JPH03232629A - Sheet feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To store a large number of sheets in a limited space and to facilitate the replenishment of sheets by replenishing only a first sheet storage section with sheets, or by independently replenishing both first and second storage sections with sheets. CONSTITUTION:There are provided a first sheet storage section 5 and a second sheet storage section 6 having a second sheet loading bed 16 on which sheets S are stacked and which is movable in a substantially horizontal direction. The sheets S are shifted from the second sheet storage section 6 to the first sheet storage section 5 by a shifter means 7, and the sheets S thus stored in the first storage section 5 are paid out one by one by a feed means 9. In this phase, the sheets S can be fed into only the first sheet storage section 5 or independently both first and second sheet storage sections 5, 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device, and more specifically, it is used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer to feed a large amount of standard-sized sheets. The present invention relates to a feeding device for storing sheets in a container and feeding them one by one to an image forming section.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines or laser beam printers, when forming images using a large number of sheets of standard size, a large amount of sheets are stored and a hanging sheet is used. A sheet feeding device with a sheet loading platform is required.

An example of a conventional sheet feeding device of this type will be explained with reference to the schematic diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9(a), a copying machine 3 as an image forming apparatus
01 is a photosensitive drum 302 on which a toner image is formed on the circumferential surface by well-known means, a registration roller 303 that feeds sheets to the photosensitive drum 302 at a predetermined timing, and a toner image that is transferred to the fed sheets. Transfer charger 30
It has an image forming section 306 consisting of 5 or the like. In the installation stand 307 on which the copying machine 301 is loaded, there are disposed a sheet loading table 309 on which a large amount of sheets S are loaded and a sheet feeding device 311 having a sheet feeding roller 310 and the like. There is.

The sheet stacking table 309 can be moved up and down by a drive system (not shown). The sheets S fed from the sheet feeding device 311 are sent to the image forming section 3 of the copying machine 301.
After the toner image is formed by step 06, the toner image is further fixed by a fixing device (not shown) and discharged from the main body.

FIG. 9(b) shows a configuration in which a sheet feeding device is disposed on the side of the copying machine 301. Sheet feeding device 31
2 is a sheet loading table 3 on which a large amount of sheets S is loaded.
13 and a paper feed roller 315. The sheets S fed from the sheet feeding device 312 are sent to the copying machine 301
A toner image is formed by being conveyed to the image forming section 306 inside, and the image is formed in the same manner as shown in FIG. 9(b).

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, among the above-mentioned sheet feeding devices, the ninth
In the sheet feeding device 311 shown in FIG. The number of stored sheets S to be loaded is limited to a relatively small number, which has the disadvantage that the sheets must be replenished frequently.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the sheet feeding device 3
12 is provided outside the copying machine 301, in order to store a large amount of sheets S, the entire device protrudes outward, making it difficult to reduce the installation space. In addition, there is a drawback that the operator's workability is poor.

Therefore, the present invention provides a first sheet storage section, a second sheet storage section, and a first sheet storage section in which the image forming apparatus is stored in the installation stand on which the image forming apparatus is placed. A paper feeding mechanism for feeding sheets to the image forming apparatus is provided, and the first and second sheet storage sections can be pulled out independently from the installation base to facilitate replenishment of sheets and installation of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding device that takes up less space.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, sheets (S) are loaded and approximately A first sheet storage section (10) having a first sheet loading platform (10) configured to be movable in the vertical direction
5), a second sheet storage section (6) having a second sheet loading platform (16) configured to be able to load sheets (S) and move in a substantially horizontal direction; a moving means (7) for moving the sheets (S) stored in the sheet storage section (6) to the first sheet storage section (5); and the first sheet storage section (5). The sheets (S
), the first sheet storage section (5
), or the first sheet storage section (5)
The present invention is characterized in that sheets (S) can be supplied independently to both the second sheet storage section (6) and the second sheet storage section (6).

Further, the present invention provides that while the sheet (S) stored in the first sheet storage section (5) is being fed out by the feeding means (9), the sheet storage section (S) is moved to the second sheet storage section. (6
) can be supplied with sheets (S).

Further, the present invention provides that while the operation of feeding out the sheets (S) stored in the first sheet storage section (5) by the feeding means (9) is continued, the first sheet storage section (5) Department (
5) is provided with a first locking means (22) that makes it impossible to replenish sheets (S).

Furthermore, the present invention provides an operation for moving sheets (S) stored in the second sheet storage section (6) to the first sheet storage section (5) by the moving means (7). During this period, the second locking means (23) makes it impossible to supply sheets (S) to the second sheet storage section (6).
) is provided.

Furthermore, the present invention provides that while the operation of moving the sheets (S) stored in the second sheet storage section (6) by the moving means (7) continues, the first sheet storage section (S) is moved. The first part that makes it impossible to supply sheets (S) to section (5).
A locking means (22) is provided.

Further, the present invention provides sheets (3) that are placed on a mounting base (2) that houses the sheet feeding device (3) therein, and are fed out from the sheet feeding device (3). S)
The apparatus includes an image forming apparatus (1) that processes the image after receiving the image.

(f) Function Based on the above configuration, when the sheet (S) in the first sheet storage section (5) is fed out by the paper feeding mechanism (9), the sheet (S) is delivered to the upper image forming device ( S). When replenishing sheets (S) to the first sheet storage section (5) or the second sheet storage section (6), the first sheet storage section (5) and the second sheet storage section (5) The storage sections (6) can be independently pulled out from the installation base (2) and can be independently supplied with sheets (S).

In addition, the first sheet storage section (5) by the paper feeding mechanism (9)
) while the sheets (S) are being fed, the other second sheet storage section (6) can be replenished with sheets (S).

Then, the paper feed mechanism (9) feeds the first sheet storage section (
While the sheets (S) in step 5) are being fed, the first sheet storage section (5) is locked in the installation base (2), and the sheets are not fed into the first sheet storage section (5). Class (S) supplies are no longer available.

Furthermore, while the sheet feeding mechanism (9) is feeding the sheets (S), the first and second sheet storage sections (5) and (6) are locked within the installation base (2), and the It is not possible to supply sheets (S) to the first and second sheet storage sections (5) and (6).

Note that the above-mentioned symbols in parentheses are shown for reference to the drawings, and do not limit the configuration of the present invention in any way.

(f) Example Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus, and a mounting base 2 used as a dedicated mounting base for the copying machine 1, in which a plurality of sheet storage units, a paper feeding mechanism, etc. are arranged. The figure shows a systemized apparatus in which a sheet feeding device is configured and images can be formed on the sheets fed from the sheet feeding device in a copying machine 1 located above.

First, an outline of a copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be explained.

The main body 41 of the copying machine 1 is placed on the installation base 2. An image forming section 42 is disposed in the center of the main body 41, an optical system 43 is disposed above it, and a plurality of cassettes 45, 46 are disposed below it. The cassettes 45 and 46 that store standard size sheets S are the main body 4.
1, and can be pulled out from the main body 41 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheets S. A manual feed tray 4 is provided upstream of the image forming section 42.
7, and a fixing device 49 and a paper ejection roller 50 on the downstream side.
are arranged respectively.

A document 52 loaded on a platen 51 is scanned by a lamp 53 of an optical system 43, and the reflected light is sent to a plurality of mirrors 5.
A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 59 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 59 of the image forming section 42 through the photosensitive drum 5.56 and the lens 57, and a toner image is formed by developing this latent image with the developing device 60. This toner image is transferred to sheets that are fed as will be described later.

The sheets S in the cassettes 45 and 46 are fed by the paper feed roller 61
or 62, and is further conveyed into the paper feeding path 66 by conveying rollers 63 or 65. The sheets S are transferred to the image forming unit 4 via a conveyance roller 67 and a registration roller 69 in a paper feed path 66.
2, and the aforementioned toner image is transferred thereto. In addition, in the case of manual paper feeding, the sheets S manually fed onto the manual feeding tray 47 are fed to the manual feeding path 72 by the paper feeding roller 70 and the conveyance roller 71, and are then fed to the manual feeding path 72 by the paper feed roller 70 and the conveyance roller 71, and then
The toner image is transferred to the image forming section 42 via the toner image forming section 9 .

The sheet S, onto which the toner image has been transferred and has been peeled off from the photosensitive drum 59, is transported by a transport section 73 to the fixing device 49, where the toner image is fixed thereon, and further transported by a transport roller 75. When the sheets S are single-sided copies, the sheets S are discharged out of the main body 41 via a flapper 76 and a discharge roller 55 disposed downstream of the conveyance roller 75.

Further, when the sheets S are double-sided copies, the sheets S conveyed by the conveyance roller 75 are branched by a flapper 76 and conveyed to a re-conveyance path 77, and are transferred to an intermediate tray 80 by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 79. loaded on top. Then, the sheets S on the intermediate tray are fed by a paper feed roller 81 and sent to the image forming unit 42 via a registration roller 69.
The toner image is transferred and fixed in the same manner as described above, and then discharged to the outside of the main body 41.

Note that an insertion opening 82 is formed in the lower part of the image forming section 42 , and a conveyance path 83 communicating with the paper feed path 66 is provided above the insertion opening 82 .
A conveying roller 85 is disposed at a suitable location.

Next, a sheet feeding device as an optional feeder, which is the subject of the present invention, will be explained.

As shown in FIG.
The first sheet storage section 5, the second sheet storage section 6, and the sheets S are stored in the second sheet storage section 6.
A moving mechanism (moving means) 7 for moving the sheets S from the first sheet storage section 5 to the first sheet storage section 5;
It is composed of main parts such as a paper feeding mechanism (feeding means) 9 that feeds out one sheet at a time to the upper copying machine 1.

First, the first sheet storage section 5 will be explained.

The first sheet storage section 5 occupies approximately half the space of the installation base 2.

The first sheet storage section 5 includes a first sheet loading platform 10 on which a large amount of sheets S is loaded, and a first sheet loading platform 10 that holds the first sheet loading platform 10 as will be described later. It has a support stand 11 and the like.

The first sheet stacking table 10 can be moved up and down with the sheets S loaded thereon by a lift mechanism which will be described later. In addition, the first sheet storage section 5 is constructed by transferring a plurality of rollers 86 pivotally supported at the front and rear of the first support stand 11 to a plurality of rails 87 fixed to the installation stand 2. 2 can be pulled out and pushed in. The operator can load and replenish the sheets S on the first sheet stacking table 10 with the first sheet storage section 5 pulled out from the installation stand 2.

Furthermore, details of the first sheet storage section 5 will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 5.

The support stand 11 of the first sheet storage section 5 has side plates 89 and 90 on its front side and back side, respectively, and each end of a shaft 91 and 92 is rotatably attached to the upper and lower parts of the support stand 11, respectively. is installed on. Sprockets 93 and 95 fixed to the front ends of @91 and 92 (lower ends in Figure 2), respectively.
A chain 96 is stretched across. Also axis 91.92
A chain 99 is stretched between sprockets 97 and 98 that are fixed to the rear end (upper end in FIG. 2) of each. A motor 10 is fixedly installed on the back side plate 90,
The output shaft of this motor 100 is connected to the upper shaft 91, so that the rotation of the motor 100 is transmitted to the shafts 91 and 92.

A vertical long hole 101 is formed in the side plate 89 on the near side, and a guide rail 102 is formed on the negative side edge.
is provided. The guide rail 102 is fitted into a guide member 103 that is fixed to the front side of the first sheet stacking table 10 and extends from the elongated hole 101. Similarly, the rear side plate 90
A long hole 105 and a guide rail 106 are respectively provided in the slot 105, and the guide rail 106 has its base fixed to the back side of the first sheet loading platform 10.
The guide member 107 is fitted into the guide member 107 extending from the guide member 107 .

The cut and raised portions 108 and 109 formed on both the guide members 103 and 107, respectively, are connected to the chains 96 and 99.
The first sheet stacking table 10 is fixed to each of the sheets, and the first sheet stacking table 10 is moved up and down by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 100. A lift device 12 that moves the first sheet stacking platform 10 up and down is constituted by the motor 100, the chains 96, 99 rotated by the motor, a guide mechanism, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sheet loading table 10 has a comb-like shape.
The uneven portion faces toward the rear end side (right side in the figure) of the stacked sheets S. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the first
The lower limit position at which the sheet loading platform 10 descends is the side plate 89.
or 90 is regulated by a microswitch 111 provided at an appropriate position, and the lower limit position of this first sheet loading platform 10 is lower than the second sheet loading platform of the second sheet storage section 6, which will be described later. is also set to be low.

Further, on the inner wall surface of the side plate 89 on the near side, it is detected that the first sheet loading platform 10 is located slightly above the second sheet loading platform of the second sheet storage section 6. A microswitch 112 is provided.

The installation stand 2 that houses the first sheet storage section 5 has
A microswitch 113 is fixedly installed, and this microswitch 113 detects that the first sheet storage section 5 is in a predetermined position within the installation base 2, that is, in a pushed-in position.

The installation base 2 has a lock lever supported by a shaft 115.
116 and a solenoid 117 are provided, respectively. The lock lever 116 is biased clockwise in the figure by a tension spring 120 whose both ends are locked to the lever 116 and a locking piece 119 provided on the installation base 2, and is normally shown by a chain line. in position.

Further, the lock lever 116 is connected to the solenoid 117 via a connecting lever 121, and the control circuit 2
When the solenoid 117, which is controlled by 0 (see FIG. 6), is turned on, it rotates to the position shown by the solid line. Lock lever 11
A notch is formed in the free end of the lever 116, and when the lever 116 is in the solid line position, it fits into a bin 122 fixed on the back side of the support base 11, and the second sheet type The withdrawal of the storage section 6, that is, the replenishment of sheets S to the second sheet storage section 6 is regulated. Above loch lever 11
6, pin 122, solenoid 117 and tension spring 1
20 and the like constitute a first locking mechanism 22.

Furthermore, when the ON signal is no longer sent to the solenoid 117, the lock lever 116 rotates to the chain line position due to the elasticity of the tension spring 120 and releases the pin 122.
The first sheet storage section 5 can be taken in and out of the installation base 2, and sheets S can be replenished.

In FIG. 5, a 5-shaped sensor lever 125 is pivotally connected to a support member 123 fixed to the back side of the first sheet loading platform 10 by a shaft 126. The sensor lever 125 is biased in the direction of arrow 129 by the elasticity of the wound torsion spring 127.
One end 125a is movable upward and backward through a hole 130 formed in the first sheet loading platform 10. Also, the first
A support member 13 fixed to the back side of the sheet loading table 10 of
1 is provided with a photosensor 132 that is turned on and off by the other end 125b of the sensor lever 125. This photosensor 132 is activated when sheets S are stacked on the support base 11 and the sensor lever 125 is turned on and off. When it rotates to the solid line position, it outputs and detects the presence of sheets S. The torsion spring 127 is configured to have a weak elasticity such that the sensor lever 125 rotates to the solid line position when even one sheet S is loaded. The above sensor lever 125
The paper presence/absence detection means 13 is constituted by the photosensor 132 and the like.

Next, the paper feeding mechanism 9 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Side plate 133 that constitutes the installation stand 2 (see Fig. 4)
A motor 135 is fixed to the motor 13.
A gear 137 is meshed with a gear 136 fixed to the output shaft of No. 5. This gear 137 is attached via a clutch 140 to a shaft 139 that is rotatably supported by the side plate 133.
F transmits or blocks the rotation of the motor 135 to the shaft 139.

A timing pulley 141 and a conveyance roller 142a are fixed to the shaft 139, respectively. Further, at the free end of the support plate 145 whose base is pivotally connected to the shaft 139,
A shaft 149 to which a timing pulley 146 and a plurality of paper feed rollers 147 are respectively fixed is rotatably attached, and a timing belt 150 is stretched between the timing pulley 146 and the timing pulley 141. Further, the conveying roller 142a has a shaft 135a.
A separation roller 142b fixedly attached to the separator roller 142b is pressed into contact with the separator roller 142b, and the shaft 135a is connected to the output shaft of the motor 135.

As shown in FIG. 3, an upwardly protruding actuating piece 145a is provided at the free end of the support plate 145, and an actuating piece 145a is fixedly attached to the upper plate 151 of the installation base 2 at a position facing the actuating piece 145a. A seat height sensor 152 is provided. Further, the first sheet loading platform 10 is lowered by the lift device 12, and the sheets S on the first sheet loading platform 10 are lowered.
is separated from the paper feed roller 147, the paper feed roller 14
7 is lowered by its own weight and stopped at a predetermined position shown in FIG. 3 by locking the support plate 145 with a stopper (not shown).

Furthermore, the first sheet loading platform 1 is moved by the lift device 12.
0 is raised, the paper feed roller 147 is pushed up by the stacked sheets S, and the actuating piece 145 of the support plate 145
a is detected by the seat height sensor 152, the first
The raising of the sheet stacking table 10 is stopped, and the top of the sheets S at this time is set at the paper feeding height position. Separation section 142 consisting of conveyance roller 142a and separation roller 142b
A transport path 153 facing upward is disposed downstream of the transport path 153 . This conveyance path 153 is located at a place where sheets S can be delivered to the conveyance path 83 of the copying machine 1 when the copying machine 1 (see FIG. 1) is placed on the installation base 2.

Next, the second sheet storage section 6 and its moving mechanism 7 will be explained.

In FIG. 1, the second sheet storage section 6 occupies about half the space of the installation base 2. As shown in FIG. The second sheet storage section 6 has a second sheet loading table 16 capable of loading a predetermined amount of sheets S, and this second sheet loading table 16 is connected to a moving mechanism 7, which will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to horizontally move the sheets S loaded thereon to the position of the first sheet storage section 5 described above.

The second sheet storage section 6 including the second sheet stacking table 16 has a support table 17, and a plurality of rollers 155 are pivotally supported on the front and rear sides of the support table 17. This roller 155
The second sheet storage section 6 is configured to be able to be pulled out or pushed into the installation base 2 by being guided by a rail 156 fixed to the installation base 2. The operator can load and replenish the sheets S on the second sheet stacking table 16 of the second sheet storage section 6 that has been pulled out.

Furthermore, the second sheet storage section 6 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Both ends of a pair of shafts 160 and 161 are rotatably provided at the front and rear of a side plate 157 on the front side and a side plate 159 on the back side of the support base 17, respectively. Sprockets 162, 163 fixed to the front end of the shaft 160, 161, respectively
A chain 165 is stretched over the chain 165, and the protrusion 1 of the second sheet loading platform 16 is attached to the appropriate position of the chain 165.
6a is fixed. Also, sprockets 166 and 167 are fixed to the rear ends of the shafts 160 and 161, respectively.
A chain 169 is stretched over the chain 1.
69 is fixed at a proper position to a protrusion 16b formed on the back side of the second sheet stacking table 16.

A motor 170 is fixed to the side plate 159 on the back side of the support base 17, and a gear 171 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 170 meshes with a gear 172 fixed to the end of the shaft 160. Rotation of motor 170 is transmitted to shaft 160. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of rollers 173 are rotatably attached to the side plates 157 and 159, respectively, and the second sheet loading platform 1
6 is supported on a transferable basis. The rotation of the motor 170 is transmitted to the second sheet stacking table 16 via both chains 165 and 169, and the second sheet stacking table 16 maintains a horizontal state and moves to the first sheet storage section 5. It can be moved horizontally to the side.

In FIG. 2, on the inner surface of the side plate 159 on the back side, 1
A pair of microswitches 175 and 176 are fixed to each other, and when the protrusion 16b of the second sheet stacking platform 16 presses the microswitches 175 and 176, the movement position of the second sheet stacking platform 16 is changed. can be detected. That is, the micro switch 17
5 is pressed, it is detected that the second sheet loading platform 16 is at a predetermined position in the second sheet storage section 6, and when the microswitch 176 is pressed, the second sheet loading platform 16 is detected to be in a predetermined position within the second sheet storage section 6. It is detected that the stand 16 is at a predetermined position on the side of the first sheet storage section 5, that is, at the replenishment position.

The second sheet stacking table 16 has an uneven shape on the side of the first sheet storage section 5, and the second sheet stacking table 16 is connected to the first sheet storage section 5.
, the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion of the first sheet stacking platform 10, and the concave portion is inserted into the convex portion of the first sheet stacking platform 10, respectively.

Additionally, a microswitch 177 is fixed to the installation base 2, and when this is pressed, it detects that the second sheet loading platform 16 is at a predetermined position within the installation base 2, that is, in a pushed-in position. do.

The base of a lock lever 180 is pivotally attached to the installation base 2 by a shaft 179, and a notch formed at its free end can be engaged with and detached from a pin 181 fixed on the back side of the support base 17. It has become. The lock lever 180 is biased clockwise in the figure by a tension spring 183 whose both ends are locked to the lever 180 and a locking piece 182 provided on the installation base 2, and is normally located at the chain line position. . Further, the lock lever 180 is connected to a solenoid 185 fixed to the installation base 2 by a connecting lever 186. The above lock lever 180, pin 181, tension spring 18
3 and the second locking mechanism 23 by the solenoid 185 etc.
or configured.

When the lock lever 180 is in the chain line position, the pin 181 is released from the lock lever 180, so that the second sheet loading table 16 can be taken in and out of the installation table 2 and sheets S can be replenished. Further, when the solenoid 185 receives an ON signal from the control circuit 20 (see FIG. 6), the lock lever 180 rotates from the chain line position to the solid line position and engages with the pin 181. In this state, the second sheet stacking table 16 cannot be pulled out from the installation stand 2, and therefore the second sheet stacking table 16 cannot be replenished with sheets S.

On the back side of the second sheet stacking table 16, a paper presence/absence detecting means 21 consisting of a sensor lever 187, a photosensor 189, etc. similar to that of the first sheet stacking table 10 is disposed. One end 187a of the lever 187 is movable upward and backward through a hole 190 formed in the second sheet loading platform 16. Second sheet loading platform 1
When the sheets S are stacked on the sensor lever 6, the sensor lever 187 rotates to the solid line position, and the other end 187b turns the photo sensor 189 ON and outputs a sheet presence signal.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, in FIG. 7, the process from when the power is turned on to the entire system until it enters a copy startable state, a so-called standby state, will be described with attention to the sheet feeding device 3, which is an optional feeder.

Here, in particular, during the continuation of a series of operations for moving the sheets S stored in the second sheet storage unit 16 to the first sheet storage unit 5, the sheets S stored in the second sheet storage unit 5 are moved. Second
The operation for making it impossible to replenish the sheets S to the sheet stacking table 16 will be explained.

First, the entire system is powered on by the operator (
Stepl). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet S in the first sheet storage section 5 (5 step 2). This is determined based on the output of the photosensor 132 that is present.

Here, if there are sheets S in the first sheet storage section 5, it is determined whether the first sheet storage section 5 is stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2 (Step 3 )
. This is determined by the output of the microswitch 113 attached to the installation stand 2. If the first sheet storage section 5 is not stored in the predetermined position of the installation base 2, the message display (
``Please close the right tray (first sheet storage section 5)'' is displayed on the path shown in the illustration. This state continues until the first sheet storage section 5 is pushed in by the operator and stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2.

At step 5, when the first sheet storage section 5 is stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2, the motor 100 rotates in the normal direction (the direction in which the first sheet storage section 5 is raised is rotated in the normal direction). , the first sheet stacking table 10 is raised (Step 5).

Next, while raising the first sheet storage section 5, the topmost sheet of the sheets S stacked on the first sheet storage section 10 is loaded onto the first sheet storage section 5. Determine whether or not type S is at a predetermined paper feeding position and height (
Step 6). This is determined by the output of the seat height sensor 152.

When the uppermost sheet S reaches the predetermined sheet feeding position height, the motor 100 is stopped and the first sheet stacking table 1 is moved.
The increase in 0 is stopped (Step 7).

Next, the message display (illustrated path) provided in the operation section of the copying machine 1 displays the message "Ready to copy" (Step 8). At this point, the entire device system enters a standby state, and the operator's operation (Step 9).

Further, in 5top2, if there is no sheet S in the first sheet storage section 5, it is determined whether there is a sheet S in the second sheet storage section 6 (Step O
), this is a photo sensor 189 constituting the paper presence/absence detection means 21 provided on the second sheet stacking table 16.
It is determined by the output of

Here, if there is no sheet S in the second sheet storage section 6, the message date play (path shown) provided in the operation section of the copying machine 1 will display "Right tray (first sheet storage section 5"). ) is displayed.
tepl 1 ) In this state, the operator replenishes the first sheet storage section 5 with sheets S,
5 step 2, the sheets S are placed in the first sheet storage section 5.
This continues until it is determined that there is a sheet S in the second sheet storage section 6, or the second sheet storage section 6 is replenished with sheets S, and it is determined by 5teplO that there is a sheet S in the second sheet storage section 6. .

Sheets S are supplied to the first sheet storage section 5, and 5
If it is determined in step 2 that there is a sheet S in the first sheet storage section 5, then step 3 to step 5 described above is performed.
After p9, the entire device system enters the standby state.

On the other hand, if the second sheet storage section 6 is replenished with sheets S, or if there are sheets S on the second sheet loading platform 16 from the beginning, then the second sheet loading platform 16 It is determined whether or not the microswitch 177 is stored in the installation base 2 at a predetermined position (5 step 12). This is determined by the output of the microswitch 177 attached to the installation base 2.

If the second sheet storage section 6 is not stored in the predetermined position in the installation base 2, a message display provided on the operation section of the copying machine 1 will display "Left tray (second sheet storage section 6)". ) is displayed ( 5tepl
3). This state continues until the second sheet storage section 6 is pushed in by the operator and stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2.

At 5tepl 2, if the second sheet storage section 6 is stored in a predetermined position in the installation base 2, then the first sheet storage section 5 is stored in a predetermined position in the installation base 2. (5tepl 4)
), this is determined by the output of the microswitch 113 attached to the installation base 2.

If the first sheet storage section 5 is not stored in the specified position in the installation base 2, the above-mentioned message display will say "Please close the first sheet storage section 5 in the right tray". is displayed (5tep 15), and this state continues until the first sheet storage section 5 is pushed in by the operator and stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2.

At 5tepl 4, when the first sheet storage section 5 is stored at a predetermined position in the installation base 2, the motor 10
0 is reversed and the first sheet stacking platform 10 is lowered (Step 6).

Next, while lowering the first sheet loading platform 10,
It is determined whether the first sheet stacking table 10 is at the lowest position (S, tepl 7 ), and this is determined by the output of the microswitch 111. When the first sheet loading platform 10 reaches the lowest position, the first sheet loading platform 10 is stopped (5tepl 8)
.

Next, the first sheet storage section 5 and the second sheet storage section 6 are made so that they cannot be pulled out from the installation base 2 (5t
epl 9). This is performed by sending an ON signal to solenoid 117 and solenoid 185.

Next, the motor 170 is rotated forward (the second sheet loading platform 1
6 to the right (forward rotation, and the direction to move leftward is reverse), and move the second sheet stacking table 16 to the right (in the direction of the first sheet storage section 5). (Step 20).

Next, while moving the second sheet stacking table 16 to the right, it is determined whether the second sheet stacking table 16 is at a predetermined position on the side of the first sheet storage section 5 (Ste.
p21). This is determined by the output of microswitch 176.

When the second sheet loading platform 16 reaches a predetermined position on the first sheet storage section 5 side, the second sheet loading platform 1
6 is stopped (Step 22). Next, motor 1
00 is rotated in the normal direction to raise the first sheet loading platform 10 (Step 23). While raising the first sheet stacking platform 1o, it is determined whether the first sheet stacking platform 1o is at a position slightly above the second sheet stacking platform 16 (Step 24). This is determined based on the output of switch 112.

In step 24, when the first sheet stacking platform 1° reaches a predetermined position slightly above the second sheet stacking platform 16, the motor 170 is reversed to move the second sheet stacking platform 16 to the left. (Step 25)
. Here, the sheets S on the second sheet stacking table 16 are completely transferred onto the first sheet stacking table 10.

Next, while moving the second sheet Wi stacking table 16 to the left, the uppermost sheet S of the sheets S stacked on the first sheet stacking table lo is brought to a predetermined height. (Step 26) This is determined by the seat height sensor 152.

In step 526, if the uppermost sheet S of the first sheet stacking table 10 has not reached the predetermined sheet feeding position height, the second sheet stacking table 16 is moved to the second sheet storage section 6. Determine whether it is in the home position of (
Step 27). This is determined by the output of microswitch 175.

Here, if the second sheet stacking table 16 has not returned to the home position, the process returns to step 26 again.

As described above, while repeating steps 5tep 26 and 5tep 27, either the first sheet loading platform 10 or the second sheet loading platform 16 reaches its predetermined position first, and then the motor 100 or the motor 170 is stopped (Step 28 or Step 29).

In this embodiment, the time required for the first sheet stacking platform 1o to pass through and stop at a predetermined position slightly above the second sheet stacking platform 16 is T8, and the time required for the second sheet stacking platform 16 to stop is T8. Let T2 be the time it takes to start moving from a predetermined position in the first sheet storage section 5 and return to the home position, T,
>72 and T1<T are both possible. This is because T1 is an amount that basically depends on the height of the sheets S stacked on the first sheet stacking table 10.

If T1>'r, 5tep27-) 5tep
28-+5step294Step26-+5step27
->5tep264Stel)28-*5tep30
-+ Operates like 5tep31, and if TI<T2, 5tep2645tep28-+5tep3
0-+5tep25-+5tep26-+5tep26
-+5tep28-* 5tep30-* 5tep3
1, the first sheet loading platform 10 is moved to the second sheet loading platform 10.
Both of the sheet loading tables 16 stop moving.

Here, the first sheet storage section 5 and the second sheet storage section 6 are made to be able to be pulled out from the installation base 2 (Step 3
2) Next, "Copy ready" is displayed on the message display (Step 33). At this point, the entire device system enters a standby state and waits for an operation by the operator (Step 34).

The above describes the operation of each part of the sheet feeding device 3 and the operation of the first sheet storage section 5 and the second sheet storage section 5, taking as an example the process from when the power is turned on to the entire device system until it enters the standby state. As a means for preventing sheets S from being replenished into the storage section 6, a mechanism for preventing each sheet from being pulled out from the installation base 2 has been described.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a method of disabling sheets S from being fed into the first sheet storage section 5 during a sheet feeding operation will be described.

First, the operator inputs the necessary copy conditions from the operation section of the copying machine 1, and then starts copying (Step 35).
), then continue to install the first sheet storage section 5 on the installation base 2.
(5step 36) This is done by giving an ON signal to the solenoid 117.

During the paper feeding operation by the paper feeding mechanism 9, the first sheet storage section 5 remains unable to be pulled out from the installation base 2.

When the paper feeding operation is completed, the first sheet storage section 5
so that it can be pulled out from the installation base 2 (5 step 38
), this is the O that was being given to solenoid 117.
This is done by turning off the N signal. 5step 39: “Copy ready” should be displayed on the message display.
), returns to standby state (Step 40)
Note that during the above-described operation of the first sheet storage section 5, the second sheet storage section 6 can be freely taken in and out from the installation base 2.

(g) As described in detail, according to the present invention, the first sheet loading platform having the first sheet loading platform configured to be movable in a substantially vertical direction is provided.
A sheet feeding device comprising a second sheet storage unit having a second sheet storage unit configured to be movable in a horizontal direction, and a second sheet storage unit configured to be movable in a horizontal direction.
Each of the second sheet storage sections is configured to be able to be pulled out independently from the installation base, and the first. By making it possible to independently replenish sheets in the second sheet storage section, a large amount of sheets can be stored in a limited space, and the sheet storage section allows for easy replenishment of sheets. It is possible to realize a transmission device.

In addition, by providing a locking mechanism that prevents the first and second sheet storage sections from being pulled out independently from the installation base, sheets can be moved from the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section. While the moving operation continues, each sheet storage section cannot be pulled out and sheets cannot be replenished, thereby protecting the horizontal moving mechanism and avoiding external interference with the internal operation of the device. be able to.

Furthermore, by making it impossible to pull out the first sheet storage section from the installation base during the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding mechanism, it is possible to avoid interfering with the paper feeding operation. Further, by configuring the second sheet storage section to be pulled out from the installation base during sheet feeding operation, it is possible to realize a sheet feeding device with good operability for replenishing sheets.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a sheet feeding device and a copying machine (image forming apparatus) to which the device is connected, showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device. , FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of the first sheet storage section and paper feeding mechanism section,
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the paper feeding mechanism section, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the paper presence detection means section, FIG. 6 is a control circuit diagram of the sheet feeding device, and FIG. 7 shows the operation of the present invention. Flowchart, No. 8
The figure is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a conventional sheet feeding device. S... Sheets 1... Copying machine (image forming device) 2... Installation stand 3... Sheet feeding device 5... First sheet storage section 6... Second
Sheet storage section 7...Movement mechanism (transportation means)
9... Paper feeding mechanism (feeding means) 10...
・First sheet loading table 11...support table 11 12
... Lift device 13 ... Paper presence/absence detection means 16
...Second sheet loading stand 17...Support stand
20... Control circuit 21... Paper presence/absence detection means section 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 0 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 (a) (b)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A first sheet storage unit having a first sheet storage unit configured to be able to load sheets and move in a substantially vertical direction; a second sheet storage section having a second sheet storage section configured to be movable in the direction; and sheets stored in the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section. a moving means for moving the sheets arranged near the first sheet storage section and stored in the first sheet storage section;
a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets one by one; for only the first sheet storage section; or for both the first sheet storage section and the second sheet storage section; A sheet feeding device characterized in that sheets can be supplied independently to each sheet. 2. While the feeding means continues to feed out the sheets stored in the first sheet storage section, sheets can be supplied to the second sheet storage section. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1. 3. While the feeding means continues to feed out the sheets stored in the first sheet storage section, a first sheet storage section that makes it impossible to supply sheets to the first sheet storage section; 2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one locking means. 4. While the operation of moving the sheets stored in the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section by the moving means continues, the sheets stored in the second sheet storage section are not moved. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second locking means that makes it impossible to replenish the sheets. 5. During the continuation of the operation of moving the sheets stored in the second sheet storage section by the moving means, a first step that makes it impossible to supply sheets to the first sheet storage section; Claim 1 characterized in that a locking means of 1 is provided.
The sheet feeding device described. 6. The image forming apparatus may include an image forming device placed on a mounting base that houses the sheet feeding device therein, and that performs image processing after receiving the sheets fed out from the sheet feeding device. A sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.