JPH11301056A - Automatic feeder and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the sticking of a round hole and a first pin and to attach and detach a recording apparatus and a main body without damaging a positioning means and a joining part. SOLUTION: The connector 44 of a printer 101 and an ASF is arranged between a second positioning boss 39e and a pop-up 43a in the vicinity of the second positioning boss 39e remote from the pop-up 43a and the distance between the connector 44 and the second positioning boss 39e is made shorter than that between the pop-up 43a and the second positioning boss 39e to release the joining of a first positioning hole 118a and a first positioning boss 118a prior to that of a second positioning hole 118b and the second positioning boss 39e.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a sheet by itself, detachably mounted on a main body, and feeding the sheet to the recording apparatus mounted on the main body. And an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the miniaturization and personalization of printers, there has been a demand for a high-performance recording apparatus which is easy to use, bulky and portable.

[0003] As described above, in pursuit of miniaturization and personalization of the recording apparatus, the printer main body for performing image recording and the image recording of the printer main body one by one on a plurality of stacked sheets are sequentially performed. Sheet feeding such as an automatic sheet feeder (hereinafter referred to as ASF)
An apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 6-183,582 has been invented in which the ASF is separated from the printer main body.

Further, in an ASF used externally to the printer main body, a drive transmission means such as a gear exposed to the outside of the ASF is exposed to the outside of the printer main body as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-303336. Connected to the drive transmission means, the motor inside the printer body, etc.
It is used as a drive source for a paper feed roller that feeds out sheets one by one.

Further, in an ASF used externally to a printer main body, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-1940085
As shown in the figures, a device incorporating a motor as a driving source of a paper feed roller has been invented. In this case, a control means built in the printer body gives a control signal to a motor inside the ASF through an electric contact provided at a joint with the ASF, and rotates the motor.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a conventional printer main body disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-303336 and an ASF externally attached to the printer main body in a separated state.

[0007] The ASF 1047 has a hook left 1016 and a hook right 1017 which are inserted into the hook fitting holes 1103y and 1103z of the printer 1101. Part 1016c (one not shown)
Is configured to rotate by sliding.

The hook left 1016 and the hook right 1017 inserted into the hook fitting holes 1103y and 1103z are:
The left and right operation units 1016c are indicated by arrows L1016X and L101.
The printer 1101 and the ASF 1047 are engaged and fixed by sliding by sliding in the 7X direction.

Also, hook left 1016 and hook right 1
017, the connection between the ASF 1047 and the printer 1101 is made by a paper path 1056, 1101y and a gear 104 serving as a sheet path between the ASF 1047 and the printer 1101.
7z is also connected at the same time.

Then, the ASF 1047 is transferred to the printer 110.
1, the left and right operation units 1016c are slid in the directions opposite to the arrows L1016X and L1017X, so that the hook left 1016 and the hook right 101 can be removed.
7 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which the ASF 1047 and the printer 1101 are engaged to release the engagement.

[0011]

However, in such an attachment / detachment mechanism between the printer 1101 and the ASF 1047, a connector as a positioning means and a connecting portion is required to convey the sheet from the ASF 1047 to the printer 1101 without jamming the paper. It was necessary to pay attention to the damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a paper feeder and an image forming apparatus which can easily attach and detach a recording apparatus and a main body. And

A second object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus which prevent biting between a round hole and a first pin and prevent breakage of a positioning means and an electric coupling portion. Is to provide.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding apparatus capable of recording an image on a sheet by itself and detachably attached to a main body. Attaching and feeding the sheet to the recording device attached to the main body, wherein the recording device and the main body are combined, and an elongate hole formed in one of the recording device or the main body; A coupling means having a pin formed on the other side of the apparatus or the main body and coupled to the elongated hole, and a coupling release member provided on one of the recording apparatus or the main body and urged in the coupling release direction; An electrical connection portion of the recording apparatus or the main body is disposed on the pin side between the connection release member and the pin.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock device provided on one of the recording device and the main body and coupled to the other of the recording device and the main body, and the recording device by the lock device. After decoupling between the main body and the main body, the decoupling member operates in the decoupling direction, and then operates so that the connection between the elongated hole and the pin is released.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a protrusion is provided on the connection side of the elongated hole and the pin, and after the lock unit releases the connection between the recording apparatus and the main body, the connection release member moves in the connection release direction. Then, the connection between the slot and the pin is released, and the projecting member operates.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a sheet by itself is detachably mounted on a main body, and the sheet is fed to the recording apparatus mounted on the main body. Wherein the recording device and the main body are combined, and a round hole and a long hole formed in one of the recording device or the main body and a round hole and a long hole formed in the other of the recording device or the main body, respectively. First and second combined with
A coupling means provided with a pin and first and second decoupling members provided in the vicinity of the first and second pins and urged in the decoupling direction, wherein the coupling means comprises:
The connection between the round hole and the first pin is released earlier than the connection between the elongated hole and the second pin, and the electrical connection between the recording apparatus and the main body is formed by the second pin. And between the second pin and the first pin.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the distance X1 from the second pin to the electric coupling portion and the distance X1 from the second pin to the first
The ratio to the distance X2 to the uncoupling member is 0.5 or less.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the second uncoupling member is disposed farther away from the electrical coupling portion when viewed from the coupling position between the round hole and the first pin.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and a recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding apparatus. And characterized in that:

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, the electrical connection between the recording apparatus and the main body is disposed between the pin and the uncoupling member rather than the uncoupling member. The connection between the recording apparatus and the main body is released using the connection with the pin as a pivot point.

The electrical connection between the recording device and the main body is
The connection between the round hole and the first pin is released earlier than the connection between the elongated hole and the second pin by disposing the second pin between the first pin and the second pin.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a printer is mounted on an ASF according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the printer is mounted on the ASF, and FIG.
Is a sectional view of the ASF, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing of SF.

1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an ASF, 101
Denotes a printer, and the printer 101 is configured to be detachable from the ASF 1.

Here, the printer 101 is a so-called mobile printer having a battery and being small and portable. In this embodiment, the printer 101 does not have an ASF built therein, and the printer 101 alone has a so-called manual paper feeder. The paper is fed only by using the paper feed. With such a configuration, downsizing, simplification, and cost reduction of the printer 101 alone can be realized, and the printer 101 is optimally configured as a mobile printer. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable even if the printer 101 has a built-in small ASF.

The small, portable printer 101 can be used, for example, outdoors, in a car, or at a destination office when a salesman goes to a destination. In such a situation, the number of recordings required is relatively small, and as described above, only manual feed or a simple built-in ASF with a small capacity is sufficient. However, when this printer 101 is used in one's office, There is a need to print a wide variety of recording papers in relatively large quantities.

For such needs, the ASF 1 separated from the printer 101 is very suitable. That is, ASF
Reference numeral 1 denotes a so-called desktop type which is always placed on an office desk.
By attaching the printer 101 to the SF 1, the printer 101 can have the characteristics of a desktop printer. In addition, AS
F1 is capable of automatically feeding various types of recording media ranging from plain paper to postcards, envelopes, plastic films and cloths by a configuration described later.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a very high value-added printer is provided in which a very small mobile printer can be used as a high-performance desktop printer by attaching it to the ASF according to the present invention by itself. can do. At this time, the ASF 1 also functions as a storage place when the printer 101 is not used as a single printer, and has a role of a so-called docking station in which an automatic paper feed function is added when the printer 101 is stored.

Here, the ASF 1 according to the present invention can stably stand alone as the ASF when the printer 101 is not mounted.
Can be separated. Thus, the user can enter the operation standby state as a desktop printer simply by attaching the separated printer 101 to the self-standing ASF 1. This means that it functions as an extremely convenient docking station for the user.

When the printer 101 is to be used for mobile and desktop as described above, AS
It is important that the operation of mounting and separating the F1 and the printer 101 can be performed extremely easily. This is because it is very troublesome for a user who detaches and carries the printer 101 from the ASF 1 every day and returns and combines the printer 101 with the ASF 1 if the mounting and separating operations are complicated or time-consuming.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an opening 1A is provided on the front surface of the ASF 1,
The opening 1 </ b> A is a storage section of the printer 101. The sheet passage path in the printer 101 is a substantially horizontal so-called horizontal path.
The sheet feeding side of the ASF1 is moved substantially horizontally toward the ASF1 and is pushed into the front opening 1A of the ASF1 to form a paper path as described later.

That is, in the present embodiment, the printer 101 in the horizontal path is pushed into the ASF 1 substantially horizontally and mounted. Then, the printer 101 is almost horizontally
Is pressed, the printer 101 is automatically fixed to the ASF 1 (both methods of fixing the printer 101 to the ASF 1 will be described later in detail). Also, A
When the printer 101 is separated from the SF 1, the user only pushes the push lever 40 provided on the upper surface of the ASF.
01 is released from the ASF1, and the printer 101 is pushed forward of the ASF1.

With this configuration, the user can mount and separate the printer 101 and the ASF 1 very easily, and can selectively use the mobile and desktop printers.

Here, in this embodiment, a table portion 45c is provided on the front surface of the ASF 1 in order to make the mounting and separating work simple and easy. When attaching the printer 101 to the ASF 1, first, the printer 101
Is placed on the table 45c. At this time, the user
Hold the upper and lower surfaces of the printer 101 near the center on the near side (discharge side) with one hand, and place the printer 10 on the table 45c.
1 is placed so that the back side (paper feed side) can be gently attached (you may hold both sides of the printer 101 with both hands).

Next, when the printer 101 placed on the table portion 45c is pushed in by hand as it is, the both sides of the printer 101 are attached to the printer side guide portions 45a provided on both side ends of the table portion 45c. Is guided to a positioning boss described later, and is fitted and positioned in a positioning hole of the printer 101 described later. At this time, the printer 101 is merely pushed into the center of the table portion 45c and pushed in, and unnecessary alignment and the like are unnecessary.

The table 45c has a printer sliding portion 45b on which the back surface of the printer slides when the printer 101 is pushed into both sides. In addition, a plurality of rubber feet (not shown) are provided on the back surface of the printer 101 to prevent the printer 101 from being easily moved by an external force when the printer alone is used on a desk or the like.

However, when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1, when the rubber feet come into contact with the table 45c, the user pushes the printer 101 by hand and the operation becomes very difficult. The printer sliding portion 45b is set so as not to contact the table portion.
The portion between is a step having a depth greater than the height of the rubber feet.

On the other hand, an eave portion 47a is formed in the ASF upper case 47 almost in parallel with the table portion 45c.
The eave portion 47a forms a pocket portion that holds the printer 101 together with the table portion 45c.
The pocket formed in this way allows the printer 101
The direction in which the printer 10 is pushed substantially parallel to the SF 1 is shown to the user in a shape, and the user can only press the printer 10 in this direction.
No one can be pushed.

This direction is determined by a printer 101 described later.
The connection direction of the connector as a coupling portion for electrically connecting the ASF1 and the ASF1 coincides with each other, and the connection of the connector is performed during the operation of pushing and setting the printer 101 into the ASF1. . With this configuration, the operability is improved without requiring a separate operation for connecting the connectors, and the connector is prevented from being damaged due to abnormal interference between the connectors caused by being pushed from different directions.

Further, the eave portion 47a is provided with an ASF1
After the printer 101 is mounted, the printer 10
When the front (paper discharge side) of the printer 1 receives an upward force, the printer 1
01 prevents the mounting portion from being damaged or released from being mounted on the ASF 1.

In this embodiment, the eaves 47a have the largest overhangs on both sides, and the eaves 47b are located at the center. By providing such an eaves recess 47b, the printer 10
It is possible to prevent the operation unit such as a power switch provided on the upper surface of the first unit from being covered. The clearance between the eaves portion 47a and the upper surface of the printer is 0.5 mm or more.
When it is about 2 mm, it is sufficiently effective in preventing the above-mentioned tilt. If this clearance is too large, the desired effect cannot be obtained.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
1 is the length in the depth direction L1, the length of the table portion 45c in the depth direction is L2, and the length of the eave portion 47a in the depth direction is L.
Assuming that 3, the following relationship is established in the present embodiment.

L1 / 2 ≦ L2 ≦ L1−15 mm Then, by making the length L2 in the depth direction of the table portion 45c larger than the half L1 / 2 of the length L1 in the printer depth direction, the printer 101 moves to the ASF1. When mounted, a stable state can be ensured. Here, it is sufficient that this relationship is established in a part of the table section 45c, and it is not necessary that the entire table section 45c be established.

In the relationship of L1 / 2 ≧ L2, the printer 101 protrudes largely from the ASF 1 in the mounted state, and the whole rear is lifted when an external force is applied downward to the protruding portion. And become very unstable.

On the other hand, the length L2 of the table portion 45c in the depth direction is set to 15 m from the length L1 of the printer 101 in the depth direction.
By making it smaller by m or more, it is possible to secure a space where the user's finger can enter in the lower part of the lower side of the printer 101. Accordingly, the user can operate the upper and lower surfaces of the printer 101 with one hand when mounting and separating the printer 101. (Of course with both hands).
It should be noted that this is not limited to the entire area in the width direction of the table portion 45c, but may have only a concave portion that satisfies this condition, for example, near the center or on both sides.

Further, since there is a space in the lower front part of the printer 101, a design that does not visually sense the size in the height direction becomes possible. Further, it is desirable that the thickness (length in the height direction) of the table portion 45c be about 10 mm or more, because the user's finger can enter under the printer 101.

Further, in the present embodiment, the following relationship also holds.

L1 / 4≤L3≤L1 / 2 Here, if the length L3 in the depth direction of the eave portion 47a is not less than 1/4 of the length L1 in the depth direction of the printer 101, the printer 101 is tilted upward. It was found that the effect of limiting the pushing direction of the printer 101 was sufficient. Further, the length L3 in the depth direction of the eave portion 47a.
When the length exceeds half the length L1 of the printer 101 in the depth direction, the pushing amount at the time of mounting with respect to the depth of the printer 101 is too large, which impairs the operational feeling.

Further, the eaves portion 47a, which is visually large, makes the whole device look large, giving a feeling of oppression to the user, and causes other problems. Further, it may interfere with the operation on the upper surface of the printer 101, and it has been found that it is most desirable that the length L3 in the depth direction of the eaves portion 47a is not more than の of the depth of the printer 101. In addition, with this amount of overhang, the strength of the overhanging eave portion 47a can be sufficiently maintained, and the device can have a sufficient robustness.

Then, under such conditions, the table unit 45
By configuring the c and the eave portion 47a, it is possible to provide a mode in which the operability is extremely good and the effects such as limiting the pushing direction and preventing the tilt of the printer 101 are sufficiently exhibited.

The table 45c and the eaves 47a
A large opening is formed in the side surface between the printer side guide portion 45a and the height of the printer side guide portion 45a only needs to be equal to or greater than the clearance between the eaves portion 47a and the upper surface of the printer. If a power cord, an interface connector, or a light transmitting / receiving unit for infrared communication is provided on the side surface of the printer 101, there is no interference with this. That is, the printer 101 can be attached to the ASF 1 even when the power cord and the interface connector are attached to the printer 101, and can be separated as they are.

Next, a connector cover of a connector portion for making an electrical connection between the printer 101 and the ASF 1 will be described.

In particular, when the printer 101 is used for a long period of time with the printer 101 separated from the ASF 1, the connectors are provided individually and are kept unconnected. In such a case, dust or dust may enter the connector portion, or excessive static electricity may travel through the connector to destroy an internal electric circuit.

In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, each connector is provided with a connector cover for protecting the connector. Each of the connector covers exists as a single item, and is detached when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1. In a micro printer such as a mobile printer, the space is extremely limited, so the cost is extremely low, and a removable connector cover that requires the least space is optimal.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 101 has a printer connector 117 above a surface facing the ASF 1 of the printer 101 when the printer 101 is mounted. Tray 11
6 is opened, and the printer connector cover 119 is detached from the printer connector 117 as the recording side connector. In addition, similarly, the ASF side, for example,
The ASF connector cover 59 attached to the ASF connector 44 as the feeding-side connector shown in FIG.

At the time of connector connection, the two connector covers 59 and 119 removed as shown in FIG. 4 are connected to the connector cover storage portions 45d and 45e of the table 45c.
(See FIG. 2). Here, the storage portions 45d and 45e utilize the thickness of the table portion 45c and are provided therein with protrusions of the same dimensions as the connector. The connector cover storage portions 45d are provided while the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF1. , 45e, the connector covers 59, 119 can be prevented from being lost.

The connector cover storage 45d,
45e is ASF if you just store it
1 or any part of the printer 101, but the connector cover housing 4
By providing 5d and 45e on the table unit, when the printer is mounted, it is stored between the ASF 1 and the printer 101, so that there is no danger of falling off.

Further, when the printer 101 is separated, the connector covers 59 and 119 appear again, so that the operation of attaching the connector covers 59 and 119 to the connectors 117 and 44 is called out, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to attach. Here, the connector cover storage parts 45d, 45
e can be provided for each of the plurality of connector covers. In the present embodiment relating to the connector cover, the present invention is applicable even if the printer 101 and the ASF 1 are, for example, related to a notebook computer and a station.

Next, a brief description will be given of the path along which a sheet to be recorded is fed and recorded when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1 (details will be described later). .

FIG. 4 shows a cross section in a state where the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1. In FIG.
Reference numeral 26 denotes a pressure plate for setting a sheet to be illustrated after a predetermined number of sheets. One end of the pressure plate 26 is rotatably supported by the ASF chassis 11.
Thus, it is urged clockwise in a predetermined pressure toward the pickup rubber 23 wound around the pickup roller 19.

When the sheet is set, the pressure plate 26 is displaced and held in a direction away from the pickup rubber 23 by a cam shown later. At this time, a predetermined clearance is maintained between the pickup rubber 23 and the pressure plate 26, and the sheet is inserted and set in the clearance.

The leading end of the sheet hits a plastic film-like bank sheet 37 provided on the bank 36, and the leading end is positioned. Most of the sheet in the rear end direction is supported by the ASF paper feed tray 2. Here, the ASF paper feed tray 2 is rotatably supported at one end by the ASF upper case 47, and is held at a predetermined angle when supporting a sheet.

When the ASF 1 receives a paper feed command from the printer 101, the pickup roller 19 starts rotating clockwise, and at the same time, the cam releases the holding of the pressure plate 26. As a result, the pressure plate 26 presses the sheet against the pickup rubber 23, the sheet starts moving due to the surface friction of the pickup rubber 23, and is separated only by the bank sheet 37, and is formed by the bank 36 and the positioning base 39. The sheet is conveyed along the ASF sheet path 58 (see FIG. 3).

Thereafter, the sheet is transferred to the ASF sheet discharge section 56.
3 (see FIG. 3), it is composed of the platen 105 inside the printer and the lower surface of the battery 107, and is passed by the printer 101 alone to a sheet path called a manual feed slot.

Then, the paper end sensor 108 is
By detecting the sheet conveyed along this sheet path, the printer 101 recognizes that the sheet has been conveyed from the ASF 1, and the leading end of the sheet is applied to the pressure contact portion between the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110. . When the ASF 1 receives the information of the paper end sensor 108 from the printer 101, it sends a response signal indicating the end of paper feeding to the printer at a predetermined timing.

At this time, the sheet is pressed with a predetermined pressure due to the waist of the sheet between the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110, and the so-called registration at the leading end of the sheet is performed. Then, in this state, the printer 101 that has received the response signal indicating the end of sheet feeding from the ASF 1 rotates the LF roller 109 at a predetermined timing and sends the sheet to the recording unit having the head 115. As a result, a predetermined feed for the sheet is performed, and the head 11
5, the recording on the sheet surface is performed. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed between the paper discharge roller 112 and the spur 111 and discharged.

In this embodiment, the printer 1
When 01 is mounted on the ASF 1, the paper path as described above is configured, but the paper path of the printer 101 and the mounting direction of the connectors 44 and 117 are configured to be substantially parallel.

When a sheet is delivered from the ASF 1 to the printer 101 and a sheet is clogged in any part when a sheet common to both the ASF 1 and the printer 101 exists, the printer 101 is removed from the ASF 1. Need to be separated. The fact that the paper path and the connector connection direction are substantially parallel means that both can be separated in such a situation.

If the paper path and the connector connection direction are perpendicular to each other, when the printer 101 is separated in the connector connection direction, the sheet must be moved in the thickness direction. There is a possibility that the sheet may be torn or the torn sheet may remain in the apparatus. Furthermore, in the case of a thick sheet or the like that is difficult to tear, it may not be possible to separate the printer 101.

However, in this embodiment, since the paper path and the connector connection direction are configured to be substantially parallel, the printer 101 can be moved in the direction in which the sheet exits when the sheet is clogged, so that the printer 101 can be separated. That is, the processing at the time is extremely simple, and the sheet is not broken or the sheet remains in the apparatus.

Next, the reference position in the width direction of the sheet in the above-described paper path will be described.

First, the reference in the sheet width direction of the printer 101 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the printer 10
1 is provided with a rotatable paper feed tray 116 having one end pivotally supported at a predetermined position. Here, this paper feed tray 11
Numeral 6 stabilizes the operation of manually feeding sheets when the printer 101 is used alone.

When the sheet feeding tray 116 is opened, the sheet feeding port 101A is opened, and a reference guide 116 vertically provided at one end of the sheet feeding tray 116 is provided.
a appears, and when inserting a sheet, the reference guide 11
Insert along 6a. In the present embodiment, the reference in the width direction of the sheet is the reference guide 116a, and positioning in the width direction is performed by inserting the sheet while abutting the sheet side end. Further, inside the printer according to the present embodiment, a similar guide (not shown) is provided at the same position in the sheet width direction.
Along with 16a, the sheet is positioned in the width direction.

Here, the longer the guide is in the sheet conveying direction, the more stable the direction of the sheet is. Therefore, the use of the reference guide 116a provided on the sheet feed tray 116 stabilizes the positioning of the sheet in the width direction. It also prevents skew. However, the reference guide 1 provided on the movable paper feed tray 116 without the reference guide inside the printer is provided.
It is also possible to guide the sheet with only 16a.

As described above, especially in a very small mobile printer, the paper feed port for manual paper feed and the AS
Because it is extremely difficult to have separate paper feed ports from F and separate sheet guides due to space and other issues, it is necessary to feed paper from each common paper feed port.

For this reason, when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF1, it is necessary to use the reference guide 116a, which is the sheet reference for manual sheet feeding, also when feeding from the ASF1, but the sheet is automatically fed from the ASF1. It is difficult to feed the sheet along the reference guide 116a (side contact). Because the ASF 1 does the same thing that the user adjusts the sheet side edge along the reference guide 116a while adjusting by hand, the printer 101
This is because the sheet standard of ASF1 must be completely matched with that of ASF1.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the ASF1 sheet reference is the ASF sheet reference 2 provided on the pressure plate 26.
6b, the sheet is fed at a predetermined position by moving the sheet side end along the sheet side. However, since this position and the position of the reference guide 116a have many tolerances due to the configuration, it is extremely difficult to match them, and very high cost and a complicated mechanism are required to realize them.

However, if the sheet reference does not match, the sheet side end portion interferes with the reference guide 116a, and the sheet is skewed, the sheet side end portion is damaged, or the sheet front end is moved to the reference guide 116a. Or clash with the sheet.

Therefore, for example, when the reference guide 116a is provided only relatively upstream of the manual paper feed portion of the printer 101, that is, when the movable paper feed tray 116 is opened as shown in FIG. Standard guide 116 to appear
When the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1, the sheet passes over the reference guide 116a when the reference in the width direction of the sheet is determined only by a and there is no member that restricts the position in the width direction of the sheet at a position downstream of the reference. By setting the paper path as described above, only the sheet positioning based on the sheet reference 26b of the ASF1 becomes effective, and the printer 10
Interference with one sheet reference can be avoided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet feed tray 116 is open in the printer alone, that is, the sheet guide surface of the sheet feed tray 116 is almost horizontal when manual feeding is performed. As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1,
By rotating and retracting the paper path 16 further downward from the position of the printer alone, the paper path becomes a paper path closer to that for manual sheet feeding.

The ASF side has a reference guide storage section 36b which is a space for storing the paper feed tray 116 rotated to a predetermined position. When the printer 101 is pushed into the ASF 1, the reference guide 11
6a is guided by a reference guide guide portion 36c forming a reference guide storage portion 36b, and a reference guide 116a is provided.
Are stored in the reference guide storage section 36b.

In this way, the reference guide 1
It is possible to reduce the amount of movement of the ASF1 paper path with respect to the paper path at the time of manual feeding, which is necessary to avoid interference between the paper path 16a and the paper path, and to prevent problems due to unnatural paper paths (such as back tension on sheets). it can.

In the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 116 on the printer side has a right end guide 122 for guiding the other end of the sheet on the reference side as shown in FIG. Here, the right end guide 122 is connected to the sheet feeding tray 11.
6 is provided so as to be slidable in the sheet width direction, and guides the side end of the sheet opposite to the reference side according to the sheet width.

The shape of the right end guide 122 as viewed from the sheet thickness direction in the paper path is the reference guide 116a.
And the right end guide 122
When the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1, the paper feed tray 116 and the reference guide 116a are stored together with the reference guide storage portion 36b. The right end guide 122 can be moved to an arbitrary position within a predetermined range with respect to the paper feed tray 116, but can be stored in the reference guide storage portion 36b regardless of where the right end guide 122 is located within the predetermined range. .

Then, as described above, the printer 101
By setting the paper path at a position avoiding the reference guide 116a and the right end guide 122 when the printer is mounted on the F1, it is possible to invalidate the sheet reference on the printer main body side and enable only the sheet reference on the ASF side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being complicated and the cost from being increased by matching both sheet standards.

Further, the sheet fed from the ASF 1 is used as the sheet reference 116a and the right end guide 1 of the printer main body.
It is possible to prevent the sheet from skewing, interfering with the sheet 22, damaging the sheet side end, and colliding with the sheet reference 116 a and the right end guide 122 to generate a sheet jam.

On the other hand, the reference guide 116 is also provided inside the printer.
a) has a reference guide section at the same position in the sheet width direction, and if the sheet guide length is long and the sheet positioning is stable, use a paper path that avoids all the reference guides. Difficult to set.

Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheet reference guide 116a on the printer side and the sheet reference 26b on the ASF side are set at positions shifted in advance. That is,
The inside of the printer-side sheet reference 116a, that is, the head 11
5, the sheet reference 26b on the ASF side is shifted by t to the recording position side, which is the side orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction by A5.
Is set so that the sheet does not interfere with the sheet reference 116a on the printer side when the sheet is fed from the ASF1.

Here, the amount t of shifting the sheet reference is equal to or larger than the positioning tolerance in the sheet width direction between the printer 101 and the ASF 1, and is determined in consideration of the case where the sheet is fed obliquely from the ASF 1. . In the present embodiment, the amount t of shifting the sheet reference is 0.6 mm.
About.

In this case, since the sheet reference is shifted between when printing is performed by the printer alone and when printing is performed with the ASF mounted, the head 1 is located at the same position in both cases.
When the recording is performed by using No. 15, the distance in the sheet width direction from the sheet side end to the position where the recording is performed differs between the two.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recording position is shifted by the same amount t as the sheet reference position is shifted between the printer alone and the ASF mounted state. For example, in the present embodiment, since the printer 101 and the ASF1 are electrically connected by the connectors 44 and 117 as connecting portions, the printer 101 electrically detects the mounting / non-mounting of the ASF1, and according to the detection result, The above-described determination of shifting the recording position (the position of the head 115) can be made.
In addition to this method of determining by electrical connection, A
An SF detection switch or the like may be provided.

Thus, it is possible to eliminate the interference of the reference guide by shifting the sheet reference in both the printer alone and the ASF mounted state, and to make the recording position on the sheet the same. Therefore, a defect due to a difference in the recording position between the two recordings (for example, a difference in the recording position on the preprint paper) is eliminated. Here, both the sheet reference shift amount and the recording position shift amount may not be exactly the same amount, but may be set to different values within an allowable range.

Next, the ASF paper feed tray 2 for supporting the stacked sheets will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ASF paper feed tray 2 has one end supported by the ASF upper case 47. The ASF paper feed tray 2 is rotatable about this support portion. I have. The ASF paper feed tray 2 is opened at a predetermined angle when sheets are stacked, and can be closed as shown in FIG. 8 when no sheets are stacked.

Note that this is the same as the AS according to the present embodiment.
F1 is not for using the portable printer 101 as a desktop type, but the printer 10
It shows that the device is very compact even when the device 1 is mounted, and can be carried in that condition.

In order to realize such a usage pattern, when the ASF paper feed tray 2 is closed, it is necessary to close the ASF 1 as much as possible along the outer shape of the ASF 1 with the printer mounted. For this purpose, the ASF paper feed tray 2 has a thin plate shape.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the paper feed tray 2 is closed, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation portion of the printer 101 is covered and concealed, so that the paper feed tray 2 is closed and the printer 101 is mounted. When carrying the ASF 1 in the state, the operation unit is carelessly touched to eliminate the possibility that the printer 101 operates. Further, when the paper feed tray 2 is closed and is engaged with the ASF upper case 47 at an arbitrary portion, it is desirable that the paper feed tray 2 does not open carelessly when carrying.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
1, when the envelope is fed in the vertical direction, the tab of the envelope is usually on the left side in many cases. In the ASF1 of the present embodiment, the tab side (left side) of the envelope at the time of feeding is caused by swelling of the envelope tab due to moisture or the like. Receive strong resistance. As a result, the envelope receives a force that rotates clockwise.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent the envelope from rotating clockwise, an ASF paper feed tray side guide 2a (hereinafter referred to as a side guide) is provided upstream of the ASF paper feed tray 2 in the paper feed direction. ). As a result, when the envelope is set vertically in the ASF 1, the right side of the rear end of the envelope is along the side guide portion 2a and does not further rotate clockwise.

By the way, in the case of envelope longitudinal feeding, the resistance of the tab is received particularly at the timing of sending the envelope. this is,
In the present embodiment, the time when the envelope crosses the bank sheet 37 and the time when the envelope tip is lifted along the slope of the bank 36 immediately after the envelope. When the timing is exceeded, the influence of the resistance of the envelope tab is reduced, and the clockwise rotation does not occur without the side guide portion 2a.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the side guide portion 2a is provided at a part near the rear end of the envelope to prevent the envelope from rotating clockwise, and the side guide is not provided over the entire area in the vertical direction of the envelope. Note that this side guide portion 2a
When the ASF paper feed tray 2 is closed, the ASF paper feed tray 2 is closed by the step formed between the ASF upper case 47 and the printer 101 (see FIG. 8). When the side guide portion 2a does not interfere with other portions,
It can be stored along the outer shape and does not impair portability.

Further, if the height of the side guide portion 2a is not less than the thickness when sheets such as envelopes are stacked, the effect can be exerted, and the height difference between the stacked thickness and the ASF upper case 47 and the printer 101 can be reduced. It may be provided between them.

Further, the present embodiment has the effect of preventing clockwise rotation in the envelope longitudinal feed. However, not only the envelope longitudinal feed but also other sheet feeds having the length of the envelope may be caused by some cause. When clockwise rotation occurs, this can be prevented. Also, the side guide portion 2a
Is formed integrally with the ASF paper feed tray 2, so that a very inexpensive one can be provided. In addition,
When the side guide portion 2a is closed, the side guide portion 2a may be housed in a recess provided in the printer 101 or the ASF 1 instead of the step portion.

Next, the printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the ASF 1 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of parts related to the printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the ASF 1, and FIG. 12 is a view showing an arrangement of parts relating to attaching / detaching the printer 101 to / from the ASF 1.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 39 denotes a positioning base. The positioning base 39 is a member for positioning the paper path between the ASF 1 and the printer and for positioning the connection between the ASF connector 44 of the ASF 1 and the printer connector 117.

The positioning base 39 has a first
And two positioning bosses 39d and 39e as second pins.
When the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1, the ASF connector 44 and the printer connector 117 are provided.
Before the first positioning boss 3d is connected to the first positioning hole (round hole) 118a provided in the substrate holder 118 of the printer 101 shown in FIG.
9e is fitted and positioned in the second positioning long hole (long hole) 118b. The first and second positioning bosses 39d and 39e, and the first and second positioning holes 1 fitted into the first and second positioning bosses 39d and 39e.
A positioning means is constituted by 18a and 118b.

The connectors are connected to each other by the first and second connectors.
Since the positioning is performed after the positioning bosses 39d, 39e are fitted to the first and second positioning holes 118a, 118b, the connectors can be prevented from being damaged due to positional displacement between the connectors. ASF1 and printer 101
Since the positioning in the x and z directions is performed by fitting the bosses 39d and 39e, the paper path between the printer 101 and the ASF 1 is simultaneously positioned.

On the other hand, in order to perform positioning in the y direction with respect to the printer 101 after being mounted on the ASF 1, the ASF 1
A hook left 16 and a hook right 17 are provided in the printer sliding portion 45b so as to be freely retractable. In the printer, a hook fitting hole 1 for fitting with the two hooks 16 and 17 is provided.
Reference numerals 03y and 103z are provided on both sides of the base 103 of the printer 101. The hooks 16, 17 and the hook fitting holes 103y, 1
03z constitutes a lock unit between the ASF 1 and the printer 101.

When the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF 1, a hook fitting hole 1 provided in the printer 101 is provided.
Hook left provided on ASF1 at 03y, 103z
6, the right hook 17 is fitted, and the printer 101 is positioned in the y direction.

When the user sets the printer 101 to ASF1
When the push lever 40 is to be removed, the push lever 40 is pushed in the direction of arrow 40A. That is, when the push lever 40 is pushed, the hook left 16 and the hook right 17 protruding from the printer sliding portion 45b are retracted in the direction of the arrow 40A, and the hook fitting holes 103y and 103z of the printer 101 are provided.
Is released.

Thereafter, the first ASF1
And pop-ups 43a, 43 as second uncoupling members
3b pushes the paper discharge side upper portion 102a of the printer 101 in the 43A direction (y direction) so that the connector 4
The connection of 4,117 is released. The pop-ups 43a and 43b are formed by an elastic member (not shown).
It is urged in the (y direction) direction and is configured to be slidable in the y direction.

Here, the urging force of the pop-ups 43a and 43b acts as a reaction force when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF1, so that if the urging force is strong, the printer 101 cannot be pushed into the ASF1 and cannot be mounted. Therefore, the biasing force is set to an appropriate biasing force (for example, when the printer 101 is mounted on the ASF1, the ASF1 does not move due to the biasing force).

Incidentally, there is a case where the pulling force between the connectors exceeds the urging force of the pop-ups 43a and 43b. In this case, the connection between the connectors is not released only by the pop-ups 43a and 43b. For this reason, in the present embodiment, by pushing the push lever 40 in the direction of the arrow 40A, the projecting portion 40b, which is the projecting member of the push lever 40, projects in the y direction.

Then, by pushing the projecting portion 40b of the push lever 40 and pushing the lower (or central) portion 102b on the paper discharge side of the printer 101, the connection between the connectors (44, 117) is released. . Thus, the user can easily pull out the printer 101 from the ASF 1 in the y direction. Note that the first and second positioning bosses 39d and 39e, the first and second positioning holes 118a and 118b, and the pop-ups 43a and 43b constitute coupling means.

Next, the attachment / detachment mechanism between the ASF 1 and the printer 101 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of mechanical components related to the attachment / detachment of the printer to / from the ASF 1. The push lever 40 is rotatable about a lever shaft 42 fixed to the positioning base 39 as shown in FIG. (Arrow 40A,
40B and arrow 40C). Also,
The push lever 40 and the chassis 11 of the ASF 1 are connected by a push lever spring 7.

Further, the push lever 40 has a boss 40c as a rotation stopper, and the positioning base 39 has slide surfaces 39a, 39b, 39c which abut against the boss 40c.
Is provided. Here, the slide surfaces 39a, 39b,
39c is indicated by a two-dot chain line for easy understanding of the configuration. With this configuration, the rotation of the push lever 40 about the lever shaft 42 as the rotation center is performed by the push lever 4.
The 0 boss 40c is regulated by abutting on the guide surface 39a.

The hook left 16 is fixed to a hook shaft 18 rotatably attached to the chassis 11 together with the hook right 17.
The hook right 17 is configured to be interlocked. Note that a connecting spring 9 is interposed between the hook left 16 and the push lever 40.
As a result, the lower end portion 40d of the push lever 40 and the upper surface of the left hook 16 are always kept in contact with each other.

Further, a hook spring 3 is interposed between the hook left 16 and the ASF base, and the hook 16 causes the hook 16a of the hook left 16 to protrude from the printer sliding portion 45b of the ASF base 45. Will be retained.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the printer 101 is mounted on the printer sliding portion 45b in order to mount the printer 101 on the ASF1. In FIG. 2, the printer 101 is shown by a two-dot chain line in order to easily explain the mechanism. Also, the printer 101
Is shown in a cross-sectional shape.

When the printer 101 is moved in the direction of arrow A along the printer sliding portion 45b of the ASF base 45 and pushed into the ASF 1, first, the hook left 16
Claw 16a of the printer 101 comes into contact with the base end 103w of the printer 101. Further, when the printer 101 is further pushed in, the hook left 16 is pushed down in the direction of arrow 16A about the hook shaft 18 as a rotation axis, and the upper end 16a2 of the claw portion 16a abuts on the bottom surface 103x of the base 103. At the same time, the push lever 40 is linked with the hook left 16 by the connecting spring 9 and therefore descends in the direction of the arrow 40A.

Here, in this pushed-in position, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning bosses 39d and 39e are in engagement with the positioning holes 118a (see FIG. 12) and the positioning long holes 118b (see FIG. 12) of the printer 101, and
F connector 44 (see FIG. 13) and printer connector 11
7 (see FIG. 12) before the connector is positioned.

After that, when the printer 101 is further pressed, the ASF connector 44 and the connector 117 are connected. Then, the hook fitting hole 103y of the printer 101
When the hook 16a of the hook left 16 reaches the hook 16, the hook left 16 rises in the direction of the arrow 16B by the urging force of the hook spring 3 as shown in FIG. Are brought into contact with each other.

At the same time, the push lever 40 is also interlocked and rises in the direction 40B. Thus, the user can confirm that the printer 101 is mounted (fixed) on the ASF 1.

Since the hook left 16 and the hook right 17 are fixed to the hook shaft 18, both hooks 1
6 and 17 are both hook fitting holes 103 of the printer 101.
The push lever 40 does not rise in the direction 40B unless it enters y, 103z (see FIG. 12). Therefore, for example, a mounting failure in which the printer 101 is mounted obliquely with respect to the ASF 1 and one hook is not fitted in the hook fixing hole of the printer 101 is prevented by the user confirming the height position of the push lever 40. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the fitting position between the hooks 16 and 17 and the printer 101 is determined by the hook 1.
The rotation center is set at the same position as the rotation centers of the rotation axes 6 and 17, or at a position slightly higher than the rotation center position. As a result, when the printer 101 is forcibly removed from the ASF 1,
The hooks 16 and 17 are at the positions where the forces are balanced, that is, the hook 1
Because it stops at the same height position as the rotation center height of 6, 17
The printer 101 does not come off the SF1.

Next, a case where the printer 101 is detached from the ASF 1 will be described.

When the user wants to remove the printer 101 from the ASF 1, as shown in FIG.
An operation of pressing the 0 push section 40a with a finger in the direction of arrow 40A is performed. At this time, the push lever 40 is
0c is a guide surface 39 provided on the positioning base 39.
Since the guide shaft 39a is interposed between the lever shaft 42a and the guide surface 39a, it cannot rotate around the lever shaft 42 until the guide surface 39a disappears, and descends in the direction of the arrow 40A.

The push lever 40 and the hook left 16
Are interlocked with each other, and simultaneously with the lowering of the push lever 40, the hook left 16
As a result, the fitting between the hook fitting hole 103y of the printer 101 and the claw portion 16a of the hook left 16 is released as shown in FIG. At the same time, although not shown, the fitting between the hook fitting hole 103z and the right hook 17 is released.

When the engagement of the claw portion 16a is released, the upper portion 102a of the printer 101 on the discharge side of the printer 101 is pressed by the pop-up 43 indicated by a broken line in FIGS. It is extruded in the B direction. At the same time, the connection between the ASF connector 44 and the printer connector 117 is released.

Here, if the user releases the pressing of the push lever 40 in the direction 40A in this state, the state becomes as shown in FIG. That is, the connectors 44 and 117
Is released, and the hook 16 and the printer 101 are also disengaged from each other.
Printer 101 can be removed from the printer.

Incidentally, as described above, the pop-up 4
If the pulling force between the connectors exceeds the pushing force of No. 3, the printer 101 does not move even when the hook 16 and the printer 101 are disengaged, so that the state shown in FIG. The user can access the printer 1 from ASF1.
01 cannot be removed.

Therefore, the present embodiment has a configuration in which the push-out function by the user is added as described above.

FIG. 17 shows the hook 16 and the printer 1
This shows a state in which the printer 101 does not move even when the fitting of No. 01 is released. At this time, the hook left 16 is at the position where the fitting is released from the hook fitting hole 103y, and the boss 40c of the push lever 40 is in a state where the regulation of the movement direction by the guide surface 39b of the positioning base 39 is released. .

The push lever 40 is in a state in which the lever shaft 42 is pressed against the upper end surface of the slide hole 40e of the push lever 40, thereby restricting the hook left 16 from being pushed down. Further, since the contact surface 40e of the push lever 40 with the hook left 16 has an arc shape with the lever shaft 42 as the center of rotation, the position of the hook left 16 does not change even if the push lever 40 rotates. Has become.

In this state, if the user continues to push the push section 40a of the push lever 40,
Rotates about the lever shaft 42 in the 40D direction. When the push lever 40 rotates in this manner, the protrusion 40 b of the push lever 40 contacts the lower discharge side 102 b of the printer 101 in a state where the hook left 16 and the printer 101 are disengaged from each other. As a result, the printer 101 is pushed out in the direction of arrow B.

When the push lever 40 is continuously pressed thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the contact surface 40e of the push lever 40 abuts against the stopper portion 39d of the positioning base 39, and the push lever 40 rotates at this position. Is regulated. Here, the pushing amount of the printer 101 by the push lever 40 is set to an amount by which the engagement between the hook left 16 and the printer 101 and the connector connection are released.

On the other hand, after the printer 101 is pushed out in this manner, the user presses the push portion 40 of the push lever 40.
Release the pressing of a. When the pushing force is released in this way, the hook spring 3 causes the hook 16 to move to the left.
Rises in the direction of arrow 16B. At the same time, the push lever 40 is also pushed up by the hook left 16,
The boss 40c of the push lever 40 is
9 comes into contact with the guide surface 39c, and thereafter the push lever 4
The push lever 40 rotates in the direction of the arrow 40E by the pulling force of the zero spring 7.

The boss 40 of the push lever 40
When “c” abuts on the guide surface 39 a of the positioning base 39, the rotation of the push lever 40 is restricted, and the push lever 40 is raised in the direction of the arrow 40 </ b> B by the spring force of the hook spring 3.

As a result, the connection of the connector as shown in FIG. 15 is finally released, and the fitting of the left hook 16 and the printer 101 is released, so that the user can easily remove the printer 101 from the ASF 1. be able to.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the printer 101 is detached from the ASF 1,
Since the push lever 40 is pushed in a substantially vertical direction, AS
A vertical force acts on F itself. For this reason, when the printer 101 is pushed out in a substantially horizontal direction, the ASF 1 is configured not to shift. In addition, since the printer 101 is pushed out in a substantially horizontal direction, the removal failure does not occur due to the printer 101 moving in the mounting direction again by its own weight.

FIG. 19 shows the push lever 40, pop-ups 43a and 43b,
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship of positioning bosses 39d and 39e, hook left 16, hook right 17, and ASF connector 44. FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper surface of ASF1.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the positioning bosses 39d and 39e and the hooks 16 and 17 of the ASF 1 are provided near both ends of the printer 101 in the width direction.
The ASF connector 44 has two positioning bosses 39.
e, 39d, and is disposed near the second positioning boss 39e. Further, the push lever 40 and the second pop-up 43b are arranged at positions farther than the ASF connector 44 when viewed from the first positioning boss 39d.

When the printer 101 is to be detached from the ASF 1 in such a configuration, the push lever 40 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 40A as described above, and the hooks 16 and 17 are simultaneously inserted into the hook fitting holes 1 of the printer 101.
03y, 103z (see FIG. 14), and by pushing the protruding portion 40b of the push lever 40 against the printer 101 to protrude the printer 101, the connector connection is released and the hooks 16, 17 and the printer 101 are hooked together. The engagement with the holes 103y and 103z can be released.

Here, the pop-ups 43a and 43b are auxiliary members for reducing the force of pressing the push lever 40 by the user, and are slidably urged to a predetermined position on the printer pushing side by an elastic member (not shown). I have.

In this embodiment, the printer 101 is pushed out by the printer sliding portion 45b with the positioning bosses 39d and 39e as the center of rotation.
It is pushed out while sliding.

Here, since the printer positioning hole 118a on the first positioning boss 39d side serving as a rotation fulcrum is a round hole, the positioning hole 118b on the second positioning boss 39e side is a long hole setting (see FIG. 12). 20), when the printer 101 is to be removed from the ASF 1 with the first positioning boss 39d as a pivot point from the state of FIG.
The positional relationship between ASF1 and ASF1 is as shown in FIG.

However, in such a state, biting occurs between the first positioning boss 39d and the positioning hole 118a, so that the printer 101 can be moved only by the pushing force of the first pop-up 43a. Will be gone. Also, the user is forced to use the printer 101.
If the first positioning boss 39d is to be removed from the ASF 1, the first positioning boss 39d is deformed and destroyed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, before the printer 101 is pushed out by the push lever 40 and the second pop-up 43b, the fitting position between the first positioning boss 39d, which is the rotation fulcrum of the printer 101, and the positioning hole 118a is determined. The first pop-up 43a is configured to be prevented from biting by being shifted in a connector releasing direction by a pushing force of the first pop-up 43a.

That is, when the arrangement dimensions are as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the force required to push the printer 101 by the pushing force of the first pop-up 43a with the second positioning boss 39e as the pivot point. The values are as follows.

F1> (X1 / X2) × P1 + P2 In the above formula, F1 is the first pop-up 43
a, the pushing force of the printer, P1 is the removal force of the connector 44, P2 is the frictional force between the printer 101 and the printer sliding surface 45b of the ASF 1, X1 is the distance from the second positioning boss 39e, which is a pivot point, to the connector 44, X2 is the distance from the second positioning boss 39e serving as a pivot point to the first pop-up 43a.

Here, as is clear from the above equation, the farther the distance between the first pop-up 43a and the ASF connector 44, that is, the smaller the value of X1 / X2, the more the first pop-up 43a.
The value of the pushing force F1 of the pop-up 43a can be set small. The printer pushing force F1 of the first pop-up 43a causes the printer 101 to reach A
Considering that the connector works as a reaction force when attached to the SF1 and that the connector removal force is generally 1 to 2 kgf, the value of X1 / X2 is suitably 0.5 or less.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the hook height of the hook right 17 is formed to be lower than the hook height of the hook left 16, whereby the hooks 16 and 17 are engaged with the hook of the printer 101. Holes 103y, 102z (FIG. 1)
2) is released from the hook left 16
The hook right 17 comes first.

As a result, when the hook right 17 is first released from the fitting position with the hook fitting hole 103z of the printer 101, the printer 101 instantaneously sets the first pop-up 43a with the second positioning boss 39e as a pivot point. By the pushing force of the first positioning boss 3
The fitting position between 9d and the positioning hole 118a moves to the connection release side of the connector as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, when the hook left 16 is disengaged from the hook fitting hole 103y of the printer 101 and the printer 101 is pushed out by the protruding portion 40b and the second pop-up 43b, as shown in FIG. The printer 101 can be removed from the ASF 1 in a state where there is no bite between the positioning boss 39d and the positioning hole 118a.

Here, when the protruding portion 40b and the second pop-up 43b are arranged between the first positioning boss 39d, which is a pivot of the printer 101, and the ASF connector 44, if the connection force between the connectors is large, the connector 44 will not be used.
Becomes the pivot of the printer 101, and the first positioning boss 39d, which is fitted in a round hole, and the printer 101
Biting occurs between the first positioning boss 39d and the first positioning boss 39d due to the biting.

As described above, the protruding portion 40b and the second pop-up 43b are connected to the printer 10 as described above.
A viewed from the first positioning boss 39d serving as a rotation fulcrum
It is necessary to arrange at a position more distant than the SF connector 44.

FIG. 24 is a connection block diagram of the printer main unit control unit and the external ASF control unit according to the present invention.

A main body control unit 202 for controlling the printer main body 101 is arranged on a main body board 123 shown in FIG. 4, and includes a microcomputer to which a CPU 203, a ROM 204 and a RAM 205 are connected by a bus.

The main body control unit 202 is a printer main body 1
01 performs printing based on the main body control program stored in the ROM 204, drives the carriage motor 121 via the motor driver 208, and prints a print head mounted on a carriage (not shown) connected to the carriage motor 121. 115 for head driver 2
The recording is performed for one line by driving through the line 10.

Thereafter, the main body control unit 202 feeds the sheet by driving the paper feed motor 120 via the motor driver 206, and repeats the driving of the carriage motor 121 and the recording head 115 to complete the recording on the sheet. I do. A connector 117 outputs a command signal from the CPU 203 of the main body control unit to the outside, and functions as a communication port capable of two-way communication for inputting a response signal from the outside to the CPU 203. Can also be supplied. Reference numeral 108 denotes a paper end sensor provided inside the printer main body and having an optical switch or a mechanical switch. When the sheet 200 is inserted into the printer main body, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 changes from the LO state to the HIGH state. Reference numeral 113 denotes a paper discharge sensor having the same function as the paper end sensor 108.
If 0 remains inside the printer, the output voltage will be high.
It becomes H state.

The output voltages of the paper end sensor 108 and the paper discharge sensor 113 can both be monitored by the CPU 203, and the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 is connected via a connector 117 so as to be directly output to the outside. .

ASF control section 2 for controlling external ASF1
01 is the same as that of the printer main body control unit 202.
13, a microcomputer having a ROM 214 and a RAM 215 connected by a bus. CPU
213 drives the paper feed motor 27 via the motor driver 216 based on the ASF control program stored in the ROM 214. Reference numeral 44 denotes an ASF connector which receives a signal from an external device such as the printer main body 101, and
It functions as a communication port for outputting signals from the CPU 213 of the SF control unit and capable of bidirectional communication.

FIG. 26 shows the connector 117 and the ASF connector 44.
2 schematically shows a detailed configuration of the embodiment. Connector 1
17 and ASF connector 44 each have eight ports 11
7a-117h, 44a-44h, and ASF
When the printer 1 is mounted on the printer 101, the ports corresponding to the alphanumeric characters are electrically connected to each other.

As viewed from the ASF 1, 44a is a GND line, 44b is a 5V power supply line for signal, 44e is a 24V power supply line for driving the paper feeding motor 27, 44f is a transmission port for transmitting a signal to the printer side, and 44g is a printer. A receiving port 44h for receiving a signal from the side is a line for receiving the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 inside the printer main body. It should be noted that since the ports 44c and 44d are short-circuited, the port 117 on the printer 101 side is used.
The configuration is such that it is easy to see that a device is connected to the outside using c and 117d.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing a state in which an external ASF according to the present invention is mounted on a printer main body.

[0169] Reference numeral 19 denotes a paper feed roller for feeding out the sheet 200. A paper feed rubber 23 is fitted on the paper feed roller 19, and when the paper feed roller 19 rotates, the sheet 200 is conveyed by the frictional force of the paper feed rubber 23.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a pressure plate on which sheets 200 are stacked. Both ends on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction are rotatably supported by the ASF chassis 11. The pressure plate 26 is urged in the direction of the paper feed rubber 23 by the pressure plate spring 13. In an initial state, the cam portions 19 c provided at both ends of the paper supply roller 19 and the cam portions 26 a provided at both ends of the pressure plate 26 are provided. The paper feed rubber 23 and the pressure plate 26 are separated from each other, so that the sheet 200 can be set smoothly. The bank 36 has an abutting surface 36a on the extension of the pressure plate 26 in the sheet conveying direction. When setting the sheet 200, the bank 36 is set so that the leading end abuts on the abutting surface 36a. A bank sheet 37 as a sheet separating member is attached to the abutting surface 36a. The bank sheet 37 is a sheet made of an elastic material such as a plastic film, and has an action of separating the sheets one by one using an elastic force generated when the bank sheet 37 is bent.

Printer transport mechanism and print mechanism Next, the transport mechanism and print mechanism of the printer main body in FIG. 25 will be described.

Reference numeral 109 denotes an LF roller for conveying the sheet 200. The LF roller 109 is formed by forming a coating film of a material having a high friction coefficient such as urethane resin on the surface of a metal pipe. The LF roller 109 is rotated by being driven by a paper feed motor 120 shown in FIG. And transport it.

A recording head 115 records image information on the sheet 200 conveyed by the LF roller 109, and is mounted on a carriage (not shown) that can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the LF roller 109. The recording head 115 is driven together with the carriage by a carriage motor 121 in FIG. 24, and is capable of reciprocating in the paper width direction of the sheet 200 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

The spur 111 and the paper discharge roller 112 are L
Two pairs of rollers are located downstream of the F roller 109 and the recording head 115 and convey the sheet 200 on which recording has been completed. The paper discharge roller 112 is connected to the LF roller 109 via a drive transmission member (not shown), and rotates so as to convey the sheet 200 in the same direction as the LF roller 109 using the LF roller 109 as a driving source.

The LF roller 1 moves in the sheet conveying direction.
Paper end sensor 10 on the paper path upstream of
Discharge sensors 113 are provided between the eight discharge rollers and the two discharge rollers, and the output voltage of each sensor changes from the LO state to the HIGH state as the sheet 200 crosses.

ASF Driving Mechanism FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show the driving mechanism of the external ASF according to the present invention.

The paper feed motor 27 is a stepping motor that can rotate normally and reversely. Reference numeral 15 denotes an idle gear, which meshes with a motor gear 27a of the sheet feeding motor 27. 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes an ASF double gear having two-stage gears having different large and small diameters, and meshes with the idle gear 15.
Reference numeral 31 denotes a forward rotation planet gear, which meshes with a small diameter gear of the ASF double gear and revolves around the ASF double gear. Reference numeral 33 denotes a reverse sun gear having two stages of large and small diameter gears, which mesh with a small diameter gear of the ASF double gear 29. Reference numeral 35 denotes a reverse planetary gear, which meshes with a small-diameter gear of the reverse sun gear 33 and revolves around the reverse sun gear. Reference numeral 19a denotes a paper feed roller gear provided at the shaft end of the paper feed roller 19, and has a toothless portion 19b. The feed roller gear 19 is
It is located on the orbit of the forward rotation planetary gear 31 and the reverse rotation planetary gear 35 and is arranged at a position meshing with each gear.

Next, the operation of each gear will be described. In FIG. 27, when the feed motor 27 rotates in the direction of arrow b (reverse rotation drive), each gear rotates in the direction of arrow. That is, the reverse rotation planetary gear 35 revolves around the reverse rotation sun gear 33 from the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. As a result, the paper feed roller 19 moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure (the direction in which the sheet 200 stacked on the pressure plate 26 is sent out to the printer 101).
To rotate. The feed roller gear 19a that meshes with and rotates with the reverse planetary gear 35 has a missing tooth portion 19b.
When the sheet feeding motor 27 is rotated to the position opposing to 5, the meshing is released, and the sheet feeding motor 27 does not rotate even if the sheet feeding motor 27 is further driven in the reverse direction.

At this time, the forward rotation planet gear 31 is
7 revolves from the broken line position toward the solid line position in the direction of the arrow, stops at the stopper (not shown), and does not affect the rotation of the paper feed roller 19.

Next, in FIG. 28, when the paper feed motor 27 rotates in the direction of arrow f (forward rotation), each gear is set in FIG.
Rotate in the direction of the arrow. That is, the normal rotation planetary gear 31 revolves around the ASF double gear 29 toward the solid line position in the direction of the arrow from the dashed line position in the figure via the idle gear 15 and the ASF double gear 29, and meshes with the paper feed roller gear 19a. Thus, the paper feed roller 19 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 28 (the direction in which the sheet 200 stacked on the pressure plate 26 is sent out to the printer 101). The feed roller 19a, which meshes and rotates with the forward rotation planetary gear 31, disengages when the toothless portion 19b rotates to a position facing the forward rotation planetary gear 31, and the feed motor 27a further rotates.
Does not rotate even if it is driven forward.

At this time, the reverse rotation planetary gear 33 is
8 does not affect the rotation of the paper feed roller 19 because it revolves from the broken line position toward the solid line position in the direction of the arrow and stops by hitting a stopper (not shown).

Further, at the position where the missing tooth portion 19b of the feed roller gear 19a faces the forward rotation planetary gear 31, the cam portion 19c of the feed roller just meshes with the cam portion 26a of the pressure plate 26 to have the same phase as the initial state. , Pressure plate 26
And the paper feed rubber 23 are separated from each other.

Accordingly, when the paper feed motor 27 is continuously driven to rotate forward, the paper feed roller cam 19c and the pressure plate cam 26
a, the feed roller 19 stops rotating at the same phase as the initial state while the pressure plate 26 and the feed rubber 23 are separated from each other, and thereafter the forward planetary gear 33 and the reverse planetary gear 35
28 also idles at the position shown by the solid line in FIG.

As described above, regardless of whether the paper feed motor 27 is rotating forward or backward, the paper feed roller 19 keeps the sheet 200
Rotates only in the direction in which is sent to the printer 101, and does not rotate in the opposite direction.

O Feeding Operation and Recording Operation (Printer Side) Next, the printer and ASF according to the present invention
A description will be given of a series of operations for feeding, transporting, printing, and discharging 00.

Upon receiving a recording command from an external information device such as a computer, the printer 101 first performs a paper feeding operation, and then performs a recording operation.

FIG. 29 is a control flow when the printer 101 performs a paper feeding operation. First, the main body control unit 202 of the printer 101 executes the sub flow C1. The detailed contents will be described later with reference to FIG.
Are used to determine the model attached to the outside of the printer via the ports 117f and 117g shown in FIG.

Next, the flow proceeds to S1, and if the result of the subflow C1 indicates that the ASF is mounted on the printer 101, the ASF paper is fed, so the flow proceeds to S2.
In S2, the main body control unit 202 transmits an initialization command signal to the ASF, and proceeds to S3.

If there is no response signal indicating completion of initialization from the ASF in S3, the process returns to S3, and when the response signal is received, the process proceeds to S4. In S4, the main body control unit 202
Transmits to the ASF a paper feed command signal and a paper type signal indicating the type of sheet to be fed (plain paper, coated paper, postcard, glossy film, etc.), and proceeds to S5.

In S5, if the response signal from the ASF has not been received, the process proceeds to S8, and if the predetermined time limit t2 seconds has not elapsed, the process returns to S5. S
In step 8, if the time limit t2 seconds has elapsed from the start of sheet feeding, the process advances to step S9, where the main body control unit 202 issues a sheet feeding error and ends the sheet feeding operation. In S5, ASF
If the response signal indicates that the sheet feeding has been completed, the process proceeds to S7. Step S7 is a part for performing a so-called cueing operation of the sheet 200. The main body control unit 202 drives the paper feed motor 120 to rotate the LF roller 109 by a predetermined amount R3 in the sheet conveyance direction (forward rotation direction) during recording. And the paper feeding operation is completed. The predetermined amount R3 is determined by the sheet 200
The leading end does not reach the sheet detectable area of the sheet ejection sensor 113, and is set to a size just below the recording head 115.
When recording is started at 0, there is no need to return the sheet 200 to the upstream side in the transport direction.
Since it does not collide with the internal mechanism components of F, there is no occurrence of sheet breakage or misfeed.

At S5, if there is a response signal from the ASF and it is a signal indicating a paper feed error, the process proceeds to S9, where the main body control unit 202 issues a paper feed error, and ends the paper feed operation.

In S1, if the result of the sub-flow C1 indicates that the ASF is not mounted on the printer 101, the process proceeds to S10 because manual sheet feeding is performed.

In S10, if the user has not inserted a sheet, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 is in the LO state, so no sheet is detected, and the process returns to S10. When the user inserts the sheet 200 into the printer 101 and hits the LF roller 109, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 becomes HIGH and the sheet is detected, and the process proceeds to S11. In step S11, the main body control unit 202 drives the paper feed motor 120 via the paper feed motor driver 206 such that the LF roller 109 rotates forward by a predetermined amount R4 (rotation direction for conveying the sheet in the conveyance direction during recording). I do. The predetermined amount R4 is set to a size such that the leading end of the sheet 200 reaches the sheet detectable area of the sheet discharge sensor 113. Next, the process proceeds to S12, and if the sheet ejection sensor 113 detects the sheet 200, it is determined that the sheet feeding is successful, and the process proceeds to S13. In step S13, the main body control unit 202 controls the paper feed motor via the paper feed motor driver 206 so that the LF roller 109 reversely rotates by a predetermined amount R5 (rotation direction in which the sheet is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction during recording). 120 is driven. The predetermined amount R5 is the sheet 2 conveyed to the detectable area of the sheet ejection sensor 113.
00 is returned to the recording start position, and is set to such an amount that the leading end of the sheet 200 does not fall out from between the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110.

In S12, the paper discharge sensor 113
Does not detect the sheet 200, for example, L
When the sheet 200 does not bite well between the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110 due to weak contact with the F roller 109, or because the sheet 200 is obliquely pressed against the LF roller 108, the sheet 200 is conveyed by a predetermined amount R4. Even if the sheet 200 can be
If the leading end has not been reached, the main body control unit 202 determines that manual paper feeding has failed, and proceeds to S14. In S14, the main body control unit 202 determines that the LF roller 109 has
The paper feed motor 120 is driven via the paper feed motor driver 206 so as to rotate in the reverse direction by six.

The predetermined amount R6 is set to an amount large enough for the leading end of the sheet 200 conveyed to the detectable area of the sheet discharge sensor 113 to fall out between the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110.

In this way, it is possible to reliably confirm that the sheet has been successfully fed by checking whether or not the sheet ejection sensor 113 has detected the sheet 200 at the time of manual feeding. Since the sheet 200 is returned to a position where the sheet 200 is not bitten by the LF roller, there is an advantage that the sheet 200 can be easily removed, and manual sheet feeding can be performed again.

Since there is no mechanical component that collides during manual insertion unlike when the ASF is mounted, the sheet 200 is not used.
Transporting in the opposite direction does not cause breakage or misfeed.

The printer 101 that has completed the paper feeding operation in accordance with the above-described paper feeding control flow performs a recording operation thereafter.
The main body control unit 202 drives the carriage motor 121 via the motor driver 208, and also drives the recording head 115 mounted on a carriage (not shown) connected to the carriage motor 121 via the head driver 210, thereby controlling one line. Record. Thereafter, the main body control unit 202 sends the paper feed motor 1 via the motor driver 206.
The sheet 200 is conveyed by one row by driving the carriage motor 20 and the carriage motor 121 and the recording head 115 again.
The recording on the sheet is completed by repeating the driving of. When the recording is completed, the main body control unit 202 drives the paper feed motor 120 to rotate the LF roller 109 forward. As a result, the paper discharge roller 112 rotates, and the sheet 200 is discharged out of the printer 101.

FIG. 30 shows an ASF that can be externally attached to the printer according to the present invention.
3 shows a main control flow of the first embodiment. When the control unit 201 of the ASF 1 according to the present invention is connected to the printer 101, the control unit 201 is normally in a standby state.
If no command signal has been received from S1, S37 is repeatedly executed until the command signal is received. When a command signal from the printer 101 is received via the serial reception port 44g of FIG. 26, the process proceeds to the following sub-flows or steps according to the content of the command signal. That is, when the command signal from the printer 101 indicates a “paper feed command”, the process proceeds to the sub-flow C2 for controlling the ASF paper feed operation,
In the case of indicating the "initialization command", the process proceeds to the subflow C3 for controlling the initialization operation, and when each subflow is completed, the process again proceeds to S37 to be in a standby state. If the command signal from the printer 101 indicates the "model discriminating command", the process proceeds to step S6, where the code ID representing the model of the ASF 1 itself is transmitted to the printer 10 via the serial transmission port 44f.
After transmitting to 1, the process proceeds to S37 again, and enters a standby state.

Of the two sub-flows described above, the sub-flow C2 for controlling the ASF sheet feeding operation will be described first, and the details of the sub-flow C3 for controlling the initialization operation will be described later.

FIG. 31 is a sub-flow C2 for controlling the sheet feeding operation in the ASF1.

The ASF control section 201 first proceeds to S15,
Based on the paper type information received from the printer 101 together with the paper feed instruction signal, the drive table T of the paper feed motor 27 optimal for the paper type to be fed is read from the ROM 214 to the CPU 213. The drive table T includes a driving speed of the sheet feeding motor 27 as a pulse motor and a registration removal pulse number P5 for rotating the sheet supply roller 19 by an optimum amount in accordance with a paper type at the time of registration operation in step 22 described later. And the like, and a plurality of types are prepared according to assumed sheet characteristics.

After reading the drive table T, the ASF control section 201 proceeds to step S16, where INIT, n, P
0 is set as an initial value of each variable defined by c. Each variable is a variable stored in the RAM 215.
Is a flag indicating whether or not the phase in the rotation direction of the sheet feeding roller 19 is at the initial position, n is a rotation number counter indicating how many times the sheet feeding roller 19 has rotated since the start of the sheet feeding flow C2,
Pc is a pulse number counter indicating how many pulses the paper feed motor 27 has been driven in the reverse direction.

Next, proceeding to S17, the ASF control unit 201 drives the paper feed roller 19 through the paper feed motor driver 216 by one pulse in the reverse direction. Next, the process proceeds to S18, in which the value of the pulse number counter Pc is increased by 1, and the process proceeds to S19. S19
In the ASF control unit 201, the pulse number counter Pc
Is compared with the value of the allowable pulse number Pmax.

The allowable pulse number Pmax is
Is the total number of pulses from the start of reverse rotation until the paper feed roller rotates to the position where the toothless portion 19b of the paper feed roller gear faces the reverse planetary gear 35 described with reference to FIG. 27, and stops rotating any further. Immediately after the start of sheet feeding, the relationship of Pc <Pmax holds, so the process proceeds to step S20. S2
0, the ASF control means 201
4h through the paper end sensor 1 in the printer 101
Although the output voltage of 08 is checked, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 is in the LO state immediately after the start of the sheet feeding operation because the sheet 200 has not yet reached the inside of the printer 101, and therefore, the process returns to S17. S17 to S as described above
When step 20 is repeated, the reverse rotation planetary gear 35 shown in FIG. 27 revolves from the position indicated by the broken line to the position indicated by the solid line, meshes with the sheet feeding roller gear 19a, and the sheet feeding roller 19 starts rotating.
When the feed roller 19 starts to rotate from the initial phase, the feed roller cam portion 19c and the press plate cam portion 26a disengage, and the press plate 26 is lifted upward by the press plate spring 13, and the sheet stacked on the press plate 26 is lifted. 200 is pressed against the paper feed rubber 23. At this time, the leading end of the sheet 200 that has been abutted against the abutting surface 36a of the bank 36 is also lifted upward, and abuts near the center of the bank sheet 37.

When the paper feed motor 27 is continuously rotated in the reverse direction by repeating S17 to S20 and the paper feed roller 19 is rotated, the conveyance of the sheet 200 is started by the frictional force of the paper feed rubber 23. Is separated from the lower sheet by a reaction force generated by bending the elastic bank sheet 37, and only one sheet is sent out.

However, if the reverse rotation drive of the sheet feeding motor 27 is continued until the pulse number counter Pc reaches a certain value, P
Since the relationship of c <Pmax is not satisfied, the process branches from S19 and proceeds to S24. In S24, the ASF control unit 201 drives the sheet feeding motor 27 in the normal rotation direction by a predetermined number of pulses P4. The predetermined number of pulses P4 is equal to the forward rotation planetary gear 31.
The number of pulses is sufficient for the paper feed roller 19 to rotate to the initial position by the drive of That is, by executing S24, the paper feed roller 19 is moved from the initial position by exactly 1
It rotates to the phase of rotation, where the toothless portion 19b of the paper feed roller gear comes to a position just opposite to the forward rotation planetary gear 31, the engagement is released, and the gear stops. Next, the process proceeds to step S25, in which the number-of-pulses counter Pc is reset to 0, the number-of-rotations counter n is increased by 1, and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, since n = 1 is still at this point, the flow returns to step S17, and the reverse rotation drive of the sheet feeding motor 27 is started again.

As described above, the ASF control unit 201 repeatedly executes steps S17 to S20, and
Starts the second rotation, and the sheet 200 is further conveyed. The leading end of the sheet 200 is the printer 101
Upon reaching the internal paper end sensor 108, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 becomes HIGH, and the process proceeds from S20 to S21. In S21, ASF
The control unit 201 compares the value obtained by adding the registration pulse number P5 in the drive table T read to the value of the pulse number counter Pc with the allowable pulse number Pmax. Pc
If the relation of + P5 ≦ Pmax is satisfied, even if the paper feed motor 27 is further driven to rotate in the reverse direction by P5 pulse, the transmission of the reverse drive will not be canceled in the middle, and the process proceeds to S22.

If the relationship of Pc + P5> Pmax is satisfied, if the sheet feeding motor 27 is further driven to rotate in the reverse direction by the pulse P5, the missing tooth portion 19 of the sheet feeding roller gear will be rotated halfway.
Since the drive transmission to the sheet feed roller 19 is interrupted at the position opposing the position No. 5, the process proceeds to S24. In step S24, the paper feed motor is driven forward again by the pulse P4 to rotate the paper feed roller 19 again.
Is returned to the initial position, and then in step S25, Pc is set to 0 and n is set to n +
Then, the process proceeds to S26. Normally, the feed roller 19-2
Since the paper end sensor 108 detects the sheet 200 at the rotation time, n = 2 at this point, and the process returns to S17. At this point, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 is already in the HIGH state, and the pulse number counter Pc has just been reset.
Proceed with S19 → S20 → S21, this time Pc + P5 ≦
The process proceeds to S22 to satisfy the relationship of Pmax.

In step S22, a so-called register removing operation is performed. The ASF control unit 201 drives the sheet feeding motor 27 in the reverse direction by the number of pulses P5 in the read drive table T.
The paper feed roller 19 is rotated. At this time, the sheet 200
Is further fed into the printer 101 from the position detected by the paper end sensor 108, stops at the nip formed by the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110 that are stopped, but stops further behind the sheet 200. It is pushed by the paper feed roller 19. For this reason, the leading end of the sheet 200 is
And the nip formed by the pinch roller 110.

Next, proceeding to step S23, the ASF control section 201 transmits a signal indicating the completion of paper feeding to the printer 101 via the serial transmission port 44f shown in FIG. 26, and completes the operation.

When no sheets are stacked on the pressure plate 26, the output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 does not become HIGH regardless of the number of rotations of the paper feed roller 19.

For this reason, the ASF control section 201 executes the steps S17 → S18 → S19 → S20 after step S17.
→ After repeating the loop of S17 a certain number of times, S19 → S
24 → S25 → Operation returning to S17 via S26
After repetition of the number of times, when the process reaches S26 for the third time, the rotation counter n of the sheet feeding roller 19 becomes n = 3, so the process proceeds to S27, a sheet feeding error signal is transmitted to the printer 101, and the operation is completed.

Other Operations (Printer Side, ASF Side) FIG. 32 is a sub-flow C3 for controlling the initialization operation of ASF1. Upon receiving the initialization command signal from the printer main body 101, the ASF control unit 201 proceeds to S28, and checks the value of the flag INIT indicating whether or not the phase in the rotation direction of the paper feed roller 19 is at the initial position. If INIT = 1, it indicates that the paper feed roller 19 is already at the initial position, and the process proceeds to step S31, where an initialization completion signal is transmitted to the printer 101, and the operation ends. Also, IN
If IT = 0, the process proceeds to step S29, in which the paper feed roller motor 27 is driven in the normal rotation direction by a predetermined number of pulses P0. The predetermined number of pulses P0 is such that the toothless portion 19b of the feed roller gear rotates to the opposite surface of the forward rotation planetary gear 31 no matter where the phase in the rotation direction of the feed roller 19 is located.
Is set to a value that can sufficiently rotate the sheet feeding roller 19 to the initial position. By executing S29, the sheet feeding roller 19 rotates to return to the initial position, and the pressure plate 26 and the sheet feeding rubber 23 are separated from each other. The seat 200 can be set smoothly.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S30, wherein the flag INIT is set to 1 so as to indicate that the sheet feeding roller is at the initial position.
, And proceeds to S31 to send an initialization completion signal to the printer 1
01 to end the operation.

FIG. 33 shows a sub-flow C1 for discriminating a model attached to the outside of the printer via the ports 117f and 117g shown in FIG. The main body control unit 202 first proceeds to step 32 and transmits a model identification command signal to the external device via the port 117g. Next, the process proceeds to S33, and if no response signal is received from the external device via the port 117f, the process proceeds to S35, and if the predetermined time limit t1 has not elapsed, the process returns to S33. In S35, if the time limit t1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to S36, where it is determined that no external device is attached,
End the operation.

If a response signal is received from an external device in S33, the process proceeds to S34. In step S34, the main body control unit 202 reads the partial code ID indicating the attached model from the received response signal, and ends the operation. (Second Embodiment) FIGS. 34 and 35 show a second embodiment of the control flow in the printer according to the present invention and the external ASF that can be mounted on the printer. The first
Portions having the same functions and shapes and the same operations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the ASF control unit 201 sets the feed motor to P5 in S22.
After the pulse has been driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the process proceeds to step S23, where the sheet supply completion signal has been transmitted to the printer 101. But in this case,
Since the paper feed roller 19 has not returned to the initial position, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the paper feed roller 19 remains in a state of being pressed against the sheet 200. In this state, if the cueing operation or the recording operation of the printer main body is simply performed only by the LF roller 109, the back tension is generated by the paper feed roller 19, and the conveyance accuracy of the sheet 200 may be deteriorated.

The second embodiment is an improvement on this problem.

As shown in FIG. 35, after performing the registration operation in S22, the ASF control unit 201 proceeds to S38 and drives the paper feed motor 27 to rotate forward by the predetermined number of pulses P6. The predetermined number of pulses P6 is a sufficient number of pulses for rotating the sheet feeding roller 19 to the initial position by driving with the forward rotation planetary gear 31. At the same time as the normal rotation drive of the paper feed motor 27 is started, a counter for measuring the elapsed time from the drive start is operated. When a predetermined time t3 has elapsed, the process proceeds to S39, and a synchronous drive request signal is transmitted to the printer main body 101 side. I do. During the predetermined time t3, after the paper feed motor 27 starts rotating in S38, the normal rotation planetary gear 31 revolves and meshes with the paper feed roller gear 19a to feed the paper feed roller 19.
Is slightly longer than the time until the start of rotation.

Further, in S38, the speed at which the paper feed motor 27 is driven is such that the peripheral speed of the paper feed rubber 23 mounted on the paper feed roller 19 is lower than the peripheral speed when the LF roller 109 of the printer body rotates in S7. It is set to be slightly larger.

When step S38 is completed, the paper feed roller 19 rotates to the same phase as the initial position, and proceeds to S40. In S40, the ASF control unit 201 substitutes “1” indicating that the rotation direction phase of the paper feed roller 19 is in the initial state into the INIT flag, and ends the operation.

On the other hand, upon receiving the synchronous drive request signal transmitted by the ASF control section 201 in S39, the printer main body control section 202 proceeds from S5 to S7 in FIG.
The LF roller 109 starts normal rotation.

Printer main body 101 in the present embodiment
FIG. 37 is a time chart summarizing how the ASF1 and ASF1 operate over time.

When the printer starts the paper feeding operation, it first sends a model identification command signal to the ASF (S32). AS
F sends a signal ID indicating its model code to the printer (S37). Next, the printer transmits an ASF initialization command signal to the ASF side (S2). If the ASF is not in the initialization state, the printer rotates the sheet feed roller to perform an initialization operation (S2).
29), and transmits an initialization completion signal to the printer (S3).
1). Next, the printer transmits a paper feed command signal to the ASF side (S4). The ASF reads the optimal drive table T based on the paper type information sent together with the paper feed command signal (S15, not shown in FIG. 37), and then controls the paper feed motor based on the paper feed operation control flow C2. Then, the paper feed roller rotates (S18). The output voltage of the paper end sensor 108 provided on the printer side becomes HIGH,
When the sheet is detected, the ASF further rotates the sheet feeding roller by the rotation amount R1 based on the above-described pulse number P5, and performs a so-called registration removing operation (S22). After the completion of the registration operation, the ASF further rotates the sheet feeding roller by the rotation amount R3 at the same position as the initial state (S38), and when the time t3 elapses from the start of driving of the sheet feeding motor, the ASF. A synchronous drive request signal is transmitted to the printer (S39).

The printer that has received the synchronous drive request signal from the ASF rotates the LF roller by the rotation amount R3, and performs a so-called cueing operation (S7).

As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, in FIG. 36 showing a state where step S22 is completed, the feed roller 19 starts rotating, and the LF roller 109 is slightly delayed. At the same time as the rotation starts, the peripheral speed of the paper feed rubber 23 is slightly higher than the peripheral speed of the LF roller 109 at this time. Therefore, the LF roller 1
When 09 starts rotation for the cueing operation in S7, since the paper feed rubber 23 pressed against the sheet 200 starts to rotate slightly earlier, no back tension occurs, and the peripheral speed of the paper feed rubber 23 is not increased. Is slightly higher than the peripheral speed of the LF roller 109, so that back tension due to the peripheral speed difference does not occur, and the conveyance accuracy at the time of cueing of the sheet 200 is stabilized.

If t3 is too small, the feeding roller 19
The LF roller 109 may start rotating before the driving force transmission of the sheet feeding motor 27 is started. If t3 is too large, the sheet feeding roller 19 may rotate a lot before the LF roller 109 starts rotating. The sheet 200 may be deformed on the way or the leading edge may not be aligned in parallel with the nip formed by the LF roller 109 and the pinch roller 110. As a result of the experiment, in the present embodiment, the optimal value of t3 was about 10 ms to 100 ms. If the peripheral speed of the rubber feeder 23 attached to the paper feed roller 19 is not too high relative to the peripheral speed of the LF roller 109, the paper feed rubber 23 may slip due to the type of the sheet 200 and the surrounding environment. When this is done, back tension may still occur, and if the peripheral speed of the paper feed rubber 23 is too high, the sheet 200 may be deformed. As a result of the experiment, the optimal condition was that the peripheral speed of the paper feed rubber 23 in S38 of the present embodiment was about 5% to 50% faster than the peripheral speed of the LF roller 109 in S7.

In the present embodiment, the name of the signal corresponding to the "paper feed completion signal" in the first embodiment is called "synchronous drive request signal" because of the difference in the meaning of the operation. As described above, no problem occurs even if the same signal as the "paper feed completion signal" is used as the actual signal. Therefore, the flow of controlling the sheet feeding operation of the printer main body (FIGS. 29 and 34) in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is essentially exactly the same. That is, the printer described in the first embodiment is
AS shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment
Any of F can be mounted and used.

Here, the contents of a plurality of drive tables T in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, when the paper type information received by the ASF 1 represents plain paper, the ASF control unit 201 selects the driving table 1. For plain paper, step 22
The driving speed is set to the medium speed because the resistance force at the time of the registration taking operation is small. Further, since the sheet is rarely conveyed obliquely during sheet feeding, it is not necessary to increase the amount of pressing against the LF roller 109, and a small value is set as the number of registration removal pulses P5.

When the paper type information received by the ASF 1 indicates an envelope, the ASF control unit 201 selects the drive table T3. Since the envelope has a high resistance when fed, and particularly has a high resistance during the registration operation in step S22, the driving speed is lower than that of plain paper so that the feed motor 27 does not lose synchronism. To ensure a large torque. On the other hand, since the envelope is more likely to be skewed (easily skewed) during paper feeding than other paper types, the number P5 of registration pulses in step S22 is a medium value larger than that of the plain paper table T1. Is set.
As a result, the amount by which the leading end of the envelope is pressed against the LF roller 109 increases, so that the leading ends of the envelopes are more reliably aligned.

When the paper type information indicates glossy paper, the ASF control unit 201 selects the drive table T4. Glossy paper has a high resistance during the registration operation, but skew is unlikely to occur. Therefore, at T4, the driving speed at the time of registration removal is set to be low, and the number of registration removal pulses P5 is set to a small value equivalent to that of plain paper.

If the paper type information indicates a postcard, the ASF control section 201 selects the drive table T2. Since the postcard does not have a large resistance during the registration operation, the driving speed during the registration operation is set to the medium speed as in the case of plain paper.

On the other hand, in FIG. 37, when the rotation of the LF roller 109 on the printer side and the paper feed roller 19 of the ASF are simultaneously rotating, a sheet having high rigidity such as a postcard is not easily deformed on the way, and the peripheral speed is low. Large feed roller 19 is L
The postcard is pushed in against the frictional force of the F roller 109, and the leading end of the postcard is conveyed beyond the rotation amount R3 of the LF roller, so that a correct printing result may not be obtained. To avoid this, in the table T2, the number P5 of registration pulses in step S22 is set to a value as large as possible. Specifically, P5 = Pma
It is set as a variable represented by x-Pc and determined by the number of reverse rotation drive pulses of the sheet feeding motor 27 required until the paper end sensor 108 detects the sheet 200. As a result, when the paper end sensor 108
Even if 0 is detected, the total number of pulses in which the sheet feeding motor 27 is reversely driven at the end of the execution of step S22 in FIG. 35 is Pmax. That is, the feed roller gear 19
The toothless portion 19b of a rotates reliably to a position where the toothless portion 19b is disengaged in opposition to the reverse rotation planetary gear 35. For this reason, the rotation direction phase of the paper feed roller 19 after step S22 ends comes to a position greatly advanced from the initial position, and even if the paper feed roller 19 rotates in step S40, the phase of the paper feed roller 19 quickly changes. Return to initial position. Accordingly, the postcard loaded on the pressure plate 26 and the paper feed rubber 23 are immediately separated immediately after the LF roller 109 and the paper feed roller 19 start synchronously driving.
The postcard will not be pushed in against the frictional force of 09.

If the paper type information received from the printer 101 by the ASF 1 is a paper type that does not correspond to the ASF 1 or the paper type is not specified, the ASF control unit 2
01 selects the drive table T5. The drive table T5 according to the present embodiment includes a drive table T2 for a postcard.
Is stored, but depending on the assumed condition, it is also possible to store the same value in T5 as the table of another paper type, or of course, to store a value that does not completely match the table of another paper type. It is possible.

[0237]

As described above, in the paper feeder according to the present invention, the electrical connection between the recording apparatus and the main body is disposed between the pin and the release member, rather than the release member. With this arrangement, the recording apparatus and the main body can be easily attached and detached.

In addition, the electric coupling portion is provided between the first pin and the second pin and between the second pin and the second pin. The connection between the round hole and the first pin is smaller than the connection between the long hole and the second pin. Since the release is made earlier, the bite between the round hole and the first pin can be prevented, the positioning means and the electrical coupling portion can be prevented from being damaged, and the recording apparatus can be easily attached to and detached from the main body. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of components related to the ASF printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a printer mounted on the ASF according to the present invention;
It is the perspective view which showed the component arrangement | positioning relevant to attachment and detachment with SF.

FIG. 13 is a left cross-sectional view for explaining an ASF and printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a left sectional view for explaining an ASF and a printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a left sectional view for explaining an ASF and a printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a left sectional view for explaining an ASF and a printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a left sectional view for explaining an ASF and a printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a left cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanism for attaching and detaching the ASF and the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view in which a component arrangement and a force relationship relating to an ASF and a printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention are symbolized.

FIG. 20 is a top view for explaining an attachment / detachment mechanism between the ASF and the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a top view illustrating an attachment / detachment mechanism between the ASF and the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a top view for explaining an ASF and printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a top view for explaining an ASF and printer attaching / detaching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows a printer 101 and an ASF 1 according to the present invention.
It is a connection block diagram of.

FIG. 25 shows a printer 101 and an ASF 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where the are connected.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the connector 117 and the ASF connector 44.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing connection and operation directions of a driving mechanism of the ASF1.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating connection and operation directions of a driving mechanism of the ASF1.

FIG. 29 is a control flow of a sheet feeding operation in the printer control unit 202 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a main control flow in the ASF control unit 201.

FIG. 31 is a sub-flow C2 of sheet feeding operation control by the ASF control unit 201 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows a sub-flow C3 of the initialization operation control of the ASF control unit 201.

FIG. 33 shows a sub-flow C1 of model discrimination operation control in the printer control unit 202.

FIG. 34 is a control flow of a sheet feeding operation in the printer control unit 202 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a sub-flow C2 of sheet feeding operation control by the ASF control unit 201 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which step S22 is completed during a paper feeding operation.

FIG. 37 is a time chart illustrating an outline of an operation flow of the printer 101 and the ASF 1 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a table showing the contents of a drive table T of the paper feed motor 27.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a state in which a conventional printer main body and an ASF externally attached to the printer main body are separated.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main Body (ASF) 16 Hook Left 17 Hook Right 39 Positioning Base 39a Sliding Surface 39b Sliding Surface 39c Sliding Surface 39d First Pin (Positioning Boss for Round Hole) 39e Second Pin (Positioning Boss for Oval Hole) 40 Push Lever 40a Push part 40b Protruding part 40c Sliding boss part 40d Sliding long hole part 41 Pop-up spring 42 Lever shaft 43a First disengagement member (pop-up for disengagement of round hole fitting) 43b Second disengaging member (long hole fitting) Release pop-up) 44 Coupling part (ASF connector) 101 Recording device (printer) 103y Hook fitting hole 103z Hook fitting hole 117 Coupling part (printer connector) 118a Round hole (positioning hole) 118b Long hole (positioning hole)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Asano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Nojima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Noriko Kawa ▲ saki ▼ 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Hasegawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon stock In company

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device which detachably mounts a recording device capable of recording an image on a sheet by itself in a main body and feeds the sheet to the recording device mounted on the main body. A recording device and a main body that are connected to each other, and a long hole formed in one of the recording device or the main body; a pin formed in the other of the recording device or the main body and connected to the long hole; and any one of the recording device or the main body A coupling unit provided on one side and having a coupling release member urged in a coupling release direction; and an electrical coupling section of the recording apparatus or the main body on the pin side between the coupling release member and the pin. A paper feeding device, which is disposed. 2. A recording apparatus, comprising: a lock unit provided on one of the recording apparatus and the main body, and coupled to the other of the recording apparatus and the main body, and the lock unit releasing the connection between the recording apparatus and the main body. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the uncoupling member operates in the uncoupling direction, and then operates so as to cancel the connection between the elongated hole and the pin. 3. A protruding member is provided on a connection side between the elongated hole and the pin, and after the lock unit releases the connection between the recording apparatus and the main body, the connection release member operates in the connection release direction, The paper feeder according to claim 2, wherein the connection between the hole and the pin is released, and the projecting member operates. 4. A paper feeder for detachably mounting a recording device capable of recording an image on a sheet by itself in a main body and feeding the sheet to the recording device mounted on the main body, A recording device and a main body are combined, and a round hole and a long hole formed in one of the recording device or the main body, and a first and a second hole formed in the other of the recording device or the main body and connected to the round hole and the long hole, respectively. A coupling means provided with a second pin and first and second decoupling members provided in the vicinity of the first and second pins and urged in the decoupling direction, respectively; The connection between the round hole and the first pin is released earlier than the connection between the elongated hole and the second pin, and the electrical connection between the recording device and the main body is formed by the second pin and Between the second pin and the first pin The sheet feeding apparatus, characterized in that. 5. A ratio of a distance X1 from the second pin to an electrical coupling portion and a distance X2 from the second pin to a first release member is 0.5 or less. The paper feeding device according to claim 4. 6. The power supply according to claim 4, wherein the second uncoupling member is disposed at a distance from the electrical coupling portion when viewed from a coupling position between the round hole and the first pin. Paper equipment. 7. An image, comprising: the sheet feeding device according to claim 1; and a recording device that records an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device. Forming equipment.