JPH0428657A - Paper feeder - 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 Field of Application J] The present invention relates to a paper feeding device, and more particularly, to a paper feeding device that is connected to a printer used as an output terminal for a computer or the like.

[Prior Art] Conventional terminals for personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) include printers as output terminals and image leagues as input terminals, and these terminals are connected to each other according to the purpose of the user of the personal computer. FIG. 6 shows a state in which a printer and an image reader are connected to a personal computer. 51
is a personal computer, 52 is a printer, and 53 is an image reader.

By connecting a printer, information processed by a computer is printed on recording paper, and by connecting an image reader, characters and image information written on recording paper can be input into a computer.

Also, if you connect both a printer and an image reader, you can make copies, and if you connect a computer to the network, you can fax.
It can also be used as

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, there is a problem in that when both a printer and Image League are connected to a personal computer, the installation space becomes large and a large desk or rack is required.

Input/output terminals that combine a printer and an image reader have also been devised, but these terminals themselves have the disadvantage of being large and expensive. Furthermore, there is also the problem that users who plan to use a personal computer and connect a printer or image reader to it as needed cannot easily purchase one.

[Means for Solving the Problems (and Effects)] According to the present invention, an image reading device is integrally provided in a paper feeding device that conveys recording paper to the printer main body, and At least a part of the paper feeder is shared for transporting originals, and the paper feeder has a paper ejection transport path exclusively for originals, so that the original is ejected directly from the paper feeder after reading is completed without being transported to the printer main body. This is what I did.

[Function] With the above configuration, the paper feeding device and the image reader are integrated, and the printer's paper conveyance member and paper conveyance path are also used for reading the original, so even though it has a reading function, it A small, low-cost paper feeding device can be provided.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using FIG. 1. In the figure, 1 is a printer main body, 2 is a feeder main body which is a paper feeding device, and 3 is a cartridge. 4.4' is a registration roller that adjusts the timing and conveys the recording paper, 5 is a photosensitive drum, 6 is a developing device, 6' is a developing sleeve provided in the developing device, and 7 is a cleaning device for cleaning the photosensitive drum. The cartridge 3 includes a photosensitive drum 5, a developing device 6,
A cleaner 7 is integrally built in. 8 is a transfer roller, 9 is a fixing device that fixes the developer on the recording paper to the recording paper using heat and pressure, 9a is a fixing roller made of Heβ, 9b is a halogen heater that heats the fixing roller, and 9C is a rubber heater. The pressure roller is biased against the fixing roller 9a by a spring (not shown). 10 is a paper ejection roller; 10 is a paper ejection roller.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a laser unit that scans laser light, and the scanned laser light is guided to the photosensitive drum 5 by mirrors 12a and 12b.

13 is a cassette for storing the recording paper S'; 14 is an intermediate plate on which the recording paper is placed and is movable upward; and 15 is a separating claw for separating the recording sheets. 16 is a pressure arm, 16' is a movable central axis of the pressure member, and ]7 is a paper feed roller. When the cassette 13 is inserted into the feeder 2, the tip of the cassette 2 comes into contact with a pressure arm pressing member (not shown), and the pressure arm pressing member moves the pressure arm 16 in the direction of arrow A via a spring. Rotate. By this operation, the middle plate 2 is pressed upward with a predetermined pressure. That is, the recording paper S is fed by the paper feed roller 17.
Pressed by 18. 18' is a paper feed conveyance roller, 19a
, 19b is a conveyance guide, and 20 is a flapper. The flapper 20 is located at the solid line position when the paper feeding device is stopped and in the recording paper transport mode, and is located at the dotted line position during the document transport mode, and switching is automatically performed by the operation of a solenoid (not shown). 21 is a long image sensor, 22 is an electric board that drives the reading sensor, 23
24 and 24' are document discharge rollers and rollers, and 25 is a document tray.

In this embodiment, the feeder 2 is detachable from the printer body 1, and when used only with the printer body 1, the user manually inserts the recording paper into the registration roller 44'.

When installing feeder 2, place printer 1 on top of feeder 2.
are placed thereon and electrically connected by connecting a connector (not shown).

Next, the operation of the main body will be explained using flowchart 1 shown in FIG.

When a main switch (not shown) is turned on, the printer 1 enters a print standby state, that is, a ready state. In this state, the surface temperature of the fixing roller 9a is 30° higher than the fixing temperature.
The ON-OFF of the halogen and temperature controller 9b is controlled so that the temperature is ~40"C lower (referred to as the ready temperature). Also, the paper ejection fan (not shown) is used to exhaust about half of the temperature during printing operation. It's rotating in quantity.

Further, the flapper 20 is located at the position shown by the solid line. When a print signal is input from a connected host computer (not shown), the screen asks "Can I print?"
That is, the presence or absence of developer (toner) and the presence or absence of recording paper S are checked. If printing is not possible, it indicates this to the personal computer and waits for another print signal. If printing is possible, in preparation for printing, the scanner motor (not shown) for scanning the laser L and the main motor are driven, and the halogen motor 9b is turned on.
The temperature of the fixing roller 9a is raised to the fixing temperature, and the heat exhaust fan is rotated at full speed. After completing these preparations, rotate the paper feed roller 17 to feed the recording paper S from the cassette 13.
is taken out and conveyed to the printer IA. In synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper S, a latent image is formed on the drum 5 using a known electrophotographic process, that is, a laser beam, and a developing sleeve 6' is formed.
A developing voltage and a transfer voltage are respectively applied to the image forming apparatus 1 and the transfer roller 8, and a developing and transferring process and a fixing process are performed by a fixing device 9. After printing is completed, record paper S
is discharged from the paper discharge rollers 10 and 10', and the printer 1 returns to the ready state.

Next, the reading operation will be explained. When reading, the user inputs a reading signal from a computer. The main body receiving this signal requests setting of the original. The user takes out the cassette 13 from the feeder 2, places the document on the top with the reading surface facing down, and then attaches the cassette 13 to the feeder 2 again. When the feeder 2 turns on the document setting switch (not shown), the reader mode is activated, that is, the heat generation of the halogen heater 9a and the heat exhaust fan are stopped, the solenoid (not shown) is activated, and the flapper 20 moves to the position indicated by the dotted line. Next, the main motor starts driving, the paper feed roller 17 rotates once, and the document is transferred to the paper feed conveyance roller 18.
18', the image is conveyed to the reading sensor 20, where a reading operation is performed, and the image information is transmitted to the host computer. The original is transported along the original transport guide 23 and discharged onto the original tray 25 by the original transport rollers 24, 24', and the printer 1 returns to the ready state.

A reading device is attached to the feeder 2, and the same members used for printing are used to take out and transport the original from the cassette 13, so that not only can the device itself be made smaller, but the cost can also be reduced. Furthermore, since the paper separation function of the feeder 2 is used, it goes without saying that a large number of originals can be stored in the cassette 13 and images can be read continuously.

Next, the reading device (sensor 21) will be explained in detail.

The reading device includes a light source, a plurality of mirrors that reflect the light reflected from the document irradiated by the light source, a reduction lens that receives the light reflected by the mirrors, and converts it into an electrical signal, and a photoelectric conversion element (light receiving element array). are doing. The light source is, for example, a cylindrical lamp extending in the lateral direction of the image (into the paper), and the light receiving element array is, for example, a COD (charge couple device) in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a single row in the lateral direction of the image. Then, the received light images are sequentially scanned and photoelectrically converted, thereby performing main scanning. On the other hand, sub-scanning is performed by conveying the document.

In this way, the image is subjected to main scanning and sub-scanning, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion while being surface-scanned. The analog signal is digitally converted and output as an image signal.

[Other Example 1 Next, a second embodiment will be explained using FIG.

In the second embodiment, recording paper is conveyed almost vertically in the printer main body, and two types of paper ejection are possible: face-down ejection in which the recording paper is ejected with the printed side facing down, and face-up ejection in which the recording paper is ejected with the printed side facing down. A feeder, which is a paper feeding device, is attached to the bottom of this main body.

In the figure, 31 is a printer main body, and 32 is a feeder. A cassette 33 is housed in the feeder 32, and has a handle 33' at its tip, which is used to attach and detach the cassette. The recording paper S stored in the cassette 33 is fed one by one by the paper feed roller 17, and the cassette conveyance roller pair 34a,
34b and is conveyed upward by the conveying roller pair 3.
5a and 35b to be transported to the cartridge 36. Also, the paper feed tray 37 is connected to the printer main body 3.
It is rotatably attached to the front part of the device 31 around 37a, and when not in use, it functions as an exterior cover for the device main body 31 by standing up as shown by the broken line in FIG. Fold down the paper feed tray 37 as shown in
Side guide 3 installed so that it can slide in the width direction
The recording paper S is placed so as to be guided at both ends by the guides 7b. When the conveying roller 35 rotates, the recording paper S is separated one by one by the separating pad 38 pressed against the roller 35a, and the pair of conveying rollers 35a
, 35b.

Note that the cassette 33 stores recording paper S of a general-purpose size, and when recording on recording paper S of other sizes, the paper is fed from the paper feed tray 37. During recording, the recording paper S in either the cassette 33 or the paper feed tray 37 is selectively conveyed by a signal from the host computer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording means 36 for recording an image on the conveyed recording paper 3 includes a charger 6b, an exposure section 36c, and a toner development section 36d around a photosensitive drum 36a rotating in the direction of arrow a. , a transfer roller 36e, and a cleaning section 36f are arranged in this order, and is configured as a recording means using a so-called electrophotographic process.

The recording paper S on which the image has been recorded by the recording means 36 is guided by a guide member 39 and conveyed to the fixing means 40. This fixing means 40 is arranged above the recording means 36, and has a built-in halogen lamp 9b serving as a heat source, and is pressed against an aluminum fixing roller 9a that rotates in the direction of the arrow by a spring means (not shown) or the like. When the recording paper S passes between the rollers 9a and 9c, heat and pressure are applied, and the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper S.

The recording paper S on which the image has been fixed by the fixing means 40 is ejected by the ejecting means 41. This ejecting means 41 is arranged above the fixing means 40, and can be ejected face-up or face-down by the operation of the flapper 42. It is constructed to look like paper.

That is, a flapper 42 that can be manually rotated about a shaft 42a is provided above the fixing means 40, and a flapper 42 that can be manually rotated about a shaft 42a
Above the flapper 42, a face-up paper ejection roller 41b is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow by a motor or the like.

On the other hand, above the flapper 42, there is also a face-down paper ejection roller 41c which can be rotated in the direction of the arrow by a motor or the like.
is provided. Therefore, when the flapper 42 is in the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, the recording paper S that has passed through the fixing means 41 is discharged in the direction indicated by the arrow by the face-up paper discharge roller 41b, and exits the apparatus with the recording surface facing up. is discharged to. - direction, when the flapper 42 is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
The sheet is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 41d with the recording surface 3 facing down by a face-down sheet discharge roller 41c.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a document flapper, which is located at the dotted line position when the paper feeding device is in the paper feeding state and recording paper transport mode, and is located at the solid line position when the document transport mode is in the document transport mode, and is automatically switched by the operation of a solenoid (not shown). It will be held on. Reference numeral 44 is a long reading sensor, and 45 is an original transport roller that transports and discharges the original.

In this embodiment as well, printing and reading operations are performed under the same control as in the flowchart shown in FIG. The printing operation is the same as in the first embodiment, but the paper ejection direction is 2.
As mentioned above, there are differences in how the user can switch between them depending on the purpose.

The reading operation is basically the same, but the original is placed face up in the cassette, and the original is ejected toward the operator's cassette handle 33', which provides excellent operability. Furthermore, since the document conveyance path is substantially straight, it is effective in preventing curling of the document, particularly in preventing curling of thick paper.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 4. Components having the same shape and function as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

51 is a printer main body, and 52 is a multi-feeder with a reading function. In the printer main body 51, 53a, 53
b and 53c are paper feed guides, which are guide plates that guide the recording paper S conveyed from the cassette 33 or the multi-feeder 52 to the registration rollers 4.4'. 54 is recording paper S after transfer
This is a fixing entrance guide that guides the fixing device 9 to the fixing device 9. 55°55'
56 is a pair of phase-up paper ejection rollers, 56 is a paper ejection flapper,
57a and 57b are paper ejection guides, 58 and 58' are face-down paper ejection rotor pairs, 59 is a face-up tray, and 6
0 is a face down tray. When performing face-up paper ejection, when the face-up tray 59, which is usually in the position shown by the solid line, is opened to the position shown by the dotted line, in conjunction with this operation, the paper ejection flapper, which is usually in the position shown by the solid line, is opened by a connecting member (not shown). also moves to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the recording paper after fixing is discharged onto the face-up tray 59. When the face-up tray 59 is closed, the sheet is conveyed upward after fixing and is discharged onto the face-down tray 6° by a pair of face-down discharge rollers.

In the multi-feeder 52, 70 is a paper feed roller, 71
72 is a separation vat, 72 is a pressure table, 73° 73' is a first pair of conveyance rollers, 74, 74' is a second pair of conveyance rollers, 75 is a conveyance guide, 76 is a long image sensor, and 76' is an integrated unit. The attached flapper section 77 is a document tray. Reference numeral 78 denotes a multi-tray that can be opened and closed. When not in use, it is located at the position indicated by the dotted line, and is used as a cover for the multi-feeder 52. When in use, it is opened to place recording paper or original documents.

When performing a reading operation, control similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is performed.

When the document request signal is issued from the main unit, the multi-tray 7
8, set the original with the scanning side facing down, and turn the reading mode switch (not shown) of the multi-feeder 52 to O.
Set it to N. Then, the image sensor 76 is moved by a solenoid (not shown) from the normal position shown by the dotted line to the position shown by the solid line, and the pressure table 72 moves up in the direction of the arrow 6 to press the original against the paper feed roller 7o.

Next, the paper feed roller 70 rotates, and the separation bat 71 removes only the uppermost document from the first transport roller pair 73.73'.
Image sensor 76, second conveyance roller pair 74.74'
The document passes through the document tray 77 and is discharged onto the document tray 77.

In this embodiment, since the setting and ejection of the original is performed by the user, there is also the advantage of excellent operability.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 5.

Reference numeral 8o denotes a printer main body, which has almost the same configuration as the previous embodiment, and has a feeder 32 shown in the embodiment in FIG. 2 at the bottom.
is attached. Since the paper feed roller 17 and the pair of cassette transport rollers 34a and 34b are used for both the main body 8o and the feeder 32, there is no
to distinguish them.

A cassette 81 is housed in the printer main body, and has a conveyance path 81' for conveying paper from the feeder 32. Reference numeral 82 denotes a conveyance guide that guides the paper that has passed through the conveyance path 81' to the registration rollers 4, 4'.

The reading operation and printer operation are similar to the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a reader is built into the feeder connected to the four printer bodies, and at least a part of the recording paper separation and conveyance member is shared for document conveyance.
In addition, when a document is being conveyed, the document is not conveyed to the printer main body and has a discharge conveyance path exclusively used for the document.

Therefore, although it is a readable feeder, it is small and low cost, and by connecting it to a printer, it is possible to realize a computer terminal that can perform both input and output.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a feeder and printer embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment embodying the present invention; Figure 5 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a layout diagram of a conventional personal computer, printer, and reader. It is. 1... Printer 2... Feeder 3... Cartridge 4.4'... Registration roller 5... Photosensitive drum 6... Developing device 7... Cleaner 8... Transfer roller 9... -Fixing device 1o... Paper ejection roller 11... Laser units 12a, 12b... Laser mirror 13... Cassette 17... Paper feed roller 20... Flapper 21... Image sensor 25...・Original tray

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A paper feeding device that feeds and transports paper stored in a cassette or tray to the printer main body, which includes a paper feeding transport member, a document reading member, a first ejection path that transports paper to the printer main body, and a paper feeding device. It has a second ejection path for conveying the document to the outside, and a flapper for switching the ejection path, and at least a part of the recording paper conveyance path also serves as a document conveyance path, and the document is ejected using the second ejection path. A paper feeding device characterized in that a first ejection path is used for conveyance of the paper.