JPH1059572A - Recording paper supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce abnormal sound which is generated when lowermost recording paper is not fed and there is no recording paper when recording paper is supplied. SOLUTION: A brake roller 21 is provided in a tip part of a bottom plate 20 which is held in a storage case 1 in such a manner that it can oscillate in the vertical direction and pushes up recording paper which is piled up upward. Furthermore, a spring which regulates the rotation of the brake roller 21 is provided so that the brake roller 21 does not rotate due to friction force applied between the brake roller 21 and the lowermost recording paper when recording paper before the lowermost recording paper is conveyed. Consequently, a recording paper just before the lowermost recording paper conveyed by a paper supply roller 4, and the lowermost recording paper is conveyed due to the rotation of the brake roller 21 together with the paper supply roller 4. When there is no recording paper, the paper supply roller 4 rotated accompanying with the brake roller 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording paper feeder applied to an image recording apparatus using cut paper as recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional image recording apparatus.
A bottom plate that is swingably mounted inside the storage case 1 and whose free end moves up and down, 3 is a brake pad provided on the upper surface of the free end of the bottom plate 2, and 4 is provided at a position facing the brake pad 3. A paper feed roller for conveying the recording paper by rotation, a bottom plate release lever 5 for manually pressing the bottom plate 2, a recording paper setting table 6 for setting the recording paper on the bottom plate 2, and a paper feeding roller 7 for feeding the bottom plate 2 A pressing spring 8 as an urging member for urging the roller 4 is provided with a corner claw provided so as to engage with a corner at the free end of the bottom plate 2 when the bottom plate 2 is raised upward. An image recording unit for recording an image on recording paper; 10, a recording paper stacker for externally receiving recording paper discharged after image recording; 11, a document set table;
Denotes a scanner unit that conveys a document set on the document set table 11 and reads an image, 13 denotes a document stacker that externally receives a document after image reading, and 14 denotes a power supply.

The recording paper set in the storage case 1 is
After being conveyed by the paper feed roller 4 and fed to the image recording unit 9, the information is printed and discharged to the recording paper stacker 10. The document set on the document setting table 11 is conveyed to the scanner unit 12, where the image is read, and then discharged to the document stacker 13.

[0004] The frictional force between the brake pad 3 and the recording paper is set to be larger than the frictional force between the recording paper and the recording paper. As a result, the lowermost recording sheet is prevented from being conveyed together by friction with the preceding recording sheet.

Conventionally, as this kind of technology, for example, there is a paper sheet separating and carrying device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-24342.
According to this, an intermittent feed roller that indirectly contacts the lowermost sheet and a displaceable shutter for adjusting the position of the sheet in the hopper are disposed, and an excessive load is applied to the lowermost sheet. To prevent the sheet from being bent or wrinkled even when the sheet is compressed.

According to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-149334,
A recording paper cassette is described in which a cover is provided on the cover of the recording paper cassette so that the recording paper does not move when the recording paper cassette is attached or detached.

[0007]

Conventionally, a flat pad member is usually used as a brake member provided on the bottom plate surface, but originally the brake member feeds recording paper in order from the top. This is provided in order to prevent the last sheet from being conveyed together by friction with the preceding recording sheet when the last sheet is fed.

However, if the friction coefficient μ of the pad member is erroneously selected, for example, if the friction coefficient μ is too small, the intended purpose cannot be achieved. Conversely, if the friction coefficient μ is too large, the final paper cannot be used. There is a possibility that a malfunction such as a loud operation noise or an excessive load applied to the sheet feeding motor may occur when the sheet feeding operation is started without recording paper, or when a sheet feeding operation is started without recording paper.

Further, since the pad-shaped brake member has a certain area, the lowermost recording paper is caught on the pad surface and remains when the bundle-shaped recording paper is set, and is completely set. However, there is a possibility that the setting of the recording paper and the feeding operation may be hindered. Such a state is particularly likely to occur in the case of a mechanism system in which the storage case is inclined and laid out as shown in FIG. 8, and hardly occurs in a horizontal storage state.

[0010] The present invention solves such a problem, and does not rely only on the friction coefficient μ of the surface of the conventional brake pad member, but by giving the brake force of the brake pad a little redundant force. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording sheet feeding apparatus which can reduce abnormalities such as non-feeding during sheet feeding and abnormal noise generated during sheet feeding.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording paper storage case provided in an apparatus body for stacking recording paper for printing, and a recording paper storage case. The bottom plate is slidably held up and down inside, and is provided on the bottom plate for pushing up the stacked recording papers upward, and is provided on the bottom plate for preventing double feeding of the bottom recording paper. A brake member that contacts and provides a frictional force; a biasing member that is held below the bottom plate to apply a pushing force to the bottom plate; and a recording paper feeder that conveys the recording paper stacked on the bottom plate. In the recording paper feeder provided with rollers, the brake member is configured as a rotatable roller type, and further, a gap between the lowermost recording paper and the brake member when the recording paper is conveyed before the lowermost recording paper. The friction member rotates the brake member A rotation restricting means for restricting rotation of the brake member so that the brake member is rotated by a frictional force between the lowermost recording paper and the brake member when the lowermost recording paper is conveyed. And

With this configuration, the contact area between the lowermost recording paper and the brake member can be reduced when the recording paper is set, so that the setting failure of the lowermost recording paper can be prevented. In addition, since the brake member rotates when the lowermost recording paper is transported, non-feeding of the lowermost recording paper can be prevented. Further, in a state where there is no recording paper, the brake member comes to rotate with the paper feed roller, so that noise due to frictional resistance is less likely to occur.

[0013] Further, a release lever for manually moving the bottom plate downward to enable the setting of the recording paper, a stopper rotatably provided on the bottom plate, and the rotation of the brake member. First transmission means for transmitting to the stopper and projecting the stopper from the recording paper loading surface of the bottom plate; and rotating the stopper when the release plate is moved downward when the release lever is operated, and A second step of positioning the stopper below the recording paper loading surface;
A transmission means is provided.

With this configuration, the stopper protrudes from the bottom plate except that the release lever is operated to completely move the bottom plate downward and the recording paper can be set. Is set, and setting is impossible. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an abnormal setting of the recording paper due to a mistake in setting the recording paper, such as a non-uniform tip of the recording paper when the recording paper is set.

[0015] Further, a release lever for manually moving the bottom plate downward so as to enable recording paper setting, and a rotatably provided upper portion of the bottom plate for pivoting downward, Shutter means for restricting the setting of recording paper on the bottom plate; and stopping the downward rotation of the shutter means, operating the release lever to move the bottom plate downward, and the bottom plate and the shutter. A shutter stop means for forming a gap in which recording paper can be set between the shutter stop means and the means.

With this configuration, the shutter means is rotated downward to rotate the recording paper, except that the release lever is operated to completely move the bottom plate downward, and the recording paper can be set. Since the setting is restricted, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being abnormally set due to the setting mistake of the recording paper.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same members as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a recording paper feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration near a paper feed roller in FIG.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a bottom plate, reference numeral 21 denotes a brake roller fixed on the rotating shaft 21a, and reference numeral 22 denotes a spring which is a rotation restricting means for applying friction to the brake roller 21 in the thrust direction. That is, in the first embodiment, a brake roller 21 is provided instead of the brake pad 3 as a brake member in the conventional example shown in FIG.

An opening 20a is formed at a part of the free end of the bottom plate 20, and a rotating shaft 21a of the brake roller 21 is provided at the edge of the opening 20a on the back surface of the bottom plate 20 in the recording paper conveyance direction. A support portion 20b is formed to support at right angles to the support portion. By attaching the rotation shaft 21a to the support portion 20b together with the spring 22, the surface of the brake roller 21 is opened.
Exposed from 20a. Further, the brake roller 21 is covered by a cover 20c from the back side of the bottom plate 20, and this cover 20c
One end of a bottom plate pressure spring 7 is attached to the bottom plate.

Next, the operation will be described. When the recording paper set table 6 has two or more recording papers, the force regulating the rotation of the brake roller 21 by the spring 22 is greater than the frictional force between the recording papers. The brake roller 21 does not rotate. As a result, the lowermost recording paper is maintained on the bottom plate 20 by the frictional force from the brake rollers 21. When the last recording sheet is reached, the frictional force between the recording sheet and the surface of the brake roller 21 exceeds the force regulating the rotation of the spring 22, so that the brake roller 21 rotates. Is transported by the paper feed roller 4. When the paper feed roller 4 rotates without recording paper, the brake roller 21 completely rotates along with the paper feed roller 4.

According to the first embodiment configured as described above, when the recording paper is set, the area where the brake member contacts the lowermost recording paper can be reduced. It is possible to set, and it is possible to prevent the setting failure of the lowermost recording sheet as in the related art. In addition, it is possible to reduce abnormal noise that is likely to be generated in a paper feeding operation without recording paper.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3, 30 is a bottom plate, and 30a is an opening of FIG. An opening having the same configuration as the portion 20a, and 30b indicate an opening formed behind the opening 30a. That is, the bottom plate 30 has the opening 30b provided in the bottom plate 20 of FIG. Also, 31 abuts against the side of the brake roller 21 opposite to the side where the spring 22 abuts,
The friction plate 32 fixed to the rotating shaft 21a indicates a gear fixed to the rotating shaft 21a and positioned outside the bottom plate 30.
Note that the brake roller 21 is rotatably supported on the rotating shaft 21a.

A gear 33 is rotatably mounted on the bottom plate 30 and has a gear.
A gear meshing with 32, a gear meshing with the gear 33, a stopper positioned at the opening 30a, a stopper lever positioned beside the gear, and a rotatable back of the bottom plate 30 2 shows a rotating shaft that is installed at the center and supports the stopper 35, the gear 34, and the stopper lever 36. When the rotating shaft 37 is viewed from the side, the extending portion 35a of the stopper 35 and the extending portion 36a of the stopper lever 36 face different directions with respect to the rotating shaft 37. Reference numeral 38 denotes a projection formed on the storage case 1 and on the side of the stopper lever 36. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation will be described.

In FIG. 3, when the last recording paper is conveyed from the storage case 1, the paper feed roller 4 comes into contact with the brake roller 21. As shown in FIG. 5, when the paper feed roller 4 further rotates, the brake roller 21 rotates in conjunction with the paper feed roller 4, and the rotation is transmitted from the friction plate 31 to the rotary shaft 21a. Transmitted to the rotating shaft 37 via the
Rotates counterclockwise in the figure. When the rotation shaft 37 rotates,
The stopper 35 appears from the opening 30b and stops when it comes into contact with the edge of the opening 30b. As a result, the stopper
The projection 35 projects from the recording paper loading surface of the bottom plate 30 (the surface of the bottom plate 30), and the projection 38 is positioned below the extension 36a of the stopper lever 36. Thereafter, when the paper feed roller 4 further rotates, slippage occurs between the brake roller 21 and the friction plate 31, and only the brake roller 21 rotates, thereby preventing occurrence of abnormal noise.

When replenishing the storage case 1 with recording paper, the bottom plate 30 is lowered by operating the bottom plate release lever 5. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the extended portion 36a of the stopper lever 36 contacts the projection 38, and the extended portion 36a of the stopper lever 36 is pushed up by the projection 38, so that the rotating shaft 37 rotates clockwise in the figure. And with it
The extension 35a of the stopper 35 rotates toward the opening 30b, and the bottom plate
Located behind 30. As a result, it becomes possible to set the recording paper on the bottom plate 30.

With this configuration, when the bottom plate 30 is not in the lowered state, the stopper 35 projects from the surface of the bottom plate 30. Therefore, unless the bottom plate release lever 5 ensures that the bottom plate 30 is lowered. Recording paper cannot be replenished. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an abnormal setting of the recording paper caused by a mistake in setting the recording paper, and it is possible to improve operational reliability. In addition, since the structure is simple, it can be realized while suppressing the burden on cost.

In the second embodiment, the brake roller 21 is rotatably supported on the rotary shaft 21a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the brake roller 21 may be fixed to the rotary shaft 21a and the friction plate 31 may be removed. That is, the number of rotations of the paper feed roller 4 during the conveyance of the recording paper is usually about 1 to 2 rotations, and since the brake roller 21 has less contact with the paper feed roller 4 than before, the stopper 35 Even if the paper feed roller 4 rotates after projecting from the bottom plate 30 and stopping, slippage occurs between the brake roller 21 and the paper feed roller 4, and almost no frictional load is generated. Also, it is not necessary to be concerned about the occurrence of abnormal sounds due to this.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a side view showing a main part of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which 40 is a bottom plate, 41 is a substantially T-shaped shutter, and 42 is a shutter 41. 5 shows a shutter support movably supported. In FIG. 7, the same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The shutter support portion 42 is positioned above the bottom plate 40 and near the fixed end of the bottom plate 40. When the shutter support portion 42 is installed with one end of the shutter 41 as a support end, the shutter support portion 42 has another position. The end portion is oriented as a free end in the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed, and the central hanging portion is oriented in the direction of the bottom plate 40. Further, a side portion at one end side of the central hanging portion of the shutter 41 is formed as an inclined surface along the recording paper conveyance direction, and gradually becomes narrower from a base portion of the central hanging portion to a tip end portion.

An opening 40a is formed in a portion of the bottom plate 40 where the tip of the central hanging portion of the shutter 41 faces. That is, the bottom plate 40 has a configuration in which the opening 40a is provided in the bottom plate 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the final recording paper is conveyed from the storage case 1, the opening 40a covered by the recording paper is opened, and at the same time, the shutter 41 is rotated by its own weight, and the leading end of the shutter 41 at the center vertically lower portion is opened. The part fits into the opening 40a. At this time, the rotation of the shutter 41 stops because a part of the shutter 41 comes into contact with the shutter support portion 42. When the bottom plate 40 is lowered by operating the bottom plate release lever 5 to supply recording paper to the storage case 1, the shutter is released.
The fitted state between the central hanging portion of 41 and the opening 40a is released. When the recording paper is further supplied, the shutter 41 is pushed up by the recording paper and pivots upward.

With such a configuration, the stopper 41 can be used when the bottom plate 40 is raised, that is, when there is no recording paper.
Can be set in the opening 40a, so that the recording paper cannot be set. As in the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being abnormally set due to a mistake in setting the recording paper.

[0035]

According to the present invention configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being irregularly arranged at the time of setting the recording paper due to the frictional force of the brake member on the bottom plate, and to prevent the lowermost recording paper from being set improperly. Setability is improved. Further, it is possible to prevent troubles such as multi-feeding of the lowermost recording sheet, which is likely to occur due to irregularities in setting the recording sheets. Further, it is possible to stably convey the lowermost recording sheet, and it is possible to reduce an abnormal sound that is likely to be generated in a sheet feeding operation without the recording sheet.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, it is possible to prevent an abnormal setting of the recording paper due to a mistake in setting the recording paper, and it is possible to improve operational reliability. In addition, since it is structurally simple, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the cost burden is suppressed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an abnormal setting of the recording paper caused by a mistake in setting the recording paper, thereby improving the operational reliability. Further, since the structure is simpler than the structure of the second aspect, it is possible to realize a structure with further reduced cost burden.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a configuration of a recording paper feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration near a sheet feeding roller in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an operation after the recording paper runs out in the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an operation when the bottom plate is moved downward in the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a main part of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an internal side view showing a main part of the configuration of an image recording apparatus provided with a conventional recording paper feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage case, 2, 20, 30, 40 ... Bottom plate, 3 ... Brake pad, 4 ... Feed roller, 5 ... Bottom plate release lever,
6 ... Recording paper set table 7 ... Pressure spring
8: Corner claw, 11: Original setting table, 20a, 3
0a, 30b, 40a ... opening, 20b ... support, 20c ... cover, 21 ... brake roller, 21a, 37 ... rotating shaft, 22 ...
Spring, 31 ... friction plate, 32, 33, 34 ... gear, 35
… Stopper, 35a, 36a… extension, 36… stopper lever, 38… projection, 41… shutter, 42… shutter support.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper storage case provided in an apparatus main body for stacking recording paper for printing, and a recording paper sheet held in the recording paper storage case so as to be vertically swingable and loaded. A bottom plate for pushing up; a brake member provided on the bottom plate for preventing double feeding of the lowermost recording sheet, and abutting against the lowermost recording sheet to apply a frictional force; and a brake member held below the bottom plate. A recording paper feeding device, comprising: a biasing member for applying a lifting force to the bottom plate; and a recording paper feeding roller for conveying the recording paper stacked on the bottom plate. The brake member does not rotate due to the frictional force between the lowermost recording paper and the brake member when the recording paper is transported before the lowermost recording paper, and the lowermost recording paper is transported. The bottom recording paper and the brake Frictional force recording paper feed device in which the braking member is characterized in that a rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the brake member for rotation between the members. 2. A release lever for manually moving the bottom plate downward to set a recording sheet, a stopper rotatably provided on the bottom plate, and a rotation member for rotating the brake member. First transmission means for transmitting to the stopper and projecting the stopper from the recording paper loading surface of the bottom plate; and rotating the stopper when the release plate is moved downward when the release lever is operated, and 2. The recording paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second transmission unit that positions the stopper below a recording paper loading surface. 3. A release lever for manually moving the bottom plate downward to enable setting of a recording sheet, and is provided rotatably on an upper portion of the bottom plate, and is pivoted downward to rotate the bottom plate. Shutter means for restricting the setting of recording paper on the bottom plate; and stopping the downward rotation of the shutter means, operating the release lever to move the bottom plate downward, and the bottom plate and the shutter. 2. A recording paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter stop means for forming a gap between said means and said recording medium so that a recording paper can be set.