Paper feeder and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a paper feeder that does not cause an excessive space on an extension base plate even when multiple types of long sheets of different lengths are set therein and does not need a large storage space for the extension base plate.SOLUTION: The paper feeder includes: a paper feeder tray that has a loading plate capable of loading sheets thereon; transport means that transports the sheets loaded on the loading plate; and a long option that is attached on the upstream side in a sheet transport direction of the loading plate in a detachable manner and has an extension base plate extending the loading plate so as to allow long sheets to be loaded thereon. The extension base plate has multiple extension base plates that are interconnected in the sheet transport direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeder and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] As a paper feeder used in an image forming apparatus, a large-capacity paper feeder that stacks a large amount of paper in a paper feed tray and feeds the paper one by one to an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus is known (for example, Patent Document 1: JP 2016-653 A). Meanwhile, in the printing market in recent years, there has been an increasing need to print on long paper that is longer than regular paper such as A3 or A4 (for example, book covers, double-page spreads in catalogs, and POP advertisements).

[0003] Because long paper is longer than regular paper, it cannot be loaded into the paper feed tray of a typical large-capacity paper feeder. Traditionally, long paper has been loaded into a manual feed tray, and the paper has been replenished, fed, and printed in small amounts. However, in recent years, a removable extension bottom plate has been used to feed long paper using the paper feed tray of a large-capacity paper feeder (Patent Document 2: JP 2008-302993 A, Patent Document 3: JP 2018-154458 A). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The length of the extension base plate is set to correspond to the maximum length or the length of long paper that is frequently printed. Therefore, if a long paper shorter than the set length is loaded onto the extension base plate, extra space is created at the rear end of the extension base plate. In addition, the extension base plate itself is large and bulky, requiring a large storage space. This situation causes discomfort to users.

[0005] To provide a paper feeder which has been made in view of the above circumstances and which does not require a large storage space for the extension bottom plate even when various long sheets of paper of different lengths are set. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the paper feeding device of the present invention is a paper feeding device comprising a paper feeding tray having a loading plate on which paper can be loaded, a transport means for transporting paper loaded on the loading plate, and a long option having an extended bottom plate that is detachably attached upstream of the loading plate in the paper transport direction and extends the loading plate to allow long paper to be loaded, wherein the extended bottom plate has a plurality of extended bottom plates that can be interconnected in the paper transport direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when various long sheets of paper of different lengths are set, no extra space is generated in the extension bottom plate, and no large storage space is required for the extension bottom plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a large capacity feed tray unit (LCT) as a paper feeder of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is a perspective view of the LCT with the long option attached. [Figure 1C] This is an oblique view of the LCT with the opening and closing cover of the long length option open. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the LCT with long paper loaded. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the LCT with the upper paper feed tray removed. [Figure 1F] 1A is a perspective view of the paper feed tray before the extension bottom plate is connected to the tray bottom plate, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the paper feed tray after the extension bottom plate is connected to the tray bottom plate. [Figure 2] 1A is a plan view of the paper feed tray before the extension bottom plate is connected to the tray bottom plate, and FIGS. 1B to 1E are plan views of the paper feed tray after the extension bottom plate is connected to the tray bottom plate. [Figure 3] 10 is a plan view showing the attachment state of a detection member that detects the connection between the tray bottom plate and the extension bottom plate. FIG. [Figure 4] These are plan views of the paper feed tray when an extension bottom plate is connected to the tray bottom plate, where (a) is a plan view of the tray when one standard extension bottom plate is connected, (b) is a plan view of the tray when one standard extension bottom plate and four short extension bottom plates are connected, and (c) is a plan view of the tray when one long extension bottom plate and one standard extension bottom plate are connected. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the paper feed tray with three standard extension bottom plates and a second side fence connected to the tray bottom plate. [Figure 5B] 10 is a side view of the housing of the paper feeder including an extension case covering the extension bottom plate. FIG. [Figure 5C] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a paper feeder including an extension case to which a detection member is attached. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a combination of an extension bottom plate with respect to a paper length. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (●Paper feeder) 1A to 1D show a state in which a long option 6 and an extension bottom plate 61 are attached to a large capacity feed tray unit (LCT) 1 serving as a paper feeder.

[0010] The paper sheets loaded on the paper feed tray 3 are transported to an image forming unit, which serves as the image forming section of the image forming apparatus, by a transport mechanism inside the LCT 1. The image forming unit is a device that forms images on the paper sheets transported from the LCT 1, and is incorporated into the image forming apparatus together with the LCT 1.

[0011] In the LCT1 of this embodiment, normally only regular paper such as A3 and A4 can be loaded in the paper feed tray 3, but by attaching the long paper option 6, it becomes possible to load long paper 7, which is longer than regular paper, in the paper feed tray 3.

[0012] The LCT 1 of this embodiment has a housing 2 and a tray bottom plate 31 (FIG. 1C) as a loading plate on which plain paper such as A3 and A4 is usually loaded. The paper feed tray 3 is disposed in the housing 2 so as to be slidable in the Y2 direction.

[0013] 1E that drives the tray bottom plate 31 to move up and down, and slide rails 52 that hold the paper feed tray 3 so that it can slide freely in the Y2 direction inside and outside the housing 2. The LCT1 also has a transport unit as transport means including a transport belt that transports the paper sheets loaded on the tray bottom plate 31 to the image forming unit.

[0014] The LCT1 also includes a long sheet option 6 having an extension bottom plate 61 that extends the upstream side of the tray bottom plate 31 in the conveying direction Y1 to allow loading of long sheets of paper 7. The term "long sheet option" is a general term for components that can be detachably connected to the side of the housing 2 or the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3 to accommodate long sheets of paper, and includes the extension bottom plate 61, long sheet stand 62, and opening / closing cover 63. The extension bottom plate 61 also includes extension bottom plates 61a, 61b, and 61c, which will be described later.

[0015] The housing 2 is configured in a box shape by a frame and a plurality of panels 22, 23 attached to the frame. The housing 2 houses a conveying unit on the downstream side in the conveying direction Y1 and a paper feed tray 3 (described later) on the upstream side in the conveying direction Y1.

[0016] The housing 2 accommodates two of these paper feed trays 3, one above the other. An opening 21 (FIG. 1E) is provided in the housing 2 on the front side in the sliding direction Y2, and when the paper feed tray 3 is slid forward, the paper feed tray 3 can be pulled out of the housing 2 through this opening 21.

[0017] Upper and lower panels 22 and 23 are attached to the upstream side of the housing 2 in the conveying direction Y1. The upper panel 22 is detachably attached to the housing 2 with screws. By removing this upper panel 22, the upstream side in the conveying direction Y1 of the part of the housing 2 that accommodates the upper paper feed tray 3 is opened, making it possible to attach a long sheet option 6, which will be described later.

[0018] 1C, the sheet feed tray 3 with the long sheet option 6 attached is open above the tray bottom plate 31 and on the upstream side in the conveying direction Y1. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, an extension bottom plate 61 (described later) can be detachably attached to the tray bottom plate 31 at its upstream end in the conveying direction Y1.

[0019] 1F, a pair of side fences SF1 are erected on both the left and right sides of the tray bottom plate 31. The side fences SF1 regulate the position of the sheets stacked on the tray bottom plate 31 in the width direction (Y2).

[0020] 1E, the drive unit 4 is attached to the inside of the housing 2. The rotation of the lifting motor of this drive unit 4 causes the tray bottom plate 31 to move up and down.

[0021] The conveying unit is composed of a conveying belt and a conveying motor that drives the conveying belt, etc. The paper sheets loaded on the tray bottom plate 31 are conveyed in a conveying direction Y1, which is perpendicular to both the sliding direction Y2 of the paper feed tray 3 and the stacking direction Y3 of the paper sheets.

[0022] (●Long length option) 1C and 1D, the long option 6 has the aforementioned extension bottom plate 61, a long base 62 fixed to the housing 2, an end fence EF, and an opening / closing cover 63. The long option 6 can be attached after removing the panel 22 of the housing 2.

[0023] More specifically, the extension bottom plate 61 is attached to the tray bottom plate 31 so as to protrude from the opening after removing the panel 22 of the housing 2. This extension bottom plate 61 allows the tray bottom plate 31 to be extended to load long sheets of paper 7. In an embodiment of the present invention, three types of extension bottom plate 61 can be used: a standard extension bottom plate 61a, a long extension bottom plate 61b, and a short extension bottom plate 61c, as will be described later.

[0024] The long table 62 is disposed on the underside of the extension bottom plate 61, and can be detachably connected to the housing 2 with screws or the like. The end fence EF is erected at the rear end of the long table 62. The end fence EF presses down on the upstream end of the long paper 7 in the conveying direction Y1, thereby regulating the position of the long paper 7 in the conveying direction Y1.

[0025] A magnet is provided at the base of the end fence EF. Meanwhile, a metal plate or magnet to which the magnet is attracted is provided on the long base 62. This allows the end fence EF to be detachably fixed at a position according to the length of the long sheet of paper 7. The long base 62 also has a bottom plate lowering switch SW that lowers the tray bottom plate 31 to the lowest position, and an open / close detection switch that detects whether the open / close cover 63 is open or closed.

[0026] The open / close cover 63 is disposed so as to cover the upper part of the extension bottom plate 61. The open / close cover 63 is attached so as to be able to be opened and closed freely by a hinge provided at the rear side in the sliding direction Y2 of the long table 62. When the long sheet option 6 is attached, the open / close cover 63 is opened and the long sheet 7 is placed in the paper feed tray 3.

[0027] 2(a), the above-mentioned paper feed tray 3 has a substantially rectangular tray bottom plate 31 and reinforcing members 3a disposed on the underside (rear side) of the tray bottom plate 31. The reinforcing members 3a are configured in two parallel rows in the paper transport direction (arrow direction) of the paper feed tray 3, and the reinforcing members 3a prevent deformation of the tray bottom plate 31.

[0028] First side fences SF1 are provided on both sides of the tray bottom plate 31. The first side fences SF1 regulate the widthwise position of the sheets stacked on the tray bottom plate 31.

[0029] The LCT1, which is a paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention, can connect multiple extension bottom plates to the paper feed tray 3 shown in Fig. 2(a) in a variety of combinations. Figs. 2(b) to 2(e) show four examples of these various combinations. Fig. 2(b) shows a state where two standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected. Fig. 2(c) shows a state where three standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected.

[0030] The standard extension bottom plates 61a all have the same shape of the bottom plate and reinforcing members. Therefore, there is no need to specify the order in which the standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected, and there is no risk of connection errors. In addition, the component cost for each standard extension bottom plate 61a can be reduced.

[0031] Figure 2(d) shows a state in which one short extension bottom plate 61c is connected to the rear end of one standard extension bottom plate 61a. Figure 2(e) shows a state in which one long extension bottom plate 61b is connected to the rear end of one standard extension bottom plate 61a. In this way, by being able to connect multiple extension bottom plates of different lengths to the standard extension bottom plate 61a, users can make even more precise length adjustments to accommodate long paper. Figures 2(b) to 2(e) are examples of various combinations of multiple extension bottom plates, and combinations other than these examples are also possible.

[0032] Below (behind) the extended bottom plates 61a to 61c, extended reinforcing members 161 are arranged in two parallel rows in the paper transport direction of the paper feed tray 3. These extended reinforcing members 161 can be configured separately from the extended bottom plates 61a to 61c, or can be configured integrally with the extended bottom plates 61a to 61c. The front ends of the extended reinforcing members 161 can be connected to the rear end of the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3 or the rear end of the reinforcing members 3a.

[0033] 3, a convex detection member 170 can be attached to the front end of each extended bottom plate 61a, and concave detection members 180 can be attached to the rear end of the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3 and the rear end of each extended bottom plate 61a. The same applies to the long and short extended bottom plates 61b and 61c.

[0034] When the tray bottom plate 31 and each extension bottom plate 61a are connected, the convex detection member 170 fits into the concave detection member 180, transmitting a signal to the detection circuit and displaying the connection status of the extension bottom plate 61a on the machine's operation screen. This not only notifies the user of the length of recording media that can be loaded on the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c, but also prevents incorrect connection of the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c.

[0035] (● Paper length supported by extension base plate) Figure 4 shows an example of the compatible paper length when the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c are connected. As shown in Figure 4(a), by connecting one standard extension bottom plate with a length of 230 mm to the rear end of the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3, the compatible paper length can be extended from 487.7 mm to 707.7 mm.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4(b), by connecting one 230 mm long standard extension bottom plate 61a and four short extension bottom plates 61c to the rear end of the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3, the compatible paper length can be extended from 487.7 mm to 987.7 mm. As shown in Figure 4(c), by connecting one 230 mm long standard extension bottom plate 61a to the rear end of one 550 mm long extension bottom plate 61b, the compatible paper length can be extended from 487.7 mm to 1260 mm. Note that the compatible paper length is shortened by the installation of the end fence EF in Figure 1C.

[0037] (● Second side fence) When connecting the extended bottom plate 61a to the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3 (the same applies to the extended bottom plates 61b and 61c), a second side fence SF2 can be attached as an extended side fence, as shown in Figure 5A. The second side fence SF2 is attached so as to straddle the rear end of the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3 and the connection part of the extended bottom plate 61a. This allows the width direction of long sheets of paper to be regulated not only by the first side fence SF1 but also by the second side fence SF2.

[0038] When paper separation air is blown toward the paper from an air outlet formed on the inside surface of the first side fence SF1, there is a possibility that the paper separation air will not reach the rear end of the long paper when the long paper option 6 is installed. In such cases, paper separation can be ensured by blowing the paper separation air to both sides of the width of the long paper via the air passage inside the second side fence SF2.

[0039] (● Extension case) When connecting the extended bottom plate 61a to the tray bottom plate 31 of the paper feed tray 3, an extension case 261 that houses the extended bottom plate 61a can be connected to the housing 2 of the paper feed device, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The same applies when connecting the extended bottom plates 61b and 61c. The extension case 261 is one of the components included in the long option 6.

[0040] The extension case 261 can be connected to the side of the housing 2 with screws or the like. The extension case 261 can be configured as a split type similar to the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c so that it can correspond to the length of the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c connected to the tray bottom plate 31. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the machine.

[0041] 5C shows a structure in which a detection member 190 is attached to the inner surface of the extension case 261. The detection member 190 can be configured with a proximity switch or the like. In this case, there is no need to attach the detection members 170, 180 to the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c themselves as in FIG. 3, which simplifies the structure of the extension bottom plates 61a to 61c and reduces costs.

[0042] (Example of combination of extension base plate) Next, Fig. 6 shows examples of combinations of various extension bottom plates 61a-61c (standard, long, short). The horizontal direction in Fig. 6 is the paper length (shortest, longest), and the vertical direction is the combination examples of extension bottom plates 61a-61c. The standard extension bottom plate 61a is 230 mm long, the long extension bottom plate 61b is 550 mm long, and the short extension bottom plate 61c is 70 mm long. Circles indicate compatibility. As mentioned above, the compatible paper length is shortened by the installation of the end fence EF in Fig. 1C.

[0043] The "without extension bottom plate" in the top column indicates the compatible paper length (mm) when using paper tray 3 without long paper option 6 attached. In this case, the compatible paper length is 0 mm at the shortest and 487.7 mm at the longest. "Standard 1 sheet" indicates the compatible paper length (mm) when one standard extension bottom plate 61a with a length of 230 mm is connected to paper tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 687.8 mm at the shortest and 707.7 mm at the longest.

[0044] "Standard 2 sheets" refers to the paper length (mm) that can be accommodated when two 230 mm long standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the minimum paper length is 777.8 mm and the maximum is 937.7 mm. "Standard 3 sheets" refers to the paper length (mm) that can be accommodated when three 230 mm long standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the minimum paper length is 1097.8 mm and the maximum is 1167.7 mm. "Standard 4 sheets" refers to the paper length (mm) that can be accommodated when four 230 mm long standard extension bottom plates 61a are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the minimum paper length is 1167.8 mm and the maximum is 1260 mm.

[0045] "One long sheet" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 550 mm long extension bottom plate 61b is connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 937.8 mm at the shortest and 1027.7 mm at the longest. "One standard sheet + one long sheet" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 230 mm standard extension bottom plate 61a and one 550 mm long extension bottom plate 61b are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 1067.8 mm at the shortest and 1260 mm at the longest.

[0046] "Short 1 sheet" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 70 mm long short extension bottom plate 61c is connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 487.8 mm at the shortest and 547.7 mm at the longest. "Short 2 sheets" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when two 70 mm long short extension bottom plates 61c are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 547.8 mm at the shortest and 617.7 mm at the longest.

[0047] "3 short sheets" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when three 70 mm long short extension bottom plates 61c are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 617.8 mm at the shortest and 687.7 mm at the longest. "1 standard sheet + 1 short sheet" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 230 mm long standard extension bottom plate 61a and one 70 mm long short extension bottom plate 61c are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 707.8 mm at the shortest and 777.7 mm at the longest.

[0048] "One long sheet + one short sheet" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 550mm long extension bottom plate 61b and one 70mm short extension bottom plate 61c are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 1027.8mm at the shortest and 1097.7mm at the longest. "One long sheet + two short sheets" refers to the compatible paper length (mm) when one 550mm long extension bottom plate 61b and two 70mm short extension bottom plates 61c are connected to the paper feed tray 3. In this case, the compatible paper length is 1097.8mm at the shortest and 1167.7mm at the longest.

[0049] The lengths of the standard, short, and long extension trays are not limited to 230 mm, 70 mm, and 550 mm, and the combinations of the extension bottom plates are not limited to those described above.

[0050] While the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical concept described in the claims. For example, it is possible to configure the second extension bottom plate, which is longer than the first extension bottom plate, and the third extension bottom plate, which is shorter than the first extension bottom plate, in two or more lengths. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Large Capacity Tray Unit (LCT) (Paper Feeder) 2: Housing 3: Paper feed tray 31: Tray bottom plate 3a: Reinforcement member 4: Drive unit 6: Long length option 7: Long paper 21: Opening 22, 23: Panel 31: Tray bottom plate 52: Slide rail 61: Extension base plate 61a: Standard extension base plate (first extension base plate) 61b: Long extension base plate (second extension base plate) 61c: Short extension base plate (third extension base plate) 62: Long stand 63: Opening and closing cover 161: Extension reinforcement member 170: Convex detection member 180: Concave detection member 190: Detection member 261: Extension case EF: End fence SF1: 1st side fence SW: Bottom plate lowering switch SF2: Second side fence (extended side fence) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0052] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-653 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-302993 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-154458

Claims

1. a paper feed tray having a loading plate on which paper can be loaded; a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets loaded on the loading plate; a long sheet option having an extension bottom plate that is detachably attached to the upstream side of the stacking plate in the paper conveying direction and that extends the stacking plate to allow long sheets to be loaded, The extension bottom plate has a plurality of extension bottom plates that can be connected to each other in the paper transport direction, The paper feed device is characterized in that the multiple extended bottom plates include a first extended bottom plate having a predetermined length in the paper transport direction and a second extended bottom plate that is longer than the first extended bottom plate in the paper transport direction.

2. A paper feeding device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it has a third extension bottom plate which is shorter than the first extension bottom plate in the paper transport direction.

3. A paper feed tray having a loading plate on which paper can be loaded; a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets loaded on the loading plate; a long sheet option having an extension bottom plate that is detachably attached to the upstream side of the stacking plate in the paper conveying direction and that extends the stacking plate to allow long sheets to be loaded, The extension bottom plate has a plurality of extension bottom plates that can be connected to each other in the paper transport direction, The paper feed device is characterized in that the multiple extended bottom plates include a first extended bottom plate having a predetermined length in the paper transport direction and a third extended bottom plate that is shorter than the first extended bottom plate in the paper transport direction.

4. A paper feed tray having a loading plate on which paper can be loaded; a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets loaded on the loading plate; a long sheet option having an extension bottom plate that is detachably attached to the upstream side of the stacking plate in the paper conveying direction and that extends the stacking plate to allow long sheets to be loaded, The extension bottom plate has a plurality of extension bottom plates that can be connected to each other in the paper transport direction, a detecting member for detecting the connection of the extension bottom plates is disposed at the connection portion of the plurality of extension bottom plates;

5. A paper feed tray having a loading plate on which paper can be loaded; a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets loaded on the loading plate; a long sheet option having an extension bottom plate that is detachably attached to the upstream side of the stacking plate in the paper conveying direction and that extends the stacking plate to allow long sheets to be loaded, The extension bottom plate has a plurality of extension bottom plates that can be connected to each other in the paper transport direction, a detection member for detecting connection of the extension bottom plates is disposed on an inner surface of an extension case that houses the plurality of extension bottom plates;

6. 6. A paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein said extension bottom plate comprises a first extension bottom plate having a predetermined length in the paper transport direction.

7. 7. A paper feeding device according to claim 6, wherein said extension bottom plate has a second extension bottom plate that is longer than said first extension bottom plate in the paper transport direction.

8. 8. A paper feeding device according to claim 7, wherein said extension bottom plate has a third extension bottom plate that is shorter than said first extension bottom plate in the paper transport direction.

9. 9. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein extended side fences for restricting both sides of the long paper in the width direction can be attached to both sides of the extended bottom plate.

10. 10. The paper feeder according to claim 9, wherein air for separating the paper sheets can be blown from the extended side fence.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images