JP2002154676A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve maintainability by improving a structure of a paper feeder, and facilitating jam processing in a carrying passage in the paper feeder for supplying paper to a recording part of an image reader such as a copy-facsimile combined machine and a copier. SOLUTION: In a paper feeding mechanism (FDR) 11 constituted so as to be extractable together with a paper feeding cassette 10T (10B), a rear end part of the FDR 11 is pivotally joined to the rear end of the paper feeding cassette 10T (10B), and is constituted so as to be vertically turnable. The FDR 11 is constituted so as to automatically turn by being guided by a guide rail 19 when extracting the paper feeding cassette 10T (10B). Actually, a pin part 11f is projected on an outside surface of the FDR 11, the guide rail 19 is arranged on the feeder body side, the pin part 11f is engaged with a guide groove 19a of the guide rail 19, the FDR 11 is guided, and is turned obliquely upward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique of a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to a recording section in a multifunction copying machine or a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus such as a multi-function copier / facsimile machine or a copier, a paper feeder that feeds out stacked paper and feeds the paper is composed of a plurality of paper feed cassettes vertically. It was provided and constituted. A paper feeding mechanism including a paper feeding roller, a paper feeding path, and the like,
The paper feed cassette is provided in the apparatus main body, and only the paper feed cassette is drawn forward. The paper feed path of this paper feed mechanism is formed on the back side (rear side) of the apparatus main body, and the paper is supplied to the recording unit above the paper feed path through the paper transport path. That is, in this configuration, the paper transport path is
The paper feed cassette is formed further rearward, and when a jam occurs in the paper transport path, the door provided on the back side of the apparatus is opened to open the path to release the jam.

[0003]

However, if a jam occurs in the paper transport path, it is necessary to perform maintenance from the back side of the apparatus. Must be secured. On the other hand, in an office or the like, the effective space is limited, and therefore, the image reading apparatus is often installed in an empty space such as a wall. Had to move itself. Then, the user performs a jam clearance operation after securing a space enough to go around the rear of the apparatus, but it is troublesome for the user to move the apparatus body every time a jam occurs. is there. In order to solve at least one of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device that can be maintained from the front side of the device when a jam occurs in the sheet feeding device.

[0004]

The present invention uses the following means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the paper feeding apparatus. That is, in the paper feed mechanism attached to the paper feed cassette and configured to be drawn out together with the paper feed cassette, the paper feed mechanism is rotatably mounted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a rotation fulcrum of the paper feeding mechanism is provided at a far side in a drawing direction of the paper feeding cassette.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a guide member is provided on the apparatus main body side of the sheet feeding device, and when the sheet cassette is pulled out, the sheet feeding mechanism is guided and rotated by the guide member.

Further, as set forth in claim 4, the guide member is formed by a pin portion provided in the paper feed mechanism and a guide groove provided in the apparatus main body.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to a paper feeder 1 installed in a multi-function facsimile machine. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a sheet feeding device 1 and a recording device 4, and FIG. 3 is a sheet feeding mechanism according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “FD”).
R ") 11 is a side sectional view, and FIG.
FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining a rotation configuration of a 0T FDR 11 or its frame bodies 13, 14, and 15.
FIG. 2B shows a state in which the 0T is pulled out, FIG. 2B shows a state in which the FDR 11 is rotated, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the frame 15 is rotated, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a rotation configuration of the frames 13 ′, 14, and 15 of the FDR 11 of the lower sheet cassette 10 </ b> B. Cassette 1
FIG. 2B shows a state in which 0B is pulled out, and FIG.
FIG. 6C shows a state in which the frames 14 are further rotated, FIG. 6C shows a state in which the frame 14 is further rotated, FIG. 6 is an inner side view of the guide rail 19, and FIG. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views as viewed from the direction of the arrow A. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a rotation configuration of the FDR 11 by the guide rail 19.
FIG. 2B shows a state in which T is stored, and FIG.
FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a state in which T is being pulled out, and FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet feeding cassette 10T is being pulled out.

In the following description, the front, rear, left, and right directions of each structure are defined as the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 (the handle side of the paper feed trays 10T, 10B in the case of a multi-function facsimile machine). explain. The front, rear, left and right directions in other drawings are also based on FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the copy / facsimile multifunction machine includes a reading unit 3 disposed above a recording unit 2. The reading unit 3 is used as a flat bed type scanner that scans a reading device provided in the reading mounting table 6 to read a stationary document or the like, and fixes the reading device in position. Automatic document feeder (ADF) 8 attached to one end of 7
It is configured to be able to be used as a sheet feed type scanner that performs reading while feeding to the scanner.

Below the recording section 2, there is disposed a paper feeder 1 having a configuration in which paper feed cassettes 10T and 10B are provided in two upper and lower stages (or a plurality of stages). Paper cassette 10
Sheets having different sheet sizes are stacked and stored in the T.10B, respectively.
The paper is fed from one of 10B and fed to the recording unit 2, and after recording on the paper, the recorded paper is discharged to the discharge tray 5 and stacked.

Next, the paper feeder 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper feeding device 1 is mainly configured by vertically arranging paper feeding cassettes 10T and 10B. The sheet cassettes 10T and 10B are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an open upper surface.
FD for feeding paper to the recording unit 2 in the latter half of 0B
R11 and R11 are externally fitted.

The FDR 11 has a paper transport path 11d.
The frame body 12 (12 ') forming the guide surface of (11e).
13 (13 '), 14, 15 and the paper transport path 11d
Rollers 21, 22, 23, for feeding paper to (11e)
24, 25, 26, 27, etc., and the rear end thereof is pivotally connected to the rear end of the sheet feeding cassette 10T (10B) so as to be vertically rotatable as shown in FIG. 4 (b). .
Reference numeral 31 denotes the FDR 11 and the sheet cassette 10T (10B).
Is a rotation fulcrum shaft that pivotally connects.

The FDRs 11 and 11 provided in the upper and lower paper cassettes 10T and 10B have slightly different structures, and as shown in FIG. A laid-down paper transport path 11d is formed, and extends from an inlet 11a at the lower end of the rear part toward an outlet 11b at the upper end of the front part. In the vicinity of the center of the apparatus, an outlet 11b of the sheet transport path 11d communicates with an inlet 4a of the sheet transport path 4d of the recording device 4.

A vertically extending portion of the sheet transport path 11d is branched forward, and an intake port 11c is provided at the leading end. Paper cassette 10T
The paper set in the paper feeder 11 is fed one by one by a half-moon-shaped pickup roller 21 disposed in front of the inlet 11c, and is taken into the paper transport path 11d.

On the other hand, a paper-conveying path 11e is formed in the lower FDR 11 so as to face up and down in a side view, and the outlet 11b at the upper end is connected to the paper-conveying path 11d.
It communicates with the entrance 11a to the lower end. An intermediate position in the vertical direction of the paper transport path 11e is branched forward, and an intake port 11c is provided at the tip thereof, and a pickup roller 21 is pivotally supported in front of the intake port 11c.

It should be noted that a new paper cassette can be added below the paper cassettes 10T and 10B.
The FDR 11 of the new sheet cassette uses the same shape as the FDR 11 of the lower sheet cassette 10B, and the sheet transport path 11e of the FDR 11 of the lower sheet cassette 11B.
The lower entrance 11a and the new paper cassette FDR1
The first paper transport path is installed so as to communicate with the outlet at the upper end.

The frame members 12 (12 ') and 13 (1
3 '), 14, and 15 correspond to the sheet transport path 11d (11
e) and is formed along the frame 13 (13 ').
Reference numerals 14 and 15 denote rotatable configurations, and a paper transport path 11d.
(11e) can be opened.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (c), in the upper FDR 11, the frame 13 is rotatable up and down around a rotation fulcrum shaft 33, and extends horizontally along the paper transport path 11d. The path provided is opened, and the frame 14 is rotatable back and forth about the rotation fulcrum shaft 34. The path extending vertically above and below the sheet transport path 11d is opened, and the frame 14 is moved backward. After being rotated, the frame body 15 is rotatable back and forth about the rotation fulcrum shaft 35 to open a branch path to the intake port 11c.

Further, along the paper transport path 11d,
Rollers 22 and 23 are disposed near the branch to the intake port 11c, and rollers 24 and
5 are arranged, and rollers 2 are provided near the outlet 11b.
6.27 are provided. Here, rollers 22 and 24
26 is provided with rollers 23, 25 and 27 on the main body side of the frame 12.
Are supported by frame members 14 and 13, respectively.

With substantially the same configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower FDR 11 has a frame 13 '.
Is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 33, and opens the upper part of the paper transport path 11e.
, The lower portion of the sheet transport path 11e is opened, and the frame 14 is rotated rearward.
Numeral 5 is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 35, and opens a branch path to the intake port 11c.

Further, along the sheet transport path 11e,
Rollers 22 and 23 are arranged near the branch to the intake 11c, and rollers 24 and 25 are arranged near the outlet 11b. Here, the rollers 22 and 24 are on the main body side of the frame body 12, and the rollers 23 and 25 are respectively on the frame bodies 14 and 1.
It is supported at 3 '.

The rotation fulcrum shaft 34 has its outer peripheral surface sandwiched by a spring or the like, as shown in FIG.
The frame body 14 is configured to return to the original position by the restoring force of the spring even if the frame body 14 is pushed down by hand and tilted horizontally.

With such a configuration, FIGS. 4A and 4B
As shown by, the user operates the paper feed cassette 10T (10
After pulling out B), the FDR 11 is lifted and rotated by hand to open the space below the pickup roller 21, and the sheet is inserted deep into the sheet cassette 10T (10B).

The sheets set in this way are fed one by one by the pickup roller 21.
In the present invention, for example, when a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path 11d (11e) of the FDR 11, maintenance can be performed from the front side of the apparatus. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C or FIG.
After pulling out the 0T (10B) forward,
11 frame 13 (13 '), 14, or 15 is rotated,
Paper transport path 11d where a jam may occur
(11e) may be opened to remove the jammed sheet. Even if a jam occurs across the upper and lower FDRs 11 and 11, since the paper feeding direction by the pickup roller 21 and the pulling-out direction of the FDR 11 are the same, the paper is The sheet is pulled out forward together with the FDR 11 while being entangled with any one of them, and the paper jam position can be checked more easily from the front side of the apparatus, and the jam can be cleared.

The FDR 11 may be provided with a lock lever or the like for fixing the position of the FDR 11 while the FDR 11 is rotated obliquely upward. In this case, if the FDR 11 is released, the lock lever is locked, and the position of the FDR 11 is fixed, the user can supply paper without supporting the FDR 11 with one hand.
In this way, both hands are free, and the paper can be smoothly inserted below the pickup roller 21, thereby improving maintenance.

Further, when the sheet cassette 10T (10B) is pulled out, the FDR 11 automatically rotates in conjunction with the movement of the sheet cassette 10T (10B) to open the space below the pickup roller 21. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, both sides (or one side) of the FDR 11
The pin portion 11f is provided in a convex shape, and a side rail 19 is provided outside the pin portion 11f. The side rail 1
A guide groove 19a is formed on the inner side of the front surface 9 upward and forward, and the pin portion 11f of the FDR 11 is engaged with the guide groove 19a.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the side rails 19 are also moved from the front of the apparatus by rails provided between the side rails 19 and the inner surface of the storage case 1c of the paper feed cassette 10T (10B). It is configured to be slidable to a state protruding slightly forward. When the guide rail 19 is slid to the forefront position, a detent or the like may be provided on a rail between the side rail 19 and the storage case 1c so that the guide rail 19 is lightly fixed at that position.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sheet feeding cassette 10T (10B) is pulled out, the side rail 19 is pulled out slightly forward, and the
11 rotates counterclockwise about the pivot shaft 31 while the pin portion 11f is guided by the guide groove 19a of the side rail 19, and thus the sheet cassette 10T (10
In a state where B) is completely pulled out, the FDR 11 tilts obliquely upward.

Conversely, when the sheet cassette 10T (10B) is pushed back in the storage direction, it is guided by the guide groove 19a of the side rail 19, which is lightly fixed, and the FDR 11 rotates and slides clockwise. In this manner, the FDR 11 returns to the original horizontal posture and slides further rearward, and when the pin portion 11f comes into contact with the innermost portion of the guide groove 19a, the side rail 19 and the storage case 1c are connected. The detent between them has come off, and the side rail 19 is now FDR
11 slides backward. Then, with the sheet cassette 10T (10B) accommodated, the side rails 19 can be returned to the original position.

As described above, the sheet cassette 10T (10B)
Just pull it out and it will automatically be linked to FDR11
Is rotated, and the space below the pickup roller 21 is opened, so that the paper can be efficiently replenished into the paper feed cassette 10T (10B), and the maintenance performance can be improved.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by employing the above-described configuration in the paper feeding apparatus. That is, in the paper feeding mechanism attached to the paper feeding cassette and configured to be able to be pulled out together with the paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding cassette is rotatably mounted so that the paper feeding cassette can be removed. By pulling it out and rotating the paper feeding mechanism, the user can perform maintenance of the paper feeding device from the front side of the device, such as maintenance of the paper feeding roller, replenishment of paper, or jam clearance. Performance can be improved.

Further, by providing the pivot point of the paper feeding mechanism on the back side in the drawing direction of the paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding cassette is pulled out to the front,
By rotating the paper feeding mechanism, the user can perform maintenance management of the paper feeding device, such as maintenance of the paper feeding roller, replenishment of paper, or jam clearance, while looking into the front position of the paper feeding device. Improvement can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a guide member is provided on the apparatus main body side of the paper feeder, and when the paper feed cassette is pulled out, the paper feed mechanism is guided and rotated by the guide member. When the paper feed cassette is pulled out, the paper feed mechanism is guided by the guide member in conjunction with the movement, and automatically rotates. Improvement can be achieved.

Further, when the paper feed cassette is pulled out, the guide member is formed by a pin portion provided in the paper feed mechanism and a guide groove provided in the apparatus main body. The pin portion is guided by the guide groove in conjunction with the movement, and the sheet feeding mechanism is automatically rotated, so that the user can perform replenishment of sheets, etc., from the front side of the apparatus in an effortless manner, thereby improving maintenance. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding device 1 and a recording device 4.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the FDR 11 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a rotating configuration of an FDR 11 of an upper paper feed cassette 10T or frames 13, 14, and 15 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a rotation configuration of frames 13 ′, 14, and 15 of an FDR 11 of a lower sheet cassette 10B.

FIG. 6 is an inner side view of the guide rail 19;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a rotation configuration of the FDR 11 by a guide rail 19.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feeder 10T Paper feed cassette 10B Paper feed cassette 11 FDR 11f Pin part 13 Frame 13 'Frame 14 Frame 15 Frame 19 Guide rail 19a Guide groove 31 Rotating fulcrum shaft 33 Rotating fulcrum shaft 34 Rotating fulcrum Shaft 35 Rotating fulcrum shaft

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FB04 FC21 GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA16 HA22 HB03 HC04 HC30 JA01 KB03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device attached to a sheet feeding cassette and configured to be drawn out together with the sheet feeding cassette, wherein the sheet feeding mechanism is rotatably mounted. 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a rotation fulcrum of the paper feeding mechanism is provided on a back side in a drawing direction of the paper feeding cassette. 3. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a guide member is provided on the apparatus main body side of the paper feeding device, and the paper feeding mechanism is guided and rotated by the guide member when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out. Or the sheet feeding device according to 2. 4. The paper feeder according to claim 3, wherein the guide member is formed by a pin provided in the paper feed mechanism and a guide groove provided in the apparatus main body.