JP2687040B2 - Automatic paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic sheet feeding apparatus that automatically feeds recording sheets one by one to a recording unit of a recording apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile
By driving an energy generator of the recording head based on the transferred image information, an image composed of a dot pattern is recorded on a recording sheet such as paper or a thin plastic plate.

The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method.

The recording sheet used in the recording apparatus includes plain paper, cardboard such as postcards and envelopes, and special sheets such as plastic thin plates.

Recording sheets are supplied by hand, one by one.
Automatic and continuous feeding is performed by an automatic sheet feeding device.

Generally, the automatic sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding drive unit that rotates a feeding roller to feed a recording sheet and a sheet feeding cassette unit in which the recording sheet is loaded, and drives a recording sheet conveying system of the recording device. By driving the feeding roller using force, the recording sheets are separated and fed one by one.

In addition, automatic paper feeders include a built-in type that is incorporated in the recording apparatus, and an external type that is detachably mounted.
The present invention is applicable to any type of automatic paper feeder.

Further, in this type of automatic paper feeding device, a paper path surface is provided for guiding the recording sheet sent from the paper feeding cassette portion to the recording portion.

This paper path surface may also serve as a manual paper feeding surface, and the angle of the paper path surface is usually set in relation to the approach direction of the recording sheet sent out from the paper feeding cassette unit in order to make the apparatus compact. It is inclined.

This inclination angle may be considerably large (for example, about 60 degrees) due to downsizing of the device.

Further, when the paper path surface also serves as a manual paper feeding surface, it is not possible to provide a normal paper guide (recording sheet guide member), and it has been proposed to provide a sliding contact roller instead.

This sliding contact roller is generally made of a plastic molded product and is driven in conjunction with the conveying roller of the recording apparatus.

Further, the sliding contact roller is slightly faster than the conveying roller (for example, in order to reduce the back tension of the recording sheet).
It is configured to rotate at a peripheral speed of about 8%).

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with the conventional sliding contact roller made of plastic or metal, which has already been proposed, the friction force with the recording sheet is too small to sufficiently reduce the back tension of the recording sheet, and the recording sheet conveyance during recording is unstable. There was a problem that it was easy to become.

The present invention has been made in view of such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to effectively reduce the back tension of a sheet conveyed by a conveying roller to realize stable and reliable sheet conveyance. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic paper feeder that can prevent the occurrence of defective recording and sheet jam.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the automatic sheet feeder of the present invention is
A feeding roller for feeding the stacked sheets,
A paper path surface for abutting a sheet sent by the feeding roller to change and guide the feeding direction, a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet whose feeding direction is changed by the paper path surface, and the paper path surface A sliding contact roller that is arranged at a position separated from and that can contact the sheet guided by the paper path surface and that rotates in the sheet conveying direction,
A friction material is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact roller, and the peripheral speed of the sliding contact roller is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the conveying roller.

〔Example〕

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

The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same (or corresponding) portions.

FIG. 4 shows a state in use of a horizontal type recording apparatus (recording apparatus main body) 10 suitable for carrying out the present invention and suitable for mounting the automatic paper feeder according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the recording apparatus of FIG.

4 and 5, a recording sheet insertion port 11 is provided on the upper surface of a recording apparatus (for example, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink by thermal energy).
Further, a recording sheet discharge port 12 is formed, and a recording sheet 13 inserted from the insertion port 11 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of a platen roller 14 also serving as a transport roller (feed roller), and the recording sheet transport formed in a substantially U-shape. The sheet is conveyed along a path, is recorded while passing through a recording section facing the recording head 15, and is discharged upward from the discharge port 12 after recording.

Here, the paper feed tray 16 is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the recording device 10 so as to be openable and closable, and opens and functions as a paper feed tray when used (during recording). )
3 is set in a closed position as shown in FIG. 3, and a recording sheet insertion port 11, a recording sheet ejection port 12, switches 17,
It functions as a cover 16 that covers and protects the upper surface of the recording device 10 on which the display 18 and the like are disposed.

In FIG. 5, the recording head 15 is mounted on a carriage 22 that reciprocates along guide shafts 21 parallel to a transport roller (platen roller) 14.

The illustrated recording head 15 is an example of an ink jet recording head, and is configured integrally with an ink tank.

The ink jet recording head 15 is a recording head that discharges ink by using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy.

Further, the recording head 15 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Is.

A pressing plate 23 for pressing the recording sheet 13 against the conveying roller 14 is disposed upstream of the recording head 15 in the conveying direction.

The retainer 23 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the transport roller (platen roller) 14 by a leaf spring 24.

The pressing force of the pressing plate 23 is
The lever can be released by operating the lever 25 that is pivotally supported using the shaft.

Further, a spur 26 and a roller 27 for assisting the discharge of the recording sheet 13 are disposed at the position of the discharge port 12.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a bottom surface of the recording apparatus (main body) 10 (in an upright position described later, the rear side is provided with an automatic sheet feeding apparatus).

A second recording sheet insertion port 28 is formed on the bottom surface of the recording apparatus 10, and a substantially straight line extending from the insertion port 28 to the recording sheet discharge port 12 through a recording portion between the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14. The second recording sheet conveying path is formed so as to extend substantially vertically (substantially horizontal in the upright state of FIG. 1).

As will be described later, the second recording sheet conveyance path is usable when the recording apparatus 10 is set up (FIGS. 1 and 2), and is not curved, so that a postcard, an envelope, or the like is used. There is an advantage that a strong recording sheet such as a thick sheet or a special sheet such as a plastic sheet can be easily fed.

The above-described recording apparatus 10 can be used even in the upright position. In the upright position, the automatic paper feeder can be detachably mounted. Manual feed can be performed.

1 to 3 are longitudinal sectional views showing a state in which an automatic paper feeder 30 is mounted on the back of the recording apparatus 10 in an upright state.
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the automatic sheet feeding apparatus is used, FIG. 2 shows a state in which manual sheet feeding is performed, and FIG.

1 to 3, when the recording apparatus 10 is in the upright state, the recording sheet (between the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14) passes through a substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, that is, the second recording. A transport path from the sheet insertion port 28 to the recording sheet discharge port 12 is formed.

Therefore, the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is provided with an entrance (sheet insertion opening) 28.
The recording sheet 13 is positioned so as to be fed into the linear conveyance path, and is detachably attached to the back surface of the recording apparatus 10 (the opening surface of the entrance 28).

The automatic sheet feeder 30 also includes a recording sheet guiding paper path surface 31 that can be continued to the substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path.
Is provided.

In front of the paper path surface 31 (left side in FIGS. 1 to 3), a manual paper feed table 43 used for manual paper feed is mounted so as to be openable and closable about a shaft 44.

The manual paper feed table 43 is folded down and stored at the time of automatic paper feeding (FIG. 1) and at the time of storage (FIG. 3), and projects to the horizontal position at the time of manual paper feeding (FIG. 2). Let me
This forms a recording sheet guide surface that can be connected to the paper path surface 31.

The automatic paper feeder 30 includes a paper feed drive unit 40 fixedly coupled to the recording apparatus 10 and a position between a substantially vertical position (closed position) and an inclined position (opened position) with respect to the paper feed drive unit 40. The paper feed cassette unit 50 is rotatably mounted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automatic paper feeder 30 shown in FIG.

The paper feed cassette section 50 is a section where the recording sheets 13 are loaded, and the paper feed drive section 40 is a section which feeds out the recording sheets 13 one by one and feeds them to the recording apparatus 10.

1 to 3 and 7, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is provided at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive unit 40 at a fulcrum.
It is pivotally mounted so that it can rotate (open and close) around 51.

A feed roller 41 and a sliding roller 42 are mounted at a position (upper half) of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50.

A plurality of the feeding rollers 41 are provided coaxially, apply a feeding force to the loaded recording sheet 13, and
It has a function of separating the recording sheets 13 one by one and sending them into the recording apparatus 10 in cooperation with 5, 76.

The feed roller 41 is driven by using the driving force of the transport roller 14 of the recording device 10.

A plurality of the sliding rollers 42 are provided on an axis parallel to the axis of the feed roller 41, and have a function of guiding the recording sheet 13 sent out by the feed roller 41 to the recording apparatus 10. I have.

The sliding contact roller 42 is driven in conjunction with the driving force of the conveying roller 14 of the recording apparatus 10.

A foldable paper feed tray 52 is mounted on the paper feed cassette unit 50, and is drawn out as shown in FIG. 1 during use to form a tray, and is stored inside the cassette unit 50 as shown in FIG. Can be folded.

The lower part 45 of the case body of the paper feed drive unit 40 forms a bottom surface when the recording apparatus 10 is set up and the automatic paper feed apparatus 30 is mounted,
Together with the rear surface of the recording device 10 (the lower surface in FIG. 1), it serves as a support surface for stably standing the entire device.

Recording device 10 with automatic paper feeder 30 mounted in the upright position
The cover (discharge tray) 16 as shown in FIG.
Is folded, and furthermore, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is set in a vertical state and the paper feed tray 52 is closed, whereby the storage state is set.

In this stored state, the bottom surface is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a flat bottom, and the unit is put together in a compact upright posture without an overhang.

When recording is performed by automatic paper feeding after the recording sheet 13 is loaded in the paper feeding cassette unit 50 to enable recording, the paper feeding cassette unit 50 is opened (tilted) as shown in FIG. T) Start the recording operation.

On the other hand, when recording by manual paper feed, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is raised while the paper feed cassette unit 50 is kept vertical (closed) to form an auxiliary guide surface. The recording sheet 13 is moved from the manual feed tray to the paper path surface 31.
Through the recording device.

In the illustrated example, a gap is formed between the sliding contact roller 42 and the paper path surface 31 so that the recording sheet 13 passes during automatic paper feeding and manual paper feeding.

An exit 49 of the recording sheet 13 is formed on a joining surface (mounting surface) of the automatic sheet feeding device 30.

On the other hand, on the side of the exit (discharge port) 12 of the recording sheet transport path of the recording apparatus 10, a discharge tray configured by opening the cover 16 is provided.

As shown in the figure, the paper discharge tray 16 is attached at a position lower than the recording sheet discharge port 12 by a predetermined height h so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

Next, a connection structure between the recording apparatus 10 and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a connected state of the recording apparatus 10 and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30, and FIG. 9 shows a state where the lock is released from the state of FIG.

First, a drive gear 33 that rotates in synchronization with a conveying roller (platen roller) 14 is axially supported by a frame member 35 in the recording device 10, while a mounting gear side of the automatic paper feeding device 30 has a seventh gear. As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 9, a driven gear (transfer gear) 48 that meshes with the drive gear 33 is rotatably supported, and the driving force of the conveyance roller 14 of the recording apparatus 10 is transmitted via these gears 33, 48. It is transmitted to the automatic paper feeder.

The transport roller 14, the transport motor 34, etc.
It is supported by a bearing formed in 35,
The frame member 35 is connected to a case portion of the recording device 10.

A hook member 38 having a lever 36 and a tip hook 37 is attached to the right and left two places of the automatic paper feeder 30 so as to be swingable and movable by a predetermined amount in the front-rear direction in a substantially symmetric relationship. The member 38 is urged inward by a tension spring 39.

The hook 37 of each hook member 38 protrudes by a predetermined amount from the mounting surface of the automatic sheet feeder 30.

On the other hand, at a position corresponding to each hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording apparatus 10, an opening 53 through which each hook 37 enters.
Are formed, and each hook 37 can be hooked on the periphery of the corresponding opening 53.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a bead-like portion on which the hook 37 can be easily and securely hooked is formed in the peripheral portion of each opening 53.

In the state where the hook 37 of FIG. 8 is hooked, the tension spring 39 is extended (for example, 1 to 2 mm), and by the spring force,
The automatic sheet feeding device 30 is drawn to the recording device 10 and is brought into a pressure contact state.

Each of the hook members 38 is unlocked from the locked state in FIG. 8 to the released state in FIG. 9 by pinching and rotating the lever 36, and the automatic sheet feeding device 30 can be detached from the recording device 10. it can.

At the left and right positions above the right and left hook members 38 by a predetermined distance, engagement portions are provided for abutting the automatic sheet feeding device 30 against the recording device 10 in a positioning state.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of this engaging portion, and FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.

7, 10, and 11, the driven gear
The engagement portion on the side closer to 48 (the right side in FIG. 10) is formed by the abutting projection 54 formed on the automatic paper feeder 30 side and the recording device 10.
And the recess 55 formed in the frame member 35 of the
The gap between the automatic sheet feeding device 30 and the recording device 10 and the positioning in the vertical direction are performed by abuttingly fitting the recess 54 with the concave portion 55.

That is, at the engagement portion between the protrusion 54 and the concave portion 55,
Some play is provided only in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, the engaging portion on the side opposite to the driven gear 48 (left side in FIG. 10) includes a protrusion 56 formed on the automatic sheet feeding device 30 side and a concave hole formed on the frame member 35 of the recording device 10. 57 and
The projection 56 and the recessed hole 57 are abutted against each other and fitted to each other so that the interval of the automatic paper feeding device 30 with respect to the recording device 10 and the positioning in the vertical and horizontal directions are performed.

In the illustrated example, the engaging portions for abutting and positioning of the left and right are connected to the left and right hook members 38 (the eighth hook).
(FIG. 9 and FIG. 9), but they may be arranged below in some cases.

With the configuration described above, in the upright state, having a recording sheet conveyance path formed substantially linearly through the recording unit, and
Automatic paper feeding device 30 that can be driven by the driving force of the conveying means 14
In the recording apparatus 10 to which the automatic paper feeder 30 is attached,
A spring-biased movable hook 37 attached to two places on the left and right sides of the mounting surface of the recording device can be engaged with hooks provided on two places on the left and right sides of the frame member 35 of the recording apparatus main body. There is provided a recording device having a configuration in which fitting portions 54, 55, 56, 57 for positioning and abutting are provided at two positions (or below) on the left and right sides.

According to the recording apparatus having such a configuration, when the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 is mounted on the recording apparatus 10, the gear 3 for transmitting the driving force is used.
The distance between the axes of 3, 48 can be accurately obtained, and the distance between the axes does not fluctuate due to vibration or external force during use, the feed roller 41 can be driven accurately, and stable paper feeding operation The obtained recording device was able to be realized.

Further, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 7, protrusions 58 and 59 for auxiliary abutment are formed on the mounting surface of the automatic sheet feeding device 30.

These projections 58 and 59 are attached to the recording device 10
And has a function of preventing the attached automatic paper feeder 30 from being loose.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in an automatic paper feed state, and FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a manual paper feed state (or a state in which recording sheets can be loaded). .

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a pressure plate 68, which is spring-biased toward the feed roller 41 by a pressure plate spring 67, is mounted on the sheet cassette unit 50.

In addition, a pair of sliders 71 and 72 capable of adjusting the interval according to the width of the recording sheet 13 are supported on the sheet cassette 50 by guide.

FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette unit 50 showing the sliders 71 and 72 with the pressure plate 68 removed, and FIG. 15 is a sheet cassette unit 50 showing the platen 68 together with the sliders 71 and 72.
It is a partially broken front view of FIG.

12 to 15, left and right sliders 71, 72 are provided with side guides 73, 74 which are in contact with both side edges of the loaded recording sheet 13, and front corners of the loaded recording sheet 13. Separating claws 75, 76 engageable with the parts are provided.

The separation claws 75, 76 are formed at the front ends of the separation claw members 77, 78 fixed to the main bodies of the sliders 71, 72.

These separation claw members 77 and 78 are generally formed of a metal plate such as a steel plate.

In the illustrated example, one of the sliders 71 and 72 is attached to the case of the sheet cassette unit 50 such that one of the sliders can move left and right largely according to the paper width, and the other can move left and right within a small range. In some cases, one of them can be movably mounted according to the paper width.

As shown in FIG. 12, the loaded recording sheet 13 is held between the pressure plate 68 and the separation claws 75 and 76. At the time of automatic paper feeding, a D-shaped (or half-moon) feeding roller 41 is used. The recording sheet rotates and comes into contact with the recording sheet 13 to apply paper feeding force.

While the feed roller 41 makes one rotation, one of the uppermost layers is separated and fed to the cueing position in the recording apparatus 10 through the sliding roller 42.

The sliding contact roller 42 is disposed near the paper path surface 31 in parallel with the feeding roller 41, and is interlocked with the conveyance roller 14 of the recording apparatus 10 and slightly (for example, 8%). ) It is driven to rotate at a high peripheral speed.

On the other hand, the feeding roller 41 is also driven by using the driving force of the conveying roller 14, but the feeding roller is one-way clutch type that is on / off controlled in forward rotation and is cut off (off) in reverse rotation. Since it is driven via the spring clutch 98 (FIG. 17), the recording sheet 13 is driven in the forward direction only at a predetermined timing such as when the recording sheet 13 is indexed.

FIG. 16 shows various types of engaging members that operate when rotating the paper feed cassette unit 50 between the vertical closed position and the inclined open position (automatic paper feed position) with respect to the paper feed drive unit 40. FIG.

First, in FIGS. 12 and 16, on both sides of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40, the cassette unit 50 is held at an inclined position (automatic paper feed position) by abutting against the lower part of the paper feed cassette unit 50. Stoppers 79, 79 are provided.

The sliders 71, 72 on both sides are provided with sheet entry prevention means (sheet entry prevention levers) 81, 81 for preventing insertion (loading) of the recording sheet 13 at the automatic sheet feeding position.

The levers 81, 81 are rotatably supported on the sliders 71, 72 by pins 82, 82.The levers 81, 81 are rotated by their own weight in the automatic sheet feeding position in FIG. It is in contact with the upper surface of the recording sheet 13.

For this reason, even if a new recording sheet 13 is to be inserted, the leading end thereof is obstructed by the sheet entry prevention levers 81, 81 and cannot be inserted into the cassette.

On the other hand, when the sheet cassette 50 is rotated to the vertical position,
As shown in FIG. 13, the lower ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 81 abut against the case end face on the paper feed drive unit 40 side, and
1, 81 are rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined amount about the pins 82, 82, the upper end thereof is lifted, and the insertion opening 83 is opened, so that the recording sheet 13 can be inserted into the inside of the cassette. .

In FIGS. 13 and 16, on both sides of the case of the sheet feeding drive unit 40, pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 protruding toward the cassette unit 50 are provided, and the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 is vertically When in the (closed) position, the abutments 85, 85 (FIG. 15) formed on both sides of the pressure plate 68 are pressed, and the pressure plate 68 is pushed down.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
The space between the recording sheet 13 and the recording sheet 13 is increased, and the recording sheet 13 can be newly loaded.

In this state, the fixed type separation claws 75, 76 provided on the left and right sliders 71, 72 remain at the fixed position that is equal to or slightly overlaps with the feed roller 41 as shown in FIG. Also, a guide protrusion having a height slightly protruding from the feed roller 41 is provided at the entrance side of the feed roller 41.
Since the recording sheet 13 is formed, the recording sheet 13 to be inserted can be reliably loaded between the separation claws 75 and 76 and the pressure plate 68.

The paper cassette 50 is provided with a push button 88 (see FIG.
Pressing the push button 88 to release the locking mechanism causes it to tilt due to the reaction force of the biasing spring 67 of the pressure plate 68. It can be automatically rotated to the position (open position).

As shown in FIG. 16, the hooking mechanism includes
A hook lever 89 provided on the case body of the paper cassette unit 50, and an engaging portion 91 provided on the case body of the paper cassette unit 50.
Are held in a vertical position.

In this state, the push button 88 is pressed, and the tip 92
The hook lever 89 is elastically deformed in FIG.
The hook is released by detaching the lock. 17th
The figure is a perspective view showing a drive system and arrangement of the feeding roller 41 and the sliding contact roller 42.

In FIG. 17, a driven gear (transfer gear) 48 that is driven in synchronization with the rotation of the transport roller 14 of the recording apparatus 10
Is transmitted to the shaft 97 of the feed roller 41 via a series of gear trains 93, 94, 95, 46, 96.

The gear 95 in the middle is connected to the shaft 47 of the sliding roller 42.
It is fixed to.

 The gears 93, 94, 46 are idle gears.

Here, the gear 96 is mounted coaxially with the shaft 97 of the feed roller 41. The gear 96 and the feed roller shaft 97 are connected via a one-way clutch (for example, a spring clutch) 98. I have.

The one-way clutch 98 is constituted by a spring clutch that is always closed (off) in the reverse direction, but is controlled to be on / off in the normal direction.

As the one-way clutch 98, for example, one that operates as follows is used.

First, when the transport roller (platen roller) 14 reverses a small amount (rotation in the direction opposite to the transport direction) based on the paper feed signal, the one-way clutch 98 is switched on by the reverse rotation of the gear 96 (clutch trigger).

In this ON state, the forward rotation of the transport roller 14 causes
The feed roller 41 is in a state where it can rotate forward.

At this time, the feeding roller 41 formed of a D-shaped (or half-moon) inequality roller is at a reference position or an initial position distant from the recording sheet 13.

Next, when the conveying roller 14 is rotated in the normal direction by a predetermined amount, the feeding roller 41 is rotated in conjunction with this, and one recording sheet 13 is fed to a position beyond the retracting portion of the conveying roller 14.

The sensor detects that the recording sheet 13 has reached the pull-in section, and the stop position of the transport roller 14 at this time is controlled by the detection signal of the sensor.

Next, the conveying roller 14 is reversed by a predetermined amount, and the recording sheet is
13 is retracted to the position where it comes out of the sheet retracting section.

By the reverse rotation of the transport roller 14 at this time, a loop is formed at the leading end of the recording sheet 13, and registration is performed (the operation of making the leading end of the recording sheet 13 parallel).

The one-way clutch (eg, spring clutch) 98
Are still on by the clutch trigger and are in a state where rotation can be transmitted in the normal rotation direction.

Therefore, the transport roller 14 is rotated forward by a predetermined amount, and the forward rotation of the transport roller 14 and the feed roller 41 causes
13 is transported to the recording start position (start position).

During this normal rotation, the D-shaped feeding roller 41
13, the one-way clutch 98 is switched off, and the feed roller 41 stops at the reference position when the feed roller 41 returns to the reference position (initial position) after substantially one rotation. I do.

Thus, during one rotation of the feeding roller 41, the recording sheet
Only one sheet 13 is fed into the recording apparatus 10 and set in a cueing state.

Thereafter, recording on the recording sheet 13 is performed based on the image information.

During this recording, the one-way clutch 98 remains off, and the feed roller 41 remains stopped at the reference position despite the normal rotation (paper feed) of the transport roller 14.

As described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, etc., the sliders 71 and 72 include side guides 73 and 74 for regulating the width of the recording sheet 13 and separation claws 75 that engage with both front ends of the recording sheet 13. 76 are provided.

Since the separation claws 75 and 76 are provided on the sliders 71 and 72, not on the pressure plate 68 pressed down by the feed roller 41, they are so-called fixed separation claws.

14 and 15, each of the sliders 71, 72
It is moved by hand, and the clamp levers 101 and 102 are set to the positions shown in the figure. The guide groove (not shown) is pressed from both sides by the end face cam means (not shown), and friction is brought to a predetermined width position. Set by force.

In FIG. 17, the feed roller 41 is provided integrally at a plurality of positions (two positions in the illustrated example) on the feed roller shaft 97.

The feeding roller shaft 97 is further provided with pseudo rollers 103, 103 integrally at positions outside the respective feeding rollers 41.

These simulated rollers 103 have substantially the same contours (D type, etc.) as the feed rollers 41, 41, but have different materials and widths, have a low frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13, and It is made up of rollers that make sliding contact but do not substantially generate feeding force.

For example, the outer peripheral surfaces of the feed rollers 41, 41 are formed of rubber or the like that generates a large frictional force.
The members 3 and 103 are made of, for example, plastic such as Teflon or nylon (for example, integrally formed of the same material as the shaft 97), and have a smooth outer periphery.

By additionally providing the simulated rollers 103, 103 having such a simple structure, even when the feeding rollers 41, 41 are fixed, the separating function of the separating claws 75, 76 for the recording sheets 13 having different widths is always appropriate. Can be maintained.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive slide structure as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, and the cost can be reduced.

On the other hand, the sliding contact rollers 42 are integrally provided at a plurality of positions (for example, three to five places) on the sliding contact roller shaft 47 at predetermined intervals.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 14, and next, the guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 18. .

14 and 18, the guide rails 105, 106,
107 and 108 are provided, and the left slider 71 is guided by the guide rails 105 and 106, and the right slider 72 is guided by the guide rails 107 and 108.

As each of the guide rails 105 to 108, as shown in FIG. 18, a dovetail-type guide rail having a dovetail groove (a groove having a tapered surface) 109 formed therein is used.

Each of the guide rails 105 to 108 is formed integrally with the plastic case body of the paper feed cassette unit 50.

On the other hand, each of the guide rails 10 is attached to each of the sliders 71 and 72.
Guide roller 110 which rolls by contacting dovetail groove 109 of 5-108
Is rotatably supported.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 14, each of the sliders 71 and 72 is guided and supported by a total of three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side.

In FIG. 17, the feed roller shaft 97 is formed integrally with a ratchet portion 111 having a plurality of ratchet teeth on an arc-shaped outer periphery, while a case body side of the automatic sheet feeding device 30 (shown in FIG. 17). In the example, the case body of the paper feed drive unit 40)
Is provided with a plate-shaped claw portion 112 which is pressed against the ratchet teeth of the ratchet portion 111 with a predetermined elastic force and engages with the ratchet teeth to lock the sliding roller shaft 47.

The ratchet portion 111 and the pawl portion 112 constitute a ratchet mechanism for preventing the feed roller 41 from rotating in the reverse direction.

In FIG. 17, a recording sheet 13 that is automatically fed is attached to a shaft 47 that is driven in synchronization with the conveying roller 14 through a gear 46.
A plurality of (four in the illustrated example) sliding contact rollers 42 for guiding the roller are integrally provided.

FIG. 19 is a partial side view showing a state in which the sliding contact roller 42 guides the recording sheet 13, and FIG. 20 is the sliding contact roller.
FIG. 42 is an axial sectional view of 42.

In FIGS. 19 and 20, the recording sheet 13 delivered by the feeding roller 41 enters the paper path surface 31 with a considerably large inclination angle (for example, 45 degrees to 75 degrees) θ.

The sliding contact roller 42 is a recording sheet fed in this way.
It is arranged in the vicinity of the paper path surface so that the paper 13 can be reliably fed into the recording device 10 through the paper path surface 31.

Therefore, a friction material 116 such as rubber is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact roller 42 so that the friction material 116 contacts the recording sheet 13.

Further, the sliding contact roller 42 is configured to guide the recording sheet 13 at a peripheral speed slightly higher than the peripheral speed of the conveying roller 14 (for example, peripheral speed faster by about 6 to 10%).

In the illustrated example, the friction material 116 is fitted to the outer circumference of the sliding contact roller main body portion (fixed by adhesion or the like if necessary).
A rubber O-ring is used.

As the friction material 116, various members can be used as long as they have a high friction coefficient, such as a rubber sheet attached to the outer peripheral surface by adhesion or the like.

In the case of rubber, it is preferable to use NBR, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like.

According to such a configuration of the sliding contact roller 42, the ordinary fixed paper guide is omitted, and the recording sheet 13 is passed through the paper path surface 31 during both automatic paper feeding and manual paper feeding. In addition to being able to supply, by providing the friction material 116, it becomes possible to increase the feeding force of the recording sheet 13 at the time of automatic sheet feeding and effectively reduce the back tension.

It should be noted that if the back tension, which is a resistance to the feeding of the recording sheet 13, is large, a feeding deviation occurs when the feeding roller 14 conveys the recording sheet 13 to cause unevenness in the recorded image, which deteriorates the image quality. For example, since the frictional force of the sliding contact roller 42 which makes sliding contact at a slightly higher peripheral speed is increased, the back tension is effectively reduced to eliminate uneven feeding,
It has become possible to improve the quality of the recorded image by the recording device 10.

The recording apparatus 10 may be a serial scan type recording apparatus in which a recording head is mounted on a carriage that moves along the recording sheet 13, or a line using a recording head that covers a recording area in the sheet width direction of the recording sheet 13. Any type of recording device can be used, such as a type recording device.

In addition to the recording apparatus 10 using a single recording head, a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads or a gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads having the same color but different densities. A recording device having an arbitrary number of recording heads, such as a device, can be used.

The present invention brings excellent effects particularly in a recording apparatus using a bubble jet recording head, which is an inkjet recording method among various recording methods and which is proposed by Canon Inc.

The representative configuration and principle are preferably performed using the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796.

This method can be applied to any of the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it corresponds to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the arranged electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and recording is performed. This is effective because the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal.

By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed.

When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,434,262 are suitable.

Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention.

In addition, for a plurality of electrothermal converters, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461 of 1984, which discloses a configuration in which the above is associated with the discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body, or provided integrally with the recording head itself The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized.

If these are specifically mentioned, for the recording head,
Capping means, cleaning means, suction means for the pressurized area, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and performing a predischarge mode for performing a discharge different from recording. Is also effective for performing stable recording.

Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid.However, in the present invention, an ink that is solid at room temperature or an ink that is in a softened state at room temperature may be used. it can.

In general, the above-described ink jet apparatus generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. It is sufficient if the ink is sometimes in a liquid state.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or the ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink can be used. In any case, such as a method in which the ink is liquefied and applied as an ink liquid by application of heat energy according to a recording signal, and a method in which the ink already starts to solidify when reaching the recording material, or the like. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy is also applicable to the present invention.

In such a case, the ink is in a state of being retained as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. Then, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter.

In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

〔The invention's effect〕

As is apparent from the above description, according to the automatic sheet feeder of the present invention, the feeding roller for feeding the stacked sheets and the sheet fed by the feeding roller come into contact with each other to change the feeding direction. A paper path surface for guiding the sheet, a conveying roller for conveying the sheet whose feed direction is changed by the paper path surface, and a position separated from the paper path surface and contacting the sheet guided by the paper path surface A sliding contact roller that is arranged at a possible position and that rotates in the sheet conveying direction, a friction material is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact roller, and the peripheral speed of the sliding contact roller is greater than the peripheral speed of the conveying roller. Since the sliding contact roller comes into contact with the sheet and the feeding force is applied, the back tension of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller is effectively reduced and stabilized. It is possible to realize a transportation of the actual sheet, the automatic feeding device is provided which the occurrence of such recording failure or sheet jam can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a state at the time of automatic paper feeding in which an automatic paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a recording apparatus,
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the state of manual sheet feeding in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the state of storage in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state of use of the recording apparatus in a horizontal position, FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing an internal schematic structure of the recording apparatus in FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic bottom view showing the bottom of the recording apparatus, FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic sheet feeder in FIG. 1 as viewed from the mounting surface side, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a locked state of a hook connecting portion with a paper device.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an unlocked state, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a positioning engagement portion between the recording device and the automatic paper feeding device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a line in FIG. XI-XI is a partial cross-sectional view, FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeding state of the automatic paper feeding device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is a manual feed of the automatic paper feeding device of FIG. Fig. 14 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the paper state, Fig. 14 is a front view of the paper feed cassette part of the automatic paper feeder of Fig.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the paper feeding cassette part of the automatic paper feeding device of FIG. 12, and FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the operation mechanism between the paper feeding drive part and the paper feeding cassette part of the automatic paper feeding device of FIG. 17 is a partially deleted perspective view, FIG. 17 is a partially deleted perspective view schematically showing the drive mechanism of the paper feed roller of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. 12, and FIG. 18 is a line X in FIG. VIII-X VIII is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the guide roller of the slider, FIG. 19 is a partial side view showing the recording sheet guiding state by the sliding contact roller shaft in FIG. 17,
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the sliding contact roller of FIG. In the following, reference numerals indicating major components in the drawings are listed. 10 recording device, 13 recording sheet, 14 transport roller, 15 recording head, 16 discharge tray, 22 carriage, 28 recording sheet insertion port (recording device), 30 …
Automatic paper feeder, 31 ... Paper path surface, 33 ... Drive gear, 34 ...
… Conveying motor, 35… Frame member (recording device), 38… Hook member, 40… Supply drive unit, 41… Feed roller, 42…
Sliding roller 47, sliding roller shaft 48, driven gear (transfer gear), 49 outlet (automatic paper feeder), 50
...... Paper feed cassette part, 54, 55, 56, 57 …… Positioning engagement part, 68 …… Pressure plate, 71,72 …… Slider, 73,74 …… Side guide, 75,76 …… Separation of fixed type Claws, 95 …… Gear (sliding contact roller shaft), 96 …… Gear (clutch gear), 97 …… Feed roller shaft, 98 …… One-way clutch (spring clutch), 116 …… Friction material (O-ring).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-57-170334 (JP, A) JP-A-58-172155 (JP, A) JP-A-48-98908 (JP, A) JP-A-58- 177839 (JP, A) JP-A-1-117153 (JP, A) Actual development Sho 59-156036 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A feeding roller for feeding a stacked sheet; a paper path surface for abutting a sheet sent by the feeding roller to change and guide a feeding direction; and a paper path surface. A conveyance roller that conveys a sheet whose feed direction is changed by a slide roller that is arranged at a position separated from the paper path surface and in contact with the sheet guided by the paper path surface, and that rotates in the sheet conveyance direction. And a friction member provided on the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact roller, and the peripheral speed of the sliding contact roller is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the conveying roller. Paper equipment. 2. The automatic paper feeder according to claim 1, wherein the friction material is an O-ring. 3. A recording apparatus to which said automatic paper feeder is mounted,
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink by thermal energy.
Alternatively, the automatic paper feeder according to claim 2.