JPH0818712B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine, and a laser beam printer. More specifically, a large number of sheets are stored inside the machine body. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) in which a sheet storage device (hereinafter referred to as a cassette) is detachably mounted.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, there is known a copying machine in which a cassette is detachably mounted inside the machine body. In this copying machine, side loading which pulls out the cassette in the paper feeding direction or the non-paper feeding direction is known. There are two types, a front loading type and a front loading type that pulls out in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. In the front loading type, the cassette is slidably supported by a guide rail or the like. In recent years, in particular, the number of front-loading type copying machines has increased due to their small installation space, the ability to replenish sheets without removing the cassette, and the ease of handling by front operation.

Further, as an improvement in operability, the present applicant has devised an auto-loading type copying machine in which the cassette is automatically attached to and detached from the machine body. In this case, the mounting of the cassette on the machine body is detected. The drive means is activated by the signal from the sensor to convey the cassette to the sheet feeding position, and the signal from the take-out key conveys the cassette from the sheet feeding position to the pulling position.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-described auto-loading type copying machine, there is a problem that the cassette is unintentionally ejected when the eject key is accidentally pressed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the above-mentioned problems by allowing the sheet storage device to be carried out to the pull-out position when the sheet storage device is slightly moved from the sheet feeding position. To do.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a sheet storage device (3) for storing and mounting the seat (S) in the machine body (2). A conveying means for moving the sheet storage device between a pull-out position at which the sheet storage device can be pulled out from the inside of the machine body and a sheet feeding position for feeding the sheets stored in the sheet storage device ( 5), a detection means (56) for detecting that the sheet storage means has moved from the sheet feeding position, and the sheet storage means for conveying the sheet storage means to the pull-out position based on the detection by the detection means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit (59) for controlling a conveyance unit;

(E) Operation Based on the above configuration, when the sheet storage device (3) moves from the sheet feeding position, the detection means (56) detects the movement of the sheet storage device (3), and the detection means (56) The control means (59) for receiving the signal of the sheet storage device (3)
The transport means (5) is controlled so as to transport the sheet to the pull-out position.

The reference numerals in parentheses above are shown for reference and do not limit the configuration in any way.

(F) Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The copying machine 1 includes a machine body 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
It has a cassette 3 and a cassette carrying device 5 which are detachably mounted therein, and the cassette 3 can be pulled out in a direction perpendicular to the sheet carrying direction. The machine body 2 includes a pressure plate 39, a platen 40, a light source 41, and a mirror.
.., a lens 43, a paper feed roller 45 is attached to the cassette 3, and a transport roller pair 46 and a registration roller pair 47 are disposed downstream of the roller 45. Further, an image forming section 49 is arranged downstream of the roller pair 47, and a conveyor belt 50 and a fixing device 51 are arranged downstream of the image forming section 49. A paper discharge roller pair 52 is provided downstream of the fixing device 51, and a paper discharge tray 53 is provided downstream of the paper discharge roller pair 52.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette carrying device 5 is provided with frame bodies 9 and 10, and in the frame body 9, a motor 11 capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions is arranged. . A gear 12 is fixed to the shaft 11a of the motor 11, and the gear 1
The gear 2 is meshed with a gear 15 fixed to a shaft 13 rotatably supported by the frame 9. A sprocket 16 is fixed to one end of the shaft 13, and the sprocket 16 and
A chain 20 is stretched around a sprocket 19 fixed to a shaft 17 which is rotatably supported by the frame 9. Further, a light shielding plate 21 is provided on the link L of the chain 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the light shielding plate 21 is provided with a sensor 22, which is disposed in the vicinity of the chain 20. It turns on and off 23. And the rail portions 9a, 1 of the frame bodies 9 and 10
A guide roller 25 and a cassette detection sensor 26 are arranged at 0a. The shaft 11a of the motor 11 is extended to the frame body 10, and a gear 27 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 11a. Further, the gear 27 meshes with a gear 30 fixed to a shaft 29 rotatably supported by the frame body 10, and a sprocket 31 is fixed to one end of the shaft 29. The shaft 32 is rotatably supported by the frame body 10.
A sprocket 33 is fixed to 32, and a chain 35 is stretched between the sprocket 33 and the sprocket 31. Further, pins 36 are arranged facing the chain 35 and the chain 20, respectively, and the pins 36 move integrally with the chains 20, 35 by the rotation of the chains 20, 35 ( See 5). Further, on both sides of the cassette 3, a groove 37 which is L-shaped in side view and engages with the pin 36.
Is engraved. And, on the back side of the frame bodies 9 and 10,
An abutting plate 55 that abuts the cassette 3 is provided,
The abutting plate 55 is provided with a cassette sensor 56 for detecting that the cassette 3 is located at the sheet feeding position. Incidentally, reference numeral 60 in the figure denotes a separation claw for separating the sheet S.

Further, in the groove 37, as shown in FIG. 6, a spring 57 having one end fixed to one surface 37a of the groove 37 is provided.
The spring 57 absorbs the displacement of the pin 36.

On the other hand, the copying machine 1 has a control unit 59 as shown in FIG. 1, and the sensors 22, 23, the cassette detection sensor 26 and the cassette sensor 56 are connected to the input unit of the control unit 59. The motor 11 is connected to the output unit. In particular, the sensor 22 is a front home position sensor and the sensor 23 is a rear home position sensor. To the microcomputer of the control unit 59, the switch 26, sensor 22, sensor 23, cassette detection 56
Each ON or OFF signal is input, and the signal is used to control the rotation of the motor in the forward and reverse directions.

Since the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, when the sheets S are stacked on the cassette 3 and mounted in the machine body 2, the pins are
36 is a position facing the opening 37c of the groove 37 shown in FIG.
It stands by at the position where it is wound around the sprocket 19 (see Fig. 4). The position of the pin 36 is always ensured, for example, by stopping the motor 11 after a predetermined time from the time when the light shielding plate 21 is detected by the home position sensor 22.

On the other hand, the opening 37c of the groove 37 provided in the cassette 3
Is provided at a position where the pin 36 can be smoothly inserted while the cassette 3 is placed on the rails 9a and 10a. Inserting the cassette 3 along the rails 9a, 10a, the pins 36,3
6 is inserted in the groove 37. Then, when the bottom surface of the cassette 3 is placed on the outer periphery of the roller 25, the pin 36 and the opening 37c are aligned, and when the cassette 3 is inserted while guiding the straight groove portion 37d by the pin 36, the bottom surface of the cassette 3 is Turn on the cassette detection sensor 26. Then, ON from the sensor 26
The control unit 59 that receives the signal drives the motor 11. The drive of the motor 11 is transmitted to the sprocket 16 via the gears 12 and 15, and the sprocket 3 via the shaft 11a and the gears 27 and 30.
Transmitted to 1. Then, the rotation of the sprocket 16 starts the right rotation of the chain 20, and the rotation of the sprocket 31 starts the rotation of the chain 35. When the chains 20 and 35 rotate, the pin 36 first makes an arc motion and abuts and engages with one surface (vertical surface) 37a of the groove 37 via the spring 57 (see FIG. 8), and then the chains 20 and 35 rotate. Then, the cassette 3 is moved straight to move the cassette 3 to the rear side (direction A) (see FIG. 3). Therefore, on the way (after the detection sensor 26 is turned on)
Therefore, the cassette 3 is automatically inserted. Further, the cassette 3 is inserted, the tip of the cassette 3 contacts the butting plate 55, and the cassette sensor 56 is turned on. At this time, the sensor 23
Is not turned off by the light shielding plate 21 (see FIG. 9), and the control unit 59 continues to drive the motor 11. And light shield
When the sensor 21 turns off the sensor 23 (see FIG. 10), the sensor 23
The control unit 59, which receives the OFF signal from, stops the motor 11. At this time, the pin 36 contracts the spring 57 and contacts the one surface 37a via the spring 57. As a result, the cassette 3 is positioned at the predetermined position. It is more preferable to provide the motor 11 or a gear train in the middle with a brake means or a lock means for positioning and fixing.

Further, when the cassette 3 is taken out, the operator slightly pulls the cassette 3 toward the front side (direction B) while slightly pulling the spring 57, so that the rear end of the cassette 3 is slightly separated from the abutting plate 55 and the cassette 3 is pulled out. Sensor 56 turns off. Then, the control unit 59 which receives the OFF signal from the sensor 56,
Release the brake or locking means and drive the motor 11 in reverse to drive the sprockets 16 and 31 in the E direction (see FIG. 6).
Rotate to. As a result, the pin 36 has one surface of the groove 37 (one surface 37
The cassette 3 is moved to the front side (direction B) by abutting on a vertical surface 37b facing a). After that, the pin 36 enters an upward arc motion, so that the rightward movement of the cassette 3 is stopped.
Then, when the pin 36 moves to the position where the sensor 22 is turned off by the light shielding plate 21, the control unit 59 which receives the OFF signal from the sensor 22 turns off the motor 11 and ends the movement of the chains 20 and 35.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the cassette is set (S1). In that state, switch 56 is ON, sensor 23 is ON, sensor 22 is OFF, cassette detection 26 is ON, EJCT key is OFF, motor is OFF. ing. For example, when the cassette is pulled toward you, the cassette sensor 56 turns from ON to OFF.
Then, the motor is turned on in the carry-out direction (S3). As a result, when the cassette is transported in the unloading direction and is sufficiently transported and the sensor 22 changes from OFF to ON, it is judged (S4) the motor is turned OFF (S5) and the unloading is completed (S6).

At this time, the braking means and the locking means act again,
Since the pin 36 is located in the straight portion 37d (see FIG. 7) which is in a substantially horizontal position of the opening 37c of the groove 37 above the one surface 37a, by pulling the cassette 3 to the right, You can withdraw.

The presence / absence of the cassette 3 can be detected by the cassette sensor 56 and displayed on the operation unit. By doing so, the cassette sensor 56 can be effectively used.

It should be noted that when the eject key is operated, the timer is activated, and the cassette is ejected and moved after a short delay, the eject key operation can be used together.

(G) Effect of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, when the sheet storage device is moved from the sheet feeding position, the sheet storage device is configured to be carried out to the pull-out position by the transport device. The key is not always required, and it is possible to prevent the sheet storage device from being unintentionally taken out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control means according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view thereof. Furthermore,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a pin mounting portion, and FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7 to 10 are side views showing the operation of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 ... Image forming device, 2 ... Machine, 3 ... Sheet storage device, 5 ... Conveying means (conveying device), 11 ... Driving means (motor), 56 ... Detection means (cassette sensor), 59 ... … Control means, S… Sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet storage device in which a sheet is stored and mounted in a body, a pull-out position at which the sheet storage device can be pulled out from the body, and a sheet stored in the sheet storage device are fed. A sheet feeding position for moving the sheet storage device between the sheet storage position, a detection unit that detects that the sheet storage unit has moved from the sheet feeding position, and a detection unit that detects the sheet storage position. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the conveying unit to convey the sheet storage unit to the pull-out position.