JP6631146B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Image forming device Download PDF

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JP6631146B2
JP6631146B2 JP2015201363A JP2015201363A JP6631146B2 JP 6631146 B2 JP6631146 B2 JP 6631146B2 JP 2015201363 A JP2015201363 A JP 2015201363A JP 2015201363 A JP2015201363 A JP 2015201363A JP 6631146 B2 JP6631146 B2 JP 6631146B2
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guide member
image forming
forming apparatus
recording material
guide
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JP2016114932A (en
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成一 小暮
成一 小暮
熊谷　直洋
直洋 熊谷
純平 藤田
純平 藤田
一樹 與五澤
一樹 與五澤
竜也 大杉
竜也 大杉
杉浦　健治
健治 杉浦
和田　雄二
雄二 和田
武英 水谷
武英 水谷
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Description

本発明は、画像形成装置に関する。   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

電子写真方式の画像形成装置では、像が担持されるベルト状の像担持体と対向配置された転写部材と、転写部材と像担持体と間に形成され、搬送されてくる記録材に像担持体上の画像を転写する転写部を有する転写装置を備えている。
画像形成装置は、転写ニップ部よりも記録材の搬送方向の上流側に、転写ニップ部への記録材の進入を案内する案内部材が配置されている（例えば特許文献１）。転写ニップ部に向かう記録材は、本来平らであるが搬送経路や案内部材との接触によって湾曲した状態で搬送されることが多く、転写ニップ部には像担持体と添うようにして搬送される。そして、記録材が案内部材を通過し終えると、湾曲状態から平らな状態に戻ろうとする復元作用によって、記録材の後端が像担持体側に向かって跳ね上がって、ベルト状の像担持体に当接する。像担持体と記録材の後端との当接が緩やかであれば問題とはならないが、跳ね上がり方は、記録材のコシや搬送速度によってばらつきがあり、勢いよく像担持体に当接すると、記録材での異常画像の発生要因となってしまう。 In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a transfer member is provided opposite to a belt-shaped image carrier on which an image is carried, and an image carrier is formed between the transfer member and the image carrier, and the image carrier is carried on a conveyed recording material. A transfer device having a transfer unit for transferring an image on the body is provided.
In the image forming apparatus, a guide member that guides the recording material to enter the transfer nip portion is disposed upstream of the transfer nip portion in the transport direction of the recording material (for example, Patent Document 1). The recording material heading toward the transfer nip is transported in a curved state due to contact with the transport path and the guide member in many cases, and is transported along the image carrier to the transfer nip. . When the recording material has passed through the guide member, the rear end of the recording material jumps toward the image carrier by a restoring action of returning from the curved state to a flat state, and the recording material contacts the belt-shaped image carrier. Touch This is not a problem if the contact between the image carrier and the rear end of the recording material is gradual.However, the method of jumping up varies depending on the stiffness and the transport speed of the recording material. This is a factor of generating an abnormal image on the recording material.

本発明は、記録材での異常画像の発生を安定して防止することをその目的とする。   An object of the present invention is to stably prevent occurrence of an abnormal image on a recording material.

上記目的を達成するため、本発明に係る画像形成装置は、像担持面に像が担持される像担持体と対向配置された転写部材と、転写部材と像担持体と間に形成され、搬送されてくる記録材に像担持面の画像を転写する転写部と、転写部よりも記録材の搬送方向の上流側に配置され、転写部に向かって搬送される記録材を案内する第１のガイド部材と、第１のガイド部材よりも搬送方向の上流側に配置され、第１のガイド部材と間隔を空けて配置され、転写部に向かって搬送される記録材を案内する第２のガイド部材とを有し、第１及び第２のガイド部材は、転写部よりも搬送方向の上流側に形成された搬送路における像担持体側に配置されており、第１及び第２のガイド部材は、搬送方向と交差する幅方向に延びていて、第２のガイド部材の先端は、幅方向の一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて傾斜して配置され、第１のガイド部材は、搬送方向に対し、幅方向に位置する一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて第２のガイド部材の傾きよりも小さく傾斜して配置されている。 In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer member disposed opposite to an image carrier on which an image is carried on an image carrying surface, and a transfer member formed between the transfer member and the image carrier. A transfer unit that transfers an image on the image bearing surface to the recording material that is to be transferred, and a first unit that is disposed upstream of the transfer unit in the transport direction of the recording material and guides the recording material that is transported toward the transfer unit. A guide member and a second guide disposed upstream of the first guide member in the transport direction, spaced apart from the first guide member, and guiding the recording material conveyed toward the transfer portion. The first and second guide members are disposed on the image carrier side in a transport path formed upstream of the transfer unit in the transport direction, and the first and second guide members are Extending in the width direction intersecting the transport direction and extending beyond the second guide member. Is disposed inclined from one end portion in the width direction toward the other end portion, the first guide member with respect to the transporting direction, the from one end located in the width direction toward the other end portion 2 The guide member is arranged to be inclined smaller than the inclination of the guide member.

本発明によれば、転写部よりも記録材の搬送方向の上流側に配置されて搬送方向と交差する幅方向に延びた第１及び第２のガイド部材のうち、第２のガイド部材の先端を、幅方向の一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて傾斜して配置したので、第２のガイド部材からベルト状の像担持体への記録材の受け渡しが段階的かつスムーズに行えるので、第１のガイド部材を通過した記録材と像担持体との当接が緩やかになり、記録材での異常画像の発生を安定して防止することができる。   According to the present invention, of the first and second guide members disposed upstream of the transfer unit in the transport direction of the recording material and extending in the width direction intersecting the transport direction, the tip of the second guide member Are arranged so as to be inclined from one end to the other end in the width direction, so that the transfer of the recording material from the second guide member to the belt-shaped image carrier can be performed stepwise and smoothly. The contact between the recording material passing through the first guide member and the image carrier becomes gentle, and the occurrence of an abnormal image on the recording material can be stably prevented.

本発明に係る画像形成装置の一実施形態を示す概略構成図。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 図１に示す画像形成装置おける画像形成ユニットの拡大構成図。FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 本発明の主要部である第１及び第２のガイド部材の構成と配置を説明する平面視図。FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration and arrangement of first and second guide members that are main parts of the present invention. 第１及び第２のガイド部材の構成を説明する拡大斜視図。FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a configuration of first and second guide members. 第１及び第２のガイド部材の構成を説明する断面図。Sectional drawing explaining the structure of a 1st and 2nd guide member. 第１及び第２のガイド部材の構成を説明する拡大断面図。FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of first and second guide members. コシの強い記録材の搬送時の第１及び第２のガイド部材の作用を説明する図であり、（ａ）は記録材の先端が第１及び第２のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図、（ｂ）は記録材の後端が第２のガイド部材を通過している状態を示す拡大図。FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of a first and a second guide member during conveyance of a recording material having a strong stiffness, and FIG. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing a state where the rear end of the recording material passes through a second guide member. コシの強い記録材の搬送時の第１及び第２のガイド部材の作用を説明する図であり、（ａ）は記録材の後端が第２のガイド部材から第１のガイド部材に受け渡された状態を示す拡大図、（ｂ）は記録材の後端が第１のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図。FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the first and second guide members during conveyance of a recording material having a high stiffness, and FIG. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view showing a state where the rear end of the recording material has passed through the first guide member. コシの弱い記録材の搬送時の第１及び第２のガイド部材の作用を説明する図であり、（ａ）は記録材の先端が第１及び第２のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図、（ｂ）は記録材の後端が第２のガイド部材を通過している状態を示す拡大図。FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of the first and second guide members when a recording material having low stiffness is conveyed, and FIG. 4A is an enlarged view illustrating a state where the leading end of the recording material has passed through the first and second guide members. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing a state where the rear end of the recording material passes through a second guide member. コシの弱い記録材の搬送時の第１及び第２のガイド部材の作用を説明する図であり、（ａ）は記録材の後端が第２のガイド部材から第１のガイド部材に受け渡された状態を示す拡大図、（ｂ）は記録材の後端が第１のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図。FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the first and second guide members when the recording material having a low stiffness is conveyed, and FIG. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view showing a state where the rear end of the recording material has passed through the first guide member. 取付角度を変形した第１のガイド部材と第２のガイド部材の構成と配置を説明する平面視図。FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the configuration and arrangement of a first guide member and a second guide member whose mounting angles have been changed. 第１のガイド部材と第２のガイド部材を個別に支持した変形例２の構成を示す拡大断面図。FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of Modification Example 2 in which a first guide member and a second guide member are individually supported. １つの部材で第１及び第２のガイド部材を形成した変形例３の構成を示す拡大断面図。FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of Modification 3 in which the first and second guide members are formed by one member. 第１のガイド部材を積層して形成した変形例４の構成を示す拡大断面図。FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of Modification Example 4 in which first guide members are stacked and formed. 本発明に係る第１と第２のガイド部材を従来構成に適用した変形例を示す図。The figure which shows the modification which applied the 1st and 2nd guide member which concerns on this invention to the conventional structure. 記録材の搬送時の従来の第１及び第２のガイド部材の作用を説明する図であり、（ａ）は記録材の先端が第１及び第２のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図、（ｂ）は記録材の後端が第１のガイド部材を通過した状態を示す拡大図。FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the conventional first and second guide members when the recording material is conveyed, and (a) is an enlarged view illustrating a state where the leading end of the recording material has passed through the first and second guide members. 4B is an enlarged view showing a state where the rear end of the recording material has passed the first guide member. 第１のガイド部材を積層して形成した変形例５の構成と配置を説明する平面視図。FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a configuration and an arrangement of a modification 5 formed by laminating first guide members. 変形例５における第１及び第２のガイド部材の構成を説明する拡大断面図。FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of first and second guide members according to Modification Example 5. 変形例５におけるシート部材の先端を搬送方向と直交させて配置した例を示す平面視図。FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an example in which the tip end of a sheet member according to Modification Example 5 is arranged to be orthogonal to the transport direction. 第２のガイド部の先端を第１のガイド部材に近づけた変形例６の構成を説明する拡大断面図。FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of Modification 6 in which the tip of the second guide portion is closer to the first guide member. 第２のガイド部の先端の第１のガイド部材に対する近づけた方を変更した例を説明する拡大断面図。FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which the way in which the tip of the second guide portion approaches the first guide member is changed.

以下、本発明に係る実施形態と変形例について図面を用いて順次説明する。実施形態及び変形例において、同一の機能や構成を有するものには同一の符号を付し、重複説明は適宜省略する。図面は一部構成の理解を助けるために部分的に省略する場合もある。なお、図中Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋは、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックに対応した構成部材に付す添え字であり、適宜省略する。   Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present invention will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and the modified examples, those having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be appropriately omitted. The drawings may be partially omitted in order to facilitate understanding of a part of the configuration. In the drawings, Y, M, C, and K are suffixes attached to components corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and are omitted as appropriate.

本発明に係る画像形成装置としての電子写真方式のカラープリンタ（以下、「プリンタ」という）１００の一実施形態について説明する。
プリンタ１００の基本的な構成について説明する。図１は、本実施形態に係るプリンタ１００を示す概略構成図である。図１において、プリンタ１００は、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンダ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｋ）のトナー像を形成するための四つの画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）を備える。プリンタ１００は、転写装置としての転写ユニット３０と、露光手段としての光書込ユニット１０１と、定着装置９０と、記録材Ｐを収納するカセット６０と、レジストローラ対６１とを備えている。
四つの画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）は、紛体であり現像剤として、互いに異なる色のＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋのトナーを用いるが、それ以外は同様の構成になっており、寿命到達時に交換される。つまり、四つの画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）は、画像形成装置本体としてのプリンタ本体１００Ａに対して着脱自在に設けられていて、交換可能とされている。 An embodiment of an electrophotographic color printer (hereinafter, referred to as “printer”) 100 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
The basic configuration of the printer 100 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a printer 100 includes four image forming units 1 (Y, M, C, and K) for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images. Is provided. The printer 100 includes a transfer unit 30 as a transfer device, an optical writing unit 101 as exposure means, a fixing device 90, a cassette 60 for storing the recording material P, and a pair of registration rollers 61.
The four image forming units 1 (Y, M, C, and K) are powders and use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors as a developer, but otherwise have the same configuration. And is replaced when the service life is reached. That is, the four image forming units 1 (Y, M, C, and K) are detachably provided to the printer main body 100A as the image forming apparatus main body, and are replaceable.

図２は、四つの画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）のうちの一つの拡大概略構成図である。四つの画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）は、使用するトナーの色が異なる以外は、同様の構成を備えている。このため、図２では、使用するトナーの色を示す添え字（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）は省略している。
画像形成ユニット１は、像担持体たるドラム状の感光体２、ドラムクリーニング装置３、除電装置、帯電装置６、現像装置８等を備えている。画像形成ユニット１は、これらの複数の装置が共通の保持体に保持されてプリンタ本体１００Ａに対して一体的に脱着可能なプロセスカートリッジユニットを構成していて、ユニット単位で交換可能とされている。 FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram of one of the four image forming units 1 (Y, M, C, and K). The four image forming units 1 (Y, M, C, K) have the same configuration except that the color of the toner used is different. For this reason, in FIG. 2, suffixes (Y, M, C, K) indicating the colors of the toners to be used are omitted.
The image forming unit 1 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 2 serving as an image carrier, a drum cleaning device 3, a charge removing device, a charging device 6, a developing device 8, and the like. The image forming unit 1 constitutes a process cartridge unit in which a plurality of these devices are held by a common holder and can be integrally attached to and detached from the printer main body 100A, and can be replaced in units. .

感光体２は、ドラム基体の表面上に有機感光層が形成されたドラム形状のものであって、モータ等の駆動手段によって図中反時計回り方向に回転駆動される。帯電装置６は、帯電バイアスが印加される帯電部材となる帯電ローラ７を感光体２に接触あるいは近接させながら、帯電ローラ７と感光体２との間に放電を発生させることで、感光体２の表面を一様帯電させている。帯電ローラ等の帯電部材を感光体２に接触あるいは近接させる方式に代えて、帯電チャージャーによる方式を採用してもよい。 Photoreceptor 2, it is of a drum-shaped organic photosensitive layer formed on the surface of the drum base, in the figure by a driving means such as a motor is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. The charging device 6 generates a discharge between the charging roller 7 and the photosensitive member 2 while bringing the charging roller 7 serving as a charging member to which a charging bias is applied into contact with or in proximity to the photosensitive member 2, so that the photosensitive member 2 is charged. Is uniformly charged. Instead of a method in which a charging member such as a charging roller is brought into contact with or close to the photoconductor 2, a method using a charging charger may be employed.

帯電ローラ７で一様帯電された感光体２の表面は、光書込ユニット１０１から発せられるレーザー光などの露光光によって光走査されて各色用の静電潜像を担持する。この静電潜像は、各色のトナーを用いる現像装置８によって現像されて各色の像としてのトナー像になる。感光体２のトナー像は、後述する無端状のベルト部材からなる中間転写ベルト３１上に一次転写される。   The surface of the photoreceptor 2 uniformly charged by the charging roller 7 is optically scanned by exposure light such as laser light emitted from the optical writing unit 101 and carries an electrostatic latent image for each color. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 8 using the toner of each color to become a toner image as an image of each color. The toner image on the photoconductor 2 is primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 31 composed of an endless belt member described later.

ドラムクリーニング装置３は、一次転写工程（後述する一次転写ニップ）を経た後の感光体２表面に付着している転写残トナーを除去するものである。ドラムクリーニング装置３は、回転駆動されるクリーニングブラシローラ４、片持ち支持された状態で自由端を感光体２に当接させるクリーニングブレード５などを有している。ドラムクリーニング装置３は、回転するクリーニングブラシローラ４で転写残トナーを感光体２の表面から掻き取り、クリーニングブレードで転写残トナーを感光体２表面から掻き落としてクリーニングする。除電装置は、ドラムクリーニング装置３によってクリーニングされた後の感光体２の残留電荷を除電する周知のものである。感光体２の表面は、この除電によって初期化されて次の画像形成に備えられる。   The drum cleaning device 3 removes transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 2 after a primary transfer process (primary transfer nip described later). The drum cleaning device 3 includes a cleaning brush roller 4 that is driven to rotate, a cleaning blade 5 that has a free end in contact with the photosensitive member 2 in a cantilevered state, and the like. The drum cleaning device 3 uses a rotating cleaning brush roller 4 to scrape off the transfer residual toner from the surface of the photoreceptor 2, and uses a cleaning blade to scrape off the transfer residual toner from the surface of the photoreceptor 2 for cleaning. The static eliminator is a known type that eliminates the residual charge of the photoconductor 2 after being cleaned by the drum cleaning device 3. The surface of the photoconductor 2 is initialized by the charge elimination, and is prepared for the next image formation.

現像装置８は、現像剤担持体となる現像ローラ９を内包する現像部１２と、現像剤を撹拌搬送する現像剤搬送部１３とを有している。現像剤搬送部１３は、第一スクリュー部材１０を収容する第一搬送室と、第二スクリュー部材１１を収容する第二搬送室とを有している。第一スクリュー部材１０及び第二スクリュー部材１１は、現像装置８のケースなどに回転自在に支持されていて、回転駆動されることで、現像剤を循環させながら搬送して現像ローラ９に現像剤を供給している。   The developing device 8 includes a developing unit 12 including a developing roller 9 serving as a developer carrier, and a developer conveying unit 13 for stirring and conveying the developer. The developer transport section 13 has a first transport chamber that houses the first screw member 10 and a second transport chamber that houses the second screw member 11. The first screw member 10 and the second screw member 11 are rotatably supported by a case or the like of the developing device 8, and are driven to rotate so that the developer is conveyed while circulating the developer and is supplied to the developing roller 9. Has been supplied.

図１に示すように、画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）の上方には、潜像書込手段たる光書込ユニット１０１が配設されている。この光書込ユニット１０１は、パーソナルコンピュータ等の外部機器から送られてくる画像情報に基づいてレーザーダイオードから発したレーザー光により、感光体２（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）を光走査する。この光走査により、感光体２（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）上にＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ用の静電潜像がそれぞれ形成される。   As shown in FIG. 1, an optical writing unit 101 serving as a latent image writing unit is provided above the image forming unit 1 (Y, M, C, K). The optical writing unit 101 optically scans the photoconductor 2 (Y, M, C, K) with laser light emitted from a laser diode based on image information sent from an external device such as a personal computer. By this optical scanning, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are respectively formed on the photoconductor 2 (Y, M, C, and K).

画像形成ユニット１（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）の下方には、無端状の中間転写ベルト３１を張架しながら図中時計回り方向に無端移動（回転走行）せしめるベルトユニットであり転写装置である転写ユニット３０が配設されている。この中間転写ベルト３１の回転移動方向をベルト移動方向Ａとする。
転写ユニット３０は、ベルト状の像担持体たる中間転写ベルト３１の他に、複数の回転部材としての駆動ローラ３２、二次転写裏面ローラ３３、クリーニングバックアップローラ３４と、四つの一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）と、２つの回転体であるローラ３６、３７とを有している。これらローラ３６，３７は押し下げローラと言うことがある。転写ユニット３０は、プリンタ本体１００Ａに対してユニットごと着脱自在（交換可能）とされている。中間転写ベルト３１のループ外側の周囲は、像担持体であり、二次転写部材としての二次転写ベルト４０４を備えた二次転写ユニット４１と、ベルトクリーニング装置３８などが配置されている。二次転写裏面ローラ３３は２次転写対向ローラともいう。 Below the image forming unit 1 (Y, M, C, K), a belt unit for endlessly moving (rotating and running) clockwise in FIG. A certain transfer unit 30 is provided. The rotational movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31 is referred to as a belt movement direction A.
The transfer unit 30 includes a drive roller 32 as a plurality of rotating members, a secondary transfer backside roller 33, a cleaning backup roller 34, and four primary transfer rollers 35 (in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 31 as a belt-shaped image carrier). Y, M, C, and K) and rollers 36 and 37 that are two rotating bodies. These rollers 36 and 37 may be referred to as pressing rollers. The transfer unit 30 is detachable (replaceable) together with the printer main body 100A. Around the outer side of the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 31 is an image carrier, and a secondary transfer unit 41 provided with a secondary transfer belt 404 as a secondary transfer member, a belt cleaning device 38, and the like are arranged. The secondary transfer back roller 33 is also called a secondary transfer opposing roller.

中間転写ベルト３１は、そのループ内側に配設された駆動ローラ３２、二次転写裏面ローラ３３、クリーニングバックアップローラ３４、四つの一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）及びローラ３６、３７に巻き掛けられて支持され張架されている。そして、駆動モータなどの駆動手段によって図中時計回り方向に回転駆動される駆動ローラ３２の回転力により、同方向に無端移動して搬送される。すなわち、転写ユニット３０は、複数の回転体でベルト部材を巻き掛けて支持して搬送するものである。   The intermediate transfer belt 31 includes a driving roller 32, a secondary transfer back roller 33, a cleaning backup roller 34, four primary transfer rollers 35 (Y, M, C, K) and rollers 36 and 37 disposed inside the loop. It is supported and stretched around. Then, the sheet is conveyed by being endlessly moved in the same direction by the rotational force of a driving roller 32 which is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving means such as a driving motor. That is, the transfer unit 30 transports the belt member wound around and supported by a plurality of rotating bodies.

四つの一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）は、無端移動される中間転写ベルト３１を感光体２（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）との間に挟み込んでいて、中間転写ベルト３１の像担持面を成すおもて面３１ａと感光体２（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）とが当接するＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ用の転写部となる一次転写ニップを形成している。一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）には、周知の転写バイアス電源よりそれぞれ一次転写バイアスが印加されている。これにより、感光体２（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）上のＹ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋのトナー像と、一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）との間に転写電界が形成される。   The four primary transfer rollers 35 (Y, M, C, and K) sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 31 that is moved endlessly between the photoconductors 2 (Y, M, C, and K). A primary transfer nip is formed as a transfer portion for Y, M, C, and K where the front surface 31a forming the image bearing surface of the photoconductor 2 (Y, M, C, and K) abuts. A primary transfer bias is applied to each of the primary transfer rollers 35 (Y, M, C, and K) from a known transfer bias power supply. Thereby, a transfer electric field is formed between the Y, M, C, and K toner images on the photoconductor 2 (Y, M, C, and K) and the primary transfer roller 35 (Y, M, C, and K). Is done.

イエロー用の感光体２Ｙの表面に形成されたＹトナー像は、イエロー用の感光体２Ｙの回転に伴ってイエロー用の一次転写ニップに進入する。そして、転写電界やニップ圧の作用により、イエロー用感光体２Ｙ上から中間転写ベルト３１上に一次転写される。このようにしてＹトナー像が一次転写された中間転写ベルト３１は、その後、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ用の一次転写ニップを順次通過する。そして、感光体２（Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）上のＭ、Ｃ、Ｋトナー像が、Ｙトナー像上に順次重ね合わせて一次転写される。この重ね合わせの一次転写により、中間転写ベルト３１上には四色重ね合わせトナー像が形成される。一次転写部材として、一次転写ローラ３５（Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋ）に代えて、転写チャージャーや転写ブラシなどを採用してもよい。   The Y toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 2Y for yellow enters the primary transfer nip for yellow as the photoconductor 2Y for yellow rotates. Then, primary transfer is performed from the yellow photoconductor 2Y onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the action of the transfer electric field and the nip pressure. The intermediate transfer belt 31 on which the Y toner image has been primary-transferred in this manner subsequently passes through the M, C, and K primary transfer nips sequentially. Then, the M, C, and K toner images on the photoconductor 2 (M, C, and K) are sequentially superimposed on the Y toner image to be primarily transferred. By the primary transfer of the superposition, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 31. As the primary transfer member, a transfer charger, a transfer brush, or the like may be employed instead of the primary transfer roller 35 (Y, M, C, K).

中間転写ベルト３１のループ外側に配設された二次転写ユニット４１は、ループ内側の二次転写裏面ローラ３３との間に中間転写ベルト３１を挟み込み、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａと、二次転写ベルト４０４とが当接する転写部となる二次転写ニップＮを形成している。二次転写裏面ローラ３３には、二次転写バイアス電源（以下「電源」と記す）３９により二次転写バイアスが印加される。これにより、二次転写裏面ローラ３３と二次転写ベルト４０４との間に、マイナス極性のトナーを二次転写裏面ローラ３３側から二次転写ベルト４０４側に向けて静電移動させる二次転写電界が形成される。   The secondary transfer unit 41 disposed outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 31 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 31 between the secondary transfer back roller 33 inside the loop and the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. , A secondary transfer nip N serving as a transfer portion in contact with the secondary transfer belt 404. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer back roller 33 by a secondary transfer bias power supply (hereinafter referred to as “power supply”) 39. Accordingly, a secondary transfer electric field that electrostatically moves the negative polarity toner from the secondary transfer back roller 33 side to the secondary transfer belt 404 side between the secondary transfer back roller 33 and the secondary transfer belt 404. Is formed.

転写ユニット３０の下方には、各種用紙や樹脂シートなどの記録材Ｐを複数枚重ねた束の状態で収容している収容部となるカセット６０が配設されている。このカセット６０は、束の一番上の記録材Ｐにローラ６０ａを当接させており、これを所定のタイミングで回転駆動させることで、その記録材Ｐをカセット６０から二次転写ニップＮの間に形成される搬送路６５に向けて送り出す。搬送路６５には、搬送ローラ対とレジストローラ対６１と、下ガイド部材６２と、上ガイド部（以下「ガイド部」と記す）５０とが配設されている。搬送路６５の内、レジストローラ対６１と二次転写ニップＮの間に位置する搬送路をニップ前搬送路６５ａと称する。このレジストローラ対６１は、カセット６０から送り出された記録材Ｐを二次転写ニップＮ内で中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａ上の四色重ね合わせトナー像に同期させ得るタイミングで回転駆動して、記録材Ｐを二次転写ニップＮに向けて送り出す。   Below the transfer unit 30, there is provided a cassette 60 serving as a storage unit for storing a plurality of recording materials P such as various types of paper and resin sheets in a stacked state. In the cassette 60, a roller 60a is brought into contact with the uppermost recording material P of the bundle, and by rotating this at a predetermined timing, the recording material P is transferred from the cassette 60 to the secondary transfer nip N. The paper is sent out to the conveyance path 65 formed between the two. The transport path 65 is provided with a transport roller pair, a registration roller pair 61, a lower guide member 62, and an upper guide section (hereinafter, referred to as “guide section”) 50. Among the transport paths 65, the transport path located between the registration roller pair 61 and the secondary transfer nip N is referred to as a pre-nip transport path 65a. The registration roller pair 61 is driven to rotate at a timing capable of synchronizing the recording material P sent from the cassette 60 with the four-color superimposed toner image on the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the secondary transfer nip N. Then, the recording material P is sent out to the secondary transfer nip N.

すなわち、転写ユニット３０は、像担持体が、画像となるトナー像が転写されて担持する無端状のベルト部材としての中間転写ベルト３１である。転写ユニット３０は、複数の回転部材としての駆動ローラ３２、二次転写裏面ローラ３３、クリーニングバックアップローラ３４、ローラ３６、３７で中間転写ベルト３１を巻き掛けて支持し、中間転写ベルト３１に転写されたトナー像を記録材Ｐとの転写部となる二次転写ニップＮまで搬送するベルトユニットである。   That is, the transfer unit 30 is an intermediate transfer belt 31 as an endless belt member on which the image carrier is transferred and carries a toner image to be an image. The transfer unit 30 wraps and supports the intermediate transfer belt 31 with a plurality of driving rollers 32, a secondary transfer backside roller 33, a cleaning backup roller 34, and rollers 36 and 37, which are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31. A belt unit that conveys the transferred toner image to a secondary transfer nip N, which is a transfer section for the recording material P.

二次転写ニップＮで記録材Ｐに密着せしめられた中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａの四色重ね合わせトナー像は、二次転写電界やニップ圧の作用によって記録材Ｐ上に一括二次転写され、記録材Ｐの白色と相まってフルカラートナー像となる。二次転写ニップＮを通過した後の中間転写ベルト３１には、記録材Ｐに転写されなかった転写残トナーが付着している。転写残トナーは、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接しているベルトクリーニング装置３８によってベルト表面からクリーニングされる。中間転写ベルト３１のループ内側に配設されたクリーニングバックアップローラ３４は、ベルトクリーニング装置３８によるベルトのクリーニングをループ内側からバックアップする。
中間転写ベルト３１のループ外側には、電位センサ６３が配設されている。電位センサ６３は、中間転写ベルト３１の周方向における全域のうち、駆動ローラ３２に対する掛け回し箇所に対して、間隙を介して対向配置されている。そして、中間転写ベルト３１上に一次転写されたトナー像が自らとの対向位置に進入した際に、そのトナー像の表面電位を測定する。 The four-color superimposed toner image on the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 brought into close contact with the recording material P at the secondary transfer nip N is collectively transferred onto the recording material P by the action of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure. The next transfer is performed to form a full-color toner image in combination with the white color of the recording material P. Transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the recording material P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 31 after passing through the secondary transfer nip N. The transfer residual toner is cleaned from the belt surface by a belt cleaning device 38 in contact with the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The cleaning backup roller 34 disposed inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 31 backs up the belt cleaning by the belt cleaning device 38 from inside the loop.
Outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 31, a potential sensor 63 is provided. The potential sensor 63 is disposed opposite to a position where the potential transfer belt 63 is wound around the drive roller 32 across a gap in the entire area of the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the circumferential direction. Then, when the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 enters a position facing itself, the surface potential of the toner image is measured.

二次転写ニップＮよりも記録材Ｐの搬送方向Ｂの下流側には、ニップ後搬送路６５ｂが形成されている。以下、記録材Ｐの搬送方向Ｂの下流側を搬送方向下流側と称し、搬送方向下流側とは二次転写ニップＮの図中左側方である。ニップ後搬送路６５ｂ上には、周知の定着装置９０が配設されている。定着装置９０には、フルカラートナー像が転写された記録材Ｐが送り込まれる。送り込まれた記録材Ｐは、熱源を内部に備えた定着ローラ９１と加圧ローラ９２とが接触する定着ニップに挟まれ、加熱と加圧よって、フルカラートナー像中のトナーが軟化して定着される。定着後の記録材Ｐは、定着装置９０内から排出され、ニップ後搬送路６５ｂを介して機外へと排出される。   A post-nip conveyance path 65b is formed downstream of the secondary transfer nip N in the conveyance direction B of the recording material P. Hereinafter, the downstream side in the transport direction B of the recording material P is referred to as the downstream side in the transport direction, and the downstream side in the transport direction is the left side of the secondary transfer nip N in the drawing. A well-known fixing device 90 is provided on the post-nip conveyance path 65b. The recording material P to which the full-color toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 90. The fed recording material P is sandwiched by a fixing nip where a fixing roller 91 having a heat source and a pressure roller 92 are in contact with each other, and the toner in the full-color toner image is softened and fixed by heating and pressing. You. The recording material P after the fixing is discharged from the inside of the fixing device 90 and discharged outside the apparatus via the post-nip conveyance path 65b.

プリンタ本体１００Ａには、二次転写ユニット４１が支持ユニット４０に支持されて配置されている。二次転写ユニット４１は、支持ユニット４０に着脱可能に支持されていて、ユニット単位で交換可能とされている。二次転写ユニット４１は、二次転写裏面ローラ３３と中間転写ベルト３１を介して対向配置された回転体であり転写部材としてのニップ形成ローラ４００を備えている。二次転写ユニット４１は、３つの回転体としてローラ４０１、４０２、４０３と、ニップ形成ローラ４００及びローラ４０１、４０２、４０３に巻き掛けられた二次転写ベルト４０４とを備えている。二次転写ベルト４０４は、像担持体であり転写部材でもある。つまり、二次転写ユニット４１は、像担持体が無端状のベルト部材で構成された二次転写ベルト４０４であって、複数の回転体となるニップ形成ローラ４００及びローラ４０１、４０２、４０３で二次転写ベルト４０４を巻き掛けて支持して搬送するベルトユニットである。なお、ニップ形成ローラ４００は２次転写ローラともいう。   In the printer main body 100A, a secondary transfer unit 41 is disposed so as to be supported by the support unit 40. The secondary transfer unit 41 is detachably supported by the support unit 40 and can be replaced in units. The secondary transfer unit 41 is a rotating body that is disposed to face the secondary transfer back surface roller 33 with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween, and includes a nip forming roller 400 as a transfer member. The secondary transfer unit 41 includes rollers 401, 402, and 403 as three rotating bodies, and a nip forming roller 400 and a secondary transfer belt 404 wound around the rollers 401, 402, and 403. The secondary transfer belt 404 is an image carrier and a transfer member. That is, the secondary transfer unit 41 is a secondary transfer belt 404 in which the image carrier is formed of an endless belt member, and includes a nip forming roller 400 and rollers 401, 402, and 403, which are a plurality of rotating bodies. A belt unit that winds, supports, and conveys the next transfer belt 404. The nip forming roller 400 is also called a secondary transfer roller.

ニップ形成ローラ４００は、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａのトナー像を記録材Ｐに対して２次転写させるものである。すなわち、ニップ形成ローラ４００は、二次転写ベルト４０４内に設けられていて、二次転写裏面ローラ３３と対向配置されている。ニップ形成ローラ４００は、二次転写裏面ローラ３３との間に中間転写ベルト３１と二次転写ベルト４０４を挟み込んでいる。ニップ形成ローラ４００は、二次転写ベルト４０４に対して付勢されることで当接していて、中間転写ベルト３１と二次転写ベルト４０４の間に二次転写ニップＮを形成している。   The nip forming roller 400 secondary-transfers the toner image on the front surface 31 a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the recording material P. That is, the nip forming roller 400 is provided in the secondary transfer belt 404 and is disposed to face the secondary transfer back roller 33. The nip forming roller 400 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the secondary transfer belt 404 between the nip forming roller 400 and the secondary transfer back roller 33. The nip forming roller 400 is in contact with the secondary transfer belt 404 by being urged against the secondary transfer belt 404, and forms a secondary transfer nip N between the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the secondary transfer belt 404.

本実施形態では、二次転写裏面ローラ３３に、二次転写に用いるバイアス（二次転写バイアス）を電源３９から印加するように構成しているが、ニップ形成ローラ４００にバイアスを電源３９から印加するようにしてもよい。ニップ形成ローラ４００にバイアス（二次転写バイアスを印加する場合には、トナーとは逆極性の二次転写バイアスを印加し、二次転写裏面ローラ３３にバイアスを印加する場合には、トナーと同極性のバイアスを印加する。ローラ４０１は、静電吸着力によって二次転写ベルト４０４上に貼り付いた記録材Ｐを、ローラ４０１の曲率分離によって二次転写ベルト４０４上から剥離させるものである。   In this embodiment, the bias used for the secondary transfer (secondary transfer bias) is applied to the secondary transfer back roller 33 from the power supply 39, but the bias is applied to the nip forming roller 400 from the power supply 39. You may make it. When a bias is applied to the nip forming roller 400 (when a secondary transfer bias is applied, a secondary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied, and when a bias is applied to the secondary transfer backside roller 33, the same as the toner is applied). The roller 401 peels off the recording material P stuck on the secondary transfer belt 404 by the electrostatic attraction force by separating the curvature of the roller 401 from the secondary transfer belt 404.

次に、二次転写ニップＮよりも搬送方向Ｂの上流側（以下「搬送方向上流側」と記す）の構成について説明する。
図１６（ａ）、図１６（ｂ）は、従来の、二次転写ニップＮよりも搬送方向上流側の構成を示す図である。従来の構成では、二次転写ニップＮとレジストローラ対６１の間に位置するニップ前搬送路６５ａの下部に下ガイド部材６２が、ニップ前搬送路６５ａの上部に上ガイド部材５００がそれぞれ互いに対向して配置されている。また、二次転写裏面ローラ３３よりも搬送方向上流側には、ローラ３６が中間転写ベルト３１の非像担持面となる裏面３１ｂに当接して配置されている。また、本来、二次転写ニップＮに向かう記録材Ｐは、平らであるが搬送路６５や上ガイド部材５００との接触によって湾曲した状態で搬送されることが多い。すなわち、記録材Ｐは、レジストローラ６１と二次転写ニップＮとの間で、記録材Ｐのおもて面（画像が転写される面）へむけて湾曲するような姿勢をとる。
このような構成において、下ガイド部材６２と上ガイド部材５００の間に搬送された記録材Ｐは、図１６（ａ）に示すように、その前端Ｐａが上ガイド部材５００を通過すると、ローラ３６と二次転写ニップＮの間の中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接する。この前端Ｐａの当接により、中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に向かって押し上げられることで、中間転写ベルト３１が振動してしまう。すると、記録材Ｐと中間転写ベルト３１（おもて面３１ａ）とが接触と非接触を繰り返すことでトナー像や転写された画像が乱れて異常画像が発生してしまう。 Next, the configuration on the upstream side of the secondary transfer nip N in the transport direction B (hereinafter, referred to as “upstream in the transport direction”) will be described.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are views showing a conventional configuration on the upstream side in the transport direction from the secondary transfer nip N. FIG. In the conventional configuration, the lower guide member 62 faces the lower part of the pre-nip transport path 65a located between the secondary transfer nip N and the registration roller pair 61, and the upper guide member 500 faces the upper part of the pre-nip transport path 65a. It is arranged. Further, on the upstream side in the transport direction from the secondary transfer back roller 33, a roller 36 is disposed in contact with a back surface 31 b of the intermediate transfer belt 31, which is a non-image bearing surface. Also, the recording material P originally heading toward the secondary transfer nip N is often transported in a curved state due to contact with the transport path 65 and the upper guide member 500. That is, the recording material P takes a posture between the registration roller 61 and the secondary transfer nip N so as to be curved toward the front surface (the surface on which the image is transferred) of the recording material P.
In such a configuration, when the front end Pa of the recording material P conveyed between the lower guide member 62 and the upper guide member 500 passes through the upper guide member 500 as shown in FIG. Abuts against the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 between the second transfer nip N and the second transfer nip N. Due to the contact of the front end Pa, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is pushed up toward the inside of the belt, so that the intermediate transfer belt 31 vibrates. Then, as the recording material P and the intermediate transfer belt 31 (the front surface 31a) repeat contact and non-contact, the toner image and the transferred image are disturbed and an abnormal image occurs.

記録材Ｐの搬送が進むと、前端Ｐａが二次転写ニップＮ内に案内されるとともに、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐとが密着されて二次転写ニップＮへと進入していく。そして、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが上ガイド部材５００を通過し終えると、湾曲状態から平らな状態に戻ろうとする復元作用によって、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが図１６（ｂ）に示すように中間転写ベルト３１側に向かって跳ね上がってしまい、おもて面３１ａに当接する。おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂとの当接が緩やかであれば問題とはならない。
しかし、跳ね上がり方は、記録材Ｐのコシ（厚さ）や搬送速度によってばらつきがあり、勢いよく中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接すると、記録材Ｐがベルト内側方向に向かって急激に押し上げられてしまう。この結果、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂとの密着状態が悪くなる。そして、二次転写ニップＮの手前で後端Ｐｂとおもて面３１ａの間に隙間Ｆ’が形成されてしまうと、二次転写バイアスによって隙間Ｆ’で放電が起こり、トナー像が乱れることによる異常画像が発生してしまう。 As the conveyance of the recording material P proceeds, the front end Pa is guided into the secondary transfer nip N, and the front surface 31a and the recording material P are brought into close contact with each other and enter the secondary transfer nip N. Then, when the rear end Pb of the recording material P has passed through the upper guide member 500, the rear end Pb of the recording material P is restored by a restoring action of returning to a flat state from the curved state, as shown in FIG. Then, it jumps up toward the intermediate transfer belt 31 and comes into contact with the front surface 31a. If the contact between the front surface 31a and the rear end Pb of the recording material P is gentle, no problem occurs.
However, the manner in which the recording material P jumps varies depending on the stiffness (thickness) of the recording material P and the conveyance speed. When the recording material P vigorously comes into contact with the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31, the recording material P moves inward of the belt. It is pushed up sharply. As a result, the state of adhesion between the front surface 31a and the rear end Pb of the recording material P deteriorates. If a gap F ′ is formed between the rear end Pb and the front surface 31a before the secondary transfer nip N, discharge occurs in the gap F ′ due to the secondary transfer bias, and the toner image is disturbed. An abnormal image occurs.

そこで、本実施形態では、図３〜図６に示すように、二次転写ニップＮよりも記録材Ｐの搬送方向上流側に形成されたニップ前搬送路６５ａの上側（中間転写ベルト３１側）に、第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２を備えたガイド部５０を配置した。すなわち、第１のガイド部材５１を、記録材Ｐの前端Ｐａおよび記録材全体を押さえつける機能部材として設け、第２のガイド部材５２を、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが湾曲状態から戻ろうとする際のショックを和らげる機能部材として設けている。このため、従来のガイド部材５００のように、記録材Ｐの前端Ｐａと後端Ｐｂを１つのガイド部材で案内する機能を２つに分離した。なお、図３〜図５では、中間転写ベルト３１の記載を省略しており、適宜、図１、図７、図８を引用することがある。   Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the upper side of the pre-nip conveyance path 65 a formed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material P from the secondary transfer nip N (on the side of the intermediate transfer belt 31). , A guide section 50 having first and second guide members 51 and 52 is disposed. That is, the first guide member 51 is provided as a functional member that presses the front end Pa of the recording material P and the entire recording material, and the second guide member 52 is used when the rear end Pb of the recording material P tries to return from the curved state. Is provided as a functional member for cushioning the shock. For this reason, the function of guiding the front end Pa and the rear end Pb of the recording material P with one guide member as in the conventional guide member 500 is divided into two functions. 3 to 5, the description of the intermediate transfer belt 31 is omitted, and FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 may be appropriately referred to.

ガイド部５０は、金属製の取付部５３と、この取付部５３に取付けられた第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２とを備えている。第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２は、樹脂製のフィルム材で形成されている。
第１のガイド部材５１は、図３に示すように、二次転写ニップＮよりも記録材Ｐの搬送方向上流側に、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａとするように対向配置され（図７参照）、二次転写ニップＮに向かって搬送される記録材Ｐを案内するものである。第２のガイド部材５２は、第１のガイド部材５１よりも記録材Ｐの搬送方向上流側にずれていて、その一部が第１のガイド部材５１と対向配置され、二次転写ニップＮに向かって搬送される記録材Ｐを案内するものである。つまり、第２のガイド部材５２は、第１のガイド部材５１よりも搬送方向上流側に配置され、第１のガイド部材５１と間隔を空けて配置されている。また、第１および第２のガイド部材５１，５２は、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａ側へ移動しようとする記録材Ｐの動きを規制する機能も備えている。 The guide portion 50 includes a metal attachment portion 53, and a first guide member 51 and a second guide member 52 attached to the attachment portion 53. The first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are formed of a resin film material.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide member 51 is disposed on the upstream side of the secondary transfer nip N in the conveying direction of the recording material P so as to face the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 ( This guides the recording material P conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip N (see FIG. 7). The second guide member 52 is displaced upstream of the first guide member 51 in the conveying direction of the recording material P, and a part of the second guide member 52 is arranged to face the first guide member 51. This guides the recording material P conveyed toward it. That is, the second guide member 52 is disposed upstream of the first guide member 51 in the transport direction, and is disposed at an interval from the first guide member 51. The first and second guide members 51 and 52 also have a function of restricting the movement of the recording material P that is moving toward the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31.

第１のガイド部材５１は、図３、図４に示すように、搬送方向Ｂと交差する幅方向Ｘに延びた長方形状を成している。第１のガイド部材５１は、幅方向Ｘに位置する一方の端部５１ａから他方の端部５１ｂに延びる長辺部の１つを先端５１ｃとしている。第１のガイド部材５１は、この先端５１ｃが、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから二次転写ニップＮに向かって突出するように、中間転写ベルト３１と対向する取付部５３の対向面である図５、図６に示す上面５３ｆにその一端５１Ａが取付けられている。第１のガイド部材５１は、図３に示すように、幅方向Ｘに連続する先端５１ｃが、搬送方向Ｂと平面視において直交するように上面５３ｆに両面テープなどで取付けられてローラ３６、３７と対向配置されている。   As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first guide member 51 has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction X intersecting with the transport direction B. The first guide member 51 has one of the long sides extending from one end 51a located in the width direction X to the other end 51b as a tip 51c. The first guide member 51 is a surface of the mounting portion 53 facing the intermediate transfer belt 31 such that the front end 51c projects from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 toward the secondary transfer nip N. 5. One end 51A is attached to the upper surface 53f shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide member 51 is attached to the upper surface 53 f with a double-sided tape or the like so that the leading end 51 c continuous in the width direction X is orthogonal to the transport direction B in a plan view. And are arranged to face each other.

第２のガイド部材５２は、図３、図４に示すように、搬送方向Ｂと交差する幅方向Ｘに延びた略長方形状を成している。第２のガイド部材５２は、幅方向Ｘに位置する一方の端部５２ａから他方の端部５２ｂに延びる長辺部の１つを先端５２ｃとしている。第２のガイド部材５２は、この先端５２ｃが、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから二次転写ニップＮに向かって突出するように、上面５３ｆと反対側に位置する取付部５３の反対面である図５、図６に示す下面５３ｇにその一端５２Ａが取り付けられている。
第２のガイド部材５２は、幅方向Ｘに連続する先端５２ｃが、幅方向Ｘの一方の端部５２ａから他方の端部５２ｂにかけて搬送方向Ｂと平面視において交差する方向に傾斜するように、下面５３ｇに両面テープなどで取付けられて配置されている。すなわち、第２のガイド部材５２は、第１のガイド部材５１との対向領域となる、下流端５３ｃから先端５１ｃの突出量ｔ３の斜線で示す範囲Ｒにおいて、一方の端部５２ａから他方の端部５２ｂにかけて傾斜して配置されている。第２のガイド部材５２は、一方の端部５２ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ１よりも、他方の端部５２ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ２が大きくなるように、先端５２ｃが傾斜して形成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second guide member 52 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the width direction X crossing the transport direction B. The second guide member 52 has one of the long sides extending from one end 52a located in the width direction X to the other end 52b as a tip 52c. The second guide member 52 is the opposite surface of the mounting portion 53 located on the side opposite to the upper surface 53f such that the tip end 52c projects from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 toward the secondary transfer nip N. One end 52A is attached to the lower surface 53g shown in FIGS.
The second guide member 52 is such that the tip 52c continuous in the width direction X, inclined in a direction intersecting the conveying direction B in plan view from one end 52a in the width direction X to the other end 5 2b , And is attached to the lower surface 53g with a double-sided tape or the like. That is, the second guide member 52 extends from one end 52a to the other end in a range R indicated by a hatched portion from the downstream end 53c to the protrusion amount t3 of the tip 51c, which is a region facing the first guide member 51. It is arranged to be inclined toward the portion 52b. The tip 52c of the second guide member 52 is inclined such that the amount of protrusion t2 of the other end 52b from the downstream end 53c is greater than the amount of protrusion t1 of the other end 52a from the downstream end 53c. It is formed.

図６に示すように、第１のガイド部材５１及び第２のガイド部材５２は、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに近接離間する方向（以下「近接離間方向」と記す）Ｅに所定間隔Ｄ１を空けて対向配置されている。つまり、取付部５３は、近接離間方向に厚さＤを有し、取付部５３の上面５３ｆに第１のガイド部材５１を取付け、取付部５３の下面５３ｇに第２のガイド部材５１を取付けている。このため第１のガイド部材５１及び第２のガイド部材５２は、取付部５３の厚さＤ相当、離間した状態で互いに対向するように、取付部５３に設けられている。また、所定間隔Ｄ１とは、第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材の互いの対向面となる第１のガイド部材５１の裏面５１ｅと第２のガイド部材５２の上面５２ｄの間隔である。   As shown in FIG. 6, the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are set in a direction E (hereinafter, referred to as “proximity separation direction”) approaching and separating from the front surface 31 a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. They are arranged facing each other with an interval D1. That is, the mounting portion 53 has a thickness D in the approaching / separating direction, and the first guide member 51 is mounted on the upper surface 53f of the mounting portion 53, and the second guide member 51 is mounted on the lower surface 53g of the mounting portion 53. I have. For this reason, the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are provided on the mounting portion 53 so as to correspond to the thickness D of the mounting portion 53 and to face each other in a separated state. The predetermined distance D1 is the distance between the back surface 51e of the first guide member 51, which is the surface of the first guide member 51 and the second guide member facing each other, and the upper surface 52d of the second guide member 52. .

本実施形態において、第２のガイド部材５２は、図５、図６に示すように、複数の樹脂製のシート部材５２１、５２２を搬送方向Ｂにずらし、近接離間方向Ｅに積層して形成されている。シート部材５２１はシート部材５２２よりも取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから突出する大きさを有し、取付部５３の下面５３ｇに取付けられている。シート部材５２２は、シート部材５２１の下面５２１ａに張り付けられている。
つまり、本実施形態において、第２のガイド部材５２の突出量ｔ１、ｔ２とは、シート部材５２１のものである。また、所定間隔Ｄ１とは、第１のガイド部材５１の裏面５２ｄとシート部材５２１の上面５２１ｄの変形前の間隔である。変形前とは、記録材Ｐと接触して弾性変形する前の状態である。 In the present embodiment, the second guide member 52 is formed by shifting a plurality of resin sheet members 521 and 522 in the transport direction B and laminating them in the approach / separation direction E as shown in FIGS. ing. The sheet member 521 has a size protruding from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 with respect to the sheet member 522, and is mounted on the lower surface 53g of the mounting portion 53. The sheet member 522 is attached to the lower surface 521a of the sheet member 521.
That is, in the present embodiment, the protrusion amounts t1 and t2 of the second guide member 52 are those of the sheet member 521. The predetermined distance D1 is a distance between the back surface 52d of the first guide member 51 and the upper surface 521d of the sheet member 521 before deformation. The state before the deformation is a state before the recording material P is elastically deformed by contact with the recording material P.

第１のガイド部材５１の近接離間方向Ｅにおける厚さをｄ１、第２のガイド部材の厚さをｄ２としたとき、両者はｄ１≧ｄ２となるように形成されている。第２のガイド部材の厚さｄ２は、シート部材５２１の厚さｄ３とシート部材５２２の厚さｄ４の合わせた厚みである。なお、第２のガイド部材５２から第１のガイド部材５１へと、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂをよりスムーズに受け渡すためには、ｄ１＞ｄ２とすることが好ましい。   When the thickness of the first guide member 51 in the approach / separation direction E is d1 and the thickness of the second guide member is d2, both are formed so that d1 ≧ d2. The thickness d2 of the second guide member is a combined thickness of the thickness d3 of the sheet member 521 and the thickness d4 of the sheet member 522. In order to smoothly transfer the trailing end Pb of the recording material P from the second guide member 52 to the first guide member 51, it is preferable that d1> d2.

第２のガイド部材５２を複数のシート部材５２１、５２２を積層して形成したのは、厚さを調整しやすくするためである。すなわち、第１のガイド部材５１は、二次転写ニップＮよりも搬送方向上流側において主に記録材の前端Ｐａや通紙中の記録材全体を押さえる機能を持っている。このため、記録材Ｐと接触して弾性変形しても中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａと接触しない剛性が必要になる。これに対し第２のガイド部材５２には、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂと接触した際には弾性変形して、後端Ｐｂをスムーズに第１のガイド部材５１に受け渡すために、剛性よりもしなやかさが要求される。このため、その厚さｄ２を１枚のシート部材で設定するのは難しく、複数枚のシート部材を積層して希望の厚さｄ２とするのが好ましい。このようなことから、第１のガイド部材５１の厚さｄ１と第２のガイド部材の厚さｄ２との関係は、ｄ１≧ｄ２としている。なお第２のガイド部材５２を形成するシート部材の枚数は２枚に限定されるものではなく、２枚以上であってもよいし、適切な弾性変形が可能であれば１枚のシート部材で構成したものであってもよい。 The reason why the second guide member 52 is formed by laminating the plurality of sheet members 521 and 522 is to make it easy to adjust the thickness. That is, the first guide member 51 has a function for pressing the main recording medium whole in front Pa and fed in the recording material in the conveyance direction upstream side of the secondary transfer nip N. For this reason, rigidity that does not make contact with the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 is required even if the intermediate transfer belt 31 is elastically deformed by contact with the recording material P. On the other hand, when the second guide member 52 comes into contact with the rear end Pb of the recording material P, the second guide member 52 is elastically deformed to smoothly transfer the rear end Pb to the first guide member 51. If suppleness is required. For this reason, it is difficult to set the thickness d2 with one sheet member, and it is preferable to stack a plurality of sheet members to have a desired thickness d2. For this reason, the relationship between the thickness d1 of the first guide member 51 and the thickness d2 of the second guide member is d1 ≧ d2. The number of sheet members forming the second guide member 52 is not limited to two, and may be two or more, or one sheet member if appropriate elastic deformation is possible. It may be configured.

次に取付部５３の構成について説明する。
取付部５３は、図３に示すように幅方向Ｘに延びた長方形状であって、第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２の幅方向Ｘへの長さよりも長く形成されている。幅方向Ｘに位置する取付部５３の両端５３ａ、５３ｂは、幅方向Ｘと側面視において直交する上方に屈曲されていて、取付側面５３ｄ、５３ｅが形成されている。
取付部５３には、第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２とを所定間隔Ｄ１離間して取付けられる。第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２とを所定間隔Ｄ１だけ離間させて配置するのは、第２のガイド部材５２の変形領域を確保するためである。このため、少なくとも第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２の一端５１Ａ、５２Ａが取り付けられる部位の取付部５３の厚さＤは、所定間隔Ｄ１相当にしている。取付部５３の厚さＤと所定間隔Ｄ１とは少しずれがある。これは第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２を両面テープで上面５３ｆと下面５３ｇとに取付けるため、所定間隔Ｄ１には厚さＤ＋両面テープの厚みが含まれるためである。第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２を上面５３ｆと下面５３ｇとに取付けるために両面テープを用いることなく、例えば液状の接着剤を用いる場合であれば、所定間隔Ｄ１に両面テープの厚さを考慮しなくてもよいので、取付部５３の厚さＤが所定間隔Ｄ１となる。 Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 53 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 53 has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction X, and is formed to be longer than the length of the first and second guide members 51 and 52 in the width direction X. Both ends 53a, 53b of the mounting portion 53 located in the width direction X are bent upward perpendicular to the width direction X in a side view, and mounting side surfaces 53d, 53e are formed.
The first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are attached to the attachment portion 53 at a predetermined interval D1. The reason why the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance D1 is to secure a deformation area of the second guide member 52. For this reason, at least the thickness D of the mounting portion 53 at the portion where the first ends 51A, 52A of the first and second guide members 51, 52 are mounted is equivalent to the predetermined distance D1. There is a slight deviation between the thickness D of the mounting portion 53 and the predetermined interval D1. This is because the first and second guide members 51 and 52 are attached to the upper surface 53f and the lower surface 53g with a double-sided tape, and the predetermined interval D1 includes the thickness D + the thickness of the double-sided tape. The first and second guide members 51 and 52 are attached to the upper surface 53f and the lower surface 53g without using a double-sided tape. For example, when a liquid adhesive is used, the thickness of the double-sided tape is set at a predetermined interval D1. Need not be considered, the thickness D of the mounting portion 53 becomes the predetermined interval D1.

図４、図５に示すように、取付部５３は、取付側面５３ｄ、５３ｅに孔部５３ｈ、５３ｉが形成されている。そしてガイド部５０は、取付部５３のこれら孔部５３ｈ、５３ｉに、転写ユニット３０の金属製の側板などに設けられたピンや軸を挿入することで、側板に支持固定されるので、剛性が要求される部材でもある。しかし、所定間隔Ｄ１を考慮すると、その厚さＤは限定されてしまう。
そこで、本実施形態では、取付部５３に金属部材である補強部材５６を接合して、その厚さを部分的に厚くしている。補強部材５６は、幅方向Ｘに延びた断面Ｌ字形状を成している。補強部材５６は、取付側面５３ｄ、５３ｅの間で、かつ、取付部５３における第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２が取り付けられる側とは反対側となる後端５３Ａに配置されている。本実施形態において、補強部材５６は、図３に示すように取付側面５３ｄ、５３ｅと接合するとともに、後端５３Ａの上面５３Ａ１に載置されて接合されている。取付部５３は、図３に示すように補強部材５６と取付側面５３ｄ、５３ｅとの接合部Ｇ１を溶接し、補強部材５６と上面５３Ａ１との接合部Ｇ２をカシメることで一体化して形成されている。取付部５３は、導電性の金属部材で構成されていて、転写ユニット３０の金属製の側板を介して接地されている。 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting portion 53 has holes 53h and 53i formed on mounting side surfaces 53d and 53e. The guide portion 50 is supported and fixed to the side plate by inserting a pin or a shaft provided on a metal side plate or the like of the transfer unit 30 into the holes 53h and 53i of the mounting portion 53, so that the rigidity is reduced. It is also a required member. However, considering the predetermined interval D1, the thickness D is limited.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 56, which is a metal member, is joined to the mounting portion 53 to partially increase the thickness. The reinforcing member 56 has an L-shaped cross section extending in the width direction X. The reinforcing member 56 is disposed between the mounting side surfaces 53d and 53e and at a rear end 53A opposite to the side where the first and second guide members 51 and 52 are mounted on the mounting portion 53. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 56 is joined to the mounting side surfaces 53d and 53e as shown in FIG. 3, and is also placed and joined to the upper surface 53A1 of the rear end 53A. As shown in FIG. 3, the attachment portion 53 is integrally formed by welding a joint G1 between the reinforcing member 56 and the attachment side surfaces 53d and 53e, and caulking a joint G2 between the reinforcement member 56 and the upper surface 53A1. ing. The mounting portion 53 is made of a conductive metal member, and is grounded via a metal side plate of the transfer unit 30.

このように、複数の金属部材を接合して取付部５３を形成すると、第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２の所定間隔Ｄ１を確保しながら、剛性を確保することができるので好ましい。さらに、剛性を確保できることから、図６に示すように、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａと、第１のガイド部材５１のおもて面３１ａとの対向面５１ｄとの空隙Ｆを安定化させやすくなる。 As described above, it is preferable to form the attachment portion 53 by joining a plurality of metal members because the rigidity can be secured while maintaining the predetermined distance D1 between the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52. . Furthermore, since that can ensure the rigidity, as shown in FIG. 6, the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31, the gap F between the opposing surface 51d of the front surface 31a of the first guide member 51 Is easily stabilized.

次にガイド部５０の作用について図７〜図１０を用いて説明する。図７、図８は、腰の強い記録材Ｐとして厚紙通紙時の状態を示し、図９、図１０は、腰の弱い記録材Ｐ１として厚紙よりも坪量の低い薄紙通紙時の状態を示す。
図７（ａ）に示すように、下ガイド部材６２とガイド部材５０の間に形成されたニップ前搬送路６５ａに搬送される。搬送された厚い記録材Ｐは、その前端Ｐａが搬送形態によっては搬送方向上流側に位置する第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃと第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃに接触して通過する。前端Ｐａがガイド部５０を通過すると、ローラ３７と二次転写ニップＮの間において中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接する。この当接により、従来は前端Ｐａにより中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に向かって押し上げられることで、中間転写ベルト３１が振動した。
しかし、本実施形態ではローラ３７が配置されているので、中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に向かって押し上げられることを防止することができる。第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃは、搬送方向Ｂに対して平面視において直交するように配置されている。このため、第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃの下を記録材Ｐが通過する際に、均等に先端５１ｃが記録材Ｐと接触して二次転写ニップＮに案内されるので、二次転写ニップＮに対する記録材Ｐの前端Ｐａの進入が安定する。 Next, the operation of the guide portion 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a state in which thick stiff recording material P is passed through thick paper, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show a weak stiff recording material P1 in the case of passing thin paper having a lower basis weight than thick paper. Is shown.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the sheet is conveyed to a pre-nip conveyance path 65a formed between the lower guide member 62 and the guide member 50. The transported thick recording material P has its front end Pa contacting and passing through the distal end 52c of the second guide member 52 and the distal end 51c of the first guide member 51 located upstream in the transport direction depending on the transport mode. When the front end Pa passes through the guide portion 50, the front end Pa comes into contact with the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 between the roller 37 and the secondary transfer nip N. By this contact, conventionally, the intermediate transfer belt 31 was pushed up toward the inside of the belt by the front end Pa, so that the intermediate transfer belt 31 vibrated.
However, in this embodiment, since the rollers 37 are arranged, it is possible to prevent the intermediate transfer belt 31 from being pushed up toward the inside of the belt. The distal end 51c of the first guide member 51 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction B in plan view. For this reason, when the recording material P passes under the front end 51c of the first guide member 51, the front end 51c contacts the recording material P evenly and is guided to the secondary transfer nip N, so that the secondary transfer is performed. The entry of the front end Pa of the recording material P into the nip N is stabilized.

記録材Ｐの前端Ｐａが二次転写ニップＮに進入すると、記録材Ｐの撓みが大きくなるが、第１のガイド部材５１に剛性を持たせているので、過度に第１のガイド部材５１が中間転写ベルト３１側に撓むことを抑制することができる。このため、おもて面３１ａと第１のガイド部材５１との接触が回避されるため、中間転写ベルト３１の振動を抑制でき、おもて面３１ａに担持されているトナー像の乱れによる異常画像を防止することができる。   When the front end Pa of the recording material P enters the secondary transfer nip N, the bending of the recording material P increases. However, since the first guide member 51 has rigidity, the first guide member 51 Deflection toward the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be suppressed. For this reason, the contact between the front surface 31a and the first guide member 51 is avoided, so that the vibration of the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be suppressed, and the abnormality caused by the disturbance of the toner image carried on the front surface 31a. Images can be prevented.

記録材Ｐの搬送が進むと、前端Ｐａが二次転写ニップＮ内に案内されるとともに、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐとが密着されて二次転写ニップＮへと進入していく。そして、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが図７（ｂ）に示すように、ガイド部５０の下部に到達すると、第２のガイド部材５２に接触しながら移動する。第２のガイド部材５２は撓みやすく形成されているので、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが、湾曲状態から平らな状態に戻ろうとする復元作用が緩やかになる。また、第２のガイド部材５２は、その上方に配置された第１のガイド部材５１との間に変形に必要な所定間隔Ｄ１を持って配置されているので、その変形が第１のガイド部材５１によって阻害されることがない。このため、第２のガイド部材５２は、設定した分だけ十分に撓むことができ、後端Ｐｂが平らな状態に戻ろうとする力を吸収することができる。   As the conveyance of the recording material P proceeds, the front end Pa is guided into the secondary transfer nip N, and the front surface 31a and the recording material P are brought into close contact with each other and enter the secondary transfer nip N. Then, when the rear end Pb of the recording material P reaches the lower part of the guide portion 50 as shown in FIG. 7B, the recording material P moves while contacting the second guide member 52. Since the second guide member 52 is formed to be easily bent, the restoring action of the rear end Pb of the recording material P to return from the curved state to the flat state becomes gentle. Further, since the second guide member 52 is disposed with a predetermined distance D1 required for deformation between the second guide member 52 and the first guide member 51 disposed thereon, the deformation is caused by the first guide member 51. It is not inhibited by 51. Therefore, the second guide member 52 can sufficiently bend by the set amount, and can absorb the force of the rear end Pb trying to return to a flat state.

第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃは、搬送方向Ｂに対して幅方向Ｘにおいて、一方の端部５２ａから他方の端部５２ｂにかけて傾斜して配置されている。すなわち、第２のガイド部材５２は、一方の端部５２ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ１よりも、他方の端部５２ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ２が大きくなるように、先端５２ｃが傾斜して形成されている。
このため、第２のガイド部材５２は、記録材Ｐが搬送方向Ｂに搬送されるに従い、記録材Ｐとの接触面積が増大する。これにより、第２のガイド部材５２の第１のガイド部材５１に向かっての変形が緩やかになり、図８（ａ）に示すように、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂがスムーズに第１のガイド部材５１へと受け渡される。 The distal end 52c of the second guide member 52 is arranged to be inclined from one end 52a to the other end 52b in the width direction X with respect to the transport direction B. That is, the tip 52c of the second guide member 52 has a tip 52c such that the projection t2 of the other end 52b from the downstream end 53c is larger than the projection t1 of the one end 52a from the downstream end 53c. It is formed inclined.
For this reason, the contact area of the second guide member 52 with the recording material P increases as the recording material P is transported in the transport direction B. As a result, the deformation of the second guide member 52 toward the first guide member 51 becomes gentle, and as shown in FIG. 8A, the rear end Pb of the recording material P smoothly moves to the first guide member. It is delivered to the member 51.

第１のガイド部材５１に受け渡された記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂは、第２のガイド部材５２の変形によりガイド部５０の下方への到達時に比べて、その湾曲度合いは撓み量が少なくなり、復元作用は弱められている。この状態で記録材Ｐが搬送方向Ｂに移動すると、第１のガイド部材５１は、中間転写ベルト３１に近づく方向に弾性変形する。このため、後端Ｐｂが第１のガイド部材５１の下方を抜けると、図８（ｂ）に示すように、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに近い部位で第１のガイド部材５１からおもて面３１ａに後端Ｐｂが受け渡されて当接する。これにより、従来に比べて、記録材の後端Ｐｂがおもて面３１ａ側に向かって跳ね上がる力を弱めてからおもて面３１ａに当接させることができ、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂとの当接が緩やかになる。
つまり、第２のガイド部材５２から最終的には中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａへの記録材Ｐの受け渡しが段階的かつスムーズに行える。このため、第１のガイド部材５１を通過した記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂとおもて面３１ａとの当接が緩やかになり、記録材Ｐでの異常画像の発生を安定して防止することができる。 Rear Pb of the recording material P passed the first guide member 51, as compared by the deformation of the second guide member 52 when reaching the lower guide portion 50, the bending degree becomes small deflection amount The restoring action is weakened. When the recording material P moves in the transport direction B in this state, the first guide member 51 elastically deforms in a direction approaching the intermediate transfer belt 31. For this reason, when the rear end Pb passes below the first guide member 51, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first guide member 51 moves from a position near the front surface 31 a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The rear end Pb is delivered to and abuts on the front surface 31a. As a result, the force of the rear end Pb of the recording material jumping toward the front surface 31a can be reduced before the recording material is brought into contact with the front surface 31a. The contact with the rear end Pb of the material P becomes loose.
That is, the transfer of the recording material P from the second guide member 52 to the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be performed stepwise and smoothly. For this reason, the contact between the rear end Pb of the recording material P that has passed through the first guide member 51 and the front surface 31a becomes gentle, and the occurrence of an abnormal image on the recording material P can be stably prevented. it can.

仮に第１のガイド部材５１の撓みが大きく、おもて面３１ａに接触しても、ローラ３７がベルト内側に配置されているので、中間転写ベルト３１のベルト内側への変位を防止できる。このため、中間転写ベルト３１の振動を抑制することができ、記録材Ｐでの異常画像の発生をより安定して防止することができる。   Even if the first guide member 51 is greatly bent and the roller 37 is disposed inside the belt even if the first guide member 51 comes into contact with the front surface 31a, the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be prevented from being displaced inside the belt. Therefore, the vibration of the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of an abnormal image on the recording material P can be more stably prevented.

坪量の低い薄い記録材Ｐ１が、図９（ａ）に示すように、下ガイド部材６２とガイド部５０の間に形成されたニップ前搬送路６５ａに搬送される。この場合、薄い記録材Ｐ１の前端Ｐ１ａが、搬送形態によっては搬送方向上流側に位置する第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃには接触しないで第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃに接触して通過することがある。前端Ｐ１ａがガイド部５０を通過すると、ローラ３７と二次転写ニップＮの間において中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接する。この当接により、従来は前端Ｐ１ａにより中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に向かって押し上げられることで、中間転写ベルト３１が振動した。
しかし、本実施形態ではローラ３７が配置されているので、中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に向かって押し上げられることを防止することができる。第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃは、搬送方向Ｂに対して平面視において直交するように配置されている。このため、第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃの下を記録材Ｐ１が通過する際に、均等に先端５１ｃが記録材Ｐ１と接触して二次転写ニップＮに案内され、二次転写ニップＮに対する記録材Ｐ１の前端Ｐ１ａの進入が安定する。 As shown in FIG. 9A, the thin recording material P1 having a low basis weight is conveyed to a pre-nip conveyance path 65a formed between the lower guide member 62 and the guide unit 50. In this case, the front end P1a of the thin recording material P1 contacts the front end 51c of the first guide member 51 without contacting the front end 52c of the second guide member 52 located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction depending on the conveyance mode. May pass. When the front end P1a passes through the guide portion 50, the front end P1a contacts the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 between the roller 37 and the secondary transfer nip N. Conventionally, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is pushed up toward the inside of the belt by the front end P <b> 1 a due to this contact, so that the intermediate transfer belt 31 vibrates.
However, in this embodiment, since the rollers 37 are arranged, it is possible to prevent the intermediate transfer belt 31 from being pushed up toward the inside of the belt. The distal end 51c of the first guide member 51 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction B in plan view. For this reason, when the recording material P1 passes under the leading end 51c of the first guide member 51, the leading end 51c contacts the recording material P1 evenly and is guided to the secondary transfer nip N, and the secondary transfer nip N Of the recording material P1 to the front end P1a is stabilized.

また、記録材Ｐ１の前端Ｐ１ａが二次転写ニップＮに進入すると、記録材Ｐ１の撓みが大きくなるが、第１のガイド部材５１に剛性を持たせているので、過度に第１のガイド部材５１が中間転写ベルト３１側に撓むことを抑制することができる。このため、おもて面３１ａと第１のガイド部材５１との接触が回避されるため、中間転写ベルト３１の振動を抑制でき、おもて面３１ａに担持されているトナー像の乱れによる異常画像を防止することができる。   When the front end P1a of the recording material P1 enters the secondary transfer nip N, the bending of the recording material P1 increases. However, since the first guide member 51 has rigidity, the first guide member is excessively increased. 51 can be suppressed from bending toward the intermediate transfer belt 31. For this reason, the contact between the front surface 31a and the first guide member 51 is avoided, so that the vibration of the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be suppressed, and the abnormality caused by the disturbance of the toner image carried on the front surface 31a. Images can be prevented.

記録材Ｐの搬送が進むと、前端Ｐａが二次転写ニップＮ内に案内されるとともに、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐとが密着されて二次転写ニップＮへと進入していく。そして、記録材Ｐの後端Ｐｂが図９（ｂ）に示すように、ガイド部５０の下部に到達すると、第２のガイド部材５２に接触しながら移動する。第２のガイド部材５２は撓みやすく形成されているので、記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂが、湾曲状態から平らな状態に戻ろうとする復元作用が緩やかになる。また、第２のガイド部材５２は、その上方に配置された第１のガイド部材５１との間に変形に必要な所定間隔Ｄ１を持って配置されているので、その変形が第１のガイド部材５１によって阻害されることがない。このため、第２のガイド部材５２は、設定した分だけ十分に撓むことができ、後端Ｐ１ｂが平らな状態に戻ろうとする力を吸収することができる。   As the conveyance of the recording material P proceeds, the front end Pa is guided into the secondary transfer nip N, and the front surface 31a and the recording material P are brought into close contact with each other and enter the secondary transfer nip N. When the rear end Pb of the recording material P reaches the lower part of the guide portion 50 as shown in FIG. 9B, the recording material P moves while contacting the second guide member 52. Since the second guide member 52 is formed to be easily bent, the restoring action of the rear end P1b of the recording material P1 returning to the flat state from the curved state becomes gentle. Further, since the second guide member 52 is disposed with a predetermined distance D1 required for deformation between the second guide member 52 and the first guide member 51 disposed thereon, the deformation is caused by the first guide member 51. It is not inhibited by 51. Therefore, the second guide member 52 can sufficiently bend by the set amount, and can absorb the force of the rear end P1b trying to return to the flat state.

第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃは、搬送方向Ｂに対して幅方向Ｘにおいて、一方の端部５２ａから他方の端部５２ｂにかけて傾斜して配置されている。すなわち、第２のガイド部材５２は、一方の端部５２ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ１よりも、他方の端部５２ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ２が大きくなるように、先端５２ｃが傾斜して形成されている。このため、第２のガイド部材５２は、記録材Ｐ１が搬送方向Ｂに搬送されるに従い、記録材Ｐ１との接触面積が増大し、第２のガイド部材５２の第１のガイド部材５１に向かっての変形が緩やかになる。このため、図１０（ａ）に示すように、記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂがスムーズに第１のガイド部材５１へと受け渡される。 The distal end 52c of the second guide member 52 is arranged to be inclined from one end 52a to the other end 52b in the width direction X with respect to the transport direction B. That is, the tip 52c of the second guide member 52 has a tip 52c such that the projection t2 of the other end 52b from the downstream end 53c is larger than the projection t1 of the one end 52a from the downstream end 53c. It is formed inclined. For this reason, as the recording material P1 is transported in the transport direction B, the contact area of the second guide member 52 with the recording material P1 increases, and the second guide member 52 faces the first guide member 51 of the second guide member 52. Deformation becomes gentle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the rear end P1b of the recording material P1 is smoothly transferred to the first guide member 51.

第１のガイド部材５１の受け渡された記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂは、第２のガイド部材５２の変形によりガイド部５０の下方への到達時に比べて、その湾曲度合いは撓み量が少なくなり、復元作用は弱められている。この状態で記録材Ｐ１が搬送方向Ｂに移動すると、第１のガイド部材５１は、中間転写ベルト３１に近づく方向に弾性変形する。このため、後端Ｐ１ｂが第１のガイド部材５１の下方を抜けると、図１０（ｂ）に示すように、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに近い部位で第１のガイド部材５１からおもて面３１ａに後端Ｐ１ｂが受け渡されて当接する。
これにより、従来に比べて、記録材の後端Ｐ１ｂがおもて面３１ａ側に向かって跳ね上がる力を弱めてからおもて面３１ａに当接させることができ、おもて面３１ａと記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂとの当接が緩やかになる。つまり、第２のガイド部材５２から最終的には中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａへの記録材Ｐ１の受け渡しが段階的かつスムーズに行える。このため、第１のガイド部材５１を通過した記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂとおもて面３１ａとの当接が緩やかになり、記録材Ｐ１での異常画像の発生を安定して防止することができる。
また、記録材Ｐ１は、記録材Ｐに比べて、コシは弱く復元作用も弱いため、記録材Ｐに比べて第１のガイド部材５１の変形量も小さく、第１のガイド部材５１を通過した記録材Ｐ１の後端Ｐ１ｂとおもて面３１ａとの当接が記録材Ｐの場合よりも緩やかになる。これにより記録材Ｐ１での異常画像の発生を安定して防止することができる。 The rear end P1b of the recording material P1 transferred by the first guide member 51 has a smaller bending amount than the lower end of the guide portion 50 due to the deformation of the second guide member 52, compared to when the guide member 50 reaches below. The restoring action is weakened. When the recording material P1 moves in the transport direction B in this state, the first guide member 51 elastically deforms in a direction approaching the intermediate transfer belt 31. For this reason, when the rear end P1b passes below the first guide member 51, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first guide member 51 moves from the first guide member 51 to a portion near the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The rear end P1b is delivered to and abuts on the front surface 31a.
As a result, as compared with the related art, the force of the rear end P1b of the recording material jumping toward the front surface 31a can be reduced, and the recording material can be brought into contact with the front surface 31a. The contact with the rear end P1b of the material P1 becomes gentle. That is, the transfer of the recording material P1 from the second guide member 52 to the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be performed stepwise and smoothly. For this reason, the contact between the rear end P1b of the recording material P1 that has passed through the first guide member 51 and the front surface 31a becomes gentle, and it is possible to stably prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image on the recording material P1. it can.
Further, since the recording material P1 has a lower stiffness and a weaker restoring action than the recording material P, the amount of deformation of the first guide member 51 is smaller than that of the recording material P, and the recording material P1 has passed through the first guide member 51. The contact between the rear end P1b of the recording material P1 and the front surface 31a becomes gentler than in the case of the recording material P. This makes it possible to stably prevent occurrence of an abnormal image on the recording material P1.

（変形例１）
上述の実施形態では、第１のガイド部材５１は、その先端５１ｃを搬送方向Ｂと平面視において直交するように配置した。しかし、図１１に示すように、一方の端部５１ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ４よりも、他方の端部５１ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ３が大きくなるように、先端５１ｃが傾斜して形成してもよい。この場合、先端５１ｃは第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃと平行としても良いし、先端５２ｃよりも傾斜が緩くなるように突出量ｔ３と突出量ｔ４との差を小さくしてもよい。 (Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the first guide member 51 has its tip 51c disposed so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction B in plan view. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip 51c is inclined such that the amount of protrusion t3 of the other end 51b from the downstream end 53c is greater than the amount of protrusion t4 of the other end 51a from the downstream end 53c. Alternatively, it may be formed. In this case, the tip 51c may be parallel to the tip 52c of the second guide member 52, or the difference between the protrusion amount t3 and the protrusion amount t4 may be reduced so that the inclination is gentler than the tip 52c.

（変形例２）
第１および第２のガイド部材５１、５２は、共通の取付部５３に取り付けてもよいが、図１２に示すように、個別な取付部５３Ａ、５３Ｂを設け、第１のガイド部材５１を取付部５３Ａの取付面となる上面５３Ａｆに、第２のガイド部材５２を取付部５３Ｂの取付面となる下面５３Ｂｇにそれぞれ取り付けてもよい。この場合であっても、第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２とは、所定間隔Ｄ１を保持するように取り付けるのが、第２のガイド部材５２から第１のガイド部材５１へのスムーズな記録材Ｐ、Ｐ１の受け渡しを行えるので好ましい。 (Modification 2)
Although the first and second guide members 51 and 52 may be attached to a common attachment portion 53, as shown in FIG. 12, individual attachment portions 53A and 53B are provided, and the first guide member 51 is attached. The second guide member 52 may be attached to the upper surface 53Af serving as the mounting surface of the portion 53A, and to the lower surface 53Bg serving as the mounting surface of the mounting portion 53B. Even in this case, the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are attached so as to maintain the predetermined distance D1 from the second guide member 52 to the first guide member 51. This is preferable because the recording materials P and P1 can be smoothly transferred.

（変形例３）
第１のガイド部材５１および第２のガイド部材５２は、それぞれ個別にフィルム材で形成してもよいが、図１３に示すように、１枚のフィルム材１５０を屈曲形成して形成したものであってもよい。この場合、取付部５３の上面５３ｆから下面５３ｇへと渡るようにフィルム材１５０を取付部５３に巻き付け、上面５３ｆと下面５３ｇに取り付ける。
そして、フィルム材１５０の搬送方向Ｂに位置する端部１５０ａ、１５０ｂをそれぞれ下流端５３ｃから搬送方向Ｂに向かって突出させる。上面５３ｆ側に位置する端部１５０ａは搬送方向Ｂと直交するように直線的に形成し、下面５３ｇ側に位置する端部１５０ｂは幅方向において傾斜させて形成し、かつ端部１５０ａよりも搬送方向上流側に位置するようにずらして配置する。このように形成することで、第１のガイド部材１５１と第２のガイド部材１５２を有するガイド部５０Ａとすることができる。この場合、第１のガイド部材１５１の厚さｄ１Ａと第２のガイド部材１５２の厚さｄ２Ａとは、同一の厚さとなる。このため、厚さの基準としては第２のガイド部材１５２の機能が発揮できるように第２のガイド部材５２の厚さｄ２のフィルム材１５０を用いるのが好ましい。このように１枚のフィルム材１５０で第１のガイド部材１５１と第２のガイド部材１５２を構成しても、両者間での記録材Ｐ、Ｐ１の受け渡しを簡素な構成で良好に行える。 (Modification 3)
The first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 may be individually formed of a film material, but are formed by bending a single film material 150 as shown in FIG. There may be. In this case, the film material 150 is wound around the mounting portion 53 so as to extend from the upper surface 53f to the lower surface 53g of the mounting portion 53, and is mounted on the upper surface 53f and the lower surface 53g.
The end portion 150a which is positioned in the conveying direction B of the film material 150 to protrude 150b from the downstream end 53 c respectively toward the conveying direction B. The end 150a located on the upper surface 53f side is formed linearly so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction B, and the end 150b located on the lower surface 53g is formed inclined in the width direction and transported more than the end 150a. It is shifted so that it is located on the upstream side in the direction. By forming in this manner, a guide portion 50A having the first guide member 151 and the second guide member 152 can be obtained. In this case, the thickness d1A of the first guide member 151 and the thickness d2A of the second guide member 152 are the same. For this reason, it is preferable to use a film material 150 having a thickness d2 of the second guide member 52 so that the function of the second guide member 152 can be exhibited as a standard for the thickness. Thus, even if the first guide member 151 and the second guide member 152 are formed by one film member 150, the transfer of the recording materials P and P1 between the two can be favorably performed with a simple configuration.

（変形例４）
第１のガイド部材１５１の剛性を高めるためには、図１４に示すように、第１のガイド部材１５１に別なシール部材１５３を積層して設けて構成してもよい。 (Modification 4)
In order to increase the rigidity of the first guide member 151, another seal member 153 may be laminated on the first guide member 151 as shown in FIG.

次に、ガイド部５０の寸法について説明する（図３、図６参照）。
第１のガイド部材５１の対向面５１ｄとおもて面３１ａの空隙Ｆは、おもて面３１ａから０．５ｍｍ〜２ｍｍ以内に配置した。
第２のガイド部材５２は、一方の端部５２ａに対し他方の端部５２ｂの突出量が５ｍｍ以内とした。
第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２の間の所定間隔Ｄ１は、２ｍｍ以内とした。
第１のガイド部材５１の厚さｄ１としては、剛性の観点と中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａの接触を考慮して０．３５ｍｍとした。厚さｄ１としては、もっと厚くしてもよいが、そうすると、第１のガイド部材５１がおもて面３１ａに近くなり、両者の接触が懸念されるので、空隙Ｆとのバランスも含めると、０．３５ｍｍが最適であった。
第２のガイド部材５２の厚さｄ２としては、０．３５ｍｍの必要はないが、記録材Ｐ、Ｐ１との接触によって湾曲し、剛性がないと折れてしまうことがあった。このため、耐久性を考慮すると、少なくとも限界最薄値は０．１２５ｍｍが必要であった。この厚さだと、折れなどの発生もなく、必要十分に撓んで第１のガイド部材５１への記録材Ｐの受け渡しが良好であった。
記録材の搬送速度によっても第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２の撓み加減や当接状態にもばらつきがあるので、記録材の搬送速度は適用する機器の最高速度で試験を行った。 Next, the dimensions of the guide portion 50 will be described (see FIGS. 3 and 6) .
The gap F between the facing surface 51d of the first guide member 51 and the front surface 31a is arranged within 0.5 mm to 2 mm from the front surface 31a.
In the second guide member 52, the projecting amount of the other end 52b with respect to the one end 52a was set to 5 mm or less.
The predetermined distance D1 between the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 was set to 2 mm or less.
The thickness d1 of the first guide member 51 is set to 0.35 mm in consideration of the rigidity and the contact of the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The thickness d1 may be larger, but if so, the first guide member 51 becomes closer to the front surface 31a, and there is a concern about contact between the two. 0.35 mm was optimal.
The thickness d2 of the second guide member 52 does not need to be 0.35 mm, but may be bent by contact with the recording materials P and P1, and may be broken without rigidity. For this reason, in consideration of durability, at least the minimum minimum value of 0.125 mm was required. With this thickness, the recording material P was delivered sufficiently to the first guide member 51 by bending sufficiently and without any breakage.
Since the flexure of the first and second guide members 51 and 52 and the abutting state also vary depending on the conveying speed of the recording material, the test was performed at the maximum conveying speed of the applicable device.

第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２には、基本的には腰の強い厚紙の記録材Ｐが接触し、腰の弱い薄紙の記録材Ｐ１は第１のガイド部材５１または第２のガイド部材５２だけに接触して搬送される。しかし、薄紙の記録材Ｐ１場合でも搬送速度が速い場合には第２のガイド部材５２にも接触することがある。このため、本発明における第１及び第２のガイド部材５１、５２が接触してガイドする記録材は厚紙や薄紙に限定されるものではなく、二次転写ニップＮに向かって搬送される記録材全般を指すものである。
本実施形態及び変形例において、第１のガイド部材５１及び第２のガイド部材５２は、樹脂製のフィルム材で形成したが、第１のガイド部材５２については、撓まなくてもよいので、樹脂製のフィルム材ではなく、金属製の板材単体で形成したものであってもよい。 The first and second guide members 51 and 52 basically come into contact with a recording material P made of thick stiff paper, and the recording material P1 made of thin stiff paper is applied to the first guide member 51 or the second guide. The sheet is conveyed in contact with only the member 52. However, even when the recording material P1 is a thin paper, if the transport speed is high, the recording material P1 may also contact the second guide member 52. For this reason, the recording material guided by the first and second guide members 51 and 52 in contact with the present invention is not limited to thick paper or thin paper, but the recording material conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip N. It refers to the general.
In the present embodiment and the modified example, the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 are formed of a resin film material. However, the first guide member 52 does not need to be bent. Instead of a resin film material, a metal plate material alone may be used.

（変形例５）
本変形例は、図１７図、図１８に示すように、第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２の間において、第１のガイド部材５２の厚さｄ１を部分的に増大させて、ガイド部５０を構成している。本変形例において、第１のガイド部材５１は、第２のガイド部材５２の間に位置する第１のガイド部材５１の裏面５１ｅにシート部材１５４が張り付けることで積層し、その厚さｄ１を部分的に増大している。このシート部材１５４は、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから二次転写ニップＮに向かって突出していて、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから突出している第１のガイド部材５１の部分における裏面５１ｅに張り付けて設けられている。
シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃは、図１８に示すように、第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃと第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃの間に配置されている。シート部材１５４は、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃからの先端１５４ｃまでの突出量Ｌ１が、第１のガイド部材５１の取付部５３の下流端５３ｃから先端５１ｃまでの突出量Ｌ２よりも短く、第２のガイド部材５２の下流端５３ｃから先端５２ｃまでの突出量Ｌ３よりも長く形成されている。突出量Ｌ１とは、シート部材１５４全体の相対的な突出量であり、後述する部分的な突出量ｔ５、ｔ６と区別している。
図１７に示すように、シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃは、搬送方向Ｂと角度をつけて配置されている。シート部材１５４は、記録材Ｐの搬送方向Ｂに対し、幅方向Ｘに位置する一方の端部１５４ａから他方の端部１５ｂにかけて、幅方向Ｘに連続する先端１５４ｃが傾斜するように、第１のガイド部材５１の裏面５１ｅに両面テープなどで取付けられて配置されている。シート部材１５４は、一方の端部１５４ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ５よりも、他方の端部１５４ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ６が大きくなるように、先端１５４ｃが傾斜して形成されている。つまり、本変形例において、シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃは、第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃに対して傾斜するように形成されて配置されている。 (Modification 5)
In this modification, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the thickness d1 of the first guide member 52 is partially increased between the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52. , And the guide section 50. In this modification, the first guide member 51 is laminated by attaching a sheet member 154 to the back surface 51e of the first guide member 51 located between the second guide members 52, and the thickness d1 of the first guide member 51 is reduced. Partially increasing. The sheet member 154 protrudes from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 toward the secondary transfer nip N, and is attached to the back surface 51e of the portion of the first guide member 51 protruding from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53. It is provided.
The distal end 154c of the sheet member 154 is disposed between the distal end 51c of the first guide member 51 and the distal end 52c of the second guide member 52, as shown in FIG. The sheet member 154 has a protrusion L1 from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 to the tip 154c shorter than the protrusion L2 from the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53 of the first guide member 51 to the tip 51c. The second guide member 52 is formed to be longer than the projection amount L3 from the downstream end 53c to the tip end 52c. The protrusion amount L1 is a relative protrusion amount of the entire sheet member 154, and is distinguished from partial protrusion amounts t5 and t6 described later.
As shown in FIG. 17, the leading end 154c of the sheet member 154 is arranged at an angle to the transport direction B. The sheet member 154 is configured such that the first end 154c continuous in the width direction X is inclined from one end 154a located in the width direction X to the other end 15b with respect to the conveyance direction B of the recording material P such that the first end 154c is inclined. Is attached to the back surface 51e of the guide member 51 with a double-sided tape or the like. The sheet member 154 is formed such that the leading end 154c is inclined such that the protruding amount t6 of the other end 154b from the downstream end 53c is larger than the protruding amount t5 of the one end 154a from the downstream end 53c. ing. That is, in this modification, the tip 154c of the sheet member 154 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the tip 51c of the first guide member 51.

このように第１のガイド部材５１の突出している部分の裏面５１ｅに、シート部材１５４を追加して配置すると、取付部５３の厚さＤに関係なく、第１のガイド５１と第２のガイド５２の間隔である所定間隔Ｄ１を最適な値にすることができる。このため、よりスムーズに第１のガイド部材５２へ記録材Ｐを搬送することできる。また、シート部材１５４を追加することは、第１のガイド部材５１の突出している部分の厚みが増して剛性を向上することになるため、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａと、第１のガイド部材５１のおもて面３１ａとの対向面５１ｄとの空隙Ｆ（中間転写ベルト３１との距離）をより確実に保つことができる。さらに、シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃを、搬送方向Ｂに対して角度をつけて配置すると、記録材Ｐを緩やかに中間転写ベルト３１に受け渡しできるのでなお好ましい。   When the sheet member 154 is additionally disposed on the rear surface 51 e of the protruding portion of the first guide member 51 in this manner, the first guide 51 and the second guide 51 are independent of the thickness D of the mounting portion 53. The predetermined interval D1, which is the interval of 52, can be set to an optimum value. For this reason, the recording material P can be transported to the first guide member 52 more smoothly. Further, since the addition of the sheet member 154 increases the thickness of the protruding portion of the first guide member 51 and improves the rigidity, the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the first The gap F (distance to the intermediate transfer belt 31) between the front surface 31a of the guide member 51 and the facing surface 51d can be more reliably maintained. Further, it is more preferable to arrange the leading end 154c of the sheet member 154 at an angle with respect to the transport direction B because the recording material P can be gently transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31.

シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃは、図１９に示すように、記録材Ｐの搬送方向Ｂと幅方向Ｘにおいて直交して配置してもよい。すなわち、幅方向Ｘの一方の端部１５４ａから他方の端部１５４ｂにかけて搬送方向Ｂと平面視において交差するように、第１のガイド部材５１の裏面５１ｅに両面テープなどで取付けられて配置する。つまり、図１９では、シート部材１５４は、一方の端部１５４ａの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ５と他方の端部１５４ｂの下流端５３ｃからの突出量ｔ６とが同一の突出量となるようにして、シート部材１５４の先端１５４ｃを、第１のガイド部材５１の先端５１ｃと平行に配置されている。
このようにしても、取付部５３の厚さＤに関係なく、第１のガイド５１と第２のガイド５２の間隔である所定間隔Ｄ１を最適な値にすることができ、よりスムーズに第１のガイド部材５２へ記録材Ｐを搬送することできる。また、シート部材１５４の追加により、第１のガイド部材５１の突出している部分の厚みが増して剛性を向上するので、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａと、第１のガイド部材５１のおもて面３１ａとの対向面５１ｄとの空隙Ｆ（中間転写ベルト３１との距離）をより確実に保つことができる。 As shown in FIG. 19, the leading end 154c of the sheet member 154 may be disposed orthogonal to the conveying direction B of the recording material P and the width direction X. That is, the first guide member 51 is attached to the back surface 51e of the first guide member 51 with a double-sided tape or the like so as to intersect the transport direction B in a plan view from one end 154a to the other end 154b in the width direction X. That is, in FIG. 19, the sheet member 154, as the projection amount t6 from the downstream end 53c of the one end portion of the protruding amount t5 and the other from the downstream end 53c of 154a end 154b is the same amount of projection The tip 154 c of the sheet member 154 is arranged in parallel with the tip 51 c of the first guide member 51.
Also in this case, regardless of the thickness D of the mounting portion 53, the predetermined distance D1, which is the distance between the first guide 51 and the second guide 52, can be set to an optimal value, and the first distance D1 can be more smoothly adjusted. The recording material P can be conveyed to the guide member 52 of FIG. Further, the addition of the sheet member 154 increases the thickness of the protruding portion of the first guide member 51 and improves the rigidity, so that the front surface 31 a of the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the first guide member 51 The gap F (distance to the intermediate transfer belt 31) between the front surface 31a and the facing surface 51d can be more reliably maintained.

（変形例６）
本変形例は、図２０に示すように、第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃに行くほど、第１のガイド部材５１に対し近づくようにしてガイド部５０を構成している。本変形例の基本構成は第１のガイド部材と第２のガイド部材を個別に支持した変形例２の構成を用いている。第１のガイド部材５１と第２のガイド部材５２（シート部材５２１の上面５２１ｄ）の間に形成される空間内での所定間隔Ｄ１は、取付部５３Ａ、５３Ｂ側での所定間隔Ｄ１ａと先端５２ｃ側での所定間隔Ｄ１ｂとで異なり、より詳細には先端５２ｃ側で狭まるように（所定間隔Ｄ１ａ＞所定間隔Ｄ１ａ）形成されている。 (Modification 6)
In the present modification, as shown in FIG. 20, the guide portion 50 is configured such that the closer to the distal end 52c of the second guide member 52, the closer to the first guide member 51. The basic configuration of this modification uses the configuration of Modification 2 in which the first guide member and the second guide member are individually supported. The predetermined distance D1 in the space formed between the first guide member 51 and the second guide member 52 (the upper surface 521d of the sheet member 521) is the predetermined distance D1a on the mounting portions 53A and 53B side and the tip 52c. The predetermined distance D1b is different from the predetermined distance D1b on the side, and more specifically, is narrowed (the predetermined distance D1a> the predetermined distance D1a) on the tip 52c side.

この所定間隔Ｄ１を、先端５２ｃ側に行くほど狭める（所定間隔Ｄ１ａ＞所定間隔Ｄ１ａ）手法としては、第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃ側を第１のガイド部材５１に向かって屈曲又は湾曲して形成することが挙げられる。
別な手法としては、図２１に示すように、第２のガイド部材５２（シート部材５２１）が取り付けられ取付部５３Ｂの取付面である下面５３Ｂｇを、取付部５３の下流端５３ｃに向かうに従い第１のガイド部材５１に近づくように上り傾斜となる傾斜面とする。そして、この傾斜面とされた下面５３Ｂｇに第２のガイド部材の一端５２Ａを取り付けることで、第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃに行くほど、第１のガイド部材５１に対して近づくようにすることができる。
すなわち、第２のガイド部材５２が取り付けられる取付部５３Ｂの下面５３Ｂｇが、第１のガイド部材５１が取り付けられる取付部５３Ａの取付面である上面５３Ａｆに対し傾斜して形成している。 As a method of narrowing the predetermined distance D1 toward the distal end 52c (the predetermined distance D1a> the predetermined distance D1a), the distal end 52c side of the second guide member 52 is bent or curved toward the first guide member 51. Formed.
As another method, as shown in FIG. 21, the lower surface 53Bg, which is the mounting surface of the mounting portion 53B to which the second guide member 52 (sheet member 521) is mounted, is moved toward the downstream end 53c of the mounting portion 53. The first inclined surface is inclined so as to approach the first guide member 51. By attaching one end 52A of the second guide member to the inclined lower surface 53Bg, the tip end 52c of the second guide member 52 is closer to the first guide member 51. be able to.
That is, the lower surface 53Bg of the mounting portion 53B to which the second guide member 52 is mounted is formed to be inclined with respect to the upper surface 53Af which is the mounting surface of the mounting portion 53A to which the first guide member 51 is mounted.

このように、第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃを第１のガイド部材５１に近づけるようにすることで、よりスムーズに第２のガイド部材５２から第１のガイド部材５１へ記録材Ｐを搬送することができる。
なお、本変形例では、変形例２の構成を用いているが、他の変形例を用いて第２のガイド部材５２の先端５２ｃを第１のガイド部材５１に近づけるようにしても良い。 As described above, the recording material P is conveyed from the second guide member 52 to the first guide member 51 more smoothly by bringing the front end 52c of the second guide member 52 closer to the first guide member 51. can do.
Note that, in this modification, the configuration of Modification 2 is used, but the tip 52c of the second guide member 52 may be made closer to the first guide member 51 by using another modification.

以上本発明の好ましい実施の形態について説明したが、本発明はかかる特定の実施形態に限定されるものではなく、上述の説明で特に限定していない限り、特許請求の範囲に記載された本発明の趣旨の範囲内において、種々の変形・変更が可能である。
例えば、画像形成装置としては、カラー複写機に限定するものではなく、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、プロッタープリンタであってもよい。画像形成装置としては、スキャナ、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、プロッタープリンタ又は複写機の少なくとも２つの機能を組み合わせた複合機であってもよい。
実施形態では、中間転写ベルト３１のベルト内側において、２つの回転体としてのローラ３６とローラ３７を設けてガイド部５０の第１のガイド部材５１と対向配置して設けた。このため、記録材Ｐの先端Ｐａや後端Ｐｂが二次転写ニップＮの搬送方向上流側において、中間転写ベルト３１のおもて面３１ａに当接した場合でも、中間転写ベルト３１がベルト内側に押し上げられることをより確実に防止している。しかし、本実施形態及び変形例で示したガイド部５０、５０Ａを適用する構成としては、図１５に示すように、ローラ３７を備えていない構成に適用してもガイド部５０、５０Ａの構成による作用効果を奏する。 Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specified in the above description, the present invention described in the claims Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a color copying machine, but may be a printer, a facsimile, or a plotter printer. The image forming apparatus may be a multifunction peripheral that combines at least two functions of a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, a plotter printer, and a copier.
In the embodiment, the rollers 36 and 37 serving as two rotating members are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 31 so as to be opposed to the first guide member 51 of the guide unit 50. Therefore, in the conveyance direction on the upstream side of the distal end Pa and the rear end Pb of the recording material P secondary transfer nip N, even when in contact with the front surface 31a of the intermediate transfer belt 31, intermediate transfer belt 31 is a belt It is more reliably prevented from being pushed inward. However, as a configuration to apply the guide portions 50 and 50A shown in the present embodiment and the modified example, as shown in FIG. 15, even when applied to a configuration without the rollers 37, the configuration of the guide portions 50 and 50A depends on the configuration. It has a function and effect.

上記実施形態では中間転写ベルト３１から記録材Ｐへ画像を転写する装置（いわゆる中間転写方式の画像形成装置）を説明したが、これに換えて、感光体ドラムや感光体ベルト等の像担持体から記録材Ｐへ画像を直接転写する装置（いわゆる直接転写方式の画像形成装置）にも本発明は適用することができる。
上記実施形態では、転写部材として二次転写ベルト４０４を用いているが、２次転写ベルト４０４に換えて、ローラ形状の２次転写ローラを転写部材として用いてもよい。また、転写部は、転写ニップを形成しない方式の転写装置（チャージャ方式の転写チャージャ）を用いてもよい。
上記実施形態では、画像形成装置として、転写部（２次転写ニップＮ）で記録材Ｐを水平方向に搬送するものを用いて説明したが、転写部で記録材Ｐを上方、下方、斜め上方向あるいは斜め下方向などへ搬送する構成の画像形成装置に本発明は適用することもできる。 In the above-described embodiment, an apparatus for transferring an image from the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the recording material P (a so-called intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus) has been described. Alternatively, an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt may be used. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus for directly transferring an image from a sheet to a recording material P (a so-called direct transfer type image forming apparatus).
In the above embodiment, the secondary transfer belt 404 is used as the transfer member. However, a roller-shaped secondary transfer roller may be used as the transfer member instead of the secondary transfer belt 404. Further, the transfer unit may use a transfer device of a type not forming a transfer nip (a transfer charger of a charger type).
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described in which the transfer unit (secondary transfer nip N) conveys the recording material P in the horizontal direction. However, the transfer unit transfers the recording material P upward, downward, and obliquely upward. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus configured to convey in a direction or an obliquely downward direction.

本発明の実施の形態に記載された効果は、本発明から生じる最も好適な効果を列挙したに過ぎず、本発明による効果は、本発明の実施の形態に記載されたものに限定されるものではない。   The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention merely enumerate the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects according to the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

３１ 像担持体
３１ａ 像担持面
５１、１５１ 第１のガイド部材
５１ａ 第１のガイド部の一方の端部
５１ｂ 第１のガイド部の他方の端部
５１Ａ 第１のガイド部材の一端
５２、１５２ 第２のガイド部材
５２ａ 第２のガイド部材の一方の端部
５２ｂ 第２のガイド部材の他方の端部
５２ｃ 第２のガイド部材の先端
５２Ａ 第２のガイド部材の一端
５３、５３Ａ、５３Ｂ 取付部
５３Ａｆ、５３Ｂｇ 取付面
５６ 金属部材
１００ 画像形成装置
１５４ シート部材
１５４ａ シート部材の一方の端部
１５４ｂ シート部材の他方の端部
１５４ｃ シート部材の先端
４０４ 転写部材
Ｂ 記録材の搬送方向
Ｄ１ 所定間隔
ｄ１ 第１のガイド部材の厚さ
ｄ２ 第２のガイド部材の厚さ
Ｅ 近接離間する方向
Ｆ 像担持体との対向面の空隙
Ｇ１、Ｇ２ 接合部
Ｎ 転写部
Ｐ、Ｐ１ 記録材
Ｒ 対向領域
ｔ１ 一方の端部突出量
ｔ２ 他方の端部突出量
Ｘ 幅方向 31 Image Carrier 31a Image Carrying Surface 51, 151 First Guide Member 51a One End of First Guide 51b The Other End of First Guide 51A One End of First Guide 52, 152 2nd guide member 52a One end of the second guide member 52b The other end of the second guide member 52c Tip of the second guide member 52A One end of the second guide member 53, 53A, 53B Mounting portion 53Af , 53Bg Mounting surface 56 Metal member 100 Image forming device 154 Sheet member 154a One end of sheet member 154b The other end of sheet member 154c Leading end of sheet member 404 Transfer member B Recording material transport direction D1 Predetermined interval d1 First The thickness of the guide member d2 The thickness of the second guide member E The direction of approach and separation F The gap G1 and G2 in contact with the image carrier Part N transfer unit P, P1 recording material R region opposed t1 one end protruding amount t2 other end projecting amount X width

特願２０１１−０６４８２３公報Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-064823

Claims (17)

像担持面に像が担持される像担持体と対向配置された転写部材と、
前記転写部材と前記像担持体と間に形成され、搬送されてくる記録材に前記像担持面の画像を転写する転写部と、
前記転写部よりも記録材の搬送方向の上流側に配置され、前記転写部に向かって搬送される記録材を案内する第１のガイド部材と、
前記第１のガイド部材よりも前記搬送方向の上流側に配置され、前記第１のガイド部材と間隔を空けて配置され、前記転写部に向かって搬送される記録材を案内する第２のガイド部材とを有し、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材は、前記転写部よりも前記搬送方向の上流側に形成された搬送路における前記像担持体側に配置されており、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材は、前記搬送方向と交差する幅方向に延びていて、第２のガイド部材の先端は、前記幅方向の一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて傾斜して配置され、
前記第１のガイド部材は、前記搬送方向に対し、前記幅方向に位置する一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて前記第２のガイド部材の傾きよりも小さく傾斜して配置されている画像形成装置。 A transfer member disposed opposite to an image carrier on which an image is carried on the image carrying surface,
A transfer unit formed between the transfer member and the image carrier, for transferring an image on the image bearing surface to a recording material being conveyed;
A first guide member that is disposed upstream of the transfer unit in the conveyance direction of the recording material and guides the recording material conveyed toward the transfer unit;
A second guide that is disposed upstream of the first guide member in the transport direction and that is spaced apart from the first guide member and guides the recording material conveyed toward the transfer unit; And a member,
The first and second guide members are disposed on the image carrier side in a transport path formed upstream of the transfer unit in the transport direction,
The first and second guide members extend in a width direction that intersects the transport direction, and a tip of the second guide member is inclined from one end to the other end in the width direction. Placed ,
Before SL first guide member, with respect to the transport direction, the image being arranged less inclined than the inclination of the second guide member from one end positioned in the width direction toward the other end Forming equipment. 請求項１に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第２のガイド部材は、一方の端部に対し他方の端部の突出量が５ｍｍ以内とされている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second guide member has a projecting amount of 5 mm or less at one end with respect to the other end. 請求項１または２に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１のガイド部材は、前記像担持面との対向面が、前記像担持面から０．５ｍｍ〜２ｍｍ以内に配置されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the first guide member has a surface facing the image bearing surface located within 0.5 mm to 2 mm from the image bearing surface. 請求項１、２または３に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材は、前記像担持面に近接離間する方向に所定間隔を空けて対向配置されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second guide members are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in a direction in which the first and second guide members approach and separate from the image bearing surface. 請求項４に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記所定間隔は、２ｍｍ以内である画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined interval is within 2 mm. 請求項１乃至５の何れか１項に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材は、樹脂製のフィルム材である画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the first and second guide members are resin film materials. 請求項６に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１のガイド部材の厚さをｄ１、前記第２のガイド部材の厚さをｄ２としたとき、ｄ１≧ｄ２である画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,
An image forming apparatus, wherein d1 ≧ d2, where d1 is the thickness of the first guide member and d2 is the thickness of the second guide member. 請求項１乃至７の何れか１項に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１のガイド部材と前記第２のガイド部材の間において、前記第１のガイド部材の厚さを部分的に増大させている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus, wherein the thickness of the first guide member is partially increased between the first guide member and the second guide member. 請求項８に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１のガイド部材は、前記第１のガイド部材と前記第２のガイド部材の間に位置する裏面にシート部材が張り付けられて、その厚さを部分的に増大されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first guide member has a sheet member attached to a back surface located between the first guide member and the second guide member, and the thickness of the sheet member is partially increased. 請求項９に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材の一端が取り付けられる取付部を有し、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材の先端は、前記取付部の下流端から前記転写部に向かって突出していて、
前記シート部材は、前記取付部の下流端から前記転写部に向かって突出するように前記第１のガイド部材の裏面に張り付けられている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,
A mounting portion to which one ends of the first and second guide members are mounted;
The distal ends of the first and second guide members project from the downstream end of the mounting portion toward the transfer portion,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet member is attached to a back surface of the first guide member so as to protrude from a downstream end of the attachment section toward the transfer section. 請求項１０に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記シート部材の先端は、前記第１のガイド部材の先端と前記第２のガイド部材の先端の間に配置されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
The image forming apparatus, wherein a leading end of the sheet member is disposed between a leading end of the first guide member and a leading end of the second guide member. 請求項１０に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記シート部材は、前記取付部の下流端からの突出量が、前記第１のガイド部材の前記下流端からの突出量よりも短く、前記第２のガイド部材の前記下流端からの突出量よりも長く形成されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
The projecting amount of the sheet member from the downstream end of the mounting portion is shorter than the projecting amount of the first guide member from the downstream end, and is smaller than the projecting amount of the second guide member from the downstream end. Image forming apparatus that is also formed long. 請求項９乃至１２の何れか１項に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記シート部材は、前記搬送方向に対し、前記幅方向に位置する一方の端部から他方の端部にかけて、その先端が傾斜している画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet member has a tip that is inclined from one end located in the width direction to the other end with respect to the transport direction. 請求項９乃至１２の何れか１項に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記シート部材は、前記搬送方向に対し、その先端が直交している画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein a leading end of the sheet member is orthogonal to the transport direction. 請求項１乃至７の何れか１項に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第２のガイド部材は、その先端にいくほど、前記第１のガイド部材に対し近づくように構成されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second guide member is configured to approach the first guide member as it approaches the tip. 請求項１５に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第２のガイド部材は、その先端が前記第１のガイド部材に対して近づく方向に屈曲又は湾曲して形成されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second guide member is formed such that a tip thereof is bent or curved in a direction approaching the first guide member. 請求項１５に記載の画像形成装置において、
前記第１及び第２のガイド部材の一端が取り付けられる取付部を有し、
前記第２のガイド部材が取り付けられる前記取付部の取付面が、前記第１のガイド部材が取り付けられる前記取付部の取付面に対し傾斜して形成されている画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
A mounting portion to which one ends of the first and second guide members are mounted;
An image forming apparatus, wherein a mounting surface of the mounting portion to which the second guide member is mounted is formed to be inclined with respect to a mounting surface of the mounting portion to which the first guide member is mounted.
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