JPH0912160A - Paper size detection device of paper feed cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To propose a paper size detection device of a reasonable paper feed cassette with a simple structure which can dissolve a problem of an usual device to whose paper feed cassette indication label has to be put on and replaced separating from installation of a detection means due to a complicate structure and expensive cost. CONSTITUTION: An installation part 4 for putting on a sensor detcted member 6 combined with a indication label of a record paper size is installed in front of a paper feed cassette 2 and light sensors 51, 52 are installed facing to the installation part 4 in the main body 1 side for storing the paper feed cassette 2. In the sensor detected member 6, the indication (A4, A5, B5, B4) of a paper size exposed alternatively from a indication window 5 installed on the installation part 4 of the paper feed cassette 2 is attached on each side of its periphery and in the central part faced to a sensor in the main body side, a plate material with an equilateral polygon provide with an opening part and a light shield film which is the sensor detected part while coping with arrangement of the pape size indication is used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper size detecting device for a paper feed cassette used in a cassette paper feed type recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For cassette feeding used in a recording apparatus that uses cut sheets, a method is used in which a size of recording sheets to be stored in each cassette is defined in advance and a dedicated cassette is used for each different sheet size. There is a method in which a paper feed cassette is commonly used for storing recording papers of different paper sizes.

In the latter case, a paper guide for regulating the recording paper size is slidably provided on the bottom plate in the paper feeding cassette, and the recording paper storage space in the cassette is adjusted according to the paper size of the stored recording paper. Is normal. And
When using this type of paper feed cassette, some kind of detection means must be installed to detect the size of the recording paper stored in the cassette and let the device itself recognize it, and also to display it on the operation panel. become.

[0004]

In the case of the paper guide shift type paper feed cassette, the paper size detecting means detects the position of the paper guide which is slid and displaced corresponding to the size of the stored recording paper to detect the paper size. It is common to determine the size, but in this method, the displacement of the paper guide is transmitted to the sensor detected member provided on the side surface of the cassette via the interlocking mechanism provided at the bottom of the cassette, and the displacement of the sensor detected member is detected. Since the detection is performed by the sensor provided on the apparatus main body side, the interlocking mechanism incorporated in the bottom of the cassette has a complicated structure with a large number of parts, and the cassette as a whole is heavy and expensive.

Even when the above-mentioned automatic detecting means is adopted, since the operator needs to visually check the type of the recording paper stored in the paper cassette currently accommodated in the apparatus main body from the outside, the storage in the cassette is performed. When setting or changing the recording paper size, it is necessary to attach or replace a display member such as a display label on the front surface of the cassette each time.

The present invention has a problem that the paper size detecting means applied to the current paper feeding cassette is complicated in structure and expensive, and the paper feeding cassette is provided with a display label or the like separately from the installation of the detecting means. In view of the irrationality that must be replaced, the display member mounted on the front of the paper feed cassette also functions as a sensor target member for detecting the paper size of the stored recording paper on the main body side Simple and rational detection This is a new proposal for the device.

[0007]

As a means for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a mounting portion for mounting a sensor detected member which also functions as a recording paper size display means on one surface of a paper feed cassette. Is provided, and the sensor is provided on the side of the main body that houses the paper feed cassette, facing the mounting portion.

Here, a non-contact type optical sensor is used as the sensor, and the detection portion of the sensor detected member is composed of a light shielding member. At this time, a plurality of sensors, usually two, are installed to detect three or more types of recording paper sizes. However, it is possible to use a contact type sensor such as a filler sensor instead of the optical sensor, and in the case of detecting two types of paper sizes, one sensor is sufficient.

For the purpose of detecting three or more kinds of paper sizes by using the optical sensor, it is preferable to use the following one as the sensor detected member which also serves as the display member. That is, each side of the periphery is provided with a display of the paper size that is alternatively exposed from the display window provided in the mounting portion of the paper feeding cassette, and the central portion facing the sensor on the main body side, It is composed of a regular polygonal plate member with a hole provided with an opening and a light-shielding member forming a sensor detected portion corresponding to the arrangement of the paper size display.

[0010]

In this detecting device, when a sensor detected member which also serves as a display member is attached to the mounting portion of the paper feed cassette in accordance with the size of the recording paper stored in the detecting device, the main body side is opposed to the main body in the accommodation set state with respect to the main body. The sensor provided at the position can detect the sensor detected member attached to the mounting portion of the paper feed cassette, and automatically determine the paper size.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be illustrated and described below.

1 and 2 show an outline of a sheet feeding cassette 2 according to the present invention, in which 1 is a main body portion of a recording apparatus including a facsimile, a copying machine, a printer and the like, and 2 is a bottom portion of the main body 1. 1 shows a sheet feeding cassette that is removably accommodated in a provided accommodating portion by front loading. A paper guide (not shown) that regulates the recording paper size is slidably provided on the bottom plate of the paper feeding cassette 2 so that the following four types of paper sizes can be selected for the storage recording paper. ing.

The front grip portion 3 of the paper feed cassette 2 is provided with a projecting portion 3A on one side thereof, and the projecting portion 3A is provided on the one side bottom portion of the front surface of the main body in a completely accommodated state in which the main body 1 is properly inserted. The recess 1A is fitted flush with the recess 1A, and the protrusion 3A is provided with a mounting portion 4 to which the sensor detected member 6 also serving as a display label is mounted. The mounting portion 4 is composed of a slit hole having an upper opening, a display window 5 is opened at a lower portion on the front surface side, and the sensor detected member 6 is seen through on the rear surface facing the body recess 1A. An opening is provided.

A sensor detection member 6 made of a plate member having a regular polygonal hole and also serving as a display label is detachably attached to the mounting portion 4 provided on the projecting portion 3A of the paper feeding cassette 2. In the case of the embodiment, the member to be detected 6 is formed in a regular quadrangle and is selectively exposed from the display window 5 on each of the peripheral sides in a mounted state with respect to the mounting portion 4 of the sheet feeding cassette 2. 4 types of paper size display (A4, A5, B5,
B4) is attached, and an opening (drilled hole) 7 is formed in the center.
Is provided. A light-shielding film (light-shielding member) 8 forming a sensor detected portion is attached to one half of one side of the opening 7 so as to correspond to the paper size display arrangement so as to close the opening 7. .

On the other hand, two optical sensors S1 and S2 are provided adjacent to each other in the main body recess 1A facing the back side of the cassette projecting portion 3A so as to face the mounting portion 4. These optical sensors S1 and S2 are arranged at positions facing the upper half of the opening 7 of the sensor detected member 6 mounted on the mounting portion 4, and are turned on in a facing phase with the light shielding film 8, respectively.
Then, it is turned off at the facing phase with the opening 7, and the sensor information thereof is input to the determination means provided in the control unit 9 of the apparatus body (see FIG. 4).

In the detection device having the above-mentioned structure, when setting the paper size of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 2, the operator predetermines the sensor detected member 6 on the mounting portion 4 for identifying the recording paper stored in the cassette. If it is set in the direction of, the display window 5 on the front face of the cassette indicates that, and at the same time, S1 and S2 on the main body side detect the presence or absence of the detection portion 8 of the sensor detected member 6, The paper size can be automatically determined even on the first side.

For example, in the case of A4 setting, when the sensor detected member 6 is mounted with the side portion on which A4 is displayed facing downward, only the A4 display appears from the display window 5 as shown in FIG. , As shown in FIG.
The individual photosensors S1 and S2 are turned on at the same time to detect the A4 paper size. Similarly, in the case of B4 setting, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sensors S1: ON, S2: OFF, and B5 are set.
In the case of setting, as shown in FIG. 3C, the sensor S1:
In the case of OFF, S2: OFF and A5 setting, as shown in FIG. 3D, the sensors S1: OFF, S2: O
By switching to N, the external display of the paper size and the discrimination on the main body 1 side can be simultaneously achieved.

As described above, in the detection device according to the present invention,
Since the sensor detection target member 6 also serves as a paper size display member required for externally confirming the type of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 2, the paper guide is provided in the paper feed cassette as in the conventional device. Does not require a complicated interlocking mechanism for transmitting the displacement of the sensor to the sensor detected member. Therefore, a system having a simple structure and low cost is realized. Further, if the sensor detected member 6 also serving as the display member is formed of the regular polygonal plate material described above, four kinds of paper sizes can be discriminated by the two optical sensors S1 and S2 installed on the main body side. That is, it is possible to detect the size of a power of 2 to the number of sensors, and the number of sensors can be saved, which can also contribute to cost reduction.

By the way, in general, when adopting a method of replacing a display member such as a label on the front surface of a paper feed cassette or the like according to the type of recording paper stored, due to operator's forgetfulness or misunderstanding when setting or changing recording paper size, Often, there may be a discrepancy between the actual stored recording paper size and the display on the display member. In the present apparatus, when the above error occurs, the normal paper size cannot be detected.

Therefore, it is desirable to use the following means in combination as a countermeasure against the above-mentioned erroneous mounting. FIG. 4 illustrates an outline of a system configured by incorporating the detection device shown in the above embodiment into a thermal transfer recording device using an ink ribbon R. Here, sensor information detected by two optical sensors S1 and S2 provided facing the sheet feeding cassette 2 is input to the control unit 9 of the apparatus main body 1 and determined by the determination unit of the control unit 9. The paper size is output to the display unit 10, and the recording paper P is fed to the printing unit configured by the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12 from the paper feed cassette 2 in the conveying path. Printing unit 11,
Two paper (jam) sensors 13, 1 sandwiching 12
4 is installed, the sensor information detected by these sensors 13 and 14 is input to the control unit 9, and the measuring means of the control unit 9 measures the recording paper as the time difference between the timings at which both sensors 13 and 14 are turned on and off. The length is determined. Then, the control unit 9 compares the paper size detected by the optical sensors S1 and S2 with the actual recording paper length measured by the paper sensors 13 and 14, and when it is determined that the two do not match, the fact is indicated. Is displayed on the display 15 to alert the operator.

If such a checking means is additionally provided, it is possible to prevent troubles when the operator erroneously mounts the display member. The paper sensor 1
The recording paper length measurement by 3 and 14 may be performed at the time of printing the first sheet of the stored recording paper, or the paper feed cassette 2 may be set at the same time as the paper feed cassette 2 is set.
Alternatively, one sheet of recording paper P may be sent out for inspection for inspection.

[0022]

As described above, in the paper size detection apparatus according to the present invention, the paper size display member necessary for externally confirming the type of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette is used as the recording paper stored in the cassette. Since it is also used as a sensor detected member that detects the size on the main body side, a complicated mechanism for transmitting the displacement of the paper guide to the sensor detected member is not required in the paper feed cassette, and the structure is simple and inexpensive. A rational system that can be manufactured can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the paper feed cassette shown in FIG.

3 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are front views of respective sensor detected members showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system when the paper size detecting unit of the embodiment is applied to a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body 1A Main Body Recess 2 Paper Feed Cassette 3 Gripping Part 3A Projecting Part 4 Mounting Part 5 Display Window 6 Sensor Detected Member 7 Opening Part 8 Light Shielding Film 9 Control Part 10 Display Part 11 Platen Roller 12 Thermal Head 13, 14 Paper Sensor 15 Display S1, S2 Optical sensor P Recording paper R Ink ribbon

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A mounting portion for mounting a sensor detected member, which also functions as a recording paper size display member, is provided on one surface of a paper feed cassette, and a sensor is provided on the main body side for housing the paper feed cassette, facing the mounting portion. A paper size detecting device for a paper feed cassette. 2. The paper size detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor, and the detection unit of the sensor detected member is an optical shielding member. 3. The member to be detected by the sensor is provided on each side of the periphery.
A display of the paper size that is selectively exposed from the display window provided on the mounting part of the paper feed cassette is attached, and the central part facing the sensor on the main body side corresponds to the arrangement of the paper size display. The paper size detection device according to claim 2, wherein the paper size detection device is formed of a regular polygonal plate member provided with an opening and a light shielding member that forms a sensor detected part.