JP2889785B2 - Paper feeder with differential pulley reduction mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder having a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism, and more particularly, to a paper feeder suitable for use in a large capacity cassette elevator of a copying machine or a printer.
A list on which an upper surface is substantially flat and paper is placed on the upper surface (also referred to as a paper feed tray), a frame surrounding the wrist so that the wrist can move up and down, each pulley operates in substantially the same plane, and A differential pulley reduction mechanism that supports the wrist from the side and moves it up and down in the frame, and records codes, characters, images, etc. on paper such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, and various printing devices. The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that supplies paper (including natural paper, synthetic paper, and various sheet materials) to a paper surface recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a demand for copying machines and printers to copy and print on a large number of sheets. In response to this request, a large-capacity cassette elevator that continuously supplies a large number of sheets to a copying machine or the like without cutting the sheets is used. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a drive unit configuration of an elevator elevating device used in a conventional large-capacity cassette elevator.

In the elevator elevating device shown in FIG. 16, guide members b extending vertically are provided on both left and right sides of a list a on which sheets are placed with respect to the sheet supply direction. On the lower surface of the wrist a, a support member c for supporting the wrist a is provided over the left and right. Guide rollers d that fit into and slide into the rails of the guide member b are rotatably provided on both left and right sides of the wrist a.
Further, a belt member e suspending the wrist a is fixed by a fixing member f. The belt member e is directed upward through a roller g provided above the wrist a, is guided downward, and is wound up by a winding pulley h1 of a winding shaft h. The belt member e is wound or unwound on the winding pulley h1, and the
Up and down. The driving force at the time of the elevation is applied from the motor k via a motor pinion, a spur gear reduction unit i having a two-stage gear, a worm gear, and a worm gear reduction unit j having a worm wheel.

[0004]

In the conventional elevator elevating device, it is desired to shorten the descent time when the wrist a is lowered at a high speed. Therefore, the reduction ratio of the spur gear reduction unit i and the worm gear reduction unit j is required. Need to be lowered. However, when feeding (pickup) paper to a copying machine or a printer, high precision positioning at a very low speed is required in order to reliably feed the paper one by one to a subsequent copying machine or printer. There is a problem that the reduction ratio of the gear reduction unit i and the like cannot be reduced, and the descent time during high-speed descent cannot be shortened.

Further, since the wrist a is lowered at a high speed at the time of initial setting and at the time of replenishment of paper, there is a problem that a loud noise is generated as compared with the meshing part of the spur gear reduction unit i and the worm gear reduction unit j. In addition, the worm reduction mechanism has a problem that the sliding resistance between the gears tends to be large, and the transmission efficiency of the driving force tends to be deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeder having a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism capable of obtaining high positioning accuracy, reducing noise during high-speed elevating and lowering, and having high transmission efficiency of driving force.

[0007]

The present invention has the following structure to achieve the above object. In other words, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the list operates on substantially the same plane as a list on which the upper surface is substantially flat and paper is placed on the upper surface, and a frame surrounding the list so that the list can move up and down. And a differential pulley deceleration mechanism for moving the paper up and down in the frame while supporting the paper from the side, and feeding the paper to the paper surface recording device. First and second pulleys movably provided;
Third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated locations below the frame, and fifth and sixth pulleys provided between the third and fourth pulleys below the frame. And a seventh and a seventh part provided at two places located inside the place where the first and second pulleys are provided and horizontally separated from the supporting side surface of the wrist and at the center part of the two places. An eighth pulley and a ninth pulley, which are wound around the first pulley and directed downwardly toward the seventh pulley, and are passed through the seventh pulley in one direction substantially along the side surface of the wrist to the eighth pulley. Heading upward through the eighth pulley, heading toward the second pulley, winding around the second pulley, and moving downward through the fourth pulley.
Toward the sixth pulley in the other direction along the side of the wrist via the fourth pulley,
Via the sixth pulley, upward toward the ninth pulley, wind around the ninth pulley, downward toward the fifth pulley, and via the fifth pulley in the other direction. The difference between the peripheral speed of the belt member and the belt member of the fifth and sixth pulleys, which is directed toward the third pulley and upward via the third pulley, toward the first pulley, is increased. Peripheral speed difference driving means, the first clutch means for engaging the fifth pulley with the peripheral speed difference driving means, and the first or third
And a brake means for stopping the rotation of at least one of the pulleys.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a list having a substantially flat upper surface and a sheet placed on the upper surface, and a frame surrounding the list so that the list can move up and down, operate in substantially the same plane, And, having a differential pulley deceleration mechanism that supports the wrist from the side and moves up and down in the frame,
A paper feeding device for feeding paper to a paper surface recording device, comprising first and second pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated positions above an upper frame and horizontally separated below a frame. Third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two locations, fifth and sixth pulleys provided between the third and fourth pulleys at the lower portion of the frame, and a horizontal support side of the wrist. Direction, and located inside the place where the first and second pulleys are provided.
And seventh and eighth and ninth pulleys provided at the center and the center of the two, and wound around the first pulley and directed downward to the seventh pulley, via the seventh pulley. The eighth direction in one direction substantially along the side of the wrist.
Through the eighth pulley, upwardly toward the second pulley, winding around the second pulley, downwardly toward the fourth pulley, via the fourth pulley The other direction along the wrist side, toward the sixth pulley, via the sixth pulley, upward toward the ninth pulley, winding around the ninth pulley, and downward toward the fifth pulley. A belt member heading toward the third pulley in the other direction via the fifth pulley, heading toward the first pulley via the third pulley, and A peripheral speed difference driving unit that drives the fifth and sixth pulleys so that there is a difference in their respective peripheral speeds; a first clutch unit that engages the fifth pulley with the peripheral speed difference driving unit; The said Or the sheet feeding apparatus having a differential pulley reduction mechanism, wherein at least one of the rotation and a first one-way clutch means for limiting one direction of the third pulley.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a wrist on which a top surface is substantially flat and paper is placed on the top surface, and a frame surrounding the wrist so that the wrist can move up and down, operate in substantially the same plane; And, having a differential pulley deceleration mechanism that supports the wrist from the side and moves up and down in the frame,
A paper feeder for feeding paper to a paper surface recording device, comprising first and second pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated upper portions of a frame, and horizontally separated at a lower portion of the frame. Third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two locations, fifth and sixth pulleys provided between the third and fourth pulleys at the lower portion of the frame, and a horizontal support side of the wrist. Direction, and located inside the place where the first and second pulleys are provided.
And a seventh, eighth, and ninth pulley provided at a location and a central location between the two locations, and wound around the first pulley and directed downward to the seventh pulley, via the seventh pulley. The eighth direction in one direction substantially along the side of the wrist.
Through the eighth pulley, upwardly toward the second pulley, winding around the second pulley, downwardly toward the fourth pulley, via the fourth pulley The other direction along the side surface of the wrist is directed to the sixth pulley, the upper direction is directed to the ninth pulley via the sixth pulley, the lower direction is wound around the ninth pulley and the fifth direction. A belt member heading toward the third pulley in the other direction via the fifth pulley, heading toward the first pulley via the third pulley, and Peripheral speed difference driving means for driving the fifth and sixth pulleys so as to cause a difference in their respective peripheral speeds; and when the driving direction of the peripheral speed difference driving means is a predetermined direction, the fifth pulley has the peripheral speed. Speed difference A second clutch means for engaging the moving means, and a second one-way clutch means for restricting rotation of the fifth pulley in one direction. It is a paper device.

[0010]

In the present invention, the speed reduction mechanism is constituted by a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism mainly comprising a pulley and a belt member. Although the gear reduction mechanism can obtain only one reduction ratio, in the invention of claim 1, the first clutch means and the brake means are operated, and in the invention of claim 2, the first clutch and the first clutch are provided. The operation of the one-way clutch means
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of reduction ratios can be obtained by the differential between the second clutch means and the second one-way clutch means, both the high-speed elevating function and the slow-speed elevating function are provided. Therefore, the elevating time can be shortened and high positioning accuracy can be obtained.

The speed reduction mechanism of the present invention is a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism that does not use gears. In this differential pulley reduction mechanism, noise generated by the pulley and the belt is very small as compared with a reduction mechanism including a spur gear and a worm gear. Therefore, the speed reduction mechanism of the present invention is a low-noise speed reduction mechanism. For example, when the list is rapidly lowered at the time of initial setting and at the time of refilling paper, the noise is very small. Also, the differential pulley reduction mechanism has less sliding resistance and higher transmission efficiency than the worm gear reduction mechanism.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a differential pulley reduction mechanism for raising and lowering a wrist of a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control system and operation of the paper feeding device, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the paper feeding device is used in a copier and a printer. It can be used for a paper surface recording device. In the following, a direction perpendicular to the supply direction of the paper (for example, copy paper) on the upper surface of the list 22 is referred to as the width direction of the list 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feeding device includes a wrist 22 having a substantially flat upper surface and a sheet placed thereon.
The wrist 22 operates in substantially the same plane as a frame 30 (only a pulley fixing portion is shown) that surrounds the wrist 22 so as to be vertically movable, and supports the wrist 22 from a side surface (width direction end surface). The following differential pulley deceleration mechanism that moves up and down within the apparatus is provided to supply paper to a paper surface recording device such as a copying machine or a printer.

That is, first and second pulleys 20 and 15 are rotatably provided at two locations separated from each other in the horizontal direction above the frame 30. In addition, third and fourth pulleys 21 and 14 are rotatably provided at two locations separated in the horizontal direction below the frame 30. Fifth and sixth pulleys 10 and 7 are provided between the third and fourth pulleys 21 and 14 below the frame 30.

The first and second pulleys 20 and 15 are horizontally separated from the support side surface of the wrist 22 and are separated from each other.
The seventh, eighth, and ninth pulleys 19 are located at two locations located inside the location where the
16 and 13 are provided.

Wrapping around the first pulley 20 and heading downward to the seventh pulley 19, in one direction (the paper feeding direction) substantially along the side surface of the wrist 22 via the seventh pulley 19. It goes to the eighth pulley 16, goes upward through the eighth pulley 16, toward the second pulley 15, winds around the second pulley 15, and goes downward to the fourth pulley 14. ,
Via the fourth pulley 14, heading toward the sixth pulley 7 in the other direction along the side surface of the wrist 22, heading upward via the sixth pulley 7 toward the ninth pulley 13, 9, goes down to the fifth pulley 10, goes through the fifth pulley 10, goes in the other direction to the third pulley 21, goes through the third pulley 21. Then, the first timing belt 12 is stretched between the pulleys so as to head upward to the first pulley 20.

The fifth and sixth pulleys 10 and 7 are provided with differential pulleys 9 and 6 which are coaxial and close to each other and have different diameters, respectively. The second timing belt 8 is stretched. The differential pulleys 6 and 9 and the second timing belt 8 constitute a peripheral speed difference driving unit that drives the fifth and sixth pulleys 10 and 7 to generate a difference in peripheral speed.

An electromagnetic clutch for engaging the fifth pulley 10 and the differential pulley 9 is provided between the fifth pulley 10 and the differential pulley 9. The third pulley 21 is provided with an electromagnetic brake for stopping its rotation. The respective pulleys are disposed substantially symmetrically on both sides in the width direction of the wrist 22.
In the following, the components on the left side of the list 22 are denoted by L, and the components on the right side are denoted by R. However, the peripheral speed difference driving means is provided only on the left side in the width direction of the wrist 22. In addition, these are examples of the differential pulley mechanism arrangement of the present invention,
It can be placed on any side or both sides of the wrist.

(Configuration of Wrist Driving Unit) Below the wrist 22, the motor 1 and the shafts 5 and 1 along the width direction of the wrist 22 are described.
1 is provided. The power of the motor 1 is transmitted to the pulley 4 fixed to the shaft 5 by the pulley 2 fixed to the shaft of the motor 1 and the timing belt 3, and the shaft 5 is driven by the pulley 4. The left and right sixth pulleys 7L and 7R are fixed to both ends of the shaft 5, and the power of the motor 1 is divided into two by the shaft 5 and transmitted to the pulleys 7L and 7R.

The pulley 7R drives the following pulleys provided on the right side of the wrist 22 by the first timing belt 12R. In other words, what is driven is the pulley 14
R, pulley 15R, pulley 16R, pulley 17
R, pulley 18R, pulley 19R, pulley 20
R, pulley 21RB (B indicates that an electromagnetic brake is provided), pulley 10R, and pulley 1
3R, and pulleys 17R and 18R
The first timing belt 12R, which is provided so as to be sandwiched between the pulley 16R and the pulley 19R and is wound around the lower part of the pulley 19R, is wound around the upper part. The pulley 16R and the pulley 19R are coaxially connected to the pulley 24R.
R and the pulley 25R are fixed, and the timing belt 23
The pulley 24R and the pulley 25R rotate in synchronization with each other by R, and therefore the pulley 16R
R and the pulley 19R rotate in synchronization.

The pulley 7L is connected to the pulley 7R.
Similarly, the following pulleys on the left side of the wrist 22 are driven by the timing belt 12L. In other words, the driven components are the pulley 14L, the pulley 15L, the pulley 16L, the pulley 17L, the pulley 18L, the pulley 1
9L, pulley 20L, pulley 21LB, pulley 1
0L and a pulley 13L. The pulleys 17L and 18L are disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pulley 16L and the pulley 19L, and the first timing belt 12L wound around the lower part of the pulley 16L and the pulley 19L is positioned at the upper part. Wrap around. Also, pulley 16L and pulley 19L
, The pulley 24L and the pulley 25L are fixed coaxially, and the pulley 24L and the pulley 25L are rotated synchronously by the timing belt 23L. Therefore, the pulley 16L and the pulley 19L rotate synchronously.

(Arrangement of Electromagnetic Brake) Pulley 21
The RB and the pulley 21LB have an electromagnetic brake. This electromagnetic brake is similar to the pulley 20R shown in FIG.
The same function can be achieved by attaching to the position of the pulley 20L. When the left and right pulleys 21R and 21L are connected by a shaft, the same function can be achieved by providing an electromagnetic brake on one of the pulleys, and the electromagnetic brake becomes a single structure. .

(Arrangement and Configuration of Pulleys for Differential Output) In FIG. 1, the differential output unit is disposed on the left side of the wrist 22.
The differential pulley L6 and the pulley L7 are coaxially fixed to the shaft 5, and are integrated in a stepped structure having different diameters. The pulley 10L is fixed to both ends of the shaft 11 together with the pulley 10R. The differential pulley 9CL is coaxial with the pulley 10L and includes an electromagnetic clutch having the external configuration shown in FIG. 4, and can engage / disengage (couple / disengage) with the shaft 11. However, the clutch means of the present invention is not limited to this, and any other clutch capable of engaging and disengaging the differential pulley 9 and the shaft 11 can be used. For example, FIG. 4 shows an electromagnetic clutch in which engagement and disengagement can be selected in one rotation direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electromagnetic clutch in which a driven side is attracted to a driving side by an electromagnetic coil. Various well-known ones, such as one that selects engagement and disengagement irrespective of the rotation direction and one that operates mechanically, can be used. The differential pulley 6L and the differential pulley 9CL are wound around the timing belt 8L and output differentially. The diameters D ₆ and D ₉ of the differential pulleys 6L and 9CL are D ₆ <D ₉ (D ₆ > D ₉
Is also possible).

Although the above differential output section is provided only on the left side of the list 22, two sets of differential output sections can be used at both ends in the width direction of the list 22. Thereby, the shaft 5 and the shaft 11
The difference between the left and right due to the torsion can be minimized.

(Control System of Paper Feeding Apparatus) As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding apparatus has a controller EC for controlling the operation thereof, and the controller EC has a start button switch 35. An upper limit switch (LS-1) 31 for detecting the upper surface of the stacked sheets 34 is provided above the list 22, and a sheet detection switch (for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet 34 on the list 22) is provided below the list 22. LS-2) 32, and a lower limit switch (LS-3) 33 for detecting the lower end of the wrist 22 is provided below the wrist 22. Also, below the wrist 22, the motor 1, the clutch of the differential pulley 9CL,
A brake for the third pulley 21 is provided. Above the wrist 22, a pickup roller 40 that rotates in contact with the upper surface of the paper 34 to pick up the paper 34 and feeds the paper 34 in the supply direction, and supports the pickup roller 40 rotatably at one end and the other end. A roller arm 41 swinging to the center, a paper feed roller 42 for feeding the picked-up paper 42 in the supply direction, and
There is provided a retard roller 43 for restricting the sheets one by one. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper feeding device of the embodiment can be disposed on the paper supply side of a copying machine or a printer. Since the configuration and operation of the copying machine and the like are well known, a description thereof will be omitted.

(Operating Principle of Differential Pulley) In the present invention, a well-known moving pulley principle is used as a differential mechanism. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the differential mechanism of the moving pulley. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the belt B on the pulley D is fed forward at a speed V1 to the left and pulled backward at a speed V2 to the right. The speed Vs of the carriage S that supports the pulley D at this time is as follows: Vs = (V2−V1) / 2 (1) A generally known moving pulley is a special case where one end of the belt B is fixed and V1 = 0 as shown in FIG. 6, and Vs = (V2) / 2.

(Related Expressions of Differential Pulley Speed Reduction Mechanism) In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, if the dimensions and conditions of each part are as follows, the following expression is established. Shaft 5 rotation speed = N ₅ Pulley 6L diameter = D ₆ Pulley 7L (7R) diameter = D ₇ Pulley 9CL diameter = D ₉ Pulley 10L (10R) = D ₁₀ Pulley 13L (13R) = D ₁₃ List 22 Elevating speed = Vs (Slow speed feed), Vq (high speed feed)

| D ₆ −D ₉ |> 0 & D ₇ = D ₁₀
= When D _13, the speed reduction ratio Rs (slow-speed feed) and Rq (the fast feed) and the lifting speed Vs (slow-speed feed) and Vq (fast feeding), the following expression holds. Rs = (1/2) × | (D ₆ −D ₉ ) | / D ₆ (2) Rq = 1/2 (3) Vs = (1/2) × (D ₇ / D ₉ ) × π × N ₅ × ( D ₉ −D ₆ ) (4) Vq = (１ ／) × π × D ₇ × N ₅ (5) As a result, Expression (4) As shown in (5), the speed reduction device is capable of moving the wrist 22 up and down at two feed speeds, a fine speed and a high speed.

[0029] By the slow speed feed function of the speed reducer,
When picking up and feeding copy sheets one by one to the main body side on the list 22, the list 22 is gradually raised according to the amount of use, and plays a role of stably supplying the paper from a fixed position at the time of feeding. Can be.

Further, the high-speed feed function of the above-described speed reduction device allows the vehicle to return to a predetermined position at a high speed when returning quickly. That is, at the time of initial setting and at the time of replenishing copy sheets, the list 22 can be quickly lowered to the lowest position, and after the replenishment of copy sheets, the list 22 can be raised and lowered to a predetermined position where the copy paper is picked up. .

(Function and Role of Differential Reduction Mechanism of Paper Feeding Device)
The pulley differential reduction mechanism of the paper feeder is based on the principle of the differential pulley, and the respective roles and functions will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 and FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the differential pulley reduction mechanism. I do. The power transmitted from the motor pulley 2 to the pulley 4 via the belt 3 by the motor 1
To the left and right drive pulleys 7L, 7R.

In the differential pulley 6L, the diameter of the pulley is set in advance so that a peripheral speed difference is generated between the differential pulley 6CL and the differential pulley 9CL (ex. D ₉ > D ₆ , Note D ₉ <D ₆ holds true). .
When these differential pulleys 6L and 9CL are driven via the belt 8L, (Pulleys 7L and 7R: Pulley 13
L, 13R) and (pulleys 10L, 10R: pulleys 13L, 13R), a speed difference is generated between the belts 12L, 12R.
Pulleys 13L and 13R, 16L attached to 2
And 16R, 17L and 17R, 18L and 18R, 1
The wrists 22 are raised and lowered by operating 9L and 19R as moving pulleys.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. (Fixed Position Feeding Operation) The slow speed feeding during the fixed position feeding operation of the paper feeding apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. FIG. The electromagnetic clutch of the differential pulley 9CL is turned on. → The differential pulley 9CL is connected to the shaft 11. → Turn off the electromagnetic brake of the pulley 21RB and the pulley 21LB.
F. → The pulley 21RB and the pulley 21LB are released from the frame 30. → Motor 1 is CCW of Fig.7
Fire in the direction. → The list 22 rises. → Paper 34
Rises with the wrist 22 and the upper limit switch 31
Turn ON. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops.

When the paper feed timing comes, the controller E
In response to the instruction of C, the pickup roller 40 of the main body operates to feed a required amount of copy paper one by one. → The paper position goes down. → The upper limit switch 31 is turned off. → The motor 1 is restarted by the instruction of the controller EC, and the elevator list 22 rises. → When the upper limit switch 31 of the sheet 34 is turned on, the list 22 stops rising. By this repetition, copy paper can always be fed little by little from the fixed position one by one according to the used amount.

(Paper Feeding / Supplying Operation) At the time of feeding sheets, a high-speed descending operation is performed. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8. When all the sheets 34 on the list 22 are conveyed from the upper surface of the list 22 by the home position feeding operation, the sheet detection limit switch 32 turns off. → Enter the high-speed descent operation at the instruction of the controller EC. → Pulley 21
Turn on the electromagnetic brakes of the RB and the pulley 21LB. →
Pulley 21RB and pulley 21LB are fixed to frame 30. The differential pulley clutch is turned off, and the differential pulley 9CL is released (released) from the shaft 11. →

The motor 1 is started in the CW direction in FIG.
→ The list 22 descends. → Lower limit switch 33
Turns ON. → Motor 1 stops. → The list 22 stops at the lowest position. The electromagnetic brakes of the pulleys 21RB and 21LB are turned off. → Pulley 21
The RB and the pulley 21LB are released (released) from the frame 30. At this position, copy paper is put on the wrist 22 and supplied. → After the setup is completed, press the start button switch 35 on the controller EC side. → List 2
2 rises in "slow speed feed" mode.

In the "slow speed feed" mode, the clutch of the differential pulley 9CL is turned on. → Differential pulley 9
CL couples with axis 11. Activate the motor 1 in the CCW direction in FIG. 7 → The list 22 rises. → The paper 34 rises with the list 22 and the upper limit switch 31 is turned on.
N. → Motor 1 stops. → The list 22 stops, and the operation of feeding the copy paper is completed.

(Initial Setting Operation) The initial setting operation of the paper supply apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Main unit power ON
Sometimes the initial setting operation is performed when restarting after an emergency stop. OFF of lower limit switch 33 and paper detection switch 32
The initial setting operation is performed when is turned on. The electromagnetic brakes of the pulleys 21RB and 21LB are turned on. → The pulley 21RB and the pulley 21LB are fixed to the frame 30.

The differential pulley 9CL electromagnetic clutch is turned off.
The differential pulley 9CL is released (released) from the pulley 10L and the shaft 11. → Start the motor 1 in the CW direction. → The list 22 descends. → The lower limit switch 33 turns ON. → Stop motor 1. Listing 22
Stops at the lowest position. The electromagnetic brakes of the pulleys 21RB and 21LB are turned off. → Pulley 2
1RB and the pulley 21LB are released from the frame 30. At this position, it rises again in the "slow speed feed" mode according to the instruction from the controller EC. In the “slow speed feed” mode, the clutch of the differential pulley 9CL is turned on. → The differential pulley 9CL is connected to the shaft 11. The motor 1 is started in the CCW direction in FIG. → The list 22 rises. → The sheet 34 rises together with the list 22 and the upper limit switch 31 is turned on. → Motor 1 stops. → The list 22 after ascending stops, and the initial setting operation of the copy paper is completed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The overall configuration of the paper supply apparatus of the second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and is as shown in FIG. 1, so that the illustration of the overall configuration is omitted. The description of the same components will be omitted. Further, the control system of the paper feeder is as shown in FIG. 2, and when used in a copying machine or a printer, it becomes as shown in FIG. 3, and their description is omitted.

(Arrangement of one-way clutch) However, the structure of the fine speed feed shown in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 and the structure of the high speed feed shown in the same manner as in FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. become. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
R and 21L are replaced with the electromagnetic brake of the first embodiment,
A one-way clutch is provided. The pulley 21 is indicated by reference numerals 21ROWC and 21LOWC. Further, the one-way clutches of the pulley 21ROWC and the pulley 21LOWC are set so as to be rotatable in the rotation direction at the time of fine speed feeding.

The positions where the one-way clutch is provided are not limited to this, and the pulleys 20R and 20L
Performs the same function when attached to Pulley 21
When the L and the pulley 21R are connected by a shaft, the same function can be achieved if one of the pulleys is provided with a one-way clutch.
Configuration. In addition, the arrangement and configuration of the pulleys that output differentials are such that the diameters of the differential pulley 6 and the differential pulley 9CL are D
_6> and it has a configuration of D _9.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. (Fixed Position Feeding Operation) The slow speed feeding operation during the fixed position feeding operation of the paper feeding apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9. FIG. The electromagnetic clutch of the differential pulley clutch 9CL is turned on. → The differential pulley 9CL is connected to the shaft 11. → Pulley 21 ROWC and Pulley 21 LOWC
Is set to the direction of the rotation direction at the time of fine speed feeding by the one-way clutch. The motor 1 is started in the CW direction in FIG. → The list 22 rises. → Both the sheets 34 rise and the upper limit switch 31 is turned on. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops.

When the paper feed timing comes, the controller E
In response to the instruction of C, the pickup roller of the main body operates to feed the required amount of copy paper 34 one by one. → The position of the sheet 34 is lowered. → The upper limit switch 31 is turned off. → The motor 1 is restarted by the instruction of the controller EC, and the elevator list 22 rises. → Paper 34
When the user turns on the upper limit switch 31, the list 22 stops. By this repetition, copy paper can always be fed little by little from the fixed position one by one according to the used amount.

(Paper Feeding / Supplying Operation) When replenishing sheets, a high-speed descending operation is performed. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 10. When all the sheets 34 on the list 22 are conveyed from the upper surface of the list 22 by the home position feeding operation, the sheet detection limit switch 32 is turned off. →

A high-speed descent operation is started according to an instruction from the controller EC. → Pulley 21ROWC and Pulley 21LO
The WC is fixed by the weight of the list 22. The differential pulley clutch is turned off, and the differential pulley 9CL is released (released) from the shaft 11. → Start the motor 1 in the CW direction in FIG. → The list 22 descends. → The lower limit switch 33 turns ON. → Motor 1 stops. → The list 22 stops at the lowest position. Paper 3 at the position
4 is put on the wrist 22 and replenished. → After setup is completed, start button switch 35 on controller EC side
push. → The list 22 rises in the “slow speed feed” mode.

In the "slow speed feed" mode, the differential pulley clutch 9CL is turned on. → 9C differential pulley
L is connected to the shaft 11. The motor 1 is started in the CW direction in FIG. → The one-way clutches of the pulleys 21ROWC and 21LOWC are released. → The list 22 rises. → The sheet 34 rises together with the list 22 and the upper limit switch 31 is turned on. → Stop motor 1. →
The list 22 stops, and the operation of feeding the copy paper is completed.

(Initial Setting Operation) The initial setting operation of the paper supply device will be described with reference to FIG. Main unit power ON
Sometimes the initial setting operation is performed when restarting after an emergency stop. The initial setting operation is performed when the lower limit switch 33 is turned off and the paper detection switch 32 is turned on. Pulley 21 ROWC
And the pulley 21LOWC are fixed by the weight of the wrist.

The electromagnetic clutch of the differential pulley 9CL is turned on.
F, the differential pulley 9CL is released (released) from the shaft 11. → Start the motor 1 in the CW direction. → The list 22 descends. The lower limit switch 33 is turned on. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops at the lowest level. At this position, it rises again in the "slow speed feed" mode according to the instruction from the controller EC. In this "slow speed feed" mode, the differential pulley clutch 9CL
Turn ON. → The differential pulley 9CL engages (couples) with the shaft 11. The motor 1 is started in the CW direction. → The list 22 rises. → Both the sheets 34 rise and the upper limit switch 31 is turned ON. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops. Thus, Listing 22
Stops and the copy paper initial setting operation is completed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Third
The overall configuration of the paper supply apparatus of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and is as shown in FIG. The description of the same components will be omitted. Further, the control system of the paper feeder is as shown in FIG. 2, and when used in a copying machine or a printer, it becomes as shown in FIG. 3, and their description is omitted.

(Clutch of Differential Pulley 9CLL) Unlike the electromagnetic clutch of the first embodiment, the differential pulley 9CLL has a fixing member 90 to the shaft 11 as shown in FIG.
When the right-handed spring 91 is interposed between the pulley 9CLL and the pulley 9CLL rotates in a fixed direction with respect to the shaft 11, the pulley 9CLL engages (couples) with the shaft 11 and moves in the opposite direction. A spring clutch is provided which is released (released) when rotated.
Further, as shown in FIGS.
A ratchet is formed on the outer periphery of the frame 3 and the frame 3
0, a locking member 93 driven by a solenoid 92
By engaging the ratchet, rotation in a certain direction can be stopped. FIG. 12 shows a state of the low-speed feeding, and the differential pulley 9CLL is moved in the direction of the arrow (C
(CW direction), the spring clutch is engaged, and is coupled to the shaft 11. The locking member 93 rises and does not fix the ratchet. FIG. 13 shows a state of high-speed feeding, in which the differential pulley 9CCL rotates in the CW direction to release the spring clutch, and the connection with the shaft 11 is released.
The locking member 93 descends and engages with the ratchet on the outer periphery of the fixing member 90 to prevent the shaft 11 from rotating in the CCW direction. The diameters D ₆ and D ₉ of the differential pulley 6 and the differential pulley 9CLL satisfy the relation of D ₆ <D ₉ .

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. (Fixed Position Feeding Operation) The slow speed feeding of the paper feeding apparatus during the fixed position feeding operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 11, 12, and 14. FIG. When the fine speed rises, as shown in FIG. 14, since the differential pulley clutch 9CLL rotates in the CCW direction, the spring clutch is engaged. → The differential pulley 9CLL is connected to the shaft 11. When the ratchet clutch is fed at a low speed, the engagement member 93 is lifted by the operation of the solenoid 92 and the engagement is released. → Start motor 1 in the CCW direction. → The list 22 rises. → The paper 34 rises and the upper limit switch 31
Turn ON. → The motor 1 stops → The list 22 stops.

When the paper feed timing comes, the controller E
In response to the instruction of C, the pickup roller 40 of the main body operates to feed a required amount of sheets 34 one by one. → The paper position goes down. → The upper limit switch 31 is turned off. → The motor 1 is restarted by the instruction of the controller EC, and the elevator list 22 rises. → The upper limit switch 31 of the sheet 34 is turned ON. → The list 22 stops. By repeating this, it is possible to feed the paper 34 little by little from the fixed position one by one according to the used amount.

(Paper Feeding / Supplying Operation) At the time of feeding paper, a high speed descent operation is performed. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 13, and 15. When all the sheets 34 on the list 22 are conveyed from the upper surface of the list 22 by the home position feeding operation,
The paper detection limit switch 32 is turned off. → Enter the high-speed descent operation at the instruction of the controller EC. → The locking member 93 is lowered by the operation of the solenoid 92, and the shaft 11 is fixed by the ratchet clutch. → Motor 1 is C
Start in the W direction. → The list 22 descends. → The lower limit switch 33 turns ON. → Motor 1 stops. → The list 22 stops at the lowest position. → At this position, the paper 34 is put on the wrist 22 and supplied. →

After the setup is completed, the controller EC
Press the start button switch 35 on the side. → The list 22 rises in the “slow speed feed” mode. At the time of fine speed feed,
As shown in FIG. 14, since the differential pulley clutch 9CLL rotates in the CCW direction, the spring clutch is engaged. → The differential pulley 9CLL is connected to the shaft 11. When the ratchet clutch is fed at a very low speed, the solenoid 9
By the operation of 2, the locking member 93 is raised and the engagement is released. → Start motor 1 in the CCW direction. → The list 22 rises. → The sheet 34 rises together with the list 22 and the upper limit switch 31 is turned on. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops, and the operation of feeding the copy paper is completed.

(Initial Setting Operation) The initial setting operation of the paper supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 14, and 15. Performs the initial setting operation when restarting after an emergency stop when the main unit power is turned on. Lower limit switch 33 is OFF
To perform the initial setting operation when the paper detection switch 32 is turned on. The operation of the solenoid 92 lowers the locking member 93, and engages with the ratchet on the outer periphery of the fixing member 90 to rotate the shaft 1.
Fix 1 Further, since the differential pulley 9CLL rotates in the CW direction, the engagement of the spring clutch is released (released) and released from the shaft 11. → Start the motor 1 in the CW direction. → The list 22 descends. → The lower limit switch 33 turns ON. → Motor 1 stops.
→ The list 22 stops at the lowest position. At this position, the "fine speed feed" mode is raised again by the instruction from the controller EC.

At the time of the fine feed, as shown in FIG.
Since the differential pulley clutch 9CLL rotates in the CW direction, the spring clutch is engaged. → 9C differential pulley
LL couples with axis 11. The ratchet clutch is operated by the solenoid 92 at the time of feeding at a very low speed, so that the locking member 9 is operated.
3 is raised and the engagement is released. → Motor 1 is CC
Start in the W direction. → The list 22 rises. → Paper 3
4 rises with list 22 and upper limit switch 31
Turn ON. → Stop motor 1. → The list 22 stops, and the initial setting operation of the sheet 34 is completed.

In each of the above embodiments, a copying machine,
Although the paper supply device used for the printer has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be used for various devices that record character images on paper. Although the differential pulleys 6 and 9 and the timing belt 8 have been shown as the peripheral speed difference driving means, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fifth and sixth pulleys 10 and 7 are driven by separate driving sources. Alternatively, the differential pulleys 6 and 9 can have the same diameter, and the fifth and sixth pulleys 10 and 7 can have different diameters.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, since a plurality of speed reduction ratios can be obtained, the ascending and descending time can be shortened, and high positioning accuracy can be obtained. In addition, since the speed reduction mechanism is constituted by the pulleys, excellent effects such as reduction of noise during high-speed ascent and descent and high transmission efficiency of driving force can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a differential pulley reduction mechanism for raising and lowering a wrist of a sheet feeding device according to first, second and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control system and operation of the sheet feeding device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the paper feeding device of FIG. 1 is used in a copying machine and a printer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a clutch mechanism of a differential pulley.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the differential principle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the differential principle of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a slow speed increasing operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a high-speed descent operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a fine speed increasing operation of the sheet feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a high-speed descending operation of the sheet feeding device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a main configuration of a spring clutch and a ratchet clutch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view of the spring clutch and the ratchet clutch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view of the spring clutch and the ratchet clutch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a slow speed increasing operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a high-speed descent operation.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a conventional elevating speed reduction device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 motor 2 motor pulley 3 motor timing belt 4 pulley 5 shaft 6, 6R, 6L differential pulley 7, 7R, 7L pulley (sixth pulley) 8, 8R, 8L timing belt 9CL, 9CL for differential mechanism , 9CLL Differential pulley 10, 10R, 10L Pulley (fifth pulley) 11 Shaft 12 Timing belt LR 13, 13R, 13L Pulley (ninth pulley) 14, 14R, 14L Pulley (fourth pulley) 15, 15R , 15L pulley (second pulley) 16, 16R, 16L pulley (eighth pulley) 17, 17R, 17L pulley 18, 18R, 18L pulley 19, 19R, 19L pulley (seventh pulley) 20, 20R, 20L Pulley (first pulley) 21, 21R, 2 1L, pulley 21RB, 21LB Pulley with brake 21ROWC, 21OWC Pulley with one-way clutch 22 Wrist 23, 23R, 23L Timing belt 24, 24R, 24L Pulley 25, 25R, 25L Pulley

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wrist on which an upper surface is substantially flat and paper is placed on the upper surface, a frame surrounding the wrist so that the wrist can move up and down, and each pulley operates in substantially the same plane; And a differential pulley deceleration mechanism for moving the paper up and down in the frame while supporting the paper from the side, and feeding the paper to the paper surface recording device. First and second pulleys movably provided; third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated portions below the frame; and the third and fourth pulleys below the frame. 5th and 6th pulleys provided between the 4 pulleys, and are horizontally separated from the wrist supporting side surface, and
And two locations located inside the location where the second pulley is provided and seventh and eighth locations located at the center location of the two locations.
And a ninth pulley, which is wound around the first pulley and travels downward to the seventh pulley, and travels through the seventh pulley toward the eighth pulley in one direction substantially along the wrist side surface. ,
Via the eighth pulley, upward toward the second pulley, wrapping around the second pulley, downward toward the fourth pulley, and via the fourth pulley to the wrist side surface Along the other direction along the sixth pulley, and the ninth upward through the sixth pulley.
Toward the fifth pulley, winding downward around the ninth pulley, toward the fifth pulley, passing through the fifth pulley in the other direction toward the third pulley, and moving toward the third pulley. A belt member heading upward through the first pulley, a peripheral speed difference driving means for driving the fifth and sixth pulleys so as to cause a difference in their respective peripheral speeds, A differential clutch comprising: first clutch means for engaging a pulley with the peripheral speed difference driving means; and brake means for stopping rotation of at least one of the first and third pulleys. Paper feeder with pulley reduction mechanism. 2. A wrist on which an upper surface is substantially flat and a sheet is placed on the upper surface, a frame surrounding the wrist so that the wrist can move up and down, and each pulley operates in substantially the same plane; And a differential pulley deceleration mechanism for moving the paper up and down in the frame while supporting the paper from the side, and feeding the paper to the paper surface recording device. First and second pulleys movably provided; third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated portions below the frame; and the third and fourth pulleys below the frame. 5th and 6th pulleys provided between the 4 pulleys, and are horizontally separated from the wrist supporting side surface, and
And two locations located inside the location where the second pulley is provided and seventh and eighth locations located at the center location of the two locations.
And a ninth pulley, which is wound around the first pulley and travels downward to the seventh pulley, and travels through the seventh pulley toward the eighth pulley in one direction substantially along the wrist side surface. ,
Via the eighth pulley, upward toward the second pulley, wrapping around the second pulley, downward toward the fourth pulley, and via the fourth pulley to the wrist side surface Along the other direction along the sixth pulley, and the ninth upward through the sixth pulley.
Toward the fifth pulley, winding downward around the ninth pulley, toward the fifth pulley, passing through the fifth pulley in the other direction toward the third pulley, and moving toward the third pulley. A belt member heading upward through the first pulley, a peripheral speed difference driving means for driving the fifth and sixth pulleys so as to cause a difference in their respective peripheral speeds, First clutch means for engaging a pulley with the peripheral speed difference driving means; first one-way clutch means for limiting rotation of at least one of the first and third pulleys in one direction; A sheet feeder having a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism, comprising: 3. A wrist on which an upper surface is substantially flat and paper is placed on the upper surface, a frame surrounding the wrist so that the wrist can move up and down, and each pulley operates in substantially the same plane; And a differential pulley deceleration mechanism for moving the paper up and down in the frame while supporting the paper from the side, and feeding the paper to the paper surface recording device. First and second pulleys movably provided; third and fourth pulleys rotatably provided at two horizontally separated portions below the frame; and the third and fourth pulleys below the frame. 5th and 6th pulleys provided between the 4 pulleys, and are horizontally separated from the wrist supporting side surface, and
And two locations located inside the location where the second pulley is provided and seventh and eighth locations located at the center location of the two locations.
And a ninth pulley, which is wound around the first pulley and travels downward to the seventh pulley, and travels through the seventh pulley toward the eighth pulley in one direction substantially along the wrist side surface. ,
Via the eighth pulley, upward toward the second pulley, wrapping around the second pulley, downward toward the fourth pulley, and via the fourth pulley to the wrist side surface Along the other direction along the sixth pulley, and the ninth upward through the sixth pulley.
Toward the fifth pulley, winding downward around the ninth pulley, toward the fifth pulley, passing through the fifth pulley in the other direction toward the third pulley, and moving toward the third pulley. A belt member heading upward toward the first pulley via a peripheral speed difference driving means for driving the fifth and sixth pulleys so as to cause a difference in their respective peripheral speeds; A second clutch unit that engages the peripheral speed difference driving unit with the fifth pulley when the driving direction of the driving unit is a predetermined direction; and a second clutch that restricts rotation of the fifth pulley to one direction. A sheet feeder having a differential pulley speed reduction mechanism, comprising: a one-way clutch unit.