Paper feeder and image forming device equipped with the same

Abstract

To provide an image forming device capable of detecting the attachment of a paper feed cassette by using a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a paper.SOLUTION: A paper feed device includes: a paper feed cassette 14 that is conveyed into a device body, that a paper 23 which an image is formed is stored, and that can be stored in the device body; a detection device 20 that is provided in the device body and includes a light-emitting part 21 and a light-receiving part 22 that receives light from the light-emitting part 21 and detects the presence or absence of the paper; a PE actuator 24 that is located above the paper feed cassette 14 stored in the image forming device body and can abut against the paper 23 stored in the paper feed cassette 14; a paper feed cassette detection lever 27 that is provided in the device body and can abut against the paper feed cassette 14; a first blocking part that is connected to the PE actuator 24 and blocks the light from the light-emitting part 21 so that the light-receiving unit 22 cannot detect it; and a second blocking part that is connected to the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 and blocks the light from the light-emitting part 21 so that the light-receiving part 22 cannot detect it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, in the process of suppressing production costs and miniaturizing, there is a model in which detection means for completion of insertion of a paper feed cassette into the main body of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "loading of the paper feed cassette") is abolished. In that case, if detection is continued using a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper, it is determined that there is a paper feed cassette, and the specification is such that paper feeding is possible.

[0003] An image forming apparatus that detects the loading of a paper feed cassette using such a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-030912.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An image forming apparatus that detects the loading of a paper feed cassette using a conventional sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper was configured as described above. In such an apparatus, when inserting a paper feed cassette full of paper, the sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper operates halfway, and after a specified time, paper feeding becomes possible, and if there is a job, the paper feeding operation is performed as it is. At this time, there is a problem that if the paper feeding operation is performed as it is in a state where the paper feed cassette is being inserted (a state where it has not reached the loading completion position of the paper feed cassette), paper feeding may not be possible and a JAM may occur.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device that can detect the attachment of a paper feeding cassette using only a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper without providing a detection means for detecting the attachment of the paper feeding cassette.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The paper feeding device according to the present disclosure includes a paper feeding cassette that accommodates paper to be conveyed into the apparatus main body and on which an image is formed, a detection device that is provided in the apparatus main body and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives the light from the light emitting unit, and that detects the presence or absence of paper, a paper detection lever that is located above the paper feeding cassette accommodated in the apparatus main body and that can contact the paper accommodated in the paper feeding cassette, a paper feeding cassette detection lever that is provided in the apparatus main body and that can contact the paper feeding cassette, a first blocking unit that is connected to the paper detection lever and blocks the light from the light emitting unit so that the light receiving unit cannot detect it, and a second blocking unit that is connected to the paper feeding cassette detection lever and blocks the light from the light emitting unit so that the light receiving unit cannot detect it.

[0008] Preferably, the first blocking unit is displaced in accordance with the displacement caused by the contact of the paper detection lever with the paper in the paper feeding cassette, and transitions from a blocking state in which the light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the light emitting unit to a transmission state in which the light receiving unit can receive the light from the light emitting unit.

[0009] More preferably, the first blocking unit is in a transmission state when at least one or more sheets of paper are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette, and is in a blocking state when no paper is accommodated.

[0010] The second blocking unit may be displaced in accordance with the displacement in a state where the paper feeding cassette detection lever contacts the paper feeding cassette, and may transition from a blocking state to a transmission state.

[0011] The second blocking unit may be in a transmission state when the paper feeding cassette is accommodated at a position where it is attached to the apparatus main body, and may be in a blocking state when it is at a position where it is not attached to the apparatus main body.

[0012] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the image forming apparatus includes the paper feeding device described in any of the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a detection device is operated in which a blocking portion that blocks the light of the light emitting portion from being detected by the light receiving portion is provided in a paper detection lever that can contact the paper stored in the paper cassette and a paper cassette detection lever that can contact the paper cassette, and the presence or absence of paper is detected by these blocking portions.

[0014] As a result, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device that can detect the attachment of a paper cassette using only a detection device that is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper, and an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device.

[0015] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a right side view of the image forming apparatus 10 as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 2-2 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present disclosure, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 16 provided at the central portion of the apparatus main body 12, a paper feed cassette 14 provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12 for accommodating paper to be supplied to the image forming unit 16, a paper conveyance unit 17 for conveying a sheet having an image formed by the image forming unit 16 on the paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14, and a paper discharge unit 18 provided at the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12 for discharging the paper on which the image has been formed and conveyed by the paper conveyance unit 17. In FIG. 1, a manual paper feed unit 13 is provided on the right side of the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12.

[0018] The paper feed cassette 14 is inserted from the left side at the lower portion of the image forming apparatus 10 and mounted at a predetermined position in FIG. 2.

[0019] Further, when the paper feed cassette 14 shown in FIG. 2 is accommodated in a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 10, a PE actuator (paper detection lever) 24, which will be described later, is disposed in the image forming apparatus 10 near the center of the paper feed cassette 14, and a wall portion 27b, which is a part of a paper feed cassette detection lever provided in a paper feed cassette housing portion 19 (see FIGS. 8 and the like), is shown on the right side.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in which the paper feed cassette 14 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10, and is a view showing an enlarged lower portion of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the paper feed cassette 14 and a PE actuator 24 provided above the right of the paper feed cassette 14 for detecting a sheet of paper (not shown) accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14 are shown. Also shown here is a pickup roller 15 for picking up a sheet of paper (not shown) at the upper right end of the rotating plate of the paper feed cassette 14.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a view of the state in which the paper feed cassette 14 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the right side. In FIG. 3, the portion indicated by the arrow 4-4 (however, only the paper feed cassette 14 is shown, and the pickup roller 15 and the like are omitted). Here also, the paper feed cassette 14 and the PE actuator 24 provided above the paper feed cassette 14 are shown.

[0022] Here, on the left side of the paper feed cassette 14, the apparatus main body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 extends in the vertical direction from top to bottom, and the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted into this lower portion from the left side.

[0023] Next, a state in which a PE sensor (detection device) 20 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet of paper detects the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14 according to the insertion state of the paper feed cassette 14 will be described. FIG. 5 is a view showing the PE sensor 20 disposed above the paper feed cassette housing portion 19 into which the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted and its peripheral main parts. In FIG. 5, the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted from the left side and is housed in the paper feed cassette housing portion 19.

[0024] Above the paper feed cassette housing portion 19, a PE actuator 24, a paper feed cassette detection lever 27, and a PE sensor 20 are provided. Referring to FIG. 5, the PE sensor 20 includes a light emitting portion 21 and a light receiving portion 22 disposed so as to receive the light of the light emitting portion 21. A paper feed cassette detection lever 27 is provided on the back side (right side) of the PE sensor 20 of the paper feed cassette housing portion 19. The paper feed cassette detection lever 27 is movable in the insertion direction of the paper feed cassette 14 as indicated by the arrow in the figure.

[0025] The paper feed cassette detection lever 27 detects the accommodation of the paper feed cassette 14, and has a horizontal portion 27a and a wall portion 27b extending downward from the right end portion of the horizontal portion 27a. Here, the left end portion of the horizontal portion 27a faces the light emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20 before the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted.

[0026] On the other hand, on the side (the left side in FIG. 5) where the paper feed cassette 14 of the PE sensor 20 is inserted, a PE actuator 24 having a substantially isosceles triangular shape with a vertex 24b that can rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure around the axis 24a is provided with the vertex facing downward.

[0027] The isosceles triangular PE actuator 24 is configured such that the axis 24a is provided at an end of one side of the isosceles triangle, and the vertex 24b contacts the paper 23 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14 (see FIG. 6) to detect the paper 23. When the paper feed cassette 14 is not accommodated, the base opposite to the vertex 24b is positioned substantially horizontally at the upper part, and the release side end portion 24c, which is the end portion opposite to the axis 24a, is configured to be positioned at a position facing the light emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20.

[0028] Here, taking the PE sensor 20 as an example of a transmissive type, that is, the light receiving portion 22 is arranged at a position facing the light emitting portion 21, when a part of the PE actuator 24 or the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 faces the light emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20, the light of the light emitting portion 21 is blocked by the PE actuator 24 or a part of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27. Therefore, at this time, the light receiving portion 22 does not receive light.

[0029] Also, taking the PE sensor 20 as an example of a reflective type, that is, the light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are arranged facing substantially the same direction, when a part of the PE actuator 24 or the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 faces the light emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20, the light of the light emitting portion 21 is reflected by the PE actuator 24 or a part of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27. Therefore, at this time, the light receiving portion 22 receives light.

[0030] Thus, although the light reception results of the light receiving unit 22 are reversed depending on whether the PE sensor 20 is of the transmission type or the reflection type, either type can be used. In the following disclosure, the PE sensor 20 will be described by taking the light shielding type as an example.

[0031] Next, the timing when the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14 is started will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the states of the PE actuator 24, the paper feed cassette detection lever 27, and the PE sensor 20 when the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14 is started.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, when the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14 into the paper feed cassette housing portion 19 is started, the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted with the paper 23 fully loaded as shown in the figure. At this time, the PE actuator 24 contacts the paper 23 in the order of the side on the shaft 24a side and the vertex 24b. Until the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14 into the paper feed cassette housing portion 19 is started, the release side end portion 24c of the PE actuator 24 is located at the light emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20, and the light of the light emitting portion 21 is blocked so as not to reach the light receiving portion 22. That is, the release side end portion 24c of the PE actuator 24 operates as a first blocking portion that blocks the light receiving portion 22 from receiving the light of the light emitting portion 21.

[0033] [First Embodiment] Further, when at least one sheet or more of paper is accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14, the release side end portion 24c of the PE actuator 24 becomes a transmissive state as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, and becomes a blocking state when no paper is accommodated.

[0034] Note that when the paper feed cassette 14 has not been completely inserted into the paper feed cassette housing portion 19, the left end of the horizontal portion 27a of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 faces the light emitting portion 21, and the light of the light emitting portion 21 does not reach the light receiving portion 22. Therefore, the left end of the horizontal portion 27a of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 operates as a second blocking portion that blocks the light receiving portion 22 from receiving the light of the light emitting portion 21.

[0035] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the states of the PE actuator 24, the paper feed cassette detection lever 27, and the PE sensor 20 during the insertion of the paper feed cassette 14. At this time, the apex 24b of the PE actuator 24 is in contact with the sheet 23, and the release-side end 24c of the PE actuator 24 has moved upward from the light-emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor 20. Therefore, the light of the light-emitting portion 21 is transmitted without facing the light-emitting portion 21.

[0036] That is, the release-side end 24c of the PE actuator 24 transitions from the blocked state to the transmissive state so that the light-receiving portion 22 can detect the light of the light-emitting portion 21.

[0037] However, since the paper feed cassette 14 is being inserted into the paper feed cassette housing portion 19 and the left end of the horizontal portion 27a of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 remains facing the light-emitting portion 21, the light of the light-emitting portion 21 does not reach the light-receiving portion 22.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the states of the PE actuator 24, the paper feed cassette detection lever 27, and the PE sensor 20 when the mounting of the paper feed cassette 14 in the paper feed cassette housing portion 19 is completed. At this time, the apex 24b of the PE actuator 24 is in contact with the sheet, and the release-side end 24c has moved upward from the light-emitting portion 21 of the PE sensor. Therefore, the light of the light-emitting portion 21 is transmitted without facing the light-emitting portion 21.

[0039] On the other hand, the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted to the back of the paper feed cassette housing portion 19, and the wall portion 27b of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure (right direction in the drawing), and the end of the horizontal portion 27a of the paper feed cassette detection lever 27 on the side where the paper feed cassette 14 is inserted moves away from the position facing the light-emitting portion 21. As a result, the blocking of the light-emitting portion 21 is released, and the light-receiving portion 22 can detect the light emission. That is, when the light-receiving portion 22 can receive the light of the light-emitting portion 21, the PE sensor 20 detects the mounting of the paper feed cassette 14 in the paper feed cassette housing portion 19. After this detection, paper feeding from the paper feed cassette 14 becomes possible.

[0040] That is, the second blocking portion allows the light of the light emitting portion 21 to pass through when the paper feed cassette 14 is housed in the position where it is attached to the apparatus main body, and blocks the light of the light emitting portion 21 when it is not attached to the apparatus main body.

[0041] Therefore, the second blocking portion is displaced according to the displacement caused by the paper feed cassette detection lever coming into contact with the paper feed cassette, and transitions from the blocking state to the transmission state.

[0042] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect the attachment of a paper feed cassette by using a PE sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper.

[0043] The present disclosure can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its spirit or main features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims of the present disclosure are all within the scope of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0044] According to the present disclosure, since it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect the attachment of a paper feed cassette by using a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper, it is useful as an image forming apparatus.

Explanation of Signs

[0045] 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Apparatus main body 13 Manual paper feed unit 14 Paper feed cassette 15 Pickup roller 16 Image forming unit 17 Paper conveyance unit 18 Paper discharge unit 19 Paper feed cassette housing portion 20 PE sensor (detection device) 21 Light emitting portion 22 Light receiving portion 24 PE actuator (paper detection lever) 24a shaft 24b vertex 24c release-side end 27 paper feed cassette detection lever 27a horizontal part 27b wall part

Claims

1. A paper feed cassette that accommodates a sheet of paper on which an image is formed and is transportable into the apparatus main body, and a detection device provided in the apparatus main body, including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit, for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet of paper; a paper detection lever that is positioned above the paper feed cassette accommodated in the apparatus main body and is capable of contacting the sheet of paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette; a paper feed cassette detection lever provided in the apparatus main body and capable of contacting the paper feed cassette; a first blocking unit connected to the paper detection lever for blocking the light from the light emitting unit so that the light receiving unit cannot detect it; a second blocking unit connected to the paper feed cassette detection lever for blocking the light from the light emitting unit so that the light receiving unit cannot detect it, the paper feed apparatus including the same.

2. The paper feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first blocking unit is displaced in accordance with displacement caused by contact of the paper detection lever with the sheet of paper in the paper feed cassette, and transitions from a blocking state in which the light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the light emitting unit to a transmission state in which the light receiving unit can receive the light from the light emitting unit.

3. The paper feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blocking unit is in the transmission state when at least one sheet of paper is accommodated in the paper feed cassette, and is in the blocking state when no sheet of paper is accommodated.

4. The paper feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second blocking unit is displaced in accordance with displacement in a state where the paper feed cassette detection lever is in contact with the paper feed cassette, and transitions from the blocking state to the transmission state.

5. The paper feed apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second blocking unit is in the transmission state when the paper feed cassette is accommodated at a position where it is mounted on the apparatus main body, and is in the blocking state when it is not mounted on the apparatus main body.

6. An image forming apparatus including the paper feed apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images