JPH11189340A - Sheet supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform satisfactory automatic feeding of sheet even in the case that a feeding tray is inclinedly arranged. SOLUTION: A sheet supplying device of this type has followings. A sheet supplying tray main body 102 is provided for mounting recording paper 102 thereon. A paper feeding roller 204 sequentially feeds the recording papers 102 from the uppermost one. A bottom plate 105 pressurizes the recording paper 102 in the direction of the feeding roller 204. A base-like projection 105 is arranged in the sheet supplying direction side face of the feeding tray main body 101 for abutting one of ends of the recording papers 102 thereagainst. A sliding belt 106 is provided, which belt is moved on the base-like projection 105 while mounting the recording papers 102, interlockingly with the motion of the bottom plate 205.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding device in a recording section of a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of apparatus, as a method of arranging a paper feed tray for storing recording paper, a method of arranging the paper tray horizontally with respect to the ground and a method of arranging it at a steep slope are generally used. There were two. Since the paper feed tray needs to be large enough to accommodate recording paper, it is preferable to adopt a method of arranging the paper feed tray at a steep inclination in order to reduce the size of the entire apparatus. is there. That is, it is possible to reduce the area required for installing the apparatus when the sheet feeding tray is arranged at an angle, as compared with the case where the sheet feeding tray is arranged horizontally with respect to the ground. In addition, since the lower end of the recording paper is aligned by its own weight by inclining the paper feed tray, a frame for surrounding the upper end of the recording paper is not required. For this reason, the paper feed tray does not need to be large enough to cover the entire recording paper, but only needs to be open upward. Therefore, by arranging the sheet feeding tray at an angle, the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. In this case, to prevent the portion of the paper tray that protrudes in the length direction from hanging down on the back side of the paper tray due to the weight of the recording paper itself, use a telescopic paper guide that can be extended and retracted when extending the paper tray. It is convenient to provide.

Next, a paper feed tray in a conventional paper feeder will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a paper feed tray in a conventional paper feed device.

In FIG. 6, a paper feed tray main body 701 is
The recording paper 702 includes a surface on which the recording paper 702 is placed, and a frame surrounding the side surface of the recording paper 702, and is formed so that recording papers 702 of various sizes can be stored. The set guide 703 is
In order to align the width direction of the recording paper 702, the recording paper 702 is slidable according to the size of the recording paper 702. Here, as an example, the set guide 703 is set so as to be able to store A4 size recording paper 702.

A recording paper 702 is provided on the surface of the paper feed tray main body 701 on the side of the recording paper conveyance direction which is in contact with the recording paper.
The separation claw 704 is provided so that the corner of the uppermost layer of the separation claw abuts. The separation claw 704 separates only one uppermost layer from a plurality of recording papers 702 placed on the paper feed tray main body 701 from other recording papers 702 during paper feeding. When a paper feed roller (not shown) feeds the uppermost recording paper 702, the separation pawl 704 causes the uppermost recording paper 702 to bend. In addition, the paper feed roller
When the recording paper 702 is sent out, the recording paper 702 gets over the separation claw 704 by its own elasticity. Thus, only one sheet of the uppermost recording paper 702 can be sent out.

[0006] A cassette rib 705 is provided on the surface of the main body 701 of the paper feed tray 701 on which one end of the recording paper 702 comes in contact in the recording paper conveyance direction. This cassette rib 7
A plurality of recording papers 05 are provided so as to protrude toward the recording paper side. When a plurality of recording papers 702 are placed on the paper feed tray main body 701, the cassette ribs 705 can align the recording papers 702 which are in contact with the paper. it can. Further, the presence of the cassette rib 705 can reduce the frictional force generated on the surface where the recording paper 702 comes into contact with the paper feed tray main body 701, so that the recording paper 702 can be easily conveyed to the paper feed port. Can be.

[0007]

However, when the method of arranging the paper feed tray in an inclined manner is adopted, the recording paper 702 is required.
Because its own weight is concentrated at the lower end of the recording paper 702, even if a cassette rib is provided, the frictional force at the contact surface between the lower end of the recording paper 702 and the paper feed tray increases. As a result, the paper feeding state becomes unstable due to the frictional force applied to the plurality of recording papers 702 itself, as compared with the method in which the paper feeding tray is arranged horizontally with respect to the ground, and the recording paper 702 that separates the uppermost sheet is used. There is a problem that the separation performance of the water is significantly reduced. In particular, when a large number of thick and heavy recording papers are set and fed, the separation performance is further reduced, and proper automatic paper feeding cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a high paper feed performance capable of performing good automatic paper feed even when the paper feed tray is arranged at an angle. It is intended to provide a device.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has taken the following measures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeder for holding a part of one end of the recording paper on an end face of the main body of a paper feed tray on which recording papers are stacked in a paper feeding direction in a state of floating from the end face. Alternatively, a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions are provided is employed.

With this configuration, the surface at which one end of the recording paper comes into contact with the paper feed tray main body can be reduced, so that the frictional force generated at the contact surface can be reduced, and good paper feeding can be performed. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder of the first aspect, the projection is a trapezoidal projection formed in a trapezoidal shape.

With this configuration, the weight of the recording paper itself can be dispersed to some extent, so that the projection can be prevented from deforming the recording paper. Further, since the tip of the projection is flat, it is easy to attach a belt that slides on this surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet feeding apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein a belt that slides on the upper surface of the trapezoidal projection is provided.

According to this configuration, the recording paper can be guided to the paper feeding means by sliding the belt on which the recording paper is laid over the trapezoidal protrusion, so that the recording paper is affected by the frictional force due to its own weight. And good sheet feeding can be performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder of the first aspect, the projection has a configuration in which a belt slides on an end face of the paper feed tray body on the paper feed direction side.

With this configuration, a part of one end of the recording sheet can be floated and the belt itself can be moved and guided to the sheet feeding means. The generated frictional force can be made extremely small, and excellent paper feeding can be performed.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention,
A paper feed tray body for loading recording paper, paper feeding means for transporting the recording paper in order from the uppermost layer, a bottom plate for pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means, and an end face of the paper feed tray body A configuration in which one or a plurality of trapezoidal projections for holding a part of one end of the recording paper floating from the end face, and a belt provided on the upper surface of the trapezoidal projections and sliding in conjunction with the bottom plate. Take.

With this configuration, the surface at which one end of the recording paper abuts on the paper feed tray body can be reduced, so that the frictional force generated on the abutting surface can be reduced, and good paper feeding can be performed. Can be. In addition, since the recording paper can be guided to the paper feeding means by sliding the belt on which the recording paper is laid on the trapezoidal projections, the recording paper is not affected by the frictional force due to the weight of the recording paper, and a good supply can be achieved. Paper can be made. Further, in the paper feeding operation, the timing of the operation of the bottom plate pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means and the timing of the operation of moving the belt with the recording paper placed thereon can be synchronized. It is possible to prevent paper feeding failure due to misalignment.

Further, the invention of the paper feeder according to claim 6 is
A paper feed tray body for loading recording paper, paper feeding means for transporting the recording paper in order from the uppermost layer, a bottom plate for pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means, and a paper feeding direction of the paper feed tray body And a belt provided on the side end surface and sliding in conjunction with the bottom plate.

With this configuration, the recording paper can be guided to the paper feeding means by the belt on which the recording paper is slid sliding on the trapezoidal projection, so that the recording paper is affected by the frictional force due to its own weight. And good sheet feeding can be performed. In addition, during the paper feeding operation, the timing of the operation of the bottom plate pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means and the operation of the belt moving with the recording paper placed thereon can be synchronized. It is possible to prevent paper feeding failure due to misalignment.

[0022]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet feeding tray in a sheet feeding device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the paper feed tray main body 101 is
It is composed of a surface on which the recording paper 102 is placed and a frame surrounding the side surface of the recording paper 102, and is formed so that recording papers of various sizes can be stored. The set guide 103 is configured to be slidable according to the size of the recording paper 102 in order to align the width direction of the recording paper 102. Here, as an example, the set guide 103 is set so as to be able to store the A4 size recording paper 102.

A recording paper 102 is provided on the side of the paper feed tray body 101 in the recording paper transport direction and in contact with the recording paper.
The separation claw 104 is provided so that the corner of the uppermost layer of the separation abutment comes into contact. The separation claw 104 separates only one of the uppermost layers from a plurality of recording papers 102 placed on the paper feed tray main body 101 from other recording papers 102 during paper feeding. When a paper feed roller (not shown) feeds the uppermost recording paper 102, the uppermost recording paper 102 is bent by the separation claw 104. In addition, the paper feed roller is
When the recording paper 102 is sent out, the recording paper 102 gets over the separation claw 104 by its own elasticity. Thus, only one sheet of the uppermost recording paper 102 can be sent out.

A trapezoidal projection 105 is provided on the surface of the paper feed tray body 101 on the side of the recording paper conveyance direction where one end of the recording paper 102 abuts. The presence of the trapezoidal protrusion 105 allows the recording paper 102 to be
Can be reduced, and the frictional force generated therebetween can be reduced. Thereby, the sheet feeding performance can be improved.

A sliding belt 106 on which the recording paper 102 is loaded and fed is provided so as to cover the trapezoidal projection 105. One end of the sliding belt 106 is
The belt arm 107 is fixed to a bottom plate (not shown) on which the reference numeral 02 is placed, and a belt arm 107 that rotates in a seesaw shape around one fulcrum is attached to the other end. Further, a spring 108 for applying tension to the sliding belt 106 is connected to the belt arm 107. This spring 10
The other end of 8 is fixed to the sheet tray main body 101.

Next, a case where the paper feeding apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the paper feeding device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine. 2, a facsimile apparatus main body 201 includes a control unit 202 that controls transmission and reception,
A recording unit 203 for recording received data;
00 and a reading unit (not shown). A paper feed roller 204 is provided above the paper feed tray body 101 on the side of the recording paper conveyance direction. This paper feed roller 204
Transports the recording paper 102 on the uppermost layer of the recording paper 102 placed on the paper feed tray main body 101 to the recording unit 203 one by one every time recording is performed.

In the facsimile apparatus main body 201, a press plate 206 for pressing the recording paper 102 against the bottom plate 205 is rotatably provided above the paper feed tray main body 101. When the paper feeding device 100 is arranged at a steep slope,
The recording paper 102 is more likely to swell in the thickness direction than in the case where the recording paper is arranged horizontally, and it is difficult to insert the recording paper.
Reference numeral 06 serves as a guide for pressing the recording paper 102 against the bottom plate, and the recording paper 102 can be placed on the paper feed tray main body 101 in a state in which the recording paper 102 can be easily transported. Note that the recording paper sensor 2
07 detects the passage of the recording paper 102, and
8 conveys the sent recording paper 102 to the recording unit 203.

In FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus main body 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a recording standby state, in which the bottom plate 205 is pressed against the lowest portion of the sheet tray main body 101 by a cam (not shown). One end of the sliding belt 106 is connected to the bottom plate 2.
In this state, the sliding belt 106 is retracted by the bottom plate 205, and the belt arm 107 is also inclined toward the sheet tray main body 101 in this state.
As a result, the spring 108 is in an extended state.

Next, the operation of the paper feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the paper feeding device 100 according to the embodiment is applied to a facsimile machine.

First, the paper feeder 100 in the recording standby state will be described with reference to FIG. Paper feed roller 20
4, a bottom plate cam 301 is provided on the same axis. Further, a push-down arm 3 that is rotatable about one fulcrum so as to come into contact with the bottom plate cam 301 and pushes down the bottom plate 205.
02 is provided in the sheet feeding device 100. In the recording standby state, the side farther from the axis of the bottom plate cam 301 pushes down the push-down arm 302, and the push-down arm 302 pushes down the bottom plate 205 to the lowest part. Since the bottom plate 205 is pushed down to the lowest part, the sliding belt 106 connected thereto is drawn into the bottom plate 205 side. Further, the recording paper 102 placed on the sliding belt 106 is also located at the lowest part on the main body 101 of the paper feed tray.

Next, the sheet feeding device 100 in the sheet feeding state will be described with reference to FIG. When the bottom plate cam 301 rotates together with the sheet feed roller 204 by a power source (not shown), the side closer to the axis of the bottom plate cam 301 comes into contact with the push-down arm 302, so that no force is applied to the push-down arm 302. As a result, the bottom plate 205
The bottom plate spring 303 urges the bottom plate 205 by its elasticity, and accordingly the sliding belt 106
Also, the recording paper 102 is moved to the paper feed roller 204 side with the recording paper 102 placed thereon under the tension of the spring 108. Recording paper 102
When the sheet comes into contact with the paper feed roller 204, the uppermost recording paper 102 is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 204. The recording paper 102 passes through a recording paper sensor 207 and is transported by a transport roller 208 to a recording unit (not shown). The pressing plate 206 is retracted above the recording paper 102 so as not to contact the recording paper 102 being conveyed.

Next, the operation of the sliding belt 106 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the paper feeding operation start state will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the uppermost recording paper 102 has begun to be conveyed. When a paper feed start signal is issued from a control unit (not shown), the bottom plate cam (not shown) rotates together with the paper feed roller 204 by receiving power from a power source (not shown). Since the push-down arm (not shown) stops applying a force to the bottom plate 205 by the rotation of the bottom plate cam, the bottom plate 205
3, it is lifted in the direction of the paper feed roller 204 by elasticity.
At the same time, the sliding belt 106 connected to the bottom plate 205
Moves to the paper feed roller 204 side with the recording paper 102 placed thereon due to the tension of the spring 108. The tension of the spring 108 is transmitted to the sliding belt 106 via the belt arm 107. The recording paper 102 is the paper feed roller 2
When the recording paper 102 comes into contact with the recording paper 102, the recording paper 102 is conveyed. At this time, the pressing plate 206 is retracted above the recording paper 102 so as not to contact the recording paper 102 being conveyed.

As described above, a part of one end of the recording paper can be floated by the trapezoidal protrusion 105 and the belt itself on which the recording paper is placed can be moved and guided to the paper feeding means. The frictional force generated on the contact surface with the tray main body 101 can be made extremely small, and excellent paper feeding can be performed.

Next, the operation during recording paper conveyance will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the recording paper 102 of the uppermost layer is about to be sent to the recording unit (not shown) by the conveyance roller 208 after passing through the recording paper sensor 207. When the feed roller 204 feeds the uppermost recording paper 102, a bottom plate cam (not shown) applies a force to a pressing arm (not shown) to push down the bottom plate 205. That is, if the paper feed roller 204 is in contact with the recording paper 102 even after the recording paper 102 of the uppermost layer has been fed, the conveyance of the recording paper 102 is hindered, and the next recording paper in the standby state is also fed. Feed roller 2
04 feeds the recording paper 102, the paper feed roller 20
4, the recording paper 102 being conveyed is kept away from the recording paper 4 to ensure smooth conveyance of the recording paper. At this time, since the sliding belt 106 is connected to the bottom plate 205, the sliding belt 106 is pulled into the lowest portion of the paper feed tray main body 101 with the other recording paper 102 placed thereon.

As described above, since the sliding belt 106 places the recording paper 102 on standby for paper supply and is pulled back to the lowest portion of the main body 101 of the paper supply tray, the rotating paper supply roller 204 causes the recording paper 102 being conveyed. The recording paper 102 is not brought into contact with the recording paper 102 and the recording paper 102 waiting for paper feeding, so that the recording paper can be properly conveyed. Further, the recording paper 102 in the standby state for feeding is less susceptible to the frictional force generated on the contact surface between the recording sheet 102 and the main body 101, and the recording sheet 102 in the standby state for feeding can be moved smoothly. The pressing plate 206 is retracted above the recording paper 102 so as not to hinder the transportation of the recording paper 102 during the transportation.

Next, a paper feed standby state will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4C shows the recording paper 1 of the uppermost layer.
02 passes through the recording paper sensor 207 and conveys rollers 208
Shows a state after being conveyed to a recording unit (not shown). The bottom plate 205 is positioned at the lowest portion of the sheet tray main body 101 by receiving the force of a bottom plate cam (not shown) via a push-down arm (not shown). The sliding belt 106 also
It is pulled into the lowermost part of the paper feed tray main body 101 by the bottom plate 205. As a result, since the belt arm 107 is inclined toward the sliding belt 106, the spring 108 is extended. Further, in the paper feed standby state, the pressing plate 206
Is lowered to the recording paper side so that the uppermost recording paper 102 does not contact the paper feed roller 204.

Next, a modified example of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the sheet feeding device according to the present invention. In this modification, the snubber cam 501 pushes down the snubber 104 to push down the bottom plate 205 instead of pushing down the bottom plate 205 by the bottom plate cam via the push-down arm as in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a paper feed standby state. Since the snubber cam 501 slightly pushes down the snubber 104, the uppermost recording paper 102 does not contact the paper feed roller 204. FIG. 5B shows a state during paper feeding. When a paper feed start signal is output from a control unit (not shown), a motor (not shown) starts rotating and rotates the paper feed roller 204. Accordingly, the snubber cam 501 provided coaxially with the paper feed roller 204 rotates, and the snubber 104 is rotated.
No more force. Then, the bottom plate 205 is lifted toward the paper feed roller 204 by the elasticity of the bottom plate spring 303. At the same time, the sliding belt 106 connected to the bottom plate 205
The recording paper 102 on the uppermost layer abuts on the paper feed roller 204. Then, the paper feed roller 204 sends out the uppermost recording paper 102. Here, the paper feed roller 204
After sending out the recording paper, the snubber cam 501 pushes down the snubber 104 at the rotation position of the paper feeding roller 204 so that the paper feeding roller 204 does not hinder the conveyance of the recording paper. When the snubber 104 is pushed down, the bottom plate 2
05 is pushed down. Further, since the sliding belt 106 is pulled back to the bottom plate 205 with the remaining recording paper 102 placed thereon, the remaining recording paper 102 does not come into contact with the paper feed roller 204.

After the paper feed roller 204 completes the conveyance of the recording paper, the snubber cam 501 is moved to the snubber 104.
By pressing down, the bottom plate 205 can be lowered, so that the paper feed roller 204 does not contact the recording paper being conveyed. At this time, the sliding belt 106
Since the recording paper 102 waiting for paper feeding is pulled back to the bottom plate 205 while being placed thereon, the recording paper 102 waiting for paper feeding does not come into contact with the paper feed roller 204. For this reason, appropriate paper feeding can be performed.

The paper feeding device according to the present invention is effective not only when the paper feeding tray body is arranged with a steep inclination, but also when it is arranged horizontally with respect to the ground.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the surface at which one end of the recording paper abuts against the paper feed tray body can be reduced, and the frictional force generated at the abutting surface can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the size, and it is possible to perform good sheet feeding. In addition, since the recording paper can be guided to the paper feeding means by sliding the belt on which the recording paper is laid on the trapezoidal projections, the recording paper is not affected by the frictional force due to the weight of the recording paper, and a good supply can be achieved. Paper can be made. Further, during the paper feeding operation, the bottom plate presses the recording paper toward the paper feeding means,
Since the timing of the operation of the belt moving with the recording paper placed thereon can be matched, it is possible to prevent a paper feed failure due to a deviation between the two operations with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paper feed tray in a paper feed device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the paper feeding device according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a paper feed tray in a conventional paper feed device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 paper feeder 101 paper feed tray main body 102 recording paper 103 set guide 104 snubber 105 trapezoidal projection 106 sliding belt 107 belt arm 108 spring 201 facsimile apparatus main body 204 paper feed roller 205 bottom plate 206 press plate 301 bottom plate cam 302 push-down arm 303 Bottom plate spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Setsunori Matsumoto, Inventor 2-3-8, Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Inside Matsushita Electric Transmission Co., Ltd. (72) Morio Tada 2-3-8, Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo No. Matsushita Electric Transmission Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hisayuki Ohinata 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed tray body on which recording paper is stacked is provided with one or a plurality of projections on an end face on a paper feed direction side for holding a part of one end of the recording paper in a state of floating from the end face. Paper feeder. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is a trapezoidal projection formed in a trapezoidal shape. 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a belt that slides on an upper surface of the trapezoidal projection. 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the projection is formed by a belt that slides on an end face of the sheet feeding tray body on the sheet feeding direction side. 5. A paper feed tray body for loading recording paper, paper feeding means for transporting the recording paper in order from the uppermost layer, a bottom plate for pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means, and the paper feeding tray One or more trapezoidal projections provided on the end face of the main body and holding a part of the one end of the recording paper floating from the endface, and slidable in conjunction with the bottom plate provided on the top face of the trapezoidal projections A sheet feeding device comprising a belt. 6. A paper feed tray body for loading recording paper, paper feeding means for transporting the recording paper in order from the uppermost layer, a bottom plate for pressing the recording paper toward the paper feeding means, and the paper feeding tray And a belt provided on an end face of the main body in the paper feeding direction side and sliding in conjunction with the bottom plate.