JPH08231107A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide compatibility of the miniaturization of a device main body and the smooth conveyance of a recording paper by easily performing setting of the recording sheet with a simple and compact structure, enhancing the space efficiency for placing a recording device, and achieving the facilitation of the arrangement of a recording head and the improvement of recording precision. CONSTITUTION: A recording device is provided with an approximately horizontal conveying passage 31 for guiding and discharging a recording sheet 13, a recording head 15 provided on the way of the conveying passage 31, and for making recording on the surface of the recording sheet 13, and a recording sheet loading part 50 inclined toward diagonally down, and for guiding the recording sheet 13 to the conveying passage 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording device including an automatic paper feeder, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile drives dots on a recording sheet such as paper or a plastic thin plate by driving an energy generator of a recording head based on image information transferred. It is configured to record an image composed of a pattern. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording method.

The recording sheets used in the recording apparatus include plain paper, thick paper such as postcards and envelopes, and special sheets such as plastic thin plates. The supply of recording sheets is
In addition to manually inserting the sheets one by one, automatic and continuous feeding is performed by an automatic paper feeder. The automatic paper feeding device generally includes a paper feeding drive unit that rotates a paper feeding roller to feed a recording sheet and a paper feeding cassette unit that stacks and stores the recording sheets, and operates in conjunction with a sheet conveying system of the recording device. By driving the sheet feeding drive unit, the recording sheets are separately fed one by one.

As the recording apparatus, a horizontal type is generally adopted, and a sheet insertion port and a sheet ejection port are provided on the upper surface thereof, and along a recording sheet conveyance path formed in a substantially U shape inside the recording apparatus. It is configured to record while feeding sheets.

[0005]

However, the conventional recording apparatus has a problem that it requires a considerable space for installation. The present invention has been made in view of such conventional technical problems, and provides a recording apparatus capable of setting a recording sheet with a simple and compact structure and improving space efficiency. With the goal.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a substantially horizontal conveying path for guiding and discharging a recording sheet, and a recording sheet provided in the middle of the conveying path. A recording unit for recording on a surface, and a recording sheet stacking unit that is inclined obliquely downward and guides the recording sheet to the transport path are characterized by being provided.

[0007]

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state when a horizontal recording apparatus (recording apparatus main body) 10 suitable for carrying out the present invention is used, and FIG. 4 is a recording diagram of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure inside an apparatus. 3 and 4, the upper surface of a recording device (for example, a recording device that uses a bubble jet recording method and forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid) 10. A sheet insertion port 11 and a sheet ejection port 12 are formed in the recording sheet 13 and the recording sheet 13 is inserted from the sheet insertion port 11.
Is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the platen roller 14 also serving as a sheet feeding roller, and is conveyed in the direction of the arrow along the recording sheet conveying path formed in a substantially U shape (FIGS. 1 and 2), and faces the recording head 15. Recording is performed while passing through the recording unit, and after recording, the sheet is discharged upward from the sheet discharge port 12.

Here, the paper feed tray 16 is the recording device 10.
It is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the door so that it can be opened and closed, and when used (at the time of recording)
When it is not used (such as when stored and stored), it is set to the closed position as shown in FIG. 2, and the sheet insertion opening 11, the sheet ejection opening 12, the switches 17 are opened. Recording device 10 provided with a display 18, etc.
It functions as a cover 16 for covering and protecting the upper surface of the.

In FIG. 4, the recording head 15 is mounted on a carriage 22 that reciprocates along guide shafts 21, 21 parallel to the platen roller 14. It should be noted that the illustrated recording head 15 is an inkjet head as an example, and is configured integrally with an ink tank. A sheet pressing plate 23 for pressing the recording sheet 13 against the platen roller 14 is arranged on the upstream side of the recording head 15 in the conveyance direction. The sheet retainer 23 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the platen roller 14 by a leaf spring 24.

Further, the pressure contact force of the sheet pressing plate 23 can be released by operating a lever 25 axially supported by the shaft of the platen roller 14. Further, a spur 26 and a roller 27 for assisting the ejection of the recording sheet 13 are provided at the position of the sheet ejection port 12.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the bottom surface of the recording apparatus (main body) 10 (it becomes the back surface in the standing posture described later). A second sheet insertion port 28 is formed on the bottom surface of the recording device 10, and a substantially linear shape is formed from the insertion port 28 through the recording portion between the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14 to the sheet ejection port 12. The second recording sheet conveyance path is configured to extend substantially vertically.

As will be described later, this second recording sheet conveying path can be used when the recording apparatus 10 is stood up (FIGS. 1 and 2) and is not curved, so that it can be used for postcards and envelopes. There is an advantage that even a recording sheet having a strong rigidity, such as a thick sheet such as or a special sheet such as a plastic sheet, can be easily fed. The above-described recording apparatus 10 can be used in an upright posture. In the upright posture, the automatic paper feeding device can be detachably attached, and the automatic feeding can be performed from the sheet insertion port 28 on the back surface (when it is upright). it can.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the recording apparatus 1 in a standing state.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which an automatic paper feeding device 30 is mounted on the back surface of 0, FIG. 1 shows a usage state (during recording), and FIG. 2 shows a storage state. 1 and 2, the recording device 1
When 0 is set in an upright state, the recording sheet conveyance path is substantially linear through the recording section (between the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14), that is, the conveyance path from the second sheet insertion port 28 to the sheet ejection port 12. Is formed.

Therefore, the automatic sheet feeder 30 inserts the recording sheet 1 into the straight conveying path from the entrance (sheet insertion opening) 28.
The recording medium 10 is positioned so as to feed the recording medium 3 and is detachably attached to the back surface (opening surface of the inlet 28) of the recording device 10. In addition to the automatic sheet feeding mechanism described later, the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is provided with respect to the substantially linear recording sheet conveying path.
A linear sheet path 31 for supplying a recording sheet, which is connected in a substantially linear shape, is provided.

The sheet passage 31 is an insertion guide passage for manually feeding a recording sheet, and is closed in the automatic sheet feedable state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. When the recording sheet is set and the sheet cannot be automatically fed, the sheet is opened to allow manual insertion. The automatic sheet feeding device 30 is fixedly coupled to the recording device 10 and a sheet feeding driving unit 40 rotatably attached to the sheet feeding driving unit 40 between a substantially vertical state and an inclined state. It is composed of a paper cassette unit 50.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the automatic sheet feeder 30 in the state shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side of the connecting surface to the recording apparatus 10. The paper feed cassette unit 50 is a part for stacking the recording sheets 13 in a positioned state, and the paper feed drive unit 40 sends out the stacked recording sheets 13 one by one to record the recording apparatus 10.
It is the part to send to.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is pivotally mounted at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive unit 40 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) about a fulcrum 51. ing. A paper feed roller 41 and a feeding auxiliary roller 42 are mounted at a position (upper half portion) of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50. A foldable paper feed tray 52 is attached to the paper feed cassette unit 50. When used, the paper feed cassette 52 is pulled out to form a tray as shown in FIG. 1, and when stored, it is folded into the cassette unit 50 as shown in FIG. be able to.

A part of the lower part of the case of the sheet feeding drive section 40 is composed of a movable member 44 which can be rotated (opened and closed) around a fulcrum 43, and the movable member 44 is used as shown in FIG. Open to make up the legs. In addition, the movable member 44
When closed, it is closed as shown in FIG. An opening 32 is formed on the wall surface of the movable member 44 forming the open / close leg, which faces the recording device 10. On the other hand, below the rear surface of the recording apparatus 10, there is provided a changeover switch 19 such as an AC / DC changeover switch operated from the rear surface (bottom surface when horizontally placed).

The opening 32 is formed at a position corresponding to the switches 19 and can be operated from the opening 32 even when the automatic sheet feeder 30 is mounted. Therefore, the user needs to move the movable member (opening / closing leg) 44.
In the closed state (FIG. 2), since the legs are closed, the changeover switch 19 cannot be operated.
In the state in which 4 is opened (FIG. 1), the open portion 47 is formed in the leg portion as shown in the figure, and the changeover switch 19 can be operated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the movable member 44 is provided with a shelf portion which constitutes a sheet supporting table 45 at the entrance of the manual sheet passage 31 when opened. The table formed by the shelf portion 45 is formed by using the movable member 44, and the recording device 1
It is configured so that the substantially linear sheet path 31 leading to the linear recording sheet conveyance path of 0 is complemented and the recording sheet 13 can be easily and correctly inserted.

In the recording apparatus 10 in which the automatic sheet feeder 30 is mounted in the upright state, as shown in FIG. 2, the cover (sheet discharge tray) 16 is folded, and the sheet cassette 5
When 0 is set in the vertical state and the movable member (leg) 44 is closed, the storage state is set. In this storage state,
The bottom surface has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is compact and has no overhang.

On the other hand, in the use state shown in FIG. 1, the cover 1
6 is opened to form a paper discharge tray, the movable member (leg) 44 is opened, and a predetermined angle α (for example, 5 degrees to 25 degrees) as illustrated.
Degree) Stable posture. As shown in the figure, the lower case of the sheet feeding drive unit 40 forms a flat bottom surface that is inclined by a predetermined angle when the movable member 44 is opened.
The recording sheet 13 is set inside the paper feed cassette unit 50 in a closed (vertical) state.

In this way, when printing is to be performed by automatic paper feeding after the printable state, the paper feeding cassette unit 50 is opened (tilted) as indicated by the solid line to start the printing operation. On the other hand, when recording by manual paper feeding, the paper feeding cassette unit 50
Left in the vertical (closed) state and the recording sheet 13
Is supplied to the recording apparatus 10 through the table 45 and the sheet passage 31. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the use state in which the movable member 44 is opened, the linear recording sheet conveying path of the recording apparatus 10 and the sheet path 31 (including the table 45) on the side of the automatic sheet feeder 30 are: A predetermined angle β (5 to 25 degrees) is inclined upward in the sheet discharge direction.

On the side of the exit (sheet ejection port) 12 of the recording sheet conveying path of the recording apparatus 10, there is provided a paper ejection tray constructed by opening the cover 16. As shown in the drawing, the paper discharge tray 16 is attached so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction at a position lower than the sheet discharge port 12 by a predetermined height h. According to the arrangement of the paper discharge tray 16 as described above, the recording sheet 13 can be discharged without contacting the recording sheet 13 on the paper discharge tray 16 as shown in FIG. It is possible to eliminate the problem of ink stains caused by contact with unfixed recording ink in an inkjet recording device that performs recording by performing recording.

Next, the connecting structure of the recording device 10 and the automatic paper feeding device 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing a combined state of the recording device 10 and the automatic paper feeding device 30, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the lock is released from the state of FIG. First, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a drive gear 33 that rotates in synchronization with the platen roller 14 is pivotally supported on the back side of the recording device 10, while the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeding device 30 is mounted. On the side, as shown in FIGS.
A driven gear 48 capable of transmitting a rotational force to is pivotally supported,
When the gears 33 and 48 are engaged with each other at the time of coupling, the driving force of the sheet feeding roller 41 is transmitted to the automatic sheet feeding device side.

A platen roller 14 is provided in the recording device 10.
A frame member 35 that supports a bearing portion such as the sheet conveying motor 34 is provided, and the case portion is attached to the frame member 35. The automatic paper feeder 30 includes a lever 36
A hook member 38 having a tip hook 37 is attached so as to be swingable and movable by a predetermined amount in the front-rear direction. The hook member 38 is biased inward by a tension spring 39.

On the other hand, at a position corresponding to the hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording apparatus 10, an opening 53 through which the hook 37 enters through the opening of the case is formed, and the hook 37 is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening 53. It is designed to engage. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a bead-shaped portion is formed on the peripheral portion of the opening 53 so that the hook 37 can be smoothly engaged with the opening portion 53.

When the hook 37 of FIG. 7 is engaged, the tension spring 39 is extended (for example, 1 to 2 mm), and the spring force causes the automatic paper feeding device 30 to be pressed into contact with the recording device 10 to be joined thereto. . The hook member 38 is unlocked as shown in FIG. 8 by pinching and rotating the lever 36, and the automatic paper feeding device 30 can be detached from the recording device 10. The pressure contact in this combined state is received by a total of three contact surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the automatic paper feeder 3
A first contact surface 54 and second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56, which serve as contact reference surfaces, are formed on the 0 side. The contact reference surface 54 is provided near the driven gear 48 as shown. The reference contact surface 57, which is the opposite surface of the contact reference surface 54, is formed on the frame member 35 having high strength and rigidity, and its position is selected near the meshing portion of the gears 33 and 48. Also, the line of action of the hook member 38 that applies the pressure contact force of the connecting portion is selected at a position where a stable connection is obtained in consideration of the positions of the three contact surfaces 54, 55, 56, as shown in the figure. ing.

The second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 are
It is also possible to directly contact the back surface of the recording device 10. Further, the positioning pin 5 is provided on the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeder 30.
8 and 59 are formed, and these pins 58 and 59 are used for positioning holes 61 and 62 formed on the back surface of the recording apparatus 10.
The automatic paper feeding device 30 is positioned with respect to the recording device 10 by fitting it to the.

It should be noted that one of the positioning holes 61 and 62 is a long hole as shown in FIG. Further, when the external surface of the recording apparatus body 10 and the automatic paper feeding apparatus 30 are bent due to a certain external force acting on the mounting surfaces of the automatic paper feeding apparatus 30 and the recording apparatus 10, the auxiliary surfaces are brought into a combined (engaged) state. Hooks 63, 64 and auxiliary hooks 65,
66 (FIG. 5) is provided.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeding device 30 in a paper feed (inclined) state, and FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeding device 30 in a recording sheet set (vertical) state. In FIGS. 9 and 10, a pressure plate 68 is attached to the paper feed cassette unit 50 and is urged toward the paper feed roller 41 by a pressure plate spring 67. Further, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is guided and supported by sliders 71 and 72 whose widthwise intervals can be adjusted according to the width of the recording sheet 13.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette 50 showing the sliders 71 and 72, and FIG. 12 is a sheet cassette 50 showing the pressure plate 68 in addition to the sliders 71 and 72.
It is a partially broken front view of FIG. Each slider 71, 72 has a
Side guides 73 and 74 that come into contact with both side edges of the stacked recording sheets 13 and the stacked recording sheets 13
Claw members 77 and 78 having separation claws 75 and 76 for pressing both corners of the front end of the slider from above are provided, and the sliders 71 and 72 are provided.
Along with that, the interval can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the stacked recording sheets 13 are held between the pressure plate 68 and the separating claws 75 and 76, and at the time of sheet feeding, the D-shaped sheet feeding roller 41 is rotated to cause the recording sheets to be recorded. The sheet 13 is brought into contact with the sheet 13 and a feeding force is applied thereto, and one sheet of the uppermost layer is separated during one rotation, and the sheet is fed to the indexing position in the recording apparatus 10 through the feeding auxiliary roller 42.

FIG. 13 is a mechanism diagram showing various engaging members that are operated when the sheet cassette 50 is switched between the vertical sheet setting state and the inclined sheet feeding state. First, FIG.
13, on both sides of the case of the sheet feeding drive unit 40, stoppers 79, 79 for hitting the lower portion of the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 and holding the cassette unit in the inclined position (sheet feeding state).
Are formed. Further, the sliders 71, 72 on both sides are provided with sheet entry preventing means (sheet entry preventing levers) 81, 81 for preventing the insertion (loading) of the recording sheet 13 in the fed state.

The levers 81, 81 are sliders 71, 7
2 is rotatably supported by pins 82, 82. As shown in FIG. 9, the sheet 2 is rotated by its own weight in the sheet feeding state, and its upper end is near the sheet inlet 83 and the stacked sheets 13 are
Is in contact with the upper surface of. Therefore, even if the recording sheet 13 is inserted, the leading edge of the recording sheet 13 is prevented from entering the sheet entry preventing lever 8.
It cannot be inserted into the cassette because it is disturbed by the tips of Nos. 1 and 81.

On the other hand, when the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 is rotated to the vertical sheet setting state, the lower ends of the sheet entrance preventing levers 81 and 81 hit the end face of the case on the sheet feeding driving unit 40 side as shown in FIG. , The levers 81, 81 are pins 82,
It is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined amount about 82, its upper end is lifted, and the sheet inlet 83 is opened as shown in the drawing. Therefore, the recording sheet 13 can be inserted into the cassette through the sheet inlet 83.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 projecting toward the cassette section 50 are formed on both sides of the case of the sheet feeding drive section 40, and the sheet feeding cassette section is formed. When 50 is rotated to a substantially vertical seat set state, the ears 85, 85 formed on both sides of the pressure plate 68 are rotated.
The pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 hit against (FIG. 12), and the pressure plate 68 is pushed down. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the space between the sheet feeding roller 41 and the pressure plate 68 is widened to form the insertion space 86 for the recording sheet 13, and the recording sheet 1 is formed.
3 can be set.

In this state, the separating claws 75 and 76 are arranged as shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, the paper feed roller 41 is held at a position that is equal to or slightly overlaps with the paper feed roller 41 (at the retracted angle position), and the position of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 on the inlet side of the paper feed roller 41. Since a guide protrusion 87 having a height slightly protruding from the paper feed roller 41 toward the cassette side is formed on the sheet feeding roller 41, the recording sheet 13 to be inserted is separated by the separating claw 7.
It is possible to reliably set between 5, 76 and the pressure plate 68.

The abutting position (the position of the pressure plate pressing members 84, 84) when the pressure plate 68 is pushed down is the separation claw 7
The positions are wider than the maximum movement range of 5, 76 by a distance L on both outer sides, and are located outside the maximum width of the recording sheet 13 to be used. The sheet cassette 50 is held in the sheet set state (vertical position) by a lock mechanism that can be released by a button 88 (FIGS. 10 and 13).

This locking mechanism, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a hook lever 89 projecting from the end of the case of the sheet feeding drive section 40 and an engaging section 91 formed at the end of the sheet feeding cassette section 50. It is locked by hooking. The lock mechanisms 89 and 91 are released by pushing the button 88 to elastically deform the hook lever 89 at the tip portion 92 (FIG. 13) and disengaging it from the engaging portion 91.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the drive system of the paper feed roller 41 and the arrangement of the paper feed roller 41. In FIG. 14, the rotation of the driven gear 48, which rotates in synchronization with the sheet feeding of the recording apparatus 10, rotates in a series of gear trains 93, 94, 95, 9
6 is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 97. 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 construction which operates as follows is used. That is, the spring clutch means is reversely rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet conveying roller (platen roller) 14 in the reverse printing direction by a predetermined amount, which is performed based on the paper feed signal, so that the hook in the printing direction is released. , The clutch 98 is switched from off to on.

With the clutch on, the platen roller 14
By rotating the paper feed roller (D-shaped roller) 41 in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet in the printing direction by a predetermined amount, only one recording sheet 13 is separated, and then the platen roller 14 is moved beyond the sheet pull-in portion. The recording sheet 1 with the D-shaped paper feed roller 41 stopped rotating by rotating the platen roller 14 by a predetermined amount in the reverse printing direction.
The leading end of the sheet 3 is retracted to a position where it is pulled out from the sheet retracting portion, and the recording sheet 13 is conveyed to the printing position by the subsequent rotation of the platen roller 14 and the paper feed roller 41 in the printing direction, and in the middle of the rotation. Paper feed roller 4
1 is stopped in a state where a gap is formed between the sheet 1 and the recording sheet 13, and at the same time, the clutch is turned off and the interlocking between the platen roller 14 and the sheet feeding roller 41 is cut off.

In this way, only one recording sheet 13 is fed during one rotation of the paper feed roller 41. 11 and 1
2 and the like, the slider 7 capable of adjusting the widthwise interval according to the width of the recording sheets 13 to be stacked.
1, 72 are provided with side guides 73, 74 for restricting the width of the recording sheet 13 and separation claws 75, 76 engaging with both sides of the front end of the recording sheet 13, which are manually moved together. , Clamp lever 101,
By setting 102 (FIGS. 11 and 12) at a position as shown, the guide groove (not shown) is pinched from both sides by the end face cam means (not shown) and is set at a predetermined width position by frictional force. It

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 41 is fixed on the paper feed roller shaft 97 so as not to move in the width direction. A pair of (two) rollers are used as the paper feed roller 41, and they are arranged at predetermined positions and at intervals as shown in FIGS. When the small-sized recording sheets 13A are stacked, the two D-shaped sheet feeding rollers 41, 41 are spaced apart from the outer separating claws 75, 76 by a distance S,
S is arranged at a position where the range (or value) is suitable for the separation function.

Both paper feed rollers 4 of the paper feed roller shaft 97
A pair of pseudo rollers 103, 103 is provided outside
Has been fixed. These pseudo rollers 103, 103
Has the same contour as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, but has a different material and width, has a small frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13, and makes a sliding contact at the time of paper feeding, but a sheet feeding force is substantially generated. Not composed of rollers. For example, the outer peripheral surfaces of the paper feed rollers 41, 41 are formed of rubber or the like that generates a large frictional force, but the pseudo rollers 103, 103
The one is made of, for example, plastic such as Teflon or nylon and has a smooth outer periphery.

Therefore, both or one of the pseudo rollers 103, 103 has a large-sized or medium-sized recording sheet 1.
When the 3B is loaded, the distances S and S from the outer separating claws 75 and 76 are set to positions within the range (or value) suitable for the separating function as described above. By additionally providing the pseudo rollers 103 and 103 having such a simple structure, the separation claws 75 and 7 when the recording sheets 13 having different widths are used even when the paper feeding rollers 41 and 41 are fixed.
It is possible to set the interval between 6 and the sheet pressing positions on the inside thereof to an appropriate range (or an appropriate value) in which an appropriate loop is formed at the front end of the recording sheet at the start of sheet feeding.

That is, even when the sheet widths are different, it is possible to maintain an appropriate loop forming condition with the two fixed-type paper feed rollers 41, 41. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive slide structure as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, in the slide type paper feed rollers 41, 41,
When the width is adjusted, the sliding resistance increases correspondingly, and variations in the overlap margin between the recording sheet 13 and the separating claws 75 and 76 are apt to occur, which lowers the reliability of the paper feeding operation. According to the structure using the rollers 103, 103,
Such disadvantages can be eliminated.

It is also possible to use the paper feed rollers 41, 41 instead of the pseudo rollers 103, 103, and use a total of four paper feed rollers. It is practically impossible to obtain a uniform pressure contact force with the sheet feeding roller, and the sheet feeding force varies among the sheet feeding rollers, which causes skewing at the time of sheet feeding.

FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 15-15 in FIG. 11. Next, the guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15. 11 and 15, the paper feed cassette unit 50
On the inner surface of the case of the guide rail 10 at a predetermined interval B
5, 106, 107 and 108 are provided, the left side slider 71 is guided by the guide rails 105 and 106, and the right side slider 72 is guided by the guide rails 107 and 108.

The guide rails 105 to 108 described above are used.
Can be constituted by two upper and lower continuous guide rails, but in the present embodiment, it is partially provided in a region that covers the maximum movement range of each slider 71, 72.
As each of the guide rails 105 to 108, as shown in FIG. 15, a dovetail-type guide rail in which a dovetail groove (a groove having a tapered surface) 109 is formed is used.
In the illustrated example, each of the guide rails 105 to 108 is formed integrally with the plastic case body of the paper feed cassette unit 50.

On the other hand, a guide roller 110, which rolls in contact with the dovetail groove 109 of each of the guide rails 105 to 108, is rotatably supported by each of the sliders 71 and 72. In the illustrated example, each slider 71, 72 has
As shown in FIG. 15, a total of three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side, are axially supported, and each guide roller 110 has a corresponding dovetail groove 1 as shown in FIG.
Slopes (having substantially the same slope) 11 that engage with the slopes of 09
2 is formed.

In this way, when adjusting the width for fitting the side guides 73 and 74 to the recording sheet 13, each dovetail groove 10 is adjusted.
9, the slope 112 of each guide roller 110 is brought into contact with one or both of the sliders 71 and 72 (in the structure of FIG. 11, as shown in FIG.
Move only 1 to adjust the width).

At that time, each guide roller 110 has a dovetail groove 1
Since it rolls along the slope of 09, the resistance at the time of moving can be markedly reduced. Further, at least one guide roller 110 of each slider 71, 72, that is, the guide roller 110 on the upper side of each slider 71, 72 in the illustrated example, is a guide surface (slope) of the dovetail groove 109.
It is supported via elastic means so that it is pressed into contact with a predetermined pressure.

In the illustrated example, the guide roller supporting portions of the sliders 71 and 72 are formed by elastically displaceable arm portions (elastic portions) 114, and the upper and lower guide rollers 110 and 110 have the upper and lower guide rails in a free state. 105, 10
6 or 107, 108 is set to be slightly larger than the distance between the sliders 71, 72 and the guide rail 10.
When assembled to 5 to 108, a preload contact force is generated on the guide surface of each guide roller 110. By supporting the guide roller 110 via the elastic means that generates such a predetermined pressure contact force, it is possible to move the sliders 71 and 72 more smoothly and accurately without the play of the guide portion.

[0057]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the recording apparatus of the present invention, a substantially horizontal conveying path for guiding and discharging the recording sheet and the surface of the recording sheet provided in the middle of the conveying path. Since the recording means for recording on the recording sheet and the recording sheet stacking portion which is inclined obliquely downward and guides the recording sheet to the above-mentioned conveyance path are provided, it is possible to set the recording sheet with a simple and compact structure. In addition, since the space efficiency can be improved and the transporting path for recording is substantially horizontal, the recording means can be easily arranged, and recording can be performed reliably and accurately. Since the sheet is gently fed from the upper side to the lower side, the recording apparatus is provided, which does not damage the sheet and can realize the downsizing of the apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a usage state of a recording apparatus with an automatic paper feeding device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 is stored.

3 is a schematic perspective view showing a usage state of the recording apparatus main body in FIG. 1 in a horizontal position.

4 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing a schematic structure inside the recording apparatus of FIG.

5 is a schematic bottom view showing the bottom surface of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic paper feeding device in FIG. 1 viewed from the mounting surface side.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a locked state of a connecting portion between the recording apparatus main body and the automatic paper feeder of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing an unlocked state in FIG. 7.

9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. 1 in a paper feed state.

FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when the automatic paper feeder of FIG. 9 sets a sheet.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the automatic paper feeder of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a paper feed cassette portion of the automatic paper feeder of FIG.

13 is a partially-deleted perspective view schematically showing an operation mechanism between a paper feed drive unit and a paper feed cassette unit of the automatic paper feeder of FIG.

14 is a partially-deleted perspective view schematically showing a drive mechanism of a paper feed roller of the automatic paper feeder of FIG.

15 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the guide roller of the slider along the line 15-15 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Recording Device 12 Sheet Ejection Port 13 Recording Sheet 14 Platen Roller 15 Recording Head 16 Paper Ejection Tray 26 Spur 27 Roller 28 Second Sheet Insertion Port 30 Automatic Paper Feeding Device 40 Paper Feeding Drive Unit 41 Paper Feeding Roller 42 Feeding Auxiliary Roller 50 Paper feed cassette 68 Pressure plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A substantially horizontal conveyance path for guiding and ejecting a recording sheet, recording means for recording on the surface of the recording sheet, which is provided in the middle of the conveyance path, and recording is performed obliquely downward. A recording sheet stacking unit that guides sheets to the conveyance path. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid. .