JPS60209442A - Paper feed unit of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discriminate and detect individual sheets of recording paper in size even if they have the same width by operating a size display member in response to the displacement of a size setting member switching the positions of pairs of side fences in response to the paper width. CONSTITUTION:When B5R, among decalcomania paper size display symbols provided on a size setting disk 38, is exposed and displayed outside, B5R is displayed on the operation panel section 15 of a copying machine proper via the output from a five-throw photo interrupter 67 (size display member). Furthermore, when the size setting disk 38 is rotated from this position to the position of A4R, the next shield plate 66b is placed at the position of the photo interrupter 67, then A4R is displayed on the operation panel section via the output of the photo interrupter 67. Likewise, for subsequent shield plates 66c-66h, the size of the predetermined decalcomania paper is displayed on the operation panel section in response to the photo interrupter 67 in sequence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a paper feeding device in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer.

(Prior Art) Image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers are equipped with paper feeding devices that feed transfer paper, recording paper, etc. one by one. In this type of paper feeding device, a bundle of recording paper is stacked on the bottom plate of the paper feeding device, and the sides of the stacked paper bundle are held down by side fences that stand up in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate, and the paper is fed. The side edges of the recording paper used for recording paper are guided by the side fences. The side fence can be moved in the direction of the paper stack depending on the stack of recording paper, and as a means for switching the position of the side fence, for example, the side fence can be moved by moving the side fence to this guide support plate. Conventionally, a method of sliding the paper in the direction of the paper at the top has been generally adopted.

In such a paper feeding device, if the position of the side fence is detected and the size of the recording paper is displayed on the operation panel of the copying machine based on the detection result, for example,
It is possible to detect what size recording paper is stored in the paper feed device.

However, for example, there are cases where B5 size recording paper is fed horizontally (paper feeding direction is the width direction) and B4 size recording paper is fed vertically (paper feeding direction is the longitudinal direction). Now, since the paper piles are the same for both, even if the position of the side fence is detected, it is difficult to determine whether the recording paper size stored in the paper feeder is B5 size or B4 size. cannot be detected.

(Objective) An object of the present invention, which was created in view of the above points, is to provide an image processing system that can distinguish and detect the size of each recording paper even if the width of the recording paper is the same. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device for a forming device.

(Structure) The structure of the present invention will be described below based on Examples.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus.The copying machine main body 1 includes a paper feed cassette 2 and a unitized paper feed device in the lower stage. 3 is installed, and this paper feeding device 3 can accommodate, for example, about 1000 to 1500 sheets of zero transfer paper.

The paper feeding device 3 is loaded in the same direction as the loading direction of the paper feeding cassette 2, and after this loading, the paper feeding device 3 is fixed to the copying machine body with screws or the like to prevent it from being accidentally removed. It's starting to happen. After this fixation, a harness for exchanging control signals between the main body of the copying machine and this paper feeding device is connected.

The paper feeder 3 is provided with a transparent upper cover 4 which can be rotated open and closed about its rear end on the copying machine side, and a side cover 5 which is also transparent and which can be rotated open and closed about its lower end. Note that when at least one of the covers 4 and 5 is opened, the display section 8 (see Fig. 2) of the operation panel section 6 provided in the paper feeder 3 lights up, and this lighting causes the The copier user can detect that the cover has been opened.

Here, open the side cover 5 shown in FIG.
The bottom plate 9 of the paper feeder 3 shows about 0 sheets of transfer paper as shown in FIG.
Place it on top. Next, when the side cover 5 is opened, the bottom plate 9 is raised by a bottom plate lifting mechanism, which will be described later, and the transfer paper 1 is lifted.
1 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 12 as shown in the figure, and when this paper feed roller 12 is slightly lifted, a switch (not shown) is activated, and the switching signal at this time causes the bottom plate lifting mechanism to malfunction. When it is not activated, the bottom plate 9 stops rising.I-ra l/r+Toy 1+7 In the above-described position, the paper feed roller 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and this rotation causes the transfer paper to move in the paper feed direction. It is sent toward a pair of separating and conveying rollers 13 arranged therein. When a plurality of sheets of transfer paper are sent from the paper feed roller 12, this separating and conveying roller pair 13 separates and conveys only one sheet of transfer paper. The transfer paper is fed one by one, and when the number of transferred sheets reaches a plurality of sheets, the bottom plate 9 is intermittently raised each time, thereby maintaining the paper feeding level at a constant level.

When the transfer paper on the bottom plate 9 runs out, the paper out detection lever 14
falls into the notch 9a provided in the bottom plate 9, actuating a switch (not shown), and this switching signal causes a paper out display to be displayed on the operation panel section 15 (see FIG. 1) of the copying machine main body 1. ing.

Next, when sensing this display and pressing the bottom plate lowering instruction button 7 provided on the operation panel section 6 of the paper feeder as shown in FIG.
The bottom plate 9 moves to the lowest position.

At this position, a limit sensor (not shown) indicates a rh stop, and the amount of transfer paper on the bottom plate 9 becomes low, and when replenishing it or changing the size of transfer paper, The bottom plate lowering instruction button 7 is pressed each time.

Here, a configuration for switching the position of the side fence of the paper feeder of the present invention will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this paper feeding device, the transfer paper feeding method using the paper feeding roller 12 is carried out based on the center, and in this embodiment, 5 paper stacks are different from 6 paper stacks. Transfer paper can be fed.

In addition, in FIG. 4, B 5 R, A4 R, 81/
2"X11"R, 81/2"X14"R, B5. B4R
, 11"X 81/2".

Transfer paper can be fed in eight sheets, such as A4 paper. In addition, R means vertical feeding,
For example, B5R means that B5 size transfer paper is fed vertically, and B5 means that B5 size transfer paper is fed horizontally.

Here, vertical feeding means that the transfer paper is placed on the bottom plate in such a way that the length of the transfer paper parallel to the paper feeding direction is longer than the length of the paper stack in the paper stack direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction. This indicates the feeding method of the transfer paper when the paper is placed in the paper feed direction. This shows the transfer paper feeding method when the transfer paper is placed on the bottom plate with the width shortened. Note that the size of 81/2"Xll" is usually called letter size, and the size of 8]/2"X
A size of 14" is usually called legal size.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when a B5 size paper is fed horizontally and a B4 size paper is fed vertically, the piles of paper will be the same in both cases. Also, when vertically feeding both letter size and legal size items,
The paper piles will be the same on both sides.

For example, if A4 size paper is fed horizontally, the exposure scanning length can be shortened by 1 compared to when it is fed vertically, and the copying time for a 10 hit sheet can be reduced by one hour. can be converted into Also.

When making a reduced copy on B5 size transfer paper using a B4 size original, it is convenient to feed the B5 size transfer paper vertically. For this reason, the transfer paper is fed vertically or horizontally.

Here, in FIG. 4, solid lines, broken lines, one-dot chain lines, two-dot chain lines, etc. indicate the outline of the paper stack.
Side fences 16 and 17 are in contact with both sides of the size (longitudinally fed) paper stack parallel to the paper feeding direction A, respectively.

In this paper feeding device, the side fences 16 and 17 are moved in the direction of the paper stack according to the size of the paper stack, and the poles at that position (switching can be done easily and without error) In other words, the side fences 16 and 17 are widened or narrowed depending on the distance between the stacks of paper.In this embodiment, the positions of the side fences are changed to six.

Regarding the configuration that can achieve the above functions.

To explain below, in FIG. 5, the side fence 1
6 are arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the paper feeding direction A, and have their base ends fixed on the movable plate 19 and the tension plate 21 fastened thereto. , is in a standing position. Also, side fences 17 are fixed on the other movable plate 20 and on the overhanging plate 22 so as to face each side fence 16. At each upper end of the side fences 16 and 17, girder members 23 and 24 are provided.
is assembled, and each side fence is integrated into a rigid structure.

Both moving plates 19 and 20 include a rack rack 19a +
208 are provided respectively, and both racks 19a
.

20a meshes with a pinion 26 rotatably supported by the base plate 25.

Both moving plates 19, 20 have two mutually parallel guide shafts 27.
．． 28, and on this guide shaft,
Both moving plates 19 and 20 are movable in the direction of the paper stack. In addition. The shaft ends of both guide shafts 27 and 28 are fixed to a unit side plate 29 of the paper feeder 3, as shown in FIG. In addition.

In FIG. 6, the tea inner shaft 28 is not shown.

Both moving plates 19. A bottom plate 9 is provided above the 0, and this bottom plate 9 has rectangular holes 9b, 9 as shown in FIG.
C is punched in each. And this rectangular hole 9b,
Side fences 16 and 17 pass through 9c.

In FIG. 5, an operating lever 32 is pivotally attached to the base plate 25 by a pin 31, and a roller 34 is fitted into a long hole 32a bored in the arm of the base plate 25. It is rotatably attached to a pin 35 implanted downward in the actuating lever 32).A cam follower 33 is implanted in the thin arm of the actuating lever 32), and this cam follower 33 is connected to an arcuate hole drilled in the base plate 25. 36 and extends downward.

A size setting member 38 having a cam groove 37 is provided on the back side of the base plate 25, and this size setting member 38 has a rotary disk shape as shown in the figure, and has a side fence as described later. Achieves the function of switching the positions of 16 and 17 depending on the transfer paper.

Hereinafter, this size setting member 38 will be referred to as a size setting disk.

The size setting disk 38 is rotatably supported on a shaft 39 fixed to the base plate 25. As shown in FIG. 7, the cam groove 37 of the size setting disk 38 has a groove shape that gradually moves away from the center of rotation along the circumferential direction, and the cam follower 33 engages with this cam groove 37. There is.

V-shaped notches 41a and 41b are provided on the upper surface of the peripheral wall portion 41, which is arranged concentrically with the rotation center together with the cam groove 37.

41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, 4
1g and 41h are carved at intervals. In FIG. 5, the base end of an elastic plate 42 is fixed to the base plate 25, and a pin 4 of the same type is attached to the free end of this elastic plate 42.
3 passes through the rectangular hole 44 and engages with one of the eight notches, for example, the notch indicated by reference numeral 41a. Elastic plate 42
An actuator 46a of a switch 46 fixed to the support plate 45 is engaged with the upper surface of the switch.

On the top surface of the size setting disk 38, transfer paper sizes are displayed at intervals in the circumferential direction such as B5R, A4R, etc. One of these sizes is shown in FIG. As a result, a portion of the size setting disk 38 is exposed from the main body of the paper feeder 3, so that it can be visually observed from the outside.

Here, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the externally exposed portion of the size setting disk 38 is displayed as FB 5 RJ, and in this display state, as shown in FIG. is placed in the most narrowed position. And in this position, side fence 16.1
7 presses both sides of a bundle 11 of B5 size transfer paper loaded on the bottom plate 9. In this state, the B5 size transfer paper is fed vertically.

Next, vertically feed the A4 size transfer paper (to change the position of the side fences 16 and 17, rotate the size setting disc 38 counterclockwise in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8). This rotation is performed while pressing the exposed part of the size setting disc 38 with your fingers, as shown in Fig. 6.The size setting disc 38 is knurled on its surface to make it easier to turn. It is rare.

When the size setting disk 38 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 41a onto the upper surface of the peripheral wall 41, and in the state shown in FIG. 8, the pin 43 now falls into the next notch 41b, and
The size setting disk 38 is click-stopped at the position shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the size setting disk 38 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. Following the cam groove moving away along the cam groove, the cam follower 33 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 and stopped at the position shown in FIG. 8 by the click stop function described above.

When the cam follower 33 is displaced from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. The moving plate 19 is moved in the direction of the arrow.

When the movable plate 19 moves, the rack 19a moves.

The pinion 26 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and this rotation causes the rack 20a to mesh with the pinion 26 on the movable plate 20.
is moved in the direction of the arrow. That is, both side fences 16.17 are expanded 1, and this side fence 16.17
are opposed to each other at a distance corresponding to the stack of A4 size transfer paper that is being fed vertically. In this way, one side fence 16°17 is
As well as being switched to the size position, the pin 4 mentioned above
3, the switch is set to the switching position without movement by the click stop function. In this state, of course, the exposed portion of the size setting disk 38 (see FIG. 6) displays [4RJ].

When the size setting disk 38 is further rotated from the position shown in FIG. letter size (
81/2"X11"R) position. After this, the size setting disk 38 is further inserted into the notch 4 by the pin 43.
Rotate it until it drops to 1d, and the side fence 16
．． 17 is a legal size (81,/2"
In this case, the stack of letter-sized transfer paper and the stack of legal-size transfer paper are the same, so the amount of feeding is not different from the side fence by about 16.170.

Now, when the cam follower 33 is relatively located at point a among points alblc, d, e, f, g, and h shown in FIG. 7, the side fence is set at position B5H, and b
When the cam follower 33 is located at the point, the side fence is set at the position A2B. Similarly, at point C, the position is 81/2"X11"R, and at point d, the position is 81/2"X11"R.
The side fences are respectively set at positions of /2"X14"R. In this case, focusing on point C and point d,
The portion of the cam groove between points c and d is an inner arc-shaped cam groove having the same radius and centered on the narrow center of the shaft 39.

However, when the cam follower 33 is placed at point C and point d, the distance between the side fences 16 and 17 remains unchanged.

Similarly, when the cam follower 33 is placed at points e and f, the distance between the side fences 16 and 17 does not change. Incidentally, when the cam follower 33 is placed at point e, the side fence is set at position B5, and when placed at point f, the side fence is set at position B4R.

In this case as well, as shown in FIG.
The stack of paper of B4 size and the stack of paper of B4 size that are fed vertically are equal.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the cam follower 33 is placed at the h-point end of the cam groove 37, and the operating lever 32 is in a position in which it is turned clockwise to the maximum extent. In this state, the side fences 16, 17 are placed in the most expanded position, and in this state, a stack of A4 size transfer paper to be transversely fed is set between the side fences 16, 17. Note that when the size setting disk 38 is reversed counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 9, both side fences 16 and 17 move in the direction of narrowing.

In any case, simply by rotating the size setting disk 38, the position of the side fence can be easily changed over a wide variety of positions.

By the way, as mentioned earlier, the paper piles of letter-sized transfer paper that is fed vertically and legal-sized transfer paper that is also fed vertically are equal, and in this case, the side fence The position of never changes.

Also, the paper stacks of B5 size transfer paper that is fed horizontally and B4 size transfer paper that is fed vertically are equal.
Even in this case, the position of the side fence does not change.

A feature of the present invention is that it is possible to discriminate and detect the size of each transfer paper even if the same pile of paper has different sizes.

In FIG. 7, the size setting disk 38 has shielding plates 65a+66b+6 spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction.
6c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 66
g and 66h are provided integrally with the disc 38. Of these, the shielding plate 66a is shown in FIG. This shielding plate 66a.

It serves as a shielding plate for detecting B5 size transfer paper that is being fed vertically, and has two raised protrusions on the front side in the figure. In FIG. 7, the protrusion is shown in cross section for convenience.

A photointerrupter 67 is immovably provided outside the disk 38 so as to sandwich the shielding plate 66a, and this position is set at the location shown in FIG. In this figure, the photointerrupter 67 is a five-series photointerrupter in which five light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements are combined in pairs and are lined up in the longitudinal direction.

With respect to the two raised protrusions of the shielding plate 66a, each light emitted from each light emitting element is blocked by both protrusions and does not reach each light receiving element, and each light receiving element is in an OFF state. Become. On the other hand, since there is no protrusion, the light from the other three light-emitting elements reaches each light-receiving element, and each light-receiving element is turned on. In FIG. 7, 0 is conveniently placed in the frame to the right of the photo interrupter 67.
．． It shows a binary value such as 0°1.1.1.

Here, 0 is when the light receiving element is off, and 1&i is when the light receiving element is on.

The apparatus according to the present invention detects the size of the transfer paper by changing the combination of such binary values. A table of combinations of binary values depending on the size of the transfer paper is shown below.

When the size setting disk 38 is placed at the position shown in FIG. 7, the outputs from the five photointerrupters 67 are 0.0, 1.1.1, and for example, l'-B 5 RJ is displayed on the operation panel section 15 of the copying machine main body l shown in FIG.

Furthermore, when the size setting disk 38 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG.
b is placed at the location of the photo interrupter 67, and at this time, the output of the photo ink club Taro 7 is 0.0. I, 0.1
Then, with this output, "A 4 RJ" is displayed on the operation panel section 15.

Similarly, the subsequent shielding plates 66c to 66h also correspond to the photointerrupter 67, and the predetermined size of the transfer paper is displayed on the operation panel section 15 according to this correspondence.

In this way, with this paper feeding device, for example, the stacks of paper are equal for letter size transfer paper that is fed vertically and legal size transfer paper that is fed vertically. Even if the position of the fences 16 and 17 does not change, it is possible to distinguish and detect the size of each transfer paper.Also, it is possible to distinguish and detect the size of each transfer paper.
In the same manner, the size of the transfer paper can be determined and detected for both the B4 size transfer paper and the transferred B4 size transfer paper.

The shielding plates 66a to 66h etc. display the size in a pattern, so to speak, and the size setting disk 380
This constitutes an example of a size display member that operates according to rotational displacement. Further, the photo interrupter 67 transmits the size information obtained by each shielding plate to the operation panel section 6.
One of the size information transfer means for supplying to the display means such as
This constitutes an example. Furthermore, the photointerrupter 67 constitutes an example of size information conversion means that photoelectrically converts information regarding the size of the transfer paper.

According to this paper feeding device, the size setting by switching the position of the side fence mentioned above and the size display by size detection can be performed at the same time, so compared to a method that performs both separately, it is much easier. It is possible to reduce the number of component parts required to achieve a certain function, and it is also possible to make size settings and size display errors in relation to each other.

In addition, it is possible to display the size on the copying machine main body side, and it is possible to easily determine the size of the transfer paper loaded in the paper feeder without looking at the paper feeder. I can do it.

Furthermore, it becomes possible to appropriately control the process system of the copying machine in response to the size detection signal.

For example, the above-mentioned exposure scanning length etc. can be arbitrarily changed depending on the transfer paper size.

Such control and size setting can both be performed without error.

By the way, as mentioned earlier, with this paper feeding device,
The bins 43 of the seven elastic plates 42 shown in FIG.
When the pin 43 falls into the notch 41a, etc., the size setting disk 38 is click-stopped by the feeling when the pin 43 falls into the notch 41a, etc.

It is possible to accurately recognize whether or not the side fences 16 and 17 are set at the correct positions.

Furthermore, if the mechanical displacement of the elastic plate 42 due to the depression of the pin 43 is converted into an electrical signal by the switch 46 or the like, this electrical signal can be used to determine whether or not the side fence is set at the correct position. This can be easily confirmed by lighting a lamp or the like. Furthermore, the electric signal can also be used to put the copying machine or paper feeder into operation mode. On the other hand, if the copying machine and the paper feeding device are not operated when the bottle 43 does not fall into the notch 41a or the like, it is possible to prevent erroneous copies from being made.

Here, the lifting mechanism of the bottom plate 9 will be briefly explained using FIG.

In the figure, each of the lifting rods 47 and 48, which are arranged parallel to each other, has one end formed into a hole 49 bored in the unit side plate 29.
The wire 50 extends through the wire 50, and one end of the wire 52 is secured to the wire 52. The wire 52 connects to the drive pulley 53
．． Tension pulley 54. Idler pulley 56.57;
Kake has been passed on 58.59 etc. Note that a unit side plate on the opposite side facing the unit side plate 29 (not shown)
Similarly, the above-mentioned pulley group is provided, and a wire is passed through this pulley group, and the other end of the lifting rod 47, 48 is latched to this wire.

The other end of the shaft 61 to which the drive pulley 53 is fixed is attached to the base plate 25.
(See diagram Is) It is rotatably supported by a support member 62 fixed above. A worm wheel 65 is fixed to the shaft 61, and the worm wheel 65 meshes with a worm 64 fixed to the motor shaft of the reversible motor 63.

Here, when the reversible motor 63 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the worm wheel 65 rotates in the direction of the arrow via the worm 64, and accordingly, the shaft 61 and the drive pulley 5
3 rotate in the same direction. When the drive pulley 53 rotates in the direction of the arrow, it is connected to the lifting rod 47 via other pulley groups and the wire 52.
．． 48 rises.

As mentioned at the beginning, this rise occurs when the stack of paper is placed on the bottom plate 9 at the lowest position shown by the imaginary line and the top surface of the stack of paper here is brought into contact with the paper feed roller 12, or when the paper stack is This is done when keeping the level constant. In the latter case, when the bottom plate 9 rises by a small amount and lifts the paper feed roller 12, a switch (not shown) is activated, and the switching signal at this time causes the motor 63 to stop and the bottom plate 9 to lift up. also stops rising. In addition, even when the side cover 5 shown in FIG. 1 is opened halfway, the motor 63 is stopped and the bottom plate 9 is also stopped from rising.

Further, as the transfer paper on the bottom plate 9 runs out, when the bottom plate lowering instruction button 7 shown in FIG. lower to.

As described above, the paper feeding device of the present invention is capable of distinguishing and detecting the size of each recording paper.
Paper feeding devices that achieve such functions can be applied not only to electrophotographic copying machines but also to facsimile machines, printers, offset printing machines, and the like.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily distinguish and detect the size of recording paper for different sizes of recording paper even if the recording paper width is the same. paper feeding device can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electrophotographic copying machine which is an example of application of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel provided in a paper feeder, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feeding device of the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the size of the transfer paper fed by the above paper feeding device on each side, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the side fence position switching mechanism in the above paper feeding device. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom plate lifting mechanism in the paper feeding device, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the operating lever with respect to the cam groove of the size adjustment disk, and FIG. 8 is a side fence in one stage, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the operating lever with respect to the cam groove when the side fence is raised to its uppermost position. 9... Bottom plate, 15... Operation panel section, 16.17.
...Side fence, 38...Size setting disk, 66
a, 66b. 66c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 6
6g, 66h = Shielding plate, 67... Photo interrupter.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A bottom plate on which recording paper is stacked in a bundle, a side presser that stands up in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate and parallel to the paper feeding direction of the stack of recording paper on the bottom plate, and a paper feeding A side fence is movable in the direction of the paper pile perpendicular to the direction, and the position of the side fence is recorded by displacing the side fence so as to move in the direction of the paper pile according to recording paper widths of different sizes. A size setting member that switches according to the paper width, a size display member that operates according to the displacement of the size setting member, and a size information transfer means that supplies recording paper size information obtained by the size display member to a display means. A paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. A paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size setting member and the size display member are substantially integrated. 3. A paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size information transfer means includes a plurality of sets of size information conversion means. 4. The plurality of sets of size information conversion means were five series of photo interrupters. A paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3.