JPH11255346A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically supply paper sheets without increasing the height of the feeder by providing a first and a second paper sheet storing parts adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction on a tray table, whereby when paper sheets in the first paper sheet storing part are out, the paper sheets in the second paper sheet storing part are collectively supplied. SOLUTION: A tray table 1 for storing paper sheets P is held by a pair of slide rails fixed in parallel at a space between them in such a manner as to be moved to this side and the deepest side, a first and a second paper storing parts 20, 30 are provided adjacent to each other on the tray table 11, and a paper feeding part 31 is provided on the paper delivery end side of the first paper sheet storing part 20. When a paper end sensor 45 detects no-paper, a paper sheet transfer means 40 is operated to collectively transfer the paper sheets P in the second paper storing part 30 to the first paper storing part 30 to replenish the part 30 with paper sheets. In the first paper sheet storing part 20, a base plate 24 is provided in such a manner as to freely oscillate, and oscillated through an arm 27 by the operation of the base plate turning device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a paper feeder used in a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like, a paper feed cassette for accommodating paper is removably inserted into a side surface of an apparatus main body.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 74-74, there is an apparatus in which a paper storage unit 3 such as a paper supply cassette or a tray can be stored in multiple stages inside an apparatus main body 1 and a machine base 2 as shown in FIG.

[0003]

However, in the case of such an image forming apparatus in which the paper cassette is detachable from the side of the apparatus main body, the paper cassette protrudes greatly from the apparatus main body. As the entire image forming apparatus becomes larger, a larger installation space is required.

In the case where the paper storage unit as shown in FIG. 11 is of a built-in type, the size of the apparatus can be reduced because the paper storage unit does not protrude outside the apparatus main body. In such a type, it is troublesome to take out the paper storage unit and change the paper size every time the paper size is changed, so it is troublesome. ing. Therefore, the height of the entire image forming apparatus tends to increase as the number of paper feed stages increases.

For this reason, in such an image forming apparatus, the size of the paper storage section such as the paper cassette of each paper feed stage in the height direction is regulated to some extent, and the number of sheets stored in each paper feed stage is limited. As a result, the height of the entire image forming apparatus must be restricted.

Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus, if the frequency of feeding paper in a specific stage is high, the paper is quickly run out, and the paper replenishing operation must be performed frequently. There was a problem that it was troublesome. In general, the same paper feed cassette is used in all paper feed stages, and therefore, in a paper feed cassette storing small-sized paper, a paper feed cassette opposite to the paper feed side is used. There is a large empty space in the part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and effectively utilizes the space in an image forming apparatus to increase the height of the entire apparatus without increasing the overall height of the apparatus. It is an object to increase the number of sheets that can be stored.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is capable of accommodating a plurality of sheets at a time, and is arranged at a position where the accommodated sheets are fed by a sheet feeding means. A first paper storage unit, a paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper feeding side, and the first paper storage unit. A paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the storage section; and paper transfer means for transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section all at once, wherein the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. When it is detected, the second
In the paper feeder for transferring the paper in the paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit, the paper transfer means is movable to the second paper storage unit by the guide member toward the first paper storage unit. A sheet holding device configured to hold the pressing member and move the pressing member toward the first sheet storing portion in a state in which the pressing member is in contact with the rear end of the sheet in the second sheet storing portion to thereby store the sheet in the first sheet storing portion A pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the paper are provided in the first paper storage unit so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and the paper in the second paper storage unit is moved to the first paper storage unit. When the sheet is transferred to the sheet storage section, the pair of side fences is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position regulating both side edges of the sheet.

Further, the apparatus includes a paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit and a second paper storage unit similar to the above, a paper end sensor, and paper transfer means, and the paper end sensor detects whether there is no paper. In the paper feeding device for transferring the sheet in the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section by the sheet transfer section when the sheet is detected, the sheet transfer section includes a guide member attached to the second sheet storage section. And a pressing member movably held toward the first paper storage unit, and the pressing member is moved toward the first paper storage unit in a state where the pressing member is in contact with the rear end of the paper in the second paper storage unit. Means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet storage section by moving the sheet, providing at least one back fence for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the sheet in the first sheet storage section; The paper in the paper storage unit 2 When it is transferred to one of the paper accommodating portion is obtained by allowing retraction to the transfer region outside of the sheet.

[0010] The apparatus further includes a paper storage unit including a similar first paper storage unit and a second paper storage unit, a paper end sensor, and a paper transfer unit, and the paper end sensor detects that there is no paper. In a paper feeder that sometimes transports the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means, the paper stored in the first paper storage section is moved via a movable bottom plate. And pressurizing the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper supply means when transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section. A plurality of openings are formed in the movable bottom plate and the bottom portion on which the sheets of the first and second sheet storage units are respectively placed, and the rotator is moved corresponding to each of the openings to transfer the sheet. It is provided rotatably along the direction and the bottom plate is lowered Slightly protrudes above the upper surface of the rotating body bottom plate from the opening, from the opening of the second sheet storage portion is obtained as the rotary body protrudes slightly upward at all times.

Further, in the paper feeding device, the lower surface of the second paper accommodating portion contacts the plurality of rotating bodies, and the upper surface of the second paper accommodating portion includes
It is preferable to provide a bottom plate on which the paper in the paper storage unit is placed, and to transfer the paper in the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit as the bottom plate moves.

Further, the bottom plate pressing means is provided in the first sheet storage section, and when the sheet in the second sheet storage section is transferred to the first sheet storage section, the sheet feeding of the bottom plate pressing section is performed. The urging to the means side is released, and the height of the guide surface protruding toward the surface on which the paper is placed is provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom portion on which the papers of the first and second paper storage units are respectively placed. A plurality of ribs or beads that are substantially the same may be respectively extended along the sheet transport direction.

Furthermore, a paper storage unit including a similar first paper storage unit and a second paper storage unit, a paper end sensor, and paper transfer means are provided, and the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the paper feeding device for transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transfer section when the sheet is transferred, the paper transfer section is connected to the second paper storage section by a guide member. A pressing member movably held toward the first paper storage unit, and moving toward the first paper storage unit in a state where the pressing member is in contact with a rear end of the paper in the second paper storage unit; Means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet storage section by pressing the bottom sheet pressurizing the sheet stored in the first sheet storage section toward the sheet feeding means side via the movable bottom plate. Means for storing the paper in the second paper storage unit in the first paper storage unit The biasing of the sheet feeding means side of the bottom plate and pressing means may be adapted to release upon transfer to.

In the paper feeder, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to rotate the pressing member to the second position.
It is preferable that the sheet in the sheet storage section is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage section, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is rotated in the reverse direction to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

A plurality of paper storage units having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of papers at one time are provided, and paper is supplied one by one from each of the paper storage units. In the paper feeding device, at least one of the paper storage units is substantially half of the length of the paper storage unit in the other paper storage direction, and the stored paper is supplied by the paper supply unit. And a second paper storage portion provided adjacent to the first paper storage portion on the side opposite to the paper feeding side of the first paper storage portion. A first paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the first paper storage unit, a second paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the second paper storage unit, and a guide member attached to the second paper storage unit. A pressing member movably held toward the first sheet storage unit, and the pressing member A sheet transfer unit for transferring the sheets in the second sheet storage unit to the first sheet storage unit by moving the sheets in the second sheet storage unit to the first sheet storage unit by moving the sheet to the first sheet storage unit in a state of contacting the rear end of the sheet in the sheet storage unit When the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper, the second paper end means detects the presence of paper.
The paper in the paper storage unit may be transferred to the first paper storage unit.

In the paper feeder, when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper during the image forming process, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, and the second paper end sensor detects that there is a paper. In this case, the paper in the second paper storage unit may be transferred to the first paper storage unit by the paper transfer unit, and the image forming process may be restarted after the transfer is completed.

Further, in the paper feeder, a pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the paper are provided in the first paper storage so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage. When the sheet is transferred to one sheet storage unit, the pair of side fences may be moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position that regulates both side edges of the sheet.

Further, at least one back fence for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the paper in the first paper storage is provided, and the back fence is transferred to the first paper storage in the paper in the second paper storage. A bottom plate pressing means for allowing the sheet to be retracted out of the transfer area of the sheet or for urging the stored sheet toward the sheet feeding means via a movable bottom plate in the first sheet storage section; It is effective to release the urging of the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper supply means when transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section.

Further, in the paper feeder provided with a bottom plate pressing means in the first sheet storage portion, a movable bottom plate on which the sheets of the first and second sheet storage portions are respectively placed and a plurality of openings in the bottom portion. And a rotatable member is provided rotatably along the paper transport direction in correspondence with each of the openings, and when the bottom plate is lowered, the rotatable member is raised above the upper surface of the bottom plate from the opening. The rotator slightly protrudes from the opening on the side of the second sheet accommodating portion, or the lower surface of the second sheet accommodating portion comes into contact with the plurality of rotators and the upper surface has A bottom plate on which the paper in the second paper storage portion is placed may be provided, and the paper in the second paper storage portion may be transferred to the first paper storage portion with the movement of the bottom plate. , Movable bottom for placing paper in the second paper storage unit And along the height of the guide surface of substantially the same plurality of ribs or beads in the transport direction of the paper connexion respectively may extend to the bottom.

Further, in the above-mentioned paper feeder, the first paper storage section is provided with a bottom plate pressurizing means for urging the stored paper toward the paper supply means via the movable bottom plate. It is preferable to release the urging of the bottom plate pressing unit toward the paper supply unit when the paper in the unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit. Further, in the paper feeder, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to move the pressing member to a position for transferring the paper in the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit side, After the completion of the transfer, the pressing member may be rotated reversely to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

According to the paper feeder configured as described above, when small-size paper is used, if the same size paper is stored in the first and second paper storage units and paper feeding is started. ,
When all of the sheets in the first sheet storage section are exhausted, the paper end sensor detects the absence of the sheet, and the sheet transfer means is provided adjacent to the first sheet storage section on the side opposite to the sheet sending side. Since the sheets for replenishment in the second sheet storage unit are collectively transferred to the first sheet storage unit, the feeding of sheets of the same size can be continued.

Further, the pressing member of the sheet transporting means is
Is held by the guide member so as to be movable toward the first paper storage section, so that the pressing member is moved to the second paper storage section.
The sheet can be smoothly transferred to the first sheet storage section only by moving the sheet to the first sheet storage section while keeping the sheet in contact with the rear end of the sheet in the sheet storage section.

Further, the position of both side edges of the paper in the first paper storage is regulated by a pair of side fences provided in the first paper storage, and the paper in the second paper storage is moved to the first paper storage. When the sheets are transferred to the sheet storage unit, they are moved by a predetermined amount to a position where they do not hinder the sheet being transferred and are separated from each other, so that the sheets do not collapse.

Further, a bottom plate pressurizing means for urging the stored paper toward the paper feeding means via a movable bottom plate is provided in the first paper storage portion, and the paper in the second paper storage portion is supplied to the first paper storage portion. When the urging of the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper supply means is released when the paper is transferred to the paper storage section, when the paper in the second paper storage section is transferred to the first paper storage section, Since the urging of the bottom plate pressing means provided on the first sheet storage unit toward the paper supply means is released, the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage unit without interfering with the bottom plate. .

Further, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to move the pressing member to a position for transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section. If the pressing member is rotated backward after the transfer of the sheet is completed to return the pressing member to the home position and stopped, the pressing member can be moved only by rotating the driving means forward and reverse.

Further, when a second paper end sensor is also provided in the second paper storage section, when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper and the second paper end sensor detects that there is paper, For the first time, the paper in the second paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, so that empty paper transfer to the first paper storage unit when there is no paper in the second paper storage unit can be prevented.

Further, if the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper during the image forming process, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, so that the idle feeding without the paper can be prevented, and the second paper end can be prevented. If the sensor detects the presence of paper, the paper in the second paper storage unit can be transferred to the first paper storage unit by the paper transfer unit, and the image forming process can be restarted after the transfer is completed. .

Further, when a pair of side fences are provided in the first sheet storage section, the positions of both side edges of the sheets in the first sheet storage section are regulated by the pair of side fences. When transferring the sheets in the set to the first sheet storage section,
Since they are moved by a predetermined amount to a position where they do not hinder the transported paper and are separated from each other, the paper does not collapse.

Further, when a back fence capable of retreating outside the paper transport area is provided, the back fence can also regulate the position of the trailing edge of the paper in the first paper accommodating section. Since the back fluence can be retracted to the outside of the sheet transfer area, it is possible to store large-size sheets straddling the second and first sheet storage units.

Further, a bottom plate pressing means is provided in the first sheet storage portion, and a rotating body which projects upward from a movable bottom plate of the first and second sheet storage portions and a plurality of openings formed in the bottom portion. In the case where a plurality of ribs or beads are provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom portion, when the paper in the second paper storage portion is transferred to the first paper storage portion, the bottom plate is located on the paper feeding means side. Is released to a position where it does not hinder the transport of the paper, and the paper to be transported is extended on a rotating body rotatable along the transport direction or along the transport direction of the paper. Since the paper is transported on the ribs or the beads, the paper is transported without any breakage of the paper, and the transporting force at that time can be small.

In the case where the above-mentioned rotating body is provided in the sheet feeding device and a bottom plate whose lower surface is in contact with the plurality of rotating bodies is provided in the second sheet accommodating section, the sheet is accommodated in the second sheet accommodating section. Paper is transported over the plurality of rotating bodies to the first paper storage unit via the bottom plate, so that the transport is performed more smoothly.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a preferred embodiment of a sheet feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device.

This paper feeder is used to feed paper P as shown in FIG.
1 is movably held by a pair of slide rails 12 and 13 fixed in parallel at a fixed distance to a fixing portion of the apparatus so as to be movable toward and away from the front in FIG.
1, a first paper storage unit 20 and a second paper storage unit 30 provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit 20 on the side opposite to the paper sending end side, and the first paper storage unit 20 is provided with the first paper storage unit 30. A paper feed unit 31 is provided on the paper feed end side of the storage unit 20. A pick-up roller 41 that rotates by pressing against the top surface of the uppermost sheet in the first sheet storage section 20 and feeds the sheet rightward in FIG.
And a pair of separation rollers 42 for separating the sheet into one sheet.

The first paper container 20 has one end in contact with the top surface of the uppermost sheet in the paper storage, and the other end swingably supported, and a paper end filler 43. There is provided a paper end sensor 45 as a first paper end sensor including a sensor 44 for detecting the absence of paper based on the presence or absence of light shielding by one end of 43.

Further, this paper feeder is provided with paper transport means 40 for transporting the paper P in the second paper storage unit 30 to the first paper storage unit 20 at a time.
When the sheet 5 detects that there is no sheet, the sheet P in the second sheet storage unit 30 is transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20 by the sheet transfer unit 40.

The first paper storage unit 20 includes a part of the tray base 11, a front fence 21 fixed vertically to the paper feed end side of the tray base 11, and a first paper storage unit 20. A pair of side fences 22 and 23 (FIG. 2) that regulate the position of both side edges of the sheet P and can approach and separate from each other, and one end is rotatably supported by the tray base 11 and the sheet sending end side can move up and down. It is constituted by a bottom plate 24.

Then, the pair of side fences 22,
23, the paper feed downstream side (left side) is bent inward at a substantially right angle to each other as shown in FIG.
6, whereby the position of the trailing edge of the sheet P in the first sheet storage section 20 can be regulated. As shown in FIG. 1, a lower end of the bottom plate 24 is rotatably supported at one end on the left side and pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to push up the bottom plate 24 to raise the bottom plate raising arm 27; A bottom plate pressing means including a bottom plate rotation device 28 shown in FIG. 2 for applying the above-described counterclockwise rotation urging force to the lifting arm 27 is provided. As shown in FIG. The paper P accommodated in the printer is urged toward the pick-up roller 41 serving as paper feeding means via the movable bottom plate 24.

Then, a portion corresponding to the first sheet storage portion 20 of the tray base 11 is lowered by one step to form a step portion 11a, and the bottom plate 24 can be stored in the step portion 11a. Is rotated clockwise and moved to the retracted position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, the bottom plate 24 rotates downward and the right end thereof is bent downward to form a lower end of a bent end portion 24a. Is in contact with the upper surface of the step 11a. And the tip bent part 24a is the step part 11.
a, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is placed on the upper surface 1 other than the step portion 11a of the tray base 11 as shown by a virtual line in FIG.
The horizontal state is substantially the same as 1b.

Further, a plurality of openings 24b are formed in the movable bottom plate 24 on which the sheets of the first sheet storage section 20 are placed, and a plurality of openings 24b are formed by using rollers, steel balls, or the like corresponding to the respective openings 24b. The rotatable members 29 are provided rotatably along the sheet transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1), and when the bottom plate 24 is lowered as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 29 slightly protrudes above the upper surface of the bottom plate 24.

The pair of side fences 22 and 23 are shown in FIG.
Each of the pulleys 51 is supported by a guide member (not shown) so as to be able to approach and separate from each other in a direction for regulating both side edges of the sheet P indicated by an arrow A, and is arranged rotatably in the front-rear direction at a distance. The lower surface of the side fence 22 is fixed to the wire 53 stretched between 52 and the lower surface of the side fence 23 is fixed to the b portion. The pulley 52 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a stepping motor 54. When the stepping motor 54 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, the side fences 22 and 23 approach and separate from each other.

On one side fence 22, a projecting piece 22a is projected outwardly at a substantially right angle from a vertical plane, and a home sensor (transmission type) is fixed to the fixing portion of the apparatus in correspondence with the projecting piece 22a. A photo sensor 55 is fixed, and the home sensor 55 detects the protruding piece 22a (FIG. 2).
(Illustrated by virtual lines) is the home position of the side fence.

The second sheet accommodating section 30 includes a part of the tray base 11 on the left side in FIG. 2 and a pair of semi-fixed type for regulating both side edges of the sheets P stacked on the tray base 11. It comprises side fences 32, 33 and back fences 35, 36 formed by bending the downstream side (left side) of the side fences 32, 33 inward at substantially right angles to each other. The back fences 35 and 36 may be formed separately from the side fences 32 and 33.

A plurality of openings 11c are also formed in the bottom of the second sheet storage section 30 on which sheets are placed, and the same rotating member 39 as the rotating member 29 is indicated by an arrow corresponding to each of the openings 11c. B is provided rotatably along the transport direction of the sheet of paper B, and the rotating body 39 always projects slightly upward from each of the openings 11c so that the sheet P placed on the upper part thereof can be stored in the first sheet storage section 20. So that it can be transported smoothly to the side.

The arrangement positions of the rotating bodies 29 and 39 are as follows.
It is necessary to arrange the minimum-sized paper to be used at a position where at least two or more rotating bodies can be placed in the paper width direction with respect to the transport direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), and the transport is required. Regardless of the direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 2), the paper of the minimum size is always placed in any position by the rotating bodies 29 and 29, the rotating bodies 29 and 39, or the rotating bodies 39 and 39. The paper P to be transported is arranged at a position where it can be supported by at least two or more sets of rotating bodies. The rotating bodies 29 and 39 can rotate independently of each other. When they are formed by rollers, the material may be, for example, a resin having a low friction coefficient.

A pressing plate 65 is movably held in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 by a guide member (not shown) substantially at the center of the tray base 11 in the paper width direction.
Each of the paper contact portions 65b and 65c projecting upward from
Corresponding to them, the tray base 11 is projected upward from each of the long holes 11d and 11e formed along the direction of arrow B in FIG. In FIG. 2, pulleys 61 and 62 are rotatably provided at a distance in the left-right direction.
A wire 63 is stretched between 1 and 62, and a pressing plate 65 is fixed to the wire 63 at a portion c.

Further, the pulley 61 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 64, and the stepping motor 6
4 is rotated in both the forward and reverse directions, the pressing plate 65 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 2 and in the direction opposite thereto, and when it moves rightward in FIG. Tray stand 1
The bundle of sheets P stacked on the sheet 1 can be transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20 side in a lump.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a light shielding piece 65a is formed at the lower end of the pressing plate 65, and a pressing plate home sensor (transmission type photo sensor) 66 is provided on the fixed portion side of the apparatus corresponding to the light shielding piece 65a. The position shown in FIG. 1 where the pressure plate home sensor 66 is shielded from light by the light-shielding piece 65a and detected is defined as the home position of the pressure plate 65. The tray 1 of the second paper storage unit 30
A paper detection sensor 70 serving as a second paper end sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the paper P in the second paper storage unit 30 is provided below the first paper storage unit 30.

Further, in this embodiment, the home position of the pressing plate 65 is matched with the position of the back fluences 35 and 36 (see FIG. 2), but it may be different.

Next, referring also to FIG.
Will be described. The bottom plate rotating device 28 rotatably supports the pressing shaft 67 on the lower surface of the step 11a of the tray base 11 as shown in FIG. 1, and raises the bottom plate at one end of the pressing shaft 67 as shown in FIG. An end of the arm 27 is fixed, and a sector gear 68 is integrally fixed to the other end (the upper side in FIG. 2) of the pressing shaft 67.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the sector gear 68 is driven by a motor 69 rotatable in both forward and reverse directions.
Worm 71 and meshing worm wheel 7
2. Further, when the pressure shaft 67 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the bottom plate raising arm 27 is moved from the opening 11 e formed in the tray base 11 when the pressure shaft 67 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The bottom plate 24 is protruded upward to push up the bottom plate 24, and the topmost sheet P placed on the bottom plate 24 is raised by the pick-up roller 41 to a sheet feeding position where the sheet can be fed, and is moved to the sheet feeding position. When the upper limit detection sensor such as a limit switch (not shown) detects the rise of the bottom plate 24, the motor 69 stops and the rise of the bottom plate 24 stops.

Next, a case where small-sized paper is fed using this paper feeding device will be described. First, sheets P of the same size are respectively stored in the first sheet storing section 20 and the second sheet storing section 30, and the bottom plate rotating device 28 (FIG. 2).
Is driven to raise the bottom plate 24 to the paper feeding position as shown in FIG. 1, and the paper feeding operation is started, the pick-up roller 41 sequentially feeds the paper in the first paper storage unit 20.

When all the sheets P in the first sheet accommodating section 20 are exhausted due to the sheet feeding, the paper end sensor 45 detects the absence of the sheet in the counterclockwise direction of the paper end filler 43 in FIG. 3 is detected by releasing the light shielding of the detection unit of the sensor 44 by the rotation of
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 rotates, and the sector gear 68 rotates in the direction of arrow D via the worm 71, the worm wheel 72, and the gear 73, and the bottom plate raising arm 27 is shown by a virtual line in FIG. Move (down) to the position.

Accordingly, the bottom plate 24 pivots downward, and its bent end portion 24a pivots to a position where it contacts the upper surface of the step 11a of the tray base 11, as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. Then, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is in a horizontal state in which the upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface 11b of the tray base 11.

Next, when the paper detection sensor 70 detects that the paper P is present in the second paper storage unit 30, the pair of side fences 22 and 2 on the first paper storage unit 20 side.
3 are moved to the home position indicated by phantom lines by operating the stepping motor 54 shown in FIG. 2, and thereafter, the wire 63 is operated by operating the stepping motor 64 of the paper transfer means 40. Is moved in the direction of arrow E to move the pressing plate 65 toward the first paper storage unit 20 so that the paper P stored in the second paper storage unit 30 can be moved to the first paper storage unit. 20 are transferred onto the bottom plate 24 in a horizontal state.

When the transfer is completed, a pair of side fences 22 and 2 which are separated from each other up to the home position.
3 is moved to the position where the side edges of the sheet P moved onto the first sheet accommodating section 20 are regulated.
Are rotated closer to each other by rotating them in the opposite direction, and the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the bottom plate raising arm 27 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. And raise it.

Accordingly, the bundle of sheets P placed thereon rises via the bottom plate 24, and stops at the position shown in FIG. 1 where the uppermost sheet reaches the sheet feeding position. Further, the stepping motor 64 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned case, and the pressing plate 65 is returned to the home position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Note that the amount of movement by which the side fences 22 and 23 and the pressing plate 65 approach and move from the home position is programmed in advance in a control device described later for each size of the paper P to be used.

As described above, in the paper feeding apparatus according to the present embodiment, when all the papers P in the first paper storage unit 20 are exhausted, the paper P stored in the second paper storage unit 30 The sheet is transferred to one sheet storage unit 20 and is immediately replenished. The series of controls is performed by the control device 80 shown in FIG.

The control unit 80 stores a central processing unit (CPU) having various judgment and processing functions, and a program and fixed data necessary for controlling the movement of the side fences 22 and 23, the pressing plate 65 and the like. Is a microcomputer comprising a ROM as a programmed memory, a RAM as a data memory for storing processing data, and an input / output circuit (I / O).
A driver for driving a motor such as 4, 64 is also provided.

The control device 80 sends a paper-out signal from the paper end sensor 45 for detecting the absence of the paper P in the first paper storage unit 20 to the second paper storage unit 30 from the paper detection sensor 70. And a signal for detecting whether or not the side fences 22 and 23 of the first paper storage unit 20 are in the home position from the home sensor 55. At the same time, a detection signal for knowing whether or not the pressing plate 65 is in the home position is input from the pressing plate home sensor 66.

Then, a drive signal for driving the paper feed drive system such as the pick-up roller 41 of the paper feed unit 31 is given by:
Various signals for driving each unit for performing the image forming process are transmitted to a display unit 81 provided on an operation panel (not shown) of an apparatus main body such as a copying machine to which the paper feeding device is mounted. Outputs a display signal for turning on the "paper out" display, and outputs a drive signal for rotating the bottom plate 24 to the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28, and also outputs each stepping motor 54 and A drive signal for driving each of them is output to 64.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine relating to a process executed by the control device 80 for replenishing the first sheet accommodating section 20 after the first sheet accommodating section 20 becomes empty. When the main switch of the main body of a copying machine or the like to which the paper feeding device is mounted is turned on, the judgment and processing are repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing according to the flowchart.

First, in step 1, it is determined whether or not the first paper storage unit 20 has run out of paper (the sensor 44 is on) based on a signal from the paper end sensor 45 of the paper supply unit 31. If there is still paper, go to step 2 and
The upper paper P is sequentially picked up from the uppermost side.
And a normal sheet feeding operation of separating the sheet into one sheet by the separation roller 42 is executed.

If there is no paper in step 1, the process proceeds to step 3, in which the driving of the paper feeding system is stopped, and the operation of each part relating to all image forming processing is temporarily stopped. It is determined whether or not there is a sheet P in the second sheet storage unit 30 based on a sheet detection signal from the sheet detection sensor 70. If there is no sheet P, the sheet P for replenishment is stored in the first sheet storage unit. Since the sheet cannot be transferred to the section 20, the display signal is outputted to the display section 81 (FIG. 4) in step 5 to turn on the display of "no paper", and then the judgment and processing after step 1 are performed again. repeat.

In step 4, it is determined that a sheet is present (YE
When S), the process proceeds to step 6, where the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 in FIG. 2 is operated to rotate the bottom plate raising arm 27 clockwise in FIG. By rotating the bottom plate 24 to the position shown, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is set to be substantially the same horizontal state as the upper surface 11b of the tray base 11.

Next, in step 7, the stepping motor 54 is driven to separate the side fences 22 and 23 of the first sheet accommodating section 20 from each other, and the side fence 22 is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. When the detecting portion of the sensor 55 reaches a home position (HP) which is shielded by the protruding piece 22a integral with the side fence 22,
Stop their movement.

Then, in step 8, the stepping motor 64 is driven to rotate the wire 63 in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 2 to move the pressing plate 65 to the right.
Of the replenishment paper P stored in the paper storage unit 30 of
The sheet is transferred onto the bottom plate 24 of the first sheet storage unit 20 and the leading end (right end side in FIG. 2) of the sheet is brought into contact with the front fence 21.

Next, in step 9, the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 is rotated in the opposite direction to raise the bottom plate 24 to the position shown in FIG. 1, and in step 10 the side fences 22 and 23 are now turned on. Rotates the stepping motor 54 in the opposite direction to that described above so as to approach each other, and regulates both side edges of the sheet P.

Further, in step 11, the stepping motor 64 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above, and the pressing plate 65 is
When the detecting portion of the pressing plate home sensor 66 of FIG. 1 moves to the home position where the light is blocked by the light shielding piece 65a of the pressing plate 65, the detection is stopped.
In step 2, the stop of the image forming operation temporarily stopped in step 3 is released, and thereafter, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which a bottom plate is also provided in the second sheet accommodating section, and portions corresponding to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This paper feeder is provided on the tray base 11 of the second paper storage unit 30 with the second storage unit bottom plate 9 supported on the vertical part of the pressing plate 65 so that the left side in FIG.
1, and is mounted on the rotating body 39.

When the first sheet storage section 20 is replenished with paper, when the stepping motor 64 is driven in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, the wire 63 rotates and the pressing plate 65 is rotated.
6 moves to the right side of the first sheet storage unit 20 in FIG. 6, and along with the movement, the second storage unit bottom plate 91 also moves integrally with the pressing plate 65. Accordingly, the bundle of sheets P placed on the second storage unit bottom plate 91 is transferred to the first paper storage unit 20 while the second storage unit bottom plate 91 is in rolling contact with the rotating body 29.
And stops at a predetermined position where the leading end (right end in FIG. 6) of the sheet comes into contact with the front fence 21.

Thereafter, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when the bottom plate raising arm 27 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6, the bottom plate 24 of the first sheet storage section 20 and the upper portion thereof have been moved. The two storage section bottom plates 91 are raised as indicated by the imaginary lines, and the paper can be fed. After that, the operation is similar to that of the above-described embodiment. Each of the second sheet storage units 30 in FIGS. 1 and 6 is formed as a box body having both the ceiling part and the sheet sending end side open at two sides.
One end of the bottom portion may be rotatably supported like the second housing portion bottom plate 91 in FIG.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of another sheet feeding device in which each back fence on the first sheet storage portion side is rotatably attached to a pair of side fences. Are given the same reference numerals.

This paper feeding device is provided with each side fence 22,
23 are provided with step portions 22b, 2
3b, and back fluences 95 and 96 are rotatably attached to one end (left side in FIG. 8) of each of the step portions 22b and 23b, and both of the rotation angles θ are substantially 90 as shown in FIG. °.

The back fluences 95, 96
Is made substantially equal to the step of the stepped portions 22b and 23b, and the respective back fluences 95 and 96 are urged in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Is brought into contact with a stopper (not shown) to restrict the rotation angle θ so that the rotation angle θ is approximately 90 ° in a normal state.

In this embodiment, the second sheet storage unit 3
When the replenishment sheet P in the sheet No. 0 is transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20, the side fences 22 and 23 as shown in FIG.
The distance between the back fences 95 and 96 is
The inner dimension l ₁ when rotated to 2b and 23b is set to a position where the inner dimension l ₁ is slightly wider than the width l ₂ of the sheet P in the second sheet accommodating section 30, and in that state, the sheet P is moved to the second position. The sheet is transferred from the sheet storage unit 30 to the first sheet storage unit 20 side.

Accordingly, the leading end (right end in FIG. 8) of the sheet P abuts against the back fluences 95 and 96 and pushes them down to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. It is transported to a predetermined position in the storage unit 20.

According to this embodiment, even if the length of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The paper can be stored so as to straddle the paper storage unit 20 and the second paper storage unit 30. Backfence 9
5, 96 may be held by suction at each step 22b, 23b by magnet.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which ribs and beads are provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom of the first and second sheet storage portions, and portions corresponding to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is.

This paper feeder includes a plurality of (three in this example) projecting toward the surface (top) on which the paper is placed on the movable bottom plate 24 on which the paper is placed in the first paper storage unit 20. Similarly, a plurality of (five in this example) ribs 11f are transferred to the bead 24c on the side on which the sheets are placed on the tray base 11 serving as the bottom of the second sheet storage unit 30 on which the sheets are placed. The guide surfaces of the beads 24c and the ribs 11f in contact with the paper are made substantially the same (on the same line), and the respective guide surfaces are formed in the second direction. When the paper in the paper storage unit 30 is transferred to the first paper storage unit 20, smooth finishing is performed to reduce frictional resistance.

As described above, the rotating bodies 29 and 39 shown in FIG.
Even if the beads 24c and the ribs 11f are provided in place of the above, if the amount of paper loaded on the tray base 11 is small, the paper is transferred from the second paper storage unit 30 to the first paper storage unit 20. Transfer can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a simplified example of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is applied. In this copying system, a copying machine main body 200 is mounted on an upper part of a machine base 100, and an image forming processing system such as an image forming unit 205 is housed inside the copying machine main body 200.

Then, the machine base 100 and the copying machine main body 20
0, a plurality of sheet storage units 201, 202, and 202 having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of sheets P at one time.
203 (the number of stages can be increased or decreased as necessary) are arranged, and sheets are fed one by one by each sheet feeding unit 31 provided in each stage.

Then, one of the sheet storage units 202 in the middle stage
Each of the stages is substantially half the length of the paper storage units 201 and 203 in the paper supply direction in the other stages, and is disposed at a position where the stored paper P is fed by the paper supply unit 31. The first paper storage unit 20 includes a first paper storage unit 20 and a second paper storage unit 30 provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit 20 on the side opposite to the paper sending side.

Then, the first paper storage unit 202
A paper end sensor 45 as a first paper end sensor similar to that described with reference to FIG.
The second paper storage unit 30 is provided with a paper detection sensor 70 as a second paper end sensor, and the papers P in the second paper storage unit 30 are collectively transferred to the first paper storage unit 20. Pressing plate 65 constituting paper transport means
(See FIG. 1 because the drive system has already been described.) When the paper end sensor 45 detects the absence of paper and the paper detection sensor 70 detects the presence of paper, the pressing plate 65 is To move the sheet P in the second sheet storage section 30 to the first sheet storage section 20.

The control system in this embodiment is as follows.
Since this is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 4, its description is omitted. Further, in this image forming apparatus, the paper storage units 201, 202, and 203 of each stage are set in the paper feeding direction shown in FIG.
In the figure, which is orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow B of FIG. 0, it can be pulled out to the front side (front loading type). Therefore, the paper can be replenished into each paper storage from the front side of the device, so operation is good and there is no need to pull out the paper storage to the side of the device. Available and space saving.

The paper storage section having both the first and second paper storage sections may be arranged not on the machine base 100 side but on the copying machine main body 200 side. It may be above the image unit 205. Also, in the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, there is a sheet storage unit having a plurality of paper storage units having substantially the same length in the width direction, wherein one of the plurality of paper storage units has a length in the width direction different from that of the other. Even in this case, the same can be applied.

As described above, when the paper feeder according to the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper storage units,
In the case of small-size sheets, they can be stored together in the first and second sheet storage sections, so that the number of sheets per sheet increases, thereby reducing the number of sheet feed steps. Space saving in the vertical direction can also be realized.

Further, in addition to the above-described embodiments in which the sheet feeding reference is such that the center of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet is the center of the sheet accommodating portion, the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention has a pair of side sheets. The present invention can be similarly applied to a one-sided conveyance reference type sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet along one side of the fence along the side edge.

In each of the above embodiments, the bottom plate lifting arm 27 is rotated so that the bottom plate 2 in the first sheet storage unit 20 is rotated.
Although an example of the sheet feeding device in which the bottom plate 4 is pushed up has been described, the present invention can be similarly applied to a sheet feeding device using an elevator type elevating means for raising the bottom plate in a horizontal state.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the paper feeding device of the first aspect, when small-sized paper is stored, when the paper in the first paper storage is exhausted, the paper stored in the second paper storage is automatically and immediately there. Will be replenished,
The number of sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating section can be increased without increasing the height of the entire apparatus. Then, even for large-size paper, the first and second paper storage units can be used by using them simultaneously.

The pressing member of the sheet transfer means is
Is held by the guide member so as to be movable toward the first paper storage section, so that the pressing member is moved to the second paper storage section.
By simply moving the paper to the first paper storage unit side while contacting the rear end of the paper in the paper storage unit of
Can be smoothly transferred to the paper storage unit side. Also,
A pair of side fences provided in the first paper storage unit can regulate the positions of both side edges of the paper in the first paper storage unit, and the pair of side fences transfer the paper in the second paper storage unit to the second paper storage unit. When the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage unit, the sheet is moved by a predetermined amount to a position where the transferred sheet is not obstructed and separated from each other, so that the sheets do not collapse.

According to the second and eleventh aspects of the present invention, in a normal case, the back fence regulates the rear end of the sheet in the first sheet accommodating portion, so that the sheet can be maintained at a predetermined sheet feeding position. When the paper is transferred from the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit, it is retracted outside the transfer area, so that the transfer is not hindered. This is convenient because it can be evacuated.

According to the paper feeder of the third, fifth, twelfth and fourteenth aspects, when the paper is transferred from the second paper storage to the first paper storage, the paper rolls on the rotating body. The paper is smoothly transported while contacting or sliding on the ribs and beads, so that the bundle of paper breaks, bends,
There is no breakage or the like, and the driving force required for the movement is small.

According to the fourth and thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the sheet in the second sheet accommodating section is the second sheet having the lower surface in contact with the rotating body.
Rolling contact via the bottom plate in the
Is transferred to the paper storage unit, so that smoother transfer is performed.

According to the paper feeder of the sixth aspect, since the rear end of the sheet is pressed by the pressing member and transferred to the first sheet storage section, the sheet can be transferred with the rear end aligned. it can. According to the paper feeder of the present invention, when the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage, the supply of the bottom plate pressing means provided in the first paper storage is performed. Since the urging toward the paper means is released, the paper is transferred to the first paper storage unit without being disturbed by the bottom plate.

According to the sheet feeding device of the seventh and sixteenth aspects, the pressing member can be moved only by rotating the driving means in the normal and reverse directions. According to the paper feeding device of the eighth aspect, the paper in the second paper storage unit is not changed to the first paper when the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper. Since the paper is transferred to the paper
When there is no sheet in the sheet storage section, the empty transfer of the sheet to the first sheet storage section can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, so that the wasteful operation of the image forming processing system in the absence of paper is prevented. can do. According to the tenth aspect, when a sheet is transferred from the second sheet storage unit to the first sheet storage unit, the pair of side fences are separated from each other, so that the transfer of the sheet can be performed smoothly. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent the stack from being lost in the paper transfer process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a part of a cross section of an embodiment of a sheet feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a bottom plate rotating device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device of the sheet feeding device of FIG. 1 and its related configuration.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a judgment and a process executed by a control device 80 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an essential part perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which ribs and beads are provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom of the first and second sheet storage units.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a simplified example of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet feeding device having a plurality of sheet storage units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: Tray table 11c, 24b: Opening 11f: Rib 20: First paper storage 22, 22, 23, 32, 33: Side fence 24: Bottom plate 24c: Bead 25, 26, 35, 36, 95, 96: Back fence 28 : Bottom plate rotating device (bottom plate pressing means) 29, 39: rotating body 30: second paper storage section 31: paper supply section (paper supply means) 45: paper end sensor (first paper end sensor) 70: paper Detection sensor (second paper end sensor) 80: Control device 91: Second accommodation unit bottom plate

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 8, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Paper feeder

[Claims]

3. A plurality of sheets can be stored at one time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, the sheet transporting means has a pressing member movably held by the guide member in the second sheet storing section toward the first sheet storing section, and the pressing member is provided in the second sheet storing section. Contacting only the rear end of the paper in the paper storage portion of Means for pressing the paper toward the paper storage section and transferring the paper to the first paper storage section; and wherein the paper stored in the first paper storage section is movable via a movable bottom plate. A bottom plate pressurizing unit that urges the bottom plate pressurizing unit toward the sheet feeding unit when transferring the sheet in the second sheet storing unit to the first sheet storing unit. A sheet feeding device characterized in that:

4. A sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the drive means for moving the pressing member forward rotation to the paper first sheet accommodating portion side of the pressing member in said second sheet storage portion A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is reversely rotated to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

5. A paper storage section having a plurality of paper storage sections having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of paper sheets at one time, and from each of the paper storage sections, paper is fed one by one by paper feed means. In the paper feeding device, at least one of the paper storage units is substantially half the length of the paper storage unit in the other paper storage direction, and the stored paper is supplied by the paper supply unit. A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the first paper storage unit is disposed, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper feeding side; A first paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the first paper storage unit, a second paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the second paper storage unit, and a guide member provided in the second paper storage unit. Accordingly, a pressing member movably held toward the first paper storage unit side is provided, and the pressing member is The rear end of the sheet in the second sheet storage portion is brought into contact with only the rear end thereof, and the rear end thereof is pressed toward the first sheet storage portion to collectively collect the sheets in the second sheet storage portion. And a paper transport unit for transporting the paper to the first paper storage unit. When the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper, A sheet feeding device, wherein a sheet in a second sheet storage section is transported to a first sheet storage section.

6. The paper feeding device according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming process is temporarily stopped when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper during the image forming process, and the second paper end sensor is present when there is a paper. Is detected, the sheet in the second sheet storage section is transferred to the first sheet storage section by the sheet transfer section, and the image forming process is restarted after the transfer is completed. Paper feeder.

The sheet feeder according to claim 7 according to claim 5 or 6, provided with the first pair of Saidofuensu for regulating the position of the side edges of the sheets in the sheet accommodating portion capable toward and away from each other, the second When the paper in the paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, the pair of side fences is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position that regulates both side edges of the paper. Paper feeder.

The sheet feeder as claimed in claim 8 according to any one of claims 5 to 7, provided at least one Batsukufuensu regulating the position of the trailing edge of the sheet in said first sheet storage portion, the Batsukufuensu Wherein when the sheet in the second sheet storage section is transferred to the first sheet storage section, the sheet can be retracted outside the transfer area of the sheet.

9. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, with the the first sheet accommodating portion, a sheet to be accommodated into the through bottom plate of the movable said feeding means side A pressurizing bottom plate pressurizing means for releasing the urging of the bottom plate pressurizing means toward the paper supply means when the paper in the second paper storage section is transferred to the first paper storage section. A sheet feeding device, characterized in that:

10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5 , wherein the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to rotate the pressing member in the second sheet storage portion. A sheet feeding device, wherein a sheet is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage section side, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is rotated in the reverse direction to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a paper feeder used in a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like, a paper feed cassette for accommodating paper is removably inserted into a side surface of an apparatus main body.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 74-74, there is an apparatus in which a paper storage unit 3 such as a paper supply cassette or a tray can be stored in multiple stages inside an apparatus main body 1 and a machine base 2 as shown in FIG.

[0003]

However, in the case of such an image forming apparatus in which the paper cassette is detachable from the side of the apparatus main body, the paper cassette protrudes greatly from the apparatus main body. As the entire image forming apparatus becomes larger, a larger installation space is required.

In the case where the paper storage unit as shown in FIG. 11 is of a built-in type, the size of the apparatus can be reduced because the paper storage unit does not protrude outside the apparatus main body. In such a type, it is troublesome to take out the paper storage unit and change the paper size every time the paper size is changed, so it is troublesome. ing. Therefore, the height of the entire image forming apparatus tends to increase as the number of paper feed stages increases.

For this reason, in such an image forming apparatus, the size of the paper storage section such as the paper cassette of each paper feed stage in the height direction is regulated to some extent, and the number of sheets stored in each paper feed stage is limited. As a result, the height of the entire image forming apparatus must be restricted.

Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus, if the frequency of feeding paper in a specific stage is high, the paper is quickly run out, and the paper replenishing operation must be performed frequently. There was a problem that it was troublesome. In general, the same paper feed cassette is used in all paper feed stages, and therefore, in a paper feed cassette storing small-sized paper, a paper feed cassette opposite to the paper feed side is used. There is a large empty space in the part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and effectively utilizes the space in an image forming apparatus to increase the height of the entire apparatus without increasing the overall height of the apparatus. It is an object to increase the number of sheets that can be stored.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is capable of accommodating a plurality of sheets at a time, and is arranged at a position where the accommodated sheets are fed by a sheet feeding means. A first paper storage unit, a paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper feeding side, and the first paper storage unit. A paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the storage section; and paper transfer means for transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section all at once, wherein the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. When it is detected, the second
In the paper feeder for transferring the paper in the paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit, the paper transfer means is movable to the second paper storage unit by the guide member toward the first paper storage unit. has a pressing member held, the pressing member is the second
Means for contacting only the rear end of the paper in the paper storage unit and pressing the rear end toward the first paper storage unit to transfer the paper to the first paper storage unit. A pair of side fences that regulate the position of both side edges of the paper are provided so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and when the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage, the pair of side fences is provided. Are moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position where both side edges of the paper are regulated.

Further, the apparatus includes a paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit and a second paper storage unit similar to the above, a paper end sensor, and paper transfer means, and the paper end sensor detects whether there is no paper. In the paper feeding device for transferring the sheet in the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section by the sheet transfer section when the sheet is detected, the sheet transfer section includes a guide member attached to the second sheet storage section. has a connexion first movably retained pressing member to the sheet accommodating portion, the rear end the pressing member is in contact with only the rear end of the sheet in the second sheet storage portion the first
Means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet storage section by pressing the sheet toward the sheet storage section and moving the sheet to the first sheet storage section. At least one back fence for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the paper so that the back fence can be retracted out of the transfer area of the paper when the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage. It was done.

[0010] The apparatus further includes a paper storage unit including a similar first paper storage unit and a second paper storage unit, a paper end sensor, and a paper transfer unit, and the paper end sensor detects that there is no paper. In a sheet feeding apparatus for transferring the sheet in the second sheet storage section to the first sheet storage section by a sheet transfer section, the sheet transfer section is connected to the second sheet storage section by a guide member. has a movably retained pressing member to one of the paper storage portion side, the pressing member is in contact with only the rear end of the sheet in the second sheet storage portion pressing the rear end to the first sheet accommodating portion to a means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet accommodating portion side, the first in the paper accommodating portion, the bottom plate pressurizing means for urging the paper to be accommodated in the sheet feeding unit side through the bottom plate of the movable And transports the paper in the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit The better to to release the urging to the sheet feeding means side of the bottom plate pressurizing means.

In the paper feeder, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to rotate the pressing member to the second position.
It is preferable that the sheet in the sheet storage section is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage section, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is rotated in the reverse direction to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

A plurality of paper storage units having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of papers at one time are provided, and paper is supplied one by one from each of the paper storage units. In the paper feeding device, at least one of the paper storage units is substantially half of the length of the paper storage unit in the other paper storage direction, and the stored paper is supplied by the paper supply unit. And a second paper storage portion provided adjacent to the first paper storage portion on the side opposite to the paper feeding side of the first paper storage portion. A first paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the first paper storage unit;
A second paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the paper storage section, and a pressing member movably held by the guide member in the second paper storage section toward the first paper storage section. The pressing member is located at the rear end of the paper in the second paper storage unit.
Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit at a time by pressing the rear end thereof toward the first paper storage unit in contact with the first paper storage unit; When the sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper, the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage by the paper transfer means. Good.

In the paper feeding apparatus, when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper during the image forming process, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, and the second paper end sensor detects that there is a paper. In this case, the paper in the second paper storage unit may be transferred to the first paper storage unit by the paper transfer unit, and the image forming process may be restarted after the transfer is completed.

In the paper feeder, a pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the paper are provided in the first paper storage so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and the paper in the second paper storage is transferred to the first paper storage. When the sheet is transferred to one sheet storage unit, the pair of side fences may be moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position that regulates both side edges of the sheet.

Further, at least one back fence for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the paper in the first paper storage is provided, and the back fence is transferred to the first paper storage in the paper in the second paper storage. When that is effective to permit evacuation into the transfer region outside of the sheet.

Further, in the paper feeding apparatus, the first sheet storage portion, the sheet to be accommodated through the bottom plate of the movable provided bottom plate pressurizing means for urging the paper feed unit side, a second sheet accommodating It is preferable to release the urging of the bottom plate pressing unit toward the paper supply unit when the paper in the unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit.
Further, in the paper feeder, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to move the pressing member to a position for transferring the paper in the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit side, After the completion of the transfer, the pressing member may be rotated reversely to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.

According to the paper feeder configured as described above, when using small-sized paper, it is possible to store paper of the same size in the first and second paper storage units and start paper feeding. ,
When all of the sheets in the first sheet storage section are exhausted, the paper end sensor detects the absence of the sheet, and the sheet transfer means is provided adjacent to the first sheet storage section on the side opposite to the sheet sending side. Since the sheets for replenishment in the second sheet storage unit are collectively transferred to the first sheet storage unit, the feeding of sheets of the same size can be continued.

Further, the pressing member of the sheet transporting means is
Is held by the guide member so as to be movable toward the first paper storage section, so that the pressing member is moved to the second paper storage section.
Is moved to the first paper storage unit side in a state where only the rear end of the paper in the paper storage unit is brought into contact with the first paper storage unit.
Can be smoothly transferred to the paper storage unit side.

Further, the position of both side edges of the sheet in the first sheet accommodating section is regulated by a pair of side fences provided in the first sheet accommodating section, and the sheet in the second sheet accommodating section is moved to the first sheet accommodating section. When the sheets are transferred to the sheet storage unit, they are moved by a predetermined amount to a position where they do not hinder the sheet being transferred and are separated from each other, so that the sheets do not collapse.

Further, a bottom plate pressurizing means for urging the stored paper toward the paper feeding means via a movable bottom plate is provided in the first paper storage portion, and the paper in the second paper storage portion is firstly stored. When the urging of the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper supply means is released when the paper is transferred to the paper storage section, when the paper in the second paper storage section is transferred to the first paper storage section, Since the urging of the bottom plate pressing means provided on the first sheet storage unit toward the paper supply means is released, the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage unit without interfering with the bottom plate. .

Further, the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to move the pressing member to a position for transferring the sheet in the second sheet accommodating section to the first sheet accommodating section. If the pressing member is rotated backward after the transfer of the sheet is completed to return the pressing member to the home position and stopped, the pressing member can be moved only by rotating the driving means forward and reverse.

Further, when a second paper end sensor is also provided in the second paper storage section, when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper and the second paper end sensor detects that there is paper, For the first time, the paper in the second paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, so that empty paper transfer to the first paper storage unit when there is no paper in the second paper storage unit can be prevented.

Further, if the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper during the image forming process, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, so that the idle feeding without the paper can be prevented, and the second paper end can be prevented. If the sensor detects the presence of paper, the paper in the second paper storage unit can be transferred to the first paper storage unit by the paper transfer unit, and the image forming process can be restarted after the transfer is completed. .

When a pair of side fences are provided in the first sheet storage section, the positions of both side edges of the sheets in the first sheet storage section are regulated by the pair of side fences. When transferring the sheets in the set to the first sheet storage section,
Since they are moved by a predetermined amount to a position where they do not hinder the transported paper and are separated from each other, the paper does not collapse.

Further, when a back fence capable of retreating out of the paper transfer area is provided, the position of the trailing edge of the paper in the first paper accommodating portion can be regulated by the back fence. Since the back fluence can be retracted to the outside of the sheet transfer area, it is possible to store large-size sheets straddling the second and first sheet storage units.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a preferred embodiment of a sheet feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device.

This paper feeder is used to feed paper P as shown in FIG.
1 is movably held by a pair of slide rails 12 and 13 fixed in parallel at a fixed distance to a fixing portion of the apparatus so as to be movable toward and away from the front in FIG.
1, a first paper storage unit 20 and a second paper storage unit 30 provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit 20 on the side opposite to the paper sending end side, and the first paper storage unit 20 is provided with the first paper storage unit 30. A paper feed unit 31 is provided on the paper feed end side of the storage unit 20. A pick-up roller 41 that rotates by pressing against the top surface of the uppermost sheet in the first sheet storage section 20 and feeds the sheet rightward in FIG.
And a pair of separation rollers 42 for separating the sheet into one sheet.

The first paper storage section 20 has a paper end filler 43 having one end in contact with the top surface of the uppermost sheet in the paper storage section and the other end swingably supported, and a paper end filler 43. There is provided a paper end sensor 45 as a first paper end sensor including a sensor 44 for detecting the absence of paper based on the presence or absence of light shielding by one end of 43.

Further, this paper feeder is provided with a paper transport means 40 for transporting the paper P in the second paper storage unit 30 to the first paper storage unit 20 at a time.
When the sheet 5 detects that there is no sheet, the sheet P in the second sheet storage unit 30 is transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20 by the sheet transfer unit 40.

The first sheet accommodating section 20 includes a part of the tray base 11, a front fence 21 vertically fixed to the sheet sending end side of the tray base 11, and a first sheet accommodating section 20 inside the first sheet accommodating section 20. A pair of side fences 22 and 23 (FIG. 2) that regulate the position of both side edges of the sheet P and can approach and separate from each other, and one end is rotatably supported by the tray base 11 and the sheet sending end side can move up and down. It is constituted by a bottom plate 24.

Then, the pair of side fences 22,
23, the paper feed downstream side (left side) is bent inward at a substantially right angle to each other as shown in FIG.
6, whereby the position of the trailing edge of the sheet P in the first sheet storage section 20 can be regulated. As shown in FIG. 1, a lower end of the bottom plate 24 is rotatably supported at one end on the left side and pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to push up the bottom plate 24 to raise the bottom plate raising arm 27; A bottom plate pressing means including a bottom plate rotation device 28 shown in FIG. 2 for applying the above-described counterclockwise rotation urging force to the lifting arm 27 is provided. As shown in FIG. The paper P accommodated in the printer is urged toward the pick-up roller 41 serving as paper feeding means via the movable bottom plate 24.

Then, a portion corresponding to the first sheet storage portion 20 of the tray base 11 is lowered by one step to form a step portion 11a, and the bottom plate 24 can be stored in the step portion 11a. Is rotated clockwise and moved to the retracted position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, the bottom plate 24 rotates downward and the right end thereof is bent downward to form a lower end of a bent end portion 24a. Is in contact with the upper surface of the step 11a. And the tip bent part 24a is the step part 11.
a, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is placed on the upper surface 1 other than the step portion 11a of the tray base 11 as shown by a virtual line in FIG.
The horizontal state is substantially the same as 1b.

Further, a plurality of openings 24b are formed in the movable bottom plate 24 on which the sheets of the first sheet storage section 20 are placed, and a plurality of openings 24b are formed corresponding to each of the openings 24b by using rollers or steel balls. The rotatable members 29 are provided rotatably along the sheet transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1), and when the bottom plate 24 is lowered as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 29 slightly protrudes above the upper surface of the bottom plate 24.

The pair of side fences 22 and 23 are shown in FIG.
Each of the pulleys 51 is supported by a guide member (not shown) so as to be able to approach and separate from each other in a direction for regulating both side edges of the sheet P indicated by an arrow A, and is arranged rotatably in the front-rear direction at a distance. The lower surface of the side fence 22 is fixed to the wire 53 stretched between 52 and the lower surface of the side fence 23 is fixed to the b portion. The pulley 52 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a stepping motor 54. When the stepping motor 54 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, the side fences 22 and 23 approach and separate from each other.

On one side fence 22, a projecting piece 22a is projected outwardly at a substantially right angle from a vertical plane, and a home sensor (transmission type) is fixed to the fixing portion of the apparatus in correspondence with the projecting piece 22a. A photo sensor 55 is fixed, and the home sensor 55 detects the protruding piece 22a (FIG. 2).
(Illustrated by virtual lines) is the home position of the side fence.

The second sheet accommodating section 30 includes a part of a tray base 11 on the left side in FIG. 2 and a pair of semi-fixed type for regulating both side edges of the sheets P stacked on the tray base 11. It comprises side fences 32, 33 and back fences 35, 36 formed by bending the downstream side (left side) of the side fences 32, 33 inward at substantially right angles to each other. The back fences 35 and 36 may be formed separately from the side fences 32 and 33.

A plurality of openings 11c are also formed in the bottom of the second sheet storage section 30 on which sheets are placed, and the same rotating member 39 as the rotating member 29 is indicated by an arrow corresponding to each of the openings 11c. B is provided rotatably along the transport direction of the sheet of paper B, and the rotating body 39 always projects slightly upward from each of the openings 11c so that the sheet P placed on the upper part thereof can be stored in the first sheet storage section 20. So that it can be transported smoothly to the side.

The arrangement positions of the rotating bodies 29 and 39 are as follows.
It is necessary to arrange the minimum-sized paper to be used at a position where at least two or more rotating bodies can be placed in the paper width direction with respect to the transport direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), and the transport is required. Regardless of the direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 2), the paper of the minimum size is always placed in any position by the rotating bodies 29 and 29, the rotating bodies 29 and 39, or the rotating bodies 39 and 39. The paper P to be transported is arranged at a position where it can be supported by at least two or more sets of rotating bodies. The rotating bodies 29 and 39 can rotate independently of each other. When they are formed by rollers, the material may be, for example, a resin having a low friction coefficient.

A pressing plate 65 is held at a substantially center of the tray base 11 in the paper width direction by a guide member (not shown) so as to be movable in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
Each of the paper contact portions 65b and 65c projecting upward from
Corresponding to them, the tray base 11 is projected upward from each of the long holes 11d and 11e formed along the direction of arrow B in FIG. Accordingly, the pressing plate 65 is shown in FIG.
Only the paper contact portions 65b and 65c accommodate the second paper.
The sheet P contacts the rear end of the sheet P in the unit 30. Then, pulleys 61 and 62 are rotatably provided at a distance in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, a wire 63 is stretched between the pulleys 61 and 62, and a pressing plate 65 is fixed to the wire 63 at a portion c. doing.

Further, the pulley 61 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a stepping motor 64, and the stepping motor 6
4 the pressing plate 65 when rotating in forward and reverse directions is moved in the arrow B and its opposite direction in Fig. 2, it presses the trailing end of the sheet P moves to the right in FIG. Sometimes, a bundle of sheets P stacked on the tray table 11 of the second sheet storage unit 30 can be transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20 side in a lump.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a light shielding piece 65a is formed at the lower end of the pressing plate 65, and a pressing plate home sensor (transmission type photo sensor) 66 is provided on the fixed portion side of the apparatus corresponding to the light shielding piece 65a. The position shown in FIG. 1 where the pressure plate home sensor 66 is shielded from light by the light-shielding piece 65a and detected is defined as the home position of the pressure plate 65. The tray 1 of the second paper storage unit 30
A paper detection sensor 70 serving as a second paper end sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the paper P in the second paper storage unit 30 is provided below the first paper storage unit 30.

Further, in this embodiment, the home position of the pressing plate 65 is matched with the position of the back fluences 35 and 36 (see FIG. 2), but it may be different. Next, the bottom plate rotating device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. The bottom plate rotating device 28 rotatably supports the pressing shaft 67 on the lower surface of the step 11a of the tray base 11 as shown in FIG. 1, and raises the bottom plate at one end of the pressing shaft 67 as shown in FIG. An end of the arm 27 is fixed, and a sector gear 68 is integrally fixed to the other end (the upper side in FIG. 2) of the pressing shaft 67.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the sector gear 68 is driven by a motor 69 rotatable in both forward and reverse directions.
Worm 71 and meshing worm wheel 7
2. Further, when the pressure shaft 67 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the bottom plate raising arm 27 is moved from the opening 11 e formed in the tray base 11 when the pressure shaft 67 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The bottom plate 24 is protruded upward to push up the bottom plate 24, and the topmost sheet P placed on the bottom plate 24 is raised by the pick-up roller 41 to a sheet feeding position where the sheet can be fed, and is moved to the sheet feeding position. When the upper limit detection sensor such as a limit switch (not shown) detects the rise of the bottom plate 24, the motor 69 stops and the rise of the bottom plate 24 stops.

Next, a case where small-sized paper is fed using this paper feeder will be described. First, sheets P of the same size are respectively stored in the first sheet storing section 20 and the second sheet storing section 30, and the bottom plate rotating device 28 (FIG. 2).
Is driven to raise the bottom plate 24 to the paper feeding position as shown in FIG. 1, and the paper feeding operation is started, the pick-up roller 41 sequentially feeds the paper in the first paper storage unit 20.

When all the sheets P in the first sheet accommodating section 20 run out due to the paper feeding, the paper end sensor 45 detects the absence of the paper in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 is detected by releasing the light shielding of the detection unit of the sensor 44 by the rotation of
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 rotates, and the sector gear 68 rotates in the direction of arrow D via the worm 71, the worm wheel 72, and the gear 73, and the bottom plate raising arm 27 is shown by a virtual line in FIG. Move (down) to the position.

Accordingly, the bottom plate 24 pivots downward, and its bent end portion 24a pivots to a position where it contacts the upper surface of the step 11a of the tray base 11, as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. Then, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is in a horizontal state in which the upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface 11b of the tray base 11.

Next, when the sheet detection sensor 70 detects that the sheet P is present in the second sheet storage section 30, the pair of side fences 22, 2 on the first sheet storage section 20 side.
3 are moved to the home position indicated by phantom lines by operating the stepping motor 54 shown in FIG. 2, and thereafter, the wire 63 is operated by operating the stepping motor 64 of the paper transfer means 40. Is moved in the direction of arrow E to move the pressing plate 65 toward the first paper storage unit 20 so that the paper P stored in the second paper storage unit 30 can be moved to the first paper storage unit. 20 are transferred onto the bottom plate 24 in a horizontal state.

When the transfer is completed, a pair of side fences 22 and 2 which are separated from each other up to the home position.
3 is moved to the position where the side edges of the sheet P moved onto the first sheet accommodating section 20 are regulated.
Are rotated closer to each other by rotating them in the opposite direction, and the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the bottom plate raising arm 27 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. And raise it.

Accordingly, the bundle of sheets P placed thereon rises via the bottom plate 24, and stops at the position shown in FIG. 1 where the uppermost sheet reaches the sheet feeding position. Further, the stepping motor 64 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned case, and the pressing plate 65 is returned to the home position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Note that the amount of movement by which the side fences 22 and 23 and the pressing plate 65 approach and move from the home position is programmed in advance in a control device described later for each size of the paper P to be used.

As described above, in the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment, when all the papers P in the first paper storage unit 20 are exhausted, the paper P stored in the second paper storage unit 30 becomes the second paper storage unit. The sheet is transferred to one sheet storage unit 20 and is immediately replenished. The series of controls is performed by the control device 80 shown in FIG.

The control unit 80 stores a central processing unit (CPU) having various judgment and processing functions, and a program and fixed data necessary for controlling the movement of the side fences 22, 23, the pressing plate 65, and the like. Is a microcomputer comprising a ROM as a programmed memory, a RAM as a data memory for storing processing data, and an input / output circuit (I / O).
A driver for driving a motor such as 4, 64 is also provided.

The control device 80 sends a paper-out signal for detecting the absence of the paper P in the first paper storage unit 20 from the paper end sensor 45 and a paper-out signal from the paper detection sensor 70 to the second paper storage unit 30. And a signal for detecting whether or not the side fences 22 and 23 of the first paper storage unit 20 are in the home position from the home sensor 55. At the same time, a detection signal for knowing whether or not the pressing plate 65 is in the home position is input from the pressing plate home sensor 66.

Then, a drive signal for driving the paper feed drive system such as the pick-up roller 41 of the paper feed unit 31 is given by:
Various signals for driving each unit for performing the image forming process are transmitted to a display unit 81 provided on an operation panel (not shown) of an apparatus main body such as a copying machine to which the paper feeding device is mounted. Outputs a display signal for turning on the "paper out" display, and outputs a drive signal for rotating the bottom plate 24 to the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28, and also outputs each stepping motor 54 and A drive signal for driving each of them is output to 64.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine relating to a process executed by the control device 80 for replenishing the first sheet storage section 20 after the first sheet accommodating section 20 is out of paper and then refilling the sheet. When the main switch of the main body of a copying machine or the like to which the paper feeding device is mounted is turned on, the judgment and processing are repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing according to the flowchart.

First, in step 1, it is determined whether or not the first paper storage unit 20 has run out of paper (the sensor 44 is turned on) based on a signal from the paper end sensor 45 of the paper supply unit 31. If there is still paper, go to step 2 and
The upper paper P is sequentially picked up from the uppermost side.
And a normal sheet feeding operation of separating the sheet into one sheet by the separation roller 42 is executed.

If there is no paper in step 1, the operation proceeds to step 3, in which the driving of the paper feeding system is stopped, and the operation of each section relating to all image forming processing is temporarily stopped. It is determined whether or not there is a sheet P in the second sheet storage unit 30 based on a sheet detection signal from the sheet detection sensor 70. If there is no sheet P, the sheet P for replenishment is stored in the first sheet storage unit. Since the sheet cannot be transferred to the section 20, the display signal is outputted to the display section 81 (FIG. 4) in step 5 to turn on the display of "no paper", and then the judgment and processing after step 1 are performed again. repeat.

In step 4, it is determined that a sheet is present (YE).
When S), the process proceeds to step 6, where the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 in FIG. 2 is operated to rotate the bottom plate raising arm 27 clockwise in FIG. By rotating the bottom plate 24 to the position shown, the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 is set to be substantially the same horizontal state as the upper surface 11b of the tray base 11.

Next, in step 7, the stepping motor 54 is driven to separate the side fences 22 and 23 of the first sheet accommodating section 20 from each other, and the side fence 22 is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. When the detecting portion of the sensor 55 reaches a home position (HP) which is shielded by the protruding piece 22a integral with the side fence 22,
Stop their movement.

Then, at step 8, the stepping motor 64 is driven to rotate the wire 63 in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 2 to move the pressing plate 65 to the right.
Of the replenishment paper P stored in the paper storage unit 30 of
The sheet is transferred onto the bottom plate 24 of the first sheet storage unit 20 and the leading end (right end side in FIG. 2) of the sheet is brought into contact with the front fence 21.

Next, at step 9, the motor 69 of the bottom plate rotating device 28 is rotated in the opposite direction to raise the bottom plate 24 to the position shown in FIG. 1, and at step 10, the side fences 22 and 23 are now turned. Rotates the stepping motor 54 in the opposite direction to that described above so as to approach each other, and regulates both side edges of the sheet P.

Further, in step 11, the stepping motor 64 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above, and the pressing plate 65 is
When the detecting portion of the pressing plate home sensor 66 of FIG. 1 moves to the home position where the light is blocked by the light shielding piece 65a of the pressing plate 65, the detection is stopped.
In step 2, the stop of the image forming operation temporarily stopped in step 3 is released, and thereafter, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which a bottom plate is also provided in the second sheet accommodating portion, and portions corresponding to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This paper feeder is provided on the tray base 11 of the second paper storage unit 30 with the second storage unit bottom plate 9 supported on the vertical part of the pressing plate 65 so that the left side in FIG.
1, and is mounted on the rotating body 39.

When replenishing the first sheet storage section 20 with a sheet, when the stepping motor 64 is driven as in the above-described embodiment, the wire 63 rotates and the pressing plate 65
6 moves to the right side of the first sheet storage unit 20 in FIG. 6, and along with the movement, the second storage unit bottom plate 91 also moves integrally with the pressing plate 65. Accordingly, the bundle of sheets P placed on the second storage unit bottom plate 91 is transferred to the first paper storage unit 20 while the second storage unit bottom plate 91 is in rolling contact with the rotating body 29.
And stops at a predetermined position where the leading end (right end in FIG. 6) of the sheet comes into contact with the front fence 21.

Thereafter, similarly to the above-described embodiment, when the bottom plate raising arm 27 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6, the bottom plate 24 of the first sheet storage section 20 and the bottom plate 24 are moved to the upper portion. The two storage section bottom plates 91 are raised as indicated by the imaginary lines, and the paper can be fed. After that, the operation is similar to that of the above-described embodiment. Each of the second sheet storage units 30 in FIGS. 1 and 6 is formed as a box body having both the ceiling part and the sheet sending end side open at two sides.
One end of the bottom portion may be rotatably supported like the second housing portion bottom plate 91 in FIG.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show still another embodiment of the paper feeder in which each back fence on the first paper storage section side is rotatably mounted on a pair of side fences. Are given the same reference numerals.

The paper feeding device includes the side fences 22 and
23 are provided with step portions 22b, 2
3b, and back fluences 95 and 96 are rotatably attached to one end (left side in FIG. 8) of each of the step portions 22b and 23b, and both of the rotation angles θ are substantially 90 as shown in FIG. °.

Then, each of the back fluences 95, 96
Is made substantially equal to the step of the stepped portions 22b and 23b, and the respective back fluences 95 and 96 are urged in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Is brought into contact with a stopper (not shown) to restrict the rotation angle θ so that the rotation angle θ is approximately 90 ° in a normal state.

In this embodiment, the second sheet storage unit 3
When the replenishment sheet P in the sheet No. 0 is transferred to the first sheet storage unit 20, the side fences 22 and 23 as shown in FIG.
The distance between the back fences 95 and 96 is
The inner dimension l ₁ when rotated to 2b and 23b is set to a position where the inner dimension l ₁ is slightly wider than the width l ₂ of the sheet P in the second sheet accommodating section 30, and in that state, the sheet P is moved to the second position. The sheet is transferred from the sheet storage unit 30 to the first sheet storage unit 20 side.

Accordingly, the leading end (the right end in FIG. 8) of the sheet P abuts against the back fluences 95 and 96 and pushes them down to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. It is transported to a predetermined position in the storage unit 20.

According to this embodiment, even if the length of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The paper can be stored so as to straddle the paper storage unit 20 and the second paper storage unit 30. Backfence 9
5, 96 may be held by suction at each step 22b, 23b by magnet.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which ribs and beads are provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom of the first and second sheet storage units, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is.

This paper feeder includes a plurality (three in this example) of papers that protrude (upward) on the movable bottom plate 24 of the first paper storage unit 20 on which paper is loaded. Similarly, a plurality of (five in this example) ribs 11f are transferred to the bead 24c on the side on which the sheets are placed on the tray base 11 serving as the bottom of the second sheet storage unit 30 on which the sheets are placed. The guide surfaces of the beads 24c and the ribs 11f in contact with the paper are made substantially the same (on the same line), and the respective guide surfaces are formed in the second direction. When the paper in the paper storage unit 30 is transferred to the first paper storage unit 20, smooth finishing is performed to reduce frictional resistance.

As described above, the rotating bodies 29 and 39 shown in FIG.
Even if the beads 24c and the ribs 11f are provided in place of the above, if the amount of paper loaded on the tray base 11 is small, the paper is transferred from the second paper storage unit 30 to the first paper storage unit 20. Transfer can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a simplified example of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is applied. In this copying system, a copying machine main body 200 is mounted on an upper part of a machine base 100, and an image forming processing system such as an image forming unit 205 is housed inside the copying machine main body 200.

Then, the machine base 100 and the copying machine main body 20
0, a plurality of sheet storage units 201, 202, and 202 having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of sheets P at one time.
203 (the number of stages can be increased or decreased as necessary) are arranged, and sheets are fed one by one by each sheet feeding unit 31 provided in each stage.

Then, one of the sheet storage units 202 in the middle stage
Each of the stages is substantially half the length of the paper storage units 201 and 203 in the paper supply direction in the other stages, and is disposed at a position where the stored paper P is fed by the paper supply unit 31. The first paper storage unit 20 includes a first paper storage unit 20 and a second paper storage unit 30 provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit 20 on the side opposite to the paper sending side.

Then, the first paper storage unit 202
A paper end sensor 45 as a first paper end sensor similar to that described with reference to FIG.
The second paper storage unit 30 is provided with a paper detection sensor 70 as a second paper end sensor, and the papers P in the second paper storage unit 30 are collectively transferred to the first paper storage unit 20. Pressing plate 65 constituting paper transport means
(See FIG. 1 because the drive system has already been described.) When the paper end sensor 45 detects the absence of paper and the paper detection sensor 70 detects the presence of paper, the pressing plate 65 is To move the sheet P in the second sheet storage section 30 to the first sheet storage section 20.

The control system in this embodiment is as follows.
Since this is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 4, its description is omitted. Further, in this image forming apparatus, the paper storage units 201, 202, and 203 of each stage are set in the paper feeding direction shown in FIG.
In the figure, which is orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow B of FIG. 0, it can be pulled out to the front side (front loading type). Therefore, the paper can be replenished into each paper storage from the front side of the device, so operation is good and there is no need to pull out the paper storage to the side of the device. Available and space saving.

The paper storage unit having both the first and second paper storage units may be arranged not on the machine base 100 side but on the copier main body 200 side. It may be above the image unit 205. Also, in the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, there is a sheet storage unit having a plurality of paper storage units having substantially the same length in the width direction, wherein one of the plurality of paper storage units has a length in the width direction different from that of the other. Even in this case, the same can be applied.

As described above, when the paper feeding apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper storage sections,
In the case of small-size sheets, they can be stored together in the first and second sheet storage sections, so that the number of sheets per sheet increases, thereby reducing the number of sheet feed steps. Space saving in the vertical direction can also be realized.

Further, in addition to the above-described embodiments in which the sheet is fed with the center of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet as the center of the sheet accommodating portion, the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention has a pair of side sheets. The present invention can be similarly applied to a one-sided conveyance reference type sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet along one side of the fence along the side edge.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the bottom plate raising arm 27 is rotated so that the bottom plate 2 in the first sheet storage portion 20 is rotated.
Although an example of the sheet feeding device in which the bottom plate 4 is pushed up has been described, the present invention can be similarly applied to a sheet feeding device using an elevator type elevating means for raising the bottom plate in a horizontal state.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the paper feeding device of the first aspect, when small-sized paper is stored, when the paper in the first paper storage is exhausted, the paper stored in the second paper storage is automatically and immediately there. Will be replenished,
The number of sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating section can be increased without increasing the height of the entire apparatus. Then, even for large-size paper, the first and second paper storage units can be used by using them simultaneously.

Then, the pressing member of the sheet transfer means is
Is held by the guide member so as to be movable toward the first sheet storage section, so that the pressing member is moved to the second sheet storage section.
Of only in contact with the rear end trailing edge of the paper in the paper accommodating portion is pressed into the first sheet accommodating portion, it is possible to smoothly transfer the sheet to the first sheet accommodating portion. In addition, the position of both side edges of the paper in the first paper storage unit can be regulated by the pair of side fences provided in the first paper storage unit, and the pair of side fences is the paper in the second paper storage unit. When the papers are transferred to the first paper container, the papers are moved by a predetermined amount to a position where they do not hinder the paper being transported and are separated from each other, so that the paper does not collapse.

According to the paper feeding device of the second and eighth aspects, the back fluence regulates the rear end of the paper in the first paper storage portion in the normal case, so that the paper can be kept at the predetermined paper feeding position. When the paper is transferred from the second paper storage unit to the first paper storage unit, it is retracted outside the transfer area, so that the transfer is not hindered. This is convenient because it can be evacuated.

According to the paper feeder of the third and ninth aspects, the second
When the paper in the paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, the urging of the bottom plate pressing unit provided in the first paper storage unit toward the paper supply unit is released. The sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage unit without being disturbed by the bottom plate.

According to the sheet feeding device of the fourth and tenth aspects, the pressing member can be moved only by rotating the driving means in the normal and reverse directions. According to the paper feeder of the fifth aspect, the paper in the second paper storage unit is not changed to the first paper when the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper. Since the paper is transferred to the paper
When there is no sheet in the sheet storage section, the empty transfer of the sheet to the first sheet storage section can be prevented.

According to the paper feeding apparatus of claim 6 , when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper, the image forming process is temporarily stopped, so that useless operation of the image forming processing system in the absence of paper is prevented. can do. According to the sheet feeding device of the seventh aspect , when the sheet is transferred from the second sheet storage unit to the first sheet storage unit, the pair of side fences are separated from each other, so that the transfer of the sheet can be performed smoothly. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent the stack from being lost in the paper transfer process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a part of a cross section of an embodiment of a sheet feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a bottom plate rotating device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device of the sheet feeding device of FIG. 1 and its related configuration.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a judgment and a process executed by a control device 80 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an essential part perspective view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which ribs and beads are provided on the movable bottom plate and the bottom of the first and second sheet storage units.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a simplified example of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet feeding device having a plurality of sheet storage units.

[Description of Signs] 11: Tray base 11c, 24b: Opening 11f: Rib 20: First paper storage portion 22, 23, 32, 33: Side fence 24: Bottom plate 24c: Bead 25, 26, 35, 36, 95 , 96: back fluence 28: bottom plate rotating device (bottom plate pressing unit) 29, 39: rotating body 30: second paper storage unit 31: paper supply unit (paper supply unit) 45: paper end sensor (first paper end) Sensor) 70: paper detection sensor (second paper end sensor) 80: control device 91: second storage unit bottom plate

Claims (16)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A plurality of sheets can be stored at one time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, the sheet transporting means has a pressing member movably held by the guide member in the second sheet storing section toward the first sheet storing section, and the pressing member moves the pressing member to the second sheet storing section. The first sheet in a state where the first sheet Means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet storage section by moving the sheet to the first sheet storage section, wherein a pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the sheet approach the first sheet storage section.・ Separable,
When the paper in the second paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, the pair of side fences is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position that regulates both side edges of the paper. A sheet feeding device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A plurality of sheets can be stored at one time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, the sheet transporting means has a pressing member movably held by the guide member in the second sheet storing section toward the first sheet storing section, and the pressing member moves the pressing member to the second sheet storing section. The first sheet in a state where the first sheet Means for transferring the sheet to the first sheet storage section by moving the sheet to the first sheet storage section; and providing at least one back fence for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the sheet in the first sheet storage section. A sheet feeding device wherein the back fluence can be retracted out of a transfer area of the sheet when the sheet in the second sheet storing section is transferred to the first sheet storing section. 3. A plurality of sheets can be stored at one time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, a bottom plate pressurizing unit that urges the stored paper toward the paper feeding unit via a movable bottom plate is provided in the first paper storage unit, and the paper in the second paper storage unit is moved to the first paper storage unit. Urging the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper feeding means when transferring the paper to the first paper storage unit Is formed, a plurality of openings are formed in a movable bottom plate and a bottom portion on which the sheets in the first and second sheet storage units are respectively placed, and a rotating body is respectively set in correspondence with each of the openings. When the bottom plate is lowered, the rotator slightly protrudes above the top surface of the bottom plate when the bottom plate is lowered, and the rotator protrudes from the opening on the second paper storage unit side. A sheet feeder characterized in that the rotating body always projects slightly upward. 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 3, wherein a lower surface of the second paper storage portion contacts the plurality of rotating bodies,
It is provided that a bottom plate on which the paper in the second paper storage unit is placed is provided on the upper surface, and the paper in the second paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit with the movement of the bottom plate. Characteristic paper feeder. 5. A method for storing a plurality of sheets at a time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, a bottom plate pressurizing unit that urges the stored paper toward the paper feeding unit via a movable bottom plate is provided in the first paper storage unit, and the paper in the second paper storage unit is moved to the first paper storage unit. Urging the bottom plate pressing means toward the paper feeding means when transferring the paper to the first paper storage unit And a movable bottom plate and a bottom portion on which the sheets of the first and second sheet storage portions are respectively placed, and a plurality of guide surfaces projecting toward the surface on which the sheets are placed having substantially the same height. A sheet feeding device, wherein a rib or a bead of a book is extended along a transport direction of the sheet. 6. A plurality of sheets can be stored at one time,
A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the stored paper is fed by the paper supply means, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper sending side. A paper storage unit including a first paper storage unit, a paper end sensor for detecting the absence of a paper in the first paper storage unit, and a sheet stored in the second paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section by the paper transport means when the paper end sensor detects the absence of paper. In the apparatus, the sheet transporting means has a pressing member movably held by the guide member in the second sheet storing section toward the first sheet storing section, and the pressing member moves the pressing member to the second sheet storing section. The first sheet in a state where the first sheet Means for transferring the paper to the first paper storage section by moving the paper to the storage section, wherein the paper stored in the first paper storage section via a movable bottom plate; A bottom plate pressurizing unit that urges the bottom plate pressurizing unit toward the sheet feeding unit when transferring the sheet in the second sheet storing unit to the first sheet storing unit. A sheet feeding device characterized in that: 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the driving means for moving the pressing member rotates forward to move the pressing member to move the sheet in the second sheet storing section toward the first sheet storing section. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is reversely rotated to return the pressing member to the home position and stop. 8. A plurality of paper storage units having substantially the same length in the width direction capable of storing a plurality of papers at one time, and paper is supplied one by one from each of the paper storage units by a paper supply unit. In the paper feeding device, at least one of the paper storage units is substantially half the length of the paper storage unit in the other paper storage direction, and the stored paper is supplied by the paper supply unit. A first paper storage unit disposed at a position where the first paper storage unit is disposed, and a second paper storage unit provided adjacent to the first paper storage unit on the side opposite to the paper feeding side; A first paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the first paper storage unit, a second paper end sensor for detecting the absence of paper in the second paper storage unit, and a guide member provided in the second paper storage unit. A pressing member movably held toward the first paper storage unit. The paper in the second paper storage unit is moved to the first paper storage unit side while being in contact with the rear end of the paper in the second paper storage unit, and the paper in the second paper storage unit is collectively stored in the first paper storage unit. Paper transport means for transporting the second paper by the paper transport means when the first paper end sensor detects the absence of paper and the second paper end sensor detects the presence of paper. A sheet feeding device, wherein a sheet in a storage section is transferred to a first sheet storage section. 9. The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the image forming process is temporarily stopped when the first paper end sensor detects that there is no paper during the image forming process, and the second paper end sensor detects that there is a paper. Is detected, the sheet in the second sheet storage section is transferred to the first sheet storage section by the sheet transfer section, and the image forming process is restarted after the transfer is completed. Paper feeder. 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein a pair of side fences for regulating the positions of both side edges of the sheet are provided in the first sheet accommodating portion so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. When the paper in the paper storage unit is transferred to the first paper storage unit, the pair of side fences is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction away from each other from a position that regulates both side edges of the paper. Paper feeder. 11. The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein at least one back fence for regulating a position of a trailing edge of the paper in the first paper storage unit is provided, and the back fence is provided. Wherein when the sheet in the second sheet storage section is transferred to the first sheet storage section, the sheet can be retracted outside the transfer area of the sheet. 12. The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the paper stored in the first paper storage unit is attached to the paper feeding unit via a movable bottom plate. A bottom plate pressurizing means for biasing, and when transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section, the urging of the bottom plate pressurization means toward the paper supply means is released; The first,
A plurality of openings are formed in a movable bottom plate and a bottom portion on which sheets of paper in the second sheet storage section are respectively placed, and rotators are rotatably provided along the respective sheet transfer directions in correspondence with the respective openings. When the bottom plate is lowered, the rotator slightly protrudes from the opening above the upper surface of the bottom plate, and the rotator always protrudes slightly upward from the opening on the second paper storage unit side. A sheet feeding device, characterized in that: 13. The sheet feeding device according to claim 12, wherein
A bottom plate is provided on the second paper storage unit, the lower surface of which contacts the plurality of rotating bodies, and the upper surface is provided with a bottom plate on which the paper in the second paper storage unit is placed. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet in the set is transported to a first sheet storage unit. 14. The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the paper stored in the first paper storage unit is attached to the paper supply unit via a movable bottom plate. A bottom plate pressurizing means for biasing, and when transferring the paper in the second paper storage section to the first paper storage section, the urging of the bottom plate pressurization means toward the paper supply means is released; The first,
A plurality of ribs or beads having substantially the same height of a guide surface protruding toward the surface on which the paper is placed are transferred to the movable bottom plate and the bottom portion on which the paper in the second paper storage unit is placed, respectively. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet feeding device extends along the direction. 15. The paper feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the paper stored in the first paper storage unit is attached to the paper supply unit via a movable bottom plate. A pressurizing bottom plate pressurizing means for releasing the urging of the bottom plate pressurizing means toward the paper supply means when the paper in the second paper storage section is transferred to the first paper storage section. A sheet feeding device, characterized in that: 16. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the driving unit that moves the pressing member rotates forward to rotate the pressing member in the second sheet storage unit. A sheet feeding device, wherein a sheet is moved to a position where the sheet is transferred to the first sheet storage section side, and after the transfer of the sheet is completed, the sheet is rotated in the reverse direction to return the pressing member to the home position and stop.