JPS60223740A - Sheets feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sheet feeding device, which assures sure feed of sheets by simple construction at a low cost, by allowing the tip roller of a transport device, which swings oscillatively with that side situated farther from a sheets accommodation tray as the center of swinging, to contact the sheet, and by furnishing said device with a sheet guide to maintain a certain specific spacing. CONSTITUTION:When selection (2j) of the tray 2 from which sheets are to be fed and the number of copies Z are input the difference A between the tray number (i) which has been selected and the tray number (j) set anew is calculated, and if this difference A is judged to be either positive or negative a swing motor 10 is put in operation to swing arms 14, 15 upward, and when an arm home position limit switch LS1 is turned on the motor 10 is stopped and a tray movement post 4 is advanced for a certain distance. In case the difference A is positive said post 4 is retracted for a specific distance upon completion of the foregoing processing whereafter the motor 10 is operated reversely to swing the arms 14, 15 downward and when a sheet contact limit switch LS2 is turned on the motor 10 is stopped after a specific while of sinking. In case the difference A is negative a sensor PS1 informs about out of sheets to be followed by refill of sheets.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device for use in image recording devices such as electrophotographic copiers and facsimile machines, and particularly relates to sheet feeding devices that are cut into various sizes and stored. The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that can selectively feed any of the stacked sheets stacked on a means to an image recording device.

Conventional technology For example, in a conventional electrophotographic copying machine, in order to feed stacked papers stored in a stacked state in a paper storage tray to a photoreceptor one by one, the top layer of the stacked paper is A delivery roll was pressed against the paper, and the same roll was rotated each time paper was fed.

In this case, in order to prevent the height of the laminated paper from decreasing as the paper is fed out, which reduces the contact pressure between the paper and the feeding roll, making it difficult to feed the paper smoothly, The paper was pushed up from below using a spring, etc.

However, in such a paper feeding device, if the height of the stacked paper is high, the weight of the paper increases and the pushing force by the spring changes significantly, so it is only applicable to stacked paper with a small number of sheets. If the number of stacked sheets is large, each time a small number of sheets of paper are delivered, the paper storage tray is raised in an elevator or the like by a height corresponding to the number of sheets to be delivered.

In order to intermittently raise the paper storage tray in a machine such as V-Beta, a detection device that detects the flatness of the top layer of paper and a control device that intermittently controls the raising of the paper storage tray are required. However, the structure is complicated and the cost is high.

Moreover, there are many sizes of originals such as B4, B5, A4, and A5, and in order to avoid wasting paper, it is necessary to prepare a large number of sheets of paper corresponding to the original size. In addition, as multi-stage variable magnification copying systems became popular, the number of paper storage trays stored in one copying machine increased, and the number of automatic tray lifting devices also increased correspondingly, reducing the cost of the entire paper supply device. will rise dramatically.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a sheet feeding device that overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties. The purpose is to selectively supply the image recording device to the image recording device.

Means and effects for solving the problems/problems In the present invention,
A plurality of sheet storage means stacked in multiple stages in the vertical direction are moved to expose one of the upper ends of the sheet storage means to supply sheets, and the sheet storage means is stacked in multiple stages in the vertical direction. In the sheet feeding device, the base of the sheet conveying means is pivotally supported vertically about a position one distance away from the end of the sheet storing means, and the base of the sheet conveying means is always fixed relative to the sheet conveying means. A sheet guiding means is provided so as to maintain the width, and the sheet transporting means is operated with the tip of the sheet transporting means in contact with the upper surface of the exposed end of the sheet storing means. Accordingly, the uppermost sheet in the exposed sheet storing means is guided by the guiding means and supplied to the image recording apparatus.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 will be described below.

1 is a dry-type electrophotographic copying machine, in which multiple paper trays 2 are sequentially stacked at the bottom of the copying machine 1.
Other paper trays except rL 2. ．． 22,...2□-
3 can move left and right [K is supported.

In addition, -A3, A4-A5-B4 are in the paper tray 2.
Copy paper 3, which is a sheet of copy paper 3 placed on a sheet of paper for each size such as , B5, etc., is stored in a stacked manner, sorted by size or with its vertical and horizontal directions changed.

Also, each paper tray 2 has a paper out sensor PS.

The tray 2 is equipped with a tray 2, so that it is possible to detect when the tray 2 is out of paper.

Further, on the left side of the paper tray 2, a tray moving post 4 is erected so as to be movable left and right, and a tray moving motor 6 is connected to the tray moving post 4 via a driving force transmitting means 5. 4 includes each paper tray 21, 22-...z, L, excluding the lowest paper tray 23.
A coupling means 7 such as an electromagnetic magnet that can be detachably coupled to the paper tray 2 is attached in the vertical direction, and after positioning all the paper trays 2 to the right, the coupling means 7 When an appropriate number (j-1) of paper trays 21 are operated from above, when the tray moving motor 6 moves the tray moving post 4 to the left, all the j-1 paper trays 21 respectively coupled to the coupling means 7 are moved. .22, . . . 2J-1 is moved to the left so that the upper surface of the right end of the fifth paper tray 2 immediately below it is exposed.

Furthermore, a predetermined ratio tljlt is placed on the right side of the paper tray 2.
A pivot part 9 of a paper conveyance mechanism 8 is disposed in the center of the shaft, a swing motor 10 and a transport motor 12 are installed on the pivot part 9, and an output shaft 11 (with a built-in deceleration mechanism) of the swing motor 10 is installed. One end of the arm 14 is integrally attached to a
One end is pivotably attached to the arm 14, and the tips of the two arms 14 and 15 are connected to each other by a lever 16.
5. A lever 16 constitutes a parallel link, and an arm home position limit switch LS, ,' is provided to detect the flat upper limit position by forward and reverse rotation of the swing motor 10.

A bracket 17 is pivotally attached to the lever 16 so as to be able to swing slightly up and down, and a pulley [8 is integrally fixed to the conveyor motor output shaft 13 that pivots the lower end of the arm I5. A pulley 19 is rotatably connected to the other end of the bracket 15, a conveyor belt 20 is spanned across both pulleys 18 and 19, and a delivery roll 21 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the bracket 17. It is connected to the roll 21 via a transmission means 22 such as a belt and a paper feed clutch O, and when the conveyance motor 12 is rotationally driven, the conveyor belt 20 is conveyed counterclockwise. When the paper feed clutch C is turned on, the delivery roll 21 is rotated counterclockwise.

Note that the clutch O is in the on state when the delivery roll 2
1, it is a one-way cratte mechanism that can transmit torque in the counterclockwise direction, but it can also transmit torque in the clockwise direction.

Furthermore, a paper contact limit switch LS2 is attached to the lever [6], and when the arm 1115 is swung from above to below, the delivery roll 21 comes into contact with the paper 3 in the paper tray 2, and the bracket 17 is formed. The paper contact limit switch LS is turned on when the paper is swung upward.

Furthermore, a paper guide plate n is integrally attached below and parallel to the arm 15 at a predetermined distance via a bracket part, and a presser roll 24 is mounted near the tip of the guide plate η from the center. It is pivoted.

In addition, a reflective paper feed sensor PS2 is installed on the bottom surface of the paper guide plate so as not to interfere with the transport of the paper sheet 3. Further, it is determined whether the leading edge of the paper 3 has reached the detection position based on the presence or absence of light that has passed through the paper 3 and reflected on the paper 1.
Whether or not the rear end has passed the detection position is to be detected.

Further, the operation panel (not shown) of the copying machine includes a paper feed semi-sleep indicator C, a tray selection switch SR for selecting one of the n5 paper trays 2, and a number from 0 to 9. A copy number setting switch group NE for specifying and setting the number of copies, a copy start switch ST, and other switch groups are provided.

Furthermore, the copying machine 1 has a built-in microcomputer 30, which has an input interface 31, ROM 32, R, A M 33, and CP.
It consists of U34 and output interface 35).

Furthermore, the input interface 31 includes a tray selection switch group SE and a copy number setting switch group NE.

Start copying ST, out of paper sensor PS1,
The signals from the paper feed sensor PS2, the arm home position limit switch LS, the paper contact limit switch LS2, other switch groups, and input means such as various force switches in the copying machine 1 are appropriately adjusted and input to the 0PU34. It has become.

The ROM 32 also stores sequence programs necessary for normal copying operations, programs necessary to execute the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, and the like.

Furthermore, the RAM 33 is configured to read and write the input data mentioned above, data obtained by the operation of the 0PU 34 described later, and other data.

Furthermore, the 0PU34 is connected to the input interface 31.
The programs and commands stored in the ROM 32 are executed according to the input signals from the tray moving motor 10, the swing motor 10, and the conveyance motor 12 via an output interface 35.
, paper feed clutch C1 coupling means 7-paper feed preparation completion indicator 0
control signals are output to each operating part of the machine and the copying machine 1.

In addition, a pair of curved guide chutes 40 are installed extending from the pulley [8 and near the base end of the paper guide plate 230 to near the transfer area 430 of the copying machine 1. A transfer roll 41 having a shape of The image is then transferred to the transfer area 43 of the photoreceptor 42.

A platen glass 44 is provided on the top of the copying machine 1, a platen cover 45 is pivotally mounted so that the platen glass 44 can be opened and closed, and an exposure lamp 46 is movable below the platen glass 44. An exposure system consisting of a mirror 47, a lens 48, and a fixed mirror 49 is provided, and an exposure system is provided that is configured to expose an original 58 placed on a platen glass 44.
An image of
The image is formed into a slit shape at 0.

Further, on the outer periphery of the drum-shaped photoreceptor 42, a developing device 51 is provided in the direction from one exposure area I, and a transfer device 5 in the transfer area 43 is provided.
2. Peeling device 53-transfer belt 54, cleaning device 55
The overimage formed on the drum-shaped photoreceptor 42 is developed by a developing device 5 to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to the paper 3 transferred by a transfer roll 41. After that, the paper 3 is peeled off by a peeler; It has become so.

Since the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is configured as described above, the tray selection switch BEj (switch corresponding to the fifth tray 2jvc counting from the upper blade) and the copy number setting switch group When NE is entered as the number of sheets to be pressed (step ■), the program proceeds to step ■, and the difference A between the tray number t selected so far and the new f, K set tray number J° is calculated. Calculated, step ■
(If the value A is zero) it is determined whether it is positive or negative, and if it is zero, the process proceeds to step (2). If it is positive or negative, a preparatory subroutine (step ■ or step ■) [enters].

In the preparation subroutine, as shown in FIG. 8, the steps of the program are to rotate the swing motor 10 in the normal direction to swing the arms [4, [5] upward (step ■);
When the arm home position limit switch LS is turned on (step @), the swing motor 10 is stopped (
Step (2), the tray moving motor 6 is rotated forward at a predetermined number of revolutions and stopped, and the tray moving post 4 is advanced a predetermined distance (step (2)).

Moreover, if A is positive, the good that has completed the preparation subroutine of step 1st to 4-1st binding means 7J,%++,...71-1
The force is separated (step ■) and the set subroutine (step ■) is entered.

In the set subroutine, as shown in FIG. 9, the steps of the program are to reverse the tray moving motor 6 by a predetermined number of rotations to move the tray moving post 4 backward by a predetermined distance (step e), and then to move the tray moving motor 6 backward by a predetermined distance (step e). 0 is reversed and the end 14.15 is swung downward (step 0),
When the paper contact limit switch LS is turned on (step C
I) - The swing motor 10 is lowered for a certain period of time (step 0), and then the swing motor 0 is stopped (step 0).

Furthermore, if A4 is negative, after completing the preparation subroutine of step (2), in addition to the binding means 70.2-...7i-1 in the binding state of 1 to B-1, i, z+1, .・3
-1st binding means 74' -7t (+q...7J
- □ becomes bound (step ■) - Enters the set subroutine ■.

When the set subroutine ■■ is completed, it is determined in step ■ in FIG. enters the preparation subroutine 0 shown in FIG. 8, the paper tray 2 can be pulled out and one sheet is replenished (step 0), and then the reset subroutine (step O) shown in FIG. The preparation for paper feeding is completed.

If the paper out sensor PS is not loaded in step ① or if the set subroutine (step 0) is completed, the paper feed ready indicator 0 will be displayed in step O in Fig. 7.
The machine will operate and a message indicating that paper feeding is ready will be displayed. When the copy start switch ST is turned on in this state (step O), the transport motor 12 is driven in step O, the paper feed clutch C is turned on (step 7 0), and the feed roll 2
1 is rotated, the paper 3 in the paper tray 2j is conveyed toward the paper guide plate n, and when the leading edge of the paper 3 reaches the paper feed sensor PS2 (at step 7-(B) - the paper feed Clutch C is turned off to stop the feed roll 21, and paper feeding from the paper tray 2 is temporarily stopped (step ■).Also, by driving the transport bell 20 in the paper transport mechanism 8, one sheet 3 is conveyed, its rear end passes the paper feed sensor ps2, and the sensor PS is turned off.
, : After copying is done in step ■ (step ■), the number of copies 2 is subtracted by one (step Q), and when the paper edge sensor PS is turned on in step The program is stopped, the step of the program returns to step 0, and after the paper is replenished (step Q),
D@(! 2 steps passed and 7 steps OK.

And if the paper out sensor PS remains off,
It is determined whether or not the paper contact limit switch LS2 is turned off (step +2El), and the paper contact limit switch LS2 is turned off.
When is turned off, the swing motor 10 is lowered for a certain period of time (step 2), and then the motor 10 is stopped at step 2. Conversely, when the contact limit switch LS2 is turned on,
The steps of the program go beyond step ■O and reach step @.

In step 0, it is determined whether or not the number of copies 2 is zero. If it is not zero, the program step returns to step 0, and step OO■oO■c! ! 3■O@ is repeated. During this time, when the number of copies 2 decreases and reaches zero, the conveyance motor 12 is stopped after a certain period of time in step (2).

In this way, the required paper supply and copying are accomplished.

If you want to change the 10 types of copy paper to be supplied, select and press the -tray selection switch SEj as appropriate, and the operation will be the same as described above, and the selected paper tray 2. ; is pulled out so that the front end upper surface of , the required paper 3j is supplied.

Furthermore, the paper conveyance mechanism 8 is configured to swing up and down about a shaft 11.13 at a pivot point 9 located a predetermined distance away from the paper tray 2, so the structure is extremely simple and reliable. expensive.

Furthermore, since one paper transport mechanism 8 is sufficient for a plurality of paper trays 2, the construction is simplified and a wide range of paper feeds can be achieved.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the tip of one paper tray 2 (the right end in FIG. 1) is arranged along a vertical plane, but the pulley 19 is placed on a line connecting the shafts 11 and 13. If the tip of the paper tray 2 (the right end in FIG. By keeping the distance of the leading edge of the paper substantially constant due to the positional force of contact with the paper 3, the feeding state of the paper 3 can be maintained constant at all times.

Further, in the paper transport mechanism 8 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the transport belt 20 is arranged on the upper side and the paper guide plate n is arranged on the lower side, but this arrangement may be reversed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the paper guide plate n is integrally attached to the arm 15 in parallel with the bracket 5 at a predetermined distance, so that the arm 1.115 is connected to the shaft 11.
．． Even if the paper 3 is swung up and down around the paper guide plate 13 (the paper guide plate and the conveyor belt), it always maintains a constant positional relationship with respect to the paper 3. Roll attack ensures curved Ga, Ido shoot 4
0.

Effects of the Invention In the present invention, by simply moving the sheet storing means back and forth and swinging the sheet transporting means up and down to drive the transporting means, the sheet guiding means can be moved back and forth. Sheets can be reliably supplied to the image recording apparatus from the required sheet storage means while maintaining a constant relationship with the conveyance means.

Further, in the present invention, for a large number of sheet storage means,
Since only one conveying means is required, the structure is simplified, the cost is reduced, and the reliability is high.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of a sheet feeding device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of its main parts, FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of its base. Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the tip, Figure 6 is a block diagram of the same embodiment, Figure 7 is the flowchart, and Figures 8 and 9 are the preparation subroutine and set subroutine in the same flowchart. It is a flowchart. 1... Dry electrophotographic copying machine, 2... Paper tray, 3
... Copy paper, 4... Tray moving post, 5...
Driving force transmission means, 6...tray moving motor, 7...
Coupling means, 8... Paper transport mechanism, 9... Pivotal support, 1
0...Oscillating motion! . "1... Swing motor output shaft, 12... Conveyance motor,
13...Transport motor output shaft, 14.15...Arm, 16...Lever, 17...Bracket, 18.
19... Pulley, E... Conveyor belt, 21... Delivery roll-22... Transmission means, 23... Paper guide plate, 24... Presser roll, 5.26... Bracket , addition... microcomputer, 31... input interface, 32... ROM, 33... RAM,
34... CPU, 35... Output interface, 40... Curved guide chute, 41... Transfer roll, 42... Drum-shaped photoreceptor, 43... Transfer area, 44
...Platen glass, 45...Platen cover, 4
6... Exposure lamp, 47... Moving mirror, 48...
・Lens, 49... Fixed mirror, 50... Exposure range -
51...Developer, 52...Transfer device-53...Peeler, container, 57...Paper discharge section, 58...Original, C...
Paper feed clutch, PS, paper out sensor - PS. ... Paper feed sensor, LS, ... Arm home position limit switch, LS2°゛・Paper contact limit switch - C ... Paper feed ready indicator, s] IC...
Tray selection switch, NE...Copy number setting switch group, ST...Copy start switch. Agent: Patent attorney Nozomi Ehara, 2 persons, 80 yuan, 9 figures

Claims (1)

[Claims] A sheet of paper stacked vertically in nine stages and capable of supplying sheets by moving the sheet storage means such that one of the top surfaces of the ends of the L plurality of sheet storage means can be exposed. In the feeding device, the tip of the sheet conveying means can be brought into contact with the upper surface of the exposed end of the sheet storing means in a manner that it can freely approach and separate from the upper surface of the exposed end of the sheet storing means. A sheet of paper characterized in that the base of the sheet conveying means is pivotably supported to be able to swing up and down, and a sheet guiding means is provided so as to always maintain a constant width with respect to the sheet conveying means. Feeding device.