JP2004182471A - Paper sheet feeder, paper guide member, and paper tray - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheet feeder, a paper guide member, and a paper tray capable of achieving a resource saving property and cost reduction by using a member for fixing a paper sheet supply bottom plate even after placing an image forming device while surely fixing the paper sheet supply bottom plate during conveyance of the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: A contracting part 65b is formed on a rear end edge of the paper sheet supply bottom plate 65 rotatably supported in the paper tray 61. A hook part 62a is formed on one side surface of the paper guide member 62. The paper guide member 62 for positioning an end edge of recording paper stored in the paper tray 61 after a copying machine is placed, is constituted so that the hook part 62a presses the contracting part 65b down from above during the conveyance of the copying machine, so that the position of the paper sheet supply bottom plate 65 in relation to the paper tray 61 is restricted to forbid the turning of the paper sheet supply bottom plate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeder that is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and stores a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as recording paper), a paper guide member that is a component of the paper feeder, and It relates to a paper tray. In particular, according to the present invention, a paper feed bottom plate that can be moved up and down or rotatable in order to press the stored recording paper against a pickup roller is used. The present invention relates to an improvement in a configuration for avoiding dropping.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof, a paper tray containing recording paper is configured to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. Things are known.

  Further, as one type of this type of paper feeder, a type provided with a paper feed bottom plate inside a paper tray is also known. The paper feed bottom plate generally has a horizontal rotation shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction (paper feed direction), and the paper is stored by a driving means such as an urging means (coil spring) or a motor. The leading end of the recording sheet in the sheet feeding direction is moved up and down according to the amount. Thus, the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle is positioned at the best paper feeding position, that is, the position where the uppermost sheet is brought into contact with the pickup roller with an appropriate pressing force.

  Generally, in this type of image forming apparatus, since the paper is transported without storing the paper in the paper tray, the paper bottom plate vibrates in the physical distribution (transport) process, and the paper bottom plate is There is a possibility that the sheet may fall off the tray and be deformed or damaged. Further, a corner separator claw for preventing double feeding of recording paper is provided at a paper feed side edge of the paper tray, but the paper feed bottom plate collides with the corner separator claw due to the vibration of the paper feed bottom plate. In addition, there is a possibility that the collision noise may occur frequently during transportation and the corner separator claws may be damaged.

In view of these problems, various measures have conventionally been taken. The following are typical methods.
(1) A method of placing a cubic corrugated cardboard material or a styrofoam block material on a paper feeding bottom plate and fixing (pressing) the paper feeding bottom plate.
(2) A method of placing a corrugated cardboard material having a shape similar to the paper feed bottom plate on the paper feed bottom plate and fixing it with tape to prevent direct interference with the corner separator claws due to the rise of the paper feed bottom plate.
(3) A method in which copy paper is placed on the paper feed bottom plate, tape is adhered from above, and the paper feed bottom plate is fixed to the paper tray to suppress the rise.

  However, the above methods have the following problems.

  First, in the method (1), the packing operation in the device manufacturing process is complicated, and a long operation time is required. In addition, in the method (2), when the adhesiveness of the tape is reduced due to the deterioration with time, the tape may be peeled off, and the paper feed bottom plate may not be fixed. Then, in the method (3), the adhesive material of the tape remains on the paper tray or the like, and it becomes necessary to remove the adhesive.

In order to solve the problems related to the packing operation of the paper feed bottom plate as described above, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described below, a dedicated fixing member for restricting the movement of the paper feed bottom plate during transportation is used. By doing so, there has been proposed a method for preventing problems such as deformation of the sheet feeding bottom plate and deformation and breakage of the corner separator nail due to shock and vibration during transportation of the apparatus.
JP-A-10-175742 JP-A-11-227958

  By using such a dedicated fixing member (clamp member), when transporting and moving the image forming apparatus, the paper feeding bottom plate is securely fixed, and the paper feeding bottom plate and the corner separator claw are deformed or damaged. Can be effectively prevented. After the image forming apparatus is installed, the fixing member is detached from the sheet feeding device to enable the sheet feeding bottom plate to rotate or move up and down. That is, the fixing member is a member that is required only when the image forming apparatus is transported, and becomes unnecessary after the image forming apparatus is installed.

  For this reason, conventionally, it has been necessary to specially prepare a fixing member to be used only when the image forming apparatus is transported, which is not always a preferable form from the viewpoint of resource saving and cost reduction.

  Further, once the installation of the image forming apparatus is completed, the fixing member may be lost depending on the management state or the storage state of the installation destination user, and when the image forming apparatus is transported or moved again. In such a case, it is necessary to newly prepare this fixing member, and the procurement thereof requires time and effort.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reliably fix a sheet feeding bottom plate during transportation of an image forming apparatus, and to form a member for fixing the sheet feeding bottom plate. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device, a sheet guide member, and a sheet tray that can be used even after the apparatus is installed, and that can save resources and reduce costs.

-Summary of the invention-
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a paper guide member for positioning an edge of recording paper stored in a paper tray after the image forming apparatus is installed, during feeding of the image forming apparatus. It can be used as a member for fixing the paper bottom plate. In other words, the paper guide member has both functions of positioning the recording paper in the paper tray and fixing the paper feed bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus.

-Solution-
Specifically, a paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper feed bottom plate provided at the bottom of the storage space, and a paper guide member for positioning a storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray are provided. It is assumed that the sheet feeding device is capable of feeding a recording medium from a sheet tray in a state where the recording medium is in a sheet feeding posture by moving up and down or rotating the sheet feeding bottom plate. For the paper feeding device, the paper guide member has a function of positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray, and the position of the paper feeding bottom plate with respect to the paper tray is controlled to raise or lower or rotate the paper feeding bottom plate. And a function to prohibit the operation.

  According to this specific matter, first, when transporting the image forming apparatus, that is, when transporting the image forming apparatus in a state where paper is not stored in the paper tray, the paper guide bottom member is positioned by the paper guide member, and the paper tray is The position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to is restricted, so that its elevation or rotation is prohibited. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the paper feed bottom plate from vibrating and dropping off the paper tray, or the paper feed bottom plate from colliding with the corner separator claw to damage the corner separator claw. On the other hand, after the image forming apparatus is installed, the paper guide member is used as a member for releasing the position regulation of the paper supply bottom plate and positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray. For example, in the case of a paper feeding device capable of supporting a plurality of types of paper, the arrangement position of the paper guide member is changed according to the paper size to be used. In this case, the storage position of the recording medium is appropriately determined.

  As described above, the paper guide member is provided with both the function of positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray and the function of restricting the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray and inhibiting the vertical movement or rotation. Therefore, while securely fixing the sheet feeding bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus, the fixing member can be used even after the image forming apparatus is installed, thereby saving resources and reducing costs. Will be possible. In other words, there is no need to specially prepare a fixing member to be used only when the image forming apparatus is transported, and a single component serves a plurality of functions, thereby reducing the number of components and reducing the cost of transport packaging. be able to. Further, after the image forming apparatus is installed, the paper guide member is always used as a means for positioning the paper, so that careless loss or the like is unlikely to occur. In addition, since there is no member to manage and store after the image forming apparatus is installed (conventionally, it was necessary to manage and store fixing parts), it is possible to reduce the burden on the user.

  The position of the paper guide member for positioning the recording medium (the position in contact with the recording medium) includes "the rear edge position of the recording medium in the paper feeding direction" and "the position of the recording medium on the side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. One-end edge position or both-end edge position. " Here, the “rear edge position in the sheet feeding direction of the recording medium” refers to an edge position on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction of the recording medium, and “the one edge position on the side perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the recording medium or "End position" means one or both of the end positions extending in parallel to the recording medium feeding direction. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the arrangement position of the paper guide member for positioning the recording medium will be described.

  First, the following configuration is cited as a solution using a paper guide member for positioning the "rear edge position in the paper feeding direction of the recording medium".

  That is, a paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper feed bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and a paper sheet for positioning the rear end position of the recording medium stored in the paper tray in the paper supply direction. It is assumed that the sheet feeding device includes a guide member and enables the recording medium to be fed from the sheet tray in a state where the recording medium is in the sheet feeding posture by moving up and down or rotating the sheet feeding bottom plate. For this paper feeder, the paper guide member has a function to position the trailing edge position of the recording medium contained in the paper tray in the paper feed direction, and the paper feeder regulates the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. It is configured to also have the function of inhibiting the vertical movement or the rotation of the bottom plate (for example, see FIGS. 3A, 3C, 3D, and 3E).

  In this case, the following configurations (three configurations) are listed as the position of the paper guide member for regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray.

  First, the paper guide member is configured to restrict the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing the rear edge of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction while being locked to the paper tray (FIG. 3A). reference).

  Further, the paper guide member is configured to restrict the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing down a substantially central portion of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction in a state of being locked to the paper tray (FIG. 3C). reference). As a more specific configuration in this case, a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the sheet feeding bottom plate is formed, and an engaging portion is formed in the sheet tray at a position facing the through hole. The paper guide member has an engagement claw that can be engaged with the engagement portion of the paper tray, and the engagement claw is engaged with the paper tray in a state where the engagement claw is inserted through the through hole of the paper feed bottom plate. The position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray is regulated by engaging with the sheet tray (see, for example, the structures shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

  Further, the paper guide member is configured to restrict the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing the front edge of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction while being locked to the paper tray.

  As described above, when the paper guide member for positioning the “rear edge position in the paper feeding direction of the recording medium” also has the above function, in addition to the above-described operations, only one paper guide member is provided. This makes it possible to position the sheet feeding bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus and to position the storage position of the recording medium in the sheet tray.

  In particular, when the paper guide member is configured to restrict the position of the paper feeding bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing the front edge in the paper feeding direction of the paper feeding bottom plate while being locked to the paper tray, It is possible to effectively fix the sheet feeding bottom plate only by applying a small restraining force to the movement of the sheet. In other words, when the present invention is applied to a rotation type bottom plate, the movement of the bottom plate is restricted at a position distant from the rotation fulcrum, so that the rotation moment acting on the rising direction of the bottom plate is effectively canceled, It can be fixed securely.

  On the other hand, the following configuration is cited as a solution using a paper guide member for positioning the "one end edge position or both end edge positions of the recording medium on the side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction".

  That is, a paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper feed bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and one end edge position of the recording medium stored in the paper tray on the side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Or a paper guide member for positioning the both edge positions, and a paper feeding device for feeding the recording medium from a paper tray in a state where the recording medium is in a paper feeding posture by moving up and down or rotating the paper feeding bottom plate. Is assumed. For this paper feeder, a paper guide member has a function of positioning one edge position or both edge positions on a side orthogonal to the paper feed direction of a recording medium accommodated in a paper tray, and a paper feed bottom plate for the paper tray. (See, for example, FIGS. 3B, 3D, and 3E).

  In particular, in the case where each paper guide member that positions both ends of the recording medium on the side perpendicular to the paper feeding direction regulates the positions of both edges of the paper feeding bottom plate, in addition to the above-described operations, the feeding is performed. The paper bottom plate can be fixed more reliably. Therefore, the paper feed bottom plate hardly vibrates during transportation of the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to reliably prevent the corner separator claws from being damaged. Further, since the sheet is fixed on both sides of the sheet feeding bottom plate, it is possible to prevent deformation due to a biased force acting on the sheet feeding bottom plate.

  Further, a paper guide member for positioning the “rear edge position in the paper feeding direction of the recording medium” and a paper guide member for positioning the “one edge position or both edge positions of the recording medium on the side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction” are used. Specifically, the following configurations are listed as the solution used together.

  That is, a paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper feed bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and a paper sheet for positioning the rear end position of the recording medium stored in the paper tray in the paper supply direction. A rear end guide member, and a paper side end guide member for positioning one end position or both end positions on a side perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the recording medium accommodated in the sheet tray, and the sheet feeding bottom plate moves up and down. Alternatively, it is assumed that the sheet feeding device is configured to be able to feed the recording medium from the sheet tray in a state where the recording medium is in the sheet feeding posture by rotating. For this paper feeder, the paper rear end guide member has a function of positioning the rear end position of the recording medium accommodated in the paper tray in the paper feed direction, and the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray is regulated. One end edge position or both end edges on the side orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the recording medium accommodated in the sheet tray is provided on the sheet side end guide member, which also has the function of inhibiting the vertical movement or rotation of the sheet feeding bottom plate. The configuration has both a function of positioning the position and a function of restricting the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray and prohibiting the above-described vertical movement or rotation of the sheet feeding bottom plate (see, for example, FIG. 3D).

  According to this specific matter, in addition to the above-described respective operations, the sheet feeding bottom plate can be fixed on three sides, and the sheet feeding bottom plate is difficult to move easily even when subjected to shock or vibration during transportation of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corner separator claws from being damaged. In addition, since three sides other than the rear end edge serving as the rotation axis of the sheet feeding bottom plate are fixed, a biased force is less likely to act on the sheet feeding bottom plate, and the problem of deformation is unlikely to occur.

  In each of the above-described solutions, the position of the paper guide member when positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray and the position of the paper guide member when regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray are different. The position of the paper guide member when adopting a different configuration or positioning the recording medium storage position in the paper tray is the same as the position of the paper guide member when regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. It is possible to adopt a configuration that is a position.

  The former configuration includes, for example, a configuration in which a paper guide member is located inside a storage space of a paper tray and regulates a position of a paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. That is, in a sheet feeding device capable of handling sheets of a plurality of sizes, the sheet guide member is disposed further inside (inside of the accommodating space) than the positioning position of the sheet guide member with respect to the sheet of the minimum size, and Is regulated.

  The latter configuration is, for example, in the case of a paper feeder capable of supporting a plurality of types of paper, when the position for positioning the paper of the minimum size and the position for regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate are the same position. Is raised.

  The specific configuration in the latter case is as follows. In other words, the holding projection is formed only on one surface of the paper guide member, and when positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray, the surface on which the holding projection is not formed contacts the edge of the recording medium. When regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray, the surface on which the holding projection is formed is turned to the recording medium storage space side, and the projection faces the upper surface of the paper feed bottom plate. Pressing down restricts the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray (see, for example, FIGS. 5 and 6).

  According to this, it is possible to switch between the position regulation of the sheet feeding bottom plate and the positioning of the accommodation position for the sheet of the minimum size only by inverting the sheet guide member at the same position. In other words, at this time, the locking portion on the paper tray to which the paper guide member is locked functions as a locking portion for regulating the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate and for positioning the storage position for the minimum size sheet. Function also as a locking part for this purpose.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the paper guide member is engaged with the paper tray, that is, in the configuration in which the paper guide member is detachable, the following configuration is provided as a configuration for stably obtaining this engaged state. That is, in a state where the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray is regulated by the sheet guide member, a regulating member for regulating the movement of the sheet guide member in the direction in which the sheet guide member is detached from the sheet tray is provided.

  Specifically, as the disposition position of the regulating member, an engaging claw that can be engaged with an engaging portion formed on the paper tray is formed on the paper guide member, and the regulating member is moved to The paper guide member is disposed at a position that restricts the movement of the paper guide member in a direction away from the engaging portion of the tray.

  The more specific configuration of the regulating member is as follows. That is, a regulating member is constituted by a part of a bracket for rotatably supporting a roller member for taking out a recording medium contained in the paper tray, and the regulating member is in contact with the upper end of the paper guide member or They are arranged at positions facing each other with a small gap.

  If the movement of the paper guide member is regulated by the regulating member in this way, the paper guide member does not fall out of the paper tray even if it receives an impact or vibration during transportation, and the position of the paper feed bottom plate by the paper guide member is reduced. The fixed state can be reliably maintained. Further, when the regulating member is constituted by a part of a bracket for rotatably supporting the roller member, it is not necessary to form the regulating member as a special member, and one member functions as a supporting member for the roller member. And the function of fixing the paper guide member, so that the configuration of the paper feeding device can be simplified.

  The paper guide member and the paper tray used in the paper feeding device according to each of the above-mentioned solving means are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

  As the paper guide member according to the present invention, a function of positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray and a function of restricting the position of the paper supply bottom plate with respect to the paper tray to inhibit the paper supply bottom plate from moving up and down or rotating. This is a configuration having both.

  On the other hand, in the paper tray according to the present invention, first, when the paper guide member positions the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray, the engaging portion with which the paper guide member engages, There is a configuration including an engagement portion with which the paper guide member engages when regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the tray. In addition, a configuration in which the paper guide member is formed with an engagement portion with which the paper guide member engages when the paper guide member regulates the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray is also listed.

  According to the present invention, a paper guide member for positioning the edge of the recording paper accommodated in the paper tray after the image forming apparatus is installed, and a member for fixing the paper feed bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus. So that it can be used as In other words, the sheet guide member has both functions of positioning the recording sheet in the sheet tray and fixing the sheet feeding bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent the paper feed bottom plate from vibrating and dropping off the paper tray, or the paper feed bottom plate from colliding with the corner separator claw to damage the corner separator claw. it can. In addition, by combining the above functions, while securely fixing the sheet feeding bottom plate during transportation of the image forming apparatus, the fixing member can be used even after the image forming apparatus is installed. It is possible to reduce costs. As a result, there is no need to prepare special fixing members to be used only when the image forming apparatus is transported, and a single component has multiple functions, thereby reducing the number of components and reducing the cost of transport packaging. Can be achieved. Further, after the image forming apparatus is installed, the paper guide member is always used as a means for positioning the paper, so that careless loss or the like is unlikely to occur. Further, since there is no member to manage and store after the image forming apparatus is installed, the burden on the user can be reduced.

  Further, in a case where the paper guide member regulates the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray and the paper guide member is provided with a regulating member that regulates the movement of the paper guide member in a direction to come off the paper tray. Even if a large shock or vibration is received during transportation, the paper guide member does not fall out of the paper tray, and the position of the paper feed bottom plate fixed by the paper guide member can be reliably maintained. A high paper feed bottom plate position fixing state can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the paper feeding device, paper guide member, and paper tray according to the present invention are applied to a digital copying machine.

-Description of the overall configuration of the copier-
FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal configuration of a copying machine 1 as an image forming machine according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes a scanner unit 2, a printing unit 3 as an image forming unit, and an automatic document feeder 4. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

<Description of Scanner Unit 2>
The scanner unit 2 reads image of a document placed on a document table 41 made of transparent glass or the like and image of a document fed one by one by a document automatic feeding unit 4 to create image data. It is. The scanner unit 2 includes an exposure light source 21, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 22, 23, and 24, an imaging lens 25, and a photoelectric conversion element (CCD: Charge Coupled Device) 26.

  The exposure light source 21 irradiates light to a document placed on a document table 41 of the automatic document feeder 4 or a document conveyed through the automatic document feeder 4. Each of the reflecting mirrors 22, 23, and 24 reflects the light reflected from the document once to the left in the figure, then reflects the light downward, as shown by the broken line in FIG. The light is reflected in the right direction in the figure so as to travel.

  As a document image reading operation, when a document is placed on the document table 41 (when used as a “sheet fixing method”), the exposure light source 21 and the reflecting mirror 22 are moved to positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. The horizontal scanning is performed along the document table 41 between the position indicated by the virtual line and the image of the entire document is read. On the other hand, when reading a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 4 (when used as a "sheet moving method"), the exposure light source 21 and the reflecting mirror 22 are fixed at the positions shown by solid lines in FIG. When the document passes through the reading section 42, the image is read. The original reading section 42 includes a platen glass 42a, which will be described later, an exposure light source 21, reflecting mirrors 22, 23 and 24, an imaging lens 25, and a photoelectric conversion element 26.

  The light reflected by the reflecting mirrors 22, 23 and 24 and passing through the imaging lens 25 is guided to a photoelectric conversion element 26, where the reflected light is converted into an electric signal (original image data). It has become.

<Description of the print unit 3>
The printing unit 3 includes an image forming system 31 and a paper transport system 32.

  The image forming system 31 includes a laser scanning unit 31a and a drum type photoconductor 31b. The laser scanning unit 31a irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 31b with a laser beam based on the document image data converted by the photoelectric conversion element 26. Note that the laser scanning unit 31a may read image data input to the image memory and irradiate the surface of the photoconductor 31b with a laser beam based on the image data. The photoreceptor 31b rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, and is irradiated with laser light from the laser scanning unit 31a to form an electrostatic latent image on its surface.

  Around the outer periphery of the photoconductor 31b, in addition to the laser scanning unit 31a, a developing device 31c, a transfer charger 31d, a paper peeling claw and a cleaning device (not shown), a static eliminator 31e, and a main charger 31f are arranged in a circumferential direction. Are arranged in order.

  The developing device 31c develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 31b into a visible image (toner image) with toner (developer, recording agent). The transfer charger 31d transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 31b to a recording sheet 5 as a recording medium. The paper peeling claw peels off the recording paper 5 after the transfer of the toner image from the surface of the photoconductor 31b and guides the recording paper 5 to the transport path. The cleaning device removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 31b after the toner transfer. The static eliminator 31e removes residual charges on the surface of the photoconductor 31b. The main charger 31f charges the surface of the photoconductor 31b to a predetermined potential before an electrostatic latent image is formed.

  Therefore, when an image is formed on the recording paper 5, the surface of the photoconductor 31b is charged to a predetermined potential by the main charger 31f, and the laser scanning unit 31a emits a laser beam based on the original image data to the photoconductor 31b. Irradiate the surface of Thereafter, the developing device 31c develops a visible image with toner on the surface of the photoconductor 31b, and the toner image is transferred to the recording paper 5 by the transfer charger 31d. Further, thereafter, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 31b is removed by the cleaning device, and the residual charge on the surface of the photoconductor 31b is removed by the neutralizer 31e. The recording paper 5 after the transfer of the toner image is peeled off from the surface of the photoconductor 31b by the paper peeling claw and is guided to the transport path. A fixing device 36A including a pair of rollers 36i and 36j for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording sheet 5 by heating is provided downstream of the transfer charger 31d in the main transport path 36 described below. Has been. The fixing device 36A includes a fixing roller 36i having a halogen lamp as a heat source therein, and a pressure roller 36j pressed against the fixing roller 36i. The fixing roller 36i and the pressure roller 36j heat and pressurize the recording sheet 5 conveyed between the rollers 36i and 36j while conveying the recording sheet 5, thereby melting the toner on the sheet 5 and fixing the toner image on the sheet 5. Let it. Thus, one cycle of the image forming operation (printing operation) on the recording paper 5 is completed. By repeating this cycle, it is possible to continuously form an image on a plurality of recording sheets 5, 5,.

  On the other hand, the paper transport system 32 transports the recording papers 5, 5,... Stored in the paper tray 61 or the manual feed tray 34 as a paper storage unit one by one to cause the image forming system 31 to form an image. The recording paper 5 on which an image has been formed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 35 as a paper discharge unit.

  The paper transport system 32 includes a main transport path 36 and a reverse transport path 37. One end of the main transport path 36 is branched and faces the discharge side of the paper tray 61 and the manual feed tray 34, respectively, and the other end faces the paper discharge tray 35. The reverse transport path 37 has one end connected to the main transport path 36 on the upstream side (lower side in the figure) of the transfer charger 31d, and the other end downstream of the transfer charger 31d. (The upper side in the figure) is connected to the main transport path 36.

  Pickup rollers 36a, 36a having a semicircular cross section are arranged at the upstream end of the main transport path 36 (the portion facing the discharge side of the paper tray 61 and the manual feed tray 34). Paper feed rollers 36b, 36b are disposed immediately downstream of the pickup rollers 36a, 36a. By the rotation of the pickup roller 36a and the paper feed roller 36b, the recording papers 5, 5,... Stored in the paper tray 61 or the manual tray 34 can be intermittently fed to the main transport path 36 one by one. ing.

  A registration detection switch 36c and registration rollers 36d, 36d for detecting the passage of the recording paper 5 are disposed upstream of the transfer charger 31d in the main transport path 36. The registration rollers 36d, 36d temporarily stay with the leading end of the recording paper 5 being chucked, and release the retention at a proper timing in order to align the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 31b with the recording paper 5. Things. Further, a fixing detection switch 36f for detecting that the recording sheet 5 has passed through the rollers 36i and 36j is provided downstream of the fixing device 36A. At the downstream end of the main transport path 36, a pair of paper discharge rollers 36g, 36g for discharging the recording paper 5 to the paper discharge tray 35 and a paper discharge detection switch 36h for detecting the discharge of the recording paper 5 are provided. Each is arranged.

  A branching claw 38 is provided at a connection position of the upstream end of the reverse conveyance path 37 with respect to the main conveyance path 36. The branch claw 38 is rotatable about a horizontal axis between a first position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a second position indicated by a broken line. When the branch claw 38 is at the first position, the recording paper 5 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 35, and when at the second position, the recording paper 5 is supplied to the reverse conveyance path 37. At a plurality of locations on the reverse transport path 37, transport rollers 37a, 37a,... Are provided. When the recording paper 5 is supplied to the reverse transport path 37, the recording rollers 5a, 37a,. 5, the recording paper 5 is inverted upstream of the registration rollers 36d, and is again transported along the main transport path 36 toward the transfer charger 31d. That is, an image can be formed on the back surface of the recording paper 5.

<Description of Automatic Document Feeder 4>
Next, the automatic document feeder 4 will be described. The automatic document feeder 4 is configured as a so-called automatic double-sided document feeder. The automatic document feeder 4 can be used as a sheet movable type, and includes a document tray 43 and an intermediate tray 44 as a document placement unit, a document discharge tray 45 as a document discharge unit, and trays 43 and 44. An original transport system 46 for transporting an original between the originals 45 is provided.

  The document transport system 46 includes a main transport path 47 for transporting the document placed on the document tray 43 to the intermediate tray 44 or the document discharge tray 45 via the document reading unit 42, and a document on the intermediate tray 44. And a sub-transport path 48 for supplying the main transport path 47 to the main transport path 47.

  A document pickup roller 47a and a separating roller 47b are disposed at an upstream end (a portion facing the discharge side of the document tray 43) of the main transport path 47. A separating plate (not shown) is provided below the separating roller 47b, and one of the documents on the document tray 43 is moved between the separating roller 47b and the separating plate with the rotation of the document pickup roller 47a. , And is fed to the main transport path 47. PS rollers 47e, 47e are provided downstream of the junction of the main transport path 47 and the sub transport path 48. The PS rollers 47e, 47e adjust the leading edge of the document and the image reading timing of the scanner unit 2 to supply the document to the document reading unit 42. That is, the PS rollers 47e, 47e temporarily stop the conveyance of the original while the original is being supplied, and adjust the timing to supply the original to the original reading unit 42.

  The document reading unit 42 includes a platen glass 42a and a document pressing plate 42b. When the document supplied from the PS rollers 47e and 47e passes between the platen glass 42a and the document pressing plate 42b, the exposure light source 21 is used. The light from the light source passes through the platen glass 42a and is irradiated on the document. At this time, the document image data is acquired by the scanner unit 2. An urging force by a coil spring (not shown) is applied to the back surface (upper surface) of the document pressing plate 42b. Thus, the document pressing plate 42b is in contact with the platen glass 42a with a predetermined pressing force, and prevents the document from rising from the platen glass 42a when passing through the document reading unit 42.

  Downstream of the document reading section 42, a transport roller 47f and a document discharge roller 47g are provided. The document that has passed through the document reading unit 42 is discharged to the intermediate tray 44 or the document discharge tray 45 via the transport roller 47f and the document discharge roller 47g.

  An intermediate tray swing plate 44a is provided between the document discharge roller 47g and the intermediate tray 44. The intermediate tray swing plate 44a is swingable between a position 1 indicated by a solid line and a position 2 indicated by a broken line in FIG. When the intermediate tray swing plate 44a is at the position 1, the documents discharged from the document discharge rollers 47g, 47g are collected in the document discharge tray 45. On the other hand, when the intermediate tray rocking plate 44a is at the position 2, the documents discharged from the document discharge rollers 47g, 47g are discharged to the intermediate tray 44. When the document is discharged to the intermediate tray 44, the edge of the document is sandwiched between the document discharge rollers 47g, 47g. From this state, the document is rotated by the reverse rotation of the document discharge roller 47g. The paper is supplied to the transport path 48, and is sent out to the main transport path 47 again via the sub transport path 48. The reverse rotation operation of the document discharge roller 47g is performed by adjusting the sending of the document to the main transport path 47 and the image reading timing. As a result, the image on the back side of the document is read by the document reading unit 42.

-Image forming operation-
As an image forming operation in the copying machine 1 having the above-described configuration, in the paper transport system 32, the paper 5 is taken out from the paper tray 61 or the manual feed tray 34, transported along the main transport path 36, and registered with the registration rollers 36d. , And is conveyed between the photosensitive member 31b and the transfer charger 31d at a certain timing.

  On the other hand, in the image forming system 31, a laser beam is transmitted from the laser scanning unit 31a to the photosensitive member 31b uniformly charged by the main charger 31f based on image data read by the scanner unit 2 and subjected to image processing. And an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 31b.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 31b is converted into a toner image by the developing device 31c, and the toner image is transferred between the photoconductor 31b and the transfer charger 31d by the action of the transfer charger 31d. 5 is transferred. The sheet 5 on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 31b by a separation claw, and is conveyed to the fixing device 36A. In the fixing device 36A, the toner image is fixed on the paper 5.

  When printing is performed only on one side, the paper 5 on which the toner image is fixed is passed through the paper discharge rollers 36g and discharged to the paper discharge tray 35 as it is. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, for reverse printing, the sheet is transported in a switchback manner by the reverse rotation of the paper discharge roller 36g which can rotate in the reverse direction, enters the reverse transport path 37, and reaches the registration roller 36d again. After the printing on the back surface is completed through the same process as described above, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35 by the paper discharge rollers 36g.

  The operation of each functional unit for performing such an image forming operation is controlled by a control unit (not shown) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the copying machine 1. The control unit includes an image memory that temporarily stores image data and the like read by the scanner unit 2, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data, and the like.

-Description of paper feeder-
Next, a plurality of embodiments of the sheet feeding device 6 which is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. The paper feeding device 6 is characterized in that a paper guide member for positioning the edge of the recording paper 5 stored in the paper tray 61 after the copying machine 1 is installed is provided during the transportation of the copying machine 1. The point is that it can be used as a member for fixing a sheet feeding bottom plate (a plate which can be raised or lowered or rotatable to press the recording sheet 5 against the pickup roller 36a). Before describing each embodiment, a schematic configuration of the sheet feeding device 6 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the sheet feeding device 6 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the paper feeding device 6 includes a paper tray 61 that forms a space for accommodating the recording paper 5, and paper guide members 62, 63, 64 that are detachable or slidable with respect to the paper tray 61. And Specifically, a paper guide member (paper trailing edge guide member) 62 for positioning the trailing edge position of the recording paper 5 in the paper feeding direction is detachable from the paper tray 61, and the recording paper 5 is fed. Paper guide members (paper side end guide members) 63 and 64 for positioning one end position or both end positions on the side orthogonal to the direction are slidable with respect to the paper tray 61. The paper feeding device 6 according to the present embodiment accommodates the recording paper 5 on the basis of the center in the paper width direction. For this reason, the paper-side end guide members 63 and 64 are supported by a slide mechanism (not shown) so as to slide in a direction toward and away from each other in synchronization with each other.

  The basic function of the sheet feeding device 6 is that the sheets 5 stacked on the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 provided in the sheet tray 61 are separated one by one by a separating mechanism (separating mechanism) not shown. Is supplied to the main transport path 36 by the pickup roller 36a or the like.

  In such a sheet feeding device 6, prior to sheet feeding, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is raised by a mechanism called a bottom plate raising mechanism or a bottom plate raising / lowering mechanism, and the highest level of the paper 5 stacked on the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is raised. Is pressed against a pickup roller 36a and the like provided thereabove. In the present embodiment, a spring pressurizing method is employed as a mechanism for raising the sheet feeding bottom plate 65. In the spring pressurizing method, when the operator operates the paper tray 61 to attach or detach the paper tray 61 to or from the main body of the copier, the pressurizing springs 66 expand and contract with the attaching or detaching operation, and the paper feed bottom plate 65 moves up and down.

  In this spring pressurizing system, a corner separator system using corner claws 67, 67 is applied as a sheet separating mechanism. That is, the uppermost sheet 5 of the sheet bundle and the lower sheet 5 are separated by the corner claws 67, 67, thereby preventing double feeding of the sheet 5. Hereinafter, each member will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper tray 61 is a substantially rectangular container, and one of the four sides faces the front side in a state where the paper tray 61 is attached to the tray storage section of the copying machine main body. A handle 61a is provided for use when inserting or inserting.

  The paper guide members 62, 63, 64 are provided inside the paper tray 61. The paper guide members 62, 63, and 64 are provided so that the paper 5 can be fed by the pickup roller 36 a when the bundle of paper 5 (paper bundle) is placed and stored in the paper tray 61. For positioning the end of the.

  As described above, the paper guide members 62, 63, 64 are, as described above, a paper rear end guide member 62 that defines one end (rear end) of the rectangular paper 5 in the longitudinal direction and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper 5 ( Paper-side end guide members 63 and 64 that define each edge in the width direction (total width). That is, the area surrounded by these paper guide members 62, 63, 64 is the paper storage space.

  Further, in order to enable the leading end (the position on the side facing the rear end) of the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle positioned by the sheet guide members 62, 63, 64 to contact the pickup roller 36a, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a paper feed bottom plate 65 is provided. The paper feed bottom plate 65 has its rear end (upstream end in the paper feed direction) supported rotatably about the horizontal axis with respect to the paper tray 61. As a result, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 receives the urging force of the pressurizing springs 66, 66, and its leading end (downstream end in the sheet feeding direction) moves up and down to incline the recording sheet 5 so that the uppermost sheet 5 is made to contact the pickup roller 36a with a predetermined pressing force.

  That is, at this time, the load of the sheet bundle is applied to the sheet feeding bottom plate 65. Therefore, when the number of sheets is large, the load increases and the tip of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 sinks. On the other hand, when the number of sheets is small, the load is reduced, so that the leading end of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is raised. As a result, the leading end of the paper 5 can always substantially abut on the pickup roller 36a, so that the paper 5 can be fed one by one.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described. The outline of each embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the vicinity of the rear end of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed to the paper tray 61 using a paper rear end guide member 62 (relative position). Is fixed) to restrict the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65. In the second embodiment, the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is restricted by fixing the vicinity of both ends of the paper feed bottom plate 65 to the paper tray 61 using the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 as shown in FIG. This is the case. In the third embodiment, the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is restricted by fixing the vicinity of the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 to the paper tray 61 using the paper rear end guide member 62 as shown in FIG. Is the case. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3D, the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is regulated by using both the paper rear end guide member 62 and the paper side end guide members 63 and 64. This is a case where the vicinity of the rear end of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed to the paper tray 61 using the guide member 62. In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3E, the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is regulated by using both the paper rear end guide member 62 and the paper side end guide members 63 and 64. This is a case where the guide member 62 is used to fix the vicinity of the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 to the paper tray 61. Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described.

(1st Embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a state in which the paper trailing edge guide member 62 is removed from the paper tray 61, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the paper trailing edge guide member 62 is attached to the paper tray 61. It is. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a regulating portion when the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is regulated using the paper trailing end guide member 62. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, in the present embodiment, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is fixed (positioning the relative position with respect to the sheet tray 61) by using the sheet trailing end guide member 62 when the copying machine 1 is transported. is there. In other words, a narrowing portion 65b as an engaging portion recessed toward the back surface of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 is provided at a substantially central portion in the width direction on the side of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper rear end. A hooking portion 62a as a block-shaped holding projection provided on one side of the above is engaged with and fixed to the throttle portion 65b. Thereby, the fixing operation of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 can be easily performed. Further, as a configuration for engaging the paper rear end guide member 62 with the paper tray 61, engagement claws 62b are formed at two places at the lower end of the paper rear end guide member 62 as in the related art. At the same time, an engagement hole 61b as an engagement portion is formed in the paper tray 61, and the engagement claw 62b is locked in the engagement hole 61b.

  As described above, when transporting the copying machine 1, the paper feeding bottom plate 65 is positioned (pressed) by the paper trailing end guide member 62, and the position of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper tray 61 is regulated, so that the rotation thereof is prohibited. You. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 from vibrating and dropping off the sheet tray 61, or the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 from colliding with the corner claws 67 and being damaged.

  On the other hand, after the copying machine 1 is installed, the paper trailing end guide member 62 is used as a member for releasing the position regulation of the paper feed bottom plate 65 and positioning the recording paper 5 accommodation position in the paper tray 61. . In this case, the arrangement position of the paper trailing end guide member 62 is changed according to the size of the recording paper 5 to be used, and the storage position of the recording paper 5 in the paper tray 61 for the recording paper 5 of any size. Will be properly positioned. In this case, if the arrangement position of the paper trailing end guide member 62 shown in FIG. 5 is the positioning position of the accommodation position for the sheet of the minimum size, when positioning the accommodation position of the sheet of this size, the hook The paper trailing edge guide member 62 is inverted so that the surface on which the portion 62 a is not formed contacts the trailing edge of the recording paper 5. That is, it is possible to switch between the regulation of the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 and the positioning of the accommodation position for the sheet 5 of the minimum size only by inverting the sheet rear end guide member 62 at the same position. For this reason, in this case, the engaging hole 61b of the paper tray 61 to which the engaging claw 62b of the paper trailing end guide member 62 is locked is used by the paper trailing end guide member 62 when the storage position of the recording paper 5 is determined. The engaging portion engages with the engaging portion with which the sheet trailing end guide member 62 engages when regulating the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 with respect to the sheet tray 61.

  When the paper 5 having a size larger than the minimum size is stored, the mounting position of the paper trailing end guide member 62 is changed so as to engage with another engagement hole on the paper tray 61. The storage position of the recording paper 5 in the paper tray 61 is also appropriately determined for the recording paper 5 of the size. Also in this case, it is preferable that the paper trailing edge guide member 62 be inverted so that the surface on which the hook portion 62 a is not formed abuts on the trailing edge of the recording paper 5.

  On the other hand, when the arrangement position of the paper trailing end guide member 62 shown in FIG. 5 is not the positioning position for the recording paper 5 (when the recording paper 5 of the size positioned at this position is not used), The engagement hole 61b of the paper tray 61 to which the engagement claw 62b of the end guide member 62 is locked is dedicated to engagement of the paper rear end guide member 62 for regulating the position of the paper feed bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper tray 61. It will be formed as an engagement part.

  In addition, with the work of changing the arrangement position of the paper rear end guide member 62 according to the paper size, the slide position of the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 is also changed according to the size of the recording paper 5.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the sheet rear end guide member 62 has a function of positioning the storage position of the recording paper 5 in the paper tray 61, and the position of the paper feed bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper tray 61 is regulated to perform the rotation. And the function of prohibiting the movement of the copier 1, so that the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 can be securely fixed during transportation of the copier 1, and the fixing member can be used even after the copier 1 is installed. Resource saving and cost reduction can be achieved. In other words, there is no need to specially prepare a fixing member to be used only when the copying machine 1 is transported, and a single component serves a plurality of functions, thereby reducing the number of components and reducing transportation and packaging costs. be able to. Further, after the copier 1 is installed, the paper trailing end guide member 62 is always used as a means for positioning the paper, so that careless loss or the like is unlikely to occur. Further, since there is no member to manage and store after the copier 1 is installed (conventionally, it was necessary to manage and store fixing parts), it is possible to reduce the burden on the user.

  Note that the configuration of the present embodiment is not limited to moving and fixing the paper rear end guide member 62 so that it can be freely removed from the paper tray 61, and also moves the paper rear end guide member 62 toward the front end side of the paper feed bottom plate 65. The present invention is also applicable to a device that is slid and fixed.

(2nd Embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state in which the movement of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is restricted by the paper side end guide members 63 and 64, and FIG. 7B is a slide movement of the paper side end guide members 63 and 64. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the operation state at the time. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a state in which the movement regulation of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is released by the sheet side end guide members 63 and 64, and FIG. It is a perspective view showing the state where movement of bottom board 65 was regulated.

  As shown in these figures, in the present embodiment, the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed using the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 (positioning relative to the paper tray 61). That is, the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 located on both sides in the paper width direction are slid toward the inside of the paper feed bottom plate 65 to fix the paper feed bottom plate 65.

  Specifically, on both sides of the paper feed bottom plate 65, there are provided aperture portions 65c as engagement portions recessed toward the back surface of the paper feed bottom plate 65, and one side (inner side surface) of the paper side end guide members 63 and 64. The hook portions 63a and 64a, which are provided in a protruding manner, are engaged with each other and fixed. The protruding height positions of the hook portions 63a and 64a are set such that the recording paper 5 is placed on the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 in a state where the movement regulation of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is released (the state shown in FIG. 8A). In this case, the recording paper 5 is set at a relatively low position (a position close to the upper surface of the bottom plate of the paper tray 61) so as not to interfere with the recording paper 5. In other words, the protruding height positions of the hook portions 63a and 64a are the same height position as the upper surface of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 or lower than that when the maximum amount of the recording paper 5 is stored in the paper tray 61. Set to position.

  In this embodiment, the same effects as in the case of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, since both sides of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 are fixed, a reliable fixing operation can be performed, and deformation or breakage of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is hardly generated. it can.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a partially broken perspective view for explaining the mounting operation of the guide member. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, in the present embodiment, the vicinity of the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed to the paper tray 61 using the paper trailing end guide member 62 (positioning relative to the paper tray 61). is there. That is, the paper trailing end guide member 62 is configured to be freely detachable from the paper tray 61, and is mounted and fixed at a position near the pressure springs 66, 66 so that the paper feeding bottom plate 65 can be securely fixed. ing.

  Specifically, openings 65 d, 65 d formed of through holes are provided at the center of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 on the sheet conveyance direction side, and the sheet tray 61 is formed by using the engagement claws 62 b, 62 b of the sheet rear end guide member 62. Then, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is fixed.

  In this way, by arranging the paper trailing end guide member 62 as close to the pressure springs 66 as possible, it is possible to securely fix the paper feed bottom plate 65 with only a small force at one place.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3D, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is fixed using both the sheet rear end guide member 62 and the sheet side end guide members 63 and 64. In other words, a substantially central portion in the width direction on the side of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 with respect to the sheet rear end, and squeezed portions 65c recessed toward the back surface of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 on both sides of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 are provided. The hook portions 62a, 63a, 64a provided on the member 62 and the paper-side end guide members 63, 64 are engaged with each other and fixed.

  The fixing structure of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 by the sheet trailing end guide member 62 in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the fixing structure of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 by the sheet side end guide members 63 and 64 is the second embodiment. Since this is the same as in the embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 can be more reliably fixed by fixing three places using the three guide members 62, 63, and 64.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 (e), the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed by using both the paper trailing edge guide member 62 and the paper side edge guide members 63 and 64. In this case, the vicinity of the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is fixed to the paper tray 61 using the member 62. That is, the paper rear end guide member 62 that can be freely removed from the paper tray 61 is disposed near the pressure springs 66, 66 to fix the paper feed bottom plate 65, and the paper side end guide members 63, 64. Is slid toward the inside of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65, and the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is fixed using a total of three sheet guides 62, 63, and 64.

  The fixing structure of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 by the sheet trailing end guide member 62 in this embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the fixing structure of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 by the sheet side end guide members 63 and 64 is the second embodiment. Since this is the same as in the embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to more reliably fix the sheet feeding bottom plate 65.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In each of the embodiments described above, the installation state of each paper guide member 62, 63, 64 during transportation of the copying machine 1 or after installation of the copying machine 1 has been described. In the present embodiment, in the above-described third embodiment (FIG. 3C) and the fifth embodiment (FIG. 3E), when the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 is fixed by the sheet trailing end guide member 62, This is provided with a configuration for regulating the position of the rear end guide member 62 (preventing it from coming off). Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the peripheral structure of the paper tray housing 7 provided at the bottom of the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the paper tray 61 stored in the paper tray storage unit 7. As shown in these figures, the paper tray housing section 7 is configured such that the paper tray 61 can be inserted and removed from the near side of the copying machine (the near side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 11). That is, the recording paper 5 can be loaded by pulling out the paper tray 61 from the paper tray housing section 7, and thereafter, the paper refilling operation is completed by pushing the paper tray 61 into the paper tray housing section 7. I have.

  Further, the pickup roller 36a and paper feed rollers 36b, 36b are provided on the recording paper discharge side (right side in FIG. 11) of the paper tray accommodating section 7, and these rollers 36a, 36b, 36b are rotatable. A support bracket 71 for supporting is provided. The support bracket 71 extends from the support position of the rollers 36a, 36b, and 36b toward the center of the apparatus (the left side in FIG. 11) to cover an upper portion of the paper tray accommodating section 7. Have. The extension 72 ensures the rigidity of the peripheral portion of the paper tray accommodating portion 7 and alleviates the adverse effect caused by shrinkage when the peripheral portion of the paper tray accommodating portion 7 is molded with resin and cooled. I have.

  The extension 72 is formed so as to be located above the paper feed bottom plate 65 when the paper tray 61 is inserted. The height of the lower end surface 72 a of the extension 72 is When the sheet is inserted, the upper end surface of the paper rear end guide member 62 in the fixed posture of the paper feed bottom plate 65 is set to abut on the lower end surface 72a or to face with a small gap. In FIG. 12, the state in which the sheet rear end guide member 62 fixes the vicinity of the center of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 to the sheet tray 61 (corresponding to the fixed state in the third and fifth embodiments) is shown by a solid line. The state in which the trailing edge guide member 62 abuts on the trailing edge of the recording sheet 5 and positions the accommodation position of the recording sheet 5 is indicated by a virtual line. The imaginary line in FIG. 11 indicates the paper trailing edge when the paper tray 61 in which the paper trailing edge guide member 62 has the vicinity of the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 fixed to the paper tray 61 is accommodated in the paper tray accommodating section 7. The position of the guide member 62 is shown.

  As described above, when the paper rear end guide member 62 is fixed to the paper tray 61 near the center of the paper feed bottom plate 65 and the paper tray 61 is inserted into the paper tray housing 7, the paper rear end guide member 62 The upper end surface of the sheet rear end guide member 62 is in contact with the lower end surface 72a of the extension 72 with a small gap therebetween (in the state of FIG. Facing each other with a small gap). Therefore, when a shock or vibration is received during transportation, the paper rear end guide member 62 is prevented from falling out of the paper tray 61 by the lower end surface 72 a of the extension 72. That is, since the upper end surface of the paper trailing end guide member 62 is held down by the lower end surface 72a of the extension 72, the engaging claw 62b of the paper trailing end guide member 62 may fall out of the engaging hole 61b. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the state in which the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 by the sheet trailing end guide member 62 is fixed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the support bracket 71 formed in the paper tray accommodating portion 7 suppresses the upper end surface of the paper rear end guide member 62, thereby exhibiting the function of preventing the paper rear end guide member 62 from coming off. I have. For this reason, it is ensured that the paper feed bottom plate 65 is detached from the paper tray 61 and falls due to impact or vibration, or that the paper feed bottom plate 65 collides with the corner claw 67 and the corner claw 67 is damaged. Can be avoided.

  The configuration for regulating the position (prevention of detachment) of the paper guide member as in the present embodiment is applicable not only to the above-described third and fifth embodiments but also to other embodiments. In addition to the paper rear end guide member 62, the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 may be configured to be detachable, and the position of the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 may be regulated (prevented from coming off). You can also.

-Other embodiments-
In the embodiment described above, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital copying machine has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to analog copying machines and other image forming machines.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the paper trailing edge guide member 62 regulates the position of the paper feed bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper tray 61 by pressing the paper feed direction bottom edge of the paper feed bottom plate 65 or the substantially central portion in the paper feed direction. Had a configuration. The present invention is not limited to this, and the paper trailing end guide member 62 may be configured to restrict the position of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 with respect to the paper tray 61 by pressing the front edge of the paper feeding bottom plate 65 in the paper feeding direction. In this case, it is possible to effectively fix the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 only by applying a small restraining force to the movement of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65. Also in this case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the upper end surface of the paper trailing edge guide member 62 is suppressed to exert a function of preventing the paper trailing edge guide member 62 from coming off as in the sixth embodiment described above. .

  It is not always necessary that both of the paper side end guide members 63 and 64 have a function of regulating the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65, and only one of them regulates the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate 65 and feeds the sheet. It may be configured to prohibit the vertical movement or rotation of the bottom plate 65.

  Further, the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments is also applicable to an optional additional paper cassette (an additional cassette for configuring a multi-stage paper cassette).

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a sheet feeding device in each embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment is pulled out. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a sheet feeding bottom plate is pressed in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 4 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a paper tray in a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 13 is a partially broken perspective view for explaining a mounting operation of a guide member in a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a periphery of a paper tray accommodating portion of a copying machine according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a paper tray of a copying machine according to a sixth embodiment.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Copier 36a Pickup roller 36b Feed roller 5 Recording paper (recording medium)
6 paper feeder 61 paper tray 61b engaging hole (engaging portion)
62 Paper trailing edge guide member (paper guide member)
62a Hook (holding projection)
62b Engaging claws 63, 64 Paper side end guide member (paper guide member)
65 Paper feed bottom plates 65b, 65c Throttle section (engagement section)
65d opening (through hole)
71 Support bracket 72 Extension (regulation member)

Claims (17)

A sheet tray having a recording medium accommodating space and a sheet feeding bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the accommodating space; and a sheet guide member for positioning an accommodating position of the recording medium in the sheet tray. In a paper feeding device that enables a recording medium to be fed from a paper tray in a state where the recording medium is in a paper feeding posture by moving up and down or rotating,
The paper guide member has both a function of positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray and a function of restricting the position of the paper supply bottom plate with respect to the paper tray and inhibiting the vertical movement or rotation of the paper supply bottom plate. A sheet feeding device characterized by comprising: A paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper feed bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and a paper guide member for positioning a rear end position of a recording medium stored in the paper tray in a paper feeding direction. A sheet feeding device that enables a recording medium to be fed from a sheet tray in a state where the recording medium is in a sheet feeding position by raising or lowering or rotating the sheet feeding bottom plate.
The paper guide member has a function of positioning a rear edge position of a recording medium accommodated in the paper tray in the paper feeding direction, and a position of the paper feeding bottom plate with respect to the paper tray to move the paper feeding bottom plate up or down. A sheet feeder having a function of prohibiting movement. The paper feeding device according to claim 2,
The paper guide member is configured to restrict the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing the rear edge of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction while being locked to the paper tray. Paper equipment. The paper feeding device according to claim 2,
The paper guide member is configured to restrict a position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing a substantially central portion of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction while being locked to the paper tray. Paper equipment. The paper feeding device according to claim 4,
The feed bottom plate is formed with a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction,
An engagement portion is formed on the paper tray at a position facing the through hole,
The paper guide member has an engagement claw that can be engaged with the engagement portion of the paper tray. The engagement claw is engaged with the paper tray in a state where the engagement claw is inserted through the through hole of the paper feed bottom plate. A sheet feeding device configured to regulate a position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray by engaging with the sheet feeding unit. The paper feeding device according to claim 2,
The paper guide member is configured to control the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray by pressing the front edge of the paper feed bottom plate in the paper feed direction while being locked to the paper tray. apparatus. A paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper supply bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and one edge position or both ends on the side orthogonal to the paper supply direction of the recording medium stored in the paper tray A sheet guide member for positioning an edge position, wherein the sheet feeding bottom plate is capable of feeding a recording medium from a sheet tray in a state where the recording medium is in a sheet feeding posture by moving up and down or rotating,
The paper guide member has a function of positioning one edge position or both edge positions on a side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction of the recording medium accommodated in the paper tray, and regulates the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. A sheet feeding device having a function of inhibiting the vertical movement or rotation of the sheet feeding bottom plate. A paper tray having a recording medium storage space and a paper supply bottom plate disposed at the bottom of the storage space, and a paper rear end for positioning a rear end position of the recording medium stored in the paper tray in the paper supply direction; A guide member, and a sheet-side end guide member for positioning one end edge position or both end positions of the recording medium accommodated in the sheet tray on the side orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and the sheet feeding bottom plate moves up and down or rotates. In a paper feeding device that enables a recording medium to be fed from a paper tray while the recording medium is in a paper feeding posture by moving
The paper trailing edge guide member has a function of positioning a trailing edge position of the recording medium accommodated in the paper tray in the paper feeding direction, and a position of the paper feeding bottom plate with respect to the paper tray to raise and lower the paper feeding bottom plate. Or it has the function of prohibiting rotation,
The paper-side end guide member has a function of positioning one or both edge positions on a side orthogonal to the paper supply direction of the recording medium accommodated in the paper tray, and regulates a position of the paper supply bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. And a function for inhibiting the vertical movement or rotation of the paper feed bottom plate. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A sheet feeding device, wherein the position of the sheet guide member when positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the sheet tray is different from the position when regulating the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A paper feeding device, wherein the paper guide member has the same position when positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray and the position when regulating the position of the paper feeding bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. . The paper feeding device according to claim 10,
The paper guide member has a holding projection formed only on one side, and when positioning the storage position of the recording medium in the paper tray, the surface on which the holding projection is not formed contacts the edge of the recording medium. When restricting the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray, the surface on which the pressing protrusion is formed is turned to the recording medium housing space side, and this protrusion presses the upper surface of the paper feed bottom plate. A paper feed device configured to regulate the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A regulating member for regulating movement of the paper guide member in a direction in which the paper guide member is disengaged from the paper tray in a state where the position of the paper feed bottom plate with respect to the paper tray is regulated by the paper guide member. Paper feeder. The paper feeding device according to claim 12,
The paper guide member has an engagement claw that can be engaged with an engagement portion formed on the paper tray, and the regulating member has a paper guide in a direction in which the engagement claw is disengaged from the engagement portion of the paper tray. A sheet feeding device provided at a position for restricting movement of a member. The paper feeding device according to claim 12 or 13,
The regulating member is constituted by a part of a bracket for rotatably supporting a roller member for taking out a recording medium accommodated in the paper tray, and abuts or forms a small gap with the upper end of the paper guide member. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet feeding device is disposed at a position facing the sheet feeding device.   A sheet guide member used in the sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a function of positioning a storage position of a recording medium in a sheet tray and a sheet feeding bottom plate for the sheet tray are provided. A sheet guide member having a function of restricting the position of the sheet feeding plate and prohibiting vertical movement or rotation of the sheet feeding bottom plate.   A sheet tray used in the sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sheet guide member positions a recording medium in the sheet tray. And an engaging portion with which the sheet guide member engages when the sheet guide member regulates the position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray.   A sheet tray used in the sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a sheet guide member controls a position of the sheet feeding bottom plate with respect to the sheet tray on the sheet feeding bottom plate. A paper tray, wherein an engagement portion with which the paper guide member is engaged is formed.

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