JP2009292541A - Paper feed tray and business machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feed tray capable of switching between a center symmetry system and a one end guide fixing system, and adaptable to a document of a small size such as a name card size. <P>SOLUTION: An interlocking mechanism 4 interlocking in such a way that a pair of paper guides move in the reverse directions by the same amount to change the spacing of the paper guides includes racks 10a, 10b which are moved respectively together with the paper guides, a pinion 11a to be engaged with the rack 10a, a pinion 11b provided on the same shaft 12 as the pinion 11a and engaged with the rack 10b, and a friction pad 13 for generating the friction force so that the pinions 11a, 11b are in a synchronous state with each other when the external force is applied to one paper guide, and the pinions 11a, 11b are in an asynchronous state when the external force against the synchronous state of the pinions 11a, 11b is applied to both paper guides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed tray provided with a paper guide that is provided on a tray main body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, and whose interval can be adjusted according to the width of the paper, and an office machine equipped with the paper feed tray.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper feed tray having an interlocking mechanism that changes the interval between a pair of paper guides according to the width of a paper is widely known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The pair of paper guides in the paper feed tray are always in a symmetrical position with respect to the center of the paper feed tray, and are interlocked so as to move in the opposite direction by the same amount. For this reason, no matter what size paper is set, the center of the paper does not deviate from the direction other than the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Therefore, when this center sorting method is adopted, the feeding rollers are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center, so that any size paper can be stably fed without causing skew. .

  By the way, in a general-purpose scanner used in a financial institution or the like, in order to prevent double reading of the same form, data indicating that the form has been read (for example, several digits) in the scanner. Is printed on the left end (or right end) of the form surface. Since there are multiple sizes of forms and there are forms with different widths, the position of the left edge (or right edge) on the surface of the form is also perpendicular to the paper feed direction, depending on the width of the form in the center sorting type paper feed tray. Will vary in direction. For this reason, the position where the data indicating the reading is to be printed also changes depending on the width of the form, and the troublesome work of re-adjusting the print position according to the width of the form is necessary.

  To eliminate this hassle, a one-end guide fixing method is adopted in which the paper guide on the left end (or right end) is fixed and only the paper guide on the right end (or left end) is adjusted according to the width of the paper. However, in many readings by a general-purpose scanner, since the center sorting method is desired, the sheet feeding tray cannot actually be a one-end guide fixing method.

  In order to solve these problems, a paper feed tray that can select either the center distribution method or the one-end guide fixing method has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 2). The paper feed tray is provided on the tray body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, and a pair of paper guides whose spacing can be adjusted according to the paper width and a pair of paper guides are reversed by the same amount. Link the paper guides to move in the direction and change the interval between the paper guides, and release the linkage of the pair of paper guides by the linkage mechanism, and at least one of the pair of paper guides can be locked in the adjustment position Locking means.

  Here, the interlocking mechanism is a pair of racks extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction and is arranged so that the tooth tips thereof are opposed to each other, and one of the racks is connected to the paper feeding direction together with one of the pair of paper guides. A rack that moves in a direction orthogonal to the other and moves in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction together with the other of the pair of paper guides, a first pinion that meshes with one of the pair of racks, and a mesh with the other of the pair of racks A second pinion that is rotatably supported by the tray body, and an intermediate gear that meshes with at least one of the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear, and the locking means includes the first and second pinions. A mesh releasing means for releasing the engagement between at least one of the first gear and the intermediate gear, and a rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of at least one of the first and second pinions.

  This paper feed tray uses a simple gear train in which a first and a second pinion and an intermediate gear are arranged between a pair of racks, and the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear are interlocked. By doing so, it can be used as a paper feed tray of the center distribution method.

On the other hand, by releasing the meshing between the first or second pinion and the intermediate gear and restricting the rotation of the first or second pinion, it can be used as a one-end guide fixing type paper feed tray.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-139175 JP 2004-352463 A

  However, in the paper feed tray described in the above (Patent Document 2), the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear are arranged in a row and have a width, so that the width of the pair of paper guides is reduced. The interval cannot be made too narrow. For this reason, this paper feed tray cannot handle small documents such as business card sizes.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed tray that can be switched between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method, and can handle even a small document such as a business card size.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the paper feeding device according to the present invention is provided in the tray main body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and the first and second can be adjusted according to the width of the paper. A paper guide and an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the first and second paper guides so as to move in the opposite direction by the same amount and changes the interval, and the interlocking mechanism extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. A pair of racks, the first and second racks respectively moving with the first and second paper guides, the first pinion meshing with the first rack, and coaxial with the first pinion When an external force is applied to one of the first and second paper guides, the second pinion meshing with the second rack is provided between the first pinion and the second pinion. The first pinion and the second pinion are synchronized When an external force against the synchronous state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both the first and second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion become asynchronous. And a friction pad for generating a frictional force.

  According to the present invention, since the first and second pinions of the interlocking mechanism are provided coaxially, the interval between the first and second paper guides can be reduced. When an external force is applied to one of the first or second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion are synchronized with each other by the frictional force generated by the friction pad therebetween, and the first and second pinions are synchronized. The second paper guide is interlocked.

  On the other hand, the frictional force generated by the friction pad is such that when an external force against the synchronized state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both the first and second paper guides, The second pinion is in an asynchronous state, and the first and second paper guides operate in an unlinked manner.

  As a result, it is possible to obtain a paper feed tray that can be switched between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method and that can handle even a small document such as a business card size.

  A first invention of the present application is provided with first and second paper guides that are provided in a tray main body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, and whose interval can be adjusted according to the width of the paper, An interlocking mechanism that interlocks the second paper guide to move in the opposite direction by the same amount and changes the interval, and the interlocking mechanism is a pair of racks that extend in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, First and second racks that move together with the first and second paper guides, a first pinion that meshes with the first rack, and a second rack that is provided coaxially with the first pinion. The first pinion and the second pinion are provided between the first pinion and the second pinion, and when an external force is applied to one of the first or second paper guides. The pinion is in sync and the first and second A friction pad that generates a frictional force for causing the first pinion and the second pinion to be in an asynchronous state when an external force against the synchronous state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both of the paper guides And a paper feed tray. Since the first and second pinions of the interlocking mechanism are provided on the same axis, the distance between the first and second paper guides can be reduced.

  When an external force is applied to one of the first or second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion are synchronized with each other by the frictional force generated by the friction pad therebetween, and the first and second pinions are synchronized. The second paper guide is interlocked.

  On the other hand, the frictional force generated by the friction pad is such that when an external force against the synchronized state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both the first and second paper guides, The second pinion is in an asynchronous state, and the first and second paper guides operate in an unlinked manner.

  As a result, it is possible to obtain a paper feed tray that can be switched between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method and that can handle even a small document such as a business card size.

  A second invention of the present application is characterized by comprising pressing means for pressing the first pinion and the second pinion against the friction pad.

  Thereby, by adjusting the pressing force of the pressing means, it is possible to set a reference value of the external force when the first pinion and the second pinion operate synchronously or asynchronously.

  A third invention of the present application is characterized in that a friction coefficient of the friction pad is 0.7 to 0.9, and a pressing load by the pressing means is 11 to 15N.

  Thereby, in a normal use state, when an external force is applied to one of the first or second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion are synchronized, and the first and second paper guides are synchronized. When an external force against the synchronous state is applied to both, the first pinion and the second pinion become asynchronous.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the friction pad is made of silicone rubber. When the friction pad is made of silicone rubber, the first pinion and the second pinion are synchronized when an external force is applied to one of the first and second paper guides, and the first and second paper guides are synchronized. When an external force against the synchronized state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both, an appropriate friction force can be generated in which the first pinion and the second pinion are asynchronous. Further, it is difficult to be plastically deformed by repeated use, and it is possible to stably generate the friction force over a long period of time.

(Embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the paper feed tray in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the back side of the paper feed tray in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the paper guide of the paper feed tray in FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the paper feed tray of FIG. 1 to 5 show a state where the paper guide is most widened.

  In FIG. 1, a paper feed tray 1 is provided with a first paper guide 3a and a second paper guide 3b provided on a tray body 2 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction. The paper feed tray 1 is attached to a paper feed device (not shown) such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine or a copying machine. The paper guides 3a and 3b can adjust the interval according to the width of the paper, and the paper placed on the upper surface of the tray body 2 is guided by the paper guides 3a and 3b and supplied to the paper feeding device. . The paper feed tray 1 includes an interlocking mechanism 4 that interlocks the paper guides 3a and 3b so that the paper guides 3a and 3b move in the reverse direction by the same amount and changes the interval (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the interlocking mechanism 4 meshes with a pair of racks 10a and 10b extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction on the back side of the tray body 2 and a pair of racks 10a and 10b. It is comprised from the pinion 11a, 11b, the axis | shaft 12, the friction pad 13, and the spring 14 as a press means.

  The modules of the racks 10a and 10b and the pinions 11a and 11b are all the same, and the number of teeth of the pinions 11a and 11b is the same. Further, the teeth of the rack 10a are formed according to the tooth width of the pinion 11a, and mesh with only the pinion 11a. Similarly, the teeth of the rack 10b are not meshed with the pinion 11a, but are meshed only with the pinion 11b.

  The pinions 11a and 11b are provided on the shaft 12. The tray body 2 is provided with a pair of straight guide holes 2a and 2b (see FIG. 1) in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. The racks 10a and 10b are respectively connected to the tray body through the straight guide holes 2a and 2b. 2 are connected to paper guides 3a and 3b on the front surface side. The racks 10a and 10b are slidable along the straight guide holes 2a and 2b, respectively.

  The pinions 11 a and 11 b are pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 12. The friction pad 13 is a hollow disc made of silicone rubber, and is sandwiched between the pinions 11a and 11b while receiving a frictional force from the pinions 11a and 11b. Further, a lock pin 15 is provided at the tip of the shaft 12 so that the pinion 11b or the like does not fall off the shaft 12, and a pressing force is applied to the pinion 11a on the opposite side by a spring 14 from the tray body 2 side. It has been. The pinions 11 a and 11 b are pressed against the friction pad 13 by the pressing force of the spring 14. Due to this pressing force, a frictional force is generated between the friction pad 13 and the pinions 11a and 11b.

  When the external force is applied to one of the paper guides 3a and 3b, the friction pad 13 is in the synchronized state of the pinions 11a and 11b, and the external force against the synchronized state of the pinions 11a and 11b is applied to both of the paper guides 3a and 3b. Is applied, a frictional force is generated for the pinions 11a and 11b to be in an asynchronous state.

  By such an interlocking mechanism 4, when an external force is applied to one of the paper guides 3 a and 3 b, the frictional force generated between the pinion 11 a and 11 b and the friction pad 13 is the maximum between the pinion 11 a and 11 b and the friction pad 13. Since the static friction force is not exceeded, the pinion 11a slides in synchronization with the pinion 11b, and the movement of the paper guides 3a and 3b is also interlocked.

  On the other hand, when a certain external force is applied to both the paper guides 3a and 3b, the frictional force generated between the pinions 11a and 11b and the friction pad 13 is the maximum static friction between the pinions 11a and 11b and the friction pad 13. Since the force is exceeded, the pinion 11a and the pinion 11b slide independently and asynchronously, and only one of the sheet guides 3a and 3b can be moved.

  In this embodiment, the silicone rubber used for the friction pad 13 has a hardness of 59 degrees and a friction coefficient of 0.8, and the pressing load of the spring 14 is 13 N. However, the material of the friction pad 13 and the pressing load of the spring 14 are the same. It is possible to arbitrarily set the reference value of the external force when the pinions 11a and 11b are operated synchronously or asynchronously. In addition, the friction coefficient of the friction pad 13 is 0.7 to 0.9, and the pressing load of the spring 14 is optimally in the range of 11 to 15N in a normal use state.

  Next, an operation example of the paper guides 3a and 3b of the paper feed tray 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, when an external force is applied to one of the paper guides 3a and 3b from the position where the paper guides 3a and 3b are in the position shown in FIG. The pinions 11a and 11b are in a synchronized state by the generated frictional force, and the paper guides 3a and 3b move inward in conjunction with each other.

  In this paper feed tray 1, since the pinions 11a and 11b of the interlocking mechanism 4 are provided on the same shaft 12, the interval between the paper guides 3a and 3b can be reduced to the state shown in FIGS. Even a small document such as a business card size can be handled.

  On the contrary, when the paper guides 3a and 3b apply an external force to one of the paper guides 3a and 3b from the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the friction generated by the friction pad 13 is also the same. The pinions 11a and 11b are in a synchronized state by force, and the paper guides 3a and 3b are moved outward in conjunction with each other.

  In addition, when external force is not applied to only one of the paper guides 3a and 3b but external force is applied to the inside or the outside so as not to oppose the synchronized state of the pinions 11a and 11b, the paper guides 3a and 3b move in the same manner. To do.

  Further, when the paper guides 3a and 3b are in the positions shown in FIG. 1 and an external force is applied to the other paper guide 3a inward while pressing and fixing the one paper guide 3b, that is, When an external force exceeding the maximum static frictional force between the pinion 11a, 11b and the friction pad 13 is applied to both the paper guides 3a, 3b against the synchronized state of the pinion 11a, 11b, the pinion 11a, 11b Slip occurs between the friction pad 13 and the pinions 11a and 11b are in an asynchronous state.

  As a result, the sheet guides 3a and 3b operate in an unlinked manner, and only the sheet guide 3a moves inward as shown in FIG.

  Conversely, when an external force is applied to the other paper guide 3a outward while the paper guide 3b is pressed and fixed from the state shown in FIG. 8, the pinions 11a and 11b are also in an asynchronous state. The guides 3a and 3b operate in an unlinked manner and can be returned to the positions shown in FIG.

  When an external force is applied to one of the paper guides 3a and 3b inward from the state shown in FIG. 8, the pinions 11a and 11b are synchronized by the frictional force generated by the friction pad 13, and the paper guides 3a and 3b are synchronized. 3b moves inward from the position shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the paper feed tray 1 according to the present embodiment, the linkage between the paper guides 3a and 3b by the linkage mechanism 4 is canceled or enabled by the external force applied to the paper guides 3a and 3b, and the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing are performed. The method can be switched.

  The paper feed tray of the present invention and office equipment provided with the same are useful as a paper feed tray of a paper feed device provided in office equipment such as a scanner, printer, facsimile, and copying machine. In particular, the present invention is suitable as a paper feed tray that can switch between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method and can handle even a small document such as a business card size.

The perspective view seen from the surface side of the paper feed tray in an embodiment of the invention The perspective view seen from the back side of the paper feed tray in an embodiment of the invention AA sectional view of FIG. Part C enlarged view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. The top view which shows the state which narrowed the paper guide of the paper feed tray of FIG. Bottom view of FIG. The top view which shows the state which made the paper feed tray of FIG. 1 the one-side guide fixation system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed tray 2 Tray body 2a, 2b Straight guide hole 3a, 3b Paper guide 4 Interlocking mechanism 10a, 10b Rack 11a, 11b Pinion 12 Shaft 13 Friction pad 14 Spring 15 Lock pin

Claims (7)

A first paper guide and a second paper guide which are provided in the tray body so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction and the interval can be adjusted according to the paper width;
An interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first and second paper guides so as to move in the opposite direction by the same amount and changing the interval;
The interlocking mechanism is a pair of racks extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and the first and second racks move together with the first and second paper guides, respectively.
A first pinion meshing with the first rack;
A second pinion provided coaxially with the first pinion and meshing with the second rack;
Provided between the first pinion and the second pinion, and when an external force is applied to one of the first or second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion are in a synchronized state. When the external force against the synchronous state of the first pinion and the second pinion is applied to both the first and second paper guides, the first pinion and the second pinion are in an asynchronous state. A paper feed tray provided with a friction pad for generating a frictional force to become. The sheet feeding tray according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing unit that presses the first pinion and the second pinion against the friction pad. The sheet feeding tray according to claim 2, wherein a friction coefficient of the friction pad is 0.7 to 0.9, and a pressing load by the pressing means is 11 to 15N. The paper feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the friction pad is made of silicone rubber. A slidable first rack and a second rack;
A first pinion that rotates in conjunction with the slide of the first rack;
A second pinion that rotates in conjunction with the slide of the second rack;
A paper feed tray having a friction pad that rotates by receiving a frictional force from each of the first pinion and the second pinion. 6. The paper feed tray according to claim 5, wherein a paper guide for regulating an end portion of the paper is provided in the first rack and the second rack. An office machine comprising the paper feed tray according to claim 5.

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