JP2002154678A - 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 this paper feeder 1 for arranging the paper carrying passage 11d on the inmost side in the extracting direction of a paper feeding cassette 10T, the paper carrying passage 11d is formed by being surrounded by frame bodies 12, 13, 14 and 15, and the paper carrying passage 11d is opened by turning the frame body 13. When extracting the paper feeding cassette 10T, the frame body 13 automatically turns, the paper carrying passage 11d is opened, and the paper carrying passage 11d can be further largely opened from such a state.

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 a paper feeder provided with a paper transport path on the back side in the drawing direction of the paper cassette, the paper transport path is formed so as to be surrounded by a frame, and the frame is supplied. It is pulled out together with the paper cassette, and the frame is rotated to open the paper transport path.

Further, when the sheet cassette is pulled out, the frame automatically rotates, and the sheet conveying path is opened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the paper feed path is opened when the paper feed cassette is pulled out,
The opening degree of the sheet transport path can be further increased.

[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, a side sectional view, and FIG.
It is a figure explaining rotation structure of frame 13 (13 '), 14 and 15 of (10B), (a) is a figure in which upper sheet cassette 10T was pulled out, and (b) is a lower side. (C) is a view showing a state in which the frame 14 of the FDR 11 in the lower paper feed cassette 10B 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 cassette 10T (10B) so as to be vertically rotatable. Reference numeral 31 denotes a rotation fulcrum shaft that pivotally connects the FDR 11 and the sheet cassette 10T (10B).

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.

In the upper FDR 11, the frame 13 is rotatable up and down around a rotation fulcrum shaft 33, and opens a horizontally extending path of the sheet transport path 11d. The frame 14 is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 34, and opens a path extending vertically above and below the sheet transport path 11 d.
Is rotated rearward, the frame body 15 is rotatable back and forth around the rotation fulcrum shaft 35, and opens 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 respectively supported by frame members 14, 13, 13.

In substantially the same configuration, in the lower FDR 11, the frame 13 'is rotatable back and forth about the rotation fulcrum shaft 33, opening the upper part of the sheet transport path 11e, and
Is rotatable back and forth about a rotation fulcrum shaft 34, opens the lower part of the paper transport path 11 e, rotates the frame body 14 rearward, and then moves the frame body 15 to a rotation fulcrum shaft 35. It is pivotable back and forth about the center and opens a branch to the intake 11c.

Further, along the paper 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 '.

Then, the frames 13 (13 ') and 14
The outer peripheral surface of the fifteen rotation fulcrum shafts 33, 34, 35 is sandwiched by a spring or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed cassette 10T (10B) is placed in the storage case 1c on the apparatus main body side. In the stored state, the frame 13 (1
3 ′) The guided portions provided on the outer surfaces of the 14 and 15 are locked by the guide portions provided on the inner surface of the storage case 1c, so that the frame bodies 13 (13 ′), 14 and 15 are in their normal positions. It is set, and the sheet transport path 11d (11e) is closed.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the sheet cassette 10T (10B) is pulled out from the storage case 1c, the frame 13 (13 ').
5 is disengaged from the guide portion of the storage case 1c, and the frame 13 (13 ').
14 and 15 rotate backward, and the paper transport path 11d (11
e) is automatically released. However, as for the frame 13 of the upper FDR 11, the paper feed cassette 10T is pulled out almost completely from the storage case 1c, and rotates when the contact between the upper surface of the FDR 11 and the ceiling surface of the storage case 1c is released.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the sheet cassette 10B (10T) is pulled out,
The frame body 14 can be further pivoted rearward, and is pushed down until its position and posture become substantially horizontal, and the paper transport path 11e
The degree of opening of (11d) can be further increased. However, when the hand supporting the frame body 14 is released, the frame body 14 rotates forward by the restoring force of the spring, and returns to the slightly opened state shown in FIG. 4B. Similarly, the frame bodies 13 (13 ') and 15 may be configured to be further rotatable backward.

Thus, the sheet cassette 10T (10B)
The paper set in the paper feeder is fed one by one by the pickup roller 21. If a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path 11d (11e) of the FDR 11, the user removes the paper cassette 10T (10B). When pulled out forward, the FDR 11 is also pulled out integrally and the FD
The frames 13 (13 '), 14, and 15 of R11 are automatically opened. At this time, since the paper feed direction by the pickup roller 21 and the pull-out direction of the FDR 11 are the same, even if a jam occurs across the upper and lower FDRs 11, the paper is While being entangled with one of them, it is pulled out together with the FDRs 11 and 11, and the jam position can be checked more easily than the front side of the apparatus, and the jam can be cleared. Further, depending on the position where the paper is jammed, it is preferable to rotate the frame body 14 further backward, so that the jam processing can be performed more easily. As described above, in the paper feeding device 1 according to the present invention, when a paper jam occurs, the work can be performed from the front side of the device, and the maintenance performance is improved.

[0026]

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 feeder provided with a paper transport path on the back side in the drawing direction of the paper cassette, the paper transport path is formed so as to be surrounded by a frame, and the frame is supplied. By pulling out the paper cassette together with the paper cassette, rotating the frame, and opening the paper transporting path, it is possible to perform a jam clearance operation or the like from the front side of the apparatus, thereby improving maintainability.

Further, when the sheet cassette is pulled out, the frame automatically rotates and the sheet conveying path is opened, so that a paper jam or the like can be performed from the front side of the apparatus. Can be performed skillfully, and the maintainability can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the degree of opening of the paper transport path can be further increased from the open state of the paper transport path when the paper cassette is pulled out, so that a complicated jam is achieved. In this case, it can be easily removed from the front side of the apparatus, and the maintenance performance 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 perspective view of a frame 13 (1) of the sheet cassettes 10T and 10B.
3 ′) A diagram for explaining the rotation configuration of 14 and 15.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a paper feeder provided with a paper transport path on the back side in the drawing direction of the paper cassette, the paper transport path is formed by surrounding the frame with a frame, and the frame is pulled out together with the paper cassette. A sheet feeding device that rotates the frame to open the sheet conveying path. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet feeding cassette is pulled out, the frame rotates automatically and the sheet conveying path is opened. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of opening of the sheet transport path can be further increased from the open state of the sheet transport path when the sheet cassette is pulled out. Paper feeder.