JPH03102025A - Automatic paper sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the space efficiency by attaching a paper sheet feed cassette section for loading recording sheets to be able to rotate between approximately upright condition relative to a paper sheet feed drive section and a tilted condition so that the recording sheets may be set with a simple and compact structure. CONSTITUTION:A paper sheet cassette section 50 for loading recording sheets 13 is attached so that the section 50 may be rotated between a condition approximately upright relative to a paper sheet feed drive section 40 and a tilted condition. When the paper sheet cassette section 50 is approximately upright, a space is formed for inserting recording sheets 13. When the cassette section 50 is tilted, the recording sheets 13 are separately fed to the recording device 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an external automatic paper feeder that is detachably attached to a recording apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles print dot patterns on a recording sheet such as paper or a thin glass plate by driving an energy generator in a recording head based on transferred image information. It is configured to record images. The above recording devices are inkjet type,
It can be divided into wire dot type, thermal type, laser beam type, etc. In addition, recording sheets used in recording devices include santsu paper, thick paper for 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 feed device generally includes a paper feed drive unit that rotates a paper feed roller to feed recording sheets, and a paper feed cassette unit that stacks and stores recording sheets, and is linked to the sheet conveyance system of the recording device. The recording sheet is separated and fed one by one by driving the paper feeding drive section. In addition, there are automatic paper feeders that are built into a recording device, such as built-in types, and external types that are removably attached, and the present invention relates to the latter type of automatic paper feeder. Generally, a horizontal type recording device is adopted, and a sheet insertion port and a sheet discharge port are provided on the top surface of the recording device, and the sheet is fed along a recording sheet conveyance path configured in a substantially U-shape inside the recording device. The system is structured so that it is recorded while [Technical problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the conventional exterior type automatic lining device, the recording device is positioned and mounted on the top surface of the recording device in a fixed posture, and the recording device is used while being placed horizontally. Therefore, there was a problem in that it required a considerable amount of space to install. Another inconvenience was that once the automatic paper feeder was installed, recording sheets could not be fed manually. The present invention was made in view of such conventional technical problems, and allows recording sheets to be set with a simple and compact structure, and can be further compacted when stored to improve space efficiency. possible, and
The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic liner device that can easily configure a linear sheet insertion path for manual feeding.
[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an automatic paper feeder that is removably attached to a recording device, in which a paper feed cassette portion for stacking recording sheets is placed in a substantially perpendicular state and an inclined state with respect to a paper feed drive portion. When the paper feed cassette section is approximately vertical, a space is formed into which the recording sheet is inserted, and when the paper feed cassette section is tilted, the recording sheet is separated and supplied to the recording device. The present invention provides an automatic paper feeding device that allows recording sheets to be set with a simple and compact structure, and that can be further compacted when stored to improve space efficiency. The invention of claim 2 further provides a configuration in which sheet feeding force is not generated in the feeding mechanism when the paper feeding cassette section is in a substantially vertical state, so that automatic sheet feeding and manual feeding can be reliably distinguished. The present invention provides an automatic paper folding device that can eliminate problems such as paper jams caused by double feeding of recording sheets. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the recording device is used horizontally with an automatic paper feeder installed, and in that case the paper feed cassette section is in the sheet set state, but in the present invention, the automatic paper feeder is set in the sheet set state. This has the effect of reliably preventing the recording sheets from being stained by unfixed recording ink due to multiple recording sheets being continuously discharged from the sheet discharge port on the top surface when the printer is placed horizontally. can get. The invention according to claim 3 further provides a structure in which an automatic sheet feeding device is installed by adopting a configuration in which a path for manually feeding recording sheets into the recording device is formed when the paper feeding cassette section is in a substantially vertical state. The present invention provides an automatic paper feeding device that can manually feed recording sheets as needed even when the present invention is carried out. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state of the stationary recording device (recording device main body) 10" when used, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the general internal structure of the recording device shown in FIG. 3. In the figure and FIG. 4, a recording device (for example, one using bubble jet recording method)
A recording device that forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquidff) A sheet inlet is provided on the top surface of the recording liquid 10! ■And seat tJF exit! 2 is formed, and the recording sheet 13 inserted from the sheet insertion opening 1l is brought into close contact with the circumferential surface of the platen roller 4, which also serves as a sheet feeding reroller, and is moved in the direction of the arrow along the recording sheet conveyance path formed in a substantially U-shape. (FIGS. 1 and 2), the sheet is recorded while passing through the recording section facing the recording head l5, and after recording is discharged upward from the sheet discharge port l2. Here, the paper feed tray l6 is attached to the upper surface of the recording device 10 so that it can be opened and closed, and when in use (recording) it opens and functions as a feed tray, but when it is not in use (such as when storing) ) is set in the closed position as shown in FIG. The cover 16 functions as a cover 16. In FIG. 4, the recording head 15 is moved by a carriage 22 that reciprocates along a guide shaft 2121 parallel to the platen roller l4.
It is installed on top. Note that the illustrated recording head l5 is
The case of an inkjet head is shown as an example, and is configured integrally with an ink tank. A recording sheet 13 is placed on the upstream side of the recording head 15 in the conveyance direction.
A temporary sheet holder 23 is arranged to press the sheet against the platen roller l4. This sheet presser 23 is pressed against the circumferential surface of the platen roller I4 by a temporary 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 l4. Recording sheet 13 is placed in the position of sheet discharge port 12.
A spur 26 and a roller 27 are provided to assist in ejecting 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 second sheet insertion opening 28, and a substantially straight line extending from this insertion opening 28 through the recording section between the recording head l5 and the platen roller l4 to the sheet wandering outlet I2. The recording sheet a feeding path of No. 2 is configured to extend substantially in the vertical direction. As will be described later, this second recording sheet II feeding path can be used when the recording device 110 is upright (FIGS. 1 and 2), and is not curved, so it can be used for postcards, etc. This has the advantage that even stiff recording sheets such as J7 sheets such as envelopes 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. 1 and 2 are vertical cross-sectional views of the automatic paper feeder 30 attached to the back of the recording apparatus IO in an upright position, and FIG. The figures show the storage status. In FIGS. 1 and 2, when the recording device WIO is placed 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 platen roller l4). A conveyance path is formed from the port 28 to the sheet discharge port l2. Therefore, the automatic paper feeder 30 has an entrance (sheet inlet) 2.
8 to feed the recording sheet I3 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 for supplying recording sheets that is connected approximately linearly to the approximately linear recording sheet 11e feeding path. 3l is provided. This sheet path 3l is an insertion guide path for feeding recording sheets manually, and is closed when automatic sheet feeding is possible as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1. When the recording sheet is in the state indicated by the line and automatic paper feeding is not possible, it is opened to allow manual insertion. The automatic paper feeder 30 includes a paper feed drive unit 40 that is fixedly coupled to the recording device 0, and a paper feed drive unit 40 that is rotatably mounted between a substantially perpendicular position and an inclined state. It consists of a paper feed cassette section 50 and a paper feed cassette section 50. FIG. 6 shows the automatic paper feeder 30 in the state shown in FIG.
? 710 is a perspective view seen from the coupling surface side. The paper feed cassette section 50 is a section that stacks the recording sheets 13 in a positioned state, and the paper feed drive section 40 is a section that feeds out the stacked recording sheets l3 one by one to the recording device 10. ．． In FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is mounted on a frame at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive unit 40 so as to be rotatable (openable/closed) about a fulcrum 51. ing. The position of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50 (
In the upper half), there are a paper feed roller 4l and a feeding auxiliary roller 4.
2 is installed.゛The paper feed cassette section 50 includes a foldable feed tray 5.
2 is attached, and when in use, it is pulled out to form a tray as shown in FIG. 1, and for storage, in particular, it can be folded into a cassette section 50 as shown in FIG. A part of the lower part of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 is supported by a movable member 44 that rotates (opens and closes) on its own about a fulcrum 43.
When in use, the movable member 44 is opened as shown in FIG. 1 and forms 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 that connects the opening/closing legs with the recording device 10. 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 9, so that even when the automatic paper feeder 30 is installed, it can be operated from the opening 32. Therefore, when the movable member (opening/closing leg) 44 is closed (FIG. 2), the user cannot operate the changeover switch 19 because the leg is closed and rusted.
Opened 71! (FIG. 1), an opening 47 is formed in the leg as shown in the figure, making it possible to operate the changeover switch 19. Further, the movable member 44 is provided with a shelf portion which, when opened as shown in FIG. 1, constitutes a sheet support table 45 at the entrance of the manual sheet passage 3l. The table formed by this shelf part 45 is formed by using the movable member 44, and complements the substantially linear sheet path 3l leading to the linear recording sheet transport path of the recording apparatus IO, It is designed so that it can be inserted easily and correctly. A recording device with an automatic paper feeder 30 installed in an upright position! O, as shown in FIG. 2, folds the cover (haiku tray) 1G, and then sets the cassette part 50 in a vertical state and moves the movable member Ul) 4.
By closing 4, it is placed in the stored state. In this stored state, it has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape with a flat bottom and a compact upright position with no overhanging parts. On the other hand, in the usage state shown in FIG. 1, the cover 16 is opened to set up the paper ejection tray, and the movable member (Jllj) 44 is opened to rotate at a predetermined angle α (for example, 5 degrees to 25 degrees) as shown in the figure.
Take a stable tilted posture. As shown in the figure, when the lower case of the paper feed drive unit 40 opens the movable member 44,
It is designed to keep an eye on a flat bottom surface that is inclined at a predetermined angle of 1. 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 feed cassette section 50 is opened as shown by the solid line (tilted 11'I) 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 VL (closed) state, and the recording sheet l3 is fed to the recording apparatus lO through the table 45 and the sheet passage 31. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the movable member 44 is opened and used, the recording device W11
0 linear recording sheet conveyance path and automatic paper feeder 30
The sheet passage 31 (including the table 45) in the example is tilted upward at a predetermined angle β (5 degrees to 25 degrees) toward the sheet discharge direction.
IIJI slanted. A wandering tray is provided on the side of the exit (sheet wandering exit) 12 of the recording sheet a feeding path of the recording apparatus 10, and is guarded by opening the cover 16. As shown in the figure, the discharge tray 1G is installed so as to extend substantially horizontally at a position lower than the sheet discharge port 12 by a predetermined height h.
According to this arrangement of the paper ejection tray l6, as shown in the figure, the recording sheet l3 can be ejected without coming into contact with the recording sheet 13 on the wandering tray lG, so that it is possible to avoid the adhesion of liquid. It is possible to eliminate the problem of ink stains caused by contact with unfixed recording ink in inkjet recording apparatuses that perform recording. Next, the coupling structure between the recording device 10 and the automatic paper feeder 30 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing the combined state of the recording device 10 and 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 l4 is supported. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a driven gear 48 capable of transmitting rotational force to the paper feed roller 41 is pivotally supported on the mounting surface side of the paper feed roller 41, and these gears 33 and 48 are engaged with each other when coupled. As a result, the driving force of the paper feed roller 4l is transmitted to the automatic paper feeder side. There is a platen roller inside the recording device WIO! A frame member 35 is provided to support the bearings of the sheet transport motor 34 and the sheet conveyance motor 34, 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 and movable by a predetermined amount in the front and rear directions. It is energized. On the other hand, the hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording device IO
An opening 53 through which the hook 37 enters through the opening of the case is formed at a position corresponding to the case, and the hook 37 engages with the peripheral edge of the opening 53. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a bead-shaped portion is formed on the peripheral edge of the opening 53 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), and the automatic paper feeder 30 is pressed and coupled to the recording device 1O 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 welding in this bonded state is carried out on a total of three contact surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the automatic paper feeder 30@ is formed with a first contact surface 54 serving as a contact reference surface, and second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56. ing. The abutment reference 54 is provided near the driven gear 48 as shown. A base t3 that becomes the other surface of this contact base Hayabusa surface 54
The contact surface 57 is formed on the frame member 35 having high strength and rigidity, and its position is selected near the fitting 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 placed in direct contact with the back of the Furthermore, positioning pins 5g and 59 are formed on the mounting surface of the automatic liner device 30, and these bins 58 and 59 are fitted into positioning holes 61 and 62 formed on the back side of the recording device CIO. The automatic paper feeder Wl30 is positioned with respect to the recording apparatus 10 by the following steps. Note that one of the positioning holes 6l and 62 is a long hole, as shown in FIG. Auxiliary hooks 63, 64 and auxiliary hook portions 65, 66 (FIG. 5) are provided, which become connected (retained) when a certain external force acts on the IO and the automatic paper feeder 30 to cause deflection. There is. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in the sheet feeding ((II oblique) state, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in the recording sheet set (vertical) state. Figure and 1st
0, the paper feed cassette section 50 includes a pressure plate spring 67.
The pressure #Fi. is urged toward the feeding roller 4l by #Fi. 6B is installed. In addition, the paper feed cassette section 50 is provided with widthwise intervals according to the width of the recording sheet l3. Sliders 71 and 72 that can be adjusted by PI are guided and supported. 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 7l, 72 has a side guide 7 that comes into contact with both side edges of the stacked recording sheets 13.
3 and 74, as well as claw members 77 and 78 having separation claws 75 and 76 that press both front end corners of the stacked recording sheets 13 from above, and can adjust the spacing together with the sliders 7l and 72. ．． As shown in FIG. 9, the stacked recording sheet l3 is held between the pressure plate 6 and the separating claws 75 and 76, and when feeding, the D-shaped paper feed roller 41 rotates to separate the recording sheet l3. } 13 and a feeding force is applied, and during one rotation, one sheet of the uppermost layer is separated and fed through the feeding auxiliary roller 42 to the cue position in the recording apparatus IO. FIG. 13 is a mechanical diagram showing each retaining member that operates when the paper feed cassette unit 50 is switched between the vertical sheet setting state and the inclined paper feeding state. First, in FIGS. 9 and 13, on both sides of the case of the paper feed drive section 40,
It hits the lower part of the paper feed cassette section 50 and the cassette section 1
Stoppers 79, 79 are formed to hold the paper in the skewed position (sheet feeding state). In addition, the sliders 71 and 72 on both sides are provided with sheet intrusion prevention means (sheet intrusion prevention lever) 8 for preventing the insertion (loading) of the recording sheet 13 in the paper feeding state! , 8l are provided. These levers 81, 8l are attached to sliders 71, 72 with pins 82.
, 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 will be obstructed by the leading ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 8l, 8l, and the recording sheet 13 cannot be inserted into the cassette. On the other hand, when the paper feed cassette section 50 is rotated to the vertical sheet setting state, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet entry prevention levers 81, 8! The lower end of the levers 8l, 8l are rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined amount around the bins 82, 82, and their upper ends are lifted up to allow the sheet to be fed. Inlet 83 is opened as shown. Therefore, the recording sheet l3 can be inserted into the cassette through the sheet insert 83. Also, the first
As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 13, pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 are formed on both sides of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 and protrude toward the cassette unit 50. When rotated to the sheet set state, the pressure plate 68
The pressing members 84, 84 are brought into contact with the ears 85, 85 (FIG. 12) formed on both sides of the pressing member 68, and the pressing member 68 is pressed down. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance between the feeding roller 41 and the pressure plate 68 is widened, and an insertion space 86 for the recording sheet 13 is formed, and the recording sheet 13 is inserted! Now you can set 3. 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 41 of the case of section 40
A guide protrusion 87 is formed at the inlet side position of the paper feed roller 4l so that the guide protrusion 87 has a height that protrudes slightly toward the cassette side than the paper feed roller 4l. It can be set reliably between In addition,
The impact position when pressing down the pressure plate 68 (the position of the pressure plate pushing members 84, 84) is a position wider by a distance jllL on both sides than the maximum movement range of the separation claws 75, 76, and when used. The area outside the maximum width recording sea}13 is selected. The paper feed cassette section 50 has a lock mechanism that can be released by pressing the button 8 (FIGS. 10 and 13).
It is held at t (vertical position). The 20 Rozuku Organization is
As shown in FIG. 13, a hook lever 89 protruding from the end of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 and the paper feed cassette unit 50
It consists of a retaining part 9l formed at the end of the sheet, and is locked by rotating it to the sheet set state and hooking these together. The locking mechanisms 89, 9l are released by pressing the button 8 to elastically deform the hook lever 89 at its tip 92 (FIG. 13) and disengaging it from the engaging portion 9I. Figure 14 shows the drive system of the paper feed roller 4l and the paper feed roller 4l.
FIG. In FIG. 14, a driven gear 48 rotates in synchronization with sheet feeding of the recording device 10.
The rotation of the paper feed roller shaft 97 is transmitted through a series of gear trains 93, 94, 95, and 96. Here, a clutch 98 is provided between the gear 96 and the paper feed roller shaft 97. As the clutch 98, for example, one having a configuration 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 reversed, 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 l4 by a predetermined amount in the printing direction with the clutch on, the recording sheet l3 is turned over by one sheet, and then the platen roller is rotated by one sheet. ! By feeding the paper to a position beyond the sheet pull-in section 4 and rotating the platen roller l4 a predetermined amount in the reverse printing direction from there,
With the rotation of the platen roller 41 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 platen roller is moved. 4 and the feeding roller 4l in the printing direction, the recording sheet! 3 to the printing position, and the feeding roller 41 is stopped with a gap between it and the recording sheet 13 in the middle of rotation, and at the same time, the clutch is turned off and the platen roller 14 and Interlocking with the paper feed roller 4l is cut off. In this way, during one rotation of the paper feed roller 4l, the recording sheet}1
Only one sheet of 3 is fed. As explained in FIGS. 11 and 12,
4rI! ! The sliders 71 and 72, which can adjust the interval in the width direction according to the width of the recording sheet 13 to be printed, are used to set the recording sheet}1.
Side guides 73, 74 and recording sheet for controlling the width of item 3! Separation claws 75, 7 that engage on both sides of the front end of 3
6 are provided, which are moved together manually, and clamp levers 101, 102 (Figs. 11 and 12) are provided.
By setting the guide (not shown) in the position shown in the figure, the end cam means (not shown) pinches the guide (not shown) from both sides to set it at a predetermined convex position (11!). It is set with W force. On the other hand, the paper feed roller 41 is fixed on the feed roller shaft 97 so as not to move in the width direction.
A pair (two) of rollers are used, and are arranged at predetermined positions and intervals as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. The two D-shaped paper feed rollers 41, 41 release the separation claws 75 on the outside when the small size recording sheet 13A is 4n@.
, 76 and the range S, S suitable for the minute jiltaR (
Or {+! ! ). A pair of pseudo rollers 103, 103 are fixed to the outer sides of both feed rollers 4l, 4l of the feed roller shaft 97. These pseudo rollers 103, 103 are paper feed rollers 4L4
Although it has the same outline as No. 1, its material and width are different, and it is composed of rollers that have low frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13 and make sliding contact during paper feeding, but do not generate substantial sheet feeding force. There is. For example, the outer circumferential surfaces of the feeding rollers 41, 41 are made of rubber that generates a large g-friction force, while the pseudo rollers 103, 103 are made of plastic such as Teflon or nylon, and is a smooth surface. Therefore,! ! ! Both or one of the similar rollers 103, 103 have a distance S from the outer separating claws 75, 76 when large size or width size recording sheets 13B are loaded.
, S are placed in a range (or value) suitable for the Ni function as described above. By additionally providing the pseudo rollers 103 and lO3 with such a simple structure, even when the paper feed rollers 4l and 4l are fixed, the separation claws 75 and 76 and their The distance from the inner sheet pressing position can be set to an appropriate range (or appropriate value) that will form an appropriate loop at the leading edge of the recording sheet when paper feeding starts. That is, even if the sheet widths are different, proper loop shape conditions can be maintained using the two fixed feeding rollers 4l, 4l. Therefore, the paper feed roller 41
There is no need to use an expensive slide structure as the ., 41, and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, in the sliding paper feed roller 4141, the sliding resistance increases accordingly when adjusting the width, and the overlap between the recording sheet 13 and the separation claws 75, 76 tends to vary.
Although the reliability of the paper feeding operation decreases, this disadvantage can be overcome by the structure using the original pseudo rollers 103, 103 as described above. Note that it is also possible to use feeding rollers 4l, 4l instead of the pseudo rollers 103, 103, for a total of four feeding rollers, but in this case, the recording sheet l3 will be uniformly distributed at all four locations. It is virtually impossible to obtain pressure contact force, and the feeding force of each feeding roller will vary, causing skew when feeding the sheet, so it is practically impossible to implement. FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along the line xv-xv in FIG. 1l, and with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15,
The guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be explained. In Figures +1 and 15, the paper feed cassette section 50
On the inner surface of the case, there are guide rails r05 at predetermined intervals B.
, 10G, 107, and 10B are provided, and the guide rail 1
The left slider 71 is guided by 05 and 106,
The right slider 7 is moved by the guide rails 107 and 10B.
2 will be guided. 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, the guide rails 105 to 108 are partially provided in an area covering the maximum movement range of each slider 7l, 72. It is being done. As shown in FIG. 15, each guide rail 105 to 108 has a dovetail (groove with a tapered surface) l09 on the inside.
A dovetail-type guide rail 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, each slider is 7! , 72, a guide roller 110 is rotatably supported by a guide roller 110, which is moved in contact with the dovetail groove 109 of each of the guide rails 105 to 108. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 11, a total of three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side, are pivotally supported on each slider 7 and 72, and each guide roller The roller 110 has a corresponding dovetail groove 1 as shown in FIG.
A slope 1l2 (having an approximately -11JI slope) that engages with the slope 09 is formed. In this way, the width that fits the side guides 73 and 74 to the recording sheet l3! When adjusting Pl, the slope 112 of each guide roller 110 is brought into contact with each dovetail l09, and the slider 7
1, 72, or both (1st! In the structure shown in Figure 1, the 1st
As shown in Figure 4, the width adjustment is performed mainly by moving only the left slider 7l. At this time, each guide roller 110 moves along the slope of the dovetail 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, each slider in the illustrated example? ! ,72 upper guide roller! ! 0 is dovetail groove 10
so that it is pressed against the guide surface (slanted surface) of 9 with a predetermined pressure.
It is supported through elastic means. In the illustrated example, the guide roller support portions of the sliders 71 and 72 are formed by 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, and is configured so that a preload contact force is generated on the guide surface of each guide roller 110 when each slider 7l, 72 is assembled to the guide rail 105-10B. By supporting the guide roller 11.0 via an elastic means that generates such a predetermined pressure contact force, it is possible to eliminate play in the guide portion and move the sliders 7l and 72 smoothly and accurately. become. The following margins [Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in an automatic paper feeder that is detachably attached to a recording device, the paper feed cassette section for stacking recording sheets is driven to feed the paper. A space is formed for inserting a recording sheet when the paper feed cassette part is substantially vertical, and a space is formed when the paper feed cassette part is in an inclined state. Since the structure allows recording sheets to be fed to the recording device in minutes, recording sheets can be set with a simple and compact structure, and when stored, it can be further compacted to improve space efficiency. A paper device is obtained. According to the automatic sheet feeding device of the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above configuration, when the sheet feeding cassette section is in a substantially vertical state, the sheet feeding force of the feeding mechanism is not generated. In addition to the effects, automatic paper feeding and manual feeding can be reliably distinguished, and problems such as paper jams caused by double feeding of recording sheets can be eliminated. According to the automatic paper feeding device of the invention of claim 3, in addition to the above structure, when the paper feeding cassette section is in a substantially vertical state, a passage is formed to manually feed the recording sheet to the recording device. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, even when an automatic paper feeder is installed, recording sheets can be fed manually as needed. Margin below

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a 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 a state in which the recording device of FIG. 1 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. 1, viewed from the mounting surface side, and 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. 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 taken along the line
FIG.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic paper feeder that is removably attached to a recording device, the paper feed cassette section that loads recording sheets is attached so that it can rotate between a substantially perpendicular state and an inclined state relative to the paper feed drive section. An automatic paper feeder characterized in that a space is formed into which a recording sheet is inserted when the paper feed cassette section is substantially vertical, and the recording sheet can be separated and fed to a recording device when the paper feed cassette section is in an inclined state. . (2) The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding mechanism is configured so that no sheet feeding force is generated when the sheet feeding cassette section is in a substantially vertical state. (3) The automatic paper feeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the paper feed cassette section is in a substantially vertical position, a passage is formed to manually feed the recording sheet to the recording apparatus. (4) The automatic paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is a recording device that forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid. .