JPH0356332A - Sheet material feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a sheet material feeding device installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile.

BACKGROUND ART As a sheet I/material feeding device installed in a paper feeding section of a printer, one configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example, is known.

This feeding device is equipped with a paper feeding roller 110 near one end of a cassette 100 loaded with paper (sheet material) S, and the paper feeding roller 11o rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. Then, the Lmost sheet material S in the cassette 1.00 is separated and fed one by one.

Further, the paper feeder 200 can be detachably attached, and another paper (sheet material) s' conveyed from the paper feeder 200 is fed by the paper feed roller 110. There is.

In the above-mentioned feeding device, a friction member 12 is provided at the free end portion.
1 is fixed to the cover plate 101 of the case notebook 100, and when the friction member 121 is pressed against the sheet material S and another sheet material S' is fed from the paper feeder 200. , the sheet material S in the cassette 101 is held together with the sheet material S' so as not to be conveyed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, when conveying the sheet material S' from the paper feeder 200 to the paper feed roller 110, the sheet material S comes into contact with the sheet material S'. When the paper is conveyed to the feed roller 110 by repeating S', the cassette 1
There was a risk that the sheet material S in 00 would be gradually sent to the paper feed roller 110 side and be conveyed together with the sheet material S.

In addition, the coefficient of friction between the friction member 121 and the sheet material S changes depending on the paper quality, environmental changes (environmental changes such as temperature, humidity, etc.), and the holding force of the sheet material S is unstable. .

Furthermore, when used for a long period of time, the friction member 121 wears out and its function deteriorates, making it impossible to hold the sheet 1 and the material S.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art described in section 2.The purpose of the present invention is to convey the sheet material of the sheet material loading means together with another sheet material conveyed from the conveyance path. It is an object of the present invention to provide a seal/material feeding device that is easy to use.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The means to solve the above problems and are applied to the embodiments described below are a sheet material loading means loaded with sheet materials, and a sheet material loading means on which the sheet materials are loaded. Alternatively, in a sheet feeding device equipped with a feeding means for feeding sheet materials conveyed from another conveyance path, the sheet material loading means and the conveyance path are connected to each other in the vicinity of the feeding means. It is characterized in that a guide member for guiding the sheet 1/material from the conveyance path to the feeding means is provided in a swingable manner between the conveyance means and the feed means.

Further, the guide member is connected to the sheet material stacking means 3. The conveyance path is closed when feeding the sheet material on the upper stage, and the conveyance path is opened when the sheet material is fed from the conveyance path. Additionally, it is characterized in that it is configured to hold down the sheet material loaded on the sheet material loading means.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pressurizing means for pressurizing the sheet material stacking means toward the feeding means is swingably provided, and the pressurizing means and the guide member are configured to interlock with each other.

<Operation> According to the above means, since the guide member is disposed between the sheet material loading means and the conveying path, when conveying another sheet material from the conveying path to the feeding means, the guide member The sheet material on the sheet material stacking means is guided to prevent the sheet material on the sheet material stacking means from being conveyed together with the sheet material on the sheet material loading means.

Furthermore, when feeding the sheet material loaded on the sheet material loading means, the conveyance path is closed by the guide member so that only the sheet 1 and the sheet material of the material loading means are conveyed to the feeding means. , and when feeding another sheet 4 from the conveyance path into the feeding means, while opening the conveyance path,
The sheet material of the sheet material loading means is held down so that the sheet material of the sheet material loading means is not transported together with the sheet material from the conveyance path.

Furthermore, when feeding the seals and materials loaded on the sheet material loading means, the guide member is rotated to close the conveyance path, while the pressure means is rotated in conjunction with the guide member. Press the sheet material loading means toward the feeding means.

In addition, when feeding another sheet material from the conveyance path, the guide member is rotated to open the conveyance path, and at the same time, it holds down the sheet material in the sheet material loading means to prevent it from being conveyed together with the sheet material, and at the same time pressurizes the sheet material. The means is rotated in a direction away from the sheet material loading means in conjunction with the guide member.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the sheet material feeding device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment] Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the main parts of this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet 'tA feeding device of this embodiment, and Figs. 3(a) and (b). ) is an explanatory diagram of the operation when feeding the sheet I/material from the sheet material loading means, Fig. 4(a)
, (b) are explanatory views of the operation when feeding the sheet material from the conveyance path.

First, an outline of the image forming apparatus or the entire apparatus equipped with the sheet material feeding apparatus of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an image forming apparatus main body, which includes a laser scanner unit port 1, a photoreceptor drum 12 as an image carrier, a process car I ridge 13 containing a built-in charger, developer, cleaner, etc. (not shown), and a fixing device 14. etc. are equipped.

From the laser scanner unit 1, a laser beam modulated according to the image signal is scanned and output, reflected by the folded ξ roller 15, and irradiated onto the photoreceptor drum I2 charged by the charger. An image is formed, and this electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by a developer.

This visualized toner image is transferred to the seal l.
The images are transferred to materials s and s. After transcription, Sea 13,S' is
1 is sent to the fixing device J4 by the general feed guide 18 and 1
- After the toner image is fixed, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge I/ray 1.9b by the paper discharge roller pair 1.9a.

Next, the sheet 1 and material feeding device 2 that feed the sheet material S are
0 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The sheet material feeding device W20 is disposed at one end side (on the right side in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus main body 1o, and includes a paper feeding roller 21 as a feeding means and a sheet material S that is stored and stacked and raised and lowered. Possible Sea I-Loading tray as material loading means (middle plate)
22, and one end side of this stacked I/ray 22 is connected to the paper feed roller 2.
It is comprised of a pressurizing means 23 that urges one side, a conveyance path (manual feed port) 24 for conveying the sheet material S and another sheet material S' to the paper feed roller 21, and the like.

Here, the paper feed roller 21 is provided with a friction band that presses the sheet materials S, S' against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller 21 by the spring of an elastic member 25 to prevent them from slipping when the sheet materials s, s' are fed. 1.26 is provided.

Further, the conveyance path 24 is constituted by guide walls 24a and 24b extending toward the paper feed roller 21 side, and the conveyance path 24
c is located near the paper feed roller 21.

Further, a position near the paper feed roller 21, that is, between one end side of the stacking tray 22 and the transport port 24c of the transport path 24, is
Guide member 2 that guides the sheet material S' to the paper feed roller 21
7 is provided so that it can be drawn. This guide member 27 is movable with the base end 27a as a fulcrum between the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the position shown by the dotted line in the same figure. When the sheet material S is held at the dotted line position, the conveyance port 24c of the conveyance path 24 is closed.

Note that the free end 27b of the guide member 27 is approximately shaped like a letter 17. A notch 27c is formed at the center of the free end of the guide member 27, so that when the guide member 27 moves to the dotted line position shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the pressurizing stage 23 is constructed by rotatably connecting the proximal ends of two plate pieces 23a and 23b via a hinge 23c, and interposing an elastic member 23d between the free ends. The guide member 27 is interlocked with an interlocking mechanism consisting of a cam, a link, etc. (not shown), and is designed to swing around the base end portion as a fulcrum.

That is, when the guide member 27 moves to the dotted line position in FIG. to assist. Further, when the guide member 27 moves to the solid line position in the figure, the pressurizing stage 23 moves in conjunction with this to the solid line position in the figure. At this time, one end side of the stacking tray 22 is released from the pressure stage 23 and separated from the paper feed roller 21, and the sheet material S' becomes ready to be transported from the transport path 24.

Note that reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1 is a general feeding path for conveying the sheets 11Js, S' to the registration rollers 16, and guide walls 28a, 28 extending from the feeding roller 21 to the registration rollers 16 side.
It is shaped by b.

Next, the operation of the sheet material feeding device 20 is shown in FIG. 3(a).
, (b) and FIGS. 4(a) and (b).

When feeding sheets 1-+A'S on the stacking tray 22, as shown in FIG. 24c is closed, and in conjunction with this, the pressure means 23 rotates toward the paper feed roller 21 side. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the sheet material S' remaining in the conveyance path 24 from accidentally entering the paper feed roller 21 and causing a jam. Also, the sheet material S on the stacking tray 22 is
It is pressed against one circumferential surface and appropriate paper feeding pressure is applied.

In this state, when the paper feed roller 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. It is fed to registration rollers 16 (see FIG. 2).

In addition, when feeding the sheet material S' from the conveyance path 24, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the guide member 27 is rotated in the direction of arrow C in the figure to 24c is opened, and the free end 27b of the guide member 27 is inserted into the loading tray 2.
While pressing against the edge of the sheet material S on the paper feed roller 2I, the pressure means 23 rotates in a direction away from the paper feed roller 2I in conjunction with this. As a result, load 1, sea 1 on lay 22, material S
is separated from the paper feed roller 21.

In this state, feed paper 1, 1-ra 2 in the direction of arrow B in the same figure (b).
4J S'
is guided by the guide member 27 and enters the nip formed by the paper feed roller 2I and the friction pad 26, and the paper feed roller 2
1, it is fed to the registration rollers 16 (see FIG. 2) through a conveyance path 28 (see FIG. 1).

At this time, the sheet material S on the stacking tray 21 is separated from the paper feed roller 21. Further, the sheet material S' from the conveyance path 24 slides on the upper surface of the guide member 27 and is conveyed to the paper feed roller 21, and does not come into contact with the sheets 1 and 4 S on the stack 1 and the lay 21.

Therefore, there is no fear that the sheets I, tS will be fed together with the sheet material S', and the sheet material S on the stacking tray 22 will not get in the way.

Note that the pressure stage 23 normally rotates in synchronization with one rotation of the paper feed roller 21, but when feeding the sheet material S' from the conveyance path 24, the pressure stage 23 is The solenoid is turned on and off using a photo sensor (not shown) or a manual switch installed in the main body of the feeding device 20 to maintain the lowered state.

[Second example]

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show a second embodiment.

In this second embodiment, the free end 27b' of the guide member 27
is formed into a curved shape instead of an L-shape, and when conveying the sheet material S' from the conveyance path 24, the friction pad 26 is pushed down by the free end 27b' of the guide member 27, and the sheet material S' A gap h large enough to allow the sheet material S' to pass is provided between the friction pad 26 and the friction pad 26. Further, a pair of conveyance rollers 29 is arranged in the conveyance path 28.

In this way, when conveying the sheet material S' from the conveyance path 24, the feed roller 2 and the free end 2 of the guide member 27
7b' guides the sheet material S' to the conveying roller pair 29,
It is possible to feed the paper to the registration rollers 16 by applying a feeding force using the pair of transport rollers 29 .

12 Also in this second embodiment, since the sheet material S' does not come into contact with the sheet material S, there is no fear that the sheet material S will be fed along with the sheet material S'.

[Other Examples]

In the first and second embodiments, the stacking tray 22 (multi-feeder) which stores and stacks sheets 1 and materials S and can be raised and lowered is shown as a sheet material loading means.
It may also be a material loading means.

If the guide member 27 is heavy enough to act as a weight, the free end 27b may be formed into an L-shape, or the free end 27b' may be formed into a curved shape. You don't need it, and you can keep it in a straight shape.

Furthermore, although a manual feed gate is shown as the conveyance path 24, it may also be a conveyance path for refeeding paper during double-sided or multiple printing.

Further, although the case where this embodiment is applied to a laser beam printer has been shown, it goes without saying that it can also be applied to copying machines, printers, facsimile machines, etc.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained below, according to the present invention, the sheet material on the conveying path is guided to the paper feeding means in the vicinity of the feeding means and between the sheet material stacking stage and the conveying path. Since the guide member 1 is movably provided, there is no possibility that the sheet material of the sheet material loading means will be conveyed together with other sheet materials conveyed from the conveyance path.

Further, the guide member is configured to close the conveyance path when feeding the sealant material loaded on the sheet material loading means, and open the conveyance path when feeding the sheet material from the conveyance path. In the case where the sheet material loading means is configured to hold down the sheet material, there is no risk that the seat 4 of the sheet material loading means will be conveyed together with another sheet material conveyed from the conveyance path, and the sheet material loading mechanism is When feeding sheet material on means,
This prevents a jam from occurring due to an operator accidentally inserting a sheet material into the conveyance path, or a sheet material stuck in the conveyance path erroneously entering the paper feeding means.

Further, when a pressure means for pressurizing the sheet material loading means toward the feeding means side is swingably provided, and the pressure means and the guide member are configured to move in conjunction, When transporting Sea I material to the feeding means, Sea I material
The material loading means does not get in the way.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing the main parts of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is equipped with a sheet material feeding device of this embodiment. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic cross-sectional views of the image forming apparatus, and FIGS.
b) is an explanatory diagram of the operation when feeding the sheet 1/material from the conveyance path, FIGS. 5(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional technique. 20 is a sheet material feeding device, 21 is a feeding means (paper feeding roller)
, 22 is a sheet material loading means (loading tray), 23 is a pressure means, 24 is a conveyance path, 27 is a guide member, and S and S' are sheet materials.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A sheet material feeding device comprising a sheet material loading means loaded with sheet materials, and a feeding means for feeding the sheet material on the sheet material loading means or the sheet material conveyed from another conveyance path. In the above, a guide member is swingably provided near the feeding means and between the sheet material loading means and the conveyance path for guiding the sheet material from the conveyance path to the feeding means. Characteristic sheet material feeding device. (2) The guide member closes the conveyance path when feeding the sheet material on the sheet material loading means, opens the conveyance path when feeding the sheet material from the conveyance path, and closes the conveyance path when feeding the sheet material on the sheet material loading means. The sheet material feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet material feeding device is configured to press down the sheet material stacked on the stacking means. (3) A claim characterized in that a pressurizing means for pressurizing the sheet material loading means toward the feeding means is swingably provided, and the pressurizing means and the guide member are configured to interlock with each other. The sheet material feeding device according to item (1) or (2).