JP4438695B2 - Paper cassette - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed cassette that can store paper of a plurality of sizes and is mounted on a paper feed device that supplies paper to an image forming apparatus or the like.

  A paper rear end guide (guide plate) is slidably attached to the paper feed cassette, and a sliding portion of the paper rear end guide expands and contracts the accommodating portion that can accommodate the paper. Some can accommodate paper. As a paper feed cassette capable of storing papers of a plurality of types of sizes, a main container (first container body) attached to the paper feeder and a sub container (second container) slidably attached to the main container. A container body) has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this paper feed cassette, the accommodating portion can be expanded and contracted by a sliding operation of a paper rear end guide slidably attached to the sub container, and the accommodating portion can be expanded and contracted by a sliding operation of the sub container. For this reason, it is only necessary to push the sub-container into the inner side of the main container except when large-size paper is accommodated, so that the paper feed cassette can be miniaturized and the whole paper feeder can be miniaturized.

By the way, in the paper feed cassette described in Patent Document 1, the slide position of the paper rear end guide with respect to the first container body can be directly detected by the microswitch in a state where the sub container is pushed to the innermost side of the main container. When the sub container is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container to the front side, it cannot be directly detected. For this reason, if the sliding position of the rear end guide of the sheet with respect to the sub-container becomes arbitrary while the sub-container is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container, the length of the accommodating portion and the accommodating portion are set on the image forming apparatus side The set paper size cannot be determined.
JP-A-11-139572

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and enables the detection of the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body regardless of the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feed cassette which is slidably attached to the first container body mounted on the paper feed device and the first container body, and expands and contracts by a sliding operation. Two container bodies, a guide plate attached to the second container body so as to be slidable in the sliding direction of the second container body, and the first container body of the second container body, the guide plate expanding and contracting the housing portion by a sliding operation. And a second container body detecting means for detecting a slide position relative to the second container body, wherein the guide plate is slid from the foremost side to the back side of the second container body. The body cannot be slid from the innermost side to the front side of the first container body, and the guide plate is moved in the state where the second container body is slid from the innermost side to the front side of the first container body. 2 From the front of the container And having a slide preventing means for disabling slide to the side.

  In the paper feed cassette according to claim 1, the first container body is attached to the paper feeding device, the second container body is slidably attached to the first container body, and the accommodating portion capable of accommodating paper is the first. The two containers are expanded and contracted by the sliding motion. In addition, a guide plate is attached to the second container body so as to be slidable in the sliding direction of the second container body, and the accommodating portion is expanded and contracted by a sliding operation of the guide plate. The slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body is detected by the second container body detecting means.

  Here, the paper feed cassette of the present invention is provided with a slide blocking means for blocking the slide operation of the guide plate and the second container body at a predetermined slide position. The slide blocking means is configured such that the second container body is first slid to the innermost side of the first container body, and the guide plate is slid from the foremost side to the innermost side of the second container body. The container body cannot be slid from the innermost side of the first container body to the front side. The slide blocking means makes the guide plate non-slidable from the front side to the back side of the second container body in a state where the second container body is slid from the back side to the front side of the first container body.

  As a result, the guide plate is always positioned closest to the front side of the second container body in a state where the second container body is slid from the farthest side to the near side of the first container body. For this reason, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be indirectly detected by detecting the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body by the second container body detection means. Therefore, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected regardless of the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body.

  The near side refers to the downstream side in the direction of pulling out the second container body, and the back side refers to the upstream side in the direction of pulling out the second container body.

  The paper feed cassette according to claim 2 is the paper feed cassette according to claim 1, wherein the slide blocking means locks the guide plate at a slide position closest to the second container body. 1 lock means, and the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body, the second container body is locked to the first container body, and the first lock means A second locking means for releasing the lock of the guide plate to the second container body; the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body; and the guide plate is the second container body. The first container body is manually operated in a state of being slid to the foremost side to release the lock of the second container body to the first container body, and the guide plate is moved to the second container. Sly on the front side of the body A third locking means for locking the position, and having a.

  In the paper feed cassette according to claim 2, the second locking means locks the second container body to the first container body in a state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body. The state where the guide plate is locked to the slide position closest to the second container body by the first locking means is released. That is, until the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body, the guide plate cannot be slid at the slide position closest to the second container body, and the second container body becomes the first container body. After being slid to the farthest side, the guide plate can be slid from the farthest slide position of the second container body to the far side.

  Further, when the third lock means is manually operated in a state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body and the guide plate is slid to the foremost side of the second container body. The lock of the second container body to the first container body by the second locking means is released, and the guide plate is locked at the slide position closest to the second container body.

  That is, while the second container body is slidable from the farthest side to the near side of the first container body, the guide plate is always unslidable at the slide position closest to the second container body. For this reason, the position with respect to the 1st container body of a guide plate can be indirectly detected by detecting the slide position with respect to the 1st container body of a 2nd container body by a 2nd container body detection means. Therefore, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected regardless of the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body.

  The paper feed cassette according to claim 3 is the paper feed cassette according to claim 2, wherein the first lock means is rotatably supported by a wall portion on the near side of the second container body, and The first engaging member engages with the guide plate that has been slid to the nearest side of the second container body by the rotation operation in the rotation direction of the second container body, and releases the engagement with the guide plate by the rotation operation in the other rotation direction. An arm member; and a first urging means for urging the first arm member in the one rotation direction, wherein the second locking means rotates on the near wall portion of the second container body. A second arm member that is supported in such a manner that the first arm member is rotated in the other rotation direction by the rotation operation in the one rotation direction; and the second arm member is biased in the other rotation direction. A second urging means; provided in the first container body, wherein the second container body is A cam portion that rotates the second arm member in the one rotation direction when sliding from the near side to the farthest side of the one container body; and provided on the back side of the cam portion; A step portion that engages with the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the second arm member that has passed through the cam portion when the first container body is slid from the near side to the farthest side, A third lock means is slidably supported by the guide plate, and the guide plate is engaged with the second container body by a sliding operation in one direction in a state where the guide plate is slid to the nearest side of the second container body. And a third arm member that rotates the second arm member in the one rotational direction and releases the engagement with the second container body by a sliding operation in the other direction, and a vertical direction on the guide plate Slidably mounted to the third And a lever portion that lowers and slides the third lock member in the one direction, and lifts and slides the third lock member in the other direction. Features.

  In the paper feed cassette according to the third aspect, the first arm member and the second arm member are rotatably supported by the near wall portion of the second container body. The first arm member engages with the guide plate slid to the nearest side of the second container body by the rotation operation in one rotation direction, and engages with the guide plate by the rotation operation in the other rotation direction. To release. The first arm member is urged in the one rotation direction by the first urging means. For this reason, in a state where the force other than the urging force of the first urging means does not act on the first arm member, the first arm member rotates in one rotation direction by the urging force of the first urging means, and 2 The guide plate slid to the nearest side of the container body is made unslidable.

  Further, the second arm member rotates the first arm member in the other rotation direction against the urging force of the first urging means by the rotation operation in one rotation direction. It is urged in the other rotational direction by the urging means. For this reason, in a state where no force other than the second urging means acts on the second arm member, the second arm member rotates in the other rotation direction by the urging force of the second urging means, and the second container body The guide plate that has been slid to the foremost side is made non-slidable.

  The first container body is provided with a cam portion. When the second container body is slid from the front side of the first container body to the innermost side, the cam portion causes the second arm member to move to the first container body. The two urging means are rotated in one rotation direction against the urging force of the urging means, and the first arm member is rotated in the other rotation direction. As a result, the lock of the guide plate to the second container body by the first arm member is released, and the guide plate can slide from the front side to the back side of the second container body.

  In addition, a step portion is provided on the back side of the cam portion, and when the second container body is slid from the near side to the back side of the first container body, the second arm member passes through the cam portion. Then, it is rotated in the other rotation direction by the urging force of the second urging means, and is engaged with the step portion. As a result, the second container body cannot slide from the innermost side to the front side of the first container body.

  In addition, a lever portion is slidably attached to the guide plate in the vertical direction, and the third arm member is slidably supported. The third arm member is swingably supported by the lever portion, and slides in one direction when the lever portion is lowered. When the third arm member is slid in one direction with the guide plate being slid to the foremost side of the second container body, the third arm member engages with the second container body and the second arm member Is rotated in one rotational direction against the urging force of the second urging means. As a result, the guide plate becomes non-slidable at the sliding position closest to the second container body, and in the state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body, The engagement with the stepped portion is released, and the second container body can slide from the innermost side of the first container body to the front side.

  That is, in a state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body and the guide plate is slid from the foremost side to the innermost side of the second container body, the second arm member is second attached. Since the step portion is engaged by the urging force of the urging means, the second container body cannot slide on the innermost side of the first container body. In addition, when the second container body is slid from the farthest side of the first container body to the near side with the guide plate slid to the foremost side of the second container body, the first arm member and the first The guide plate is locked at the slide position closest to the second container body by any one of the three arm members.

  Therefore, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected by detecting the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body by the second container body detection means.

  The paper feed cassette according to claim 4 is the paper feed cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body. In the state, it has a guide plate detecting means for detecting a slide position of the guide plate with respect to the first container body.

  In the paper feed cassette according to the fourth aspect, the position of the guide plate relative to the first container body is detected by the guide plate detection means in a state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body. Further, the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body is detected by the second container body detecting means.

  Here, in the state where the second container body is slid from the innermost side to the front side of the first container body, the guide plate is always locked at the slide position closest to the front side of the second container body. By detecting the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body by the container body detection means, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected.

  Therefore, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected in the entire range in which the guide plate can move.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the slide position of the guide plate relative to the first container body can be detected regardless of the slide position of the second container body relative to the first container body.

  1 to 3 show a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus 14 having a sheet feeding device 12 to which a sheet feeding cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. 4 to 7 show the paper feed cassette 10. The sheets taken out one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 10 by the sheet feeding device 12 are conveyed to the main body 16 of the image recording device 14, and after images are recorded in the main body 16, they are discharged.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the paper feed cassette 10 has a main container 18 mounted on the paper feed device 12. The main container 18 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped flat box shape, and an upper surface and a front side surface (a right side surface in FIGS. 4 to 7) are opened. In addition, the width of the main container 18 (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) is slightly larger than the maximum width of the paper in consideration of the maximum width of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 10. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main container 18 is inserted and held in the opening 20 formed in the paper feeding device 12 from the front side (right side of FIGS. 1 and 2), thereby feeding paper. The cassette 10 is mounted on the paper feeder 12. 3 shows a state in the middle of inserting the paper feed cassette 10 into the opening 20, and the paper feed cassette 10 protrudes from the paper feeding device 12 more greatly than the mounting state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a sub container 22 is attached to the main container 18. The sub-container 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped flat box shape, and the upper surface and the back side surface (the left side surface in FIGS. 4 to 7) are open. Further, the width of the sub container 22 (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) is made shorter than the width of the main container 18. Thereby, the sub container 22 is inserted from the front side of the main container 18. In the inserted state, the main container 18 and the sub container 22 are integrated to form the paper feed cassette 10.

  In addition, a long hole is formed in the lower surface of the bottom plate 26 (see FIG. 6) of the sub container 22 along the insertion direction of the sub container 22 into the main container 18 (left and right direction in FIGS. 4 to 7). A projection (not shown) that projects from the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18 is accommodated in the long hole. As a result, the sub container 22 slides relative to the main container 18 without rattling.

  Further, a plurality of engaging portions (not shown) are formed at predetermined positions of the elongated holes, and the main plate of the sub-container 22 is engaged with the engaging portions by the protrusions of the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18. Appropriate resistance is generated when the container 18 slides. That is, the engaging portion acts as a stopper mechanism that positions the sub container 22 with respect to the main container 18 at a predetermined position.

  A slide groove 28 is formed in the sub-container 22 along the same direction as the direction of insertion into the main container 18 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 4 to 7) and at the center in the width direction. The slide groove 28 accommodates the lower part of the paper trailing edge guide 30.

  The sheet trailing edge guide 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and the normal line direction thereof coincides with the sliding direction of the sub container 22. The sheet rear end guide 30, the back plate 32 of the main container 18, and the width guide 34 constitute an accommodating portion 36 that can accommodate sheets of a predetermined size. The width guide 34 is in contact with the side edges of a plurality of sheets accommodated in a stacked state in the accommodating portion 36 to align the plurality of sheets in the width direction. The width guide 34 is moved in the paper width direction by a guide mechanism (not shown).

  A projection 46 projects from the lower portion of the paper trailing edge guide 30, and this projection 46 is accommodated in a long hole (not shown) formed in the slide groove 28. As a result, the sheet trailing edge guide 30 slides along the slide groove 28 while maintaining a state in which the normal direction thereof coincides with the sliding direction of the sub container 22. By sliding the paper trailing edge guide 30, the length of the storage portion 36 can be changed. Accordingly, the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slidably attached to the main container 18 via the sub container 22.

  A large spur gear body 38 formed in a substantially L shape is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 26 of the sub container 22. A pin 40 projects from the center of the large spur gear body 38 toward the bottom plate 26 of the sub container 22. The pin 40 is inserted into a support hole 42 formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 26 without detachment. Thus, the large spur gear body 38 is supported by the bottom plate 26 of the sub container 22 so as to be rotatable about the pin 40.

  A cut groove 44 is formed in the short side portion 38 </ b> A of the large spur gear body 38 along the longitudinal direction of the short side portion 38 </ b> A, and is projected from the lower end of the paper trailing edge guide 30. A protrusion 46 is accommodated. The shape of the kerf 44 is a predetermined cam shape so that when the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slid, the large spur gear body 38 is rotated by a predetermined angle by being pushed by the protrusion 46 at a specific position. .

  A gear tooth 48 is formed at the tip of the long side portion 38B of the large spur gear body 38, and the large spur gear body 38 substantially constitutes a large spur gear centered on the pin 40.

  An idler spur gear 52 and a small spur gear body 54 are rotatably supported on the side wall 50 of the main container 18 in a constantly meshed state. Further, the idler spur gear 52 has a predetermined shape so as to mesh with the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 in a state where the sub-container 22 is pushed deeply into the main container 18 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is pivotally supported at the position. Accordingly, when the large spur gear body 38 rotates in this state, this rotation is transmitted to the small spur gear body 54 via the idler spur gear 52, and the small spur gear body 54 rotates.

  The small spur gear body 54 includes a small spur gear 56 having gear teeth formed around it and a size detection cam 58 having a predetermined shape integrally formed with the small spur gear 56. The small spur gear body 54 includes a plurality of size detection leaf springs provided in the paper feeding device 12 in a state where the paper feeding cassette 10 is pushed in from the opening 20 of the paper feeding device 12 to the back. It is attached at a predetermined position so as to face 60. When the small spur gear body 54 rotates, the cam surface of the size detection cam 58 contacts the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60 among the plurality of size detection leaf springs 60 according to the rotation angle. Therefore, the size detection leaf spring 60 is pushed against the elastic force of the leaf spring. The microswitch 62 provided in the sheet feeding device 12 is turned on / off depending on the combination of the size detection leaf springs 60 pushed in and the pushing amount.

  Accordingly, when the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slid in a state where the paper feeding cassette 10 is pushed all the way into the opening 20 of the paper feeding device 12, the large spur gear body 38 rotates by a predetermined angle, and in conjunction with this, the small flat gear body 38 is rotated. The gear body 54 also rotates by a predetermined angle. Then, the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60 are pushed in, and the position of the paper trailing edge guide 30 is detected. As a result, the size of the paper stored in the storage unit 36 is detected. The micro switch 62 transmits position information of the paper trailing edge guide 30 to the main body 16 of the image recording apparatus 14.

  When the paper cassette 10 is pulled out from the opening 20 of the paper feeder 12, the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 are separated from the gear teeth of the small spur gear body 54, so that the size detection leaf spring 60 is pushed. The micro switch 62 is not turned on.

  In addition, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) size detections are provided on the outer surface of the side wall 64 of the sub-container 22 with a predetermined interval in the sliding direction of the sub-container 22 (FIGS. Ribs 66 are provided. The positions of the size detection ribs 66 are specified from among the plurality of size detection leaf springs 60 provided in the sheet feeding device 12 at a predetermined pull-out position when the sub container 22 is slid out of the main container 18 and pulled out. It is set to be a position to push in the (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60. The microswitch 62 provided in the sheet feeding device 12 is turned on and off by the combination of the size detection leaf springs 60 pushed in and the pushing amount, and the position of the sub container 22 is detected. The size of the paper stored in 36 is detected. The micro switch 62 transmits this information to the main body 16 of the image recording apparatus 14.

  The combination of the size detection leaf springs 60 that are pushed in this way is the size detection leaf spring 60 that is pushed in when the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slid with the sub container 22 pushed most into the main container 18. It is set so as to be different from the combination, so that confusion does not occur.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the paper feed cassette 10 of the present embodiment described so far will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the sub container 22 pushed into the main container 18 as far as it will go, the paper rear end guide 30, the front plate 32 of the main container 18, and the width guide 34 accommodate the container. 36 is configured. One or a plurality of stacked sheets can be stored in the storage portion 36.

  By sliding the paper trailing edge guide 30, the length of the accommodating portion 36 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 4) can be changed. Thereby, since the accommodating part 36 is expanded / contracted, these sheets can be accommodated in the accommodating part 36 corresponding to various sizes of sheets.

  When the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slid, the protrusion 46 of the paper trailing edge guide 30 moves in the kerf 44. When the slide amount of the paper trailing edge guide 30 reaches a predetermined value, the kerf 44 having a predetermined cam shape is pushed by the projection 46, and the large spur gear body 38 rotates by a predetermined angle. As a result, the small spur gear body 54 also rotates by a predetermined angle, the specific (one or more) size detection leaf spring 60 is pushed by the cam surface of the size detection cam 58, and the micro switch 62 provided in the paper feeding device 12 is moved. Since it is turned on and off, the position of the paper trailing edge guide 30 is detected. As a result, the length of the paper stored in the storage unit 36 is detected.

  The sub container 22 is pushed all the way into the main container 18, and the length of the paper feed cassette 10 is shortened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the amount of protrusion of the paper feed cassette 10 from the image recording device 14 is minimized, and almost the entire paper feed cassette 10 is accommodated in the image recording device 14. Save space. Depending on the relative relationship with the image recording device 14, the paper feed cassette 10 can be completely accommodated in the image recording device 14.

  In order to accommodate a sheet having a size larger than the accommodating portion 36 in a state where the sheet trailing edge guide 30 is moved to a position closest to the rear plate 68 of the sub container 22 and the accommodating portion 36 is expanded, the sub container 22 Is withdrawn from the main container 18. As a result, the sheet trailing edge guide 30 also slides integrally with the sub container 22, and the length of the accommodating portion 36 is increased.

  At this time, since the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 are separated from the idler spur gear 52, the small spur gear body 54 does not rotate. For this reason, the size detection leaf spring 60 is not pushed in, and the micro switch 62 is not turned on.

  When the sub-container 22 is pulled out to a predetermined position, a projection (not shown) projecting from the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18 engages with an engaging portion of a long hole (not shown) formed in the sub-container 22. Appropriate resistance is generated in the withdrawal of the secondary container 22, and the sub container 22 is positioned at a predetermined position.

  At this time, the specific size detection rib 66 among the plurality of size detection ribs 66 formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the side wall 64 of the sub-container 22 has the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60. Push in. Thereby, since the micro switch 62 is turned on / off, the position of the sub container 22 is detected. As a result, the size of the paper stored in the storage unit 36 is detected.

  At this time, it is sufficient for the sub container 22 to be pulled out from the main container 18 by a necessary amount corresponding to the length of the sheet, and the entire length of the sheet feeding cassette 10 can be made the minimum necessary length. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the protruding length of the paper feed cassette 10 from the image recording apparatus 14 can be minimized, and the space is saved.

  Furthermore, if the sub container 22 is pulled out from the main container 18, a sheet having a longer length can be accommodated. Also at this time, when the sub-container 22 is pulled out to a predetermined position, a projection (not shown) protruding from the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18 engages with an engaging portion of a long hole (not shown) formed in the sub-container 22. Thus, the sub container 22 is positioned at this predetermined position. Here, the specific size detection rib 66 among the plurality of size detection ribs 66 formed on the side wall 64 of the sub container 22 pushes in the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60, and the sub container 22. As a result, the size of the paper stored in the storage unit 36 is detected.

  As described above, even when the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slid or when the sub container 22 is slid, the same micro switch 62 can be turned on and off to detect the size of the paper. There is no need to provide it.

  Further, since the slide groove 28 is formed at the center in the width direction of the sub container 22, the sheet rear end guide 30 is also positioned at the center in the width direction of the sheet feeding cassette 10. Accordingly, as a so-called center registration method, the sheets can be aligned with respect to the center line in the width direction of the sheet feeding cassette 10. Of course, a so-called side registration method can be used in relation to the width of the paper.

  The slide length of the paper trailing edge guide 30 and the withdrawal length of the sub-container 22 can be appropriately set according to the length of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 10, but as described above, the paper trailing edge guide By making both 30 and the sub-container 22 slidable, the ratio of the length when the accommodating portion 36 is made the longest to the length when it is made the shortest can be made three times or more. For example, the length when the accommodating portion 36 is the longest is the length of the long side of the leisure 17 "(431.8 mm), and the length when the shortest is the shortest is the length of the short side of the statement (139.139). 7 mm), the above-mentioned ratio can be about 3.09 times.

  By the way, in the paper feed cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the slide position of the rear end guide 30 with respect to the main container 18 is directly adjusted by the micro switch 62 when the sub container 22 is pushed to the innermost side of the main container 18. Although the sub-container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18 to the front side, it cannot be detected directly. For this reason, if the sliding position of the rear end guide 30 with respect to the sub-container 22 becomes arbitrary in a state where the sub-container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18, the main body 16 of the image forming apparatus 14 becomes The length of 36 and the paper size set in the storage unit 36 cannot be determined.

  For this reason, in the state in which the slide blocking mechanism 100 which is the main part of the present invention is provided and the paper rear end guide 30 is slid from the foremost side to the back side of the sub container 22, the sub container 22 is placed most of the main container 18. In a state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the farthest side of the main container 18 to the near side so that it cannot be pulled out from the far side to the near side, the rear end guide 30 moves from the foremost side to the far side of the sub container 22. I can't slide. Hereinafter, the slide mechanism 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each element constituting the slide prevention mechanism 100 is provided on the rear end guide 30, the front side wall portion (front side wall portion in the drawing) 23 of the sub-container 22, and the side wall 64 of the main container 18. Is provided. The front side wall portion 23 is hollow, and a first lock mechanism 101 is provided therein. The first lock mechanism 102 includes a first lock member 102 and a first urging member 110. The first lock member 102 is rotatably supported inside the front side wall portion 23 via a pin 104. The first lock member 102 is an elongated plate material having four rounded corners, and is disposed beside the rear end guide 30. The rear end guide 30 is a hollow member, the surface on the first lock member 102 side is open, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the first lock member 102 enters the opening 30A of the rear end guide 30, The rear end guide 30 cannot slide.

  Further, a second lock mechanism 103 is provided inside the front side wall portion 23 and on the side wall 64. The second lock mechanism 103 includes a second lock member 106, a second urging member 112, a cam portion 114, and a step portion 115. The second lock member 106 is rotatably supported by a pin 108 that protrudes below the pin 104 in the front side wall portion 23. The second lock member 106 is a long and narrow plate having a V shape that is refracted upward in the drawing at the center of rotation, and four corners having an R shape. The first locking member 102 is urged counterclockwise in the drawing (one rotation direction, indicated by an arrow R1) by the first urging member 110, and the second locking member 106 is urged by the second urging member. 112 is biased in the clockwise direction in the figure (the other rotation direction, indicated by the arrow R2), and the other longitudinal end of the first locking member 102 and the one longitudinal end of the second locking member 106 come into contact with each other. ing.

  The first urging member 110 is not limited to a compression coil spring fitted between the upper surface in the front side wall portion 23 and the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first lock member, as shown in the drawing, and a torsion coil spring or a tension coil spring. Various elastic members such as plate springs and the like can be applied.

  Further, the second biasing member 112 is not limited to a tension coil spring, a tension coil spring, a compression coil spring, etc. Various elastic members such as leaf springs can be applied.

  One end surface in the longitudinal direction of the front side wall 23 is open, and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member 106 protrudes from the opening 23A of the front side wall 23.

  A cam portion 114 is formed on the side wall 64 of the main container 18 so that the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member 106 contacts. The cam portion 114 is formed by notching the front end portion of the side wall 64, and has a tapered shape in which the width gradually decreases from the front side to the back side. In addition, on the back side of the cam portion 114, a step portion 115 that is widened upward is formed. The cam portion 114A has the above-described taper shape with a lower side parallel to the bottom surface 24 of the main container 18 and an upper side inclined downward from the near side to the far side. Further, the stepped portion 115 has a width (length in the sliding direction) slightly larger than the thickness of the second lock member 106 and a height (vertical direction in the drawing) of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member 106. It is slightly higher. Therefore, the second lock member 106 can move up and down within the step portion 115.

  The rear end guide 30 is provided with a third lock mechanism 105. The third lock mechanism 105 includes a lock release lever 116 and a third lock member 118. The lock release lever 116 is attached to the center of the upper end of the rear end guide 30 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The lock release lever 116 includes a lever portion 116A that is flush with the upper end surface of the rear end guide 30 and a connecting portion 116B that protrudes into the rear end guide 30 from the lower surface of the lever portion 116A. .

  Further, in the rear end guide 30, one longitudinal end portion of the third lock member 118 is rotatably supported by the coupling portion 116 </ b> B via the pin 120. The third lock member 118 is a V-shaped plate member refracted upward in the figure in the longitudinal center portion, and a slide groove 121 is formed in the longitudinal center portion. In addition, a protrusion 122 accommodated in the slide groove 121 is provided in the rear end guide 30.

  Here, when the lock release lever 116 moves up and down, one end in the longitudinal direction of the third lock member 118 also moves up and down together, and the third lock member 118 moves in the direction inside the paper trailing edge guide 30 (in the direction of arrow S1 in the figure). Or the other end in the longitudinal direction of the third lock member 118 is accommodated in the rear end guide 30 with the lock release lever 116 raised, In a state where the unlocking lever 116 is lowered, it protrudes from the opening 30 </ b> A of the rear end guide 30 and comes into contact with one longitudinal end of the second lock member 106.

  Next, the operation of the slide prevention mechanism 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the third lock member 118 is accommodated in the rear end guide 30 in a state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the main container 18 and the lock release lever 116 is raised. Further, in this state, the second locking member 106 is urged in the R2 direction in the drawing by the second urging member 112 and stopped at a position where the other end in the longitudinal direction contacts the upper surface in the front side wall portion 23, The first locking member 102 is urged in the R1 direction in the drawing by the first urging member 110 and stops at a position where the other end in the longitudinal direction abuts on one end in the longitudinal direction of the second locking member 102. In this state, the rear end guide 30 is not locked from the third lock member 118, but is placed in the sub container 22 by the first lock member 102 that is substantially horizontal and enters the opening 30 </ b> A of the rear end guide 30. Locked.

  That is, in a state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18, the rear end guide 30 is made non-slidable from the frontmost side of the sub container 22 to the inner side by the first lock member 102. .

  When the lock release lever 116 is manually lowered while the sub container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18, the lock of the rear end guide 30 to the sub container 22 by the first lock member 102 is released. However, the rear end guide 30 is locked to the sub container 22 by the third lock member 118. That is, in the state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18, the rear end guide 30 cannot slide from the foremost side of the sub container 22 to the inner side regardless of the position of the lock release lever 116. It becomes.

  Further, when the sub container 22 is pushed into the back side of the main container 18 as indicated by an arrow A in the figure, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member 106 is the upper side of the cam part 114 as shown in FIG. Thus, the second urging member 112 is pushed down against the urging force. At this time, the second locking member 106 rotates in the R1 direction in the drawing to rotate the first locking member 102 in the R2 direction in the drawing against the urging force of the first urging member 110. Thereby, one longitudinal end portion of the first lock member 102 is extracted from the opening 30A of the rear end guide 30, and the lock of the rear end guide 30 to the sub container 22 by the first lock member 102 is released.

  In addition, when the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member 106 passes through the cam portion 114 with the lock release lever 116 raised, the second lock member 106 is urged by the urging force of the second urging member 112 in the drawing. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the second lock member is engaged with the step portion 115 instantly. Thus, the sub container 22 is locked to the main container 18 by the second lock member 106 and the engaging portion 115.

  That is, when the sub-container 22 is pushed to the innermost side of the main container 18 with the lock release lever 116 raised, the rear end guide 30 is moved from the foremost side of the sub-container 22 to the rear as shown by an arrow B in the figure. The sub container 22 cannot be pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18 to the front side.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in the state where the sub container 22 is pushed to the farthest side of the main container 18 and the rear end guide 30 is slid to the foremost side of the sub container 22, As shown, when the lock release lever 116 is manually lowered, the third lock member 118 slides in the direction of the arrow S2 in the figure, and the other longitudinal end of the third lock member 118 is the opening 30A of the rear end guide 30. The one end of the second lock member 106 in the longitudinal direction is pushed up and the second lock member 106 is rotated in the R1 direction in the drawing. As a result, as indicated by an arrow D in the figure, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the third lock member 106 is lowered in the stepped portion 115 and moved to the main container 18 of the sub-container 22 by the second lock member 106 and the stepped portion 115. Is unlocked.

  Here, even when the lock release lever 116 is lowered in a state where the rear end guide 30 is slid from the front side to the back side of the sub-container 22, the third lock member 118 is brought into contact with the second lock member 106. Therefore, the lock of the sub container 22 to the main container 18 by the second lock member 106 and the stepped portion 115 is not released.

  That is, in a state where the rear end guide 30 is slid from the foremost side to the back side of the sub container 22, the sub container 22 cannot be pulled out from the back side of the main container 18, and the rear end guide 30 is the most of the sub container 22. Only after the lock release lever 116 is manually lowered while being slid to the near side, the sub container 22 can be pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18 to the near side as indicated by an arrow E in the figure.

  As described above, in the slide prevention mechanism 100, the sub container 22 is slid to the innermost side of the main container 18, and the rear end guide 30 is slid from the foremost side to the inner side of the sub container 22. Then, the sub container 22 cannot be pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18 to the near side, and the rear end guide 30 is moved to the sub container 22 in a state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18 to the near side. It is impossible to slide from the most front side to the back side.

  As a result, in the state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the innermost side of the main container 18, the rear end guide 30 is always present at the slide position closest to the sub container 22. Is detected by the microswitch 62, so that the position of the rear end guide 30 can be detected.

  Therefore, regardless of the slide position of the sub container 22 with respect to the main container 18, the main body 16 of the image forming apparatus 14 determines the position of the rear end guide 30, the length of the storage portion 36, and the paper size set in the paper feed cassette 10. Can be judged.

  The configuration in which the paper trailing edge guide 30 is slidable with respect to the main container 18 and the sub-container 22 is slidable with respect to the main container 18 is not limited to the above-described configuration. In short, it is only necessary that the length of the accommodating portion 36 can be changed to expand and contract the accommodating portion 36 by sliding the sheet trailing edge guide 30 with respect to the main container 18. Similarly, it is only necessary that the length of the accommodating portion 36 can be changed to expand and contract the accommodating portion 36 by allowing the sub-container 22 to slide relative to the main container 18.

  As described above, the rear end guide detection means as the guide plate detection means does not need to be composed of the large spur gear body 38, the idler spur gear 52, and the small spur gear body 54, and the slide position of the paper rear end guide 30 is not limited. Any configuration may be used as long as it can be detected. For example, a rack may be attached to the paper rear end guide 30, and the movement of the rack may be converted into rotation via a gear train and transmitted to the small spur gear body 54 to rotate the small spur gear body 54.

  Similarly, the sub container body detecting means as the second container body detecting means is not limited to the size detecting rib 66 described above, and any configuration may be used as long as the position of the sub container 22 can be detected.

  Further, the slide blocking mechanism 100 as the slide blocking unit is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the sub container 22 is slid to the innermost side of the main container 18 and the rear end guide 30 is from the foremost side of the sub container 22. In the state where it is slid to the back side, the sub container 22 cannot be pulled out from the farthest side of the main container 18 to the near side, and in the state where the sub container 22 is pulled out from the farthest side of the main container 18 to the near side, Any configuration may be used as long as the end guide 30 cannot be slid from the most front side to the back side of the sub container 22.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus having a paper feeding device to which a paper feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus having a paper feeding device to which a paper feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. 1 is a perspective view showing an image recording apparatus having a paper feeding device to which a paper feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. It is a top view which shows the state which pushed the sub container into the main container most in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state which pushed the sub container into the main container most in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the state which pulled out the sub container from the main container in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state which pulled out the sub container from the main container in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pulled out the sub container from the main container in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state which pushed the sub container into the main container most in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pushed the sub container into the main container most in the paper feed cassette which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Paper cassette 12 Paper feeder 18 Main container (1st container body)
22 Sub-container (second container)
23 Front side wall (front wall)
30 Paper trailing edge guide (guide plate)
38 Large spur gear (guide plate detection means)
54 Small spur gear (guide plate detection means)
58 Size detection cam (guide plate detection means)
62 Microswitch (second container body detection means, guide plate detection means)
66 Size detection rib (second container body detection means)
100 Slide prevention mechanism (slide prevention means)
101 First locking mechanism (first locking means)
102 1st locking member (1st arm member, 1st locking means)
103 Second locking mechanism (second locking means)
105 Third locking mechanism (third locking means)
106 Second lock member (second arm member, second lock means)
110 First urging member (first urging means, first locking means)
112 Second urging member (second urging means, second locking means)
114 Cam portion (second locking means)
115 Stepped portion (second locking means)
116 Lock release lever (lever part, third locking means)
118 Third lock member (third arm member, third lock means)
R1 Counterclockwise direction (one rotation direction)
R2 clockwise direction (other rotational directions)
S1 direction (one direction)
S2 direction (other direction)

Claims (4)

A first container mounted on the sheet feeding device;
A second container body that is slidably mounted on the first container body, and that expands and contracts an accommodating portion capable of accommodating paper;
A guide plate that is slidably attached to the second container body in the sliding direction of the second container body, and that expands and contracts the accommodating portion by a sliding operation;
A second container body detecting means for detecting a slide position of the second container body with respect to the first container body,
In a state where the guide plate is slid from the front side to the back side of the second container body, the second container body is made slidable from the back side to the front side of the first container body, and the second container In a state where the body is slid from the most back side to the near side of the first container body, the guide plate has a slide preventing means for preventing the guide plate from being slid from the most near side to the back side of the second container body. A paper cassette. The slide blocking means is
First locking means for locking the guide plate to a slide position closest to the second container body;
The second container body is locked to the first container body in a state in which the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body, and the first plate of the guide plate by the first locking means is used. A second locking means for unlocking the two container bodies;
The second container body is slid to the farthest side of the first container body, and the guide plate is slid to the foremost side of the second container body, and is manually operated, and the second container body A third locking means for releasing the lock of the second container body by the locking means to the first container body and locking the guide plate at a slide position closest to the second container body;
The paper feed cassette according to claim 1, wherein The first locking means comprises:
Engaged with the guide plate that is rotatably supported by the wall on the near side of the second container body and is slid to the most front side of the second container body by a rotation operation in one rotation direction; A first arm member that releases engagement with the guide plate by a rotation operation in a rotation direction;
First urging means for urging the first arm member in the one rotation direction,
The second locking means is
A second arm member that is rotatably supported by the wall on the near side of the second container body, and that rotates the first arm member in the other rotation direction by a rotation operation in the one rotation direction;
Second urging means for urging the second arm member in the other rotational direction;
A cam portion that is provided in the first container body and rotates the second arm member in the one rotation direction when the second container body is slid from the near side to the farthest side of the first container body. When,
The other side of the second arm member that is provided on the back side of the cam portion and has passed through the cam portion when the second container body is slid from the front side of the first container body to the farthest side. A step portion with which the end engages,
The third locking means comprises:
The guide plate is slidably supported, and is engaged with the second container body by a sliding operation in one direction in a state where the guide plate is slid to the nearest side of the second container body. A third arm member that rotates the two arm members in the one rotation direction and releases the engagement with the second container body by a sliding operation in the other direction;
It is attached to the guide plate so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, supports the third arm member so as to be swingable, descends, slides the third lock member in the one direction, and ascends to move the third lock member A lever portion that slides in the other direction;
The sheet feeding cassette according to claim 2, wherein the sheet feeding cassette is provided.   The guide plate detecting means for detecting a slide position of the guide plate with respect to the first container body in a state where the second container body is slid to the innermost side of the first container body. The paper feed cassette according to any one of 1 to 3.

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