JP2000281226A - Paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a device as well as reduce a cost by reducing the number of solenoids and motors. SOLUTION: If a detected member 139 is in a non-detective position, a second member 134 is positioned in a second prohibited position when a first member 133 is moved to a first permitted position by a solenoid 135, and the second member 134 is positioned in a second permitted position when the first member 133 is moved to a first prohibited position by the solenoid 135. If the detected member 139 is in a detective position, the second member 134 is positioned in the second prohibited position when the first member 133 is moved to the first permitted position by the solenoid 135, and the second member 134 is stayed in the second prohibited position when the first member 133 is moved to the first prohibited position by the solenoid 135.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder for switching a paper feed path for printing paper and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printer capable of printing both paper stored in a paper feed cassette and paper inserted in a manual insertion slot.

[0003]

In such a printer, the operation for feeding the paper stored in the paper cassette and the operation for feeding the paper inserted in the manual feed slot are switched. Are provided. In this paper feeder, two rollers and two clutches for switching between rotation and non-rotation of each roller are used, and two solenoids for switching each clutch are used. Further, when the switching by the clutch is not performed, it is necessary to prepare two motors for driving the sheet feeding mechanism.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeder capable of reducing the size of the apparatus and reducing the cost by reducing the number of solenoids and motors.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first path and the second path are selectively used for paper passing through a first path and paper passing through a second path. In a paper feeding device that feeds a merging path merging from a path of
A first roller (32) disposed on the merging path, a second roller (14) disposed on the second path, and a first roller (3);
2) a roller drive mechanism for driving the second roller (14) by a single drive actuator (M), and a first allowable position provided on the roller drive mechanism for allowing rotation of the first roller (32). A first roller control member (133) movable between a first prohibiting position for prohibiting rotation of the first roller (32) and a second roller (14) provided on a roller driving mechanism. A second roller control member (134) movable between a second prohibition position for prohibiting the rotation and a second permissible position for permitting the rotation of the second roller (14); 133) and a single control actuator (135) capable of moving the second roller control member (134) between an allowed position and a prohibited position, respectively, and a detection when there is paper in the first path. Position in the first If there is no paper in the path, the paper detection members (138,
139) and when the paper detection members (138, 139) are at the non-detection position, the second roller control member (133) is moved to the first allowable position by the control actuator (135). The roller control member (134) is located at the second prohibited position, and the control actuator (13)
5) when the first roller control member (133) is moved to the first prohibition position, the second roller control member (134)
Is positioned at the second allowable position, and when the paper detecting members (138, 139) are at the detecting position, the first roller control member (133) is moved to the first allowable position by the control actuator (135). When the control is performed, the second roller control member (134) is positioned at the second prohibition position, and the second roller control member (133) is moved to the second prohibition position by the control actuator (135). The roller control member (134) includes a control mechanism (138 or the like) for mechanically controlling the roller control member so as to stay at the second prohibition position.

According to the present invention, the positions of the first and second control members (133, 134) can be controlled by one drive actuator (M) and one control actuator (135). The size can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merging apparatus for selectively merging one of paper passing through a first path and paper passing through a second path from the first path and the second path. In a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to a path, a first roller (32) disposed on a merging path and a second roller (32) disposed on a second path.
A roller (14), a roller driving mechanism for driving the first roller (32) and the second roller (14) by a single driving actuator (M), and a roller driving mechanism,
A first permissible position allowing the rotation of the first roller (32),
And a first roller control member (13) movable between a first prohibiting position for prohibiting rotation of the first roller (32).
3) a second prohibition position provided on the roller drive mechanism and operable with the first roller control member (133) to prohibit the rotation of the second roller (14);
The first roller control member (133) and the second roller control member (134) that are movable between the second permission positions allowing the rotation of the roller (14) are moved to the first permission position and the first permission position. A control actuator (135) for moving between the prohibited position and the paper on the first path;
Paper detection members (138, 139) respectively positioned at the detection position when the paper is in contact with the paper of the first path, and at the non-detection position when the paper is not in contact with the paper of the first path;
When the paper detection members (138, 139) are at the non-detection position, the second roller is moved when the control roller (133) moves the first roller control member (133) to the first allowable position. The control member (134) is positioned at the second prohibition position in conjunction with the first roller control member (133), and moves the first roller control member (133) to the first prohibition position by the control actuator (135). The second roller control member (134) is positioned at the second allowable position in conjunction with the first roller control member (133), and when the paper detection members (138, 139) are at the detection position, When the first roller control member (133) is moved to the first allowable position by the control actuator (135), the second roller control member (134) interlocks with the first roller control member (133). When the first roller control member (133) is moved to the first prohibition position by the control actuator (135), the second roller control member (134) is moved to the paper detection member (138). ,
139) and stays in the second prohibited position.

According to the present invention, the position of the first and second control members (133, 134) can be controlled by one drive actuator (M) and one control actuator (135). The size can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first roller control member (133) switches the first roller (32) by switching a clutch (123) provided in a roller driving mechanism. ) May be switched between permitted and prohibited rotations. In this case, a planetary gear clutch can be used as the clutch (123).

In the paper feeder according to the second or third aspect, as in the fourth aspect, the second roller control member (134).
The switch of the rotation of the second roller (14) may be switched by switching the clutch (124) provided in the roller drive mechanism. In this case, a planetary gear clutch can be used as the clutch (124).

In the paper feeder according to any one of claims 2 to 4, when the second roller control member (134) is already at the second allowable position as in claim 5, The second roller control member (134) may remain at the second allowable position even when the paper comes into contact with the detection members (138, 139).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, when the second roller control member (134) is already at the allowable position, the paper detection members (138, 13) are provided.
Even if paper comes in contact with 9), paper detection members (138, 139)
May not reach the detection position by contacting the second roller control member (134).

In the paper feeding apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the invention may be applied to an apparatus for feeding a sheet of an image forming apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, as in the eighth aspect, the first path is a paper supply path from the manual feed port (92), and the second path is from the paper supply cassette (10). Paper feed path.

In the paper feeder according to the present invention, the detecting means (202) for detecting the position of the paper detecting member (138, 139) and the paper detecting member by the detecting means (202) are provided. When it is detected that (138, 139) is at the detection position, the drive actuator (M) is driven while the first roller control member (133) is temporarily positioned at the first allowable position. And a control means (201) for controlling the control actuator (153) and the drive actuator (M) (FIG. 15).

In this case, the paper inserted from the manual feed slot (92) is fed by the first roller (32) by a predetermined amount.

In the paper feeder according to the present invention, the driving of the driving actuator is started.
Thereafter, when receiving a print command, the first roller control member (13
Control means (201) for controlling the control actuator (135) and the drive actuator (M) may be provided so as to move 3) to the first allowable position (FIG. 15).

In this case, when a print command is received, feeding of paper inserted from the manual feed slot (92) or paper fed from the paper feed cassette (10) is started.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
An embodiment in which the paper feeding device of the present invention is applied to a laser beam printer will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a laser printer provided with the paper feeding device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, and FIG.
Is a sectional view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a paper feed cassette 10 that stores stacked sheets is mounted below the laser beam printer 1. The paper feed cassette 10 is detachable, and can be taken out by pulling it out in the direction of arrow P via the handle 13. The paper pressing plate 12 of the paper feed cassette 10 is urged upward by a pressing spring (not shown), whereby the uppermost layer of paper stacked on the paper pressing plate 12 is provided on the main body of the printer 1. It is configured to contact the paper feed roller 14 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the sheet is separated and fed by the action of the separation pad 15 (FIG. 3).

A process cartridge 20 is disposed above the sheet cassette 10. Process cartridge 2
0 is detachable similarly to the paper feed cassette 10, and is pulled out in the direction of arrow Q when toner is replaced. The process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 that transfers toner by contacting a sheet, a transfer roller 22 that faces the photosensitive drum 21, and a scorotron type that generates corona discharge and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a positive potential. Charger 28
And a developing cartridge 20B including a developer chamber 24 in which toner is accumulated, a developing roller 25 for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 21, and a supply roller 27 for supplying toner to the developing roller 25. . The developer chamber 24 is provided with an agitator 24a for stirring the toner.

The photoreceptor cartridge 20A and the developing cartridge 20B can be disassembled from each other. However, when the process cartridge 20 is removed from the main body of the printer 1, they are pulled out in an integrated state. At the front of the printer 1, there is provided a cover 33 whose lower end is rotatably attached to a rotating shaft 33a.
By opening the front of the printer 1 by rotating the printer 1 clockwise, the process cartridge 20 can be attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of registration rollers 31 and 32 are rotatably mounted between the process cartridge 20 and the paper feed cassette 10, respectively.

Above the process cartridge 20, a laser generator (not shown) for emitting a laser beam, a polygon mirror (pentahedral mirror) 41 which is driven to rotate, a lens 42, a reflection mirror 43, a reflection mirror 44, and a lens 45 are provided. Scanner unit 4 including a reflection mirror 46
0 is attached. As shown in FIG. 3, the laser beam L oscillated by the polygon mirror 41 is applied to the photosensitive drum 21 via the lens 42, the reflection mirrors 43 and 44, the lens 45 and the reflection mirror 46, and An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

On the left side of the process cartridge 20, a fixing unit 50 for fixing toner on paper is provided. The fixing unit 50 includes a heating roller 51 for heating and melting the toner on the transferred sheet, a pressing roller 52 disposed opposite to the heating roller 51, and pressing the fed sheet toward the heating roller 51. , A pair of transport rollers 53 and 54.

In FIG. 3, a shooter 61 for reversing the direction of the sheet as required is mounted to the left of the transport rollers 53 and 54 so as to be rotatable around a rotary shaft 62. On the right side of the rotating shaft 62, a pair of paper discharges for supporting the paper conveyed along the chute 61 and discharging the paper to a paper discharge tray 70 formed on the upper surface of the printer 1. Rollers 64 and 65 are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, on the front of the printer 1, an operation section 91 for receiving various operations and a manual feed port 92 for manually feeding paper are provided. In the present embodiment, by detecting the presence or absence of a sheet inserted from the manual feed port 92, the paper in the paper feed cassette 10 or the paper inserted from the manual feed port 92 is selectively fed.

Next, the sheet feeding operation will be described.
When the paper feed roller 14 is rotated at a predetermined timing, the paper is discharged from the paper feed cassette 10 one by one. The sheet is inverted by the action of the guide 35, and after the position of the leading end is adjusted by the registration rollers 31 and 32, the sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 22.

On the other hand, a laser scanner unit 40 is provided on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charger 28.
The laser beam emitted from the device is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 is
, The supply roller 27 and the developing roller 25
Makes the electrostatic latent image visible, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet passing between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 22.

The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred next passes between the heating roller 51 and the pressing roller 52. At this time, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image on the sheet, so that the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. Be established.

Further, the paper passes between the transport rollers 53 and 54 and is transported along the chute 61, and then the print surface is directed downward (face down) from between the paper output rollers 63 and 64 to the paper output tray 70. At). When the shooter 61 is flipped up to the back side of the printer 1, the paper is discharged to the back side of the printer 1 with the printing surface facing up (face up).

FIG. 4 is a view showing a feeding mechanism of the printer 1, and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a motor gear 101 is attached to the output shaft of the DC motor M. The motor gear 101 is the tooth 1 of the two-stage gear 102
02a, and the teeth 102b of the gear 102 mesh with the teeth 103a formed on the two-stage gear 103. Gear 10
3, the teeth 103b mesh with the gear teeth 21a formed on the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 21. by this,
The motor M is driven to rotate the motor gear 101 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
Can be rotated clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The teeth 103a of the gear 103 are meshed with a gear 51a attached to the heat roller 51 via a gear 105 and a gear 106.
Is transmitted to the heat roller 51. The gear 106 meshes with the paper discharge roller 65 via a gear train (not shown). Therefore, when the motor M is driven to rotate counterclockwise by the motor M, the heat roller 51 and the paper discharge roller 64 rotate in the predetermined directions indicated by arrows, respectively.

A gear 110 meshing with the teeth 103a of the second gear 103 via gears 108 and 109 is connected to a drive gear (not shown) of the developing cartridge 20B. The drive gear meshes with the shaft 24c, the developing roller 25, and the supply roller 27 via a gear train (not shown) provided on the developing cartridge 20B.
Therefore, when the motor gear 101 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the shaft 24c, the developing roller 25 and the supply roller 2 are rotated.
7 rotate in predetermined directions indicated by arrows.

Further, the teeth 103a of the two-stage gear 103 include:
The motor M moves toward the feed roller and the registration roller 32.
The gear train of the paper feed switching mechanism 120 for transmitting the driving force of the second gear is meshed. Paper feed roller 14 and registration roller 3
The rotation / stop of 2 is controlled by the paper feed switching mechanism 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, the feed switching mechanism 120
Are pendulum gears 121 meshing with the teeth 103a of the two-stage gear 103 via the teeth 121a;
b, a planetary gear clutch 123 that meshes with the gear 122, and a planetary gear clutch 124 that meshes with the planetary gear clutch 123.

In the jam processing (processing for removing jammed paper), the pendulum gear 121 can be separated from the gear 122 by reversing the motor M to move the pendulum gear 121 along the guide hole 121a. . Thus, the rotation of the gear train after the gear 122 is released to enable the jam clearance.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the planetary gear clutch 123, FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the planetary gear clutch 124, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view near the planetary gear clutches 123 and 124.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the planetary gear clutch 123 has a sun gear 123b and a sun gear 1b.
Planetary gear 12 rotatably mounted with respect to 23b
3d, a ratchet 123a that meshes with the planetary gear 123d through external teeth, and a gear 123c that meshes with the planetary gear 123d through internal teeth. The sun gear 123b, the ratchet 123a, and the gear 123c are all rotatably mounted, and their rotation axes are coaxial.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the planetary gear clutch 124 includes a sun gear 124b and a sun gear 1b.
Planetary gear 12 rotatably mounted with respect to 24b
4d, a ratchet 124a that meshes with the planetary gear 124d via external teeth, and a gear 124c that meshes with the planetary gear 124d via internal teeth. The sun gear 124b, the ratchet 124a, and the gear 124c are all rotatably mounted, and their rotation axes are coaxial.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sun gear 123b meshes with the gear 32a, and the gear 123c meshes with the gear 122 and the sun gear 124b. Although not shown, the gear 124c is connected to a paper feed roll 14 provided coaxially, and the paper feed roll 14
Rotates with c.

As shown in FIG. 6, the planetary gear clutch 12
3 and the first member 1 mounted near the planetary gear clutch 124 so as to be rotatable around a shaft 132, respectively.
33 and a second member 134 are provided, and the first member is urged clockwise by an urging spring (not shown).
Also, the protrusion 133c of the first member 133 and the second member 1
A compression spring (not shown) is attached between the protrusions 134c of the 34, whereby the second member 134 is urged counterclockwise with respect to the first member 133.

The first member 133 includes the planetary gear clutch 12
An engagement portion 133a that can be engaged with the third ratchet 123a and a drive arm 133b that is in contact with the drive shaft 135a of the solenoid 135 are provided. Further, the second member 134 is provided with an engagement portion 134a that can be engaged with the ratchet 124a of the planetary gear clutch 124.

Then, the engaging portion 13 is attached to the ratchet 123a.
3a is engaged, the planetary gear clutch 123
When the gear 122 and the gear 32a mesh with each other via the gear, and the engaging portion 133a is separated from the ratchet 123a,
The gear 122 and the gear 32a are separated from each other.
When the gear 122 and the gear 32a are engaged,
The roller 32 rotates according to the rotation of the motor M. Also,
When the gear 122 and the gear 32a are separated, only the ratchet 123a rotates and the roller 32 does not rotate.

The ratchet 124a has an engaging portion 134a.
Are engaged with the gear 122c via the gear 123c and the planetary gear clutch 124, and when the engaging portion 134a is separated from the ratchet 124a, the gear 122 and the gear 124c Is disconnected. When the gear 122 and the gear 124c are engaged with each other, the sheet feed rollers 14 rotate according to the rotation of the motor M. When the gear 122 and the gear 124c are separated from each other, only the ratchet 124a rotates and the paper feed roller 14 does not rotate.

In FIG. 6, a stopper 136 having a projection 136a with which the second member 134 contacts is provided near the second member 134.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, a switching member 138 is provided between the planetary gear clutch 123 and the planetary gear clutch 124 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 138a. Switching member 138
Is formed with a receiving portion 138b to which the contact portion 134b of the second member 134 contacts, and the coil spring 138c
Is wound around the rotation shaft 138a and attached.

In FIG. 6, above the switching member 138,
A manual feed detection member 139 having a pair of projections is provided, and one end of a coil spring 138c attached to the switching member 138 is interposed between the pair of projections of the detection member 139. The manual feed detecting member 139 is a manual feed port 92
6 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 139a in FIG.
When the paper is not inserted, the manual feed detecting member 1
Reference numeral 39 is positioned at a position rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. The position of the manual feed detecting member 139 is detected by a manual feed sensor 202 (FIG. 14) using a photo interrupter.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram showing a control system of the printer 1. A manual feed sensor 202, a sheet feed sensor group 203 for detecting passage of a sheet through each portion of the sheet feed mechanism,
Operation unit 91, DC motor M, and solenoid 135
Are connected to the control device 201, respectively.
1 controls each part of the printer 1. The control device 20
1 includes a drive control device for driving the DC motor M and a drive control device for driving the solenoid 135.

Next, the function of the feed switching mechanism 120 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a state in which no paper is inserted into the manual insertion slot 91 and the solenoid 135 is turned on. When the sheet is not inserted into the manual feed slot 91, the manual feed detecting member 139 is rotated clockwise, and one end of the coil spring 138c sandwiched between the pair of protrusions of the manual feed detecting member 139 is positioned to the left. Can be Therefore, the switching member 138 is at a position rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

When the solenoid 135 is turned on, the drive shaft 135a is in the sunk position (slid to the right in FIG. 6), and the drive shaft 135a is urged in the counterclockwise direction by the urging force. Engaging part 13 of one member 133
3a is a clutch tooth 123a of the planetary gear clutch 123.
Located away from

On the other hand, the second member 134 urged in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the first member 133 is rotated counterclockwise by the urging force, and the engaging portion 134a engages with the clutch teeth 124a. Are engaged.

Therefore, when the motor M is driven from this state, only the paper feed roller 14 rotates, and the registration roller 32 does not rotate.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which no paper is inserted into the manual insertion slot 91 and the solenoid 135 is turned off. At this time, as in the case of FIG.
Numeral 8 is at a position rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

When the solenoid 135 is off, the drive shaft 135a is in a protruding position (a state slid to the left in FIG. 6) and pushes the drive arm 133b of the first member 133 to the left. Therefore, the first member 133
Is rotated clockwise against the urging force in the counterclockwise direction, and the engaging portion 133a is engaged with the clutch teeth 123a.

On the other hand, the second member 134 urged in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the first member 133 is
d stops at a position where it contacts the first member 133, and
34a is located away from the clutch teeth 124a.

Therefore, when the motor M is driven from this state, only the registration roller 32 rotates, and the paper feed roller 14 does not rotate.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which a sheet is inserted into the manual insertion slot 91 and the solenoid 135 is turned off. When paper is inserted in the manual feed slot 91,
The manual feed detecting member 139 is at a position rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and one end of a coil spring 138c sandwiched between a pair of protrusions of the manual feed detecting member 139 is positioned rightward. For this reason, the switching member 138 is positioned at the position rotated clockwise.

Since the solenoid 135 is off, the engaging portion 133a is engaged with the clutch teeth 123a as in the case of FIG.
Are engaged. Further, the second member 134 is
4a is located away from the clutch teeth 124a.

Therefore, when the motor M is driven from this state, only the registration roller 32 rotates, and the sheet feeding roller 14 does not rotate. That is, it is the same as the case of FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a state after the solenoid 135 has been switched from off to on from the state where the paper has been inserted into the manual insertion slot 91. When the paper is inserted into the manual feed slot 91, the manual feed detecting member 139 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a position rotated clockwise.

When the solenoid 135 is turned on, the first member 133 rotates counterclockwise, and the engaging portion 133a is moved to a position away from the clutch teeth 123a of the planetary gear clutch 123, as in FIG. come.

When the solenoid 135 is turned on, the second member 134 starts to rotate counterclockwise together with the first member 133 in accordance with the urging force, but as shown in FIG. Stops at a position where it contacts the receiving portion 138b of the switching member 138. At this time,
The engaging portion 134a is located at a position away from the clutch teeth 124a.

Therefore, even if the motor M is driven from this state, neither the sheet feeding roller 14 nor the registration roller 32 rotates.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a sheet is inserted into the manual feed port 92 from the state shown in FIG. 6 where the solenoid 135 is turned on and no paper is inserted into the manual feed port 92. When a sheet is inserted into the manual feed slot 92 in a state where the engaging portion 133a is engaged with the clutch teeth 123a and the engaging portion 134a is separated from the clutch 124a (the state shown in FIG. 6), the manual feed detecting member 139 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Pivots,
One end of the coil spring 138c is pushed rightward. Therefore, although the switching member 138 rotates clockwise,
Receiving part 138b that moves with rotation of switching member 138
Is in contact with the contact portion 134b of the second member 134. Also,
Since the rotational moment given to the second member 134 by the contact of the receiving portion 138b is very small, the second member 134 does not rotate, and the engaging portion 134a
The state meshed with a is maintained.

Accordingly, when the motor M is driven in the state shown in FIG. 6, even if a sheet is inserted into the manual feed slot 62, the sheet feeding roller 14 continues to rotate.

Next, the operation in the manual paper feed mode (operation mode when paper is fed manually) and in the automatic paper feed mode (operation mode when paper is fed from a paper cassette) will be described with reference to FIG. I do. These operations are executed based on the control of the control device 201.

In the manual feed mode, printing is performed by feeding the paper inserted into the manual feed slot 92. As shown in FIG. 12, in the manual feed mode, when it is detected that the manual feed sensor 202 is turned on (A in FIG. 12), the rotation of the DC motor M is started (B in FIG. 12). Since the state at this time corresponds to FIG. 8, only the registration roller 32 rotates while the paper feed roller 14 is stopped. After the paper inserted into the manual feed slot 92 is held between the registration rollers 31 and 32, the solenoid 135 is turned on (C in FIG. 12).
As a result, the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, and the rotation of the registration roller 32 stops.

When the preparation for printing is completed, the control unit 201
Sends a print command, but turns off the solenoid 135 in accordance with the timing of the print command (D in FIG. 12).
For this reason, the feed switching mechanism unit 120 returns to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the paper is fed for printing. Next, when the end of printing is detected by a signal from the paper feed sensor group 203, the rotation of the motor M is stopped, and printing is ended (F in FIG. 12).

In the automatic paper feed mode, the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 10 is fed to perform printing. As shown in FIG. 12, in the automatic paper feed mode, the motor M is driven with the solenoid 135 turned off (G in FIG. 12). Since this state corresponds to FIG. 7, only the registration roller 32 rotates and the paper feed roller 14 does not rotate. Next, solenoid 1
35 is turned on (H in FIG. 12). At this time, since the paper feed switching mechanism 120 is in the state shown in FIG. 6, the rotation of the registration roller 32 is stopped, and the paper feed roller 14 is rotated. Therefore, the paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 10. Next, when the leading edge of the sheet reaches the registration rollers 31 and 32, the solenoid 135 is turned off again (J in FIG. 12).
As a result, the paper feed roller 32 rotates to feed the paper, and printing is performed. At the time when the solenoid 135 is turned off (J in FIG. 12), a print command has already been sent. Next, when the end of printing is detected by a signal from the paper feed sensor group 203, the rotation of the motor M is stopped, and printing is ended (K in FIG. 12).

In this embodiment, while the solenoid 135 is turned on, that is, while the paper is being fed from the paper feed cassette 10 by the paper feed roller 14,
When another sheet is inserted into the sheet 2 (I in FIG. 12),
As shown in FIG. 10, the paper feed roller 14 continues to rotate,
The registration roller 32 remains stopped. Therefore, there is no possibility that the paper inserted into the manual feed slot 92 will be fed, and the paper in the paper feed cassette 10 will be reliably fed.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The rotation / non-rotation of the feed roller 14 and the registration roller 32 is switched using one solenoid 135. Therefore, as compared with the case where two solenoids are used or two motors are provided, the apparatus can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.

[0074]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the first and second control members can be controlled by one drive actuator and one control actuator. And cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the position of the first and second control members can be controlled by one drive actuator and one control actuator. It is possible to reduce costs while reducing costs.

In the paper feeding apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in the case of the ninth aspect, the paper inserted from the manual feed slot is fed by the first roller by a predetermined amount.

In the paper feeder according to the present invention, when a print instruction is received, the paper inserted from the manual feed slot or the paper fed from the paper feed cassette is received. Feeding starts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a laser beam printer including a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view as seen from the direction of the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding mechanism of the laser beam printer.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed switching mechanism in a state where paper is not inserted into a manual insertion slot and a solenoid is turned on.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the sheet feed switching mechanism in a state where a sheet is not inserted into a manual insertion slot and a solenoid is turned off.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed switching mechanism in a state where paper is inserted into a manual insertion slot and a solenoid is turned off.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feed switching mechanism in a state where a sheet is inserted into a manual insertion slot and a solenoid is turned on.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed switching mechanism in a state after paper is inserted into a manual insertion slot.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a planetary gear clutch.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a planetary gear clutch.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a paper feed switching mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the laser beam printer.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the laser beam printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 feed roller (first roller) 32 registration roller (second roller) 133 first member (first roller control member) 134 second member (second roller control member) 135 solenoid 138 switching member 139 manual feed detection member 201 control Device (control means) 202 Manual feed sensor (detection means) M DC motor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F063 AA01 AB01 AC02 AD03 AD08 BA02 BB05 CA02 CC03 CD03 3F102 AA02 AA11 AB01 BA06 CA02 CB06 DA08 EA03 EC01 EC04 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB05 HA14 HA37 HB01 HB03 JA01 KB04 KB05 KB06 KB14 KB14 KB14 LA16 LC19 LD10 LD24 LD30 MA04 MA13 MA14 MA15 MA33 MB04 MB13 MB14 MB15 MC21

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein one of the paper passing through the first path and the paper passing through the second path is selectively fed to a merging path merging from the first path and the second path. In the paper feeding device, a first roller disposed in the merging path, a second roller disposed in the second path, and a roller that drives the first roller and the second roller by a single driving actuator A drive mechanism, provided on the roller drive mechanism, and movable between a first allowance position for allowing rotation of the first roller and a first inhibition position for inhibiting rotation of the first roller. A first roller control member, and a second prohibition position provided on the roller drive mechanism for prohibiting rotation of the second roller, and a second permissible position for permitting rotation of the second roller. 2nd row A control member, a single control actuator capable of moving the first roller control member and the second roller control member between the permitted position and the prohibited position, respectively, and paper in the first path. A paper detection member positioned at a detection position when there is no paper in the first path and a non-detection position when there is no paper in the first path; When the first roller control member is moved to the first allowable position by an actuator, the second roller control member is positioned at the second forbidden position, and the control actuator moves the first roller control member to the first prohibited position. When the second roller control member is moved to the first inhibition position, the second roller control member is positioned at the second allowable position, and the paper detection member is at the detection position. In the case, when the first roller control member is moved to the first allowable position by the control actuator, the second roller control member is positioned at the second prohibition position, and the second actuator is moved to the second prohibition position by the control actuator. A control mechanism for mechanically controlling the second roller control member to remain at the second prohibited position when the one roller control member is moved to the first prohibited position. Paper feeder. 2. A paper feeder for selectively feeding one of paper passing through a first path and paper passing through a second path to a merging path merging from the first path and the second path. In the paper device, a first roller disposed on the merging path, a second roller disposed on the second path, and a roller drive for driving the first roller and the second roller by a single driving actuator And a mechanism provided on the roller drive mechanism, the first drive mechanism being configured to be movable between a first allowable position for allowing the rotation of the first roller and a first forbidden position for inhibiting the rotation of the first roller. A one-roller control member, a second prohibition position provided on the roller drive mechanism and operable with the first roller control member to prohibit the rotation of the second roller, and permitting the rotation of the second roller. Do The second, which is movable between two tolerance position
A roller control member, a control actuator for moving the first roller control member between the first allowable position and the first inhibition position, and a control actuator that is capable of contacting the paper on the first path. A paper detection member positioned at a detection position when the paper is in contact with the first path paper, and at a non-detection position when the paper is not contacted with the first path paper; When the detection member is at the non-detection position, when the first roller control member is moved to the first allowable position by the control actuator, the second roller control member is connected to the first roller control member. When the first roller control member is moved to the first prohibition position by the control actuator, the second roller control member is moved to the second prohibition position. When the paper detection member is at the detection position, the first roller control member is moved to the first permission position by the control actuator when the paper detection member is at the detection position. When the second roller control member is positioned at the second prohibition position in conjunction with the first roller control member, the control actuator moves the first roller control member to the first prohibition position. The paper feeder, wherein the second roller control member sometimes stays at the second prohibition position by contacting the paper detection member. 3. The paper feeder according to claim 2, wherein the first roller control member switches the permission / prohibition of the rotation of the first roller by switching a clutch provided in the roller driving mechanism. apparatus. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second roller control member switches the permission / prohibition of the rotation of the second roller by switching a clutch provided in the roller drive mechanism. Paper feeder. 5. When the second roller control member is already in the second allowable position, the second roller control member is in the second allowable position even when paper comes into contact with the paper detection member. Claim 2 characterized by being adapted to stay
5. The paper feeding device according to any one of 4. 6. When the second roller control member is already at the permissible position, even if paper comes into contact with the paper detection member, the paper detection member contacts the second roller control member, thereby The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device does not reach the detection position. 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is fed from the image forming apparatus. 8. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first path is a sheet feeding path from a manual feed slot, and the second path is a sheet feeding path from a sheet feeding cassette. apparatus. 9. A detecting means for detecting a position of the paper detecting member, and when the detecting means detects that the paper detecting member is at the detecting position, the first roller control member is temporarily stopped. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, further comprising: a control unit that controls the control actuator and the drive actuator so as to drive the drive actuator in a state where the drive actuator is positioned at the first allowable position. . 10. A control for controlling the control actuator and the drive actuator such that the drive of the drive actuator is started and, when a print command is received thereafter, the first roller control member is moved to the first allowable position. 9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, further comprising a unit.