Image processing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus. It has: a paper supply cassette that can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body in one direction and has an insertion position and a pull-out position; a pin member that is connected to the paper supply cassette so as to be relatively movable in a second direction; a lever that is provided to be rotatable and has a rotatable pin engagement portion at its front end. The pin engagement portion has: an engagement groove having a first side wall and a second side wall; and an abutment surface that is continuously formed with the first side wall, extends to the opposite side of the second side wall, and is formed up to the edge of the pin engagement portion; an elastic member whose front end is connected between the main rotation shaft and the pin engagement portion and applies a force that rotates the lever toward the insertion direction side; and a bottom plate having a guide hole that guides the position of the pin member in the second direction so that the pin member can be inserted. At the position where the lever is rotated to the maximum extent toward the insertion direction side, the guide hole intersects the abutment surface at an acute angle, and the end portion on the insertion position side is bent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image processing apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus or an image processing apparatus that forms an image on paper or erases an image formed on paper, a paper feed cassette (sheet cassette) that can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body and stores paper before processing is provided. In order to reduce the burden on the user when inserting the paper feed cassette into the apparatus main body, a structure that applies a force in the insertion direction to the paper feed cassette has been proposed.

[0003] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an apparatus main body, a sheet cassette, an engaging portion, and a toggle mechanism. The engaging portion is provided on the sheet cassette. The toggle mechanism is provided on the apparatus main body.

[0004] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when performing the insertion operation of the sheet cassette into the apparatus main body, the engaging portion is engaged with the toggle mechanism, and the toggle mechanism applies a pulling force to the engaging portion. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the following situations are not considered for the image forming apparatus: after the sheet cassette is installed on the apparatus main body, due to some reasons, the engagement between the engaging portion and the toggle mechanism is improperly released, and the sheet cassette is pulled out without operating the toggle mechanism. In Patent Document 1, there is also the following situation in the image forming apparatus: when the engagement between the sheet cassette and the sheet cassette feeding mechanism is improperly released and not properly engaged, it is difficult for the user to re-engage the sheet cassette with the sheet cassette feeding mechanism.

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that enables a user to re-engage a paper feed cassette with a paper feed cassette feeding mechanism when the paper feed cassette and the paper feed cassette feeding mechanism are not properly engaged.

[0008] Solution for Solving the Technical Problem

[0009] The image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a device main body; a paper feed cassette which is provided on the device main body in a manner that it can be inserted and removed in one direction, and has an insertion position inserted into the device main body and a pull-out position after being pulled out from the device main body; a pin member whose axial direction is formed along a first direction orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction, and is connected to the paper feed cassette in a manner that it can relatively move in a second direction orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction and the first direction; a housing provided on the device main body; a rod which is built in the housing and can rotate around a main rotation axis along the first direction, and has a pin engaging portion at the front end of the rod which can rotate around a sub-rotation axis along the first direction and engages with the pin member. The pin engaging portion has an engaging groove and an abutting surface along the first direction. The engaging groove has a first side wall closer to the pull-out position side than the sub-rotation axis and a second side wall closer to the insertion position side than the first side wall. The abutting surface is continuously formed with the first side wall, extends to the opposite side of the second side wall and forms to the edge of the pin engaging portion; an elastic member which is built in the housing, and the front end of the elastic member is connected between the main rotation axis and the pin engaging portion, and the elastic member applies a force to rotate the rod to the insertion direction side; and a bottom plate which has a guiding hole. The guiding hole is formed in the housing along the insertion and removal direction and guides the position of the pin member in the second direction in a manner that the pin member can be inserted. At the position where the rod rotates maximally to the insertion direction side, the guiding hole intersects the abutting surface at an acute angle, and the end portion on the insertion position side of the guiding hole is bent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view showing the space at the lower part of the main body of the image processing apparatus.

[0012] Figure 3 FIG. is a side view of the introduction end and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the image processing apparatus.

[0013] Figure 4 FIG. is a side view of the introduction end and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the image processing apparatus.

[0014] Figure 5 FIG. is a side view of the introduction end and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the image processing apparatus.

[0015] Figure 6 FIG. is a side view showing a situation where the introduction end of the image processing apparatus and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism are not properly engaged.

[0016] Figure 7 A side view showing the case where the insertion end of the image processing apparatus is engaged with the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism again.

[0017] Figure 8 A side view showing the case where the insertion end of the image processing apparatus is engaged with the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism again.

[0018] Figure 9 A side view showing the case where the insertion end of the image processing apparatus is engaged with the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism again.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals

[0020] 1: Image processing apparatus; 15: Apparatus main body; 20: Paper feed cassette introduction mechanism; 21: Bottom plate; 21e: End portion; 21h: Guide hole; 211: Sliding rib; 21o: Oil groove; 22: Cover; 22c: Contact portion; 221: Locking portion; 23: Lever; 23b: Edge; 23c: Contact surface; 23f: First side wall; 23g: Engaging groove; 23h: Hook; 23o: Axis; 23r: Main rotation axis; 23s: Second side wall; 23t: Pin engaging portion; 23u: Sub-rotation axis; 24: Elastic member; 24t: Front end portion; 24o: Axis; 25: Auxiliary lever; 25r: Rotation axis; 26: Auxiliary elastic member; 26o: Axis; 31: Link member; 32: Pin member; 32o: Axis; D1: First direction; D2: Second direction; I: Insertion position; IP: Insertion and removal direction; P: Pull-out position; PA: Insertion end. Detailed implementation manner

[0021] Next, the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] In the following description, the depth direction is set as the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is set as the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is set as the Z-axis direction. The depth direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other. The arrow X direction is the front side, and the reverse direction of the arrow X direction is the inner side. The arrow Y direction is the right side, and the reverse direction of the arrow Y direction is the left side. The arrow Z direction is the upper side, and the reverse direction of the arrow Z direction is the lower side.

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of the image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a multi-function printer (MFP: Multi Function Printer), a printer, or a copier. Next, the case where the image processing apparatus 1 is Figure 1 The example of the case of the image forming apparatus shown will be described.

[0024] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a display 11, a control panel unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an image reading unit 14, a device main body 15, and a paper storage unit 16.

[0025] The display 11 and the control panel unit 12 are used to confirm and input operation contents when the user operates the image processing apparatus 1. The image forming unit 13 forms an image on paper. The image reading unit 14 digitizes the text and image electronic data printed on the paper.

[0026] The device main body 15 is a housing that incorporates the display 11, the control panel 12, the image forming unit 13, the image reading unit 14, and the paper storage unit 16. The device main body 15 houses the paper storage unit 16 in the lower space S. The paper storage unit 16 has a paper cassette 3. Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view showing the lower space S of the device main body 15. In Figure 2 the description of the paper cassette 3 that constitutes the paper storage unit 16 is omitted except for one.

[0027] As Figure 2 shown, the device main body 15 has an inner side surface 1b and a paper cassette introduction mechanism 20. The inner side surface 1b is a surface facing the front side in the depth direction. The inner side surface 1b is the inner surface of the device main body 15 and faces the lower space S. An introduction hole 1h is formed in the inner side surface 1b. The introduction hole 1h penetrates the inner side surface 1b and is substantially rectangular in a front view. When the paper cassette 3 is inserted into the device main body 15, a part of the paper cassette 3 passes through the introduction hole 1h.

[0028] The paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 applies a force to insert the paper cassette 3 into the device main body 15. The paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 is connected to the inside of the inner side surface 1b of the device main body 15.

[0029] Figure 3 FIG. is a side view showing the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20. As Figure 3 shown, the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 includes a housing 20h, a rod 23, an elastic member 24, an auxiliary rod 25, and an auxiliary elastic member 26.

[0030] The housing 20h houses the rod 23, the elastic member 24, the auxiliary rod 25, and the auxiliary elastic member 26. The housing 20h has a bottom plate 21 and a lid 22. The bottom plate 21 is substantially plate-shaped. The bottom plate 21 is connected to the inner side surface 1b of the device main body 15 such that the plate surface 21b is orthogonal to the left-right direction. As Figure 2 shown, the plate surface 21b overlaps the introduction hole 1h in a front view.

[0031] As Figure 3As shown, at the front-end side end 21f of the plate surface 21b of the bottom plate 21, an introduction groove 21i is formed at the center in the vertical direction. The interval between the edges of the introduction groove 21i becomes narrower toward the inner side.

[0032] A guide hole 21h extending from the introduction groove 21i toward the inner side is formed in the plate surface 21b of the bottom plate 21. The inner end 21e of the guide hole 21h bends upward.

[0033] On the plate surface 21b of the bottom plate 21, a sliding rib 211 that is arc-shaped in a side view is formed on the left side of the plate surface 21b. The sliding rib 211 is formed on the upper side of the approximate center in the depth direction of the plate surface 21b and on the inner side of the center in the vertical direction of the plate surface 21b. In the sliding rib 211, an oil groove 21o that is concentric with the sliding rib 211 is formed at the left end.

[0034] The cover 22 is generally box-shaped with an opening. The cover 22 aligns the edge of the opening of the cover 22 with the edge of the plate surface 21b and fits into the plate surface 21b. The cover 22 is joined to the plate surface 21b from the left. The cover 22 has a locking portion 221 on the upper side of the front side. The locking portion 221 has an elliptical cylinder shape with its axis along the left-right direction. The cover 22 has an abutting portion 22c on the upper side of the inner side. The abutting portion 22c has a cylindrical shape with its axis along the left-right direction.

[0035] The rod 23 is formed in a shape having an axis, for example, generally formed in a plate shape. The base end of the rod 23 is connected to the housing 20h so as to be rotatable about a main rotation axis 23r along the left-right direction. The main rotation axis 23r is clamped by the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22. The rod 23 is connected to the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22 such that the axis 23o is along a plane including the depth direction and the vertical direction. The main rotation axis 23r is disposed at the approximate center in the depth direction of the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22. The main rotation axis 23r is disposed on the upper side in the vertical direction of the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22. The main rotation axis 23r is disposed so as to pass through the center of the sliding rib 211. The movable angle of the front side of the rod 23 is larger than the movable angle of the inner side.

[0036] A pin engaging portion 23t is provided at the front end portion of the rod 23. The pin engaging portion 23t is provided on the rod 23 so as to be rotatable about a sub-rotation axis 23u along the left-right direction. The pin engaging portion 23t has an engaging groove 23g on the front side closer than the sub-rotation axis 23u. The engaging groove 23g has a first side wall 23f and a second side wall 23s. The second side wall 23s is disposed on the inner side closer than the first side wall 23f. The engaging groove 23g extends to the lower edge 23d of the pin engaging portion 23t, and the front end of the engaging groove 23g is formed at the edge 23d of the pin engaging portion 23t.

[0037] The pin engaging portion 23t has an abutting surface 23c. The abutting surface 23c is formed along the left - right direction. The abutting surface 23c is continuously formed with the first side wall 23f. The abutting surface 23c extends toward the opposite side of the second side wall 23s and is formed to the front - near edge 23b of the pin engaging portion 23t. The front end of the abutting surface 23c is formed at the edge 23b of the pin engaging portion 23t. The abutting surface 23c is curved convexly in a direction away from the first side wall 23f.

[0038] The pin engaging portion 23t has a hook 23h. The hook 23h is provided above the abutting surface 23c closer to the front side than the first side wall 23f.

[0039] The elastic member 24 is formed in a shape having an axis, for example, a helical spring. The front end portion 24t in the direction of the axis 24ο of the elastic member 24 is connected between the main rotation axis 23r of the rod 23 and the pin engaging portion 23t.

[0040] The auxiliary rod 25 is formed in a shape having an axis, for example, is substantially formed in a plate shape. The auxiliary rod 25 is connected to the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22 in such a manner that it can rotate about a rotation axis 25r along the left - right direction. The rotation axis 25r is clamped by the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22. The auxiliary rod 25 is connected to the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22 in such a manner that the axis 25o is along a plane including the depth direction and the up - down direction. The auxiliary rod 25 is disposed more inward than the rod 23. The rotation axis 25r is disposed on the inner side in the depth direction of the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22. The rotation axis 25r is disposed at approximately the center in the up - down direction of the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22.

[0041] The front end 25t in the direction of the axis 25o of the auxiliary rod 25 is connected to the proximal end 24p opposite to the front end portion 24t in the direction of the axis 24o of the elastic member 24. The front end 25t is disposed above the rotation axis 25r.

[0042] The auxiliary elastic member 26 is formed in a shape having an axis, for example, a helical spring. The front end 26t in the direction of the axis 26ο of the auxiliary elastic member 26 is connected to the proximal end 25p opposite to the front end 25t in the direction of the axis 25ο of the auxiliary rod 25. The proximal end 26p opposite to the front end 26t in the direction of the axis 26o of the auxiliary elastic member 26 is connected to the front - near side of the cover 22.

[0043] In a state where the paper feed cassette introducing mechanism 20 is not operating, the hook 23h of the rod 23 is engaged with the engaging portion 221 of the cover 22. In a state where the paper feed cassette introducing mechanism 20 is not operating, the elastic member 24 and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are in a stretched state. In a state where the paper feed cassette introducing mechanism 20 is not operating, the forces and torques acting on the rod 23, the elastic member 24, the auxiliary rod 25, and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are balanced. At this time, the engaging groove 23g and the guiding hole 21h are arranged such that the front end of the engaging groove 23g overlaps with the guiding hole 21h in a side - view observation.

[0044] The paper supply cassette 3 is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 15. The insertion / removal direction IP of the paper supply cassette 3 is along the depth direction (Y-axis direction). The paper supply cassette 3 has a pull-out position P where it is pulled out toward the front side from the apparatus main body 15 and an insertion position I where the apparatus main body 15 is inserted into the inner side. As Figure 2 shown, the paper supply cassette 3 is formed in a box shape with the placement surface 3P as the bottom surface and opening upward. The paper supply cassette 3 loads the paper P in the vertical direction on the placement surface 3P and loads a stack of papers Ps with a loading height below the maximum loading height.

[0045] The paper supply cassette 3 has an introduction end PA. The introduction end PA is disposed at the inner end of the paper supply cassette 3. Figure 3 A side view showing the introduction end PA is shown. As Figure 3 shown, the introduction end PA has a link member 31 and a pin member 32.

[0046] The link member 31 is formed in a shape having a shaft 31o, for example, formed in a plate shape. It is connected to the paper supply cassette 3 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 31r along the left-right direction. The link member 31 is connected to the paper supply cassette 3 such that the shaft 31o is along a plane including the insertion / removal direction IP and the vertical direction.

[0047] The pin member 32 is formed in a shape having a shaft 32o, for example, formed in a cylindrical shape. The pin member 32 is connected to the front end of the link member 31 such that a first direction D1 as the direction of the shaft 32o is orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction IP. In the present embodiment, the first direction D1 is along the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). As the link member 31 rotates, the pin member 32 moves relative to the paper supply cassette 3 in a second direction D2 that is orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction IP and the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the second direction D2 is along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The pin member 32 is formed such that the distance between the first side wall 23f and the second side wall 23s is 1.2 times or less the diameter of the cross-section of the pin member 32 orthogonal to the shaft 32o.

[0048] Next, the operation of the paper supply cassette introduction mechanism 20 when the paper supply cassette 3 is inserted into and removed from the image processing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0049] If the paper supply cassette 3 is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1, the pin member 32 abuts against the edge of the introduction groove 21i of the paper supply cassette introduction mechanism 20, and the pin member 32 is introduced into the guide hole 21h and penetrates through the guide hole 21h. When the pin member 32 is introduced into the guide hole 21h, the pin member 32 comes into contact with the pin engagement portion 23t. Figure 3 A state is shown in which the paper supply cassette 3 is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1 and the pin member 32 is about to contact the rod 23.

[0050] If from Figure 3When the paper feed cassette 3 is further inserted inward from the shown state, the rod 23 is pushed inward by the pin member 32 at the second side wall 23s, and the engagement between the engaging portion 221 of the lid 22 and the hook 23h of the rod 23 is released.

[0051] If the engagement between the engaging portion 221 and the hook 23h is released, a force for rotating the rod 23 in the insertion direction side is applied to the rod 23 by the elastic member 24. If the rod 23 rotates in the insertion direction side, the first side wall 23f of the pin engaging portion 23t abuts against the pin member 32, and a force in the insertion direction is applied to the pin member 32 from the first side wall 23f.

[0052] Figure 4 To show the paper feed cassette 3 from Figure 3 The figure of the state where the paper feed cassette 3 is further inserted inward from the shown state. As Figure 4 shown, the pin member 32 moves along the shape of the guide hole 21h.

[0053] Figure 5 To show the paper feed cassette 3 from Figure 4 The figure of the state where the paper feed cassette 3 is further inserted inward and the paper feed cassette 3 has reached the insertion position I. As Figure 5 shown, the pin member 32 moves upward along the bent shape of the end portion 21e of the guide hole 21h. The rod 23 abuts against the abutting portion 22c, and thus the rotation is restricted. The front end 25t of the auxiliary rod 25 abuts against the inner surface (not shown) on the inner side of the lid 22, and thus the rotation of the auxiliary rod 25 is restricted.

[0054] When pulling out the paper feed cassette 3, the above actions are performed in the reverse order. The paper feed cassette 3 moves in the pulling out direction while receiving a force in the insertion direction from the first side wall 23f via the pin member 32. The pin member 32 moves in the pulling out direction along the guide hole 21h. The rod 23 rotates in the pulling out direction side, and the hook 23h of the pin engaging portion 23t engages with the engaging portion 221 of the lid 22, and thus the engagement between the pin member 32 and the pin engaging portion 23t is released.

[0055] As described above, when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted, the engagement between the hook 23h of the pin engaging portion 23t and the engaging portion 221 of the lid 22 is released. The pin member 32 connected to the paper feed cassette 3 engages with the pin engaging portion 23t of the rod 23. The elastic member 24 applies a force to rotate the rod 23 inward. Thus, the rod 23 that is applied a force to rotate inward causes the pin member 32 to receive a force toward the inside, and the paper feed cassette 3 is pulled into the insertion position I via the pin member 32.

[0056] Next, the operation when the paper feed cassette 3 and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism 20 are not properly engaged and the paper feed cassette 3 and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism 20 are engaged again in the image processing apparatus will be described.

[0057] Figure 6 A diagram showing a situation where the insertion end PA of the image processing apparatus 1 and the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism 20 are not properly engaged. Figure 6 For example, it shows a situation where, before inserting the paper feed cassette 3 and bringing the pin member 32 into contact with the pin engagement portion 23t, the engagement between the hook 23h of the pin engagement portion 23t and the locking portion 221 of the cover 22 is released for some reason.

[0058] As Figure 6 shown, when the engagement between the hook 23h and the locking portion 221 is improperly released, the rod 23 does not engage with the pin member 32 but rotates to the insertion direction side to the maximum extent due to the tensile force of the elastic member 24. In this case, when the insertion operation of the paper feed cassette 3 is performed, the pin member 32 does not receive a force in the insertion direction and moves along the guide hole 21h in the insertion direction. At this time, the front end of the contact surface 23c and the guide hole 21h overlap in a side view and the contact surface 23c and the guide hole 21h intersect at an acute angle.

[0059] Figure 7 Shows the state where the paper feed cassette 3 is further moved in the insertion direction from the Figure 6 state shown. As Figure 7 shown, if the paper feed cassette 3 is moved in the insertion direction by the intersection of the contact surface 23c of the pin engagement portion 23t and the guide hole 21h in a side view, the pin member 32 abuts against the contact surface 23c of the pin engagement portion 23t.

[0060] Figure 8 Shows the state where the paper feed cassette 3 is further moved in the insertion direction from the Figure 7 state shown. As Figure 8 shown, if the paper feed cassette 3 is further moved in the insertion direction, the pin member 32 moves along the bent shape of the end portion 21e of the guide hole 21h while pushing the pin engagement portion 23t through the contact surface 23c. By the contact surface 23c and the guide hole 21h intersecting at an acute angle in a side view, the pin engagement portion 23t pushed by the pin member 32 rotates downward around the sub-rotation axis 23u.

[0061] Figure 9 Shows the state where the paper feed cassette 3 is further moved in the insertion direction from the Figure 8 state shown. As Figure 9 shown, if the paper feed cassette 3 is further moved in the insertion direction, the pin member 32 is disposed in the engagement groove 23g while relatively moving along the contact surface 23c with respect to the pin engagement portion 23t.

[0062] If the paper feed cassette 3 is moved from Figure 9When moving further in the insertion direction from the state shown, the pin member 32 abuts against the second side wall 23s, causing the pin engaging portion 23t to rotate about the sub-rotation axis 23u. The rotated pin engaging portion 23t assumes the state shown in Figure 5 and arranges the first side wall 23f in the vicinity of the front side of the pin member 32.

[0063] In the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the rod 23 of the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 moves toward the insertion direction side without engaging with the pin member 32 for some reason, the pin member 32 rotates the pin engaging portion 23t only due to the insertion of the paper cassette 3 and is arranged in the engaging groove 23g. Therefore, when the paper cassette 3 and the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 are not properly engaged, the user can properly engage the paper cassette 3 and the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 to restore the state where the paper cassette 3 is inserted.

[0064] By bending the end portion 21e of the guide hole 21h upward, the pin member 32 can easily rotate the pin engaging portion 23t, and the pin member 32 can be easily arranged in the engaging groove 23g.

[0065] By bending the abutting surface 23c convexly in a direction away from the first side wall 23f, the force required to push the paper cassette 3 with the pin member 32 to rotate the pin engaging portion 23t is reduced.

[0066] By making the movable angle on the front side of the rod 23 larger than the movable angle on the inner side, the force required to pull the paper cassette 3 from the insertion position I toward the pull-out direction side is reduced.

[0067] By providing the sliding rib 211, the shaking of the rotational movements of the rod 23 and the auxiliary rod 25 is suppressed. By providing the oil groove 21o in the sliding rib 211, the frictional force for the rotational movements of the rod 23 and the auxiliary rod 25 is reduced.

[0068] By making the distance between the first side wall 23f and the second side wall 23s 1.2 times or less the diameter of the cross-section of the pin member 32 orthogonal to the axis 32o, the impact and noise generated when the pin member 32 pushes the second side wall 23s to release the engagement between the hook 23h and the locking portion 221 and abuts against the first side wall 23f are reduced.

[0069] By sandwiching the main rotation axis 23r of the rod 23 and the rotation axis 25r of the auxiliary rod 25 between the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22, the shaking of the rotational movements of the main rotation axis 23r and the rotation axis 25r is suppressed.

[0070] By fitting and connecting the bottom plate 21 and the cover 22 and integrally forming the locking portion 221, the abutting portion 22c, the sliding rib 211, etc. on the bottom plate 21 or the cover 22, it is easy to manufacture the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 at a low cost and with uniform quality.

[0071] Above, each embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and also includes structural changes, combinations, etc. within the scope without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0072] As long as the image processing apparatus has a space capable of ensuring the elongation of the elastic member 24 required to generate an appropriate tensile force, the auxiliary rod 25 and the auxiliary elastic member 26 may not be provided. In the case where the auxiliary rod 25 and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are not provided, the proximal end 24p of the elastic member 24 is directly connected to the base plate 21 or the cover 22.

[0073] The insertion and extraction direction of the image processing apparatus 1 is the depth direction, the first direction is the left - right direction, and the second direction is the up - down direction. The image processing apparatus may also be such that the first direction is the up - down direction and the second direction is the left - right direction in the horizontal direction. The image processing apparatus may be such that the insertion and extraction direction is the left - right direction and the first direction is the depth direction. The image processing apparatus may be such that the insertion and extraction direction is the left - right direction, the first direction is the up - down direction, and the second direction is the depth direction.

[0074] The image processing apparatus only needs to have an insertion and extraction direction that is not parallel to the first direction or the second direction, and may also not be orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

[0075] The sliding rib may also be formed on the cover. The engaging portion 221 or the abutting portion 22c may also be formed on the base plate 21. A temporary fixing hole or the like used when assembling the paper supply cassette introducing mechanism may also be formed on the base plate or the cover.

[0076] According to at least one of the above - described embodiments, when the paper supply cassette 3 and the paper supply cassette introducing mechanism 20 are not properly engaged, it is easy for the user to re - engage the paper supply cassette 3 and the paper supply cassette introducing mechanism 20.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising: A device main body; A paper feed cassette, which is provided on the device main body in a manner that it can be inserted and removed along one direction, and has an insertion position inserted into the device main body and a pull-out position after being pulled out from the device main body; A pin member, the axial direction of the pin member is formed along a first direction orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction, and is connected to the paper feed cassette in a manner that it can move relatively in a second direction orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction and the first direction; A housing, provided on the device main body; A lever, which is built in the housing and can rotate around a main rotation axis along the first direction. At the front end of the lever, there is a pin engaging portion that can rotate around a sub-rotation axis along the first direction and engages with the pin member. The pin engaging portion has an engaging groove and an abutting surface along the first direction. The engaging groove has a first side wall closer to the pull-out position side than the sub-rotation axis and a second side wall closer to the insertion position side than the first side wall. The abutting surface is continuously formed with the first side wall, and the abutting surface extends to the opposite side of the second side wall and forms to the edge of the pin engaging portion; An elastic member, which is built in the housing. The front end of the elastic member is connected between the main rotation axis and the pin engaging portion, and the elastic member applies a force to rotate the lever toward the insertion direction side; And A bottom plate, having a guiding hole, the guiding hole is formed in the housing along the insertion and removal direction and guides the position of the pin member in the second direction in a manner that the pin member can be inserted. At the position where the lever rotates maximally to the insertion direction side, the guiding hole intersects the abutting surface at an acute angle, and the end portion of the guiding hole on the insertion position side is bent.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The movable angle of the lever on the pull-out position side is greater than the movable angle on the insertion position side.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The pin engaging portion has a hook fixed to the housing on the pull-out position side.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The abutting surface is bent convexly toward the side away from the first side wall.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The abutting surface is bent convexly toward the side away from the first side wall.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The image processing apparatus further comprises: An auxiliary lever, which is built in the housing, the auxiliary lever is arranged to be able to rotate around a rotation axis along the first direction, and the base end of the elastic member is connected to the front end of the auxiliary lever; and An auxiliary elastic member, which is built in the housing, the front end of the auxiliary elastic member is connected to the base end of the auxiliary lever, and the auxiliary elastic member applies a force to rotate the base end of the auxiliary lever toward the pull-out direction side.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The image processing apparatus further comprises: An auxiliary rod, built in the housing, the auxiliary rod is arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the first direction, and the proximal end of the elastic member is connected to the front end portion of the auxiliary rod; and An auxiliary elastic member, built in the housing, the front end portion of the auxiliary elastic member is connected to the proximal end of the auxiliary rod, and the auxiliary elastic member applies a force to rotate the proximal end of the auxiliary rod toward the pulling-out direction side.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The image processing apparatus includes: An auxiliary rod, built in the housing, the auxiliary rod is arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the first direction, and the proximal end of the elastic member is connected to the front end portion of the auxiliary rod; and An auxiliary elastic member, built in the housing, the front end portion of the auxiliary elastic member is connected to the proximal end of the auxiliary rod, and the auxiliary elastic member applies a force to rotate the proximal end of the auxiliary rod toward the pulling-out direction side.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The image processing apparatus includes: An auxiliary rod, built in the housing, the auxiliary rod is arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the first direction, and the proximal end of the elastic member is connected to the front end portion of the auxiliary rod; and An auxiliary elastic member, built in the housing, the front end portion of the auxiliary elastic member is connected to the proximal end of the auxiliary rod, and the auxiliary elastic member applies a force to rotate the proximal end of the auxiliary rod toward the pulling-out direction side.

Images