JPH0672595A - Manual paper sheet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the longitudinal size of a paper sheet precisely too, in the same way as its lateral size which is detected always precisely by a side fence. CONSTITUTION:In a manual paper sheet feed device which has a table 1 on which copy paper sheets are loaded, a lateral size detecting means for the copy paper sheets loaded on this table 1 and a longitudinal size detecting means, the longitudinal size detecting means consists of a reflective optical sensor 3 which has a transparent cover 1b on its surface, and in which a detecting surface 3a is turned on the loading face of the table 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manual sheet feeder used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a manual paper feeding device, FIG.
As shown in, the size in the width direction of the sizes of the transfer papers stacked on the table 10 is detected by the positions of the side fences 11 abutting on both sides of the transfer papers. Longitudinal size is table 10
It is adapted to be detected by the rear end detection filler 12 protruding from the surface.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the contact detection method by the filler 12 is used for detecting the size in the longitudinal direction. However, since the weight of one transfer sheet is detected, the filler 12 is There was a problem in that it had to operate with a weak force, lacked reliability over time, and was fragile.

When the filer 12 is no longer able to detect it, it is impossible to judge whether the size of the original and the size of the transfer paper match, and when the original is larger, the unnecessary portions are developed. There is a problem that the load of the cleaning device is increased, toner is wasted, and the like, and further, the scanning operation is performed unnecessarily, which requires a long time.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such a background, and a manual paper feeding device capable of accurately detecting a longitudinal size as well as a widthwise size which is always accurately detected by a side fence. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

The above-mentioned object is to provide a manual sheet feeder having a table for stacking transfer sheets, a widthwise size detecting means for the transfer sheets stacked on the table, and a longitudinal size detecting means. In the above, the longitudinal size detecting means is achieved by the first means having a transparent cover on the surface and comprising a reflection type optical sensor with the detecting surface facing the loading surface of the table.

Further, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a second means provided with a cleaning means for the transparent cover in the first means.

Further, in the second means, the table is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body, and the cleaning means is swingably held on the table storage surface of the main body and always leans outward. By the third means, the table is biased in such a manner that it is pushed during the closing operation of the table and is rotated inward, and the table is slid on the cover of the optical sensor due to the position displacement in the height direction. To be achieved.

[0009]

In the first means, since the longitudinal size detecting means is constituted by the reflection type optical sensor having the transparent cover, accurate size detection can be performed for a long period of time.

In the second means, since the transparent cover is cleaned by the cleaning means, the reliability of size detection is further enhanced.

In the third means, the cleaning operation is performed semi-automatically by rotating the table, and the usability is improved.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a manual sheet feeder according to the embodiment.

The table 1 is openably and closably held by the copying machine main body 2 by means of a shaft 1a, and when the table 1'is not used (1
In the state shown by the dotted line), the copying machine main body 2 is stored in a storage portion 2a formed by cutting out. A reflection type optical sensor 3 is set on the table 1 to detect the transfer paper 4. The cleaner (cleaning means) 5 is swingably held by the shaft 5a to the position 5'in the storage portion 2a, but is always inclined outward by the leaf spring 6. The tip of the cleaner 5 is formed in an arc shape, and the pad 5b is attached to this arc-shaped portion. Further, the cleaner 5 is provided with a shield plate 5c, which shields the transmissive sensor 7 embedded in the storage portion 2a at the position 5 '. Reference numeral 8 denotes a paper feeding unit, which includes rollers, a guide plate, and the like.

The optical sensor 3 is set at a position slightly lower than the transfer paper stacking surface of the table 1, the surface is covered with a filter (transparent cover) 1b, and the lens portion (detecting surface) 3a.
To prevent it from getting dirty.

2 and 3 are operation explanatory views showing how the optical sensor is cleaned.

In FIG. 2, when the table 1 rotates in the direction of arrow a and is closed to a certain extent, the filter 1b comes into contact with the pad 5b attached to the cleaner 5. As it is further closed, the cleaner 5 is pushed onto the table 1,
It rotates about the shaft 5a while resisting the leaf spring 6. At the same time, the pad 5b slides upward on the filter 1b while generating a frictional force by the force of the leaf spring 6 to scrape off the dirt on the filter 1b.

When the table 1 is completely closed, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. The pad 5b completely slides on the filter 1b, a part of the cleaner 5 shields the transmissive sensor 7, and a signal indicating that the table 1 is closed is emitted. That is, the opening / closing of the table 1 can be detected by turning on / off the transmissive sensor 7.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the longitudinal size detecting means is composed of the reflection type optical sensor having the transparent cover, accurate size detection can be performed for a long period of time.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the cleaning means cleans the transparent cover, the reliability of size detection can be further improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the cleaning operation is performed semi-automatically by rotating the table,
The usability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a manual sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operating state of the manual paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operating state of the manual paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a manual sheet feeding device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 table 1b filter (transparent cover) 2 copier body 3 optical sensor 3a lens part (detection surface) 5 cleaner (cleaning means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A table for stacking transfer papers, and a width direction size detecting means for the transfer papers stacked on the table,
In a manual sheet feeding device having a longitudinal size detecting means, the longitudinal size detecting means is a reflection type optical sensor having a transparent cover on the surface and having a detecting surface facing the loading surface of the table. The manual paper feed device, which is characterized in that 2. The manual sheet feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning unit for cleaning the transparent cover. 3. The table according to claim 2, wherein the table is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body, and the cleaning means is swingably held on a table storage surface of the main body so as to be always inclined outward. The manual paper feed is characterized in that it is biased to be pushed inward when the table is closed and pivoted inward, and that the table is slid on the cover of the optical sensor due to its position displacement in the height direction. apparatus.