JP2009132469A - Image recording medium feeder and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform paper sheet storing operation in a paper feeding cassette provided with an end guide guiding the rear end of the paper sheet. <P>SOLUTION: This image recording medium feeder includes: the end guide 13c which is arranged displaceably in the paper sheet delivering direction of a body section 13-1 provided with a storage chamber 13b storing the paper sheet and which is provided with a guide surface 13c-1 guiding the rear end of the paper sheet stored in the storage chamber 13b; a second coil spring 53 pressing the end guide 13c to the paper sheet delivering direction to bring the guide surface 13c-1 into pressure contact with the rear end of the paper sheet; and a restraining plate 51 which is located in a first position perpendicularly restraining the end guide 13c with respect to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b against pressing force of the second coil spring 53 when the paper feeding cassette 13 is pulled out from a device body 10 and which is located in a second position allowing the pressing force of the second coil spring 53 when the paper feeding cassette 13 is fitted to the device body 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording medium supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles use a paper feed cassette (image recording medium supply apparatus) for supplying paper (image recording medium) on which an image is formed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. . The paper feed cassette is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and can accommodate a large number of sheets, and the uppermost accommodated sheet is fed out by a feed roller. In order to send out the uppermost paper, the paper feed cassette is provided with a bottom plate biased toward the feed roller, and the bottom plate swings in accordance with the remaining amount of paper and the uppermost paper is fed. The sheet is pressed against the feed roller.

  However, when the bottom plate gradually rises according to the remaining amount of paper, the leading edge of the paper is lifted and shifted to the opposite side to the feeding direction, and smooth paper feeding cannot be performed. For this reason, a guide member that guides the rear end of the paper is provided so as to be displaceable in the feed-out direction, and the rear end of the paper is pressed against the guide member by a pressing means such as a spring so that the front end position of the paper does not shift.

Techniques for preventing the misalignment of the leading edge by pressing the trailing edge of the paper in this way are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-002248 and 2006-347762.
JP 2001-002248 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-34762

  However, according to the above prior art, the guide member is displaced in the paper feeding direction by the spring, so that the paper as the image recording medium is removed from the image forming apparatus main body and emptied. In such a case, it is not possible to smoothly perform the sheet storing operation due to the displaced guide member.

  The present invention has been made from the above technical background, and in an image recording medium supply device provided with a guide member for guiding the rear end of the image recording medium, the image recording medium can be accommodated smoothly. It aims at providing the technology that can do.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image recording medium supply device according to the present invention described in claim 1 is an image recording medium supply device for supplying an image recording medium to an image forming apparatus main body, and can accommodate the image recording medium. A supply device main body having a storage chamber, and a guide provided in the supply device main body so as to be displaceable in the feeding direction of the image recording medium and guiding a rear end of the image recording medium stored in the storage chamber When the member and the image recording medium supply device are pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the guide member is restrained to a predetermined position, and when the image recording medium supply device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the guide member And a restraining member serving as a second position for guiding the rear end of the recording medium by the guide surface.

  The image recording medium supply device according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image recording medium supply device that supplies an image recording medium to the image forming apparatus main body, and includes a storage chamber that can store the image recording medium. A main body, a guide member provided so as to be displaceable in the feeding direction of the image recording medium in the supply apparatus main body, and having a guide surface for guiding a rear end of the image recording medium housed in the housing chamber, and the guide member Pressing means for pressing the guide surface against the rear end of the image recording medium by urging the image recording medium in the feeding direction; As a result, the guide member becomes a first position for restraining it to a predetermined position, and when the image recording medium supply device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, it becomes a second position for allowing the urging force of the press contact means. It characterized by having a a restraining member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the restraining member is configured so that the guide surface is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the storage chamber at the first position. The guide member is restrained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, an urging member that urges the restraining member to the first position, and an image recording medium supply device are arranged in the image forming apparatus main body. When the image recording medium supply device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, it interferes with an interference member provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the restraining member is attached to the main body. And a displacement member that is displaced to the second position against the urging force of the urging member.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the guide member, the press contact means, the restraining member, the biasing member, and the displacement member are attached, and the image is provided. It further has a wall-like member provided in the supply device main body so as to be movable in the feeding direction of the recording medium and to be fixed at a plurality of positions.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is equipped with the image recording medium supply device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect, the interference member has a length capable of interfering with a displacement member attached to the wall-like member at all movement positions of the wall-like member. It is characterized by having.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the guide member for guiding the rear end of the image recording medium does not get in the way when the image recording medium is accommodated, and the image recording medium can be accommodated smoothly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide member for guiding the rear end of the image recording medium does not become an obstacle when the image recording medium is accommodated, and the image recording medium can be accommodated smoothly.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image recording medium supply device is pulled out, the guide surface is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the storage chamber, so that the rear end contacts the guide surface and is aligned vertically. Thus, the image recording medium can be accommodated in the supply apparatus main body.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the restraining member is restricted to the first position and the second position via the displacement member that interferes with the interference member provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The position can be reliably regulated.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the positional relationship among the guide member, the pressure contact means, the restraining member, the urging member, and the displacement member is stabilized according to the size of the accommodated image recording medium by moving the wall member. Can be fixed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the guide member does not get in the way when the image recording medium is accommodated, and the image recording medium can be accommodated smoothly, so that the operability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the displacement member interferes with the interference member regardless of the position of the wall-shaped member, the image recording medium is accommodated regardless of the size of the image recording medium to be accommodated. It can be done smoothly.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printer that forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier, with toner. As shown in FIG. 1, which is a perspective view, a sheet discharge tray 11 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body (an example of the image forming apparatus main body) 10, and a sheet on which an image is recorded (image). A paper feed cassette (an example of an image recording medium supply device) 13 in which an example of a recording medium) 12 is stored is stored.

  Further, a front cover 15 that rotates between a closed position (solid line position in FIG. 1) and an open position (broken line position in FIG. 1) around the rotation fulcrum 14 is attached to the front surface of the apparatus body 10. Yes. For example, when a paper jam occurs, the front cover 15 is rotated to the open position to open the paper transport path 40 (FIG. 2), and the paper transport path 40 is jammed. The paper can be removed. A manual paper feed tray 38 is provided so that it can be opened and closed independently of the opening and closing of the front cover 15.

  In FIG. 2, which is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus main body 10 includes, for example, a controller 16 configured by a microcomputer, and an IPS (operation controlled by the controller 16). An image processing system) 17, a laser drive circuit 18, and a power supply device 19 are provided.

  Here, the power supply device 19 applies a bias voltage to the charging roller 20, the developing roller 21 (21k, 21y, 21m, 21c), the transfer rollers 22, 23b, and the like which will be described later. The IPS 17 converts data input from an external host computer or the like into image data for electrostatic formation and outputs the image data to the laser drive circuit 18 at a predetermined timing. The laser drive circuit 18 outputs a laser drive signal to the optical scanning device (an example of a latent image forming device) 24 in accordance with the input image data. Thereby, the laser beam (image writing light) L for image writing is irradiated from the optical scanning device 24 in accordance with the laser drive signal.

  Above the optical scanning device 24, a photosensitive drum (an example of an electrostatic latent image holding member) 25 is disposed. The photosensitive drum 25 is rotationally driven in the circumferential direction. After the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 20 disposed in the vicinity, the latent image writing position Q1 is set. In FIG. 5, exposure scanning is performed by the laser beam L emitted from the optical scanning device 24, and the potential is lost, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed. When forming a full-color image, electrostatic latent images corresponding to four color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are sequentially formed. Only the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the K (black) image is formed.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 25 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed moves in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 25 and passes through a developing area Q2 and a primary transfer area Q3 described later.

  Above the optical scanning device 24, a rotary developing device 26 is disposed close to the photosensitive drum 25. The rotary developing device 26 is a four-color developing device of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) that sequentially rotates and moves to the developing region Q2 as the rotating shaft 26a rotates. 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C. The developing devices 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C for the respective colors have the developing rollers 21k, 21y, 21m, and 21c that convey the toner to the developing area Q2, and are on the photosensitive drum 25 that passes through the developing area Q2. Then, toner is sequentially supplied to the electrostatic latent images corresponding to the respective colors formed on the toner to develop the toner images.

  The developing devices 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C are provided with toner replenishing cartridges 27k, 27y, 27m, and 27c, respectively, and the toner replenishing cartridges 27k, 27y, 27m, and 27c are connected to the developing rollers 21k, 21y, and 27c, respectively. The toner is supplied to the developing containers of 21m and 21c.

  In front of the photoconductive drum 25, an intermediate transfer belt 28 provided so as to be rotatable in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 25 over a predetermined length is disposed. The intermediate transfer belt 28 includes a plurality of driven rollers 29, a wrap-in roller 30 disposed at a winding start position with respect to the photosensitive drum 25, a primary transfer roller 22 to which a primary transfer bias is applied, and a photosensitive drum. 25 is rotatably supported by a wrap-out roller 31 disposed at a winding end position with respect to 25 and a backup roller 23a disposed opposite to the secondary transfer roller 23b. Thus, during the image forming operation, the photosensitive drum 25 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Z following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 25.

  The rollers 22, 23a, 29, 30, and 31 that support the intermediate transfer belt 28 are attached to a belt frame (not shown).

  When forming a full color image, an electrostatic latent image of the first color is formed on the photosensitive drum 25 at the latent image writing position Q1, and toner of the first color corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is supplied in the development region Q2. Thus, a first color toner image is formed. The toner image is transferred by the primary transfer roller 22 when passing through the primary transfer region Q3 that is the contact position between the photosensitive drum 25 and the intermediate transfer belt 28 between the wrap-in roller 30 and the wrap-out roller 31. Primary transfer is electrostatically performed on the intermediate transfer belt 28. Thereafter, similarly, the second color, third color, and fourth color toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 28 holding the first color toner image, and finally the full color toner image is obtained. A multiple toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28.

  When a monochrome image is formed, only one developing device is used, and a single color toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 28.

  A photoreceptor cleaner 32 is provided in contact with the photoreceptor drum 25. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 after the primary transfer is completed is cleaned by the photosensitive cleaner 32.

  As described above, the secondary transfer roller 23b is disposed at a position facing the backup roller 23a. The secondary transfer roller 23b is movable between a position separated from the backup roller 23a and a position in contact with the backup roller 23a. The secondary transfer unit 23 is configured by the backup roller 23a and the secondary transfer roller 23b. Further, a secondary transfer area Q4 for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28 to the paper 12 is formed by the contact area between the backup roller 23a and the secondary transfer roller 23b.

  A paper feed cassette 13 that accommodates the paper 12 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 10. On the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 13, a metal paper placement plate 34 is provided for lifting the paper feed direction (feeding direction) side of the stored paper 12 upward by the spring force of the coil spring 48. . Further, a pickup roller 33 is disposed immediately above the paper placement plate 34 so that the paper 12 lifted by the paper placement plate 34 contacts. As a result, when the pickup roller 33 rotates, the paper 12 positioned at the top of the paper feed cassette 13 and in contact with the pickup roller 33 is taken out from the paper feed cassette 13 at a predetermined timing.

  In the paper transport path 40 extending from the paper feed cassette 13 to the paper discharge tray 11, a paper feed roller 35 for separating the paper 12 taken out by the pickup roller 33 one by one is provided on the most paper feed cassette 13 side. It has been.

  The whirling roller 35 includes a feed roller 35a and a retard roller 35b arranged in contact with each other. The feed roller 35a rotates in the paper feeding direction, and the retard roller 35b rotates in the direction opposite to the feed roller 35a. As a result, the double-fed paper is separated by the separating roller 35, and the upper one sheet is fed to the paper conveyance path 40 by the feed roller 35a, while the other paper is fed by the retard roller 35b. Returned to cassette 13.

  A conveyance roller 36 and a registration device 37 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side of the separating roller 35 in the paper conveyance path 40, and the secondary transfer unit 23 that forms the above-described secondary transfer region Q 4 is further arranged on the downstream side. Has been. Therefore, after the paper 12 that has passed through the separation roller 35 is conveyed to the conveyance roller 36 and reaches the registration device 37, the multiple toner image or the single color toner image that has been primarily transferred moves to the secondary transfer region Q4. Then, it is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.

  A pair of manual paper feed rollers 39 for taking the paper 12 set in the manual paper feed tray 38 one by one into the paper transport path 40 is provided inside the manual paper feed tray 38 described above. . With this manual paper feed roller 39, the paper 12 on the manual paper feed tray 38 is transported to the transport roller 36, and is transported from the registration device 37 to the secondary transfer area Q4 in the same manner as the paper 12 from the paper feed cassette 13. Is done.

  A secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner used in the developing device 26 is supplied from the power supply device 19 to the secondary transfer roller 23 b of the secondary transfer unit 23. As a result, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is electrostatically secondary-transferred to the paper 12 conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4.

  The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 28 after the secondary transfer is removed by the belt cleaner 41, and the toner adhering to the secondary transfer roller 23b is removed by the roller cleaner 42.

  The secondary transfer roller 23b and the belt cleaner 41 are provided so as to be able to be separated from and contacted (separated and contacted) with the intermediate transfer belt 28. When a color image is formed, an unfixed toner image of the final color is intermediate. It is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 28 until it is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 28.

  A fixing device 43 and a pair of paper discharge rollers 44 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 23 in the paper transport path 40, and the paper discharge tray 11 is positioned on the downstream side of the paper discharge rollers 44. . The fixing device 43 includes a heating roller 43a and a pressure roller 43b that are pressed against each other, and the sheet 12 on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is pressed between the heating roller 43a and the pressure roller 43b of the fixing device 43. The toner image is fixed to the paper 12 by heat and pressing force by passing through the fixing area Q5 that is the area to be processed.

  The sheet 12 on which the toner image is fixed is further conveyed to a sheet discharge roller 44 by a conveyance roller 45 and is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 11 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10.

  Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment can also perform double-sided printing. During double-sided printing, the paper discharge roller 44 rotates reversely with respect to the discharge direction, whereby the paper 12 is switched back and the paper reversing path 46 is turned on. And is retransmitted to the registration device 37 with the front and back sides of the paper 12 reversed.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette constituting the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed cassette 13 in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main body portion including a storage chamber 13b that is surrounded by a pair of side walls 13a that are opposed to each other and that is open upward. (An example of a supply device main body) 13-1 is provided, and the above-described paper placement plate 34 is supported on the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The storage chamber 13b can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus body 10, and the paper 12 is replenished to the storage chamber 13b in a state where the paper feed cassette 13 is pulled out.

  The paper placement plate 34 extends in the width direction of the storage chamber 13b and is supported so as to be pivotable up and down around a pivot shaft positioned at the rear end of the paper placement plate 34. The above-described coil spring 48 for providing the rotational force to is arranged. Therefore, the sheet placing plate 34 always receives an upward biasing force by the spring force from the coil spring 48.

  The storage chamber 13b is provided with an end guide (an example of a guide member) 13c provided with a guide surface 13c-1 for guiding the rear end of the paper 12 stored in the storage chamber 13b. The end guide 13 c is attached to an end plate (an example of a wall-like member) 50 that can slide along the paper 12 feeding direction. Therefore, the end guide 13 c slides along the paper feeding direction of the paper 12 together with the end plate 50. The storage chamber 13b is also provided with a pair of side guides 13d for positioning both end positions on the side orthogonal to the paper feeding direction of the paper 12. The side guides 13d are slidably moved in the direction of approaching and the direction of separating from each other in synchronization with each other. By such end guides 13c and side guides 13d, the paper 12 in the storage chamber 13b is positioned at the center in the width direction of the paper and forward in the paper feeding direction. In the storage chamber 13b, for example, sheets 12 of sizes A3, A4, A5, B4, and B5 can be stored.

  4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the paper feed cassette of FIG. 3 in the state pulled out from the apparatus main body, and FIG. 5 is an end of the paper feed cassette in FIG. 3 in the state pulled out of the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of members attached to the plate as viewed from below, FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main part of the paper feed cassette shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of the member attached to the end plate of the paper feeding cassette of FIG. 3 in the state with which the main body was mounted | worn from the bottom.

  As shown in these drawings, the end guide 13 c can be displaced in the paper feeding direction of the paper 12. That is, pins 13c-3 projecting in the width direction are formed on both sides of the upper end of the end guide 13c. The pins 13c-3 are rotatably fitted to the end plate 50, and the opposite side is a free end. Therefore, the end guide 13c swings between the position where the guide surface 13c-1 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b and the position inclined in the paper feeding direction with the upper end as a fulcrum. . However, the guide surface 13c-1 does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b, and may be in a position inclined in the paper feeding direction or the opposite direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a rib 13c-2 having a through hole 13c-2a that protrudes rearward and opens in the vertical direction is formed on the back surface of the end guide 13c.

  The through-hole 13c-2a has a substantially L-shape and is perpendicular to a restraint plate (an example of a restraint member) 51 disposed in a direction along the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b and in a direction perpendicular to the direction. The portion penetrates with a gap (hereinafter, the portion along the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b in the restraint plate 51 is the horizontal portion 51-1, and the portion perpendicular to the horizontal portion 51-1 is the vertical portion 51-. 2).

  For example, the restraint plate 51 made of sheet metal is attached to the end plate 50 so as to be movable in the paper feeding direction, and is provided as a part of the end plate 50 so as to extend along the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b. The horizontal portion 51-1 is supported by the guide plate 50a. Then, the claw portions 51-1 b formed at two positions on both sides in the width direction of the horizontal portion 51-1 are fitted into a pair of slits 50 b formed along the paper feed direction of the guide plate 50 a, thereby The plate 51 is prevented from falling off from the guide plate 50a.

  A hook 51 a is formed on the horizontal portion 51-1 of the restraining plate 51 facing downward, and the other end of a first coil spring (an example of an urging member) 52 having one end attached to the end plate 50. It is attached. Therefore, the restraint plate 51 is biased in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction by the compression force of the first coil spring 52 (hereinafter also referred to as spring force or biasing force).

  When the restraint plate 51 moves in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, the vertical portion 51-2 of the restraint plate 51 abuts against the inner wall of the through hole 13c-2a opposite to the sheet feeding direction, thereby Since the end guide 13c has a guide surface 13c-1 that is vertical with the upper end as a fulcrum, as a result, the end guide 13c is biased in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction by the compression force of the first coil spring 52. (See FIGS. 4 and 5).

  A spring hole 52b is formed in the vertical portion 51-2 of the restraining plate 51, and the first coil spring described above passes between the spring hole 52b and between the end guide 13c and the end plate 50. A second coil spring (an example of pressure contact means) 53 having an elastic force (hereinafter also referred to as a spring force or an urging force) weaker than the compression force of 52 is fitted. Therefore, the end guide 13 c is biased in the paper feeding direction by the elastic force of the second coil spring 53. Therefore, when the spring force of the second coil spring 53 is acting (see FIGS. 6 and 7), the guide surface 13c-1 of the end guide 13c is pressed against the rear end of the paper 12 stored in the storage chamber 13b. The rear end of the paper 12 is aligned by this.

  As described above, the elastic force of the second coil spring 53 is weaker than the compressive force of the first coil spring 52. Therefore, in a state where no external force is applied, the compressive force of the first coil spring 52 is allowed and the restraint plate 51 moves in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction, and the end guide 13 c is resisted against the biasing force of the second coil spring 53. Then, the guide surface 13c-1 becomes a position (first position) where the guide surface 13c-1 is restrained so as to be perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b.

  The front end of the horizontal portion 51-1 of the restraint plate 51 is bent at a substantially right angle downward to form a bent portion 51-1a. Inside the bent portion 51-1 a, a lever (an example of a displacement member) 54 is attached to the end plate 50 and is rotatably disposed.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lever 54 includes a shaft portion 54 a that is rotatably provided, and a rod (described below) that is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 54 a and provided on the apparatus main body 10. Example) An interference portion 54b that interferes with 55 and a cam portion 54c that is attached to the upper end of the shaft portion 54a and is provided so as to be able to press the inside of the bent portion 51-1a in the paper feeding direction. When the lever 54 rotates and the cam portion 54c presses the bent portion 51-1a, the restraint plate 51 moves in the paper feeding direction against the urging force of the first coil spring 52, and the restraint plate 51 is moved. The vertical portion 51-2 is spaced from the inner wall of the through hole 13c-2a opposite to the sheet feeding direction, and is a position (second position) that allows the biasing force of the second coil spring 53. As a result, the end guide 13c is inclined in the sheet feeding direction by the urging force of the second coil spring 53, and the guide surface 13c-1 is pressed against the rear end of the sheet 12 in the storage chamber 13b to guide it.

  Here, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a rod 55 that interferes with the lever 54 when the paper feed cassette 13 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10. The rod 55 has a length capable of interfering with the lever 54 at all the movement positions of the end plate 50 that moves in accordance with the size of the paper accommodated in the accommodation chamber 13b. That is, the rod 55 is elongated along the moving direction of the end plate 50, and is set to a length that can interfere with the lever 54 at all moving positions of the lever 54 that moves together with the end plate 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the sheet feeding cassette 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 10, the lever 54 (the interference portion 54 b) interferes with the rod 55 and the lever 54 rotates. Move. As a result, the cam portion 54c presses the bent portion 51-1a, the restraint plate 51 moves to the second position, and the end guide 13c is inclined in the paper feeding direction by the urging force of the second coil spring 53.

  When the paper feed cassette 13 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lever 54 is separated from the rod 55 and the lever 54 is released from the interference of the rod 55. As a result, the spring force of the first coil spring 52 is allowed and the restraint plate 51 moves to the first position, and the end guide 13c has its guide surface 13c-1 with respect to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b. And is constrained to a vertical position.

  Since the restraint plate 51 is regulated to the first position and the second position through the lever 54 that interferes with the rod 55 as described above, the position regulation of the restraint plate 51 can be reliably performed and the reliability can be improved. improves.

  Next, a fixing mechanism for fixing the end plate 50 slidable along the paper feeding direction at a desired position will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the fixing mechanism when the end plate is fixed in the paper feeding cassette of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is the fixing when the end plate is movable in the paper feeding cassette of FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a mechanism.

  As shown in these drawings, a large number of engaging grooves 59 extending in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the end plate 50 are formed on the bottom surface 13b-1 of the main body 13-1 along the moving direction of the end plate 50. Has been. A latch handle 56 is attached to the back surface of the end plate 50 so as to be swingable in the paper feeding direction with its substantially central portion as a fulcrum. The latch handle 56 is fitted with a torsion spring (not shown), and a spring force is applied so that the upper part is separated from the end plate 50.

  One end of a link bar 57 extending in the paper feeding direction is rotatably attached to the lower end of the latch handle 56. At the other end of the link bar 57, a long hole 57a is formed that is inclined upward toward the tip. A latch actuator 58 having one end fitted so as to be movable relative to the long hole 57a and the other end rotatably attached to the guide plate 50a of the end plate 50 is provided extending in the paper feeding direction. It has been. The latch actuator 58 is formed with a latch portion 58a that fits in the engagement groove 59 described above.

  With such a mechanism, when the spring force of the torsion spring is acting on the latch handle 56, one end of the latch actuator 58 is located below the elongated hole 57a formed in the link rod 57, as shown in FIG. positioned. Therefore, the latch portion 58a of the latch actuator 58 descends and fits into one of the engagement grooves 59, whereby the end plate 50 is fixed to the main body portion 13-1.

  When the latch handle 56 is swung in the paper feeding direction against the spring force of the torsion spring (when tilted), the link rod 57 attached to the lower end of the latch handle 56 feeds the paper as shown in FIG. The long hole 57a is also moved in the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. On the other hand, since the other end of the latch actuator 58 is attached to the guide plate 50a, the one end of the latch actuator 58 relatively moves upward in the elongated hole 57a. As a result, the latch portion 58a of the latch actuator 58 is lifted and disengaged from the engaging groove 59, and the end plate 50 is unfixed to the main body portion 13-1.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the latch handle 56 is tilted to slide the end plate 50 to the main body 13-1 free. After the movement, as shown in FIG. 8, the latch handle 56 is returned to the original position by a spring force to fix the end plate 50 to the main body 13-1. Thereby, the end plate 50 can be fixed at a desired position along the sheet feeding direction of the main body 13-1.

  Moreover, since the end guide 13c, the restraining plate 51, the first coil spring 52, the second coil spring 53, and the lever 54 are attached to the end plate 50 as described above, the end plate 50 is moved. Accordingly, the positional relationship between these members 13c, 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be stably fixed according to the size of the paper 12 to be accommodated.

  In the paper feed cassette 13 of the present embodiment having the above configuration, when the paper feed cassette 13 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10, the lever 54 is released from the interference with the rod 55, so that the restraint plate 51 is the first. The coil spring 52 is moved to the first position by the biasing force. As a result, the vertical portion 51-2 of the restraint plate 51 comes into contact with the inner wall of the through hole 13c-2a formed in the end guide 13c on the side opposite to the sheet feeding direction, and the upper end is rotatably attached to the end plate 50. The end guide 13c is restrained to a predetermined position against the urging force of the second coil spring 53. Therefore, when the paper 12 is stored in the storage chamber 13b, the end guide 13c does not get in the way, so that the paper 12 can be stored smoothly.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, when the restraint plate 51 is moved to the first position, the end guide 13c has its guide surface 13c-1 restrained perpendicularly to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b. Therefore, the paper 12 can be accommodated in the accommodation chamber 13b of the main body 13-1 so that the rear end of the paper 12 is brought into contact with the guide surface 13c-1 and aligned vertically.

  When the paper 12 is stored in the storage chamber 13b and the paper feed cassette 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 in this way, the lever 54 interferes with the rod 55 and the restraint plate 51 is moved to the second position as described above. Move to. As a result, the vertical portion 51-2 of the restraint plate 51 is separated from the inner wall on the opposite side to the paper feed direction of the through hole 13c-2a, and the end guide 13c is inclined in the paper feed direction by the urging force of the second coil spring 53. Then, the sheet 12 is aligned by being pressed against the rear end of the sheet 12. Therefore, even if the paper placement plate 34 gradually rises according to the remaining amount of the paper 12 and the leading end position of the paper 12 is lifted, the paper 12 is shifted to the opposite side to the paper feeding direction due to the end guide 13c. Therefore, smooth feeding of the paper 12 is surely performed.

  The operability of the printer, which is an image forming apparatus, is mounted on the apparatus body 10 by mounting the sheet feeding cassette 13 that can smoothly store the sheet 12 without the end guide 13c interfering in this way. Will improve.

  Further, the rod 55 provided in the apparatus main body 10 has a length capable of interfering with the lever 54 attached to the end plate 50 at all moving positions of the end plate 50. Therefore, since the lever 54 interferes with the rod 55 regardless of the position of the end plate 50, the receiving operation of the paper 12 can be smoothly performed regardless of the size of the paper 12 to be stored.

  In the above description, the paper feed cassette 13 has a structure mounted on the apparatus main body 10 along the paper feed direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. Further, the end guide 13c only needs to be constrained to a predetermined position when the paper feeding cassette 13 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10 and guides the rear end of the paper when it is mounted.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the mounting direction of the paper feed cassette (an example of an image recording medium supply device) 13 may be a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction. The illustrated sheet cassette 13 is drawn from an apparatus main body (an example of an image forming apparatus main body) 10. A pair of apparatus-side guide rails (see FIG. A pair of cassette-side guide rails 60 slidably fitted to the cassette-side guide rails 60 are provided so as to extend along the mounting direction, and the cassette-side guide rails 60 are slid along the apparatus-side guide rails. A paper cassette 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 10.

  11 is a perspective view showing in detail the end plate provided in the paper feed cassette of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the end plate of FIG. 11 from below in a state where the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the end plate of FIG. 11 from below in a state where the paper feed cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body.

  As shown in these drawings, an end plate (an example of a wall-like member) 50 provided in a main body (an example of a supply device main body) 13-1 is slidably movable along a paper feeding direction. An end guide (an example of a guide member) 13c having a guide surface 13c-1 for guiding the rear end of the paper stored in the chamber 13b is attached. The end guide 13c is swingable between a position where the guide surface 13c-1 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b and a position inclined in the paper feeding direction with the upper end as a fulcrum. Is provided.

  A constraining plate (an example of a constraining member) 71 is fitted into the back surface of a guide plate 50a provided as a part of the end plate 50 so as to extend along the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b. It is. A first coil spring (an example of an urging member) 52 is fitted between the restraining plate 71 and the guide plate 50a, and the elastic force of the first coil spring 52 (hereinafter also referred to as spring force or urging force). ), The restraint plate 51 is biased in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction.

  The lower end of the end guide 13c can pass through a slit 50a-1 formed in the guide plate 50a along the paper feeding direction and can come into contact with the end of the restraining plate 71 opposite to the paper feeding direction. ing. Further, between the end guide 13c and the end plate 50, the end guide 13c is supplied with an elastic force (hereinafter also referred to as a spring force or an urging force) weaker than the elastic force of the first coil spring 52 described above. A second coil spring (an example of a pressure contact means) 53 that is urged in the paper direction is fitted. Further, a linear first gear 71 a extending in the sheet feeding direction is formed inside the back surface of the restraining plate 71. The first gear 71a meshes with a second gear 54d formed in a fan shape on a lever (an example of a displacement member) 54 rotatably attached to the guide plate 50a.

  As described above, the elastic force of the second coil spring 53 is weaker than the elastic force of the first coil spring 52. Therefore, in the state where no external force is applied, as shown in FIG. The elastic force of the coil spring 52 is allowed, and the restraining plate 71 moves in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction. Accordingly, the end guide 13c is restrained so that the guide surface 13c-1 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b against the urging force of the second coil spring 53 (the first guide 13c-1). Position). In the first position, the guide surface 13c-1 of the end guide 13c is not necessarily perpendicular to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b, as in the case shown in FIGS. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the lever 54 rotates, the restraint plate 71 resists the urging force of the first coil spring 52 by the first gear 71a meshing with the second gear 54d of the lever 54. Then, the sheet moves in the sheet feeding direction and becomes a position (second position) where the urging force of the second coil spring 53 is allowed. Accordingly, the end guide 13c is inclined in the paper feeding direction by the urging force of the second coil spring 53, and the guide surface 13c-1 is pressed against the rear end of the paper 12 in the storage chamber 13b.

  Even in a printer as an image forming apparatus using the paper feed cassette 13 having such a structure, the apparatus main body 10 includes a rod 55 (FIG. 12) that interferes with the lever 54 when the paper feed cassette 13 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10. ) Is attached. The rod 55 has a length capable of interfering with the lever 54 at all the movement positions of the end plate 50 that moves in accordance with the size of the paper accommodated in the accommodation chamber 13b.

  With such a rod 55, as shown in FIG. 12, when the paper feed cassette 13 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10, the lever 54 that interferes with the rod 55 rotates. As a result, the restraint plate 71 moves to the second position, and the end guide 13c is inclined in the paper feeding direction by the urging force of the second coil spring 53.

  When the paper feed cassette 13 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10, the lever 54 is separated from the rod 55 as shown in FIG. 11, and the lever 54 is released from the interference of the rod 55. As a result, the spring force of the first coil spring 52 is allowed and the restraint plate 71 moves to the first position, and the end guide 13c has its guide surface 13c-1 with respect to the bottom surface 13b-1 of the storage chamber 13b. And is constrained to a vertical position.

  As described above, in the present invention, the end guide is only required to be constrained to a predetermined position when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and to guide the rear end of the paper when it is mounted. Therefore, for example, a link mechanism (restraint member) in which the end guide moves in conjunction with the elevation of the bottom plate may be used. More specifically, in a structure in which the bottom plate descends when the paper cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body, the end guide moves in the paper feeding direction as the bottom plate rises, and the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction as it descends A link mechanism that moves to the side is configured. In this way, the link mechanism is in the first position for constraining the end guide to a predetermined position when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and the second mechanism guides the rear end of the paper with the guide surface of the end guide when the link mechanism is mounted. It becomes the position.

  In the above description, the case where the recording medium supply apparatus of the present invention is mounted on an image forming apparatus that records toner is shown. For example, an inkjet type image forming apparatus that records with discharged ink or an ATM (automatic cash deposit) It can be attached to various devices such as a dispenser.

  Various recording media such as paper, film, and postcard can be applied.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal structure of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 1 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette constituting an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the paper feed cassette of FIG. 3 in a state pulled out from the apparatus main body. It is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of the member attached to the end plate of the paper feeding cassette of FIG. 3 in the state pulled out from the apparatus main body from the downward direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the paper feed cassette of FIG. 3 in a state where it is mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a positional relationship of members attached to an end plate of the paper feeding cassette of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a fixing mechanism when an end plate is fixed in the paper feed cassette of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a fixing mechanism when an end plate is movable in the paper feed cassette of FIG. 3. It is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette constituting an image forming apparatus which is a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows in detail the end plate provided in the paper feed cassette of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the end plate of FIG. 11 in the state from which the paper feeding cassette was pulled out from the apparatus main body from the downward direction. It is a perspective view which shows the end plate of FIG. 11 in the state with which the paper feeding cassette was mounted | worn with the apparatus main body from the downward direction.

Explanation of symbols

10 Device Main Body (Example of Image Forming Device Main Body)
12 Paper (an example of an image recording medium)
13 Paper cassette (an example of an image recording medium supply device)
13-1 Main body (an example of a supply device main body)
13a Side wall 13b Storage chamber 13b-1 Bottom surface 13c End guide (an example of a guide member)
13c-1 Guide surface 13c-2 Rib 13c-2a Through hole 13c-3 Pin 13d Side guide 34 Paper placement plate 48 Coil spring 50 End plate (an example of wall-shaped member)
50a Guide plate 50a-1 Slit 50b Slit 51 Restraint plate (an example of restraint member)
51-1 Horizontal portion 51-1a Bending portion 51-1b Claw portion 51-2 Vertical portion 51a Hook 52 First coil spring (an example of a biasing member)
52b Spring hole 53 Second coil spring (an example of pressure contact means)
54 Lever (an example of a displacement member)
54a Shaft portion 54b Interference portion 54c Cam portion 54d Second gear 55 Rod (an example of an interference member)
56 Latch handle 57 Link rod 57a Long hole 58 Latch actuator 58a Latch part 59 Engaging groove 60 Cassette side guide rail 71 Restraint plate (an example of restraint member)
71a first gear

Claims (7)

An image recording medium supply apparatus for supplying an image recording medium to an image forming apparatus main body,
A supply apparatus body including a storage chamber capable of storing an image recording medium;
A guide member provided in the supply device main body so as to be displaceable in the feeding direction of the image recording medium, and having a guide surface for guiding a rear end of the image recording medium housed in the housing chamber;
When the image recording medium supply device is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, the guide member is restrained to a predetermined position. When the image recording medium supply device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the guide surface of the guide member is used. A restraining member serving as a second position for guiding the rear end of the recording medium;
An image recording medium supply device comprising: An image recording medium supply apparatus for supplying an image recording medium to an image forming apparatus main body,
A supply apparatus body including a storage chamber capable of storing an image recording medium;
A guide member provided in the supply device main body so as to be displaceable in the feeding direction of the image recording medium, and having a guide surface for guiding a rear end of the image recording medium housed in the housing chamber;
A pressure contact means for urging the guide member in a feeding direction of the image recording medium to press the guide surface against a rear end of the image recording medium;
When the image recording medium supply device is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the first position for restraining the guide member at a predetermined position against the urging force of the pressure contact means is set, and the image recording medium supply apparatus is moved to the main body of the image forming apparatus. A restraining member that is a second position allowing the biasing force of the pressure contact means when mounted on
An image recording medium supply device comprising: 3. The image recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the restraining member restrains the guide member so that the guide surface is perpendicular to a bottom surface of the storage chamber at the first position. 4. Feeding device. A biasing member that biases the restraining member to the first position;
When the image recording medium supply device is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, the urging force of the urging member is allowed, and when the image recording medium supply device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the interference provided in the image forming apparatus main body. A displacement member that interferes with a member and displaces the restraining member to the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member;
The image recording medium supply device according to claim 2, further comprising: The guide member, the pressure contact means, the restraining member, the urging member, and the displacement member are attached, and the guide member, the pressing member, the urging member, and the displacement member are attached to the supply device main body so as to be movable in the feeding direction of the image recording medium and fixed to a plurality of positions. The image recording medium supply device according to claim 2, further comprising a wall member.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image recording medium supply device according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the interference member has a length capable of interfering with a displacement member attached to the wall-like member at all movement positions of the wall-like member.

Images