JP2899423B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer, a copying machine,
The present invention relates to a recording device such as a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording apparatus capable of supplying recording paper from a plurality of paper supply units, for example, there is one as shown in FIG. This recording apparatus is of a type in which a recording sheet P is conveyed with the recording surface on which an image is recorded facing downward. When feeding recording paper P or the like that is difficult to convey on a conveyance path with a small radius of curvature, such as cardboard, postcards, and envelopes, a straight conveyance path without bending them to a small radius of curvature is provided above. The multi-sheet feeding unit 3 for feeding a sheet is provided so as to protrude greatly.

When feeding recording paper P such as thick paper, postcards, envelopes, etc., the photoreceptor belt is fed from the paper feed tray 4 of the multi paper feed unit 3 without passing through the conveyance path 15 having a small radius of curvature. 6 are transferred to an image transfer section 7 of an electrophotographic process section 5 composed of an electrophotographic process section 6 and the like, where a latent image is formed on the photoreceptor belt 6 by an electrophotographic process by laser writing, and a developing device 8 Is transferred to the lower surface side.

In this recording apparatus, the upper body unit 11 can be opened with respect to the lower body unit 12 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The registration roller 13 and the roller pair portion of the fixing unit 14 are vertically separated from each other, so that when a jam occurs in that portion, the processing can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, there is also a recording apparatus in which a double-sided unit 10 for recording an image on both sides of a recording sheet P is mounted on an upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. When an image is recorded on both sides of the recording paper P by this recording apparatus, the recording paper P on which an image has been recorded by the image transfer unit 7 on the lower surface side of the recording paper P through an image forming process similar to FIG. After passing through the fixing unit 14, the sheet is guided by the switching claw 17 by the conveying force of the sheet discharging roller 16 and is sent to the switchback conveying path 18, which is switched by the switchback roller 19 in FIG.
And is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21 so that a part on the left side in FIG.

[0006] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper P is stopped at the timing of being caught by the switchback roller 19, and then the roller is rotated in the reverse direction as indicated by the arrow to rotate the recording paper P. Can change the direction of travel and the duplex unit 10
The recording paper P is sent to the image transfer section 7 again through the registration roller 13 where the recording paper P is turned upside down. 16, switching claw 17 switched to the paper discharge side
Is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21 through the

[0007]

However, in such a conventional recording apparatus, a multi-sheet feeding section 3 for feeding a recording sheet P along a substantially linear conveyance path is required, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, since the portion of the paper feed tray 4 of the multi paper feed unit 3 protrudes greatly from the right side surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1, a large exclusive space is required for installing the recording apparatus, and the recording is required. There is a problem that the device itself also becomes large in the width direction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a recording apparatus capable of feeding recording paper which is difficult to convey on a conveyance path having a small radius of curvature, such as cardboard, postcards, and envelopes. The purpose is to have as little exclusive space as possible. It is another object of the present invention to be able to install the recording medium in a small space, to feed recording paper such as cardboard, postcards and envelopes, and to record images on both sides of the recording paper.

[0009]

According to the present invention, recording paper is fed from a plurality of paper feeding units to achieve the above object.
The recording paper at the position of the photoconductor in the main body of the apparatus.
In a recording apparatus that conveys a visible image onto a recording sheet by transporting the recording medium to at least one of the paper feeding sections, the paper feeding section mainly includes at least one of the sheet feeding units that is not suitable for conveyance on a conveying path having a small radius of curvature. A multi-sheet feeding unit that feeds recording paper such as thick paper or small size paper in a substantially linear conveyance path, and the multi-sheet feeding unit is located above the main unit.
The recording paper is fed to the multi paper feeder
A switchback mechanism that reverses the direction and feeds the paper is provided .

Further, the recording apparatus provided with the switchback mechanism to the multi sheet feeding portion, when the recording paper after recording the image on one side by reversing providing the recording sheet reversing section for feeding to the switchback mechanism, More effective.

[0011]

According to the recording apparatus configured as described above, when a recording sheet that is not suitable for conveyance on a conveyance path having a small radius of curvature, such as a thick sheet or a small size, is fed, the multi-sheet feeding unit feeds the sheet. it is sufficient to feed the paper.

[0012] By doing so, since the multi-feeding portion is provided with a switch back mechanism, and fed at the multi-feeding portion therefrom be disposed on the top of the apparatus body substantially linear transport path The recording paper is reversed in its traveling direction by the switchback mechanism and is again fed into the apparatus main body through a substantially linear conveyance path. Protrusion can be reduced. Therefore,
Space can be reduced because the space occupied by recording devices can be reduced
Can be used effectively.

Further, if the recording apparatus is provided with a recording paper reversing unit, the recording paper after the image is recorded on one side can be reversed by the recording paper reversing unit and sent to the switchback mechanism. Images can be recorded on both sides of the paper.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a laser printer as a recording device according to the present invention.

A laser printer as this recording device is:
Recording paper P can be fed from a plurality of paper feeding units, respectively.
A paper feed cassette 2 is detachably provided at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 1, and a cardboard or a small-size postcard which is not suitable for conveyance on a conveyance path having a small radius of curvature is provided at a right upper portion of the apparatus main body 1.
A multi-sheet feeding unit 23 for feeding recording paper P such as an envelope;
The multi sheet feeding section 23 is attached to the apparatus main body 1 so as not to protrude significantly from the right side surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1. In addition, a switchback mechanism 30 for feeding the recording paper P to be fed by reversing the leading end and the trailing end thereof is provided in the multi-feeding unit 23.

The apparatus main body 1 is composed of an upper main unit 11 and a lower main unit 12. The upper main unit 11 is attached to the lower main unit 12 so as to be openable and closable in the direction of arrow A in FIG. ing. A photoreceptor belt 6 is provided substantially at the center of the apparatus main body 1, and a charging charger 26, a developing device 8, a transfer charging device 28, and a cleaning device 29 are provided therearound. An optical writing device 25 is provided below the charging charger 26, and the above-described paper supply cassette 2 is provided below the optical writing device 25.

In this laser printer, when a recording paper P is fed from a paper feed cassette 2 by a paper feed roller 27, it is conveyed through a conveyance path 15 having a small radius of curvature, and is conveyed to a registration roller 13. Thus, the sheet is conveyed to the upper side of the photoreceptor belt 6 at a proper timing.

The photoreceptor belt 6 is stretched between three rollers and rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charging charger 26. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the laser light from the laser light therefrom. The latent image is visualized by toner when passing through the developing device 8, and the visible image (toner image) is formed on the recording paper P conveyed in a substantially horizontal state above the photosensitive belt 6. The image is transferred (recorded) to the lower surface by the transfer charger 28.

The recording paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is guided by a transport guide 31 and transported between a fixing roller and a pressure roller of the fixing unit 14, where the toner image is fixed and further discharged. The sheet is conveyed by the rollers 16 and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 21.

The multi-sheet feeding section 23 includes a sheet feeding tray 4 on which the recording sheet P is placed, and a pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the recording sheet P placed on the sheet feeding tray 4. 32 (only one side is shown in FIG. 1);
And the recording paper P sent out by the paper feed roller 33
A friction separating portion 34 composed of a friction pad and a compression coil spring for separating
Each of the transport paths of the feed-out transport path 35 and the switchback transport path 36, a switchback roller 37 that rotates in both forward and reverse directions and reverses and feeds the leading and trailing ends of the recording paper P, For example, it is configured by a sensor 38 or the like, which is a reflection-type photosensor, and is disposed in the delivery conveyance path 35 on the upstream side of the paper supply.

The switchback mechanism 30 is constituted by the feed-out transport path 35, the switchback transport path 36, the switchback roller 37, the sensor 38, and a drive system for driving them.

This laser printer is suitable for feeding small-sized recording paper P such as cardboard, postcards, envelopes, etc. which are not suitable for conveyance on a conveyance path having a small radius of curvature such as the conveyance path 15. Paper is fed using the multi-sheet feeding unit 23. That is, the recording paper P is placed on the paper feed tray 4 of the multi paper feed unit 23, and both side edges thereof are regulated to predetermined positions by the side fences 32, and the leading end is fed to the paper feed roller 33 and the friction separation unit 3.
The sheet feeding is started by being inserted into the pressure contact portion with the friction pad No. 4.

Then, the recording paper P on the paper feed tray 4 is fed rightward in FIG.
If more than one sheet is sent out, it is separated into one sheet by the friction separating unit 34. Then, the recording paper P is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 1, and the leading end of the recording paper P projects outside the machine as shown by a virtual line in FIG. When the trailing edge of the recording paper P is detected, the switchback roller 37 is temporarily stopped at a predetermined timing at which the trailing edge does not come off from the switchback roller 37, and then is reversed.

Therefore, the recording paper P is indicated by an arrow E in FIG.
The paper is fed back to the registration roller 13 at a predetermined timing corresponding to the image on the photoreceptor belt 6, and the image is stored there in the same manner as when the paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 2. Be recorded. As described above, the laser printer can transfer a small-sized recording paper P such as a thick paper, a postcard, an envelope, or the like that is not suitable for conveyance on a conveyance path having a small radius of curvature.
Since the paper is fed by using the substantially straight delivery conveyance path 35 and the switchback conveyance path 36 without using the sheet 5, the sheet can be reliably fed and an image can be recorded thereon.

Since the multi-sheet feeding section 23 is disposed above the apparatus main body 1 so as not to protrude from the right side surface 1a, the space occupied by the recording apparatus can be reduced. The space including the upper right part of the space 1 can be effectively used.

If a switching claw is provided at the branch portion 39 between the feed-out transport path 35 and the switchback transport path 36, the recording paper P fed from the feed-out transport path 35 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. When the switch back is made after passing the branching section 39, the switch back transport path 3
6 can be guided. In addition, the feeding of the recording paper from the multi-feeding unit 23 is not limited to the above-described thick paper or small-size recording paper that requires linear conveyance, and ordinary thin recording paper can also be fed. Of course.

FIG. 2 shows a different embodiment of the recording apparatus.
2 is the same overall configuration diagram, and the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as FIG. This recording apparatus also has a double-sided function, and is provided with a recording paper reversing unit 40 for reversing the recording paper P after recording an image on one side and feeding the recording paper P to the switchback mechanism 30.

That is, in this recording apparatus, a recording sheet reversing section 40 is provided on the upper surface 1b of the apparatus main body 1, and the recording sheet P which has exited the sheet discharging roller 16 to a double-sided conveying path 41 in the recording sheet reversing section 40 is provided.
And a switching claw 45 which is rotated at a position where the recording paper P is guided to the turn transport path 43 and the paper discharge tray 21 by a solenoid (not shown) at an entrance portion thereof. Has been established. The two-sided conveying path 41 is formed so as to communicate with the switchback roller 37 of the multi-sheet feeding section 23, and a plurality of conveying rollers 46 are arranged on the conveying path.

In order to record an image on both sides of the recording paper P by using this recording apparatus, an image is recorded on one side through the above-described image forming process described with reference to FIG. The paper P is sent to the turn conveyance path 43 by the discharge rollers 16 via the switching claw 45, and
The recording paper P is conveyed between the switchback rollers 37 by the conveyance force of No. 6 and the recording paper P is
The rear end passes the branch 39 and the switchback roller 37
Predetermined timing at which position shown in the drawing does not deviate (timing control based on signal from which sensor 38 detects the trailing edge of recording paper)
To temporarily stop the switchback roller 37 and then reverse it.

Accordingly, the recording paper P is switched back in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 2 and is turned over, and is again conveyed to the image transfer section on the photosensitive belt 6 where the image is recorded. An image is recorded on the back surface that is not covered by the image, and the image is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21. Thus, according to this recording apparatus, an image can be recorded on both sides of the recording paper. In order to reliably send the recording paper P to the switchback transport path 36 at the time of switchback, the branching unit 3
9 may be provided with a switching claw.

According to this recording apparatus, by using the switchback mechanism 30 provided in the multi-sheet feeding section 23, the recording sheet can be transported again to the image transfer section in a state where the recording sheet is turned upside down. 4, the image can be recorded on both sides of the recording paper P without providing the switchback rollers 19 on the downstream side of the conveyance of the paper discharge rollers 16 as in the recording apparatus shown in FIG. The cost burden can be reduced by not having to provide two locations.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, cardboard, postcards,
It is possible to reliably feed recording paper that is difficult to convey on a conveyance path with a small radius of curvature, such as an envelope, and to record an image on the recording paper. Since it is installed, it does not protrude greatly from the side of the main body of the apparatus, so the space occupied exclusively by the recording apparatus can be reduced, and the space including the space near the side of the main body of the apparatus is effective. Can be used for

Further, if the recording apparatus is provided with a recording paper reversing section, the recording paper after recording the image on one side is reversed and the image is recorded on the reverse side, even though the installation space is small. Can be added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a laser printer as a recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram similar to FIG. 1, showing a different embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram schematically illustrating an example of a recording apparatus having a conventional multi-sheet feeding unit.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram schematically illustrating an example of a conventional recording apparatus including a multi-sheet feeding unit and a recording sheet reversing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Paper feed cassette 4 Paper feed tray 23 Multi paper feed part 27, 33 Paper feed roller 30 Switchback mechanism 40 Recording paper reversing part 41 Double-sided conveyance path P Recording paper

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A recording paper is fed from a plurality of paper feeding units.
The recording paper at the position of the photoconductor in the main body of the apparatus.
In a recording apparatus for transferring a visible image to a recording sheet by transporting the recording medium to at least one of the sheet feeding units, the recording apparatus mainly includes: a multi-sheet feeding section for feeding paper recording paper such as thick paper or small-size substantially linear conveying path, the multi-feeding portion is disposed at an upper portion of the apparatus main body, in the multi-feeding portion, paper feed The direction of travel of the recording paper
A recording device provided with a switchback mechanism for feeding the recording paper. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a recording sheet reversing unit for reversing the recording sheet after recording the image on one side thereof and feeding the reversed recording sheet to the switchback mechanism.