JPH10297793A - Sheet stacking device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet stacking device and an image forming device of improved assemblage workability and maintenance performance, and of excellent reliability. SOLUTION: In case of assembling a housing part 30 and a cover part 40, each in the form of a unit, with each other, the cover part 40 is moved from an arrow C, holes 41b, 41c in a cover member 41 are engaged with protruded parts 2d, 2e in a tub 2 to be fixed. A protruded part 43c in a residual quantity display member 43 invades into a U-shaped groove 31c in an arm member 31 at this time, so a residual quantity detection means and a residual quantity display means are automatically connected to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copying machine,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, such as a printer or a facsimile machine, and more particularly, to a sheet stacking apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, for example, there are a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine and the like.

[0003] Such an image forming apparatus is provided with a feed cassette or the like for stacking (storing) sheets for forming an image on the surface thereof.

[0004] In particular, in a feeding cassette for storing and storing a large number of sheets, an image forming apparatus is designed to prevent the absence of sheets in the course of continuous image formation and interruption of work. There is known a technology provided with a means for displaying the remaining amount of the sheet from the outside so that the remaining amount of the sheet can be recognized from the outside even when the device is mounted on the device. For example, a technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. is there.

[0005] Since such a technique is described in the official gazette, its details are omitted, and the outline is briefly described. A sheet stacking plate for stacking sheets in a feeding cassette and the sheet stacking plate are placed upward. And a spring for biasing the sheet stacking plate. When a sheet is stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the sheet stacking plate moves downward in accordance with the amount of the sheet.

The arm member which swings in response to the movement of the sheet stacking plate swings, and a part of the arm member protrudes to the outside so that the remaining amount of the stacked sheets can be determined. Has become.

[0007]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

The above-described conventional feeding cassette has a box-like shape in which only the surface on which sheets are stacked, that is, the upper surface is opened.

Therefore, the sheet stacking plate, the spring for urging the sheet stacking plate, or the means for displaying the remaining amount of the sheet outside so as to be provided therein are all provided in the open portion of the box-shaped upper surface. It was necessary to assemble through, and workability was bad.

[0010] In particular, since a part of the arm member constituting the means for displaying outside so that the remaining amount of the sheet can be recognized is projected outside the apparatus, the assembling workability is further deteriorated.

Also, for example, when a part such as an arm member is damaged or repaired or replaced, it is difficult to remove only that part. Therefore, a plurality of other parts must be removed. And the maintenance was poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to improve the assembling workability and the maintainability, and to provide a highly reliable sheet stacking apparatus. And an image forming apparatus.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, in a sheet stacking apparatus according to the present invention, a sheet stacking section, a detecting section for detecting an amount of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking section, And a second member detachably attached to the first member and having a display means for externally displaying a detection result of the detection means when attached to the first member. It is characterized by having.

Therefore, the detecting means is provided on the first member, and the display means is provided on the second member, and the sheet stacking apparatus is constituted by mounting the first member and the second member.

The first member is a box-shaped member having an open upper surface side for stacking sheets and a surface side on which the second member is mounted, and the second member is provided on the first member. The cover member may be a cover member having an open surface side and a slit for displaying to the outside by the display means.

Accordingly, the work of assembling the detection means and the like to the box-shaped member and the work of assembling the display means and the like to the cover member can be easily performed.

Preferably, when the first member and the second member are mounted, the detection means and the display means are connected.

The sheet stacking section has a sheet stacking plate and an urging means for urging the sheet stacking plate to move in accordance with the amount of sheets to be stacked, and the detecting means stacks the sheet. The moving amount of the sheet stacking plate that moves according to the amount of sheets may be detected.

The detection means has a swing member pivotally supported so as to be swingable, one end of which contacts the lower surface of the sheet stacking plate, and the other end has the display means and the display means. It is preferable to provide the connecting portion and swing in accordance with the movement of the sheet stacking plate.

Therefore, as the amount of sheets to be stacked is larger, the sheet stacking plate moves and is pushed by the lower surface of the sheet stacking plate, and the swinging member swings.

Further, the detecting means has a swing member pivotally supported so as to freely swing, and one end of the swing member penetrates a notch provided in the sheet stacking plate to stack the sheet. In addition to being in contact with the lower surface of the sheet loaded on the plate, the other end is provided with a connection portion to the display means, and can swing according to the movement of the sheet loaded on the sheet loading plate.

The swing member may be set so that the other end side is heavier than the one end side via a shaft.

Therefore, the swinging member is rotated toward the other end by its own weight until it contacts the lower surface of the sheet stacking plate.

The swinging member, which enters the notch provided in the sheet stacking plate and abuts on the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate, further increases when the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate is exhausted. It is preferable that the presence / absence of the sheet is detected by the detecting means by the rotation.

[0025] The display means is provided with a shaft provided in accordance with a moving position of a connecting portion provided on the swinging member, and is provided slidably on the shaft and through a slit provided in the second member. A display member for displaying externally
It is preferable that the display member includes a connecting portion that is connected to a connecting portion provided on the swing member.

[0026] The display member may include a slide component slidably provided on the shaft and a display component that can be fixed to the slide component from outside through the slit.

The shaft may be provided so as to be movable by a predetermined amount in a direction in which the display member protrudes outside.

[0028] The second member may include an exterior part projecting further than a projection part of the display member to the outside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a feeding unit for feeding sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device; and a sheet fed by the feeding unit. Image forming means for forming an image on the sheet,
It is characterized by having.

The exterior part provided on the second member constituting the sheet stacking apparatus is preferably a handle for attaching and detaching the sheet stacking apparatus to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

[0031]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The material, shape, relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified.

(First Embodiment) A case where a sheet stacking apparatus is applied to a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus will be described.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a sheet stacking apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a feed cassette constituting a sheet stacking apparatus, and FIG.
FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are cross-sectional views of the 1-X1 portion, and FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer which is an image forming apparatus.

First, a schematic configuration of the laser beam printer will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body of the laser beam printer, and a feeding cassette 50 for stacking and storing sheets S is mounted below the apparatus main body in the direction of arrow P. The feed cassette 50 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1 of the laser beam printer.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a feeding roller as feeding means,
The sheets S stacked on the feeding cassette 50 are fed one by one from the uppermost side.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a guide member for guiding the sheet S fed by the feed roller 3.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a pair of registration rollers. While the rotation of the rollers is stopped, the leading end of the sheet S is brought into contact with the nip portion of the pair of rollers to correct skew, and then the sheet S is shifted at a predetermined timing. To the image forming unit.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a process cartridge which is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 1.

Inside the process cartridge 6,
A known image forming unit such as a primary charger, a developing device, and a cleaning device (not shown) is provided around the photosensitive drum 6a.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a scanner unit that scans the laser beam L in accordance with image information, and performs writing (latent image formation) on the photosensitive drum 6a via a return mirror 7a.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a transfer roller which is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 6a, and the sheet S is transferred between the transfer roller 8 and the photosensitive drum 6a.
a, the photosensitive drum 6
The developed image (toner image) is transferred from a.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a conveyance guide, which guides the sheet S after image transfer to the fixing device 10.

The fixing device 10 fixes an image (unfixed toner image) transferred to the sheet S, and includes a fixing entrance guide 10a, a fixing roller 10b, a pressure roller 10c, a fixing discharge roller pair 10d, and the like. ing.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a discharge roller pair, which discharges the sheet S on which the image has been fixed, with the image forming surface facing down.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a discharge tray, which is formed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and discharges and holds the sheet S after the image fixing.

The image forming operation of the laser beam printer configured as described above will be described.

When an image formation is instructed by a host computer (not shown), first, the feed roller 3 is rotated and fed one by one from the uppermost sheet S in the feed cassette 2.
It is guided by the guide member 4 and guided to the registration roller pair 5.

The registration roller pair 5 conveys the sheet S between the photosensitive drum 6a and the transfer roller 8 in synchronism with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 6a. An image (toner image) is transferred when the image passes through the gap 8.

Further, the sheet S after the image transfer is conveyed to a fixing device 10 along a conveyance guide 9 and is fixed to a fixing roller 10.
Heat and pressure are applied when passing between b and the pressure roller 10c to fix the transferred image.

The sheet S on which the image has been fixed is conveyed by a fixing discharge roller pair 10d, and further discharged and stacked on a discharge tray 12 by a discharge roller pair 11.

Next, a feeding cassette which is a sheet stacking apparatus which is a feature of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeding cassette 50 generally has a storage section 30 as a first member for stacking and storing sheets, and forms an external surface when mounted on an image forming apparatus. And a cover 40 as a second member.

The storage section 30 is a sheet stacking plate for stacking sheets S on the bottom of the box-shaped tub 2 having an open upper side for stacking sheets and a side on which the cover section 40 is mounted. An intermediate plate 2a is provided.

The middle plate 2a is for holding the sheet S at a predetermined height, and is attached so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 2b provided on the side surface of the cassette.

Reference numeral 2c denotes an elastic member serving as urging means such as a spring for urging the middle plate 2a upward (arrow D in the figure).

Reference numerals 20 and 21 denote side end regulating members for regulating the position of the side end in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet S feeding direction.

Separating claws 23, 24 are swingably attached to the side end regulating members 20, 21, respectively.

Reference numeral 20a (21a) denotes a support shaft for swingably instructing the separation claw 23 (24), and reference numeral 20b (21b) denotes a separation claw 2
3 (24) is a locking claw that locks the free end side.
a serves as a stopper when pressed upward by the elastic member 2c.

Reference numeral 20c (21c) is a guide for regulating the side edge of the sheet.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an arm member, which is pivotally supported about a fulcrum 31a and is swingably mounted, as a swing member, and constitutes a detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the sheet.

A protrusion 31b is formed at one end of the arm member 31 so as to be in contact with the lower surface of the middle plate 2a, and at the other end a remaining amount display member 4 constituting display means provided on the cover 40 side.
A U-shaped groove 31c is formed as a connecting portion to be connected to 3.

The arm member 31 is configured so that the weight on the right side (the other end side) in the figure is heavier than the left side (the one end side) via the fulcrum 31a. The projection 31b rotates to the arrow A), and
Is stationary at a position where it contacts the lower surface of the.

On the other hand, the cover part 40 is provided with a display means including a shaft 42 and a remaining amount display member 43 as a display member in a cover member 41 having an open surface for mounting on the first member. .

Both ends of the shaft 42 are supported by the cover member 41 in the vertical direction.

The remaining amount display member 43 is formed with a swing hole 43a, a display portion 43b, and a projection 43c as a connecting portion.

The shaft 42 has a sliding hole 43 a of the remaining amount display member 43.
Is loosely fitted, so that the remaining amount display member 43 can slide in the vertical direction (arrow B in the figure).

The cover member 41 is provided with a slit hole 41a.
b protrudes and can be visually recognized from the outside, and at the same time, stops the rotation of the remaining amount display member 43 around the shaft 42.

The projection 43c of the remaining amount display member 43 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 42.
3c enters the U-shaped groove 31c at one end of the arm member 31 and is connected.

A plurality of holes 41b and 41c are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the cover member 41.
Is provided with a plurality of projections 2d, 2e and the like.

When assembling the storage unit 30 and the cover unit 40 which are configured as described above and are unitized, the cover unit 40 is moved from the direction of the arrow (arrow C in the figure) as shown in FIG. The holes 41b and 41c of the cover member 41 enter the protrusions 2d and 2e of the tub 2, and are fixed.

At this time, the U-shaped groove 31c of the arm member 31
The protrusion 43c of the remaining amount display member 43 enters the space.

That is, when the storage section 30 and the cover section 40 are assembled, the remaining amount detecting means and the remaining amount displaying means are automatically connected.

Next, the sheet S in the feeding cassette 50 is
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a case where a sufficient number of sheets S are stacked in the storage section 30.

When the sheet S is stacked on the middle plate 2a, the middle plate 2a and the sheet S are urged in a counterclockwise direction (arrow D in the drawing) about the fulcrum 2b by the elastic member 2c. The separation claw 23 (24) located is also at the fulcrum 20a (21).
Attempt to rotate counterclockwise (arrow E in the figure) around a).

However, the separation claw 23 (24) has a hole 23a.
(24a) is provided, and this hole 23a (24a)
When the locking portion 20b (21b) of the side end regulating member 20 (21) comes into contact with the lower edge portion 23b, the upper position of the sheet S and the middle plate 2a is regulated.

As described above, according to the amount of sheets stacked on the middle plate 2a, the middle plate 2 is pressed against the urging force of the elastic member 2c.
The position a is changed (moved).

Since the arm member 31 is to be rotated clockwise (arrow A in the figure) about the fulcrum 31a, the projection 31b at one end of the arm member 31 is in contact with the lower surface of the middle plate 2a.

Therefore, by stacking a large number of sheets on the middle plate 2a as described above, the lower edge 31d of the U-shaped groove 31c at the other end of the arm member 31 becomes the protrusion 43c of the remaining amount display member 43. , And lifts the remaining amount display member 43 upward.

When the feeding operation is repeated, the storing section 3
The stacking amount of the sheets S in 0 decreases, and the middle plate 2a gradually rotates counterclockwise (arrow D in the figure) about the fulcrum 2b.

The projection 31b of the arm member 31 is
The arm member 31 also rotates clockwise (arrow A in the figure) about the fulcrum 31a.

As described above, since the remaining amount display member 43 is also moved by the rotation of the arm member 31, the display section 43
The remaining amount of the sheet can be confirmed by the position b.

The remaining amount display member 43 is normally movable downward by its own weight, but may stop halfway if the sliding property with the shaft 42 is reduced due to durability or the like.

However, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper edge 31e of the U-shaped groove 31c of the arm member 31 comes into contact with the projection 43c of the remaining amount display member 43, and the remaining amount display member 43 is moved downward. There is no problem because the display moves downward to push it down.

Thereafter, when the remaining amount of the sheet S is exhausted, FIG.
And the display portion 43b of the remaining amount display member 43
Is located at the bottom.

As described above, the display portion 43b of the remaining amount display member 43 moves according to the remaining amount of the sheet S, and the position thereof can be visually checked from the outside, so that the user can confirm that the remaining amount of the sheet S has decreased. Can be recognized.

With the above-described configuration, in the storage section 30, the tub 2 has a box shape in which the upper side for loading sheets and the side on which the cover section 40 is mounted are open. 2, the assembly work for assembling the detecting means such as the middle plate 2a and the elastic member 2c, particularly the arm member 31 can be easily performed.

The cover section 40 is also provided in the storage section 3.
The shaft 42 and the remaining amount display member 43 can be easily assembled from the open portion in the cover member 41 whose surface side to be mounted on the opening 0 is open, so that the assembling work is easy.

The storage section 30 and the cover section 40
Is attached, the arm member 31 for detecting the remaining amount of the sheet and the remaining amount display member 43 are automatically connected, so that the assembling work is easy.

Further, when any of these constituent members (parts) is damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced, the storage unit 30 and the cover unit 40 are removed, and only a small number of parts ( Since only damaged parts can be easily removed, maintenance is excellent.

In the above-described embodiment, the feeding method using the separation claw has been described as an example. However, the configuration in which the middle plate on which the sheets S are stacked is rotated or moved up and down according to the amount of the sheets S stacked. If so, any feeding system such as a Duplo system or a retard system may be used.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the arm member (oscillating member) is brought into contact with the lower surface of the middle plate (sheet stacking plate) is described. In the present embodiment, the middle plate is provided with a notch. 2 shows a configuration in which an arm member is brought into contact with the lower surface of a sheet stacked on a middle plate. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a schematic configuration of a feeding cassette according to the second embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory views showing the operation of the main part of the sheet stacking apparatus (FIG. 7). X
It is explanatory drawing by the cross section of 2-X2 part).

As shown in the figure, a notch 2a1 is formed at a part of the free end side of the middle plate 2a for stacking the sheets S.

Then, the projection 3 at one end of the arm member 31
1b enters the notch 2a1 of the middle plate 2a, and abuts on the lowermost sheet of the stacked sheets S.

When the feeding operation is repeated, the elastic member 2c
And the middle plate 2a presses the sheet S upward, so that the lowermost portion of the sheet S rises, and the protrusion 31b of the arm member 31 abutting on the sheet S moves accordingly.

Accordingly, the arm member 31 also rotates clockwise (arrow A in the figure) about the fulcrum 31a.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the presence or absence of a sheet is detected by using a configuration in which an arm member (swinging member) is directly brought into contact with the sheet, as in the second embodiment described above, to detect when the sheet has run out. Is shown in which the arm member is provided with the function as the above. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing a schematic configuration of a feeding cassette according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (an explanatory diagram by a cross-sectional view taken along a line X3-X3 in FIG. 10) illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an arm member, which is designed so that the right side of the fulcrum 51a in the figure is heavier than the left side, and therefore always tries to rotate clockwise (arrow A in the figure).

Then, the middle plate 2 for stacking the sheets S
A cutout 2a2 is formed at a part on the free end side of the line a.

The notch 2a2 is configured so that a sheet contact portion 51b formed at one end of the arm member 51 can enter.

Further, a photo sensor detecting portion 51d constituting detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a sheet is formed in a part of the arm member, and the light emission of the photo sensor P provided on the image forming apparatus main body side is performed. The part can be shielded.

The other end of the arm member has a U-shaped groove 51c.
Is formed, and the protrusion 43c of the remaining amount display member 43 has entered.

With the above configuration, when the sheet S is stacked on the middle plate as shown in FIG. 12, the arm member tends to rotate clockwise (arrow A in the figure). The sheet contact portion 51b of the arm member 51 at the lowest position
, And the remaining amount display member 43 is located above.

When the feeding operation is repeated, the elastic member 2c
And the middle plate 2a presses the sheet S upward, so that the lowermost portion of the sheet S gradually rises, the protrusion 31b of the arm member 31 abutting on the sheet S moves followingly, and the remaining amount display member 43 Move down.

After that, when the sheet S disappears on the middle plate,
As shown in FIG. 11, the arm member 51 further rotates, and the detecting unit 51d shields the light emitting unit of the photo sensor P.

That is, it can be detected that the sheet S is not in the cassette 50.

As described above, the sheet contact portion 5 of the arm member
If there is no obstruction other than the sheet above 1b, the rotation angle of the arm member can be increased when the sheet S on the middle plate is gone.

In this embodiment, the arm member can be used for both the remaining amount detection function and the sheet presence / absence detection function, so that the configuration is simplified, the assembling workability is further improved, and the cost is greatly reduced. Down becomes possible.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the remaining amount display member (display member) is made up of two parts and the assemblability is further improved. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view showing a main part (cover) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a view seen from the Y direction in FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main part (remaining amount display member) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a remaining amount display member, which comprises a slide component 61 and a display component 62.

As shown in FIG. 15, the slide component 61
Is formed with a sliding hole 61a and a projection 61b.

Reference numeral 61c denotes a claw for preventing the display component 62 from leaking, 61d denotes a horizontal rib for determining a vertical position, 61e.
Is a pair of vertical ribs for determining the position in the horizontal direction.

Further, as shown in FIG.
2 includes a display unit 62a and a claw 61c of the slide moving member 61.
, A slit 62c into which the horizontal rib 61d enters, and a portion 62d pinched by the vertical rib.
It is composed of

The display portion 62a of the display component 62 is larger than the slit 41a of the cover 41 so as to be easily visible from the outside.

The slide component 6 configured as described above
1 and the display component 62 will be described.

After the shaft 42 into which the slide component 61 has been inserted is fixed to the cover 41, the display unit is inserted from the outside of the cover 41 (in the Y direction in the drawing) and fixed to the slide component 61.

As described above, the slide component 61 and the display component 6
2 are formed into two parts, so that the slit 41 of the cover 41 is formed.
There is no need to increase the width of a, change the shape, or provide a notch, etc., and it is not necessary to impair the aesthetic appearance.

Further, the display member can be easily attached to the slide member, and the assembling workability is further improved.

Further, since the display member does not easily come off, the reliability is excellent.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a shaft, which is a support member that supports the display member, is movable by a predetermined amount in a direction in which the display member protrudes outside. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part (cover) according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the shaft 42H to which the remaining amount detecting means is attached has one end having a long hole 41J of the cover member 41H.
Part, and the other end is a patch hole 41K
Supported by the department.

In the vertical direction of the shaft 42H in the figure, a groove shape is provided on the shaft of the patchon long hole 41K, and the patch pawls are held in an overlapping manner.

That is, the cover member 41H is a surface to which the end user easily comes in contact, and it is required that the cover member 41H is not broken even if the end user pushes or gets caught.

In this embodiment, from such a point of view, the end structure allows the end user to move the remaining amount detecting member 62 from the outside by positively shaking the mounting portion of the shaft 42H of the cover member 41H with the above-described configuration. Even when the shaft 42H is pushed or the like, the shaft 42H can be prevented from coming off the patchon provided on the cover member 41H due to the play.

Note that the remaining amount detecting member 62 and the cover member 41
It is preferable that the amount of play t1, t2 is larger than the gap S with H, but in some cases, even if t1 and t2 are slightly reduced, the shaft 42H does not come off.

Further, by adopting the above configuration,
The work of attaching the shaft 42H to the cover member 41H is also facilitated, and the assembling work can be further improved.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIGS. 18 and 19
Shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the display member does not protrude from the exterior surface of the device. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a partial side view of a sheet material stacking apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a partial back view of the sheet material stacking apparatus in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the cover member 41 has
A handle portion 41H is provided for attaching and detaching the sheet material stacking device from the image forming apparatus, and the handle portion 41H simultaneously constitutes an exterior portion, and a remaining amount detection member 62 is disposed on a side surface one step lower than the handle portion. Have been.

Therefore, the remaining amount detecting member 62 does not protrude from the outer surface of the apparatus.

That is, the sheet material stacking device needs to be frequently attached and detached by the end user to increase the strength reliability. However, the chip as the remaining amount detecting member is inevitably used in terms of space and design. It is difficult to make the member too large from the viewpoint.

[0138] In addition, since it is configured to protrude to such an appearance, it is easily broken by mistake.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outermost cover member, which is the place where the contact is most likely to be made, also serves as the end-user's handle for attaching and detaching the sheet stacking device, and is settled from the outer surface. The remaining amount detecting member 62
Prevent unexpected accidents by placing

[0140]

The sheet stacking apparatus of the present invention can be assembled simply by mounting the first member provided with the detecting means and the second member provided with the display means. The workability and the maintainability are improved, and the detection means and the display means perform their functions only by mounting them, so that the reliability is excellent.

The box-shaped tub, which is the first member, is open on the upper surface side for stacking sheets and on the surface side on which the second member is mounted, while it is the second member. Since the surface side of the cover member to be mounted on the first member is open, the work of assembling the detection means and the like to the box-shaped member and the work of assembling the display means and the like to the cover member can be easily performed.

When the first member and the second member are mounted, the detection means and the display means are connected to each other,
Each means can exert its function.

The detecting means can detect the amount of movement of the sheet stacking plate which moves according to the amount of sheets to be stacked.

Further, the detecting means contacts one end of the swinging member with the lower surface of the sheet stacking plate or the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate by entering a notch provided in the sheet stacking plate. Then, the more sheets are loaded,
The sheet stacking plate moves and is pushed by the sheet stacking plate or the lower surface of the sheet, and the swing member swings, whereby the amount of the sheet can be detected.

Further, when the swinging member is configured to penetrate a notch provided in the sheet stacking plate and abut on the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the swinging member is stacked on the sheet stacking plate. If it has a function as a detecting means for detecting further rotation when the seat runs out,
The presence or absence of a sheet can also be detected.

The display means is provided slidably on the shaft provided in accordance with the moving position of the connecting portion provided on the swinging member, and is provided to the outside through a slit provided on the second member. It can be configured by a display member to be displayed.

In this case, if the display member is constituted by a slide component slidably provided on a shaft and a display component which can be fixed to the slide component through a slit from the outside, these components can be easily assembled. The assembling workability and the like are further improved.

If this axis is provided so as to be movable by a predetermined amount in the direction in which the display member protrudes to the outside, even if an external force or the like is applied to the display member, a shock is generated by the movement of the axis. It can be absorbed to prevent breakage.

If the second member is provided with an exterior part that projects further than the projection part of the display member to the outside, it is possible to prevent the display member from being accidentally hit or caught from outside.

Further, the above-described highly reliable sheet stacking apparatus can be applied to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The exterior part provided in the second member includes
The sheet stacking device may be a handle for attaching and detaching the sheet stacking device to and from the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a sheet stacking apparatus (feeding cassette) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a predetermined portion of the sheet stacking apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer as an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a schematic configuration of a sheet stacking apparatus (feeding cassette) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sheet stacking apparatus (feeding cassette) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part (cover) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram viewed from the Y direction in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main part (a remaining amount display member) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main part (a remaining amount display member) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part (cover) according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial side view of a sheet material stacking device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial rear view of the sheet material stacking device in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body (of laser beam printer) 2 Oke 2a Middle plate 2c Elastic member 3 Feeding roller 31 Arm member 31c U-shaped groove 6 Process cartridge 30 Storage part 40 Cover part 41H Hand part 42 Shaft 43 Remaining amount display member 43b Display part 43c Projecting portion 50 Feeding cassette 51d Photosensor detecting portion 60 Remaining amount display member 61 Slide component 62 Display component

Claims (14)

[Claims] A first member having a sheet stacking portion and a detecting means for detecting an amount of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion; a first member which is detachable from the first member; A sheet stacking device, comprising: a second member provided with a display unit for externally displaying a detection result of the detection unit when the unit is mounted on one member. 2. The first member is a box-shaped member having an open upper surface side for stacking sheets and a surface side on which the second member is mounted, and wherein the second member includes the first member. 2. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking device is a cover member having a surface to be mounted on the member and having a slit for displaying the image to the outside by the display means. 3. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first member and the second member are mounted, the detection unit and the display unit are connected. 4. The sheet stacking section includes a sheet stacking plate, and an urging unit that urges the sheet stacking plate to move according to an amount of sheets to be stacked. 4. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of movement of the sheet stacking plate moving according to an amount of sheets to be stacked is detected. 5. The detecting means includes a swinging member pivotally supported so as to freely swing, and one end of the swinging member abuts on a lower surface of the sheet stacking plate and the other end has the display member. 5. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a connection portion with the means, and swinging in accordance with movement of the sheet stacking plate. 6. The sheet stacking device according to claim 6, wherein said detecting means has a swinging member pivotally supported so that one end of said swinging member penetrates a notch provided in said sheet stacking plate. The sheet contacting the lower surface of the sheet loaded on the plate, the other end is provided with a connection portion with the display means, swinging according to the movement of the sheet loaded on the sheet loading plate. Item 5. The sheet stacking device according to Item 4. 7. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the swing member is set so that the other end is heavier than the one end via a shaft. 8. A swing member which enters a notch provided in said sheet stacking plate and abuts on a lower surface of a sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate when the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking plate runs out. 7. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the presence or absence of the sheet is detected by the detecting unit by further rotating. 9. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means includes a shaft provided in accordance with a moving position of a connecting portion provided on said swinging member, and a slit provided on said shaft slidably and provided on said second member. A display member to be displayed externally through
The display member further comprises a connecting portion connected to a connecting portion provided on the swinging member.
Or the sheet stacking apparatus according to 8. 10. The display member according to claim 9, wherein the display member includes a slide component slidably provided on the shaft, and a display component that can be fixed to the slide component via the slit from outside. A sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1. 11. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shaft is provided so as to be movable by a predetermined amount in a direction in which the display member protrudes outside. 12. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second member has an exterior part projecting further than a projection part of the display member to the outside. 13. A sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet loaded on the sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, and an image is formed on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the exterior member provided on the second member constituting the sheet stacking device is a handle for attaching and detaching the sheet stacking device to and from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus as described in the above.