JPH01192639A - Paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate a switching operation in a paper feeding device in which two types of separating means for ordinary paper and for post card are provided in one paper feeding device by relatively simply switching over the two types of separating means with an operating lever. CONSTITUTION:By operating an operating lever 351, a stacker is set in a paper installing position in which the stacker is separated from a paper feed roller 212. Then, by operating the operating lever 351, the stacker is moved to a paper feeding position in which the stacker presses ordinary sheets of paper against the paper feed roller 212. That is, as the operating lever 351 is rotated to this side, the engagement between a connecting rod 233 and an engaging groove 235 in a slotted hole 232 is removed, to rotate the stacker upward due to the restoring force of a coil spring 234 while being pressed by the paper feed roller 212. As the paper feed roller 212 is rotated, the ordinary sheets of paper are separated one sheet at a time and fed to a printing device.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Field of Industrial Application"1' The present invention is for separating sheets of paper, plastic, etc. one by one for printing devices, laser printers, facsimile machines, copying machines, and other processing devices. Regarding paper feeding devices that can selectively feed relatively thick paper such as postcards and cards, and plain paper, there is a separation means used to separate postcards, etc., and plain paper, etc. The present invention relates to a paper feeding device equipped with an operating member for switching between a separating ribbon and a separating ribbon used for separating paper sheets.

``Prior Art'' In recent years, relatively weak plain paper, which is used in secondary copiers, etc., and comparatively strong thick paper, such as postcards, have been used.

A method is being considered in which paper is selectively fed to a printing device or the like using a single paper feeding device. For example, to separate plain paper stacked in a hopper or the like, a separating claw is used to engage a portion of the leading edge corner of the plain paper, and the deflection of the plain paper is used to separate the sheets one by one. On the other hand, to separate thick paper such as postcards, a gap forming unit of a cassette with a gap for separating postcards, etc. one by one is attached to the main body of the paper feeder, while leaving the separating claw for plain paper as is. This gap forming unit is designed to be installed at a position retracted from the separating claw, which is the separating means for plain paper, when the paper feeder main body is installed.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in the conventional paper feeding device described above, in order to switch the separating means from plain paper to thick paper or from thick paper to plain paper, it is necessary to provide a separate device from the paper feeding device. A gap forming unit must be prepared, which not only makes it difficult to secure a storage space when the unit is not in use, but also causes the problem of accidentally losing the unit. Furthermore, switching between plain paper and cardboard requires the operation of attaching and detaching the gap forming unit, which is not only relatively troublesome and troublesome, but also poses the problem that young people cannot switch.

Therefore, it has been considered to provide two types of separation means for plain paper and postcards in one paper feeder. That is, the paper feeder solves the above problems by providing a separation claw for engaging a part of the leading edge corner of plain paper and a gap member for separating postcards, etc. one by one, and switching these separation means as appropriate. A paper device was developed. However, even in the paper feeding device described above, when switching between two types of separation means, the operation of the gap member must be performed separately from the operation of stacking postcards etc. on the popper, and only plain paper is fed. The operation was extremely troublesome compared to the operation when doing so.

The present invention provides a paper feeding device in which a single paper feeding device is provided with two types of separating means, one for plain paper and one for postcards, in which the two types of separating means can be switched relatively easily. is intended to provide.゛“Means for Solving the Problems” The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and includes a paper feeding rotary body that feeds out paper in the feeding direction, and a stacked paper that is pressed against the paper feeding rotary body. a stacker that is movable between a paper feeding position where the stacked paper is separated from the paper loading position and a paper loading position where the stacked paper is separated; A first separating member consisting of a movable operating member, a pair of left and right separation claws for engaging with the leading edge of the paper fed out by the paper feeding rotary body, and a first separating member that engages with the leading edge of the paper to separate the paper. a second separating member having a gap member that allows one sheet to pass through, and this second separating member is interposed between the pair of left and right separating claws and the side edge of the paper on the stacker to separate the sheets. In a paper feeding device that is configured to be movable between an operating position where the claw and the paper are disengaged and an inoperative position where the paper is retracted from above the stacker,
The operating member is configured to be movable between the first and second positions as well as a third position, and in the third position, the second separation member is moved from an inoperative position to an activated position. The operating member is coupled to the second separation member and the stacker in order to hold the stacker in the sheet loading position.

"Operation" In the present invention configured as described above, first, the operating member is set at the first position so that the stacker is at the paper loading position separated from the paper feed rotary body. Then, a first type of sheet (a relatively weak sheet such as plain paper) is placed on the stacker, and the operating member is set at the second position. The stacker moves from the paper loading position to the paper feeding position and presses the first sheet against the paper feeding rotating body. This paper feeding rotor causes the first
The sheets are fed out and separated one by one by a pair of left and right separating claws, which are the first separating members. At this time, since the second separating member is retracted from above the stacker, it does not affect the separating operation of the first separating member. Next, the second
To explain the case of using a sheet of this type (a relatively stiff sheet such as a postcard), first, the operating member is set in the third position. In the third position, the stacker is in a paper loading position separated from the paper feed rotary body, and a second separating member is interposed between the pair of left and right separating claws and the side edge of the paper on the stacker, and the second separating member It is possible to disengage the claw and the paper. Then, if the second type of sheet is placed in the stacker in this state and the operating member is set to the second position after being placed, the second type of sheet is pressed against the paper feed rotary body.

As a result, the second sheet fed out by the paper feeding rotor is
The sheets are separated one by one by the gap member formed in the second separation member. Since this operating member is connected to the second separating member and the stacker, the separating means for the first sheet and the second sheet can be easily switched by switching the operating member.

"Example" An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

The present embodiment will be explained using a paper feed device to be attached to a paper feed/discharge port of a printing device as an example. The paper feeding device main body 1 feeds paper, postcards, etc. one by one to a printing device, and the printing device can be a thermal transfer printer installed in a word processor or the like.

The paper feeding device main body 1 may be of a type that is not only attached to a printing device, but also of a type that is housed in a processing device such as a copying machine or a fax machine.

Next, to explain the paper feeding device main body 1, the paper feeding device main body 1 is as follows.
It is composed of a sheet conveying device 2 and a sheet separating means 3. A loading tray 4 for accommodating sheets discharged from the printing device is detachably housed in the paper feeding device main body 1 . This sheet conveying device 2 separates the stacked sheets one by one using a sheet separating means 3, conveys the separated sheets to a printing device, and conveys sheets printed by the printing device to a loading tray 4. It is something. This paper feeding device main body 1 is capable of feeding both a first type of sheet, such as plain paper, and a second type of sheet, such as thick paper such as a postcard, envelope, or card. The sheet feeding switching means 35 can select and feed either the first type of sheet or the second type of sheet. The sheet conveyance device 2 includes a paper feed stacker section 211 which is a sheet storage section in which plain paper, postcards, etc. are set, and paper feed rollers 212, 212, . . . for feeding out the paper set in the paper feed stacker 211 section. , synthetic resin guides 213 , 213 , and a paper feed port 214 are formed for guiding the paper sent out by these paper feed rollers 212 , 212 . . . to the printing device. . In order to connect the paper feeder main body 1 to a printing device, support members 215 are provided on the bottom of the paper feeder main body 1 to come into contact with the vicinity of the platen shaft of the printing device. Further, the paper feeding device main body 1 includes paper ejection rollers 241 and 24 for ejecting paper printed by the printing device.
1..., a paper ejection guide section 242 formed at a position facing the paper ejection rollers 241, 241..., and a paper ejection guide section 242 for storing the paper ejected by the paper ejection rollers 241, 241... A paper discharge stacker section 243 is formed.

A cover unit 12 made of synthetic resin is placed on the upper surface of the main body 1 of the paper feeder. Next, the loading tray 4 will be explained. This loading tray 4 is for supporting the paper discharged from the paper discharge rollers 241, 241, etc., and is stored in the paper feeding device main body 1. The cover unit 12 is detachably connected to the cover unit 12.

This connection is made by grooves 121, 122, 12 in the cover unit 12.
Form 3.

This is done by inserting and locking the connecting portion 45 formed at the base end of the loading tray 4 into the grooves 121, 122, 123. The entire loading tray 4 is formed in an M-shape, and includes left and right receiving portions 41, 41, a central receiving portion 42, and a connecting receiving portion 4.
It consists of 3.43. The connection receiving portions 43.43 are horizontal members for connecting the left and right receiving portions 41 and the center receiving portion 42.

The left and right receiving portions are for supporting the left and right portions of the ejected sheet in the width direction, and the center receiving portion is for supporting the center portion of the sheet. It is desirable that the mounting tray 4 is integrally formed by bending a bar made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like. A connecting portion 45 consisting of a locking protrusion 411.411 bent at approximately 90 degrees is formed at the base end portions of the left and right receiving portions 41, 41, and is connected to the groove portion 121.1 of the cover unit 12.
It is possible to engage with 23. The central receiving portion 42 is formed by bending a bar into a circular shape.
There is a first step 46 between the base end and the distal end in the paper ejection direction.
is formed. Further, a second step 47 is formed between the tip of the center receiving portion 42 and the left and right receiving portions 41.

Therefore, the stacking tray 4 is configured to create a height difference in the vertical direction of stacking sheets. That is, the step portion 48 formed between the first step 46 and the second step 47 can be made to be a convex portion from the upper surface of the loading tray 4 (as shown in the figure). If the tray is removed from the paper feeder main body 1, turned over, and reinstalled, the stepped portion 48 can be recessed from the upper surface of the loading tray 4. Central receiving part 42
A connecting portion 45 consisting of a locking portion 422 for engaging with the groove portion 122 of the cover unit 12 is formed at the base end portion of the cover unit 12 . In order to easily turn over the loading tray 4, the locking protrusions 411, 411 formed on the left and right receiving parts 41, 41 are arranged at symmetrical positions with the locking part 422 of the central receiving part 42 as the center. It is desirable that the stepped portion 48 also have a

A stopper 482 is formed to prevent the ejected sheet from rising up. Furthermore, the left and right receiving parts 41.41
and the central receiving part 42 may be configured separately. In this case, the connecting part 45 consisting of the locking part 422 formed in the central receiving part 42 allows the loading tray to be connected to the paper feeder main body 1. It can be configured so that it can be worn by switching the front and back sides.

Next, the separating means 3 will be explained. The separating means 3 consists of a first separating means 31 and a second separating means 32. 1st
The separating means 31 is composed of a pair of left and right separating claws 311, 311, and is used for separating a plurality of sheets of plain paper having relatively weak membranes. The second separating means 32 is composed of a gap member 322 that allows passage of one sheet of paper, and is used for separating a plurality of postcards, cards, etc., which have relatively strong membranes. The paper feed switching means 35 switches between the first separating means 31 and the second separating means 32 depending on the type of paper used.

The paper feed stacker 211 includes side plates 221.22.1 for regulating the width direction of the paper to be set. A first guide shaft 222 and a second guide shaft 223 are provided between the side plates 221 and 221, and a left unit 224. A center unit 225 and a right unit 226 are slidably attached.

Therefore, by moving these units, changes in paper size can be accommodated. left unit 22
4 is provided with locking holes 228, 228 for inserting and locking support arms 227, 227, . . . for supporting the rear end of the set paper. Similarly, the center unit 225 and the right unit 226 each have a locking hole 22.
8.228 is engraved. Each unit 224.22
The stackers 23 formed at 5.226 are configured to be able to swing freely around the first guide shaft,
9 left unit 224 and right unit 2 that can press the loaded paper against the paper feed roller, which is a paper feed rotation body, during paper feeding.
26 includes a stacker 23, a side plate 221, a separation claw 311 which is the first separation means 31, and a second separation means 3.
A gap forming member 321 having a gap member 322 of 2 and a spacer member 33 are provided. Here, the spacer member 33 restricts a part of the side edge of the paper. A separation lever 312, which is the first separation means 31, is attached to the side plate 221 so as to be rotatable up and down.
A separation claw 311 is provided at the tip of the separation lever 312 for separating the first type of sheets sent out by the paper feed roller 212 one by one. This separation lever 3
A spring 313 is attached to the stacker 12 and is normally biased so that the stacker 23 and the separation claw 312 come into contact with each other. Further, a protrusion 314 is formed on this separation lever 312, and the protrusion 314 and the communication rod 23 are connected to each other.
3 are configured to be able to come into contact with each other.

In front of the side plate 221, a paper feed roller 212.2 is provided.
A roller receiver 216 to which 12... are attached is rotatably supported. Standing members 231, 231... are formed on the back surfaces of the stackers 23, 23..., and elongated holes 232.
232... are drilled. This long 232, 23
2, a communicating rod 233 is inserted through the connecting rod 233.
An operating lever 351 is housed at one end of the .

The other end of this communication rod 233 is connected to the side portion 11 of the paper feeder main body 1.
It is rotatably attached to. - Therefore, as the operating lever 351 is rotated, the communication rod 233 is connected to the elongated hole 232.2.
32...Moves while sliding. As a result, the stackers 23, 23, . Furthermore, the back of the stacker 23, 23... and each unit 2
24, 225, 226, there is a coil spring 234.
234... is inserted, and the stacker 23.23
... can be urged against the paper feed rollers 212, 212, .... The elongated holes 232, '232, . . . are arranged so that the stackers 23, 23, . At the lower part of the
．． 236... are formed.

Next, the second separation means 32 connected to the paper feed switching means 35 will be explained. A rod member 352 for interlocking and raising up the gear lug forming square members 321 provided in the left unit 224 and the right unit 226 is explained. , are rotatably housed on both sides of the paper feeder main body 1. An elastic member 353 is housed in this rod member 352,
The rod member 352 is urged upward. The gap forming member 321 is rotatably attached to the first guide shaft 222, and a drive lever 354 is integrally molded so as to be connected to the gap forming member 321 from this shaft stop. Since the upper end of the drive lever 354 can come into contact with the rod member 352, when the rod member 354 presses down the drive lever 354, the gap forming member 321 will protrude from the stacker 23. A gap member 322 is formed at the lower end of the gear forming member 321 to allow one sheet of the second type to pass through. A spacer member 33 is rotatably fixed to the gap forming member 321 , and one end of the spacer member 33 can come into contact with the communication rod 233 . A protrusion 355 is formed on the operating lever 351, and the protrusion 355 is configured so as to be able to come into contact with the rod member 352.

The paper discharge rollers 241, 241, .

The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

(1) When using plain paper as the first type of sheet To explain the case where plain paper with a relatively weak layer is used, first check the stepped portion 48 of the loading tray 4. That is,
Step portion 4 formed by first step 46 and second step 47
8 is a convex portion on the upper surface of the loading tray 4. If there is a recess, it is necessary to first remove the device tray 4 from the paper feeder main body, turn it over, and then attach it to the paper feeder again. Then, by operating the operating lever 35-1, the stacker 23 moves to the paper feed roller 21.
2 (first state). In this state, the communication rod 233 rotates as the operating lever 351 rotates, and the communication rod 233 slides inside the elongated holes 232, 232, . . . , so that the stacker 23 is pushed down. At this time, each unit 224, 225, 22
6 and the stacker 23, 23... Since the coil springs 234, 234... inserted between the two are expanded and contracted,
In order to resist this elastic restoring force, the communication rod 233 is connected to the first locking groove 23 formed in the elongated hole 232, 232...
5.235... is engaged and locked. Furthermore, since the protrusion 314.314 formed on the separation lever 312.312 of the first separation hand Vj, 31 comes into contact with the communication rod 233, the separation lever 312.312 rises and the separation claw 311. 311 also rises, so it does not engage with the plain paper to be placed. In this state, plain paper, which is the first type of sheet, is placed in the paper feed stacker 211. Gap forming member 321 which is second separation means 32 and spacer 3
3 is in the retracted position, and side plates 221 and 221 are on the same surface as the stacker 23 and regulate the width direction of the plain paper. At this time, adjust the side plate 221.2 according to the size of the paper.
As soon as it is necessary to move the stacker 23.2, operate the operating lever 351 and move the stacker 23.2.
3... moves to the paper feeding position where the plain paper is pressed against the paper feeding rollers 221, 221... (second state)
. That is, since the operating lever 351 is rotated toward the front, the communication rod 233 is inserted into the first locking grooves 235, 235, etc. in the elongated holes 232, 232, . The stackers 23, 23... rotate upward due to the elastic restoring force of the coil springs 234, 234... and press the plain paper against the paper feed rollers 221, 221... It is something. Further, the protrusion 314 formed on the separation lever 312 of the first separation means is released from contact with the communication rod 233, and due to the elastic restoring force of the spring 313, the separation claw 31
1 abuts against the gap forming member 321 which is on the same plane as the stacker 23 . And paper feed roller 212.21
2... rotates, the plain paper is separated one by one by the 1-separation claws 311, 311, and sent to the printing device.

The printed plain paper is delivered to paper ejection rollers 241, 241...
The paper is discharged to the paper discharge stacker 243.

The ejected plain paper is stacked on the loading tray 4, but the first
The step portion 4 formed between the step 46 and the second step 47
8 is a convex portion on the upper surface of the loading tray 4, so that plain paper can be held in a curved shape.

(2) When using a postcard, which is a second type of sheet. Next, a case where a postcard, which is a sheet with relatively strong layers, is used will be described. First, check the loading tray 4. That is, check whether the step 48 formed by the first step 46 and the second step 47 is a concave portion with respect to the upper surface of the loading tray 4.9 If it is a convex portion, - It is necessary to first remove the device tray 4 from the paper feeder main body 1, turn it over, and then attach it to the paper feeder main body 1 again. and,
When the operating lever 351 is rotated backward, the operating lever 3
A protrusion 355 formed on the rod member 351 pushes down the rod member 352. The rod member 352 is the gap forming member 321
Push down the drive lever 354.354 connected to. As a result, the gap forming member 321
It stands above the plane of 3. A gap member 322 formed on the gap forming member 321 is arranged to have the same height as the paper feed roller 212.

Furthermore, the communication rod 233 rotates in response to the rotation of the operating lever 351, and since the communication rod 233 slides inside the elongated holes 232, 232, etc., the stacker 23 is pushed down to the paper loading position. In order to resist the elastic restoring force of the coil springs 234, 234, etc. provided on the back surface of the stacker 23, the communicating rod 233 is inserted into the second locking groove formed in the elongated hole 232, 232,... 236, 236... are engaged and locked. and a protrusion 314.314 formed on the separation lever 312.312 of the first separation means 31.
is in contact with the communication rod 233, so the separation lever 312
．． 312 rises, and the separating claws 311 and 311 also rise, so they do not engage with the postcards to be placed. That is, the gap forming member 321 on the stacker 23 is connected to the separating claws 311 .
311 and the side plates 221, 221, and the separation claw 3
11.311 and the postcard are in a non-consolidated state. Further, one end of the spacer member 33 rotatably fixed to the gap forming member 321 comes into contact with a projection member 237 formed on the upright member 231, and the spacer member 33 is raised from above the stacker 23. Once the above operations are completed, the third
The state will be as follows. I set the postcard in this third state, but
What regulates the width direction of the postcard is not the side plates 221, 221, but the gap forming members 321, 321 and the spacer members 33, 33. Note that it is necessary to adjust each unit 224, 225, 226 according to the size of the postcard.

When the setting of postcards is completed, the operation lever 351 is operated to enter the second state for plain paper.

Stacker 23, 23, 23 feed rollers 221, 22
1... moves to the paper feeding position where the postcard is pressed. Then, when the paper feed rollers 212, 212, . . . rotate, the postcards are separated one by one by the gap members 322, 322. Other operations are similar to the second state for plain paper. Note that the ejected postcards are stacked on the loading tray 4, but the stepped portion 48 formed between the first step 46 and the second step 47 is a recessed portion with respect to the upper surface of the loading tray 4. Therefore, the curls that occur on the entire postcard can be absorbed by the stepped portion 48, and furthermore, the stopper 482 formed on the stepped portion 48 can prevent the postcard from rising up. In other words, the topmost postcard among the ejected postcards is pushed up by the postcard being ejected.

There was a problem in that the raised postcard did not fall straight down in the vertical direction, but moved laterally relative to its original position. This stopper 482 is particularly effective for stiff paper.

In this embodiment configured as described above, the first
Since the step 46 and the second step 47 are formed and configured to be able to be turned over, the ejected plain paper can be held in a curved shape, and N bending of the paper can be prevented. There is an effect that can be done.

For postcards, etc., the stepped portion 48 absorbs the curls of the postcard,
This has the effect of increasing the number of sheets that can be stacked. In addition, the - sheet tray 4 can accommodate both plain paper and postcards. Furthermore, if a stopper 482 is formed on the stepped portion 48, it is possible to prevent the postcards from rising up and to stack the sheets in the discharge stacker 243 in an orderly manner.

Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that the first separation means 31 and the second separation means 32 can be switched relatively easily by the paper feed switching means 35.

Furthermore, by attaching the spacer member 33, there is an effect that the rear end of the postcard can be restricted.

``Effects'' The present invention configured as described above has a paper feeding rotary body that feeds paper in the transportation direction, a paper feeding position where a loaded paper is pressed against the paper feeding rotary body, and a paper feeding position where the loaded paper is separated from the loaded paper. A stacker movable between a loading position and a first and second stacker for switching the stacker between the paper feeding position and the paper loading position.
a first separating member consisting of a pair of left and right separation claws for engaging with the leading edge of the paper fed out by the paper feeding rotor, and a leading edge of the paper. and a second separation member having a gap member that engages with the gap member to allow passage of one sheet of paper, and this second separation member separates the pair of left and right separation claws from the side edges of the paper on the stacker. In the paper feeding device, the operating member is configured to be movable between an operating position in which the separation claw and the paper are disengaged, and an inoperable position in which the paper is retracted from above the stacker. 1. It is configured to be movable between a third position in addition to the second position, and in the third position, the second separating member is moved from the inoperative position to the operating position, and the stacker is loaded with paper. Since the operating member is connected to the second separating member and the stacker in order to hold it in position, there is an effect that the separating means can be switched to the tube by operating the operating member. That is, by operating the operating member, the sheets placed on the stacker are
The sheet can be separated using the separation claw that is the first separation member, and if the operating member is set to the position where the second separation means is selected, the sheet can be disengaged from the separation claw with just this operation. The sheets can be separated by a gap member. Therefore, the separation means can be easily switched simply by setting the operating member, so it is possible to easily select the most suitable separation means depending on the stiffness of the sheet and the thickness of the paper. It has the effect of being able to Furthermore, there is no need for a separately formed gap forming unit, etc.
It is easy to operate, there is no need to worry about losing the unit, and even young people and beginners can store and handle it with ease.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a view of the paper feeder according to the present embodiment in the direction of arrows, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the paper feeder, and FIG. The figure is a sectional view showing the paper loading state (first state) of the paper feeding device, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the paper feeding state (second state) of the paper feeding device, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the paper feeding state (second state) of the paper feeding device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which postcards, etc. are loaded (third state), and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the loading tray is attached to the cover integrally attached to the main body of the paper feeder. L...Paper feeding device body 212...Paper feeding roller 23...Stacker 311...Separation claw 321...Gap forming member 351...Operation lever 33...Spacer member Patent applicant Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Japan Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Company diagram 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A paper feed rotor that feeds paper in the feeding direction, and a stacker that is movable between a paper feed position where the loaded paper is pressed against the paper feed rotor and a paper loading position where the loaded paper is separated. an operating member configured to be movable between a first position and a second position in order to switch the stacker between a paper feeding position and a paper loading position; and a leading end portion of the paper fed out by the paper feeding rotary body. The first separating member includes a pair of left and right separation claws for engagement, and a second separating member has a gap member that engages with the leading edge of the paper to allow passage of one sheet of paper. The second separating member is located on the stacker in an operating position in which it is interposed between the pair of left and right separating claws and the paper side edge and disengages the separating claws from the paper, and in an inactive position in which the separating member is retracted from above the stacker. In the sheet feeding device configured to be movable between the first and second positions, the operating member is configured to be movable between the first and second positions as well as a third position;
In the position, the operating member is coupled to the second separating member and the stacker to move the second separating member from the inactive position to the activated position and to maintain the stacker in the sheet loading position. A paper feeding device characterized by: