JP2021187565A - Sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables an additional sheet to be supplied to a sheet storage area at any time (follow-up supply).SOLUTION: A sheet feeding device 10 is used by being attached to a printing device 100 to feed printing sheets 50 to a manual feed tray 3 provided in the printing device 100. The sheet feeding device 10 includes a fixing unit 8 which is used to fix the sheet feeding device 10 to the printing device 100, and a sheet accumulation unit 12 which can stack the plurality of printing sheets 50 in a gravity direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that can be attached to a printing device including a manual feed tray.

There are two ways to feed paper with a printing device. One is a method of feeding paper loaded in a paper cassette, and the other is a method of feeding paper loaded in a manual feed tray. Frequently used paper such as A4 and A3 is fed from the paper cassette, and photo paper and postcards are set in the manual feed tray and fed. However, the manual feed tray is not suitable for loading a large amount of paper, so for example, when printing photo paper in units of 100 sheets, it is troublesome because it must be divided into small pieces and loaded in the manual feed tray many times. rice field.

Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding device capable of setting a large amount of postcards and having a feeding function in order to feed a large amount of postcards from a manual feed tray. This paper feeding device is a device that detects the presence or absence of paper on the bypass tray and feeds the paper when there is no paper on the bypass tray.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-047048

In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the paper is set downward in the vertical direction at the paper storage portion, and is further fixed by pressing it against the vertical transport belt. An issue associated with this is that when the amount of paper in the paper storage section is low, it is not possible to replenish (replenish) the paper while printing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of additionally replenishing (additional replenishment) of paper to a paper storage unit at any time.

In order to achieve the above object, the paper feeder of the present invention
It is a paper feeding device that is used by being attached to a printing device and feeds paper to a manual feed tray provided in the printing device.
A fixing portion for fixing the paper feeding device to the printing device,
A paper storage unit that can stack multiple sheets in the direction of gravity and load them,
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, even when the amount of paper in the paper storage unit is low, additional replenishment is possible, and continuous printing enables efficient mass printing.

Schematic perspective view when the paper feeding device of the present invention is mounted on a printing device. Top view and sectional view of the paper feeder of the present invention Sectional drawing explaining an example of the fixing method of the paper feed device of this invention Schematic perspective view explaining an example of the fixing method of the paper feed device of this invention. Schematic perspective view when the top plate of the printing apparatus equipped with the paper feeder of the present invention is opened. Schematic perspective view when the top plate of the printing apparatus equipped with the paper feeder of the present invention is opened. Sectional drawing explaining operation sequence of the paper feed device of this invention Sectional drawing explaining the separation mechanism of the paper feed device of this invention Sectional drawing for demonstrating embodiment of the paper feeding apparatus of this invention Top view of the feed roller used in the paper feeder of the present invention Sectional drawing explaining the separation mechanism in the Example of the paper feeding apparatus of this invention. Operation time chart of the paper feeder of the present invention

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail exemplary with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

[Embodiment]
<Printing device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view when the paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a printing device. The printing device 100 is an inkjet recording type printer. The printing apparatus 100 includes a main body 1 having an inkjet head as a recording unit (image forming unit) and an ink tank for supplying ink thereof, a top plate 2 fixed on the top surface thereof, and manual feeding at the rear of the main body 1. It is composed of a tray 3 and a paper ejection tray 4 in front of the main body 1. The top plate 2 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 1. When the ink in the ink tank is used up, the top plate 2 is opened and the ink tank is replaced. In the printing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the top plate 2 and the main body 1 are fixed by a ridge line on the manual feed tray 3 side, and the printing apparatus 100 can rotate around this as a fulcrum. The opening / closing operation of the top plate 2 is performed around this fulcrum.

The printing paper (recording material) is set in the manual feed tray 3. When the printing instruction is transmitted to the main body 1, the set printing paper is fed to the main body 1, printed internally by the inkjet head (image formation), and then discharged to the output tray 4.

A side guide is provided in the manual feed tray 3 so that the printing paper 50 supplied by the paper feeding device 10 of the present embodiment, which will be described later, is loaded in a posture having a predetermined angle with respect to the main body 1 in the horizontal direction. 24a and 24b are provided. The side guide 24 extends to a position where the printing paper 50 is higher than the height supplied by the paper feeding device 10.

<Paper feeder>
[Device configuration]
The paper feeding device 10 of the embodiment of the present invention is installed above the top plate 2 of the printing device 100. The paper feeding device 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and later.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the printing device 100 and the paper feeding device 10. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2A. For the sake of explanation, a printing paper 50 (not shown) is added to FIG. 2B.

The paper feeding device 10 includes a paper storage unit 12, a feed roller 16, a separating member 18, a paper detection sensor 20, and a motor 22.

In the paper feeding device 10, a plurality of printing papers 50 can be stacked vertically and loaded on the paper storage unit 12. At this time, the printing paper 50 is loaded so that the front surface (printing surface) faces upward and the back surface faces downward. The side surface of the paper storage unit 12 is surrounded by side plates 12a and 12b, a back plate 12c, and a front plate 12d. Further, the paper storage unit 12 includes a bottom plate 12e that forms the lowermost surface of the paper storage space. The space surrounded by these boards serves as a storage space for the printing paper 50. Here, the front plate 12d is arranged on the manual feed tray 3 side of the printing apparatus 100, and the back plate 12c is arranged on the paper ejection tray 4 side. The materials of the front plate 12d, the back plate 12c, and the side plates 12a and 12b are not particularly limited, but it is desirable that the material is substantially transparent so that the remaining amount of the printing paper 50 can be easily visually recognized. Therefore, it is desirable to use a transparent resin such as PET or acrylic. The distance between the side plates 12a and 12b and the distance between the front plate 12d and the back plate 12c are set according to the size of the printing paper 50. By lowering the height position of each plate below the manual feed tray 3, the paper feeding device 10 can be installed without expanding the occupied space of the printing device 100 itself. The upper part of the paper storage unit 12 is open, and when the printing paper 50 is ejected and the remaining amount is reduced by the paper feeding operation described later, the printing paper 50 can be replenished from above.

In the paper storage unit 12, the rear end of the printing paper 50 is supported by the paper rear end supports 14a and 14b as the rear end support portion, and the front end is supported by the feed roller 16. The posture of the printing paper 50 is regulated by the positional relationship between the paper rear end support 14 and the feed roller 16. In the present embodiment, the printing paper 50 is stored in an oblique posture with an inclination toward the feed roller 16. The feed roller 16 is connected to the motor 22, and the feed roller 16 can be rotated by driving the motor 22. The feed roller 16 is in contact with the back surface of the printing paper 50, and the printing paper 50 can be fed in the direction of the manual feed tray 3 by rotating the feed roller 16. At this time, it is desirable that the frictional force between the printing paper 50 and the feed roller 16 is high. From this point of view, it is desirable that the surface of the feed roller 16 is covered with a rubber material. On the other hand, the smaller the frictional force between the paper rear end support 14 and the printing paper 50, the easier it is to feed the paper. From this point of view, the material of the paper rear end support 14 is preferably a metal or resin having a smooth surface.

The separating member 18 is arranged above the manual feed tray side of the feed roller 16. It plays a role of separating only one of the bottom sheets from the bundle of paper in the paper feeding operation described later. In the present embodiment, a fixed metal round bar is used as the separating member 18, but it is necessary to change it depending on the thickness and material of the printing paper 50. As the separation surface with which the tip of the paper bundle abuts, instead of the circumferential surface as in the present embodiment, for example, the surface in contact with the printing paper 50 may be a uniform inclined surface or a special curved surface. You may. Further, for example, the surface material may be resin or rubber. Further, it may be a rotating body (for example, a roller) that rotates according to the feed of the printing paper 50.

The paper detection sensor 20 detects the presence or absence of the printing paper 50 in the manual feed tray 3. In this embodiment, a reflective photomicro sensor is used as the paper detection sensor 20. The paper detection sensor 20 is not limited to that of the present embodiment as long as it can detect the presence or absence of the printing paper 50 in the manual feed tray 3. For example, a transmissive fiber sensor having a light emitting side and a light receiving side may be used, or a method of detecting a claw that sinks due to the weight of the paper may be used. In the present embodiment, light 20s is projected from the paper detection sensor 20, and the difference between the reflected light between the black manual feed tray 3 and the white printing paper 50 is detected to detect the presence or absence of the printing paper 50. do. The paper detection sensor 20 is electrically connected to the motor 22. When the paper detection sensor 20 detects that the manual feed tray 3 does not have the printing paper 50, the motor 22 is driven to feed the printing paper 50 from the paper storage unit 12. When the fed printing paper 50 is detected on the manual feed tray 3, the motor 22 is stopped.

The paper feeding device 10 is fixed to the top plate 2 of the printing device 100 via the fixing portion 8. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 2 (a). The fixing portion 8 of the present embodiment is composed of a frame 8a, an L-shaped member 8b, and an L-shaped member 8c. Frame 8a on top plate 2 (
Place it on the surface), and fix the L-shaped members 8b and 8c to both ends with screws. The L-shaped members 8b and 8c are configured such that the edge portion of the top plate 2 can be hooked as a claw-shaped portion that engages with the edge portion of the top plate 2 in the fixing portion 8, respectively. That is, the L-shaped members 8b and 8c have the first portions 8b1 and 8c1 extending from the front surface side to the back surface side along the side surface of the top plate 2 in the thickness direction of the top plate 2, respectively, and the top plate 2 and the main body from the tip thereof. It has second portions 8b2 and 8c2 that enter the gap of 1 and extend along the back surface of the top plate 2. The first portions 8b1 and 8c1 sandwich the side surface of the top plate 2 in the surface direction of the top plate 2, and the second portions 8b2 and 8c2 sandwich the top plate 2 in the thickness direction with the frame 8a. As a result, the fixing portion 8 grips the top plate 2 from the horizontal direction in FIG. 3, and the fixing portion 8 is fixed to the top plate 2. By fixing the paper feeding device 10 on the fixing portion 8, the paper feeding device 10 is also fixed to the top plate 2. The configuration of the fixing portion 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is fixed to the top plate 2. Although the top plate 2 is fixed from the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, it may be fixed from the vertical direction as shown in FIG. For example, when it is desired to mount the same (same type) paper feeder 10 on a plurality of models of inkjet printers, these configurations should be used properly according to the common vertical or horizontal dimensions of the top plate size of each printer. Can be done.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the printing device 100 equipped with the paper feeding device 10 when the top plate 2 is opened. As described above, when the ink in the ink tank 5 in the printing apparatus 100 is used up, it is necessary to open the top plate 2 and replace the ink tank 5. If the paper feeding device 10 is fixed to the top plate 2 via the fixing portion 8 as in the present embodiment, the ink tank 5 can be replaced without removing or moving the paper feeding device 10. Is possible. Therefore, even after the ink tank 5 is replaced, mechanical adjustment of the paper feeding device 10 is unnecessary, and printing can be resumed promptly. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus 100 that opens and closes the top plate 2 when the scanning unit 6 is used. In this case as well, the paper feeding device 10 can be attached to the top plate 2. Further, the scanning unit 6 can be used even when the paper feeding device 10 is attached.

The printing device (image forming device) that can use the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned inkjet recording type printer. For example, in an electrophotographic laser printer, it may be fixed to the top plate of the scanner unit of the laser printer so that the paper can be fed to the manual feed tray. Further, the place where the paper feeding device of the present embodiment is fixed to the printing device (the place where the paper feeding device is detachably attached) is not limited to the top plate, and the printing device which is the paper feeding destination is not limited to the top plate. It may be set as appropriate according to the layout of the manual feed tray in. Further, the paper feeding device of the present embodiment functions as an optional additional paper storage unit when the printing device has its own paper storage unit, but does not have its own paper storage unit, for example, a small size. In the printing device of the above, it functions as an external paper storage unit of the printing device. Further, the paper feeding device of the present embodiment has a configuration in which paper is conveyed in a direction opposite to the paper conveying direction in the printing device. That is, the front end of the paper conveyed in the paper feeding device becomes the rear end when the paper is conveyed in the printing device. Such a transport form can take various forms depending on the configuration of the printing apparatus and the like, and is not limited to a specific form.

[Device operation]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2A, and is a diagram illustrating a paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device 10.

FIG. 7A is a diagram when the feed roller 16 starts to move in a state where the printing paper 50 is loaded on the paper storage unit 12. The paper detection sensor 20 detects that there is no printing paper 50 in the manual feed tray 3, and the feed roller 16 is rotated in the arrow R direction by the motor 22. As a result, the printing paper 50a in the lowermost stage causes friction with the feed roller 16, and the printing paper 50 is fed in the direction of the manual feed tray 3. At this time, due to the friction between the printing papers 50, the printing papers 50 from the bottom to the top are also conveyed in the same manner. The front plate 12d is arranged on the feed direction side of the printing paper 50, and the feeding of the printing paper 50 that abuts on the front plate 12d is stopped. That is, the printing paper 50 between the front plate 12d and the feed roller 16 reaches the separating member 18 by the feed roller 16. The separation member 18 constitutes the separation mechanism of the present invention, which regulates the transfer of paper other than the lowest-level paper from the paper bundle conveyed by the feed roller 16 and separates only the lowest-level paper from the paper bundle. Further, the separating member 18, the front plate 12d, the feed roller 16, and the like correspond to the paper feeding unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a diagram at the time when the printing paper 50a is being conveyed by the feed roller 16 and comes into contact with the separating member 18. Further, an enlarged view of the periphery of the feed roller 16 and the separating member 18 at this time is shown in FIG. The printing paper 50 conveyed by the feed roller 16 comes into contact with the circumference of the separating member 18 between the lowest point 18v and the horizontal point 18h. Here, among the printing papers 50, the contact point of the separating member 18 of the printing paper 50a at the bottom is 18a, and the contact point of the second printing paper 50b from the bottom is 18b. Both the printing papers 50a and 50b abut against the separating member 18 and receive reaction forces Fa and Fb in the feeding direction. On the other hand, a frictional force fab acts on the printing papers. Further, a frictional force fr acts on the feed roller 16 and the printing paper 50a. The relationship between these forces is designed to be in the relationship of fab <Fa <Fb <fr, and the printing paper 50b abuts on the separation member 18 and the transfer is stopped, but the printing paper 50a is conveyed along the separation member 18. continue. In the present embodiment, the printing paper 50 is vertically stacked and accumulated in an inclined posture toward the feed roller 16, and the frictional forces fab and fr change depending on this angle, and the gravity of the printing paper 50 causes a reaction force. Works in the same direction as. By adjusting this angle, the accuracy of separation of the printing paper 50 can be improved.

In FIG. 8, as the transportation is continued, the contact point 18a also moves. The paper rear edge receiver 14 of FIG. 7B receives only a part of the rear part of the printing paper 50a, and when the distance between the contact point 18a and the paper rear edge receiver 14 becomes longer than the dimension of the printing paper 50a, The printing paper 50a falls off from the paper rear end holder 14. On the other hand, since the contact point 18b of the printing paper 50b does not move, the printing paper 50b remains on the paper rear end receiver 14. By this action, the printing paper 50a in the lowermost stage is released from the weight of the loaded printing paper 50 except for the contact point 16a of the feed roller 16. As a result, the friction between the printing paper 50a and the printing paper 50 above it is reduced, and smooth transportation is possible.

FIG. 7C is a diagram at the time when the bottom printing paper 50a passes through the separating member 18 and reaches the manual feed tray 3. The printing paper 50a fed out by the separating member 18 comes into contact with the manual feed tray 3 at an upward angle. Further, the head of the printing paper 50a moves upward along the manual feed tray 3.

FIG. 7D is a diagram at the time when the printing paper 50a has been conveyed to the manual feed tray 3. At this point, the printing paper 50a does not exist in the detection range of the paper detection sensor 20, and it is determined that there is no paper. Therefore, the feed roller 16 still rotates in the direction of arrow R. By this rotation, the printing paper 50b loaded on one of the printing papers 50a is conveyed in the feeding direction.

FIG. 7 (e) is a diagram at the time when the printing paper 50a reaches the detection range of the paper detection sensor 20. From FIG. 7 (d) to FIG. 7 (e), the printing paper 50a falls along the manual feed tray 3 due to its own weight, and the paper detection sensor 20 detects that there is paper. As a result, the feed roller 16 stops rotating. The printing paper 50b is conveyed by the feed roller 16 from the time the printing paper 50a is fed from the separating member 18 until it is detected by the paper detection sensor 20. As a result, the printing paper 50b is stopped in a state where it has fallen off from the paper rear end receiver 14.

The printing paper 50a fed to the bypass tray 3 is conveyed to the main body 1 and printed when the printing operation is started. As a result, the paper detection sensor 20 determines that there is no paper, and the paper feeding operation is restarted. That is, by repeating FIGS. 7 (b) to 7 (e), it is possible to feed paper in synchronization with the printing apparatus 100.

[Example]
Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to examples. The present invention is not limited to the following examples as long as the gist of the present invention is not exceeded.

In this embodiment, TS8230 (Canon inkjet printer) was used as the printing apparatus 100. As the printing paper 50, GL-101KG (manufactured by Canon, size: 102 mm × 152 mm, thickness 270 μm, basis weight 260 g / m ² ) photo paper was used. The condition setting of the paper feeding device accompanying this will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the paper feeding device 10 in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. First, each part will be described. As the paper detection sensor 20, a reflective photomicro sensor EE-SPZ401-A (manufactured by OMRON) is used. The separating member 18 uses a round bar having a diameter of 12 mm and a material of stainless steel. The feed roller 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view of the feed roller 16 as viewed from the horizontal direction. The feed roller 16 has a structure in which three rubbers 17L, 17C, and 17R are attached to the shaft 16s. The shaft 16s uses a stainless steel material and a round bar having a diameter of 8 mm, and the total length is longer than the width of 89 mm of the printing paper 50. The three rubbers 17 are all made of chlorinated polyethylene rubber (hardness 25), have a diameter of 12 mm, and have a width W1 of 15 mm. The rubber 17C is arranged in the center of the transport path of the printing paper 50. The rubber 17L and the rubber 17R are arranged 25 mm (W2) apart from the rubber 17C, respectively. The feed roller 16 having such a configuration is connected to the motor 22. As the motor 22, an AC motor SMK014A-A (manufactured by Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.) is used. Under the conditions of the examples described later, it has been confirmed that the printing paper 50 can be conveyed one by one if the rotation speed of the motor 22 is in the range of 50 to 1000 rpm. In this example, it was set to 60 rpm.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the paper rear end receiver 14 has the paper rear end receiver 14a and the paper rear end receiver 14b arranged on the left and right sides (both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 50). .. The paper rear end supports 14a and 14b are made of polyacetal (POM) resin and have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 15 mm and a height of 15 mm. Explaining with reference to FIG. 9, the paper end receiver 14b is fixed sideways so that the circular top surface of the cylinder faces the manual feed tray 3 direction. That is, the printing paper 50 comes into contact with the side surface portion (a part of the circumferential surface) of the cylinder. Since the paper rear end receiver 14 is provided on the upper surface (bottom surface) of the bottom plate 12e of the paper storage unit 12, a gap in which the rear end of the bundle of printing paper 50 conveyed by the feed roller 16 fits in the paper storage space. Is formed at a position lower than the paper rear end support position of the paper rear end receiver 14.

The dimension X2 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the diameter of the cylinder and is 15 mm. The dimension X3 is the height of the cylinder 15 mm. The paper rear edge receiver 14a and the paper rear edge receiver 14b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the transport path of the printing paper 50 (the center in the width direction), and the centers are separated from each other by 70 mm. In this embodiment, a cylindrical member is used as the paper rear end support 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical member may be used, or a member having a shape having a circumferential surface at least on the upper side in the direction of gravity may be used so that the structure of the supported portion of the printing paper 50 is the same as that of the cylindrical member.

Each dimension setting shown in FIG. 9 will be described. Needless to say, the dimensional settings shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 to be described later are premised on the dimensional relationship when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 50. Dimensions X1 and X4 indicate the positional relationship between the paper rear end support 14 and the feed roller 16. That is, the dimension X1 is the positional relationship (difference in height) between the upper end of the paper rear end receiver 14 (the portion in contact with the printing paper 50) and the rotation center axis of the feed roller 16 in the height direction (gravity direction). In this embodiment, it is 6 mm. The dimension X4 is a horizontal positional relationship (distance) between the tip of the paper rear end receiver 14 (the end of the region that can support the lower surface of the printing paper 50) and the rotation center axis of the feed roller 16. In this embodiment, it is 142 mm. The position of the feed roller 16 that supports the front end of the printing paper 50 is located above the position where the paper rear end receiver 14 supports the rear end of the printing paper 50 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the printing paper 50 is loaded in an oblique posture from the paper rear end support 14 to the feed roller 16 and its angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 5 degrees (assuming that the printing paper 50 is not bent). This is the angle between the bottom surface of the paper and the horizontal plane.) It is preferable that the angle θ1 is set to be larger than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

The dimension X7 is the positional relationship between the feed roller 16 and the front plate 12d, that is, the positional relationship (height difference) between the rotation center axis of the feed roller 16 and the lower end of the front plate 12d in the height direction (gravity direction). ), Which is 9 mm in this embodiment. The dimension X8 is a horizontal positional relationship (distance) between the facing surfaces of the back plate 12c and the front plate 12d, and is 159 mm in this embodiment.

Dimensions X5 and X6 indicate the positional relationship between the feed roller 16 and the separating member 18. That is, the dimension X5 is the horizontal positional relationship (distance) between the rotation central axis of the feed roller 16 and the central axis of the separating member 18, and is 9.8 mm in this embodiment. The dimension X6 is a positional relationship (difference in height) between the rotation central axis of the feed roller 16 and the central axis of the separating member 18 in the height direction (gravity direction). In this embodiment, the condition setting has been examined for the dimension X6, which is shown separately below.

In the present invention, the position of the separating member 18 is important for transporting one sheet at a time from the paper feeding device 10, and the setting thereof will be described. The settings described below are settings on the assumption that the printing paper 50 is not bent. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the feed roller 16 and the separating member 18. As shown in FIG. 11, the approach angle when the printing paper 50 is in contact with the separating member 18 (the angle formed by the tangent line at the point where the tip of the printing paper 50 on the peripheral surface of the separating member 18 contacts and the printing paper 50) is α. do. The approach angle of the bottom printing paper 50a is αa, and the approach angle of the second printing paper 50b from the bottom is αb. The reaction forces Fa and Fb received by the printing sheets 50a and 50b with respect to the feeding direction depend on the approach angles αa and αb. Since the relationship is substantially αa <αb, Fa <Fb. If the relationship between the frictional force fab between the printing papers and the frictional force fr between the feed roller 16 and the printing paper 50a is fab <Fa <Fb <fr, the sheets can be conveyed one by one. When the approach angle α is changed, the reaction force F changes, and this relationship is broken. If the approach angle α is increased, fr <Fa, and even one sheet cannot be sent. On the other hand, if the approach angle α is reduced, Fb <fab, and the printing paper 50b is also conveyed (double-fed) at the same time. In order to verify such an event, Table 1 shows the results of carrying out a transfer test by changing the approach angles αa and αb by changing the dimension X7.

Table 1: Examination results of dimensions X7

In Table 1, in Comparative Example 1, the approach angle α became large due to the small size X7, and the reaction force increased, so that the printing paper 50a could not be conveyed. In Comparative Example 2, the reaction force decreased due to the smaller approach angle α, and the printing paper 50b could also be fed by the frictional force with the printing paper 50a, so that double feeding occurred. The dimension X7 needs to be set in the range of the first to third embodiments. The dimension X7 is set so that the approach angle α is, for example, 50 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

The remaining dimensions in FIG. 9 will be described. The angle θ2 formed by the paper loading surface of the manual feed tray 3 of the printing apparatus 100 with respect to the horizontal plane is 55 degrees. Dimensions X9 and X10 indicate the positional relationship between the separating member 18, the paper detection sensor 20, and the manual feed tray 3, that is, indicate the fixed position of the paper feeding device 10 with respect to the printing device 100. The dimension X9 is a positional relationship (difference in height) in the height direction (gravity direction) between the position where the detection light 20s of the paper detection sensor 20 is applied to the manual feed tray 3 and the central axis of the separation member 18. In this embodiment, it is 10 mm. Dimension 10 is a horizontal positional relationship (distance) between the central axis of the separating member 18 and the position on the paper loading surface of the manual feed tray 3 at the same height as the central axis of the separating member 18. Then it is 30 mm.

Regarding the size relationship and positional relationship of each component such as the feed roller 16, the separating member 18, and the front plate 12d, those shown in FIGS. 1 (b), 7 and 9, and those shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 Then, although it is slightly different, this is for the convenience of the following explanation, and there is no major technical difference. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, at least a part of the feed roller 16 and the separating member 18 may overlap each other in the horizontal positional relationship when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. This configuration is particularly suitable for the reliable separation and transportation of the lowermost paper described above.

FIG. 12 is a time chart of the operation of the printing device 100 and the paper feeding device 10. S1 to S3 are basic operations of the printing apparatus 100. S1 is an operation of feeding paper from the manual feed tray 3 toward the main body 1. S2 is an operation of printing on printing paper in the main body 1. S3 is an operation of ejecting paper from the main body 1 to the output tray 4 after printing is completed. Regardless of whether the paper feeder 10 is attached, the time chart of these operations of the printing apparatus 100 does not change.

S4 and S5 are time charts related to the paper feeding device 10. S4 is a drive operation of the feed roller 16, that is, a paper feed operation of the printing paper 50. In S5, the feed amount of the printing paper is taken on the vertical axis instead of the operation, and the change of the feed amount with the passage of time is shown.

The relationship between the operation of the printing device 100 and the paper feeding device 10 will be described. By feeding paper from the manual feed tray 3 to the main body 1 in S1, the paper detection sensor 20 detects that the paper has run out in the manual feed tray 3. In response to this, the feed roller 16 is driven in S4 to perform a paper feeding operation. By this operation, the feed amount of S5 increases. Here, L1 represents the feed amount for the bottom printing paper 50a, and L2 represents the feed amount for the second printing paper 50b from the bottom row. The feed amount of the printing paper 50a reaches one sheet of paper at 4.2 seconds. That is, as shown in FIG. 7D, the paper feeding device 10 is completely fed to the manual feed tray 3. However, at this point, the paper detection sensor 20 has not detected the printing paper 50a, and the feed roller 16 continues to be driven for 0.2 seconds until the printing paper 50a falls along the manual feed tray 3 and is detected. .. In 0.2 seconds as this predetermined (constant) time interval, the printing paper 50b existing on the second sheet from the bottom is sent out by a minute amount of 8 mm. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), the printing paper 50b is in a state of being pulled out from the paper rear end support 14.

By repeating S1 to S5, the printing paper 50 loaded on the paper feeding device 10 can be sequentially sent to the printing device 100. In FIG. 12, it is premised that S4 is completed during printing of S2. When printing is performed at high speed, it can be dealt with by increasing the rotation speed of the feed roller 16.

1 ... Main body, 2 ... Top plate, 3 ... Manual feed tray, 4 ... Paper output tray, 8 ... Fixed part, 10 ... Paper paper feed device, 12 ... Paper storage part, 14 ... Paper rear end holder, 16 ... Feed roller, 18 ... Separation member, 20 ... Paper detection sensor, 22 ... Motor, 24 ... Side guide, 50 ... Printing paper, 100 ... Printing device

Claims (20)

It is a paper feeding device that is used by being attached to a printing device and feeds paper to a manual feed tray provided in the printing device.
A fixing portion for fixing the paper feeding device to the printing device,
A paper storage unit that can stack multiple sheets in the direction of gravity and load them,
A paper feeding device characterized by being provided with. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is fixed on a top plate that can be opened and closed included in the printing device. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing portion has a claw-shaped portion that engages with the edge portion of the top plate. 6. Paper feeder. Further equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the bypass tray,
The paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the paper feeding unit feeds paper to the manual feed tray only when the sensor detects that there is no paper in the manual feed tray. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, wherein there is a predetermined time interval between the time when the bottommost paper is conveyed to the manual feed tray and the time when the sensor detects the paper. The paper feed unit
A feed roller for feeding the bottom paper out of the plurality of papers toward the manual feed tray by friction with the lower surface of the paper, and a feed roller.
A separation mechanism that separates only the bottom paper out of the paper fed by the feed roller,
The paper feeding device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the paper feeding device is characterized by having. The separation mechanism regulates further transport of paper other than the bottom paper among the bundles of paper conveyed by the feed roller from the plurality of papers, and separates the bottom paper from the bundle. The paper feeding device according to claim 7, further comprising a member. The paper storage portion has a rear end support portion that supports the rear end of the loaded paper.
The feed roller supports the tip of the paper loaded in the paper storage unit, and supports the tip of the paper.
The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the paper at the bottom of the paper storage unit is conveyed by the feed roller to a position not supported by the rear end support portion. The paper feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the paper storage unit has a bottom surface at a position lower than a position where the rear end supporting portion supports the rear end of the paper. The claim that the rear end of the paper in the lowermost stage, which is conveyed by the feed roller to a position not supported by the rear end support portion, is located below the position where the rear end support portion supports the rear end of the paper. The paper feeder according to 9 or 10. The paper according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the position where the rear end support portion supports the rear end of the paper is located below the position where the feed roller supports the paper. Paper feed device. 9. The paper according to claim 9, wherein the paper having the rear end supported by the rear end support portion and the tip supported by the feed roller has an angle of more than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. 12. The paper feeding device according to any one of 12. The rear end support portion has a circumferential surface centered on an axis extending in the horizontal direction, and any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the rear end support portion supports the rear end of the paper with the circumferential surface. The paper feeder described in. The separating member has a separating surface with which the bundle of paper abuts.
8. Claim 8 is characterized in that the angle between the separation surface and the paper in contact with the separation surface is 50 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper. The paper feeding device according to any one of items 14 to 14. The paper feeding device according to claim 15, wherein the separation surface is a circumferential surface centered on an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. The paper storage unit has a side plate having a surface facing the tip of the loaded paper.
The paper feeding device according to claim 16, wherein the lower end of the side plate is higher than the feed roller and lower than the central axis of the circumferential surface of the separation surface. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 8 to 17, wherein the separating member and the feed roller overlap at least a part of the positions in the horizontal direction. The paper according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the paper storage unit is open upward so that additional paper can be loaded on the loaded paper. Paper feed device. The paper feeding unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the paper storage unit stores paper having a size different from that of the paper stored in the paper storage unit included in the printing apparatus. Device.

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