JP2002002975A - Paper feeder of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a copying machine by setting an inclination angle of a loading tray at an acute angle and to surely prevent the intrusion of foreign matters to a paper feeding mechanism through a paper feeding opening to improve the paper feeding performance of a paper feeder. SOLUTION: A cover member 67 supported rotatably in the direction to open and close the paper feeding opening is mounted on the paper feeder for feeding the recording paper P loaded on a manual paper feeding tray 44 outwardly projecting from the copying machine 1, into the copying machine. The cover member is energized by a cover spring 68 in the direction to close the paper feeding opening while bringing its tip part into contact with a rotating plate 63 or the recording paper. A detecting device 69 is mounted for detecting the rotating amount of the cover member to detect the absence of the recording paper on a tray body 44a and the rotating plate. An opening 71 opened to a lower part is mounted on an upper part of the rotating plate kept into contact with the tip of the cover member. A collecting part 72 is mounted on a lower part of the opening for collecting the foreign matters intruded from a tray body side toward the paper feeding opening.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder provided in an image forming machine typified by a copying machine or the like, and more particularly, to a paper feed mechanism through a paper feed opening for feeding recording paper. It is concerned with measures to reliably prevent foreign objects such as clips and pins from entering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming machine such as a copying machine is provided with a paper feeding device for feeding recording paper to the image forming machine by a paper feeding mechanism such as a paper feeding roller. The paper feeding device includes a loading tray protruding outward from the image forming apparatus, and guides the recording paper placed on the loading tray to a paper feeding mechanism through a paper feeding opening. The recording paper is fed into the image forming apparatus by a paper mechanism.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] By the way,
In order to reduce the size of the image forming machine, there is a demand for suppressing the amount of the mounting tray projecting outward from the image forming machine. In this case, it is conceivable that the inclination angle of the mounting tray with respect to the image forming machine is set to a steep angle with respect to the vertical line, and the amount of the mounting tray protruding outward from the image forming machine is reduced.

However, if the inclination angle of the loading tray is set to a steep angle as described above, when a foreign matter such as a clip or a pin falls on the loading tray or on the recording paper placed on the loading tray, the foreign matter is removed. Foreign matter easily slides on the loading tray or on the recording paper on the loading tray, and easily enters the paper feed mechanism through the paper feed opening, and cannot drop out the foreign matter by hand. Will be. This not only causes a paper feed jam due to foreign matter, but also damages the paper feed roller of the paper feeding mechanism due to the foreign matter, or causes the foreign matter to bite into the paper feed roller, thereby significantly improving the paper feeding performance of the paper feeding device. May worsen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to set the inclination angle of the loading tray to a steep angle to achieve a compact image forming machine and to supply the image. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering a paper feed mechanism through a paper opening and to improve paper feed performance by a paper feed device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a loading tray projecting outward from an image forming apparatus, and a recording sheet placed on the loading tray is provided. It is assumed that the sheet feeding device feeds the sheet into the image forming apparatus by the sheet feeding mechanism through the sheet feeding opening. And a cover member rotatably supported in a direction to open and close the sheet supply opening, and a direction in which the leading end is brought into contact with the loading tray or the recording paper on the loading tray to close the sheet supply opening. The cover member is urged.

According to this specific matter, when no recording paper is placed on the loading tray, the leading end of the cover member comes into contact with the loading tray and closes the paper feed opening. Foreign matter such as a clip dropped on the tray is prevented from sliding on the loading tray and entering the paper feed mechanism from the paper feed opening. Also, even when the recording paper is placed on the loading tray, the leading end of the cover member comes into contact with the recording paper on the loading tray and closes the paper feed opening. A foreign object such as a clip dropped on the recording paper is prevented from sliding on the recording paper and entering the paper feeding mechanism from the paper feeding opening. As a result, the paper feed roller of the paper feed mechanism can be reliably prevented from being damaged by foreign matter, and from being caught by the foreign matter in the paper feed roller.
Paper feed performance by the paper feeder can be improved.

In particular, the following configuration is proposed to reduce the cost of the sheet feeding device based on the amount of rotation of the cover member.

That is, a detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation is provided on the cover member. Then, the detecting means detects that the recording paper is not placed on the placing tray.

According to this specific matter, the cover member rotates by contacting the leading end of the cover member with the recording sheet, and thus functions as an actuator for detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet on the loading tray. For this reason, there is no need to separately provide an actuator for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper, and it is possible to reduce the cost of the paper feeding device and reduce the cost.

In particular, the following configuration is provided to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the paper feed mechanism.

That is, an opening that opens downward is provided closer to the sheet supply opening than the contact portion of the mounting tray with which the tip of the cover member contacts.

According to this specific matter, the foreign matter that is prevented from entering the paper feed opening (paper feed mechanism) by the cover member is
By rotating the cover member in a direction to open the sheet feeding opening, the cover member drops from the opening and it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the sheet feeding mechanism.

In the case where a collecting portion for collecting foreign matter intruding from the loading tray toward the paper feed opening is provided below the opening, the foreign matter that has fallen downward through the opening is specified. It is possible to keep it in place.

[0015] When a collecting container that is detachable from the collecting section is accommodated in the collecting section, it is possible to easily dispose of the foreign matter retained in the collecting section without dropping it on the floor or the like.

Further, when at least a part of the collecting portion is formed by an external cover of the mounting tray main body and is configured to be openable and closable so as to be opened to the outside of the mounting tray main body, the collecting portion is mounted. It is easily configured by the exterior (external cover) of the tray main body, and the collection container is no longer indispensable, which can contribute to cost reduction.

In particular, the following configuration is provided as a means for surely dropping foreign matter below the opening.

That is, the length of the cover member in the direction of the rotation axis is set shorter than the width of the opening, and when no recording paper is placed on the loading tray, the tip of the cover member is placed in the opening. I try to get in.

According to this specific matter, the foreign matter that has been prevented from entering the paper feed opening by the cover member is surely dropped below the opening by rotating the cover member in a direction to open the paper feed opening. However, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the paper feed mechanism when the recording paper is not placed.

In particular, the following configuration is provided to more reliably seal the sheet feeding opening.

That is, a flexible sheet member protruding from the front end is attached to the cover member.

According to this specific matter, it is possible to seal the gap between the recording sheet and the cover member by the sheet member protruding from the front end of the cover member, and to make contact with the mounting tray in contact with the front end of the cover member. It is also possible to seal the gap between the paper feed opening side and the part, and it is possible to enhance the closing performance of the paper feed opening.

When the leading end of the sheet member is brought into contact with the paper feed opening side of the mounting tray when the recording paper is not mounted on the mounting tray, the mounting is performed. When the recording sheet is placed on the tray, the sliding operation of the sheet member and the rotating operation of the cover member in the direction of opening the sheet feeding opening can be smoothly performed, and the sealing performance by the sheet member can be sufficiently exhibited. It becomes possible.

In particular, the following configuration is provided to prevent the recording paper placed on the loading tray from entering the opening.

That is, a comb-shaped guide for guiding recording paper to the paper feed opening is provided on the paper feed opening side of the opening.

According to this specific matter, when the recording paper is placed on the loading tray, the leading edge of the recording paper (the end near the paper feed opening)
Can be smoothly guided by the guide, so that the recording paper can be prevented from entering the opening, and it is possible to reliably drop foreign matter below the opening through the gap between the teeth of the guide. Become.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine as an image forming machine will be described.

-Description of Overall Configuration of Copying Machine 1- FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal configuration of a digital copying machine 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
Includes a scanner unit 2, an image forming unit 3 for forming an image on a recording sheet P, and a sheet conveying mechanism 4 for conveying the recording sheet P to the image forming unit 3. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

<Explanation of Scanner Unit 2>
An original document table 21 made of transparent glass or the like, and a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 22 for feeding a document onto the document table 21 are provided.
This is a part for reading the image of the upper document and creating image data.

The RADF 22 includes an automatic paper feed tray 22a for automatically feeding a plurality of set documents one by one onto the document table 21. Also, this RA
The DF 22 can read one side or both sides of a document by a scanner unit 23 described later according to a user's selection. More specifically, it has a transport path for transporting the document on the automatic paper feed tray 22a onto the document table 21 and a reversing path for reversing the document so that the scanner unit 23 reads both sides of the document. When only one side of the document is read, only the transport path is used. On the other hand, when both sides of the document are read, the document transported to the document table 21 via the transport path is reversed in the reverse path. The document is conveyed onto the document table 21 again. Therefore, each path is provided with a conveyance path switching unit and a sensor group (both not shown) for recognizing a document conveyance position. RADF2
The configuration 2 is well known in the related art, and thus detailed description is omitted.

The scanner unit 2 includes a document table 2
1 is provided with a scanner unit 23 for reading an image of a document conveyed on the scanner 1. This scanner unit 23
Includes a lamp reflector assembly 24, a plurality of reflection mirrors 25a, 25b, 25c, an optical lens body 26, and a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 27.

The lamp reflector assembly 24 includes:
The original placed on the original placing table 21 is irradiated with light. Each reflection mirror 25a, 25b, 25c
As shown in FIG. 1, the reflected light from the original is temporarily reflected rightward in the drawing, then reflected downward, and then left toward the optical lens body 26, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It reflects in the direction.

As a document image reading operation, when a document is placed on the document table 21, the first scanning unit 23 a including the lamp reflector assembly 24 and the reflection mirror 25 a moves in the horizontal direction along the document table 21. To irradiate the entire original with light. At this time, the reflection mirror 2
The second scanning unit 23b composed of 5b, 25c
The scanning unit 23a moves in the same direction at a predetermined ratio of speed (half the speed of the first scanning unit 23a). Then, each of the reflection mirrors 25a, 25b, 25c
The light reflected by the optical lens 26 and passing through the optical lens body 26 forms an image on a photoelectric conversion element 27, and the reflected light is converted into an electric signal (original image data) at the photoelectric conversion element 27. The image data thus obtained is transmitted to an image processing unit (not shown), where various processing is performed, and then temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit. Is read and used for the image forming operation by the image forming unit 3.

<Explanation of Image Forming Unit 3>
Laser writing unit 31 and electrophotographic processing unit 3
2 is provided. The laser writing unit 31 irradiates a laser beam based on the document image data converted by the photoelectric conversion element 27 onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 of the electrophotographic process unit 32. Specifically, the laser writing unit 31 includes a semiconductor laser light source that irradiates a laser beam corresponding to the image data, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam at a constant angular speed, and a laser beam that is deflected at a constant angular speed. An f-θ lens or the like that corrects the light to be deflected at a constant angular velocity on the lens 33 is provided.

The photosensitive drum 33 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, and the laser light from the laser writing unit 31 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 31a and irradiated, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface thereof. Is formed.

In the electrophotographic process section 32, a charging device 34, a developing device 35, a transfer device 36, a peeling device, a cleaning device 37, a static eliminator and a fixing device 38 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 33. Made up of The charger 34 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 to a predetermined potential before an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device 35 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 into a visible image by using a toner as an image forming substance. The transfer device 36 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 to the recording paper P. The fixing device 38 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper P on the recording paper P by heating. The peeling device and the cleaning device 37 remove the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 after the toner transfer. The static eliminator removes residual charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33.

Thus, when an image is formed on the recording paper P, the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 34, and the laser writing unit 31 emits a laser beam based on the image data. The electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the body drum 33. Thereafter, the developing device 35
Develops a visible image with toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 36 to the recording paper P fed from the paper transport mechanism 4. Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated by the fixing device 38, and the toner image is fixed. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is removed by the peeler and the cleaning device 37, and the residual charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is removed by the charge remover. This completes one cycle of the image forming operation (printing operation) on the recording paper P. By repeating this cycle, it is possible to continuously form an image on a plurality of recording sheets P, P,.

<Description of the paper transport mechanism 4>
Are the first, second and third paper cassettes 41, 42, 4
3. The recording sheets P, P,... Stored in the multi-bypass tray 44 serving as a mounting tray are conveyed one by one to cause the image forming section 3 to form an image, and the recording sheet P on which the image has been formed is removed. First and second discharge trays 51, 5
2. Also, the paper transport mechanism 4
Is provided with a double-sided copying unit 45 for once collecting the recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side and then performing image formation by the image forming unit 3 on the other side.

Each of the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43 contains recording papers P, P,... Of different sizes. Are sequentially taken out one by one, and are sequentially conveyed to the image forming unit 3 via the conveyance path 40.

The transport path 40 of the paper transport mechanism 4 includes a main transport path 46 and a reverse transport path 47.

The main transport path 46 is branched at one end (upstream end side in the recording paper transport direction) so that each of the paper cassettes 41, 42,
A post-processing device which is opposed to the discharge side of a manual feed tray 43 and a manual feed tray 44, and has discharge trays 51 and 52 at the other end (downstream end side in the recording paper transport direction) via a transfer device 36 and a fixing device 38; 50.

The reversing conveyance path 47 has one end (upper end in the drawing) connected to the main conveyance path 46 on the downstream side (right side in the drawing) from the position where the fixing device 38 is provided, and has an intermediate portion (upper and lower in the drawing). (The central part in the direction) is the first and second branch paths 47A, 47B.
Has been branched to. The first branch path 47A extends vertically downward. On the other hand, one end of the second branch path 47B faces the carry-in side of the duplex copying unit 45.

First and second branch claws 47a and 47b are provided at a connection portion between the main transport path 46 and the reverse transport path 47 and at a branch portion of the reverse transport path 47, respectively.

The first branch pawl 47a closes the first position at which the reverse transport path 47 is closed and the discharge side of the main transport path 46,
A second connecting the main transport path 46 with the reverse transport path 47
It is rotatable around a horizontal axis between the positions. When the first branch claw 47a is at the first position, the recording sheet P that has passed through the image forming unit 3 is discharged to the discharge trays 51 and 52 as it is. On the other hand, when the first branch claw 47a is at the second position, the recording paper P that has passed through the image forming
7.

The second branching pawl 47b opens the first branching path 47A of the reversing transport path 47 and closes the second branching path 47B, and opens the second branching path 47B and opens the first branching path 47B. It is rotatable around a horizontal axis between the second position where 47A is closed. When the second branch claw 47b is at the first position, the recording sheet P conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 47 is guided to the first branch path 47A and conveyed to the lower end position. Thereafter, when the second branching pawl 47b is moved to the second position and the transport direction of the recording paper P is reversed, the recording paper P is transported to the second branch path 47B via the branch portion and supplied to the duplex copying unit 45. It is supposed to be. That is, the recording paper P is supplied to the duplex copying unit 45 via the first branch path 47A and the second branch path 47B, so that when the recording paper P is supplied to the image forming section 3, the recording paper P is turned upside down. An image can be formed on the back surface of the recording paper P.

Thus, when one-sided copying is performed by the copying machine 1, the first branch pawl 47a is at the first position, and the recording paper P taken out of each of the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43 or the manual feed tray 44 is set. After the image is formed by the image forming unit 3,
Is discharged to

On the other hand, when double-sided copying is performed, first, the first branch claw 47a is set to the second position, and the second claw 47b is set.
Is the first position. Thereby, each paper cassette 41,
The recording paper P taken out from the manual feed tray 42, 43 or the manual feed tray 44 and having an image formed on one side by the image forming unit 3 is
It is guided to the first branch path 47A of the reverse transport path 47. Thereafter, the second branching pawl 47b is brought to the second position, the conveying direction of the recording paper P is reversed, and the recording paper P is supplied to the duplex copying unit 45 from the second branch path 47B via the branching portion. When forming an image on the other side of the recording sheet P, the first branching pawl 47a is at the first position, and the recording sheet P taken out of the duplex copying unit 45 is image-formed by the image forming unit 3 and discharged. The paper is discharged to trays 51 and 52.

The upstream end of the main transport path 46 (paper cassette 4
1, 42, 43, a portion facing the discharge side of the manual feed tray 44 and the duplex copying unit 45), the surface thereof is EPD.
A pickup roller 48 as a paper feed roller covered with a rubber-like elastic material such as M, urethane, or silicone rubber is provided. A plurality of transport rollers 49 for feeding the picked-up recording paper P to the main transport path 46 are disposed downstream of each pickup roller 48. The pickup roller 48 and the transport roller 4
By the rotation of 9, the recording papers P stored in the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43, the manual tray 44 and the duplex copying unit 45 can be selectively fed one by one to the main transport path 46.

Further, as described above, the paper discharge unit of the copying machine 1 includes first and second paper discharge trays 51,
52 are provided. In other words, inside the post-processing device 50, a transport path that connects the downstream end of the main transport path 46 and each of the paper discharge trays 51 and 52 is provided, and the paper discharge tray 51, where the recording paper P is discharged, is provided. The transport path is switched according to 52.

-Description of Paper Feeding Apparatus- Next, a paper feeding apparatus which is a feature of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the paper feeding device 6
A manual feed tray 44 of the copying machine 1 is provided as a component, and the recording paper P placed on the manual feed tray 44 is fed into the copying machine 1 by a paper feed mechanism 62 via a paper feed opening 61 one by one. (Main transport path 46). Specifically, the manual feed tray 44 is provided on the side of the copying machine 1 such that the tray body 44a (mounting tray body) extends upward at an inclination angle B of about 30 ° with respect to the vertical line m. The size of the copier 1 is reduced by minimizing the amount of protrusion (extension) of the copier 1 outward. The tray body 44a has a pair of paper guides 44b (FIGS. 2 to 4) which move relatively to the center line in the front-rear direction of the copier 1 (in FIG.
FIG. 4 shows only one of the tray main bodies 44a.
The positioning of the recording sheets P of different sizes set thereon is performed based on the center line of the tray main body 44a.

The paper feed opening 61 is formed between the lower end of the tray main body 44a (the end on the paper feed mechanism 62 side) and the tray main body 44a.
The lower end of the recording paper P is opened between the opposing side wall of the copying machine main body 10 and the leading end (lower end) of the recording paper P in the feeding direction when the recording paper P is placed and set on the tray main body 44a. It is made to be inserted. The paper feed opening 61 communicates with the paper feed mechanism 62 and also communicates with the inside of the copier 1 (the main transport path 46) via the paper feed mechanism 62.

The paper feed mechanism 62 is rotatably supported at its base end substantially at the center of the tray main body 44a with the pickup roller 48 described above. A rotating plate 63 on which the paper mechanism 62 is mounted, a rotating plate spring 64 for urging the tip end (lower end) of the rotating plate 63 toward the pickup roller 48 (upward), and a lower portion with respect to the pickup roller 48. And a friction plate 65a made of urethane foam or silicone rubber or the like.
, A pressure spring 66 for urging the friction plate holder 65 so as to press the friction plate 65a against the pickup roller 48, and a rotating shaft 48a for fixing the pickup roller 48 as shown in FIG. Are connected to the rotating plate 63 when the pickup roller 48 is rotated, and the rotating plate 63 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the tray body 44a against the urging force of the rotating plate spring 64. 48b, 48 pushing down
b. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the tray main body 44 a includes a recess 44 c that is recessed in a step shape below a substantially central portion thereof, and a shallow upper recess 4 above the tray 44.
The base of the rotary plate 63 is supported at the upper end of 4d via a shaft extending in the front-rear direction of the copying machine 1, while the rotary plate spring 64 is accommodated in the lower deep lower concave portion 44e. I have. In this case, the recording paper P
When the manual feed is selected by an operation unit (not shown) and the start button of the image formation is turned on in a state where is mounted, the pickup roller 48 rotates and the respective cams 48b rotate. The rotating plate 63, which has been pressed down, is rotated upward by the urging force of the rotating plate spring 64, and presses the leading end side of the recording paper P against the pickup roller 48. Then, the recording paper P is fed into the copying machine 1 through the paper feed opening 61 as the pickup roller 48 rotates. At this time, the friction plate 65a of the friction holder 65 prevents the double-fed recording paper P from being fed into the copying machine 1, and feeds only one recording paper P. When this one sheet of recording paper P is fed and the pickup roller 48 makes one rotation, the pickup of the recording paper P is completed, and each cam 48
b, the rotating plate 63 is pushed back downward, and the recording paper P placed on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63 is separated from the paper feed mechanism 62 (pickup roller 48).

A substantially central portion of the tray body 44a, that is, a side wall of the copying machine body 10 which is opposed to an upper end portion (an end portion on the tray body 44a side) of the rotating plate 63 is provided with a vertical opening and closing direction for opening and closing the sheet feeding opening 61. A plate-like cover member 67 supported rotatably via a rotation shaft 67a in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 is provided. This cover member 67
A projecting portion 67b projecting from the base end on the side opposite to the rotating plate 63.
Is connected to the side wall of the copying machine main body 10 via a cover spring 68, and the cover spring 68 closes the paper feed opening 61 while the leading end contacts the rotating plate 63 or the recording paper P on the rotating plate 63. In the direction (upward direction) with a biasing force of about 0.01 N, and on the tray body 44 a (substantially above the center) and the rotating plate 63.
The recording paper P placed thereon is fed while slidingly contacting when fed by the pickup roller 48.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A detecting device 69 is provided at a base end of the cover member 67 as detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the cover member 67. The detecting device 69 is provided on the side of the copier body 10 corresponding to the protrusion 69a and the protrusion 69a protruding from the base end of the cover member 67 toward the anti-rotating plate 63 side.
and a light sensor 69b having a base 69c having a substantially U-shaped cross section and facing each other so as to allow a to pass therethrough. The optical sensor 69b includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown) at positions opposed to the base 69c. When the recording paper P is placed on the tray main body 44a and the rotating plate 63, the light sensor 69b switches from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. The movement of the projection 69a along with the rotation of the cover member 67 to a position where the optical path is not interrupted allows the detection of the presence of the recording sheet P, while the tray body 4
When the recording sheet P is not placed on the rotary plate 63 and the rotating plate 63, the projection 69a moves with the rotation of the cover member 67 to a position where the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is blocked, that is, an insertion position in the base 69c. Thus, the absence of the recording paper P is detected.

Then, as shown in FIG.
A substantially rectangular opening 71 extending in the front-rear direction of the copying machine 1 is provided at an upper portion of the copier 1. Below the opening 71, the sheet feed opening 6 is located from the tray body 44a side.
A collection unit 72 is provided for collecting foreign matter G (shown in FIGS. 3 and 7) such as a clip or a pin that intrudes toward 1. The collecting portion 72 is provided in the upper concave portion 44d of the tray main body 44a, and the bottom of the upper concave portion 44d (the collecting portion 72) is connected to the outer cover 44f of the tray main body 44a.
And is openable and closable so as to open below the tray body 44a. The collection unit 72 contains a collection container 73 (shown in FIG. 7) that is detachable from the collection unit 72. This collection container 73
It is made of a resin molded product such as polyethylene, and only the upper surface facing the opening 71 is opened. When the outer cover 44f is opened, it is taken out from the collection section 72.

The cover member 67 has a rotating shaft 67.
The length in the direction a (the front-back direction of the copying machine 1) is set shorter than the front-rear width of the opening 71, and when the recording paper P is not placed on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63, the cover is closed. The opening 71 is formed by the biasing force of the spring 68.
And enters (contacts) the upper edge thereof, and the opening 71
It is made to close. As shown in FIG. 6, a flexible sheet member 74 is attached to the tip of the cover member 67. Specifically, the sheet member 74 is formed of a substantially rectangular sheet piece obtained by cutting polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 50 to 100 μm into a length substantially the same as the length of the cover member 67 in the front-rear direction.
The sheet member 74 is formed on the back surface (lower surface) of the cover member 67.
On the other hand, the base end side (upper side in FIG. 6) 15 mm away from the front end is pasted with a pasting width of 20 to 30 mm, and the front end projects about 20 mm from the front end of the cover member 67. In this case, the sheet member 74 is
7 is prevented from being stuck to the rear surface within a range of 15 mm from the front end.

The sheet member 74 is provided on the tray body 44a.
When the recording paper P is not placed on the upper and rotating plates 63, the leading end thereof contacts the sheet feeding opening 61 side of the opening 71 of the rotating plate 63, that is, the lower edge of the opening 71,
When the recording paper P is placed on the tray main body 44a and the rotating plate 63, the leading end thereof comes into contact with the recording paper P.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a collecting section 7 is provided at the lower edge of the opening 71 of the rotating plate 63 (on the side of the sheet feeding opening 61).
2 (a collection container 73), a comb-like guide 75 projecting in a substantially horizontal direction is provided. This guide 75
Are A5 size portrait recording papers P1 and B5
.. Have a plurality of teeth 75a,... Corresponding to both ends and the center of an A4 size horizontal recording sheet P2 and an A4 size horizontal recording sheet P3, respectively. The lower portion of the opening 71 is guided to the lower edge side of the opening 71 (the sheet feeding opening 61). In this case, the guide 75 is provided at a position where the teeth 75a do not interfere when the tip of the guide member 67 enters the opening 71 and contacts (contacts) the upper edge thereof.

-Operation / Effects of Embodiment- As described above, in the present embodiment, the cover member 67 is provided which is rotatable in the direction to open and close the sheet supply opening 61, and the tip of the cover member 67 is the rotating plate 63 or the tray body. Since the cover member 67 is urged in a direction to close the paper feed opening 61 while making contact with the recording paper P on the rotary plate 63 and on the rotary plate 63 a.
When the recording paper P is not placed on the tray, the leading end of the cover member 67 contacts the rotating plate 63 to close the paper feed opening 61. Foreign matter G slides on the tray main body 44a and the rotating plate 63, and from the sheet feeding opening 61 to the sheet feeding mechanism 62.
Is prevented from entering. Also, the tray body 44a
Even when the recording paper P is placed on the upper and rotating plates 63, the tip of the cover member 67 is
a and contacts the recording paper P on the rotating plate 63 to close the paper supply opening 61, so that foreign matter G such as a clip or a pin dropped on the recording paper P slides on the recording paper P and is fed. Intrusion into the paper feed mechanism 62 from the paper opening 61 is prevented. This reliably prevents the surface of the pickup roller 48 of the sheet feeding mechanism 62 from being damaged by the foreign matter G, and prevents the foreign matter G from being caught in the pickup roller 48, and improves the sheet feeding performance of the sheet feeding device 6. be able to.

Further, a detection device 69 for detecting the amount of rotation of the cover member 67 is provided, and when the recording paper P is not placed on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63, an optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is provided. Cover member 67 to the position where
The movement of the projection 69a in accordance with the rotation of the control unit detects that there is no recording paper P. As a result, the cover member 67, whose leading end contacts the recording paper P and rotates, functions as an actuator for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper P on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63. For this reason, there is no need to separately provide an actuator for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper P, so that the cost of the paper feeding device 6 can be suppressed and the cost can be reduced.

Further, an opening 71 which opens downward is provided above the rotating plate 63, and a collecting section 72 which collects foreign matter G such as clips and pins is provided below the opening 71. The sheet feeding opening 61 is formed by the member 67.
The foreign matter G, which is prevented from entering the (paper feed mechanism 62), comes into contact with the leading edge of the recording paper when the recording paper P is placed and set on the tray main body 44a and the rotating plate 63, and the paper feed opening is opened. By rotating the cover member 67 downward to open the portion 61, the cover member 67 is dropped from the opening portion 71, collected by the collection portion 72, and the intrusion of the foreign matter G into the paper feeding mechanism portion 62 can be reliably prevented. become. Further, the bottom of the collecting portion 72 (upper concave portion 44d) is connected to the outer cover 4 of the tray main body 44a.
4f, which is openable and closable by 4f, and a collecting container 73 which is detachable from the collecting portion 72 is accommodated, so that the foreign matter G which has fallen downward through the opening 71 is retained at a specific place (collecting portion 72). In addition, the foreign matter G retained in the collection unit can be easily disposed of together with the collection container 73 without dropping it on the floor or the like.
The collecting section 72 can be easily configured by the outer cover 44f of FIG.

The cover member 67 has its rotating shaft 6
When the length in the 7a direction (the front-back direction of the copying machine 1) is set shorter than the front-back width of the opening 71, and the recording paper P is not placed on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63,
The opening 7 is formed by the urging force of the cover spring 68.
1 and comes into contact with (contacts) the upper edge thereof, and the opening 7
When the recording paper P is placed and set on the tray main body 44a and the rotary plate 63, the leading end of the recording paper abuts on the tray main body 44a and the rotating plate 63 to open the paper supply opening 61. By rotating the member 67, the foreign matter G is surely dropped from the opening 71 and collected by the collection unit 72, and the intrusion of the foreign matter G into the paper feeding mechanism 62 when the recording paper P is not placed is further reduced. It is possible to reliably prevent this.

Further, since the flexible sheet member 74 projecting from the front end of the cover member 67 is attached to the cover member 67, the space between the recording paper P and the cover member 67 can be sealed, and the front end of the cover member 67 can be sealed. The gap between the rotating plate 63 and the lower edge of the opening 71 below the upper edge of the opening 71 can also be sealed, and the closing performance of the sheet feeding opening 61 can be further improved. When the leading end of the sheet member 74 is brought into contact with the lower edge of the opening 71 of the rotating plate 63 when the recording paper P is not placed on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63, the tray body 44a In addition, the sliding operation of the sheet member 74 when the recording sheet P is placed on the rotating plate 63 and the rotating operation of the cover member 67 in the direction of opening the sheet feeding opening 61 can be smoothly performed, and the sealing by the sheet member 74 can be performed. Performance can be fully exhibited.

Further, a plurality of teeth 75a corresponding to both ends and the center of the A5 size vertical recording paper P1, the B5 size horizontal recording paper P2, and the A4 size horizontal recording paper P3, respectively, are provided. Is provided on the lower edge of the opening 71 of the rotating plate 63 (on the side of the sheet feeding opening 61) so as to protrude substantially horizontally toward the inside of the collecting section 72 (the collecting container 73). Are guided from the lower part of the opening 71 to the lower edge side (the paper feed opening 61) of the opening 71, respectively, so that the recording papers P1 to P3 of different sizes are guided. When the recording papers P1 to P3 are placed and set on the tray body 44a and the rotating plate 63, the leading ends of the recording papers P1 to P3 are guided by the corresponding teeth 75a, and the recording papers P (P1 to P
3) It is possible to prevent entry into the opening 71, and it is possible to reliably drop the foreign matter G below the opening 71 through the gap between the teeth 75a of the guide 75.

-Other Embodiments- In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any apparatus as long as it is an electrophotographic image forming machine. Further, the present invention is also applicable to a multifunction machine such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer.

In the above embodiment, the tray body 44
9A, a detachable collection container 73 is accommodated in the collection unit 72. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the collection unit 72 is not provided with a collection container, and the bottom of the collection unit 72 (upper concave portion 44d) is the tray body. It may be configured to be openable and closable by the outer cover 44f of the 44a. In this case, a collection container becomes unnecessary, which can contribute to cost reduction.

Further, in the above embodiment, the upper concave portion 44
The bottom of the d (collection unit 72) is formed by the outer cover 44f of the tray body 44a, and the outer cover 44f can be opened and closed so as to be opened below the tray body 44a. May be formed by an outer cover of the tray body, and the outer cover may be configured to be openable and closable so as to open below the tray body.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, paper is fed while the tip of the cover member rotatable in the direction of opening and closing the paper feed opening is brought into contact with the mounting tray or the recording paper on the mounting tray. By biasing the opening in the closing direction,
Regardless of the presence or absence of recording paper on the loading tray, foreign matter that has fallen on the loading tray or recording paper is prevented from entering the paper feeding mechanism through the paper feeding opening, and the paper feeding mechanism is supplied. It is possible to reliably prevent the paper roller from being damaged and to prevent foreign matter from being caught in the paper feeding roller, thereby improving the paper feeding performance of the paper feeding device.

By detecting the presence or absence of recording paper on the loading tray by the detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the cover member, a cover member is used as an actuator for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper, and a separate actuator is used. Thus, the cost of the sheet feeding device can be reduced.

By providing an opening on the paper feed opening side of the mounting tray relative to the contact portion of the tip of the cover member, foreign substances that have been prevented from entering the paper feed opening by the cover member can be rotated by the cover member. By dropping from the opening, foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering the sheet feeding mechanism.

Further, by providing a collecting portion for collecting foreign matter below the opening, the foreign matter that has fallen downward through the opening can be retained at a specific location.

Then, by storing the collecting container detachable with respect to the collecting section in the collecting section, it is possible to easily discard the foreign matter retained in the collecting section without dropping it on the floor or the like.

Further, since at least a part of the collecting portion formed by the outer cover of the mounting tray body can be opened and closed to the outside of the mounting tray main body, the collecting portion can be easily configured and a collecting container is not required. To contribute to cost reduction.

When the recording sheet is not placed on the loading tray, the tip of the cover member is caused to enter the opening, so that the foreign material whose entry into the sheet feeding opening is prevented by the cover member Can be reliably dropped below the opening by the rotating operation of the cover member, and the intrusion of foreign matter into the paper feed mechanism when the recording paper is not placed can be more reliably prevented.

By attaching a flexible sheet member protruding from the front end of the cover member, it is possible to seal between the recording sheet and the cover member, and further, the paper feed opening is provided at a position higher than the contact area of the front end of the cover member on the mounting tray. The gap between the sheet feeding portion and the sheet feeding portion can also be sealed, and the closing performance of the sheet feeding opening can be improved.

Further, by contacting the leading end of the sheet member on the paper feed opening side with respect to the opening of the loading tray, the sliding operation of the sheet member when loading the recording paper on the loading tray and the cover member Can be smoothly performed, and the sealing performance by the sheet member can be sufficiently exhibited.

Further, by providing a comb-shaped guide on the paper feed opening side of the opening, the leading edge of the recording paper is smoothly guided when the recording paper is placed on the loading tray, and the opening of the recording paper is opened. In addition, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the portion, and it is possible to reliably drop the foreign matter below the opening through the gap between the teeth of the guide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a manual feed tray showing movement of a sheet feeding device when recording paper is not placed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a manual feed tray showing movement of a sheet feeding device in a state where recording sheets have begun to be set.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a manual feed tray showing movement of a sheet feeding device in a state where recording sheets have been set.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding mechanism as viewed from the copying machine side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover member, a seal member, and a detection device as viewed from above.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a view of the vicinity of a trench, viewed from above, in a state where recording papers of different sizes have begun to be set.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a storage section according to a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier (image forming machine) 44 Manual feed tray (mounting tray) 44a Tray main body (mounting tray main body) 44f External cover 6 Paper feeder 61 Paper feed opening 62 Paper feed mechanism 67 Cover member 69 Detector (detection) Means) 71 Opening 72 Collection part 73 Collection container 74 Sheet member 75 Guide G Foreign matter P Recording paper

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting tray protruding outward from the image forming apparatus; a recording sheet mounted on the mounting tray being supplied to the image forming apparatus by a paper feeding mechanism through a paper feeding opening; A paper feeder for feeding paper, comprising a cover member rotatably supported in a direction to open and close the paper feed opening, the cover member having a leading end or a recording sheet on the placing tray. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, which is urged in a direction to close a sheet feeding opening while contacting the sheet feeding device. 2. The sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover member includes a detecting unit for detecting a rotation amount.
A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, wherein the detecting means detects that a recording sheet is not placed on a placing tray. 3. The sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 1, wherein an opening that opens downward at a sheet feeding opening side from a contact portion of the mounting tray with which the tip of the cover member contacts. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, comprising: 4. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 3, wherein a collecting section is provided below the opening to collect foreign matter entering from the loading tray toward the sheet feeding opening. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine. 5. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 4, wherein said collection unit contains a collection container detachable from said collection unit. Paper feeder. 6. The sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the collecting unit is formed by an external cover of the mounting tray main body, and opens to the outside of the mounting tray main body. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, which is configured to be openable and closable as described above. 7. The sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 3, wherein the length of the cover member in the direction of the rotation axis is set to be shorter than the width of the opening. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, wherein a leading end of the sheet feeds into an opening when a recording sheet is not placed thereon. 8. A feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 3, wherein a flexible sheet member protruding from an end of said cover member is attached to said cover member. Paper equipment. 9. The sheet feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 8, wherein the sheet member has an opening at the leading end of the loading tray when no recording paper is placed on the loading tray. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine, wherein the sheet feeding device is in contact with the sheet feeding opening side. 10. A paper feeding device for an image forming machine according to claim 3, wherein a comb-shaped guide for guiding recording paper to the paper feeding opening is provided on the paper feeding opening side of the opening. A sheet feeding device for an image forming machine.