JP2019043770A - Sheet loading device, paper cassette, image formation device and composite image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent deviation of a fence even when a sheet loading device such as a paper cassette is vigorously set in a device body such as an image formation device.SOLUTION: A sheet loading device comprises: a main body for loading a sheet; a fence for regulating a position of the sheet loaded on the main body; a support member having a support part for supporting the fence and a protrusion extending in a predetermined direction; and a groove which is provided to the main body, and extends in the predetermined direction, and to which a protrusion is fitted from a loading direction of the sheet to fix the support member. In this device, the fence is supported while rotatable with respect to the support part of the support member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet stacking apparatus, a sheet feeding cassette, an image forming apparatus, and a composite image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an end fence, a side fence, or the like (hereinafter also simply referred to as a fence) that regulates the position of a sheet loaded on the cassette is movably provided in a sheet feeding cassette used in an image forming apparatus. It is already known that the position of the fence is fixed by fitting the position fixing protrusion provided on the fence with the position fixing groove provided on the cassette body (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  Patent Document 1 describes a configuration having a support member (lock member) for fixing the position on one side of the end fence in the paper width direction. Specifically, the support member is mounted in a case integrally provided with the end fence so as to be movable up and down by lever operation. A protrusion is provided at the lower end portion of the support member, and the protrusion engages with a groove provided in the bottom plate portion of the paper feed cassette to position the end fence.

  However, such a conventional paper feed cassette has a problem that the end fence is shifted when the paper feed cassette is vigorously set in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Specifically, when the paper feed cassette in which the sheet bundle is set is vigorously set in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, the end fence is pushed backward (opposite to the paper transport direction) due to the inertia of the vigorous paper. As a result, a moment (rotational force) acts on the end fence as viewed from the upper side in the sheet stacking direction with the support member positioned on one side of the end fence as the center. The action of this moment is transmitted from the end fence to the support member, and the moment acts on the support member when viewed from the upper side in the paper stacking direction. Due to this moment, the support member is rotated, and the projection of the support member and the groove on the cassette body side are disengaged from each other.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prevents a fence from slipping even if a sheet stacking device such as a paper feed cassette is vigorously set on a main body of an image forming device or the like. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a sheet stacking apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body on which sheets are stacked, a fence that regulates the position of the sheets stacked on the main body, and a support unit that supports the fence. A sheet stack including a support member having a protrusion extending in a predetermined direction, and a groove provided in the main body, extending in the predetermined direction, and fitted in the protrusion from the sheet stacking direction to fix the support member. In the apparatus, the fence is rotatably supported with respect to the support portion of the support member.

  According to the present invention, even if a sheet stacking device such as a sheet feeding cassette is vigorously set on an apparatus main body such as an image forming device, the fence can be prevented from shifting.

1 is a perspective view of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the end fence side part of the paper feed cassette concerning the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a support member, FIG. 4B is a VV cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5C is D1 of FIG. 5B according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of a part. (A) is VI-VI sectional drawing of FIG.5 (b), (b) is an enlarged view of D2 part of Fig.6 (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the existence range of the rotation fulcrum of an end fence. It is explanatory drawing which shows the force which acts on the end fence which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a support member according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of an end fence side of a paper feed cassette. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a support member according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of an end fence side of a paper feed cassette. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a support member, FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view of an end fence side of a paper feed cassette, and FIG. It is an enlarged view of D3 part. FIG. 12A is a partial cross-sectional view of an end fence side of a paper feed cassette according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The accommodation part by the side of the end fence of the removed state is shown, (c) is an enlarged view of D4 part of Fig.12 (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the accommodating part by the side of the supporting member and end fence which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a support member, FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the paper feed cassette, and FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette on the end fence side. FIG. 14D is an enlarged view of a portion D5 in FIG. The effect | action of the force which acts on the end fence and support member of the conventional paper feed cassette is shown, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view by the side of the end fence of a paper feed cassette, (b) is FIG. 15 (a) D6 part. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the force which acts on an end fence and a supporting member, (d) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that protrusion protrudes from a groove | channel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Description of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the laser printer.

  In the following description, “image forming apparatus” refers to an apparatus that forms an image by attaching a developer or ink to a sheet, which is a recording medium for recording an image. “Image formation” not only means that an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure is given to the medium but also an image having no meaning such as a pattern is given to the medium. The “sheet” is not limited to paper (paper), but includes OHP sheets, fabrics, and the like, and means a medium or an original on which a developer or ink can be attached. In addition to plain paper, “paper” includes cardboard, postcard, envelope, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and the like. In the following embodiments, the sheet is described as “paper”, and the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like in the description of each component are examples, and the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. Is not intended to limit them.

  A sheet feeding cassette 30 as an example of a sheet stacking apparatus capable of stacking and storing a large number of sheets is disposed below the apparatus main body 100 of the laser printer 1 shown in FIG. The paper feed cassette 30 can be pulled out and inserted into the apparatus main body 100 in the front-rear horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure). A front cover 8 for internal inspection is disposed on the upper portion of the paper feed cassette 30. The front cover 8 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100 in the front-rear direction (the arrow B direction in the figure). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 8 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 12 disposed in the lower part of the apparatus main body 100. A paper discharge tray 44 is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100.

  The front cover 8 includes a duplex unit 9 on its inner surface. The duplex unit 9 has a transport housing 9a, and a paper reverse transport path 41 is formed on the back side of the transport housing 9a. In addition, the inner surface side of the transport housing 9 a constitutes a part of the sheet transport path on the apparatus main body 100 side, and includes a secondary transfer roller 20 as a transfer member and one timing driving roller 142 of the timing roller pair 14. ing. The timing driving roller 142 and the timing driven roller 141 on the main body side constitute a pair of timing rollers 14.

Hereinafter, main parts of the laser printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The laser printer 1 has four process units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C for forming an image on its image forming unit with developers of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan corresponding to color separation components of a color image. It has. Each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C has toner bottles 6K, 6Y, 6M, 6C containing unused toners of different colors. Other than that, the configuration is the same.

  The configuration of the process unit 1K will be described by taking a single process unit 1K as an example. The process unit 1K includes a photosensitive member (photosensitive drum) 2K, a drum cleaning device 3K, a static eliminator, a charging device 4K, a developing device 5K, and the like. Yes. The process unit 1K is detachably attached to the main body of the laser printer 1 so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  An exposure unit 7 is disposed above each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C. The exposure device 7 is configured to emit laser light from a laser diode based on image data.

  A transfer device 15 is disposed below each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C. The transfer device 15 includes four primary transfer rollers 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C that face the photoconductors 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, each primary transfer roller 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C, a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 17. The intermediate transfer belt 16 is circulated and circulated, the secondary transfer roller 20 is disposed opposite to the driving roller 18, the belt cleaning device 21, the cleaning backup roller 22, and the like. If the photoreceptors 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C are the first image carriers for the respective colors, the intermediate transfer belt 16 is a second image carrier that combines these images.

  Under the laser printer 1, a paper feed cassette 30 that can store a large number of sheets P as an example of a sheet, and a feeding unit that feeds the paper P from the paper feed cassette 30 toward the paper feed path 31. A roller 32 is provided. Near the end of the paper feed path 31, a timing roller pair 14 for temporarily stopping the paper is provided.

  The timing roller pair 14 is positioned immediately upstream of the intermediate transfer belt 16, and in order to accurately align the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the leading end position of the sheet, the sheet P is once slackened to perform intermediate transfer. Immediately before the toner image formed on the belt 16 is transferred to the paper P at the secondary transfer nip portion, the paper P is sent to the secondary transfer nip portion at a predetermined timing.

  In general, the secondary transfer roller 20 is often urged to the intermediate transfer belt 16 by a compression spring 25. However, in the full front operation type laser printer 1, the duplex unit 9 is often arranged on the front side of the intermediate transfer belt 16, and it is difficult to reduce the size around the compression spring 25. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the transfer nip portion is disposed in an oblique direction, the dead space of the duplex unit 9 can be used effectively, and the laser printer 1 can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction.

  A post-transfer conveyance path 33 is disposed above the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18. A fixing device 34 is provided near the end of the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The fixing device 34 includes a fixing roller 34a that contains a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and a pressure roller 34b that rotates while contacting the fixing roller 34a with a predetermined pressure.

  A post-fixing conveyance path 35 is disposed above the fixing device 34, and branches to a paper discharge path 36 and a reverse conveyance path 41 at the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. A switching member 42 that swings around a swing shaft 42a is disposed on the side of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. At the end of the paper discharge path 36, a paper discharge roller pair 37 is provided as a paper discharge means for discharging the paper out of the apparatus. The reverse conveyance path 41 joins the paper feed path 31 at the end thereof, and a reverse conveyance roller pair 43 is disposed in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 41. In addition, a paper discharge tray 44 having an upper cover recessed inward is disposed at the top of the laser printer 1.

  A powder container 10 (toner container) that stores waste toner is disposed between the transfer device 15 and the paper feed cassette 30. The powder container 10 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100.

  In the laser printer 1 of this embodiment, the space from the feed roller 32 to the secondary transfer roller 20 needs to be separated to some extent due to the transfer paper transfer relationship. For this reason, the powder container 10 is installed in the dead space generated to reduce the size of the entire laser printer.

  Note that although a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, any one of a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a printing machine, and an ink jet recording apparatus, or at least two of these. The present invention can also be applied to a complex machine as an example of a complex image forming apparatus formed by combining two or more.

Next, the basic operation of the laser printer 1 will be described.
In FIG. 2, when the feed roller 32 is rotated by a paper feed signal from the control unit of the laser printer 1, only the topmost paper P stacked on the paper feed cassette 30 is separated and sent to the paper feed path 31. . When the leading edge of the paper P reaches the nip portion of the timing roller pair 14, the timing is synchronized with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16, and the paper P is slackened to correct the leading edge skew of the paper P. Wait in the state of forming.

  The image forming operation will be described by taking one process unit 1K as an example. First, the surface of the photoreceptor 2K is charged to a uniform high potential by the charging device 4K. Based on the image data, the surface of the photoreceptor 2K is irradiated with the laser beam L from the exposure device 7, and the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image. Unused black toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6K to the developing device 5K.

  The toner is transferred to the surface portion of the photoreceptor 2K on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing device 5K, and a black toner image is formed (developed). Then, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 2K is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16.

  The drum cleaning device 3K removes residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 2K after the intermediate transfer process. The removed residual toner is sent and collected by a waste toner transport unit to a waste toner storage unit in the process unit 1K. Further, the static eliminator neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 2K after cleaning.

  In the process units 1Y, 1M, and 1C for the respective colors, toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, and 2C, and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 so that the respective color toner images are overlapped.

  When each color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 so as to overlap, the timing roller pair 14 and the feeding roller 32 start to drive, and take timing (synchronization) with the toner image superimposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16. The paper P is sent to the secondary transfer roller 20. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the fed paper P by the secondary transfer nip portion of the secondary transfer roller 20.

  The paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The paper P sent to the fixing device 34 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 34a and the pressure roller 34b, and the unfixed toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the paper P. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35.

  At the timing when the paper P is sent out from the fixing device 34, the switching member 42 is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 and opens near the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. The paper P sent out from the fixing device 34 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller pair 37, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44.

  When performing duplex printing, when the trailing edge of the paper P conveyed by the paper discharge roller pair 37 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the switching member 42 swings to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The vicinity of the end of the path 35 is closed. At substantially the same time, the paper discharge roller pair 37 rotates in the reverse direction, and the paper P is fed back and enters the reverse conveyance path 41.

  The sheet P transported in the reverse transport path 41 passes through the reverse transport roller pair 43, reaches the timing roller pair 14, and is sent out in synchronism with the toner image for the back surface formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16. A toner image is transferred to the back surface of the paper P when passing through the secondary transfer roller 20. After the toner image on the back surface of the paper P is fixed by the fixing device 34, the toner image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the paper discharge path 36, and the paper discharge roller pair 37 in order.

  Further, after the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the paper P, residual toner adheres on the intermediate transfer belt 16. This residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 by the belt cleaning device 21. Then, the toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transported to the entrance of the powder container 10 by the waste toner transport means and collected in the powder container 10.

(Paper cassette)
Next, the configuration of a sheet feeding cassette 30 as an example of a sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 30, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the end fence 201 side portion of the paper feed cassette 30. 5A is a perspective view of the support member 206, FIG. 5B is a VV cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a D1 portion of FIG. 5B. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5B, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion D2 in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the paper feed cassette 30 is provided in the cassette main body 200 as an example of a main body, an end fence 201 as an example of a fence, a support member (lock member) 206, and the cassette main body 200. Groove (claw) 205 is provided. The cassette body 200 has a bottom plate portion 203, and sheets as an example of sheets are stacked on the bottom plate portion 203.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rail 204 having a plurality of grooves (claws) 205 parallel to each other is provided on the bottom plate portion 203 of the cassette body 200 along the moving direction of the end fence 201 (arrow A1 direction). It has been. The groove (claw) 205 extends in the paper width direction (arrow A2 direction), and is engaged with the protrusion (claw portion) 209 of the support member 206 from the paper stacking direction (Z direction in FIG. 5B). The support member 206 and the end fence 201 that accommodates the support member 206 are fixed.
Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

(End fence)
The end fence 201 regulates the position of the rear end of the stacked sheets in the sheet conveyance direction (X direction in FIG. 5B). As shown in FIG. 5B, the end fence 201 is movable in the direction of the arrow A1, and the position can be changed corresponding to a plurality of paper sizes. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a side fence 202 is provided as a fence, and regulates the end position of the stacked sheets in the width direction (direction of arrow A2).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the end fence 201 extends substantially parallel to the fence body 201 a extending in the paper stacking direction (Z direction) and the bottom plate portion 203 of the paper feed cassette 30. It has the base part 201b which has the level | step-difference part which incline, and the accommodating part 201c in which the supporting member 206 is accommodated. The fence body 201a regulates the end position of the stacked paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the accommodating portion 201c of the end fence 201 is configured in a concave shape and accommodates the support member 206 inside thereof. The support member 206 accommodated in the accommodation part 201c is prevented from coming back backward by the convex part 201e provided at the rear end part of the accommodation part 201c.

(Support member)
As shown in FIG. 5A, the support member (lock member) 206 includes a support portion (contact portion) 208 that supports the end fence 201 and a protrusion (claw portion) 209 extending in a predetermined direction. .

  Specifically, the support portion (contact portion) 208 is provided on a side surface 207c of the support member main body 207 on the fence main body 201a side, and has a semi-cylindrical shape protruding from the side surface 207c. The protrusion 209 is provided at the lower end 207b of the support member main body 207 and extends in the paper width direction (the direction of the arrow A2).

  The direction (predetermined direction) in which the protrusion (claw portion) 209 of the support member (lock member) 206 and the groove (claw) 205 of the rail 204 extend is the moving direction of the support member 206 and the end fence 201 (paper transport direction (X direction)). )), That is, the width direction of the paper (the direction of the arrow A2). This is because the protrusion 209 of the support member 206 can be easily removed from the groove 205 of the rail 204 and moved to the position of another groove 205 on the rail 204.

  The shape of the support portion 208 of the present embodiment is a semi-cylindrical shape in which approximately half of the cylinder protrudes, but the shape is not limited to this, and may be a shape in which a part of the cylinder protrudes.

  A plurality of protrusions 209 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a plurality of grooves 205 of the rail 204 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The plurality of protrusions 209 are fitted into the plurality of grooves 205 of the rail 204 from the sheet stacking direction (Z direction). Accordingly, the support member 206 can be reliably fixed as compared with the case where the projection 209 and the groove 205 are only one pair.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the support member 206 has a plurality of protrusions extending in the paper width direction (the direction from the front to the back in FIG. 5C). 209. That is, a plurality of protrusions 209 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the paper width direction (the direction of arrow A1). In the case of the support member 206 of the present embodiment, the six protrusions 209 are provided, but the number is not limited to this. Also, a plurality of grooves 205 of the rail 204 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the paper width direction (direction of arrow A1).

  In this embodiment, the number of the protrusions 209 and the grooves 205 is plural, but the number of the protrusions 209 may be one, and the number of the protrusions 209 and the grooves 205 may be one. Further, the cross-sectional shapes of the protrusions 209 and the grooves 205 may not be triangular, and may be, for example, rectangular or elliptical.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the support member 206 is housed in the housing portion 201 c of the end fence 201, and the end fence 201 rotates relative to the support portion 208 of the support member 206. Supported as possible.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the semi-cylindrical support portion (contact portion) 208 is located at one point X on the outer surface of the arc shape when viewed in cross section. The end fence 201 is supported by contacting (contacting) the inner surface. Further, the support member main body 207 of the support member 206 has a shape in which both side surfaces 207d facing the inner surface 201d of the housing portion 201c are curved when viewed in cross section. Thereby, the end fence 201 can rotate with the contact point X with the support portion 208 as a rotation fulcrum S as seen in a cross section. That is, the support member 206 has a rotation fulcrum S for the end fence 201 on the outer surface of the support portion 208.

  The rotation range (movable range) of the end fence 201 with respect to the support unit 208 may be set to a range in which the end fence 201 can rotate upon receiving an impact. In this embodiment, the rotation range is about 5 degrees (see θ in FIG. 8).

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the existence range of the rotation fulcrum S of the end fence 201. As shown in FIG. 7, the support 208 has a rotation fulcrum S for the end fence 201 inside a range R corresponding to the width W of the protrusion 209 in the paper width direction (the direction of the arrow A2). As a result, when the end fence 201 rotates around the rotation fulcrum S, a moment (rotational force) hardly acts on the support member 206 from the end fence 201.

  Next, operations and effects of the paper feed cassette 30 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Conventional paper cassette)
For the sake of explanation, the conventional paper feed cassette 30Z will be described first.
14A is a perspective view of a support member 906 used in the conventional paper feed cassette 30Z, FIG. 14B is a partial sectional perspective view of the paper feed cassette 30Z, and FIG. 14C is a view of the paper feed cassette 30Z. It is a fragmentary sectional view by the side of an end fence, (d) is an enlarged view of D5 part of FIG.14 (c).

  As shown in FIG. 14A, a conventional support member 906 has a support member main body 907 and a plurality of protrusions 909 provided at the lower end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 14B, 14C, and 14D, the support member 906 is housed in the housing portion 201c of the end fence 201, and has two locations as viewed in the cross section of FIG. 4D. The end fence 201 is supported by X.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, when the paper P is loaded on the conventional paper feed cassette 30Z and set in the apparatus main body 100 while applying a pressing force (see C in FIG. 2), the inertial force F1 of the paper P is increased. It acts on the end fence 201. This inertial force F1 increases when the paper feed cassette 30Z is set vigorously.

  FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of a portion D6 in FIG. 15A, and shows a state where the protrusion 909 and the groove 205 are fitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14C, when the support member 906 is provided only on one side of the end fence 201 in the paper width direction (the direction of the arrow A2), the end fence 201 is provided on the end fence 201 as shown in FIG. When the inertial force F1 is applied, a moment (rotational force) M1 is generated in the end fence 201 with the support member 906 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14D, the support member 906 supports the end fence 201 at two contact points X. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15C, moment (rotational force) M <b> 2 acts on the support member 906 from the end fence 201.

  When the conventional support member 906 receives the moment M2 from the end fence 201, a rotational force is also applied to the protrusion 909 below the support member 906. The support member 906 is pressed against the lower rail 204 by a spring 210 (see FIG. 15A). When the rotational force increases, the protrusion 909 resists this pressing force as shown in FIG. 15D. Then, it rotates as shown by the broken line and comes out of the groove 205. Such a rotation operation causes the protrusion 909 to ride up from a predetermined fixed position. In the case of the configuration of this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the moment M2 can be eliminated or reduced, so that the ride can be prevented.

(Operation / Effect of the Paper Feed Cassette of this Embodiment)
Next, operations and effects when the paper feed cassette 30 according to the present embodiment is set in the apparatus main body 100 will be described.

  As in the case of the conventional paper feed cassette 30Z, when the paper feed cassette 30 is set vigorously on the apparatus main body 100, the inertial force F1 of the paper P is applied to the end fence 201 (see FIG. 15A). As shown in FIG. 6A, when the support member 206 is provided only on one side of the end fence 201 in the paper width direction (the direction of the arrow A2), when the inertial force F1 acts on the end fence 201, FIG. As shown, a moment (rotational force) M1 is generated in the end fence 201 with the support member 206 as a fulcrum.

  At this time, the support member 206 supports the end fence 201 only at one contact point X (see FIG. 6B) having a circular arc cross section of the semi-cylindrical support portion 208. For this reason, the end fence 201 rotates with the contact X as the rotation fulcrum S, and the support member 206 does not follow the rotation of the end fence 201, so no moment (rotational force) is generated in the support member 206. Therefore, the protrusion 209 of the support member 206 does not ride on the groove 205 of the rail 204, the fitting between the protrusion 209 and the groove 205 is maintained, and the ability (holding force) to hold the end fence 201 in a predetermined position is improved compared to the conventional configuration. Can be strengthened.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the support member 306 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette 30A.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment having a semi-cylindrical shape in that the support portion 308 has a triangular prism shape. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the protruding side portion 308 a of the triangular prism-shaped support portion 308 comes into contact with the inner surface of the housing portion 201 c of the end fence 201 and rotates the end fence 201 with respect to the support portion 308. Support is possible. That is, the end fence 201 can rotate with the side portion 308a of the support portion 308 as a rotation fulcrum (rotation axis).

  As a result, even when the paper feed cassette 30A is vigorously set on the apparatus main body 100 of the laser printer 1, it is possible to suppress the moment (rotational force) from being generated on the support member 306 when viewed from the upper side in the paper stacking direction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the projection 309 provided at the lower portion of the support member 306 from climbing up from the groove 205 of the rail 204 and the end fence 201 being displaced.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the support member 406 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette 30B.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment having a semi-cylindrical shape in that the support portion 408 has a hemispherical shape. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the protruding vertex 408 a of the hemispherical support portion 408 comes into contact with the inner surface of the housing portion 201 c of the end fence 201, and the end fence 201 can be rotated with respect to the support portion 408. It comes to support. That is, the end fence 201 can rotate with the apex 408a of the support portion 408 as a rotation fulcrum as viewed in cross section.

  As a result, even when the paper feed cassette 30B is vigorously set on the apparatus main body 100 of the laser printer 1, the moment (rotational force) generated on the support member 406 when viewed from the upper side in the paper stacking direction can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the projection 409 provided at the lower portion of the support member 406 from climbing from the groove 205 of the rail 204 and the end fence 201 being displaced.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
11A is a perspective view of the support member 506 according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette 30C, and FIG. 11C is FIG. ) Is an enlarged view of a portion D3.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in which the support portion 208 has a semi-cylindrical shape in that the support portion 508 has a cylindrical shape. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 11 (c), the column-shaped support portion 508 has a total of three points X on the inner surface and two corners of the housing portion 201c of the end fence 201 when viewed in cross section. In contact therewith, the end fence 201 is supported so as to be capable of frictional rotation with respect to the support portion 508. Specifically, the end fence 201 can be rubbed and rotated about the column center of the support portion 508 as a rotation axis.

  In the present embodiment, the support portion 508 and the accommodating portion 201c are in contact with each other at three positions as viewed in a cross section, but the number of contacts may not be three. You may change the shape which accommodates the support part 208 of the accommodating part 201c so that the number of contacts may be larger than two or three.

  As a result, even when the paper feed cassette 30C is vigorously set on the apparatus main body 100 of the laser printer 1, the moment (rotational force) generated on the support member 506 when viewed from the upper side in the paper stacking direction can be suppressed. Thereby, it can prevent that the protrusion 509 provided in the lower part of the supporting member 506 climbs up from the groove | channel 205 of the rail 204, and the end fence 201 slip | deviates.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since a plurality of contacts between the support portion 508 and the end fence 201 can be provided when viewed in cross section, the holding force of the end fence 201 can be enhanced.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12A is a partial cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette 30D according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a view of the housing portion 601c of the end fence 601 viewed from the A direction in FIG. It is a perspective view and FIG.12 (c) is an enlarged view of D4 part of Fig.12 (a).

  In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the portion supported by the support portion 908 in the end fence 601 has a concave arc shape in cross section, and the support member 906 has a cross section. It is different from the fourth embodiment in that it is rectangular. Other components are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The support member 906 according to the present embodiment has the same shape as the conventional support member shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12C, the support member 906 has two contact points X on the concave arc-shaped inner peripheral surface 601f of the housing portion 601c of the end fence 601 when viewed in cross section, and the end fence 601 The support member 906 is supported so as to be slidable and rotatable. That is, the portion of the end fence 601 supported by the support member 906 has a concave arc shape in cross section, so that the support member 906 does not follow the rotational motion of the end fence 601. The center of rotation when the end fence 601 rotates is present inside the support member 906 in FIG.

  As a result, even when the paper feed cassette 30D is vigorously set on the apparatus main body 100 of the laser printer 1, the moment (rotational force) generated on the support member 906 when viewed from the upper side in the paper stacking direction can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the projection 909 (see FIG. 14A) provided at the lower portion of the support member 906 from climbing from the groove 205 of the rail 204 and shifting the end fence 601.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the conventional support member 906 shown in FIG. 14A can be used without being changed, and the holding force of the end fence 601 can be strengthened as compared with the conventional one.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the support portion 508 of the support member 506 and the accommodating portion 701c of the end fence 701 according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the sixth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the portion of the end fence 701 supported by the support portion 508 has a concave arc shape in cross section. Other components are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the columnar support portion 508 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 701 f of the housing portion 701 c of the end fence 701 so as to support the end fence 701 so as to be capable of sliding and rotating with respect to the support portion 508. It has become. Thereby, there can exist an effect similar to 4th Embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the holding force of the end fence 701 can be enhanced by increasing the friction area between the end fence 701 and the support member 506.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described.
In the seventh embodiment, the support portion of the support member is formed of an elastic body. Other components may be the same as those in any of the first to sixth embodiments.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the conventional configuration shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the support member main body 907 supports the end fence 201 (in the vicinity of the contact X in FIG. 14D). Or the entire support member body 907 may be made of an elastic body. The elastic body may be, for example, rubber or elastomer having a required elasticity, or a spring may be provided on the support portion to elastically support the end fence.

  With this configuration, the support portion of the support member of the present embodiment can absorb a moment load (rotational force) from the end fence regardless of its shape. Thereby, it can prevent that the protrusion provided in the lower part of the support member climbs up from the groove | channel of a rail, and an end fence slip | deviates.

  In this embodiment, since the moment load (rotational force) is absorbed by the elastic body, it is not necessary to prevent the moment from being generated in the support member due to the shape of the support portion. Therefore, the shape of the support portion does not necessarily have to be a semi-cylindrical shape, a triangular prism shape, or the like.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to the end fence that regulates the paper position at the rear end in the paper conveyance direction, but is not limited thereto. You may apply this invention with respect to the side fence which regulates a paper position in the edge part of the width direction orthogonal to a paper conveyance direction.

  In addition, the present invention can be applied to devices other than a printer as long as it is a device that regulates the position of a sheet-like medium. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that regulates the position of a prepreg (a sheet-like material in which a resin is previously impregnated with carbon fibers). The material of the sheet is not limited to paper, but may be a plastic sheet, a metal sheet, a cloth, or the like.

  In addition, since the image forming apparatus or the composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the paper feed cassette according to each of the above-described embodiments, the same functions and effects as those described above can be obtained.

  As described above, the present invention has an effect that the fence does not shift even if a sheet stacking apparatus such as a sheet feeding cassette is vigorously set on the apparatus main body such as an image forming apparatus. It is useful for cassettes, image forming apparatuses, and composite image forming apparatuses in general.

1 Laser printer (an example of an image forming device)
30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30Z Paper feed cassette (an example of a sheet stacking device)
100 apparatus main body 200 cassette main body (an example of main body)
201, 601, 701 End fence (an example of a fence)
201a Fence body 201c, 601c, 701c Housing part 202 Side fence 203 Bottom plate part 204 Rail 205 Groove (claw)
206, 306, 406, 506, 906 Support member (lock member)
207, 307, 407, 907 Support member body 208, 308, 408, 508 Support part (contact part)
209, 309, 409, 509, 909 Protrusion (claw part)
210 Spring

JP 2006-121007 A

Claims (15)

A body on which sheets are stacked;
A fence for regulating the position of the sheet loaded on the main body;
A support member having a support part for supporting the fence and a protrusion extending in a predetermined direction;
In the sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: a groove provided in the main body, extending in the predetermined direction, and fitted to the protrusion from the stacking direction of the sheet to fix the support member.
The sheet stacking apparatus, wherein the fence is rotatably supported with respect to the support portion of the support member. A plurality of the protrusions are provided in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction,
A plurality of the grooves are provided in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction,
The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are fitted into the plurality of grooves from a stacking direction of the sheets.   3. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a rotation fulcrum with respect to the fence inside a range corresponding to a width of the protrusion in the predetermined direction.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit has a rotation fulcrum with respect to the fence on an outer surface of the support unit.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a semi-cylindrical shape.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a triangular prism shape.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a hemispherical shape.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fence is capable of sliding and rotating with respect to the support portion.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the support portion has a cylindrical shape.   9. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the fence supported by the support portion has a concave arc shape in cross section.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the support portion has a cylindrical shape, and a portion of the fence supported by the support portion has a concave arc shape in cross section.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is an elastic body.   The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking apparatus is a sheet feeding cassette.   An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1.   A composite image forming apparatus comprising the sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1.

Images