JP2515595B2 - Automatic paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external type automatic paper feeder that is detachably attached to a recording apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles
Based on the transferred image information, the energy generator of the recording head is driven to record an image of a dot pattern on a recording sheet such as paper or a plastic thin plate.

The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording method.

The recording sheets used in the recording apparatus include plain paper, thick paper such as postcards and envelopes, and special sheets such as plastic thin plates.

In addition to manually inserting the recording sheets one by one,
The automatic paper feeding device automatically and continuously feeds the paper.

The automatic paper feeding device generally includes a paper feeding drive unit that rotates a paper feeding roller to feed a recording sheet and a paper feeding cassette unit that stacks and stores the recording sheets, and operates in conjunction with a sheet conveying system of the recording device. By driving the sheet feeding drive unit, the recording sheets are separately fed one by one.

In addition to the built-in type that is built into the recording device, the automatic paper feeding device includes an external type that is detachably mounted.
The present invention relates to the latter exterior type automatic paper feeder.

As the recording device, a horizontal type is generally adopted, and a sheet insertion port and a sheet ejection port are provided on the upper surface of the recording device.
In the recording apparatus, recording is performed while feeding the sheet along a recording sheet conveying path that is formed in a substantially U shape.

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional external type automatic paper feeding device, since it is positioned and mounted on the upper surface of the recording device in a fixed posture and the recording device is used in a horizontal position, a considerable space is required for installation. There was a problem.

In addition, once the automatic paper feeder is installed, it is not possible to manually feed the recording sheet.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to make the recording apparatus compact when stored and to increase the space efficiency of the recording apparatus. Provided is an automatic paper feeding device capable of surely preventing an erroneous operation of loading a recording sheet, automatically securing a sheet insertion opening and a sheet insertion space when storing, and easily loading the recording sheet. It is to be.

[Means for solving problems]

An automatic sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a recording sheet stacking unit having a pressure plate capable of stacking and displacing a recording sheet, and a sheet feeding drive unit having a sheet feeding roller for abutting and feeding the recording sheet of the sheet stacking unit. The sheet stacking unit is supported on the sheet feeding drive unit side so as to be rotatable between a first position where recording sheets can be fed and a second position which is upright from the first position, The pressure plate moving means for moving the pressure plate in the direction away from the paper feed roller as the stacking part rotates from the first position to the second position, and the sheet stacking part from the first position to the second position. A sheet entry preventing means is provided for opening the sheet loading port of the sheet stacking unit as the sheet is rotated to the position, and at the first position, the recording sheet is supplied by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller and the sheet loading port is opened. The above entry prevention hand In the second position, the pressure plate moving means moves the pressure plate and the sheet loading port is opened to form an insertion space for inserting a recording sheet into the recording sheet stacking unit. By doing so, the above object is achieved.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state when a horizontal type recording apparatus (recording apparatus main body) 10 suitable for carrying out the present invention is used, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the recording apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a recording apparatus (for example, a recording apparatus that uses a bubble jet recording method and forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid) 10 A sheet insertion port 11 and a sheet discharge port 12 are formed on the upper surface of the recording paper 13. A recording sheet 13 inserted from the sheet insertion port 11 is in close contact with a peripheral surface of a platen roller 14 also serving as a sheet feed roller, and is formed in a substantially U-shape. The recording sheet is conveyed in the direction of the arrow along the recording sheet conveyance path (FIGS. 1 and 2), recorded while passing through the recording section facing the recording head 15, and discharged upward from the sheet discharge port 12 after recording. Is done.

Here, the paper feed tray 16 is pivotably attached to the upper surface of the recording device 10 so as to be openable and closable, and opens when used (at the time of recording) to function as a paper feed tray, but when not used (at the time of storage, storage, etc. )
2 is set in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2, and a sheet insertion port 11, a sheet discharge port 12, switches 17, a display 18
And the like function as a cover 16 that covers and protects the upper surface of the recording device 10 on which is disposed.

In FIG. 4, the recording head 15 is a platen roller 14.
Carriage that reciprocates along guide shafts 21, 21 that are parallel to
It is mounted on 22.

The illustrated recording head 15 is an inkjet head, and is integrally formed with an ink tank.

A sheet pressing plate 23 for pressing the recording sheet 13 against the platen roller 14 is disposed upstream of the recording head 15 in the transport direction.

The sheet retainer 23 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the platen roller 14 by a leaf spring 24.

Further, the pressing force of the sheet pressing plate 23 can be released by operating a lever 25 supported by the shaft of the platen roller 14.

Further, at the position of the sheet discharge port 12, a spur 26 and a roller 27 for assisting discharge of the recording sheet 13 are provided.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the bottom surface (the back surface in the standing posture described later) of the recording apparatus (main body) 10.

A second sheet insertion port 28 is formed on the bottom surface of the recording device 10, and the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14 are formed from this insertion port 28.
A second recording sheet conveyance path, which is substantially linear and extends to the sheet discharge port 12 through the recording section between the first and second recording sheets, extends substantially vertically.

As will be described later, this second recording sheet conveyance path can be used when the recording apparatus 10 is set up (FIGS. 1 and 2) and is not curved, so that it can be used for postcards, envelopes, etc. There is an advantage that even a recording sheet having a strong rigidity such as a thick sheet or a special sheet such as a plastic sheet can be easily fed.

The above-described recording apparatus 10 can be used even in the upright position. In the upright position, the automatic sheet feeding device can be detachably mounted, and the sheet can be automatically fed from the sheet insertion opening 28 on the back (when the upright position). it can.

1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional views showing a state in which the automatic paper feeder 30 is mounted on the back of the recording apparatus 10 in an upright state.
FIG. 1 shows the use state (at the time of recording), and FIG.
Shown respectively.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the recording apparatus 10 is in an upright state, the recording section (recording head 15 and platen roller 14
), A substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, that is, a conveyance path from the second sheet insertion port 28 to the sheet discharge port 12 is formed.

Therefore, the automatic paper feeder 30 is provided with an entrance (sheet insertion opening) 28
The recording sheet 13 is positioned so that the recording sheet 13 is fed into the linear conveying path and is detachably attached to the back surface (opening surface of the inlet 28) of the recording apparatus 10.

In addition, the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is provided with a recording sheet supply linear sheet passage 31 connected substantially linearly to the substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, separately from an automatic sheet feeding mechanism described later. Is provided.

The sheet passage 31 is an insertion guide passage for manually supplying a recording sheet, and is closed in a state where automatic sheet feeding is possible as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In the recording sheet setting state shown in the drawing, the sheet is opened in a state where automatic sheet feeding cannot be performed, and a state where manual insertion can be performed is set.

The automatic paper feeding device 30 includes a paper feeding drive unit 40 fixedly connected to the recording device 10, and a paper feeding drive unit 40 rotatably attached to the paper feeding drive unit 40 between a substantially vertical state and an inclined state. It is composed of a paper cassette unit 50.

FIG. 6 shows the automatic paper feeder 30 in the state of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view seen from the side of the connecting surface to 10.

The paper feed cassette section 50 is a section for stacking the recording sheets 13 in a positioned state, and the paper feed driving section 40 is a section for sending out the stacked recording sheets 13 one by one and feeding them to the recording apparatus 10. .

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is provided at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive unit 40 as a fulcrum.
It is pivotally mounted (openable and closable) around 51.

At a position (upper half) of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50, a paper feed roller 41 and a feed auxiliary roller 42 are mounted.

A foldable paper feed tray 52 is attached to the paper feed cassette unit 50, and when used, it is pulled out to form a tray as shown in FIG. 1, and when stored, inside the cassette unit 50 as shown in FIG. Can be folded into

A part of the lower part of the case of the paper feeding drive unit 40 is composed of a movable member 44 which is rotatable (openable and closable) around a fulcrum 43, and the movable member 44 is opened as shown in FIG. 1 when used. He composes the leg.

The movable member 44 is closed as shown in FIG. 2 when stored.

An opening 32 is formed in a wall surface of the movable member 44 that constitutes the opening / closing leg, facing the recording device 10.

On the other hand, a changeover switch 19 such as an AC / DC changeover switch that is operated from the rear side (the bottom face in the horizontal position) is provided at a lower rear portion of the recording apparatus 10.

The opening 32 is formed at a position corresponding to the switches 19 and can be operated from the opening 32 even when the automatic sheet feeder 30 is mounted.

Therefore, the user cannot operate the changeover switch 19 in the state where the movable member (opening / closing leg) 44 is closed (FIG. 2) because the leg is closed, but the state where the movable member 44 is opened (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 1), as shown in FIG.
Is formed, and the changeover switch 19 can be operated.

In addition, the movable member 44 is provided with a shelf that forms a table 45 for sheet support at the entrance of the manual sheet passage 31 when opened as shown in FIG.

The table formed by the leg portions 45 is formed by using the movable member 44, and complements the substantially linear sheet path 31 leading to the linear recording sheet conveying path of the recording apparatus 10,
The recording sheet 13 is configured to be easily and correctly inserted.

Recording device 10 with automatic paper feeder 30 installed in the upright position
The cover (discharge tray) 16 as shown in FIG.
Is folded, and furthermore, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is set in a vertical state and the movable member (leg) 44 is closed, whereby the storage state is set.

In this housed state, the outer shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with a flat bottom surface, and it is assembled in a compact upright posture with no overhang.

On the other hand, in the use state shown in FIG. 1, the cover 16 is opened to form a paper discharge tray, and the movable member (leg) 44 is opened and inclined at a predetermined angle α (for example, 5 to 25 degrees) as shown in the figure. Get a stable posture.

When the movable member 44 is opened, the lower case of the paper feed drive unit 40 has a flat bottom surface inclined at a predetermined angle as shown in the figure.

The recording sheet 13 is set inside the sheet cassette unit 50 in a closed (vertical) state.

In this way, when printing is performed automatically after printing is made possible, the paper feeding cassette unit 50 is opened (tilted) as indicated by the solid line to start the printing operation.

On the other hand, when recording manually,
50 is left in the vertical (closed) state, and the recording sheet 13
Is supplied to the recording apparatus 10 through the table 45 and the sheet path 31.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the use state in which the movable member 44 is opened, the linear recording sheet conveying path of the recording apparatus 10 and the sheet path 31 (including the table 45) on the side of the automatic sheet feeder 30 are , A predetermined angle β upward toward the sheet ejection direction
(5 degrees to 25 degrees).

On the exit side (sheet discharge port) 12 of the recording sheet transport path of the recording apparatus 10, a paper discharge tray configured by opening the cover 16 is provided.

As shown in the figure, the paper discharge tray 16
It is closed at a position lower by a predetermined height h so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

According to such an arrangement of the paper discharge tray 16, as shown in the figure, the recording sheet 13 can be discharged without contacting the recording sheet 13 on the paper discharge tray 16, so that the liquid is particularly adhered. The problem of ink contamination due to contact with an unfixed recording ink in an ink jet recording apparatus or the like that performs recording with the ink can be eliminated.

Next, a combined structure of the recording device 10 and the automatic paper feeding device 30 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing a connected state of the recording apparatus 10 and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the lock is released from the state of FIG.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a drive gear 33 that rotates synchronously with the platen roller 14 is supported on the back side of the recording apparatus 10, while the automatic paper feeder 30 is rotated.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a driven gear 48 capable of transmitting a rotational force to the paper feed roller 41 is pivotally supported on the mounting surface side, and these gears 33 and 48 are meshed with each other at the time of coupling. Thus, the driving force of the paper feed roller 41 is transmitted to the automatic paper feeder side.

A frame member 35 that supports bearing portions such as the platen roller 14 and the sheet conveying motor 34 is provided in the recording device 10, and the case portion is attached to the frame member 35.

A hook member 38 having a lever 36 and a tip hook 37 is attached to the automatic paper feeding device 30 so as to be swingable and movable in a front-rear direction by a predetermined amount, and the hook member 38 is moved inward by a tension spring 39. Being energized.

On the other hand, at a position corresponding to the hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording device 10, an opening 53 through which the hook 37 enters through an opening of the case is formed, and the hook 37 is engaged with a peripheral portion of the opening 53. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a bead-like portion is formed in the peripheral portion of the opening 53 so as to smoothly engage with the hook 37.

In the state where the hook 37 of FIG. 7 is engaged, the tension spring 39 is extended (for example, 1 to 2 mm), and the spring force causes the automatic paper feeding device 30 to be pressed into contact with the recording device 10 to be connected thereto.

The hook member 38 is unlocked by pinching and rotating the lever 36 as shown in FIG.
Can be separated from the recording device 10.

The pressure contact in this combined state is received by a total of three contact surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a first contact surface 54 and second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 serving as contact reference surfaces are formed on the automatic sheet feeder 30 side. ing. The contact reference plane
54 is provided near the driven gear 48 as shown.

The reference contact surface 57, which is the opposite surface of the contact reference surface 54, is formed on the frame member 35 having high strength and rigidity, and its position is set near the meshing portion of the gears 33 and 48.

Further, the action line of the hook member 38 for applying the pressing force of the connecting portion is selected at a position where a stable connection can be obtained in consideration of the positions of the three contact surfaces 54, 55, 56 as shown in the figure. ing.

Note that the second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 can also directly contact the rear surface of the recording device 10.

In addition, positioning pins 5
8 and 59 are formed, and by positioning these pins 58 and 59 in positioning holes 61 and 62 formed on the back surface of the recording apparatus 10, positioning of the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 with respect to the recording apparatus 10 is performed. Will be

One of the positioning holes 61, 62 is an elongated hole as shown in FIG.

Further, the auxiliary surface to be connected (engaged) when a certain external force acts on the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeding device 30 and the automatic paper feeding device 30 to bend the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeding device 30 and the recording device 10. Hooks 63, 64 and auxiliary hooks 65, 66 (fifth
Figure) is provided.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a paper feeding (tilted) state, and FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a recording sheet set (vertical) state.

In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the sheet feeding cassette portion 50, a pressure plate 68 is urged toward the sheet feeding roller 41 by a thick plate spring 67.
Is installed.

Sliders 71 and 72, which can adjust the interval in the width direction according to the width of the recording sheet 13, are supported on the paper feed cassette unit 50 for guidance.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette unit 50 showing the sliders 71 and 72, and FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette unit 50 showing a pressure plate 68 in addition to the sliders 71 and 72. It is.

Each of the sliders 71, 72 has side guides 73, 74 which are in contact with both side edges of the stacked recording sheets 13, and separation claws 75, 76 which press the front corners of the stacked recording sheets 13 from above. Claw members 77 and 78 having
The interval can be adjusted together with 1, 72.

As shown in FIG. 9, the stacked recording sheets 13 are held between the pressure plate 68 and the separation claws 75 and 76, and at the time of sheet feeding, the D-type sheet feeding roller 41 rotates to form the recording sheets 13. The sheet is contacted and applied with a feeding force, and one sheet of the uppermost layer is separated during one rotation, and fed through the feeding auxiliary roller 42 to the cueing position in the recording apparatus 10.

FIG. 13 is a mechanism diagram showing various types of engaging members that operate when the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 is switched between a vertical sheet setting state and an inclined sheet feeding state.

First, in FIGS. 9 and 13, on both sides of the case of the sheet feeding drive unit 40, stoppers for abutting against the lower part of the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 to hold the cassette unit at the inclined position (sheet feeding state). 79, 79 are formed.

The sliders 71 and 72 on both sides are provided with sheet entry prevention means (sheet entry prevention levers) 81 and 81 for preventing insertion (loading) of the recording sheet 13 in the sheet feeding state.

The levers 81, 81 are rotatably supported on the sliders 71, 72 by pins 82, 82, as shown in FIG.
In the sheet feeding state, the sheet rotates by its own weight, and its upper end is in contact with the upper surface of the stacked sheets 13 near the sheet inlet 83.

For this reason, even if an attempt is made to insert the description sheet 13, the leading end thereof is blocked by the leading ends of the sheet entry preventing levers 81, 81 and cannot be inserted into the cassette.

On the other hand, when the sheet cassette 50 is rotated to the vertical sheet setting state, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 81 abut against the case end face on the sheet feed drive unit 40 side. The levers 81, 81 are rotated counterclockwise about the pins 82, 82 by a predetermined amount, the upper ends thereof are lifted, and the sheet entrance 83 is opened as shown.

Therefore, the recording sheet 13 can be inserted into the cassette through the sheet entrance 83.

In addition, as shown in FIGS.
Pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 projecting toward the cassette unit 50 are formed on both sides of the case of 40, and when the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 is rotated to a substantially vertical sheet set state, it is arranged on both sides of the pressure plate 68. The pressure plate pushing members 84, 84 hit the formed ears 85, 85 (FIG. 12), and the pressure plate 68 is pushed down.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
The space between the recording sheet 13 and the recording sheet 13 is increased so that the recording sheet 13 can be set.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the separation claws 75 and 76 are held at a position that is equal to or slightly overlaps with the sheet feeding roller 41 (at the retreat angle position). Since a guide projection 87 having a height slightly projecting toward the cassette side from the paper feed roller 41 is formed at the entrance side position of the paper feed roller 41 of the case of the portion 40, the recording sheet 13 to be inserted is separated from the separation claw. It can be reliably set between 75 and 76 and the pressure plate 68.

The abutting position when pressing down the pressure plate 68 (the position of the pressure plate pressing members 84, 84) is a position having a wider width by a distance L to both outer sides than the maximum movement range of the separation claws 75, 76, and The area is selected outside the recording sheet 13 having the maximum width to be used.

The sheet cassette 50 is held in a sheet set state (vertical position) by a lock mechanism that can be released by a button 88 (FIGS. 10 and 13).

As shown in FIG. 13, the lock mechanism
It is composed of a hook lever 89 projecting from the end of the case of 40 and an engaging portion 91 formed at the end of the paper feed cassette unit 50. Locked by.

The lock mechanisms 89 and 91 push the button 88 to elastically deform the hook lever 89 at its tip 92 (FIG. 13).
It is released by detaching from the engaging portion 91.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the drive system of the paper feed roller 41 and the arrangement of the paper feed roller 41.

In FIG. 14, the rotation of the driven gear 48, which rotates in synchronization with the sheet feeding of the recording apparatus 10, is performed by a series of gear trains 93, 94, 9
It is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 97 via the rollers 5, 96.

Here, a clutch 98 is provided between the gear 96 and the feed roller shaft 97.

As the clutch 98, for example, a clutch that operates as follows is used.

That is, in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet conveying roller (platen roller) 14 in the reverse printing direction by a predetermined amount performed based on the paper feed signal, the spring clutch means is rotated in the reverse direction to release the locking in the printing direction with the hook. , The clutch 98 is switched from off to on.

By rotating the paper feed roller (D-shaped roller) 41 in conjunction with the rotation of the platen roller 14 by a predetermined amount in the printing direction with the clutch on, the recording sheet 13 is separated by one sheet. The sheet is fed to a position beyond the sheet pull-in section, and from there, the platen roller 14 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the reverse printing direction, so that the rotation of the D-type sheet feeding roller 41 is stopped and the recording sheet is stopped. The recording sheet 13 is conveyed to the printing position by rotating the platen roller 14 and the paper feeding roller 41 in the printing direction, which is performed by retracting the leading end of the sheet 13 to the position where it has come out of the sheet retraction section. The paper supply roller 41 is stopped in a state where a gap is formed between the paper supply roller 41 and the recording sheet 13, and at the same time, the clutch is turned off and the interlock between the platen roller 14 and the paper supply roller 41 is interrupted.

Thus, the recording sheet 13
Only one is sent.

As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, etc., the side guides 73 for regulating the width of the recording sheet 13 are provided on the sliders 71 and 72 which can adjust the width direction interval in accordance with the width of the recording sheet 13 to be stacked. , 74 and separation pawls 75, 76 which are engaged with both sides of the front end of the recording sheet 13.
(FIGS. 11 and 12) are set to the positions shown in the drawing, and the guide grooves (not shown) are pressed from both sides by the end face cam means (not shown) and set at a predetermined width position by frictional force. Is done.

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 41 is fixed on the paper feed roller shaft 97 so as not to move in the width direction.

A pair of (two) rollers are used as the paper feed rollers 41, and are arranged at predetermined positions and at intervals as shown in FIGS.

When the small-sized recording sheets 13A are stacked, the two D-shaped paper feeding rollers 41, 41 are separated from the outer separating claws 75, 76 at intervals S, S which are in a range (or a value suitable for the separating function). ) Is located in the position.

A pair of pseudo rollers 103, 103 is fixed to the outside of the two feed rollers 41, 41 of the feed roller shaft 97.

These pseudo rollers 103, 103 have the same contour as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, but are different in material and width, have a small frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13, and make sliding contact during paper feed, The sheet feeding force is constituted by rollers that do not substantially generate the sheet feeding force.

For example, the outer peripheral surfaces of the feed rollers 41 and 41 are formed of rubber or the like that generates a large frictional force.
The members 3 and 103 are made of plastic such as Teflon or nylon, and have a smooth outer surface.

Therefore, when one or both of the pseudo rollers 103, 103 are stacked with a large-sized or medium-sized recording sheet 13B, the distances S, S from the outer separating claws 75, 76 have the separating function as described above. It is placed in a position that provides a suitable range (or value).

By additionally providing the simulated rollers 103, 103 having such a simple structure, even when the paper feed rollers 41, 41 are fixed, the separation claw 7 when the recording sheets 13 having different widths are used is used.
The distance between 5, 76 and the sheet holding position inside them,
It can be set to an appropriate range (or appropriate value) in which an appropriate loop is formed at the front end of the recording sheet at the start of sheet feeding.

That is, even when the sheet widths are different, it is possible to maintain appropriate loop forming conditions with the two fixed-type sheet feeding rollers 41, 41.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive slide structure as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the slide type paper feed rollers 41, 41, the sliding resistance increases by that amount when the width is adjusted, and the recording sheet 13 and the separation claw 7 are increased.
Variations are likely to occur in the overlap margin with 5, 76, and the reliability of the sheet feeding operation is reduced. However, according to the structure using the pseudo rollers 103, 103 of the present application as described above, such disadvantages are eliminated. Can be eliminated.

In addition, instead of the dummy rollers 103, 103, the sheet feeding roller 41,
Although it is conceivable to use a total of four paper feed rollers using the paper feed roller 41, it is practically impossible to obtain a uniform pressing force against the recording sheet 13 at all four positions. Since the feeding force of the paper roller varies, which causes skew during sheet feeding, it cannot be practically performed.

FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 11. Next, the guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

11 and 15, the guide rails 105, 106,
107 and 108 are provided so that the left slider 71 is guided by the guide rails 105 and 106, and the right slider 72 is guided by the guide rails 107 and 108.

Each of the guide rails 105 to 108 may be constituted by two continuous upper and lower guide rails. In this embodiment, the guide rails 105 to 108 are partially provided in a region covering the maximum movement range of each of the sliders 71 and 72. Have been.

As each of the guide rails 105 to 108, as shown in FIG. 15, a dovetail type guide rail having a dovetail groove (a groove having a tapered surface) 109 formed therein is used.

In the illustrated example, each of the guide rails 105 to 108 is formed integrally with the plastic case body of the sheet cassette unit 50.

On the other hand, each of the sliders 71 and 72 has a guide rail 10
A guide roller 110 that rolls in contact with the dovetail groove 109 of 5 to 108
Is rotatably supported.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the sliders 71 and 72 is supported by three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side. As shown in FIG. 15, a slope 110 (having substantially the same slope) 112 is formed on the slope of the dovetail groove 109, as shown in FIG.

Thus, when adjusting the width of aligning the side guides 73 and 74 with the recording sheet 13, each guide roller 1
The ten slopes 112 are brought into contact with each other, and one or both of the sliders 71 and 72 (in the structure of FIG. 11, the width adjustment is mainly performed by moving only the left slider 71 as shown in FIG. 14). Move.

At this time, since each guide roller 110 rolls along the slope of the dovetail groove 109, the resistance at the time of moving can be significantly reduced.

Further, at least one guide roller 110 of each slider 71, 72, that is, each slider 71, 7 in the illustrated example.
The upper guide roller 110 is supported via elastic means so as to be pressed against the guide surface (slope) of the dovetail groove 109 with a predetermined pressure.

In the illustrated example, the guide roller supporting portions of the sliders 71 and 72 are formed by arm portions (elastic portions) 114 that can be elastically displaced, and the width of the upper and lower guide rollers 110 and 110 in the free state is set to the upper and lower guide rails 105 and 106. Or, it is set so as to be slightly larger than the interval between 107 and 108, so that when the sliders 71 and 72 are assembled to the guide rails 105 to 108, a preload contact force is generated on the guide surface of each guide roller 110. .

By supporting the guide roller 110 via an elastic means that generates such a predetermined pressure contact force, it is possible to move the sliders 71 and 72 more smoothly and accurately without play in the guide portion.

〔The invention's effect〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the automatic sheet feeder of the present invention, the recording sheet stacking unit having the pressure plate capable of stacking and displacing the recording sheet, and the recording sheet of the sheet stacking unit are contacted and fed. A sheet feeding drive unit having a sheet feeding roller for rotating the sheet stacking unit between the first position where the recording sheets can be fed and the second position which is upright from the first position. A pressure plate moving unit that is supported by the paper drive unit and moves the pressure plate in a direction away from the paper feed roller as the sheet stacking unit rotates from the first position to the second position, and the sheet stacking unit. A sheet entry preventing means for opening the sheet loading port of the sheet stacking section as the section rotates from the first position to the second position;
At the first position, the recording sheet is supplied by the rotation of the paper feed roller, the sheet loading port is closed by the entrance preventing means, and at the second position, the pressure plate is moved by the pressure plate moving means and the sheet is loaded. Since the insertion space for inserting the recording sheet is formed in the recording sheet stacking unit by opening the mouth,
At the time of storage, the recording sheet stacking section becomes more upright and can be made compact to improve space efficiency. At this time, the pressure plate moves away from the paper feed roller to form the sheet insertion space. Further, since the sheet loading port is closed when the sheet stacking unit is in the first position, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation of loading a recording sheet by mistake during sheet feeding. There is provided an automatic paper feeder capable of performing the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state of use of a recording apparatus with an automatic sheet feeder embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of use of the recording apparatus main body in a horizontal position in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing the schematic internal structure of the recording apparatus in FIG. FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view showing the bottom surface of the recording apparatus of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 1 viewed from the mounting surface side, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a locked state of a connecting portion between the recording apparatus main body and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an unlocked state in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the paper feeding state of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of setting the sheets of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 9, and FIG. 9 is a front view of a part of the paper feed cassette part of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a front view of the paper feed cassette part of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a partially omitted perspective view schematically showing an operation mechanism between a paper feed drive unit and a paper feed cassette unit of the automatic paper feeder, and FIG. 14 is a drive mechanism of a paper feed roller of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a guide roller of a slider along a line XV-XV in FIG. 10 recording device, 13 recording sheet, 15 recording head, 16 discharge tray, 30 automatic paper feeder, 40 paper feed drive, 41 paper feed roller, 50 ... Paper cassette section.

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording sheet stacking unit having a pressure plate capable of stacking and displacing recording sheets, and a sheet feeding drive unit having a sheet feeding roller for feeding the recording sheets in contact with the recording sheets of the sheet stacking unit. The sheet stacking unit is supported on the sheet feeding drive unit side so as to be rotatable between a first position where recording sheets can be supplied and a second position which is upright from the first position. A pressure plate moving unit that moves the pressure plate in a direction away from the sheet feeding roller as the first position moves to the second position, and the sheet stacking unit rotate from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, a sheet entry preventing means for opening the sheet loading opening of the sheet stacking portion is provided, and at the first position, the recording sheet is supplied by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller and the sheet loading opening is provided for the sheet entry preventing means. Closed by At the second position, an insertion space for inserting a recording sheet into the recording sheet stacking unit is formed by moving the pressure plate by the pressure plate moving means and opening the sheet loading port. Automatic paper feeder. 2. The recording sheet stacking unit includes a separating claw for separating the recording sheets one by one, and the lower end of the recording sheet inserted at the second position is located between the separating claw and the pressure plate. The automatic paper feeder according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 3. The surface of the recording sheet is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller in a sheet insertion space formed at the second position of the recording sheet stacking unit. Automatic paper feeder. 4. A manual insertion of a sheet is blocked by a lower end portion of the sheet stacking portion at a first position of the sheet stacking portion, and a gap is formed between the sheet stacking portion and the lower end portion of the sheet stacking portion to prevent the sheet from being manually inserted. The automatic sheet feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet passage that allows manual insertion. 5. A slider, which is mounted on the recording sheet stacking portion so as to be adjustable in the widthwise interval, and regulates the widthwise direction of the recording sheet, the sheet entry preventing means is rotatably supported by the slider. At the 1st position, the leading end of the sheet entry preventing means contacts the pressure plate or the surface of the recording sheet on the pressure plate to close the sheet entrance of the recording sheet stacking unit, thereby preventing the recording sheet from being loaded into the recording sheet stacking unit. The automatic paper feeder according to claim 1, wherein the automatic paper feeder is provided. 6. At the second position of the recording sheet stacking section, one end of the sheet entry preventing means comes into contact with a part of the apparatus and the means rotates to release the blocking of the recording sheet loading. The automatic paper feeder according to claim 5, wherein 7. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is mounted on a recording device having recording means for recording on a recording sheet, and recording is performed on the fed recording sheet by the recording means. Automatic paper feeder. 8. The ink jet system in which the recording means energizes an electrothermal converter in response to a signal and ejects ink by the growth of bubbles generated by heating beyond the film boiling by the electrothermal converter for recording. The automatic paper feeder according to claim 7, wherein