JP2002234652A - Flexible member for feeding paper, paper feeding roller, and paper feeding assembly body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible member for feeding a paper sheet capable of ensuring excellent flexibility and a high friction force. SOLUTION: An elastic basic body 1 has a first side end 10, a second side end 20 opposing to the first side end 10 in a first direction D1, and a plurality of archlike empty body parts 50. A plurality of archlike empty body parts 50 are provided on a first face 11 of the elastic basic body 1, are extended in the first direction D1, and are arranged in a second direction D2 orthogonally crossing the first direction D1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding flexible member, a paper feeding roller, and a paper feeding assembly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Paper feed rollers are widely used as parts of paper feed devices, for example, in photo processors, fax machines, printing machines, automatic teller machines, ticket vending machines, vending machines, and the like. .

[0003] The paper feeder usually includes a roller base and a flexible member. The roller base is generally cylindrical, and is provided with a through hole along its axis for connection to a rotary drive shaft. The flexible member has a ring shape and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. By utilizing the elasticity of the flexible member, the flexible member is brought into close contact with the roller base. The outer surface of the flexible member functions as a contact surface. A protruding shell is provided on the outer surface of the flexible member to obtain a sufficient frictional force between the outer surface of the flexible member and the paper to be fed and to reduce the contamination of the paper to be fed. .

Japanese Patent No. 2887041 discloses a paper feed roller including an annular flexible member which is in close contact with a roller base. The feature of this paper feed roller is that an air chamber is formed between the roller base and the flexible member. When the flexible member comes into contact with the paper to be fed, the air chamber acts as a cushion, improving the flexibility of the paper feed roller.

One of the disadvantages of Japanese Patent No. 2887041 is that
The point is that the friction between the flexible member and the paper to be fed is insufficient. That is, since the air chamber is provided over the entire circumference of the cylindrical roller base, when the external surface comes into contact with the paper to be fed, the pressure applied from the paper to the flexible member is irregularly dispersed, and as a result, During the rotation of the paper feed roller, the flexible member may cause unstable movement such as the paper being distorted.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible member for feeding paper which can ensure excellent elasticity and high frictional force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed roller which can be used in various paper feed devices and includes a paper feed flexible member capable of obtaining excellent elasticity and high frictional force. It is to be.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a paper feed assembly that can be used in various paper feed devices, and the paper feed assembly can obtain excellent elasticity and high frictional force. At least one paper feed roller including a paper feed flexible member is provided.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a flexible member for feeding paper according to the present invention has an elasticity in which first and second side ends are opposed to each other in a first direction. Including the substrate. The paper feeding flexible member further has a plurality of arched cavities on one surface of the elastic substrate. The arched cavity extends between a first side end and a second side end in the first direction, and is arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to the paper feeding flexible member having the above structure,
When the paper feeding flexible member is mounted on the roller base constituting the paper feeding roller according to the present invention, the plurality of arch-shaped cavities provided on one surface of the elastic base come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller base. I do. Each of the plurality of arch-shaped cavities functions as an air chamber between the flexible member for paper feeding and the main body of the paper feeding roller. Therefore, excellent elasticity can be obtained.

[0011] Further, the plurality of arch-shaped cavities may include the first cavities.
Extending between the first side end and the second side end in the direction of
Since they are arranged side by side in the second direction, when the flexible member mounted on the roller body comes into contact with the paper to be fed, the pressing force applied to the flexible member is evenly distributed. . For this reason, the balance of the flexible member is maintained, the paper is prevented from being bent and fed, and the frictional force is increased.

According to the paper feed roller having the above structure, one or more paper feed rollers are connected to the rotary drive shaft constituting the paper feed assembly according to the present invention, so that various types of paper feed rollers are provided. It can be used for a paper feeder.

[0013]

1 is a bottom view of a flexible member according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the flexible member shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a part of the flexible member illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the flexible member includes an elastic base 1 and a plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50. The elastic substrate 1 is manufactured using an elastic material such as rubber. The elastic base 1 has a first side end 10 and a second side end 2
0, a third side end 30 and a fourth side end 40. First
Side end 10 and second side end 20 face each other in the first direction shown by arrow D1, and third side end 30 and fourth side end 4
0s oppose each other in a second direction D2 indicated by an arrow D2 perpendicularly intersecting the direction D1. A plurality of arched cavities 50 are provided on one surface 11 of the flexible member, and
Extends between the side end 10 and the second side end 20 and are arranged side by side in the second direction D2.

The second surface 12 of the elastic substrate 1 is the first surface 1 of the elastic substrate 1 in which a plurality of arched cavities 50 are formed.
On the opposite side from 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a curved portion 55 is formed at the second side end 12. Like the plurality of arched cavities 50, the curved portion 55 also extends between the first side end 10 and the second side end 20 in the first direction, and is arranged side by side in the second direction D2. , The second surface 12.

The plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50 are formed on the first side end 1.
It is separated by a continuous leg 51 between 0 and the second side end 20. The thickness of the outer leg 52 is about half the thickness of the other leg 51, and the thickness T2 of the outer leg 52 is smaller than the thickness T1 of the leg 51 (see FIG. 3). That is, the thickness T2 of the outer leg portion 52 is half the thickness T1 of the other leg portions 51. Here, the plurality of arch-shaped hollow portions 50 are provided linearly between the first side end 10 and the second side end 20. The width of the flexible member is indicated by reference number W2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a paper feed roller according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a paper feed roller according to the present invention is mounted on a roller base 100 constituting the paper feed roller.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a roller base used in the paper feed roller shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the roller base shown in FIG. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the roller base 100 has a first side surface 110.
The first side surface 110 and the second side surface 120 are opposed to each other at a symmetry line A1 that coincides with the axis of the roller base 100. The paper feed roller also has the first
A through hole 150 extending between the side surface 110 and the second side surface 120 is included. Roller base 1 illustrated in this embodiment
00 has a width W1 when viewed between the first side surface 110 and the second side surface 120. The width W1 of the roller base 100 matches the width W2 (see FIG. 1) between the first side end 10 and the second side end 20 of the flexible member 200.

A plurality of grooves 130 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) are provided between the first side surface 110 and the second side surface 120 of the roller base 100. These grooves 130 are arranged linearly. These grooves 130 are of uniform size and are separated from one another by equal distances.

Since the roller base 100 has a plurality of grooves 130, the legs 51 and the outer legs 52 of the flexible member 200 can be inserted into the grooves 130 as shown in FIG. The groove 130 has a uniform size and is divided at an equal distance from each other, and the size of the leg portion 51 matches the size of the groove 130.
0 can be fixed securely.

The outer leg 52 has a thickness T2.
The thickness T2 is half of the thickness T1 of the leg 51. Both outer legs 52 are precisely located in one of the grooves 130, so that the flexible member 200 continuously surrounds the entire roller base 100, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the paper feed roller shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. Next, the function of the paper feed roller 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. The paper feed roller 400 rotates about the axis A1 in the direction of the arrow V1. The curved portion 55 of the flexible member 200 is
Contact with 0. As a result, the sheet 300 is supported on the support table 250.
While being supported by, it is sent in the direction shown by arrow V2. Instead of the support 250, the sheet 300 may be sent by another sheet feed roller 400.

One of the advantages of this embodiment is that when the flexible member 200 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is bonded to the roller base 110 of the paper feed roller 400, the surface 11 of the elastic base 1
The plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50 on the outer periphery 0 function as air chambers between the elastic base 1 and the outer peripheral surface 131 of the roller base 100. Thereby, excellent elasticity can be secured.

Another advantage of the present embodiment is that a plurality of arched cavities 50 are provided continuously between the first side end 10 and the second side end 20, so that a plurality of arched cavities 50 are provided. The pressing force P1 applied to the paper 300 from the cavity 50 is evenly distributed on the paper 300, maintains the balance of the paper 300, prevents the paper from being bent and fed during rotation, and improves the frictional force. It can be done.

Still another advantage of the structure of this embodiment is that
Since the arched cavities 50 are arranged side by side in the second direction D2, the flexible member 200 has a sheet shape instead of an annular shape, and the maintenance of the flexible member 200 is facilitated. The roller base 100 of the paper feed roller 400
The troublesome work of peeling the flexible member 200 from the can be avoided. In addition, there is no need to take out the paper feed roller 400 from the rotary drive shaft or take out the entire rotary drive shaft from the paper feed device.

Still another advantage of this embodiment is that the flexible member 200 is sheet-shaped rather than annular, which facilitates mass production and makes the flexible member 200 less bulky. It is easy. That is, the flexible member 200 according to the present invention is first manufactured with a large sheet, and then the flexible member 2 of the paper feed roller 400 is manufactured.
It is sufficient if the sheet is cut into an appropriate small sheet as 00.
The large sheet and the flexible member 200 are flat,
Because they can be easily stacked, they are less bulky than prior art annular flexible members.

Further, by using the above-mentioned flexible member, it is possible to further promote the recycling of components in the current problem of dust and environmental problems.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing another embodiment of the flexible member 200 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50 are arranged in a curved shape between the third side end 30 and the fourth side end 40 of the flexible member 200. According to the arrangement of the plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50, the plurality of grooves 1
30 is also disposed between the first side end 110 and the second side end 120 of the paper feed roller 400 in a curved shape (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing still another embodiment of the flexible member 200 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50 are arranged in a V-shape between the third side end 30 and the fourth side end 40 of the flexible member 200. According to the arrangement of the arch-shaped hollow portion 50, the plurality of grooves 130 are also connected to the first side end 110 of the paper feed roller 400 and the second side.
(See FIGS. 5 and 6).

FIG. 11 is a front view of a paper feed roller 400 using the flexible member 200 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the width W2 of the flexible member 200 is
00 is smaller than the width W1.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing another embodiment of the flexible member 200 according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged front view of the flexible member 200 shown in FIG. 12 and 13, the length L2 of the outer leg 52
Is longer than the length L1 of the leg 51.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a paper feed roller using the flexible member 200 shown in FIGS. Figure 1
Referring to FIG. 4, the roller base 100 is provided with a single groove 130. The outer leg 52 of the flexible member 200 is
30. The leg portion 51 is supported by the outer peripheral surface 131 of the roller base 100.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the paper feed roller according to the present invention. Referring to FIG.
Four grooves 130 are provided in the roller base 100. Flexible member 200 includes three legs 521. The length of these legs 521 is longer than the length of the legs 51. The leg 521 and the outer leg 52 are inserted and fixed in the groove 130 provided in the roller base 100. The leg portion 51 is supported by the outer peripheral surface 131 of the roller base 100.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are side views of a paper feed roller 400 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the roller base 100 has a non-circular shape, which is different from the shape of the roller base described above. As shown in the drawing, even if the roller base 100 is not circular, it can correspond to the flexible member 200 of each embodiment. As described above, the paper feed roller 400 can have various shapes and dimensions within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a paper feed assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 18 illustrates a paper feed assembly according to the present invention. That is, the paper feed assembly includes the rotary drive shaft 500.
And includes at least one of the paper feed rollers 400 of the previously described embodiments. Paper feed roller 4
Since 00 has already been described in the drawings exemplified above, further description is omitted here.

The illustrated paper feed assembly includes a rotary drive shaft 500.
And two paper feed rollers 400 that are detachably arranged at a distance. This type of paper feed assembly is suitable for use with paper feed devices such as photo processors, fax machines, and printers. Although not shown, the rotary drive shaft 500 of the paper feed assembly is connected to a drive.

In the drawing, the rotary drive shaft 500 includes two paper feed rollers 400 connected at a distance, but the paper feed assembly according to the present invention is an automatic teller machine, a cash dispenser, a ticket commuter pass. In order to be used for a vending machine, a ticket gate, a vending machine, and the like, the paper feed roller 4 of the rotary drive shaft 500 is required.
00 is not limited to two. Further, the paper feed roller 400 may be formed integrally with the rotary drive shaft.

FIG. 19 shows a paper feed roller 400 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a different paper feed assembly using the same. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 5, the paper feed assembly includes a timing belt 610 belonging to the prior art, a plurality of transmission rollers 620, and a plurality of paper feed rollers 400. Conduction roller 62
0 and the paper feed roller 400 rotate in the direction of the arrow V1.
When the curved portion 55 contacts the sheet 300 to be sent, the sheet 300 is sent in the direction of arrow V2.

FIG. 20 is a side view of another paper feed assembly using the flexible member 200 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 20, the paper feeding assembly includes the flexible member 200 closely attached to the timing belt 610 and a plurality of transmission rollers.
620 and a plurality of paper feed rollers 70 belonging to the prior art.
0 is included. Transmission Roller 620 and Paper Feed Roller 70
Rotating in the direction of arrow V1 with 0. When the curved portion 55 contacts the sheet 300 to be sent, the sheet 300 is sent in the direction of arrow V2.

FIG. 21 shows a paper feed roller 400 according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a paper feed assembly using the flexible member 200 and a flexible member 200. Referring to FIG. 21, a flexible member 200 according to the present invention, a plurality of transmission rollers 620, and a plurality of paper feed rollers according to the present invention are closely attached to a timing belt 610. LA 400. Transmission roller 6
20 and the paper feed roller 400 rotate in the direction of arrow V1. When the curved portion 55 of the paper feed roller 400 and the flexible member 200 contact the paper 300 to be fed, the paper 300 is fed in the direction of the arrow V2.

FIG. 22 is a front view of still another embodiment of the flexible member according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 22, the flexible member has an elastic base 1, a plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50, legs 51, and a curved portion 55. This embodiment is different from the above embodiments in that the flexible member is annular and no outer leg is provided.

The structure of the present embodiment in which the flexible member is annular has a plurality of arch-shaped cavities 50, legs 51, and curved portions 55.
The flexible member for feeding paper further has excellent elasticity, can prevent the paper from being bent and fed, and can improve the frictional force.

In addition, since the present embodiment does not have the outer leg portion 52, the overall durability of the flexible member is improved as compared with the above-described embodiments.

Although not explicitly shown, the flexible member shown in FIG. 22 constitutes the paper feed assembly shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 or a part thereof, and is attached to the rotary drive shaft shown in FIG. The paper feed roller is connected to a roller base 100 shown in FIG.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 can be similarly applied to the paper feed roller shown in FIGS.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (A) It is possible to provide a paper feeding flexible member capable of obtaining excellent elasticity and high frictional force. (B) It is possible to provide a paper feed roller including a flexible paper feed member that can be used in various paper feed devices and can obtain excellent elasticity and high frictional force. (C) It is possible to provide a paper feed assembly that can be used for various paper feed devices. (D) It is possible to provide a paper feed flexible member, a paper feed roller, and a paper feed assembly that are easy to maintain. (E) It is possible to provide a paper feeding flexible member, a paper feeding roller, and a paper feeding assembly which can be easily mass-produced. (F) A paper feed flexible member, a paper feed roller, and a paper feed assembly that can be easily stored in stock can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the flexible member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a part of the flexible member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the paper feed roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a roller base used in the paper feed roller shown in FIG.

6 is an enlarged side view of the roller base illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the paper feed roller shown in FIG. 4;

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing another embodiment of the flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing still another embodiment of the flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a paper feed roller using a flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing still another embodiment of the flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged front view of the flexible member shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a paper feed roller using the flexible member shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the paper feed roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the paper feed roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the paper feed roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a paper feed assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of another paper feed assembly using the paper feed roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side view of still another paper feed assembly using the flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a paper feed assembly using a paper feed roller and a flexible member according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a front view showing still another embodiment of the flexible member according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Elastic base 11 1st surface 12 2nd surface 10 1st side end 20 2nd side end 30 3rd side end 40 4th side end 50 Arch-shaped hollow part 55 Curved part

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A paper feeding flexible member including an elastic base and a plurality of arch-shaped cavities, wherein the elastic base has first and second side ends, A side end of the elastic base opposing the first side end in a first direction, the arch-shaped cavity is provided on a first surface of the elastic base, extends in the first direction, and extends in the first direction. The flexible members for feeding paper are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of. 2. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic substrate is a sheet. 3. The paper-feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic substrate has a ring shape. 4. The flexible member for feeding paper according to claim 1, wherein the elastic base has a second surface facing the first surface. , The second surface has a plurality of curved portions,
Each of the curved portions is located on a side opposite to the arch-shaped cavity portion, extends in the first direction, is arranged side by side in the second direction, and forms a contour of the second surface. Flexible member. 5. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of arched cavities are separated by legs, and the legs are arranged in the first direction. A flexible member for feeding paper extending in the second direction; 6. The flexible member for feeding paper according to claim 5, wherein two of the legs form an outer leg, and a thickness T2 of the outer leg is other than the other. The flexible member for feeding paper, which is thinner than the thickness T1 of the leg portion. 7. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 6, wherein the length of the outer leg is longer than the length of the other legs. 8. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the arch-shaped hollow portion is linearly arranged. 9. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the arch-shaped hollow portion is arranged in a curved shape. 10. The paper feeding flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the arch-shaped hollow portion is arranged in a V-shape. 11. A paper feed roller including a roller base and a flexible member, wherein the flexible member is any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the roller is A paper feed roller mounted on the base. 12. The roller according to claim 11, wherein a width between the first side end and the second side end of the flexible member is equal to a width of the roller base. A paper feed roller corresponding to a width between the first side end surface and the second side end surface. 13. The paper feed roller according to claim 11, wherein the roller base has at least one groove,
The groove is formed on the first side end surface and the second side surface facing the first side end surface.
A paper feed roller extending between the side end surfaces of the paper feed roller, wherein the leg portion is inserted into the groove. 14. The paper feed roller according to claim 11, wherein said grooves are linearly arranged. 15. The paper feed roller according to claim 11, wherein the groove is arranged in a curved manner. 16. The paper feed roller according to claim 11, wherein the groove is arranged in a V-shape. 17. The paper feed roller according to claim 11, wherein the roller base has a through-hole along the center line. 18. A paper feed assembly comprising a rotary drive shaft and at least one paper feed roller, wherein said at least one paper feed roller is provided.
8. The paper feed assembly according to claim 7, wherein the paper feed assembly is detachably connected to the rotary drive shaft. 19. The paper feed assembly according to claim 18, wherein the paper feed rollers are plural. 20. A paper feed assembly comprising a rotary drive shaft and at least one paper feed roller, wherein the paper feed roller is as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17. And a paper feed assembly formed integrally with the rotary drive shaft. 21. The paper feed assembly according to claim 20, wherein the paper feed rollers are plural. 22. A paper feed assembly comprising a timing belt and at least one paper feed roller, wherein the paper feed roller is as described in claim 11. And a paper feed assembly disposed opposite the timing belt.