JPS63185772A - Sheet housing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the occurrence of erroneous refeeding by providing a pressing member which presses a sheet end part without hindering its movement on a sheet restraining member which is set in a position corresponding to a sheet size, in a copying machine, etc. CONSTITUTION:At the time of both side copying mode, sheets each copied on its surface are sent into a cassette 10 by means of a housing roller 160 and a refeeding roller 170 and piled in heaps on a bottom plate in order by means of a projecting strip 117 provided in a conveying direction on the center. In this case, when the end of a sent-in sheet is brought into contact with a restraining member 140 set in a position corresponding to a sheet size, both sides of the end are pressed by a flexible pressing board 145 made of Mylar, etc. which is fixed to an upper end 140a without its movement being hindered, and a heat curl is corrected and the sheet is accurately positioned and housed by means of the pressing board 145. Thereby, the occurrence of erroneous refeeding can be securely prevented without causing the end of the sheet in the housing direction to ride on or to get under the restraining board.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sheet storage device, for example, a cassette for re-feeding that temporarily stores sheets on which images have been formed in the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. The present invention relates to sheet storage devices such as paper discharge trays and paper ejection trays.

``Back and forth'' Conventionally, in copiers and other machines that have a sheet heating section, and in image forming apparatuses that record images on roll paper, the ejected sheet curls. Such a sheet is, for example, the 23rd
As shown in the figure, when the paper is stored in the refeeding cassette (110), there is a risk that the leading end in the storage direction may go over the regulation plate (140). In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, the problem that the leading edge of the sheet does not reach the refeeding roller (170) or slips into the lower end of the regulating plate (140), resulting in a refeeding error, has been solved. have.

In order to solve the problems beyond the means for determining the gap, the sheet storage device according to the present invention includes (i) a regulating member that can be set at a position corresponding to the sheet size in order to regulate the leading edge of the sheet in the storage direction; (i) a pressing member that is attached to the regulating member and presses the leading end of the sheet in the storage direction without interfering with its movement; When being accommodated, the distal end in the accommodation direction is pressed by the pressing member and reliably abuts against the regulating member, thereby regulating the position and correcting the curl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sheet storage device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied as a paper refeeding device for double-sided copying.

[Overall configuration and operation of copying machine] In Figure 1, the copying machine main body (1) is installed on a stand (50).
A photoreceptor drum 10) is installed on the top via a paper refeed path box (60), and a photoreceptor drum 10) is installed approximately in the center so that it can be driven to rotate at a constant circumferential speed (V) in the direction of arrow (a). A main eraser (
11), charger (12), sub eraser (13)
), a magnetic brush type developing device (14), a transfer charger (15), a sheet separation charger (16), and a blade type cleaning device (17) are arranged in this order.

The photosensitive drum (10) has a well-known photosensitive layer on its surface, and as it rotates in the direction of arrow <8>, the main eraser (11) and charger (10) are removed for each copy.
2), Eliminate static electricity with the sub-eraser (13).

It is charged and unnecessary portions are removed, and subjected to image exposure by an optical system (20), and an electrostatic latent image is formed on its surface, which is turned into a toner image by a developing device (14).

The optical system (20) is installed below the document platen glass (19) so that the document image can be scanned, and includes an exposure lamp 21),
It is composed of a first mirror (22), a second mirror (23), a third mirror (24), a projection lens (25), and a fourth mirror (26). The exposure lamp (21) and the first mirror (22) are integrally formed into a block, and the photoreceptor drum (
The second mirror ( 23) and the third mirror (24) are integrally formed into a block and can be moved in the direction of arrow (b) at a speed of (V/2m).In addition, when changing the copying magnification, the lens (25) moves on the optical axis, and the fourth mirror (26) moves and swings to correct the optical path.

Sheets for copying are stored in a fixed automatic paper feed cassette (30) and a removable automatic paper feed cassette (35) provided on the left side of the copying machine main body (1) in Figure 1. By selectively rotating and driving the paper feed rollers (31) and (36), paper can be fed one by one.

Also, the top of the cassette (30) has a manual paper feed section (32).
From here, sheets can be fed one by one. The sheet fed from the cassette (30) and its manual paper feed section (32) is completely conveyed to the timing roller pair 40) through the conveyance roller pair (33), and then the sheet is conveyed to the timing roller pair 40).
The sheet fed from 5) is directly passed through the timing roller pair (
40), where it is temporarily put on standby.

The copy sheet is sent to the transfer section by a pair of timing rollers (40) in synchronization with the image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (10), is brought into close contact with the photoreceptor drum (10), and is transferred to the transfer charger (15). ) The toner image is transferred by the corona discharge of the separation charge-v (16) and separated from the photoreceptor drum (10) by the alternating current corona discharge of the separation charge-v (16) and the stiffness of the sheet itself. Thereafter, the sheet is sucked onto a conveyor belt (41) equipped with an air suction means (42) and sent to a fixing device (43), where the toner image is fixed, and the sheet is discharged from a pair of discharge rollers (44). .

On the other hand, the toner and charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum (10) after the transfer are removed by a cleaning device (17) and a main eraser (11), and the photosensitive drum (10) is prepared for the next copying process.

By the way, sheet size detection switches (SWI) to (SW
4).

(SW6) to (SW9) and sheet detection switch f (
SW5).

(5W10) is installed. Sheet size detection switch f (SWI) ~ (SW4), (SW6) ~ (5
IJ9) 4:! Cassette (30).

(35) is turned on and off based on the arrangement of protrusions or magnets, etc., and in the operating state, the cassette (30),
(35) The attachment/detachment of the hood itself and the size of the fully loaded sheet are determined using a 4-bit hood signal. Also, a sheet detection switch (SW5).

(Sken 10) directly detects the presence or absence of sheets in the cassettes (30) and (35).

[Overall structure and paper feeding form of duplex/combining unit] In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the duplex/composite unit (70)
In general, the first switching claw (71), the second switching claw (
75), discharge rollers (80), (81), and conveyance rollers (85), (
86), guide plate (90), (91), (95)
- (98), and a paper refeeding device (100) which will be described in detail below, and a sorter (290) equipped with a plurality of bins (291) and a paper discharge tray (not shown) is installed on the back. This double-sided composite unit 1-(70) is placed on a rail (not shown) attached to the paper refeed path box (60), and can be moved away from the copying machine main body (1) in the direction of arrow (c).

1st. The second switching pawls (71) and (75) are rotatable about the support shafts (72) and (76) when the solenoid is turned on and off. In the normal copying mode (single-sided copying mode), the first switching pawl (71) is fully set to the solid line position in the figure, and the ejection roller pair (4) of the copying machine main body (1)
The sheet completely ejected from 4) is sent to the ejection roller (80).

(81) to the sorter (290), the first switching pawl (71) rotates in the direction of arrow (d), and the first switching pawl (71) rotates in the direction of arrow (d) to move the sheets to the guide plates (91), (95). ) to the conveyance roller (85),
(86).

On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, the second switching claw (7
5) is set at the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet is placed on the guide plate (
95), (96) to the storage roller (160),
The paper is guided to the refeed roller (170). Sheets are deposited from rollers (160), (170) into a cassette (110), which will be described in detail below. When the set number of sheets has been accommodated, the bottom plate (120) of the cassette (110) is pushed up as shown in FIG. 3, and the sheets are rotated in the direction of arrow (e) of the paper refeed roller (170). The sheets are re-fed one by one based on the feed roller (150), the sabaki roller (155), and sent to the re-feed path box (60) through the guide plates (97) and (98). In the composite copy mode, the second switching pawl (75) moves in the direction of the arrow (
d) direction, and conveys the sheet to the conveying roller (85), (
86) through guide plates (91) and (97) to the refeed path box (60).

As shown in Fig. 1, the paper refeed path box (60) is composed of a pair of transport rollers (61), (62), (63) and guide plates <64) to (67). The sheet is transferred from the pair of transport rollers (63) to the guide plate (48>) of the copying machine main body (1).

(49), and is conveyed to the timing roller pair (40).

On the other hand, a sheet detection sensor (SEI) is installed in the above conveyance path.
, (SE2), (SE3) have been installed, and the sensor (
SEI) detects the sheet ejected from the ejection roller (so), (8t), and the sensor (SE2) detects the sheet ejected from the cassette (1).
10) Detects the sheets that can be accommodated in the sensor (SE3)
detects the sheet sent to the refeed paper passing box (60).

[In Figures 4 and 5 of the structure of the drive system within the unit, the double-sided/composite unit (70)
The various rollers inside are configured to be rotationally driven by a motor (Ml). The spindle (82) is the discharge roller (81)
The supporting shaft (87) supports the conveying roller (86), the supporting shaft (151) supports the feeding roller (150), and a bearing (
201).

(202) and (203), it is rotatably attached.

Sprockets (2) are attached to the ends of the support shafts (82) and (87).
06).

(207) is fixed, and a sprocket (208) is attached to the end of the support shaft (151) via an electromagnetic clutch (CLI), and each sprocket (206), (207
), (208) and a roller chain (209) is stretched between the output sprocket (205) of the motor (Ml). Therefore, by starting the motor (Ml), the discharge roller (81) is moved along with the support shaft (82) as indicated by the arrow (e).
The transport roller (86) rotates in the direction of the arrow (eo) together with the support shaft (87), and the electric feed latch (C
LL) is turned on, the feeding roller (150) rotates in the direction of arrow (e) together with the support shaft (151). Also,
The discharge roller (80>) and the conveyance roller (85) are
1) and (86) are driven to rotate in conjunction with the rotational drive of (86).

Further, one end of the frame (175) is rotatably attached to the support shaft (151) via a bearing (152), and the other end of the frame (175) is attached to the support shaft (175) via a bearing (179).
171') is rotatably mounted. This support shaft (1
71) supports the paper refeed roller (170), and the gear (212) fixed to the end thereof is an idle gear <21
1), the gear (21) fixed to the support shaft (151) via
0). Therefore, the paper refeed roller (170
) rotates in the direction of arrow (e) in synchronization with the feeding roller (150), and at the same time, the receiving roller (160) also rotates as a result.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the support shaft (156) supports the Sabaki roller (155), and the gear (215) fixed at the end of the support shaft (156) is connected to the support shaft (156) via the idle gear (214). 151) is connected to a gear (213) fixed to the main body. Therefore, Sabaki Rola (155) is a supply loan (
150) in the direction of arrow (e).

[Configuration of the cassette and its mounting part] In FIGS. 6 to 10, the cassette (110) is approximately box-shaped, and generally includes a bottom plate (120), a side regulating plate (
130), (130), and a rear end regulating plate (140). By engaging the rear end (120a) with the slit (11B> of the cassette (110), the bottom puncher (120) is installed to be rotatable in the vertical direction using the rear end (120a) as a fulcrum. .This cassette (11
0) is exclusive for each seat size, and the regulation plate (13
0), (130).

(140) is fixed at a position suitable for each sheet size. In addition, the opening (1) formed in the cassette (110)
11) is for inserting the push-up plate (180) described below, and the opening (112) is for the transmission type photosensor (SE4>) along with the opening (121) formed in the bottom plate (120) (see Fig. 16). This is for passing the optical axis.

A sensor (SE4) is installed to detect the presence or absence of a sheet within the cassette (110).

The holder (220) holding the cassette (110) is fixed to the frames (200), (200), and has a cassette detection switch (SWII) and elastic claws (221) on both sides.
), (221). By inserting the cassette (110) in the direction of the arrow (A) in FIG.
, (113a) and the recess (113b), (
113b) and can be held on the holder (220). At this time, the protrusion (
115) turns on the switch (SWII), and the cassette (
110) is detected.

Also, on the holder (220) is a reed switch (SW1
2) - (SW15), (SW16), the cassette sheet detection switch (SE4) has been installed. The reed switches (SW12) to (Sen15) are connected to the cassette (1
The magnets (108) fitted into the four holes (116) formed at the bottom of the cassette 10) are turned on and off according to each sheet size, and the fully attached cassette <110) is accommodated in the operating state. Possible sheet sizes are determined using a 4-bit food signal. In addition, the reed switch (SW16) has a magnet (109) installed at the bottom.
It is detected that the fully loaded cassette (110) is a cassette for double-sided copying.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the cassette (110)
The part of the bottom plate (120) where the opening (122) is located has a protrusion (
117) is installed. In addition, the side regulation plate (130
).

(130) has a bin (131), a seat side presser lever (132) with (131) as a fulcrum, and (1
32) is rotatably attached. As shown in FIG. 10, when the sheet (S,) is fully accommodated in the cassette (110), the center portion is lifted by the protrusion (117),
Both sides are held down by presser levers (132) and (132), forming a gentle mountain shape with the apex at the center in the storage direction, and the back strength is reinforced in the storage direction. .

Usually, the sheet (s) that has passed through the fixing device (43) is heated and curled upward or downward, as shown in FIG. The sheet (S) heated and curled upward is the 23rd sheet.
As shown in the figure, there is a risk that the rear end regulating plate (140) may be climbed over. In addition, sheets heated and curled downward (
S), as shown in FIG. 24, the leading edge in the re-feeding direction does not reach the re-feeding roller (170) during re-feeding, or it sinks into the lower end of the trailing-edge regulating plate (140).
There is a risk that a paper refeeding error may occur. However, as in this embodiment, such problems can be eliminated by reinforcing the stiffness of the accommodated sheets (sx> in the accommodation direction.In addition, the side regulating plates (130) is fixed at a position according to the sheet size, and the presser lever (
132) is attached to this side regulating plate (130), there is no need to separately position and attach it for each sheet size.

[Configuration of paper refeed roller, sheet storage, and paper refeed operation] In this embodiment, the paper refeed roller (170) has a feeding function for storing sheets in the cassette (110), and a cassette (
The bottom plate (120) is located at the lower stage as shown in Fig. 11 when the paper is stored, and is pushed upward as shown in Fig. 12 when refeeding the paper. ) is located on the upper stage through the seat (S).

That is, the paper refeed roller (170) is attached to the frame (175) rotatably supported by the spindle (151) of the feed roller (150) via the spindle (171) as described above.
The storage roller (160) is rotatably mounted on an upper frame (176) formed integrally with the frame (175). Note that the flat portion (175a) of the frame (175) and the upper frame (176) also function as a sheet guide plate during storage. The frame (175) is the roller (160)
, (170) is constantly biased downward using the support shaft <151) as a fulcrum, and this biasing force is applied to the upper frame (176).
The elastic piece (177) provided at the end of the guide plate <95
) is regulated by coming into contact with the lower end of (see Fig. 11).

When storing sheets, the paper refeeding roller (170) is located at the lower stage of the regulation as described above, and partially overlaps the upper end of the front regulation plate (110a) of the cassette (110) by (B).

The overlap part (B) was provided in the cassette (1
10) The sheets accommodated in the refeed direction [arrow (g')
This is to prevent the sheet refeeding roller (170) from moving to the position where the sheet is moved and protruding close to the sabaki roller (155). When the sheet is completely stored in the cassette (110), it may move in the re-feeding direction due to curling or other reasons.
There is a risk of overcoming a). This kind of sheet movement is carried out by a refeed roller (1) having an overlap part (B).
70) can be prevented. Note that this overlap part (
Even if B) is zero, the same effect is achieved.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a notch (114) is formed at the upper end of the front regulating plate (110a) at a location corresponding to the paper refeed roller (170). The regulation plate <110a) is designed to prevent collision with the paper refeed roller (170).

On the other hand, when refeeding paper, as shown in FIG.
The motor (M2) rotates the bottom puncher (120) upward about the support shaft (181), and the bottom puncher (120) is pushed upward, and the sheet stored on the bottom puncher (120) is transferred to the refeed roller (170). ). At this time, the paper refeed roller (17
0) together with the frame (175) and the storage roller (16
0) is also pushed upward. When the push-up plate (180) pushes up the bottom plate (120) and the paper refeed roller (170), the projection (176a) of the upper frame (176) releases the optical axis of the photosensor (SE5), and the sensor (SEA)
) is stopped by turning off the motor (M2) (see Fig. 16).

Thereafter, when a reverse side copy start signal is issued from the copying machine main body (1), the clutch (CLI'') is turned on and the paper refeed roller (170) is rotated in the direction of arrow (e), and the topmost sheet is The sheets are re-fed one by one in the direction of arrow (g').At the same time, the feeding roller (150) and the cutting roller (155) also rotate in the direction of arrow (e), and the sheets are fed one by one in the direction of arrow (e).
The sheets are sent one by one to the paper refeed path box (60).

When the leading edge of the re-fed sheet is caught between the transport roller pair 61), the clutch (CLI) is turned off and the roller (
170), (150), and (155) are stopped.

However, the rollers (170) and (150) have built-in one-way clutches (not shown). Therefore, even if these rotational drives are completely stopped, the sheet will still be transported between the conveying rollers (
61), and is conveyed by the conveying force of the roller (170).

(150) is driven to rotate by the action of a one-way clutch.

The rotational drive of each roller (170), (150), and (155) is stopped when the leading edge of the re-fed sheet is detected by the sensor (SE3) in the box (60). The clutch (CLI) is turned off when the timer, which has been set to the time until the conveyance roller pair (61) is pinched, times up.

After the rear end of the re-fed sheet is detected by the sensor (SE3), the clutch (CLI) is turned on again and the rollers (170), (150), and (155) are rotated and driven to feed the next sheet. is re-feeded.

Thereafter, when the sheets in the cassette (110) are re-fed using the same procedure and the number of sheets decreases and the top surface level decreases,
The protruding piece (176a) of the upper frame (176) blocks the optical axis of the photo sensor (SE5), and the motor (M2) is activated by the signal, and the push-up plate (180) moves upward to re-supply the light. To always keep the top surface level of a sheet constant when printing. In this way, the top surface level of the sheet is always maintained constant regardless of the remaining amount of sheets accommodated, so that the sheet refeed height at the time of refeeding is always constant for Saba Kilometers (155), etc. maintained in position. Moreover, the pressing force of the paper refeeding roller (170) against the sheet can also be maintained constant at all times.

[Configuration and operation of paper refeed roller section and storage roller section 1st
In Figure 0, the spindle (171) of the paper refeed roller (170)
), lower auxiliary rollers (172) are fixed at approximately equal intervals around the paper refeed roller (170).

The storage roller (160) is connected to the paper refeed roller (170) at the center.
), and on the left and right of it are a lower auxiliary roller (172) and an upper auxiliary roller (162) with a small distance in the axial direction.
is rotatably installed on the upper frame (176).

The diameter (d) of the lower auxiliary roller (172) is smaller than the diameter (D) of the refeed roller (170),
2).

(162) overlap by (Δd). Therefore, the sheet (
S,) is the central part of the roller (160), (170)
auxiliary rollers (162),
(172), it is completely deformed into a wave shape, and is stiffened in the storage and conveyance direction, thereby preventing storage defects due to heat curling.

Also, the interval (j
2> is a dimension corresponding to each sheet size, for example, for A4 size, it is about 297 mm. However, the sheet is completely ejected from the copying machine main body (<1) and the sheet is not fully ejected from the paper refeeding device (10).
0), there is a possibility that some deviation may occur in the width direction. Therefore, as in this embodiment, if the width of the sheet (St) is set to <1, ) by giving the seat (St) a stiffness in the storage direction when it is stored, then the width of the sheet (St) when it is flat (2
), there is a margin of (Δ) on each side, and even if the sheet has some lateral deviation, the side regulating plate (1
30), (130) without touching the cassette (1).
10).

By the way, the support shaft (163) of the upper auxiliary roller (162)
For example, if the rollers (160) and <162> are arranged on the same axis,
When a stiff sheet such as cardboard is conveyed, the amount of overlap (Δd) between the auxiliary rollers (162) and (172)
Due to the presence of the sheet, the pressing force of the storage roller (160) is overcome by the stiffness of the sheet, causing the storage roller (160) to rise, resulting in a decrease in the conveying force. However, as in this embodiment, the spindles of the rollers (160) and (162) <161
) and (163) separately and independently, it is possible to provide a comfortable seat and ensure sufficient conveying force. Note that it is only the action of the auxiliary rollers (162) and (172) that gives the sheet (Sl) a stiffness while being accommodated.

Further, as mentioned above, the diameter (D) of the paper refeed roller (170)
) is larger than the diameter (d) of the lower auxiliary roller (172), and during paper refeeding, only the paper refeeding roller (170) presses onto the sheet at the center to apply conveying force. This prevents the sheet from being skewed during refeeding. In addition,
The paper refeed roller (170) may be divided into two or more instead of one.

[Structure and operation of rear end regulating plate] In FIGS. 9 and 13 to 15, the rear end regulating plate (1
40) are both arm portions (140a) that can be positioned and fixed with screws or the like at positions corresponding to the length of the seat.

(140a) is a pressing plate (140a) made of flexible material such as Mylar.
45>.

One end of (145) is stuck. This suppression board (14
5) is an arc-shaped number ζ hanging down and in contact with the floor surface of the cassette (110).

When storing sheets, the leading edge of the sheet in the storage direction first comes into contact with the intermediate portion of the press plate (145) and is completely guided, resulting in a contact portion (T) between the press plate (145) and the cassette (110).
The pressing plate (145) is moved upward gradually as the number of stored sheets (st) increases. As shown in FIG. being lifted up.

That is, the pressing plate (145) functions to correct heat curl by pressing down the leading edge of the sheet to be stored, and the rear end regulating plate (140) functions to accurately regulate the storing position. Further, the rear end regulating plate (140) is fixed at a position according to the sheet size, and the pressing plate (145) is fixed at a position corresponding to the seat size.
) is attached to this rear end regulating plate <140), so there is no need to separately position and attach each sheet size.

[Approach/separate mechanism and operation of the sabaki roller] When storing sheets in the cassette (110), as described above, the electromagnetic clutch (CLI) is turned on and the paper refeed roller (170) is rotationally driven. At the same time, the feeding roller (150) and the sabaki roller (155) are also moved as indicated by the arrow (e).
Since the rollers (150) and (155) are rotated in this direction, if left as is, wear of both rollers (150) and (155) will be accelerated, leading to a decrease in cleaning performance when refeeding paper. Therefore, in this embodiment, both rollers (150) and (155) are used when storing sheets.
Since it is unnecessary to press and rotate the sabaki roller (155) using the push-up mechanism (230) of the bottom plate (120),
) is separated from the feed roller (150) to prevent the progress of wear as much as possible.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 16, the Sabaki roller (155) is completely attached to the Sabaki frame (157) via its support shaft (156). The Sabaki frame (157) is rotatably attached to the guide plate (98) about a support shaft (158), and is biased in the direction of arrow (i) by a tension coil spring (159). Further, the lower end protrusion (157a) of the Sabaki frame (157) can come into contact with the back of the push-up plate (180).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the push-up plate (180) is located in a substantially horizontal state during seat storage, the Sabaki frame (157) has a protrusion (157a)
0) and is prevented from rotating in the direction of arrow (i>), and the Sabaki roller (155) is separated from the feeding roller (150). On the other hand, when refeeding paper, the push-up plate (180) When the push-up mechanism (230) rotates upward, the restriction on the Sabaki frame (157) is released and the Sabaki roller (155) is moved by the spring force of the tension fill spring (159).
comes into pressure contact with the feeding roller (150) (12th
(see figure).

Also, since the Sabaki roller (155) moves in the vertical direction in this way, its support shaft (156) is divided into two parts and attached to the flexible joint (154) as shown in FIG.
) to ensure that there is no hindrance to the transmission of rotational force.

[Configuration and operation of push-up mechanism and release mechanism] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the push-up mechanism (23) of the bottom plate (120)
0) is the aforementioned push-up plate (180) and sector gear (2
31), the mounting plate (235), the motor (M2),
It is composed of a reduction gear mechanism (240).

The sector gear (231) has teeth formed on its fan-shaped outer circumferential surface, and can be installed integrally via a push-up plate (180) and a support shaft (181). ) direction, and this biasing force is applied to the sector gear (
The side portion of 231) is regulated by coming into contact with the stopper 233).

To install the plate (235), the cylindrical bearing part (236) is loosely fitted to the support shaft (204) fixed to the frame (200), so that the plate (235) can be freely rotated about the support shaft (204) as a fulcrum. , the tension fill spring (237) is fully biased in the direction of arrow (p). In addition, the release pin (23B) fixed to the bottom right of the plate (235) is attached to the frame (200).
As shown in FIG. 6, it protrudes into the cassette holder (220) from a hole (not shown) formed in
13d) can be engaged with the notch (113e).

The motor (M2) is mounted on the upper surface of the plate (235), and the plate (235) and the reduction gear 'a structure (240) form one unit. Reduction gear mechanism (240
) is the reduction gear (242) from the small diameter gear part and the large diameter gear part.
.

(243) and (244), the large diameter gear portion of the first stage reduction gear (242) meshes with the output worm gear (241) of the motor (M2). The small diameter gear portion of the final stage reduction gear (244) is connected to the tension fill spring (244).
It is possible to mesh with the sector gear (231) by the biasing force in the direction of arrow <p) by 37).

On the other hand, the release mechanism (250') is a solenoid (SL2).
, a lever (255), and a release lever (260), and the solenoid (SL2) also serves as switching means for the second switching pawl (75). That is, the plunger (251) of the solenoid (SL2) protrudes outward in the off state, and is connected to the lever (255) via the wire (252). The lever (255) is fixed to the end of the support shaft (76) of the second switching pawl (75), and uses the tension fill spring (256) to support the support shaft 76) together with the second switching pawl 75). as arrow (q)′
) is biased in five directions. The release lever (260) is rotatably attached to the support shaft (261), is biased in the direction of arrow (r) by its own weight, and the tip of the release lever (260) is attached to the support shaft (261) as a fulcrum.
The lower end can come into contact with the side of the mounting plate (235).

Next, the operation of the push-up mechanism (230) and release mechanism (250) having the above configuration will be explained.

In the initial state, the solenoid (SL2) is in the OFF state, the plunger (251) projects upward, and the lever (255) rotates in the direction of the arrow (q), as shown in FIG. The claw (75) is set at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. In addition, the release lever (260) is located at the arrow (
r), and its lower end is spaced apart from the side of the plate (235). For installation, the plate (235) is biased in the direction of the arrow <p by the spring force of the tension coil spring (237), and as shown in FIG. ) is a cassette <110
), and the small diameter gear portion of the final reduction gear (244) meshes with the sector gear (231). In the initial state, the sector gear (231) is rotated in the direction of arrow (j) by the tension coil spring (232).
The push-up plate <180) is also located approximately horizontally. and,
The protruding piece (157a) of the Sabaki frame (157) is pressed by the back of the push-up plate (180) and is urged in the direction opposite to the arrow (i), and the Sabaki roller (155) is pushed by the feeding roller (
150). In this way, the push-up plate <18
0) urges the Sabaki frame (157) in the opposite direction to the arrow (i), the spring force of the tension coil spring (232) of the sector gear (231)
The spring force is set to be greater than the spring force of the tension coil spring (159) in 7).

In the double-sided copying mode, the sheet copied on the front side is stored in the cassette (uO) in the state shown in FIG. 18 as described above. When a push-up signal is issued after the set number of sheets have been stored in the cassette (110), the motor (M2) is turned on, and its rotational driving force is transmitted to the sector gear (231) via the reduction gear mechanism (240). As a result, as shown in Fig. 19, the sector gear (231) rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow <j), and at the same time the push-up plate (180) also rotates upward, and the bottom plate (120) is pushed up, the Sabaki frame (157) follows and rotates in the direction of arrow (i), and the Sabaki roller (155) comes into pressure contact with the feeding roller (150). The sheet accommodated on the bottom puncher (120) comes into pressure contact with the refeed roller (170), and as shown in FIG.
76a) releases the optical axis of the sensor (5E5), the motor (M2) is turned off, and then the refeeding roller (170) etc. are rotationally driven in response to the refeeding start signal, so that the sheets are reloaded one by one. The sensor (SE5) always detects the end of paper feeding and the top surface level of the sheet, and when the top surface level decreases, the motor (M2) is rotated and the sector gear (231
), the push-up plate (180) will rotate upward.

When the sensor (SE4) detects that all the sheets in the cassette (110) have been re-fed, the solenoid (SL2) is turned on and the plunger (
251) retreats, the lever (255) moves in the direction of the arrow (q) against the spring force of the tension coil spring (256).
), and the release lever (260
) rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow (r).

At this time, the lower end of the release lever (260) is attached to the plate (2).
35), and the plate (235) is attached to the supporting shaft (204>) against the spring force of the tension fill spring (237).
It rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow <p> using the fulcrum as the fulcrum.

Then, the small diameter gear part of the reduction gear (244) is separated from the sector gear (231), and the sector gear (231) is moved to the stopper (233) by the spring force of the tension fill spring (232).
) in the direction of arrow <j> until it comes into contact with. at the same time,
The push-up plate (180) also rotates downward, releasing the push-up of the bottom plate (120).

On the other hand, the push-up can also be released by attaching and detaching the cassette (110). As shown in Figure 21, the cassette (11
0) in the direction of the arrow (8゛), the release bottle (23
8) is pushed down by the lower surface (113d) of the cassette (110), and the plate <235) rotates about the support shaft (204') in the opposite direction to the arrow (p), and the reduction gear ( The small diameter gear part of 244) is the sector gear (231)
distance from. Furthermore, when mounting the cassette (110), the bottle (238) is first guided by the inclined surface (113c) of the cassette (110) and is pressed by the lower surface (113d), and is similarly released from being pushed up.

Note that the push-up release by turning on the solenoid <5L2) is performed not only at the end of paper refeeding but also when a paper jam occurs in the paper refeeding device (100).

[Paper Jam Processing] Next, a process to be performed when a paper jam occurs in the storage/refeeding unit (70) will be described.

Paper jams in the paper refeeding device (100) can be removed from the cassette (11
0) to remove the jammed sheet. That is, when the cassette (110) is pulled out, the Sabaki frame (157) rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow (i) in conjunction with the downward return of the push-up plate (180), and the Sabaki roller ( 155) is separated from the feed roller (150). Use this to remove the jammed sheet from the roller (150)
, (155) can be easily removed from between.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, conveyance rollers (85), (8
If a paper jam occurs around the unit (7),
0) is allowed to slide in the direction of arrow <c> on a rail (not shown), and the guide plate 91) is rotated in the direction of arrow (S) about the spindle <92) as a fulcrum to open the paper passage path. Remove jammed sheets.

[Operation Panel] The operation panel (300) shown in FIG.
1> Installed on the upper front part, there is a print key (301) for starting the copying operation, an interrupt key (302) for temporarily interrupting the continuous copying operation, and a key for stopping the copying operation and canceling the set number. clear/stop key (
303), numeric keypad from “OJ” to “9” (304)
, a display section (305) for displaying the set number of copies and the status of the copying machine, a copy mode selection key (306), a copy magnification selection key (307), a paper feed sheet selection key (
308> etc. have been installed. Each of these selection keys (3
06), (307), and (308) are the display means (LEDI) installed at the bottom each time the on operation is performed.
<LED3), (LED4) ~ (LEDIO), (LE
DII) to (LEDI6) flash to display the selected mode. For example, the copy mode selection key (306) is 1
Each time the switch is turned on, the modes of single-sided → double-sided → composite are sequentially selected, and (LEDI) to (LED3) are turned on in sequence.

[Control circuit Figure 26 shows the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) that is the center of control has a switch matrix (3
10) is connected, and the display unit (305) displays (CP) via this matrix (310) and decoder (311).
U). In addition, the output terminal of the (CPU) has a solenoid (SLI) for driving the main motor of the copying machine body (1), the first switching claw (71), and a solenoid (SLI) for driving and releasing the second switching claw (75). A driving solenoid (SL2) of the mechanism (250) and the like are connected.

[Control Procedure] Figure 27 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

When the (CPU) is reset and the program starts, in step (Sl), the random access memory (RAM) is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into the initial mode.Here, We will explain the flags that can be used in the following steps.The copy flag (F,) indicates that copy reception is possible when it is rOj, and the 0 single-sided flag (Fl) indicates that copying is in progress when it is '1'. The double-sided flag (F,) indicates single-sided copy mode when it is "rO", and double-sided copy mode or composite copy mode when it is "1".
□” indicates double-sided copy mode, and rl indicates composite copy mode.

Next, in step (Sl), the main timer is set. This main timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance in the initial setting of step (Sl), and the timer used in each subroutine is It also serves as a standard.

In step (S3), a subroutine for key manual processing is executed. Here, inputs from various keys on the operation panel (300) are processed, and the paper feeding power set (300) is processed.
), (35), the size of the re-feeding cassette (110), etc. are stored in (RAM).

In step (S4), a subroutine for copy mode switching processing is executed. Details of this subroutine will be explained below.

In step (S5), a subroutine for copy start processing is executed. Here, processing is performed to start the copying operation based on turning on the print key (301).

Next, in step (S6), the copy flag Fe) is 11
”, and if YES, that is, in the copying operation state, execute the `` subroutine for copying processing in step (S7>) and proceed to step (S8>).If NO in step (S6), that is, If it is in the standby state, the process advances to step (S8). In step (S8), the process waits for the main timer to end and returns to step (S2).

FIG. 28 shows a subroutine of the copy mode switching process executed in step (S4).

First, in step (510) the copy flag (Fo) is set to 1.
``0.'', and if NO, that is, if the copying operation is in progress, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

If YES, that is, if it is in the standby state, step (51
In step 1), it is determined whether the copy mode selection key (306) is on or not, and if No, this subroutine is immediately terminated.
If YES, the one-sided flag (Fl) is set in step (512).
) is “O”. If YES, that is, if the normal one-sided copy mode is selected at this time, the one-sided flag is set to 11 degrees in step (513), and the two-sided flag (F,) is reset to "0." Set to .

Next, in step (514), it is determined whether the sheet size selected for copying is the same as the size of the cassette (110) installed in the paper refeeding device (100). , if YES, the double-sided copy display means (LED2) is turned on. If No in step (514>), that is, if the size of the cassette (110) does not match the sheet size selected for copying, a copy prohibition signal is output in step (516), and double-sided copying is displayed in step (517). Means (L
ED2) to warn you.

On the other hand, if the determination in step <512) is NO,
That is, if the one-sided flag (F,) is "1", step (
518) in double-sided copy mode or composite copy mode.
It is determined whether or not the computer is waiting for copying on the screen.

If NO, that is, if it is on standby, this subroutine ends; if YES, that is, if it is not on standby, it is determined in step (519) whether or not the double-sided flag (F,) is "0." YES. If so, that is, if the double-sided copy mode is selected at this time, the double-sided flag (F
2) is set to rl to set the composite copy mode, and in step (521) the composite copy display means (LED 3) is turned on. If No in step (519), that is, if composite copy mode is selected at this time, step (52)
2), set the single-sided plug (Fl) and double-sided flag (F,) to "0".
” and set it to single-sided copy mode, then step (
523), the single-sided copy display means (LEDI) is turned on.

That is, according to the above control procedure, when double-sided copying mode is selected, the sheet size selected for first-side copying is compared with the size of the paper refeeding cassette (110) [step (
If they are the same, double-sided copying is permitted [step (515)], and if they are different, the copying operation is prohibited and a warning is issued by flicking the double-sided copy display means (LED2) [steps (516), (517)]. )].

Therefore, paper jams in the paper refeeding device (100) due to the difference between the paper feed size and the accommodated size can be prevented. In this case, double-sided copying becomes possible when the operator changes the paper feed size or changes the cassette (110) to one of the same size as the paper feed size.

Note that if the paper feed size and the size of the cassette (110) are different, brick any of the sheet display means (LEDII) to (LEDI6) of the same size as the cassette (<110), and ask the operator to select the paper feed size. The size may be announced. Alternatively, a warning message to replace the cassette (110) with the same size as the paper feed size may be displayed.
If multiple paper feed units are installed, when double-sided copying mode is selected, select a paper feed cassette that can accommodate sheets of the same size as the fully installed refeed cassette (110). (30) and (35) may be automatically selected.

[Other Examples] [i] Combination of double-sided/combining unit As shown in FIG.
It can be divided into a conveyance block (F) including a cassette (110) and the like, and a paper refeeding block (G1) including a cassette (110) and the like.

On the other hand, FIG. 30 shows a pair of switchback rollers (190) and a guide plate (191) on the conveyor block (F).
.

(192) etc. is installed in another paper refeed block (G
,〉 is attached. This paper refeed block (G
In the double-sided copy mode, the second switching pawl (75) is set to the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet is temporarily transferred to the roller pair (1).
90) in the direction of arrow <5), then the roller pair (1
90), the paper is sent to the re-feed path box (60). In the composite copy mode, the second switching claw <75
) rotates in the direction of arrow (d), and the sheet is immediately fed into the refeed path box (60).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31, the paper refeed block (Gl)
, (G) are prepared, the transport block (F
) can be combined as appropriate according to the user's wishes.

[When storing the i1 sheet, the seat waist is in a cassette (
110), in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the auxiliary roller (162), (
172), the seat (sl) is provided with a waist in the accommodation direction, and the seat width dimension < j2. ) is shorter than the width dimension (2) in the flat state.

Similar results were obtained as shown in FIG.
0) and the guide plate (16) on both sides of the paper refeed roller (170).
5), (166) is installed, and the sheet (s,) that is being stored in the cassette (110) is placed on this guide plate (165).
, (166).

[I push-up mechanism FIGS. 33, 34, and 35 show modified examples of the push-up mechanism for the bottom plate (120). Here, the push-up plate (180)
The release mechanism (250
) is unnecessary. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are attached to the same members as in the above embodiment.

That is, a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation is used as the push-up motor (M2'), and this motor (M2') directly rotates the sector gear (231') in the vertical direction.
231) was configured to detect the return of the microswitch (5w17).

When pushing up the sheet, the motor (M2') is rotated forward to move the push-up plate (180) along with the sector gear (231) in the direction of the arrow (
j) in the opposite direction to the level detection sensor (
The normal rotation of the motor (1'12') is stopped by the signal from SE5). To release the push-up, reverse the motor (M2'). As a result, the sector gear (231) and the push-up plate (180) rotate in the direction of arrow (j) to release the push-up. Switch (SW17) is used to reverse the motor (M2').
is stopped in response to a signal that detects that the sector gear (231) has returned to its lower limit.

In addition, even in this modification, when the cassette (110) is attached or detached, the pin (238) of the plate (235) engages with the lower surface (113d) of the cassette (110), and the attachment is done by the plate (2
35) rotates about the support shaft (204) in the direction opposite to the arrow (p), and the push-up is completely released. Also, push up.

It is also the same as in the previous embodiment that the sabaki roller (155) approaches and separates from the feeding roller (150) in conjunction with the release.

[iv] This is a modification of the paper feed cassette No. 3613U base set (110), in which the central protrusion (117) and the pressing lever (132) of the side regulating plate (130) are removed. in this case,
The pressure plate (145) does not need to be divided into two pieces, but one in the center.
You can install just one.

Furthermore, the rear end regulating plate (140>) may be one that automatically moves to a position corresponding to the sheet size.

[V-coated paper ejection tray Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the above-mentioned paper refeeding device (100) but also as a paper ejection tray for stacking and accommodating copied sheets.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, there is a regulating member that is set at a position corresponding to the sheet size in order to regulate the leading edge of the sheet in the storage direction, and a regulating member that is attached to the regulating member. Since the sheet is equipped with a pressing member that presses the leading end of the sheet in the storage direction without interfering with its movement, the leading end of the sheet in the storing direction is pressed by the pressing member and reliably contacts the regulating member, and the curl is corrected. It will be done. With this, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the leading end of the sheet in the storage direction will ride on or slip into the regulating plate, or that a paper re-feeding error will occur.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 28 show an embodiment in which the sheet storage device according to the present invention is applied to a paper refeeding device for double-sided copying, and FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the copying machine main body including the paper refeeding device. figure,
Figures 2 and 3 are schematic configuration diagrams for explaining the paper passing state in the paper refeeding device, Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the drive system, and Figure 6 is a diagram of the cassette and its mounting section. FIG. 7 is a plan view, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are partial perspective views of the cassette, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette, FIG. 11 and FIG. Figure 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cassette,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trailing edge regulating plate, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the main parts of the paper refeeding device, and FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sabaki roller portion.
Figures 18 and 19. Figures 20 and 21 are front views showing the push-up mechanism and release mechanism for each operating mode, Figure 22 is a perspective view showing the heat curling state of the sheet and the state when it is stored, and Figures 23 and 24. 25 is a plan view of the operation panel, FIG. 26 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts showing the control procedure. 29, 30, and 31 are schematic configuration diagrams showing an example of replacing the sheet refeeding block, FIG. 32 is a sectional view showing a modified example of the sheet storage guide section for the cassette, and FIGS. 33 and 34. 35 is a front view showing a modification of the push-up mechanism for each operating mode, and FIG. 36 is a sectional view showing a modification of the cassette. (1)...Copy machine main body, (70)...Double-sided/combining unit, (100)...Refeeding device, (110)...
・Cassette, (120)...Bottom plate, (140)...
Rear end regulation plate, (145)...Press plate, (170)...
・Refeed roller, <180>...Pushing plate, (230
)...Pushing mechanism. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 15 Figure 17 Figure 22 S Figure 23 Figure 24 Figure 27 Figure 31 Figure n○

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a sheet storage device that stacks and stores sheets fed one by one into a sheet storage container, a regulating member is set at a position corresponding to the sheet size in order to regulate the leading edge of the sheets in the storage direction. and a pressing member that is attached to the regulating member and presses the leading end of the sheet in the storage direction without interfering with its movement.