JPH03102024A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the installation space for an automatic paper sheet feeder and easily form a straight line shaped transport passage in addition to a U shaped transport passage by constituting so that an automatic paper sheet feeder for feeding recording sheets is attached to the bottom surface of a recording device in an upright condition to automatically feed the paper sheets through the recording sheet feeding passage of approximately straight line shape. CONSTITUTION:A lateral type recording device 10 is provided on its top side with a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port to form an approximately U shaped recording sheet transport passage, and with an approximately straight line shaped recording sheet transport passage extending from another sheet insertion port 28 formed a the bottom via a recording section to the sheet discharge port. An automatic paper sheet feeder 30 is attached to the bottom of the recording device 10 in an upright condition so that paper sheets are automatically fed through the approximately straight line shaped recording sheet transport passage. Here, a hand feed sheet passage 31 connected to the approximately straight line shaped recording sheet line is formed in the automatic paper sheet feeder 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus to which an automatic paper feeder can be detachably attached. [Prior Art] Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles print dots on a recording sheet such as paper or a thin plastic plate by driving an energy generator in a recording head based on transferred image information. It is being used to record images from patterns. The above recording device is an inkjet type,
It can be divided into wire dot type, thermal type, laser beam type, etc.

In addition to plain paper, recording sheets used in recording devices include thick paper such as postcards and envelopes, and special sheets such as thin plastic plates. In addition to manually inserting recording sheets one by one, recording sheets are fed automatically and continuously using an automatic paper feeder. The automatic paper feeding device includes an internal type that is built into the recording device, and an external type that is detachably attached to the recording device. Related to. Recording devices are generally of the horizontal type, with a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port provided on the top surface of the recording device. It is configured to record.

[Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, when an automatic paper feeder is installed in a horizontal type recording device as described above, the conventional method is to automatically feed paper from the sheet insertion slot of the recording device. As the automatic paper feeder was positioned and mounted on the top of the recording device, a considerable amount of space and height was required to install it, posing a problem in space efficiency. Furthermore, even if the device is not used for a long period of time, it is stored in the same condition as when it is used, which poses a problem in terms of space efficiency during storage.

Furthermore, the recording sheet conveyance path was U-shaped, making it virtually impossible to navigate the straight conveyance path, so when using stiff recording sheets such as postcards, smooth sheet feeding was difficult. There was also the problem of not being able to do it.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional technical problems, and it is possible to reduce the installation space when installing an automatic paper feeder, and moreover, it is possible to reduce the installation space when installing an automatic paper feeder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device that can easily control a conveyance path and can smoothly convey even thick sheets such as postcards.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a horizontal type recording device that is provided with a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port on the top surface and forms a substantially U-shaped recording sheet feeding path a, and records data from another sheet insertion port formed on the bottom surface. By providing a substantially linear recording sheet conveying path that passes through the section and leading to the sheet discharge port, and by mounting an automatic paper feeding device for supplying recording sheets on the bottom surface with the recording apparatus upright, the approximately straight line By automatically feeding paper through a U-shaped recording sheet conveyance path, it is possible to reduce the installation space when installing an automatic paper feeder. It can be easily configured and
To provide a recording device that can not only pass paper but also smoothly convey thick sheets such as postcards.

The invention according to claim 2 further provides a sheet path for manual feeding connected to the substantially linear recording sheet transport path in the automatic sheet feeding device, so that recording can be performed even when the automatic sheet feeding device is installed. A recording device capable of manually feeding sheets is provided.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in use of a horizontal type recording device (recording device main body) 10 suitable for carrying out the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the inside of the recording device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration.

3 and 4, a recording device (for example, a recording device that uses a bubble jet recording method and forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid) 10 A sheet insertion port 1l and a sheet discharge port l2 are formed on the top surface, and the recording sheet 13 inserted from the sheet insertion port l1 is brought into close contact with the circumferential surface of the platen roller 14, which also serves as a sheet feed roller, forming a substantially U-shaped sheet. The recording sheet is conveyed in the direction of the arrow along the conveyance path formed in the (FIG. I and FIG. 2), and is recorded while passing through the recording section facing the recording head l5.
is discharged upwards.

Here, the paper feed tray 16 is pivotally attached to the top surface of the recording device 10 so that it can be opened and closed, and when in use (during recording), it opens and functions as a feed tray, but when not in use (when storing, etc.). ) is set in the closed position as shown in FIG.
It functions as a cover 16 that covers and protects the top surface of the recording device 10 on which the display 18 and the like are disposed.

In FIG. 4, the recording head l5 is connected to the platen roller 1.
It is mounted on a carriage 22 that reciprocates along guide shafts 21 and 2l parallel to the 4. Note that the illustrated recording head 15 is an inkjet head, and is integrated with an ink tank.

A recording sheet 13 is placed on the upstream side of the recording head 15 in the conveyance direction.
A sheet pressing plate 23 is arranged to press the sheet against the platen roller 14. This sheet presser 23 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the platen roller 14 by a leaf spring 24.

Further, the pressing force of the sheet pressing plate 23 can be released by operating a lever 25 supported by the shaft of the platen roller 14. Furthermore, a recording sheet}13 is located at the position of the sheet discharge port I2.
A spur 26 and rollers 27 are provided to assist in discharging the liquid.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the recording device (main body) 10 (which becomes the back surface in the upright position, which will be described later). Recording device 10
A second sheet insertion opening 28 is formed in the bottom surface of the holder, and a substantially linear second sheet leading from the insertion opening 28 to the sheet discharge opening 12 passes through the recording section between the recording head 15 and the platen roller l4. The recording sheet conveyance path is configured to extend substantially in the vertical direction.

As will be described later, this second recording sheet conveyance path can be used when the recording apparatus 10 is upright (FIGS. 1 and 2), and since it is not curved, it can be used for carrying postcards, envelopes, etc. This has the advantage that even stiff recording sheets such as thick sheets or special sheets such as plastic sheets can be easily fed.

The above-mentioned recording device IO can be used even in an upright position, and in the upright position, the automatic paper feeder can be detachably attached, and paper can be automatically fed from the sheet insertion slot on the back (when it is upright). You can also do it.

1 and 2 are vertical cross-sectional views of the automatic paper feeder 30 attached to the back of the recording device 10 in an upright position. The figures each show the storage state.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, when the recording apparatus 10 is in an upright position, a substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, that is, a second sheet insertion path, passes through the recording section (between the recording head l5 and the platen roller 14). A conveyance path from the opening 28 to the sheet discharge port 12 is formed.

Therefore, the automatic paper feeder 30 has a population (sheet insertion slot) 2.
8 to feed the recording sheet 13 into this linear conveyance path, and
It is removably attached to the opening surface of the

The automatic sheet feeding device 30 also includes, in addition to an automatic sheet feeding mechanism to be described later, a linear sheet path 3l for supplying recording sheets that is connected approximately linearly to the approximately linear recording sheet transport path. is provided.

This sheet passage 3l is an insertion guide passage for manually feeding recording sheets, and is closed when automatic sheet feeding is possible, as shown by the solid line in FIG. When the recording sheet is set as shown in , and automatic paper feeding is not possible, it is opened and placed in a position that allows manual insertion. The automatic paper feeder 30 includes a paper feed drive section 40 that is fixedly coupled to the recording device 10, and a paper feed drive section 40 that is rotatably attached to the paper feed drive section 40 between a substantially perpendicular state and an inclined state. It is composed of a paper cassette section 50.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the automatic paper feeder 130 in the state shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the side connected to the recording apparatus 10. The paper feed cassette unit 50 is a part that stacks the recording sheets 13 in a positioned state, and the paper feed drive unit 40 feeds out the stacked recording sheets 13 one by one to the recording device 10. This is the part that does this. In Figures 1, 2 and 6,
The paper feed cassette section 50 is mounted on a frame at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive section 40 so as to be rotatable (openable/closed) about a fulcrum 51 .

The position of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50 (
In the upper half), there are a feeding roller 4l and a feeding auxiliary roller 4.
2 is installed. A foldable feeding tray 52 is provided in the paper feeding cassette section 50.
When in use, it can be pulled out to form a tray as shown in FIG. 1, and when stored, it can be folded into the cassette section 50 as shown in FIG. 2.

A part of the lower part of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 is supported by a movable member 44 that can freely rotate (open and close) around a fulcrum 43.
In use, the movable member 44 is opened as shown in FIG. 1 to form legs. Further, the movable member 44 is closed as shown in FIG. 2 when stored.

An opening 32 is formed in the wall surface of the movable member 44 facing the recording device 10 that controls the opening/closing legs. On the other hand, at the bottom of the back of the recording device 10, there is provided a changeover switch 19 such as an AC/DC changeover switch that is operated from the back (bottom when placed horizontally). The opening 32 is formed at a position corresponding to the switches 19, and can be operated from the opening 32 even when the automatic paper feeder 30 is installed.

Therefore, in state B (FIG. 2) where the movable member (opening/closing leg) 44 is closed, the user cannot operate the switching switch l9 because the leg is closed.
In the opened state (FIG. 1), openings 47 are formed in the legs as shown, and the switching switch 19 can be operated.

Further, the movable member 44 is provided with a shelf portion which, when opened as shown in FIG. 1, constitutes a table 45 for supporting a sheet at the artificial part of the manual sheet passage 31.

The table formed by the shelf portion 45 is formed by using the movable member 44 and complements the substantially linear sheet path 31 that passes through the linear recording sheet feeding path a of the recording device 10. , so that the recording sheet 13 can be inserted easily and correctly.

Recording device 1 with automatic paper feeder 30 attached in an upright position
0 is the cover (paper output tray) as shown in FIG.
16, and then put the paper feed cassette part 50 in a vertical position and close the movable member (JB) 44 to enter the storage state.This storage-shaped bear has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape with a flat bottom. , it can be put together in a compact upright position with no overhanging parts.

On the other hand, in the usage state shown in FIG. Get into a stable position. As shown in the figure, the lower case of the paper feed drive unit 40 is configured to face a flat bottom surface inclined at a predetermined angle when the movable member 44 is opened. With the paper feed cassette section 50 closed (vertical), the recording sheet 13 is set inside it. After the printer is in a printable state in this way, if printing is to be performed using automatic paper feeding, the paper feeding cassette section 50 is opened (tilted) as shown by the solid line and the printing operation is started. On the other hand, when recording by manual feed, the paper feed cassette section 5
0 remains in the vertical (closed) state, and record sheet 1
3 is supplied to the recording device 10 through the table 45 and the sheet path 3l.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the movable member 44 is open and in use, the linear recording sheet conveyance path of the recording apparatus 10 and the sheet path 31 (including the table 45) of the automatic sheet feeding device 130 are , a predetermined angle β (5 degrees to 25 degrees) upward toward the sheet discharge direction IIJ! It's slanted. On the side of the exit (sheet discharge port) 12 of the recording sheet conveyance path of the recording apparatus 10, there is provided a discharge tray that is constructed by opening the cover 16.

This wandering tray 16 is connected to the sheet discharge port 1 as shown in the figure.
2 by a predetermined height h, and is attached so as to extend substantially horizontally.

According to this arrangement of the paper ejection tray 16, as shown in the figure, the recording sheet 13 can be ejected without contacting the recording sheet l3 on the stray paper tray l6. It is possible to eliminate the problem of ink stains caused by contact with unfixed recording ink in inkjet recording devices that perform recording by depositing liquid. Next, the coupling structure between the recording device IO and the automatic paper feeder 30 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the combined state of the recording device IO and the automatic paper feeder 30, and FIG. 8 shows the state in which the lock is released from the state shown in FIG.

First, on the back side of the recording device 10, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a drive gear 33 that rotates in synchronization with the platen roller I4 is supported. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, on the mounting surface side of the
A driven gear 48 capable of transmitting rotational force to the paper feed roller 41 is pivotally supported, and by meshing these gears 33 and 48 when coupled, the driving force of the feed roller 4l is transmitted to the automatic paper feed device side. Ru.

A frame member 35 that supports bearing parts such as the platen roller 14 and the sheet conveyance motor 34 is provided inside the recording apparatus 10, and the case portion is attached to the frame member 35.

A hook member 38 having a lever 36 and a tip hook 37 is attached to the automatic paper feeder 30 so as to be movable in the front and rear directions by a predetermined amount. is being energized.

On the other hand, an opening 53 through which the hook 37 enters through the opening of the case is formed at a position corresponding to the hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording device i1Z10, and the hook 37 engages with the peripheral edge of the opening 53. It looks like this. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, at the periphery of the opening 53,
A bead-shaped portion is formed so that the hook 37 can be smoothly engaged with the hook 37.

When the hook 37 in FIG. 7 is engaged, the tension spring 39
is extended (for example, 1 to 2 am), and the automatic paper feeder 30 is pressed and coupled to the recording device 10 by the spring force. By pinching and rotating the lever 36, the hook member 38 is unlocked as shown in FIG. 8, and the automatic paper feeder 30 can be removed from the recording apparatus 10. Pressure contact in this coupled state is carried out at a total of three contact surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a first contact surface 54 serving as a contact reference surface and second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 are formed on the automatic paper feeder 30 side. ing. The abutting reference surface 54 is provided near the driven gear 48 as shown.

The reference contact surface 57 that is the counterpart surface of this contact reference surface 54 is
It is formed in the frame member 35 having high strength and rigidity, and its position is selected near the meshing portion of the gears 33 and 48.

Further, the line of action of the hook member 38 that applies the pressure contact force of the joint portion is, as shown in the figure, the three contact surfaces 54, 55, 5.
The position was selected in consideration of position 6, where a stable bond can be obtained. Note that the second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 are
It can also be brought into direct contact with the back of the

Further, a positioning pin 5 is provided on the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeder 30.
8 and 59 are formed, and these bins 58 and 59 are inserted into positioning holes 61 and 62 formed on the back surface of the recording device 10.
The automatic paper feeder 30 is positioned with respect to the recording device 10 by fitting the paper feeder 30 to the recording device 10 .

Note that one of the positioning holes 6l and 62 is a long hole, as shown in FIG.

Further, the attachment surfaces of the automatic paper feeder 30 and the recording device W10 are provided with an auxiliary material that becomes connected (engaged) when a certain external force acts on the recording device main body 10 and the automatic paper feeder 30 and causes deflection. Hooks 63, 64 and auxiliary hook portion 65
, 66 (FIG. 5) are provided.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a paper feeding (tilted) state, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a recording sheet set (vertical) state.

9 and 10, a pressure plate 68 is attached to the paper feed cassette section 50 and is urged toward the paper feed roller 41 by a pressure plate spring 67.

Furthermore, sliders 71 and 72 are guided and supported in the paper feed cassette section 50 and can be arranged at intervals of 1 m in the width direction in accordance with the width of the recording sheet 13.

FIG. 11 shows the paper feed cassette section 5 showing the sliders 71 and 72.
FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway front view of the slider 71,
FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view of the paper feed cassette section 50 showing a pressure plate 68 in addition to 72; Each slider 71, 72 has side guides 7 that come into contact with both side edges of the stacked recording sheets 13.
3 and 74, as well as separation claws 77 and 78 having separation claws 75 and 76 for pressing both front end corners of the stacked S self-recording sheets 13 from above, so that the spacing can be adjusted together with the sliders 7l and 72. It has become. As shown in FIG. 9, the stacked recording sheets 13 are held between the pressure plate 68 and the separating claws 75, 76, and when feeding the sheets, the D-shaped paper feed roller 41 rotates and The top layer 13 is contacted and a feeding force is applied, and during one rotation, the top layer 1 is separated.
The paper is fed through the feeding auxiliary roller 42 to the cue position in the recording device IO. FIG. 13 is a mechanical diagram showing various retaining members that operate when the paper feed cassette section 50 is switched to the vertical sheet set state and the inclined paper feed state. First, in FIGS. 9 and 13, on both sides of the case of the paper feed drive section 40,
Stoppers 79, 79 are formed that abut against the lower part of the feeding cassette section 50 to hold the cassette section in an inclined position (paper feeding state). Furthermore, the sliders 71 and 72 on both sides are provided with sheet entry prevention means (sheet entry prevention levers) 81 and 81 for preventing the recording sheet 13 from being inserted (loaded) in the paper feeding state.

These levers 8 and 8I have pins 82 on sliders 71 and 72.
, 82, and as shown in FIG. 9, it rotates due to its own weight in the sheet feeding state, and its upper end contacts the upper surface of the stacking sheet 13 near the sheet population 83. .

Therefore, even if an attempt is made to insert the recording sheet 13, the leading end of the recording sheet 13 is blocked by the leading ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 81, 81, and cannot be inserted into the cassette.

On the other hand, when the paper feed cassette unit 50 is rotated to the vertical sheet set state, the lower ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 81 and 8l hit the case end face on the paper feed drive unit 40 side, as shown in FIG. , the levers 81, 81 are rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined amount around the bins 82, 82, and their upper ends are lifted to open the seat population 83 as shown.

Therefore, the recording sheet 13 can be inserted into the cassette through the sheet insert 83. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 are formed on both sides of the case of the paper feed drive section 40, and project toward the cassette section 50. When rotated into a substantially vertical sheet set shape, the pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 abut against ears 85, 85 (FIG. 12) formed on both sides of the pressure plate 68, and the pressure plate 68 is pushed down. ．． Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance between the feeding roller 4l and the pressure plate 68 is widened, an insertion space 86 for the recording sheet l3 is formed, and the recording sheet 13 can be set. In this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the separation claws 75 and 76 remain held at a position equal to or slightly overlapping with the paper feed roller 41 (in the retracted angle position), and the paper feed drive Paper feed roller 4 of case 40
A guide protrusion 87 is formed at the input side position of I so that the guide protrusion 87 has a height slightly protruding from the paper feed roller 4l toward the cassette side, so that the recording sheet l3 to be inserted is separated by the separation claws 75, 76 and the pressure Fi 68. You can definitely get cents between.

Note that the impact position when pressing down the pressure Fi 68 (the position of the pressure plate pushing members 84, 84) is a position that is wider by a distance #L on both sides than the maximum movement range of the separation claws 75, 76, and , is selected to be an area outside the recording sheet l3 having the maximum width to be used.

The paper feed cassette section 50 is set in the sheet set state (
vertical position).

As shown in FIG. 13, this locking mechanism includes a hook lever 89 protruding from the end of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40;
It consists of a retaining part 91 formed at the end of the paper feed cassette part 50, and is locked by being rotated to the sheet set state and hooked thereon. The locking mechanisms 89 and 91 are released by pressing the button 88 to elastically deform the hook lever 89 at its tip 92 (FIG. 13) and detaching it from the retaining portion 91.

Figure 14 shows the drive system of the paper feed roller 4 and the paper feed roller 4.
1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of l.

In FIG. 14, the rotation of the driven gear 4, which rotates in synchronization with the sheet feeding of the recording device 10, consists of a series of gear trains 93,
It is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 97 via 94, 95, and 96.

Here, a clutch 98 is provided between the gear 96 and the feeding roller shaft 97.

As the clutch 98, for example, one having a structure that operates as follows is used. That is, in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet conveying roller (platen roller) 14 in the reverse printing direction by a predetermined amount based on the paper feed signal, the spring clutch means is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby releasing the hook from the hook in the printing direction. , the clutch 98 is switched from off to on.

By rotating the paper feed roller (D-shaped roller) 41 in conjunction with rotation of the platen roller 14 by a predetermined amount in the printing direction in the state of crassotion, only one recording sheet 13 is separated.
Next, the paper is fed to a position beyond the sheet pull-in portion of the platen roller 14, and from there, the platen roller 14 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the reverse printing direction.
With the rotation of the recording sheet 13 stopped, the leading edge of the recording sheet 13 is retracted to the position where it has come out of the sheet pull-in section, and then the recording sheet 13 is moved by rotating the platen roller l4 and the paper feed roller 41 in the printing direction. At the same time, the paper feeding roller 4l is stopped with a gap between it and the recording sheet 13 during the rotation, and at the same time, the paper feed roller 4l is turned off and the platen is turned off. The interlock between the roller 14 and the feeding roller 41 is cut off. In this way, the recording sheet 1 is transferred during one rotation of the paper feed roller 4l.
Only one sheet of 3 is fed.

As explained in FIGS. 11 and 12,
Sliders 71 and 72 whose widthwise spacing can be adjusted according to the width of the recording sheets 13 to be loaded, side guides 73 and 74 for regulating the width of the recording sheets 13, and front ends of the recording sheets 13 are provided. Separation claws 75 and 76 are provided that engage on both sides, and these are moved together manually, and by setting the clamp levers 101 and 102 (FIGS. 11 and 12) to the positions shown, The end cam means (not shown) squeezes the guide groove (not shown) from both sides and sets it at a predetermined width position using frictional force. On the other hand, the paper feed roller 41 is fixed on the paper feed roller shaft 97 so as not to move in the width direction.

A pair (two) of rollers are used as the feeding rollers 4l, and are arranged at predetermined positions and at predetermined intervals as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. When the two D-shaped paper feed rollers 4141 are loaded with small-sized recording sheets 13A, the outer separation claws 75, 7
The range (or value) where the interval S1S with 6 is suitable for the separation function
It is placed in the position.

A pair of pseudo rollers 103, 103 are fixed to the outer sides of both paper feed rollers 4l, 4l of the feeding roller shaft 97.

These pseudo rollers LO3 and 103 are paper feed rollers 41,
Although it has the same outline as the recording sheet 13, it has a different material and width, and has a low frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13, and slides into contact with the recording sheet 13 during sheet feeding, but does not generate any sheet feeding force. He is being disciplined by his arm. For example, the outer peripheral surfaces of the paper feed rollers 41, 41 are made of rubber that generates a large frictional force, while the pseudo rollers 103, 103 are made of plastic, such as Teflon or nylon, It has a smooth surface. Therefore, both or one of the pseudo rollers 103, 103 has a separating function when the large-sized or medium-sized recording sheets 13B are loaded, the distances S, S from the outer separating claws 75, 76 are It is placed in a position that has an appropriate range (or value) for .

By additionally providing the pseudo rollers 103 and 103 with such a simple structure, even when the paper feed rollers 41 and 4l are fixed, the separating claws 75 and 76 can be easily removed when recording sheets 13 of different widths are used. and the sheet holding position on the inside thereof can be set to an appropriate range (or appropriate value) that will form an appropriate loop at the leading edge of the recording sheet at the start of paper feeding. That is, even if the sheet widths are different, proper loop forming conditions can be maintained using the two fixed paper feed rollers 41, 41.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use expensive slide structure rollers as the paper feed rollers 4l and 41, and costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the sliding type feed rollers 41, 41, the sliding resistance increases accordingly when adjusting the width, and the overlap between the recording sheet 13 and the separation claws 75, 76 is likely to vary, and the sheet feeding operation However, according to the structure using the pseudo rollers 103, 103 of the present application as described above, such disadvantages can be eliminated. Note that it is also possible to use the paper feed rollers 4l and 41 instead of the pseudo rollers 103 and 103, for a total of four paper feed rollers, but in this case, all four paper feed rollers can be used for the recording sheet 13. It is virtually impossible to obtain a uniform pressing force, and the feeding force of each paper feeding roller varies, causing skew when feeding the sheet, so it is practically impossible to implement this method.

FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along the line xv-xv in FIG. 11. Next, referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 15,
The guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be explained.

In FIGS. 11 and 15, the paper feed cassette section 50
On the inner surface of the case, there are guide L/-rules 10 at predetermined intervals B.
5, 106, 107, and 108 are provided, and the slider 71 on the left side is guided by the guide rails IQ5, 106, and the slider 72 on the right side is guided by the guide rails 107, 108. Note that each of the guide rails 105 to 108 may be constructed of two consecutive upper and lower guide rails, but in this embodiment, a partial guide rail is provided in the area covering the maximum movement range of each slider 71, 72. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 15, each guide rail 105 to 108 has a dovetail groove (groove with a tapered surface) 109 on the inside.
A guide rail with two dovetail grooves is used.

In the illustrated example, each of the guide rails 105 to 10B is formed integrally with the plastic case body of the paper feed cassette section 50. On the other hand, a guide roller 110 is rotatably supported on each slider 7l, 72 and rotates in contact with a dovetail groove 109 of each of the guide rails 105-10. In the illustrated example, a total of three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side, are pivotally supported on each slider 71, 72, as shown in FIG. 110 has a corresponding dovetail groove 1 as shown in FIG.
Slope 11 (having substantially the same slope) that engages with the slope of 09
2 is formed.

In this way, when adjusting the width of the side guides 73 and 74 to match the recording sheet l3, the slope 112 of each guide roller 110 is brought into contact with each dovetail groove 109, and the slider 7l,
72 (in the structure of FIG. 11, as also shown in FIG. 14, width adjustment is performed mainly by moving only the left slider 7l).

At this time, each guide roller 110 rolls along the slope of the dovetail groove 109, so that the resistance during movement can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, at least one guide roller 110 of each slider 71, 72, that is, in the illustrated example, the upper guide roller 110 of each slider 71, 72 is connected to the dovetail groove 10.
so that it is pressed against the guide surface (slanted surface) of 9 with a predetermined pressure.
It is supported via elastic means.

In the illustrated example, the guide roller support portions of the sliders 11 and 12 are formed of elastically displaceable arm portions (elastic portions) 1l4, and the upper and lower guide rollers 110 and 110 are in a free state.
The width of the upper and lower guide rails 105, 106 or 107
, 108, so that a pre-pressure contact force is generated on the guide surface of each guide roller 110 when each slider 7I, 72 is assembled to the guide rails 105-108.

By supporting the guide roller 110 via an elastic means that generates such a predetermined pressure contact force, it becomes possible to eliminate play in the guide portion and move the sliders 71 and 72 more smoothly and accurately.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the i8 recording apparatus of the present invention, the horizontal type recording apparatus is provided with a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port on the upper surface and forms a substantially U-shaped recording sheet transport path. A substantially linear recording sheet feed path A is provided from another sheet insertion opening formed on the bottom surface through the recording section to the sheet discharge port, and when the recording apparatus is upright, the recording sheet supply path is provided on the bottom surface. By installing an automatic paper feeder,
Since the configuration is such that paper is automatically fed through the substantially straight recording sheet conveyance path, the installation space when installing an automatic sheet feeding device can be reduced. The effect is that not only plain paper but also thick sheets such as postcards can be smoothly transported.

According to the recording apparatus of the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the above structure, the automatic sheet feeding device is provided with a manual sheet passage connected to the substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path.
In addition to the above-mentioned effects, it is also possible to manually feed recording sheets even when an automatic paper feeder is attached.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the recording device with an automatic paper feeder according to the present invention is used, and FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the recording device in FIG. i is stored. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of the recording device in FIG. 1 when used in a horizontal position, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the recording device in FIG. 3. 5 is a schematic bottom view showing the bottom of the recording device shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the locked state of the joint between the recording apparatus main body and the automatic paper feeder, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the unlocked state in FIG. 7, and FIG. A schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder in the paper feeding state in the figure.
FIG. 11 is a partially removed front view of the paper feed cassette section of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the paper feed cassette section of the automatic paper feeder, and FIG. 13 is a front view schematically showing the operating mechanism between the paper feed drive section and the paper feed cassette section of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. 14 is a partially removed perspective view schematically showing the drive mechanism of the paper feed roller of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. 9, and FIG. 15 is a partially removed perspective view of the line X-- in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a guide roller of the slider along X■. 1 0--1 recording device, 13--1 recording sheet, 15 recording head, l6--1-discharge tray, 30 automatic feeding device, 4 0--1.1 feeding drive section, 41 -- Ichiyuki roller, 50----・supply cassette part.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Provide a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port on the top surface,
A horizontal recording device that forms a substantially U-shaped recording sheet conveying path is provided with a generally straight recording sheet conveying path that extends from another sheet insertion opening formed on the bottom surface, passes through the recording section, and reaches the sheet discharge port. and an automatic paper feeder for supplying recording sheets is attached to the bottom surface when the recording apparatus is upright, so that paper is automatically fed through the substantially linear recording sheet transport path. (2) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic sheet feeding device is provided with a manual sheet passage connected to the substantially linear recording sheet transport path. (3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is formed using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid.