JP5083114B2 - Paper feed tray - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed tray provided with a paper guide that is provided in a tray main body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction and whose interval can be adjusted according to the width of the paper.

  A paper feed tray having an interlocking mechanism that changes the distance between a pair of paper guides according to the width of the paper is widely known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The pair of paper guides in the paper feed tray is always in a symmetrical position with respect to the center of the paper feed tray, and is interlocked so as to move in the opposite direction by the same amount. For this reason, no matter what size paper is set, the center of the paper does not deviate from the direction other than the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Therefore, when this center sorting method is adopted, the feeding rollers are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center, so that any size paper can be stably fed without causing skew. .

  By the way, in a general-purpose scanner used in a financial institution or the like, in order to prevent double reading of the same form, for the read form (paper), data indicating that it has been read in the scanner (for example, several digits) Is printed on the left end (or right end) of the form surface. Since there are a plurality of forms and forms with different widths, the position of the left end (or right end) of the form surface is also perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction depending on the width of the form in the center sorting type paper feed tray. Will vary in direction. For this reason, the position where the data indicating the reading is to be printed also changes depending on the width of the form, and the troublesome work of re-adjusting the print position according to the width of the form is necessary.

  To eliminate this hassle, a one-end guide fixing method is adopted in which the paper guide on the left end (or right end) is fixed and only the paper guide on the right end (or left end) is adjusted according to the width of the paper. However, in many readings using a general-purpose scanner, since the center sorting method is desired, the sheet feeding tray cannot actually be a one-end guide fixing method.

  In order to solve these problems, a paper feed tray that can select either the center distribution method or the one-end guide fixing method has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 2). The paper feed tray is provided on the tray body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, and a pair of paper guides whose spacing can be adjusted according to the paper width and a pair of paper guides are reversed by the same amount. Link the paper guides to move in the direction and change the interval between the paper guides, and release the linkage of the pair of paper guides by the linkage mechanism, and at least one of the pair of paper guides can be locked in the adjustment position Locking means.

  Here, the interlocking mechanism is a pair of racks extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and is arranged so that the tooth tips thereof are opposed to each other, and one of the racks and the one of the pair of paper guides A rack that moves in a direction orthogonal to the other and moves in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction together with the other of the pair of paper guides, a first pinion that meshes with one of the pair of racks, and a mesh with the other of the pair of racks A second pinion that is rotatably supported by the tray body and an intermediate gear that meshes with at least one of the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear, and the locking means includes the first and second pinions. A mesh releasing means for releasing the engagement between at least one of the first gear and the intermediate gear, and a rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of at least one of the first and second pinions.

This paper feed tray uses a simple gear train in which a first and second pinion and an intermediate gear are arranged between a pair of racks, and the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear are interlocked. By doing so, it can be used as a paper feed tray of the center distribution method. On the other hand, by releasing the meshing between the first or second pinion and the intermediate gear and restricting the rotation of the first or second pinion, it can be used as a one-end guide fixing type paper feed tray.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-139175 JP 2004-352463 A

  However, in the paper feed tray described in the above (Patent Document 2), the first and second pinions and the intermediate gear are arranged in a row and have a width, so that the width of the pair of paper guides is reduced. The interval cannot be made too narrow. For this reason, this paper feed tray cannot handle small paper such as a business card size.

  Therefore, in the paper feed tray according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feed tray that can be switched between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method and can handle even a small paper such as a business card size. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first and second paper guides that are provided on a tray main body so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and whose interval can be adjusted according to the width of the paper.
A pair of racks extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction, the first and second racks moving respectively with the first and second paper guides, and the first pinion meshing with the first rack And a second pinion provided coaxially with the first pinion and meshing with the second rack, and interlocked so that the first and second paper guides move in the opposite directions by the same amount. And an interlocking mechanism that changes the interval,
A clutch mechanism that connects or disconnects the first pinion and the second pinion, the clutch mechanism includes a spring that biases the first and second pinions toward each other and a biasing force of the spring. Comprising a slider that pushes the first and second pinions away from each other, and comprises switching means for releasing or enabling the interlocking by the interlocking mechanism,
The slider is provided so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the first and second pinions, and pushes the first and second pinions away from each other by an amount corresponding to the moving position. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since the first and second pinions of the interlocking mechanism are provided coaxially, the interval between the first and second paper guides can be reduced, and the first and second pinions can be reduced. By connecting or disconnecting the pinion and the second pinion, the interlock by the interlock mechanism can be released or enabled, so the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method can be switched, and a small paper such as a business card size Even in this case, a paper feed tray that can cope with the problem is obtained.

1st invention of this application is provided in the tray main body so that a movement in the direction orthogonal to a paper feeding direction is possible, and the 1st and 2nd paper guide which can adjust a space according to the width of paper,
A pair of racks extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction, the first and second racks moving respectively with the first and second paper guides, and the first pinion meshing with the first rack And a second pinion provided coaxially with the first pinion and meshing with the second rack, and interlocked so that the first and second paper guides move in the opposite directions by the same amount. And an interlocking mechanism that changes the interval,
A clutch mechanism that connects or disconnects the first pinion and the second pinion, the clutch mechanism includes a spring that biases the first and second pinions toward each other and a biasing force of the spring. Comprising a slider that pushes the first and second pinions away from each other, and comprises switching means for releasing or enabling the interlocking by the interlocking mechanism,
The slider is provided so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the first and second pinions, and pushes the first and second pinions away from each other by an amount corresponding to the moving position. Is a paper feed tray characterized by According to the present invention, the first pinion and the second pinion are coupled or disconnected depending on the moving position of the slider, and the interlocking by the interlocking mechanism is released or enabled.

In the second invention of the present application, the first and second pinions and the first and second racks are always meshed regardless of whether the first pinion and the second pinion are connected or disconnected. The convex portions are arranged around the axis of the first or second pinion at the contact portion of the first or second pinion, and the number thereof is the number of teeth of the first or second pinion. 1 / integer. Thereby, after the first pinion and the second pinion are once separated and the first and second guides are moved independently, the first and second pinions are joined together. And the phase shift of the second pinion can be prevented.

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

  1A and 1B are perspective views as viewed from the front side of a paper feed tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a left and right paper guide in a synchronized state, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an independent state. . FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the back side of the paper feed tray in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means of FIG. 1, in which the left and right paper guides are in a synchronized state, and FIG. 5 is the paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional perspective view which shows a means, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the paper guide on either side in an independent state. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means of FIG. 1, wherein (a) is a diagram showing the left and right paper guides in a synchronized state, and (b) is an independent state. FIG. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional perspective views of the paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the left and right paper guides in a synchronized state, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an independent state. 8A and 8B are plan views of the paper feed tray of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state where the paper guide is most widened, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state where the paper guide is most narrowed. FIGS. 9A and 9B are bottom views of the paper feed tray of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a state where the paper guide is most widened, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a state where the paper guide is most narrowed.

  In FIG. 1, a paper feed tray 1 includes a paper guide 3a (first paper guide) and a paper guide 3b (second paper guide) provided on the tray body 2 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. It is equipped with. The paper feed tray 1 is attached to a paper feed device (not shown) such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine or a copying machine. The paper guides 3a and 3b can adjust the interval according to the width of the paper, and the paper placed on the upper surface of the tray body 2 is guided by the paper guides 3a and 3b and supplied to the paper feeding device. .

  The paper feed tray 1 is interlocked so that the paper guides 3a and 3b move in the opposite directions by the same amount, and the interlocking mechanism 4 that changes the interval, and the interlocking by the interlocking mechanism 4 is canceled or enabled. And a switching means 5 (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the interlocking mechanism 4 includes a pair of racks 10a and 10b extending in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction on the back surface side of the tray body 2, and pinions 11a and 10a meshing with the pair of racks 10a and 10b, respectively. 11b. The modules of the racks 10a and 10b and the pinions 11a and 11b are all the same, and the number of teeth of the pinions 11a and 11b is the same. The pinions 11 a and 11 b are provided on the shaft 12.

  The tray body 2 is provided with a pair of linear guide holes 2a and 2b (see FIG. 1) in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and the racks 10a and 10b pass through the linear guide holes 2a and 2b, respectively. The tray body 2 is connected to the sheet guides 3a and 3b on the front surface side.

  The pinion 11 a is provided to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft 12. The pinion 11a includes a disk-shaped ridge 13 at its upper end (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The outer diameter of the flange 13 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the pinion 11a, and the position in the axial center direction is regulated by the upper surfaces of both racks 10a and 10b. The teeth of the rack 10a are formed in accordance with the tooth width of the pinion 11a, and mesh with only the pinion 11a.

  On the other hand, the pinion 11b is fixed to the shaft 12, and a spring 14 is provided below the pinion 11b to urge the pinion 11b toward the pinion 11a. The teeth of the rack 10b are formed so as not to mesh with the pinion 11a but only with the pinion 11b. However, even if the pinion 11b changes its position with respect to the rack 10b together with the shaft 12, as will be described later. It always meshes with the pinion 11b.

  Further, on the surface of the pinion 11a on the side of the pinion 11b, lock claws 15 as convex portions which are half the number of teeth of the pinion 11a are arranged around the shaft 12. On the other hand, on the surface of the pinion 11b on the side of the pinion 11a, lock holes 16 as the same number of recesses as the lock claws 15 are provided at positions corresponding to the lock claws 15. By fitting the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 facing each other, the pinion 11a and the pinion 11b are coupled and rotated together.

  The switching means 5 includes a clutch mechanism that couples or disconnects the pinions 11a and 11b. The clutch mechanism includes the above-described spring 14 that urges the pinions 11a and 11b toward each other, and a slider 17 that opposes the urging force of the springs 14 and pushes the pinions 11a and 11b away from each other.

  The slider 17 is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the paper feeding direction with respect to the tray body 2. On the back surface side (pinion 11 a side) of the slider 17, a groove portion 18 that pushes down the shaft 12 by an amount corresponding to the moving position of the slider 17 is provided. The groove portion 18 includes a bottom surface portion 18a that is a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft 12, an inclined surface portion 18b that is an inclined surface that connects the bottom surface portion 18a and a top surface portion 18c described later, and the axial direction of the shaft 12. It is comprised from the top surface part 18c which is a plane orthogonal to.

  Next, the operation of the paper guides 3a and 3b of the paper feed tray 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when the slider 17 is at the position shown in FIG. 1A, that is, when the shaft 12 is in contact with the bottom surface portion 18a of the groove portion 18 as shown in FIG. The pinions 11 a and 11 b are connected to each other by the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16. At this time, the paper guides 3a and 3b of the paper feed tray 1 are in an interlocking state in which they move in opposite directions in synchronization.

  When the slider 17 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 1B, the shaft 12 is pushed down along the slope 18b of the groove 18, and the direction in which the pinion 11b moves away from the pinion 11a against the urging force of the spring 14. Move to. When the shaft 12 is in contact with the top surface portion 18c of the groove portion 18, the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 are completely separated from each other, and the pinions 11a and 11b rotate independently of each other. The guides 3a and 3b can be moved independently of each other.

  As described above, in the paper feed tray 1 according to the present embodiment, by moving the slider 17 of the switching unit 5, the linkage of the paper guides 3 a and 3 b by the linkage mechanism 4 is released or enabled, and the center sorting method is used. The one-end guide fixing method can be switched. In this paper feed tray 1, since the pinions 11a and 11b of the interlocking mechanism 4 are provided on the same shaft 12, the state shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. The space between the paper guides 3a and 3b can be reduced to the state shown in FIG. 9B, and even a small paper such as a business card size can be handled.

  Further, in the sheet feeding tray 1, a bottom surface portion 18 a and a top surface portion 18 c which are planes orthogonal to the axial center direction of the shaft 12 are provided on the back surface side of the slider 17, and the interlock mechanism 4 is used at each position. Since the linkage of the paper guides 3a and 3b can be maintained in the released state or the valid state, it is possible to operate the slider 17 with one hand to bring the linkage of the paper guides 3a and 3b into the released state or the valid state. . Therefore, it is possible to operate the slider 17 with the other hand while holding the paper in one hand.

  Further, in the paper feed tray 1 in the present embodiment, the pinions 11a and 11b are always meshed with the racks 10a and 10b, respectively, and the number of the lock claws 15 and the lock holes 16 is half the number of teeth of the pinions 11a and 11b. Therefore, after the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 are completely separated and the pinions 11a and 11b are independently rotated, the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 are fitted again, and the pinions 11a and 11b are coupled. In this case, the phase shift of the pinions 11a and 11b is prevented.

  In addition, if the number of the lock claws 15 and the lock holes 16 is 1 / integer with respect to the number of teeth of the pinions 11a and 11b, it is possible to prevent the phase shift similarly, but in the case of 1/1 In this embodiment, the distance between the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 is too narrow and interferes, and if it is 1/3 or less, the distance is too wide to finely adjust the position. 1/2 is optimal.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lock claw 15 is provided in the pinion 11a and the lock hole 16 is provided in the pinion 11b. However, it is also possible to provide the reverse. Further, the lock claw 15 and the lock hole 16 may have any shape as long as they can be smoothly fitted and separated.

  In the present embodiment, the slider 17 is configured to move in a direction parallel to the paper feeding direction. However, the slider 17 may move in a plane perpendicular to the axis 12. It ’s fine.

  The paper feed tray of the present invention is useful as a paper feed tray for a paper feed device such as a scanner, printer, facsimile machine, or copying machine. In particular, the present invention is suitable as a paper feed tray that can switch between the center sorting method and the one-end guide fixing method, and can handle even small paper such as a business card size.

  The present invention can be used mainly for image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers, copiers and facsimiles, in addition to the image forming apparatuses described above, communication function apparatuses such as fax machines and network devices, and the like. It can be used for office machines equipped with these composite devices, and these image forming apparatuses, communication function devices, composite devices and the like.

The perspective view seen from the surface side of the paper feed tray in an embodiment of the invention The perspective view seen from the back side of the paper feed tray in an embodiment of the invention Part A enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means in FIG. 1, in which left and right paper guides are in a synchronized state. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means in FIG. 1, in which left and right paper guides are in an independent state. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the paper feed tray interlocking mechanism and switching means in FIG. 1. Sectional perspective view of the interlocking mechanism and switching means of the paper feed tray of FIG. The figure which shows the state of the top view of the paper feed tray of FIG. The figure which shows the state which showed the bottom view of the paper feed tray of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed tray 2 Tray body 2a, 2b Straight guide hole 3a, 3b Paper guide 4 Interlocking mechanism 5 Switching means 10a, 10b Rack 11a, 11b Pinion 12 Shaft 13 １４ 14 Spring 15 Lock claw 16 Lock hole 17 Slider 18 Groove

Claims (3)

A first paper guide and a second paper guide which are provided in the tray body so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction and the interval can be adjusted according to the paper width;
A pair of racks extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, the first and second racks moving together with the first and second paper guides, respectively, and the first rack meshing with the first rack And a second pinion provided coaxially with the first pinion and meshing with the second rack, and the first and second paper guides move in the opposite directions by the same amount. Linked to change the interval,
A clutch mechanism for connecting or disconnecting the first pinion and the second pinion, a clutch mechanism for biasing the first pinion and the second pinion toward each other, and a biasing force of the spring And a switching means for releasing or enabling the interlocking by the interlocking mechanism , comprising a slider that pushes the first and second pinions away from each other .
The slider is provided so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the axes of the first and second pinions, and the first and second pinions are separated from each other by an amount corresponding to the movement position. A paper feed tray that is pressed into The first and second pinions and the first and second racks are always meshed regardless of whether the first pinion and the second pinion are connected or disconnected.
The convex portions are arranged around the axis of the first or second pinion at the contact portion of the first or second pinion, and the number thereof is the number of the first or second pinion. The sheet feeding tray according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet feeding tray is a fraction of an integer with respect to the number of teeth. Office equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 2 comprising the paper feed tray.

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