JP3902986B2 - Sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding a sheet to a printer, a copying machine, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers have been demanded for high-speed and large-scale processing due to colorization, improvement in image forming processing speed, use in a network environment, and the like. High speed and large capacity are also required for the sheet feeding apparatus.
[0003]
As a large capacity sheet feeding apparatus used in the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 13, a deck type sheet feeding apparatus (feeding deck) 101 installed in parallel on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is used. Generally put into practical use.
[0004]
In these deck-type sheet feeding apparatuses 101, the opening / closing door 102, which also serves as an exterior cover of the deck, is opened, and a sheet bundle is stacked on the sheet stacking table 103 in the sheet storage unit capable of storing a large amount of sheets. Generally, a configuration is adopted in which a feeding operation is performed by raising the table 103 to a desired feeding position. These feeding decks 101 constitute a large opening / closing door 102, and the opening / closing door 102 is pivoted upward or horizontally to provide a space for stacking a large number of sheet bundles on the sheet stacking table 103. It was secured.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the feeding deck 101 as described above, when a sheet jam (jam) occurs in the apparatus, it is necessary to open the above-described opening / closing door 102 and remove the sheet remaining in the feeding deck 101. It is necessary to operate the large opening / closing door 102 each time. In addition, there is a problem that the opened large door 102 obstructs access to the sheet remaining inside the apparatus, and it takes time for the jam processing . Furthermore, the sheet bundle is stacked at a predetermined position on the stacking table. If the printer is operated without being noticed by the user, there is a problem of causing a paper feed failure or a printing accuracy failure.
[0006]
Further, since the door 102 is large in size, it is necessary to secure the strength of the door itself and the hinge portion that holds the door, which causes an increase in cost.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to easily perform jam processing and sheet replenishment without increasing the size of the open / close door , and if the sheet bundle is not set at a normal position, Therefore, a sheet feeding apparatus capable of preventing a sheet feeding failure and the like by causing the user to recognize the above is provided.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration according to the present invention includes a sheet stacking unit for stacking sheets, and a sheet feeding unit for feeding sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit to the image forming unit. Means, an upper opening at the top of the device main body, a side opening at the side of the device main body, continuous with the upper opening, an upper door that can open and close the upper opening, and a side opening can be opened and closed In the sheet feeding apparatus, the side door includes a regulating unit that regulates a rear end side in a feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and the side door is opened. A locking means that is movable between a first position that permits the movement and a second position that holds the side door in a closed state. In a state where the side door is not closed by contact Prevents the upper door is closed and positioned in the first position, and in a state where the upper door is closed, to inhibit the opening of the side door is located in the second position, that It is a feature.
[0009]
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference example 1
First, in order to understand the present invention, an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus of Reference Example 1 that are common to a part of the configuration of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. . 1 shows a state in which the door also serving as an exterior cover of the feeding deck is closed, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the upper door of the feeding deck is opened, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the upper door and side doors of the feeding deck are opened. Respectively.
[0011]
In the figure, 1 is an image forming apparatus main body, 2 is a feeding deck, 3 is an upper door, 4 is a side door, and 5 is a sheet stacking table.
[0012]
{overall structure}
First, schematic configurations of the feeding deck and the image forming apparatus will be described. A sheet stacking table (sheet stacking unit) 5 in the feeding deck 2 is moved up and down by a lifting unit. That is, the sheet stacking table 5 is suspended from the wire 6 via the pulley 7, and ascends as the wire 7 is taken up by the take-up drum 8 with the door shown in FIG. The height of the sheet stacking table 5 is smoothly fed into the nip of the separation roller pair 10 by the sheet surface detecting means and controller (not shown) feeding the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table 5 by the feeding roller 9. Controlled to maintain the optimum height possible. The feeding deck 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body by connecting means (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The feeding roller 9 and the separation roller pair 10 constitute a sheet feeding unit of the present invention.
[0013]
When receiving a feeding signal from the image forming apparatus in the above state, the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle S is fed by the sheet feeding unit. That is, the sheet is fed by the feeding roller 9, separated and fed one by one by the separation roller pair 10, and then fed into the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the conveying roller 11.
[0014]
The sheet S fed from the feeding deck 2 is conveyed to the image forming unit 14 by the conveying roller 12 and the registration roller 13, and an image is recorded.
[0015]
The electrophotographic system is used for the image forming means 14 in the reference example 1 , and a photoconductor and a developing device are mounted on the apparatus main body. When the sheet S is conveyed, a latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive drum with light corresponding to the image signal from the laser scanner in synchronization with this, and the latent image is developed with toner by a developing device. This makes it a visible image. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by applying a bias to the transfer roller, and the sheet S is conveyed to a fixing unit, heated and fixed, and then discharged onto a discharge tray by a discharge roller.
[0016]
{Jam processing}
When a jam occurs inside the feeding deck 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the user opens the upper door (first door) 3 that opens and closes the upper opening, which is the first opening, upward.
[0017]
The sheet stacking table 5 is controlled to move up and down according to the opening and closing of the upper door 3.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower doors 3 are detected by the upper door opening / closing detection means 30 including sensors and the sheet surface for detecting the upper surface position of the sheet bundle placed on the sheet stacking table 5. The sheet stacking table 5 is moved up and down by the detection unit 31 and the controller 32 as a control unit driving and controlling the loading table motor 33 that moves the sheet stacking table 5 up and down based on the detection signal.
[0018]
Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the upper door opening / closing detection means 30 detects that the upper door 3 has been opened (S1), the controller 32 drives the stacking table motor 33 to drive the sheet stacking table. 5 is lowered to the lower end position (S2). In this state, the user can access the jam sheet in a state where the user is sandwiched between the separation roller pair 10 and the rear end is on the feeding roller 9 side, and can easily remove the jam sheet.
[0019]
On the other hand, when there is no print sheet in the feeding deck 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the user opens the upper door 3 upward and simultaneously opens and closes the side opening that is the second opening (second door). Open the door 4 laterally. The upper opening and the side opening are continuous. When both the upper door 3 and the side door 4 are opened, the continuous opening from the upper part to the side part is opened.
[0020]
The side door 4 is held so as to be substantially horizontal by a wire 15 having one end fixed to the frame of the feeding deck 2. In this state, a sufficient space for stacking the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table 5 lowered to the lowest position is secured, so that the user can easily stack the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking table 5. .
[0021]
After the jam processing or the stack of sheets, the side door 4 is closed and the upper door 3 is further closed. This is detected by the upper door opening / closing detection means 30 (S3), and the controller 32 controls the loading table motor 33. The sheet stacking table 5 is raised by driving (S4). When the sheet surface detecting unit 31 detects that the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking table 5 has been raised to a position where it can be fed (S5), the driving of the stacking table motor 33 is stopped (S6).
[0022]
By adopting a configuration in which the upper door 3 for performing jam processing and the side door 4 for setting the sheet S are separately provided as in the above configuration, the door is prevented from being enlarged, and cost and operability are improved. Can be made compatible.
[0023]
Reference example 2
Similarly, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the upper door 3 and the side door 4 are opened in the sheet feeding apparatus of Reference Example 2. The members having the same functions as those of the reference example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the descriptions of those members that are not structurally and functionally changed are omitted.
[0024]
The difference from the reference example 1 is that the side door 4 that is opened to the side of the feeding deck 2 is configured to be able to be greatly opened to 90 degrees or more.
[0025]
By adopting this configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of overhang when the side door 4 is opened in the lateral direction. Therefore, when the sheet bundle S is stacked on the sheet stacking table 5, the opened side door is You can prevent it from getting in the way. Further, when the side door 4 is opened substantially horizontally as in the first embodiment, the user accidentally places or drops the sheet bundle on the opened door, and the side door 4 or Although there is a possibility of overloading the wire 15, this can be avoided in the present embodiment.
[0026]
Reference example 3
Similarly, FIGS. 7 to 9 show the sheet feeding apparatus of Reference Example 3, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the upper and side doors in an open state and a closed state, and FIG. A cross section is shown from line AA in FIG. Members having the same functions as those in Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of components that do not change structurally and functionally are omitted.
[0027]
In the reference example 3 , the side door 4 is provided with a sheet rear end regulating member (regulating means) 16 for regulating the sheet position of the sheet bundle S.
[0028]
The rear end regulating member 16 is fixed to the side door 4 and rotates together with the side door 4 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the side door 4 is closed, the rear end regulating member 16 is disposed at a position for regulating the side edge of the sheet bundle S stacked on the sheet stacking table 5.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 9, the cross-sectional shape of the trailing edge regulating member 16 is A4 size or letter (LTR) size lateral feed, vertical feed, the side of the sheet S, and the sheet S conveyance in accordance with the respective sheet sizes. It is adjusted to regulate the rear side with respect to the direction.
[0030]
By providing the rear end regulating member 16 on the side door 4, a configuration is possible in which the sheets S can be stacked at a desired position on the sheet stacking table 5 while maintaining the workability of stacking the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table 5. realizable.
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
Embodiment
A preferred embodiment of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 shows a state in which the upper door and the side door of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present embodiment are closed, FIG. 11 shows a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 shows a DD in FIG. Each section from the line is shown. Also in the present embodiment, the upper door 3 for performing the jam processing shown in the reference example 1 and the side door 4 for setting the sheet S are separately provided, thereby suppressing the increase in size of the door and reducing the cost. And operability (see paragraph number [0022]). Further, as in Reference Example 2 described above, the side door 4 opened to the side of the feeding deck 2 can be greatly opened to 90 degrees or more (see paragraph number [0024]).
[0034]
In the present embodiment, a sheet rear end regulating member 16 for regulating the sheet position of the sheet bundle S is provided on the side door 4, and a latch mechanism (locking means) for holding the side door 4 in a closed state is provided. ing.
[0035]
The latch mechanism, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described in detail below.
[0036]
The latch 17 is disposed inside the trailing edge regulating member (regulating means) 16 that regulates the trailing edge in the sheet conveyance direction provided on the side door 4, that is, on a surface that does not contact the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table 5. In the state where the side door 4 and the upper door 3 are closed, they engage with the slits 19 provided in the frame of the feeding deck 2, and at the same time the upper door 3 is opened It has been adjusted to be released.
[0037]
The latch 17 is rotatably held around a shaft 17a provided inside the rear end regulating member 16, and when the upper door 3 is opened, the first spring shown in FIG. Biased to position. At this time, since the engagement between the latch 17 and the slit 19 provided in the frame of the feeding deck 2 is released, the side door 4 can be freely opened and closed.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the upper door 3 is closed together with the side door 4, the latch pressing portion 18 formed integrally with the upper door 4 contacts the latch 17, and the latch 17 is centered on the shaft 17a against the tension spring 20. It rotates to the 2nd position shown in Drawing 12 (b). At this time, the latch 17 is engaged with a slit 19 provided in the feeding deck 2 frame, and the side door 4 is fixed so as not to be opened.
[0039]
When the sheet trailing edge regulating member 16 is provided on the side door 4, the side door 4 remains completely closed unless the sheet bundle S is stacked at a desired position on the sheet stacking table 5. However, if the side door 4 is not completely closed by adopting this configuration, the latch 17 does not rotate and the upper door 3 is moved. Since it cannot be closed, it is easy for the user to recognize, and it is possible to prompt the user to stack the sheet bundle S at a desired position.
[0040]
Further, when there is a jam sheet at the transfer portion between the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the feeding deck 2, it is necessary to move the feeding deck 2 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. There is. At this time, if the feeding deck 2 is vigorously moved in the direction of the arrow B and stopped, the side door 4 is opened due to the inertial force of a large number of sheet bundles S stacked on the sheet stacking table 5. Although there was a problem, according to this embodiment, this can be prevented.
[0041]
[0042]
In this embodiment, an electrophotographic method is shown as the image forming unit, but the image forming unit is not limited to this, and other recording methods such as inkjet recording may be used.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the upper door and the side door are provided so as to open and close the continuous upper opening and side opening, thereby improving the workability of jamming and sheet stacking on the sheet stacking means. Can do. Further, according to the present invention, the side door is not completely closed unless the sheet is stacked at a predetermined position, and in this state, the upper door is prevented from being closed. It is easy to recognize a stacking failure, and it is possible to prompt a stack of sheets to be stacked at a predetermined position, and it is possible to suppress troubles such as a feeding failure and a printing accuracy failure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus and a feeding deck of Reference Example 1 , and a state diagram in which a door is closed.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and feeding deck of Reference Example 1 , and shows a state in which only the upper door is opened.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding deck of Reference Example 1 , with the top and side doors open.
4 is a configuration block diagram for controlling the opening and closing of the upper door and the raising and lowering of the sheet stacking table in Reference Example 1 as well. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for opening / closing the upper door and raising / lowering the sheet stacking table in Reference Example 1 ;
6 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding deck of Reference Example 2 , with the upper and side doors open. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding deck of Reference Example 3 , with the top and side doors open. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding deck of Reference Example 3 , with the top and side doors closed.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a feeding deck which is an embodiment of a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention, and shows a state in which an upper part and side doors are closed.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 10 of the present embodiment .
12 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 10 of the present embodiment .
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus and a feeding deck.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Sheet 1 ... Image forming apparatus main body 2 ... Feeding deck 3 ... Upper door 4 ... Side door 5 ... Sheet stacking board 6 ... Wire 7 ... Pulley 8 ... Winding drum 9 ... Feeding roller 10 ... Separation roller pair 11 ... Conveying roller 12 ... Conveying roller 13 ... Registration roller 14 ... Image forming means 15 ... Wire 16 ... Rear end regulating member 17 ... Latch 17a ... Shaft 18 ... Latch pressing portion 19 ... Slit 20 ... Tension spring 30 ... Upper door opening / closing detecting means 31 ... Sheet surface detection means 32 ... Controller 33 ... Sheet base motor

Claims (3)

Sheet stacking means for stacking sheets;
A sheet feeding unit for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit to the image forming unit;
An upper opening at the top of the device body;
A side opening at the side of the device body and continuous with the upper opening;
An upper door capable of opening and closing the upper opening; and
A side door capable of opening and closing the side opening;
In a sheet feeding apparatus having
The side door is
Restriction means for restricting the rear end side in the feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means;
A locking means movable between a first position allowing the opening of the side door and a second position holding the side door closed;
The locking means is
In a state where the side door is not closed due to contact between the regulating means and the rear end side of the seat, the upper door is prevented from being closed at the first position, and the upper door is closed. In the second position, the opening of the side door is prohibited.
A sheet feeding apparatus characterized by that. With the upper door open, at least the uppermost sheet on the sheet feeding means and the sheet stacking means can be taken out,
2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the upper door and the side door are opened simultaneously, all sheets on the sheet stacking unit can be taken out or stacked. Elevating means for elevating the sheet stacking means;
When the upper door and the side door are both closed, the sheet stacking means is maintained at a height capable of feeding sheets, and when the upper door is opened, the sheet stacking means is lowered to the lowest position. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus is a sheet feeding apparatus.

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