JP2002154677A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve maintenability 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 an FDR 11 installed in a paper feeding cassette 10T (10B), the paper carrying passage 11d (11e) to a recorder 4 is formed in the FDR 11, the FDR 11 is constituted by being divided into plural frame bodies 12 (12'), 13 (13'), 14 and 15, and the paper carrying passage 11d (11e) is opened by turning the frame bodies 12 (12') and 13 (13'), 14 and 15. The FDR 11 is constituted by being installed on the imost side in the extracting direction of the paper feeding cassette 10T (10B), and the paper carrying passage 11d is extended up to the central vicinity from the rear of the paper feeding cassette 10T.

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 paper feeder for feeding a sheet to a recording unit or the like 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 a paper feed mechanism attached to a paper feed cassette and configured to be able to be pulled out together with the paper feed cassette, a paper transport path to a recording unit is formed in the paper feed mechanism. The mechanism is divided into a plurality of frames, the frame surrounds the paper transport path, and the frame is rotated to open the paper transport path.

Further, the paper feed mechanism is mounted on the back side in the drawing direction of the paper feed cassette, so that the paper feed mechanism can be pulled out integrally with the paper feed cassette. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sheet transporting path extends from a depth side in the drawing direction of the sheet feeding cassette to near the center of the apparatus.

[0007]

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 shows the FDR 11 of the lower sheet cassette 10B or its frame 13 ', 14.
15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the rotation configuration of FIG. 15, wherein FIG. 15A shows a state in which the sheet cassette 10B is pulled out, and FIG. 15B shows a state in which each of the frames 13 ', 14, and 15 is rotated. Figure,
(C) is a diagram showing a state where the frame body 14 is further rotated.

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

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the copy / facsimile multifunction machine has a reading unit 3 arranged 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 sheet feeding device 1 which is constituted by providing the sheet feeding cassettes 10T and 10B 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, in the lower FDR 11, a paper transport path 11e in the form of a letter "G" is formed upward and downward, and an outlet 11b at the upper end thereof is connected to the paper transport 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 may 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. 4A and 4C, 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. Open the established route. The frame body 14 is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 34, opens a path extending vertically above and below the sheet transport path 11 d, rotates the frame body 14 rearward, The body 15 is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 35, and opens a branch to the intake port 11c.

As shown in FIG. 3, rollers 22 and 23 are provided near the branch to the intake port 11c along the paper transport path 11d, and at the portion extending horizontally. Rollers 24 and 25 are arranged, and rollers 26 and 27 are arranged near the outlet 11b. Here, the rollers 22, 24, and 26 are on the body side of the frame 12, and the rollers 23, 25, and 27 are on the frames 14, 13, and 13, respectively.
It is pivoted on. In addition, the rotation fulcrum shafts 31 33.3
Rollers 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
27 rotation shafts or the rollers 22, 23, 24, 25
-It is good to share with the rotation axis of the gear which transmits power to 26 and 27.

With substantially the same configuration, the lower FDR 11 has a frame 13 'as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b).
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.

As shown in FIG. 3, rollers 22 and 23 are disposed near the branch to the inlet 11c along the paper transport path 11e, and rollers 24 and 25 are disposed near the outlet 11b. Are arranged. Here, the roller 22
Reference numeral 24 is supported by the main body of the frame 12, and rollers 23 and 25 are supported by the frames 14 and 13 ', respectively. Similarly, the rotation fulcrum shafts 31, 33, 34, and 35 have rollers 22
23, 24, 25 rotating shafts or the rollers 22, 23
-It is good to share with the rotation axis of the gear which transmits power to 24 and 25.

The rotation fulcrum shaft 34 is arranged as shown in FIG.
As shown by, the outer peripheral surface is sandwiched by a spring or the like,
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, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the user can feed the sheet cassette 10T (10B).
After pulling out, lift FDR11 by hand and rotate,
The space below the pickup roller 21 is opened, and the paper is inserted deep into the paper feed cassette 10T (10B).

The sheets thus set 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 While being entangled with any one of the above, it is pulled out forward together with the FDR 11, and the jam can be cleared from the front side of the apparatus.

[0025]

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 a paper feeding mechanism attached to a paper feeding cassette and configured to be able to be pulled out together with the paper feeding cassette, a paper feeding path to a recording unit is formed in the paper feeding mechanism, The mechanism is divided into a plurality of frames, and the paper transport path is surrounded by the frames, and the paper transport path can be opened by rotating the frames, so that a jam clearance or the like can be performed from the front side of the apparatus. Work can be performed, and the maintainability can be improved.

Further, the paper feed mechanism is configured to be attached to the back side in the drawing direction of the paper feed cassette, so that the paper feed mechanism can be pulled out integrally with the paper feed cassette. Thus, the sheet feeding mechanism can be pulled out integrally with the sheet feeding cassette, and operations such as a jam clearing operation can be performed from the front side of the apparatus, so that maintenance can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sheet transport path extends from the back side in the drawing direction of the sheet cassette to the vicinity of the center of the apparatus, and the sheet conveying path extends to the back side in the drawing direction of the sheet cassette. The recording section can be provided in the center of the apparatus by extending the recording section from the apparatus to the center of the apparatus. As a result, the discharged paper can be easily taken, and the workability can be improved.

[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 an FDR 11 of a lower sheet cassette 10B or frames 13 ′, 14, and 15 thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feeder 10T Paper cassette 10B Paper cassette 11 FDR 11d Paper transport path 11e Paper transport path 12 Frame 12 'Frame 13 Frame 13' Frame 14 Frame 15 Frame 31 Rotation fulcrum shaft 33 Rotation Support shaft 34 Rotation support shaft 35 Rotation support shaft

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a paper feeding mechanism attached to a paper feeding cassette and configured to be able to be pulled out together with the paper feeding cassette, a paper feeding path to a recording unit is formed in the paper feeding mechanism, and the paper feeding mechanism is provided with a plurality of paper feeding mechanisms. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet conveying path is divided into a frame, the sheet conveying path is surrounded by the frame, and the sheet conveying path can be opened by rotating the frame. 2. The paper feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding mechanism is attached to a rear side in a drawing direction of the paper feeding cassette, and the paper feeding mechanism can be pulled out integrally with the paper feeding cassette. 2. The paper feeding device according to 1. 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying path extends from a depth side in a drawing direction of the sheet feeding cassette to near the center of the device.