JPH06271094A - Paper sheet loader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To embody an excellent cost performance by simplifying the constitution of a loader and prevent any non-feeding and skew of a paper sheet by clearly discriminating that a requlation member is set in a specific position. CONSTITUTION:In a paper sheet loader provided with an universal tray having a movable requlation member in a paper feed direction and another movable requlation member in a direction perpendicularly crossing the paper feed direction, conductive members 10 are respectively arranged on a movable requlation member 3 in the paper feed direction and on at least one of a pair of movable regulation members 2 in the direction perpendicularly crossing the paper feed direction and a conductive member 9 is arranged on the tray so that the conductive state can be intermittently changed in the moving direction of each control member 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet stacking device having a universal tray used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ordinary image forming apparatus is provided with a paper feed unit having a structure for feeding paper to a copying process unit by separating and pulling out stacked paper sheets one by one using a pickup roller or the like. . However, there are various sizes of image-recording materials, and even standardized types include A4, A5, B4, B5, etc., so it is possible to feed all sizes. The construction of the parts leads to unnecessary enlargement.

Therefore, for paper sizes other than the frequently used paper size, a paper feed cassette detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus is used, and the paper feed cassette accommodating paper of various sizes is replaced as needed, It is generally performed to convert the size of paper.

However, there is a problem in terms of cost if it is necessary to prepare a paper feed cassette for each of the sizes of papers that are rarely used. Further, if there are many paper cassettes other than the paper cassettes installed in the main body that are not used, there is a problem in terms of storage location.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, a versatile sheet feeding cassette has been proposed, which is adapted to move a sheet regulating member inside the cassette so as to cope with a plurality of sheets of paper, and is widely used. Have been used for.

In the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to perform image formation suitable for various sizes and timing control of alignment, and therefore the size of the paper must be known in advance before image formation. Many proposals have been made so far to detect such a paper size for the above-mentioned versatile paper feed cassette, that is, a paper feed cassette provided with a so-called universal tray.

[0007]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-39218
In the publication, a variable resistance means for outputting a different voltage depending on the contact position with the projection when the projection is installed at different positions according to the size of the paper stored in the storage means and the projection is in contact with the projection. An image forming apparatus is disclosed which includes a control unit that inputs the output voltage generated in the variable resistance means and detects the size of the sheet. Protrusions are provided on the front or rear end surface of the paper feed cassette at a position corresponding to the size of the paper to be stored, and this is detected using a detection circuit, and the side surface of the partition plate placed at the rear end position of the storage paper It is shown that a protrusion is provided on the device and the protrusion is used to move a variable resistor attached to the apparatus main body side to detect the resistance according to the size.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-33828,
A universal cassette equipped with a paper trailing edge restricting tool movable in the paper feeding direction and a paper side edge restricting tool movable in the lateral direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction is provided with a plurality of detected parts and a paper side edge. The first projection body for displaying the paper size in which the number of detected portions projecting from the side surface of the universal cassette changes in conjunction with the movement of the restriction tool, and the first projection body on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. A second projection body for displaying the paper storage attitude that is positioned and projects from the side surface of the universal cassette in conjunction with the movement of the paper trailing edge regulating tool is provided, and the image forming apparatus main body is provided with
An electrical detection unit is provided at a position corresponding to the second protrusion in the state where the universal cassette is loaded, and a detection signal when the detection unit detects passage of the first protrusion when the universal cassette is inserted; The size of the paper stored in the universal cassette and the storage attitude are determined based on the detection signal when the detection means detects the presence or absence of the second protrusion in the state where the cassette is loaded. Is disclosed.
In particular, as understood from FIGS. 5 (a), (b), and (c), the detected portion protruding from the side surface of the universal cassette depending on the position of the paper side edge regulating tool in the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction. Combined with the change in the number of legs (first protrusions) and the state in which the second protrusions protrude from the side surface of the universal cassette depending on the position of the paper trailing edge regulation unit in the direction along the paper feed direction. By detecting the combination state by the photo interrupter provided on the apparatus main body side, the paper size and the storage attitude such as whether the paper is stored vertically or horizontally are determined. .

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-51223,
A paper feed cassette characterized by having an input means for inputting information about paper stored inside, a processing means for the information, and a display means, and driving these means by electric power generated by a solar cell. It is disclosed. As a method of detecting the size of the paper in the paper feed cassette, the horizontal and vertical partition plates of the paper can be moved back and forth and left and right along the partition plate moving grooves, respectively, using a micro switch. It is shown to detect the moving position of the.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-79324,
In a sheet feeding device having a movable width adjusting handle that aligns sheets by abutting the ends of the sheets placed on the tray, the contact between the width adjusting handle and the sheets can be detected. It is disclosed that a paper edge detection sensor is provided in the width-adjusting handle.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-33827,
A plurality of magnetic sensors are arranged at regular intervals inside the main body of the apparatus, while a magnet is slidably arranged outside the universal tray in the arrangement direction of the magnetic sensors, and the magnetic force of the magnets is set to the magnetic force of the two magnetic sensors. A paper size detection mechanism for a universal tray is disclosed in which magnetic force is made to turn on these two magnetic sensors at a position facing the middle.

However, as in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-39218 and the sheet size detecting apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-33828, as a method of detecting the sheet size, it is linked to the cassette side. In the method of providing the projecting member of the formula and detecting the fluctuation state by the detecting means on the apparatus main body side, the number of parts increases and there is a problem in space. Particularly in the system such as the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-39218, if the projection is attached to the movable partition plate, the sliding resistance may be displaced when pressed, and If it is attached to a fixed partition plate, there is a problem in that a large number of partition plates with protrusions must be prepared.

When a micro switch or a detection sensor is used like the paper feed cassette disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-51223 and the paper feeder disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-79324, it is costly. It takes a burden. Actual Kaihei 3-
As in the paper size detection mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 33827, the method of detecting the size using a magnetic sensor is also the same and mechanically complicated.

The method of stacking and setting the sheets by using the movable regulating member depends on the handling by the user.
There is a risk that the regulation member is not set at a predetermined position and skew due to such incomplete regulation occurs.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the related arts, and the problem thereof is that the restriction member is set in a predetermined position with excellent cost performance due to the simple structure. By being able to recognize
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet stacking device capable of detecting a sheet size and capable of preventing non-feeding and skew.

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a universal tray having a regulating member movable in the paper feeding direction and a regulating member movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. In a sheet stacking apparatus including the above, at least one of a regulating member movable in the paper feeding direction and a pair of regulating members movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction is provided with a conductive member, and each regulating member moves. A conductive member is arranged on the tray so that the energized state changes intermittently in the direction.

In a sheet stacking apparatus having a universal tray having a regulating member movable in the sheet feeding direction and a regulating member movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, it is movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. If a conductive member is provided on at least one of the restriction members and the conductive member is arranged on the tray so that the energized state changes intermittently in the direction in which the restriction member moves, it is possible to arrange it at a predetermined position. It is possible to clearly recognize that the restricting member has been set and prevent skew.

Corresponding to this structure, in a sheet stacking device provided with a universal tray having a regulating member movable in the paper feeding direction and a regulating member movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, The conductive member is provided on the movable regulating member, and the conductive member is arranged on the tray so that the energized state is intermittently changed in the moving direction of the regulating member. It is possible to clearly recognize that the is set and prevent non-delivery.

It is preferable that a means for locking the regulating member is provided at each position on the tray where the conductive member is arranged, and the regulating member is provided with means for releasing the locked state.

[0020]

The details of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of a paper feed cassette provided with a universal tray according to the present invention. Paper feed cassette 1 used for so-called front loading paper feed method
Can be taken in and out from the front of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown) in the direction of arrow A. Sheets (not shown) stacked in the sheet cassette 1 are fed in the direction of arrow B.
In the universal tray constituting the paper feed cassette, a regulation member 2 movable in a direction (hereinafter referred to as “A direction”) orthogonal to a paper feeding direction (hereinafter referred to as “B direction”) and a regulation member movable in the B direction. The member 3 is arranged. The guide portions for slidingly guiding the restriction members 2 and 3 are appropriately
Positioning recesses 5 and 4 are provided. Further, output terminals 13 and 14 are provided on the end face of the sheet feeding cassette 1, and when the sheet feeding cassette 1 is attached to the apparatus main body, it is fitted into the input terminals 15 and 16 on the apparatus main body side and regulates in the A direction. The electric signals from the member 2 and the B-direction restricting member 3 can be transmitted to the signal information processing means such as a CPU in the apparatus body. At the time of mounting the paper feed cassette, the output terminal 26 on the side of the measure main body and the input terminal 25 on the paper feed cassette side are simultaneously engaged.
Although not shown, it is of course possible to have a member or mechanism provided in a known paper feed tray, such as a bottom plate raising mechanism for pressing the stacked sheets against the pickup roller.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view for explaining the engagement between the A-direction regulating member 2 and a piece for slidingly guiding the A-direction regulating member 2. Figure 3
2 shows a schematic cross section of the A-direction regulating member 2 taken along the line CC of FIG. The A-direction regulating member 2 has a partition plate 28 and a knob portion 11 extending over the entire length, and the partition plate 28 is provided with a notch 29 for operating the knob portion 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the knob portion 11 is attached to the partition plate 28 by a support shaft 30 attached near the upper end of the partition plate 28, and the conductive member 10 provided inside the partition plate 28 is moved inward. Can be pressed. The leaf-spring-shaped conductive member 10 is configured such that its legs are spread,
When the knob 11 is not operated, the electrode 9 arranged in the positioning recess 5 on the tray side is contacted to form an energized state, and the extension state and the shape of the positioning recess 5 lock the electrode. Become. The electrode 9 has a different resistance value for each position of the positioning recess 5. Regulation member 2
The sliding surface 21 arranged to face the partition plate constitutes a sliding guide portion for guiding the regulating member 2, and as can be understood from FIG. 1, the sliding surface 21 is regulated in the A-direction side end space. The ends of the member 2 engage. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, rack gears 17 are provided on both sides of the regulating member on the lower surface side of the tray, and mesh with pinion gears 18 attached to the tray.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining the engagement between the B-direction restricting member 3 and the piece for slidingly guiding the restricting member 3. Figure 5
4 shows a schematic cross section of the B-direction regulating member 3 along the line D-D in FIG. The B-direction restricting member 3 includes a partition plate 33, a pilot plate 34 attached at a right angle to the partition plate 33,
And the knobs 7 arranged on both side surfaces of the partition plate 33 in the B direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the pilot plate 34 slides according to a pair of guide rails 20 that are one of the components of the sliding guide portion that guides the regulating member 3, and the E ring 19 arranged on the back surface thereof. With this, the guide rail 20 is sandwiched and the B-direction regulating member 3 is prevented from coming off the paper feed cassette. As shown in FIG. 5, the knob portion 7 is provided with a support shaft 35 attached near the upper edge of the partition plate 33, and the conductive member 8 provided inside the partition plate 33 is moved inward. Can be pressed. Like the conductive member 10 of the A-direction regulating member 2, the leaf-spring-shaped conductive member 8 is configured so that its legs are widened, and when the knob 7 is not operated, the tray-side positioning recessed portion is formed. The electrode 6 arranged in 4 is brought into contact with the electrode 6 to form an energized state, and the positioning recess 4 is locked.
The electrode 6 has a different resistance value depending on the position of the positioning recess 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, there are various types of sheets to be stacked even if they are standardized, and trays corresponding to the respective numerical values in the width direction, that is, the A direction and the feeding direction, and thus the B direction. At least the positioning recesses 4 and 5 are provided in the portion.

Next, the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

In order to move the A-direction regulating member 2 and the B-direction regulating member 3 so as to fit the size of sheets to be stacked, the knob portions 11 and 7 of the regulating members 2 and 3 are picked up,
By releasing the locked state with the positioning recesses 5 and 4, the restricting members 2 and 3 move on the sliding guides. In each of the restriction members 2 and 3, the conductive members 10 and 8 come into contact with the electrodes 9 and 6 when in the locked state, so that current can be supplied, and when the locked state is released, the electrical connection is also cut off.

By mounting the paper feed cassette 1 whose paper position is specified by the adjustment of the regulating members 2 and 3 in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the terminals 13 to 16 and 25 and 26 are fitted to each other, and the size of the stacked paper is set. The electric signal according to is output to the apparatus main body. In accordance with the output, the signal information processing means in the main body performs timing control of alignment suitable for the corresponding size, and image formation is performed. An example of the work flow in that case is shown in FIG. If the regulating members 2 and 3 are not firmly locked in the positioning recesses 5 and 4 when the paper feeding operation is started, the electric signal is not sent because the power is not supplied, and the regulating members are not transmitted. Judge that the (fence) is not set to the specified position. The timing control or the like may be performed according to all the paper sizes detected from the positioning recesses 4 and 5, but if the combination is not a combination of information signals of a predetermined size, it is determined that a wrong setting is made. Therefore, the paper feeding operation may not be performed.

By pulling out the paper feed cassette 1 from the main body, the input / output terminals are automatically disconnected, thus ensuring the safety of the user.

[0029]

According to the sheet stacking apparatus of the first aspect, the sheet is provided with the universal tray having the regulating member movable in the sheet feeding direction and the regulating member movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. In the stacking device, a conductive member is provided on at least one of the regulation member movable in the sheet feeding direction and the regulation member movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and the energization is intermittent in the direction in which each regulation member moves. Since a conductive member is placed on the tray so that the status changes, the structure is simpler than that of the conventional size detection method, and the cost performance is excellent. It is possible to clearly recognize that the member has been set in the prescribed position to prevent misfeeds and skew, and to accurately and accurately determine the size in each direction. The box, it is possible to size identifying the stacked paper sheets.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a conductive member is provided on at least one of the regulating members movable in the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and the energized state is intermittent in the moving direction of the regulating member. By configuring the paper stacking device so that the conductive member is arranged on the tray so that it changes, it is possible to clearly recognize that the regulating member is set at a predetermined position in the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and prevent skew. Is possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a conductive member is provided on the regulating member that is movable in the sheet feeding direction, and a conductive state is intermittently changed on the tray in the moving direction of the regulating member. By configuring the sheet stacking device so as to dispose the conductive member, it is possible to clearly recognize that the regulating member is set at a predetermined position in the sheet feeding direction, and it is possible to prevent non-feeding.

According to the sheet stacking device of the fourth aspect,
Since the regulation member is provided with a means for locking the regulation member at each position where the conductive member is arranged on the tray, and the regulation member is provided with a means for releasing the locked state, the regulation member is securely fixed and moved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a skew or a timing control error even in a continuous paper feeding operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a sheet stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a regulating member that regulates the position of a sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a restriction member corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction.

5 is a schematic front view of a restriction member corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between vertical and horizontal dimensions in a fixed paper size.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing a flow of paper feeding work.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 paper feed cassette 2, 3 regulating member 4, 5 positioning recess

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet stacking apparatus including a universal tray having a regulating member movable in the sheet feeding direction and a regulating member movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, the regulating member movable in the sheet feeding direction. And a conductive member is provided on at least one of a pair of regulating members that are movable in the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and the conductive material is provided on the tray so that the energized state changes intermittently in the direction in which each regulating member moves. A sheet stacking device, in which members are provided. 2. A sheet stacking device provided with a universal tray having a regulating member movable in the sheet feeding direction and a regulating member movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, and moving in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. Paper stacking characterized in that a conductive member is provided on at least one of the possible regulating members, and the conductive member is disposed on the tray so that the energized state changes intermittently in the direction in which the regulating member moves. apparatus. 3. A sheet stacking device provided with a universal tray having a regulation member movable in the sheet feeding direction and a regulation member movable in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, the regulation member movable in the sheet feeding direction. A sheet stacking device, wherein a conductive member is provided on the tray, and the conductive member is arranged on the tray so that the energized state intermittently changes in the direction in which the regulation member moves. 4. The means for locking the regulation member at each position of the tray on which the conductive member is arranged, and the regulation member having means for releasing the locked state. The sheet stacking device according to any one of 3 above.