JPH0840573A - Paper sheet stack position adjusting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To heighten the setting freedom of the relation specially between paper sheets and printing positions so as to improve operability in a sheet stack position adjusting unit used for the image forming device of a printer, a copying machine, or the like. CONSTITUTION:Paper sheets are placed on an adjusting guide 10 formed with the same width as the printing width in a device body M, and after setting the position of the adjusting guide 10 by side regulating plates 11, a U-shape cross section part at the tip of the adjusting guide 10 is fitted into the tip of body mechanism 9 to fit the adjusting guide 10 to the body mechanism 9 of an automatic paper feeding unit 8. After fitting the adjusting guide 10 to the body mechanism 9, the adjusting guide 10 is fixed to the body mechanism 9 by screws 12a, 12b. The center position of the sheets placed on the adjusting guide 10 thereby coincides with the printing center position of the device body M, so that printing can be performed in the correct position of the sheets.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and is capable of stacking and holding a large number of sheets for image formation and adjusting the position of the stacked sheets. Sheet stacking position adjusting unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer device as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, as a paper used for the printer, a paper on which a ruled line or the like is printed in advance, or a paper copied by a copying machine is used. , There is a method of printing along the printing frame. In that case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the print position may be displaced in the paper width direction (arrow B direction) intersecting the traveling direction of the paper P (arrow A direction), and the characters may protrude from the print frame L. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, it is necessary to adjust the print position in the paper width direction with respect to the position of the paper P so that the characters fit properly within the print frame L.

Due to such a need, conventionally, by operating a keyboard of a host device or an operation panel of a printer device, an electric signal is controlled and a character position is appropriately shifted, so that the paper P is printed. The print position in the paper width direction is being adjusted.

The printer apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has, for example, three types of paper feed systems (that is, the cassette paper feed unit 1 originally provided in the printer main body M and the printer main body M).
On the other hand, as an option, a cassette paper feeding unit 2 is additionally provided, and an automatic paper feeding unit 3 for feeding paper linearly without inverting the front and back like the cassette paper feeding unit 1 and the cassette paper feeding unit 2 is provided. The image forming unit 4 forms a toner image on the paper fed from each of them based on the print information from the host device, and the fixing device 5 fixes the toner image on the paper and discharges it. Has become. Further, the cassette sheet feeding unit 1 and the cassette sheet feeding unit 2 are configured such that a common detachable sheet feeding cassette 6 can be used.

[0005]

In the printing position adjusting method by electric signal control described above, it is possible to easily operate with a keyboard, an operation panel or the like, but as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, there are two or more paper feeding systems. Since the print position on the sheet P is different for each sheet feeding system, the readjustment must be performed each time each sheet feeding system is used. Also,
When trying to shift the character position by electric signal control, it is difficult to understand how the image such as the character size and the number of dots looks like on the actual paper, and it is difficult to adjust. Therefore, the operability was unexpectedly poor.

When the automatic sheet feeding unit 3 is used, the automatic sheet feeding unit 3 is attached to the apparatus main body M for use. At that time, there is a play between the apparatus main body M and the automatic sheet feeding unit 3. Yes (there is a mounting margin), the print center position of the apparatus main body M and the center position of the sheets stacked on the automatic paper feed unit 3 do not match. Further, when a large number of sheets are stacked and used in the automatic sheet feeding unit 3, the regulation plate that regulates the side surface of the stacked sheets is slightly widened during continuous sheet feeding, and the first sheet and the last sheet have the same limitation. The center position shifts. Therefore, in any case, the printing position on the paper fed from the automatic paper feeding unit 3 is displaced, and similarly to the above, it is necessary to shift the printing position by electric signal control or frequently adjust the regulation plate. there were.

In view of the above points, the present invention is a paper stacking position that does not require complicated operations such as frequent adjustment of the regulation plate for setting the paper position and the print position and adjustments such as control by electric signals. The purpose is to provide an adjusting unit.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is detachable to a sheet stacking device for stacking and holding a large number of sheets for feeding toward an image forming section,
A regulation guide for regulating a paper stacking surface corresponding to a paper of a predetermined size and a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; an engaging means for moving the paper stacking device in the paper width direction;
This is achieved by providing a sheet stacking position adjusting unit, which is provided with fixed holding means for fixedly holding the sheet stacking apparatus.

[0009]

In an image forming apparatus in which paper is fed from an automatic paper feeding unit or the like and printing processing is performed by the main body of the paper, the paper is spread due to expansion of side regulation plates that regulate the side surfaces of the paper stacked on the automatic paper feeding unit. The stacking position was misaligned and it was not possible to print at the correct position on the paper. According to the present invention, a sheet stacking position adjusting unit having the same width as the width of sheets to be stored is placed on the sheet stacking apparatus, the position of the unit in the sheet width direction with respect to the sheet stacking apparatus is adjusted, and the sheet holding apparatus and the unit are fixed by a fixed holding means. By fixing the position, the center position of printing on the main body of the apparatus and the center position of the paper placed on the automatic paper feeding unit or the like can be made to coincide with each other, and printing can be performed on the accurate position of the paper.

[0010]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic sheet feeding unit (automatic paper feeder, APF) to which the sheet stacking position adjusting unit of one embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the automatic sheet feeding unit is mounted on the apparatus main body M. FIG. The apparatus main body M has the same configuration as the conventional printer apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above.

In FIG. 1, a predetermined amount of paper P can be stored in the automatic paper feeding unit 8, the main body mechanism 9 and the adjustment guide 1.
0 and the side regulation plate 11. FIG.
It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the above-mentioned adjustment guide 10.
A predetermined amount of paper can be stacked on the adjustment guide 10, and as shown in the figure, the guide plate 1 that regulates the side of the paper.
0a is erected on both sides, and a mounting portion 1 for mounting the adjustment guide 10 to the main body mechanism 9 is provided on the front surface of the adjustment guide 10.
0b is formed in a U-shaped cross section. A moving guide lever 10c is provided at the rear of the adjustment guide 10 as a guide for adjusting the adjustment guide 10 in the paper width direction (arrows B ₁ and B ₂ directions). The movement guide lever 10c is configured to be fitted in a guide groove (not shown) provided in the main body mechanism 9.

FIG. 4 shows the adjustment guide 10 described above with the main body mechanism 9
It is sectional drawing explaining the state attached to FIG. As described above, the mounting portion 10b is a portion having a U-shaped cross section provided on the front surface of the adjustment guide 10 described above.
The tip portion 9 ′ of the main body mechanism 9 is fitted into the square-shaped portion. Further, the screws 12a and 12b shown in the figure are screws for fixing both ends of the body mechanism 9 after the tip end of the adjustment guide 10 having a U-shaped cross section is fitted into the tip end portion 9 '.

As described above, when the adjusting guide 10 is attached to the main body mechanism 9 using the screws 12a and 12b, the automatic paper feeding unit 8 is in the state shown in the perspective view of FIG. Figure 5
[Fig. 2] is a view showing a section taken along line EE 'of the automatic paper feeding unit 8 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in the figure, the width of the adjustment guide 10 is A1 '+ A2', which is the same as the printing width A1 + A2 in the apparatus main body M. Further, the side regulating plate 11 is configured to be movable left and right (paper width direction (arrow B ₁ , B ₂ direction)), and the position of the adjustment guide 10 can be set. The side regulating plate 11 can set the positions of the adjusting guides 10 having a plurality of sizes.
The adjustment guide 10 having a size of + A4 can be set.

Usually within the print width A1 + A2 of the apparatus main body M
Center position X1 and width of paper stored in the automatic paper feeding unit
There is often a deviation from the center position X2 of. example
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the adjustment guide 10 of the present invention is used.
If there is not, the center position X of the print width A1 + A2 of the device body M
1 and the center position X2 of the width of the paper P on the automatic paper feeding unit
(Α) is generated between the side regulation plate 11 'and the side regulation plate 11'.
Width direction (arrow B₁, B ₂Direction) and center position X1
And X2 are matched.

However, it is difficult to adjust the center positions X1 and X2 only by the side regulating plate 11 '. That is,
When there are many sheets of paper P placed on the automatic paper feeding unit, the side regulating plate 11 'spreads during the printing process, and for example, the center position X2 of the first sheet and the last sheet is displaced, and the center position X1 of the apparatus main body M is shifted. (In order to avoid this, it is necessary to frequently perform the above-mentioned adjustment by the side regulating plate 11 ′ as described in the conventional example).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the print width A1 + A2 of the apparatus main body M (A1 '+ A2) is equal to the print width A1 + A2.
') Adjustment guide 10 is used, for example, adjustment value (α)
Only the side regulation plate 11 is expanded, and one side regulation plate 11
The guide plate 10a of the adjustment guide 10 is attached to a. In this way, the center position X2 of the adjustment guide 10 and the apparatus main body M
After aligning with the center position X1 of the screws, screw 12a, 12b
The adjustment guide 10 is fixed to the main body mechanism 9 with. Like this
If the adjustment guide 10 is screwed to the main body mechanism 9 with the center position X1 of the main body mechanism 9 and the center position X2 of the adjustment guide 10 aligned with each other, the adjustment guide 10 will have the screws 12a, 12b.
It is fixed at and does not move thereafter. For example, even if a large number of sheets are set on the adjustment guide 10 and printing processing is performed, the width of the adjustment guide 10 is constant and the sheet position does not shift. Therefore, by using the paper stacking position adjusting unit of this embodiment, it is possible to print on the paper at an accurate position.

That is, the sheets stacked on the automatic sheet feeding unit 8 (stuck on the adjustment guide 10) are sequentially fed into the main body M of the apparatus, and characters or the like are printed at the correct positions in the image forming section. Further, even if a large number of sheets are stacked on the automatic sheet feeding unit 8 (on the adjustment guide 10), the stacking positions of the first and last sheets do not change. You can print on the exact position of the paper.

In this embodiment, the example of the automatic sheet feeding unit has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the automatic sheet feeding unit, but can be similarly applied to a so-called universal cassette in which the side regulating plate can be freely moved. . Further, even if the paper cassette is a fixed-side paper feed cassette, if the paper feed cassette is a large size cassette, it can be similarly applied by preparing a plurality of adjustment guides that engage with the paper stacking portion.

Further, the paper stacking position adjusting unit of the present invention is applicable not only to the printer device but also to other image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the position of the sheet placed on the automatic sheet feeding unit or the like and the printing position can be set without the need for frequent adjustment of the regulation plate. It becomes an excellent image forming apparatus.

Further, the degree of freedom in designing the mounting play (mounting margin) between the automatic paper feeding unit and the main body of the apparatus is increased. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to use an expensive electric circuit or the like for adjusting the position of the paper, the cost of the device can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a sheet stacking position adjusting unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sheet stacking position adjusting unit according to the embodiment is attached to the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustment guide.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which an adjustment guide is fixed to a main body mechanism.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E ′ of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a shift in center position between the apparatus main body and the automatic sheet feeding unit when the adjustment guide is not used.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of a printer device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a printer device.

9 (a) and 9 (b) are views for explaining the drawbacks of the conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Automatic Paper Feeding Unit 9 Main Body Mechanism 9'Tip 10 Adjustment Guide 10a Guide Plate 10b Attachment 10c Moving Guide Lever 11 Side Restriction Plate 12a, 12b Screw

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet stacking device which is detachably mountable on a sheet stacking device for stacking and holding a large number of sheets for feeding to an image forming section, and a sheet stacking surface corresponding to a sheet of a predetermined size, and a sheet feeding direction. A sheet comprising a regulation guide for regulating the orthogonal sheet width direction, an engaging means for moving the sheet stacking device in the sheet width direction, and a fixed holding means for fixedly holding the sheet stacking apparatus. Loading position adjustment unit.