JPH11139572A - Paper feeding cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding cassette storing paper sheets of multiple sizes in a small space and capable of detecting the size of the stored paper sheets. SOLUTION: When an auxiliary container 22 is inserted into a main container 18, a paper rear end guide 30 can be slid to change the length of a storage section 36. When the paper rear end guide 30 is slid, a small spur gear body 54 is rotated by the prescribed angle via a large spur gear body 38 to thrust a size detecting plate spring 60, a microswitch 62 is turned on or off, and the position of the paper rear end guide 30 is detected. When the auxiliary container 22 is extracted, the paper rear end guide 30 is slid integrally with the auxiliary container 22, and the storage section 36 becomes long. The size detecting plate spring 60 is thrust by the size detecting rib of the auxiliary container 22, the microswitch 62 is turned on or off, and the position of the auxiliary container 22 is detected. The auxiliary container 22 may be extracted from the main container 18 by the required quantity for space saving.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding cassette, and more particularly, to a paper feeding cassette which is mounted on a paper feeding device which accommodates a plurality of sheets and supplies the sheets to an image forming apparatus or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cassette 110 shown in FIG.
In the cassette 110 having an open upper surface, two partition plates 116 and 118 are arranged so as to be movable by a finger in a perpendicular state. Move the partition plates 116 and 118 according to the size of the paper,
The position of the paper accommodated in the cassette 110 is determined between the partition plates 116 and 118 and the front plate 112 and the side plate 114 of the cassette 110. Also, a magnetic sensor arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate 120 of the cassette 110
The positions of the partition plates 116 and 118 are detected, and the cassette 110 is detected.
Detects the size of the paper stored in the printer.

However, in the above-mentioned cassette 110, the size of the paper is adjusted only by moving the partition plates 116 and 118 inside the cassette 110, and the cassette 110
Is formed according to the maximum size paper. Therefore, the size of the cassette 110 itself cannot be reduced according to the size of the sheet, and the space is wasted.

In a paper cassette device 130 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-119462) shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a tail guide 134 and a guide 1 are provided in a paper cassette 132.
36 are mounted so as to be movable in orthogonal directions. The tail guide 134 is turned on and off via a link 138 and a drum 140, and similarly, the guide 136 is turned on and off via a lever 142 and a slider 144, whereby the respective positions are detected. .

However, even in the paper cassette device 130, the size of the paper cassette 132 is formed according to the maximum size of the paper, so that space is wasted.

Further, in the cassette 150 of the image recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the paper trailing end guide 152 is divided into two guide members 154 and 156 so as to correspond to the sliding position of one of the guide members 154. Then, the rib integrally formed with the guide member 154 operates the size detecting cam 158 in a specific combination, and turns on and off the switch. Thereby, the size of the sheet can be detected.

Further, in the cassette 150, the other guide member 156 can be slid according to the sheet size. However, even if the size of the cassette 150 itself can be changed, the guide member 156 can be slid. Cannot detect the paper size.

Further, in the cassette 150, the sheet size is detected only by the sliding position of the guide member 154, and the rib for turning on and off the size detecting cam 158 is formed integrally with the guide member 154. The sliding amount of the member 154 is limited. For example, when the guide member 154 is pulled out most (FIG. 11)
The ratio of the leftward movement (when moved toward the left side) to the most depressed state (when moving toward the right side in FIG. 11) is about 1.38 times. Therefore, paper having a size exceeding this limit cannot be accommodated in the cassette 150, and it is necessary to separately form a cassette corresponding to paper of various sizes.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet cassette which can accommodate a plurality of sizes of paper in a small space and can detect the size of the accommodated paper. I do.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first container body mounted on a paper feeding device, and a storage portion slidably mounted on the first container body and capable of storing paper. A second container body that is slidably mounted on the second container body, a guide plate that is slidably attached to the second container body, and that expands and contracts the housing portion by a sliding operation; and a slide of the guide plate with respect to the first container body. It has a guide plate detecting means for detecting a position and a second container body detecting means for detecting a sliding position of the second container body with respect to the first container body.

By further sliding the guide plate in a state where the second container body is pushed most toward the first container body, the accommodating portion can be expanded and contracted to accommodate a plurality of sizes of sheets. When the guide plate detecting means detects the position of the guide plate, the size of the sheet stored in the storage portion is detected. In addition, since the second container body is pushed most into the first container body, the size of the entire sheet cassette is reduced, and the space is reduced even when the sheet cassette is mounted on the sheet feeding device.

By sliding the second container body out of the first container body, the accommodating portion can be further expanded to accommodate a large-sized sheet. In this state,
When the second container body detecting means detects the position of the second container body, the size of the paper housed in the housing part is detected. Further, since it is not necessary to draw out the second container body beyond the size of the paper to be accommodated, the size of the entire paper feed cassette becomes the minimum necessary and the space is reduced when the paper cassette is mounted on the paper feed device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the guide plate detecting means includes a gear train rotated by sliding of the guide plate and a switch provided in the paper feeding device. And a cam that contacts with the rotation angle of the gear train, wherein the second container body detecting means is formed on the second container body and the switch corresponding to a sliding position of the second container body. Characterized by having a rib contacting the

Accordingly, when the guide plate slides, the gear train rotates, and the cam contacts the switch in accordance with the rotation angle. When the second container slides, the rib contacts the switch in accordance with the sliding position. Thus, with a simple structure, the guide plate detecting means and the second container body detecting means can be brought into contact with the same switch provided in the sheet feeding device.

[0015]

1 to 3 show a sheet feeding apparatus 1 with a sheet feeding cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus 14 having the image forming apparatus 2. FIGS. 4 to 7 show the sheet cassette 10. The sheets taken out one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 10 by the sheet feeding device 12 are conveyed to the main body 16 of the image recording device 14, and after the image is recorded in the main body 16,
Is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.
0 has a main container 18 mounted on the paper feeding device 12. The main container 18 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped flat box shape, and its upper surface and rear surface (the right surface in FIGS. 4 to 7) are open. Further, the width of the main container 18 (length in the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIGS. 4 and 6) is slightly larger than the maximum width of the paper accommodated in the paper cassette 10 in consideration of the maximum width. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
8 is inserted from the front side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) into an opening 20 formed in the paper feeding device 12 and held, whereby the paper feeding cassette 10 is mounted on the paper feeding device 12. FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the sheet feeding cassette 10 is being inserted into the opening 20.
2, it projects farther from the paper feeder 12 than the mounted state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the main container 18 has a sub-container 22 mounted thereon. The sub-container 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped flat box shape, and its upper surface and front surface (the left surface in FIGS. 4 to 7) are open. In addition, sub-container 2
2 (the length in the vertical direction on the paper of FIGS. 4 and 6) is shorter than the width of the main container 18. Thereby, the sub-container 22 is inserted from the rear side of the main container 18. In the inserted state, the main container 18 and the sub-container 22 are integrated to form the paper feed cassette 10.

The bottom plate 26 of the sub-container 22 (see FIG. 6)
A long hole is formed in the lower surface of the main container 18 along the direction in which the sub-container 22 is inserted into the main container 18 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 4 to 7). Established
A projection (not shown) is accommodated. Thereby, the sub-container 22 slides with respect to the main container 18 without rattling.

Further, a plurality of engaging portions (not shown) are formed at predetermined positions of the long holes, and the projections of the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18 are engaged with the engaging portions to thereby form the sub-container. 2
An appropriate resistance is generated when the main container 18 slides on the main container 18. That is, the engaging portion functions as a stopper mechanism for positioning the sub-container 22 at a predetermined position with respect to the main container 18.

A slide groove 28 is formed in the sub-container 22 along the same direction as the direction of insertion into the main container 18 (left-right direction in FIGS. 4 to 7) and at the center in the width direction. The slide groove 28 houses the lower portion of the paper trailing end guide 30.

The paper trailing end guide 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and its normal direction coincides with the sliding direction of the sub-container 22. The paper rear end guide 30, the front plate 32 and the width guide 34 of the main container 18 constitute a storage section 36 that can store a paper of a predetermined size. Note that the width guide 34 contacts the sides of the plurality of sheets stored in the storage unit 36 in a stacked state, and aligns the plurality of sheets in the width direction. The width guide 34 is moved in the width direction of the sheet by a guide mechanism (not shown).

From the lower part of the paper rear end guide 30, a projection 4
6 is projected, and the protrusion 46 is provided in the slide groove 28.
Is accommodated in a long hole (not shown) formed in the hole. As a result, the paper rear end guide 30 has its normal
The slide is performed along the slide groove 28 while maintaining the state of being coincident with the slide direction 2. Paper trailing edge guide 30
Is slid, the length of the housing portion 36 can be changed. Thus, the paper trailing end guide 30 is slidably attached to the main container 18 via the sub container 22.

On the lower surface of the bottom plate 26 of the sub-container 22, there is arranged a large spur gear body 38 formed in a substantially L-shape. At the approximate center of the large spur gear body 38, a pin 40 is protruded toward the bottom plate 26 of the sub-container 22, and is inserted into a support hole 42 formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 26 without detachment. Thus, the large spur gear body 38 is supported by the bottom plate 26 of the sub-container 22 so as to be rotatable about the pin 40.

A cut groove 44 is formed in the short side 38A of the large spur gear body 38 along the longitudinal direction of the short side 38A, and the cut groove 44 projects from the lower end of the paper rear end guide 30. The provided projection 46 is accommodated. The shape of the cut groove 44 is such that when the paper trailing end guide 30 is slid, it is pushed by the projection 46 at a specific position, and the large spur gear 3
8 has a predetermined cam shape so that it rotates.

Further, a gear tooth 48 is formed at the end of the long side portion 38B of the large spur gear body 38, and the large spur gear body 38 substantially constitutes a large spur gear centered on the pin 40. I have.

On the side wall 50 of the main container 18, an idler spur gear 52 and a small spur gear 54 are rotatably and rotatably supported in a constantly engaged state. Further, the idler spur gear 52 has a predetermined shape so as to mesh with the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 in a state where the sub-container 22 is pushed into the main container 18 as far as possible (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is supported at the position. Therefore, when the large spur gear body 38 rotates in this state, this rotation is transmitted to the small spur gear body 54 via the idler spur gear 52, and the small spur gear body 54 rotates.

The small spur gear body 54 is composed of a small spur gear 56 having gear teeth formed therearound and a size detecting cam 58 of a predetermined shape integrally formed with the small spur gear 56. Further, the small spur gear body 54 is configured such that the size detection cam 58 is mounted on the plurality of size detecting leaf springs provided in the sheet feeding device 12 in a state where the sheet feeding cassette 10 is pushed in from the opening 20 of the sheet feeding device 12 to the innermost position. It is attached to a predetermined position so as to oppose 60. When the small spur gear body 54 rotates, the size detection cam 5
Since the cam surface of No. 8 comes into surface contact with a specific (one or more) size detection leaf spring 60 among the plurality of size detection leaf springs 60, the size detection leaf spring 60 is pushed in against the elastic force of the leaf spring. . The microswitch 62 provided in the paper feeding device 12 is turned on and off according to the combination of the size detection leaf springs 60 pushed in this way and the pushing amount.

Therefore, the sheet feeding cassette 10 is
When the paper trailing end guide 30 is slid in a state where it is pushed into the opening 20 to the farthest position, the large spur gear body 38 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the small spur gear body 54 also rotates by a predetermined angle in conjunction with this. Then, the specific (one or more) size detecting leaf springs 60 are pushed in, and the position of the paper trailing end guide 30 is detected. As a result, the size of the paper stored in the storage unit 36 is detected. The microswitch 62 transmits the position information of the paper trailing end guide 30 to the main body 16 of the image recording device 14.

When the sheet cassette 10 is pulled out from the opening 20 of the sheet feeding device 12, the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 are separated from the gear teeth of the small spur gear body 54.
The size detecting leaf spring 60 is not pushed, and the micro switch 62 is not turned on.

Further, on the outer surface of the side wall 64 of the sub-container 22,
A plurality (three in the present embodiment) of size detection ribs 66 are provided at predetermined intervals in the sliding direction of the sub-container 22 (horizontal direction in FIGS. 4 to 7). When the sub-container 22 is slid out of the main container 18 and pulled out, the position of these size detecting ribs 66 is specified at a predetermined draw-out position among a plurality of size detecting leaf springs 60 provided in the sheet feeding device 12. (One or more) size detection leaf springs 60
Is set to the position where the user presses. The micro switch 62 provided in the paper feeding device 12 is turned on and off according to the combination of the size detecting leaf springs 60 pushed in this way and the pushing amount, and the position of the sub-container 22 is detected. The size of the paper accommodated in 36 is detected. The micro switch 62 transmits this information to the main body 16 of the image recording device 14.

The combination of the size detecting leaf springs 60 pushed in this way makes the sub-container 22
8 is pressed when the sheet trailing end guide 30 is slid in the state where the sheet is pushed in the most.
The combination is set to be different from the combination of 0 so that confusion does not occur.

Next, the paper feed cassette 1 according to the present embodiment
The operation of 0 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in a state in which the sub-container 22 is pushed to the innermost position with respect to the main container 18, the paper rear end guide 30 and the front plate 32 and the width guide 34 of the main container 18 are used to accommodate 36 are configured. One or a plurality of stacked sheets can be stored in the storage section 36.

By sliding the paper rear end guide 30, the length of the storage portion 36 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 4) can be changed. Accordingly, the size of the storage unit 36 is expanded and reduced, so that these papers can be stored in the storage unit 36 corresponding to various sizes of paper.

When the paper rear end guide 30 is slid,
The protrusion 46 of the paper rear end guide 30 moves in the cut groove 44. When the sliding amount of the paper trailing end guide 30 reaches a predetermined value, the cut groove 44 having a predetermined cam shape is pressed by the projection 46, and the large spur gear body 38 rotates by a predetermined angle. As a result, the small spur gear 54 also rotates by a predetermined angle, the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60 are pushed in by the cam surface of the size detection cam 58, and the microswitch 62 provided in the sheet feeding device 12 is turned on. Since it is turned on and off, the position of the paper trailing end guide 30 is detected. As a result, the accommodation unit 3
The length of the paper stored in 6 is detected.

The sub-container 22 is pushed into the main container 18 as far as possible, and the length of the paper feed cassette 10 is reduced. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the projecting amount of the sheet cassette 10 from the image recording device 14 is minimized, and almost the entire sheet cassette 10 is accommodated in the image recording device 14. , Space saving. Depending on the relative relationship with the image recording device 14, the paper feed cassette 10 can be completely accommodated in the image recording device 14.

To accommodate a sheet larger in size than the storage section 36 with the paper rear end guide 30 moved to the position closest to the rear plate 68 of the sub-container 22 to expand the storage section 36, The sub container 22 is pulled out of the main container 18. As a result, the paper trailing end guide 30 also slides integrally with the sub-container 22, and the length of the storage section 36 becomes longer.

At this time, since the gear teeth 48 of the large spur gear body 38 are separated from the idler spur gear 52, the small spur gear body 54 does not rotate. Therefore, the size detecting leaf spring 60
Is not pushed, and the microswitch 62 is not turned on.

When the sub-container 22 is pulled out to a predetermined position, a projection (not shown) projecting from the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18
Since it engages with an engaging portion of a long hole (not shown) formed in the sub-container 22, an appropriate resistance is generated in drawing out the sub-container 22,
The sub-container 22 is positioned at a predetermined position.

At this time, a specific size detecting rib 66 among a plurality of size detecting ribs 66 formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the side wall 64 of the sub-container 22 is replaced with a specific (one or more) size detecting plate. Depress the spring 60. This allows
Since the micro switch 62 is turned on and off, the secondary container 2
2 are detected. As a result, the size of the sheet stored in the storage unit 36 is detected.

At this time, the sub-container 22 need only be pulled out of the main container 18 by a necessary amount corresponding to the length of the paper, and the entire length of the paper feed cassette 10 can be reduced to the minimum necessary length. . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion length of the sheet cassette 10 from the image recording device 14 can be minimized, and the space can be saved.

Further, if the sub-container 22 is pulled out from the main container 18, a longer sheet can be stored. Also at this time, when the sub-container 22 is pulled out to a predetermined position, a projection (not shown) protruding from the bottom plate 24 of the main container 18 becomes
The sub-container 22 is positioned at this predetermined position by engaging with an engaging portion of a not-shown long hole formed in the sub-container 22. Here, a specific size detection rib 66 of the plurality of size detection ribs 66 formed on the side wall 64 of the sub-container 22 is used.
However, since the specific (one or more) size detection leaf springs 60 are pushed in and the slide position of the sub-container 22 is detected, the size of the paper stored in the storage part 36 is detected as a result.

As described above, the same microswitch 62 can be turned on and off to detect the size of the paper regardless of whether the paper trailing end guide 30 is slid or the sub-container 22 is slid. There is no need to provide a plurality of 62s.

Since the slide groove 28 is formed at the center of the sub-container 22 in the width direction, the sheet rear end guide 30 is also located at the center of the sheet cassette 10 in the width direction. This makes it possible to align the sheets in a so-called center registration system, in contrast to the center line in the width direction of the sheet cassette 10. Of course, a so-called side registration method may be used in relation to the width of the sheet.

The slide length of the paper trailing end guide 30 and the draw-out length of the sub-container 22 can be set as appropriate according to the length of the paper accommodated in the paper supply cassette 10.
As described above, by making the paper trailing end guide 30 and the sub-container 22 both slidable, the ratio of the length when the storage portion 36 is the longest to the length when the storage portion 36 is the shortest is three times or more. can do. For example, the accommodation unit 3
6 is the length of the long side of the leisure 17 "(431.8 mm), and the length of the shortest is the length of the short side of the statement (139.7 mm).
The above ratio can be set to about 3.09 times.

The paper trailing end guide 30 can be slid with respect to the main container 18 or the sub-container 22 can be
The configuration that can slide with respect to is not limited to the configuration described above. In short, the paper trailing end guide 30
By sliding with respect to the main container 18, the length of the housing portion 36 can be changed so that the housing portion 36 can be expanded and contracted. Similarly, by making the sub-container 22 slidable with respect to the main container 18, it is only necessary that the length of the housing portion 36 be changed so that the housing portion 36 can be expanded or contracted.

As described above, the trailing edge guide detecting means as the guide plate detecting means does not need to be constituted by the large spur gear body 38, the idler spur gear 52, and the small spur gear body 54. Any configuration may be used as long as the slide position can be detected. For example, a rack may be attached to the paper trailing end guide 30, and the movement of the rack may be converted into rotation via a gear train, transmitted to the small spur gear 54, and the small spur gear 54 may be rotated.

Similarly, the size detecting rib 66 is also used as the sub-container body detecting means as the second container body detecting means.
The configuration is not limited thereto, and any configuration may be used as long as the position of the sub-container 22 can be detected.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first container body mounted on the paper feeding device and the housing portion slidably mounted on the first container body and capable of housing paper are slid. A second container body that is slidably attached to the second container body, and a guide plate that expands and contracts the housing portion by a sliding operation;
Since it has the guide plate detecting means for detecting the slide position with respect to the container body and the second container body detecting means for detecting the slide position of the second container body with respect to the first container body, a plurality of sizes are provided in a small space. And the size of the accommodated paper can be detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the guide plate detecting means includes a gear train rotated by sliding of the guide plate and a switch provided in the paper feeding device. And a cam that contacts with the rotation angle of the gear train, wherein the second container body detecting means is formed on the second container body and the switch corresponding to a sliding position of the second container body. Since the ribs are in contact with the sheet feeding device, the guide plate detecting means and the second container body detecting means can be brought into contact with the same switch provided in the sheet feeding device with a simple structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus having a sheet feeding device in which a sheet feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus having a sheet feeding device in which a sheet feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an image recording apparatus having a sheet feeding device in which a sheet feeding cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a sub-container is pushed most into a main container in the paper feed cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the sub-container is pushed most into the main container in the paper feed cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a sub-container is pulled out from a main container in the paper feed cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state where the sub-container is pulled out from the main container in the paper feed cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional cassette.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional paper cassette device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a conventional paper cassette device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a conventional cassette.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a conventional cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 paper feed cassette 12 paper feed device 14 image recording device 18 main container (first container) 22 sub-container (second container) 30 paper rear end guide (guide plate) 38 large spur gear (gear train, guide plate detection) Means) 54 Small spur gear (gear train, guide plate detecting means) 58 Size detecting cam (guide plate detecting means) 66 Size detecting rib (rib, second container body detecting means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] A first container body mounted on a paper feeding device; a second container body slidably mounted on the first container body and expanding and contracting by sliding a storage unit capable of storing paper; A guide plate slidably attached to the second container body for expanding and contracting the housing portion by a sliding operation; a guide plate detecting means for detecting a slide position of the guide plate with respect to the first container body; And a second container body detecting means for detecting a sliding position of the container body with respect to the first container body. 2. A gear train rotated by sliding of the guide plate, a cam contacting a switch provided in the paper feeder in accordance with a rotation angle of the gear train, wherein: The said 2nd container body detection means has the rib formed in the said 2nd container body, and contacting the said switch corresponding to the slide position of a 2nd container body, The Claims characterized by the above-mentioned. Paper cassette.