EP3643649A1 - Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette - Google Patents
Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3643649A1 EP3643649A1 EP18202822.5A EP18202822A EP3643649A1 EP 3643649 A1 EP3643649 A1 EP 3643649A1 EP 18202822 A EP18202822 A EP 18202822A EP 3643649 A1 EP3643649 A1 EP 3643649A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- sheet feed
- section
- feed cassette
- ratchet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 54
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009751 slip forming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 244000208734 Pisonia aculeata Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010420 art technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012840 feeding operation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/26—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with auxiliary supports to facilitate introduction or renewal of the pile
- B65H1/266—Support fully or partially removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette, drawer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
- B65H1/12—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device comprising spring
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2403/00—Power transmission; Driving means
- B65H2403/40—Toothed gearings
- B65H2403/41—Rack-and-pinion, cogwheel in cog railway
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2403/00—Power transmission; Driving means
- B65H2403/50—Driving mechanisms
- B65H2403/53—Articulated mechanisms
- B65H2403/533—Slotted link mechanism
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
- B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
- B65H2405/111—Bottom
- B65H2405/1116—Bottom with means for changing geometry
- B65H2405/11162—Front portion pivotable around an axis perpendicular to transport direction
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
- B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
- B65H2405/111—Bottom
- B65H2405/1117—Bottom pivotable, e.g. around an axis perpendicular to transport direction, e.g. arranged at rear side of sheet support
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
- B65H2601/30—Facilitating or easing
- B65H2601/32—Facilitating or easing entities relating to handling machine
- B65H2601/321—Access
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
- B65H2601/30—Facilitating or easing
- B65H2601/32—Facilitating or easing entities relating to handling machine
- B65H2601/326—Manual handling of handling machine
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing apparatus.
- a sheet lifting and lowering mechanism is provided in a sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus (for example, an MFP) of a multi-function peripheral.
- a sheet lifting and lowering mechanism realized by a system control mechanism including a motor and a sensor.
- the sheet lifting and lowering mechanism is constituted by a mechanical structure, a planetary gear and a gear train may be used.
- a working part for depressing a sheet lifting and lowering tray is arranged in the cassette pull-out direction.
- a pull-out distance of the sheet feed cassette which is a distance that can be used in depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray is short and a cassette pull-out load becomes heavy, resulting in deterioration in the operability.
- the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can sufficiently obtain a distance that can be used in depressing the lifting and lowering tray and can reduce the load at the time of pulling out the cassette even if the working part for depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray provided in the sheet feed cassette is arranged in the pull-out direction of the sheet feed cassette.
- One of the objects of the present invention is to improve prior art techniques and overcome at least some of the prior art problems as for instance above illustrated.
- an image processing apparatus comprising:
- the operation levers are arranged at both sides of the sheet feed cassette.
- the main body rail section is formed in a curved shape protruding upward.
- the sliding section rotatably slides along the main body rail section.
- a connection shaft supported by the sheet lifting and lowering tray is provided at the side opposite to the sliding section with respect to the shaft of the operation lever, and a ratchet-structured gear is arranged in the connection shaft, a detachment mechanism having ratchet teeth capable of engaging and disengaging with the ratchet-structured gear is provided, and at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is meshed with the ratchet teeth.
- the idle mechanism is provided in the ratchet-structured gear provided in the connection shaft, and at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is moved while being idled by the idle mechanism.
- a detachment mechanism includes a detachment ratchet section having the ratchet teeth, a detachment slider capable of advancing and retracting, and a detachment link for enabling the detachment ratchet section to be engaged with or disengaged from the ratchet teeth in conjunction with the detachment slider.
- a pickup mechanism configured to pick up a sheet on the sheet lifting and lowering tray to the apparatus main body includes a sheet feed roller to press the sheet and a pusher section moving in synchronization with the sheet feed roller, and by pushing the detachment slider by the pusher section, the ratchet teeth of the detachment ratchet section are disengaged from the ratchet-structured gear.
- the sheet feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body to the pickup mechanism side.
- the sheet feed cassette is suspended by the main body rail section at the sliding section to be supported at the time of pull-out.
- an image processing apparatus comprises a sheet feed cassette, an operation lever, a sliding section, a sheet lifting and lowering tray, and a main body rail section.
- the sheet feed cassette is housed to be capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body.
- the operation lever is arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette and is rotatable around a shaft arranged at the middle in a longitudinal direction.
- the sliding section is arranged at the rear side of the shaft of the operation lever.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray can place a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever.
- the main body rail section is arranged in the apparatus main body and guides running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.
- a sheet feed cassette 3 and a pickup mechanism 4 housed in an apparatus main body 2 in an image forming apparatus 1 which is a multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment is described.
- Fig. 1 shows the sheet feed cassette 3 which is attached to the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment to be capable of being pulled out.
- a pull-out direction side of the sheet feed cassette 3 that can be inserted into and pulled out from a housing space of the apparatus main body 2 is referred to as a front surface side, and also referred to as a front surface, and a pushing direction side is referred to as the rear side.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is capable of placing a sheet layer composed of a plurality of sheets S.
- a sheet feed conveyance section 7 is arranged at the upper part near the end in a pull-out direction of the sheet feed cassette 3 attached to the apparatus main body 2.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out in the direction of the front side indicated by an arrow of the image forming apparatus 1.
- the sheet feed unit 29 is arranged near the sheet feed cassette 3 of the sheet feed conveyance section 7.
- the sheet feed unit 29 constitutes a part of the sheet feed conveyance section 7.
- a pickup mechanism 4 is arranged under the sheet feed unit 29.
- Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the sheet feed cassette 3 attached to the apparatus main body 2 and the surrounding mechanisms thereof.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is formed in a substantially box shape and has a front surface 10, a bottom surface 11, both side surfaces 12 and a back surface 13 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2.
- two tray depression levers 15 as operation levers are arranged on both side surfaces 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3 to be capable of swinging around a shaft 16.
- the tray depression lever 15 extends in a wing shape at both sides of the shaft 16. By providing the tray depression levers 15 at both side surfaces 12, the operation is stabilized.
- connection shaft 17 connected to a sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 described later is provided.
- the both ends of the connection shaft 17 are connected to the tray depression levers 15 at both sides.
- a sliding section 18 is provided at the other end (rear side) of the tray depression lever 15. The sliding section 18 can rotate around its own axis.
- connection shaft 17 Both ends of the connection shaft 17 are inserted through an elongated hole 15a formed at the end of the tray depression lever 15.
- the connection shaft 17 is energized toward a front end side (front surface side) in the elongated hole 15a by a spring member (not shown).
- the connection shaft 17 is inserted in a slide groove 21 formed at the rear side of a detachment mechanism 20 provided at the front surface side of the tray depression lever 15.
- the slide groove 21 extends linearly in a vertical direction of the side surface 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the connection shaft 17 moves forward and backward in the elongated hole 15a against the energization force of the spring member.
- connection shaft 17 can slide vertically in the slide groove 21.
- An arc-shaped curved rail groove 22 is formed on the side surface 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3 to be vertically curved.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 is slidably inserted in the curved rail groove 22. If the tray depression lever 15 rotates around the shaft 16 by the predetermined angle, the sliding section 18 swings in an arc shape along the curved rail groove 22.
- a main body rail section 23 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the side surface 12.
- the main body rail section 23 is formed in a convex curve shape which gently curves from the rear side of the wall surface of the apparatus main body 2 to the front surface side and is displaced from the lower side to the upper side.
- the connection shaft 17 of the tray depression lever 15 moves from the upper side to the lower side along the slide groove 21.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2, the rear end is engaged with the apparatus main body 2 and is not detached.
- the main body rail section 23 guides sliding of the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette 3.
- a torque limiter 18a for suppressing a rotation speed of the sliding section 18 may be arranged in the sliding section 18.
- a running speed can be limited by the torque limiter 18a.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2.
- the connection shaft 17 of the sheet depression lever 15 is arranged near the bottom of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the sliding section 18 is lifted near the upper surface of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the main body rail section 23 extends from the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 to the vicinity of the sliding section 18 at the rear side with respect to the shaft 16 of the sheet depression lever 15 (refer to Fig. 3 ) .
- the main body rail section 23 extends from the front surface 10 to the rear side of the shaft 16 or longer.
- the main body rail section 23 is the longest and has a length equivalent to the length of the side surface 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3. In the main body rail section 23, the longer the length in the pull-out direction of the sheet feed cassette 3 is, the smaller the inclination angle of the curve becomes. Therefore, a force to pull out the sheet feed cassette 3 becomes small.
- the main body rail section 23 is inclined in such a manner that the curvature in the vicinity of the sliding section 18 at the rear side is the maximum, and the curvature becomes gradual towards the front surface side.
- the pull-out resistance force changes in such a manner that the force is large at first and gradually becomes small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet feed cassette 3 from being inadvertently pulled out due to vibration or the like.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is suspended on the main body rail section 23 at the sliding section 18 to be supported at the time of pull-out.
- Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are diagrams illustrating the tray depression lever 15 and the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is a plate-like member arranged on the bottom surface 11 of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- a sheet layer of the sheet S can be placed on the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25.
- a through hole 25a is formed at a part near the front end side of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25, and the connection shaft 17 of the tray depression lever 15 penetrates through the inside of the through hole 25a.
- an extension plate portion 25b is integrally formed at the front end side of the through hole 25a.
- a pair of mounting recesses 25c is formed on the lower surface of the extension plate portion 25b.
- a compressed spring member 27 is mounted between the bottom surface 11 of the sheet feed cassette 3 and the mounting recess 25c.
- the spring member 27 is a coil spring. Due to the energization force of the spring member 27, the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is inclined by lifting the front end at the front surface side upward.
- a rotation spindle 26 is arranged as a rotation fulcrum of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 at the rear end of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25. Both ends of the rotation spindle 26 are supported by protrusions (not shown) provided on the bottom surface 11 of the sheet feed cassette 3 to be movable in a left-right direction.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is rotatable around the rotation spindle 26. As shown in Fig.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is energized to be inclined diagonally upward by the spring member 27.
- the tray depression lever 15 is also inclined in the same direction via the connection shaft 17.
- the rotation spindle 26 of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is positioned at further rear side from the rear end of the tray depression lever 15 where the sliding section 18 is arranged.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 and the tray depression lever 15 are rotatable with each other in conjunction with the connection shaft 17.
- the sliding section 18 can be lifted to rotate the tray depression lever 15 around the shaft 16. Due to the rise of the sliding section 18, the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can be lowered to the bottom surface 11 against the energization force of the spring member 27. At the position where the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 descends, the sheet layer of the sheet S can be placed easily.
- the sheet feed unit 29 of the sheet feed conveyance section 7 is arranged at the upper side of the front surface at the pull-out side of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the sheet feed unit 29 has a pickup mechanism 4 in the vicinity of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the pickup mechanism 4 has a sheet feed roller 30 and a pusher section 32 that rotate synchronously.
- the sheet feed roller 30 presses the sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer on the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 by a spring member (not shown) .
- a sheet feed roller case 31 is arranged.
- the pusher section 32 is arranged at a position by a predetermined distance.
- the pusher section 32 presses a detachment slider 54 (described later) provided in the detachment mechanism 20 (refer to Fig. 10 ).
- a rotatable pusher roller 32a is arranged in the pusher section 32.
- the pusher section 32 can also press the detachment slider 54 with a spring member (not shown) .
- the sheet feed roller 30 and the pusher section 32 are rotatably supported by a sheet feed roller connection shaft 33.
- the sheet feed roller 30 and the pusher section 32 are rotatable synchronously around the sheet feed roller connection shaft 33. If the sheet feed roller 30 contacts with the uppermost sheet S placed on the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25, the pusher section 32 can also press the detachment slider 54 in synchronization.
- the sheet feed unit 29 delivers the sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer which is picked up one by one by the sheet feed roller 30 to the conveyance roller 35.
- the sheet feed unit 29 On a main conveyance path from the conveyance roller 35 to the secondary transfer roller 36, other conveyance rollers and resist rollers are provided.
- the resist roller aligns the position of the front ends of the sheets S conveyed by the conveyance roller 35.
- the resist roller conveys the sheet S to enable the front end of a transfer region of a toner image on the sheet S to reach a secondary transfer roller 36.
- the transfer region of the toner image is a region excluding a formation region of the end blank part in the sheet S.
- a fixing device 38 is arranged at the downstream side (upper side in the figure) of the secondary transfer roller 36 in a conveyance direction of the sheet S.
- a conveyance roller 39 is arranged at the downstream side of the fixing device 38.
- the conveyance roller 39 discharges the sheet S to a sheet discharge section.
- an inversion conveyance path 41 is arranged at the downstream side of the fixing device 38 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S.
- the inversion conveyance path 41 reverses the sheet S to guide it to the upstream side of the resist roller.
- the inversion conveyance path 41 is used at the time of performing a duplex printing.
- one-way clutches 44 each having a ratchet-structured gear 43 are arranged between both ends of the connection shaft 17 provided in the tray depression lever 15 and the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 is meshed with a later-described ratchet tooth 57 of the detachment mechanism 20.
- the one-way clutch 44 is an idle mechanism.
- the detachment mechanism 20 provided at the front surface side of the sheet feed cassette 3 is described.
- the detachment mechanism 20 regulates a lifting and lowering movement of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25.
- the slide groove 21 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the front surface side of the tray depression lever 15.
- the connection shaft 17 provided at the front end of the tray depression lever 15 moves vertically in the slide groove 21.
- a guide rack 47 is formed at one side of the slide groove 21.
- the guide rack 47 has a plurality of teeth continuously formed in the vertical direction.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 of the connection shaft 17 is meshed with the guide rack 47 to be movable vertically.
- a detachment ratchet section 48 movable in a horizontal direction provided in the detachment mechanism 20 is arranged.
- the detachment ratchet section 48 is box-shaped.
- a supporting member 49 is formed at the front surface side of the side surface 12.
- An elastic spring 50 for applying an energization force for pushing the detachment ratchet section 48 to the rear side is attached to the supporting member 49.
- the elastic spring 50 is a spring member such as a coil spring.
- a link mechanism 53 is arranged at the inner side of the detachment ratchet section 48.
- the link mechanism 53 includes a detachment slider 54 and a detachment link 56 rotatable around a spindle 55.
- the detachment slider 54 extends vertically to be movable vertically.
- a receiving section 54a of the detachment slider 54 is pressed by the pusher roller 32a of the pusher section 32 to move downward.
- the detachment link 56 is substantially L-shaped.
- the detachment link 56 is pressed by the detachment slider 54 at an abutting section 56a provided on one portion of the detachment link 56.
- a boss-like working part 56b provided on the other portion of the detachment link 56 is fitted into an elongated hole 48a formed in the detachment ratchet section 48.
- ratchet teeth 57 are formed.
- a plurality of teeth is continuously formed in the vertical direction to face the guide rack 47.
- the ratchet teeth 57 can mesh with the ratchet-structured gear 43.
- the ratchet teeth 57 are meshed with the ratchet-structured gear 43.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment ratchet section 48, further rise of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is prevented (refer to Fig. 11 ).
- the detachment link 56 rotates around the spindle 55.
- the working part 56b of the detachment link 56 presses the elongated hole 48a to move the detachment ratchet section 48 in a direction away from the slide groove 21. Therefore, the ratchet-structured gear 43 is separated from the ratchet teeth 57.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is raised by the energization force of the spring member 27 (refer to Fig. 11 ).
- connection shaft 17 of the sheet depression lever 15 rises from the lower end of the slide groove 21 by the energization force of the spring member 27.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 is not meshed with the ratchet teeth 57.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57. If the connection shaft 17 of the sheet depression lever 15 lowers the slide groove 21, the ratchet-structured gear 43 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57. At this time, the ratchet teeth 57 idle with the one-way clutch 44.
- the main body rail section 23 of the embodiment has a length from the front surface of the sheet feed cassette 3 to the vicinity of the sliding section 18 of the sheet depression lever 15.
- the rail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment has a length from the front surface 10 to the connection shaft 17.
- the main body rail section 23 of the embodiment is assumed to have a length La, a height ha, a rail angle ⁇ a, a component force Aa and a reaction force Fa at the time of pull-out.
- the rail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment is assumed to have a length Lb, a height hb, a rail angle ⁇ b, a component force Ab, and a reaction force Fb at the time of pull-out.
- La > Lb and ha ⁇ hb.
- the component force Aa at the time of pulling out the main body rail section 23 of the embodiment is as follows.
- the component force Ab at the time of pulling out the rail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment is as follows.
- the component force Aa at the pull-out of the embodiment is smaller than the component force Ab at the pull-out in the conventional embodiment (Aa ⁇ Ab).
- the pull-out force of the sheet feed cassette 3 is smaller than that in the conventional embodiment. Therefore, the longer the main body rail section 23 is in the pull-out direction, the smaller the rail angle ⁇ a becomes, and the smaller the pull-out force of the sheet feed cassette 3 becomes.
- the image forming apparatus 1 including the sheet feed cassette 3 and the pickup mechanism 4 according to the present embodiment has the above-described constitution. Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment is described.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is housed in the apparatus main body 2 with the sheet layer placed on the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 therein.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is in an inclined state held upward by the energization force of the spring member 27. Since the tray depression lever 15 is linked to the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 via the connection shaft 17, the front surface side is inclined upward (refer to Figs. 3 and 6 ). At this position, the ratchet-structured gear 43 provided on the connection shaft 17 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment mechanism 20. In this way, further rise of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is prevented.
- the sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer is pressed against the sheet feed roller 30 of the pickup mechanism 4.
- the pusher section 32 synchronized with the sheet feed roller 30 is separated from the detachment slider 54 at the sheet feed cassette 3 side (refer to Fig. 11 ).
- the uppermost sheets S are picked up one by one by the rotation of the sheet feed roller 30 to be conveyed to the sheet feed unit 29.
- the sheet feed roller 30 floats corresponding to the thickness of the sheet S pulled out. If a predetermined amount of the sheets S placed on the sheet feed cassette 3 decreases, the sheet feed roller 30 descends in conjunction with the change of the uppermost surface. The thickness of the sheet S by which the sheet feed roller 30 descends can be arbitrarily set.
- the pusher section 32 also descends in synchronization with the sheet feed roller 30.
- the detachment slider 54 of the detachment mechanism 20 is pushed. Then, the contact portion 56a of the detachment link 56 is pushed to rotate around the spindle 55. The working part 56b of the detachment link 56 presses the elongated hole 48a to move the detachment ratchet section 48 toward the front surface side against the energization force of the elastic spring 50. Thus, the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment ratchet section 48 is disengaged from the ratchet-structured gear 43 provided in the connection shaft 17 of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 (refer to Fig.10 ).
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 rises by the energization force of the spring member 27 and collides with the sheet feed roller 30, thereby pushing up the sheet feed roller 30 to stop it.
- the pusher section 32 also rises synchronously with the sheet feed roller 30 to move away from the detachment slider 54.
- the detachment ratchet section 48 moves to the slide groove 21 side by the energization force of the elastic spring 50.
- the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment ratchet section 48 are meshed with the ratchet-structured gear 43 to stop the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can be raised according to the thickness of the sheets S set in the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 in the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the uppermost surface of the sheet layer placed on the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can be held at a constant height every time a predetermined amount of the sheets S is decreased.
- the feeding operation of the sheet S by the sheet feed roller 30 is stably performed.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 contacts with the sheet feed roller 30 in a state of being inclined at a constant height.
- the connection shaft 17 is also held near the upper end of the slide groove 21, and the front surface side thereof is held inclined upward.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 provided on the connection shaft 17 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment mechanism 20.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 is arranged near the lower end at the rear side of the main body rail section 23.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled outward from the apparatus main body 2.
- the sliding section 18 at the inner side of the tray depression lever 15 rises gradually along the convex curve of the main body rail section 23.
- the sliding section 18 rotates around the shaft 16 along a curved rail groove 22 formed on the side surface 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the tray depression lever 15 rotates around the shaft 16.
- the connection shaft 17 at the front surface side of the tray depression lever 15 descends along the slide groove 21.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 provided on the connection shaft 17 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57 of the detachment mechanism 20 to descend.
- the ratchet-structured gear 43 idles with the one-way clutch 44.
- the pull-out resistance force of the sheet feed cassette 3 is relatively large at the beginning of pull-out, but then decreases.
- the tray depression lever 15 rotates around the shaft 16.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 moves along the main body rail section 23 to rise.
- the height of the connection shaft 17 of the tray depression lever 15 gradually becomes lower.
- the connection shaft 17 linearly descends along the slide groove 21 while retracting the elongated hole 15a formed in the tray depression lever 15.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 connected by the connection shaft 17 rotates downward around the rotation spindle 26 at the rear side.
- the main body rail section 23 which guides the running of the sliding section 18 extends from the front surface side to the vicinity of the sliding section 18 and has a gentle inclination. Therefore, at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette 3, the pull-out resistance force of the sheet feed cassette 3 is small.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 stops at a position where the back surface 13 is pulled out to the vicinity of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 is positioned above and the connection shaft 17 is positioned at the lower end. Since the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 falls down to the bottom surface 11 side of the sheet feed cassette 3, the sheet layer can be placed. Due to the descent of the sheet feed roller 30 and the pusher section 32, the ratchet teeth 57 provided in the detachment ratchet section 48 of the detachment mechanism 20 are not meshed with the ratchet-structured gear 43.
- the sheet feed cassette 3 After placing the sheet layer, the sheet feed cassette 3 is housed in the apparatus main body 2.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 and the tray depression lever 15 are pushed by the opposite operation to that at the time of pull-out.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 descends from a high position to a low position while moving along the main body rail section 23.
- the connection shaft 17 rises from the low position to the high position along the slide groove 21.
- the connection shaft 17 rises in a state in which the ratchet-structured gear 43 is not meshed with the ratchet teeth 57. Since the torque limiter 18a is mounted on the sliding section 18, the pull-out and pull-back of the sheet feed cassette 3 are performed at a low speed.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 also rotates upward, and the sheet layer presses the sheet feed roller 30. Since the pusher 32 also rises synchronously, by the operation of the detachment mechanism 20, the ratchet-structured gear 43 is meshed with the ratchet teeth 57.
- the sliding section 18 is provided at the side opposite to the connection shaft 17 with respect to the shaft 16 of the tray depression lever 15.
- the main body rail section 23 is formed to have a long but gently curved inclination. Therefore, the load at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette 3 can be reduced.
- the sliding section 18 of the tray depression lever 15 slides on the main body rail section 23 to be pushed upward.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is pushed downward by the connection shaft 17 at the opposite side.
- the one-way clutch 44 mounted on the connection shaft 17 of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 idles, thereby relieving limit by the detachment ratchet section 48. Therefore, the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can move smoothly downward along the slide groove 21.
- Switching between engagement and disengagement between the ratchet-structured gear 43 and the ratchet teeth 57 at the time of lifting and lowering the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can be performed by the link mechanism of the detachment mechanism 20. Since the system control, the planetary gear and the gear train are not used as in the conventional embodiment, simple constitution and miniaturization can be realized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- the tray depression levers 15 are provided on both the side surfaces 12 of the sheet feed cassette 3, but it may be arranged at only one side.
- the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 is energized upward by the spring member 27 such as a coil spring.
- the spring member 27 such as a coil spring.
- a spindle, a motor, another elastic body, or the like may be used.
- the one-way clutch 44 is provided as an idle mechanism in the ratchet-structured gear 43.
- an electromagnetic clutch, a ratchet claw, or the like may be used instead of the one-way clutch 44.
- the sheet feed cassette 3, the detachment mechanism 20, and the pickup mechanism 4 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 are described.
- the present embodiment can be applied not only to the image forming apparatus 1 but also to an image processing apparatus.
- the image processing apparatus has two fixing sections including a fixing section for fixing and a fixing section for decoloring.
- the image processing apparatus can include image erasing as well as image formation.
- the main body rail section 23 can be formed to have a long but gentle inclination. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the force at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette 3.
- the switching between the engagement and the disengagement of the ratchet-structured gear 43 and ratchet teeth 57 in switching the lifting and lowering of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 can be performed by the link mechanism of the detachment mechanism 20. Since the system control, the planetary gear and the gear train are not used as in the conventional embodiment, simple constitution and miniaturization can be realized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Abstract
Description
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing apparatus.
- Conventionally, a sheet lifting and lowering mechanism is provided in a sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus (for example, an MFP) of a multi-function peripheral. There is a sheet lifting and lowering mechanism realized by a system control mechanism including a motor and a sensor. In a case in which the sheet lifting and lowering mechanism is constituted by a mechanical structure, a planetary gear and a gear train may be used.
- In the case in which there is a sheet feed conveyance path in a cassette pull-out direction, a working part for depressing a sheet lifting and lowering tray is arranged in the cassette pull-out direction. At the time of pulling out a sheet feed cassette from an apparatus main body, a pull-out distance of the sheet feed cassette which is a distance that can be used in depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray is short and a cassette pull-out load becomes heavy, resulting in deterioration in the operability.
- The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can sufficiently obtain a distance that can be used in depressing the lifting and lowering tray and can reduce the load at the time of pulling out the cassette even if the working part for depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray provided in the sheet feed cassette is arranged in the pull-out direction of the sheet feed cassette.
- One of the objects of the present invention is to improve prior art techniques and overcome at least some of the prior art problems as for instance above illustrated.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, it is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising:
- a sheet feed cassette capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body;
- an operation lever, arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette, configured to move rotationally around a shaft positioned at the middle of the length in a pull-out direction;
- a sliding section arranged at the rear side in the pull-out direction with respect to the shaft in the operation lever;
- a sheet lifting and lowering tray configured to hold a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever; and
- a main body rail section, arranged in the apparatus main body, configured to guide running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the operation levers are arranged at both sides of the sheet feed cassette.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the main body rail section is formed in a curved shape protruding upward.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the sliding section rotatably slides along the main body rail section.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a connection shaft supported by the sheet lifting and lowering tray is provided at the side opposite to the sliding section with respect to the shaft of the operation lever, and a ratchet-structured gear is arranged in the connection shaft, a detachment mechanism having ratchet teeth capable of engaging and disengaging with the ratchet-structured gear is provided, and at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is meshed with the ratchet teeth.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the idle mechanism is provided in the ratchet-structured gear provided in the connection shaft, and at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is moved while being idled by the idle mechanism.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a detachment mechanism includes a detachment ratchet section having the ratchet teeth, a detachment slider capable of advancing and retracting, and a detachment link for enabling the detachment ratchet section to be engaged with or disengaged from the ratchet teeth in conjunction with the detachment slider.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a pickup mechanism configured to pick up a sheet on the sheet lifting and lowering tray to the apparatus main body includes a sheet feed roller to press the sheet and a pusher section moving in synchronization with the sheet feed roller, and by pushing the detachment slider by the pusher section, the ratchet teeth of the detachment ratchet section are disengaged from the ratchet-structured gear.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the sheet feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body to the pickup mechanism side.
- Optionally, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the sheet feed cassette is suspended by the main body rail section at the sliding section to be supported at the time of pull-out.
-
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sheet feed cassette and a sheet feed conveyance section; -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feed cassette; -
Fig. 3 is a diagram of the sheet feed cassette and a main body rail section; -
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body; -
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a sheet tray and a tray depression lever; -
Fig. 6 is a side view of a sheet lifting and lowering tray and the tray depression lever; -
Fig. 7 is a side view separately illustrating the sheet feed cassette and a pickup mechanism; -
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the main portions of the sheet lifting and lowering tray and the pickup mechanism; -
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a pusher section of the pickup mechanism and a detachment mechanism; -
Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the detachment mechanism; -
Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the operations of the detachment mechanism and an operation lever; and -
Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a positional relationship between the tray depression lever and the main body rail section. - In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a sheet feed cassette, an operation lever, a sliding section, a sheet lifting and lowering tray, and a main body rail section. The sheet feed cassette is housed to be capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body. The operation lever is arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette and is rotatable around a shaft arranged at the middle in a longitudinal direction. The sliding section is arranged at the rear side of the shaft of the operation lever. The sheet lifting and lowering tray can place a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever. The main body rail section is arranged in the apparatus main body and guides running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.
- Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus of an embodiment is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- With reference to
Fig. 1 to Fig. 12 , asheet feed cassette 3 and apickup mechanism 4 housed in an apparatusmain body 2 in animage forming apparatus 1 which is a multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment is described.Fig. 1 shows thesheet feed cassette 3 which is attached to the apparatusmain body 2 of theimage forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment to be capable of being pulled out. Herein, a pull-out direction side of thesheet feed cassette 3 that can be inserted into and pulled out from a housing space of the apparatusmain body 2 is referred to as a front surface side, and also referred to as a front surface, and a pushing direction side is referred to as the rear side. Thesheet feed cassette 3 is capable of placing a sheet layer composed of a plurality of sheets S. - A sheet
feed conveyance section 7 is arranged at the upper part near the end in a pull-out direction of thesheet feed cassette 3 attached to the apparatusmain body 2. Thesheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out in the direction of the front side indicated by an arrow of theimage forming apparatus 1. Thesheet feed unit 29 is arranged near thesheet feed cassette 3 of the sheetfeed conveyance section 7. Thesheet feed unit 29 constitutes a part of the sheetfeed conveyance section 7. Apickup mechanism 4 is arranged under thesheet feed unit 29. -
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating thesheet feed cassette 3 attached to the apparatusmain body 2 and the surrounding mechanisms thereof. Thesheet feed cassette 3 is formed in a substantially box shape and has afront surface 10, abottom surface 11, bothside surfaces 12 and aback surface 13 provided on the front surface of the apparatusmain body 2. InFig. 3 andFig. 4 , two tray depression levers 15 as operation levers are arranged on bothside surfaces 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3 to be capable of swinging around ashaft 16. Thetray depression lever 15 extends in a wing shape at both sides of theshaft 16. By providing the tray depression levers 15 at bothside surfaces 12, the operation is stabilized. At one end of thefront surface 10 side with respect to theshaft 16 of thetray depression lever 15, aconnection shaft 17 connected to a sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 described later is provided. The both ends of theconnection shaft 17 are connected to the tray depression levers 15 at both sides. At the other end (rear side) of thetray depression lever 15, a slidingsection 18 is provided. The slidingsection 18 can rotate around its own axis. - Both ends of the
connection shaft 17 are inserted through anelongated hole 15a formed at the end of thetray depression lever 15. Theconnection shaft 17 is energized toward a front end side (front surface side) in theelongated hole 15a by a spring member (not shown). Theconnection shaft 17 is inserted in aslide groove 21 formed at the rear side of adetachment mechanism 20 provided at the front surface side of thetray depression lever 15. Theslide groove 21 extends linearly in a vertical direction of theside surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3. At the time thetray depression lever 15 rotates around theshaft 16 by a predetermined angle, theconnection shaft 17 moves forward and backward in theelongated hole 15a against the energization force of the spring member. Therefore, theconnection shaft 17 can slide vertically in theslide groove 21. An arc-shapedcurved rail groove 22 is formed on theside surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3 to be vertically curved. The slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 is slidably inserted in thecurved rail groove 22. If thetray depression lever 15 rotates around theshaft 16 by the predetermined angle, the slidingsection 18 swings in an arc shape along thecurved rail groove 22. - On a wall surface of the apparatus
main body 2 facing theside surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3, a mainbody rail section 23 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of theside surface 12. The mainbody rail section 23 is formed in a convex curve shape which gently curves from the rear side of the wall surface of the apparatusmain body 2 to the front surface side and is displaced from the lower side to the upper side. As shown inFig. 4 , if thesheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatusmain body 2, the slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 is displaced from the lower side to the upper side along the mainbody rail section 23. Therefore, theconnection shaft 17 of thetray depression lever 15 moves from the upper side to the lower side along theslide groove 21. - In the present embodiment, if the
sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatusmain body 2, the rear end is engaged with the apparatusmain body 2 and is not detached. The mainbody rail section 23 guides sliding of the slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 at the time of pulling out thesheet feed cassette 3. Atorque limiter 18a for suppressing a rotation speed of the slidingsection 18 may be arranged in the slidingsection 18. At the time of pulling out or pulling back thesheet feed cassette 3, a running speed can be limited by thetorque limiter 18a. InFig. 4 , thesheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatusmain body 2. At the time thesheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out, theconnection shaft 17 of thesheet depression lever 15 is arranged near the bottom of thesheet feed cassette 3. The slidingsection 18 is lifted near the upper surface of thesheet feed cassette 3. - In the embodiment, the main
body rail section 23 extends from the front surface of the apparatusmain body 2 to the vicinity of the slidingsection 18 at the rear side with respect to theshaft 16 of the sheet depression lever 15 (refer toFig. 3 ) . Preferably, the mainbody rail section 23 extends from thefront surface 10 to the rear side of theshaft 16 or longer. The mainbody rail section 23 is the longest and has a length equivalent to the length of theside surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3. In the mainbody rail section 23, the longer the length in the pull-out direction of thesheet feed cassette 3 is, the smaller the inclination angle of the curve becomes. Therefore, a force to pull out thesheet feed cassette 3 becomes small. In the example shown inFig. 3 , the mainbody rail section 23 is inclined in such a manner that the curvature in the vicinity of the slidingsection 18 at the rear side is the maximum, and the curvature becomes gradual towards the front surface side. At the time of pulling out thesheet feed cassette 3, due to a change in the curvature angle of the mainbody rail section 23, the pull-out resistance force changes in such a manner that the force is large at first and gradually becomes small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent thesheet feed cassette 3 from being inadvertently pulled out due to vibration or the like. Thesheet feed cassette 3 is suspended on the mainbody rail section 23 at the slidingsection 18 to be supported at the time of pull-out. -
Fig. 5 andFig. 6 are diagrams illustrating thetray depression lever 15 and the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 of thesheet feed cassette 3. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is a plate-like member arranged on thebottom surface 11 of thesheet feed cassette 3. A sheet layer of the sheet S can be placed on the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25. A throughhole 25a is formed at a part near the front end side of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25, and theconnection shaft 17 of thetray depression lever 15 penetrates through the inside of the throughhole 25a. In the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25, anextension plate portion 25b is integrally formed at the front end side of the throughhole 25a. A pair of mountingrecesses 25c is formed on the lower surface of theextension plate portion 25b. - A
compressed spring member 27 is mounted between thebottom surface 11 of thesheet feed cassette 3 and the mountingrecess 25c. For example, thespring member 27 is a coil spring. Due to the energization force of thespring member 27, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is inclined by lifting the front end at the front surface side upward. Arotation spindle 26 is arranged as a rotation fulcrum of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 at the rear end of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25. Both ends of therotation spindle 26 are supported by protrusions (not shown) provided on thebottom surface 11 of thesheet feed cassette 3 to be movable in a left-right direction. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is rotatable around therotation spindle 26. As shown inFig. 6 , the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is energized to be inclined diagonally upward by thespring member 27. Thetray depression lever 15 is also inclined in the same direction via theconnection shaft 17. Therotation spindle 26 of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is positioned at further rear side from the rear end of thetray depression lever 15 where the slidingsection 18 is arranged. In addition, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 and thetray depression lever 15 are rotatable with each other in conjunction with theconnection shaft 17. - At the time of pulling out the
sheet feed cassette 3, the slidingsection 18 can be lifted to rotate thetray depression lever 15 around theshaft 16. Due to the rise of the slidingsection 18, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 can be lowered to thebottom surface 11 against the energization force of thespring member 27. At the position where the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 descends, the sheet layer of the sheet S can be placed easily. - In
Fig. 1 andFig. 7∼Fig. 9 , thesheet feed unit 29 of the sheetfeed conveyance section 7 is arranged at the upper side of the front surface at the pull-out side of thesheet feed cassette 3. Thesheet feed unit 29 has apickup mechanism 4 in the vicinity of thesheet feed cassette 3. Thepickup mechanism 4 has asheet feed roller 30 and apusher section 32 that rotate synchronously. Thesheet feed roller 30 presses the sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer on the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 by a spring member (not shown) . At the upper half of thesheet feed roller 30, a sheetfeed roller case 31 is arranged. At one side of thesheet feed roller 30, thepusher section 32 is arranged at a position by a predetermined distance. Thepusher section 32 presses a detachment slider 54 (described later) provided in the detachment mechanism 20 (refer toFig. 10 ). Arotatable pusher roller 32a is arranged in thepusher section 32. Thepusher section 32 can also press thedetachment slider 54 with a spring member (not shown) . Thesheet feed roller 30 and thepusher section 32 are rotatably supported by a sheet feedroller connection shaft 33. Thesheet feed roller 30 and thepusher section 32 are rotatable synchronously around the sheet feedroller connection shaft 33. If thesheet feed roller 30 contacts with the uppermost sheet S placed on the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25, thepusher section 32 can also press thedetachment slider 54 in synchronization. - In the sheet
feed conveyance section 7, thesheet feed unit 29 delivers the sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer which is picked up one by one by thesheet feed roller 30 to theconveyance roller 35. On a main conveyance path from theconveyance roller 35 to thesecondary transfer roller 36, other conveyance rollers and resist rollers are provided. The resist roller aligns the position of the front ends of the sheets S conveyed by theconveyance roller 35. The resist roller conveys the sheet S to enable the front end of a transfer region of a toner image on the sheet S to reach asecondary transfer roller 36. The transfer region of the toner image is a region excluding a formation region of the end blank part in the sheet S. - A fixing
device 38 is arranged at the downstream side (upper side in the figure) of thesecondary transfer roller 36 in a conveyance direction of the sheet S. At the downstream side of the fixingdevice 38, aconveyance roller 39 is arranged. Theconveyance roller 39 discharges the sheet S to a sheet discharge section. At the downstream side of the fixingdevice 38 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, aninversion conveyance path 41 is arranged. Theinversion conveyance path 41 reverses the sheet S to guide it to the upstream side of the resist roller. Theinversion conveyance path 41 is used at the time of performing a duplex printing. - In
Fig. 5 andFig. 6 , one-way clutches 44 each having a ratchet-structuredgear 43 are arranged between both ends of theconnection shaft 17 provided in thetray depression lever 15 and the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25. The ratchet-structuredgear 43 is meshed with a later-describedratchet tooth 57 of thedetachment mechanism 20. The one-way clutch 44 is an idle mechanism. - With reference to
Fig. 9 ∼ Fig. 11 , thedetachment mechanism 20 provided at the front surface side of thesheet feed cassette 3 is described. Thedetachment mechanism 20 regulates a lifting and lowering movement of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25. - On the
side surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3, theslide groove 21 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the front surface side of thetray depression lever 15. Theconnection shaft 17 provided at the front end of thetray depression lever 15 moves vertically in theslide groove 21. Aguide rack 47 is formed at one side of theslide groove 21. Theguide rack 47 has a plurality of teeth continuously formed in the vertical direction. The ratchet-structuredgear 43 of theconnection shaft 17 is meshed with theguide rack 47 to be movable vertically. - At the other side of the
slide groove 21, adetachment ratchet section 48 movable in a horizontal direction provided in thedetachment mechanism 20 is arranged. For example, thedetachment ratchet section 48 is box-shaped. A supportingmember 49 is formed at the front surface side of theside surface 12. Anelastic spring 50 for applying an energization force for pushing thedetachment ratchet section 48 to the rear side is attached to the supportingmember 49. For example, theelastic spring 50 is a spring member such as a coil spring. - A
link mechanism 53 is arranged at the inner side of thedetachment ratchet section 48. Thelink mechanism 53 includes adetachment slider 54 and adetachment link 56 rotatable around aspindle 55. Thedetachment slider 54 extends vertically to be movable vertically. A receivingsection 54a of thedetachment slider 54 is pressed by thepusher roller 32a of thepusher section 32 to move downward. For example, thedetachment link 56 is substantially L-shaped. Thedetachment link 56 is pressed by thedetachment slider 54 at anabutting section 56a provided on one portion of thedetachment link 56. A boss-like working part 56b provided on the other portion of thedetachment link 56 is fitted into anelongated hole 48a formed in thedetachment ratchet section 48. At an end at theslide groove 21 side of thedetachment ratchet section 48, ratchetteeth 57 are formed. In theratchet teeth 57, a plurality of teeth is continuously formed in the vertical direction to face theguide rack 47. Theratchet teeth 57 can mesh with the ratchet-structuredgear 43. - In the
detachment mechanism 20, in a state in which thedetachment slider 54 is not pressed by thepusher section 32, theratchet teeth 57 are meshed with the ratchet-structuredgear 43. In a state in which the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment ratchet section 48, further rise of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is prevented (refer toFig. 11 ). - If the receiving
section 54a of thedetachment slider 54 is pressed by thepusher section 32, thedetachment link 56 rotates around thespindle 55. The workingpart 56b of thedetachment link 56 presses theelongated hole 48a to move thedetachment ratchet section 48 in a direction away from theslide groove 21. Therefore, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is separated from theratchet teeth 57. In a state in which the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is separated from theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment slider 54, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is raised by the energization force of the spring member 27 (refer toFig. 11 ). - As shown in
Fig. 11 , theconnection shaft 17 of thesheet depression lever 15 rises from the lower end of theslide groove 21 by the energization force of thespring member 27. At that time, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is not meshed with theratchet teeth 57. As thesheet feed roller 30 is pressed against the sheet layer at the upper end and thepusher section 32 escapes from thedetachment slider 54, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57. If theconnection shaft 17 of thesheet depression lever 15 lowers theslide groove 21, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57. At this time, theratchet teeth 57 idle with the one-way clutch 44. - Next, with reference to
Fig. 12 , an example of the relationship between the length of the mainbody rail section 23 of the embodiment and arail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment and a pull-out force is described. The mainbody rail section 23 of the embodiment has a length from the front surface of thesheet feed cassette 3 to the vicinity of the slidingsection 18 of thesheet depression lever 15. Therail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment has a length from thefront surface 10 to theconnection shaft 17. The mainbody rail section 23 of the embodiment is assumed to have a length La, a height ha, a rail angle θa, a component force Aa and a reaction force Fa at the time of pull-out. Therail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment is assumed to have a length Lb, a height hb, a rail angle θb, a component force Ab, and a reaction force Fb at the time of pull-out. However, La > Lb and ha < hb. - The component force Aa at the time of pulling out the main
body rail section 23 of the embodiment is as follows. - Rail angle: θa = tan-1(ha/La) [rad]
- Component force in pull-out: Aa = Fa*sinθa
- The component force Ab at the time of pulling out the
rail portion 23p of the conventional embodiment is as follows. - Rail angle: θb = tan-1(hb/Lb)[rad]
- Component force in pull-out: Ab = Fa*sinθb
- The smaller the rail angle θa (< θb) of the main
body rail section 23 is, the smaller the component force in the cassette pull-out direction generated by the energization force of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 becomes. The component force Aa at the pull-out of the embodiment is smaller than the component force Ab at the pull-out in the conventional embodiment (Aa < Ab). The pull-out force of thesheet feed cassette 3 is smaller than that in the conventional embodiment. Therefore, the longer the mainbody rail section 23 is in the pull-out direction, the smaller the rail angle θa becomes, and the smaller the pull-out force of thesheet feed cassette 3 becomes. - The
image forming apparatus 1 including thesheet feed cassette 3 and thepickup mechanism 4 according to the present embodiment has the above-described constitution. Next, the operation of theimage forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment is described. - The
sheet feed cassette 3 is housed in the apparatusmain body 2 with the sheet layer placed on the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 therein. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is in an inclined state held upward by the energization force of thespring member 27. Since thetray depression lever 15 is linked to the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 via theconnection shaft 17, the front surface side is inclined upward (refer toFigs. 3 and6 ). At this position, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 provided on theconnection shaft 17 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment mechanism 20. In this way, further rise of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is prevented. - The sheet S at the uppermost side of the sheet layer is pressed against the
sheet feed roller 30 of thepickup mechanism 4. At this position, thepusher section 32 synchronized with thesheet feed roller 30 is separated from thedetachment slider 54 at thesheet feed cassette 3 side (refer toFig. 11 ). - From this state, the uppermost sheets S are picked up one by one by the rotation of the
sheet feed roller 30 to be conveyed to thesheet feed unit 29. Thesheet feed roller 30 floats corresponding to the thickness of the sheet S pulled out. If a predetermined amount of the sheets S placed on thesheet feed cassette 3 decreases, thesheet feed roller 30 descends in conjunction with the change of the uppermost surface. The thickness of the sheet S by which thesheet feed roller 30 descends can be arbitrarily set. Thepusher section 32 also descends in synchronization with thesheet feed roller 30. - If the
pusher section 32 descends by a preset predetermined distance according to the amount of decrease of the sheets S and the amount of descent of thesheet feed roller 30, thedetachment slider 54 of thedetachment mechanism 20 is pushed. Then, thecontact portion 56a of thedetachment link 56 is pushed to rotate around thespindle 55. The workingpart 56b of thedetachment link 56 presses theelongated hole 48a to move thedetachment ratchet section 48 toward the front surface side against the energization force of theelastic spring 50. Thus, theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment ratchet section 48 is disengaged from the ratchet-structuredgear 43 provided in theconnection shaft 17 of the sheet lifting and lowering tray 25 (refer toFig.10 ). - Then, the sheet lifting and lowering
tray 25 rises by the energization force of thespring member 27 and collides with thesheet feed roller 30, thereby pushing up thesheet feed roller 30 to stop it. Thepusher section 32 also rises synchronously with thesheet feed roller 30 to move away from thedetachment slider 54. Then, in thedetachment mechanism 20, thedetachment ratchet section 48 moves to theslide groove 21 side by the energization force of theelastic spring 50. Theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment ratchet section 48 are meshed with the ratchet-structuredgear 43 to stop the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25. By being pushed by theelongated hole 48a of thedetachment ratchet section 48, thedetachment link 56 and thedetachment slider 54 return to their original positions . - In this way, the sheet lifting and lowering
tray 25 can be raised according to the thickness of the sheets S set in the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 in thesheet feed cassette 3. The uppermost surface of the sheet layer placed on the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 can be held at a constant height every time a predetermined amount of the sheets S is decreased. The feeding operation of the sheet S by thesheet feed roller 30 is stably performed. - Next, an operation of pulling out the
sheet feed cassette 3 from the apparatusmain body 2 is described mainly with reference toFig. 3 andFig. 4 . - In
Fig. 3 , if the sheet S in thesheet feed cassette 3 is consumed, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 contacts with thesheet feed roller 30 in a state of being inclined at a constant height. In thetray depression lever 15, theconnection shaft 17 is also held near the upper end of theslide groove 21, and the front surface side thereof is held inclined upward. The ratchet-structuredgear 43 provided on theconnection shaft 17 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment mechanism 20. The slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 is arranged near the lower end at the rear side of the mainbody rail section 23. - In this state, the
sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled outward from the apparatusmain body 2. The slidingsection 18 at the inner side of thetray depression lever 15 rises gradually along the convex curve of the mainbody rail section 23. At the same time, the slidingsection 18 rotates around theshaft 16 along acurved rail groove 22 formed on theside surface 12 of thesheet feed cassette 3. Correspondingly, thetray depression lever 15 rotates around theshaft 16. Theconnection shaft 17 at the front surface side of thetray depression lever 15 descends along theslide groove 21. The ratchet-structuredgear 43 provided on theconnection shaft 17 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57 of thedetachment mechanism 20 to descend. Moreover, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 idles with the one-way clutch 44. Depending on the curved shape of the mainbody rail section 23, the pull-out resistance force of thesheet feed cassette 3 is relatively large at the beginning of pull-out, but then decreases. - In response to the pull-out of the
sheet feed cassette 3, thetray depression lever 15 rotates around theshaft 16. As shown inFig. 4 , the slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 moves along the mainbody rail section 23 to rise. The height of theconnection shaft 17 of thetray depression lever 15 gradually becomes lower. Theconnection shaft 17 linearly descends along theslide groove 21 while retracting theelongated hole 15a formed in thetray depression lever 15. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 connected by theconnection shaft 17 rotates downward around therotation spindle 26 at the rear side. The mainbody rail section 23 which guides the running of the slidingsection 18 extends from the front surface side to the vicinity of the slidingsection 18 and has a gentle inclination. Therefore, at the time of pulling out thesheet feed cassette 3, the pull-out resistance force of thesheet feed cassette 3 is small. - The
sheet feed cassette 3 stops at a position where theback surface 13 is pulled out to the vicinity of the front surface of the apparatusmain body 2. At the stop position, the slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 is positioned above and theconnection shaft 17 is positioned at the lower end. Since the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 falls down to thebottom surface 11 side of thesheet feed cassette 3, the sheet layer can be placed. Due to the descent of thesheet feed roller 30 and thepusher section 32, theratchet teeth 57 provided in thedetachment ratchet section 48 of thedetachment mechanism 20 are not meshed with the ratchet-structuredgear 43. - After placing the sheet layer, the
sheet feed cassette 3 is housed in the apparatusmain body 2. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 and thetray depression lever 15 are pushed by the opposite operation to that at the time of pull-out. The slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 descends from a high position to a low position while moving along the mainbody rail section 23. Theconnection shaft 17 rises from the low position to the high position along theslide groove 21. Theconnection shaft 17 rises in a state in which the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is not meshed with theratchet teeth 57. Since thetorque limiter 18a is mounted on the slidingsection 18, the pull-out and pull-back of thesheet feed cassette 3 are performed at a low speed. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 also rotates upward, and the sheet layer presses thesheet feed roller 30. Since thepusher 32 also rises synchronously, by the operation of thedetachment mechanism 20, the ratchet-structuredgear 43 is meshed with theratchet teeth 57. - As described above, in the present embodiment, the sliding
section 18 is provided at the side opposite to theconnection shaft 17 with respect to theshaft 16 of thetray depression lever 15. The mainbody rail section 23 is formed to have a long but gently curved inclination. Therefore, the load at the time of pulling out thesheet feed cassette 3 can be reduced. - If the
sheet feed cassette 3 is pulled out, the slidingsection 18 of thetray depression lever 15 slides on the mainbody rail section 23 to be pushed upward. The sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 is pushed downward by theconnection shaft 17 at the opposite side. At that time, the one-way clutch 44 mounted on theconnection shaft 17 of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 idles, thereby relieving limit by thedetachment ratchet section 48. Therefore, the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 can move smoothly downward along theslide groove 21. - Switching between engagement and disengagement between the ratchet-structured
gear 43 and theratchet teeth 57 at the time of lifting and lowering the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 can be performed by the link mechanism of thedetachment mechanism 20. Since the system control, the planetary gear and the gear train are not used as in the conventional embodiment, simple constitution and miniaturization can be realized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. - In the modification of the present embodiment, the same or similar part and component as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are donated with the same reference numerals and are described below.
- In the above embodiment, the tray depression levers 15 are provided on both the side surfaces 12 of the
sheet feed cassette 3, but it may be arranged at only one side. - The sheet lifting and lowering
tray 25 is energized upward by thespring member 27 such as a coil spring. Instead of thespring member 27, a spindle, a motor, another elastic body, or the like may be used. The one-way clutch 44 is provided as an idle mechanism in the ratchet-structuredgear 43. As an idle mechanism, an electromagnetic clutch, a ratchet claw, or the like may be used instead of the one-way clutch 44. - In the above-described embodiment, the
sheet feed cassette 3, thedetachment mechanism 20, and thepickup mechanism 4 provided in theimage forming apparatus 1 are described. The present embodiment can be applied not only to theimage forming apparatus 1 but also to an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus has two fixing sections including a fixing section for fixing and a fixing section for decoloring. The image processing apparatus can include image erasing as well as image formation. - According to at least one embodiment described above, by using the
tray depression lever 15, the mainbody rail section 23 can be formed to have a long but gentle inclination. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the force at the time of pulling out thesheet feed cassette 3. The switching between the engagement and the disengagement of the ratchet-structuredgear 43 and ratchetteeth 57 in switching the lifting and lowering of the sheet lifting and loweringtray 25 can be performed by the link mechanism of thedetachment mechanism 20. Since the system control, the planetary gear and the gear train are not used as in the conventional embodiment, simple constitution and miniaturization can be realized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. - While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims (10)
- An image processing apparatus, comprising:a sheet feed cassette capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body;an operation lever, arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette, configured to move rotationally around a shaft positioned at the middle of the length in a pull-out direction;a sliding section arranged at the rear side in the pull-out direction with respect to the shaft in the operation lever;a sheet lifting and lowering tray configured to hold a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever; anda main body rail section, arranged in the apparatus main body, configured to guide running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.
- The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the operation levers are arranged at both sides of the sheet feed cassette. - The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the main body rail section is formed in a curved shape protruding upward. - The image processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the sliding section rotatably slides along the main body rail section. - The image processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein
a connection shaft supported by the sheet lifting and lowering tray is provided at the side opposite to the sliding section with respect to the shaft of the operation lever, and a ratchet-structured gear is arranged in the connection shaft,
a detachment mechanism having ratchet teeth capable of engaging and disengaging with the ratchet-structured gear is provided, and
at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is meshed with the ratchet teeth. - The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
an idle mechanism is provided in the ratchet-structured gear provided in the connection shaft, and
at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette, the ratchet-structured gear is moved while being idled by the idle mechanism. - The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein
the detachment mechanism includes a detachment ratchet section having the ratchet teeth, a detachment slider capable of advancing and retracting, and a detachment link for enabling the detachment ratchet section to be engaged with or disengaged from the ratchet teeth in conjunction with the detachment slider. - The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
a pickup mechanism configured to pick up a sheet on the sheet lifting and lowering tray to the apparatus main body includes a sheet feed roller to press the sheet and a pusher section moving in synchronization with the sheet feed roller, and
by pushing the detachment slider by the pusher section, the ratchet teeth of the detachment ratchet section are disengaged from the ratchet-structured gear. - The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the sheet feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body to the pickup mechanism side. - The image processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein
the sheet feed cassette is suspended by the main body rail section at the sliding section to be supported at the time of pull-out.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18202822.5A EP3643649B1 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-10-26 | Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18202822.5A EP3643649B1 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-10-26 | Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3643649A1 true EP3643649A1 (en) | 2020-04-29 |
EP3643649B1 EP3643649B1 (en) | 2023-01-04 |
Family
ID=64082882
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18202822.5A Active EP3643649B1 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-10-26 | Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3643649B1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050286947A1 (en) * | 2004-06-28 | 2005-12-29 | Oki Data Corporation | Sheet supplying device and image forming apparatus |
US20080079212A1 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | Gene Qi | Object loading apparatus having pressing cam for controlling inclination of object loading plate and image processing apparatus having the object loading apparatus implemented therein |
EP2612830A2 (en) * | 2011-12-14 | 2013-07-10 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
US20180178560A1 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2018-06-28 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Printing apparatus |
-
2018
- 2018-10-26 EP EP18202822.5A patent/EP3643649B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050286947A1 (en) * | 2004-06-28 | 2005-12-29 | Oki Data Corporation | Sheet supplying device and image forming apparatus |
US20080079212A1 (en) * | 2006-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | Gene Qi | Object loading apparatus having pressing cam for controlling inclination of object loading plate and image processing apparatus having the object loading apparatus implemented therein |
EP2612830A2 (en) * | 2011-12-14 | 2013-07-10 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
US20180178560A1 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2018-06-28 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Printing apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3643649B1 (en) | 2023-01-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10287117B2 (en) | Image processing apparatus | |
JP6381359B2 (en) | Paper feeder | |
EP1348654A2 (en) | Sheet-supply device and image forming device including same | |
JP6760219B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming device equipped with it | |
US7240899B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device and sheet processing apparatus | |
JP2011178493A (en) | Paper feeding cassette and image forming apparatus | |
EP3643649B1 (en) | Image processing apparatus comprising a sheet feed cassette | |
JP5843811B2 (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus | |
JP2011157164A (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus | |
US6330423B1 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
US7823874B2 (en) | Paper feeder | |
US9428351B2 (en) | Feeding device, feeding cassette, and image forming apparatus | |
JPH05246553A (en) | Sheet feed device | |
KR100474435B1 (en) | paper-feeding apparatus of office machine | |
JP2011131959A (en) | Paper feeding tray, paper feeding device, and image forming apparatus | |
JPH107262A (en) | Paper feeder | |
JP2008133061A (en) | Paper feeder | |
US9889998B2 (en) | Recording apparatus with movable feed roller | |
JP3940262B2 (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus | |
JP4828490B2 (en) | Paper feeder | |
JP2009062114A (en) | Sheet supply device, and image forming device | |
US20180201458A1 (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus | |
JP2016040191A (en) | Sheet conveyance device, and image reading device | |
JPH05147750A (en) | Sheet feeding device | |
JPH0940195A (en) | Paper feeding device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200930 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20220810 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1541805 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20230115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602018044953 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20230104 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1541805 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230504 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230404 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230504 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230405 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602018044953 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230907 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230911 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20231005 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20230104 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230830 Year of fee payment: 6 |