JP3554055B2

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Info

Publication number: JP3554055B2
Application number: JP33074694A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 稔川西; 信治後藤
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 1994-12-07
Filing date: 1994-12-07
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-11
Also published as: JPH08157086A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明はシート材を給送する給送ローラに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の、画像形成装置等における給送装置の給送ローラを図１１に示す。この給送ローラは駆動軸１０１、給送ローラ１０２、給紙ローラ１０２に接着剤等で貼りつけられているゴム１０３及び給送ローラ１０２を駆動軸に固定し駆動を伝達するピン溝１０４で構成されている。そして、駆動軸１０１の回転により給送ローラ１０２も回転し、給送ローラ１０２に固定されているゴム１０３が給送するシート材と当接することで、シート材との摩擦力でシート材をを給送する。
【０００３】
また図１２のように環状ゴム１０５を環状ゴム１０５よりも若干径の大きいフランジのついた給送ローラ１０６に、環状ゴム１０５を引きのばして給送ローラ１０６にはめ込み環状ゴム１０５の弾性と摩擦力で固定するものもある。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記図１１で示された従来例では、使用によってゴム１０３の一部が摩耗した場合でも、ゴム１０３は給送ローラ１０２に接着剤で固定されている為、ゴム１０３だけを交換することはできず給送ローラ１０２ごと交換しなければならない。また図１２の構成の場合ゴム１０５を給送ローラ１０６に装着する場合ゴム１０５を大きく引きのばして、給送ローラ１０６に装着しなければならず組立性が悪く交換にも手間がかかってしまう。またゴム１０５を大きく引きのばすため、ゴム１０５にひずみが生じ、ゴム１０５の性能が悪くなり、給紙不良や耐久性能低下の原因となる。
【０００５】
また、製品の廃棄の際にゴムと樹脂部材とを分離が困難であるという欠点があった。
【０００６】
本発明は上記従来技術の問題を解決するためになされたもので、その目的としては、給送ローラのゴムの組立、交換、廃棄時のゴムと樹脂部材の分別を容易にし、又ゴムにかかるひずみを最小にし給紙性能を向上させることである。
【０００７】
また給送ローラの使用によってゴムが摩耗するのはゴムの表面の一部である為、他の部分の摩耗していないゴムを使用することにより、ゴムの寿命を実質的に向上させることである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため本発明にあっては、シート材と当接する摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を保持する保持部材と、保持部材を取付けて駆動する駆動軸とを備えた給送ローラにおいて、前記摩擦部材は内周面が前記保持部材と当接し、外周面がシート材と当接する環状の可撓性部材であり、この環状の可撓性部材に張力を与えることで、環状の可撓性部材を前記保持部材に固定する張力供与部材を備え、前記張力供与部材は前記保持部材を取りつける駆動軸であることを特徴とする。
また、シート材と当接する摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を保持する保持部材と、保持部材を取付けて駆動する駆動軸とを備えた給送ローラにおいて、前記摩擦部材は内周面が前記保持部材と当接し、外周面がシート材と当接する環状の可撓性部材であり、この環状の可撓性部材に張力を与えることで、環状の可撓性部材を前記保持部材に固定する張力供与部材を備え、
前記保持部材と前記駆動軸は相対的に移動可能に構成され、この保持部材を駆動軸により駆動される位置に配置したときに、前記張力供与部材が前記環状の可撓性部材に張力を与え、
前記張力供与部材は前記保持部材を取りつける駆動軸であることを特徴とする。
また、シート材と当接する摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を保持する保持部材と、保持部材を取付けて駆動する駆動軸とを備えた給送ローラにおいて、前記摩擦部材は内周面が前記保持部材と当接し、外周面がシート材と当接する環状の可撓性部材であり、この環状の可撓性部材は内周面または外周面の複数の異なる表面領域の一つをシート材と当接する面として前記保持部材に係合可能とし、
前記環状の可撓性部材にはシート材と当接する面の位置を前記保持部材と係合して決める位置決め手段と、シート材と当接する面を表示する表示手段とを備えたことを特徴とする。
また、シート材と当接する摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を保持する保持部材と、保持部材を取付けて駆動する駆動軸とを備えた給送ローラにおいて、前記摩擦部材は内周面が前記保持部材と当接し、外周面がシート材と当接する環状の可撓性部材であり、この環状の可撓性部材は内周面または外周面の複数の異なる表面領域の一つをシート材と当接する面として前記保持部材に係合可能とし、シート材と当接する面の位置を前記保持部材と係合して決める位置決め手段と、シート材と当接する面を表示する表示手段とを備えたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
【作用】
上記のように構成された本発明にあっては、環状の可撓性部材が張力を発生しないフリー状態で保持部材の保持部に装着された後に、張力供与部材が環状の可撓性部材に張力を付与し、保持部材に固定する。
【００１４】
保持部材と駆動軸を相対的に移動可能に構成したことで、この保持部材を駆動軸により駆動される位置に配置したときに、前記張力供与部材が前記環状の可撓性部材に張力を与える。
【００１５】
また、駆動軸自体を張力供与部材とすることで、保持部材を駆動軸に取りつけることや、保持部材と駆動軸とを相対的に移動可能に構成し、保持部材を駆動する位置に配置することで、駆動軸が環状の可撓性部材と当接して、環状の可撓性部材に張力を与える。
【００１６】
また、駆動軸または保持部材に設けられた係合部材は環状の可撓性部材と当接して、環状の可撓性部材に張力を与える。
【００１７】
また、環状の可撓性部材のシート材と当接する面を、内周面または外周面の複数の異なる表面領域の一つとすることで、ある当接する面の代わりにその他の面を使用することができる。
【００１８】
また可撓性部材にはシート材と当接する面の位置を前記保持部材と係合して決める位置決め手段と、シート材と当接する面を表示する表示手段とを備えたこ
とで今まで使用した当接面からその他の当接面への変更が確実に行われ、新旧の当接面の識別が可能となる。
【００１９】
【実施例】
以下に本発明を図示の実施例に基づいて説明する。
【００２０】
（第１実施例）
図１は本発明の第１の実施例の図である。図１において１はモーター（不図示）からギア（不図示）を通して駆動される駆動軸、２は駆動軸１から駆動を受けて回動する給送ローラ、３は給送ローラ２に取り付けられシート材（図不示）をピックアップする為の環状の可撓性部材としてのゴム、４はローラ２に取り付けられたゴム３がスラスト方向にズレないようにするフランジ、５はゴム３の位置を決める為の嵌合窪み、６は駆動軸に嵌合するスナップフィット部、７は駆動軸１の駆動を給送ローラ２に伝達するピン、８はゴム３の位置決め手段としての位置決め突起、９は給送ローラ２に装着されたゴム３を押さえてゴム３にテンションを与え給送ローラ２に固定させる張力供与部材、１０は駆動を伝達するピン７に嵌合する嵌合穴、２０はゴム３をシート材当接させるために保持する保持部材である。
【００２１】
上記構成において、ゴム３を給送ローラ２の保持部材２０にゴム３の位置決め突起８と保持部材２０上のの嵌合窪み５とが嵌合するように装着し、給送ローラ２のピン７が駆動軸１の嵌合穴１０に嵌合するように給送ローラ２を駆動軸１に取りつける。
【００２２】
上記のように給送ローラ２を駆動軸１に取りつけることで図２のようにゴム３は張力供与部材９に押されゴム３にテンションが加わり、ゴム３は給送ローラ２に固定される。
【００２３】
この状態で、駆動軸１はモーター（不図示）からギア（不図示）を経て駆動され、駆動軸１の回動によってゴム３が固定された給送ローラ２も回動し、シート材を給送して画像形成装置（不図示）の画像形成部や画像読み取り部へと送られて、その後の処理プロセスが行われる。
【００２４】
上記の構成の給送ローラ２は、組立ての際にゴム３を給送ローラ２の保持部材２０にゴム３を引きのばすことなく容易に装着することが可能となり組立ての効率がよくなり、又ゴム３に余計なひずみを生じさせることがない。従ってゴム３の性能が低下することなく耐久性の向上も計ることができる。
【００２５】
またゴム３の交換の際にも給送ローラ２を駆動軸１から取りはずすとゴム３にかかっていたテンションが解除される為、容易にゴム３を取りはずすことができ、ゴム３の交換が容易になる。
【００２６】
また、装置を廃却する際は、ゴム３と樹脂製の給送ローラ２の分離が容易となりリサイクルにも適する。
【００２７】
さらに、ゴム３の内周面または外周面を複数の異なる表面領域として、あるシート材との当接する面が摩耗や変形した際には、ゴム３のシート材と当接する面を変えることで未使用の部分を給紙位置にセットすれば実質的にゴムの寿命が異なる表面領域の数だけ長くなる。図１及び２においてはゴム３に位置決め突起８が２つあり、１つのゴム３で２つの表面領域を使用することができる。
【００２８】
これらはエコロジーの観点から見ても有効である。
【００２９】
（第２実施例）
図３及び図４は本発明の第２の実施例で、同図において図１及び２と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００３０】
図３及び図４において１１は駆動軸１がスライド式に移動できる軸穴、１２は駆動軸１がスムーズに移動可能にするスリットである。
【００３１】
上記構成において駆動軸１は給送ローラ２Ａの軸穴１１を通っており、給送ローラ２は軸穴１１の左右２つの穴位置のどちらかの位置で駆動軸１に保持される。
【００３２】
給送ローラ２Ａを装着する際には、まず軸穴１１右側の位置に駆動軸１がある図３に示す状態でゴム３の嵌合窪み５と保持部材２０の位置決め突起８とが嵌合する位置に合わせる。そして給送ローラ２を矢印Ａ１の方向に移動するとゴム３は張力供与部材９に押されることによりテンションがかかりゴム３は給送ローラ２Ａに固定されて図４に示す状態となり、駆動軸１からの駆動を受けて回動しシート材のピックアップを行う。
【００３３】
またゴム３の交換あるいはゴム３の給紙面の変更の際は、図４に示す状態から矢印Ａ２の方向に給送ローラ２Ａを移動させるとゴム３にかかっていたテンションが解除され図３に示す状態となる。この状態においてゴム３の交換あるいはゴム３のシート材と当接する面の変更を行い、給送ローラ２Ａを図３の矢印Ａ１の方向に移動すると未使用のシート材と当接する面でシート材の給送を行うことができる。
【００３４】
上記構成にすることにより給送ローラ２Ａが駆動軸１から取りはずさない構成の場合においても、組立ての際にゴム３を引きのばすことなく容易に装着でき組立ての効率がよくなる。又ゴム３に余計なひずみを生じさせることがないためゴム３の性能が低下することなく耐久性の向上を計ることができる。
【００３５】
またゴム３の交換あるいはシート材と当接する面の変更の際には給送ローラ２Ａをスライドさせるとゴム３のテンションが解除されるため容易にゴム３を取りはずすことができユーザー交換を容易にする。又装置の廃棄の際においてもゴム３と樹脂製の給送ローラ２Ａとの分別が容易となりサイクルにも適している。
【００３６】
（第３実施例）
図５，６は本発明の第３の実施例で同図において図１及び２と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００３７】
１３はゴム３ａの係合位置を表示する表示手段としての表示番号で給送ローラ２Ｂは表示番号が見えるようになっており、この構成において、当初使用しているゴム３ａのシート材と当接するが摩耗や変形により摩擦係数が低下した場合、ゴム３ａを給送ローラ２Ｂから取りはずし１８０°回転して今まで使用していなかった部分をシート材と当接する面にする。
【００３８】
あるいは、図６のようにゴム３ｂを裏返しにして未使用部分を給紙面にする。これによってゴム３ｂの寿命を実質的に２倍に向上させることができ、またゴム３ｂにつけられた表示番号１３によってゴム再装着の際にまちがえることがなく装着できる。
【００３９】
（第４実施例）
図７は本発明の第４の実施例で同図において図１及び２と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００４０】
図７おける１４は自らは駆動しない軸、１５は軸１４に固定され他のギア（不図示）より駆動を受け軸１４及び給送ローラ２Ｃを回動させるギア、１６はギア１５の一部分でゴム３のテンションをかける張力供与部材である。
【００４１】
上記構成において、給送ローラ２を軸１４（またはギア１５でもよい）に固定すると、ギア１５の一部分である張力供与部材１６によってゴム３にテンションがかかりゴム３は給送ローラ２Ｃの保持部材２０に固定され、他方のギア（不図示）より駆動を受けたギア１５により給送ローラ２は回動しシート材の給送を行う。以上説明した通り自ら駆動しない軸１４に給送ローラ２Ｃを取りつける際にも、ゴム３のテンションを容易に調節することができる。
【００４２】
（第５実施例）
図８は本発明の特徴を表わす第５の実施例で同図において図１及び図２と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００４３】
一般にシート材の給送を行ってゴムが摩耗する部分は、最初にシート材の当たる一部分であり、その他の部分はほとんど摩耗しない。
【００４４】
従って給送ローラ２Ｄとゴム３Ｃの係合位置が６ケ所とれるように給送ローラ２Ｄの方に嵌合溝５を３ケ所および表示番号が見えるように保持部材２０のフランジ４に溝２１を設け、またゴム３Ｃには位置決め突起８を６ケ所設ける。
【００４５】
図８（ａ）の状態は、当初ゴム３Ｃの▲１▼の部分がシート材と当接する位置にあり、▲１▼の部分が摩耗した場合にはゴム３Ｃに与えている張力を緩めてはずし、図８（ｂ）で示されるように▲２▼の部分が▲１▼の部分にくるようにゴム３Ｃを６０°回転させてから図８（ｃ）に示されるように▲２▼の部分がシート材と当接する位置に来るように取りつけて使用する。
【００４６】
これによりゴム３Ｃの寿命は実質６倍になり、第１の実施例で説明したようにゴム３Ｃの着脱は容易であるのでユーザー交換可能である。またユーザーは位置決め突起８の側部の表示番号１３で使用した部分と未使用の部分とを区別できるようになっている。これによって従来までとほぼ同じゴムの量で寿命が６倍となりエコロジーの観点からも有効である。
【００４７】
（第６実施例）
図９は本発明の特徴を表わす第６の実施例で同図において図１及び図３と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００４８】
図９（ａ）において駆動軸１は給送ローラ２Ｅの穴１１を通っており給送ローラ２Ｅは左右２つの位置のどちらかの位置で駆動軸１に保持される。給送ローラ２Ｅを装着する際にはまず穴１１の左側の位置に駆動軸１がある状態でゴム３を嵌合窪み５と位置決め突起８とが係合する位置に合わせ、給送ローラ２Ｅを矢印Ａ３の方向にひっぱると軸１は穴１１の右側の位置で保持されゴム３は軸１に引っぱられテンションがかかり給送ローラ２Ｅに固定され、給送ローラ２Ｅは駆動軸１からの駆動を受け回動し、シート材のピックアップを行なう（図９（ｂ））。
【００４９】
またゴム３のシート材と当接する面の変更の際には軸１を穴１１の左側の位置に戻せばゴム３にかかっていたテンションが解除され、ゴム３の位置変更を容易に行なうことができる。上記構成においては、ゴム３に張力を与えるのは駆動軸１であるので張力部材を別に設ける必要がなく部品の削減につながる。
【００５０】
（第７実施例）
図１０は本発明の第７の実施例で同図において図１及び図３と同一の構成部品については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００５１】
同図において１７は張力供与部材１５が移動可能なスリット、１８はスナップフィットの構成でスリット１７の両端の２ケ所で張力供与部材１５を固定する係止部である。
【００５２】
上記構成において、張力供与部材１５がスリット１７の右側にあるときゴム３は張力が解除された状態であり（図１０（ｂ））、上記状態でゴム３の組立て、交換、位置変更を行い、ゴム３を給送ローラ２に係合させた後張力供与部材１５をつまんで矢印Ａ４の方向に移動させ、スリット１７左側まで移動させると張力供与部材１５はその位置で固定されゴム３は張力供与部材１５に押されその張力により給送ローラの保持部材２０に固定される。
【００５３】
上記構成においては給送ローラ１とゴム３だけでゴム３の着脱が可能となり、軸から分離した状態においてもゴム３の着脱が容易にできる。
【００５４】
また、上記ではシート材の給送について説明したが、シート材に限定される事ではなく、搬送が必要な部材全てに関して適応可能である。また、ゴム部材での給送ローラで説明したが、材質はゴムに限らず、エラストマー等シート材を搬送するのに必要な摩擦係数と、可撓性を有していれば良い。
【００５５】
また、給送ローラは回動するように駆動されると説明したが、シート材を搬送する動きであれば回動動作に限らず、直線移動や楕円状に駆動されるものも含まれる。
【００５６】
【発明の効果】
本発明は上記の構成及び作用を有するもので、張力供与部材が環状の可撓性部材に張力を与えることで環状の可撓性部材が給送ローラの保持部材上に固定されるので、給送ローラに環状の可撓性部材を装着する時の組立て性や、交換性及び廃棄時のゴムと樹脂部材の分離、分別性が向上する。
【００５７】
また、組立て、交換時において環状の可撓性部材に不要なストレスを与えず、給送ローラの性能低下を防止する。
【００５８】
保持部材と駆動軸を相対的に移動可能に構成したことで、駆動軸自体あるいは駆動軸に設けられた保持部材が環状の可撓性部材に張力を与える位置に移動するので、簡単な構成で、張力を発生させることが可能となる。
【００５９】
また、環状の可撓性部材のシート材と当接する面を、内周面または外周面の複数の異なる表面領域の一つとすることで、ある当接する面の代わりにその他の面を使用することができ、給送ローラの寿命を実質的に伸ばすことになる。
【００６０】
また可撓性部材にはシート材と当接する面の位置を前記保持部材と係合して決める位置決め手段と、シート材と当接する面を表示する表示手段とを備えたこ
とで今まで使用した当接面からその他の当接面への変更が確実に行われ、新旧の当接面の識別も容易となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１は本発明の第１の実施例に係る給送ローラの斜視図。
【図２】図２は本発明の第１の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図３】図３は本発明の第２の実施例に係る給送ローラの斜視図。
【図４】図４は本発明の第２の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図５】図５は本発明の第３の実施例に係る給送ローラの斜視図。
【図６】図６は本発明の第３の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図７】図７は本発明の第４の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図８】図８は本発明の第５の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図９】図９は本発明の第６の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図１０】図１０は本発明の第７の実施例に係る給送ローラの図。
【図１１】図１１は従来の給送ローラの図。
【図１２】図１２は従来の給送ローラの図。
【符号の説明】
１駆動軸
２，２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃ，２Ｄ，２Ｅ，２Ｆ給送ローラ
３，３ａ，３ｂ，３ｃゴム（環状の可撓性部材）
５嵌合窪み
６スナップフィット部
７ピン
８位置決め突起（位置決め手段）
９，１５，１６張力供与部材
１０嵌合穴
１１軸穴
１２スリット
１３表示手段
１７スリット
１８係止部材
２０保持部材[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a feeding roller for feeding a sheet material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 11 shows a conventional feeding roller of a feeding device in an image forming apparatus or the like. The feed roller includes a drive shaft 101, a feed roller 102, a rubber 103 adhered to the feed roller 102 with an adhesive or the like, and a pin groove 104 for fixing the feed roller 102 to the drive shaft and transmitting drive. Have been. Then, the feed roller 102 is also rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft 101, and the rubber 103 fixed to the feed roller 102 comes into contact with the fed sheet material. Feed.
[0003]
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the annular rubber 105 is stretched over a feeding roller 106 having a flange slightly larger in diameter than the annular rubber 105, and is fitted into the feeding roller 106. The elasticity and frictional force of the annular rubber 105 Some are fixed with.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 11, even when a part of the rubber 103 is worn by use, the rubber 103 is fixed to the feeding roller 102 with an adhesive, so that only the rubber 103 needs to be replaced. Cannot be performed, and the entire feed roller 102 must be replaced. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 12, when the rubber 105 is mounted on the feeding roller 106, the rubber 105 must be extended greatly and mounted on the feeding roller 106, so that the assemblability is poor and the replacement is troublesome. Further, since the rubber 105 is greatly extended, the rubber 105 is distorted, and the performance of the rubber 105 is deteriorated, resulting in poor feeding and reduced durability.
[0005]
Further, there is a drawback that it is difficult to separate the rubber and the resin member when the product is discarded.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to make it easy to assemble, replace, and separate rubber and a resin member at the time of disposal of a feed roller, and to apply rubber to a rubber. The purpose is to minimize distortion and improve paper feed performance.
[0007]
Further, since the rubber is worn by the use of the feeding roller on a part of the surface of the rubber, the use of the unworn rubber on the other part substantially improves the life of the rubber. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that attaches and drives the holding member. The friction member is an annular flexible member having an inner peripheral surface in contact with the holding member and an outer peripheral surface in contact with the sheet material. e Bei tension donor member for fixing the sexual member to the holding member, the tension donor member is characterized by a drive shaft for mounting said holding member.
In addition, in a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted on and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that is the holding member. And an outer peripheral surface is an annular flexible member whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the sheet material. By applying tension to the annular flexible member, tension is applied to fix the annular flexible member to the holding member. With members
The holding member and the drive shaft are configured to be relatively movable, and when the holding member is disposed at a position driven by the drive shaft, the tension providing member applies tension to the annular flexible member. ,
The tension providing member is a drive shaft for mounting the holding member.
In addition, in a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted on and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that is the holding member. And an outer peripheral surface is an annular flexible member that abuts the sheet material, and the annular flexible member abuts the sheet material on one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface. The surface can be engaged with the holding member,
The annular flexible member is provided with positioning means for determining the position of the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means for displaying the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material. I do.
In addition, in a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted on and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that is the holding member. And an outer peripheral surface is an annular flexible member that abuts the sheet material, and the annular flexible member abuts the sheet material on one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface. Positioning means that is engageable with the holding member as a surface and determines the position of the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means that displays the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material is provided. Features.
[0013]
[Action]
In the present invention configured as described above, after the annular flexible member is attached to the holding portion of the holding member in a free state in which no tension is generated, the tension providing member is attached to the annular flexible member. Tension is applied and fixed to the holding member.
[0014]
Since the holding member and the drive shaft are configured to be relatively movable, when the holding member is arranged at a position driven by the drive shaft, the tension applying member applies tension to the annular flexible member. .
[0015]
In addition, by using the drive shaft itself as a tension providing member, the holding member can be attached to the drive shaft, or the holding member and the drive shaft can be relatively moved and arranged at a position where the holding member is driven. Then, the drive shaft comes into contact with the annular flexible member to apply tension to the annular flexible member.
[0016]
Further, the engagement member provided on the drive shaft or the holding member abuts on the annular flexible member to apply tension to the annular flexible member.
[0017]
In addition, by making the surface of the annular flexible member that comes into contact with the sheet material one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface, other surfaces can be used instead of a certain abutting surface. Can be.
[0018]
In addition, the flexible member is provided with positioning means for determining the position of the surface in contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means for displaying the surface in contact with the sheet material. The change from the contact surface to another contact surface is reliably performed, and the old and new contact surfaces can be identified.
[0019]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
[0020]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a drive shaft driven by a motor (not shown) through a gear (not shown), 2 is a feed roller which rotates by receiving drive from the drive shaft 1, and 3 is a sheet attached to the feed roller 2 and attached to the sheet. Rubber as an annular flexible member for picking up a material (not shown), 4 is a flange for preventing the rubber 3 attached to the roller 2 from shifting in the thrust direction, and 5 is for determining the position of the rubber 3. 6 is a snap-fit portion fitted to the drive shaft, 7 is a pin for transmitting the drive of the drive shaft 1 to the feed roller 2, 8 is a positioning protrusion as positioning means for the rubber 3, and 9 is a feeder A tension providing member for pressing the rubber 3 attached to the feed roller 2 to apply tension to the rubber 3 and fixing the rubber 3 to the feed roller 2, 10 is a fitting hole for fitting the pin 7 for transmitting driving, and 20 is a rubber hole. Keep the sheet material in contact A holding member that.
[0021]
In the above configuration, the rubber 3 is mounted on the holding member 20 of the feeding roller 2 so that the positioning protrusion 8 of the rubber 3 and the fitting recess 5 on the holding member 20 are fitted. The feed roller 2 is mounted on the drive shaft 1 such that the feeding roller 2 fits into the fitting hole 10 of the drive shaft 1.
[0022]
By attaching the feed roller 2 to the drive shaft 1 as described above, the rubber 3 is pushed by the tension applying member 9 to apply tension to the rubber 3, and the rubber 3 is fixed to the feed roller 2 as shown in FIG.
[0023]
In this state, the drive shaft 1 is driven from a motor (not shown) via a gear (not shown), and the rotation of the drive shaft 1 causes the feed roller 2 on which the rubber 3 is fixed also to rotate, thereby feeding the sheet material. The image is then sent to an image forming unit or an image reading unit of an image forming apparatus (not shown), and the subsequent processing is performed.
[0024]
The feeding roller 2 having the above-described configuration allows the rubber 3 to be easily mounted on the holding member 20 of the feeding roller 2 without extending the rubber 3 at the time of assembling. No extra distortion is caused to the third. Therefore, the durability can be improved without lowering the performance of the rubber 3.
[0025]
When the feed roller 2 is removed from the drive shaft 1 when the rubber 3 is replaced, the tension applied to the rubber 3 is released, so that the rubber 3 can be easily removed, and the replacement of the rubber 3 can be easily performed. Become.
[0026]
Further, when the apparatus is discarded, the separation of the rubber 3 and the feeding roller 2 made of resin becomes easy, which is suitable for recycling.
[0027]
Further, the inner or outer peripheral surface of the rubber 3 is defined as a plurality of different surface areas, and when the surface that comes into contact with a certain sheet material is worn or deformed, the surface of the rubber 3 that comes into contact with the sheet material is not changed. If the used portion is set at the sheet feeding position, the life of the rubber is substantially increased by the number of surface areas having different lifespans. 1 and 2, the rubber 3 has two positioning projections 8 so that one rubber 3 can use two surface areas.
[0028]
These are also effective from the viewpoint of ecology.
[0029]
(Second embodiment)
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
3 and 4, reference numeral 11 denotes a shaft hole through which the drive shaft 1 can slide, and reference numeral 12 denotes a slit through which the drive shaft 1 can move smoothly.
[0031]
In the above configuration, the drive shaft 1 passes through the shaft hole 11 of the feed roller 2A, and the feed roller 2 is held by the drive shaft 1 at one of two left and right hole positions of the shaft hole 11.
[0032]
When the feeding roller 2A is mounted, first, the fitting recess 5 of the rubber 3 and the positioning projection 8 of the holding member 20 are fitted in a state where the driving shaft 1 is located at the right side of the shaft hole 11 as shown in FIG. Adjust to the position. When the feed roller 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow A1, the rubber 3 is pressed by the tension applying member 9 to apply a tension, and the rubber 3 is fixed to the feed roller 2A to be in a state shown in FIG. And the sheet material is picked up.
[0033]
When the rubber 3 is replaced or the paper feeding surface of the rubber 3 is changed, when the feed roller 2A is moved in the direction of arrow A2 from the state shown in FIG. 4, the tension applied to the rubber 3 is released, and the state shown in FIG. State. In this state, replacement of the rubber 3 or change of the surface in contact with the sheet material of the rubber 3 is performed, and when the feed roller 2A is moved in the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 3, the sheet material is contacted with the unused sheet material. Feeding can be done.
[0034]
With the above configuration, even in the case where the feed roller 2A is not detached from the drive shaft 1, the rubber 3 can be easily attached without extending the rubber during assembly, and the efficiency of assembly is improved. Further, since no extra strain is generated in the rubber 3, the durability can be improved without lowering the performance of the rubber 3.
[0035]
Further, when the rubber 3 is replaced or the surface in contact with the sheet material is changed, when the feed roller 2A is slid, the tension of the rubber 3 is released, so that the rubber 3 can be easily removed and the user can be easily replaced. . Also, when the apparatus is discarded, the rubber 3 and the resin-made feeding roller 2A can be easily separated, which is suitable for a cycle.
[0036]
(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0037]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a display number as display means for displaying the engagement position of the rubber 3a, and the display number of the feed roller 2B can be seen. In this configuration, the feed roller 2B comes into contact with the sheet material of the rubber 3a used initially. When the friction coefficient decreases due to abrasion or deformation, the rubber 3a is removed from the feeding roller 2B and rotated by 180 ° to make a portion which has not been used until now a surface in contact with the sheet material.
[0038]
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the rubber 3b is turned upside down, and an unused portion is used as a sheet feeding surface. As a result, the life of the rubber 3b can be substantially doubled, and the display number 13 attached to the rubber 3b allows the rubber 3b to be mounted without mistakes when the rubber is remounted.
[0039]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0040]
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 14 denotes a shaft which is not driven by itself, reference numeral 15 denotes a gear fixed to the shaft 14 and driven by another gear (not shown) to rotate the shaft 14 and the feed roller 2C, and reference numeral 16 denotes a part of the gear 15 which is a rubber. 3 is a tension applying member for applying a tension of 3.
[0041]
In the above configuration, when the feeding roller 2 is fixed to the shaft 14 (or the gear 15), the tension is applied to the rubber 3 by the tension providing member 16 which is a part of the gear 15, and the rubber 3 is held by the holding member 20 of the feeding roller 2C. The feeding roller 2 is rotated by a gear 15 driven by the other gear (not shown) to feed the sheet material. As described above, the tension of the rubber 3 can be easily adjusted even when the feed roller 2C is mounted on the shaft 14 that is not driven by itself.
[0042]
(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a fifth embodiment showing the features of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0043]
Generally, a portion where the rubber is worn by feeding the sheet material is a portion where the sheet material first hits, and the other portions hardly wear.
[0044]
Therefore, three fitting grooves 5 are provided on the feed roller 2D so that the engagement position between the feed roller 2D and the rubber 3C is six, and a groove 21 is provided on the flange 4 of the holding member 20 so that the display number can be seen. The rubber 3C is provided with six positioning projections 8.
[0045]
In the state shown in FIG. 8 (a), the portion (1) of the rubber 3C is initially at a position where it comes into contact with the sheet material. If the portion (1) is worn, the tension applied to the rubber 3C is loosened and removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the rubber 3C is rotated by 60 ° so that the portion of (2) comes to the portion of (1), and then the portion of (2) as shown in FIG. 8 (c). Is used so that it comes into contact with the sheet material.
[0046]
As a result, the life of the rubber 3C is substantially increased six times, and as described in the first embodiment, the rubber 3C can be easily attached and detached, so that the user can replace it. Further, the user can distinguish between the portion used by the display number 13 on the side of the positioning projection 8 and the unused portion. As a result, the life is increased six times with the same amount of rubber as before, which is also effective from the viewpoint of ecology.
[0047]
(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a sixth embodiment showing the features of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0048]
In FIG. 9A, the drive shaft 1 passes through the hole 11 of the feed roller 2E, and the feed roller 2E is held by the drive shaft 1 at one of two left and right positions. When the feeding roller 2E is mounted, first, the rubber 3 is aligned with the position where the fitting recess 5 and the positioning projection 8 are engaged with the driving shaft 1 at the position on the left side of the hole 11, and the feeding roller 2E is When the shaft 1 is pulled in the direction of arrow A3, the shaft 1 is held at a position on the right side of the hole 11, and the rubber 3 is pulled by the shaft 1 and is tensioned and fixed to the feed roller 2E, and the feed roller 2E is driven by the drive shaft 1. The receiving member rotates and picks up the sheet material (FIG. 9B).
[0049]
When changing the surface of the rubber 3 that comes into contact with the sheet material, the tension applied to the rubber 3 is released by returning the shaft 1 to the position on the left side of the hole 11, so that the position of the rubber 3 can be easily changed. it can. In the above configuration, since the driving shaft 1 applies the tension to the rubber 3, it is not necessary to separately provide a tension member, which leads to a reduction in parts.
[0050]
(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0051]
In the drawing, reference numeral 17 denotes a slit through which the tension applying member 15 can move, and reference numeral 18 denotes a snap-fit configuration which locks the tension applying member 15 at two locations on both ends of the slit 17.
[0052]
In the above configuration, when the tension applying member 15 is on the right side of the slit 17, the rubber 3 is in a state where the tension is released (FIG. 10B). In the above state, the rubber 3 is assembled, exchanged, and the position is changed. After the rubber 3 is engaged with the feed roller 2, the tension-providing member 15 is pinched and moved in the direction of arrow A4 and moved to the left side of the slit 17, so that the tension-providing member 15 is fixed at that position and the rubber 3 is supplied with tension. It is pressed by the member 15 and is fixed to the holding member 20 of the feeding roller by the tension.
[0053]
In the above configuration, the rubber 3 can be attached and detached only by the feed roller 1 and the rubber 3, and the attachment and detachment of the rubber 3 can be easily performed even when the rubber 3 is separated from the shaft.
[0054]
Further, although the feeding of the sheet material has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the sheet material, but can be applied to all members that need to be conveyed. Also, although the description has been given of the feeding roller using a rubber member, the material is not limited to rubber, and it is sufficient that the material has a coefficient of friction and a flexibility necessary for conveying a sheet material such as an elastomer.
[0055]
In addition, although the feeding roller is described as being driven to rotate, the movement for conveying the sheet material is not limited to the rotating operation, but may include a linear movement or an elliptical driving.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, and the tension applying member applies tension to the annular flexible member so that the annular flexible member is fixed on the holding member of the feeding roller. This improves the assemblability when the annular flexible member is attached to the feed roller, the exchangeability, and the separation and separation of the rubber and resin members at the time of disposal.
[0057]
In addition, unnecessary stress is not applied to the annular flexible member at the time of assembly and replacement, and the performance of the feeding roller is prevented from deteriorating.
[0058]
Since the holding member and the drive shaft are configured to be relatively movable, the drive shaft itself or the holding member provided on the drive shaft moves to a position where tension is applied to the annular flexible member. , It is possible to generate tension.
[0059]
In addition, by making the surface of the annular flexible member that comes into contact with the sheet material one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface, other surfaces can be used instead of a certain abutting surface. This substantially extends the life of the feed roller.
[0060]
In addition, the flexible member is provided with positioning means for determining the position of the surface in contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means for displaying the surface in contact with the sheet material. The change from the contact surface to the other contact surface is reliably performed, and the identification of the old and new contact surfaces becomes easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feeding roller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view of a feed roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a feeding roller according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view of a feed roller according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a feeding roller according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view of a feed roller according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view of a feed roller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view of a feed roller according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a view of a feed roller according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view of a feed roller according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a conventional feeding roller.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a conventional feeding roller.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Drive shafts 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F Feed rollers 3, 3a, 3b, 3c Rubber (annular flexible member)
5 Fitting recess 6 Snap fit part 7 Pin 8 Positioning protrusion (positioning means)
9, 15, 16 Tension providing member 10 Fitting hole 11 Shaft hole 12 Slit 13 Display means 17 Slit 18 Locking member 20 Holding member

Claims

In a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that contacts the holding member. A ring-shaped flexible member that is in contact with and has an outer peripheral surface in contact with the sheet material. By applying tension to the ring-shaped flexible member, a tension-providing member that fixes the ring-shaped flexible member to the holding member is provided. Bei example,
The feeding roller according to claim 1 , wherein the tension providing member is a drive shaft for mounting the holding member .

In a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that contacts the holding member. A ring-shaped flexible member that is in contact with and has an outer peripheral surface in contact with the sheet material. By applying tension to the ring-shaped flexible member, a tension-providing member that fixes the ring-shaped flexible member to the holding member is provided. Prepare,
The holding member and the drive shaft are configured to be relatively movable, and when the holding member is disposed at a position driven by the drive shaft, the tension providing member applies tension to the annular flexible member. e,
The feeding roller according to claim 1, wherein the tension providing member is a drive shaft for mounting the holding member .

In a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that contacts the holding member. The outer peripheral surface is an annular flexible member that comes into contact with the sheet material, and the annular flexible member defines one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface as a surface that comes into contact with the sheet material. Capable of engaging with the holding member ,
The annular flexible member is provided with positioning means for determining the position of the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means for displaying the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material. Feeding roller.

In a feed roller including a friction member that comes into contact with a sheet material, a holding member that holds the friction member, and a drive shaft that is mounted and driven by the holding member, the friction member has an inner peripheral surface that contacts the holding member. The outer peripheral surface is an annular flexible member that comes into contact with the sheet material, and the annular flexible member defines one of a plurality of different surface regions of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface as a surface that comes into contact with the sheet material. Positioning means capable of engaging with the holding member and determining the position of the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material by engaging with the holding member, and display means for displaying the surface that comes into contact with the sheet material are provided. The feeding roller according to claim 1, wherein