CN117148694A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a tray rotatably provided on a side surface of a main assembly and including a stacking surface, a feeding portion; and a blower fan mounted on the tray and generating air that is sent to a side end of the sheet in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the sheet fed by the feeding portion. The blower fan is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which the sheets are stacked on the stacking surface such that a position of at least a portion of the blower fan with respect to the sheet width direction overlaps a position of the stacking surface with respect to the sheet width direction.

Description

Image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

Background

In recent years, even for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses used in offices, there is an increasing need to use special papers such as coated papers and thick papers to produce high quality and high image quality results. However, due to the high surface smoothness of these special papers and the tendency of blocking between sheets, etc., the difficulty of separating and feeding sheets one by one from the bundle of papers in a stacked state is greater than that of plain white papers or recycled papers for offices.

Japanese laid-open patent No.2006-256819 discloses a technique of assisting separation of sheets by blowing air to the side ends of a sheet bundle set on a manual feed tray. However, in the configuration of the above document, the blower protrudes beyond the sheet stacking area on the manual feed tray, and thereby the apparatus is made larger by the space required for providing the blower.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention makes it possible to save space in the configuration of blowing air to the sheet.

An aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; a tray rotatably provided on a side surface of a main assembly accommodating the image forming portion and including a stacking surface on which sheets are stacked; a feeding portion configured to feed the sheets stacked on the stacking surface toward the image forming portion; and a blower fan mounted on the tray and configured to generate air to be sent to a side end of the sheet with respect to a sheet width direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the sheet fed by the feeding portion, wherein the blower fan is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which the sheets are stacked on the stacking surface such that a position of at least a part of the blower fan with respect to the sheet width direction overlaps a position of the stacking surface with respect to the sheet width direction.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1 as seen from above.

Fig. 4 parts (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a cross section of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1 as seen from above.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1 as seen from above.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1 as seen from above.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view illustrating the inside of the feeding tray according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view illustrating a cross section of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 2 as seen from above.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a manual feeding portion according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 3 as seen from above.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a manual feeding portion according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion according to embodiment 4 as seen from above.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a manual feeding portion according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a manual feeding portion according to embodiment 6.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present disclosure, an "image forming apparatus" refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet as a recording material. The image forming apparatus includes a printer, a copier, a multifunction machine, a commercial printer, and the like.

Example 1

(imaging apparatus)

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 201 according to an embodiment (embodiment 1). The image forming apparatus 201 is a tandem type laser beam printer, and is an intermediate transfer method using an electrophotographic image forming process. The image forming apparatus 201 can form and output a full-color or monochrome image on the sheet S based on the image data. As the sheet S, sheets of various sizes and materials may be used, including plain paper and thick paper, plastic films, cloths, sheet materials subjected to surface treatment (such as coated paper), sheet materials having a special shape (such as envelopes and index paper).

As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 201 is provided with a main assembly 201A accommodating an image forming portion 201B, an image reading apparatus 202 disposed above the main assembly 201A to read image information from a document, and a control portion 100 (fig. 2) to control the operation of the entire apparatus. The image forming portion 201B as an example of the image forming portion includes four process units PY, PM, PC, and PK, an exposure device 210, a transfer belt 216, and a fixing device 201E. A discharge space V for discharging a sheet is formed between the image reading apparatus 202 and the main assembly 201A.

Each of the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK includes a photosensitive drum 212 as an image bearing member, a charging device 213 as a process portion acting on the photosensitive drum 212, a developing device 214, a cleaning device, and the like. The photosensitive drum 212 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member formed in a drum shape. The developing device 214 accommodates any one of yellow, magenta, cyan, or black toners as a developer. An exposure device 210 as a process portion (exposure portion) is provided below the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK.

The transfer belt 216 is an example of an intermediate transfer member. The transfer belt 216 is wound around a driving roller 216a and a tension roller 216 b. Inside the transfer belt 216, four primary transfer rollers 219 are disposed at positions opposed to the corresponding photosensitive drums 212 across the transfer belt 216, respectively. The transfer belt 216 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in the drawing by a driving roller 216a driven by a driving portion not shown. On the outer side of the transfer belt 216, a secondary transfer roller 217 is disposed across the transfer belt 216 at a position opposite to the driving roller 216 a. The transfer portion 201D (secondary transfer portion) is formed as a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 217 and the transfer belt 216.

The fixing device 201E is disposed above the transfer portion 201D. The fixing device 201E is a heat fixing method provided with a heating roller 220b heated by a heating portion such as a halogen lamp and a pressing roller 220a pressed against the heating roller 220 b. Further, above the fixing device 201E, a first discharge roller pair 225a, a second discharge roller pair 225b, and a double-sided reversing portion 201F are provided. The double-sided reversing section 201F includes a reversing roller pair 222 rotatable in the forward and reverse directions and a reconveying path R.

In an upper portion of the image forming apparatus 201, an operation portion 730 that receives an operation from a user is provided. The operation section 730 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel that displays an image, and an input device such as a numeric keypad and print execution buttons. For example, the user can input setting information (type, basis weight, size, brand name, etc.) of the sheets S set in the cassette feeding portion 230 and the manual feeding portion 235 through the operation portion 730.

The cassette feeding portion 230 is provided at a lower portion of the main assembly 201A. The manual feed portion 235 is provided at a side surface portion of the main assembly 201A. The cassette feeding portion 230 and the manual feeding portion 235 are examples of a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets.

The cassette feeding portion 230 is provided with a cassette 1 as a sheet accommodating portion accommodating the sheet S and a pickup roller 2 as a feeding portion feeding the sheet S from the cassette 1. In addition, the cassette feeding portion 230 is provided with a separation roller pair constituted by the feeding roller 3 and the retard roller 4 as a separation conveying portion for separating the sheet S fed from the pickup roller 2. The retard roller 4 applies a frictional force to the sheet S in an opposite direction opposite to the feeding direction in a nip portion between the retard roller 4 and the feed roller 3, so that only a single sheet S in contact with the feed roller 3 is allowed to pass through the nip portion.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an imaging apparatus 201. The control section 100 is a control section that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 201, and transmits information to and from the host device 900 and the operation section 730. In addition, the control portion 100 controls the operation of the image forming portion 201B, the operation of feeding and conveying the sheet, and the like. Here, the host device 900 is a personal computer, an image scanner, a facsimile machine, or the like. The storage section 101 stores a program executed by the control section 100 and data necessary for executing the program. In addition, the storage section 101 provides a working space when the control section 100 executes a program.

The control section 100 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 201 based on the setting information input by the user through the operation section 730 and the image data received from the host device 900. For example, the control portion 100 controls the sheet feeding operation by driving an actuator (motor or the like) of the manual feeding portion 235. In addition, when the control portion 100 determines that separation by blowing air is necessary based on the setting information of the sheet (for example, in the case of coated paper), the control portion 100 activates the blow fans 15a and 15b described below.

(imaging operation)

As an execution instruction of the copy operation is given, when the control section receives image data from an external device or receives image data read from a document by the image reading apparatus 202, the control section of the image forming apparatus 201 starts an image forming operation. In the image forming operation, each of the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 212 by an electrophotographic process. That is, when the formation of the toner image is requested to the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK, the photosensitive drum 212 is driven and rotated, and the charging device 213 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 212. The exposure device 210 irradiates a laser beam onto the photosensitive drum 212 based on image data received from the outside by the control portion or image data read from a document by the image reading apparatus 202. Thus, the surface of the photosensitive drum 212 is exposed and forms an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 214 supplies a developer containing toner to the photosensitive drum 212, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

The toner images formed by the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK are primary-transferred to the transfer belt 216 by the primary transfer roller 219. When a full-color image is formed, primary transfer is performed such that the toner image of each color is superimposed on the transfer belt 216, and thereby a color image is formed on the transfer belt 216. The viscous material such as toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 151 is removed by the cleaning device of each of the process units PY, PM, PC, and PK.

In parallel with the operation of the image forming portion 201B, the sheets S are fed one by one from the cassette feeding portion 230 or the manual feeding portion 235 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 240. After correcting the tilting movement of the sheet S, the registration roller pair 240 conveys the sheet S to the transfer portion 201D at timing synchronized with the operation of the image forming portion 201B. And in the transfer portion 201D, the toner image is secondarily transferred from the transfer belt 216 to the sheet S by a secondary transfer roller 217 to which a transfer voltage is applied.

The sheet S having passed through the transfer portion 201D is conveyed to the fixing device 201E. The fixing device 201E heats and pressurizes the toner image on the sheet S while sandwiching and conveying the sheet S between the heating roller 220b and the pressing roller 220 a. Thereby, a fixed image is generated on the sheet S. Incidentally, an adhesive force to the heating roller 220b is generated on the sheet S due to the adhesive force of the melted toner. If the rigidity of the sheet S is low (weak), the sheet S may be wound around the rotating heating roller 220b, and thus a separation plate 221 is provided on the downstream side of the heating roller 220b to separate the sheet.

In the case of one-sided printing, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 201E is discharged into the discharge space V by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b, and is stacked on the discharge tray 223. In the case of duplex printing, the sheet S on which an image is formed on the first side by passing through the transfer portion 201D and the fixing device 201E is reversed by the reversing roller pair 222, and is conveyed again to the image forming portion 201B via the re-conveying path R. Also, the sheet S on which an image is formed on the second surface by passing through the transfer portion 201D and the fixing device 201E again is discharged into the discharge space V by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b, and is stacked on the discharge tray 223.

In the above description, the image forming portion 201B is an example of an image forming portion, and an electrophotographic unit of a direct transfer method or an image forming unit of an inkjet method or an image forming unit of an offset method may be used instead of the image forming portion 201B.

(Manual feeding section)

The manual feeding portion 235 provided with an air blowing portion will be described using fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion 235 seen from above. Unlike the cassette feeding portion 230, which can accommodate a large number of sheets, the manual feeding portion 235 is configured to enable a user to set a necessary number of sheets when using the image forming apparatus 201. Accordingly, the cassette feed cassette 230 is suitable for sheets of regular paper having a standard size that are often used, and the manual feed portion 235 is suitable for sheets that are not often used, such as coated paper and long sheets.

In the following description, the "feeding direction Y" indicates a direction in which a sheet is fed from the feeding tray 5 by the pickup roller 502. The "sheet width direction X" represents a direction along the sheets stacked on the feeding tray 5 and perpendicular to the feeding direction Y.

The manual feed portion 235 is provided with a feed tray 5, a pickup roller 502, a feed roller 503, a retard roller 504, side end guides 14a and 14b, and air blowing fans 15a and 15b.

The feeding tray 5 is a tray (stacking member) on which sheets are stacked. The feeding tray 5 includes a stacking surface 5a (a support surface that supports a lower surface of the sheet, a mounting surface) on which the sheet is stacked. The feeding tray 5 may rotate (openable and closable) about a supporting portion 5e (hinge portion) as a rotation center between a receiving position (see fig. 18) where the feeding tray 5 is received in a side surface portion of the main assembly 201A of the image forming apparatus 201 and a feeding position where the feeding tray 5 protrudes out of the main assembly 201A and is capable of feeding sheets. In a state where the feeding tray 5 is opened, the user can set sheets onto the feeding tray 5. The feeding tray 5 is also called a manual feeding tray or a multipurpose tray.

The pickup roller 502 is an example of a feeding portion that feeds a sheet. The pickup roller 502 is disposed above the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5. The pickup roller 502 is rotatably supported by a roller holder as a holding member. The roller holder is swingable around the rotation axis of the feed roller 503. As the roller holder swings, the pickup roller 502 moves between a feeding position (contact position, lower position) where the pickup roller 502 contacts the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the feeding tray 5 and a standby position (separation position, upper position) where the pickup roller 502 is separated from the sheets. When the pickup roller 502 rotates at the feeding position, the sheet is fed from the feeding tray 5 in the feeding direction Y. Instead of the pickup roller 502, a mechanism that adsorbs the sheet to the belt by negative pressure generated by a fan and rotates the belt to convey the sheet may be used, for example.

The feed roller 503 further conveys the sheet received from the pickup roller 502 in the feed direction Y. A conveying roller pair 506 that conveys the sheet received from the feed roller 503 toward the registration roller pair 240 (fig. 1) is provided downstream of the feed roller 503.

The retard roller 504 pressurizes the feed roller 503 and forms a separation nip between the feed roller 503 and the retard roller 504. In addition, a driving force in the opposite direction to the rotation of the feed roller 503 is input to the retard roller 504 through the torque limiter. The retard roller 504 is an example of a separation member that separates a sheet with friction, and for example, a roller member connected to a fixed shaft through a torque limiter or a pad-shaped elastic member that abuts against the feed roller 503 may be used instead of the retard roller 504.

The side end guides 14a and 14b are regulating members (regulating plates) that regulate the position of the sheet with respect to the sheet width direction X. In the present embodiment, a pair of side end guides 14a and 14b facing each other with respect to the sheet width direction X are used. The rear side end guide 14b is a second side end guide provided opposite to the side end guide 14a as the first side end guide with respect to the sheet width direction X. The side end guides 14a and 14b are provided with regulating surfaces 14a1 and 14b1, respectively, as inner side surfaces with respect to the sheet width direction X. For one of the side end guides, "inside" of the sheet width direction X is a side where the other of the side end guides is provided, and is a side where sheets are stacked, and "outside" of the sheet width direction X is a side opposite to the side where the other of the side end guides is provided. The regulating surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 are surfaces extending in the feeding direction Y and rising substantially perpendicular to the feeding tray 5 as seen in the feeding direction Y. The regulating surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 regulate the position of the sheet with respect to the sheet width direction X by abutting against an end portion (side end of the sheet) in the sheet width direction X of the sheet stacked on the feeding tray 5.

The side end guides 14a and 14b are movable in the sheet width direction X with respect to the feed tray 5. The side end guides 14a and 14b are connected by a mechanism associated with each other (such as a rack and pinion mechanism) and move in association with each other such that the distance from the center position X0 to each side end guide in the sheet width direction X is the same. The center position X0 is a reference position in the sheet width direction X of the sheet fed by the manual feeding portion 235.

One of the side end guides 14a and 14b (the side end guide 14a located on the front side of the image forming apparatus 201) is provided with an operation knob 18 as an operation portion (grip portion) for moving the side end guides 14a and 14 b. The user can prevent the diagonal movement and dislocation of the sheets by moving the side end guides 14a and 14b to positions matching the size of the sheets to be used.

The blowing fans 15a and 15b are examples of blowing fans (blowing portions, blowers) that blow air to promote separation of sheets stacked on the feeding tray 5. The blower fans 15a and 15b suck external air through, for example, suction ports provided in the bottom surface of the feed tray 5 to generate an air flow. The blower fans 15a and 15b of the present embodiment are provided on the lower side of the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5. The blower fans 15a and 15b are fan motors that integrate a main body of a fan generating an air flow by rotation and a motor driving the main body of the fan.

The side end guides 14a and 14b are provided with air supply outlets 16a and 16b for supplying air from the air supply fans 15a and 15b to the side ends of the sheets on the feed tray 5, respectively. The air supply outlets 16a and 16b are openings formed in the regulating surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 of the side end guides 14a and 14b, respectively. In addition, the air supply outlets 16a and 16b are connected to the exhaust portions of the air supply fans 15a and 15b through ducts (air passages) formed inside the side end guides 14a and 14b, respectively.

When the blower fans 15a and 15b are actuated, air is blown out from the blower outlets 16a and 16b, respectively, inward with respect to the sheet width direction X, as indicated by flow lines A1 and A2.

Incidentally, the heights of the openings of the air supply outlets 16a and 16b are set to be higher than the maximum stacking height of the sheets in the feed tray 5, respectively. The maximum stack height of the sheets is indicated, for example, by attaching a sticker indicating the maximum stack height on at least one of the regulating surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 of the side end guides 14a and 14 b.

In addition, in the case of changing whether or not to perform air blowing according to the type of sheet, the maximum stack height of the sheet (e.g., coated paper) on which air blowing is performed may be set to be lower than the maximum stack height of the sheet (e.g., plain paper) on which air blowing is not performed. In addition, when the user selects coated paper at the operation part 730, information reminding the user of the maximum stack height may be displayed.

(feeding operation of the Manual feeding portion)

Next, a feeding operation of the manual feeding portion 235 to feed the sheet will be described with reference to fig. 2. The user sets sheets on the feeding tray 5 in advance, and inputs setting information on the set sheets through the operation portion 730.

When the user presses the print execution button, the blower fans 15a and 15b are actuated to start blowing air, and the air is sent from the blower outlets 16a and 16b to the side ends of the sheet. By this air entering the space between the sheets, the sheets start to float, and thereby the adhesive force between the sheets is reduced. Therefore, the manual feeding portion 235 can stably separate and feed sheets one by one even when sheets such as coated paper having high surface smoothness and sticking possibly occurring therebetween are used. Incidentally, the control portion 100 of the image forming apparatus 201 may be configured to activate the blowing fans 15a and 15b only when it is determined that separation by air blowing is necessary based on the sheet setting information (for example, in the case of coated paper).

After a predetermined time elapses from the blowing of air by the blower fans 15a and 15b, rotation of the pickup roller 502 and the feed roller 503 and the like is started, and the pickup roller 502 moves from the standby position to the feed position with the swing of the roller holder. Then, the uppermost sheet abutting against the pickup roller 502 is fed to a feed roller 503, separated from other sheets in a separation nip to be further conveyed, and conveyed to a registration roller pair 240 (fig. 1) by a conveying roller pair 506. After this process, the flow of sheet conveyance and image formation is as described above. Incidentally, the timing of sheet conveyance is monitored by a sheet sensor 505 (fig. 1) that detects a sheet at a position between the feed roller 503 and the conveying roller pair 506.

(details of air blowing configuration)

Details of the configuration for blowing air to the sheet in the present embodiment will be described below using fig. 3 to 10.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion 235 seen from above. Part (a) of fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cross-section IVA-IVA of fig. 3. Part (b) of fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the cross section IVB-IVB of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a cross section V-V of fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved to the outermost position (side end position of the maximum-sized sheet Sa feedable from the manual feed portion 235). Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved to the innermost position (side end position of the minimum-sized sheet Sb that can be fed from the manual feed portion 235). Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the manual feeding portion 235 seen from above. Fig. 9 is a view seen through the upper surface of the feed tray 5 in fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a cross section X-X of fig. 8.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 4, part (b) of fig. 4, and fig. 5, the blower fans 15a and 15b are disposed below the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5. In other words, the blower fans 15a and 15b are disposed on the opposite side to the side on which the sheets are stacked on the stacking surface 5 a. With this configuration, it becomes possible to save space in the manual feeding portion 235 provided with the air blowing configuration. In other words, when the air blowing fan 15a is provided on the upper side of the stacking surface 5a, the air blowing fan must be provided while avoiding the stacking surface 5 a. In this case, the blower fan protrudes to the outside of the feeding tray 5 or the like with respect to the sheet width direction X, which increases the space occupied by the manual feeding portion 235, and which in turn results in a larger size of the image forming apparatus.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the blower fans 15a and 15b are provided in the space on the lower side of the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5, this can save the space of the manual feeding portion 235, and downsizing of the image forming apparatus becomes possible. In addition, since the blower fans 15a and 15b do not protrude in the upper side of the feeding tray 5, accessibility of the feeding tray 5 is improved, and thus workability is improved, and it is also advantageous in terms of noise reduction.

Preferably, the blower fans 15a and 15b are disposed such that at least a part of the blower fans 15a and 15b overlaps the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 as viewed from above (fig. 3). Each of the blower fans 15a and 15b is provided at a position overlapping the stacking surface 5a, respectively, with respect to the sheet width direction X. In other words, the blower fan 15a is disposed such that the position of at least a part of the blower fan 15a with respect to the sheet width direction X overlaps the position of the stacking surface 5a with respect to the sheet width direction X. Similarly, the blower fan 15b is disposed such that the position of at least a part of the blower fan 15b with respect to the sheet width direction X overlaps the position of the stacking surface 5a with respect to the sheet width direction X. Thereby, the size of the image forming apparatus can be further reduced. The stacking surface 5a (sheet stacking area) of the feeding tray 5 is defined as an area where the largest-sized sheet Sa of the sheets that can be fed from the manual feeding portion 235 is stacked on the upper surface of the feeding tray 5. In other words, the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 is a sheet stacking area (fig. 6) in which the sheets Sa are stacked in a state where the side end guides 14a and 14b are widened to the outermost sides with respect to the sheet width direction X. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the area (fig. 7) where the sheets Sb are stacked in a state where the side end guides 14a and 14b are narrowed to the innermost side with respect to the sheet width direction X is a part of the stacking surface 5a and is entirely included by the stacking surface 5 a. In other words, even in the state of fig. 7, the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 is still in the region within the width of the maximum-sized sheet Sa indicated by the one-dot chain line in fig. 7.

Incidentally, as shown in fig. 6, a part of the blower fan 15a with respect to the sheet width direction X may overlap with the position of the stacking surface 5a with respect to the sheet width direction X, or the entire blower fan 15a with respect to the sheet width direction X may overlap with the position of the stacking surface 5a with respect to the sheet width direction X.

The blower fans 15a and 15b are preferably housed within the housing of the feed tray 5. That is, the blower fans 15a and 15b are preferably accommodated in an inner space of the feeding tray 5, which is spread between the stacking surface 5a (upper surface) and the bottom surface 5b of the feeding tray 5, as shown in fig. 10. According to this configuration, since the blower fans 15a and 15b are not exposed to the outside, it has advantages such as improved safety, aesthetic appearance, and noise reduction. In addition, the feeding tray 5 is openable and closable with respect to the main assembly 201A without worrying about interference between the blower fans 15a and 15b and the main assembly 201A. Therefore, it has advantages such as downsizing of the apparatus and improvement of the degree of freedom of design, for example, as compared with the case where the space for receiving the blower fans 15a and 15b is ensured when the feeding tray 5 approaches the main assembly 201A.

As shown in fig. 3, 6, and 7, the blower fan 15a is attached to a side end guide 14a movable in the sheet width direction X with respect to the feed tray 5, and moves integrally with the side end guide 14 a. Also, the blower fan 15b is attached to a side end guide 14b movable in the sheet width direction X with respect to the feed tray 5, and moves integrally with the side end guide 14 b. By disposing the blower fans 15a and 15b so as to move integrally with the side end guides 14a and 14b, the disposition of the ducts (air paths) that guide the air from the blower fans 15a and 15b to the blower outlets 16a and 16b can be simplified.

A suction port (fig. 9) is provided in a wall surface of the feed tray 5 opposite to the suction side openings of the blower fans 15a and 15 b. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 5b of the feeding tray 5 is provided with suction ports 19a and 19b, which are arranged with a plurality of slits extending in the sheet width direction X. The suction ports 19a and 19b may have a length such that at least a portion of the suction side opening 15a2 of the blower fan (fig. 10) is maintained in a state opposite to the suction ports 19a and 19b in a case where the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved from one end to the other end of the moving range. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pressure drop from increasing as the blower fans 15a and 15b are farther from the suction ports 19a and 19 b. The length of the suction ports 19a and 19b in the sheet width direction X may be longer than the diameter of the opening 15a2 on the suction side of the blower fans 15a and 15b (fig. 10).

As shown in part (a) of fig. 4, the blower fan 15a on the front side sucks air (outside air) from the outside of the feed tray 5 through the suction port 19a (streamline E1). A pipe 141a is formed in the side end guide 14 a. The air (streamline D1) discharged from the blower fan 15a is guided to the blower outlet 16a through the duct 141 a. In the present embodiment, the duct 141a extends in the feeding direction Y inside the side end guide 14a such that air is distributed to two air supply outlets 16a (first air supply outlet and second air supply outlet) through the duct 141a (streamline B1). The air is sent from the air sending outlet 16a toward the inner side in the sheet width direction X toward the side end of the sheet S (streamline A1, see also fig. 3).

As shown in part (b) of fig. 4, the air path on the rear side is the same as that on the front side except for the position of the blower fan 15 b. That is, the blower fan 15b sucks air (outside air) from outside the feed tray 5 through the suction port 19b (streamline E1). A pipe 141b is formed in the side end guide 14 b. The air (streamline D1) discharged from the blower fan 15b is guided to the blower outlet 16b through the duct 141 b. In the present embodiment, the duct 141B extends in the feeding direction Y inside the side end guide 14B, so that air is distributed by the duct 141B to the two air supply outlets 16B (streamlines B1 and C1). The air is sent from the air sending outlet 16b toward the side end of the sheet S (streamline A2 in fig. 3) toward the inside in the sheet width direction X.

As shown in fig. 5, the exhaust direction of the blower fan 15a and the blowing direction of the air from the blower outlet 16a are disposed in opposite directions with respect to the sheet width direction X, as viewed in the feeding direction Y. That is, the blower fan 15a is provided to exhaust air outwardly (streamline F1) with respect to the sheet width direction X. The air supply outlet 16a is provided to blow air inward with respect to the sheet width direction X (streamline A1). Accordingly, in the arrangement in which the blower fan 15a is integrally provided with the side end guide 14a, the blower fan 15a is provided with respect to the side end guide 14a by using the space inside in the sheet width direction X. With this configuration, the space of the manual feeding portion 235 with respect to the sheet width direction X can be saved. In addition, it is preferable to position the entire rotary blade as the main body portion of the blower fan 15a in the regulating surface 14a1 with respect to the sheet width direction X.

Although fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the blower fan 15a on the front side, the same is true for the blower fan 15b on the rear side, except that the positioning is opposite with respect to the sheet width direction X. That is, the exhaust direction of the blower fan 15b and the blowing direction of the air from the blower outlet 16b are disposed in opposite directions with respect to the sheet width direction X as seen in the feeding direction Y (see fig. 3). With this configuration, the space of the manual feeding portion 235 with respect to the sheet width direction X can be saved.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, in the present embodiment, a sirocco (sirocco) fan, which is a kind of centrifugal fan, is used as the blowing fans 15a and 15b, and the rotation axes 15a1 and 15b1 of the rotation blades are provided so as to intersect with the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5. Preferably, the rotation axes 15a1 and 15b1 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the stacking surface 5a (substantially parallel to the normal direction Z of the stacking surface 5 a). Thereby, the feeding tray 5 can be downsized with respect to the thickness direction.

Incidentally, the centrifugal fan refers to a fan that sucks air in an axial direction from one side of the rotating blade and discharges the air in a direction (centrifugal direction) perpendicular to the axial direction, and is, for example, a sirocco fan or a turbo fan. Among centrifugal fans, the sirocco fan is excellent in satisfying quietness, durability, static pressure required for sheet separation, and the like in a well-balanced manner. However, a centrifugal fan or an axial fan other than the sirocco fan may be used as the blower fan.

Incidentally, as shown in fig. 5, a duct 141a penetrates the upper side of the feeding tray 5 from the lower side to the upper side so as to connect the air blowing fan 15a provided below the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 with the air blowing outlet 16a provided above the stacking surface 5 a. The same is true for the rear side pipe 141b. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 8, a notch 5d (slot, opening portion) is formed in the stacking surface 5a, which allows the movement of the tubes 141a and 141b in the sheet width direction X along the movement of the side end guides 14a and 14 b. The location and shape of the recess 5d may be varied to match the pipes 141a and 141b. In addition, a recess is also formed in the stacking surface 5a in the vicinity of the correlating mechanism M1 (described below), through which a part of the side end guides 14a and 14b vertically penetrates.

The configuration concerning the movement of the side end guides 14a and 14b and the blower fans 15a and 15b, and the positioning of the blower fans 15a and 15b will be described below. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, a pair of side end guides 14a and 14b move in association with each other in the sheet width direction X.

As shown in fig. 9, the side end guides 14a and 14b are connected to each other by the interrelation mechanisms M1 and M2 in the feed tray 5. In the present embodiment, a rack and pinion mechanism constituted by racks 143a and 143b and pinion 142 is used as the correlation mechanism M1. In addition, a rack and pinion mechanism composed of racks 145a and 145b and a pinion 144 is used as the correlation mechanism M2.

As shown in fig. 6, the blower fans 15a and 15b that move integrally with the side end guides 14a and 14b are disposed inside in the sheet width direction X with respect to the side end guides 14a and 14 b. Thereby, the size of the manual feeding portion 235 can be reduced in the sheet width direction X.

In the present embodiment, the blower fan 15a (first blower fan) is different from the blower fan 15b (second blower fan) in position with respect to the feeding direction Y. Thereby, even when the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved in the sheet width direction X, interference of the blower fans 15a and 15b can be made smaller, and the side end guides 14a and 14b can be made to regulate the sheet having a narrow width.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, when the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved to positions matching the minimum-sized sheets Sb, the positions of the blower fans 15a and 15b overlap as seen in the feeding direction Y. In other words, the first blower fan and the second blower fan overlap as viewed in the feeding direction in a state in which the first side end guide and the second side end guide are moved to the innermost positions with respect to the sheet width direction. Thereby, sheets having a narrower width can be processed by effectively utilizing the inner space of the feed tray 5.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7, when the side end guides 14a and 14b are moved to positions matching the minimum-sized sheet Sb, the front side end guide 14a overlaps the rear side blower fan 15b as viewed from above. The rear side end guide 14b overlaps the front side blower fan 15 a. In other words, in a state in which the first side end guide and the second side end guide are moved to the innermost positions with respect to the sheet width direction, the first side end guide and the second blower fan overlap, and the second side end guide and the first blower fan overlap, as viewed from above. Thereby, sheets having a narrower width can be processed by effectively utilizing the inner space of the feed tray 5.

As shown in fig. 6, 7 and 10, the blower fans 15a and 15b are guided by slide shafts 17a and 17b held by the feed tray 5, respectively. The slide shafts 17a and 17b are shaft-shaped members extending in the sheet width direction X. The blower fan 15a is provided with an engagement portion 15a3 engaged with the slide shaft 17 a. The blower fan 15b is provided with an engagement portion 15b3 engaged with the slide shaft 17 b. Thereby, the weights of the blower fans 15a and 15b are supported by the slide shafts 17a and 17b, respectively, and thereby the operability of the side end guides 14a and 14b is improved.

The position of the operation knob 18 provided on the side end guide 14a in the feeding direction Y and the position of the slide shaft 17a in the feeding direction Y may overlap. Thus, when the side end guide 14a moves, the possibility of applying a force in the rotational direction to the side end guide with respect to the slide shaft 17a becomes smaller, thereby facilitating smooth movement of the side end guide 14a and improving operability.

Incidentally, as shown in fig. 6, although the rotation axis 15a1 of the front side blower fan 15a is provided in the vicinity of the blower outlet 16a, the rotation axis 15b1 of the rear side blower fan 15b is provided upstream in the feeding direction Y of the blower outlet 16b away from the side end guide 14 b. In this case, the blower fan 15b is disposed in such a direction that the exhaust port 15b2 is positioned on the downstream side in the feeding direction Y with respect to the rotation axis 15b 1. Thus, by shortening the air path from the exhaust port 15b2 to the air sending outlet 16b, the pressure loss can be reduced, and the air can be effectively sent to the sheet.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 4 and part (b) of fig. 4, a door 601, which is an open/close member for performing the jam clearing process of the cassette feeding portion 230 (fig. 1), is provided below the manual feeding portion 235. The door 601 is supported by a hinge 602 on the main assembly 201A of the image forming apparatus 201 (fig. 1), and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the sheet width direction X. The locus 603 in the figure is a locus drawn by the tip end (the end portion on the side farther from the hinge 602) of the door 601 when the door 601 is opened and closed.

In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 5b of the feeding tray 5 is provided with an inclined portion 5c formed in a tapered shape so as to become closer to the stacking surface 5a as it goes downstream in the feeding direction Y (see also fig. 10). Thereby, the blower fans 15a and 15b having a certain thickness can be accommodated inside the feeding tray 5 and avoid interference with the door 601. Incidentally, as long as interference with the door 601 can be avoided, for example, the blower fan 15b may be provided at a position overlapping the track 603 as viewed in the sheet width direction X but different from the end of the door 601 with respect to the sheet width direction X.

Example 2

The manual feeding portion 235 according to embodiment 2 will be described using fig. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion 235 according to the present embodiment as seen from above. Fig. 12 is a cross section XII-XII of fig. 11. Hereinafter, elements having common reference characters to embodiment 1 have substantially the same configurations and roles as described in embodiment 1.

The present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 in that axial flow fans having relatively low cost are used as the blower fans 25a and 25b. In addition, the present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 in that the blower fans 25a and 25b are disposed in the vicinity of the end portion on the upstream side of the feeding tray 5 with respect to the feeding direction Y, and the positions of the blower fans 25a and 25b overlap as viewed in the sheet width direction X.

The blower fans 25a and 25b are disposed such that the rotation axis of the rotating blades (propellers) intersects with the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 (preferably so as to be substantially parallel to the normal direction of the stacking surface 5 a). Accordingly, the blower fans 25a and 25b draw in outside air from below the feed tray 5 (flow line E1) and exhaust it upward toward the ducts 141a and 141b (flow line D1), respectively. And air passes through the interiors of the ducts 141a and 141b, and is sent from the air sending outlets 16a and 16b to the side ends of the sheet.

Also in the present embodiment, two blower fans 25a and 25b are provided below the stacking surface 5a of the feed tray 5 as a stacking member. Therefore, also with the present embodiment, in the configuration of blowing air to the sheet, space can be saved.

Example 3

The manual feeding portion 235 according to embodiment 3 will be described using fig. 13 and 14. Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion 235 according to the present embodiment as seen from above. Fig. 14 is a cross-section XIV-XIV of fig. 13. Hereinafter, elements having common reference characters to embodiment 1 have substantially the same configurations and roles as described in embodiment 1.

In the present embodiment, sirocco fans having a relatively large air volume and still having quietness and durability are used as the air blowing fans 35a and 35b. In addition, the present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 in that the blower fans 35a and 35b are disposed in the vicinity of the end portion on the upstream side of the feeding tray 5 with respect to the feeding direction Y, and the positions of the blower fans 35a and 35b overlap as viewed in the sheet width direction X.

The blower fans 35a and 35b are disposed such that the rotation axis of the rotating blades (propellers) intersects with the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 (preferably so as to be substantially parallel to the normal direction of the stacking surface 5 a). The blowing fans 35a and 35b draw in outside air (streamline E1) from below the feeding tray 5 and exhaust the air in a direction along the stacking surface 5 a. The ducts 141a and 141b are provided with curved portions Cv that guide the air discharged from the blower fans 35a and 35b in the direction along the stacking surface 5a to move toward above the stacking surface 5a, respectively. The air (air flow D1) guided by the curved portion Cv passes through the interiors of the ducts 141a and 141b, and is sent from the air supply outlets 16a and 16b to the side ends of the sheet.

Also in the present embodiment, two air blowing fans 35a and 35b are provided below the stacking surface 5a of the feed tray 5 as a stacking member. Therefore, also with the present embodiment, in the configuration of blowing air to the sheet, space can be saved.

Example 4

The manual feeding section 235 according to embodiment 4 is described using fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the manual feeding portion 235 according to the present embodiment as seen from above. Hereinafter, elements having common reference characters to embodiment 1 have substantially the same configurations and roles as described in embodiment 1.

The present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 in that the blower fans 15a and 15b are disposed so as to face each other in the sheet width direction X. The cross-sectional view with respect to cross-section A-A of fig. 15 is the same as fig. 5 of embodiment 1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the side end guide 14a is provided with one air supply outlet 16a, and the side end guide 14b is provided with one air supply outlet 16b.

Even with this arrangement of the present embodiment, in the configuration of blowing air to the sheet, space can be saved.

Example 5

The manual feeding portion 235 according to embodiment 5 will be described using fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of the manual feeding portion 235 according to the present embodiment taken in a plane perpendicular to the feeding direction Y. Hereinafter, elements having common reference characters to embodiment 1 have substantially the same configurations and roles as described in embodiment 1.

In the present embodiment, an axial flow fan is used as the blower fan 25a, and the blower fan 25a is disposed such that the rotation axis of the rotating blade (propeller) is along the sheet width direction X (a direction substantially perpendicular to the regulating surface 14a1 of the side end guide 14 a).

The blower fan 25a sucks air from the inside with respect to the sheet width direction X (streamline D1), and exhausts air to the outside with respect to the sheet width direction X (streamline B1). The air from the air-sending fan 25a is sent from the air-sending outlet 16a to the side end (streamline A1) of the sheet through the inside of the duct 141 a. Therefore, the exhaust direction of the blower fan 25a and the blowing direction of the air from the blower outlet 16a are opposite to the sheet width direction X. Therefore, with this configuration, space can also be saved in the sheet width direction X.

According to the present embodiment, the occupation width of the blower fan in the sheet width direction X can be smaller than in the case where the blower fan is disposed such that the rotation axis of the blower fan is perpendicular to the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5. Therefore, by disposing the side end guides 14a and 14b closer to each other in the sheet width direction X, a sheet having a narrower width can be processed.

In addition, also in the present embodiment, the blower fan 25a is provided below the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 as a stacking member. Therefore, also with the present embodiment, in the configuration of blowing air to the sheet, space can be saved.

Incidentally, although one side end guide 14a and the blower fan 25a are shown in fig. 16, the blower fan may be provided on the other side end guide 14b in the same arrangement.

Example 6

The manual feeding portion 235 according to embodiment 7 will be described using fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of the manual feeding portion 235 according to the present embodiment taken in a plane perpendicular to the feeding direction Y. Hereinafter, the elements having common reference to embodiment 1 have substantially the same configuration and function as those described in embodiment 1.

In the present embodiment, a sirocco fan is used as the blowing fan 35a, and the position of the blowing fan 35a is fixed to the feeding tray 5. The exhaust port of the blower fan 35a is connected to a duct 141a provided to the side end guide 14a through an extension/contraction duct 36a that is extendable and contractible in the sheet width direction X.

The blower fan 35a sucks air from below (streamline D1) and exhausts the air to the outside with respect to the sheet width direction X. The air from the air-sending fan 35a is sent from the air-sending outlet 16a to the side end (streamline A1) of the sheet through the inside (streamline B1) of the extension/contraction duct 36a and the duct 141 a. Therefore, the exhaust direction of the blower fan 35a and the blowing direction of the air from the blower outlet 16a are opposite to each other with respect to the sheet width direction X. Therefore, with this configuration, space can also be saved in the sheet width direction X.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to move the blower fan 35a as an electric element and a weight together with the side end guide 14 a. Thus, it is unnecessary to maintain a margin for the length of the power supply and signal lines for the blower fan 35a for movement, thereby simplifying the wiring path. In addition, since it is not necessary to move the weight, the operation force required to move the side end guide 14a is reduced.

Incidentally, an axial flow fan may be fixed to the feed tray 5 instead of the sirocco fan.

Other embodiments

In each of the above embodiments, one side end guide 14a is provided with two air supply outlets 16a. The amount of air delivered from each of the air delivery outlets 16a may be equal, or the amount of air delivered from one air delivery outlet may be greater than the amount of air delivered from the other air delivery outlet. In addition, the air blowing may be turned on or off according to the type and size of the sheet. For example, only in the case where the size of the sheet is larger than a predetermined size, the blower fan may be actuated and the air blowing may be turned on. The number of air supply outlets 16a may be one air supply outlet per side end director 14a, or three or more air supply outlets per side end director 14 a.

In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the blower fan corresponding to each of the pair of side end guides 14a and 14b is provided is described as an example. Without being limited thereto, the blower fan may be disposed on only one side of the side end guide.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration (so-called lifter-less configuration) in which the stacking surface 5a of the feeding tray 5 is not raised and lowered but the pickup roller 502 is raised and lowered is described as an example, but a stacking member supporting sheets may be raised and lowered. For example, in the cartridge 1 (fig. 1), a support plate (intermediate plate) swingable with respect to a bottom portion of the cartridge 1 and a lifting plate that lifts and lowers the support plate may be provided. In addition, in a sheet feeding apparatus provided with a housing memory having a large capacity, a lifting mechanism may be used to vertically raise and lower a support plate suspended on a wire by winding and unwinding the wire.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the manual sheet feeding apparatus provided in the side surface portion of the image forming apparatus mainly for offices is described. Without being limited thereto, the present technology may be applied to the cassette feeding portion 230 (fig. 1). In addition, the present technology can be applied to a sheet feeding apparatus of a manual feeding type or a sheet feeding apparatus used by being connected to a main assembly (optional feeder) of the image forming apparatus in a large-sized image forming apparatus for commercial use.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (19)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet;

a tray rotatably provided on a side surface of a main assembly accommodating the image forming portion and including a stacking surface on which sheets are stacked;

a feeding portion configured to feed sheets stacked on the stacking surface toward the image forming portion; and

A blowing fan mounted on the tray and configured to generate air to be blown to a side end of a sheet with respect to a sheet width direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the sheet fed by the feeding portion,

wherein the blower fan is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which sheets are stacked on the stacking surface such that a position of at least a part of the blower fan with respect to the sheet width direction overlaps with a position of the stacking surface with respect to the sheet width direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the air blowing fan overlaps with a stacking surface of the tray, as seen in a direction perpendicular to the stacking surface.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blower fan is accommodated in an inner space of the tray, the inner space being spread between a stacking surface and a bottom surface of the tray.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a side end guide configured to regulate a position of the sheets stacked on the stacking surface with respect to the sheet width direction and provided with a blow-out outlet configured to blow air from a blow-out fan to a side end of the sheets stacked on the stacking surface.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the blower fan moves integrally with the side end guide in the sheet width direction.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air blowing fan is provided such that an exhaust direction faces outward with respect to the sheet width direction, and

wherein the air supply outlet is provided such that a blowing direction of air faces inward with respect to the sheet width direction.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the air blowing fan includes a rotary blade, the air blowing fan is a centrifugal fan that sucks air from one side of an axial direction of the rotary blade and discharges air in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the air blowing fan is disposed such that the axial direction intersects the stacking surface.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the side end guide includes a regulating surface opposite to an end portion of a sheet with respect to the sheet width direction, and

wherein the entire rotating blade is positioned within the regulating surface with respect to the sheet width direction.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the side end guide is a first side end guide and the blowing fan is a first blowing fan, the image forming apparatus further comprises:

A second side end guide disposed opposite to the first side end guide with respect to the sheet width direction and moving in association with the first side end guide; and

and a second air blowing fan integrally moving with the second side end guide in the sheet width direction and configured to blow air toward the sheet through an air blowing outlet provided on the second side end guide.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a position of the first blowing fan with respect to the feeding direction is different from that of the second blowing fan.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first air blowing fan and the second air blowing fan overlap as seen in the feeding direction in a state in which the first side end guide and the second side end guide are moved to innermost positions with respect to the sheet width direction.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first side end guide and the second air blowing fan overlap, and the second side end guide and the first air blowing fan overlap, as viewed from above, in a state in which the first side end guide and the second side end guide are moved to innermost positions with respect to the sheet width direction.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the side end guide includes a duct configured to guide air from the air supply fan to the air supply outlet, and

wherein the tray is provided with an opening portion configured to penetrate from a lower side of the tray to an upper side of the tray and allow the duct to move with the side end guide moving in the sheet width direction.

14. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the blowing fan is configured to suck in external air through a suction port provided in a bottom surface of the tray, and

wherein the suction port extends in the sheet width direction so that at least a part of an opening of the suction side of the blower fan is kept in a state of being opposed to the suction port in a case where the side end guide moves from one end to the other end of a movement range of the side end guide.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the side end guide includes a second air supply outlet that is distant from the air supply outlet in the feeding direction, and a duct that extends in the feeding direction so as to guide air from the air supply fan to the air supply outlet and the second air supply outlet.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the blower fan is disposed on an upstream side of the side end guide with respect to the feeding direction.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the blower fan is fixed to the tray, and

the image forming apparatus further includes an extension/contraction duct configured to extend and contract with movement of the side end guide with respect to the sheet width direction.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blower fan is a sirocco fan.

19. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blower fan is an axial flow fan.