Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a paper feeding device or image forming apparatus that can reduce the load on the contact surface between the paper guide and the paper tray when the paper guide moves. [Solution] The paper feeder 101 is provided in the image forming apparatus. The paper feeder 101 has a paper tray 11, a paper guide 12, and a lock lever 13. The paper guide 12 is provided on the paper tray 11 and has a curved surface 121 facing the paper tray 11. The lock lever 13 has an engaging portion 131 that engages with the paper tray 11 and an operating portion 132 connected to the engaging portion 131. The lock lever 13 releases the locked state, in which the engaging portion 131 and the paper tray 11 are engaged, by pressing the operating portion 132.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding device having a paper guide for guiding paper is used. For example, in the paper feeding device of the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, by pinching a lock lever, the lock is released, the paper guide is moved, and the width of the paper guide is adjusted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, in order to release the lock, a load is applied to the lock lever in the moving direction of the paper guide, so the rotational moment generated in the paper guide is large, and the paper guide is likely to bend. When the paper guide bends, there is a problem that the load on the contact surface between the paper guide and the paper tray increases, and the operability of the paper guide deteriorates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device or an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the load on the contact surface between the paper guide and the paper tray when the paper guide moves, in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A paper feeding device according to an aspect of the present invention is a paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus, a paper tray, A paper guide is provided on the paper tray and has a curved surface facing the paper tray on the outside of the guiding wall, The lock lever comprises an engaging portion that engages with the paper tray, and an operating portion positioned above the curved surface and connected to the engaging portion, wherein pressing the operating portion releases the locked state in which the engaging portion and the paper tray are engaged. It is equipped with. An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is: The aforementioned paper feeding device, An image forming unit that forms an image on the printing medium supplied from the paper feeding device. It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device or an image forming apparatus that can reduce the load on the contact surface between the paper guide and the paper tray when the paper guide moves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a printer as an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the paper feed device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the structure of the paper feed device. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along the line S5-S5 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along the line S6-S6 in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state, where the locked state has been released. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state, where the locked state shown is released. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the paper guide in the released state, sliding as it is. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a lock lever of a paper feeding device as a comparative example. [Figure 10] It is a figure showing the paper feeding device at the time of the slide operation of the paper guide of the paper feeding device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the paper guide shown in FIG. 5.

Mode for carrying out the invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a printer 100 as an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding device 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus is not limited to the printer 100. For example, the image forming apparatus may include an image reading device.

[0010] The printer 100 has a device main body 102 and a paper feeding device 101.

[0011] The paper feeding device 101 is provided in the printer 100. The paper feeding device 101 is insertable into the device main body 102. The paper feeding device 101 supplies paper as a printing medium to the device main body 102. The paper is stacked on a paper tray 11 of the paper feeding device 101. The device main body 102 has an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper. For example, the device main body 102 forms an image on the paper by an electrophotographic method.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the paper feeding device 101. The paper feeding device 101 has a paper tray 11, at least one paper guide 12, and a lock lever 13.

[0013] The paper tray insertion direction is the direction in which the paper tray 11 is inserted into the device main body 102. The paper guide moving direction is a direction orthogonal to the paper tray insertion direction and is the direction in which the paper guide 12 slides.

[0014] The paper tray 11 has a recess 111 and ribs 112. The recess 111 engages with the lock lever 13 (specifically, the engaging portion 131). The ribs 112 protrude toward the paper guide 12 and are fitted into the recesses of the paper guide 12.

[0015] In the example shown in FIG. 2, paper guides 12 are provided on both sides of the paper tray 11. When loading paper onto the paper tray 11, the paper is loaded between the two paper guides 12. The two paper guides 12 position the paper in the paper guide movement direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper tray 11 may further have a tail guide 14. The tail guide 14 positions the paper in the paper tray insertion direction.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the structure of the paper feeding device 101 shown in FIG. 2. The paper guide 12 is arranged on the paper tray 11 and is manually movable left and right (i.e., in the paper guide movement direction) according to the width of the paper. The user can manually move the paper guide 12 to position the paper in the paper tray 11.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the paper feeding device 101 has a rack and pinion mechanism. The paper feeding device 101 has a rack gear 1011 and a pinion gear 1012. The rack gear 1011 is a linear gear arranged between the two paper guides 12. The pinion gear 1012 is arranged at the center of the paper tray 11 and is a rotating gear that meshes with the rack gear 1011.

[0018] For example, when the user slides the left paper guide 12, the rack gear 1011 connected to the paper guide 12 moves together with the paper guide 12, and the pinion gear 1012 rotates. Due to the rotation of the pinion gear 1012, another rack gear 1011 that meshes with the pinion gear 1012 slides, and the right paper guide 12 connected to this rack gear 1011 slides.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line S5-S5 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line S6-S6 in Figure 3. The paper guide 12 is provided on the paper tray 11. As shown in Figure 4, the paper guide 12 has a curved surface 121 and a support portion 122. As shown in Figure 5, the curved surface 121 faces the paper tray 11. In the example shown in Figure 5, the paper guide 12 has a curved surface 121 facing the paper tray 11 on the outside of the guiding wall. The support portion 122 protrudes toward the connecting portion 1322. The support portion 122 supports the connecting portion 1322.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the paper guide 12 has a groove 123, an outer wall portion 124, an inner wall portion 125, an outer bottom surface 126, and an inner bottom surface 127. The groove 123 is formed between the outer wall portion 124 and the inner wall portion 125. Part of the lock lever 13 is positioned in the groove 123.

[0021] The outer bottom surface 126 is located on the outside of the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 in the paper guide movement direction. The inner bottom surface 127 is located on the inside of the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 in the paper guide movement direction. The distance from the paper tray 11 to the outer bottom surface 126 is greater than the distance from the paper tray 11 to the inner bottom surface 127. That is, the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 is curved from the inner bottom surface 127 to the outer bottom surface 126, thereby forming a curved surface 121 on the bottom surface of the paper guide 12. In the example shown in Figure 5, there is a space between the curved surface 121 and the paper tray 11.

[0022] The lock lever 13 has an engaging portion 131 and an operating portion 132. The engaging portion 131 engages with the paper tray 11. The operating portion 132 is connected to the engaging portion 131. The operating portion 132 is positioned above the curved surface 121. The operating portion 132 has a load-applied push portion 1321 and a connecting portion 1322. The connecting portion 1322 connects the push portion 1321 and the engaging portion 131.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the lock lever 13 (specifically, the push-in portion 1321) may have a recessed portion 1323. In this case, the user will intuitively understand where to push, making it easier to push in the operating portion 132.

[0024] In the examples shown in Figures 4 and 5, the paper feeder 101 is in a locked state (also called the engaged state) where the engaging part 131 and the paper tray 11 are engaged. The lock lever 13 is released when the operating part 132 is pressed.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the paper feeder 101 may have one or more springs 15. In this case, the springs 15 are located in the groove 123. The springs 15 are located between the lock lever 13 (specifically, the push-in part 1321) and the paper guide 12.

[0026] If the paper feed device 101 has a spring 15, the spring 15 pushes the lock lever 13 (specifically, the push-in portion 1321) vertically upward from below. This causes the engaging portion 131 of the lock lever 13 to firmly engage with the recess 111 of the paper tray 11. As a result, it is easier to maintain the locked state when the user is not pressing the lock lever 13.

[0027] The lock lever 13 and the spring 15 may be integrated as a single component. In this case, the lock lever 13 may have a spring portion positioned between the push-in portion 1321 and the paper guide 12. For example, the function of the spring 15 is realized by the spring portion.

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state, which is the state in which the locked state shown in Figure 4 has been released. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state, which is the state in which the locked state shown in Figure 5 has been released. As shown in Figure 6, when a load F1 is applied to the operating part 132 (specifically, the push-in part 1321) from above, the support part 122 functions as a fulcrum in the lever principle. As a result, when a load F1 is applied to the operating part 132 (specifically, the push-in part 1321) in a vertical downward direction, the part of the connecting part 1322 that is in contact with the support part 122 becomes the fulcrum, the engaging part 131 lifts up, and the engaging part 131 disengages from the recess 111 of the paper tray 11. This releases the locked state. For example, when a user operates the paper guide 12, the user pushes in the operating part 132 (specifically, the push-in part 1321) to release the locked state.

[0029] When the lock is released, the paper guide 12 becomes movable. The paper guide 12 can slide in a direction intersecting the direction in which the operating section 132 is pressed.

[0030] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the paper guide 12 shown in Figure 7 in the released state, sliding. To extend the paper guide 12, with the lock released, the user pushes the outer wall portion 124 outward in the paper guide movement direction. That is, by pushing the outer wall portion 124 outward in the paper guide movement direction while pressing the operating portion 132 (specifically, the push portion 1321), the paper guide 12 slides outward in the paper guide movement direction.

[0031] On the other hand, when narrowing the paper guide 12, with the lock released, the user pushes the inner wall portion 125 inward in the paper guide movement direction. That is, by pushing the inner wall portion 125 inward in the paper guide movement direction while pressing the operating portion 132 (specifically, the push-in portion 1321), the paper guide 12 slides inward in the paper guide movement direction.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the paper guide 12 may have a holding portion 128. The holding portion 128 is connected to the bottom or side surface of the paper guide 12. In this case, a part of the paper tray 11 is located between the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 and the holding portion 128, so that the paper guide 12 does not detach from the paper tray 11 even when the paper guide 12 is lifted.

[0033] When the lock state is released and the paper guide 12 slides, the part of the paper guide 12 other than the curved surface 121 comes into contact with the paper tray 11. For example, when the lock state is released and the paper guide 12 slides, it is desirable that the contact between the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 and the paper tray 11 approaches a line contact along a direction intersecting the sliding direction (for example, the paper tray insertion direction).

[0034] For example, when the paper guide 12 slides, the inner bottom surface 127 maintains line contact with the paper guide 12 in the paper tray insertion direction as the paper guide 12 moves in the paper guide movement direction. As a result, the load on the contact surface between the paper guide 12 and the paper tray 11 when the paper guide 12 moves can be reduced.

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the lock lever 13a of a paper feed device as a comparative example. In the comparative example, the lock lever 13a is of the pinch type. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the lock state is released when the user pinches the upper part of the lock lever 13a with a load F2.

[0036] Therefore, in the comparative example, when the paper guide 12 is moved inward in the paper guide movement direction, an inward load F2 in the paper guide movement direction is applied to the lock lever 13a and the inner wall portion 125. As a result, a large rotational moment is generated in the paper guide 12, and the operability of the paper guide 12 deteriorates. In addition, in the comparative example, space is required to grasp the upper part of the lock lever 13a.

[0037] Figure 10 shows the paper feed device 101 when the paper guide 12 is in a sliding motion. According to this embodiment, the lock lever 13 is released when the operating part 132 is pressed, thereby reducing the bending of the paper guide 12 caused by twisting the wrist. This reduces the rotational moment generated in the paper guide 12, and makes the direction D1 for pushing the paper guide 12 and the direction D2 for moving the rack gear 1011 closer to parallel. As a result, the operability of the paper guide 12 can be improved.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the lock lever 13 is released when the operating part 132 is pressed in, so there is no need to provide space for pinching the lock lever with your fingers.

[0039] Furthermore, the presence of a space between the curved surface 121 and the paper tray 11 reduces the contact area between the bottom surface of the paper guide 12 and the paper tray 11 when the paper guide 12 is moved. This further reduces the load on the contact surface between the paper guide 12 and the paper tray 11 when the paper guide 12 is moved.

[0040] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the paper guide 12 shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 11, the paper guide 12 may have a through hole 129 formed in the inner wall portion 125. In this case, the user can more easily push in the operating section 132 by inserting their finger U into the through hole 129. For example, this has the advantage of making it easier for the user to operate the lock lever 13 on the left side of the paper feeder 101 with their right hand. It also makes it possible to operate the lock lever 13 from the side rather than from above.

[0041] The various aspects of this implementation are summarized below as an appendix. (Note 1) A paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus, Paper tray and A paper guide is provided on the paper tray and has a curved surface facing the paper tray on the outside of the guiding wall, The lock lever comprises an engaging portion that engages with the paper tray, and an operating portion positioned above the curved surface and connected to the engaging portion, wherein pressing the operating portion releases the locked state in which the engaging portion and the paper tray are engaged. A paper feeder equipped with a paper feeder. (Note 2) The aforementioned operating unit is The part that is pressed in and to which the load is applied, A connecting portion that connects the push-in portion and the engagement portion. The paper feeding device according to Appendix 1, characterized by having the following features. (Note 3) The paper guide has a support portion that supports the connecting portion, When the load is applied to the push-in portion, the portion of the connecting portion that is in contact with the support portion becomes a fulcrum, the engaging portion lifts up, and the locked state is released. The paper feeding device according to Appendix 2, characterized in that it is a paper feeding device. (Note 4) The paper feeding device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that when the locked state is released and the paper guide slides, the portion of the paper guide other than the curved surface contacts the paper tray. (Note 5) The paper feeding device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the locked state is released and the paper guide slides, the contact between the bottom surface of the paper guide and the paper tray approaches line contact along a direction intersecting the sliding direction. (Note 6) The paper feed device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that the paper guide is slidable in a direction intersecting the direction in which the operating section is pressed. (Note 7) A paper feeder described in any one of the notes 1 to 6, An image forming unit that forms an image on the printing medium supplied from the paper feeding device. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 11 Paper tray, 12 Paper guide, 13,13a Lock lever, 14 Tail guide, 15 Spring, 100 Printer (image forming apparatus), 101 Paper feed device, 102 Device body, 111 Recess, 112 Rib, 121 Curved surface, 122 Support part, 123 Groove, 124 Outer wall, 125 Inner wall, 126 Outer bottom surface, 127 Inner bottom surface, 129 Through hole, 131 Engaging part, 132 Operating part, 1011 Rack gear, 1012 Pinion gear, 1321 Push-in part, 1322 Connecting part, 1323 Recess

Claims

1. A paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus, Paper tray and A paper guide is provided on the paper tray and has a curved surface facing the paper tray on the outside of the guiding wall, The lock lever comprises an engaging portion that engages with the paper tray, and an operating portion positioned above the curved surface and connected to the engaging portion, wherein pressing the operating portion releases the locked state in which the engaging portion and the paper tray are engaged. A paper feeder equipped with a paper feeder.

2. The aforementioned operating unit is The part that is pressed in and to which the load is applied, A connecting portion that connects the push-in portion and the engagement portion. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

3. The paper guide has a support portion that supports the connecting portion, When the load is applied to the push-in portion, the portion of the connecting portion that is in contact with the support portion becomes a fulcrum, the engaging portion lifts up, and the locked state is released. The paper feeding device according to feature 2.

4. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the locked state is released and the paper guide slides, the portion of the paper guide other than the curved surface contacts the paper tray.

5. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the locked state is released and the paper guide slides, the contact between the bottom surface of the paper guide and the paper tray approaches line contact along a direction intersecting the sliding direction.

6. The paper feed device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the paper guide is slidable in a direction intersecting the direction in which the operating section is pressed.

7. A paper feeder according to claim 1 or 2, An image forming unit that forms an image on the printing medium supplied from the paper feeding device. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

Images