Sheet feeding apparatus

Abstract

To provide a feeding tray capable of switching between a state of giving a click feeling to a regulating member at a position of a sheet size and a state of not giving the click feeling.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit configured to stack a sheet to be fed, a regulating unit configured to regulate both ends of the sheet, at least one of the regulating units being movable, a holding unit configured to hold a position of the regulating unit, and a switching unit configured to switch a regulation mode of the regulating unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a regulating member that regulates the sheet width of a sheet feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, image reading devices installed in copiers, facsimile machines, printers, scanners, etc., include a sheet feeding mechanism that feeds sheets from a feed tray where the sheets are stacked to an image reading unit, and a sheet discharge mechanism that discharges the sheets from the image reading unit. After the images are read, the sheets are discharged from the image reading device by the sheet discharge mechanism and aligned on a discharge tray for stacking the discharged sheets. For example, it is possible to feed and discharge a stack of standard-sized sheets such as A5 or A4.

[0003] The feed tray is provided with left and right regulating members for regulating the width direction of the stacked sheets. The left and right regulating members are provided so as to be movable in the regulating direction in conjunction with each other via a rack and pinion gear.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the position of the regulating member can be adjusted according to the sheet size by moving the regulating member and providing a clicking sensation at the position of A5, A4 size, etc. However, taking into consideration the variation in sheet sizes and the variation in the dimensions of the components of the feed tray, the position where the clicking sensation is provided is set larger than the width of each sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-101561 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the sheet size is small, a gap occurs between the regulating member and the sheet. Even if an attempt is made to finely adjust the regulating member to eliminate the gap between the regulating member and the sheet, the regulating member returns to the position where the click feeling is given, and it may not be possible to align the regulating member without any gap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In view of the above, a sheet feeding device according to the present invention comprises: a stacking means for stacking sheets to be fed; a restricting means for restricting both ends of the sheet, at least one of which is movable; a holding means for holding the position of the restricting means; and a switching means for switching the restriction mode of the restriction means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a sheet feeding device can be provided in which the regulating member can be switched between a state in which a click feeling is given at the position of the sheet size to allow the position to be adjusted, and a state in which the position can be adjusted without giving a click feeling, thereby making it easy to fine-tune the regulating position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the image reading device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a top view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a feeding tray of the image reading apparatus A according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a feeding tray of an image reading apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a feeding tray of an image reading apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a feeding tray of an image reading apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view of a feeding tray of the image reading apparatus A according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main part of a feeding tray of an image reading apparatus A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image reading device A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] <Device configuration> The image reading device A is a device that transports one or more conveying media S loaded on a feed tray 110, which functions as a loading means, one by one through a route RT into the device, reads the image on the medium, and discharges the medium onto a discharge tray 2. The conveying media S to be read are, for example, sheets such as office paper, checks, banknotes, business cards, and cards, and may be thick or thin sheets. Examples of cards include insurance cards, driver's licenses, and credit cards. The conveying media S also include booklets such as passports.

[0012] <Feeding> A first conveying unit 10 is provided as a feeding mechanism that feeds the conveying medium S along the path RT. In this embodiment, the first conveying unit 10 includes a feed roller 11 and a separation roller 12 that is arranged opposite the feed roller 11, and sequentially conveys the conveying media S on the feed tray 110 one by one in the conveying direction D1.

[0013] <Drive unit> In this embodiment, for example, the transmission unit 5 connecting the drive unit 3 and the feed roller 11 normally transmits the driving force, and cuts off the driving force when the transported medium S is reversed or stopped. When the transmission of the driving force is cut off by the transmission unit 5, the feed roller 11 becomes freely rotatable. Note that such a transmission unit 5 does not need to be provided when the feed roller 11 is driven in only one direction.

[0014] <Separated structure> The separation roller 12, which is disposed opposite the feed roller 11, is a roller for separating the conveyed media S one by one, and is pressed against the feed roller 11 with a constant pressure. To ensure this pressed state, the separation roller 12 is configured to be swingable and to be biased toward the feed roller 11. A driving force is transmitted to the separation roller 12 from the drive unit 3 via a torque limiter 12a, and the separation roller 12 is driven to rotate in the direction of the solid arrow (the opposite direction to the forward direction of the feed roller 11).

[0015] Because the transmission of driving force to the separation roller 12 is restricted by the torque limiter 12a, when the separation roller 12 is in contact with the feed roller 11, it rotates in the direction (indicated by the dashed arrow) that rotates together with the feed roller 11. As a result, when multiple conveying media S are conveyed to the pressure contact portion between the feed roller 11 and the separation roller 12, two or more conveying media S except for one are blocked so that they cannot be conveyed downstream.

[0016] In this embodiment, the separation mechanism is constituted by the separation roller 12 and the feed roller 11, but such a separation mechanism is not necessarily provided, and any feeding mechanism that sequentially feeds the conveying medium S one by one to the path RT will suffice. Furthermore, when a separation mechanism is provided, instead of a configuration such as the separation roller 12, a separation pad that applies friction to the conveying medium S may be pressed against the feed roller 11 to provide a similar separation effect.

[0017] <Conveyor structure> The second conveying section 20, which serves as a conveying mechanism located downstream of the first conveying section 10 in the conveying direction, is equipped with a drive roller 21 and a driven roller 22 that is driven by the drive roller 21, and conveys the conveying medium S conveyed from the first conveying section 10 to the downstream side.

[0018] The third conveying section 30, which is located downstream of the second conveying section 20 in the conveying direction, includes a drive roller 31 and a driven roller 32 that is driven by the drive roller 31, and conveys the conveyed medium S conveyed from the second conveying section 20 to the discharge tray 2. In other words, the third conveying section 30 functions as a discharge mechanism.

[0019] The discharge tray 2 is pivotally supported via a first hinge 101 provided below the image reading device A so as to be rotatable relative to the image reading device A. The discharge tray 2 is made up of a first discharge tray 2a on the first hinge 101 side and a first extension tray 2b, a second extension tray 2c, and a third extension tray 2d connected to its tip end. The first extension tray 2b is supported slidably relative to the first discharge tray 2a, the second extension tray 2c is supported slidably relative to the first extension tray 2b, and the third extension tray 2d is supported slidably relative to the second extension tray 2c.

[0020] <Double feed detection> The multi-feed detection sensor 40, which is disposed between the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20, is an example of a detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior and state of sheets) for detecting when conveying media S, such as paper, have come into close contact with each other due to static electricity or the like and passed through the first conveying section 10 (i.e., when conveying overlapping conveying media S). Various types of multi-feed detection sensor 40 can be used, but in this embodiment, it is an ultrasonic sensor, which includes an ultrasonic wave transmitter 41 and a receiver 42, and detects multi-feeding based on the principle that the attenuation of ultrasonic waves passing through conveying media S, such as paper, differs between when conveying media S, such as paper, are being fed in a multi-feed and when conveying them one by one.

[0021] <Regist sensor> The medium detection sensor 50 disposed downstream of the double-feed detection sensor 40 in the conveyance direction is an example of a detection sensor (a sensor that detects the behavior and state of a sheet) on the upstream side of the conveyance path RT disposed downstream of the first conveyance unit 10 and upstream of the second conveyance unit 20. It detects whether or not the end of the conveyance medium S conveyed by the first conveyance unit 10 has reached or passed through the detection position of the medium detection sensor 50, specifically, the position of the conveyance medium S.

[0022] Although various types of medium detection sensors 50 can be used, in this embodiment, an optical sensor is used. It includes a light-emitting unit 51 and a light-receiving unit 52, and detects the conveyance medium S based on the principle that the light-receiving intensity (light-receiving amount) changes when the conveyance medium S reaches or passes through.

[0023] Note that the medium detection sensor 50 is not limited to the above optical sensor. For example, a sensor (such as an image sensor) that can detect the end of the conveyance medium S may be used, or a lever-type sensor protruding into the path RT may also be used.

[0024] Another medium detection sensor 60 is disposed upstream of the image reading unit 70. It is an example of a downstream detection sensor disposed downstream of the second conveyance unit 20, and detects the position of the conveyance medium S conveyed by the second conveyance unit 20.

[0025] Although various types of medium detection sensors 60 can be used, in this embodiment, like the medium detection sensor 50, it is an optical sensor. It includes a light-emitting unit 61 and a light-receiving unit 62, and detects the conveyance medium S based on the principle that the light-receiving intensity (light-receiving amount) changes when the conveyance medium S reaches or passes through.

[0026] In this embodiment, the medium detection sensors 50 and 60 are disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveyance direction of the second conveyance unit 20, respectively, but only one of them may be used.

[0027] <Arrangement of CIS> The image reading unit 70, located downstream of the media detection sensor 60, for example, optically scans, converts it into an electrical signal, and reads it as image data, and is equipped with a light source such as an LED, an image sensor, a lens array, etc. In this embodiment, one image reading unit 70 is arranged on each side of the path RT, and reads the front and back sides of the transported medium S. However, it is also possible to arrange one image reading unit on only one side of the path RT, and read only one side of the transported medium S. Also, in this embodiment, the image reading units 70 are arranged facing each other on both sides of the path RT, but they may also be arranged, for example, with a gap in between in the direction of the path RT.

[0028] <Upper unit details> 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading device A according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 2(a) shows a state in which the upper unit 103 is closed, and Fig. 2(b) shows a state in which the upper unit 103 is unfolded.

[0029] The main body 100 is composed of an upper unit 103 and a lower unit 104, and the upper unit 103 is attached to the lower unit 104 so as to be rotatable about a main body hinge 105. In this embodiment, the main body hinge 105 is provided coaxially with the first hinge 101, and they share a common shaft member.

[0030] In the image reading device A according to this embodiment, the protrusion 130 prevents the image reading device A from tipping over even if the center of gravity shifts as the upper unit 103 unfolds.

[0031] <Block diagram explanation> The control unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the image reading device A.

[0032] The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a storage unit 82, an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, and an interface unit 85. The CPU 81 controls the entire image reading apparatus A by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The operation unit 83 is composed of, for example, switches, touch panels, etc., and receives operations from an operator.

[0033] The communication unit 84 is an interface for information communication with an external device. When assuming a PC (personal computer) as the external device, examples of the communication unit 84 include a USB interface, a SCSI interface, etc. In addition to such a wired communication interface, the communication unit 84 may also be a wireless communication interface, or may be provided with both a wired communication and a wireless communication interface.

[0034] The interface unit 85 is an I / O interface for data input / output with an actuator 86 and a sensor 87. The actuator 86 includes the driving units 3, 4, the transmission unit 5, etc. shown in FIG. 1. The sensor 87 includes a double-feed detection sensor 40, media detection sensors 50 and 60, an image reading unit 70, etc.

[0035] <Driving by receiving a start instruction from a PC> The basic operation of the image reading apparatus A will be described. When the control unit 80 receives an image reading start instruction from an external personal computer to which the image reading apparatus A is connected, for example, it starts driving the first conveyance unit 10 to the third conveyance unit 30. The conveyance media S stacked on the feed tray 110 are conveyed one by one from the conveyance media S located at the bottommost.

[0036] Also, as will be described later, the image reading may be started by a button operation such as a start key provided on the operation unit 83 of the image reading apparatus A, and then the start of the image reading may be notified to the external personal computer.

[0037] <Start of reading according to the output of the resist sensor> The control unit 80 starts reading the image of the conveyed medium S conveyed by the second conveying unit 20 using the image reading unit 70 at a timing based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor 60, temporarily stores the read image, and sequentially transmits it to the external computer. The conveyed medium S from which the image has been read is discharged by the third conveying unit 30 onto the discharge tray 2, and the image reading process of the conveyed medium S is completed.

[0038] <Display panel configuration> 4 is a front view of an image reading device A according to one embodiment of the present invention with the discharge tray 2 unfolded. More precisely, it is a view seen from a direction perpendicular to the front panel 90 provided at an angle on the front side of the image reading device A, and is a view seen from slightly above the front when the device is placed.

[0039] A display panel 93 is provided on the front panel 90 at the top of the front, and inside the display panel 93 is provided a group of operation keys 122 as an example of the operation unit 83 shown in Fig. 3. The group of operation keys 122 include a start key, a stop key, etc. for starting the operation of the image reading device A, and a display unit 94 is provided adjacent to the group of operation keys 122.

[0040] <Feeding structure details> The feed tray 110 is provided with a regulating member 111 that is attached so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in accordance with the size of the conveyed medium S to be placed thereon. The regulating member 111 is a regulating means that regulates both ends of the conveyed medium. In addition, a feed extension tray 112 that can be pulled out and used is provided in the center of the feed tray 110.

[0041] <Paper ejection structure> A discharge opening 92 is provided at the bottom of the front surface, through which the medium S conveyed by the third conveying unit 30 is discharged.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a top view of the image reading apparatus A according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the discharge tray 2 unfolded.

[0043] The transport medium S transported by the third transport section 30 is discharged through the discharge opening 92 onto the first discharge tray 2a, and depending on the size of the transport medium S, it may reach and be guided to the first extension tray 2b, second extension tray 2c, or third extension tray 2d pulled out from the first discharge tray 2a.

[0044] The third extension tray 2d is provided with a rotatable discharge position adjustment member 120, which can be rotated to an upright position for each extension tray pulled out according to the length of the transport medium S in the transport direction, thereby adjusting the position at which the transport medium S stops, preventing the discharged transport medium S from scattering and improving alignment.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the feeding tray of the image reading device A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The feed tray 110 is composed of feed tray 110a and feed tray 110b. A switching lever 205 is provided on the rear side of the feed tray 110, where no transport media is loaded. The switching lever 205 is movable in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and is a switching means that can switch the regulation mode of the regulation member 111, as will be described later.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main part of the feeding tray of the image reading apparatus A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] 4 is composed of regulation members 111a and 111b, and a rack 200a is attached to regulation member 111a, allowing them to move together in the direction shown in the figure. Similarly, a rack 200b is attached to regulation member 111b, allowing them to move together in the direction of the arrow. Rack 200a and rack 200b are connected via pinion gear 201, allowing regulation members 111a and 111b that make up regulation member 111 to move together.

[0049] A wire spring 203 provided on the rack 200a presses an elastic portion 202 provided on the rack 200a upstream in the feeding direction.

[0050] Although the regulating member and the rack are described as separate components, they may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram in which the feed tray 110a of Fig. 6 has been removed. The switching lever 205 and the rack 200a are arranged as shown in the figure. Fig. 9 is a diagram of the vicinity of the switching lever 205 of Fig. 8.

[0052] The feed tray 110b is provided with a holding portion 204 as a holding means, and the rack 200a and the regulating member 111a are held in place by fitting the convex portion 202a of the elastic portion 202 pressed by the wire spring 203 into the holding portion 204. This fitting provides a clicking sensation. The fitting position shown in the figure is the position when the regulating member 111a is used to stack A4 size sheets.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the switching lever 205 is provided with recesses 205a and 205b, and the protrusion 202a can be fitted into the holding portions 204 and 214.

[0054] When the restricting member 111a is moved in the direction of the arrow with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the fitted convex portion 202a is released from the holding portion 204. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the convex portion 202a presses against the guide portion 212 provided on the feed tray 110b.

[0055] When the regulating member is further moved, the protrusion 202a can be fitted into the holding portion 214 at a position where an A5 size sheet is set.

[0056] FIG. 9(c) is a diagram showing the state when the switching lever 205 has moved from the state shown in FIG. 9(a).

[0057] As a result of the movement of the switching lever 205, the convex portion 202a can no longer fit into the holding portion 204. The convex portion 202a comes into contact with the guide portion 215 provided on the switching lever 205. As the fitting is no longer performed, no clicking sensation is given, and the convex portion 202a of the rack 200a comes into contact with the guide portion 215 and the guide portion 212.

[0058] The convex portion 202a presses the guide portion 215 and the guide portion 212, thereby restricting the movement of the rack 200a and the regulating member 111a, and the regulating member is less likely to spread even if the transport medium loaded on the feed tray moves skewed during feeding.

[0059] As described above, it becomes possible to finely adjust the movement of the regulating member because the protrusion 202a is no longer fitted into the holding portion 204. By finely adjusting the regulating member to exactly fit the sheet size, it becomes possible to reduce skew.

[0060] As explained in Fig. 9(a), the position where the holding portion 204 holds the convex portion 202a when a click feeling is given to the restricting member will be explained using Fig. 10. Fig. 10 shows the position when, for example, an A4 or A5 size document (sheet) is set.

[0061] Because sheet sizes vary, in this embodiment, the distance L(A4) between the regulating members is set to 211 mm, slightly larger than the A4 size of 210 mm. Similarly, in this embodiment, L(A5) is set to 106 mm, slightly larger than the A5 size of 105 mm. By making the distance between the left and right regulating members 111 larger than the sheet size, the regulating members can be aligned first, and then the sheets can be loaded later.

[0062] Furthermore, if the click feeling makes it difficult to fine-tune the position of the regulating member 111, the click feeling can be eliminated by switching the switching lever 205 so that the convex portion 202a does not engage with the holding portions 204 and 214, as described in Figure 9(c), thereby making it possible to fine-tune the position of the regulating member 111 without the click feeling.

[0063] Second Embodiment If a click feeling is provided at each position for sheets of similar width, such as letter-size paper with a width of 216 mm and A4-size paper with a width of 210 mm, it may be difficult to tell at which position the sheet is being fitted and held. For this reason, an embodiment will be described in which a restriction mode that does not provide a click feeling can be selected for specific sheet sizes.

[0064] 11 is a diagram showing the structure around the switching lever 205 that constitutes the feed tray 110 in the second embodiment. The regulating member and the rack have the same structure, so the description will be omitted.

[0065] 11(a), holding portion 216 provided on feed tray 110b is a holding position for letter-sized documents, and holding portion 217 is a holding position for A4-sized documents. Protrusion 202a shown in FIG. 9 can be fitted into holding portion 216, and a clicking sensation can be given when the letter-sized documents are held.

[0066] The holding portion 217 is blocked by the guide portion 215 of the switching lever 205, and the convex portion 202a cannot fit into the holding portion 217, so no click feeling is given at the A4 size position.

[0067] FIG. 11(b) shows the state when the switching lever 205 is moved, and the protrusion 202a can be fitted into the holding portion 217, and a clicking sensation can be given only when the A4 size is held.

[0068] The holding portion 216 is blocked by the guide portion 215 of the switching lever 205, and the convex portion 202a cannot fit into the holding portion 216, so no click feeling is given at the letter size position.

[0069] As such, we have described an example in which a click feeling is given to either A4 size or letter size, and not to the other, but this is not limiting and sheet sizes other than those mentioned above may also be targeted.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to, for example, other image forming devices such as copiers and printers, image reading devices such as scanners, or multifunction image forming devices that have an appropriate combination of these functions, and similar effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to the sheet feeding device in such image forming devices or image reading devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] A Image reader S Transport medium 110 Feeder Tray 2 Output tray 2a First output tray 2b 1st extension tray 2c Second extension tray 2d Third extension tray 3 Drive unit 4 Drive unit 5 Transmission section 10 First conveying section 11 Feed roller 12 Separation roller 20 Second conveying section 30 Third conveying section 70 Image reading unit 80 Control Unit 90 Front Panel 100 units

Claims

1. a stacking means for stacking sheets to be fed; a restricting means for restricting both ends of the sheet, at least one of which is movable; a holding means for holding the position of the restricting means; a switching means for switching the regulating mode of the regulating means.

2. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means switches the regulating mode of the regulating means between a state in which the position of the regulating means is held by the holding means and a state in which the holding means does not hold the position of the regulating means.

3. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means switches the regulating mode of the regulating means between a state in which the position of the regulating means is maintained by the holding means and a state in which the holding means does not maintain the position of the regulating means for sheets of a specific size.

Images