JP2017077939A - Paper feeding device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding device that is facilitated in paper de-jamming and picking up of a document, and to provide an image formation device.SOLUTION: The paper feeding device 3 includes: a document table 32 on which a document is placed; a paper feeding part 33 receiving the document placed on the document table 32 via a receiving port 51a and transporting the document along a transportation passage 51; and a discharge tray 40 provided downward the document table 32, to which the document transported along the transportation passage 51 is discharged. The document table 32 is supported so as to be rotatable upward about an end part on a side opposite to the receiving port 51a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that feeds a document and an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device.

  The image forming apparatus may be provided with a paper feeding device such as an automatic document feeder that automatically feeds a document. The paper feeder has a document table on which a document is set and a discharge tray provided below the document table, and the document set on the document table is discharged along a horizontal U-shaped conveyance path. It is configured to be discharged to the tray.

  In such a paper feeding device, when the document table is fixed to the main body of the paper feeding device, a paper jam occurring near the exit of the discharge path is handled, or a small size document is taken out. The document table gets in the way, making it difficult to handle and remove paper jams.

  Therefore, Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe a paper feeding device in which a document table is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body around an end on the paper feeding unit side.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-260827 JP 2005-347940 A JP 2009-227440 A

  However, even when the document table rotates around the side of the sheet feeding unit as in the sheet feeding devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the document table exists near the exit of the sheet feeding path. It interferes with paper jam handling and removal. Further, when the document table is provided so as to be rotatable on the side of the paper feed unit, the rear corner of the end opposite to the paper feed unit is supported by the apparatus body, but the front corner is hollow. It protrudes. Then, the front corner portion of the document table may be deformed downward due to its own weight, and the appearance may be deteriorated, or the document loaded on the document table may be gradually shifted due to vibration to cause misfeed. Further, when an original size detection actuator is provided on the original table, the actuator may be twisted and cause malfunction.

  In addition, in order to handle a paper jam generated in the transport path, a cover that covers the paper feeding unit is rotatably provided on the apparatus main body, and the transport path may be opened by opening the cover. Such a cover often rotates in the same direction as the document table, and the cover and the document table may interfere with each other.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus that can easily perform a paper jam processing operation and a document taking-out operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, a paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a manuscript table on which a manuscript is placed, and a paper feeding unit that receives the manuscript placed on the manuscript table through a receiving port and conveys the manuscript along a conveying path. And a discharge tray that is provided below the document table and discharges the document conveyed along the conveyance path, and the document table is opposite to the paper feeding unit in the document conveyance direction. It is characterized in that it is supported so as to be pivotable upward around the end.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform a paper jam processing operation or an operation for taking out a small-size document at the exit of the conveyance path.

  In the paper feeding device of the present invention, the paper feeding device includes a base portion that supports the document table, the paper feeding portion, and the discharge tray, and the base portion has an end opposite to the receiving port, A support shaft that extends in the width direction of the document is provided, and a shaft hole that rotatably supports the support shaft may be formed in the document table.

  By adopting such a configuration, deformation of the document table can be suppressed.

  In the paper feeding device of the present invention, the paper feeding device includes a base portion that supports the document table, the paper feeding unit, and the discharge tray, and the document table has an end opposite to the receiving port, A support shaft extending in the width direction of the document may be provided, and a shaft hole that rotatably supports the support shaft may be formed in the base portion.

  By adopting such a configuration, deformation of the document table can be suppressed.

  In the paper feeding device of the present invention, the document table may be detachably provided.

  By adopting such a configuration, maintenance and replacement of the document table can be facilitated.

  In the paper feeding device of the present invention, an engagement position that engages with the original table and restricts the rotation of the original table, and the engagement with the original table is released to allow the rotation of the original table. It is good also as providing the restricting member which can move between engagement disengagement positions.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the document table on which the document is placed from being erroneously rotated by moving the regulating member to the engagement position.

  In the paper feeding device of the present invention, when the detection device detects that a document is placed on the document table, and the detection device detects that a document is placed on the document table, the restriction member is And a drive device that moves from the disengagement position to the engagement position.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the document is placed on the document table, the regulating member can be automatically moved to the engagement position.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any of the above-described sheet feeding devices.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform a paper jam handling operation and a document taking-out operation.

1 is a front view schematically showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a paper feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a paper feeding unit of the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a front view illustrating a rotation operation of a document table in the paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A illustrates a document table that is not rotated, and FIG. The rotated document table is shown. It is a top view which shows the paper feeder which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a restricting member that restricts rotation of a document table in a sheet feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

  With reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a color printer 1 as an image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the overall configuration of a color printer. Hereinafter, the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is the front side (front side) of the color printer, and the left-right direction is based on the direction when the color printer 1 is viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 includes an image forming unit 2 and an image reading unit 3 disposed above the image forming unit 2. The image reading unit 3 includes a paper feeding device 4 that automatically conveys a sheet serving as a document, and a reading device 5 that reads an image of the conveyed sheet.

  In the image forming unit 2, an in-body discharge space 7 having an open front and left side is formed between the image reading unit 3 and the image reading unit 3. Below the in-body discharge space 7, a discharge tray 8 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 is provided with a paper feed cassette 9 in which paper is stored below, and above the paper feed cassette 9 is an exposure device 10 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU); An intermediate transfer belt 11 provided between the rollers, four image forming devices 12 arranged in parallel along the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt 11, and a toner container 13 containing four color toners are provided. ing.

  Each image forming device 12 is arranged around the photoconductive drum 15 in order along the rotation direction of the photoconductive drum 15, which is rotatably provided. The intermediate transfer belt 11 includes a transfer roller 19 that forms a primary transfer portion 18, a cleaning device 20, and a charge removal device 21.

  On the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 11, a transfer roller 23 that forms a secondary transfer portion 22 with the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed. A fixing device 24 is provided above the secondary transfer unit 22, and a paper discharge device 25 facing the paper discharge tray 8 is provided above the fixing device 24. Further, a sheet conveyance path 26 is formed from the sheet feeding cassette 9 through the secondary transfer unit 22 and the fixing device 24 to the sheet discharge device 25.

  An image forming operation of the color printer 1 having such a configuration will be described. In each image forming device 12, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 is charged by the charging device 16, a static light corresponding to the image read by the image reading unit 3 by the laser light (see arrow P) from the exposure device 10. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a corresponding color toner image by the developing device 17 using toner supplied from the toner container 13. This toner image is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 at the primary transfer portion 18. Each image forming device 12 sequentially repeats the above operation, whereby a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11. The toner and charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 15 are removed by the cleaning device 20 and the charge removal device 21.

  On the other hand, the sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 9 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 22 along the conveyance path 26 in synchronization with the above-described image forming operation. In the secondary transfer unit 22, the intermediate transfer belt is conveyed. Eleven full-color toner images are secondarily transferred to the paper. The sheet on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 26 and enters the fixing device 24, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet in the fixing device 24. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge device 25 onto the paper discharge tray 8.

  Next, the paper feeding device 4 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper feeding device, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a paper feeding unit of the paper feeding device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding device 4 includes a base member 31 supported by the reading device 5, a document table 32 on which a document is placed, and a paper feed for feeding a document placed on the document table 32. Part 33.

  The base member 31 has a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is erected along the bottom 35, the front wall 36 erected along substantially the left half of the front edge of the bottom 35, and the rear edge of the bottom 35. And a rear wall 37. A discharge tray 40 is formed on the right half of the upper surface of the bottom 35.

  The rear wall 37 is provided with a support shaft 42 extending from the upper right corner of the front surface in the forward direction intersecting with the sheet conveyance direction. Further, on the right side surface of the front wall 36 and the front surface of the rear wall 37, front and rear receiving members 44 projecting above the discharge tray 40 are formed in the vicinity of the center in the height direction corresponding to the front and rear direction. .

  On the document table 32, a document placement surface 32a on which a document is placed is formed on the upper surface. On the document placement surface 32a, a cursor 46 for aligning the width direction of the document is provided at the left end, and a detection device 47 for detecting the document is provided at the right end. The detection device 47 includes an actuator 47a that protrudes above the document placement surface 32a and is rotatably supported, and a sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation of the actuator 47a. When a document is placed on the document placement surface 32a, the actuator 47a is pressed by the document and rotates. When the rotation of the actuator 47a is detected by the sensor, it is detected that the document is placed on the document placement surface 32a and the size of the placed document.

  In the document table 32, a shaft hole 49 through which the support shaft 42 provided on the base member 31 can be inserted penetrates the right end portion of the lower surface along the paper width direction. The document table 32 is supported above the discharge tray 40 by the support shaft 42 inserted through the shaft hole 49 and the receiving member 44 so that the document placement surface 32a is inclined obliquely in the lower left direction. The document table 32 can be rotated upward about the support shaft 42. Note that a stop ring such as a C ring is provided at the tip of the support shaft 42 to prevent the support shaft 42 from coming off from the shaft hole 49.

  The sheet feeding portion 33 is formed between the front wall 36 and the rear wall 37 of the base member 31, and as shown in FIG. 3, a cover member 52 that forms a conveyance path 51 between the bottom portion 35 is provided. I have. The conveyance path 51 is formed to bend in a lateral U-shape from the upper receiving port 51a toward the lower discharge port 51b. The receiving port 51 a of the transport path 51 is formed so as to be continuous with the document placing surface 32 a of the document table 32, and the discharge port 51 b is formed so as to be continuous with the discharge tray 40. The cover member 52 is supported by the bottom portion 35 so as to be rotatable about the left end portion. By rotating the cover member 52 upward, the path to the curved portion of the conveyance path 51 is exposed. Yes.

  In the transport path 51, a pickup device 55 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving port 51 a, and a registration roller pair 56 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup device 55. Further, a transport roller pair 57 is provided at a predetermined interval on the downstream side of the registration roller pair 56. A document guide plate 58 for reading an image is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 51. On the document guide plate 58, the image of the conveyed document is read by the reading device 5 (see FIG. 1).

  The document feeding operation in the sheet feeding device 4 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view for explaining the rotation of the document table.

  When a document is placed on the document placement surface 32a of the document table 32 and inserted into the conveyance path 51 from the receiving port 51a to a predetermined position, the pickup device 55 is rotated and driven downward. The uppermost original document is sent out to the conveyance path 51. The document sent to the conveyance path 51 is adjusted in timing by the registration roller pair 56 and then conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 57, and an image is read on the document guide plate 58. Thereafter, the paper is discharged from the discharge port 51b of the conveyance path 51 to the discharge tray 40.

  When a paper jam occurs in the vicinity of the discharge port 51b of the conveyance path 51, or when the size of the document is small, the document table 32 is moved upward with the support shaft 42 as the center as shown by an arrow A in FIG. Rotate in the direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the space above the discharge tray 40 is opened, so that a paper jam can be handled and a small-size document can be taken out without interfering with the document table 32. . When the paper jam processing and the removal operation are completed, the document table 32 is rotated downward and supported by the receiving member 44.

  As described above, according to the paper feeding device 4 of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform a paper jam processing operation or a small-size document taking-out operation that occurs near the discharge port 51b of the conveyance path 51. The front right corner of the document table 32 protrudes hollow, but is supported by a support shaft 42 provided on the base member 31, so that the front right corner of the document table 32 is not easily deformed, and the document table 32. This makes it possible to eliminate problems such as misfeeds due to deformation and malfunction of the actuator 47a of the detection device 47.

  Next, the paper feeding device 4 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device.

  In the sheet feeding device 4 according to the second embodiment, a shaft hole 61 extending in the sheet width direction is formed at the right front end portion of the front wall of the rear wall 37 of the base portion 31. On the other hand, a support shaft 62 that protrudes rearward along the sheet width direction is fixed to the right end portion of the lower surface of the document table 32 by a screw 63.

  By inserting the support shaft 62 fixed to the document table 32 into the shaft hole 61 of the base portion 31, the document table 32 rotates together with the support shaft 62 around the support shaft 62. The support shaft 62 is prevented from coming off from the shaft hole 61 by a stop ring. Further, the support shaft 62 may be supported by the shaft hole 61 via a bearing.

  Also in the paper feeding device 4 having the configuration of the second embodiment, it is possible to easily perform a paper jam processing operation near the discharge port 51b of the conveyance path 51 and an operation of taking out a small-size original document. Deformation of the front corner portion of the table 32 can be suppressed and problems such as misfeed and malfunction of the detection device 47 can be eliminated.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the document table 32 is removed from the base member 31 by removing the stop ring that prevents the spindles 42 and 62 from coming off from the shaft holes 49 and 61, respectively. Since it can be removed, the document table 32 can be easily maintained and replaced.

  The configuration for supporting the document table 32 so as to be rotatable with respect to the base member 31 is not limited to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. For example, a support shaft that protrudes forward along the sheet width direction is provided at the front right end of the rear wall 37 of the base member 31, and a support that protrudes rearward along the sheet width direction is provided at the lower right end of the document table 32. A shaft is provided. And both spindles can also be connected with a coupling member so that relative rotation is possible.

  Next, the paper feeding device 4 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document table and a sheet feeding unit.

  In the paper feeding device 4 according to the third embodiment, a plate-like regulating member 71 on the right side surface of the paper feeding unit 33, a position where the regulating member 71 protrudes toward the document table 32, and a paper feeding unit 33 and a solenoid 72 serving as a driving device that moves between the position accommodated in the position 33. On the other hand, a recess 73 is formed on the left end surface of the document table 32. The restricting member 71 that has moved to a position that protrudes toward the document table 32 is engaged with the recess 73.

  When the detection device 47 detects that a document is placed on the document table 32, the solenoid 72 moves the regulating member 71 to a position protruding toward the document table 32 side. As a result, the restricting member 71 engages with the recess 73 of the document table 32, and the document table 32 is restricted from rotating. When all the documents placed on the document table 32 are sent out, the solenoid 72 is driven so as to move the regulating member 71 to a position (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6) where the regulating member 71 is accommodated.

  In the paper feeding device 4 having the configuration according to the third embodiment, when the original is placed on the original table 32, the rotation of the original table 32 is restricted, so that the original table 32 on which the original is placed is erroneous. Thus, it is possible to prevent the original from dropping from the original table 32 and the position of the original from being displaced. Although the restricting member 71 can be manually moved to the engaged position and the disengaged position, the restricting member 71 is automatically moved by driving a driving device such as a solenoid 72 based on the detection result of the detecting device 47. It is preferable to move the document table 32 because the rotation of the document table 32 can be prevented more reliably and less time is required.

  In each of the above embodiments, a damper member that cushions the rotation of the document table 32 may be provided on the support shafts 42 and 62 and the receiving member 44. By providing the buffer member, it is possible to reduce the impact and vibration caused by the rotation operation of the document table 32. Further, a stopper that restricts the upward rotation of the document table 32 may be provided. By providing the stopper, it is possible to prevent the document table 32 from rotating too much upward and applying a load to the support shafts 42 and 62. Further, a leg member supported on the discharge tray 40 may be provided at the right front corner of the lower surface of the document table 32. Since the front right corner of the document table 32 can be supported by the leg member with respect to the discharge tray 40, deformation of the front right corner can be prevented more reliably.

  Furthermore, since the above description of the embodiment of the present invention describes a preferred embodiment of the paper feeding device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are attached. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless specifically described to limit the present invention. That is, the above-described components in the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately replaced with existing components and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. The description of the embodiment of the present invention described above does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

1 Color printer (image forming device)
4 Feeder 31 Base member 32 Document table 33 Feeder 40 Discharge trays 42, 62 Support shaft 47 Detection device 49, 61 Shaft hole 51 Transport path 71 Restriction member 72 Solenoid (drive device)

Claims (7)

A document table on which a document is placed, a paper feeding unit that receives a document placed on the document table through a receiving port and transports the document along a transport path, and is provided below the document table to the transport path. And a discharge tray for discharging documents conveyed along,
The document table is supported by the document table so as to be pivotable upward about an end opposite to the receiving port. A base portion that supports the document table, the paper feed portion, and the discharge tray;
The base portion is provided with a support shaft extending in the width direction of the document at the end opposite to the receiving port,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a shaft hole that rotatably supports the support shaft is formed in the document table. A base portion that supports the document table, the paper feed portion, and the discharge tray;
The document table is provided with a support shaft extending in the width direction of the document at the end opposite to the receiving port,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is formed with a shaft hole that rotatably supports the support shaft.   The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the document table is detachably provided.   Between an engagement position that engages with the original table and restricts the rotation of the original table, and an engagement release position that releases the engagement with the original table and permits the rotation of the original table. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a regulating member that is movable. A detection device for detecting that a document is placed on the document table;
6. A driving device that moves the restricting member from the disengagement position to the engagement position when the detection device detects that a document is placed on the document table. The paper feeder described in 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeding device according to claim 1.

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