Z11 of the two first column frames 510 and 520 ~ Z13 can be formed in the same mold. That is, it becomes possible to select a processing method that eliminates the difference between the left and right. Therefore, while being able to improve the position accuracy of each 1st penetration hole A11-A13, Z11-Z13, manufacturing cost can be made low.

  Since the supports 120 to 420 are connected by the first support frames 510 and 520 and the second support frames 530 and 540 connected by the plurality of connection frames 610 to 660, the sheet feeding units 100 to 400 are deformed, It is possible to suppress shaking by external force.

  Since the communication holes 513C to 513E for passing the connection frames 610 to 630 are provided in the third wall 513 of the first support frame 510, the first wall 511 of the first support frame 510 having a substantially U-shaped cross sectional view is provided. Thus, the connecting frames 610 to 630 can be fixed well.

  By making the second support frame 530 substantially L-shaped in cross section along the corner portions of the supports 120 to 420, for example, as compared to the case where the second support frame is configured in a U shape in cross section opening to the outside, The connecting frames 610 to 630 can be slid toward the first support frame 510 while being placed against the fourth wall 531 of the second support frame 530. Therefore, the connection frames 610 to 630 can be easily passed through the communication holes 513C to 513E, and the attachment work of the connection frames 610 to 630 can be easily performed, and each end of the connection frames 610 to 630 is the first wall 511 and the first It can be fixed well to the four walls 531.

  If it is desired to replace any of the three supports 220-420 located under the first support 120, the corresponding ones are obtained without removing all the supports 120-420 from each support frame 510-540. By moving the bosses (for example, the bosses B11, B21, B31, and B41 corresponding to the second support 220) to the retracted position, the desired support can be easily removed from the support columns 510 to 540.

  When fitting the first bosses B11 to B13 to the first holes 234 to 434 by making the first through holes A11 to A13 larger than the first holes 234 to 434, the operator can make the first through holes A11 larger. Since it is easy to look at the first holes 234 to 434 through A13, the mounting operation of the first bosses B11 to B13 can be easily performed.

  Since the first boss B11 has the flange portion B113 which extends in the vertical direction from the second fitting portion B112 and is fixed to the first support frame 510, the first boss B11 can be favorably used for the first support frame 510. It can be fixed.

  The engagement holes H11 to H14 provided on the lower surface of the first support 120 and the engagement bosses 231C, 222C, 231D, and 222D provided on the upper surface of the second support 220 are engaged with each other. On the other hand, the second support 220 can be positioned in the longitudinal and lateral directions.

  Since the fixing portion 511E to which the first upper frame 123 is fixed extends outward from the upper end portion of the first support frame 510, the first support body 120 is moved upward to be removed from the first support frame 510. At the time of setting, the first support body 120 can be prevented from interfering with the fixing portion 511E. Further, for example, when the second support 220 from the top is removed from the top, interference of the second support 220 with the fixing portion 511E can be suppressed.

  Since the lowermost first through hole A13 corresponding to the fourth support 420 is a round hole and the lowermost second through hole A33 is a long hole extending in the front-rear direction, the first hole 434 of the fourth support 420 The dimensional error of the distance between the second hole 435 and the second hole 435 can be absorbed by the second through hole A33, which is a long hole.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as those of the above-described embodiment, and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the support bosses 120 to 420 are provided with the engagement boss (for example, the engagement boss 231C) and the engagement hole (for example, the engagement hole H11), but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in the drawings, each support 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420 may not have an engagement boss and an engagement hole.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, all the first through holes A111, A112 and A113 of the first support frame 1510 may be round holes. The second support frame 530 has the same structure as that of the above-described embodiment, and the second through holes A31 to A33 formed in the second support frame 530 are all long holes extending in the front-rear direction.

  According to this, the first fitting portion (symbol without symbol) in a state where the second fitting unit (symbol without symbol) of the first bosses B11 to B13 is fitted to each of the first through holes A111 to A113, which are round holes. To position the three supports 1220-1420 disposed under the first support 1120 in the front-rear direction with respect to the first support frame 1510 by fitting the first holes 234, 334, 434 into the first holes 234, 334, 434. Can. In addition, since each of the second through holes A31 to A33 is a long hole extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the first holes 234, 334, 434 and each of the second holes 235, 335, 435 provided in each of the supports 1120 to 1420. The dimensional errors in the front-rear direction of the interval can be absorbed by the respective second through holes A31 to A33 which are long holes.

  Furthermore, since there is no engagement boss and engagement hole in each support 1120-1130, as shown in FIG. 16, only any one support under the first support 1120, for example, only the second support 220 Can be extracted from the front-rear direction with respect to each support frame 1510, 1520, 530, 540.

  In the embodiment, the angle formed between the second wall 512 and the first wall 511 is approximately 90 °, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second wall extends in the direction intersecting the first wall. If it is, the angle which the 1st wall and the 2nd wall make may be what kind of angle.

  In the embodiment, the second left frame 221 as the second frame is configured by the second main frame 230 and the second sub frame 240, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second frame is the above-described embodiment. The second main frame 230 and the second sub frame 240 according to the embodiment may be integrally formed.

  In the embodiment, the sheet P such as a thick sheet, a postcard, a thin sheet or the like is exemplified as an example of the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an OHP sheet.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the additional sheet feeding device 10 to be added to the laser printer 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is added to other image forming apparatuses such as a printer using LED. The present invention may be applied to the additional sheet feeding device.

  Although the fixing portion 511E is disposed at a position lower than the reference surface 511F in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixing portion may be disposed at a position higher than the reference surface. The upper surface may be disposed at the same position as the reference surface. Even in such a case, in the state before the fixing portion is attached to the fixing portion, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained by providing a gap between the fixing portion and the fixing portion. .

  In the above embodiment, the first reference surfaces 511F, 521F and the second reference surfaces 512F, 522F are left-right symmetric, and the third reference surfaces 513F, 523F are not left-right symmetric, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Of all the reference planes and all the reference planes of the right side may be respectively symmetrical, that is, symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane between the two first support frames. According to this, since it is possible to form the respective through holes of the two first pillar frames and the respective reference surfaces in the same mold, it is possible to eliminate the variation in the positions of the respective through holes with respect to the respective reference surfaces.

  In the above embodiment, the three wide reference surfaces 511F, 512F, and 513F are adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one wide reference surface and a reference surface in point contact with the upper frame are adopted. May be

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 additional sheet feeding device 100 first sheet feeding unit 110 first sheet feeding tray 120 first support body 120L lower surface 121 left frame 122 right frame 123 upper frame 124 upper frame 200 second sheet feeding unit 210 second sheet feeding tray 220 Second support 220U Upper surface 221 Left frame 222 Right frame 234 First hole 510 First support frame 511F, 512F, 513F Reference plane A11, A12, A13 First through hole B11, B12, B13 First boss P Paper

Claims (15)

A first supply unit having a first supply tray for accommodating sheets, and a first frame movably supporting the first supply tray;
A second supply unit disposed under the first supply unit and having a second supply tray for accommodating sheets, and a second frame movably supporting the second supply tray;
A first support frame extending vertically and connecting the first frame and the second frame;
A first positioning portion that positions the first frame vertically with respect to the first support frame;
And a second positioning portion for positioning the second frame vertically with respect to the first support frame,
Before SL first frame has a lower surface,
The second frame positioned at the second positioning portion has a top surface that will be spaced apart up and down relative to the lower surface of the first frame positioned at the first positioning portion,
The first positioning portion has a reference surface provided on the upper end side of the first support frame, and an upper frame provided on the upper portion of the first frame and in contact with the reference surface from above. Sheet feeding device. The second positioning portion is characterized by having a through hole formed in the first support frame, and a boss fitted in a hole provided in the second frame in a state of entering the through hole. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 . The first support frame has a protrusion that protrudes upward relative to the reference surface,
The upper frame has an engagement hole for engaging the protrusion;
By the projecting portion and the engaging hole are engaged, according to claim 2, wherein said first frame with respect to the first support frame is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction Sheet feeding device. A plurality of the second supply units are vertically arranged, and
A plurality of second positioning units are provided corresponding to the plurality of second supply units,
The movement of the first supply unit and the two supply units adjacent to the upper and lower ones of the plurality of second supply units arranged one above the other are restricted from moving in the orthogonal direction due to the engagement of the recess and the protrusion,
The through hole forming the lowermost second positioning portion is a round hole,
The through holes constituting the second positioning portions other than the lowermost one are elongated holes extending in the orthogonal direction,
By fitting the boss in the round hole into the hole of the second frame, the lowermost second frame is positioned in the orthogonal direction with respect to the first support frame. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3 . The first support frame has a first wall extending in the vertical direction, and a second wall extending in the direction intersecting with the first wall from the first wall and extending in the vertical direction.
The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , wherein the upper frame is supported by the first wall and the second wall. The first support frame has a fixing part to which the upper frame is fixed,
The upper frame has a fixed portion fixed to the fixed portion,
When the upper frame contacts the reference surface in a state before the fixed portion is fixed to the fixed portion, a gap is provided between the fixed portion and the fixed portion. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein The reference plane is configured of a first reference plane provided on the first wall and a second reference plane provided on the second wall,
Wherein the first reference surface and the second reference surface is a sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that it is arranged on the same plane. The first support frame is provided in two with the first supply unit and the second supply unit interposed therebetween,
The through hole provided in one first support frame and the through hole provided in the other first support frame are symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane between the two first support frames. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , characterized in that: 9. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the reference plane is symmetrical with respect to the virtual plane. The first wall is disposed to face the first frame outside the first frame,
The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 5 to 9 , wherein the second wall extends outward from the first wall. Wherein the first strut frame, the sheet feeding apparatus according extends from the first wall toward the outside, to claim 1 0, characterized in that it has a third wall extending vertically. Spaced from the first support frame outside of the first frame, in claim 1 1, further comprising a second strut frame which connects the second frame and the first frame Sheet feeding apparatus as described. Sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 2, characterized in that a connecting frame for connecting the second strut frame and the first support frame. The second wall or the third wall has a communication hole for passing the connection frame,
The connecting frame, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 3, characterized in that through said communication hole is fixed to the first wall. The second support frame has a fourth wall facing the first frame outside the first frame, and a fifth wall extending inward from the fourth wall and facing the first frame. And
The connecting frame, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 4, characterized in that fixed to the fourth wall.

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