JP3435256B2 - 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 sheet feeding device which is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer and which feeds a fixed size sheet from a drawer type tray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a standard size sheet cut into a predetermined size is fed by a sheet feeding device to form a desired image on the sheet surface. In the normal case, the paper feeding device is provided with a device that detects the presence / absence of paper in the paper feeding tray and the remaining amount of paper.

For example, in the paper feeding device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-145935, a supporting plate is rotatably attached to the bottom surface of a paper feeding cassette for accommodating a plurality of papers, and the pivoting end of the supporting plate is attached. A light-emitting member for irradiating the back surface of the support plate with light by urging the portion by an elastic member such as a compression spring so that the delivery end side of the paper placed on it is brought into pressure contact with the paper feed roller; There is provided a sensor including a light receiving member that detects light reflected on the back surface of the support plate when the support plate rotates to a predetermined angle. As a result, when the paper placed on the support plate is fed by the paper feeding device and decreases, the rotation angle of the support plate changes accordingly. Therefore, the rotation angle is set in advance. When the predetermined angle is reached, it is detected by the sensor, and it is detected that the remaining amount of paper is below a predetermined amount.

Further, by utilizing the change in the inclination of the support plate (guide plate) in this way, a filler that moves in conjunction with the support plate is provided, and the remaining amount of paper on the support plate becomes less than a predetermined amount. There is also a copying machine in which the filler blocks the optical sensor when it is opened. Similarly, as a method of detecting the remaining amount of paper by using a filler, a filler for detecting the remaining amount of paper is fixed to one end of a rising arm shaft fixed to a bottom plate (corresponding to the support plate), and the bottom plate rising arm is When the bottom plate is rotated by a motor and the bottom plate is rotated to a predetermined rotation position as the amount of paper is reduced, the filler blocks the optical sensor to detect that the paper has reached the predetermined remaining amount. Some have been done.

Further, the slider of the variable resistor is moved by the rotation of the bottom plate raising arm, whereby an electric signal corresponding to the remaining amount of the sheet on the tray is obtained, and the signal indicating the remaining amount of the sheet on the tray is obtained from the signal. There is also a device in which the amount is detected (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-67037). In addition, the apparatus main body rotatably supports the middle part of the arm, and at the lower end of the arm is provided a roller that is in contact with the upper surface of the paper placed on the tray. In some cases, the remaining amount of the paper on the tray can be known by interposing a mechanism for converting the arm rotation movement due to the decrease of the paper into the horizontal movement of the paper remaining amount display pointer (for example, actual opening). See Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-132241).

Further, the detection member is moved in accordance with the reduction of the number of sheets on the tray or the rotation of the bottom plate, and the remaining amount of the sheet is determined according to the movement amount of the detection member. There is also one in which the remaining amount display is switched depending on the position (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-71150). Also, the position of the light source that moves due to the rotation of the bottom plate on which the paper is placed changes the irradiation position on the optical fiber array, and the change is used to display the remaining amount of paper on the remaining paper amount display section. There is also one (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-74251).

On the other hand, in the case where the sensor is not used, for example, the tray raising arm shaft which supports one end of the tray raising arm which is rotated by pushing up the lower surface of the one end portion of the tray on which the paper is placed has an arc surface. The remaining amount of paper in the tray is fixed by fixing the remaining paper amount indicator plate, which has a transparent window on the cover that allows the remaining amount indicator plate to be seen through, and looking at the scale on the remaining paper amount indicator plate. There is also a system in which it is possible to indirectly know (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-147937, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-14793).
No. 8).

[0008]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned sheet feeding device, since all of them are to indirectly know the remaining amount of the sheet on the tray by the display plate or the like, the display thereof is made. An error may occur between the remaining amount of paper and the actual remaining amount. Also, if the device that detects the remaining amount of paper or the part that displays the remaining amount of paper is broken, there is a problem that the remaining amount of paper in the tray cannot be known from the outside. there were.

In such a case, it is possible to know the remaining amount of paper by pulling out the tray from the apparatus main body and directly visually confirming the remaining amount of paper in the tray. It is not efficient because the image forming operation is interrupted only while the tray is open, and it is troublesome to pull out the tray from the main body of the apparatus and look inside.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents the remaining amount of paper in the tray from being externally confirmed due to a failure or the like, and allows the tray to be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. The purpose is to be able to accurately check the remaining amount of the inside paper from the outside.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a paper feeding device for feeding fixed size paper from a drawer type tray having a wall around the front surface or side surface of the tray. the walls, from its viewing window that the paper in the tray visible externally provided, a shutter to hide the viewing window, the remaining amount of paper in the tray covers the window looking through the shutter when it decreases to a predetermined amount position A shutter moving mechanism for retracting is provided.

Furthermore, a transparent plate is attached to the viewing window,
It is more effective to form a scale on the transparent plate corresponding to the remaining amount of paper in the tray. Further, it is preferable to provide a means for displaying that the remaining amount of the paper has decreased when the shutter is retracted from the viewing window by the shutter moving mechanism. Alternatively, there may be provided means for adjusting the evacuation start timing for retracting the shutter of the shutter moving mechanism from the viewing window.

The means for adjusting the evacuation start time may be means for adjusting the evacuation start time according to the number of sheets fed from the tray within a predetermined time. Further, an opening is provided in the front wall of the tray, and a tube body is provided inside the opening so as to be expandable / contractible in a direction approaching the end surface of the sheet stored in the tray, and the tip of the tube body facing the end surface of the sheet is provided. It is advisable to form a viewing window on the surface.

[0014]

According to the double-sided device thus constructed, the remaining amount of paper in the tray can be directly seen by looking through the viewing window provided on the front or side wall of the tray. Therefore, there is no error compared with the case where the remaining amount of paper is indirectly detected using a sensor or the like. In addition, since the paper is directly viewed, the visual effect is great. Further, since the tray has a simple structure in which only the viewing window is formed on the wall, there is no fear of failure, the assembly is easy, and the cost can be relatively low.

Further, since the shutter for concealing the viewing window and the shutter moving mechanism for retracting the viewing window are provided, the shutter is closed when there are many sheets in the tray, and the shutter is seen when the sheets decrease to a predetermined amount. Since the paper is retracted from the position where it covers the window, the visual effect is great because the paper inside can be seen by opening the peep window from the closed state to the open state, and the remaining amount of paper has decreased. Can be more strongly impressed to the operator.

Further, when there are many sheets in the tray, since the shutter covers the viewing window, it is possible to prevent the sheets from being sunburned by being exposed to the light entering through the viewing window for a long time. Furthermore, if you attach a transparent plate to the viewing window and attach a scale corresponding to the remaining amount of paper in the tray to the transparent plate, you can tell at a glance how many sheets of paper are left in the tray by the scale. Like

Further, if a means for displaying that the remaining amount of paper is low when the shutter is retracted from the viewing window by the shutter moving mechanism is provided, when the shutter is retracted from the viewing window, the paper sheet is moved accordingly. Since the display indicating that the remaining amount is low is displayed, even when the line of sight is away from the tray, it is possible to know that the remaining amount of the sheet is low.

Further, if a means for adjusting the retracting start timing for retracting the shutter of the shutter moving mechanism from the viewing window is provided, when the paper is used a lot, the adjustment is made so that the remaining amount becomes low. If you use less, you can delay the notification period.
Further, if the means for adjusting the evacuation start time is a means for adjusting the evacuation start time according to the number of sheets fed from the tray within a predetermined time, the operator can reduce the amount of paper used. Accordingly, the evacuation start time of the shutter is automatically adjusted according to the number of fed sheets within a predetermined time without adjusting the evacuation start time each time, which saves labor.

Further, an opening is provided in the front wall of the tray,
Inside the opening, a cylinder that can expand and contract in the direction approaching the end surface of the paper stored in the tray is provided, and if a viewing window is formed on the tip surface of the cylinder facing the end surface of the paper, the paper will be positioned at the center position. When a small size paper is loaded in the tray of the type that is loaded in the tray, the end surface of the paper is located away from the drawer side wall of the tray, but by extending the tube, the viewing window Since it is possible to approach the end surface of the sheet, it is possible to see the end surface clearly and visually and accurately know the remaining amount of paper.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> (FIGS. 1 and 2) This copying machine is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG.
The sheet feeding devices 2A and 2B are arranged in upper and lower two stages, respectively. A pressure plate 3 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable in the direction of arrow A, and an operation unit 4 including various keys is arranged in front of the pressure plate 3.

Further, on the side of the apparatus main body 1, there is provided a paper ejection tray 5 for ejecting the paper fed from the paper feeding device 2A or 2B and on which the image is formed in the image forming section in the apparatus main body 1. It is provided. The image forming unit in the apparatus main body 1 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum by the charging device, and forms an image of reflected light of the light radiated on the document pressed by the pressure plate 3 on the charged surface. Then, a latent image portion corresponding to the image of the original is formed there. Then, the latent image is developed with toner to form a visible image, and the image is formed on a sheet by fixing the latent image with a heat fixing device. The description is omitted.

The sheet feeding devices 2A and 2B are respectively composed of similar parts, and sheets are fed from the sheet feeding trays 6A and 6B by respective sheet feeding rollers 9 (the sheet feeding device 2B side is not shown). Paper is fed to the right in FIG. 1 and is conveyed to an image forming unit (not shown). Since the paper feed trays 6A and 6B are similar, only one of the paper feed trays 6B will be described.

The paper feed tray 6B is a drawer type tray that can store the standard size paper P used in this copying machine, and has walls 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d formed around it, and only the upper part thereof. It has an open box shape. The paper feed tray 6B and the paper feed tray 6A are both attached to the apparatus body 1 so as to be drawn out in the direction of arrow B.

At the bottom of each of the paper feed trays 6A and 6B, a bottom plate (not shown) is rotatably provided so that the right side moves up and down in FIG. Rises, the paper P placed on it rises.
Of the paper feed roller 9
(The sheet on the side of the sheet feeding tray 6B is not shown in the drawing) and is brought into a state in which sheets can be fed. This paper feed tray 6A and 6
Front side walls 6a, which are the drawer sides of the trays B, respectively.
A peep window 7 through which the paper P in each of the paper feed trays can be directly viewed from the outside is formed in each of the sheets.

Then, a transparent plate 8 made of, for example, a plastic material is attached to each of the viewing windows 7, and the sheet feeding side of the sheet P in the sheet feeding trays 6A and 6B (the right side in FIG. 1) from the outside. The end of the tray is visible, and the end of the sheet feeding side is prevented from being shaken directly from the outside of the tray. It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 2, the viewing window 7 is provided at a wall 6b on the paper feed side of the paper feed trays 6A and 6B, and openings 1a and 1b are formed in the apparatus main body 1 in correspondence therewith. A transparent plate 8 may be attached to each of the openings 1a and 1b.

In this way, the paper feed trays 6A and 6A
With a simple configuration in which the viewing window 7 is provided on a part of the wall 6a or 6b of B, the operator can visually check the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed trays 6A and 6B directly from the outside of the copying machine. In addition, in this embodiment, since the transparent plate 8 is attached to the viewing window 7, compared to the case where the viewing window 7 is simply provided, the sheets in the paper feed trays 6A and 6B are not directly exposed to the outside air. Therefore, it has the effect of preventing moisture and dust on the paper. Further, even if the operator puts his / her hand into the apparatus through the viewing window 7 and tries to shake the hand to the end portion of the paper in the paper feed trays 6A and 6B, the transparent plate 8 prevents it, so it is safe. It is also possible to prevent foreign matter from being caught in the driving part of the and disturb the operation of the paper feeding system.

<Second Embodiment> (FIGS. 3 to 6) As shown in FIG. 4, this paper feeding device includes a shutter 11 for concealing the viewing window 7 and the remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding trays 6A, 6B. Is provided with a shutter moving mechanism 10 that retracts the shutter 11 from the position where the viewing window 7 is closed. As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter moving mechanism 10 is rotatable to the paper delivery end side (right side in the drawing) in the paper feed tray 6A (6B is the same, so the 6A side will be described below as a representative). The bottom plate 12 attached to the shutter is gradually rotated in the direction of the arrow C as the number of sheets decreases, and the leading end side is moved upward to make the shutter 11 visible from the position where the viewing window 7 shown in FIG. 6 is closed. It is to withdraw to the position shown in FIG.

The structure of the shutter moving mechanism 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the side edge of the bottom plate 12 on the side of the viewing window 7 is projected outward so that the tip end portion 12a has a cylindrical engagement member 1.
3 is fixed, and the slide member 14 is held slidably by a guide rail (not shown) only in the E direction shown by the arrow so that the slope 14a can be engaged with the engaging member 13 as clearly shown in FIG. Then, the shutter 11 is guided only in the direction of opening and closing the viewing window 7 of the arrow G so that the projecting engagement portion 11a engages with the shutter side slope 14b formed on the other end side of the slide member 14 (Fig. It is movably held by (not shown).

The slide member 14 is provided with a U-shaped notch 14c formed substantially in the center thereof, and a spring 15 mounted between one end face of the notch 14c and the fixing portion 16 of the paper feed tray 6A. 5 is always urged to the right in FIG. At that position, the end surface 14d is located at the stopper 17
The position is regulated at the position shown in FIG.

In the shutter moving mechanism 10, when a large amount of paper is stored in the paper feed tray 6A shown in FIG. 3, the position of the tip of the bottom plate 12 is close to the bottom surface of the paper feed tray 6A. Therefore, the engaging member 1 integrated with the bottom plate 12 is provided.
3 is located below the slope 14a of the slide member 14 as shown by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the shutter 11 is at a position slightly apart from the slide member 14, and is at a position where the shutter 11 closes the viewing window 7, which is the lowered position by the weight of the shutter 11.

As the paper in the paper feed tray 6A gradually decreases, the position of the engaging member 13 gradually rises as the bottom plate 12 rotates, so that the engaging member 13 slides. It contacts the slope 14a of the fourteen. When the engaging member 13 ascends even after the engaging member 13 comes into contact with the slope 14a, the slide member 14 is pushed to the left in the figure by the action of the slope 14a as shown in FIG.

Therefore, this time, the projecting engagement portion 11a of the shutter 11 is attached to the shutter side slope 14b of the slide member 14.
And the shutter side slope 14b moves to the left in the figure, the shutter 11 rises. Thereby,
Since the shutter 11 rises from the position where the peep window 7 shown in FIG. 6 is closed, the remaining amount of paper can be seen directly from the outside by looking inside the peep window 7.

In the shutter moving mechanism 10, even if the number of sheets in the sheet feed tray decreases until the engaging member 13 that rises with the rotation of the bottom plate 12 contacts the slope 14a of the slide member 14. The slide member 14 does not move to the left in FIG. Further, the engaging member 13 has a slope 14a.
When the shutter 11 rises as the slide member 14 moves to the left after the contact with the
By appropriately setting the inclination angles of the shutter side slope 14b and the shutter side slope 14b, respectively, the shutter 11 can be quickly moved to a position where the shutter 11 is retracted from the viewing window 7 shown in FIG. 5 after the engaging member 13 contacts the slope 14a of the slide member 14. It can be moved in stages.

By doing so, compared with the case where the shutter 11 is directly moved upward by the engaging member 13, the state in which the shutter 11 is open halfway can be reduced, so that the viewing window 7 is opened. It can be clearly divided into a closed state and a closed state. According to this embodiment, when the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray 6A or 6B shown in FIG. 3 becomes low, the peep window 7 which has been closed until then is stored in the paper feed tray 6A or 6B. Since the remaining amount of the existing paper can be visually checked from the outside of the device, the paper can be immediately replenished.

<Third Embodiment> (FIGS. 7 to 9) As shown in FIG. 7, this paper feeding device has paper feeding trays 6A and 6A.
A transparent plate 8'is detachably attached to the peep window 7 of B and is attached to the transparent plate 8'as shown in FIG.
A scale corresponding to the remaining amount of paper in A and 6B is formed. Then, the paper feed trays 6A and 6B which can be seen from the viewing window 7
At the position of each bottom plate (see bottom plate 12 in FIG. 3) within
The remaining amount of paper in the paper feed trays 6A and 6B is determined. The transparent plate 8'is provided with paper feed trays 6A and 6B as shown in FIG.
18 formed on the inner surface of the front wall 6a
It is mounted by inserting it from above, and it can be easily removed and replaced.

The transparent plate 8'is a transparent plate material formed of, for example, plastic, and its surface side (the side visible from the outside of the apparatus) has the paper feed tray 6 as shown in FIG.
A scale indicating the remaining number of sheets in A and 6B is formed. If the thickness of the sheet to be used is different, the transparent plate 8'is replaced with a transparent plate 8'having a scale corresponding to the sheet of the corresponding thickness.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the scale is displayed such that the upper side is 0 and the remaining number is larger toward the lower side. This is because the respective sheets in the sheet feed trays 6A and 6B are lifted by the bottom plate (see the bottom plate 12 in FIG. 3) until the sheet feeding / delivery end side is pressed against the sheet feeding roller, and the sheet located at the uppermost position. This is because the sheet is fed while the position of is always kept at a constant position, so that the bottom plate seen from the viewing window 7 has a larger number of sheets placed on it as it is located on the lower side. .

In this embodiment, the regions 8a, 8b, 8c partitioned by the scales of the transparent plate 8'are colored, for example, as shown in FIG. Yes, the color is divided into three levels (which can be increased or decreased as appropriate) according to the remaining amount of paper, and thereby the remaining amount of paper can be seen at a glance by a color sense.

In FIG. 8, the color-coded areas 8a,
The boundaries between 8b and 8c are slanted in order to make the scale easier to see by adjusting the boundaries to the inclination angle of the bottom plate. The transparent plate 8'may be inserted into the paper feed trays 6A and 6B from the side as shown in FIG.

<Fourth Embodiment> (FIGS. 10 to 12) In this paper feeding device, as shown in FIG. 10, the shutter 11 has a viewing window 7 by the shutter moving mechanism 10 described with reference to FIG.
There is provided means for displaying that the remaining amount of paper is low when the paper is evacuated. The means includes a sensor 23, which is a transmissive photo sensor, a display unit 22 provided on the operation unit 21, and a control device 20.

The control device 20 is necessary for displaying the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray according to the on / off signal from the central processing unit (CPU) having various judgment and processing functions and the sensor 23. ROM that stores each processing program including fixed programs and fixed data, a RAM that is a data memory that stores the processing data, and an input / output circuit (I
/ O).

In this embodiment, when the shutter 11 starts to move from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 to the retracted position shown by the phantom line because the remaining amount of the paper in the paper feed tray becomes small, the shutter 11 is moved. The side edge portion 11b of the sensor shields the detection portion of the sensor 23 from light. Therefore, the signal of the sensor 23 changes from the off signal to the on signal, and the control device 20 having input the on signal displays on the display unit 22 of the operation unit 21 that the remaining amount of the paper in the paper feed tray is low. Let Therefore, when the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray becomes small in this way, it is displayed on the display unit 22 which is visible from the outside of the apparatus. Therefore, even when the line of sight is far from the paper feed tray during operation or the like. Since it is possible to know from the display that the remaining amount of paper is low, it is possible to prevent the paper from running out.

FIG. 11 shows an arrangement position of the sensor 23 in the case where the shutter 11 is configured to be retracted from the viewing window 7 by sliding laterally. In this way, if the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray becomes small and the shutter 11 moves to the left in the same figure, the sensor 23 detects it.
It is possible to display in 2 that the remaining amount of paper is low.

Further, the detection by the sensor 23 is not limited to the shutter 11, and even if the slide member 14 interlocking with the shutter 11 is detected as shown in FIG. It is possible to detect when the remaining amount is low. The display unit 22 may be provided in addition to the operation unit 21.

<Fifth Embodiment> (FIGS. 13 and 14) This paper feeding device is a shutter moving mechanism 10 described with reference to FIG.
An adjusting mechanism 30 for adjusting the evacuation start timing for retracting the shutter 11 from the viewing window 7 is provided. In FIG. 13, the biasing members (spring 15, fixing portion 16 and the like in FIG. 12) that constantly bias the slide member 14 ′ to the right in FIG. 13 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 13, the adjusting mechanism 30 changes the attachment position of the engaging member 33 to the tip portion 12a of the bottom plate 12, thereby changing the position at which the engaging member 33 contacts the slope 14a of the slide member 14 '. It is a thing.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a part of the side edge of the bottom plate 12 on the side of the viewing window 7 (see FIG. 3) is projected outward and bent into an L-shape to form a tip portion 12a. , A long hole 12 parallel to the upper surface of the bottom plate 12 at the tip 12a.
b is formed, and a stepped columnar engagement member 33 is fitted into the elongated hole 12b so as to be movable in the G direction indicated by the arrow. The engaging member 33 has a female screw 33a on the end face on the small diameter side.
Is formed, and is fixed to the tip portion 12a of the bottom plate 12 by screwing the screw 34 there.

Therefore, this engaging member 33 is provided with the screw 3
If 4 is loosened and moved along the long hole 12b, the position can be freely changed to each position a, b, c, etc. shown in FIG. 13 and fixed again. Then, when the engaging member 33 is moved from the position b to the position a and adjusted and fixed again, the bottom plate 12 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
As indicated by the phantom line, the contacting portion 33 comes into contact with the inclined surface 14a of the slide member 14 'at a smaller rotation angle θ when the engaging member 33 is at the position b. Therefore, it is possible to move the slide member 14 'to the left in the figure and retract the shutter 11 from the viewing window 7 at an earlier stage than when the position b is set.

When the engaging member 33 is moved to the position c and fixed again, the bottom plate 12 has a larger rotation angle θ than when the engaging member 33 is in the position b.
Since it comes into contact with the slope 14a of 4 ', the timing for retracting the shutter 11 from the viewing window 7 is delayed as compared with when the position b is set. According to this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the timing for opening and retracting the shutter 11 that hides the viewing window 7, so that the timing for opening the shutter 11 can be set earlier when there is still a lot of paper left in the paper feed tray. Adjusting in stages is convenient because it eliminates the need to stop the device halfway because the paper runs out during use.

Also, the shutter 1 is too early.
When 1 is opened too much and a considerable amount of paper is still left in the paper feed tray, if you repeatedly insert new replenishment paper on the paper in the paper feed tray, , The old paper underneath will not be fed anytime, so in such a case the shutter 1
If you delay the opening time of 1, you can solve it.

Further, when the shutter 11 is opened too early in this way, the operator still has a sufficient amount of paper, so that the shutter 11 remains open for a while without refilling the paper. Since the paper may continue to be fed in this state, in this case, the paper may be exposed to the light entering through the viewing window 7 for a long time to cause sunburn. However, in such a case as well, the timing of opening the shutter 11 should be delayed. If you adjust it, you can solve it. It should be noted that the moving position of the engaging member 33 in the elongated hole 12b has been described at three positions a, b, and c in FIG. 13 for convenience of explanation, but the engaging member 33 can be moved to any position in the elongated hole 12b. Since it can be moved and fixed, its moving position can be adjusted steplessly.

<Sixth Embodiment> (FIGS. 15 and 16) In this paper feeding device, a position where the shutter 11 is covered and the viewing window 7 is covered according to the number of papers fed from the paper feeding tray within a predetermined time. To the position shown in FIG. 15 to adjust the evacuation start time. Therefore, this paper feeding device has an adjusting mechanism 3.
0'is provided. The adjusting mechanism 30 'includes the engaging member 3
3'on the tip 12a of the bottom plate 12 and its engaging member 33 '.
It is attached so that it can move along the long hole 12b when a force is applied to it.

A moving member 44 having a U-shaped groove 44a is slidably mounted below the engaging member 33 'so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow J, and the engaging member 33' is movably fitted in the U-shaped groove 44a. ing. The U-shaped groove 44a is formed on the bottom plate 12
Is formed in an arc shape along the locus along which the engaging member 33 'moves when the is rotated in the K direction shown by the arrow.

A rack 44b is formed on the moving member 44 along the horizontal direction, and a pinion 46 fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 45 meshes with the rack 44b. Therefore, when the motor 45 is rotated in both the forward and reverse directions, the moving member 44 moves left and right in FIG.
The position of the engaging member 33 'that engages with the groove 44a changes because the engaging member 33' moves along the elongated hole 12b. Thereby,
Similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 13, it is possible to make an adjustment for advancing or delaying the evacuation start time for retracting the shutter 11 from the viewing window 7.

In FIG. 15, a slide member which is in contact with the engaging member 33 'and moves leftward in the figure, and a biasing member which constantly biases the slide member rightward (the spring in FIG. 12). 15, the fixing portion 16 and the like) are omitted. In this paper feeding device, adjustment of the evacuation start time is performed by the paper feeding tray 6
The control device 50 performs the operation according to the number of sheets fed from A and 6B within a predetermined time. The control device 50 is shown in FIG.
The central processing unit (CP
U), ROM, RAM, and an input / output circuit (I / O).

The microcomputer executes the process at a predetermined timing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step 1, an arbitrary or predetermined measurement time is set, and in the next step 2, it is determined whether or not the paper is fed from the paper feed tray. Therefore,
If it is not fed, the process proceeds to step 4. However, if it is fed, in step 3, the number of sheets fed from the paper feed tray within the measurement time set in step 1 is counted.

For this counting, for example, a sensor may be arranged on the sheet conveying path, and a signal output each time the sensor detects the sheet may be counted, or a signal corresponding to the number of fed sheets may be fed. The number of fed sheets may be counted from the number of rotations of the roller. In step 4, it is judged whether or not the measurement time set in step 1 has passed, and if it has not passed yet, the process returns to step 2 and continues counting the fed sheets until it passes. When the measurement time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 5. In this step 5,
The number of sheets fed within the measurement time and the number of sheets fed at the preset time are calculated from the measurement time.

Then, in the next step 6, the shutter 11
The judgment as to whether or not it is necessary to adjust the retracting start timing for retracting from the viewing window 7 is more than the preset number of sheets for advancing the retracting start timing of the shutter 11 at the predetermined time. It is determined whether or not the number is equal to or smaller than the number of sheets that delays the retracting start timing of the shutter 11 set in advance.

This is because the paper feeding device may or may not use a large amount of paper, and when the usage amount is large, the remaining amount of paper on the paper feeding tray becomes very small. If the shutter 11 is retracted from the viewing window 7 and the operator is informed that the remaining amount of paper is low, there is not enough room and the paper may run out during use. This is because it is necessary to promptly inform the operator that the remaining amount of paper is low by retracting the sheet from the viewing window 7.

When the usage amount is small, if the shutter 11 is retracted from the viewing window 7 too early, the paper in the paper feed tray will be exposed to the light entering through the viewing window 7 for a long time. This is because in such a case, it is better to delay the evacuation start timing of the shutter 11.
In this way, the above-described determination is performed in step 6, and when the determination result is the number of fed sheets that does not need to advance or delay the retracting start time of the shutter 11, the retracting is performed as it is. The process of this routine ends without adjusting the start time.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 6 that the number of sheets of paper to be fed is the number that requires the advance start timing of the shutter 11 to be advanced or the number that the retract start time must be delayed, then In step 7, the motor 45 is driven, and the motor 45 is rotated based on a table that stores the relationship between the number of fed sheets and the rotation amount of the motor 45, which is stored in advance in the memory, and the engagement member 33 'is rotated. The retracting start timing of the shutter 11 is adjusted by changing the position of.

In this embodiment, depending on the setting of the predetermined time for counting the number of fed sheets, the evacuation start time is frequently changed within a short period of time to make a fine change in the number of fed sheets. It is determined whether to respond to the above, or to change the evacuation start time according to the average number of sheets fed in a long set time and ignore the minute change during that time. Further, the mechanism for moving the engaging member 33 'along the long hole 12b is not limited to the one for moving the moving member 44 using the rack 44b and the pinion 46 described above, and the moving member 44 can be moved by another method. May be moved.

<Seventh Embodiment> (FIGS. 17 and 18) This sheet feeding device is designed to feed a small-sized sheet Ps even when a small-sized sheet Ps is set at the central position in the sheet feeding trays 6A and 6B. The end surface Pa of the inside paper Ps can be clearly seen from the outside of 6A and 6B through the viewing window 7 '. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG.
The first tubular member 61 is attached to the tubular base portion 60 formed in B so that the first tubular member 61 can extend and contract, and the second tubular member 61 is placed inside the second tubular member 61.
The tubular member 62 is attached so that it can expand and contract. A viewing window 7'is formed on the tip surface of the second tubular member 62, and the transparent plate 8 is fixed thereto.

As shown in FIG. 18, a convex portion 60a is formed on a part of the cylindrical base portion 60 in the circumferential direction, and the convex portion 60 is formed.
Corresponding to a, a vertical groove 61a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first tubular member 61 along the expansion and contraction direction of the first tubular member 61, and the convex portion 60a is movably fitted in the vertical groove 61a. There is.
Similarly, on the first tubular member 61, a convex portion 61 is formed on a part of the circumferential direction.
b, and the second tubular member 6 is formed corresponding to the convex portion 61b.
A vertical groove 62a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second tubular member 62 along the expansion / contraction direction of the second tubular member 62, and a convex portion 61b is movably fitted in the vertical groove 62a.

Therefore, even when a small size paper Ps is set in the center of the paper feed tray 6A or 6B as shown in FIG. 17, the second tubular member 62 is placed on the paper P as shown in the figure.
If it is pulled out so as to approach the end surface Pa of s, the viewing window 7'approaches the end surface Pa of the paper Ps by the expansion of both the first tubular member 61 and the second tubular member 62, so that the end surface Pa is used as a device. It can be clearly seen even from the outside. The tubular base portion 60, the first tubular member 61, and the second tubular member
The tubular member 62 is not limited to a cylinder and may be a quadrilateral tubular body, a polygonal tubular body having five or more sides, or a tubular body having any other shape.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the paper feeding device of claim 1, since the remaining amount of the paper in the tray can be visually confirmed from the outside of the device, compared with the method of indirectly detecting the remaining amount by using a sensor or the like, By directly looking at the remaining amount of paper, it is possible to easily and visually confirm the remaining amount of paper without error. Further, since it has a simple structure in which the viewing window is simply formed on the wall of the tray, there is no failure, assembly is easy, and the manufacturing cost is relatively low.

Further, since the shutter covers the viewing window until the remaining amount of paper in the tray reaches a predetermined amount, the viewing window that is normally closed will not be opened until the paper runs low. Since it can be opened by retreating, the visual effect is great, and the operator can be more strongly impressed that the remaining amount of paper is low. Further, since it is possible to prevent the paper in the tray from being exposed to the light entering from the viewing window for a long time, the sunburn of the paper can be prevented.

According to the paper feeding device of the second aspect , since the transparent plate attached to the viewing window can prevent the paper in the tray from directly contacting the outside air, moisture and dustproof effects can be obtained. , It is safe because you can prevent the edge of the paper from being touched directly from the viewing window.
It also helps prevent machine failures. In addition, the scale corresponding to the remaining amount of paper formed on the transparent plate allows the remaining amount of paper in the tray to be known at a glance.

According to the paper feeding device of the third aspect , a display is displayed informing that the remaining amount of the paper has decreased at the time when the shutter is retracted from the viewing window. Even when the user is away from, it is possible to notice the above display and confirm that the remaining amount of paper is low, and it is possible to prevent the paper from running out.

According to the paper feeding device of the fourth aspect , when a large amount of paper is used within a predetermined time, the evacuation start time for retracting the shutter from the viewing window can be advanced, so that the paper can be prevented from running out and the paper can be reduced. When using, the evacuation start time can be delayed, so that it is possible to prevent premature shutter evacuation in spite of a small use amount that does not make sense. Also, when replenishment is performed at a stage when the usage amount is low, the replenished new paper is piled up on the paper remaining in the tray, so old paper may remain in the tray forever or There is a case where the positions of the paper end faces are not aligned between the old paper and the old paper, but this can be prevented by delaying the evacuation start time.

According to the sheet feeding device of the fifth aspect , the timing for retracting the shutter from the position covering the viewing window is automatically adjusted according to the number of sheets fed from the tray within a predetermined time. Even if the operator does not perform the above adjustment depending on the number of sheets of paper used per hour, the adjustment is automatically performed, which saves labor.

According to the paper feeding device of the sixth aspect , even when a small size sheet is set at the center position of the tray and used, the observation window formed in the expandable cylinder is used as the sheet. Since the sheet can be moved to a position approaching the end face of the sheet, the remaining amount of the sheet in the tray can be visually confirmed clearly from a close range.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an entire copying machine equipped with a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a position of a viewing window provided in a paper feeding device in the copying machine of FIG. 1 is defined as a wall of a paper feeding side of a paper feeding tray, and an opening is formed in the apparatus main body corresponding to the wall. is there.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shutter moving mechanism for moving the shutter that hides the viewing window of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the shutter moving mechanism of the embodiment has retracted the shutter from the position covering the viewing window.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the shutter moving mechanism of the embodiment moves the shutter to a position where the viewing window is closed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view partially showing a state in which a scale corresponding to the remaining amount of paper is formed on the transparent plate provided in the viewing window of the paper feed tray of the embodiment.

9 is a front view partially showing an embodiment of a paper feeding device in which a transparent plate provided in the paper feeding device of FIG. 7 is laterally inserted into a paper feeding tray.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the arrangement position of the sensor 23 when the shutter in the embodiment of FIG. 10 is slid laterally.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an embodiment in which the sensor 23 also detects the slide member 14 interlocking with the shutter.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a fifth embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the retracting start timing for retracting the shutter from the viewing window, which is also provided in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a sixth embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process relating to adjustment of a retract start timing for retracting the shutter, which is performed by the control device also provided in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a seventh embodiment of the paper feeding device according to the present invention in a partially sectional state.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an expandable / contractible tubular portion also provided in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols] 2A, 2B: Paper feeding device 6A, 6B: Paper feeding tray 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d: wall 7, 7 ': Viewing window 8: Transparent plate 10: Shutter moving mechanism 11: Shutter 20, 50: Control device 22: Display unit 23: Sensor 30, 30 ': Adjustment mechanism 60: tubular base 61: first tubular member 62: Second tubular member

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 1/26 G03G 15/00 514

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A paper feeding device for feeding fixed-size paper from a drawer-type tray having a wall around the wall, wherein the paper in the tray can be seen from the outside on the wall on the front surface or the side surface of the tray. Provide a window and hide the viewing window
The shutter and the remaining amount of paper in the tray are reduced to a specified amount.
After a while, from the position where the shutter covers the viewing window
A sheet feeding device comprising a shutter moving mechanism for retracting . 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein a transparent plate is attached to the viewing window, and a scale corresponding to the remaining amount of paper in the tray is formed on the transparent plate. apparatus. 3. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 , further comprising means for displaying that the remaining amount of paper is low when the shutter is retracted from the viewing window by the shutter moving mechanism. And a paper feeder. 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 , further comprising means for adjusting a retracting start timing for retracting the shutter of the shutter moving mechanism from the viewing window. 5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4 , wherein the means for adjusting the evacuation start timing is means for adjusting the evacuation start timing according to the number of sheets fed from the tray within a predetermined time. . 6. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided in the wall on the front surface of the tray, and the inside of the opening is expandable / contractible in a direction approaching the end surface of the paper stored in the tray. A sheet feeding device, wherein a body is provided, and the viewing window is formed on a front end surface of the cylindrical body facing the end surface of the sheet.