JP3306259B2 - Paper feed mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feed mechanism provided in an automatic document feeder of an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile transceiver or an electrostatic copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to prevent a document from being skewed, a cursor for regulating a paper width is provided on a document table provided in an automatic document feeder of an image forming apparatus.

The cursor is configured to be relatively moved by a rack and a pinion mechanism so as to approach and separate from each other in the paper width direction. Means for applying a load to the rack portion or the pinion portion is provided. Prevention of slippage was attempted.

[0004]

For example, when a load means is provided on a pinion portion, a leaf spring is directly urged in sliding contact with the pinion or a rotary damper is used.
In that case, the number of parts is increased, so that there is a problem that the cost is increased.

[0005] Further, when providing a load means in the rack portion,
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a configuration is adopted in which a protrusion b formed so as to urge outward from the rack plate a is slidably brought into contact with the upright surface of the step d of the base plate c. There are many.

However, in this case, when the cursors e and e are moved, the load application point moves right and left with respect to the pinion f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. In some cases, the cursors e and e tend to deflect from each other, and the paper width regulating plates g and g cannot sometimes maintain a right angle to each roller.

Further, since the projection b is provided at a position distant from the paper width regulating plate g serving as a point of action of the force, the cursor e is moved by the acting force when the hand is applied to the paper width regulating plate g. Sometimes it was easily deflected.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly stable and inexpensive paper feeding mechanism that can effectively prevent a document from being skewed.

[0009]

According to the present invention, means for solving the above-mentioned problems are constituted as follows. That is, in the invention described in claim 1, a pair of cursors for width regulation of relative movement to approach apart from each other in the paper width direction is provided on the document loading table, the cursor is, the lower portion of the document the platform a rack plate engraved rack meshing with the pinion on the one side edge which is provided on, and more become width regulating plate which is erected on the outer end of the rack plate, one rack plate and another La <br / > while a and click plate are disposed opposite to each other in an opposite side via the pinion, of the width regulating plate between the document placing stand a pair of stepped portions formed so as to face each other in the paper width direction lower fitted to sliding contact so as to be perpendicular to the stepped portion, and one of the stages protrusion provided on so that is biased outwardly by cut-split the one side to the one side lower end of the paper width regulating plate while sliding contact biased raised surface parts, prior to raised surface of the other stepped portion formed on the reference surface The lower end of the other side of the paper width regulating plate and the other side of the rack plate are urged in sliding contact with each other, and a guide groove cut out in the paper width direction on the document table between the two step portions is formed below the paper width regulating plate. It is characterized in that the protruding hook portion is fitted and slidably contacted in a retaining shape.

[0010] In the invention described in claim 2, a pair of cursors for width regulation of relative movement to approach apart from each other in the paper width direction is provided on the document loading table, said cursor,
A rack plate engraved rack meshing with a pinion provided on a lower portion of the document loading table in one side edge, more becomes width regulating plate which is erected on the outer end of the rack plate, and one of the rack plate together and the other of the rack plate is arranged so as to oppose to the opposite side through the pinion, it is formed on the concave groove inwardly to face in the sheet width direction on the document loading table At the lower end on both sides of the paper width regulating plate between the pair of guide grooves,
Cut-split projections were projected outward by is fitted sliding to, while energizing the projection of hand outward, obtained by forming the reference surface to the end face of the other proposals in the groove It is characterized by:

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the projection provided at the lower end of one side of the paper width regulating plate is urged against the upright surface of one step formed on the document table to form a reference surface. By biasing the lower end of the other side of the paper width regulating plate and the outer side of the rack plate on the rising surface of the other stepped portion, a load is stably applied to the entire cursor, and the two paper width regulating plates are always kept in parallel. Can be held.

When the cursor is moved, a force acts on the paper width regulating plate. However, since there is a projection immediately below the point of application of the force, the point of application of the external force and the point of application of the load substantially coincide with each other. Therefore, the manner in which the load is applied is stable, and the parallelism between the two paper width regulating plates can be kept stable.

Further, since the engaging portion projecting from the lower portion of the paper width regulating plate is fitted in sliding contact with the guide groove formed on the original placing table in a retaining shape, the moving section can be moved from the original placing table even if the cursor is moved. It will not come off.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the protrusions projecting outward from the lower ends of both sides of the paper width regulating plate are fitted into and slidably contact with a pair of guide grooves formed in the base plate. The projections of the paper width regulating plate are urged outward so that the lower end of the other side portion of the paper width regulating plate is slidably brought into contact with the end surface of the other guide groove formed on the reference surface to stably load. The cursor can be kept in a locked state by acting. In this case, there is no need to separately provide a retaining portion or a guide groove for retaining the document on the document table.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the paper feeding mechanism of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a paper feeding mechanism,
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part thereof, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof. In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a cursor, 2 denotes a document table, 3 denotes a pinion pivotally supported at a lower portion of the document table 2, Reference numeral 4 denotes a rack that meshes with the pinion 3, 5 denotes a rack plate in which the rack 4 is formed on one side edge and is formed in a stepped shape, and 6 denotes a paper width regulating plate that is erected at the outer end of the rack plate 5. The cursor 1 is formed integrally with the rack plate 5 and the paper width regulating plate 6.

Reference numerals 71 and 72 denote a pair of steps formed on the document table 2 so as to face each other in the paper width direction.
The lower portion of the paper width regulating plate 6 is fitted and slid between the steps 72 and 72 so as to be orthogonal to the steps 71 and 72. 61 is a paper width regulating plate 6
A projection provided on the lower end of one side of the side so as to be urged outward, 6
Reference numeral 2 denotes a support portion for supporting the protrusion 61, which is formed by cutting one side of the paper width regulating plate 6 so that the protrusion 61 comes into sliding contact with one of the step portions 72, and the other portion of the paper width regulating plate 6 The lower end of the side part and the outer part of the rack plate 5 are slidably urged against the upper surface of the other step 71 which is the reference plane (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, reference numeral 8 denotes a guide groove formed by notching the document table 2 in the paper width direction;
Reference numerals 3 and 63 denote hook portions projecting from the lower portion of the paper width regulating plate 6 and are fitted and slidably fitted in the guide grooves 8 in a retaining shape. Note that the above-described document table 2 has an opening 2A formed by notching a section in which the paper width regulating plate 6 moves in a rectangular shape (see FIG. 3).

With such a configuration, the pair of cursors 1, 1 can be stably moved so as to approach and separate from each other in the paper width direction with an appropriate load, and the oblique feeding of the document can be effectively prevented. More specifically, the projection 61 provided at the lower end of one side of the paper width regulating plate 6 is biased on the upper surface of the one step 71 of the document table 2, so that the other of the reference surface is set. The lower end of the other side of the sheet width regulating plate 6 and the other side edge of the rack plate 5 can be urged to slide on the upper surface of the stepped portion 72 to apply a load to the cursors 1 and 1 as a whole in a stable manner. The regulating plates 6, 6 can always be held in parallel (FIG. 4).
(See (A) and (B)).

When the cursor 1 is moved, a force acts on the paper width regulating plate 6, and the projection 61 is located immediately below the point of application of the force.
Since the point of action of the external force and the point of action of the load substantially coincide with each other, the manner in which the load is applied is stable,
6 can be kept stable.

Further, since the hooks 63, 63 protruding from the lower portion of the paper width regulating plate 6 are fitted into the guide grooves 8 formed on the document table 2 in a slip-proof manner, the cursor 1 is moved. Even if this is done, it does not come off the document table 2 and is stably held.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, such a paper feeding mechanism includes a main body 1 of a facsimile transceiver (image forming apparatus).
It is provided on the upper part of 0 so that it can turn freely upward. In these figures, 11 is a detachable hinge, 12 is a forward feed roller, 13 is a feed roller, 14 is a platen roller,
15 is a document reading unit (CIS), 16 is a discharge roller, 17
Is a driving source of the above-described paper feeding / discharging system, 18 is a pressing plate, 19 is a sabaki pad, 20 is a speaker, 21 is an operation panel, 22 is a discharge tray, 23 is a paper tray, 24 is a paper feed roller, and 25
Is a conveyance roller, 26 is a registration roller, 27 is a photosensitive drum, 28 is a developing device, 29 is a transfer roller, 30 is a fixing roller, 31 is a paper carry-out path, 32 is an optical unit, 3
Reference numeral 3 denotes a paper discharge tray.

The facsimile transceiver configured as above is
A push button for instructing a facsimile transmission / reception operation and a push button for instructing a copying operation are arranged on the operation panel 21, and operate as follows. First, in the facsimile transmission operation, the original loaded on the original placing table 2 is scanned by the forward feed roller 12, the paper feed roller 13, and the platen roller 1.
When the document passes through the document reading unit 15 through the document feeder 4, the content of the document is read and transmitted to the transmission destination, and the read document is discharged to the discharge tray 22.

Next, in the facsimile receiving operation, first, the image data received from outside is converted into an optical signal by the optical system unit 32 and is exposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27, and the exposed image is developed by the developing device 28. The image is transferred when the sheet supplied from the sheet table 23 passes through the transfer roller 29. The sheet on which the image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 27 and fixed by the fixing roller 30, and then discharged from the sheet discharge path 31 onto the discharge tray 33.

On the other hand, at the time of a copying operation, the original supplied from the original table 2 is moved by the forward feed roller 12, the paper feed roller 13,
The content of the document read when passing over the document reading unit 15 via the platen roller 14 is exposed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 27, and the exposed image is developed. After being transferred and fixed, the sheet is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 33.

By adopting the paper feed mechanism of the present invention in such a FAX transceiver, the oblique feeding of the original can be effectively prevented, and the trouble in feeding at the time of FAX transmission and copying is eliminated. It can be reduced as much as possible.

FIG. 7 shows a different embodiment. In this case, a pair of concave groove-like guide grooves 41 and 42 are formed so as to face each other in the paper width direction of the original table 2 and face inward. A projection 65 projecting from the lower end of one side of the paper width regulating plate 6 is urged to the guide groove 41, and the end face 421 of the other guide groove 42 is used as a reference plane.

In this case, the protrusion 65 is
Is formed at the lower end of a support portion 66 formed by cutting one side portion of the paper width regulating plate 6 with the protrusion 65 being fitted into the guide groove 41 in a biased state. The paper width regulating plates 6 and 6
Can be stably held, and the cursor 1 can be held on the document table 2 in a retaining shape without requiring a separate retaining member for retaining.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, Oite to the invention of claim 1, so as to face each other in the paper width direction in the document the platform
The lower part of the paper width regulating plate between a pair of steps formed in
It is fitted and slid so as to be perpendicular to the step, and the paper width regulating plate is
The one side is cut off at the lower end and urged outward.
The protruding part is slid in contact with the upright surface of one of the steps.
On the other hand, the upper surface of the other step formed on the reference surface is
Energizes the lower edge of the other side of the paper width regulating plate and the other side of the rack plate
Slide the document, and place the paper
The lower part of the paper width regulating plate is inserted in the guide groove
The hooks that protrude from
Since the point of action of the load by the protrusion substantially coincides with the point of action of the external force applied to the paper width regulating plate, the manner in which the load is applied is stable, and the parallelism between the two paper width regulating plates can be kept stable. It is possible to effectively prevent the document from being skewed. In addition, cost can be reduced with a simple configuration without requiring a separate member to generate a load. Ma
In addition, the hook that protrudes from the bottom of the paper width
The guide groove must be fitted and slid in contact with the formed guide groove.
From the document table even if the cursor is moved
No, the cursor is kept stable.

According to the second aspect of the present invention ,
The base is formed in the shape of a concave groove facing inward in the paper width direction.
Between the pair of guide grooves and the lower ends of both sides of the paper width regulating plate.
The protruding part which cuts the both sides and protrudes outward
It is slid in contact and urges one protrusion outward, while the other
Since forming the end face of the guide groove of the rectangular reference surface, stably by urging sliding contact with the other side lower end of the paper width regulating plate on the end face of the the guide groove and the base <br/> Junmen The cursor can be held in a locked state by applying a load. In this case, there is no need to separately provide a retaining portion or a guide groove for preventing the document from being placed on the document table as in the first aspect of the present invention , and the cost can be further reduced. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part showing an embodiment of a sheet feeding mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the paper width regulating plate.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper feed mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the paper feeding mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the paper feeding mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a paper width regulating plate showing another embodiment of the paper feeding mechanism.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of a cursor operation of a conventional paper feed mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cursor, 2 ... Document mounting plate, 3 ... Pinion, 4 ... Rack, 41, 42 ... Guide groove, 5 ... Rack plate, 6 ... Paper width regulating plate, 61,65 ... Protrusion, 63 ... Hooking portion, 71 , 72: stepped portion, 8: guide groove.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-U 5-77134 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 1/04 324

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of cursors for width regulation of relative movement to approach apart from each other in the paper width direction is provided on the document loading table, the cursor is meshed with a pinion provided on a lower portion of the document the platform a rack plate engraved rack on one side edge, more becomes width regulating plate which is erected on the outer end of the rack plate, one rack plate and the other rack plate and said pin <br The lower portion of the paper width regulating plate is disposed between a pair of steps formed on the original table so as to face each other in the paper width direction, while being disposed so as to face each other on the opposite side via a nonion. orthogonal fitted to sliding contact so as to, in so that is biased outwardly by cut-split the one side to the one side lower end of the paper width regulating plate and
While sliding contact biases the provided was protrusions on the raised surface of one of the stepped portions, of the other stepped portion formed on the reference surface other side of the other side the lower end and the rack plate of the sheet width regulating plate raised surface The sliding portion is urged to slide, and the engaging portion protruding from the lower portion of the paper width regulating plate is fitted into the guide groove cut out in the paper width direction between the two step portions in the paper width direction so that the sliding portion is fitted and slidably contacted. A paper feed mechanism characterized in that: 2. A pair of cursors for width regulation of relative movement to approach apart from each other in the paper width direction is provided on the document loading table, the cursor is meshed with a pinion provided on a lower portion of the document the platform a rack plate engraved rack on one side edge, more becomes width regulating plate which is erected on the outer end of the rack plate, and one of the rack plate and the other rack plate through said pinion The paper width regulating plate is disposed between the pair of guide grooves, which are arranged so as to face each other on the opposite side and face in the document width direction so as to face in the paper width direction and are formed inwardly. and cut-split the sides projections were projected outward by is fitted sliding subordinates end, while energizing the projection of hand outward, relative to the end face of the other proposals in the groove A sheet feeding mechanism formed on a surface.