JP2632581B2 - Sheet feeding device and recording device using the sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding a sheet to a recording unit and a recording apparatus using the sheet feeding apparatus, and more specifically, a recording apparatus main body. The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and a recording device capable of reducing the size of a sheet.

<Prior Art> Word processors, personal computers, and the like have come to be widely used, but many of these devices have been developed to be small and portable, and can be used on the go, etc. today.

When recording information input by these portable devices, the device is connected to a recording device, a recording sheet is fed to the recording device, and recording is driven by driving recording means according to an image signal. It is common to do.

<Problem to be Solved by the Invention> It is desired that the recording apparatus be reduced in size. However, in these recording apparatuses, a recording sheet is placed on a feeding tray, the recording sheet is fed to recording means to perform recording, and the recorded sheet is discharged to a discharge tray. However, the feed tray and the discharge tray protrude, which hinders miniaturization of the apparatus.

Therefore, conventionally, the feed tray and the discharge tray are configured to be detachable from the recording apparatus main body, and the tray is attached only at the time of use. It was troublesome to manage so as not to lose it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a sheet feeding apparatus which can make the apparatus main body compact when not in use and which is easy to handle, and a recording apparatus using the sheet feeding mechanism. is there.

<Means for Solving the Problems> A representative means according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to a recording apparatus, a sheet feeding device for holding a sheet. A tray, and a sheet feeding roller for feeding a sheet on the feeding tray to a recording apparatus main body. The feeding tray supports a storage position on the recording apparatus main body side and a sheet to be fed. The sheet feeding roller is rotatably mounted on the sheet feeding tray, and is rotatably mounted on the sheet feeding tray. The driving force is applied to the sheet feeding roller from a driving source of the recording apparatus body. A driving force transmitting means for transmitting the driving force is provided.

<Operation> In the above means, when the feeding tray is closed with respect to the apparatus main body when not in use, the tray does not protrude from the apparatus main body. Therefore, when the recording apparatus is configured by using the sheet feeding apparatus, the apparatus becomes compact when not in use, and the handling of the feeding tray is not troublesome.

Further, by transmitting the driving force to the feed roller from the driving source of the apparatus main body, it is possible to reduce the number of driving sources.

<Embodiment> Next, an embodiment in which a sheet feeding apparatus including the above-described means is used in a recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)

The first embodiment shows an example in which the sheet feeding apparatus is used for a serial type ink jet recording apparatus.

(Overall Description) FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a sheet feeding apparatus A and a recording apparatus B using the mechanism A, and FIG. 2 is an external explanatory view when not in use.

First, the configuration of the entire apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, a sheet feeding apparatus A separates and feeds recording sheets 1 one by one to a recording apparatus B, and includes a feeding tray 2 and a sheet feeding means. 3 and a driving force transmitting means 4 for transmitting a driving force thereto. That is, the recording sheets 1 stacked on the feeding tray 2 are separated and fed by the feeding means 3 to the recording apparatus B.

The recording apparatus B includes a recording unit 6 for recording characters and the like on the recording sheet 1 fed into the apparatus main body 5, a conveying unit 7 for conveying the sheet 1 in synchronization with a recording operation, and A recording mechanism including discharge means 24 for discharging the sheet 1 is provided. In this way, predetermined recording is performed on the recording sheet 1, and the recorded sheet 1 is discharged to a discharge tray 8.

Note that the feed tray 2 and the discharge tray 8 are rotatably mounted on the recording apparatus main body 5, and are configured so as to also serve as the apparatus main body exterior when closed.

Next, the configuration of each part of the sheet feeding apparatus A and the recording apparatus B using the same will be specifically described.

(Feeding Tray) The feeding tray 2 is for stacking one or a plurality of recording sheets 1 to be fed to the recording apparatus B, and is rotatable around the shaft 9 around the apparatus main body 5. The opening 5a of the apparatus main body 5 can be opened and closed. Thus, the feeding tray 2 can be opened and closed between a storage position on the apparatus main body 5 side and a feeding position for supporting a sheet to be fed. As shown in FIG. 1, an auxiliary wire 2a is attached to the rotation-side end of the feeding tray 2,
When a large-sized recording sheet 1 is placed, it is projected so as to support the sheet 1 in an auxiliary manner. This auxiliary wire 2a is attached so as to be pushed into the inside of the feeding tray 2 so as to be stowable, so that it does not interfere when not in use.

As shown in FIG. 1, two support arms 2b are attached to the rotation side end of the feed tray 2 so as to support the feed tray 2 in an open state. The support arm 2b is rotatably mounted, and stands up during use, as shown in FIG.
At a fixed angle to the feed tray 2 when not in use.
It is configured to be housed in a housing groove 2c formed on the inner surface of the housing.

Further, hooks 2d are provided on both sides of the rotation end of the feeding tray 2, and when the feeding tray 2 is closed, the hooks 2d are engaged with hook grooves 5b formed in the apparatus main body 5 to close the feeding tray 2. It is configured to hold.

(Feeding Means) The feeding means 3 is for feeding the recording sheet 1 placed on the feeding tray 2 to the recording apparatus B, and in this embodiment, is fed by the feeding roller 3a. It is configured to send. The feed roller 3a is mounted substantially at the center of the roller shaft 3b, and both ends of the roller shaft 3b are connected to the upright walls 2e, 2e of the feed tray 2.
It is rotatably attached to f.

The feeding means 3 rotates integrally with the tray 2 when the feeding tray 2 is rotated.
As shown in FIG. 3, is pressed against a separating pressure contact member 3c having a spring property provided on the feeding tray 2. Thus, when the feed roller 3a rotates, the recording sheets 1 stacked on the feed tray 2 are separated and fed one by one from the uppermost layer by the cooperation of the feed roller 3a and the pressing member 3c. is there.

(Driving Force Transmission Means) The driving force transmission means 4 to the feed roller 3a is mounted inside an upright wall 2e formed on the feed tray 2 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in this embodiment. Gears 4a, 4b, 4d
And a gear train including gears 4e to 4h attached to the recording apparatus main body 5 side. Specifically, a roller gear 4a is attached to one end of the roller shaft 3b, and the roller gear 4a meshes with the intermediate gear 4b, and the intermediate gear 4b is connected to the intermediate gear 4d via an electromagnetic clutch 4c. Further, the intermediate gear 4d meshes with a transport gear 4f attached to a shaft 7b of a transport roller 7a constituting the transport means 7 via an intermediate gear 4e, and the transport gear 4f is transported via a reduction gear 4g.
It is in mesh with 10 motor gears 4h.

Therefore, when the transport motor 10 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 3a via the gear train.

The electromagnetic clutch 4c is turned on and off by a signal from a control unit described later. In the on state, the intermediate gears 4c and 4d are connected to each other to transmit a driving force to feed the roller.
When the gear 3c is turned off, the gears 4c and 4d are separated from each other so that the driving force of the transport motor 10 is prevented from being transmitted to the feed roller 3a. Further, a one-way clutch 4i is attached to the feed roller shaft 3b.
3a is configured to rotate only in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 to restrict rotation in the reverse direction.

The intermediate gear 4e connects the feed tray 2 to the recording apparatus main body 5
It is attached to a shaft 9 for rotating with respect to. Therefore, when the feed tray 2 is rotated, the intermediate gear 4e attached to the shaft 9 becomes the sun gear, and the intermediate gear 4d
Rotates in a state of being a planetary gear. That is, both intermediate gears
4d and 4e maintain the meshing state even when the feeding tray 2 is rotated.

The reduction gear 4g meshes with the discharge gear 41 attached to the roller shaft 24c of the discharge roller 24a via the intermediate gears 4i and 4k, so that the discharge roller 24a is driven by the driving force of the transport motor 10. .

(Recording Means) Next, the recording means 6 performs recording on the recording sheet 1 separated and fed by the feeding means 3, and in this embodiment, a serial ink jet recording means is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ink chamber which can store ink in a carriage 6a movable inside the apparatus main body 5 is provided.
An ink jet recording head 6c for discharging ink in the ink chamber 6b according to the image signal 6b and the image signal is mounted.

The carriage 6a is movably mounted along two guide shafts 6d, and is connected to a drive pulley 6f connected to a carriage motor 6e and a belt 6g stretched between driven pulleys (not shown). I have.

Therefore, the carriage motor 6e is driven forward and backward to reciprocate the carriage 6a, and ink is discharged from the recording head 6c in accordance with an image signal, whereby an image such as a character can be recorded on the recording sheet 1. .

(Conveying Means and Discharging Means) The conveying means 7 constitutes a recording mechanism together with the recording means 6 and the discharging means 24, and synchronizes the recording sheet 1 in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. To be transported.

The configuration is such that three transport rollers 7a and three discharge rollers 24a are mounted in the axial direction of a roller shaft 7b and a roller shaft 24c which are rotatably mounted on the apparatus main body 5, respectively. The driven roller 7c and the driven roller 24b are pressed against each other by a pressing member such as a spring (not shown).

As described above, the roller shaft 7b and the roller shaft 24c are connected to the transport motor 10 from the gears 4f to 4h and the gears 4h, 4g, 4j, and 4k via the discharge gear 41, and are rotated by the drive of the motor 10. It is configured. Accordingly, the recording sheet 1 is conveyed and ejected by driving the conveyance motor 10 in synchronization with the recording operation, and the conveyance and ejection are performed by the same motor as the motor driving the feeding means 3. Become.

As shown in FIG. 4, a sheet sensor 11 is provided downstream of the conveyance roller 7a in the recording sheet conveyance direction, and detects the presence or absence of the recording sheet 1.
The sheet sensor 11 is constituted by a reflection type photo sensor or the like, and is turned on when there is the recording sheet 1 at the sensor position, and turned off when there is no sheet 1.

(Discharge Tray) The discharge tray 8 is for placing the sheet 1 recorded by the recording mechanism, and is provided in the apparatus main body 5 with a discharge side opening 5c.
The recording device B is configured to be rotatable by a shaft 8a and to also function as a cover of the recording device B when closed.

As shown in FIG. 1, two support arms 8b are attached to the rotation-side end of the discharge tray 8, and are configured to support the discharge tray 8 in an open state. The support arm 8b has the same configuration as the support arm 2b attached to the feeding tray 2, and stands up during use to support the discharge tray 8 at a fixed angle with respect to the apparatus main body 5, as shown in FIG. When not in use, it is housed in a housing groove 8c formed on the inner surface of the discharge tray 8.

Further, hooks 8d are provided on both sides of the rotation end of the discharge tray 8, and the hooks 8d are configured to be engaged with hook grooves (not shown) formed in the apparatus main body 5 to maintain a closed state. This is the same as the feed tray 2. Thus, the discharge tray 8 can be opened and closed between the storage position on the apparatus main body 5 side and the discharge position supporting the discharged sheet, similarly to the feed tray 2.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the feed tray 2 and the discharge tray 8 are closed, the main body of the apparatus becomes box-shaped and can be easily carried with the handle 12 attached to the upper part of the main body of the recording apparatus.

Further, when the feed tray 2 is closed, the feed roller 3a and a part of the gear trains 4a to 4h of the driving force transmitting means 4 are formed by a recording mechanism comprising a recording means 6 and a conveying means 7. It is configured to enter the space inside the body, in this embodiment, the moving space 5d of the carriage 6a.

As a result, when the feeding tray 2 is closed, the space is effectively used, and the entire apparatus becomes compact.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 13 denotes an interface connector for connecting to a word processor or a personal computer by a cable.

(Control means) Next, a recording apparatus B having the sheet feeding apparatus A having the above configuration
The control means for controlling the drive of will be described.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 14 denotes a control unit, which includes a CPU 14a, a ROM 14
b, RAM 14c, and counter 14d.

The CPU 14a is a central processing unit that reads out programs and various data from a ROM 14b described later and a floppy disk driver of the external device C, performs necessary calculations and determinations, and performs various controls.

The ROM 14b is a read-only memory, and stores various programs for operating the CPU 14a, character codes, and various data necessary for recording dot patterns (character generators: CG).

The RAM 14c is a read / write memory, and the CPU 14a is a working area for temporarily storing data in the instruction and a calculation result, a buffer area for storing various data input from an external device C such as a word processor, and a document. It consists of a text area to be kept.

The counter 14d counts the number of rotation steps of the transport motor 10 and transmits the count to the CPU 14a.

The control unit 14 receives a detection signal from the sheet sensor 11 and an image signal from the external device C via the interface 15 and sends the signal to the driver 16 for driving the transport motor 10 and the driver 17 for driving the carriage motor 6e. A driver 18 that outputs a drive signal and further operates the electromagnetic clutch 4c, a driver that drives the recording head 6c
It is configured to output a drive signal to 19.

Next, a sheet feeding procedure and a recording operation procedure based on a signal from the control unit 14 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows an operation of feeding the recording sheet 1 and discharging the recording sheet as a series of procedures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the feed tray 2 and the discharge tray 8 are rotated and opened, and the recording sheet 1 is placed on the feed tray 2. In this state, when a recording start signal is input,
In S1, it is detected whether or not the sheet sensor 11 is in the ON state. When the sheet sensor 11 is in the ON state (when the recording sheet 1 is at the position of the sensor 11), it is determined that the recording sheet 1 has been set manually. And jump to step S16,
When not in the ON state (recording sheet 1 at sensor 11 position)
If there is no sheet feed), the process proceeds to step S2 to perform the sheet feeding operation.

In step S2, the sheet feeding operation is performed by the electromagnetic clutch 4c.
Is turned on, and in steps S3 and S4, the transport motor 10 is driven to separate the uppermost recording sheet 1 on the feed tray 2 and the leading end of the sheet 1 reaches the position of the sheet sensor 11. Transport to When the leading end of the recording sheet 1 is conveyed to the position of the sheet sensor 11 and the sensor 11 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S5 and the electromagnetic clutch 4c
Is turned off, and in steps S6 to S9, the transport motor 10
Drive reverse for step.

The number of 10 steps is slightly larger than the number of motor drive steps for reversely feeding the recording sheet 1 from the sheet sensor 11 to the nip portion between the conveying roller 7a and the driven roller 7c. At the time of this reverse feeding, the feed roller 3a is in a stopped state, so that the recording sheet 1 forms a loop between the feed roller 3a and the transport roller 7a, and the leading end thereof has three transport rollers 7a and a driven roller. It comes into contact with the nip of 7c. As a result, even if the recording sheet 1 is skewed and fed skewly during feeding, the skew is corrected by the reverse feeding.

After correcting the skew as described above, steps S10 to S15
Then, the conveyance motor 10 is driven to rotate forward, and the sheet sensor 11 conveys for 30 steps from the time when the leading end of the recording sheet 1 is detected, and stops. The number of 30 steps is the number of motor drive steps required to bring the recording sheet 1 to the recording position.

After the recording sheet 1 is fed and set as described above, recording is performed in step S16 and subsequent steps. This recording operation will be briefly described.In steps S16 to S19, the carriage motor 6e is driven to move the carriage 6a, and at the same time, the recording head 6c is driven according to an image signal, thereby performing recording for one line, and recording the next line. If there is, in steps S20 to S22, the conveyance motor 10 is driven by a predetermined amount to convey the recording sheet 1 by one line, and the carriage 6a is moved in the opposite direction to record the next line and thereafter as described above. And do it. On the other hand, if there is no next line record, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S23, in which the conveying motor 10 is driven to discharge the recording sheet 1 to the discharge tray 8, and it is determined in step S24 whether there is a next page record. If it is determined that there is a next page record, the process returns to step S2.

The recording sheet 1 is fed as described above, and recording is performed on the recording sheet 1.

After the recording is completed, the feed tray 2 and the discharge tray 8 are rotated to close the openings 5a and 5c of the recording apparatus main body 5 as shown in FIG. Can be done.

(Second embodiment)

In the above-described first embodiment, an example is shown in which the electromagnetic clutch 4c is used to switch and transmit the driving force of the transport motor 10 to the transport roller 7a and the feed roller 3a, but a switching clutch is used as the second embodiment. The other example shows a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the switching clutch 20 includes a ratchet wheel 20a that rotates integrally with the intermediate gear 4d and a slip ring 20b. While the ratchet wheel 20a rotates integrally with the intermediate gear 4b, the slip ring 20b is
It is rotatable independently of b and is provided so as to be located on the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 20a.

The slip ring 20b, as shown in Figure No. 7 (b), and the felt 20d is pressed urged by leaf spring 20c, so that the slip ring 20b by a braking action by the felts 20d does not turns with the shaft 4d ₁ Has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), a loop-shaped closed groove 20e consisting of a route → a route → a route → a route is formed on the outer periphery of the slip ring 20b, and an opening 20f is formed between the routes. Have been.

A spring claw 20g is attached to the side surface of the intermediate gear 4d, and the tip of the claw 20g is inserted into the closing groove 20e.

In the closed-circuit groove 20e, a step is formed between the paths, and the step becomes lower in the order of path → path → path → path → path. Therefore, the tip of the spring claw 20g moves along the groove 20e in the order of the above-described path and cannot move in the reverse direction.

In FIG. 7, the direction of rotation of the intermediate gear 4d when the transport motor 10 is driven to rotate forward is indicated by an arrow c,
Arrow d indicates the rotation direction of the intermediate gear 4d when 10 is driven in reverse.
When the direction is set, the tip of the spring claw 20g is inserted into the
In the state of being locked at 20a, the intermediate gear 4d is
When rotated in the direction, the spring pawl 20g and the ratchet wheel 20a maintain the locked state, and the driving force is transmitted to the intermediate gear 4b.
When 4d rotates in the direction of arrow d, the tip of the spring claw 20g becomes the hook wheel 20a
, And rides on the closing groove 20e as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 7 (b).

Therefore, when the transport motor 10 is driven to rotate forward in a state where the tip of the spring claw 20g is locked to the ratchet wheel 20a as shown in FIG. 7, the driving force is transmitted to the intermediate gear 4b. At this time, the transport roller 7a and the feed roller 3a rotate together.

On the other hand, when the transport motor 10 reverses from the above state, the tip of the spring claw 20g reaches the path through the path of the closing groove 20e. Next, when the transport motor 10 drives forward, the spring claw 20g
Remains at the boundary between paths.
At this time, even if the transport motor 10 continues the normal rotation drive, the slip ring 20b only spins idle, and its driving force is not transmitted to the intermediate gear 4b. Therefore, in this case, the transport roller
Only 7a rotates.

Next, the transport motor 10 is driven in the reverse direction to move the tip of the spring claw 20g from the path of the closing groove 20e to the path, and then driven forward, the tip of the spring claw 20g opens at the opening 20f at the boundary between the paths. , And is locked to the ratchet wheel 20a, and the transport roller 7a and the feed roller 3a rotate together again.

That is, only the transport roller 7a can be rotated by rotating the transport motor 10 in the reverse direction after the predetermined amount of reverse rotation, and the transport roller 7a and the feed roller 3a can be rotated simultaneously.

The operation procedure for driving the sheet feeding device A and the recording device B described in the first embodiment using the driving force transmitting means having the switching clutch 20 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Explaining this, starting the sheet feeding operation when the sheet sensor 11 is in the off state in step S1 is the same as in the first embodiment.

The feeding operation is performed by assuming that the tip of the spring claw 20g is in the path shown in FIG.
The reverse rotation drive is performed to move the spring claw 20g to the path 2. Next, in steps S3 and S4, the transport motor 10 is driven to rotate forward.
At this time, the leading end of the spring pawl 20g falls into the ratchet wheel 20a from the opening 20f in FIG. 7 (a) and is locked to the ratchet wheel 20a, so that the feed roller 3a and the transport roller 7a rotate together. As a result, the feed roller 3a and the transport roller 7a rotate, and the recording sheet 1
From the feed tray 2, and the leading end is fed to the position of the sheet sensor 11.

Next, in step S5, when the transport motor 10 is reversely driven by 10 steps, the tip of the spring claw 20g reaches the path from the path of the closing groove 20e, and at this time only the transport roller 7a is reversely driven and the same as in the first embodiment. First, the skew of the recording sheet 1 is corrected.

Next, in steps S6 to S8, the conveying motor 10 is driven to rotate forward to move the leading end of the recording sheet 1 from the position of the sheet sensor 11.
Carry 30 steps. At this time, the spring claw 20g is located at a position from the path to the path, and the driving force is not transmitted to the feed roller 3a. Therefore, the recording sheet 1 is transported by the transport roller 7a and the driven roller 7c.

Next, the process proceeds to step S9 to perform recording. This recording operation is the same as in the first embodiment described above, and will not be described.

By using the switching clutch 20 as described above, the driving force of the conveying motor 10 for driving the conveying roller 7a is supplied to the feeding roller.
3a can be selectively transmitted.

(Third embodiment)

Although both the first and second embodiments described above use the serial ink jet system as the recording means, the third embodiment uses a line type thermal transfer recording system as the recording means 21 in FIG. The other example shows a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. In this case, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 21a denotes a line-type thermal recording head, on which a large number of heating elements which generate heat when energized are printed on a recording sheet 1.
Are arranged in a line in the width direction, and are rotatably mounted about a shaft 21b, and are pressed from above by a pressing member 21c, so that the recording head 21a presses the platen roller 21d.

The pressing member 21c is mounted so as to be slidable vertically between the guide members 21e, and has a pressing spring inside.
21c ₁ and the abutment member 21c ₂ is provided, the abutment member 21c ₂ is in contact with the upper surface of the recording head 21a. Further, the cam 21i, which rotates via the gear trains 21g and 21h by the driving of the cam motor 21f, is in contact with the upper end of the pressing member 21c. Further recording head 2
A tension spring 21j is attached to 1a.

Accordingly, by driving the cam motor 21f to rotate the cam 21i, the recording head 21a presses the platen roller 21d, or the recording head 21a retreats upward.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an ink sheet having the same width as the width of the recording sheet 1 and coated with a heat-meltable ink on a long film.
It is wound around the take-up reel 23b through the space between 21d.
Further, the take-up reel 23b is connected to driving means (not shown), and is configured to take up the ink sheet 22 drawn from the supply reel 23a on the take-up reel 23b in accordance with a recording operation.

In this embodiment, a discharge roller 24a and a driven roller 24b for discharging the recording sheet 1 after recording to the discharge tray 8 are provided. In this embodiment, during recording, the platen roller 21d and the discharge roller 24a are driven and rotated in accordance with the recording operation, and the driving source is a driving force transmitting unit (not shown) that drives the transport motor 10 that drives the transport roller 7a. Connected.

In the above configuration, the recording sheets 1 placed on the feed tray 2 are separated and fed one by one by a feed roller 3a.
Conveyed to the recording position by the conveying roller 7a and the driven roller 7b,
A desired image is recorded on the recording sheet 1 by discharging the sheet 1 to a discharge tray 8 by causing the recording head 21a to generate heat in accordance with an image signal while transporting the recording sheet 21 while being superposed on the ink sheet 22.

Even in the above configuration, the feeding tray 2 and the discharging tray 8
When the device is rotated and closed, the entire device becomes compact and can be easily carried.

Alternatively, when the feeding tray 2 is closed, the feeding roller 3a and the like enter the space 25 formed by the recording means 21 as shown by the dashed line in FIG. You can do it.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the ink jet system and the thermal transfer recording system are exemplified as the recording unit. However, the recording unit according to the present invention is not limited to this. Various recording methods such as a wire dot method can be used.

Further, the drive transmission means does not need to be limited to the gear train shown in the first embodiment. For example, a drive train constructed by stretching a belt between pulleys may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the conveying roller 3a is used as the conveying unit.
However, it is not necessary to limit the present invention to a roller-shaped one, and for example, a rotating belt may be used.

<Effect of the Invention> As described above, the present invention is configured such that the feeding tray to which the feeding roller is attached can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body.
By closing the feed tray with the recording apparatus main body when not in use, the tray can be prevented from protruding from the recording apparatus main body and the apparatus can be made compact.

Further, by driving the feed roller from the drive source of the apparatus main body, the number of drive sources can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

Further, when the sheet feeding roller is closed, the sheet feeding roller enters the space in the apparatus main body, so that the entire apparatus can be made more compact.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a recording apparatus using a sheet feeding apparatus when it is in use, FIG. 2 is an external view of the apparatus when it is not in use, and FIGS. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a driving force switching transmission gear, and FIG. 8 is a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the configuration of the third embodiment using a line type thermal transfer recording system as the recording means. A is a sheet feeding device, B is a recording device, C is an external device, 1
Is a recording sheet, 2 is a feed tray, 2a is an auxiliary wire, 2b is a support arm, 2c is a housing groove, 2d is a hook, 2e and 2f are upright walls, 3 is a feeding means, 3a is a feeding roller, and 3b is a feeding roller. Roller shaft, 3c
Is a pressure contact member for separation, 4 is a driving force transmitting means, 4a is a roller gear, 4b is an intermediate gear, 4c is an electromagnetic clutch, 4d and 4e are intermediate gears, 4d ₁ is a shaft, 4f is a transport gear, 4g is a reduction gear, 4h Is a motor gear, 4i is a one-way clutch, 4 and 4k are intermediate gears, 4l is a discharge gear, 5 is an apparatus body, 5a is an opening, 5b is a hook groove, 5c is an opening, 5d is an opening, 5d is a space, 6 is a recording means, 6a is a carriage, 6b is an ink chamber, 6c is a recording head, 6d is a guide shaft, 6e is a carriage motor, 6f is a drive pulley, 6g is a belt, 7 is a conveying means, 7a is a conveying roller, 7b is a roller shaft,
7c is a driven roller, 8 is a discharge tray, 8a is a shaft, 8b is a support arm, 8c is a housing groove, 8d is a hook, 9 is a shaft, 10 is a conveying motor, 11 is a sheet sensor, 12 is a handle, and 13 is an interface connector. , 14 is a control unit, 14a is a CPU, 14b is a ROM, 14
c is RAM, 14d is counter, 15 is interface, 16,17
Is a motor driver, 18 is a clutch driver, 19 is a head driver, 20 is a switching clutch, 20a is a ratchet wheel, 20b
Is slip ring, 20c is leaf spring, 20d is felt, 20e
Is a closing groove, 20f is an opening, 20g is a spring claw, 21 is a recording means, 21
a is a recording head, 21b is a shaft, 21c is a pressing member, 21c ₁ is a pressing spring, 21c ₂ is a contact member, 21d is a platen roller, 2d
1e is a guide member, 21f is a cam motor, 21g and 21h are gears,
21i is a cam, 21j is a tension spring, 22 is an ink sheet, 23a is a supply reel, 23b is a take-up reel, 24aa is a discharge roller, 24b is a driven roller, 24c is a roller shaft, and 25 is a space.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet to a recording apparatus, comprising: a feeding tray for holding the sheet; and a sheet for feeding the sheet on the feeding tray to a recording apparatus main body. A feeding roller, and the feeding tray is supported by the printing apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable between a storage position on the printing apparatus main body side and a feeding position for supporting a sheet to be fed; A sheet feeding roller rotatably mounted on the sheet feeding tray, and a driving force transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from a driving source of a recording apparatus main body to the sheet feeding roller; apparatus. 2. A recording apparatus for performing recording on a fed sheet, comprising: a sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1; and conveying means for conveying the sheet fed from the sheet feeding apparatus. And a recording unit for performing recording on the sheet. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the sheet feeding tray is closed, the sheet feeding roller is inserted into a space inside the apparatus main body formed by the recording unit and a recording mechanism including the conveying unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. A printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said printing means is of a serial type for printing by moving a carriage in a printing direction, and a space in which said feeding roller enters is a moving space of said carriage. The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said feeding tray forms an exterior of a recording apparatus main body when said feeding tray is closed. 2. The recording device according to claim 1.