JP2015009934A - Paper feeding device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding device which inhibits the occurrence of abnormality such as folding, damage, and smudges of paper, and to provide an image formation device.SOLUTION: A paper feeding device 1 includes: a storage part 14 which stores paper; and a paper feeding part 142 which is disposed in the storage part 14 and feeds the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. The paper feeding part 142 includes: a rotation shaft member 1420 where its axial direction is perpendicular to the paper feeding direction; a paper feeding roller 1421 which is pivotally supported by the rotation shaft member 1420 and contacts with the paper stored in the storage part 14; and a protection member 1422 which is pivotally supported by the rotation shaft member 1420 and has a radius smaller than the paper feeding roller 1421.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that includes a storage unit that stores sheets, supplies the stored sheets, and an image forming apparatus including such a sheet feeding device.

  2. Description of the Related Art A sheet feeding device having a sheet feeding mechanism that supplies a stored sheet is widely used as an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, or a copier that forms an image on the supplied sheet. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding device in which a paper feeding roller can be easily attached and detached by attaching a paper feeding roller that supplies paper to a storage cassette that stores recording paper.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional paper feeding device. The sheet feeding device 3 shown in FIG. 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a reading unit 30 that reads an image formed on a document is disposed at the top. The reading unit 30 includes a placement table 300 on which a document to be read is placed. The document placed on the placement table 300 is captured by a capture roller (not shown), and an image is captured from the captured document. Read and eject.

  In addition, an operation panel 31 that accepts a user operation is disposed in front of the reading unit 30 in the upper part of the sheet feeding device 3, and various keys are disposed on the operation panel 31.

  Below the reading unit 30, a discharge unit 32 that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed is disposed.

  On the front surface (left side in the figure) of the sheet feeding device 3, a lid plate 330 of the openable / closable opening / closing section 33 and a drawer port of the accommodating section 34 that can be pulled out are arranged. The opening / closing part 33 is pivotally supported by a hinge so that the lower part of a rectangular lid plate 330 is swingable. By pulling the upper part to the near side, the hinge is opened to the near side. By opening the opening / closing unit 33, an operation such as replacement of an ink cartridge loaded in the sheet feeding device 3 can be performed. The storage unit 34 disposed below the opening / closing unit 33 is a paper cassette for stacking paper sheets, and can perform operations such as storage of paper by pulling the storage unit 34 forward.

  An openable and closable manual feed tray 35 is disposed on the right side surface of the sheet feeding device 3. The manual feed tray 35 is used when an image forming medium other than the paper stored in the storage unit 34 is used.

  FIG. 13 is a right side view schematically showing the movement of the opening / closing part 33 and the accommodating part 34 of the conventional paper feeding device 3. FIG. 13 schematically shows the position and operation direction of the cover plate 330 when the opening / closing part 33 is opened and closed, and the position and operation direction when the accommodating part 34 is pulled out and pushed in from the right side of the sheet feeding device 3. Show. The lid plate 330 opens and closes with the lower hinge 331 as a swing axis, and the accommodating portion 34 is operable in the left-right direction toward FIG. And the locus | trajectory which concerns on opening / closing of the cover plate 330 of the opening / closing part 33 and the locus | trajectory which concerns on the drawer | drawing-out of the accommodating part 34, and a part overlap.

  FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration in the accommodating portion 34 of the conventional paper feeding device 3. FIG. 14 schematically shows a side cross-section of the accommodating portion 34, and the left side is the drawing direction of the accommodating portion 34, that is, the external direction of the paper feeding device 3, and the right side is the accommodating portion 34. This is the pushing direction, that is, the internal direction of the paper feeding device 3. The storage unit 34 is provided with a paper feed unit 340 that supplies the stored paper in a direction perpendicular to the pulling / pushing direction. The sheet feeding unit 340 includes a rotating shaft member 3400 whose axial direction is parallel to the pulling / pushing direction, and a sheet feeding roller 3401 supported by the rotating shaft member 3400. A push-up plate 341 is disposed below the paper feed roller 3401. The stacked paper is sandwiched between the paper feed roller 3401 and the push-up plate 341, and the paper feed roller 3401 is placed on the uppermost stacked paper. By abutting and rotating, the sheets can be supplied one by one.

JP 2000-168969 A

  However, in the case where the paper feed roller 3401 is disposed in the retractable storage portion 34, an external impact is applied to the paper feed roller 3401, and the paper feed roller 3401 may be damaged or deformed. is there.

  FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration in the accommodating portion 34 of the conventional paper feeding device 3. FIG. 15 schematically shows a side cross-section of the storage portion 34, and the left side is the drawing direction of the storage portion 34, that is, the external direction of the sheet feeding device 3, and the right side is the storage portion 34. This is the pushing direction, that is, the internal direction of the paper feeding device 3. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the accommodating portion 34 is pulled out and the lid plate 330 is opened. When the trajectory relating to the opening / closing of the cover plate 330 of the opening / closing part 33 of the paper feeding device 3 partially overlaps the trajectory relating to the drawer / push-in of the accommodation part 34, the accommodation part 34 is pulled out as shown in FIG. Thus, when the lid plate 330 is opened, the lower portion of the lid plate 330 collides with the paper feed roller 3401, resulting in an external impact on the paper feed roller 3401.

  Thus, when an external impact is applied to the paper feed roller 3401 and an abnormality occurs, there is a problem that various troubles such as paper breakage, breakage, dirt, paper jam in paper conveyance, and other troubles are caused. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device capable of suppressing the occurrence of a trouble by protecting the paper feeding roller from external impact. And

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a housing unit that stores paper, and a paper feeding unit that is disposed in the housing unit and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. The storage unit is a sheet feeding device that can be pulled out to the outside, and the sheet feeding unit is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft member whose axial direction is orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and the rotating shaft member, A sheet feeding roller that abuts on a sheet accommodated in the accommodating portion, and a protection member that protects the sheet feeding roller from external impact when the accommodating portion is pulled out.

  A paper feeding device according to the present invention is a paper feeding device that includes a housing unit that stores paper, and a paper feeding unit that is disposed in the housing unit and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. The sheet feeding unit includes a rotating shaft member whose axial direction is orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, a sheet feeding roller that is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft member and abuts on a sheet stored in the storing unit, And a protective member that is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft member and has a radius smaller than that of the paper feed roller.

  The sheet feeding device according to the present invention is characterized in that the protection member is rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft member.

  In the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, the storage unit can be pulled out to the outside, and includes an openable and closable opening / closing unit above the drawer opening of the storage unit. The trajectory relating to the opening / closing of the opening / closing portion partially overlaps.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the paper feeding device and an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding device.

  A sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention include a storage unit that stores paper, and a paper supply unit that is disposed in the storage unit and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. A protection member for the paper feed roller of the paper portion is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to protect the paper feed roller from external shocks, and it is possible to obtain excellent effects such as being able to suppress the occurrence of various troubles due to external shocks.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a part of an appearance of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a right side view schematically showing the movement of the opening / closing part and the accommodating part of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a storage unit of the sheet feeding device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a storage unit of the sheet feeding device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a power transmission path of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the paper feed structure of the paper feeder which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration inside a storage unit of the sheet feeding device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration in a storage unit of the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a storage unit of a paper feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a part of top view which shows typically an example of the accommodating part of the paper feeder concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a storage unit of a sheet feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the paper feeding structure of the paper feeding apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically an example of the accommodating part of the paper feeder which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the paper feed structure of the paper feeder which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the conventional paper feeder. FIG. 10 is a right side view schematically showing the movement of an opening / closing part and a storage part of a conventional paper feeding device. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the structure in the accommodating part of the conventional paper feeder. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the structure in the accommodating part of the conventional paper feeder.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a part of the appearance of the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 and 2 show an example in which the paper feeding device 1 according to the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus 2 having an image forming unit inside a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, or the like. However, in the following description, it will be described as the paper feeding device 1 and is also referred to as an image forming device 2 as necessary.

  The paper feeding device 1 has a substantially three-dimensional shape, and a reading unit 10 that reads an image formed on a document is disposed at the top. The reading unit 10 includes a placement table 100 on which a document to be read is placed. The document placed on the placement table 100 is captured by a capture roller (not shown), and an image is captured from the captured document. Read and eject.

  In addition, an operation panel 11 that accepts a user operation is disposed in front of the reading unit 10 in the upper part of the sheet feeding device 1, and various keys are disposed on the operation panel 11.

  Below the reading unit 10, a discharge unit 12 that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed is disposed.

  An openable / closable opening / closing part 13 and a drawer port of the accommodating part 14 that can be pulled out are arranged on the front surface (left side in the drawing) of the sheet feeding device 1. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing a state in which the cover plate 130 of the opening / closing part 13 is opened. A rectangular lid plate 130 is disposed in the opening / closing part 13 so as to be horizontally long when closed. One end of each of the hinge portions 131 and 131 bent in a U-shape is attached to the end portion of one long side of the cover plate 130, and the other end of each hinge portion 131 and 131 is fed to the other side. The main body of the apparatus 1 is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing. Then, by pulling the upper part of the closed lid plate 130 toward the front side, the lid plate 130 opens toward the near side with the other ends of the hinge portions 131 and 131 as the swinging shaft. By opening the cover plate 130, an operation such as replacement of an ink cartridge loaded in the sheet feeding device 1 can be performed.

  The storage section 14 disposed below the opening / closing section 13 is a paper cassette for stacking paper sheets, and can perform operations such as storage of paper sheets by pulling out the storage section 14 to the front.

  Further, an openable and closable manual feed tray 15 is disposed on the right side surface of the sheet feeding device 1. The manual feed tray 15 is used when an image forming medium other than the paper stored in the storage unit 14 is used.

  FIG. 3 is a right side view schematically showing the movement of the opening / closing part 13 and the accommodating part 14 of the sheet feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows the position and operation direction of the lid plate 130 when the opening / closing unit 13 is opened and closed, and the position and operation direction when the housing unit 14 is pulled out and pushed in from the right side of the sheet feeding device 1. Show. The lid plate 130 opens and closes with the lower hinge portions 131 and 131 as the swing shaft, and the accommodating portion 14 is operable in the left-right direction as viewed in FIG. And the locus | trajectory which concerns on opening / closing of the cover plate 130 of the opening / closing part 13 and the locus | trajectory which concerns on the drawer | drawing-out and pushing of the accommodating part 14 overlap partially.

  4 and 5 are external perspective views showing an example of the accommodating portion 14 of the paper feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the accommodating portion 14 of the paper feeding device 1, and the arrow indicates the direction of withdrawal from the paper feeding device 1. Further, FIG. 5 shows the accommodating portion 14 in the sheet feeding device 1 from a viewpoint where a rotating shaft member 1420 and a gear structure to be described later can be visually recognized.

  The accommodating portion 14 is a paper feed tray having a shape in which a handle portion 141 for pulling out is provided on the front surface of the accommodating container 140 having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface. The container 140 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the pulling / pushing direction is parallel to the short side. The storage container 140 is capable of stacking and storing a plurality of sheets, and is configured to supply the stored sheets in a direction orthogonal to the pulling / pushing direction, that is, a direction parallel to the long side. Is disposed in the vicinity of one short side. The paper stored in the storage unit 14 is supplied in a direction parallel to the long side from the short side where the paper supply unit 142 is disposed. That is, the right direction in FIG. 4 is the paper supply direction.

  In the storage container 140, in order to stabilize the position of the stored paper, a first restriction member 143 that restricts the backward movement in the supply direction and a second restriction member that restricts the movement in the direction orthogonal to the supply direction. 144, 144 are arranged. In a section surrounded by the first restricting member 143 and the second restricting members 144 and 144, a push-up plate 145 for pushing up the stacked paper is disposed. The push-up plate 145 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a notch is provided at a position corresponding to the second restricting members 144 and 144. The push-up plate 145 is pivotally supported in the housing container 140 so that the side on the first regulating member 143 side becomes a swing shaft, and the side on the paper supply side is raised and loaded by the swing. The sheet is brought into contact with the sheet feeding unit 142.

  The paper feed unit 142 includes a rotary shaft member 1420 whose axial direction is orthogonal to the paper feed direction, a paper feed roller 1421 that is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft member 1420 and abuts on the paper stored in the storage container 140, and the rotary shaft Protective members 1422 and 1422 that are pivotally supported by the member 1420 and arranged close to both ends of the paper feed roller 1421, and fixing members 1423 and 1423 such as E-rings that fix the protective members 1422 and 1422 are provided. Yes.

  The rotary shaft member 1420 has a rod shape, one end is pivotally supported by a bearing 146 provided in the container 140, and the other end is a bearing 146 near the other end and the bearing 146 between the other end and the protection member 1422. Is pivotally supported. The other end of the rotating shaft member 1420 is inserted into the center of a first gear 14 a that is a spur gear provided in the container 140. As will be described later, the rotation shaft member 1420 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the first gear 14a.

  The feed roller 1421 has a cylindrical shape, is fixed to a rotary shaft member 1420 that passes through the central axis, and rotates as the rotary shaft member 1420 rotates. A push-up plate 145 is disposed below the paper feed roller 1421, and the paper feed roller 1421 rotates in a state where the push-up plate 145 is raised and the stacked paper is brought into contact with the paper feed roller 1421. As a result, the sheets stacked on the top can be supplied one by one into the image forming apparatus 2.

  Each of the protection members 1422 and 1422 has a function of protecting the paper feed roller 1421 from an external impact when the accommodating portion 14 is pulled out. Each protection member 1422, 1422 has a substantially conical shape, and a rotation shaft member 1420 is inserted through the central axis. The protection members 1422 and 1422 are respectively positioned on the bottom side opposite to the paper feed roller 1421 and on the side opposite to the paper feed roller 1421. Note that the radius of the bottom surface of the protection member 1422 is designed to be smaller than the radius of the bottom surface of the paper feed roller 1421. The radius of the protection member 1422 gradually decreases from the vicinity of the end on the paper feed roller 1421 side to the vicinity of the other end. That is, the radius of the protection member 1422 is smaller than the radius of the paper feed roller 1421. Since the radius of the protective member 1422 is designed to be smaller than the radius of the paper feed roller 1421, the protective member 1422 does not come into contact with the paper and does not cause abnormalities such as streaks, breakage, and dirt. . Note that the illustrated protection member 1422 is not a perfect cone, and the slope of the side surface is steep near the top and gentle near the bottom. Further, the protection member 1422 is not completely fixed with respect to the rotation of the rotating shaft member 1420 but is held so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft member 1420. Therefore, even if some kind of impact is applied to the protection member 1422, the protection member 1422 rotates and the influence on the rotation shaft member 1420 and the paper feed roller 1421 can be reduced.

  Fixing members 1423 and 1423 are provided on the apex side of the respective protection members 1422 and 1422, and the protection member 1422 is fixed at a predetermined position on the rotating shaft member 1420 by the fixing member 1423. Note that the protective member 1422 can be removed from the rotary shaft member 1420 by removing the fixing member 1423. When the protective member 1422 is deformed by an external impact, for example, only the protective member 1422 can be replaced. .

  The first gear 14a into which the rotating shaft member 1420 is inserted is meshed with the second gear 14b, which is a spur gear, and the second gear 14b is meshed with the third gear 14c. The third gear 14 c receives power transmitted from a drive unit 14 g (see FIG. 6) such as a motor disposed in the paper feeding device 1 when the paper feeding unit 142 is loaded in the paper feeding device 1. The coupling unit that receives the power transmitted to the third gear 14c becomes power for rotating the rotary shaft member 1420 via the second gear 14b and the first gear 14a.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a power transmission path of the paper feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the left side shows a gear group of the paper feeding unit 142, and the right side shows a power system of the main body of the paper feeding device 1. The sheet feeding device 1 includes a fourth gear 14d using a spur gear that transmits the power of the driving unit 14g using a motor, and the fourth gear 14d is engaged with the fifth gear 14e. A sixth gear 14f that transmits power to the paper feeding unit 142 is pivotally supported on the rotation shaft of the fifth gear 14e. The sixth gear 14f is a coupling unit that can be engaged with the third gear 14c, and the third gear 14c is engaged with the sixth gear 14f by pushing the sheet feeding unit 142 into the body of the sheet feeding device 1 to feed the sheet. The third gear 14c is disengaged from the sixth gear 14f by pulling out the portion 142 from the main body of the paper feeding device 1. When the paper feeding unit 142 is pushed into the main body of the paper feeding device 1 and the sixth gear 14f is engaged with the third gear 14c, the power of the driving unit 14g is the fourth gear 14d, the fifth gear 14e, and the sixth gear. The rotation shaft member 1420 is rotated by being transmitted to the third gear 14c of the sheet feeding unit 142 through 14f. If the rotation shaft member 1420 can be rotated in a state where the sheet feeding unit 142 is pushed into the body of the sheet feeding apparatus 1, the mechanism required for the rotation can be designed as appropriate.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a paper feeding structure of the paper feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the paper feeding unit 142 is pushed into the main body of the paper feeding device 1 and the paper feeding roller 1421 rotates to supply the stacked paper. The sheets supplied one by one in the direction of the arrow from the sheet feeding unit 142 by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 1421 are supplied to the image forming unit 17 along the conveyance guide 16. In the image forming unit 17, the supplied paper is charged based on an image read from a document, and toner is transferred to form an image on the paper. The sheet on which the image is formed is discharged from the discharge unit 12.

  8A and 8B are side cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration inside the accommodating portion 14 of the paper feeding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 8A and 8B schematically show a side cross-section of the accommodating portion 14, and the pulling / pushing directions are indicated by double arrows. As shown in the figure, the left side is a drawing direction of the accommodating portion 14, and the right side is a pushing direction of the accommodating portion 14. FIG. 8A shows a state where the lid plate 130 of the opening / closing part 13 is closed, and FIG. 8B shows a state where the lid plate 130 is opened. As described above, when the trajectory relating to opening / closing of the cover plate 130 of the opening / closing part 13 of the paper feeding device 1 and the trajectory relating to the drawer and push-in of the accommodation part 14 partially overlap, as shown in FIG. When the cover plate 130 is opened in the state in which 14 is pulled out, the lower portion of the cover plate 130 collides with the paper feeding unit 142. However, since the cover plate 130 hits the protection member 1422, the external impact due to the collision is alleviated by the protection member 1422, and the paper feed roller 1421 can be prevented from receiving the external impact directly. 8A and 8B, in the storage unit 14, the sheet feeding unit 142 is the highest position, and there is no member that can be higher than the sheet feeding unit 142. In addition to the lid plate 130, it is in a position that is susceptible to external impacts such as falling objects. The protection member 1422 has an important function of protecting the paper feed roller 1421 against various external impacts.

  As described above, in the sheet feeding device 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present invention, the sheet feeding roller 1421 can be protected from the external impact by the protection member 1422, so that abnormalities such as deformation and breakage of the sheet feeding roller 1421 are detected. Can be suppressed. Further, by suppressing the occurrence of an abnormality in the paper feed roller 1421, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various troubles such as paper breakage, breakage, dirt, paper jam, and other failures due to the paper feed roller 1421 abnormality. Is possible.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a protection member having a shape different from that of the first embodiment is used. In the following description, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 9A is a side sectional view schematically showing an example of the accommodating portion 14 of the sheet feeding device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a sheet feeding according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a part of top view which shows typically an example of the accommodating part 14 of the paper apparatus 1. FIG. Also, the double arrows indicate the direction in which the accommodating portion 14 is pulled out / pushed. The protection member 1422 according to the second embodiment has a long shape with a U-shaped cross section, and is laid in a direction parallel to the short side of the storage container 140 so as to cover the rotation shaft member 1420 and the paper feed roller 1421. It is arranged. Since the protective member 1422 is an upper and side barrier, the paper feed roller 1421 is protected from external impact. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an abnormality in the paper feed roller 1421 due to an external impact and to suppress the occurrence of various troubles.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, a protection member having a shape different from those of the first and second embodiments is used. In the following description, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 10A is a side sectional view schematically showing an example of the accommodating portion 14 of the sheet feeding device 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the drawing / pushing direction is indicated by a double-headed arrow. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the paper feed structure of the paper feeder 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and the paper supply direction is indicated by arrows. FIG. 10B illustrates the storage unit 14 and the protection member 1422 of the sheet feeding device 1 from the viewpoint in the front direction.

  The protection member 1422 in the third embodiment is formed so as to cover the upper side and the side of the paper feed roller 1421 in the circumferential direction, and has a semicircular cross section. In addition, the radius of the semicircle having a cross-sectional shape of the protection member 1422 is formed so that the area covering the side surface of the paper feed roller 1421 is constant, and when it deviates from it, the radius decreases toward both ends. Furthermore, insertion holes for inserting the rotation shaft member 1420 are provided at both ends of the protection member 1422. Note that the protection member 1422 is formed so as to cover the upper side of the paper feed roller 1421 even when the paper feed roller 1421 rotates by a method such as fixing by a support unit (not shown).

  In this way, by providing the protective member 1422 that is semicircular in cross section and is integrated so as to cover both ends and the upper side and the side of the paper feed roller 1421, it becomes a barrier for the paper feed roller 1421, It can protect against external impacts. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an abnormality in the paper feed roller 1421 due to an external impact and to suppress the occurrence of various troubles.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, a protection member having a shape different from those of the first to third embodiments is used. In the following description, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 11A is a side sectional view schematically showing an example of the accommodating portion 14 of the sheet feeding device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is an explanatory view schematically showing a paper feed structure of the paper feed device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11B, a double-headed arrow indicates the pulling / pushing-in direction of the accommodating portion 14, and a single-headed arrow indicates the paper supply direction.

  In the fourth embodiment, a protection member 1422 having a semicircular plate shape is provided at both ends of the paper feed roller 1421. Further, the drawer / push-in direction of the accommodating portion 14 is formed so as to be parallel to the paper supply direction and orthogonal to the axial direction of the paper feed roller 1420, which is different from the first to third embodiments. . In the paper feeding device 1 formed in this way, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the cover plate 130 is opened with the accommodating portion 14 being pulled out, the lower portion of the cover plate 130 collides with the side surface of the paper feed roller 1421. There is a fear. However, since the cover plate 130 contacts the protection member 1422, the external impact due to the collision is reduced by the protection member 1422, and the paper feed roller 1421 can be prevented from receiving the external impact directly.

  The first to fourth embodiments only disclose some of the myriad examples of the present invention, and should be appropriately designed in consideration of various factors such as purpose, application, specifications, and settings. Is possible.

  For example, the paper feeding device 1 is developed in various devices such as a device other than the image forming device 2, such as a counting device that counts the number of sheets, a cutting device that cuts paper, and a reading device that reads a document. Is possible.

  Furthermore, the shape and arrangement position of the protection member 1422 can be appropriately designed in various forms for protecting the paper feed roller 1421 from external impacts in a state in which the housing portion 14 is pulled out.

  As described above in detail, the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application includes a storage unit 14 that stores paper, and a feeding unit that is disposed in the storage unit 14 and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. A sheet feeding unit 1 that can be pulled out to the outside. The sheet feeding unit 142 includes a rotating shaft member 1420 whose axial direction is orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and the rotation A paper feed roller 1421 that is pivotally supported by a shaft member 1420 and abuts against the paper stored in the storage unit 14, and protects the paper supply roller 1421 from external impact when the storage unit 14 is pulled out. And a protective member 1422.

  Accordingly, the sheet feeding device 1 can protect the sheet feeding roller 1421 from external impact.

  In addition, the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application includes a housing unit 14 that stores paper, and a paper feeding unit 142 that is disposed in the housing unit 14 and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction. The sheet feeding unit 142 includes a rotating shaft member 1420 whose axial direction is orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and is supported by the rotating shaft member 1420 and accommodated in the accommodating unit 14. A sheet feeding roller 1421 that abuts on the sheet on which the sheet is fed and a protection member 1422 that is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft member 1420 and has a smaller radius than the sheet feeding roller 1421 are provided.

  Accordingly, the sheet feeding device 1 can protect the sheet feeding roller 1421 from external impact.

  Further, in the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application, the protective member 1422 is characterized in that the radius in the vicinity of the end on the paper feeding roller 1421 side is larger than the radius in the vicinity of the other end.

  Therefore, since the protection member 1422 does not contact the paper, it does not cause abnormalities such as streaks, creases, and dirt on the paper.

  Further, in the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application, the protection member 1422 is disposed close to both ends in the axial direction of the paper feeding roller 1421.

  Therefore, the protective member 1422 can mitigate external impacts from both ends of the paper feed roller 1421.

  Further, in the sheet feeding device 1 described in the present application, the protection member 1422 is rotatable with respect to the rotation shaft member 1420.

  Therefore, even if some kind of impact is applied to the protection member 1422, the protection member 1422 rotates and the influence on the rotation shaft member 1420 and the paper feed roller 1421 can be reduced.

  Further, in the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application, the storage portion 14 can be pulled out in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction.

  Therefore, the protective member 1422 can mitigate external impact from the pulling direction.

  Further, in the sheet feeding device 1 described in the present application, the housing portion 14 can be pulled out to the outside, and includes an openable opening / closing portion 13 above the drawer opening of the housing portion 14. A trajectory relating to drawing and pushing and a trajectory relating to opening / closing of the opening / closing part 13 partially overlap each other.

  Therefore, the protective member 1422 can relieve the impact at that time even when a part of the opening / closing part 13 collides with the accommodating part 14 by opening the opening / closing part 13.

  Further, in the paper feeding device 1 described in the present application, the opening / closing part 13 has a hinge part 131 which is bent at the lower part and is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the main body, and the hinge part 131 swings. It opens and closes by doing.

  Therefore, even when the movable range of the opening / closing part 13 is large, it is possible to reduce the impact caused by the collision of the opening / closing part 13.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 2 described in the present application includes the above-described paper feeding device 1 and an image forming unit 17 that forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding device 1.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 can protect the paper feed roller 1421 from an external impact.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feeder 2 Image forming apparatus 10 Reading part 100 Mounting base 11 Operation panel 12 Discharge part 13 Opening / closing part 130 Cover plate 131 Hinge part 14 Storage part 140 Storage container 141 Handle part 142 Paper supply part 1420 Rotating shaft member 1421 Paper feed roller 1422 Protective member 1423 Fixing member 143 First restriction member 144 Second restriction member 145 Push-up plate 146 Bearing 14a First gear 14b Second gear 14c Third gear 14d Fourth gear 14e Fifth gear 14f Sixth gear 14g Drive unit 15 Manual feed Tray 16 Transport guide 17 Image forming unit

Claims (5)

A storage unit that stores paper, and a paper supply unit that is disposed in the storage unit and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper supply direction. There,
The paper feeder is
A rotating shaft member whose axial direction is orthogonal to the paper feeding direction;
A paper feed roller that is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft member and abuts against the paper contained in the housing portion;
And a protective member that protects the paper feed roller from external impact when the storage portion is pulled out. A sheet feeding device comprising: a housing unit that houses paper; and a paper feeding unit that is disposed in the housing unit and supplies the stored paper in a predetermined paper feeding direction.
The paper feeder is
A rotating shaft member whose axial direction is orthogonal to the paper feeding direction;
A paper feed roller that is pivotally supported by the rotary shaft member and abuts against the paper contained in the housing portion;
A sheet feeding device comprising: a protection member pivotally supported by the rotating shaft member and having a smaller radius than the sheet feeding roller. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2,
The sheet feeding device, wherein the protection member is rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft member. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2 or 3,
The accommodating portion can be pulled out to the outside,
An opening / closing part that can be opened and closed is provided above the drawer opening of the housing part,
The trajectory relating to the drawer and push-in of the housing portion and the trajectory relating to the opening / closing of the opening / closing portion partially overlap each other. A sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device.

Images