JPH0158094B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a copy paper supply device for copy paper, more specifically, it is provided with at least two copy paper loading sections, and when carrying out a copying process, the copy paper loading section is selected as appropriate. The present invention relates to a copy paper feeding device for a copying machine in which copy paper is fed from a machine.

Recently, a copy paper supply device in a copying machine is equipped with at least two copy paper loading sections, and when performing a copying process, the size (or color) loaded in each of the at least two copy paper loading sections is ,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Copy paper supply devices that are configured to feed copy paper appropriately selected from at least two types of copy paper having mutually different materials (materials, etc.) are widely used in practice.

An example of a copy paper supply device in such a copying machine is disclosed in the specification and drawings of Utility Model Registration Application No. 32265 (name of invention: copy paper supply device) filed in 1982 by the present applicant. An example of this is a copy paper feeding device.

In the copy paper feeding device disclosed in the above-mentioned earlier application, Utility Model Registration Application No. 32265 of 1982, two
First and second copy paper introduction paths are provided for each of the first and second copy paper loading sections, respectively, and the first and second copy paper introduction paths are arranged for each of the first and second copy paper loading sections. At the confluence of the paths, there is a first pair of conveyor rollers, and a second pair of conveyor rollers
A second pair of transport rollers is provided in each of the copy paper introduction paths. Furthermore, the first and second copy paper loading sections are provided with first and second copy paper feeding mechanisms, respectively, and the first and second copy paper introduction paths are provided with respective first and second copy paper feeding mechanisms. First and second detectors are provided which are actuated by the copy paper.

Thus, the copy paper loaded in the first copy paper loading section is transferred to the first copy paper by the operation of the first copy paper feeding mechanism.
When the first detector detects the fed copy paper, the feeding is stopped, and after that, the first copy paper begins to operate. Copy paper is fed to a common copy paper transport path. On the other hand, the copy paper loaded in the second copy paper loading section is fed to the second pair of conveying rollers by the operation of the second copy paper feeding mechanism, and the second detector detects the feed. The feeding of the copy paper is stopped by detecting the copy paper, and then, by starting the operation of the first pair of conveyance rollers and the second pair of conveyance rollers, the copy paper is passed through the first pair of conveyance rollers and common. The paper is supplied to the copy paper transport path.

However, the above 1981 utility model registration application
32265, a first copy paper introduction path for guiding copy paper from a first copy paper loading section and a second copy paper loading section for guiding copy paper from a first copy paper loading section. In the second copy paper introduction path,
First and second detectors must be provided to detect the copy paper and temporarily stop its feeding, which requires two detectors, which increases the number of parts and makes control difficult. There was an inconvenience that it became complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its purpose is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks found in conventional copy paper supply devices, and to reduce the number of parts (detectors, etc.) compared to conventional copy paper supply devices. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved copy paper feeding device which reduces the amount of noise and is easy to control.

According to the present invention, there is provided a first copy paper loading section, a second copy paper loading section disposed above the first copy paper loading section, and a second copy paper loading section provided in the first copy paper loading section. a first copy paper supply mechanism, a second copy paper feeding mechanism provided in the second copy paper loading section, and a first copy paper introduction path extending from the first copy paper loading section;
a second copy paper introduction path extending from the second copy paper loading section; introducing copy paper into the first copy paper introduction path; and introducing the second copy paper introduction path. a first sensing arm projecting into the first copy paper introduction path and a common detection means for detecting the introduction of copy paper into the second copy paper introduction path; It consists of a sensing mechanism including a second sensing arm protruding inward, and a switch element cooperating with the sensing mechanism, and the switch element is configured to detect when the copy paper introduced into the first copy paper introduction path is detected. A copy paper feeding device is provided, characterized in that the copy paper feeding device is switched when acting on one sensing arm or when copy paper introduced into the second copy paper introduction path acts on the second sensing arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a specific example of a copy paper feeding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated copy paper supply device includes two copy paper loading sections, namely, a first copy paper loading section 2a and a copy paper loading section disposed above the first copy paper loading section 2a. A second copy paper loading section 2b is provided. The first copy paper loading section 2a and the second copy paper loading section 2b have cassette mounting plates 6a and 6 accommodated in the cassette containers 4a and 4b, respectively.
Sheet copy papers 8a and 8 stacked on the top surface of b.
b is removably loaded. The copy paper 8a and the copy paper 8b may be different in size (or color, material, etc.). Cassette containers 4a and 4b
A pair of separation claws 10a and 10b (only one of the pair of separation claws 10a and 10b is shown in the drawing) is provided at both corners of the upper end of each front edge. Furthermore, the bottom walls of each of the cassette containers 4a and 4b and the cassette mounting plates 6a and 6
A pair of spring members 7a and 7b (only one of the pair of spring members 7a and 7b is shown in the drawing) is interposed between the spring members 7a and 7b, and the elastic biasing action of the spring members 7a and 7b As a result, the uppermost copy sheet of the stacked copy sheets 8a and 8b is brought into contact with a feeding roller (described later), and both leading edge corners of the sheet are engaged with separating claws 10a and 10b. It is being

A first copy paper feeding mechanism 12a and a second copy paper feeding mechanism 12b are provided in the first copy paper loading section 2a and the second copy paper loading section 2b, respectively.
The first copy paper feeding mechanism 12a is composed of a rotatably mounted shaft 14a and a feeding roller 16a mounted on the shaft 14a, and the second copy paper feeding mechanism 12b is composed of a rotatably mounted shaft 14a and a feeding roller 16a mounted on the shaft 14a. shaft 14 attached to
a and the feed roller 16b attached to this shaft 14b.
and a pair of feeding rollers 18. The feeding roller pair 18 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 14.
A driven feed roller 22 is mounted on a shaft 20 that is rotated in synchronization with b, and a driven feed roller 2 is mounted on a rotatably mounted shaft 24.
It consists of 6. This feeding roller pair 18
is provided because the distance from the second copy paper loading section 2b to the pair of transport rollers (described later) is long.

The copy paper supply device further includes a first copy paper introduction path 28a extending from the first copy paper loading section 2a, and a second copy paper introduction path 28b extending from the second copy paper loading section 2b. ing. The first copy paper introduction path 28a is defined by a pair of guide plates 30 and 32, and the second copy paper introduction path 28b is defined by a pair of guide plates 34 and 36 and 38 and 40. . As can be easily understood from Figure 1,
The first copy paper introduction path 28a and the second copy paper introduction path 28b merge with each other, and from the merging point a common copy paper transport path 42 (in FIG. 1, a pair of guide plates 44 and 46) (only the upstream portion thereof is shown) extends.

A pair of conveyance rollers 48 is provided at the confluence of the first copy paper introduction path 28a and the second copy paper introduction path 28b. The transport roller pair 48 includes a driven roller 52 mounted on a rotatably mounted shaft 50 and a driven roller 56 mounted on a rotatably mounted shaft 54.

The copy paper supply device as described above further includes a method for introducing copy paper into the first copy paper introduction path 28a and a second copy paper introduction path 28a.
A detection means 58 is provided for detecting introduction of copy paper into the copy paper introduction path 28b. This detection means 58, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4,
It is composed of a sensing mechanism 60 and a switch element 62.

The sensing mechanism 60 includes a rod 66 that is rotatably mounted between a pair of side plates 64 (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) of the copying machine and has one end extending downward, a first sensing arm 70a, and It consists of a sensing member 68 having a second sensing arm 70b, and a magnet mounting member 72 rotatably mounted on one end of the rod 66 extending downward.
As shown in FIG.
copy paper introduction path 28a and second copy paper introduction path 28
b, and a sensing member 68 is disposed on this rod.
is fixed. This sensing member 68 usually
The weight of the magnet mounting member 72 and the magnet (described later) causes it to be positioned at a neutral non-sensing position (the position shown in FIG. 1), and at this time, the first sensing arm 70
a extends downward and projects into the first copy paper introduction path 28a, and the second sensing arm 70b extends upward and projects into the second copy paper introduction path between the feed roller pair 18 and the transport roller pair 48. It protrudes into 28b. A permanent magnet 74 is fixed to the lower end of the magnet mounting member 72.

On the other hand, the switch element 62 is composed of a Hall element 76, and the magnet 74 is attached to the bottom plate of the main body of the copying machine, for example.
is placed opposite to. This Hall element 76
As shown in Fig. 4, this is a type (trade name PS-3903 of Nippon Aleph Co., Ltd.) that has magnet sensitive areas 78 in three locations, one in the center and one on both sides. A magnetic shielding member 80 made of a magnetic material such as iron is disposed on the surface of the central portion of the element 76 to make the central magnet-sensitive region a magnet-insensitive region, and to form magnet-sensitive regions only on both sides. . When the sensing mechanism 60 is in the neutral non-sensing position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3), the magnet 74 of the magnet mounting member 72 is placed above the magnetic shielding member 80 disposed on the surface of the Hall element 76. They are located opposite each other.

Next, the effects of the copy paper supply device as described above will be explained.

First, a case will be described in which the operator selects the copy paper 8a loaded in the first copy paper loading section 2a by operating a copy paper selection switch (not shown).

For example, when a copying process start switch (not shown) is closed, the shaft 14a and the feeding roller 16a attached to the shaft 14a are rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, and the first copy paper feeding mechanism 12a is rotated. Operation begins. In this way, the feeding action of the feeding roller 16a rotating in the direction of the arrow and the pair of separating claws 10
In cooperation with the separating action of a, the uppermost copy paper of the stacked copy papers 8a is separated from the other copy papers and fed to the first copy paper introduction path 28a.

The copy paper fed to the first copy paper introduction path 28a is transported by a pair of conveying rollers 48 whose leading edge is in an inactive state.
By this, the orientation of the copy paper is corrected so that, if the leading edge of the copy paper is not exactly perpendicular to the direction of copy paper movement, it is sufficiently perpendicular to the direction of movement of the copy paper. Further, when the leading edge of the copy paper comes into contact with the nip portion of the pair of transport rollers 48 in the inactive state, the movement of the leading edge of the copy paper is prevented, thereby causing the copy paper to move as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It is curved upward as shown.

When the first sensing arm of the sensing member 68 is skimmed, the copy paper curved upward acts on the first sensing arm of the sensing member 68, and the action of the copy paper causes the sensing member 68 to move to the neutral non-sensing position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, it is rotated counterclockwise around the rod 66 to move to the first sensing position.
As a result, the permanent magnet 74 of the magnet mounting member 72 suspended from one end of the rod 66 is
The magnet is moved rightward in FIG. 3 from the position of the magnet-insensitive area above the central magnetic shielding member 80 shown by the solid line in FIG. It is located at one position (on the right side in FIG. 3) within the sensitive area 78. Thus, the sensing mechanism 60 is moved from a neutral non-sensing position to a first sensing position in which the Hall element 76 can detect the magnetic field of the magnet 74, activating the switch element 62, and receiving the signal from the switch element 62. Based on this, the operation of the first copy paper feeding mechanism 12a is stopped.

After that, for example, when an optical system (not shown) that reciprocates to expose an original image or an original table (not shown) moves to a predetermined position, the shaft 50 of the pair of transport rollers 48 and this shaft 50 are moved. The mounted driven roller 52 is rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow, and the transport roller pair 48 starts to operate. The movement of the copy paper is resumed and the first copy paper introduction path 2
When the upward bending of the copy paper in 8a is eliminated, the weight of the magnet mounting member 72 and the magnet 74 causes the sensing member 68 to move from the first sensing position to the rod 66 in FIG. It is pivoted clockwise to the neutral non-sensing position shown in solid line in FIG. As a result, the permanent magnet 74 is moved to the left in FIG. 3 from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 74A in FIG. and is positioned in a magnet-insensitive area on the magnetic shielding member 80 shown by the solid line in FIG. The sensing mechanism 60 is thus moved from the first sensing position to the neutral non-sensing position.

When the movement of the copy paper is resumed, the copy paper is moved through the first copy paper introduction path 28a by the pair of transport rollers 48, and is carried into the copy paper transport path 42,
Further, the copy paper transport path 4 is moved in synchronization with the exposure or transfer process of the original image as required by a suitable transport means (not shown) such as a pair of transport rollers.
2. I am forced to move inside.

Next, a case will be described in which the copy paper 8b loaded in the second copy paper loading section 2b is selected.

For example, when a copy process start switch (not shown) is closed, the shaft 14b, the feed roller 16b attached to this shaft 14b, and the shaft 14b
The shaft 20 that rotates in synchronization with the copy paper feeding mechanism 12b and the driven feeding roller 22 attached to the shaft 20 are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows, and the operation of the second copy paper feeding mechanism 12b is started. . In this way, by the cooperation of the feeding action of the feeding roller 16b rotating in the direction of the arrow and the separating action of the pair of separating claws 10b, the uppermost copy paper of the stacked copy papers 8b is separated from the other copies. A second copy paper introduction path 28b separated from the paper
will be sent to

The copy paper fed to the second copy paper introducing path 28b is transported by a pair of conveying rollers 48 whose leading edge is in an inactive state.
By this, the orientation of the copy paper is corrected so that, if the leading edge of the copy paper is not exactly perpendicular to the direction of copy paper movement, it is sufficiently perpendicular to the direction of movement of the copy paper. Further, when the leading edge of the copy paper comes into contact with the nip portion of the pair of transport rollers 48 which is in an inactive state, the movement of the copy paper is blocked, and as a result, the copy paper is moved as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It is curved downward between the feeding roller 18 and the pair of conveying rollers 48 .

As a result, the copy paper bent downward acts on the second sensing arm 70b of the sensing member 68, and the action of the copy paper moves the sensing member 68 from the neutral non-sensing position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, it is pivoted clockwise about the rod 66 to move to the second sensing position. As a result, the permanent magnet 74 of the magnet mounting member 72 suspended from one end of the rod 66 is
It is moved leftward in FIG. 3 from the position of the magnet-insensitive area above the central magnetic shielding member 80 shown by the solid line in the figure, and is shown by the two-dot chain line 74 in FIG.
It is located at the position indicated by B, that is, the other position within the magnet sensitive area 78 (on the left side in FIG. 3).
Thus, the sensing mechanism 60 is moved from a neutral non-sensing position to a second sensing position in which the Hall element 76 can detect the magnetic field of the magnet 74, activating the switch element 62, and receiving the signal from the switch element 62. Based on the second copy paper feeding mechanism 12
b is stopped.

After that, for example, when an optical system (not shown) that moves back and forth to expose an original image or an original table (not shown) moves to a predetermined position, the shaft 50 of the pair of transport rollers 48 and this shaft 50 are moved. The mounted driven roller 52 is rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow, and the transport roller pair 48 starts to operate. The movement of the copy paper is resumed, and the second copy paper transport path 2
When the downward curvature of the copy paper between the feeding roller pair 18 and the conveying roller pair 48 of 8b is eliminated, the sensing member 68 moves to the second sensing position due to the weight of the magnet mounting member 72 and the magnet 74. From this position, it is pivoted counterclockwise about the rod 66 in FIG. 1 to the neutral non-sensing position shown in solid lines in FIG. And with this, permanent magnet 7
4 is at the position shown by the two-dot chain line 74B in FIG. 3, that is, the other side of the magnet sensitive area 78 (left side in FIG. 3).
It is moved to the right side in FIG. 3 from the position shown in FIG. 3, and is positioned in a magnet-insensitive area on the magnetic shielding member 80 shown by a solid line in FIG. Thus, the sensing mechanism 60 is moved from the second sensing position to the neutral non-sensing position.

When the movement of the copy paper is resumed, the copy paper is moved through the second copy paper introduction path 28b by the pair of transport rollers 48, and is carried into the copy paper transport path 42,
Furthermore, the copy paper transport path 42 is moved in synchronization with the exposure or transfer process of the original image as required by a suitable transport means (not shown) such as a pair of transport rollers.
I am forced to move inside.

In the above-described specific example, the sensing mechanism is positioned at the neutral non-sensing position by the weight of the magnet mounting member and the magnet, but if desired, a spring may be installed between the copying machine body and the magnet or the magnet mounting member. It is also possible to interpose a member and forcibly position the sensing mechanism in the neutral non-sensing position by the elastic force of the spring member.

Furthermore, although the above-mentioned specific example describes the case where sheet-like copy paper is used as the copy paper, it is also possible to use roll-like copy paper instead of sheet-like copy paper, and in this case, roll-like copy paper can be used instead of sheet-like copy paper. A cutting device that is attached to the rotatable copy paper main body and cuts the rolled copy paper to a required length may be provided in the copy paper introduction path.

As detailed above, in the copy paper supply device according to the present invention, the copy paper introduced into the first copy paper introduction path is transferred to the first sensing arm, or the copy paper introduced into the second copy paper introduction path is is configured such that the switch element is switched by acting on the second sensing arm, so that the first copy paper introduction path and the second copy paper introduction path are switched by a single switch element. Copy paper introduced through the path can be detected, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the copy paper supply device and to simplify its control.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a specific example of a copy paper supply device constructed according to the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the sensing mechanism of the copy paper supply device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the sensing mechanism shown in FIG. 2. Figure 4 shows the second
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristics of the magnet sensitive region of the Hall element used in the sensing mechanism shown in the figure. 2a...first copy paper loading section, 2b...second copy paper loading section, 12a...first copy paper feeding mechanism, 12b...second copy paper feeding mechanism, 28a...
...first copy paper introduction path, 28b...second copy paper introduction path, 42...copy paper conveyance path, 48...conveyance roller pair, 58...detection means, 60...sensing mechanism,
62... Switch element, 68... Sensing member, 74
...Permanent magnet, 76...Hall element.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A first copy paper loading section 2a, a second copy paper loading section 2b disposed above the first copy paper loading section 2a, and the first copy paper loading section. 2a, and a second copy paper feeding mechanism 1 provided in the second copy paper loading section 2b.
2b, a first copy paper introduction path 28a extending from the first copy paper loading section 2a, and a second copy paper introduction path 28b extending from the second copy paper loading section 2b. The apparatus includes a common detection means 58 for detecting the introduction of copy paper into the first copy paper introduction path 28a and the introduction of copy paper into the second copy paper introduction path 28b,
The detection means 58 is connected to the first copy paper introducing path 28a.
a first sensing arm 70a projecting into the second sensing arm 70a;
a sensing mechanism 60 including a second sensing arm 70b protruding into the copy paper introduction path 28b;
0 and a switch element 62 that cooperates with the
The switch element 62 is connected to the first copy paper introduction path 28.
The copy paper introduced into the first sensing arm 70
a or the second copy paper introduction path 28b
The copy paper introduced into the second sensing arm 70b
A copy paper supply device characterized in that it is switched when acting on the copy paper supply device. 2 When the sensing mechanism 60 is in the neutral non-sensing position, the first sensing arm 70a projects into the first copy paper introduction path 28a, and the second sensing arm 70b projects into the second copy paper introduction path 28a. When copy paper protruding into the passage 28b and introduced into the first copy paper introduction passage 28a acts on the first sensing arm 70a, the sensing mechanism 60 moves from the neutral non-sensing position to the first sensing position. and the second copy paper introduction path 2
8b, the copy paper introduced into the second sensing arm 7
0b causes the sensing mechanism 60 to move from the neutral non-sensing position to the second sensing position, and the switch element 62 causes the sensing mechanism 60 to move from the neutral non-sensing position to the first sensing position and the second sensing position. 2. The copy paper supply device according to claim 1, wherein the copy paper supply device is switched when the copy paper supply device is moved to one of the two sensing positions. 3. The switch element 62 is composed of a Hall element 76 having a magnet-insensitive region in the center and magnet-sensitive regions 78 on each side, and the sensing mechanism 6
0 has a magnet 74 disposed opposite to the Hall element 76, and when the sensing mechanism 60 is in the neutral non-sensing position, the magnet 74 is located in the magnet non-sensing region, and the sensing mechanism 60 When the magnet 74 is moved to the first sensing position, the magnet 74 is moved to the first sensing position.
and when the sensing mechanism 60 is moved to the second sensing position, the magnet 74 is located at the other side of the magnet sensitive area 78.
Copy paper supply device described in Section 1. 4. The switch element 62 originally has a magnetic shielding member 80 on the surface of the central part of the Hall element 76, which has magnet sensitive areas 78 in three places, the central part and both sides. 4. A copy paper supply device according to claim 3, wherein the copy paper supply device is formed by forming a sensitive area. 5. The copy paper feeding device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the magnet 74 is a permanent magnet. 6 The sensing mechanism 60 is connected to the first copy paper introduction path 28.
a and the second copy paper introduction path 28b, and a sensing member 68 fixed to the rod 66.
The first sensing arm 70a extends downward and projects into the first copy paper introduction path 28a, and the second sensing arm extends upward and projects into the second copy paper introduction path 28b. 70b is formed. The copy paper supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. 7. The copy paper feeding device according to claim 6, wherein said magnet 74 is suspended from one end of said rod.