JP2000296948A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a paper feed unit in which a plurality of roll papers are loaded in a single space by a simple configuration, the leading end of the roll paper is inserted into another paper feed roller pair. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that does not end up. SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus (1) including a paper feed unit (3) for loading a plurality of roll papers (5), the roll paper (5) is the only roll paper (5) formed in the paper feed unit (3). Space (1
The guide member (20) for preventing the roll paper (5) from getting caught is provided between the roll paper and the roll paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with a guide member for preventing a roll from being fed into a paper feeding section loaded with a plurality of roll papers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Roll paper as a transfer material for obtaining a copied image is loaded in a paper feeding section of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. In order to send the leading edge of the roll paper selected from a plurality of roll papers to the image forming section of the apparatus main body,
The roll paper is held by a roll paper support shaft or a spool that can be inserted into and removed from the core, and the spool is supported in a support frame of the roll paper unit to be rotatable in the apparatus main body.

Generally, a paper feed unit forms a paper feed unit corresponding to each roll paper in order to load roll paper, and a plurality of paper feed units are combined to constitute a paper feed unit, and each unit is required. By performing pull-out or release as needed, maintenance such as replacement of roll paper and removal of paper jams is performed.

In such an image forming apparatus, there is a case where roll paper used up by image formation is replaced with a new roll paper, or a case where a used roll paper is replaced with a roll paper having a different size. Occurs.
Conventionally, an operator pulls out the roll paper unit from the apparatus main body to expose the roll paper, and then removes the roll paper support shaft or spool holding the roll paper by hand and removes the roll paper outside the machine. The removed roll paper has its spool removed from the roll paper core at another location outside the machine, and the spool is inserted into a new roll paper core at a predetermined position and is again supported by the roll paper unit.

On the other hand, a dehumidifying device is provided inside the paper feeding unit in order to keep the roll paper loaded in the paper feeding unit constant. Roll paper greatly depends on the environment outside the apparatus, and when moisture is absorbed, the transfer corona is applied differently and the transfer efficiency is reduced. Alternatively, troubles such as dew condensation generated on the inner wall inside the paper feeding unit contacting the roll paper are liable to occur, and it becomes impossible to perform optimal image formation. For this reason, a dehumidifier is provided inside the paper feeding unit, and the humidity inside the paper feeding unit is kept low so that the image can be formed under the optimum image forming conditions.

Therefore, in order to use the dehumidifier effectively,
Achieved by loading multiple roll papers into the only space in the paper feed unit without using a unit corresponding to each roll paper in the paper feed unit or dividing the paper feed unit with a partition plate or partition plate can do. For example, a dehumidifier is provided at a position below the roll paper, and a dehumidifier is provided so that warm air circulates upward between the door and the roll paper, which can expose a plurality of roll papers by opening and closing operations. As a result, the entire sheet feeding unit is dehumidified by only one dehumidifier.

[0007]

As described above, in the paper feeding section having only one space, the simplification of the components can be achieved, the work space at the time of maintenance is widened, and the work for replacing the roll paper is performed. Etc. can be performed easily. However, since the paper feed roller pair provided to correspond to each roll paper is also located in the same space,
As shown in FIG. 6, when the leading edge of the roll paper comes off the paper feed roller, there is a possibility that the roll paper may be entangled in a paper feed roller pair different from the paper feed roller pair corresponding to each roll paper.

Further, when replacing large-size roll paper such as A0, A1, etc., the weight of the roll paper is considerable and cannot be easily replaced by a single worker.
In addition, the replacement work must be performed at another place outside the machine, which requires extra space. Furthermore, when removing and inserting the spool from the roll paper, the work is performed with the roll paper placed on the floor, and when the roll paper is laid on its side, the roll paper may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a simple configuration in which a plurality of roll papers are loaded in a single space so that the leading edge of the roll paper is different. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that is not inserted into a sheet feed roller pair. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily storing a roll paper at a predetermined position inside an apparatus main body without reducing a burden on an operator and damaging the roll paper.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus provided with a paper feed unit for loading a plurality of roll papers, wherein the roll paper is formed in the paper feed unit. It is arranged in a single space in parallel in the vertical direction, and a guide member for preventing roll paper from being caught is provided between the roll paper.

Further, the guide member is located at a substantially central position in the axial direction of the roll paper.

Further, the paper supply unit has a roll paper support device, and the roll paper support device has a roll paper support shaft that can be inserted into and removed from the core of each roll paper, and a roll paper support shaft. It has a first support frame and a second support frame for supporting both end shafts, and is provided movably so as to be exposed outside the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the roll paper support shaft. A first position at which the first support frame rotatably supports a roll paper support shaft holding the roll paper, and a second position at which the second support frame allows the roll paper to be inserted and removed from the roll paper support shaft. And a second position for supporting an end of the roll paper support shaft. The roll paper support shaft is moved from the roll paper support shaft by moving the second support frame to the first position. Slide only in the axial direction of the roll paper support shaft. Characterized in that allowed the replacement of removable roll.

[0013] In such a configuration, a plurality of roll papers are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction in the only space of the paper feeding unit.
A guide member for preventing roll paper is provided between the roll paper so as not to be caught by a pair of paper feed rollers other than the pair of paper feed rollers corresponding to each roll paper. The leading end of the roll paper is not guided to another paper feed roller pair by the guide member. In addition, each roll paper can be arranged so as to be able to be pulled out, and only the roll paper can be pulled out from one side of the support frame for supporting the roll paper and replaced.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
1 shows a schematic side sectional view of FIG. As the image forming apparatus 1, a copying machine, a printer, a plotter, or the like is suitably used, and forms a copied image by a known image forming process. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 is roughly divided into an image forming section 2 and a sheet feeding section 3.
And In the image forming unit 1 including the photosensitive drum 4, a well-known image is formed around the photosensitive drum 4, and a monochrome or color image is cut from a roll paper 5 supplied from the paper feeding unit 3 to a desired length. After being formed on a transfer material and fixed by the fixing device 6, it is discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the device.

The paper feed unit 3 includes a roll paper 5, a door 8 for exposing the roll paper 5 when released, a roll paper support device 9 for supporting the roll paper 5, and a selected roll paper 5 for image formation.
, A dehumidifier 11, and a guide member 20. The roll paper support device 9 includes a roll paper support shaft 12 and a first support frame 13 (second support frame 14) that supports the roll paper support shaft 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the inside of the sheet feeding section viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the door 8 is open. The door 8 is provided so that the roll paper 5 disposed inside the paper feeding unit 3 can be entirely exposed. The paper supply unit 3 is provided so as to be substantially sealed. The opening and closing mechanism of the door 8 is, for example,
A door 8 is provided on the apparatus main body so as to be pivotable so that the door 8 can be opened on one side or double-sided. Further, the shutter may be slid upward to release the shutter. In any opening and closing mechanism, it suffices if all of the roll paper 5 inside the paper feeding unit 3 can be exposed by opening the door 8.

The roll paper 5 is vertically arranged in parallel in a sole space 16 formed in the paper feed unit 3, and furthermore, the roll paper 5 is wound between the roll paper 5. A guide member 20 for prevention is provided. The guide member 20 is desirably positioned so as to be parallel to the axial direction of the roll paper 5, and is preferably located substantially at the center of the roll paper 5. Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The guide member 20 is provided so as to be located above the paper feed roller pair 10 of the roll paper support device 9 located below. Guide member 20
Has a flat upper surface made of a synthetic resin, and a lower surface is reinforced by forming a rib.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the roll paper 5 includes a first support frame 13 having both ends of a roll paper support shaft 12 inserted through a core 15 of the roll paper 5 provided on the apparatus body side. 2
And the roll paper 5 is provided so as to be rotatable. The arrangement of the roll paper 5 is
The doors 8 are vertically arranged in a single space 16 so as to be exposed when the door 8 is opened without any partitions or partitions inside.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the roll paper supporting device 9. The drawing shows a state in which the roll paper supporting device 9 is pulled out from the paper feeding unit 3. First support frame 13 and second support frame 13
The support frame 14 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out of the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction by a rail 17. After the first support frame 13 and the second support frame 14 are drawn out, the roll paper support shaft 12 is removed. The roll paper is replaced. The roll paper support shaft 12 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the roll core 15 of the roll paper 5, is inserted through the roll core 15 of the roll paper 5, and is positioned at a predetermined position. Is pressed and fixed from the roll paper support shaft 12 side by a spring or the like.

A preferred configuration of the roll paper support device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the second example in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where the support frame 14 is pivotally moved to a first position. As shown in FIG. 4, the roll paper supporting device 9 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out of the main body of the device by a guide rail 9, and exposes the roll paper 5 to the outside of the device.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roll paper support device 9 is provided with a roll paper support shaft 12 for holding the roll paper 5.
And a first support frame 13 that cantileverly supports one end of the roll paper support shaft 12, and a second support frame 14 that can support the other end of the roll paper support shaft 12. Roll paper support shaft 12
Is rotatably provided on the first support frame 13 via a bearing 18 and is connected to driving means (not shown) to transfer the transfer material having a length corresponding to the selection of the roll paper 5 and the size of the copied image. The sheet is pulled out to the image forming unit 2 by the sheet feeding roller pair 10. The roll paper support shaft 12 has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the roll core 15 of the roll paper 5,
It is desirable that the diameter of the roll paper support shaft 8 be within a range that does not play when the roll paper support shaft 8 is inserted into the core 16 of the roll paper 5. The tip of the roll paper support shaft 12 has a spindle shape in order to easily insert the core 16 of the roll paper 5.

The first support frame 13 is provided with the roll paper support device 9.
The roll paper support shaft 1 is provided together with the roll paper 5.
2 is supported. The second support frame 14 is provided movably at a first position where the roll paper 5 can be inserted and removed from the roll paper support device 9 and at a second position where the other end of the roll paper support shaft 12 is supported. In the examples,
It is provided pivotably about a fulcrum 19 provided on the roll paper support device 10. The second support frame 14 supports the roll paper support shaft 12 at the first position, and is provided so as to be locked by locking means (not shown).

Reference numeral 30 denotes a cutter for cutting the selected roll paper 5 into a desired size, reference numeral 21 denotes a manual paper feed unit for cut paper, and reference numeral 22 denotes a toner by the image forming unit 2. 1 shows a transport belt that transports a transfer material carrying the toner image to a fixing device 6. Reference numeral 23 denotes a developing device.

In FIG. 1, roll paper 5 of different size or different material such as plain paper or tracing paper is used. In the illustrated example, four types of roll paper 5 supported by four roll paper support devices 9 are selected, but the number is not limited.

The operation of the guide member 20 having such a configuration will be described. A plurality of roll papers 5 arranged vertically in a single space 16 of the paper feed unit 3 are arranged,
Even if the leading end of the roll paper 5 falls off or comes off from the paper feed roller pair 10, another roll paper support device provided with a guide member 20 located below the roll paper 5 as shown in FIG. The paper feed roller pair 9 does not get caught.

Next, when the roll paper 5 in the machine is used up or when the roll paper 5 is replaced with a roll paper of a different size, the roll paper support device 9 is pulled out to the left as viewed in FIG. By moving the roll paper support device 9, the roll paper 5 is exposed to the outside, and the operator releases the locking means locked to the roll paper support device 9 as shown in FIG. 14 is released from the second position to the first position. Next, only the roll paper 5 is transferred to the roll paper support shaft 12.
Then, a new roll paper is inserted into the roll paper support shaft 12, the second support frame 14 is moved to the second position, and locked by the lock means 21.

In the embodiment, the case where the roll paper support shaft 12 is used has been described, but a spool mechanism may be used. For example, the spool has fins extending in three directions in the radial direction around the shaft portion, and the diameter of a circle drawn by the tip of each fin is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the roll paper core.

A mark is provided on the spool according to the size to be used, and the center of the roll paper can be positioned by aligning one end of the roll paper with the mark.

[0029]

According to the present invention, the workability such as the handling of paper jams and the replacement of roll paper is improved by forming the paper feed unit for handling a plurality of roll papers in one space. By providing the guide member between the roll papers, all the roll papers are exposed when the door is opened, so that the processing such as a paper jam can be easily performed, and the maintainability is improved. Even when the roll paper comes off the paper feed roller pair, the guide member does not get caught in another paper feed roller pair.

Further, since the roll paper can be replaced in the roll paper support device, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the roll paper can easily be replaced with a predetermined one inside the roll paper unit without being damaged or soiled. Roll paper can be stored in the position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a state where a roll paper supporting device is drawn out.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the roll paper supporting device showing a state in which a second support frame has been moved to a first position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state of roll paper in a paper feeding unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leading end of the roll paper has come off the paper feed roller pair.

[Description of Signs] 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming unit 3 Paper feed unit 4 Photosensitive drum 5 Roll paper 6 Fixing device 7 Ejection port 8 Door 9 Roll paper support device 10 Paper feed roller pair 11 Dehumidifier 12 Roll paper support shaft 13 1st support frame 14 2nd support frame 15 core 16 space 17 rail 18 bearing 19 fulcrum 20 guide member 21 manual feed section 22 conveyance belt 23 developing device 30 cutter

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a paper feed unit for loading a plurality of roll papers, wherein the roll papers are vertically arranged in parallel in a single space formed in the paper feed unit. An image forming apparatus, further comprising a guide member for preventing roll paper from being caught between the roll paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is located at a substantially central position in the axial direction of the roll paper. 3. The paper supply section has a roll paper support device, the roll paper support device having a roll paper support shaft that can be freely inserted into and removed from the core of each roll paper, and a roll paper support shaft. It has a first support frame and a second support frame for supporting both end shafts, and is provided movably so as to be exposed outside the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the roll paper support shaft. A first position at which the first support frame rotatably supports a roll paper support shaft holding the roll paper, and a second position at which the second support frame allows the roll paper to be inserted and removed from the roll paper support shaft. And a second position for supporting an end of the roll paper support shaft. The roll paper support shaft is moved from the roll paper support shaft by moving the second support frame to the first position. Only by sliding in the axial direction of the roll paper support shaft. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roll paper can be replaced.