JP3843905B2 - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a copying machine, and more particularly to a structure of a cassette frame in which a paper feeding cassette is accommodated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral, the main body of the image forming apparatus is mounted and fixed on a paper feeding unit, and an image reading unit and an image recording unit are provided vertically in the main body. Has been. The paper feeding unit includes a paper feeding cassette in which a bundle of paper is set and a cassette frame in which the paper feeding cassette is inserted. This paper feeding unit can be added according to a user's request, and usually has multiple stages. It is being piled up.
[0003]
The cassette frame consists of a rectangular upper frame and side frames that are perpendicular to the three sides of the upper frame. The cassette frame has a box shape with an opening at the bottom and the front. Guide rails are formed on the inner surface of the frame. Correspondingly, guided portions are formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the paper feed cassette, and the paper feed cassette is detachable from the front of the cassette frame by engaging the guided portion and the guide rail. Has been inserted.
In addition, a large number of ribs are formed on the upper surface of the upper frame of the cassette frame in the vertical and horizontal directions and are reinforced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the main body of the image forming apparatus is mounted on the paper feed unit, and the main body incorporates various devices constituting the image reading unit and the image recording unit, and has a considerable weight. For this reason, when a load from the main body is applied to the cassette frame of the paper feeding unit, there is a problem that the left and right side frames are also bent to open outward. Further, the upper frame in which a large number of ribs are formed also has a problem that the center portion of the upper frame bends due to its own weight. In particular, in recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing the weight and cost of the entire apparatus, these paper feed cassettes, cassette frames, image forming apparatus main body frames, and the like are made of synthetic resin, and are more easily bent.
[0005]
In particular, when the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the cassette frame, the rigidity is further reduced. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the left and right side frames 26S and 26S of the cassette frame 26 are opened outward. Bends between the guided portion of the paper cassette and the guide rails 26 b and 26 b of the cassette frame 26, and sometimes the guided portion of the paper cassette 25 guides the cassette frame 26. The rails 26b and 26b may come off.
[0006]
If the paper feeding cassette is inserted into the cassette frame 26 in this state, it may not be guided straight back while shaking in the width direction, or it may be replaced halfway and no longer go deeper. In the former case, the protrusion provided on the rear surface of the paper feed cassette is inserted into the recess of the rear side frame of the cassette frame 26 to detect that the paper feed cassette has been correctly set on the cassette frame 26. However, the paper feed cassette is not inserted straight into the cassette frame 26 and the projection is not inserted into the recess, so that it is not recognized that the paper feed cassette is set in the cassette frame 26. Even if the start button is pressed, the multifunction device does not work and there is a problem that copying and faxing cannot be performed.
[0007]
In the latter case, if the paper feeding cassette is forced into the cassette frame 26, both the paper feeding cassette and the cassette frame 26 may be damaged. Even if the paper feeding cassette can be safely pushed in and inserted into the cassette frame 26, the projection on the rear surface of the paper feeding cassette is inserted into the recess in the rear side frame of the cassette frame 26 as in the former case. As a result, it is not recognized that the paper feed cassette is set in the cassette frame 26, and there is a high possibility that the multifunction device will not operate even if the start button is pressed.
[0008]
Further, a sheet conveyance path 26c penetrating vertically is formed in either one of the left and right side frames 26S. When a plurality of sheet feeding units are stacked, the upper and lower sheet conveyance paths 26c, 26c,. Although the inlet and the outlet are arranged so as to communicate with each other, when the side frames 26S and 26S are bent so as to open outward, the positions of the inlet and the outlet of the upper and lower paper transport paths 26c and 26c. Misalignment increases the possibility of jamming.
[0009]
In addition, when the left and right central portions of the upper frame 26T of the cassette frame 26 are bent so as to sink, a model in which a shaft is installed in the front and rear direction on the left and right sides of the upper frame 26T, and a pickup roller is attached to the shaft. Then, as the flexure bends, the position of the pickup roller is lowered, and when the paper is fed by the pickup roller, an excessive frictional force is generated, which may cause damage to the paper.
[0010]
On the other hand, in a model in which a shaft is erected in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the paper feed cassette and a pickup roller is attached to the shaft, the upper frame 26T of the cassette frame 26 is bent when the upper frame 26T is bent. The lower surface of the frame 26T may come into contact with the pickup roller or the shaft to give a load, thereby preventing the pickup roller from rotating.
[0011]
When the cassette frame 26 bends as described above, various problems occur. Accordingly, the present invention has an object to prevent the cassette frame 26 from being bent.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.
First, as described in claim 1,
A paper feeding device comprising one or a plurality of paper feeding units comprising a paper feeding cassette and a resin-made cassette frame that is detachable from the paper feeding cassette ,
Previous SL cassette frame, a rectangular horizontal section, consists of the side of each extending perpendicularly from three sides of the horizontal portion, and a box-shaped,
The opening side of the cassette frame in a direction in which detachable the paper feed cassette, setting the metal reinforcing member of suppressing the deflection of the cassette frame,
The reinforcing member includes a horizontal portion and a pair of hanging portions, and is a member integrally formed in a “gate” shape,
The horizontal portion of the reinforcing member extends from one end of the horizontal portion of the cassette frame to the other end in the direction orthogonal to the attachment / detachment direction of the paper feed cassette,
The hanging portion of the reinforcing member extends downward from the left and right ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member,
The reinforcing member is provided with positioning members for positioning the upper and lower sheet feeding units at both ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member, respectively.
When the upper and lower sheet feeding units are stacked, the positioning members are inserted into the side portions.
Also, with such a configuration, the rigidity of the horizontal portion of the cassette frame is increased, the deflection of the horizontal portion is prevented, the position of the pickup roller is lowered due to the bending, and the paper is fed by the pickup roller. As a result, a frictional force more than necessary is generated, and problems such as damage to the paper are solved. In addition, with such a configuration, the rigidity of the side portion of the cassette frame is increased, the side portion is prevented from being bent, and problems such as the paper feeding cassette not being inserted straight into the cassette frame are solved.
In addition, with such a configuration, the upper and lower sheet feeding units are positioned in the left-right direction, and the lateral deflection of the side portion of the cassette frame disposed immediately above is prevented.
[0013]
And, as described in claim 2,
A paper feeding device comprising one or a plurality of paper feeding units comprising a paper feeding cassette and a resin-made cassette frame that is detachable from the paper feeding cassette,
The cassette frame has a box-like shape composed of a rectangular horizontal portion and side portions each extending in the vertical direction from three sides of the horizontal portion,
On the opening side of the cassette frame in the direction of attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette, a metal reinforcing member that suppresses the bending of the cassette frame is provided,
Hanging portion of the reinforcing member, the two opposite sides of the cassette frame, are inserted respectively,
The reinforcing member is provided with positioning members for positioning the upper and lower sheet feeding units at both ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member, respectively.
When the upper and lower sheet feeding units are stacked, the positioning members are inserted into the side portions .
With such a configuration, the rigidity of the cassette frame is increased, the bending of the cassette frame is prevented, and problems such as the paper feeding cassette not being inserted straight into the cassette frame are solved.
In addition, with such a configuration, the upper and lower sheet feeding units are positioned in the left-right direction, and the lateral deflection of the side portion of the cassette frame disposed immediately above is prevented.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1.
1 is a perspective view of the multifunction machine 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette 26, FIG. 3 is a side view of the reinforcing member 8, FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the paper feed cassette 26, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view for explaining the problems of the conventional paper feed cassette 26.
In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the front / rear and left / right positions of each structure will be described with the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. The same applies to the front-rear and left-right positions of the respective structures in other drawings.
[0017]
First, a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 of the multifunction device 1 is disposed on the paper feeding unit 2, and the image reading unit 3 and the image recording unit 4 are provided in the main body 10 in the vertical direction.
[0018]
The paper feed unit 2 includes a plurality of paper feed units 20 and 21, and each of the paper feed units 20 (or 21) includes a paper feed cassette 25 and a cassette frame 26, and the cassette of the uppermost paper feed unit 20. The frame is formed integrally with the frame of the main body 10 of the multifunction machine 1. A sheet feeding unit 21 below the sheet feeding unit 20 is an expansion unit and is detachably installed. In the present embodiment, the paper feeding unit 21 is added by one stage, but the number of additions is not particularly limited, and a configuration in which only the paper feeding unit 20 is provided without being added may be employed.
The frame of the main body 10 of the multifunction machine 1, the paper feed cassettes 25 and 25, the cassette frame 26, and the like are formed of synthetic resin, so that the weight of the entire apparatus is reduced.
[0019]
The paper cassettes 25 and 25 of the paper feeding units 20 and 21 store papers of different sizes, and when there is a print request, the paper is fed from the paper cassette 25 containing the optimal paper size. The sheets are taken out one by one and fed to the image recording unit 4.
[0020]
Next, the paper feeding units 20 and 21 of the paper feeding unit 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows the cassette frame 26 of the sheet feeding unit 21 in the second and subsequent stages from the top. The cassette frame 26 includes a rectangular upper frame 26T and side frames 26S, which are perpendicular to the three sides of the upper frame 26T. A box-like shape consisting of 26S and 26R with an opening at the bottom and the front, as shown in FIG.
[0021]
Guide rails 26b and 26b are integrally formed on the inner side surfaces of the left and right side frames 26S and 26S in the front-rear direction. Correspondingly, the left and right outer surfaces of the sheet cassette 25 are formed in the front-rear direction. The guided portions 25b and 25b are integrally formed so that the guided portions 25b and 25b are engaged with the guide rails 26b and 26b, and the paper feed cassette 25 is detachably inserted from the front of the cassette frame 26. It is worn.
[0022]
Note that the cassette frame of the uppermost sheet feeding unit 20 has substantially the same shape as the cassette frame 26 opened at the front and lower sides, but as described above, the cassette frame of the sheet feeding unit 20 is combined. It is formed integrally with the frame of the main body 10 of the machine 1.
[0023]
In addition, a large number of ribs 26h, 26h,... Are formed radially and vertically on the upper surface of the upper frame 25T of the cassette frame 26 to reinforce the upper frame 26T. However, the upper frame 26T in which the large number of ribs 26h, 26h,... Are formed is bent due to its own weight, so that the left and right central portions of the upper frame 26T sink as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the present invention, the following reinforcement member 8 is attached to improve the rigidity of the cassette frame 26.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the upper frame 26T, which is a horizontal part of the cassette frame 26, has holes 26d and 26e formed at the left and right corners of the front end, and the holes 26d (26e) are formed on the upper frame 26T. It is vertically formed from the frame 26T to the vicinity of the lower part of the left and right side frames 26S. In the holes 26d and 26e, hanging portions 8b and 8c at both left and right ends of the reinforcing member 8 are inserted to reinforce the cassette frame 26.
[0025]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 8 is a metal sheet metal member formed in a “gate” shape, for example, when viewed from the front, and a horizontal portion formed substantially in the left-right width of the cassette frame 26. 8a and hanging portions 8b and 8c extending downward from the left and right ends of the horizontal portion 8a, and resin positioning members 9 and 9 project upward from the left and right ends of the horizontal portion 8a. Has been.
[0026]
The reinforcing member 8 is formed by bending a “gate” -shaped plate up and down at several locations, and as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal portion 8 a of the reinforcing member 8 is substantially “self” in side view. The shape is folded into a shape that lays down and the rigidity is increased against the force applied in the vertical direction. The hanging parts 8b and 8c are extended downward from the bent part at the front end of the horizontal part 8a, and are flat. The rigidity is enhanced against the force applied in the left-right direction with the surface facing forward and backward.
As described above, the reinforcing member 8 reduces the amount of the metal material used, reduces the cost, and effectively secures the strength.
[0027]
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal portion 8a of the reinforcing member 8 is disposed across the left and right ends of the upper frame 26T of the cassette frame 26, and the hanging portions 8b and 8c are formed in the holes of the upper frame 26T. Inserted into the portions 26d and 26e, the left and right ends and the center of the reinforcing member 8 are fastened and fixed to the cassette frame 26.
[0028]
With such a configuration, the reinforcing member 8 is attached to the cassette frame 26 of the paper feeding unit 20/21. In addition to the reinforcement by the ribs 26h, 26h... Formed on the upper surface of the upper frame 26T, the reinforcing member 8 is provided. Thus, the rigidity of the upper frame 26T of the cassette frame 26 is enhanced by the horizontal portion 8a, and there is no fear that the left and right central portions of the upper frame 26T will be bent by the load from the main body 10 of the multifunction machine 1. Further, the hanging portions 8b and 8c of the reinforcing member 8 are respectively embedded in the left and right side frames 26S and 26S in the vertical direction, and the side frames 26S and 26S are loaded by the load from the main body 10 of the multifunction machine 1. There is no need to worry about bending outward.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, holes 26f and 26g are formed at the front end portions of the lower surfaces of the side frames 26S and 26S of the cassette frame 26. Positioning members 9, 9 of the reinforcing member 8 attached to the frame 26 are inserted into the holes 26f, 26g.
The positioning members 9 and 9 position the upper and lower sheet feeding units 20 and 21 in the left-right direction and bend the side frames 26S and 26S of the cassette frame 26 disposed directly above the outer direction. Is prevented.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 8 is integrally formed in a “gate” shape. However, the horizontal portion 8a and the hanging portions 8b and 8c of the reinforcing member 8 may be formed of separate members. The configuration is not particularly limited. Further, the arrangement position and the number of the reinforcement members 8 are not particularly limited.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
By configuring the present invention as described above, the rigidity of the cassette frame of the paper feed unit is increased and bending is prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 1. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette 26. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a reinforcing member 8. FIG.
4 is a front cross-sectional view of a paper feed cassette 26. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a paper feed cassette 26;
6 is a front view of the paper feed cassette 26. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 2 Paper feed part 8 Reinforcement member 8a Horizontal part 8b Hanging part 8c Hanging part 10 Main body 20 Paper feeding unit 21 Paper feeding unit 25 Paper feeding cassette 26 Cassette frame 26d Hole part 26e Hole part 26S Side part frame 26T Upper frame

Claims (2)

A paper feeding device comprising one or a plurality of paper feeding units comprising a paper feeding cassette and a resin-made cassette frame that is detachable from the paper feeding cassette ,
Previous SL cassette frame, a rectangular horizontal section, consists of the side of each extending perpendicularly from three sides of the horizontal portion, and a box-shaped,
The opening side of the cassette frame in a direction in which detachable the paper feed cassette, setting the metal reinforcing member of suppressing the deflection of the cassette frame,
The reinforcing member includes a horizontal portion and a pair of hanging portions, and is a member integrally formed in a “gate” shape,
The horizontal portion of the reinforcing member extends from one end of the horizontal portion of the cassette frame to the other end in the direction orthogonal to the attachment / detachment direction of the paper feed cassette,
The hanging portion of the reinforcing member extends downward from the left and right ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member,
The reinforcing member is provided with positioning members for positioning the upper and lower sheet feeding units at both ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member, respectively.
When the upper and lower sheet feeding units are stacked, the positioning members are inserted into the side portions, respectively.
A paper feeder characterized by that. A paper feeding device comprising one or a plurality of paper feeding units comprising a paper feeding cassette and a resin-made cassette frame that is detachable from the paper feeding cassette,
The cassette frame has a box-like shape composed of a rectangular horizontal portion and side portions each extending in the vertical direction from three sides of the horizontal portion,
On the opening side of the cassette frame in the direction of attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette, a metal reinforcing member that suppresses the bending of the cassette frame is provided,
Hanging portion of the reinforcing member, the two opposite sides of the cassette frame, are inserted respectively,
The reinforcing member is provided with positioning members for positioning the upper and lower sheet feeding units at both ends of the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member, respectively.
When the upper and lower sheet feeding units are stacked, the positioning members are inserted into the side portions, respectively.
Sheet feeding device you wherein a.

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