JPS6160533A - Sheet detector of copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a size of a paper sheet and the presence thereof with simple arrangement by detecting reflected light from the sheet depending on a position of a detection window of a sheet cassette. CONSTITUTION:Detection windows 2b, 2c are opened in side surfaces of a sheet cassette 2 on the side of sheet insertion of a copying machine body 1. These windows 2b, 2c respectively display a size of a sheet 3 housed in a cassette 2. While, detector means 4 is installed at a position in opposition to the detector windows 2b, 2c of the cassette 2 on the side of the copying machine body 1 and a plurality of sets of coupled light emitting and optical detector elements 4a, 4b of the detector means and provided in parallel to each other along the end surface of the cassette 2, whereby a sheet size is detected by making use of a positional change of the optical detector element 4b serving to detect reflected light, while the presence of the sheet 3 is detected by light, while the presence of the sheet 3 is detected by light reflected from the end part of the sheet 3 appearing out of the windows 2b, 2c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper detection device for a copying machine that detects the size of paper and the presence or absence of paper from a paper feed cassette installed in the main body of the copying machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional copying machines are equipped with a plurality of paper feed cassettes containing sheets of different sizes. Such copying machines have magnetic or mechanical detection means on the main body of the copying machine, and these detection means detect the size of paper from the attached paper cassette, and the presence or absence of paper is determined by a separate detection means. was detected.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention For this reason, at least two types of detection means are required;
There were problems such as increased costs.

This invention was made for the purpose of improving the above-mentioned problems.

Means and Effects for Solving Problems: A detection window is provided on the paper feed cassette side to display the size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette, and a detection window is provided on the copying machine body side to detect the size of the paper from the paper feed cassette detection window. 9. A paper detecting device for a copying machine capable of simultaneously detecting the paper size and the presence or absence of paper by providing a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of paper based on reflected light from the paper displayed.

Embodiment One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a copying machine, into which a plurality of paper feed cassettes 2 can be installed. Above paper feed cassette 2
has a bottom plate 2α on the inner bottom that is biased upward by a biasing means 5 such as a leaf spring, and sheets 3 are stacked on this bottom plate 2α, and the copying machine main body 1 of the paper feed cassette 2
For example, two detection windows 2h are provided on the insertion side end surface.

2C is open. These detection windows 2b and 2c are adapted to display the size of the five sheets of paper 3 stored in the paper feed cassette 2 depending on the number and spacing thereof.

On the other hand, on the copying machine main body 1 side, a detection means 4 is installed at a position facing the detection windows 2b, 2c of the paper feed cassette 2. The detection means 4 includes a light emitting element 4α and a light receiving element 4b.
Several sets of pairs are arranged in parallel along the end surface of the paper feed cassette 2 as shown in FIG. The paper size is detected using the detection windows 2b, 2.
The presence or absence of the paper 3 is detected from the reflected light from the edge of the paper 3 exposed at ty.

In the above embodiment, the detection means 4 on the copying machine main body 1 side is provided at a position facing the end surface of the paper feed cassette 2, but an optical fiber or the like is used to connect the detection means 4 to the detection window 2b.

If 2C can be detected remotely, the detection means 4 can be installed at any position within the main body 1 of the copying machine.

Effects of the Invention As described in detail above, the present invention is capable of simultaneously detecting the size of the required paper 3 stored in the paper feed cassette 2 and the presence or absence of the paper 3 by means of the detection means 4 provided on the side of the main body i of the copying machine. There is no need to separately provide a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of paper 3 as in the case of FIG. This not only simplifies the configuration of the detection means but also reduces the cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a paper feed cartridge mounting section, FIG. 2 is an end view of the paper feed cartridge, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the detection means. 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is a paper feed cassette, and 2b. 2C is a detection window, 3 is paper, and 4 is a detection means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a copying machine body 1 in which a paper feed cassette 2 containing sheets 3 of different sizes is removably attached, a detection window 2b is provided on the paper feed cassette 2 side for displaying the size of the sheets 3 stored according to the number and spacing thereof. . A paper detecting device for a copying machine including a detecting means 4.