JP3295538B2 - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention separates a large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate one by one by separating means.
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that conveys in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a recording apparatus such as a printer that uses cut recording paper (hereinafter referred to as cut paper) as a paper, a large number of cut papers placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separation means. And a paper feeding device that conveys the paper in a paper feeding direction by a paper feeding roller.

In such a paper feeder, a paper feed table on which the cut paper is placed is provided with a position regulating means in the width direction so that the cut paper can be fed stably. One type of cut sheet having a width dimension regulated by the position regulating means is placed on the sheet feeding table.

[0004]

However, in the conventional paper feeding apparatus, since the position regulating means is provided as a separate member from the bottom plate and the paper feeding table, there is a disadvantage that the apparatus cost is increased.

Further, when replenishing cut sheets, the bottom plate is pushed down so that the cut sheets set on the bottom plate do not come into contact with the separating means or the sheet feeding roller. When the cut paper is replenished, the stack thickness of the cut paper becomes larger than the gap in the planned height direction, and the uppermost cut paper comes into contact with the separation Alternatively, there is a possibility that the separating means may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide an inexpensive sheet feeder capable of smoothly supplying cut sheets. It is another object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device capable of smoothly performing an operation for manually feeding paper having a size smaller than a predetermined size.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller.
At the time of replenishing the sheet, in a sheet feeding device for releasing the contact between the sheet and the separating means and the sheet feeding roller by pushing down the bottom plate, the sheet feeding device is provided integrally with the bottom plate, and the uppermost portion is provided in a state where the bottom plate is pushed down. And a regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction without restricting the height of the sheet from coming into contact with the separating unit and the sheet feeding roller.

In addition, a large number of cut sheets placed on the bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a feeding direction by a feeding roller. And the separating device and the sheet feeding device for releasing the contact with the sheet feeding roller, wherein the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate, and the height of the uppermost sheet is reduced by the separating device. And a regulating member that regulates the paper feed roller so as not to contact the roller and regulates the position of the paper in the width direction.

Further, a large number of cut sheets placed on the bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller.
In a paper feeding device for releasing the contact between the paper and the separating means and the paper feed roller by pushing down the bottom plate, the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate and the bottom plate is pushed down. And a regulating member for regulating the position in the width direction of the sheet, and a sheet inserted in a state where the position is regulated by the regulating member when replenishing the sheet. The tip position of
The apparatus has a leading end position regulating member that regulates the leading end of the paper stacked above to be located further downstream in the transport direction.

Further, in a paper feeder for separating a large number of cut sheets placed on the bottom plate one by one by a separation means and conveying the cut paper in a paper feed direction by a paper feed roller, the paper plate is provided integrally with the bottom plate. A regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction; a movable regulating member that is provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction, and regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction; In a state in which the separation unit is moved to a position narrower than the member, the separation unit is provided with a retracting unit that retracts the separating unit from the sheet conveying path.

In addition, a large number of cut sheets placed on the bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feed roller. And the separating device and the sheet feeding device for releasing the contact with the sheet feeding roller, wherein the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate while the bottom plate is pressed down, and the separating device and A regulating member that regulates the position in the width direction of the paper, and a movable member that is provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction and regulates the position of the paper in the width direction. In a state where the regulating member and the movable regulating member have been moved to a narrower position than the regulating member, a retracting unit for retracting the separating unit from the sheet conveying path is provided.

Further, a large number of cut sheets placed on the bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller.
In a paper feeding device for releasing the contact between the paper and the separating means and the paper feed roller by pushing down the bottom plate, the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate and the bottom plate is pushed down. And a regulating member for regulating the position of the sheet in the width direction, and a regulating member provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction, and a position in the width direction of the sheet. A movable restricting member that restricts the movement of the movable restricting member to a narrower position than the restricting member. The apparatus includes a leading end position regulating member that regulates the leading end position of the sheet inserted in the state where the position is regulated, such that the leading end of the sheet stacked above is located further downstream in the transport direction.

[0013]

Therefore, since the position regulating member in the width direction of the cut sheet is integrally provided on the bottom plate for stacking the cut sheets, the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced, and the mounting of the position regulating member can be achieved. The accuracy of the position can be greatly improved.

Further, since the position regulating member in the width direction of the cut sheet is provided with a position regulating function in the height direction when replenishing the cut sheet, the cut sheet comes into contact with the separating means and the sheet feeding roller at the time of replenishment. Such a situation can be avoided.

Further, since the position of the leading end of the cut sheet at the time of replenishment is regulated so as to be shifted to the downstream side in the transport direction as it is positioned higher, the bottom plate is moved from the replenishment position to the paper supply position without resistance. And a smooth paper feeding operation can be performed.

Further, when a sheet narrower than the normally used cut sheet is used, the separating means is retracted, so that a situation in which the narrow sheet is caught by the separating means is avoided. And a smooth paper feeding operation can be performed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a sheet feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The paper feeding device is fixedly provided in a recording device (not shown) that uses cut paper as paper, such as a printer.

In the drawing, a bottom plate 2 is rotatably attached to a case 1 of the paper feeding device at a position on the upstream side in the transport direction, and a spring for pushing the bottom plate 2 upward is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. 3 are provided.

Wide position regulating members 2a and 2b rising in a hook shape are provided integrally with the bottom plate 2 on both sides of a substantially central portion of the bottom plate 2 in the conveyance direction on both sides thereof. Friction pad members 4 and 5 are disposed on the upper surface corresponding to the position immediately above the biasing position of No. 3.

A guide plate member 6 which is movable in the width direction of the bottom plate 2 is provided at an end of the bottom plate 2 on the upstream side in the transport direction. The guide plate member 6 extends around the end of the bottom plate 2 and extends to the lower surface side of the bottom plate 2, and is shaped so as to sandwich the bottom plate 2. Is provided.

The case 1 is provided with a locking plate member 1a parallel to the bottom plate 2 at a position close to the tip of the projection 6a. A hole 1b into which the protrusion 6a can enter at an open position is formed.

A drive shaft 7 received by a bearing (not shown) is disposed above the upper surface of the bottom plate 2. The drive shaft 7 has a cross section substantially at a position where it can contact the friction pad members 4 and 5. Half-moon-shaped feeding rollers 8 and 9 are fixed, and an auxiliary feeding roller 10 having a substantially half-moon cross section is fixed at an intermediate position between the feeding rollers 8 and 9.

A gear 11 is fixed to one end of the drive shaft 7. A gear 13 fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 12 meshes with the gear 11. Therefore, when the motor 12 is driven, the rotational force of the drive shaft of the motor 12 is transmitted to the drive shaft 7 via the gear 13 and the gear 11,
The feed rollers 8 and 9 rotate.

On the upper surface of the bottom plate 2 at the end on the downstream side in the transport direction, concave portions 2 c, for dropping the separation claws 15, 16, are provided.
2d is provided. The separation claws 15 and 16 are
The arm members 17 and 18 are rotatably supported at the distal ends of the arm members 17 and 18. The arm members 17 and 18 are connected by a connecting member 19 disposed on the lower surface side of the bottom plate 2. . Further, the arm members 17 and 18 are formed such that the end portions connected by the connecting member 19 with respect to the pivot point are deflected upward.

At the downstream end of the case 1 in the transport direction, a guide member 20 for communicating with the recording apparatus main body and guiding the separated sheet to the transport path of the recording apparatus main body is provided. From the end wall where the guide member 20 is provided, substantially trapezoidal rib members 21, 22, and 23 for positioning the leading end of the fed paper are provided.

The push rod member 24 is for regulating the height position of the bottom plate 2 urged upward by the spring 3.
, The bottom plate 2 is pushed downward. The tip of the push rod member 24 abuts a concave portion 2 e provided at a side end of the bottom plate 2.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the positional relationship between the projection 6a of the guide plate member 6 and the hole 1b of the locking plate member 1a. In this case, the size of the cut sheet to be set is A4 size.

In the figure, when the guide plate member 6 is positioned at the position A (corresponding to the dimension in the short direction of the A4 size) in the width direction, the hole 1 of the locking plate member 1a is opened.
The projection 6a of the guide member 6 is located immediately above b. Therefore, when the bottom plate 2 is pushed down by the push rod member 24, the projection 6a of the guide plate member 6 enters the hole 1b of the locking plate member 1a, and thereby the push rod member 2
4 can push down the bottom plate 2.

On the other hand, when the guide plate member 6 is displaced from the position A to the center portion in the width direction of the bottom plate 2 and moves to the position B, the locking plate member is located immediately below the projection 6a of the guide member 6. The hole 1b of 1a is not located. Therefore, when the bottom plate 2 is pushed down by the push bar member 24, the projection 6a of the guide plate member 6 abuts on the upper surface of the locking plate member 1a, whereby the push bar member 24 pushes down the bottom plate 2. Can not.

The locking plate member 1a and the guide plate member 6
A very small gap D1 is provided between the bottom plate 2 and the protrusion 6a, so that the guide plate member 6 can be appropriately moved in the width direction of the bottom plate 2.

With the above configuration, except when replenishing the paper PP, as shown in FIG.
The paper feed rollers 8 and 9 and the auxiliary paper feed roller 10 are positioned at predetermined height positions where they can come into contact with the paper PP placed on the bottom plate 2.
The rotational position of the bottom plate 2 urged by the above is held.

In the paper feed standby state, the paper feed rollers 8, 9
The rotation of the auxiliary paper feed roller 10 is set such that a plane portion thereof faces the bottom plate 2. Further, in this state, the arm members 17 and 18 rotate due to the weight of the separation claws 15 and 16, so that the bottom plate 2
When the paper PP is not placed on the separation claw 15,
16 falls into the recesses 2 c and 2 d of the bottom plate 2 and is positioned below the surface of the bottom plate 2. When the sheet PP is placed on the bottom plate 2, the separation claws 15, 16
Presses the uppermost part of the paper PP placed.

For example, standard paper PP of A4 size or the like
When replenishing, the push rod member 24 is pushed down while the guide plate member 6 is positioned at the most open position in the width direction. Thereby, as mentioned above, the bottom plate 2 is pushed down (see FIG. 7).

When the bottom plate 2 is pushed down, the connecting member 19 is pushed down, so that the arm members 17 and 1 are pushed down.
Separating claws 15, 16 attached to the opposite side of 8
As a result, a sufficient space is secured between the bottom plate 2 and the separation claws 15 and 16.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the flat portion 8a on the surface of the sheet feeding roller 8 is opposed to the bottom plate 2, and the height of the flat portion 8a is smaller than the height of the flat portion 8a. The height of a plane facing the bottom plate 2 of the part 2ba that regulates the position in the height direction of the paper PP in the parallel part is set to a position lower by the dimension D2. further,
The position is set such that the height of the lowest position of the separation claw 16 is higher than the height of the flat portion 8a of the sheet feeding roller 8 by the dimension D3.

Therefore, when the bundle of sheets PP is inserted into the position regulating members 2a and 2b with the width thereof adjusted, the sheets PP
The height of the uppermost part is the portion 2a of the position regulating members 2a and 2b.
Since the height of the paper PP does not exceed the height regulated by the a and 2ba, the paper PP is
Can be prevented from coming into contact with the paper P.
Inconveniences such as P being pulled can be prevented.

Further, since the separation claws 15 and 16 are located at a position higher than the paper feed roller 8, the paper PP is prevented from coming into contact with the separation claws 15 and 16 when replenishing the paper PP. Thus, it is possible to prevent the separation claws 15 and 16 from being damaged when the paper PP is supplied. Also,
The separation claws 15 and 16 only need to be strong enough to buckle the corners of the paper PP during paper feeding and separate them.
There is also an advantage that the strength required for 5, 5 can be reduced, so that inexpensive parts can be used and the cost can be reduced.

When the supply of the paper PP has been completed, as shown in FIG.
It hits 1,22,23. Here, the rib members 21,
22 and 23 are located at positions in front of the separation claws 15 and 16 by the dimension D4 and at the position for receiving the paper PP,
A situation in which the paper PP collides with the separation claws 15 and 16 can be avoided.

The rib members 21, 22, and 23 are formed so that the planar shape becomes narrower from the bottom of the case 1 to the upper direction.
As shown in FIG. 0, an inclination of the angle R is formed.

Therefore, after the supply of the paper PP is completed,
When the push rod member 24 is returned to the state shown in FIG. 6, the bottom plate 2 is rotated upward by the urging force F of the spring 3, and accordingly, the separation claws 15, 16 are rotated downward by their own weight. To return to the original state, and comes into contact with the top of the sheet PP from above and presses it.

Further, since the tip of the sheet PP is inclined, when the bottom plate 2 rotates upward, the sheet P
P separates without being caught by the rib members 21, 22, 23,
It is possible to prevent a situation where the leading edge of the paper PP is pulled.

In this way, it is possible to set the cut sheet PP which is normally applied to the recording apparatus.

When a sheet of paper PA smaller than the standard size, for example, an envelope, is fed to the recording apparatus, the user performs so-called manual sheet feeding. In this case, the guide plate member 6 is moved to a position narrower than the standard position, and is adjusted to the size in the width direction of the paper PA fed manually.

When the push rod member 24 is pushed down in this state, at this time, as described above, since the projection 6a abuts on the locking plate member 1a, the bottom plate 2 is not pushed down.
It is held at the height KK (see FIG. 11).

At this time, since the other sheets are removed from the bottom plate 2, the arm members 17, 18 are rotated by the weight of the separation claws 15, 16, and the separation claws 15, 16 are rotated.
Falls into the recesses 2c and 2d of the bottom plate 2 and is positioned below the surface of the bottom plate 2, whereby the paper PA
Is prevented from hitting the separation claws 15 and 16.

Therefore, the paper PA placed on the bottom plate 2
Is sent out to the transport path of the recording apparatus by the paper feed rollers 8 and 9 and the auxiliary paper feed roller 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the dimension of the guide plate member 6 ends before the position regulating member 2a, and the guide plate member 6 and the position regulating member 2a are provided so as not to interfere with each other. Instead of the guide plate member 6, a guide plate member 30 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the same figure, the guide plate member 30 has a tip portion 30a extending downstream in the transport direction formed to have a dimension lower than the height of the position regulating member 2a. The bottom plate 2 is sandwiched between the portion extending to the lower surface side of the base 2 and the tip portion 30a. Further, a protrusion 30a that protrudes into the hole 1b of the locking plate member 1a is provided in a portion extending to the lower surface side of the bottom plate 2.

In the above-described embodiment, A4 is used as the standard paper size. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other sizes. In addition, the present invention can be applied in the same manner even when the end portions in the longitudinal direction are arranged in the front-rear direction in the conveying direction.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the position restricting member in the width direction of the cut sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate for loading the cut sheet, the number of parts of the device can be reduced, and the accuracy of the mounting position of the position restricting member is greatly improved. The effect that it can be improved is obtained.
In addition, the position regulating member in the width direction of the cut sheet is provided with a position regulating function in the height direction when replenishing the cut sheet, so that the cut sheet may come into contact with the separating means or the sheet feeding roller at the time of replenishment. Can be avoided.

Further, since the position of the leading end of the cut sheet at the time of replenishment is regulated so as to be shifted to the downstream side in the transport direction as the position thereof is higher, the bottom plate is moved from the replenishment position to the sheet supply position without resistance. As a result, a smooth paper feeding operation can be performed.

When a sheet narrower than the normally used cut sheet is used, the separating means is retracted, so that a situation in which the narrow sheet is caught by the separating means can be avoided. And a smooth paper feeding operation can be achieved.

[0054]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a sheet feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a bottom plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view showing an example of a configuration around a separation claw.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial sectional view showing an example of a positional relationship between a guide plate member and a locking plate member.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial view illustrating a state of a sheet feeding standby state of the sheet feeding device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial view exemplifying a state in which paper is supplied by the paper supply device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial view for explaining a positional relationship between a sheet, a sheet feeding roller and a separation claw.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial view for explaining alignment of the leading end of a sheet.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial view for explaining alignment of the leading edge of a sheet.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial view for explaining an operation when a sheet having a width smaller than the standard is fed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Bottom plate 2a, 2b Position regulating member 2c, 2d, 2e Depression 3 Spring 4, 5 Friction pad member 6, 30 Guide plate member 6a, 30a Projection 7 Drive shaft 8, 9 Feed roller 10 Auxiliary feed roller 11, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Gear 12 Motor 15 and 16 Separation claw 17, 18 Arm member 19 Connecting member 21, 22, 23 Rib member 24 Push rod member

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating means, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller. And the separating device and the paper feeding device for releasing the contact with the paper feeding roller, wherein the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate, and the height of the uppermost sheet is reduced by the separating device and A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet feeding device is provided with a regulating member that regulates a state in which the sheet does not contact the roller and regulates a position of the sheet in a width direction. 2. A large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separation unit, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller. When replenishing sheets, the bottom plate is pushed down. A sheet feeding device for releasing the contact between the sheet and the separating means and the sheet feeding roller, wherein the separating means is provided integrally with the bottom plate and the height of the uppermost sheet is adjusted in a state where the bottom plate is pushed down. And a regulating member that regulates the position in the width direction of the sheet, and a leading end position of the sheet inserted in a state where the position is regulated by the regulating member when replenishing the sheet. And a leading edge position regulating member that regulates the leading edge of the paper stacked above to be located further downstream in the transport direction. 3. A sheet feeding device for separating a large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate one by one by a separating means and conveying the cut sheets in a feeding direction by a feeding roller. A regulating member that regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction; a movable regulating member that is provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction, and regulates the position of the sheet in the width direction; A sheet feeding device comprising a retracting unit for retracting the separating unit from the sheet conveying path when the unit is moved to a position narrower than the member. 4. A large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separation unit, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller. And the separating device and the paper feeding device for releasing the contact with the paper feeding roller, wherein the height of the uppermost sheet is provided integrally with the bottom plate, and the height of the uppermost sheet is reduced by the separating device and A regulating member that regulates the position in the width direction of the paper while restricting the paper feed roller from contacting the roller; and a movable member that is provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction and regulates the position in the width direction of the paper. A sheet feeder, comprising: a regulating member; and a retracting unit that retracts the separating unit from the sheet conveying path when the movable regulating member is moved to a position narrower than the regulating member. 5. A large number of cut sheets placed on a bottom plate are separated one by one by a separating unit, and are conveyed in a sheet feeding direction by a sheet feeding roller. When replenishing sheets, the bottom plate is pushed down. A sheet feeding device for releasing the contact between the sheet and the separating means and the sheet feeding roller, wherein the separating means is provided integrally with the bottom plate and the height of the uppermost sheet is adjusted in a state where the bottom plate is pushed down. And a regulating member for regulating the position in the width direction of the paper, and a movable member provided on the bottom plate so as to be movable in the width direction and regulating the position in the width direction of the paper. A regulating member, a retracting unit that retracts the separating unit from the sheet conveying path in a state where the movable regulating member has moved to a width position narrower than the regulating member, and a position regulated by the regulating member when replenishing a sheet. The position of the tip of the sheet to be inserted by state, the sheet feeding apparatus characterized by having a restriction to end position regulating member such that the tip of the paper stacked on the upper is located in the more downstream side in the conveying direction.