JPH1179428A - Paper feeding cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain simplification and size reduction of a structure as a whole device by enclosing a paper feeding cassette to place/house recording paper of the different kind sizes in a paper feeding cassette to place/house recording paper of the prescribed size. SOLUTION: A paper feeding cassette 3 is constituted by enclosing a paper feeding cassette 3B to place/house recording paper P2 of the different kind sizes in a paper feeding cassette 3A to place/house recording paper sheet P1 of the prescribed size. The paper feeding cassette 3B is supported in a paper feeding upstream side upper part in the paper feeding cassette 3A by a locking means so as to be freely mountable/demountable, and effectively houses the recording paper sheet P1 whose recording paper front end is raised by a bottom plate 6A and the recording paper sheet P2 in a space. The paper feeding cassette 3B is also set in the almost same in a height with a pickup position of a separating claw of the paper feeding cassette 3A. Therefore, simplification and size reduction of a structure as a whole device can be attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding cassette, and more particularly to a paper feeding cassette mounted on an image recording apparatus and used for a copying machine, a facsimile machine, various printers, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper feed cassette is used in an image recording apparatus, particularly an output machine such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and various printers. 2. Description of the Related Art In an image recording apparatus using so-called cut paper for recording paper, a paper feed cassette for accommodating recording paper is mounted in a cassette accommodating section in the apparatus, and recording paper loaded in the cassette is provided in the cassette. Generally, the recording paper is taken in by a separation paper mechanism constituted by a separation claw member and rollers of an image recording apparatus, and is conveyed to a recording unit.

[0003] Generally, the B4 size or A4 size is standard as the recording paper size in the above-mentioned image recording apparatus and the like. However, depending on the user, a B5 or A5 size smaller than the B4 or A4 size is often used. In this case, the B4 or A4 size is used.
If the size is used, the printing margin increases, and the recording paper cannot be used effectively. Therefore, in the cassette sheet feeding type image recording apparatus, recording sheets of a predetermined size are accommodated in respective sheet feeding cassettes in consideration of the use of recording sheets of different sizes, and a plurality of sheets are individually inserted into the apparatus main body. There are many things that can be done.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional paper feed cassette, showing an insertion and use state of a paper feed cassette employed in a facsimile machine as an example, and is shown in a cassette housing portion of the apparatus main body. Recording paper P1 of different sizes,
Paper feed cassettes 10A and 10B accommodating P2 are detachably inserted in two stages.

Here, each paper feed cassette 10A,
10B, separation claw members 80A, 80B
There is provided a separation paper mechanism composed of, for example, a bottom plate 60A, 60B, a push-up spring 70A, and pickup rollers 40A, 40B provided in the apparatus main body. In the cassette insertion state, the cassette bottom plate 60 in each cassette is set.
The front ends of the recording papers P1 and P2 placed on the recording papers A and 60B are pushed up by push-up springs 70A and 70B, and the pickup rollers 40A and 40 provided on the apparatus main body (not shown).
B is pressed. Then, by rotating any one of the pickup rollers 40A, 40B, the sheet cassettes 10A, 10A, 1
0B, recording sheets P1 and P2 of different sizes are separated one by one at the pickup positions 90A and 90B by the above-described separating sheet mechanism, and are selectively fed out. It is conveyed to the recording unit.

[0006]

However, in the conventional paper feed cassette as described above, when recording papers of different sizes are used, a plurality of paper feed cassettes 10A, 10A,
There is a problem that a cassette mounting structure in which B is individually inserted into the apparatus main body 1 is required. That is, in the case of a multi-stage cassette mounting structure, a cassette accommodating portion is provided on the apparatus main body side for each cassette, and each of the sheet cassettes 10A,
A separate locking mechanism (not shown) must also be provided for 10B. Therefore, the occupied space H0 of the paper feed cassettes 10A and 10B inserted into the apparatus main body is inevitably large, so that the entire apparatus has a large number of components, a complicated structure, and a large space. Problems had occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional drawbacks described above, to supply a plurality of recording papers of different sizes, to feed the papers, and to simplify the structure and downsize the entire apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper cassette.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of loading a large number of recording papers which are mounted on an image recording apparatus and fed one by one to a printing section or the like of the image recording apparatus. A paper cassette for storing recording papers of different sizes is built in a paper cassette for storing recording paper of a predetermined size. Further, the paper cassettes of different sizes can be detachably mounted on the paper cassettes of the predetermined size. Further, the different size paper feed cassette is built in the upper portion of the paper feed upstream of the predetermined size paper feed cassette, and the pickup position of the predetermined size recording paper and the pickup position of the different size recording paper are substantially set. It was the same height. The height is relative to the paper cassette, and does not refer to an absolute height with respect to a floor or the like.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of attaching and detaching the sheet feeding cassette of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image recording apparatus to which the sheet cassette of FIG. 1 is applied.

First, the configuration of a sheet cassette of the present invention and an image recording apparatus to which the sheet cassette is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a printing unit including a toner unit 21, an LED head 22, a drum set 23, and a fixing device 24 is provided above the image recording apparatus 1. Roller pairs 25, 26, and 27 for transporting the recording paper are provided below the printing section. A recording paper tray 28 for stocking recorded recording paper is provided downstream of the recording paper transport roller pair 27 in the recording paper transport direction.

Below the pair of recording paper transport rollers, pickup rollers 4A and 4B are provided. The pickup rollers 4A and 4B are rollers having a shape in which some of the rollers are missing. The missing portions of the pickup rollers 4A and 4B face downward in a standby state. A feed roller pair 29 that conveys the recording paper picked up by the pickup roller 4B is provided between the pick rollers 4A and 4B. Pickup roller 4A, 4
B and the feed roller pair 29 are provided in substantially the same horizontal plane. The paper cassette 3 of the present invention is detachably mounted in the paper cassette housing section at the bottom of the image recording apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed cassette 3
Is a recording sheet P1 of a predetermined size (for example, B4 / A4 size).
The paper feed cassette 3B for loading and storing the recording paper P2 of different sizes (for example, B5 / A5 size) is built in the paper feed cassette 3A for loading and storing.
The paper feed cassette 3B is detachably supported by an unillustrated locking means at the upper portion of the paper feed cassette 3A on the paper feed upstream side.

A bottom plate 6A swingable about a bottom plate 6A and a fulcrum 6a is provided at a bottom portion on the downstream side of the sheet feeding cassette 3A.
And an elastic member 7A for urging the bottom plate 6A upward. The recording paper P is formed by the bottom plate 6A and the elastic member 7A.
1 is biased upward. A separation claw member 8A is provided in the upper portion on the downstream side of the sheet feeding in the sheet feeding cassette 3A. A separation claw member 8A is placed on the corner of the uppermost sheet of the recording paper P1 loaded and accommodated in the paper feed cassette 3A. A separation paper mechanism is constituted by the separation claw member 8A, the bottom plate 6A push-up spring 7A, the pickup roller 4A provided in the apparatus main body, and the like. At the pickup position 9A due to the action of the separation paper mechanism, the stacked recording paper P1
The sheets are separated and fed one by one.

A bottom plate 6B swingable about a bottom plate 6B and a fulcrum 6b is provided at the bottom of the sheet feeding cassette 3B on the downstream side of the sheet feeding.
And an elastic member 7B for urging the bottom plate 6B upward. The recording paper P is formed by the bottom plate 6A and the elastic member 7A.
2 is biased upward. A separation claw member 8B is provided at the upper part on the downstream side of the paper supply in the paper supply cassette 3B. The separation claw member 8B is placed on the corner of the uppermost sheet of the recording paper P2 loaded and stored in the paper feed cassette 3B. The separation claw member 8B, the bottom plate 6B push-up spring 7B, and the pickup roller 4B provided in the apparatus main body constitute a separation paper mechanism. At the pickup position 9B due to the operation of the separation paper mechanism, the stacked recording paper P2 becomes 1
The sheets are separated and fed one by one.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeding cassette 3A and the sheet feeding cassette 3B are detachable. Recording sheets P1 and P2 of different sizes can be easily set. Further, the sheet feeding cassette 3A can be used as a single sheet feeding cassette like a conventional type sheet feeding cassette. In this case, the number of sheets of recording paper P1 can be increased, and the number of sheets of recording paper P1 can be ensured. In addition, compared with the conventional individual insertion type, a single cassette can supply a plurality of types of recording paper, and the cassette accommodating portion 2 necessary for the apparatus main body 1 can be integrated into a single unit. Further, a cassette locking mechanism (not shown) required for the sheet cassette 3 and the cassette accommodating section 2 of the apparatus main body 1 can be unified, so that the number of parts and the structure of the apparatus as a whole can be reduced. Can be achieved.

Further, as described above, the paper feed cassette 3B in which the recording paper P2 is loaded and accommodated is built in the paper feed upstream of the paper feed cassette 3A in which the recording paper P1 is loaded. Therefore, the recording paper P1 whose recording paper front end is lifted by the bottom plate 6A or the like and the recording paper P2 can be stored in the space without waste. Further, a paper feed cassette 3A
Can be made substantially the same height as the position of the separation claw (pickup position) of the recording paper P1, so that the transport path FA of the recording paper picked up from the recording paper P1 loaded and stored in the paper feed cassette 3A.
And the transport path FB of the recording paper picked up from the recording paper P2 loaded and stored in the paper feed cassette 3B can pass through a transport path that is the same transport path FC.
Therefore, the transport conditions of the two paper cassettes 3A and 3B can be made the same, and stable recording paper transport can be achieved. The mechanism and the like of the recording paper storage section inside the multi-stage paper feed cassettes 3A and 3B are the same as those in the conventional example.

Further, when the upper paper cassette 3A and the lower paper cassette 3B are vertically integrated, wasteful space between the cassettes when the cassettes 3A and 3B are inserted and separated from each other on the side of the main body can be eliminated. , Paper cassette 3 occupying around the main body
The occupied space H of (3A, 3B) is reduced, and the entire apparatus can be made more compact.

Next, the operation of the sheet cassette of the present invention and the image recording apparatus to which the sheet cassette is applied will be described. With the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the paper feed cassette 3 is attached to the lower portion of the image recording apparatus 1, and when a print signal is sent to the image recording apparatus 1, the print sheet is supplied according to the recording paper used. Pickup roller 4A or 4B
Are driven alternatively.

When the pickup roller 4A is driven,
As described above, by the action of the separation mechanism such as the separation claw member 8A provided at the upper portion of the sheet feeding downstream in the pickup roller 4A and the sheet feeding cassette 3A, the uppermost sheet of the recording sheets P1 stacked and stored one by one. Separated and picked up. The uppermost sheet of the picked-up recording sheet P1 is sent to the roller pair 25. Further, when the pickup roller 4B is driven, the stacked recording paper P2 is actuated by the action of a separation mechanism such as the pickup roller 4B and a separation claw member 8B provided on the upper side of the sheet feeding downstream in the sheet feeding cassette 3B. Are separated and picked up one by one. The uppermost sheet of the picked-up recording paper P2 is similarly sent to a roller pair 25 via a feed roller 29.

The recording paper sent to the roller pair 25 is printed by the printing unit of the toner unit 21, the LED head 22, the drum set 23, and the fixing unit 24, and is conveyed by the roller pair 26 and the roller pair 27. Is discharged out of the recording paper main body 1. The discharged recording paper is stored in a recording paper tray 28.

In the paper feed cassette according to the above-described embodiment, a case is shown in which one paper feed cassette of a different size is built in a paper feed cassette of a predetermined size. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a plurality of different size paper feed cassettes are built in a predetermined size paper feed cassette. Also,
A plurality of paper feed cassettes containing the above-described paper feed cassettes of different sizes may be mounted on the apparatus main body in a plurality of stages. Further, the format of the apparatus main body side cassette accommodating section in which the paper cassette is mounted and the paper separating and feeding mechanism provided in the cassette accommodating section are not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiment. You can choose any of the formats.

[0022]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
By using this paper feed cassette, recording papers of different sizes can be stored in each paper feed cassette, and can be inserted as a single paper feed cassette into a cassette housing section provided in the image recording apparatus. . In other words, it is possible to store and feed paper of a plurality of sizes while being a single cassette type.
Therefore, if the paper feeding cassette of the present invention which accommodates recording papers of different sizes and can be inserted into the cassette accommodating portion of the image recording apparatus as one cassette is adopted, the paper feeding cassettes are individually provided for each recording paper size. Compared with the conventional type in which a plurality of stages are inserted, the structure of the entire apparatus can be simplified and the size can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily set recording sheets of different sizes. Further, by attaching paper cassettes of different sizes, the paper cassettes can be used as a single paper cassette and the number of paper cassettes of a predetermined size can be increased (single paper cassette). The number of sheets accommodated as a paper cassette can be secured.)

According to the third aspect of the present invention, recording paper of a predetermined size in which the front end of the recording paper (the downstream end of the paper supply) is lifted by the bottom plate or the like, and recording papers of different sizes can be stored in the space without waste. Further, the recording paper picked up from the recording paper stacked and stored in the paper feeding cassette of a predetermined size and the recording paper picked up from the recording paper stacked and stored in the paper feeding cassette of different sizes are moved from the cassette unit. When discharged, they can pass through the same transport path. Therefore, the transport conditions of both paper feed cassettes can be the same, and stable recording paper transport can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of attaching and detaching the sheet feeding cassette of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image recording apparatus to which the sheet cassette of FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional paper feed cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus main body 2 Cassette accommodating part 3 Paper feed cassette 3A Paper feed cassette (predetermined size) 3B Paper feed cassette (different size) P1 Recording paper P2 Recording paper

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed cassette which is mounted on an image recording apparatus and stores a large number of recording sheets which are fed one by one to a printing section of the image recording apparatus. A paper feed cassette characterized in that a paper feed cassette for loading and storing different sizes of recording paper is built in the paper feed cassette to be stored. 2. The paper feeding cassette according to claim 1, wherein said different size paper feeding cassette is detachably mounted on said predetermined size paper feeding cassette. 3. A paper feed cassette of a different size is built in an upper portion of an upstream side of the paper feed cassette in the paper feed cassette of a predetermined size, and a pickup position of a recording paper of a predetermined size and a pickup of a recording paper of a different size. The paper feed cassette according to claim 1, wherein the positions are substantially the same height.