JP2004137049A - Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feeder allowing easy replacement and installation of a paper feed roller when a call roller, a paper feed roller, a releasing roller, and a releasing pad are replaced and installed, and an image forming apparatus having the sheet feeder. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet feeder comprises a sheet storage means (paper feed tray 110) detachably installed orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, a paper feed means (call roller 121, releasing roller 122, paper feed roller 123) feeding sheets one by one from the sheet storage means, and a sheet guide means (sheet guide 11) guiding sheets fed from the sheet storage means. A light transmission means (for example, second window 11b) is installed in a part or the entire part of the sheet guide means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus, and particularly to a device for easily replacing and attaching a sheet feeding roller when exchanging and attaching a call roller, a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a separation pad, and the like. The present invention relates to a sheet feeder and an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, and a printing machine includes a sheet feeding device for supplying a sheet of paper to an image forming unit.
An outline of the configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus including a conventional sheet feeding device will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus (copier), FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paper feeder, FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a call roller and the like constituting the paper feeder, and FIG. It is an enlarged side view which shows the relationship between a paper roller and a separation pad.
[0003]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, inside the apparatus main body 100 of the image forming apparatus GK, there are arranged four sets of sheet feeding apparatuses KS (FIG. 4) for feeding sheets P one by one. I have.
Reference numeral 130 denotes a large-volume paper feeding device that stores paper P in the paper feed tray 110, reference numeral 131 denotes a manual feed plate on which the paper P is placed when performing manual copying, and reference numeral 132 denotes both sides of the paper P. This is a double-sided device used for copying.
[0004]
The paper feeding device KS (FIG. 4) includes a paper feeding tray 110 and a paper feeding unit 120. A rectangular box-shaped paper feed tray 110 has a bottom plate 111 arranged obliquely, and sheets P are stacked and mounted on the bottom plate 111. The paper feed unit 120 takes out the paper P one by one from the paper feed tray 110.
[0005]
The paper feed unit 120 is arranged at the back of the apparatus main body 100 (FIG. 5). The paper feeding unit 120 has various rollers and separation pads (described later) arranged below a paper guide 124 having a substantially L-shaped cross section.
[0006]
The paper guide 124 has a width substantially equal to the width of the paper feed tray 110, and is disposed above the paper feed tray 110 with the bottom surface of the paper guide 124 along the paper transport direction. Then, the paper guide 124 guides the paper P called by the narrow calling roller 121 so as to be smoothly conveyed. Further, a window 124a for observing various rollers and the like is provided at the center of the paper guide 124.
[0007]
The call roller 121, the separation roller 122, and the paper feed roller 123 are fixed to the shafts 121a, 122a, 123a to which the respective rollers are attached by retaining rings 122b, 123b. The retaining rings 122b and 123b can be easily attached and detached.
[0008]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the paper P is pressed against the paper feed roller 123 from below by the separation pad 123c. The separation pad 123c always applies a separation pressure to the paper feed roller 123 by a compression spring (not shown). In this way, the sheets P can be reliably separated one by one without adjusting the separation pressure (no adjustment).
[0009]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus GK will be described with reference to FIGS. The sheets P stacked and placed on the sheet feed tray 110 are called by the rotation of the call roller 121, and are separated one by one by the rotation of the separation roller 122. The sheets P separated one by one are conveyed upward through the sheet conveyance path by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 123.
[0010]
On the other hand, originals 141 are stacked and set on the original reading unit 140 in advance, and the originals 141 are sequentially read by optical means (not shown). The read document data is transmitted to the image forming unit 150, and is transferred onto the sheet P conveyed by means such as a photosensitive drum. The paper P on which the document data has been transferred is fixed by a fixing unit, and is discharged as post-processed paper P from a post-processing device 160 that performs processing such as punching and stapling. Reference numerals 161a to 161c denote discharge units for discharging the copied paper P according to processes such as a punching process and a stapling process.
[0011]
By the way, the functional characteristics of the various rollers 121, 122, and 123 are deteriorated due to abrasion, adhesion of paper powder, and the like as the call roller 121, the separation roller 122, the sheet feeding roller 123, and the separation pad 123c are used. Also, the separation pad 123c may need to be adjusted for many months. In some cases, maintenance is required to improve such deterioration of the functional characteristics.
[0012]
In the case of this maintenance, since the retaining ring of the call roller 121, the separation roller 122, and the paper feed roller 123 can be easily attached and detached, the work is generally performed after pulling out the paper feed tray 110 to secure a work space. It is a target. In addition, maintenance of the separation pad 123c is also performed after pulling out the paper feed tray 110.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, at the time of maintenance or replacement of the call roller 121, the sheet feed roller 123, the separation roller 122, the separation pad 123c, and the like, the sheet feed tray 110 is pulled out to the front side to perform the work (FIGS. 3 and 5). Is mounted at a position deep in the apparatus main body 100, but the visibility is not good though the window 124a is formed (FIG. 4).
In particular, in the return separation system configured by the call roller 121, the separation roller 122, and the paper feed roller 123, the three types of rollers must be replaced, and it takes much time for the replacement.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. When replacing and installing a call roller, a paper feed roller, a separation roller, a separation pad, and the like, the supply roller and the like can be easily replaced and mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper device and an image forming apparatus including the same.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet storage means (sheet feed tray 110 in FIG. 1) which is provided so as to be attachable and detachable perpendicularly to a sheet conveyance direction, and one sheet is stored in the sheet storage means. Paper feeding means (pulling roller 121, separation roller 122, paper feeding roller 123) for feeding paper by paper, and paper guide means (sheets) which are provided along the paper feeding means and guide the paper fed from the paper storage means. And a guide 11), wherein a part or the whole of the sheet guide means (sheet guide 11) is provided with a light transmitting means.
[0016]
According to this configuration, the light transmitting means is provided in a part or the whole of the paper guiding means, so that the light transmitting means is replaced when the various rollers (the call roller 121, the separation roller 122, and the paper feed roller 123) are exchanged. Through this, the visibility of the various rollers is improved, the operator can easily perform the replacement work, and the number of assembly errors can be reduced. Note that the separation pad 123c in FIG. 6 may be included in the sheet feeding means.
[0017]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to the first aspect, the light transmitting means is a through hole (second window 11b in FIG. 1).
[0018]
In this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, since the through-hole (second window 11b) is formed in the paper guide means (paper guide 11), various types of rollers (calling roller 121, separating roller 122, When replacing the paper feed roller 123) and the separation pad 123c, the visibility of various rollers and the like is improved, which makes it easier for the operator to perform the replacement work, and reduces assembling errors.
[0019]
Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to the first aspect, the light transmitting means is configured as a translucent member or a transparent member (not shown).
[0020]
In this case, since the paper guide means (paper guide 11) is provided with a translucent member or a transparent member, it is possible to replace various rollers (calling roller 121, separation roller 122, paper feeding roller 123) and separation pad 123c. In addition, the visibility of various rollers and the like with respect to the translucent member or the transparent member is improved, the operator can easily perform replacement work, and assembly errors can be reduced.
[0021]
Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to the first to third aspects, the paper storage means (the paper feed tray 110 in FIG. 1) and the paper guide means (the paper guide 11) are integrated. It is configured in.
[0022]
According to this configuration, since the sheet storing means (sheet feeding unit 110) having the light transmitting means and the sheet guiding means (sheet feeding tray 11) are integrally formed, various kinds of rollers (calling roller 121, separation roller) are provided. When replacing the rollers (roller 122, paper feed roller 123) and the separation pad 123c, the visibility of various types of rollers and the like is improved, which makes it easier for the operator to perform the replacement work, and reduces assembling errors. Further, since the sheet feeding unit and the sheet guide are integrally formed (molded), the number of assembling steps can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the accuracy can be improved.
[0023]
Next, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided with the sheet feeding device according to the first to fourth aspects.
[0024]
By doing so, the visibility is improved when various kinds of rollers (calling roller 121, separating roller 122, and sheet feeding roller 123) and the separating pad 123c of the sheet feeding device constituting the image forming apparatus are exchanged, and the image forming apparatus is improved. This makes it easier for workers and the like to perform replacement work, and also reduces assembly errors.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding device of the present embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are given to members already described, and redundant description will be omitted.
The difference between the sheet feeding device KS1 of this embodiment (FIG. 1) and the sheet feeding device KS of the conventional example (FIG. 4) is that the sheet guide 11 of the sheet feeding unit 10 has a second window 11b for observing various rollers. This is the point provided.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feeding device KS1 includes a paper feeding tray 110 and a paper feeding unit 10. The paper guide 11 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and constituting the paper feeding unit 10 has a first window 11a (same as the conventional window 124a, see FIG. 4) in the center and a front side. A second window 11b for observing various rollers is provided.
[0027]
The paper guide 11 has a width substantially equal to the width of the paper feed tray 110, and is disposed above the paper feed tray 110 with the bottom surface of the paper guide 11 along the paper transport direction. Then, the paper guide 11 guides the paper P called by the narrow calling roller 121 so as to be smoothly conveyed.
[0028]
In this way, when an operator at the time of replacing various rollers or the like looks into the back of the apparatus main body 100 (FIG. 3), various kinds of rollers (calling roller 121, separating roller 122, sheet feeding roller 123) and separating roller are used. The pad 123c (FIG. 6) can be sufficiently viewed from the near side of the apparatus main body 100 (FIGS. 3 and 5) or from diagonally above. Therefore, the operator can easily maintain the various rollers and the separation pad, and can shorten the operation time.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a plurality of ribs 11c may be provided in the paper guide 11 along the transport direction of the paper P on the bottom surface side. In this way, it is possible to prevent the sheet P from being caught at the corner on the bottom side of the second window 11b. Further, even when a transparent resin film is attached to the bottom surface of the second window 11b, the paper P can be prevented from being caught.
[0030]
Also, a part of the front side of the paper guide 11 (the part where the second window 11b is formed in FIG. 1) or the entire paper guide 11 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin or a translucent synthetic resin which is a "light transmitting means". You may. Further, in the present embodiment, the sheet feeding unit 10 and the sheet guide 11 are integrally formed, but the sheet feeding unit 10 and the sheet guide 11 may be formed separately. When the paper guide 11 has a through hole (second window 11b), the material of the paper guide 11 may be a synthetic resin or a sheet metal.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be exerted.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a part or the entirety of the paper guide means is provided with the light transmitting means, the various rollers and the like can be visually recognized through the light transmitting means at the time of replacing various rollers or separation pads. Operability is improved, the operator can easily perform replacement work, and assembly errors can be reduced.
[0032]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a through hole is formed in the paper guide means, the visibility of various rollers and the like is improved when various rollers and separation pads are exchanged, so that the operator can easily perform the exchange work. In other words, assembly errors can be reduced.
[0033]
Next, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the paper guide means is provided with a translucent member or a transparent member, the visibility of various rollers and the like at the time of replacing various rollers and separation pads is improved, and an operator can perform the replacement work. And assembly errors can be reduced.
[0034]
Next, in the invention according to claim 4, since the sheet storage means provided with the light transmitting means and the paper guide means are integrally formed, the visibility of the various rollers and the like at the time of replacing various rollers and the separation pad is improved. This makes it easier for workers to perform replacement work and reduces assembly errors. Further, since the sheet storage means and the sheet guide means are integrally configured (molded), the number of assembly steps can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the accuracy can be improved.
[0035]
Next, the invention according to claim 5 improves the visibility when replacing various rollers and separation pads in the sheet feeding device constituting the image forming apparatus, and makes it easier for an operator of the image forming apparatus to perform the replacement work. Assembly errors can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a modification of the paper guide in the embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view in which a rib is provided on the bottom surface of a second window, and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus (copier).
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional sheet feeding device.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a call roller and the like constituting a conventional sheet feeding device.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing a relationship between a conventional paper feed roller and a separation pad.
[Explanation of symbols]
GK Image forming apparatus KS Conventional paper feeding apparatus KS1 Paper feeding apparatus P of the embodiment Paper 10 Paper feeding unit 11 Paper guide 11a First window 11b Second window 11c Rib 100 Device body 110 Paper feeding tray 111 Bottom plate 120 Paper feeding Unit 121 Calling roller 121a Axis 122 Separating roller 122a Axis 122b Retaining ring 123 Feeding roller 123a Axis 123b Retaining ring 123c Separation pad 124 Paper guide 124a Window 130 Mass feeder 131 Manual feeder plate 132 Duplex unit 140 Document reading unit 141 Document 150 Image Forming unit 160 Post-processing devices 161a to 161c Discharge unit

Claims (5)

A sheet storage unit that is detachably provided perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, a sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheets one by one from the sheet storage unit, and a sheet feeding unit that guides the sheet sent from the sheet storage unit. And a paper guide means provided along the upper side of the means.
A sheet feeding device, wherein a light transmitting unit is provided in a part or the whole of the sheet guiding unit. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting means is a through hole. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting unit is a translucent member or a transparent member. 4. The paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said paper storage means and paper guide means are integrally formed. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet feeding device according to claim 1.

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