JP3346262B2 - Paper feeder - 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 feeder used in printers, copiers, facsimile machines and the like, for separating and sequentially feeding a plurality of stacked recording papers one by one, and in particular, to a paper feeding apparatus. The present invention relates to a paper feeding device capable of storing a large amount of recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of paper feeding device,
A plurality of recording papers are stored in a stacked state, and a feed roller that is driven to rotate is brought into contact with the uppermost recording paper of the stacked recording papers, and the uppermost recording paper is formed using frictional resistance between the rollers and the recording paper. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known an apparatus that separates recording paper one by one and sequentially sends the recording paper. FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of such a sheet feeding device. The paper feeding device 100 includes a paper tray 6 on which a plurality of recording papers P are mounted in a stacked state, a feed roller 5 provided at a position facing the paper tray 6, and a paper tray 6 provided below the paper tray 6. And a spring 7 for urging the tray 6 toward the feed roller 5. The paper tray 6 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 15 of the base 10 by the shaft portion 61, and is rotated by an amount corresponding to the number of the recording papers P placed thereon. Of the plurality of recording papers P placed on the paper tray 6, the topmost recording paper P is
When the feed roller 5 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in this state, recording is performed due to a difference in friction coefficient between the feed roller 5 and the paper tray 6 or the recording paper P. The paper P is separated one by one and conveyed to a recording unit (not shown) inside the recording apparatus.

Further, for example, a recording sheet placed on a sheet tray is urged by a leaf spring from above, thereby increasing the contact area between a feed roller contacting the recording sheet from below and the recording sheet. There is also known a sheet feeding device capable of separating and feeding recording sheets one by one (see JP-A-4-209143).

[0004]

However, according to the former paper feeder, the recording paper P hits the feed roller 5 depending on the number (thickness) of the recording paper P placed on the paper tray 6. Since the load at the time of contact changes, no matter how many sheets of recording paper P are placed on the paper tray 6, the recording paper P
It has been difficult to adjust the bias of the spring 7 so that the sheets are accurately separated one by one. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the expansion / contraction dimension C of the spring 7 when the number of recording papers P placed on the paper tray 6 is small, and a large amount of recording paper P as shown in FIG. Since the expansion and contraction dimension of the spring 7 is significantly different from the expansion and contraction dimension D of the spring 7 when the recording paper P is placed on the tray 6, in both cases, the recording paper P is brought into contact with the feed roller 5 with the same load. 7 is difficult to set. Therefore, when the recording paper is fed, there may be a problem that a plurality of recording papers are fed at once or the recording paper P is not fed.

Even if the number of recording papers P is small or large, regardless of the number of recording papers P, the recording papers are always reliably separated and fed one by one regardless of the number of recording papers. It is difficult to set the urging force of the leaf spring in such a manner, and there is a problem similar to the former sheet feeding device.

Further, when the user places a recording sheet of a predetermined amount or more on the paper tray, the urging force of the spring becomes excessive and the load of the contact point between the recording sheet and the feed roller becomes large. When the trailing edge of the recording paper is separated from the feed roller while the recording paper is being sent to the recording unit, the pressure applied to the recording paper suddenly decreases and the transport speed of the recording paper increases, and the vibrations cause Is not properly performed, and a white line is generated on the recording paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the recording paper can be loaded with the same load regardless of whether the number of recording papers placed on a paper tray is large or small. By making contact with the feed roller, it is possible to prevent a plurality of sheets of recording paper from being fed at the same time or to prevent the recording paper from being fed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device capable of performing the following.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding apparatus , comprising:
The recording paper is placed in a stacked state in a paper feeding device in which a plurality of recording papers are stored in a stacked state, and the recording papers are separated one by one and sequentially sent to a recording apparatus. A recording paper tray, a base member for holding the recording paper tray, and a recording paper placed on the recording paper tray, in contact with the recording paper near the sending-side end of the recording paper, and sequentially feeding the recording paper one by one. a paper feeding roller, one end of which is connected to the lower end side of the said paper tray, the other end spray
A coil spring supported by a ring base and slidably provided to bias the recording paper tray toward the paper feed roller; and a rising direction of the paper feeding device manually between the spring base and the base member. a universal and <br/> vent difference, in that the contact point between the change the biasing force of said recording tray by a coil spring, the paper feed roller and the recording sheet placed on the recording paper tray and a load adjusting plate for adjusting the load, the spool
Upper end of ring base and lower end of load adjustment plate
The parts slide smoothly when inserting and removing
The base member is provided with a scale on the base member so that a user can visually determine the number of recording sheets placed on the recording paper tray, and the recording paper tray has a recording surface. The tray has a length necessary for stacking the entire length of the paper, and the upper end of the tray is pivotally supported by the base member so that the entirety is rotatable.

In the above configuration, the user determines the number of recording sheets placed on the recording sheet tray by referring to the scale, and manually inserts and removes the load adjusting plate according to the number. This changes the force by which the coil spring urges the recording paper tray in the direction of the paper feed roller, and reduces the load at the contact point between the recording paper placed on the recording paper tray and the paper feed roller. It is possible to adjust the load to an appropriate value according to the number of recording papers to be placed on the paper. Since the load can be adjusted in this way, even when a large amount of recording paper is placed on the recording paper tray, the load at the contact point between the recording paper and the paper feed roller can be appropriately adjusted. Therefore, the maximum allowable number of recording sheets can be increased. When removing and inserting the load adjustment plate,
The upper end of the tuning base and the lower end of the load adjustment plate
The inclined portions formed on each other slide with each other. At that time,
The presence of the pulling base causes the coil spring to tilt
There is no such thing.

[0010]

Further , the load adjusting plate changes the bias of the coil spring according to the number of recording sheets placed on the recording paper tray, so that the recording is performed regardless of the number of recording sheets placed on the recording paper tray. Since the load at the contact point between the paper and the paper feeding roller is set within a predetermined range, the recording paper can be surely separated and fed one by one by the paper feeding roller.

[0012]

Further , the load adjusting plate is provided with a coil spring.
The coil spring connected to the recording paper tray by taking it in and out between the printing paper and the base member.
As the recording paper tray slides, the force for urging the recording paper tray changes in accordance with the sliding movement, so that the load at the contact point between the recording paper tray and the paper feed roller increases or decreases. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the load at the contact point between the paper feed roller and the recording paper can be appropriately adjusted according to the number of recording papers to be placed on the recording paper tray.

Further, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
Item 2. The paper feeding device according to Item 1 , wherein the load adjusting member is
The coil spring is formed in such a shape that the bias of the coil spring can be changed stepwise.

In the above construction, the load adjustment member, the biasing of the coil spring, by appropriately changed in stages in accordance with the number of recording sheets placed on the paper tray, the biasing of the coil spring Since the fine adjustment can be performed, the load at the contact point between the paper feed roller and the recording paper can be more appropriately adjusted according to the number of recording papers.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer (recording device) provided with a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording device 1 records an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on recording data output from a host computer or the like. Recording device 1
An opening 2a is provided in the upper part of the external case 2 so that the sheet feeding device 3 is detachably attached. The paper feeding device 3 is capable of stacking a plurality of recording papers P on a paper tray (recording paper tray) 6 in a stacked state. At the time of recording, these recording papers are separated one by one and sequentially sent out into the apparatus. It is. The user adjusts the number of recording sheets P that can be placed on the sheet tray 6 by moving the load adjustment plate (load adjustment means, load adjustment member) 9 up and down using the knob 92. be able to. Inside the apparatus, an image is recorded on recording paper by a recording unit (not shown). A recording paper outlet 2b is provided at the lower front part of the outer case 2.
Is provided, and the recorded recording paper is discharged from the recording paper discharge port 2b to the outside of the apparatus. A paper discharge tray 4 for receiving recorded recording paper is attached to the recording paper discharge port 2b.

Next, the configuration of the sheet feeding device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the sheet feeding device,
3 is a front perspective view of the sheet feeding device, and FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the sheet feeding device. The paper feed device 3 is a feed roller (paper feed roller)
5, a paper tray (recording paper tray) 6, a spring (biasing means) 7, a spring base (biasing means) 8, a load adjusting plate (load adjusting means, load adjusting member) 9, and a base (base member) 10. Have. The feed roller 5 is
The stacked recording papers P placed on the paper tray 6 are sequentially
It is sent out one by one. The feed roller 5 is provided on the printing apparatus main body side, and is rotationally driven by a driving force from a driving motor provided inside the printing apparatus. When the feed roller 5 rotates, the recording paper P is separated one by one by a difference in friction coefficient between the feed roller 5 and the recording paper P or the paper tray 6, and is conveyed to a recording unit (not shown). The paper tray 6
The configuration is such that a plurality of recording papers P can be placed in a stacked state. The paper tray 6 is disposed so as to face the feed roller 5, and is rotatably supported on the base 10 by a shaft 61 provided on an upper side surface thereof.

The spring 7 urges the paper tray 6 in the direction of the feed roller 5. The spring 7 is connected to the surface of the paper tray 6 opposite to the surface on which the recording paper P is placed. They are arranged in pairs. Spring base 8
Supports the spring 7 at the end of the spring 7 that is not connected to the paper tray 6. The surface of the spring base 8 connected to the spring 7 is provided with four protrusions 81, and the springs 7 are locked to these protrusions 81. A shaft portion 82 is provided on a side portion of the spring base 8, and is held by the holding portion 11 of the base 10 so as to be freely movable in the direction of the feed roller 5.
An inclined portion 83 is formed at the upper end of the spring base 8 so that the sliding with the load adjusting plate 9 is performed smoothly.

The load adjusting plate 9 includes a spring base 8 and a base 1 for appropriately changing the bias of the spring 7 according to the number of recording sheets P placed on the sheet tray 6.
It is provided so that it can be put in and taken out between 0 and 0. The load adjusting plate 9 is supported by the base 10 so that it can move up and down by engaging with the convex portion 12 provided on the base 10 in the hole 91 thereof. It is regulated to prevent detachment. The load adjustment plate 9 is manually moved up and down by a user, and a knob 92 is provided at an upper end of the load adjustment plate 9 so that the user can easily hold the load adjustment plate 9. An inclined portion 93 is formed at the lower end of the load adjusting plate 9 so that the sliding with the spring base 8 is smoothly performed. Spring base 8 of load adjustment plate 9
The step 94 is formed so that when the load adjusting plate 9 is inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10, the spring base 8 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction of the paper tray 6. . The bias of the spring 7 is such that a small amount of recording paper P, for example, in the range of 1 to 50 sheets, is fed one by one by the feed roller 5 in a state where the spring base 8 is inserted as shown in FIG. Is set to

The base 10 is an outer frame case of the sheet feeding device 3, and the above-mentioned members are configured to be accommodated in the base 10. The side plate 10a of the base 10 is provided with a bearing portion 15 that supports the shaft portion 61 of the paper tray 6, and a scale 16 for judging the number of recording papers P placed on the paper tray 6 is provided with paper. The position is marked on the side of the tray 6. Further, the base 10 is provided with a locking portion 18 which is locked to the rear end of the upper end of the load adjusting plate 9 and keeps the load adjusting plate 9 at a predetermined position.

The setting of the sheet feeding device 3 when feeding 1 to 50 recording sheets will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 described above. As described above, when the load adjusting plate 9 is inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10, the recording paper P in the range of 1 to 50 sheets is supplied by the feed roller 5. When one to fifty sheets of recording paper P are placed on the paper tray 6, the load adjustment plate 9 is set as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The state is inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10.

Next, the setting of the sheet feeding device 3 when a large amount of, for example, 50 to 100 recording sheets are fed will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the sheet feeding device in a state where the load adjusting plate 9 is not inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10;
3 is a front perspective view of the sheet feeding device in the same state. 50 to 10
When zero recording paper P is placed on the paper tray 6, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the load adjusting plate 9 is not inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10, in other words, the load is adjusted to a position where the lower end of the load adjusting plate 9 does not contact the spring base 8. Plate 9
Is raised.

By lifting the load adjusting plate 9 as described above, the spring base 8 moves (retreats) in the direction of the base 10 by the thickness of the lower end portion of the load adjusting plate 9, so that 50 to 100 sheets. When the recording paper P is placed on the paper tray 6, the biasing by the spring 7 does not become excessive. That is, the dimension B shown in FIG. 5 when the amount of the recording paper P is large is kept the same as the dimension A shown in FIG. 2 when the amount of the recording paper P is small. Thereby, 1 to 50
Using a spring 7 that is biased to feed the recording paper P, 50 to 100 recording paper P can be fed by the feed roller 5. Also, 50
When feeding 100 sheets of recording paper P, the recording paper P is conveyed to the last sheet even if the load adjustment plate 9 is kept pulled up to a position where it does not contact the spring base 8. During the feeding of the recording paper P, when the remaining amount of the recording paper P becomes 50 sheets or less, the user presses down the load adjusting plate 9 and inserts the load adjusting plate 9 between the spring base 8 and the base 10. Then, a more stable feeding operation is guaranteed.

As described above, according to the paper feeding device 3 of the present embodiment, the urging force of the spring 7 on the paper tray 6 is changed by inserting and removing the load adjusting plate 9 between the spring base 8 and the base 10. Therefore, the load at the contact point between the feed roller 5 and the recording paper P can be appropriately adjusted according to the number of recording papers P placed on the paper tray 6. Thus, in a state where the load adjusting plate 9 is inserted between the spring base 8 and the base 10, for example, up to 50 sheets of recording paper P
Even if the sheet feeding device is capable of feeding paper, if the plate 9 is removed, the urging force of the sheet tray 6 can be changed, and the number of recording sheets that can be placed on the sheet tray 6 becomes 50. It can be increased to more than one.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the load at the contact point between the feed roller 5 and the recording paper P is adjusted by inserting and removing the load adjusting plate 9 between the spring base 8 and the base 10. The load adjusting plate 9 has a shape in which the thickness is changed stepwise, and the amount of movement of the spring base 8 in the direction of the paper tray 6 is changed stepwise according to the degree of insertion between the spring base 8 and the base 10. You may be able to do it. With this configuration, the feed roller 5 is adjusted by adjusting the insertion amount of the load adjusting plate 9 between the spring base 8 and the base 10 according to the number of recording sheets stored on the sheet tray 6.
The load at the contact point between the recording paper P and the recording paper P can be finely adjusted, and the recording paper P from a large amount to a small amount can be fed more stably. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the plate 9 is moved up and down manually has been described. However, in the following manner, the up and down movement of the plate 9 automatically follows the movement of the tray 6 (change in the amount of the recording paper P). be able to.
That is, a lever is protruded from the shaft 61, and the end of the lever is engaged with a locking portion provided on the plate 9.

[0026]

As described above, according to the paper feeder according to the first aspect of the present invention, the force for urging the recording paper tray in the direction of the paper feed roller is changed, and the recording paper tray is placed on the recording paper tray. The load of the contact point between the recording paper and the paper feed roller can be appropriately adjusted according to the number of recording papers, so that even if the amount of recording paper placed on the recording paper tray is large, Accordingly, the load of the contact point between the recording paper and the paper feed roller can be adjusted appropriately. Therefore, even when an upper limit is set for the allowable number of recording sheets that can be placed on the recording sheet tray, the maximum allowable number can be increased. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a double feed of the recording paper or an erroneous paper feeding due to an improper load of the contact point between the recording paper and the paper feeding roller. In addition, the load adjustment
Appropriate load adjustment by the rate
The determination can be made more easily, and the determination as to whether or not the number of recording sheets is large can be easily made by visually checking the scale. further
Also, the recording paper is stacked on the recording paper tray in a straight state.
Is placed, so that unnecessary load is not applied to the recording paper.
Become.

Further , the load at the contact point between the recording paper and the paper feed roller can be kept within a predetermined range irrespective of the number of recording papers placed on the recording paper tray by the load adjusting plate . The recording paper can be more stably fed by the paper feed roller.

Further , one end of the coil spring is supported.
The coil spring slides in accordance with the load adjustment plate coming and going between the spring base and the base member, and the recording paper tray also moves with this slide movement. You can change power. This makes it possible to easily adjust the load of the contact point between the paper feed roller and the recording paper according to the number of recording papers with a simple configuration, and to allow a maximum allowable recording paper to be placed on the recording paper tray. Capacity can be increased. Moreover, if you remove and insert the load adjustment plate
Of the spring base and the load adjustment plate
Since the inclined parts formed at the lower end slide with each other,
Also, since the coil spring does not tilt,
The insertion operation can be performed smoothly.

According to the paper feeder of the second aspect of the present invention, the bias of the coil spring can be changed in a stepwise manner as needed, so that the number of sheets of recording paper placed on the recording paper tray can be changed. Thus, the urging force of the coil spring can be finely adjusted, and the load at the contact point between the paper feed roller and the recording paper can be more appropriately adjusted according to the number of recording papers. Thereby, the feeding operation of the recording sheet by the sheet feeding roller from a large amount to a small amount can be performed more stably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus including a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the sheet feeding device in a state where a load adjusting plate is not inserted between a spring base and the base.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the sheet feeding device in the above state.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a small amount of recording paper is placed on a paper tray in a conventional paper feeding device.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a large amount of recording paper is placed on a paper tray in a conventional paper feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording device 3 paper feeder 5 feed roller (paper feed roller) 6 paper tray (recording paper tray) 7 spring (biasing means) 8 spring base (biasing means) 9 load adjustment plate (load adjustment means) 10 base ( Base member)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] (1)Removably attaches to the recording device while standing up
In the form ofMultiple sheets of recording paper are stacked
The recording paper is separated one by oneFor recording devicesSequentially
In the paper feeding device for feeding out, a recording paper tray on which recording papers are placed in a stacked state; a base member holding the recording paper tray;
Abuts near the output side edge, and sequentially feeds the recording paper one by one
Paper feed roller and the recording paper trayNear the bottom ofOne end is connected to
End sideSupported by spring baseFree sliding movement
The recording paper tray in the direction of the paper feed roller.
A biasing coil spring;Spring baseAnd manually between the base member
ThanIn the upright direction of the paper feederIt ’s easy to pull in and out,
Of the recording tray by the coil spring
Change the power, and the recording paper placed on the recording paper tray
Load for adjusting the load at the contact point with the paper feed roller
With an adjustment plate,The upper end of the spring base and the load adjusting play
At the lower end of the port, mutual sliding is smooth when
To form a slope,  The base member has a recording paper sheet placed on a recording paper tray.
A scale is marked to allow the user to visually determine the number of sheets.
The recording paper tray is necessary for stacking the entire length of the recording paper.
The tray has the required length and the upper end of the tray is
It is characterized by being rotatable as a whole by being supported by a material
Paper feeder. 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the load adjusting member is configured to be capable of changing the bias of the coil spring in a stepwise manner.