Paper sheet feeding device, and image forming device

Abstract

To insert and position a paper sheet feeding cassette and a multi-tray integrally into the inside of a device body with a simple structure.SOLUTION: In a paper sheet feeding device 10, in a state that a multi-tray 12 is overlapped on an upper side of a paper sheet feeding cassette 11, a rib 23 at a tip end part of the multi-tray 12 fits into an engagement recess 21 of an upper edge of a side wall 11A of the paper sheet feeding cassette 11, the rib 23 protrudes outward beyond the side wall 11A of the paper sheet feeding cassette 11, when the multi-tray 12 and the paper sheet feeding cassette 11 are inserted into a device body 2, a boss 22 on the side wall 11A of the paper sheet feeding cassette 11 is pressed against a positioning abutment part 32 on an inner wall 31 of the device body 2 via the rib 23 protruding outward, the multi-tray 12 and the paper sheet feeding cassette 11 are positioned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeder having a multi-tray and a paper feed cassette and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same, and more particularly to a technique for integrally inserting and positioning the multi-tray and the paper feed cassette inside the main body of the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses are equipped with a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray that supply recording paper on which an image is formed, and the paper feed cassette and the multi-tray are arranged one above the other.

[0003] In addition, the image forming device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a multi-size cassette in which two different sizes of sheet material are stacked side by side, and respective pickup rollers that pull out and supply sheet material of one of the sizes from the multi-size cassette, making it possible to supply sheet material of two different sizes from a single multi-size cassette. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-58993 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the multi-size cassette of Patent Document 1 is designed to hold two different sizes of sheet material side-by-side, so it is more than twice as large as a cassette that holds one size of sheet material, making it difficult to handle and resulting in an increase in the size of the device.

[0006] On the other hand, in the configuration in which the sheet feed cassette and the multi-tray are arranged one above the other as described above, it is not necessary to make the sheet feed cassette and the multi-tray large, and this is suitable for making the device more compact.

[0007] However, the paper feed cassette and multi-tray need to be inserted into the device body, stacked one on top of the other, and positioned. If separate positioning parts were provided for the paper feed cassette and multi-tray, the number of parts would increase, the configuration would become more complex, and misalignment between the paper feed cassette and multi-tray would be more likely to occur.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE ... The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray to be inserted and positioned integrally inside the device body with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A paper feed device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a paper feed cassette provided in a device main body so as to be freely insertable and removable inside the device main body through an opening of the device main body, a multi-tray provided on top of the paper feed cassette so as to be freely attachable and detachable, an engagement recess formed in an upper edge of a side wall of the paper feed cassette, a boss provided adjacent to the side from which the paper feed cassette is removed with respect to the engagement recess and protruding laterally from the side wall of the paper feed cassette, a rib protruding downward from a tip end of the multi-tray, and a positioning abutment protruding from an inner wall of the device main body, When the multi-tray is stacked on top of the set, the rib at the tip of the multi-tray fits into an engaging recess on the upper edge of the side wall of the paper feed cassette, with the rib protruding outward beyond the side wall of the paper feed cassette, and when the multi-tray and paper feed cassette in this state are inserted into the device main body, the boss on the side wall of the paper feed cassette is pressed against the positioning abutment on the inner wall of the device main body via the rib that protrudes outward beyond the side wall of the paper feed cassette, and the multi-tray and paper feed cassette are positioned with respect to the positioning abutment.

[0010] Moreover, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the paper feeding device of the present invention described above, and an image forming unit that forms an image on paper pulled out and supplied from the paper feeding cassette or the multi-tray of the paper feeding device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the paper feed cassette and the multi-tray can be integrally inserted and positioned inside the main body of the apparatus with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus to which a paper feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, in which (A) shows a state in which the side wall of the apparatus body is closed, and (B) shows a state in which the side wall of the apparatus body is in the process of being opened. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the paper feed device of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray in the paper feed device of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray as viewed from their tip ends. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are an enlarged perspective view and a side view showing the vicinity of the leading end of a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view showing an inner wall of the apparatus main body when the paper feed cassette and the multi-tray are not installed. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a perspective view showing the positioning contact portions and levers on the inner walls of the device body, the bosses on the side walls of the paper feed cassette, and the ribs on the guide plates of the multi-tray with the paper feed cassette and the multi-tray installed; FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a side view showing the positioning abutments and levers on the inner wall of the device body, the bosses on the side walls of the paper feed cassette, and the ribs on the guide plate of the multi-tray with the paper feed cassette and multi-tray installed. FIG. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are side and plan views showing enlarged positioning abutments and levers on the inner walls of the device body, bosses on the side walls of the paper feed cassette, and ribs on the guide plates of the multi-tray when the paper feed cassette and multi-tray are installed. [Figure 10]1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams showing the operation of the positioning abutment and lever of the device body, the boss of the paper feed cassette, and the rib of the multi-tray when the paper feed cassette and multi-tray are inserted or removed from inside the device body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1(A) and (B) are perspective views showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus to which a paper feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, with Figure 1(A) showing a state in which the side wall of the apparatus body is closed, and Figure 1(B) showing a state in which the side wall of the apparatus body is in the process of being opened. Figure 2 is a side view showing the paper feeder of this embodiment. Also, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette and a multi-tray in the paper feeder.

[0014] 1(A), (B) and 2, image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a printer, and includes an output tray 3 and the like provided outside device body 2, and a paper feeder 10 according to this embodiment, an image forming section (not shown), and a fixing section (not shown) and the like provided inside device body 2. Paper feeder 10 of this embodiment is configured to include a paper feed cassette 11, a multi-tray 12, and a paper feed section 13 and the like.

[0015] The multi-tray 12 is detachably provided on top of the paper feed cassette 11 and is held integrally by the paper feed cassette 11. A plurality of recording papers of standard sizes are stacked and stored in the paper feed cassette 11, and at least one sheet of recording paper of a standard size or a non-standard size is placed on the multi-tray 12. The paper feed section 13 is equipped with a paper feed roller 14, which pulls out recording paper from the paper feed cassette 11 or the multi-tray 12 and transports and supplies it.

[0016] The image forming unit forms an image represented by image data on recording paper that is pulled out and supplied from the paper feed cassette 11 or the multi-tray 12 by the paper feed unit 13 of the paper feed device 10, by an electrophotographic method using toner. The recording paper on which the image has been formed is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit, and then discharged to the discharge tray 3.

[0017] Further, a side wall 2A of the apparatus body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 is supported by a shaft 2B in the vicinity of one side of its lower end so as to be freely opened and closed.

[0018] When the side wall 2A is opened, an opening 2D (different from the above-mentioned opening that serves as the insertion port for the paper feed cassette 11) that leads to the inside of the device body 2 is opened. The side wall 2A is opened in an inclined state so as to be lower on the device body 2 side. The recording paper is placed on the upper side of the opened and inclined side wall 2A and is guided from the side wall 2A to the multi-tray 12.

[0019] 2 and 3, the multi-tray 12 is provided with a generally flat guide plate 15 on which the recording paper is placed. The recording paper is placed on the upper surface of the opened side wall 2A and is guided from the upper surface of the side wall 2A to the paper feed section 13 through a conveying path 17 on the guide plate 15 of the multi-tray 12.

[0020] The paper feed cassette 11 is provided in an opening on the lower side of the device main body 2 so as to be freely insertable and removable, and is inserted from this opening in the direction of the arrow A to be installed inside the device main body 2, and is removed from the device main body 2 in the opposite direction to the arrow A.

[0021] The multi-tray 12 is held integrally above the paper feed cassette 11 and is provided at an opening below the paper feed cassette 11 so as to be freely insertable and removable together with the paper feed cassette 11. The multi-tray 12 is inserted in the direction of the arrow A to be mounted inside the device main body 2 and is removed in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A to be removed from the device main body 2.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the sheet feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 as viewed from their leading ends. Fig. 5(A) and Fig. 5(B) are an enlarged perspective view and a side view showing the leading ends of the sheet feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 and their periphery.

[0023] 4, 5(A) and 5(B), an engagement recess 21 is formed on the upper edge of each side wall 11A of the sheet feed cassette 11. Also, each side wall 11A is provided with a boss 22 protruding outward (laterally) from the side wall 11A. Each boss 22 is adjacent to the corresponding engagement recess 21 on the side from which the sheet feed cassette 11 is removed (the side opposite to the direction of arrow A).

[0024] Ribs 23 protruding downward (toward the paper feed cassette 11 when placed on the paper feed cassette 11) are provided on both side ends of the leading end of the guide plate 15 of the multi-tray 12. The multi-tray 12 is placed above the paper feed cassette 11, and the ribs 23 on both sides of the leading end of the guide plate 15 are inserted into the engagement recesses 21 in the side walls 11A of the paper feed cassette 11. This allows the multi-tray 12 to be held integrally with the paper feed cassette 11 above the paper feed cassette 11, preventing the multi-tray 12 from shifting relative to the paper feed cassette 11 in the direction of the arrow A or the opposite direction.

[0025] Further, a part of each of the ribs 23 on both sides of the tip of the guide plate 15 (hereinafter, referred to as a protruding part) protrudes outward (to the side) beyond each of the side walls 11A of the sheet feed cassette 11.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the inner wall of the device body 2 when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are not installed. Note that Fig. 6 shows the inner wall of the device body 2 facing the side wall 11A on the front side of the paper feed cassette 11 in Figs. 1 to 5 when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are installed, and the direction of arrow A for inserting the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 is opposite to that in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0027] 6, an inner wall 31 of the device body 2 is provided with a positioning abutment portion 32 that protrudes inward from the inner wall 31. The positioning abutment portion 32 is bent into an L-shape when viewed from the side, and has an abutment surface 32A that faces the direction of the arrow A.

[0028] Further, the inner wall 31 supports a stopper 35 rotatably about a shaft 34 protruding from the inner wall 31. That is, one end of the stopper 35 is supported so as to be swingable about the shaft 34 provided on the inner wall of the device body 2. A part of the stopper 35 is a lever 33. Furthermore, the inner wall 31 is provided with a base 36 protruding inward from the inner wall 31, and a coil spring 37 is supported standing on the base 36, with the upper end of the coil spring 37 contacting the lower side of one end of the lever 33. The coil spring 37 is an example of a biasing member in the claims. The coil spring 37 biases the lower part of the other end of the stopper 35, which is different from the one end, upward to rotate the stopper 35 about the shaft 34.

[0029] 7 and 8 are perspective and side views showing the positioning contact portion 32 and lever 33 of the inner wall 31 of the device body 2, the boss 22 of the side wall 11A of the paper feed cassette 11, and the rib 23 of the guide plate 15 of the multi-tray 12 in the state where the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are attached. Also, Figs. 9(A) and (B) are side and plan views showing, in an enlarged manner, the positioning contact portion 32 and lever 33 of the device body 2, the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11, and the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 in the same state. Note that the inner wall 31 of the device body 2 is not shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9(A), but is shown only in Fig. 9(B).

[0030] 8, 9(A) and 9(B), the mountain-shaped stopper 35 has a top 35A, a first inclined surface 35B that decreases from the top 35A in the direction opposite to the arrow direction A, and a second inclined surface 35C that decreases from the top 35A in the arrow direction A. That is, the stopper 35 has, at the other end, the top 35A, the first inclined surface 35B that decreases from the top 35A toward the opening side of the device body 2, and the second inclined surface 35C that decreases from the top 35A toward the back side of the device body 2 in the insertion direction of the paper feed cassette 11.

[0031] As is clear from Figure 9 (B), the positioning abutment portion 32 protruding inward from the inner wall 31 of the device main body 2 abuts against the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 that protrudes outward beyond each side wall 11A of the paper feed cassette 11 when the paper feed cassette 11 is inserted in the direction of arrow A.

[0032] When the paper feed cassette 11 is inserted in the direction of the arrow A, the lever 33 on the inner wall 31 of the device body 2 passes by without coming into contact with the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12, and comes into contact with the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11.

[0033] In other words, when the rib 23 is sandwiched between the positioning abutment portion 32 and the boss 22, the top portion 35A of the stopper 35 is positioned on the side of the opening (the opening through which the paper feed cassette 11 is inserted) of the device main body 2 in the insertion direction of the paper feed cassette 11, and is urged upward by the coil spring 37 to rotate and oscillate around the axis 34, with the second inclined surface 35C abutting against the boss 22, urging the boss 22 toward the rear of the device main body 2 in the insertion direction.

[0034] As shown in Figures 7, 8, 9(A) and (B), when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are installed inside the device main body 2, the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 and the boss 22 of the side wall 11A of the paper feed cassette 11 are sandwiched and positioned between the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 of the device main body 2 and the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35 of the lever 33.

[0035] In addition, one end of lever 33 is urged upward by coil spring 37 on base 36 of device main body 2, and second inclined surface 35C of stopper 35 of lever 33 urges boss 22 of paper feed cassette 11 in the direction of arrow A, so that boss 22 of paper feed cassette 11 is pressed against abutment surface 32A of positioning abutment portion 32 of device main body 2 via the protruding portion of rib 23 of multi-tray 12, and the protruding portion of rib 23 of multi-tray 12 and boss 22 of paper feed cassette 11 are held between abutment surface 32A of positioning abutment portion 32 and second inclined surface 35C of stopper 35.

[0036] This positions the protruding portions of the ribs 23 of the multi-tray 12 and the bosses 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 relative to the positioning abutments 32 of the device body 2, and the multi-tray 12 and the paper feed cassette 11 are positioned and installed inside the device body 2.

[0037] Figures 10(A), (B), and (C) are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the positioning abutment portion 32 and lever 33 of the device main body 2, the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11, and the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are inserted or removed from inside the device main body 2.

[0038] As shown in Figure 10 (A), the multi-tray 12 is stacked on top of the paper feed cassette 11, and each rib 23 at the tip of the guide plate 15 of the multi-tray 12 is inserted into the engagement recesses 21 in each side wall 11A of the paper feed cassette 11, and then the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are inserted into the inside of the device main body 2 in the direction of the arrow A.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10 (B), when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are moved in the direction of arrow A, the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 passes by the lever 33 without coming into contact with it, and the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 abuts against the first inclined surface 35B of the stopper 35 of the lever 33, pushing the first inclined surface 35B of the stopper 35 down against the biasing force of the coil spring 37 of the device main body 2, and climbing over the top 35A of the stopper 35.

[0040] As shown in Figure 10 (C), the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 abuts against the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 of the device main body 2, and the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 is pressed against the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 of the device main body 2 via the protruding portion of the rib 23 and stops, and the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 and the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 are sandwiched and positioned between the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 and the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35. Then, the coil spring 37 of the device body 2 urges the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35 upward, and the second inclined surface 35C urges the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 in the direction of the arrow A, so that the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 and the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 are held between the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 and the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35. As a result, the multi-tray 12 and the paper feed cassette 11 are inserted together, positioned, and attached.

[0041] In addition, when the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are moved from inside the device main body 2 in the direction opposite to the arrow A to be removed from the inside of the device main body 2 after being positioned inside the device main body 2, the boss 22 of the paper feed cassette 11 presses down the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35 against the biasing force of the coil spring 37 and overcomes the top 35A of the stopper 35, so that the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 can be quickly removed together.

[0042] As described above, in the paper feeding device 10 of this embodiment, when the paper feeding cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 are inserted into the inside of the device main body 2 in the direction of the arrow A, the protruding portion of the rib 23 of the multi-tray 12 and the boss 22 of the paper feeding cassette 11 are sandwiched and positioned between the abutment surface 32A of the positioning abutment portion 32 of the device main body 2 and the second inclined surface 35C of the stopper 35, so that the multi-tray 12 and the paper feeding cassette 11 can be inserted, positioned, and installed as a unit.

[0043] In addition, since there is no need to provide separate positioning parts for the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12, the number of parts can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and misalignment between the paper feed cassette 11 and the multi-tray 12 is less likely to occur.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a printer is exemplified as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, but this is merely an example and the image forming apparatus may be a multifunction machine, a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like.

[0045] Moreover, the configuration of the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 is merely one example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to this configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 3 Output tray 10 Paper feeder 11 Paper feed cassette 12 Multi-tray 13 Paper feed section 14 Paper feed roller 15 Guide plate 17 Transport Path 21 Engagement recess 22 Boss 23 Ribs 31 Inner wall 32 Positioning abutment 33 Lever 34 Axis 35 Stopper 36 Pedestal 37 Coil spring

Claims

1. a paper feed cassette provided in a device body so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the device body through an opening of the device body; a multi-tray detachably provided on the upper side of the paper feed cassette; an engagement recess formed on an upper edge of a side wall of the paper feed cassette; a boss provided adjacent to the engagement recess on a side from which the sheet feed cassette is removed and protruding laterally from a side wall of the sheet feed cassette; A rib protruding downward from a tip end of the multi-tray; a positioning abutment portion protruding from an inner wall of the device body, When the multi-tray is stacked on top of the paper feed cassette, a rib at the tip of the multi-tray fits into an engaging recess on the upper edge of the side wall of the paper feed cassette, with the rib protruding outward beyond the side wall of the paper feed cassette, and when the multi-tray and paper feed cassette in this state are inserted into the device main body, a boss on the side wall of the paper feed cassette is pressed against the positioning abutment on the inner wall of the device main body via the rib that protrudes outward beyond the side wall of the paper feed cassette, and the multi-tray and paper feed cassette are positioned relative to the positioning abutment.

2. a stopper having an end portion provided on the device body so as to be rotatable in the up and down direction; and a biasing member that biases the end of the stopper upward.

2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein when the rib is sandwiched between the positioning abutment portion and the boss, the stopper is biased upward by the biasing member to abut against the boss, and biases the boss toward the rear of the device body in the direction of insertion of the paper feeding cassette.

3. The stopper has one end supported so as to be freely swingable about a shaft provided on an inner wall of the device body, 3. The paper feed device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing member biases a lower portion of the other end portion of the stopper, which is different from the one end portion, in an upward direction to rotate the stopper about the shaft.

4. the stopper has, at the other end, a top portion, a first inclined surface that is inclined downward from the top portion toward the opening side of the device body, and a second inclined surface that is inclined downward from the top portion toward the back side of the device body in the insertion direction, 4. The paper feeding device of claim 3, wherein when the rib is sandwiched between the positioning abutment portion and the boss, the top of the stopper is positioned on the opening side of the device main body in the insertion direction, and is urged upward by the urging member to rotate and swing around the axis, and the second inclined surface abuts against the boss, urging the boss toward the rear of the device main body in the insertion direction.

5. The paper feed device according to claim 1 , further comprising a paper feed section that draws out and transports paper from the paper feed cassette or the multi-tray.

6. A paper feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper that is pulled out and fed from the paper feed cassette or the multi-tray of the paper feed device.

Images