Image processing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image processing device. In the image processing device, a pin component is formed in the shape of an axis and is connected to the paper feed box in a manner such that the pin component is axially oriented along a first direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and is relatively movable in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and the first direction. A rod is formed in the shape of an axis and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis along the first direction. The rod has a pin engaging portion at its axial front end portion that engages with the pin component, and the pin engaging portion has a first abutting surface on the extraction direction side. An elastic component is formed in the shape of an axis, and the axial front end portion is connected between the rotation axis of the rod and the pin engaging portion of the rod. The elastic component applies a force that rotates the pin engaging portion of the rod toward the insertion direction, causing the pin component to abut against the first abutting surface of the rod, thereby applying a force in the insertion direction to the pin component. The guide mechanism causes the distance between the pin component and the rotation axis of the rod when the paper feed box is transferred from the extraction position to the insertion position to be shorter than the distance when the paper feed box is transferred from the insertion position to the extraction position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device. Background Art

[0002] An image processing apparatus that forms an image on paper or erases an image formed on paper is provided with a paper feed cassette that is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body and stores unprocessed paper.

[0003] However, for example, when a large amount of paper is loaded, the paper feed cassette becomes heavy, and a load is imposed on the user when inserting and removing the paper feed cassette from the apparatus main body.

[0004] An image processing device according to the present invention comprises: a device body; a paper feed box arranged on the device body in a manner that allows insertion and removal in one direction, the paper feed box having an insertion position for inserting into the device body and a withdrawal position for withdrawing from the device body; a pin member formed in the shape of an axis, connected to the paper feed box in a manner that the axis extends along a first direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and is relatively movable in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and the first direction; a rod formed in the shape of an axis, arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the first direction, and having a pin engaging portion at the front end portion in the axial direction that engages with the pin member. , the pin engaging portion has a first abutting surface on the extraction direction side; an elastic member is formed in the shape of a shaft, and the axial front end portion is connected between the rotating shaft of the rod and the pin engaging portion of the rod, applying a force to rotate the pin engaging portion of the rod toward the insertion direction side, so that the pin member abuts against the first abutting surface of the rod and applies the insertion direction force to the pin member; and a guide mechanism so that the distance between the pin member and the rotating shaft of the rod when the paper feed box is transferred from the extraction position to the insertion position is shorter than the distance when the paper feed box is transferred from the insertion position to the extraction position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the image processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the space below the main body of the image processing device.

[0007] Figure 3 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0008] Figure 4 This is a front view of a portion of the introduction end and paper cassette introduction mechanism of the image processing apparatus.

[0009] Figure 5This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0010] Figure 6 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0012] Figure 8 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0013] Figure 9 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0014] Figure 10 This is a side view of the introduction end and paper feed cassette introduction mechanism of the same image processing device.

[0015] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the relationship between forces acting on a lever, a pin member, and a link member included in the same image processing device.

[0016] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the relationship between forces acting on a lever, a pin member, and a link member included in the same image processing device.

[0017] Figure 13 1 is a diagram showing forces acting on a paper feed cassette included in the image processing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] An image processing device according to an embodiment includes: a device body, a paper feed cassette, a pin member, a rod, an elastic member, and a guide mechanism. The paper feed cassette is mounted on the device body so as to be insertable and removable in one direction, and has an insertion position for insertion into the device body and a withdrawal position for withdrawal from the device body. The pin member is shaped like a shaft and is connected to the paper feed cassette so that its axial direction extends in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion and withdrawal direction and that it is relatively movable in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion and withdrawal direction and the first direction. The rod is shaped like a shaft and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The rod has a pin engaging portion at its axial front end that engages with the pin member, and the pin engaging portion has a first abutting surface on the withdrawal direction side. The elastic member is shaped like a shaft, and its axial front end is connected between the rotation axis of the rod and the pin engaging portion of the rod. The elastic member applies a force that rotates the pin engaging portion of the rod in the insertion direction, causing the pin member to abut against the first abutting surface of the rod, thereby applying a force in the insertion direction to the pin member. The guide mechanism makes the distance between the pin member and the rotation axis of the lever shorter when the paper feed cassette is transferred from the drawn position to the inserted position than when the paper feed cassette is transferred from the inserted position to the drawn position.

[0019] Hereinafter, an image processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In the following description, the depth direction is referred to as the X-axis. The left-right direction is referred to as the Y-axis. The up-down direction is referred to as the Z-axis. The depth, left-right, and up-down directions are orthogonal to each other. The X-direction is the front side, and the direction opposite to the X-direction is the back side. The Y-direction is the right side, and the direction opposite to the Y-direction is the left side. The Z-direction is the top side, and the direction opposite to the Z-direction is the bottom side.

[0021] Figure 1 The image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a perspective view. The image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction printer (MFP) or a copier. Figure 1 An example of an image forming apparatus is shown.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a display 11 , a control panel section 12 , an image forming section 13 , an image reading section 14 , an apparatus main body 15 , and a paper storage section 16 .

[0023] The display 11 and the control panel 12 are used by the user to confirm and input the operation contents when operating the image processing apparatus 1. The image forming unit 13 forms an image on paper. The image reading unit 14 converts the characters and images printed on the paper into electronic data.

[0024] The apparatus body 15 is a housing that houses the display 11, control panel 12, image forming unit 13, image reading unit 14, and paper storage unit 16. The apparatus body 15 houses the paper storage unit 16 in a lower space S. The paper storage unit 16 includes the paper feed cassette 3. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a space S in the lower portion of the device body 15 . Figure 2 In the figure, only one of the paper feed cassettes 3 constituting the paper storage portion 16 is shown, and the rest are omitted from the illustration.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the device body 15 includes an inner side surface 1b and a paper cassette introduction mechanism 20. The inner side surface 1b is the surface facing the front side in the depth direction. The inner side surface 1b is the surface inside the device body 15, facing the lower space S. An introduction hole 1h is formed in the inner side surface 1b. The introduction hole 1h extends through the inner side surface 1b and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front. When the paper cassette 3 is inserted into the device body 15, the introduction hole 1h allows a portion of the paper cassette 3 to pass through.

[0026] The paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 applies a force to the paper cassette 3 to insert it into the apparatus main body 15. The paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 is connected to the inner side of the inner side surface 1b of the apparatus main body 15.

[0027] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a side view of the paper feed box introduction mechanism 20. Figure 3 As shown, the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 includes a base 21 , a cover 22 , a lever 23 , an elastic member 24 , an auxiliary lever 25 , and an auxiliary elastic member 26 .

[0028] The base 21 is generally plate-shaped. The base 21 is connected to the inner side 1b of the device body 15 in such a manner that the plate surface 21b is perpendicular to the left and right directions. Figure 2 As shown, the plate surface 21b overlaps with the introduction hole 1h in a front view.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, an introduction groove 21i is formed at the front end 21f of the plate surface 21b of the base 21. The introduction groove 21i has an edge spacing that narrows toward the back.

[0030] A guide hole 21h extending from the introduction groove 21i toward the inner side is formed on the plate surface 21b of the base 21. The upper edge 21u, the inner edge 21r, and the lower edge 21d of the guide hole 21h form a portion of a continuous edge, and the guide hole 21h is connected to the introduction groove 21i.

[0031] The guide hole 21h has an upper edge 21u, a curved portion 21c, and a straight portion 21s. The curved portion 21c extends inward from the inner end of the edge of the guide groove 21i, convex downward in a side view, and extends upward as it moves inward. The straight portion 21s extends inward from the inner end of the curved portion 21c and is formed along the depth direction.

[0032] The back edge 21r of the guide hole 21h extends downward from the back end of the straight portion 21s, and has a convex shape in a side view and extends back as it goes downward.

[0033] The lower edge 21d of the guide hole 21h has a first straight portion 21o, an inclined portion 21k, and a second straight portion 21t. The first straight portion 21o extends from the lower end of the inner edge 21r toward the near front side and is formed in the depth direction. The inclined portion 21k extends from the near front end of the first straight portion 21o toward the near front side and extends upward as it moves toward the near front side. The second straight portion 21t extends from the near front end of the inclined portion 21k toward the near front side and is formed in the depth direction. The near front end of the second straight portion 21t is connected to the inner end of the edge of the introduction groove 21i.

[0034] The dimension of the guide hole 21h in the vertical direction increases toward the back side up to the position of the back end of the straight portion 21s.

[0035] The guide hole 21h has a rib 211 protruding rightward on its upper edge 21u. The rib 211 extends from the curved portion 21c of the upper edge 21u to the center of the straight portion 21s in the depth direction. A groove 21g opening upward is formed along the entire depth length of the rib 211.

[0036] The cover 22 is roughly box-shaped with an opening. The cover 22 engages the plate surface 21b by fitting the edge of the opening with the edge of the plate surface 21b. The cover 22 engages the plate surface 21b from the rear. The cover 22 has a locking portion 221 on its upper side, near the front. The locking portion 221 has a cylindrical shape with its axis extending in the left-right direction. The cover 22 has a contact portion 22c on its lower side, in the rear direction. The contact portion 22c has a cylindrical shape with its axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0037] The rod 23 is formed into a shape having an axis, for example, a generally plate-like shape. The rod 23 is connected to the base 21 and cover 22 so that its base end can rotate about a rotation axis 23r extending in the left-right direction. The rod 23 is connected to the base 21 and cover 22 so that its axis 23o extends along a plane including the depth direction and the vertical direction. The rotation axis 23r is located approximately at the center of the base 21 and cover 22 in the depth direction. The rotation axis 23r is located on the upper side of the base 21 and cover 22 in the vertical direction.

[0038] The rod 23 has a pin engaging portion 23t at its distal end. The pin engaging portion 23t has a first contact surface 23f and a second contact surface 23s extending along the left-right direction and the axis 23o.

[0039] The first contact surface 23f and the second contact surface 23s are substantially opposed to each other with the shaft 23o interposed therebetween. The first contact surface 23f is arranged on the front side, and the second contact surface 23s is arranged on the back side.

[0040] The lever 23 has a hook 23h on the pin engagement portion 23t. The hook 23h is arranged at a position farther from the shaft 23o than the first contact surface 23f and closer to the rotation shaft 23r.

[0041] The elastic member 24 is formed in a shaft-like shape and is, for example, a coil spring. The distal end of the elastic member 24 in the direction of the shaft 24o is connected between the rotation shaft 23r of the lever 23 and the pin engagement portion 23t.

[0042] The auxiliary rod 25 is formed into a shape having an axis, for example, a roughly plate-like shape. The auxiliary rod 25 is connected to the base 21 and cover 22 so that it can rotate about a rotation axis 25r extending in the left-right direction. The auxiliary rod 25 is connected to the base 21 and cover 22 so that its axis 25o extends along a plane that includes both the depth direction and the vertical direction. The auxiliary rod 25 is positioned further back than the rod 23. The rotation axis 25r is positioned further back in the depth direction of the base 21 and cover 22. The rotation axis 25r is positioned approximately in the center of the base 21 and cover 22 in the vertical direction.

[0043] The auxiliary rod 25 is connected to a base end 24p opposite to the front end 24t in the axis 24o direction of the elastic member 24 at its front end 25t in the axis 25o direction. The front end 25t is arranged above the rotation axis 25r.

[0044] The auxiliary elastic member 26 is formed into a shaft-like shape, such as a coil spring. A distal end 26t of the auxiliary elastic member 26, in the direction of the axis 26o, is connected to a proximal end 25p, opposite to the distal end 25t in the direction of the axis 25o, of the auxiliary lever 25. The proximal end 26p of the auxiliary elastic member 26, opposite to the distal end 26t in the direction of the axis 26o, is connected to the near-front side of the cover 22.

[0045] When the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 is not in operation, the hook 23h of the lever 23 is locked with the locking portion 221 of the cover 22. When the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 is not in operation, the elastic member 24 and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are in a stretched state. When the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 is not in operation, the forces and moments acting on the lever 23, the elastic member 24, the auxiliary lever 25, and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are balanced.

[0046] The paper feed box 3 is inserted and removed from the device body 15. The insertion and removal direction IP of the paper feed box 3 is along the depth direction (Y-axis direction). The paper feed box 3 has a withdrawal position P from the device body 15 to the front side and an insertion position I to insert into the device body 15. Figure 2 As shown, the paper cassette 3 is formed in a box shape with a loading surface 3P as the bottom surface and is open upward. The paper cassette 3 loads the paper P in the vertical direction on the loading surface 3P and loads a paper stack Ps with a loading height below the maximum loading height.

[0047] The paper feed cassette 3 has an introduction end PA. The introduction end PA is arranged at the end portion on the back side of the paper feed cassette 3. Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows a side view of the lead-in end PA. Figure 3 As shown, the introduction end PA includes a link member 31 , a pin member 32 , a guide pin 33 and a biasing member 34 .

[0048] The link member 31 is formed in a shape having a shaft 31o, for example, in a plate shape. It is connected to the paper feed cassette 3 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 31r extending in the left-right direction. The link member 31 is connected to the paper feed cassette 3 so that the shaft 31o extends along a plane including the insertion / removal direction IP and the vertical direction.

[0049] The pin member 32 is formed into a shape having an axis 32o, for example, a cylindrical shape. The pin member 32 is connected to the front end of the connecting rod member 31 such that a first direction D1, which is the direction of the axis 32o, is perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction IP. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is along the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). As the connecting rod member 31 rotates, the pin member 32 moves relative to the paper feed cassette 3 in a second direction D2, which is perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction IP and the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 is along the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0050] The guide pin 33 is formed into a shaft-like shape, for example, a cylindrical shape. The guide pin 33 is connected to the pin member 32 so that the shaft 33o extends in the left-right direction and is rotatable about the pin member 32. A cylindrical roller 33r is fitted onto the guide pin 33 at the front end of the guide pin 33. The roller 33r is fitted onto the guide pin 33 so that it is rotatable about the shaft 33o of the guide pin 33.

[0051] The urging member 34 urges the guide pin 33 so as to be arranged above the pin member 32 .

[0052] The guide hole 21 h of the base 21 , the link member 31 of the introduction end PA, the guide pin 33 , and the urging member 34 constitute a guide mechanism for guiding the movement of the pin member 32 in the depth direction and the vertical direction.

[0053] Next, the operation of the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism 20 when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into or removed from the image processing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0054] When the paper cassette 3 is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1, the pin member 32 abuts against the edge of the guide slot 21i of the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20, and the pin member 32 is guided into and penetrates the guide hole 21h. Once the pin member 32 is guided into the guide hole 21h, it contacts the pin engaging portion 23t. Figure 3 The state is shown when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1 and the pin member 32 is about to come into contact with the lever 23 .

[0055] If from Figure 3 If the paper feed cassette 3 is further inserted into the rear side in the state shown, the lever 23 is pushed inward by the pin member 32 at the second contact surface 23s, thereby releasing the engagement between the locking portion 221 of the cover 22 and the hook 23h of the lever 23. The pin member 32 comes into contact with the first contact surface 23f of the pin engaging portion 23t of the lever 23.

[0056] When the engagement between the locking portion 221 and the hook 23h is released, the elastic member 24 applies a force to rotate the rod 23 in the insertion direction. When the rod 23 rotates in the insertion direction, the first contact surface 23f of the pin engaging portion 23t applies a force to the pin member 32 in the insertion direction.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, when the pin member 32 is introduced into the guide hole 21h, the guide pin 33 connected to the pin member 32 rides on the rib 21l at the edge of the guide hole 21h. The roller 33r fitted on the guide pin 33 is inserted into the groove 21g formed in the rib 21l.

[0058] Figure 4 2 is a front view showing the introduction end PA and a portion of the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 when the guide pin 33 rests on the rib 211. Figure 4 As shown, the roller 33r is inserted into the groove 21g of the rib 211 so that the axial direction is perpendicular to the plate surface 21b of the base 21. The guide pin 33 fitted in the roller 33r protrudes further to the right than the rib 211 in the left-right direction.

[0059] The pin member 32 is connected so as to be rotatable about the axis of the guide pin 33 and passes through the guide hole 21h of the base 21. The front end 31t of the pin member 32 is arranged behind the plate surface 21b. The pin member 32 engages with the pin engaging portion 23t of the rod 23.

[0060] Figure 5 It is shown from Figure 3 The state shown in FIG paper box 3 is further inserted into the inner side. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pin member 32 is guided by the guide pin 33 and moves upward along the shape of the curved portion 21 c of the guide hole 21 h . The pin member 32 approaches the rotation axis 23 r of the lever 23 by moving upward.

[0061] Figure 6 It is shown from Figure 5 The state shown in FIG paper feed box 3 is further inserted into the inner side and the paper feed box 3 is in the state of the insertion position I. Figure 6 As shown, the pin member 32 is guided by the guide pin 33 and moves inward along the shape of the straight portion 21s of the guide hole 21h. The guide pin 33 is released from contact with the rib 21l. The pin engaging portion 23t contacts the contact portion 22c, restricting rotation. The front end 25t of the auxiliary lever 25 contacts the inner surface (not shown) of the cover 22, restricting rotation of the auxiliary lever 25.

[0062] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 The state after the diagram shown. Figure 7As shown, the pin member 32 moves downward under its own weight, being restricted in its track at the front end of the link member 31. The pin member 32 moves downward along the shape of the inner edge 21r of the guide hole 21h. The pin member 32 abuts against the lower edge 21d of the guide hole 21h.

[0063] Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 7 The state shown in FIG paper cassette 3 is pulled out from the insertion position I. Figure 8 As shown, the pin member 32 contacts the first contact surface 23f of the pin engaging portion 23t. A force in the insertion direction is applied from the first contact surface 23f to the pin member 32. The pin member 32 moves along the first straight portion 21o of the lower edge 21d of the guide hole 21h and then along the inclined portion 21k.

[0064] Figure 9 It is shown from Figure 8 The state shown in FIG paper box 3 is further pulled out toward the front side. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pin member 32 moves along the second straight portion 21 t of the lower edge 21 d of the guide hole 21 h . The guide pin 33 abuts against the rib 21 l and rotates relative to the pin member 32 to be driven.

[0065] Figure 10 It is shown from Figure 9 The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the paper feed cassette 3 is further pulled out toward the front side and the pin member 32 is introduced into the introduction groove 21i of the paper feed cassette introduction mechanism 20. Figure 10 As shown, the engagement between the pin member 32 and the pin engaging portion 23t of the lever 23 is released. The guide pin 33 is released from contact with the rib 211 and is urged by the urging member 34 to return to its original position relative to the pin member 32.

[0066] The pin member 32 circles around the edge of the guide hole 21 h during a series of operations in which the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into and removed from the main body of the image processing apparatus 1 .

[0067] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing forces acting on the lever 23 , the pin member 32 , and the link member 31 when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15 . Figure 12 3 is a diagram showing the forces acting on the lever 23, the pin member 32, and the link member 31 when the paper feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 15. Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the positions of the pin members 32 in the insertion and removal direction IP are the same.

[0068] like Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown, the rod 23 receives a force SF from the elastic member 24 and a moment around the rotation axis 23r based on the force SF. The rod 23 receives forces BFp and BFo from the rotation axis 23r and the pin member 32 that are balanced with the force SF and the moment.

[0069] The pin member 32 receives a force PR of the same magnitude as the force BFo as a reaction force to the force BFo applied to the rod 23. Figure 11 As shown, when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15 , an insertion direction force Fi having the same magnitude as the insertion direction component force PRx of the force PR applied to the pin member 32 is applied to the paper feed cassette 3 via the link member 31 .

[0070] like Figure 12 As shown, when the paper feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus body 15 , an insertion direction force Fp having the same magnitude as the insertion direction component force PRx of the force PR applied to the pin member 32 is applied to the paper feed cassette 3 via the link member 31 .

[0071] When the position of the pin member 32 in the insertion and removal direction IP is the same, the pin member 32 is positioned higher when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15 than when the paper feed cassette 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 15. Therefore, when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15, the distance L between the pin member 32 and the rotation axis 23r of the lever 23 is shorter than when the paper feed cassette 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 15.

[0072] Therefore, when the position of the pin member 32 in the insertion and extraction direction IP is the same, the force in the insertion direction received by the pin member 32 from the lever 23 becomes smaller when the paper feed cassette 3 is withdrawn from the apparatus main body 15 than when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15. Therefore, the force Fp is smaller than the force Fi.

[0073] Figure 13 The horizontal axis is the depth Dp of the pin member 32 inserted into the apparatus body 15 , the position where the pin member 32 starts contacting the pin engaging portion 23 t of the paper cassette drawing mechanism 20 is the origin O, and the insertion position I is I. Figure 13 The vertical axis represents the magnitude of the force applied by the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 in the insertion direction of the paper cassette 3 .

[0074] like Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 3 , the greater the depth Dp, the greater the force F applied to the paper feed box 3. Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the slope of the curve of the force Fp when the paper feed cassette 3 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 15 becomes smaller than the slope of the curve of the force Fi when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15. Figure 13 As shown, when the depth Dp is constant, the magnitude of the force Fp when the paper feed cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 15 is equal to or smaller than the magnitude of the force Fi when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 15 .

[0075] According to the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the lever 23 of the paper cassette introduction mechanism 20 provided in the apparatus main body 15 contacts the pin member 32 connected to the paper cassette 3, exerting a force in the insertion direction. When the paper cassette 3 is withdrawn, the pin member 32 approaches the rotation axis 23r of the lever 23, compared to when the paper cassette 3 is inserted relative to the lever 23, which is exerting a force inwardly. When the paper cassette 3 is withdrawn, the force applied to the pin member 32 in the insertion direction becomes smaller than when the paper cassette 3 is inserted.

[0076] Therefore, although the image processing apparatus 1 applies a force in the insertion direction to the paper feed cassette 3, the force acting on the paper feed cassette 3 in the insertion direction is reduced when the paper feed cassette 3 is withdrawn compared to when the paper feed cassette 3 is inserted. Therefore, when the user withdraws the paper feed cassette 3, the image processing apparatus 1 reduces the force acting on the paper feed cassette 3 in the insertion direction, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0077] If space is ensured for the elastic member 24 to extend to generate appropriate tensile force, the image processing apparatus may be provided with an auxiliary rod 25 and an auxiliary elastic member 26. If the auxiliary rod 25 and the auxiliary elastic member 26 are not provided, the base end 24p of the elastic member 24 is directly connected to the base 21 or the cover 22.

[0078] The insertion and removal direction of the image processing device 1 is the depth direction, the first direction is the left-right direction, and the second direction is the up-down direction. The first direction of the image processing device may also be the up-down direction, and the second direction may also be the horizontal left-right direction. The insertion and removal direction of the image processing device may also be the left-right direction, and the first direction may also be the depth direction. The insertion and removal direction of the image processing device may also be the left-right direction, the first direction may also be the up-down direction, and the second direction may also be the depth direction.

[0079] The insertion and removal direction of the image processing device may not be perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, as long as it is not parallel to the first direction or the second direction.

[0080] According to at least one embodiment described above, when the user pulls out the paper feed cassette 3 , the force acting on the paper feed cassette 3 in the insertion direction is reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0081] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways and can be omitted, replaced, or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention and are also intended to be included within the scope of the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image processing device comprising: Device body; a paper feed cassette, which is provided in the apparatus body in a manner that allows insertion and removal in one direction, and has an insertion position for inserting into the apparatus body and a withdrawal position for withdrawing from the apparatus body; a pin member formed in a shaft shape and connected to the paper feed cassette in such a manner that its axial direction extends along a first direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and is relatively movable in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction and the first direction; a rod rotatable about a rotation axis along the first direction, having a pin engaging portion at a front end portion in the axial direction for engaging with the pin member, the pin engaging portion having a first abutting surface on the extraction direction side; an elastic member having an axial front end connected between the rotation axis of the rod and the pin engaging portion of the rod, applying a force to rotate the pin engaging portion of the rod in the insertion direction, causing the pin member to abut against the first abutting surface of the rod, thereby applying a force in the insertion direction to the pin member; as well as a guide mechanism that causes the distance between the pin member and the rotation axis of the lever when the paper feed cassette is transferred from the withdrawn position to the inserted position to be shorter than the distance when the paper feed cassette is transferred from the inserted position to the withdrawn position; The guide mechanism comprises: a base connected to the device body, formed in a plate shape, and having a plate surface perpendicular to the first direction; and A guide hole is formed in the base for the pin member to pass through, and the guide hole allows the pin member to move around along the edge during a series of actions in which the paper feed box is inserted into and removed from the device body. The image processing device comprises: a rib provided on the edge of the guide hole; and A guide pin is connected to the pin member and abuts against the rib to guide the pin member. The guide hole has a portion whose dimension in the second direction increases toward the insertion direction.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The guide pin is connected to be rotatable around the axis of the pin member. When the paper feed cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body, the guide pin guides the pin member along the rib. When the paper feed cassette is pulled out of the apparatus main body, the guide pin follows the pin member.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image processing device comprises: a groove formed in the rib; and A roller is connected to the guide pin and inserted into the groove.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The paper supply box is loaded with paper in the vertical direction. The second direction is along the up-down direction.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The second direction is along the horizontal direction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The image processing device comprises: an auxiliary rod rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, the front end portion in the axial direction being connected to the base end of the elastic member; and The auxiliary elastic member has an axial front end connected to the base end of the auxiliary rod and applies a force to rotate the base end of the auxiliary rod in the withdrawal direction.

Images