JP2018197138A - Paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a paper feeding device capable of suppressing skew when conveying a paper having different rigidity in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction.SOLUTION: A paper feeding device 30 comprises a paper placing area R1 and a paper feeding unit 310 including a sheet feeding roller 311. At least one of the sheet placing area R1 and the sheet feeding unit 310 is configured to be movable in a first direction, depending on the type of paper, from a state where a center position of the paper feeding unit 310 in the first direction orthogonal to a paper conveying direction and a center position of the paper placing area R1 in the first direction are arranged side by side in the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device.

  Examples of documents disclosing conventional paper feeders include, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-154980 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-47328 (Patent Document 2), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-67345 (Patent Document 3). JP, 5-208744, A (patent documents 4) etc. are mentioned.

  In the paper feeding devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pair of paper feed devices are provided so as to be movable in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and the interval can be adjusted according to the paper width. A restriction plate is provided. The pair of restricting plates are configured to be switchable between a state in which they are moved in the opposite direction in the width direction in synchronization with each other and a state in which they are independently moved in the width direction.

  In the paper feeding devices disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the paper feeding unit is configured by a pair of paper feeding rollers arranged in the width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. Even when feeding paper of different sizes, the paper feed unit ensures that the center position of the paper feed unit in the width direction matches the center position of the paper in the width direction when viewed from above. It is configured to be movable.

JP 2009-154980 A JP 2010-47328 A JP 2004-67345 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-208744

  However, in the paper feeding devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, when a paper having substantially uniform rigidity in the width direction of the paper perpendicular to the transport direction is transported, the paper can be stably passed. Although it is possible, for example, when paper having different stiffnesses in the width direction is conveyed, there is a concern that skew may occur due to the stiffness difference of the papers depending on the positional relationship between the paper feed unit and the paper. Is done. Also, when printing polygonal paper such as a triangle that is different from the rectangular shape, skew may occur when the paper is transported depending on the positional relationship between the paper's center of gravity and the paper feed unit. Is concerned.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device capable of suppressing skew.

  A sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a sheet loading area on which a sheet is loaded, and a sheet feeding unit including a sheet feeding roller that conveys the sheet loaded on the sheet loading area. Depending on the type, from the state where the center position of the paper feed unit in the first direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction and the center position of the paper placement area in the first direction are arranged side by side in the transport direction, At least one of the sheet loading area and the sheet feeding unit is configured to be movable along the first direction.

  In the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the center position of the paper feeding roller in the first direction when transporting a sheet having a low stiffness portion and a high stiffness portion along the first direction. The sheet feeding section and the sheet placement area relatively move so that the position moves toward the portion having the higher rigidity than the center position of the sheet placement area in the first direction.

  In the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the paper placement area may be configured to be movable along the first direction.

  The paper feeding device according to the present invention is movable along the first direction so as to regulate the positions of both ends of the paper placed in the paper placement area in the first direction according to the size of the paper. And a switching mechanism that switches a moving direction of the pair of restriction plates. In this case, the switching mechanism includes a first movement state in which each of the pair of restriction plates moves in a direction opposite to each other and a second movement state in which each of the pair of restriction plates moves in the same direction. It is preferable to perform switching, and it is preferable that the pair of regulating plates move along the first direction in the second movement state so that the sheet placement area moves along the first direction.

  The paper feeding device according to the present invention may include a paper size detection unit that detects the size of the paper placed in the paper placement area. In this case, it is preferable that the paper size detection unit detects the size of the paper placed in the paper placement region from the position where the pair of restriction plates are stopped in the first movement state. Furthermore, it is preferable that the paper size detection unit maintains information on the paper size detected in the first movement state when the first movement state is switched to the second movement state.

  The sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a regulating plate moving mechanism for moving the pair of regulating plates, a first driving unit for driving the regulating plate moving mechanism, and for operating the first driving unit. And a switch.

  In the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the paper feeding unit may be configured to be movable along the first direction.

  The sheet feeding device according to the present invention may include a limiting unit that limits a movement range of the sheet feeding unit.

  The paper feeding device according to the present invention is movable along the first direction so as to regulate the positions of both ends of the paper placed in the paper placement area in the first direction according to the size of the paper. A pair of restricting plates provided on may be further provided. In this case, it is preferable that the paper feeding unit is configured to be movable along the first direction and further includes a webbing portion disposed to face the paper feeding roller. In addition, it is preferable that the paper feed roller and the separating unit move together when the paper feed unit moves along the first direction.

  The paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a restricting unit that restricts a movement range of the paper feeding unit, and the restricting unit is disposed on both sides of the curling unit in the first direction, and together with the curling unit, is a sheet of paper. A first conveyance guide and a second conveyance guide for guiding conveyance; and the first conveyance guide and the second conveyance guide which are accommodated in the first conveyance guide so as to be movable along the first direction and exposed from the first conveyance guide. An auxiliary guide for guiding the conveyance of the sheet may be included together with the one conveyance guide. In this case, when the paper feed unit moves from the first transport guide side toward the second transport guide side, the auxiliary guide moves in conjunction with the movement of the paper feed unit. It is preferable to move toward the second conveyance guide so as to fill a space portion formed between the paper feeding unit and the first conveyance guide by moving.

  In the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, the sheet feeding unit moving mechanism for moving the sheet feeding unit, the second driving unit for driving the sheet feeding unit moving mechanism, and the second driving unit are provided. A switch for actuating it.

  In the paper feeding device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the paper transport path after passing through the paper feeding roller is formed to be directed upward from the horizontal plane.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device capable of suppressing skew.

1 is a perspective view showing an information processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the information processing device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a paper feed unit moving mechanism that moves a paper feed unit according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of a paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a paper feeding device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of a sheet feeding unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a second state of a paper feed unit according to the second embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first state of a sheet feeding device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of a restriction plate moving mechanism for moving a pair of restriction plates provided in the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment. It is a side view which shows the 1st state of the control board moving mechanism shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the 2nd state of the control board moving mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for detecting the size of a sheet used in a sheet feeding device according to a third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the figure, arrows U and D indicate the vertical direction, arrows Fr and Re indicate the front-rear direction, and arrows L and R indicate the left-right direction when viewed from the front side.

(Embodiment 1)
(Information processing equipment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a server apparatus 20.

(Image forming device)
The outer shape of the image forming apparatus 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a front wall portion 10F, a rear wall portion 10B, a right side wall portion 10R, a left side wall portion 10L, an upper wall portion 10U, and a bottom. It has wall part 10D (FIG. 2). The bottom wall portion 10D faces the server device 20.

  The image forming apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) includes, as its constituent elements, an image forming unit 41 that forms an image on a recording medium (typically, recording paper), and paper storage units 42 and 43, both of which are Arranged inside the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding device 30. The sheet feeding device 30 is provided on the right side wall portion 10R so as to be opened and closed. The sheet feeding device 30 constitutes a part of the right side wall portion 10R in the closed state. Details of the sheet feeding device 30 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The image forming unit 41 includes a photoreceptor 51, a charging device 52, an exposure device 53, a developing device 54, a toner unit 54U, a primary transfer unit 55, a primary transfer roller 56, an intermediate transfer belt 57, support rollers 58, 59, and 2. A secondary transfer roller 60, a secondary transfer unit 61, a fixing unit 62, and a paper discharge roller 63 are included.

  Four sets of the photoreceptor 51 and the primary transfer unit 55 are provided so as to correspond to each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the image forming apparatus 10 uses these devices to use toner corresponding to each color. An image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 57. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 57, and then the intermediate transfer belt 57 conveys the color toner image to the secondary transfer portion 61 between the intermediate transfer belt 57 and the secondary transfer roller 60. To do.

  The paper storage units 42 and 43 are provided below the image forming apparatus 10 and store a plurality of recording papers.

  The pickup rollers 42R and 43R and the timing roller 41R constitute a part of the paper conveyance path, and the recording paper is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 61 via the pickup rollers 42R and 43R and the timing roller 41R. The color toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 57 is transferred onto the surface of the recording paper in the secondary transfer unit 61. The color toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording paper by the fixing unit 62. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 44 by the paper discharge roller 63.

  On the front wall 10 </ b> F side of the image forming apparatus 10, an operation panel 16, a cover 11 that covers the image forming unit 41, a cover 12 that covers the paper storage unit 42, and a cover 13 that covers the paper storage unit 43 are provided. . The cover 11 is opened at the time of maintenance and inspection of the image forming unit 41 (FIG. 2) or when the toner unit 54U (FIG. 2) is replaced. When adding a sheet, the cover 12 is pulled out together with the sheet storage unit 42 (also referred to as a paper feed cassette), or the cover 13 is pulled out together with the sheet storage unit 43.

  A scanner unit 14 is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10, and a part of the scanner unit 14 is covered with a cover 15 so as to be opened and closed.

(Server device 20)
The server apparatus 20 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a signal line (not shown), and exchanges sensor values of each apparatus, data used for operation of the apparatus, and the like as necessary. The image forming apparatus 10 and the server apparatus 20 have separate power sources, and can operate independently from each other. The server apparatus 20 is always operated to accept access from a client apparatus via a network. It has special characteristics.

  The server device 20 alone functions as a mail server, a Web server, an application server, a file server, a print server, and the like, and performs processing based on a predetermined computer program (for example, in response to a request from the client device) Data storage, data organization, various dynamic processes, various response processes) can be executed.

  The external shape of the server device 20 is also a substantially rectangular parallelepiped as a whole (FIG. 1). The server device 20 includes a front wall portion 20F, a rear wall portion 20B, a right wall portion 20R, a left wall portion 20L, an upper wall portion 20U, and It has a bottom wall portion 20D. The upper wall portion 20U faces the bottom wall portion 10D of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The server device 20 includes, as its constituent elements, a housing constituted by the above-described wall portions, and a server main body portion 23 accommodated in the housing. The server main unit 23 includes a motherboard, a CPU, a recording device (HDD or SSD), a network IF (IF), a heat sink, a power source, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the paper feeding device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feeding device 30 includes a tray 300 including a paper placement region R1, a paper feeding unit 310, a limiting unit 320, and a pair of regulating plates 330.

  The tray 300 is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis C <b> 1 provided on the right side wall portion 10 </ b> R of the image forming apparatus 10. The tray 300 constitutes a part of the right side wall portion 10R of the image forming apparatus 10 in the closed state. In the open state, a sheet is placed on the tray 300. The paper placement region R1 on which the paper is placed is defined by a pair of restriction plates 330, for example.

  The paper feed unit 310 feeds the paper placed on the tray 300 toward the image forming unit. The paper feed unit 310 is provided on the fixed end side of the tray 300. The paper feed unit 310 is configured to be movable in a first direction (DR1 direction in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the transport direction. The movement range of the paper feeding unit 310 in the first direction is restricted by the restriction unit 320.

  The sheet feeding unit 310 includes a sheet feeding roller 311 and a separating unit 312. The paper feed roller 311 is configured to be rotatable by a rotation shaft 313 (see FIG. 8) and a rotation driving unit 317 (see FIG. 8) which will be described later. The paper feed roller 311 rotates to transport the paper placed in the placement region R1. The paper feed roller 311 is provided to be movable in the first direction as will be described later.

  The winding unit 312 has a curved surface 312a that goes upward as it goes downstream in the transport direction (as it approaches the image forming unit side). The curved surface 312 a abuts on the peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 311. As a result, the separation unit 312 forms a nip portion with the paper feed roller 311. By forming the nip portion, a single sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit even when a plurality of sheets are conveyed in an overlapping manner.

  The whirling portion 312 is configured to be movable along the first direction. The separation unit 312 is urged toward the paper feed roller 311 by an urging member (not shown). It is preferable that the frictional force between the circumferential surface of the paper feed roller 311 and the curved surface 312a of the curling portion 312 is considerably large. Accordingly, when the separating unit 312 moves along the first direction, the sheet feeding roller 311 and the separating unit 312 move together. The separating unit 312 is configured to be movable along the first direction by a sheet feeding unit moving mechanism 318 (see FIG. 7) and a sheet feeding unit moving mechanism driving unit 319 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later.

  In addition, the curling portion 312 has the curved surface 312a, so that the paper transport path after passing through the paper feed roller 311 is directed upward from the horizontal plane.

  The restriction unit 320 restricts the movement range of the paper feed unit 310. The limiting unit 320 is provided on the fixed end side of the tray 300. The restriction unit 320 includes a first conveyance guide 321 and a second conveyance guide 322.

  The 1st conveyance guide 321 and the 2nd conveyance guide 322 are arrange | positioned at the both sides of the winding part 312 in the said 1st direction. The 1st conveyance guide 321 and the 2nd conveyance guide 322 are arranged along with the 1st direction at intervals. The separation unit 312 can move between the first conveyance guide 321 and the second conveyance guide 322.

  The 1st conveyance guide 321 and the 2nd conveyance guide 322 have a curved surface which goes up toward the conveyance direction downstream. Accordingly, the first conveyance guide 321 and the second conveyance guide 322 guide the conveyance of the sheet together with the separation unit 312.

  The pair of regulation plates 330 is provided on the fixed end side of the tray 300. The pair of regulating plates 330 is provided so as to be movable along the first direction so as to regulate the positions of both ends in the first direction of the paper placed in the paper placement region R1 according to the size of the paper. .

  The pair of restricting plates 330 is configured such that each of the pair of restricting plates 330 moves in the opposite direction by the pinion rack mechanism.

  In the first state of the sheet feeding device 30, the sheet feeding device 30 conveys the sheet S1 (see FIG. 4) having substantially uniform rigidity in the first direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the first state of the paper feeding device 30, when viewed from above, the paper feed unit center position P <b> 2 in the first direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction and the paper loading in the first direction. The center position P1 of the placement region R1 is arranged side by side in the transport direction.

  In the second state of the paper feeding device 30, the paper S2 having the low-stiffness portion S21 (see FIG. 6) and the high-rigidity portion S22 (see FIG. 6) is transported along the first direction. The sheet S2 has a low-rigidity portion S21 on the first conveyance guide 321 side and a high-rigidity portion S22 on the second conveyance guide 322 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the second state of the paper feeding device 30, the paper feeding unit 310 has moved to the second transport guide 322 side. As a result, when viewed from above, the center position P2 of the sheet feed roller 311 in the first direction has moved to the portion S22 side having higher rigidity than the center position P1 of the sheet placement region R1 in the first direction.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet feeding unit moving mechanism that moves the sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 7, the sheet feeding unit moving mechanism 318 for moving the sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the sheet feeding device 30 includes a sheet feeding unit moving mechanism 318, a sheet feeding unit moving mechanism driving unit 319 as a second driving unit, and a switch SW1.

  The paper feed unit moving mechanism 318 is a mechanism for moving the paper feed unit 310. The sheet feeding unit moving mechanism 318 includes a rack unit 3181 and a pinion gear 3182. The rack portion 3181 is provided on the lower end side of the winding portion 312 in the open state.

  Pinion gear 3182 is configured to mesh with rack portion 3181. The pinion gear 3182 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the normal direction of the sheet placement surface of the tray 300. The pinion gear 3182 is rotated by the paper feed unit moving mechanism driving unit 319.

  The paper feed unit moving mechanism driving unit 319 drives the paper feed unit moving mechanism 318. The sheet feeding unit moving mechanism driving unit 319 is configured by, for example, a motor. The sheet feeding unit moving mechanism driving unit 319 is operated by the switch SW1. The switch SW1 includes a button for rotating the motor forward and a button for rotating the motor.

  As the pinion gear 3182 rotates clockwise by the paper feed unit moving mechanism driving unit 319, the winding unit 312 moves toward the second conveyance guide 322 side. As the pinion gear 3182 rotates counterclockwise by the paper feeding unit moving mechanism driving unit 319, the winding unit 312 moves toward the first conveyance guide 321 side.

  As described above, the separation unit 312 is urged toward the paper feed roller 311 by an urging unit (not shown). The winding portion 312 is in contact with the paper feed roller 311 so that a considerable frictional force acts in the first direction. As a result, the whirling portion 312 moves along the first direction, so that the whirling portion 312 and the paper feed roller 311 move together.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the movement of the paper feed unit 310 (more specifically, the paper feed roller 311) will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the paper feed roller 311 is configured to be rotatable by a rotation shaft 313 and a rotation drive unit 317.

  The rotation shaft 313 extends along the first direction. The rotating shaft 313 is configured to be extendable and contractable in the first direction. The rotating shaft 313 includes a first shaft 314, a cylindrical shaft 315, and a second shaft 316.

  One end of the first shaft 314 is fixed to the paper feed roller 311. A cylindrical shaft 315 is provided at the other end of the first shaft 314. The cylindrical shaft 315 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion at one end located on the paper feed roller 311 side and an open end on the other side opposite to the paper feed roller 311 side. The cylindrical shaft 315 is provided with a notch 315a extending in the first direction.

  One end side of the second shaft 316 is inserted into the cylindrical shaft 315 so as not to come out of the cylindrical shaft 315 when the paper feed roller 311 moves to the first transport guide 321 side along the first direction. .

  A protrusion 316 a is provided on one end side of the second shaft 316. The protrusion 316 a is provided so as to protrude in the radial direction of the second shaft 316. The protrusion 316a enters the notch 315a. The protrusion 316a moves in the first direction relative to the notch 315a. The other end side of the second shaft 316 is connected to the rotation drive unit 317.

  When the second shaft 316 is rotated by the rotation driving unit 317, the protrusion 316a presses the end of the notch 315a in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shaft 315. Thereby, the cylindrical shaft 315 rotates. As the cylindrical shaft 315 rotates, the first shaft 314 fixed to the cylindrical shaft and the paper feed roller 311 fixed to the first shaft 314 rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the first state of the paper feeding unit 310, the protrusion 316 a of the second shaft 316 is located on the opening end side of the cylindrical shaft 315.

  When the winding unit 312 and the paper feed roller 311 are integrally moved toward the second conveyance guide 322 side, the first shaft 314 and the cylindrical shaft 315 are moved toward the second conveyance guide 322 side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second state of the paper feeding unit 310, the bottom side of the cylindrical shaft 315 is moved so as to approach the protrusion 316a.

  As described above, when the rotation shaft 313 expands and contracts in the first direction, the paper feed roller 311 can move in the first direction.

  As described above, in the sheet feeding device 30 according to the present embodiment, when the sheet S2 having the low-stiffness portion S21 and the high-rigidity portion S22 is transported along the first direction, The paper feed unit 310 and the paper placement region R1 are relatively moved so that the center position P2 of the paper feed roller 311 in the direction moves toward the portion S22 having a higher rigidity than the center position P1 of the paper placement region R1 in the first direction. Move on. More specifically, the paper feed unit 310 moves to the portion S22 having a high rigidity.

  As described above, when a sheet having a portion with different stiffness is fed, the center position of the sheet feeding roller 311 moves to the portion S22 having a high stiffness, so that the portion S22 having a high stiffness is mainly used as the paper feeding unit 310. You can hold it with. Accordingly, when a sheet having a part with different stiffness is conveyed so as to face upward, the sheet is prevented from rotating around a rotation axis parallel to the normal direction of the sheet from the part S22 having a high rigidity as a starting point. Can do. As a result, the sheet is suppressed from being inclined during conveyance, and skew can be suppressed.

  Further, as described above, when the center position of the paper feed roller 311 moves to the portion S22 having high rigidity, the holding force is increased so that the paper having the portion having different rigidity is conveyed in the correct direction in the conveyance direction. Thus, the sheet need not be sandwiched between the pair of regulating plates 330. As a result, the clamping force applied from the pair of regulating plates 330 can be reduced, and the durability of the pair of regulating plates 330 can be improved. Further, by reducing the clamping force, it is possible to suppress the sheet from being bent, and it is possible to improve the straightness of the sheet during conveyance.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a paper feeding device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding unit according to the second embodiment. A sheet feeding device 30A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the sheet feeding device 30 </ b> A according to the second embodiment is different from the sheet feeding device 30 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the restriction unit 320 </ b> A. Other configurations are almost the same.

  The restriction unit 320 </ b> A includes an auxiliary guide 323 in addition to the first conveyance guide 321 and the second conveyance guide 322. The auxiliary guide 323 is accommodated in the first conveyance guide 321 so as to be movable along the first direction.

  The auxiliary guide 323 guides the conveyance of the paper together with the first conveyance guide 321 while being exposed from the first conveyance guide 321. The auxiliary guide 323 has a curved surface 323a that goes upward as it goes downstream in the transport direction.

  The auxiliary guide 323 is connected to an urging member 325 provided in the first conveyance guide 321. The biasing member 325 is configured to be extendable and contractable along the first direction. Thereby, the auxiliary guide 323 is configured to be movable along the first direction.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding unit according to the second embodiment. With reference to FIG. 11, the positional relationship between the first conveyance guide 321 and the auxiliary guide 323 in the first state of the paper feeding unit 310 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the first state of the paper feed unit 310, the paper feed roller 311 and the separating unit 312 are located on the first conveyance guide 321 side. In this state, the auxiliary guide 323 is pressed toward the inside of the first conveyance guide 321 by the side surface of the winding portion 312. As a result, the biasing member 325 contracts against the biasing force, and the auxiliary guide 323 is accommodated inside the first transport guide 321.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding unit according to the second embodiment. With reference to FIG. 12, the positional relationship between the first conveyance guide 321 and the auxiliary guide 323 in the second state of the paper feeding unit 310 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the second state of the paper feed unit 310, the paper feed roller 311 and the separating unit 312 are located on the second conveyance guide 322 side. In this state, the paper feed unit 310 is separated from the first conveyance guide 321.

  When the paper feeding unit 310 is separated from the first conveyance guide 321, the urging member 325 extends in the first direction and the auxiliary guide 323 is exposed from the first conveyance guide 321. At this time, the auxiliary guide 323 moves to the space SP1 formed between the separating portion 312 and the first transport guide 321.

  As described above, when the sheet feeding unit 310 moves from the first conveyance guide 321 side toward the second conveyance guide 322 side, the auxiliary guide 323 moves in conjunction with the movement of the sheet feeding unit 310. By doing so, it moves toward the second transport guide 322 side so as to fill the space SP1 formed between the paper feed section 310 (more specifically, the separating section 312) and the first transport guide 321. .

  Even when configured as described above, the sheet feeding device 30A according to the second embodiment can obtain substantially the same effect as the sheet feeding device 30 according to the first embodiment.

  In addition, when the paper feeding unit 310 moves toward the second conveyance guide 322, the auxiliary guide 323 moves toward the second conveyance guide 322 so as to fill the space SP1. The paper can be prevented from being caught and the paper can be conveyed more stably.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a first state of the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a second state of the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment. A sheet feeding device 30B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sheet feeding device 30 </ b> B according to the third embodiment is configured such that the sheet placement region R <b> 2 is movable when compared with the sheet feeding device 30 according to the first embodiment. Is different. Other configurations are almost the same.

  The pair of restricting plates 330 includes a first moving state in which each of the pair of restricting plates 330 is moved in the opposite direction by a switching mechanism 400 (see FIG. 16) described later, and each of the pair of restricting plates 330 is the same as each other. The second moving state that moves in the direction is configured to be switchable.

  In the first movement state, the pair of regulating plates 330 regulates the positions of both ends in the first direction of the paper placed in the paper placement region R2 according to the size of the paper. In the first movement state, each of the pair of regulation plates 330 moves in the opposite direction in synchronization with each other. By stopping the movement of the pair of regulating plates 330 at a position corresponding to the paper size, the paper placement region R2 is determined.

  In the second movement state, the pair of regulation plates 330 moves in the first direction while maintaining a constant distance between the pair of regulation plates 330. As a result, the sheet placement region R2 moves along the first direction.

  FIG. 15 is a top view of a restricting plate moving mechanism for moving a pair of restricting plates provided in the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a side view showing a first state of the regulating plate moving mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a side view showing a second state of the regulating plate moving mechanism shown in FIG. The restriction plate moving mechanism 331 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17, the sheet feeding device 30 </ b> B includes a regulation plate moving mechanism 331, a regulation plate moving mechanism driving unit 336 as a first driving unit, a switching mechanism 400, and a switch SW <b> 2.

  The restriction plate moving mechanism 331 includes a first rack part 332, a second rack part 333, a first pinion gear 334, and a second pinion gear 335.

  The first rack part 332 and the second rack part 333 extend along the first direction. The first rack part 332 and the second rack part 333 are arranged apart from each other along the transport direction. The second rack portion 333 is configured to be movable up and down in the vertical direction.

  The first pinion gear 334 and the second pinion gear 335 are disposed between the first rack portion 332 and the second rack portion 333. The first pinion gear 334 and the second pinion gear 335 are arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction.

  The first pinion gear 334 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the normal direction of the sheet placement surface of the tray 300. The first pinion gear 334 is rotated by driving the restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336. The lower end side of the first pinion gear 334 meshes with the upper end side of the second pinion gear 335. As a result, the first pinion gear 334 rotates, so that the second pinion gear 335 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first pinion gear 334.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the first state of the restricting plate moving mechanism 331, the second rack portion 333 is positioned on the upper side by the switching mechanism 400. Thereby, in the first state, both the first rack portion 332 and the second rack portion 333 are engaged with the first pinion gear 334. Neither the first rack part 332 nor the second rack part 333 is engaged with the second pinion gear 335.

  The restricting plate moving mechanism driving unit 336 is configured by a motor or the like, for example. The restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336 is operated by the switch SW2. The switch SW2 includes a button for rotating the motor forward, a button for rotating the motor, and a button for operating the switching mechanism 400.

  In the first state, when the first pinion gear 334 is rotated clockwise by the restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336, the first rack unit 332 and the second rack unit 333 move in the first direction so as to pass each other. Thereby, a pair of regulation board 330 moves so that it may mutually approach.

  On the other hand, in the first state, when the first pinion gear 334 is rotated counterclockwise by the restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336, the first rack unit 332 and the second rack unit 333 are moved in the first direction so as to move away from each other. Moving. As a result, the pair of restricting plates 330 move away from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the second state of the restricting plate moving mechanism 331, the second rack portion 333 is positioned on the lower side by the switching mechanism 400. As a result, in the second state, the first rack portion 332 meshes with the first pinion gear 334 and the second rack portion 333 meshes with the second pinion gear 335.

  In the second state, the first pinion gear 334 is rotated clockwise by the restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336, so that the second pinion gear 335 is rotated counterclockwise, and the first rack portion 332 meshing with the first pinion gear 334 The second rack portion 333 that meshes with the second pinion gear 335 moves in the same direction. Specifically, both the first rack part 332 and the second rack part 333 move toward one side in the first direction. Thereby, each of a pair of regulation board 330 moves toward the 2nd conveyance guide 322 side (right side in FIG. 17) in the state which maintained the fixed space | interval.

  In the second state, the first pinion gear 334 is rotated counterclockwise by the restriction plate moving mechanism driving unit 336, whereby the second pinion gear 335 is rotated clockwise, and the first rack portion 332 meshing with the first pinion gear 334 The second rack portion 333 that meshes with the second pinion gear 335 moves in the same direction. Specifically, both the first rack part 332 and the second rack part 333 move toward the other side in the first direction. Thus, each of the pair of regulation plates 330 moves toward the first conveyance guide 321 side (left side in FIG. 17) while maintaining a constant interval.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for detecting the size of a sheet used in the sheet feeding device according to the third embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 18, the paper feeding device 30B includes a paper size detection unit 350 that detects the size of the paper placed in the paper placement region R2. The paper size detection unit 350 detects the size of the paper placed in the paper placement region R2 from the position where the pair of restriction plates 330 stopped in the first movement state. The paper size detection unit 350 maintains information on the paper size detected in the first movement state when the first movement state is switched to the second movement state.

  Detection information detected by the paper size detection unit 350 is input to the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 10. As described above, even when the sheet is switched to the second movement state, the sheet size information is maintained, so that the conveyance condition and the image formation condition are maintained, and the conveyance and the image formation can be performed stably. it can.

  As described above, in the sheet feeding device 30B according to the present embodiment, when the sheet S2 having the low-stiffness portion S21 and the high-rigidity portion S22 is conveyed along the first direction, The paper feed unit 310 and the paper placement region R2 are relatively moved so that the center position of the paper feed roller 311 in the direction moves toward the portion S22 having higher rigidity than the center position of the paper placement region R2 in the first direction. Moving. More specifically, the paper placement area R2 moves.

  Even in such a configuration, the paper feeding device 30B according to the third embodiment can obtain substantially the same effect as the paper feeding device 30 according to the first embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the paper feed unit 310 automatically moves has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the paper feed unit 310 may be moved manually.

  In the third embodiment described above, the case where the sheet placement region R2 automatically moves as a result of the pair of regulation plates 330 moving automatically has been described as an example. The sheet placement region R2 may be moved manually by moving the restriction plate 330 manually.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, when the sheet having the low-stiffness portion S21 and the high-rigidity portion S22 is transported along the first direction as the paper, the center of the paper feeding unit in the first direction is used. When the position and the center position of the paper placement area in the first direction are viewed from above and below, at least one of the paper placement area and the paper feeding unit is arranged in the first direction from the state of being arranged in the transport direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When transporting a sheet having a polygonal shape different from a rectangular shape as a sheet, the center of gravity of the polygonal shape placed in the sheet placing area is shifted from the center position of the sheet placing area. When positioned, at least one of the paper placement area and the paper feed unit may be moved along the first direction as described above. In this case, the paper feed unit and the paper placement unit are arranged such that the center position of the paper feed roller in the first direction moves toward the center of gravity of the paper from the center position of the paper placement region in the first direction. It is preferred that the region move relatively.

  As described above, the embodiment invented this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and includes meanings equivalent to the terms of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

  10 image forming apparatus, 10B rear wall, 10D bottom wall, 10F front wall, 10L left wall, 10R right wall, 10U upper wall, 11, 12, 13, 15 cover, 14 scanner unit, 16 operation Panel, 20 Server device, 20B Rear wall portion, 20D Bottom wall portion, 20F Front wall portion, 20L Left side wall portion, 20R Right side wall portion, 20U Upper wall portion, 23 Server main body portion, 30, 30A, 30B Paper feeding device, 41 Image forming unit, 41R timing roller, 42, 43 paper storage unit, 42R, 43R pickup roller, 44 paper discharge unit, 51 photoconductor, 52 charging device, 53 exposure device, 54 developing device, 54U toner unit, 55 primary Transfer section, 56 Primary transfer roller, 57 Intermediate transfer belt, 58, 59 Support roller, 60 Secondary transfer roller , 61 Secondary transfer unit, 62 fixing unit, 63 paper discharge roller, 70 control unit, 100 information processing equipment, 300 tray, 310 paper feed unit, 311 paper feed roller, 312 curling unit, 312a curved surface, 313 rotating shaft, 314 First shaft, 315 Cylindrical shaft, 315a Notch, 316 Second shaft, 316a Protrusion, 317 Rotation drive unit, 318 Paper feed unit movement mechanism, 319 Paper feed unit movement mechanism drive unit, 320, 320A Restriction unit , 321 1st conveyance guide, 322 2nd conveyance guide, 323 Auxiliary guide, 323a Curved surface, 325 Energizing member, 330 Restriction plate, 331 Restriction plate moving mechanism, 332 1st rack part, 333 2nd rack part, 334 1st 1 pinion gear, 335 2nd pinion gear, 336 restriction plate moving mechanism drive unit, 350 paper size detection Knowledge part, 400 switching mechanism, 3181 rack part, 3182 pinion gear.

Claims (12)

A paper placement area where the paper is placed;
A paper feed unit including a paper feed roller that transports the paper placed in the paper placement region,
When viewed from above, the center position of the sheet feeding unit in the first direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction and the center position of the sheet placement area in the first direction are arranged side by side in the transport direction. From the sheet feeding device, at least one of the sheet loading area and the sheet feeding unit can be moved along the first direction according to the type of sheet.   When transporting a sheet having a low rigidity part and a high rigidity part along the first direction, the center position of the paper feed roller in the first direction is the center of the paper placement area in the first direction. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding unit and the paper placement area are relatively moved so as to move toward a portion having a higher rigidity than a position.   The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet placement area is configured to be movable along the first direction. A pair of regulating plates provided movably along the first direction so as to regulate the positions of both ends in the first direction of the paper placed in the paper placement area according to the size of the paper;
A switching mechanism for switching the moving direction of the pair of regulating plates,
The switching mechanism switches between a first movement state in which each of the pair of restriction plates moves in the opposite direction and a second movement state in which each of the pair of restriction plates moves in the same direction,
4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein in the second movement state, the pair of regulating plates move along the first direction, whereby the sheet placement area moves along the first direction. 5. . A paper size detector for detecting the size of the paper placed in the paper placement area;
The paper size detection unit detects a size of the paper placed in the paper placement region from a position where the pair of restriction plates are stopped in the first movement state;
5. The paper feed according to claim 4, wherein the paper size detection unit maintains information on a paper size detected in the first movement state when the first movement state is switched to the second movement state. 6. apparatus. A restriction plate moving mechanism for moving the pair of restriction plates;
A first drive unit for driving the restriction plate moving mechanism;
The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, further comprising a switch for operating the first drive unit.   The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding unit is configured to be movable along the first direction.   The sheet feeding device according to claim 7, further comprising a limiting unit that limits a movement range of the sheet feeding unit. A pair of restricting plates provided so as to be movable along the first direction so as to restrict the positions of both ends in the first direction of the paper placed in the paper placement area according to the size of the paper. Prepared,
The paper feeding unit further includes a webbing portion disposed to face the paper feeding roller,
The winding portion is configured to be movable along the first direction,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sheet feeding roller and the separating section move together when the sheet feeding section moves along the first direction. A limiting unit that limits a movement range of the paper feeding unit;
The restricting portion is disposed on both sides of the separation portion in the first direction, and is movable along the first direction with a first conveyance guide and a second conveyance guide that guide conveyance of the paper together with the separation portion. Including an auxiliary guide for guiding the conveyance of the paper together with the first conveyance guide in a state of being housed in the first conveyance guide and exposed from the first conveyance guide,
When the paper feed unit moves from the first transport guide side toward the second transport guide side, the auxiliary guide moves as the paper feed unit moves in conjunction with the movement of the paper feed unit. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet feeding device moves toward the second conveyance guide so as to fill a space formed between the sheet feeding unit and the first conveyance guide. A paper feed unit moving mechanism for moving the paper feed unit;
A second drive unit for driving the paper feed unit moving mechanism;
The sheet feeding device according to claim 7, further comprising a switch for operating the second drive unit.   12. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet conveyance path after passing through the sheet feeding roller is formed to be directed upward from a horizontal plane.