JP2002037463A - Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus having it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feeder capable of preventing breakage of a regulating member and the occurrence of sheet feeding failure even in the case where a regulating member is wrongly operated or set in error and an image forming apparatus having the sheet feeder. SOLUTION: When the regulating member 2 is abutted on the side end of a paper sheet P to regulate skewing of the paper sheet P in feeding the paper sheet P, and a claw 204 of an engaging part 203 provided on the regulating member 2 is in particular engaged with teeth 102 of a fixed part 101 having a rack-like teeth 102 provided on a sheet loading part 1 to fix the regulating member 2. When with the regulating member 2 fixed, force for moving the regulating member 2 toward the sheet is applied, with the engaging part 203 gotten over the teeth 102 of the fixed part 101, the regulating member 2 is moved toward the sheet, so that force in the direction of separating from the sheet P larger than the force for moving the regulating member 2 toward the sheet is applied, with the engaging part 203 gotten over the teeth 102 of the fixed part 101, the regulating member 2 is moved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus provided with the same, and more particularly, to feeding a sheet stacked on a sheet stacking portion when the sheet is sent out while contacting a side end thereof. The present invention relates to a configuration of a regulating member for regulating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile or the like usually includes a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to an image forming section by a feeding means. In such a sheet feeding device, when feeding a sheet, a side regulating plate or a sheet feeding direction movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction can be moved to a sheet stacking unit so that the sheet does not skew. An appropriate rear end regulating plate is provided, and the side regulating plate and the rear end regulating plate are moved in accordance with the sheet size so as to contact the side end and the rear end of the sheet.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a configuration of a sheet control plate which is a restricting member such as a side restricting plate or a rear end restricting plate provided in such a conventional sheet feeding apparatus. Reference numeral 120 denotes a sheet mounting table which is a sheet stacking unit;
Is a sheet regulating plate that abuts against a side end of the sheets P stacked on the sheet placing table 110. The sheet regulating plate 120 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow on the sheet placing table 110 so that the position can be changed according to the sheet size. It is provided as possible.

A latch knob 1202 is attached to the outside of the sheet regulating plate 120 via a spring 1201. A latch claw 1203 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the latch knob 1202. I have. And
By engaging the latch claw 1203 with a rack 1101 formed on the upper surface of the sheet mounting table 110, the sheet regulating plate 120 can be fixed at a predetermined position on the sheet mounting table 110.

When the sheet regulating plate 120 is moved in the sheet feeding direction or in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction (hereinafter referred to as the width direction) according to the size of the sheet, the user first grasps the latch knob 1202. After releasing the engagement of the latch claw 1203 with the rack portion 1101, the sheet regulating plate 120 is moved in the lateral direction (the direction of the arrow), and then the finger is released from the latch knob portion 1202.
The latch claw 1203 elastically engages with the rack portion 1101, whereby the sheet regulating plate 120 is moved to the sheet placing table 11.
0 is fixed at a predetermined position.

The rack portion 1101 has a vertical surface 1103, an inclined surface 1104, and a large number of sawtooth-shaped convex portions 1102 as shown in FIG. 1, and a latch claw portion 1203 is also shown in FIG. Thus, a saw-tooth-shaped convex portion 1204 having a vertical surface 1207 and an inclined surface 1206 inclined at substantially the same angle as the inclined surface of the convex portion 1102 of the rack portion 1101 is provided.

[0007]

By the way, in a sheet feeding apparatus provided with a sheet regulating plate having such a structure, when the sheet regulating plate 120 is moved to the left, for example, the side regulating member is operated without operating the latch knob 1202. Even if the user tries to move the plate 120 to the left, the convex portion 1102 of the rack portion 1101
Vertical surface 1103 and the projection 120 of the latch claw 1203
Therefore, the side regulating plate 120 cannot be moved because the vertical surface 1207 of the No. 4 is in pressure contact with the side surface.

[0008] Here, if the sheet regulating plate 120 is operated with a large force in an attempt to forcibly move it to the left, the latch claw portion 1203 or the rack portion 1101 will be damaged. That is, when the side regulating plate 120 is to be moved to the left, the operation of the latch knob 1202 is required.

Further, for example, there is a case where the sheet regulating plate (side regulating plate) is erroneously set at a position smaller than the sheet width. In such a case, the sheet is bent upward on the sheet placing table 110. It will be placed.

When the sheet is placed on the sheet placing table 110 in such a state that it is bent upward, the sheet placing table 110 is rotated to feed the sheet, particularly when the sheet is fed out. In the case of a configuration in which the sheet is moved in the direction, the sheet is pressed in a state where the sheet is bent by the feeding means.

Here, when the sheet is pressed against the feeding means in such a bent state, the sheet presses the sheet regulating plate 120 with a strong force. Since there is no movement without the operation of the latch knob 1202, the sheet remains bent.

For this reason, the feeding force of the feeding means is not sufficiently transmitted to the sheet, and the sheet cannot be fed properly due to an increase in the frictional force between the sheet regulating plate 120 and the sheet. . Further, when the sheet conveyance path is bent, there is a disadvantage that the sheet does not enter the bent conveyance path in such a bent state.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and a paper feeder capable of preventing the occurrence of breakage and defective feeding even when the regulating member is operated incorrectly or set incorrectly. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0014]

According to the present invention, a regulating member movably provided on a sheet stacking section is brought into contact with a side end of a sheet stacked on the sheet stacking section, and the regulating member is fixed to the sheet stacking section. In a sheet feeding device fixed at a position where it abuts on a side end and restricting skew of the sheet when feeding the sheet, the sheet feeding device is provided on the sheet stacking portion and extends in a moving direction of the regulating member. A fixing portion having rack-shaped teeth, and a fixing portion provided on the restricting member and elastically engaging with the teeth of the fixing portion to fix the restricting member at a position in contact with a side end of the sheet. An engaging portion provided with a claw, wherein the fixing portion and the engaging portion are engaged when a force in a direction of moving the regulating member to the sheet side is applied to the fixed regulating member. Part over the teeth of the fixed part By moving the regulating member to the sheet side, and when a force greater than the force in the direction of moving the sheet away and in the direction of moving the sheet side is applied, the engaging portion gets over the teeth of the fixing portion. Thus, the regulating member is configured to move in a direction away from the sheet.

[0015] Further, the present invention provides the present invention, wherein the restricting member is set to be smaller than an angle formed by a moving direction in which the restricting member moves away from the sheet and a tangent line of a portion of the fixing portion where the claw of the engaging portion abuts. An angle formed by a moving direction in which the member moves toward the seat and a tangent to a portion of the engaging portion where the claw of the engaging portion abuts on the teeth of the fixing portion is smaller.

Further, according to the present invention, the teeth of the fixing portion have a vertical surface and an inclined surface which is inclined upward toward the seat side, and the claw of the engaging portion is provided in a direction in which the regulating member moves away from the sheet. A first inclined surface that comes into contact with a vertical surface of a tooth of the fixed portion when moving to the first portion; and a first inclined surface that comes into contact with the inclined surface of the fixed portion when the regulating member moves toward the seat. And a second inclined surface that is gentler than the second inclined surface.

Further, according to the present invention, the teeth of the fixing portion may have a first inclined surface inclined upward in a direction away from the seat, and the first inclined surface inclined upward in a direction toward the seat. A second slope that is gentler than
The claw of the engaging portion has a first inclined surface that comes into contact with a first inclined surface of a tooth of the fixed portion when the restricting member moves in a direction away from the sheet, and the restricting member is disposed on the sheet side. And a second inclined surface that is gentler than the first inclined surface that comes into contact with the second inclined surface of the teeth of the fixing portion when moving.

Further, according to the present invention, the pawl of the engaging portion has a vertical surface and an inclined surface which is inclined upward toward the seat, and the teeth of the fixing portion are provided in a direction in which the regulating member moves away from the seat. A first inclined surface that comes into contact with the vertical surface of the claw of the engaging portion when moving to the second position; and a first inclined surface that comes into contact with the inclined surface of the claw of the engaging portion when the regulating member moves toward the seat. It has a second inclined surface that is gentler than the one inclined surface.

Further, according to the present invention, the claw of the engaging portion may have a first inclined surface inclined upward in a direction away from the sheet, and a first inclined surface inclined upward toward the sheet side. A second inclined surface that is gentler than the surface,
When the regulating member moves in a direction away from the sheet, a tooth of the fixing portion has a first inclined surface that comes into contact with a first inclined surface of a claw of the engaging portion, and the regulating member is provided on the sheet side. And a second inclined surface that is gentler than the first inclined surface that comes into contact with the second inclined surface of the claw of the engaging portion when moving.

Further, according to the present invention, when moving in a direction away from the seat, a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the engaging portion when the vehicle rides over the teeth of the fixing portion; The angle formed between the teeth of the fixing portion or the inclined surface of the engaging portion, which is in contact with the vertical surface, is 90 ° or less.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the regulating member moves in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and abuts at least one side of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking section. is there.

In the present invention, the regulating member may move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction to abut both sides of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking section,
It is characterized in that they are configured to move in opposite directions in conjunction with each other.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the regulating member moves in a sheet feeding direction and abuts on a rear end of the sheet.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the engaging portion is provided with a plurality of claws, and the pitch of the claws is the same as the pitch of the teeth of the fixed portion or has a relationship of a least common multiple. is there.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that there is provided a releasing means for releasing the engagement of the engaging portion with the fixing portion.

According to the present invention, the engaging portion is rotatably provided in a direction away from the sheet with respect to the regulating member,
The engaging portion is elastically rotated to release the engagement between the claw of the engaging portion and the tooth of the fixing portion.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotation center of the engaging portion is
It is characterized by being provided on the regulation member side from the engagement portion.

Further, according to the present invention, the engaging portion is movably provided at a position distant from the regulating member, and when the engagement of the fixing portion with the teeth is released, the engaging portion is moved to the engaging portion. In this case, the rotation is made about a position distant from the regulating member as a fulcrum.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the engaging portion is provided integrally with the regulating member.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the shape of the rack-shaped teeth of the fixing portion is changed according to the size of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the inclined surfaces of the teeth of the fixing portion and the claws of the engaging portion have a curved shape.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to the image forming unit, wherein the sheet feeding device is one of the above. It is assumed that.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shuttle type ink jet printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a shuttle type ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer); 1, a recording paper mounting table which is a sheet mounting table on which recording paper P which is a sheet is mounted; Recording paper P loaded
The recording paper P loaded on the recording paper mounting table 1 by the feeding roller 4 is guided to the nip portion of the transport roller 8 and the transport roller 9 via the lower guide 6 and the upper guide 7. It has become.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a print head constituting an image forming unit, and reference numeral 10 denotes a platen which supports the back side of the recording paper P to maintain an interval between the recording paper P and the print head 11 during printing. In the present embodiment, the print head 11 moves one direction in the transport direction of the recording paper P (the left-right direction in the drawing).
It is provided with a plurality of ink ejection ports arranged in a row, and ejects ink while moving the print head 11 in a direction (front and back direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction, thereby forming a one-line flat surface. Print (Print Scan)
Type.

The printer 2 configured as described above
0, when an image is formed on the recording paper P, first, the recording paper P loaded on the recording paper mounting table 1 by the feeding roller 4 is transported through the lower guide 6 and the upper guide 7 to the transport roller 8 and the transport roller. After that, the sheet is guided further to the left by the conveying roller 8 rotating counterclockwise, and is conveyed onto the platen.

Next, a one-line flat surface is printed on the recording paper P by the print head 11, and then the recording paper P is further conveyed by one line by the conveying roller 8, and then the next print scan is performed. I do. By repeating such an operation, printing can be performed on the entire surface of the recording paper P. When printing is performed in this manner, the recording paper P is kept flat by the discharge rollers 12 and spurs 13 and after printing, by the discharge rollers 12 and spurs 13.
The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

By the way, the recording paper mounting table 1 is provided rotatably about the upper part of the printer main body 21. When the feeding roller 4 rotates when the feeding of the recording paper P is started,
By the action of a cam (not shown) provided on the feeding roller 4,
From the stand-by state shown in FIG. In a normal state (standby state), the recording paper P is in a lowered state as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, on one side (left side) of a direction (hereinafter referred to as a width direction) orthogonal to the recording paper transport direction of the recording paper mounting table 1, a side regulating member which regulates a side end of the recording paper P is provided. A plate 2 is provided. Here, the side regulating plate 2 is slidably provided in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2 which is a side cross-sectional view of the recording paper mounting table 1 according to the size of the recording paper P stacked on the recording paper mounting table 1. Have been.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a recording paper reference wall 3 provided on the other side (right side) in the width direction of the recording paper. When the recording paper P is to be placed on the recording paper The side regulating plate 2 is set at a position corresponding to the size of P, and the side regulating plate 2 and the recording paper reference wall 3 are brought into contact with the side edge of the recording paper P, so that the recording at the time of feeding the recording paper P is performed. Paper P
Skew is regulated.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3 which is an enlarged sectional view of the front surface of the recording paper mounting table 1, the side regulating plate 2 has a spring portion 204 integrally on the back surface. The recording paper mounting table 1 is held on the recording paper mounting table 1 so that the side regulating plate 2 is entirely pressed against the recording paper mounting table 1 by the spring portion 204. Note that the spring portion 204 may be separate from the side regulating plate 2.

A guide convex portion 205 is formed at the tip of the spring portion 204. The guide convex portion 205 is provided on the back surface of the recording paper mounting table 1 and extends in the guide groove 22 extending in the width direction of the recording paper. The side regulating plate 2 can be moved in the recording paper width direction, and the position and inclination of the side regulating plate 2 are prevented.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side restricting plate 2 extends in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the wall surface 2a in contact with the side end of the recording paper P, and is inserted under the recording paper P. When the recording paper P is the recording paper mounting table 1 and the side regulating plate 2
And a stopper 2b for preventing the side regulating plate 2 from inclining while restricting entry between the side regulating plates 2.

Here, this side regulating plate 2 (wall portion 2)
a), a latch spring portion 201 as shown in FIG.
A latch knob 202 is disposed via the latch knob 202. Further, a latch claw 203 serving as an engaging portion is formed at a lower end of a knob 202a outside the latch knob 202.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a rack portion which is a fixed portion provided on the recording paper mounting table 1 and extended in the moving direction of the side regulating plate 2.
Reference numeral 01 includes a number of rack-shaped teeth 102 that engage with the pawls 204 of the latch pawl 203. The rack 1
5, the tooth 102 has a vertical surface 103 and an inclined surface 104 that is inclined upward toward the recording paper. The latch claw 203 also has a claw 204 that engages with the teeth 102 of the rack 101 as shown in FIG.

Here, in this embodiment, when the latch 204 of the latch claw 203 is engaged with the rack 101, the first steep slope which faces the vertical surface 103 of the tooth 102 of the rack 101 is used. The surface 207 and the teeth 10 of the rack 101
The second inclined surface 206 is gentler than the first inclined surface 207 facing the second inclined surface 104.

By making the second inclined surface 206 of the claw 204 gentle as described above, the recording paper P
The side regulating plate 2 to the right side in the figure according to the size of
In other words, if a force is applied in the paper-side direction to move the latch claw 203, the gentle second slope 206 of the latch claw 203 and the slope 104 of the tooth 102 of the rack 101 come into contact with each other, and An upward force is generated.

As a result, the latch claw 203 moves upward while resisting the spring force of the latch spring portion 201. As a result, the latch claw 203
02, the side regulating plate 2 moves in the seat direction. After that, when the force for moving the side regulating plate 2 is lost, the latch claw portion 203 is engaged with the rack portion 101 by the action of the latch spring portion 201, and the side regulating plate 2 is fixed at a predetermined position.

On the other hand, when the same force as the above-described force for moving the side regulating plate 2 toward the recording paper is applied to move the side regulating plate 2 to the left, that is, in the direction away from the paper, the pawl of the latch pawl portion 203 is moved. 204 steep first slope 207
And the vertical surface 103 of the rack portion 101 abuts. At this time, the upward force acting on the latch claw portion 203 is very small, so that the latch claw portion 203 does not move upward. Cannot be moved.

Therefore, normally, when the side regulating plate 2 is moved in a direction away from the recording paper P, the latch claw 203 is moved by grasping the wall portion 2a of the side regulating plate 2 and the latch knob 202. After being evacuated upward as shown by the imaginary line 4, the side regulating plate 2 is moved.

Incidentally, at this time, there is a case where the side regulating plate 2 is forcibly moved in a direction away from the recording paper P as shown in FIG. 5 without operating the latch knob 202 by mistake. In this case, the pressing force F1 is applied to the vertical surface 103 of the rack unit 101, and the
The vertical reaction force N acts on the steep first inclined surface 207 from the vertical surface 103 of the rack portion 101, so that the force N is balanced with the pressing force F1. Here, assuming that the angle formed by the steep inclined surface 207 with respect to the pressing force F1 is θ, when friction is ignored,
The following relationship is established.

N = F1 / sin θ Further, the latch claw portion 203 is pushed upward against the spring force of the latch spring portion 201 by a vertical component F2 represented by F1 / tan θ of the pressing force F1 at this time.
As described above, the first claw 204 of the latch claw section 203 is steep.
Of the side regulating plate 2 and θ
When an excessive force is applied, the latch claw portion 203 gets over the teeth 102 of the rack portion 101 due to the vertical component F2 of the pressing force F1, and the side regulating plate 2 moves away from the recording paper P with this. Go to

As a result, the latch knob 20
Even when a large force is applied to move the side regulating plate 2 without operating the side 2, the side regulating plate 2 can be moved without breaking the latch claw 203. After that, when the force for moving the side regulating plate 2 is lost, the latch claw portion 203 is engaged with the rack portion 101 by the action of the latch spring portion 201, and the side regulating plate 2 is fixed at a predetermined position.

Incidentally, as an example of the relationship of these forces, the knob operation force (operational) of the side regulating plate 2 is 3N (306).
gf) to 6N (612 gf), and when the lever ratio between the knob of the side regulating plate 2 and the latch claw 203 is 1: 1 to 3: 1, the pawl pressing force of the side regulating plate is 3N (306 gf).
１８18N (1837 gf).

If the operating force of the side regulating plate when forcedly moved is about 20 N (2041 gf), the optimum angle θ (tan ⁻¹ F1 / F2) is 48 ° to 81.5 °.
°.

In the above description, for the sake of simplicity, the latch claw 203 is described as escaping by the upward force F2 shown in FIG. 5, but actually the latch claw 203 is a component of the latch claw operating direction component of F2. Escape by the force F3. In the figure, F4 is the component in the direction of the rotation center at this time.

Here, when the recording paper P tries to skew while conveying the recording paper, a force F1 for moving the side restriction plate 2 acts on the side restriction plate 2, but this force F1 is sufficiently small. Since F2 is also smaller than the spring force of the spring portion 201, the side regulating plate 2 does not move and does not affect the width regulation, which is the original function.

On the other hand, if the side regulating plate 2 is erroneously set at a position narrower than the recording sheet width, a relatively large force acts on the side regulating plate 2 because the recording paper P is set while being bent in the width direction. In this case, the width regulating plate 2 moves in a direction away from the recording paper P. In addition, the side regulating plate 2
Moves, and when a large force stops working, the latch claw 203
Engages with the rack portion 101 by the spring force of the latch spring portion 201, the side regulating plate 2 stops at that position, and does not open from that state.

Further, as described above, particularly when the recording paper path is bent, the bent recording paper P cannot be bent unless it becomes the original paper width size, so that a great force is applied to the side regulating plate 2. Become. In this case, there is no problem because the side regulating plate 2 can move to the left similarly.

As described above, when a force is applied to the fixed side restricting plate 2 in the direction of moving the sheet to the side of the seat, the latch pawl 203 is pushed over the teeth 102 of the rack 101 while the side restricting plate 2 is moved. The plate 2 can be moved to the seat side. Also, in the direction away from the sheet,
When a force greater than the force for moving the side regulating plate 2 to the sheet side is applied, the side regulating plate 2 can be moved while the latch claw 203 is moved over the rack 101.

That is, the side regulating angle is smaller than the angle θ formed by the moving direction in which the side regulating plate 2 moves away from the sheet and the tangent of the portion where the pawl 204 of the latch pawl 203 abuts on the teeth 102 of the rack 101. The direction in which the plate 2 moves to the sheet side and the latch claw 2
The angle .theta.3 formed by the tangent of the portion where the claw 204 of FIG. 03 abuts is made smaller, in other words, the latch claw 203
With a very simple structure of providing a steep slope on the claw 204 or the teeth 102 of the rack 101,
The side regulating plate 2 is held in a fixed position without coming off when a relatively small force is applied when the recording paper is skewed, and achieves its original function. The pawl 204 is temporarily disengaged and moves in a direction away from the recording paper P, so that breakage and defective feeding can be prevented.

The teeth 10 of the rack 101 (fixed portion)
2 and the shape of the claw 204 of the latch claw portion (engaging portion) 203, the inclined surface may be formed linearly, but may actually be curved. In some cases, the edge of the tip is also rounded. For example, the claw 2 of the latch claw 203 is attached to the inclined surface of the tooth 102 of the rack 101.
When the abutment 04 comes into contact, the tip of a rounded nail may come into contact with the inclined surface of the curved tooth.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the latch claw portion 2 on the inclined surface of the tooth 102 of the curved rack portion 101 is formed.
The tangent of the part where the edge of the nail 204 of 03 abuts is called the above-mentioned tangent. Conversely, the teeth 102 of the rack 101
When the edge of the latch abuts on the curved inclined surface of the claw 204 of the latch claw 203, the tangent of the portion where the edge abuts is referred to as the tangent described above. Further, in the present embodiment, when the teeth 102 of the rack 101 and the claws 204 of the latch claws 203 abut, the tangent of the curved inclined surface of the abutting portion is referred to as “tangent”. If the inclined surface is straight, the straight line direction is called a tangent.

By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the contact point between the steep first inclined surface 207 of the claw 204 of the latch claw 203 and the vertical surface 103 and the latch claw 2
The angle (θ) between the direction of the center of rotation of No. 03, that is, the direction (X in FIG. 4) orthogonal to the direction in which the latch claw 203 moves upward.
Although 2) is set to an obtuse angle, in such a case, the drag N is a force in a direction to bite the latch claw 203 (a direction to rotate counterclockwise), so that the claw 204 is difficult to escape. I have. Therefore, in order to easily move the side regulating plate 2, it is more desirable that θ2 be an acute angle.

In the present embodiment, the case of the one-side reference in which the side regulating plate 2 is brought into contact with one end of the recording paper P has been described. This is because many shuttle type recording apparatuses (especially ink jet apparatuses) convey recording sheets of different sizes on one side basis. In addition, the reference is made to the right with respect to the recording paper conveyance direction with the recording surface facing upward. This is because there are many printed matter that is described left-justified,
This is to reduce the printing time of the shuttle system. Further, the inkjet type recording apparatus is more remarkable because it is necessary to perform maintenance of the head at a place outside the recording paper range at a certain interval (time, print amount, print dot, page, etc.).

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in a configuration in which the side regulating plates 2 are brought into contact with both sides of the recording paper P, a similar configuration is adopted if at least one of the side regulating plates 2 adopts the above-described configuration. The effect can be obtained. The same applies to the type in which the left and right regulating plates move in opposite directions in conjunction with each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, the side regulating plate 2 has been described as an example of the regulating member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also effective for a trailing edge regulating plate for regulating the trailing edge of the recording paper P. It is.

In the present embodiment, the latch claw 203
The case where the steep inclined surface 207 is provided on the claw 204 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.
The same applies to the case where a steep first inclined surface 103a is formed on the first tooth 102. Also, the claw 204 of the latch claw 203,
The same effect can be obtained by forming a steep slope on both of the teeth 102 of the rack 101.

Although the inclined surfaces have been described as flat surfaces, the two inclined surfaces of the claws 204 of the latch claw 203 are shown in FIG. 7 if the angles of the parts in contact with each other meet the gist of the present invention. As described above. The same is true even when the number of the claws 204 of the latch claw 203 is one. Further, the description has been made so far so that the claws 204 of the latch claw 203 and the teeth 102 of the rack 101 have the same pitch.
The same applies to the case where the pitch of the tooth 4 and the pitch of the teeth 102 of the latch unit 101 are the least common multiple.

In this embodiment, the latch knob 2
Although the configuration is such that the latch claw 203 is released by the operation of No. 02, the same effect can be obtained by a configuration in which the latch claw 203 is released by a lever or the like, for example. Also, the latch claw 203 having the claw 204 that rotates clearly has been described above. However, without providing a knob, for example, the latch claw 203 is directly provided integrally on the bottom surface of the side regulating plate 2, When the regulating plate 2 moves in the direction away from the recording paper P, the same applies to the case where the side regulating plate 2 moves substantially parallel to the direction away from the recording paper mounting table 1 together with the latch claw 203 by the applied force. Has the effect.

As described above, the present invention can be moved lightly when the side regulating plate 2 is moved in the direction of the recording paper, and conversely, when the side regulating plate 2 is moved in the direction away from the recording paper, unless a certain strong force is applied. When a strong force is desired to be generated, the pivot fulcrum X of the latch claw 203 is generated so that a force is generated in the biting direction (see FIG. 4).
Is more natural on the side regulating plate side. Also,
Having a fulcrum on the side regulating plate side is simpler in structure and is better.

However, when a force is generated on the cut-in side, the situation tends to change depending on the situation such as friction of the contact surface. Is not suitable if you want to precisely regulate the force.

In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG.
A latch claw 2 having a claw 204 at the tip at the lower end of the latch 10
When the engagement with the teeth 102 of the rack unit 101 is released, the latch claw 203 may be rotated with the lower end of the projection 210 as a fulcrum. In this case, when the side regulating plate 2 is moved in the recording paper direction, the pawl 204 of the latch pawl 203 and the rack 101 are moved so that the side regulating plate 2 can be easily moved.
Of the teeth 102 are made more gentle.
In addition, in the figure, the claw 204 of the latch claw portion 203 has a sawtooth shape, but may have a simple rectangular shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a steep slope is formed on the teeth 102 of the rack 101, and
The configuration 2 may be different depending on the position in the recording paper width direction. For example, the portions corresponding to the vicinity of the standard size, such as A4, B5, and postcard size, may be the teeth 102B having the relatively steep slope as described above, and the other portions may be the teeth 102A, 102C having the gentle slope. .

Then, with this configuration,
The standard size part satisfies the operability and performance as described above,
In other parts, only operability can be pursued. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a relatively steep slope is used even in a steep shape near the postcard size in the fixed size, and a relatively gentle slope is steep in the other fixed size portions even in the steep shape.

The reason for this is that a relatively large amount of thick paper is used for the postcard size, and accordingly, a large amount of force is applied to the side regulating plate during skew or abnormal setting, and it is necessary to prevent the card from moving with a strong force. On the other hand, since other sizes often pass plain paper (a relatively thin paper such as copy paper), the fixing force may be weak, and the operability is improved accordingly.

[0078]

As described above, when a force is applied in the direction of moving the regulating member to the sheet side with the regulating member fixed as in the present invention, the regulating member is moved and moved away from the sheet. In addition, when a force greater than the force for moving the regulating member in the sheet direction is applied, the regulating member is moved, so that the regulating member can be operated incorrectly or set incorrectly with a very simple structure. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent breakage of the regulating member and occurrence of defective feeding.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shuttle type inkjet printer as an example of an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a recording paper mounting table of the printer device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a front part of a recording paper mounting table of the printer device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rack portion and a latch claw portion for fixing a side regulating plate provided on the recording paper mounting table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between forces generated when the side regulating plate is moved.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a configuration of a rack portion and a latch claw portion for fixing a side regulating plate of a sheet feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rack unit and a latch claw unit for fixing a side regulating plate of a sheet feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rack portion and a latch claw portion for fixing a side regulating plate of a sheet feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rack and a latch claw for fixing a side regulating plate of a sheet feeding device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional rack unit and a locking unit for fixing a side regulating plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording paper mounting table 2 side regulating plate 11 print head 20 printer 101 rack 102 rack teeth 103 (rack teeth) vertical surface 104 (rack teeth) inclined surface 201 latch spring 203 latch claw portion 204 latch claw 206 ( Second inclined plane 207 (of latch pawl) Third inclined plane P (of latch pawl) Recording paper

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yoshino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB02 HE03 HE18

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A regulating member movably provided in a sheet stacking section is brought into contact with a side end of a sheet stacked on the sheet stacking section, and the regulating member is fixed at a position in contact with a side end of the sheet. In feeding the sheet, the sheet feeding device is configured to restrict the skew of the sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a rack-shaped tooth provided on the sheet stacking unit and extending in a moving direction of the restriction member. A fixing portion, and an engaging portion provided on the regulating member and having a claw for elastically engaging the teeth of the fixing portion and fixing the regulating member at a position in contact with a side end of the sheet. The fixing portion and the engaging portion are configured such that, when a force in a direction of moving the restricting member toward the sheet is applied to the restricting member in a fixed state, the engaging portion engages the teeth of the fixing portion. The control member is sealed by overcoming When a force greater than the force in the direction of moving the sheet away from the sheet and moving in the direction of moving the sheet is applied, the engaging portion rides over the teeth of the fixing portion, and the regulating member is moved. A sheet feeding device configured to move the sheet in a direction away from the sheet. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control member is configured to move the control member in a direction away from the sheet in a direction in which the control member moves away from the sheet. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed between a moving direction toward a sheet side and a tangent line of a portion of the engaging portion where the claw of the engaging portion abuts on the teeth of the fixed portion is smaller. 3. The teeth of the fixed portion have a vertical surface and an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the seat, and the claw of the engaging portion moves in a direction in which the regulating member moves away from the sheet. A first inclined surface that comes into contact with the vertical surface of the tooth of the fixed portion, and a gentler than the first inclined surface that comes into contact with the inclined surface of the fixed portion when the regulating member moves toward the seat. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second inclined surface. 4. A tooth of the fixing portion has a first inclined surface inclined upward in a direction away from the seat, and a tooth inclined upward toward the seat side and more gently than the first inclined surface. A second inclined surface, wherein the claw of the engaging portion is in contact with the first inclined surface of the tooth of the fixed portion when the regulating member moves in a direction away from the sheet.
And a second inclined surface that is gentler than the first inclined surface that contacts the second inclined surface of the teeth of the fixed portion when the regulating member moves toward the seat. 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The claw of the engaging portion has a vertical surface and an inclined surface which is inclined upward toward the seat, and the teeth of the fixing portion move in a direction in which the regulating member moves away from the sheet. A first inclined surface that abuts a vertical surface of a claw of the engaging portion, and a first inclined surface that abuts an inclined surface of a claw of the engaging portion when the regulating member moves toward the seat. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second inclined surface that is gentler than the surface. 6. A claw of the engaging portion, a first inclined surface inclined upward in a direction away from the sheet, and a claw inclined upward toward the sheet side and higher than the first inclined surface. A gently inclined second surface, wherein the teeth of the fixed portion contact the first inclined surface of the claw of the engaging portion when the regulating member moves in a direction away from the sheet.
And a second inclined surface that is gentler than the first inclined surface that comes into contact with the second inclined surface of the claw of the engaging portion when the regulating member moves to the sheet side. 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein 7. When moving in a direction away from the seat, a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the engaging portion when going over the teeth of the fixing portion, and a vertical surface of the teeth of the fixing portion or the engaging portion. The paper feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an angle formed between the teeth of the fixed portion and the inclined surface of the engagement portion, which is in contact with the fixed portion, is 90 ° or less. 8. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member moves in a direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction and abuts at least one side of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking section. A paper feeding device according to any one of the above. 9. The regulating member is configured to move in a direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction to abut both sides of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and to move in opposite directions in conjunction with each other. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheet feeding device is provided. 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member moves in a sheet feeding direction and abuts on a rear end of the sheet. 11. The engaging portion is provided with a plurality of claws, and the pitch of the claws is equal to or the least common multiple of the pitch of the teeth of the fixed portion. A paper feeding device according to any one of the above. 12. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a release unit that releases the engagement of the engagement portion with the fixed portion. 13. The engaging member is rotatably provided in a direction away from the sheet with respect to the restricting member, and the engaging portion is elastically rotated so that a claw of the engaging portion and the fixing portion are provided. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the engagement with the teeth is released. 14. The sheet feeding device according to claim 13, wherein the center of rotation of the engaging portion is provided on the regulating member side of the engaging portion. 15. When the engaging portion is movably provided at a position distant from the regulating member, and when the engagement with the teeth of the fixing portion is released, the engaging portion is moved relative to the engaging portion. 12. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding device is configured to be rotated about a position distant from the regulating member as a fulcrum. 16. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is provided integrally with the regulating member. 17. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the rack-shaped teeth of the fixing portion is changed in accordance with the size of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion. Paper feeder. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surfaces of the teeth of the fixing portion and the claws of the engaging portion have a curved shape.
18. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 17 to 17, wherein 19. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; and a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to the image forming unit, wherein the sheet feeding device is one according to any one of claims 1 to 18. An image forming apparatus comprising: