JP2002104668A - Paper feed cassette installation mechanism in image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feed cassette installation mechanism in which a removal of a transfer paper sheet from a paper feed cassette at the time of drawing out the paper feed cassette is effectively prevented in the installation mechanism in which the paper feed cassette is introduced into a paper feed cassette accommodation part in an image forming device from the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the transfer paper sheet. SOLUTION: In the paper feed cassette installation mechanism, the paper feed cassette on which transfer paper sheets are piled up and retained is introduced and accommodated in the paper feed cassette accommodation part provided on the inside of the image forming device in which the transfer paper sheet 6 is fed to an image forming area and an image formation is carried out from the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the transfer paper sheet. A lower projection is formed on a ceiling wall 30 of the paper feed cassette accommodation part at an entrance side part when introducing the paper feed cassette. A transfer paper guide member 32 when introducing and drawing out the paper feed cassette is provided at a tip end of the lower projection 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feed cassette mounting mechanism used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like for forming an image by an electrostatographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus represented by a copying machine,
The paper feed cassette is mounted in a paper feed cassette accommodating section provided in the image forming apparatus, and the transfer paper stacked and held in the paper feed cassette is transferred one by one to the image forming area where the photosensitive drum is arranged. , An image is formed on the surface of the transfer paper. The structure of the paper feed cassette is well-known.For example, a box-shaped transfer paper storage portion having an upper surface opening is formed in the center portion, and a sheet holding plate is attached to the bottom of the transfer paper storage portion, A pair of separation claws is arranged at the upper end corner on the paper feeding direction side of the transfer accommodating section. That is, the sheet holding plate is normally attached to the transfer sheet accommodating portion so that the leading end of the sheet holding direction can be lifted, and the leading end of the sheet holding plate in the feeding direction is spring-biased upward. ing. When a large number of transfer papers are stacked on the sheet holding plate, the leading end of the transfer paper bundle in the sheet feeding direction is held between the sheet holding plate and the separation claw. On the other hand, a paper feed roller is disposed on the ceiling of the paper feed cassette housing formed in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when the sheet cassette in which the transfer sheets are stacked and held is mounted in the sheet cassette housing portion, the sheet holding plate is spring-biased upward, so that the sheet is located at the top of the stacked transfer sheets. Is pressed against the paper feed roller via the separation claw, and as a result, only the top transfer paper is separated from the lower transfer paper by the separation claw by the rotation of the paper feed roller, and the paper is fed to the image forming area. It is done.

By the way, when the paper cassette is mounted in the paper cassette housing section in the image forming apparatus, the paper cassette is stored in the paper cassette in the paper feeding direction of the transfer paper in the image forming apparatus. In general, the paper cassette is inserted into the paper cassette.However, recently, the paper cassette cassette has been installed so that the paper cassette is introduced from a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction of the transfer paper. Provided image forming apparatuses have been widely adopted. That is, when the paper cassette is introduced along the paper feeding direction, an opening for introducing the paper cassette is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus. A space for pulling out must be secured, and the installation place of the image forming apparatus is limited. However, when the paper cassette is introduced from a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, the opening for introducing the paper cassette is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to secure a space for introducing and pulling out the sheet cassette. This is the reason why an image forming apparatus provided with a paper feed cassette accommodating portion so as to be introduced from a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction has come into general use.

[0004]

However, when the paper feed cassette is introduced into the paper feed cassette accommodating section in the image forming apparatus from a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the transfer paper, the paper feed cassette is pulled out. In addition, the transfer paper held at the top is detached from the separation claw and remains in the paper feed cassette accommodating portion, and in some cases, the transfer paper often breaks or breaks. That is, protrusions such as bearings and ribs are formed on the ceiling of the sheet cassette accommodating section in the image forming apparatus, and the top transfer sheet is separated from the separation claw by an impact when the sheet cassette is pulled out. When the paper is removed from the paper cassette, the paper is caught by the projecting portion. As a result, even if the paper cassette is pulled out, the paper remains in the paper cassette housing part, and may be bent or broken in some cases. That is to say.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed cassette mounting mechanism for introducing a paper feed cassette into a paper feed cassette accommodating section in an image forming apparatus from a direction perpendicular to a paper feed direction of transfer paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting mechanism in which the transfer paper is effectively prevented from being detached from the paper feed cassette.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a transfer sheet is supplied to a sheet cassette accommodating portion provided inside an image forming apparatus in which a transfer sheet is fed to an image forming area to form an image. In a paper cassette mounting mechanism for introducing and storing the paper cassettes stacked and held from a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction of the transfer paper, a paper cassette is provided on a ceiling wall of the paper cassette housing section. Paper feed cassette, characterized in that a lower projection is formed at the entrance side when the paper cassette is introduced, and a transfer paper guide member is provided at the tip of the lower projection when the paper cassette is introduced and pulled out. A mounting mechanism is provided.

In the present invention, a paper guide plate having a guide surface or a rotatable guide roller is suitably used as the transfer paper guide member. The paper guide plate is rotatably held at the tip of the lower protrusion of the paper cassette housing portion, and the guide surface is directed along the introduction and extraction directions of the paper cassette and inside the paper cassette housing portion. , Spring biased.

In the present invention, since the transfer paper guide member as described above is disposed at the entrance side when the paper cassette is introduced, the transfer paper guide member is transferred when the paper cassette is introduced into the paper cassette accommodating portion. In addition to effectively preventing the paper from coming off the separation claw, when removing the paper cassette,
Even if the top transfer paper comes off the separation claw,
Since the peripheral portion of the transfer paper on the drawer side is protected by the transfer paper guide member, it is possible to effectively prevent the transfer paper from being caught or rolled up by a protrusion existing on the ceiling of the paper feed cassette accommodating portion. This prevents the paper cassette from being pulled out smoothly together with the paper cassette and does not remain in the paper cassette housing section.

In the present invention, when a paper guide plate is used as the transfer paper guide member, the paper guide plate is turned in a state where the paper feed cassette is mounted in the paper feed cassette accommodating portion, and the transfer paper is rotated. It is preferable that the sheet is retracted to a position where the sheet feeding is not hindered. For this purpose, an upwardly protruding portion is formed at the outer peripheral portion of the transfer paper stacking portion of the paper feed cassette and at a position on the rear end side with respect to the direction of introduction into the paper feed cassette housing portion. It is desirable to do. That is, when the paper feed cassette is mounted in the paper feed cassette accommodating portion, the projecting portion comes into contact with the base of the paper guide plate, thereby turning the leading end of the paper guide plate upward, thereby forming the paper guide. The board can be evacuated.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a paper feed cassette and a paper feed cassette accommodating portion provided in an image forming apparatus in the paper feed cassette mounting mechanism of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of a stacking unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part of a sheet cassette accommodating unit of the image forming apparatus in the sheet cassette mounting mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view showing a process when a paper feed cassette is introduced into or pulled out of the paper feed cassette accommodating portion of FIG. 3 using the paper feed cassette. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a main part of the paper cassette storage unit.

Referring to FIG. 1 in particular, a paper feed cassette indicated as a whole by 1 is introduced into a paper feed cassette accommodating section (shown as a whole by 2) in an image forming apparatus along a direction indicated by an arrow A. Or removed. The direction of introduction or pull-out A is a direction orthogonal to the direction of feeding the transfer paper indicated by arrow B in FIG. A box-shaped transfer paper stacking section 5 having an upper surface opening is formed in the center of the paper feed cassette 1, and transfer paper 6 on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus is stacked and held in this section. On the other hand, a side surface 2a of a sheet cassette accommodating section (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cassette accommodating section) 2 provided in the image forming apparatus corresponds to the front of the image forming apparatus, and this section is open. From this part, the arrow A
The paper feed cassette 1 is introduced or pulled out along the direction of. Paper feed rollers 7, 7 are disposed on the ceiling of the cassette housing section 2 at the front end in the paper feed direction, and the transfer paper stacked on the paper feed cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 7 is provided. 6 is fed in the direction indicated by arrow B, and an image is formed.

The basic structure of the above-described paper feed cassette 1 and cassette accommodating section 2 is the same as that of a conventionally known paper feed cassette. 10, and the front side 1 A of the sheet cassette 1 in the sheet feeding direction, including the extension portions 10.
A guide rail (not shown) is formed on the rear end side surface 1B in the sheet feeding direction, and a concave portion that engages with the guide rail is formed in the sheet feeding of the cassette accommodating section 2, whereby the sheet feeding is performed. The introduction and withdrawal of the cassette 1 into and from the cassette accommodating section 2 are performed smoothly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, overhangs 11 and 11 are provided on the side of the transfer sheet stacking section 5 of the sheet cassette 1 in the direction of introduction in the side 6A and in the side 6B of the direction of drawing. Are provided, and the corners at the leading end of the stacked transfer paper 5 in the paper feeding direction are held by separation claws 12, 12, respectively. Further, the rear end of the loaded transfer paper 6 in the paper feeding direction is
It is aligned at a certain position by contact with.

As shown in the schematic side sectional view of FIG. 2, a sheet holding plate 15 is disposed at the bottom of the transfer paper stacking section 5, and the transfer paper 6 is stacked on the sheet holding plate 15.
In FIG. 2, the transfer paper 6 is omitted. A support plate 16 is integrally formed on both ends of the sheet holding plate 15 on the rear end side in the sheet feeding direction.
Is rotatably held by a pin 17 formed on the side surface of the transfer paper loading unit 5. The lower surface of the sheet holding plate 15 at the leading end in the sheet feeding direction is urged upward by a spring 18 attached to the bottom of the transfer sheet stacking section 5. On the other hand, the separation claw 12 may be fixed to the upper end of the overhang portion 11 described above, but is usually formed at the tip of an arm 20 that is swingably held as shown in FIG. . The arm 20 has a key-like shape bent at approximately 90 °, and a support plate 22 having an engagement hole 21 is attached to the other end. Pin 2 formed on the side of loading section 5
3 is inserted. That is, the arm 20 (the separation claw 12) can swing within the range of the size of the engagement hole 21.

Therefore, in the bundle of transfer papers 6 stacked on the sheet holding plate 15, the leading end in the sheet feeding direction is sandwiched between the sheet holding plate 15 and the separation claw 12, and the separation claw 1
2 is held in an upwardly biased state. Therefore, when the paper feed cassette 1 is introduced into the cassette accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus and is mounted at a predetermined position, the transfer paper 6 located at the top is pressed against the paper feed roller 7 and the paper feed roller 7 is pressed.
The paper feeds in the paper feed direction B through the separation claw 12 by the rotation of.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the separation claw 12 is formed at the tip of the arm 20 which is swingably held, a lock mechanism is provided, and Until it is mounted at a predetermined position in the cassette accommodation space 2,
It is preferable to lock the upward bias of the sheet holding plate 15 by the spring 18. Such a lock mechanism is known per se and will not be described in detail. For example, a lock mechanism described in JP-A-7-206171 can be employed. That is, a slidable engagement plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer paper stacking unit 5, and this engagement plate is engaged with the lower surface of the sheet holding plate 15, and in this state, the spring 18 is locked and the sheet holding plate is locked. Fifteen
Is held in the lower position. Further, a part of the engaging plate is projected outward from the side surface of the sheet cassette 1, and when the sheet cassette 1 is mounted at a predetermined position, the projecting portion of the engaging plate is formed on the wall surface of the cassette housing portion 2. The contact plate slides, whereby the engagement between the engagement plate and the sheet holding plate 15 can be released. In this case, when the sheet cassette 1 is mounted at a predetermined position, the sheet holding plate 1
The transfer paper 6 can be pressed against the paper feed roller 7 by urging the transfer paper 6 upward together with the separation claw 12. Further, when the above-described paper feed cassette 1 is applied to transfer papers 6 of various sizes, a pair of side guides whose intervals can be freely adjusted by a rack-pinion mechanism or the like are provided inside the transfer paper loading unit 5. The rear end regulating plate 13 may be slidably provided. That is, the side guide and the rear end regulating plate 13 are slid according to the size of the transfer paper 5 to align the rear end (front end) and the side end of the bundle of the transfer papers 6 stacked on the sheet holding plate 15. Can be. In this case, the arm 20 having the separation claw 12 described above may be held by the side guide.

According to the present invention, referring to FIG. 3, the feeding of the transfer paper 6 loaded in the paper cassette 1 at the entrance side of the cassette housing 2 when the paper cassette is introduced. A downward projection 31 is provided on the ceiling wall 30 at a portion where the front end portion passes, and a paper guide plate 32 is provided at the lower end portion. The paper guide plate 32 has a tapered guide surface 32a and is rotatably provided with the lower protrusion 3.
1 and is biased by a coil spring or the like. In a normal state, as shown in FIG. Is held slightly upward. That is, in the mounting mechanism of the present invention, the paper feed cassette 1 is introduced into the cassette housing space 2 and drawn out of the cassette housing space 2 under the paper guide plate 32. is there.

Referring to FIG. 4 showing the process of introducing and pulling out the paper feed cassette 1, a peripheral portion (5 in FIG. 1) which is a rear end side when the transfer paper loading section 5 of the paper feed cassette 1 is introduced.
(indicated by x), a protruding portion 35 is formed, and the protruding portion 35 has a contact surface 35a. That is,
When the paper feed cassette 1 is introduced into the cassette accommodating space 2, first, the separation claw 12 located on the leading end side at the time of introduction passes below the paper guide plate 32, and the separation claw 12 and the sheet holding plate 15 The upper surface of the transfer paper 6 held in between enters along the guide surface 32a of the paper guide plate 32 (FIG. 4A). When the paper feed cassette 1 is further pushed in, the separation claw 12 positioned at the
Move while contacting the guide surface 32a (FIG. 4).
(B)) Then, as shown in FIG.
Is mounted at a predetermined position in the cassette accommodating section 2, and the transfer paper 6 is fed.

In the state shown in FIG. 4C, the contact surface 35a of the projecting portion 35 formed on the peripheral portion 6x of the sheet cassette 1 is provided.
When the paper feed cassette 1 is completely mounted, the paper guide plate 32 comes into contact with the base 32 b of the paper guide plate 32, whereby the paper guide plate 32 pivots upward and is completely separated from the upper surface of the transfer paper 6. It is kept in the state. That is, the paper guide plate 32 is held in a retracted state at a position where the paper guide plate 32 does not hinder the feeding of the transfer paper 6. (The base 32b is
Since the lower portion has a shape protruding outward, the upward turning by the contact of the projecting portion 35 with the contact surface 35a is effectively performed. )

The drawing out of the sheet cassette 1 from the cassette accommodating space 2 proceeds in a process completely opposite to the above. That is,
When the sheet cassette 1 is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 4C, the contact surface 35a of the projection 35
2b, it turns downward, descends and is held to the initial substantially horizontal position, and in this state, FIG.
The sheet cassette 1 is pulled out in the order shown in FIGS. Therefore, even if the transfer paper 6 located at the top is out of the separation claw 12, the transfer paper 6 is sandwiched between the guide surface 32a and the separation claw 12, and the guide surface 32a Is guided in the drawer direction along
The paper is drawn out together with the sheet cassette 1 without remaining in the cassette accommodating space 2.

In the present invention described above, the paper guide plate 32 is preferably formed at a position where the separation claw 12 passes below the separation claw 12. As long as the vicinity of the portion passes below the guide surface 32a, the separation claw 12 does not necessarily have to pass below it. The tip of the paper guide plate 32 is preferably formed in an R shape or the like in order to reduce contact resistance.

In the present invention, a guide roller may be provided instead of the paper guide plate 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, by providing a rotatable guide roller 40 at the lower end portion of the lower protrusion 31 formed on the ceiling wall 30 of the cassette accommodating section 2, similarly to the paper guide plate 32, the separation can be performed. The transfer paper 6 detached from the claw 12 can be effectively pulled out together with the paper feed cassette 1. In this case, when the paper feed cassette 1 is completely mounted in the cassette housing space 2, the guide rollers 40 do not prevent the transfer paper 6 from being fed. It is not necessary to provide 35 in the sheet cassette 1.

[0023]

According to the present invention, in a paper cassette mounting mechanism for introducing a paper cassette into a paper cassette housing section of an image forming apparatus from a direction perpendicular to a paper feeding direction of a transfer sheet, By providing a transfer paper guide member such as a paper guide plate or a guide roller on the paper feed cassette introduction side, the separation of transfer paper from the paper feed cassette when the paper feed cassette is pulled out can be effectively prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a sheet cassette and a sheet cassette accommodating portion provided in an image forming apparatus in a sheet cassette mounting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a transfer paper loading unit of the paper supply cassette of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main part of a sheet cassette accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus in the sheet cassette mounting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process when a paper feed cassette is introduced into or pulled out of the paper feed cassette accommodating section of FIG. 3 using the paper feed cassette of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the main part of the sheet cassette housing section of the image forming apparatus in the sheet cassette mounting mechanism of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: paper feed cassette 2: paper feed cassette housing section 5: transfer paper loading section 6: transfer paper 12: separation claw 15: sheet holding plate 18: spring 32: paper guide plate 35: protrusion 40: guide roller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Kami 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside Kyocera Mita Corporation (72) Inventor Takashi Furuya 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Kyocera Mita Incorporated (72) Inventor Ryoji Kanematsu 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi F-term in Kyocera Mita Corporation (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FB04 FC04 GA03 GB01 GC01 GD02 HA16 HB03 HC27 JA01 KB03

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus, in which transfer paper is fed to an image forming area and an image is formed, is provided in a paper feed cassette accommodating portion provided therein. In a paper cassette mounting mechanism for introducing and housing the transfer paper from a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, a ceiling wall of the paper cassette housing portion is provided with a lower portion at an entrance side when the paper cassette is introduced. A paper cassette mounting mechanism, wherein a projection is formed, and a transfer paper guide member for introducing and pulling out the paper cassette is provided at the tip of the lower projection. 2. The paper feed cassette includes a box-shaped transfer paper stacking unit having an upper surface opening, and a bottom portion of the stacking unit includes:
A sheet holding plate is provided which is rotatably held so that the transfer paper feeding direction end can be raised, and the transfer paper feeding direction end of the sheet holding plate is spring-biased upward. 2. The paper cassette mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the transfer paper is stacked on the sheet holding plate, and a leading end of the stacked transfer paper in the paper feeding direction is held by a separation claw. 3. The transfer paper guide member is a paper guide plate having a guide surface. The paper guide plate is rotatably held at the distal end of the lower projection, and is used for introducing a paper feed cassette. Along the pull-out direction and the guide surface faces the inside of the paper cassette housing,
The paper feed cassette mounting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the spring is biased. 4. A projection protruding upward is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the transfer paper stacking portion of the paper feed cassette at a position on the rear end side with respect to the direction of introduction into the paper feed cassette accommodating portion. In a state in which the paper cassette is mounted in the paper cassette housing portion, the protruding portion abuts on the base of the paper guide plate to pivot the leading end of the paper guide plate upward. 4. The paper cassette mounting mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the paper cassette is retracted to a position where the transfer paper is not hindered. 5. The paper feed cassette mounting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said transfer paper guide member is a rotatable guide roller.