JPH0741209A - Paper skew correction device in paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] (Correction) [Purpose] To provide a skewed sheet correcting device for a highly reliable sheet feeding device capable of high-speed conveyance. A sheet transport mechanism for automatically transporting a plurality of sheets stacked on a hopper, and a processing mechanism for processing the transported sheet, wherein the sheet transport mechanism is at least on the hopper. An automatic paper feed mechanism having a hopper mechanism for moving the sheets stacked on the sheet to a predetermined preparation position, a pick mechanism for picking up one sheet placed at the preparation position, and a feed mechanism for conveying the sheets In the skewed sheet correcting device in the sheet feeding device, a sheet contacting piece 25 that comes into contact with the leading edge of the sheet is selectively provided on the upstream side of the sheet conveying of the inserter roller pair forming the sheet conveying mechanism.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention prevents a sheet from being obliquely set in a printing mechanism and allows the sheet to be set in a normal state when the sheet is fed from a sheet feeding device in a printing apparatus. The present invention relates to a skewed sheet correcting device in a sheet feeding device for correction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a printing device is known as a device which visually outputs information stored in a computer or other information storage device on a recording paper. As such a printing device, generally, a hopper mechanism for moving a plurality of sheets stacked on a hopper to a predetermined preparation position, a pick mechanism for taking one sheet placed at the preparation position to one sheet, and a sheet conveyance device. A feed mechanism, a printing mechanism that prints characters and the like on the conveyed paper in response to an electric signal, and a discharge mechanism that discharges the printed paper to the stacker. In recent years, these mechanisms have generally been controlled by a microprocessor.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing apparatus. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a hopper, which is configured to stack a plurality of sheets of paper 2 and be capable of moving up and down to a preparation position. Reference numerals 3 and 4 respectively denote a pick roller and a separation roller, which are rotatably provided on the connecting arm 5.
It constitutes the pick mechanism. A separation pad 6 is in sliding contact with the separation roller 4. 7 is an inserter roller
Ejection rollers 8 and 9 constitute a paper feed mechanism and a paper ejection mechanism. Next, 10 is a platen, 11 is a print head, and the inserter roller 7 and the discharge roller 8 are provided.
And a printing mechanism. Reference numeral 12 denotes a stacker that stores the printed paper 2.

With the above-described structure, in order to print on the paper 2, first, the hopper 1 on which the paper 2 is loaded is raised and the hopper 1 is brought into contact with the pick roller 3 at the upper end of the paper 2.
To stop. Next, when the pick roller 3 and the separation roller 4 are each rotated in the clockwise direction, one sheet of paper 2 is taken in and conveyed to the left. In this case, when a plurality of sheets 2 are taken in by the pick roller 3, only one sheet which is in contact with the surface of the separation roller 4 is conveyed by the separation pad 6. The sheet 2 is conveyed between the platen 10 and the print head 11 by the inserter roller 7, and characters or the like are printed by the print head 11 which operates in response to an electric signal. The printed sheet 2 is stored on the stacker 12 via the discharge rollers 8 and 9.

When the paper 2 is fed to the inserter roller 7, if the leading edge of the paper 2 is not parallel to the axis of the inserter roller 7 (this state is called skew), the print result is extremely unsightly. Not only that, but in extreme cases, it may be recognized as false information.
Therefore, it is necessary to correct skew or skew before the sheet 2 is taken into the inserter roller 7.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are explanatory views showing a sheet conveyance state in the conventional example, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of a principal part for explaining a skew feed correction state, and the same portions are the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Indicate. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the hopper 1 is lifted in the direction of the arrow to stop the paper 2 in contact with the pick roller 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pick roller 3 and the separation roller 4 are each rotated clockwise, the uppermost sheet 2 is taken into the pick mechanism and conveyed to the left. The sheet 2 is further conveyed to the left, and the leading edge 2a of the sheet 2 is abutted against the inserter roller 7. However, at this point of time, the inserter roller 7 is in a stopped state or a reverse rotation state in which the sheet 2 is fed backward to the right.

Next, skew feeding overfeed is performed from the above state. That is, the sheet 2 is conveyed further leftward by the pick roller 3 and the separation roller 4 to correct the skew of the sheet 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the skewed sheet 2 is excessively fed to the inserter roller 7 in the stopped state or the reverse rotation state. As a result, the sheet 2 rotates in the direction of arrow a, and the skewed state is corrected, The leading edge 2a of the sheet 2 is parallel to the axis of the inserter roller 7.

After the skew feeding correction is performed, the inserter roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction so that the sheet 2 is bitten, as shown in FIG.
To prevent the next sheet 2 from being taken in again.

[0009]

In the above-described conventional skew feeding correction device, the inserter roller 7 is in the stopped state or the reverse rotation state when skew feeding of the sheet 2 is corrected. Therefore, in order to convey the sheet 2 from this state, the inserter roller 7 needs to be in the normal rotation state.
There is a loss time for starting the motor that drives the. In particular, in order to shift the inserter roller 7 from the reverse rotation state to the normal rotation state, the sequence of reverse rotation → stop → forward rotation is performed, resulting in a large loss time. Therefore, there is a problem in that the sheet 2 cannot be conveyed at high speed.

On the other hand, for this kind of paper feeder of recent years,
Higher processing speeds have been demanded, and high performance and high speed conveyance are also required for the sheet skew correction device. Therefore, the conventional configuration can meet these requirements. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art and to provide a skewed sheet correcting device in a sheet feeding device which is capable of high-speed conveyance and has high reliability.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention, a sheet conveying mechanism for automatically conveying a plurality of sheets stacked on a hopper, and a conveyed sheet are provided. And a processing mechanism for processing, wherein the paper transporting mechanism takes in at least the hopper mechanism that moves the paper stacked on the hopper to a predetermined preparation position, and one sheet placed at this preparation position. In a paper skew correcting device in a paper feeding device including an automatic paper feeding mechanism having a pick mechanism and a feed mechanism for conveying paper,
A hollow tubular body loosely rotatably fitted to a drive roller shaft of a pair of inserter rollers constituting the paper transport mechanism is provided with a paper contact piece having a radial length larger than the radius of the drive roller and a drive roller. A locking piece having a radial length smaller than the radius is integrally projected so that the paper contact piece selectively faces a position upstream of the paper conveyance from the nip portion of the inserter roller pair. A technical means is adopted in which a stopper formed to be selectively engageable with and disengageable from the paper contact piece and the locking piece is provided so as to be movable in the direction along the drive roller shaft.

Next, in the second aspect of the present invention, a sheet conveying mechanism for automatically conveying a plurality of sheets stacked on the hopper and a processing mechanism for processing the conveyed sheets are provided. The transport mechanism includes at least a hopper mechanism that moves the sheets stacked on the hopper to a predetermined preparation position, a pick mechanism that takes in one sheet placed at the preparation position, and a feed mechanism that conveys the paper. In a sheet skew correcting device in a sheet feeding device having an automatic sheet feeding mechanism, an arm having a turning radius larger than a diameter of a roller of an inserter roller pair that constitutes a sheet conveying mechanism is rotatably provided. A paper contacting piece is provided at the free end of the arm, and the paper contacting piece is selectively exposed at a position upstream of the paper conveyance from the nip portion of the inserter roller pair. Adopted the technical means that.

[0014]

With the above construction, the sheet contact piece faces the upstream side of the inserter roller in the sheet conveying direction only when the sheet is skewed, and the sheet contact piece retracts when the sheet is conveyed. It is possible to keep it in the normal rotation state at all times, and it is possible to reliably perform skew correction of the paper,
The paper can be conveyed at high speed.

[0015]

1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view of an essential part in the direction A in FIG. 1, (a) is a skewed sheet correction state, and (b) is a sheet. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a drive roller, which is formed in a hollow short cylindrical shape, is disposed on the drive roller shaft 22 with an appropriate interval, and is integrally rotatable with the drive roller shaft 22. 23
Is a driven roller, which abuts on the driving roller 21 and is rotatably formed. The drive roller 21 and the driven roller 23 are
They form a pair and correspond to the inserter roller 7 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

Next, reference numeral 24 is a hollow tube, which is loosely fitted to the drive roller shaft 22 and is provided so as to restrain the movement in the axial direction. Reference numerals 25 and 26 denote a sheet contact piece and a locking piece, respectively, which are integrally provided on the outer periphery of the hollow tube body 24. The paper contact piece 25 has a radial dimension larger than the radius of the drive roller 21, and the locking piece 26 has a drive roller 2.
The hollow tube body 24 is formed to have a radius smaller than the radius of 1.
The projecting position to the position is, for example, a position of about 180 ° at the central angle and a position different in the axial direction. The paper contact piece 2
5 is formed so as to face the upstream side (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 3) of sheet conveyance from the contact portion (nip portion) between the drive roller 21 and the driven roller 23.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a stopper rod, which is provided substantially parallel to the drive roller shaft 22 and is movable in the direction along the drive roller shaft 22. 28 is a stopper, approximately L
It is formed in a letter shape and is fixed to the stopper rod 27, and on the upstream side of the sheet conveyance, the sheet contact piece 25 and the locking piece 26.
It is formed so that it can be selectively engaged and disengaged. 29, 30
Are solenoids and return springs, which are connected to both ends of the stopper rod 27.

With the above construction, when the driving rod 21 is rotated while the stopper rod 27 is pulled by the urging force of the solenoid 29, the driven roller 23 is also driven, but the hollow tubular body 24 is engaged with the stopper 28. Since the sheet contacting piece 25 is engaged with the sheet contacting piece 25, the sheet contacting piece 25 is stationary with the sheet contacting piece 25 facing upward, and the sheet contacting piece 25 is located upstream of the contact portion between the drive roller 21 and the driven roller 23. Is located in. In this state, as shown in FIG.
When the sheet is picked up by the pick roller 3 and the separation roller 4 and conveyed, the leading edge 2a of the sheet 2 comes into contact with the sheet contact piece 25 shown in FIGS. Then, the skewed state is corrected by further feeding the sheet as described above.

When the bias of the solenoid 29 is released after the skew feed correction described above, the stopper rod 27 is moved in the direction of arrow C by the return spring 30, and the stopper 28 and the locking piece 26 are engaged with each other. Is released. At this time, since the drive roller shaft 22 is rotating, the hollow tube body 24 is rotated in the same direction as the drive roller shaft 22 by the frictional force, and the paper contact piece 25 is moved to the paper transport path (the drive roller 21 and the driven roller). 23 is retracted from a plane including a contact portion with 23), and the sheet is conveyed by being caught between the driving roller 21 and the driven roller 23.

On the other hand, the movement of the stopper 28 causes the stopper 28 to face the rotation trajectory of the sheet contact piece 25, so that the stopper 28 is engaged with the sheet contact piece 25 as shown in FIG. 2B. The subsequent rotation of the hollow tube body 24 is prevented. In this case, the locking piece 26 is located above the hollow tube body 24, but the radial dimension of the locking piece 26 is smaller than the radius of the drive roller 21. It does not stick out. Therefore, the paper can be transported smoothly.

In order to correct the skew feeding of the next sheet after passing the sheet, the solenoid 28 is urged to pull the stopper rod 27 in FIG.
Is moved to the side of the locking piece 26 and engaged therewith, the sheet contact piece 25 is positioned above, and the skewed sheet correction can be performed as described above.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the essential part in the direction D in FIG.
The same parts are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 31 denotes an arm, which is formed in a substantially C shape having a turning radius larger than the diameter of the drive roller 21 and is rotatable integrally with the base 32 and via a rotation shaft 33. To form. A paper contacting piece 34 is fixed to the free end of the arm 31, and the paper contacting piece 34 is upstream of the paper conveyance from the contact portion (nip portion) between the drive roller 21 and the driven roller 23 (FIGS. 4 and 5). To the right).

Next, 35 is an operation shaft, which is the rotating shaft 33.
A protrusion 36 provided in parallel with the base shaft 32 is connected to the base 32 via a link 37. Reference numeral 38 is a solenoid for rotatably operating the operation shaft 35. 39 is a return spring, and the arm 3
Connect to the middle part of 1.

With the above structure, the sheet contacting piece 34 fixed to the free end of the arm 31 by the return spring 39 has the sheet contact path 34, ie, the driving roller 21 and the driven roller 23, in a state where the solenoid 38 is de-energized. The sheet is positioned so as to face the plane including the contact portion with and the upstream side of the sheet conveyance from the contact portion. The driving roller 21 and the driven roller 23 are rotating in the arrow direction, that is, the sheet conveying direction.

In this state, when the sheet 2 is picked up and conveyed by the pick roller 3 and the separation roller 4 as shown in FIG. 8, the leading edge 2a of the sheet 2 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
And the sheet contact piece 34 shown in FIG. Then, the skewed state is corrected by further feeding the sheet as described above.

After the above correction, when the solenoid 38 is biased to the left in FIG. 4, the arm 31 rotates counterclockwise, the paper contact piece 34 retracts from the paper transport path, and the paper is driven. The roller 21 and the driven roller 23 are sandwiched and conveyed.

When the skew feeding of the next sheet is to be corrected after passing the sheet, if the urging of the solenoid 38 is released in FIG. 4, the return spring 39 causes the arm 31 to rotate in the clockwise direction. Since the contact piece 34 is located above,
The skewed sheet correction can be performed as described above.

In the above embodiment, the stopper rod 2
7 and solenoids 29, 3 as drive sources for the operating shaft 35
Although the example using 8 has been described, other drive sources may be used, that is, the paper contact pieces 25 and 34 are selected at a position upstream of the paper transport path or the paper transport upstream of the nip portion of the inserter roller pair. It is sufficient if the structure is such that it can face each other.

[0029]

Since the present invention has the structure and operation as described above, the skew feeding of the sheet can be corrected in the forward rotation state without stopping or reversing the pair of inserter rollers. The loss time for starting the driving motor can be eliminated, and the paper can be conveyed at high speed. Further, since the sheet can be conveyed immediately after the sheet skew correction, the processing time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an arrow view of a main part in a direction A in FIG.
Indicates a skewed sheet correction state, and (b) indicates a sheet conveyance state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow D in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory view schematically showing an example of a printing device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet conveyance state in a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet conveyance state in a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet conveyance state in a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a main-portion plan view illustrating a skew feeding correction state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Drive Roller 23 Driven Roller 25, 34 Paper Contact Piece 26 Locking Piece 28 Stopper 31 Arm

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A paper transport mechanism for automatically transporting a plurality of paper sheets stacked on a hopper, and a processing mechanism for processing the transported paper sheets, wherein the paper transport mechanism includes at least the paper transport mechanism. An automatic paper feed mechanism having a hopper mechanism for moving the sheets stacked on the hopper to a predetermined preparation position, a pick mechanism for picking up one sheet placed at this preparation position, and a feed mechanism for conveying the paper In the skewed sheet correcting device of the sheet feeding device, the hollow tube body loosely rotatably fitted to the driving roller shaft of the inserter roller pair that constitutes the sheet conveying mechanism has a radial direction larger than the radius of the driving roller. A sheet contacting piece having a length and a locking piece having a radial length smaller than the radius of the drive roller are integrally projected, and the sheet contacting piece extends from the nip portion of the inserter roller pair. A stopper formed so as to selectively face the upstream side position and selectively engageable with and disengageable from the paper contact piece and the locking piece is provided so as to be movable in the direction along the drive roller shaft. A skewed sheet correcting device in a sheet feeding device. 2. A paper transport mechanism for automatically transporting a plurality of sheets stacked on a hopper, and a processing mechanism for processing the transported paper, wherein the paper transport mechanism includes at least the above-mentioned paper transport mechanism. An automatic paper feed mechanism having a hopper mechanism for moving the sheets stacked on the hopper to a predetermined preparation position, a pick mechanism for picking up one sheet placed at this preparation position, and a feed mechanism for conveying the paper In the skewed sheet correcting device in the sheet feeding device, an arm having a turning radius larger than the diameter of the rollers of the inserter roller pair forming the sheet transport mechanism is rotatably provided, and the sheet is attached to the free end of the arm. Provide a contact piece,
Further, the sheet skew correcting device in the sheet feeding device is characterized in that the sheet abutting piece is selectively exposed to a position upstream of the sheet conveyance from the nip portion of the inserter roller pair.