JP4292418B2 - Paper feeding device and image recording apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention deposits a recording medium having a different size and material from the recording medium accommodated on the first paper feeding cassette on the first paper feeding cassette that accumulates and accommodates the recording medium (cut sheet, paper). Select the recording medium on the first and second paper feed cassettes in a state where the second paper cassette that can be accommodated is movable forward and backward and the recording medium is accommodated in the second paper feed cassette. In particular, the present invention relates to a configuration of a paper feeding device that enables separation and feeding one sheet at a time, and a configuration of an image recording device including the paper feeding device.

  In conventional image recording apparatuses such as various printers and facsimiles, for example, in Patent Document 1, a large number of sheets (recording medium) are placed in a paper feeding cassette that is arranged to be movable back and forth on the lower side of the apparatus main body (housing). , Cut sheets) are stored and accommodated, and a pair of left and right guide holes are formed in the cover body that covers the rear half of the paper feed cassette. A pair of restricting plates for positioning are projected, and a partition plate for vertically partitioning the front opening of the paper feed cassette is disposed in the paper storage portion of the paper feed cassette. A pair of left and right levers protruding from the rear upper surface of the partition plate is loosely fitted in the guide holes, and a paper feed roller provided on the apparatus main body side is disposed on the front opening of the paper feed cassette. It is disclosed. According to this configuration, when recording an image on a manual sheet, when the sheet is placed on a predetermined portion of the partition plate and then moved forward, the upper front portion of the partition plate is positioned below the sheet feed roller. Therefore, it is possible to feed one sheet of manual feed paper on the partition plate by driving the paper feed roller. When the partition plate is moved backward, the sheets stacked and stored in the paper feed cassette are fed one by one. It can be sent.

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, a large number of large-size sheets can be stacked on the paper feed cassette, but only small-size sheets such as postcards can be placed one by one on the manual divider. Therefore, for example, in order to record an image on a large number of postcards, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to place the partition plate one by one on the partition plate and move the partition plate back and forth.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a paper feed roller for separating the recording media accumulated in one paper feed cassette one by one and feeding it to the recording unit is used when the paper feed cassette is inserted and removed. As a configuration for retreating and raising so as not to interfere with the front end of the recording medium, guides are provided on the upper surface of a fixed side plate that is positioned on both left and right ends of the recording medium deposited on the paper feeding cassette and extends in the feeding direction of the recording medium. When the surface (cam surface) is formed and the paper cassette is inserted and removed, the lower surface of the swingable arm provided with a paper feed roller at the tip (free end) is brought into sliding contact with the guide surface (cam surface). A configuration is disclosed in which the arm and the paper feed roller are once retracted above the inclined separation plate at the tip of the paper feed cassette and then brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the recording medium deposited on the paper feed cassette. .
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-49439 (see FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a) and FIG. 2 (b)) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-249242 (see FIGS. 3 to 8)

  However, it is the reverse of feeding the paper of a different size in the first paper feed cassette by retracting the second paper feed cassette having a large number of sheets of a predetermined size placed on the first paper feed cassette. In addition, there is no configuration in which the second paper feed cassette is set to be moved forward to the paper feed position on the first paper feed cassette and the paper on the second paper feed cassette is fed selectively.

  In addition, when the selective operation is performed as described above, particularly when the second paper feed cassette is advanced to the paper feed position on the first paper feed cassette, the paper feed roller is once lifted and then a predetermined size. If the paper feed roller is not lowered so as to come into contact with the surface of the uppermost layer of the paper, the paper feed roller will contact the side edge of the paper stacking portion in the lowered state. There is a problem that the accumulated posture is broken, paper jam occurs, and the paper feeding operation cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems all at once, and with a relatively simple configuration, when using paper of different sizes, it is easy to switch between two paper feed cassettes, and the size is small. A sheet feeding device capable of preventing feeding operation and preventing occurrence of sheet misfeeding and paper jamming unless the second sheet feeding cassette for stacking sheets is set in the sheet feeding position of the first sheet feeding cassette; An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus including the same.

To achieve the above object, the sheet feeding apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, a first sheet cassette that provided with a large number of sheets deposited can accommodate accommodating portion a recording medium, the first paper feed cassette And a second paper feed cassette having a placement portion that is disposed so as to be capable of moving back and forth in the feeding direction of the recording medium and capable of accumulating and accommodating a plurality of recording media. The paper feed means includes a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the recording medium, and a paper feed roller provided at the tip of a paper feed arm extending from the rotation drive shaft along the feed direction, cam follower and is provided to protrude from the sheet feed arm, wherein the second sheet cassette, the cam follower auxiliary cam part which can abut is formed, the second sheet feed cassette according to advance and retreat The sheet feeding roller can be moved up and down.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the paper feeding device according to the first aspect, wherein the cam follower is disposed on an upper surface of a side plate extending along a feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feeding cassette. A main cam portion that can abut against the main inclined separation plate of the first paper feed cassette as the first paper feed cassette moves forward and backward. is there.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the second aspect, in the second paper feeding cassette, the second paper feeding cassette is set at a paper feeding position with respect to the first paper feeding cassette. Sometimes, an auxiliary inclined separating plate adjacent to the main inclined separating plate is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device including a first sheet feeding cassette provided with an accommodating portion capable of accumulating and accommodating a large number of recording media, and a plurality of recording media having different sizes from the recording media in one sheet feeding cassette. And a second paper feed cassette provided with a placement unit capable of accumulating and storing a single sheet of recording medium and arranged to be movable back and forth on the upper surface of the first paper feed cassette, the first paper feed cassette As described above, the first inclined sheet feeding unit for feeding the recording medium in the storage unit to the recording unit one by one by the cooperative operation with the main inclined separation plate and the main inclined separation plate. A second paper feeding means for feeding the recording medium in the placement section to the recording section one by one is disposed in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording medium; The two paper feeding means includes a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium. A paper feed roller provided at a tip of a paper feed arm extending from the rotational drive shaft along the feeding direction, and a cam follower extending from the paper feed arm along the axis of the rotational drive shaft, On the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feed cassette, a main cam portion capable of contacting the cam follower in the first and second paper feed means is formed, and the second paper feed On the upper surface of the side plate extending along the feeding direction of the recording medium in the cassette, an auxiliary cam portion that can come into contact with the cam follower in the first and second paper feeding means is formed, and the first and second paper feeding cassettes The sheet feeding roller can be moved up and down in response to when the first sheet feeding cassette moves forward and backward or when the second sheet feeding cassette moves forward and backward with respect to the first sheet feeding cassette.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the fourth aspect, the cam follower in the first paper feeding unit and the cam follower in the second paper feeding unit are orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium. Are arranged so as to extend in opposite directions.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, when the second paper feeding cassette is moved backward in the feeding direction with respect to the first paper feeding cassette, The auxiliary cam portion is formed so that the paper feed roller in the second paper feed means is held in the raised position.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the second paper feeding cassette is moved forward in the feeding direction with respect to the first paper feeding cassette. The main cam portion is formed so that the paper feed roller in the first paper feed means is held at the raised position.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the left and right side plates extending in parallel with the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feeding cassette are arranged on the left and right side plates. A long guide hole is provided in the feeding direction, and downstream portions in the feeding direction on the left and right sides of the second sheet feeding cassette are connected to the guide hole so as to be movable forward and backward and rotatable.

  The image recording apparatus of the invention according to claim 9 includes a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, and a paper feed conveyance path that feeds the recording medium to the image recording unit in the apparatus body. 9. The first sheet cassette and the second sheet cassette in the sheet feeder according to claim 1 are respectively moved forward and backward with respect to the apparatus body below the recording unit at a lower portion of the apparatus body. It is provided to be movable.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, a width dimension of a recording medium fed from the first paper feed cassette and the second paper feed cassette to the recording unit is detected. a media sensor for, and a cassette sensor for detecting whether said second sheet feeding cassette is set in the paper feed position, in which provided in the apparatus main body side of the component.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet feeding means includes a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and a sheet feeding extending from the rotation drive shaft along the feeding direction. A paper feed roller provided at the tip of the arm and a cam follower projecting from the paper feed arm are provided, and an auxiliary cam portion capable of contacting the cam follower is formed in the second paper feed cassette, and the second since the paper feed cassette is that the feed roller to allow the lifting movement according to advance and retreat, either to advance the second paper feed cassette in the paper feeding position, whether to retract to the non-feeding position switch Switching the feeding operation of two types of recording media to a common feed without performing troublesome operations such as reloading and removal of recording media and removal of the second paper feeding cassette by just an operation. Easy to use while using paper means There is an effect that kill. When the second paper feeding cassette is advanced to the paper feeding position with respect to the first paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding roller can come into contact with the uppermost layer of the recording medium deposited on the second paper feeding cassette. There is an effect that the deposition posture of the recording medium does not collapse and the sheet feeding operation by the sheet feeding roller is reliably and stably executed. In addition, when the position of the second paper feed cassette is deviated from the normal paper feed position, the paper feed roller is raised, that is, not in contact with the recording medium, and paper is not fed. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to surely prevent a paper feed error and a paper jam.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the cam follower is disposed on the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feed cassette. A main cam portion that can abut against the main inclined separation plate of the first paper feed cassette as the first paper feed cassette moves forward and backward. Therefore, there is an effect that the sheet feeding roller can be automatically raised and lowered so as not to interfere with the main inclined separation plate when the first sheet feeding cassette is moved forward and backward so as to be inserted and removed from the apparatus main body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the second sheet feeding cassette is set at a sheet feeding position with respect to the first sheet feeding cassette, the main inclined separation plate is disposed on the second sheet feeding cassette. Since the adjacent auxiliary inclined separation plate is provided, when the second paper feeding cassette is set at the paper feeding position, paper is fed using the auxiliary inclined separation plate at the tip of the second paper feeding cassette. There is an effect that the operation of separating and feeding the recording medium can be ensured by the cooperative work with the roller. Further, even if the second paper feed cassette is moved forward and backward, there is an effect that the posture of the recording medium deposited on the second paper feed cassette is not easily shifted.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a first paper feed cassette provided with an accommodating portion capable of accumulating and accommodating a large number of recording media, and a plurality of sheets of different sizes from the recording media in one paper feeding cassette. And a second paper feed cassette which is provided with a placement unit capable of accumulating and accommodating recording media and which can be moved forward and backward on the upper surface of the first paper feed cassette. A first sheet feeding means for feeding the recording medium in the storage unit to the recording unit one by one by the cooperative action with the inclined separation plate and the inside of the placement unit by the cooperative action of the main inclined separation plate. And a second paper feeding means for feeding the recording media one by one to the recording unit one by one in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording media. The paper means includes a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and a rotating drive shaft. A sheet feed roller provided at a tip of a sheet feed arm extending from the rotation drive shaft along the feeding direction, and a cam follower extending from the sheet feed arm along the axis of the rotation drive shaft, respectively. On the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in one paper feed cassette, a main cam portion that can come into contact with a cam follower in the first and second paper feed means is formed, and the second paper feed cassette In the upper surface of the side plate extending along the feeding direction of the recording medium, an auxiliary cam portion capable of coming into contact with the cam follower in the first and second paper feeding means is formed, and the first and second paper feeding cassettes are The paper feed roller can be moved up and down in accordance with when it moves forward and backward integrally or when the second paper feed cassette moves forward and backward relative to the first paper feed cassette.

Therefore, as the recording medium deposited on the first sheet feeding cassette is fed by the first sheet feeding means, a recording medium deposited in the second sheet feeding cassette rather is fed by the second sheet feeding means In addition, since the paper feeding operation is executed with individual components, it is possible to reliably feed each recording medium. Then, the first paper feeding means or the second paper feeding means switches between the working posture and the non-working posture according to the movement of moving the second paper feeding cassette forward and backward relative to the first paper feeding cassette. There is no malfunction, and there is an effect that a paper feed error or paper jam does not occur.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cam follower in the first paper feed unit and the cam follower in the second paper feed unit are in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium and in opposite directions. Since they are arranged so as to extend, the main cam portion and the auxiliary cam portion for each cam follower can be formed at different locations, and the lifting and lowering action of each paper feed roller can be controlled accurately.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the second paper feeding cassette is moved backward in the feeding direction with respect to the first paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding roller in the second paper feeding means is Since the auxiliary cam portion is formed so as to be held in the raised position, when the recording medium of the second paper feed cassette is not desired to be fed, a malfunction due to the corresponding paper feed roller occurs. do not do.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the second sheet feeding cassette is advanced to the downstream side in the feeding direction with respect to the first sheet feeding cassette, the sheet feeding roller in the first sheet feeding unit is Since the main cam portion is formed so as to be held at the raised position, when the recording medium of the first paper feed cassette is not desired to be fed, a malfunction caused by the corresponding paper feed roller may occur. Does not occur.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the left and right side plates extending in parallel with the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first sheet feeding cassette are provided with guide holes long in the feeding direction, and the second sheet feeding. In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, since the downstream side portions in the feeding direction on both the left and right sides of the cassette are connected to the guide hole so as to be movable back and forth and turnable. Thus, when the second paper feed cassette is not detached from the first paper feed cassette and is inserted into the apparatus main body again, it is easy. In addition, since the second paper feed cassette can be rotated, it is possible to easily expand the vertical space with the first paper feed cassette without shifting, and it is possible to easily replenish the recording medium.

  The image recording apparatus of the invention according to claim 9 includes a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, and a paper feed conveyance path that feeds the recording medium to the image recording unit in the apparatus body. 9. The lower part of the apparatus main body is below the recording unit, and the first paper supply cassette and the second paper supply cassette in the paper supply apparatus according to claim 1 can move forward and backward relative to the apparatus main body. Since it is provided, it is possible to easily replenish the recording medium for each paper feed cassette.

According to an image recording apparatus of a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media sensor for detecting a width dimension of a recording medium fed from the first paper feed cassette and the second paper feed cassette to the recording unit. Since the component on the apparatus body side is provided with a cassette sensor for detecting whether or not the second paper feed cassette is set at the paper feed position, the type (size) of the product not intended by the user is covered. It is possible to eliminate the erroneous operation of image recording on the recording medium, and to determine in advance that the wrong paper feeding cassette is set at the paper feeding position, thereby eliminating wasteful paper feeding time and wasteful use of the recording medium. There is an effect that can be.

  Next, the best mode for embodying the present invention will be described. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus provided with an ink jet recording head according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus in a state where the image reading apparatus is removed, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the second paper feed cassette of the first embodiment is set at the paper feed position on the first paper feed cassette, and FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the second paper feed cassette of the first embodiment is retracted to the non-paper feed position. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIa-VIa in FIG. 4, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIb-VIb in FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 7A is a side sectional view showing a state in which the paper feeding means is raised during the forward and backward movement of the paper feeding cassette, FIG. 7A is a plan view showing the usage state of the rear corner type paper guide in the second paper feeding cassette, and FIG. b) is a plan view showing another use state, FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carriage for showing the sensor means, and FIG. 9 is a main view of the first paper feed cassette. FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 7A, FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing a second embodiment, and FIGS. 14 to 17 are a third embodiment. The figure which shows a form, FIGS. 18-22 is a figure which shows 4th Embodiment.

  An image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an application of the present invention to a multi-function device (MFD) having a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. As shown, the bottom of the housing 2 made of a synthetic resin injection molded product as a synthetic resin recording device main body in the image recording apparatus 1 can be inserted from an opening 2a on the front side (left side in FIG. 2). A first paper feed cassette 3 is arranged. On the upper surface of the first paper feed cassette 3, a second paper feed cassette 30, which will be described in detail later, is connected or placed so as to be movable back and forth. In the following description, the side where the opening 2a exists is referred to as the front, front, or front end of the image recording apparatus 1, and the side farthest from the opening 2a is referred to as the rear, rear, or rear end.

  An image reading device 12 for reading a document in a copy function or a facsimile function is disposed on the housing 2. The image reading device 12 is configured to be vertically openable and closable with respect to one side end of the housing 2 via a pivot portion (not shown). Further, the rear end of the document cover body 13 covering the upper surface of the image reading device 12 is an image. A rear end of the reader 12 is mounted so as to be pivotable up and down about a pivot 12a.

  On the upper side of the housing 2, an operation panel unit 14 including various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit is provided in front of the image reading device 12. On the upper surface of the image reading device 12, there is provided a placement glass plate 16 on which the document cover body 13 can be opened and a document can be placed, and a contact-type image sensor for document reading is provided on the lower side. (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) 17 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide shaft 17a extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2 (main scanning direction, Y-axis direction in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). Yes.

  Below the image reading device 12 and the operation panel unit 14, the recording unit 7, the paper discharge unit 10, and the ink storage unit 15 provided on one side of the paper discharge unit 10 are located within the planar projection area. Are arranged to be.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 7 is supported by a box-shaped main frame 21 having an open upper surface and a pair of left and right side plates, and extends in the Y-axis direction (main scanning direction). It is formed between the first and second guide members 22 and 23 (see FIG. 3). The carriage 5 on which the recording head 4 is mounted in the recording unit 7 is slidably supported (mounted) across the first guide member 22 on the upstream side and the second guide member 23 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction. Can be moved back and forth.

  In order to reciprocate the carriage 5, timing is arranged on the upper surface of the second guide member 23 arranged on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction (arrow A direction) so as to extend in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction). A belt 24 is wound around a pulley, and a CR (cage) motor 25 (shown in FIG. 3) that drives the timing belt 24 is fixed to the lower surface of the second guide member 23. The CR motor 25 is a DC motor in the embodiment, but may be another motor such as a stepping motor. The second guide member 23 includes an encoder strip 47 that is arranged so as to extend along the main scanning direction and detects the position of the carriage 5 in the Y-axis direction (main scanning direction). The strip-shaped encoder strip 47 is arranged such that the inspection surface (the surface on which slits are arranged at regular intervals in the Y-axis direction) is along the vertical direction.

  A flat platen 26 extending in the Y-axis direction so as to face the lower surface of the recording head 4 in the carriage 5 is fixed between the guide members 22 and 23 and above the bottom plate 21 b of the main frame 21. Yes.

  The space between the lower surface of the second guide member 23 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction and the opening 2a (also used as a paper discharge port) at the front end of the housing 2 is almost the same height as the bottom plate 21b of the main frame 21. A synthetic resin partition plate 29 is formed integrally with the housing 2 so as to cover the upper portion of the paper discharge unit 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The ink storage unit 15 is opened upward of the housing 2, and the ink storage unit 15 has a small area in plan view that accommodates four colors of ink for full-color recording and has a height dimension. Ink cartridges 19 having a substantially rectangular box shape (reference numerals 19a to 19d are assigned to ink cartridges for individual colors, that is, black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y)). 3) can be accommodated in a line along the X-axis direction, and is configured to be detachable from above.

  Ink is supplied from each ink cartridge (indicated individually by reference numerals 19a to 19d) to the ink jet recording head 4 via a plurality (four in the embodiment) of ink supply pipes (ink tubes) 20. It is configured. In addition, when using more ink colors than four colors (six colors to eight colors, etc.), an ink cartridge corresponding to the number of ink colors may be configured to be accommodated in the ink storage unit 15, The number of ink supply tubes 20 may be increased according to the number of ink cartridges.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the root portions of the plurality (four in the embodiment) of the ink supply pipes 20 are bundled at one end portion 15 a of the ink storage portion 15, and one side thereof is formed on the upper surface of the partition plate 29. It extends from the end (left end in FIG. 3) in the direction of the other end (right end in FIG. 3) along the Y-axis direction. At this time, the base portions of all the ink supply pipes 20 are arranged in a horizontal row along the upper surface of the substantially horizontal partition plate 29. At least a part of the ink supply pipe 20 (such as an intermediate part) is supported on the upper surface of the partition plate 29.

  Next, all the ink supply pipes 20 are twisted so that the middle part thereof is along one vertical surface (substantially vertical surface) of the horizontally long vertical partition plate 32 in the partition plate 29, and one of the vertical partition plates 32 is twisted. The middle part of all the ink supply pipes 20 is arranged in a vertical line and fixed (holding or sandwiching) between the vertical plate-like fixed bodies 33 made of synthetic resin and fixed to the vertical surface with screws or the like. ) A portion where all the ink supply pipes 20 are fixed (embraced) by the fixed body 33 and one vertical surface of the vertical partition plate 32 becomes an intermediate fixing portion.

  In the recording unit 7, an ink receiving portion is disposed on one end side and a maintenance unit is disposed on the other end side outside the width of the conveyed paper P (the short side of the paper P) (respectively illustrated). Not shown). Accordingly, the recording head 4 periodically discharges ink to prevent nozzle clogging during a recording operation at a flushing position provided opposite to the ink receiving portion, and receives ink at the ink receiving portion. In the maintenance unit portion, the carriage 5 is in a standby position, and a cap portion (not shown) in the maintenance unit covers the nozzle surface of the recording head 4 from below to selectively suck ink for each color, 4 performs a recovery process for removing bubbles in a buffer tank (not shown). When the carriage 5 moves laterally closer to the maintenance unit portion, cleaning is performed by wiping the nozzle surface with a cleaner (wiper blade) (not shown).

  In this embodiment, a flexible flat cable 40 for transmitting a command signal for selectively ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head 4 mounted on the carriage 5 from a control unit (not shown) provided on the housing 2 side is In a region (movable region, non-binding or non-constrained region) through which the ink supply tube 20 passes when the ink cartridge 5 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction (main scanning direction), it is substantially parallel to the direction in which the ink supply tube 20 extends. Is arranged (see FIG. 3).

  The convex curve directions of the midway curve portion of the ink supply tube 20 and the midway curve portion of the flexible flat cable 40 are set to be opposite to the reciprocating direction of the carriage 5. With this configuration, the ink supply tube 20 and the flexible flat cable 40 can be arranged at substantially the same height (substantially in the same horizontal plane) in the vertical direction, and as a result, the entire image recording apparatus 1 can be thinned.

  A registration roller (conveyance roller) pair 27 for sending the paper P to the lower surface of the recording head 4 is disposed on the upstream side of the platen 26, and a recorded paper is provided on the downstream side of the platen 26. A paper discharge roller 28 for conveying P to the paper discharge unit 10 is disposed (see FIG. 2).

  Next, the configuration of the paper feeding device will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a storage unit 3b capable of accumulating and storing a large number of sheets P is provided, and a first supply for feeding the sheets P in the storage unit 3b one by one to the recording unit 7 by the sheet feeding unit 6 is performed. On the paper cassette 3 and the accommodating portion 3b of the first paper feed cassette 3, the paper feed means 6 is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat, and is different in size (small size) from the paper P in the first paper feed cassette 3. And a second paper feed cassette 30 capable of accumulating and storing a plurality of sheets P1 of postcards or photographs), and feeding the second paper feed cassette 30 to the first paper feed cassette 3 When the sheet is retracted in the direction opposite to the direction (arrow A direction), the upstream end in the sheet feeding direction of the second sheet cassette 30 is the upstream end in the sheet feeding direction of the first sheet cassette 3. It is formed so as to be located on the rear side of the part.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the sheet feeding means 6 has a synthetic resin rotation drive shaft 6d on the side plate and a pair of shaft support plates (both not shown) in the main frame 21, respectively. The shaft 6d is rotatably supported by the drilled shaft hole, and the tip of the rotational drive shaft 6d is inserted so as to project sideways at the base of the paper feed arm 6a in the paper feed means 6. The paper feed roller 6b is rotated in a certain direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) via a gear transmission mechanism 6c provided in the paper feed arm 6a by the rotational drive of the rotary drive shaft 6d. . Further, the paper feeding roller 6b is always biased downward by a biasing means (not shown) (for example, a torsion spring).

  The first paper feed cassette 3 is a paper P that has been cut into a large size such as an A4 size, letter size, legal size, or the like as a recording medium, and its short side is in the Y-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. A large number of sheets are stacked (stacked) so as to extend in the main scanning direction). In the embodiment, the maximum accumulation amount of the paper P in the storage portion 3b of the first paper feed cassette 3 is about 100 sheets of plain paper, and the accumulation height (H1) is about 10 mm. In addition, an auxiliary support member 3a for supporting the rear end portion of the long sheet P of the legal size or the like is provided in the recessed portion 3d of the rear end portion (corresponding to the front side of the housing 2) of the first paper feed cassette 3. It is mounted so as to be movable in the paper transport direction (sub-scanning direction, X-axis direction) (see FIG. 1). In the vicinity of the rear end of the recessed portion 3d and the auxiliary support member 3a, grips 3e and 3f that are easy to put on the fingers so that the first sheet feeding cassette 3 can be easily inserted into and removed from the opening 2a of the housing 2 are formed in a trapezoidal hole shape. (See FIGS. 1 and 4).

A main inclined separation plate 8 for separating paper is disposed at the tip of the first paper feed cassette 3 (on the right side in FIG. 2, the most downstream end in the feeding direction). Then, a paper feed roller 6b provided at the lower end of the paper feed arm 6a, and an elastic separation pad as separation means provided on the inner surface (front surface) side of the central portion in the width direction (Y direction) of the main inclined separation plate 8 8a (made of a metal leaf spring in the embodiment) separates and conveys the paper P, which is a recording medium, accumulated in the first paper feed cassette 3 one by one. The separated paper P is fed to a recording unit 7 provided above (higher position) than the first paper feed cassette 3 via a conveyance path body 9 for a U-turn path (paper feed conveyance path) that faces upward. . Then, the paper P recorded by the recording unit 7 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 10 communicating with the opening 2a with the recording surface facing upward.

  The surface of the main inclined separating plate 8 has a sawtooth shape as a separating means located on the center side in the width direction of the paper P in the direction (Y direction, width direction of the paper P) perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper P. A convex portion that approaches the leading edge on the center side in the width direction of the paper P at a portion close to the elastic separation pad 8a and moves away from the leading edge of the paper P as it goes to both ends in the width direction of the paper P. It is formed on a curved surface (see FIG. 4, FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b)). As described above, since the surface of the main inclined separation plate 8 is a convex curved surface, the both ends of the fed paper P in the width direction come into contact with the surface of the main inclined separation plate 8 before the paper P is in contact. The leading edge on the center side in the width direction can reliably come into sliding contact with the elastic separation pad 8a to receive the separation action of the paper P. In addition, on the left and right sides of the elastic separation pad 8a, freely rotating rollers 28 are attached in the vicinity of the upper end of the main inclined separation plate 8 to smoothly guide the paper P in the direction of the conveyance path body 9 (FIGS. 4 and 4). 5, see FIG. 9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b)). The main inclined separation plate 8 is formed as a separate body so that it can be detachably attached to the tip of the first paper feed cassette 3.

  A pair of left and right side guide bodies 34a and 34b are provided in the accommodating portion 3b of the first paper feed cassette 3 as guide means for guiding and positioning side edges parallel to the feeding direction of the paper P. It is provided so that it can move in a wide and narrow direction (wide and narrow slide) in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. In that case, so-called center alignment is performed so that the center line in the width direction of the first paper feed cassette 3 (direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the paper P) and the center line coincide with the width direction of the paper P. Although not shown, the rack body connected to the bottom portions of the pair of left and right side guide bodies 34a and 34b is configured to mesh with a gear disposed at the center line position in the width direction of the bottom plate of the first sheet feeding cassette 3. Yes. Note that at least one side guide body 34b has a rack-like shape formed on the surface (upper surface) of the bottom plate of the first paper feed cassette 3 at a position where the pair of side guide bodies 34a and 34b are moved in the width direction. A grip portion 38 is provided (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that can be engaged with and set (held) by the locking portion 37 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  The second paper feed cassette 30 of the first embodiment is connected so as to be able to move forward and backward along the paper feed direction of the paper P in the first paper feed cassette 3, and the front end side (feed direction) of the second paper feed cassette 30. (Upstream side) is configured to be able to turn upward. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7B, the left and right side plates 3c extending in parallel with the feeding direction of the paper P in the first paper feeding cassette 3 are provided with guide holes 35 that are long in the feeding direction. The round shaft 36 that protrudes outward from the downstream side portion (for example, the bottom plate 30 a) in the feeding direction on both the left and right sides of the second sheet feeding cassette 30 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the guide hole 35 and can be rotated. Is fitted. It should be noted that the diameter of the leading end portion 35a of the guide hole 35 (downstream side in the paper P1 feeding direction) is slightly larger and is inclined upward so as to be integrated in the width direction of the second paper feed cassette 30. The protruded round shaft 36 is inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction so as to be easily inserted into the guide hole 35.

  The second paper feed cassette 30 has a pair of locking pieces 31 such as an upward hook projecting forward at the front end of a bottom plate (mounting portion) 30a on the front end side (downstream in the paper P1 feeding direction). (See FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (b) and FIG. 6 (c)). When the second sheet cassette 30 is pushed to the sheet feeding position, the locking piece 31 has a pair of positioning holes 8b (see FIGS. 9 and 10) formed in the main inclined separation plate 8 in the first sheet cassette 3. Each of the locking pieces 31 so that the second sheet feeding cassette 30 is not shifted from side to side and up and down, and the second sheet feeding cassette 30 is pushed to the sheet feeding position. The lower surface recess 31a is locked to the lower edge of the positioning hole 8b (see FIG. 10). The set of the locking piece 31 and the positioning hole 8b is provided at a plurality of locations at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction of the main inclined separation plate 8, that is, the width direction of the paper P1, and sandwiching the placement location of the elastic separation pad 8a. Since it is provided on both sides, in a state where the second paper feed cassette 30 is set at the paper feed position with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3, the second paper feed cassette 30 is displaced up and down or the paper P1 It is possible to prevent instability of the set position, such as displacement in the width direction or tilting of one side of the second paper feed cassette 30 up and down. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a posture in which the second paper feed cassette 30 is held in the vertical direction at the paper feed position and in parallel with the paper feed direction of the paper P1, and the separation and feeding action of the paper P1 can be surely and stabilized. There is an effect.

  On the bottom plate (mounting unit) 30a, a large number of sheets P1 having a size smaller than the size of the sheets P deposited on the first sheet feeding cassette 3 (for example, a postcard or a photo L plate sheet) are deposited. be able to. Further, not only the size but also a paper of a different type from the paper P generally accumulated and accommodated in the first paper feed cassette 3, that is, a paper P1 of a different type such as an inkjet printer dedicated paper or a photo quality glossy paper. Multiple sheets can be deposited.

  The width dimension W2 of the bottom plate 30a is narrower than the width dimension W1 of the first paper feed cassette 3 and is disposed on the center side in the width direction of the first paper feed cassette 3. Thus, by providing the notch portion so that the bottom plate 30a on the front end side becomes narrow, an operator's finger can be placed on the handle portion 38 of the side guide body 34b without removing the second paper feed cassette 30. Since it reaches easily, the positioning operation of the paper P in the first paper feed cassette 3 in the width direction becomes easy. A paper discharge receiving portion 30b having a wide width (substantially the same width as the width of the first paper feed cassette 30) is integrally formed on the rear side of the bottom plate 30a, and a rear end of the paper discharge receiving portion 30b. Is formed with a notch 39 for facilitating grasping the end of the discharged paper P (P1) by hand (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 9).

  The left and right side plates 30c of the bottom plate 30a in the second paper feed cassette 30 are integrally formed so as to extend along the feeding direction of the paper P1. In the middle of the wide surface of the bottom plate 30a, paper guide means for positioning and positioning parallel to the feeding direction of the paper P1 is provided. The first embodiment is a rear corner contact type skew guide body 41 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7A and 7B, and a fixed position which becomes one fixed guide side plate. Side plate 30c. The skew guide body 41 is parallel to the rear contact plate 41a and the side plate 30c, which can contact the rear edge of the paper P1 deposited on the bottom plate 30a by contacting the side edge of one side plate 30c. The skew guide body 41 is mounted so as to be movable along a guide groove 42 formed in an inclined shape on the bottom plate 30a.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, when the paper P1 is L size, the rear edge of the paper P1 contacts the rear contact plate 41a in the skew guide body 41 and at the same time the side contact plate 41b. The inclination angle of the guide groove 42 is set so that the side edge of the paper P1 contacts. Therefore, in the case of a postcard where the ratio of the long side to the short side of the paper P1 is different from the L size, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, either the side contact plate 41b or the rear contact plate 41a is used. The side edge or the rear edge of the paper P1 comes into contact with only one side. When the inclination angle of the guide groove 42 is set to be different from those shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the paper P1 is a postcard, the rear contact plate 41a of the skew guide body 41 is placed on the rear contact plate 41a. It may be designed so that the side edge of the sheet P1 contacts the side contact plate 41b at the same time as the edge contacts. 7A and 7B, the side guide bodies 34a and 34b in the first paper feed cassette 3 are not shown.

  Further, in a state where the auxiliary support member 3a in the first paper feed cassette 3 is housed in the housing portion 3b and the second paper feed cassette 30 is pushed to the tip of the first paper feed cassette 3, the first paper feed cassette 3 The lengths of the third and second paper feed cassettes 30 in the X-axis direction are substantially equal to the lengths of the image reading device 12 and the operation panel unit 14 in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, since the image recording apparatus 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in plan view, the packaging is facilitated even when packaging as a product, and the packaging box can be downsized.

  When the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30 are inserted into and removed from the bottom of the housing 2, the second paper feed cassette 30 is pushed into the front end side of the first paper feed cassette 3. Insert as one. In that case, the paper feed arm 6a automatically moves up and down, and the paper feed roller 6b at the tip of the paper feed arm 6a gets over the main inclined separation plate 8 and is then deposited on the second paper feed cassette 30. A configuration that moves downward so as to contact the uppermost surface of the paper P1 will be described.

  The first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 (a) to 6 (c), and is parallel to the rotational drive shaft 6d, and integrally protrudes from the sheet feeding arm 6a made of synthetic resin. The substantially flat cam follower member 43 extends to above the auxiliary cam portion 44 having a height difference in the height direction formed on the upper surface of one side plate 30c of the second sheet feeding cassette 30.

  The auxiliary cam portion 44 is connected to the first inclined guide portion 44a having a height that is low on the most downstream side in the feeding direction of the second paper feed cassette 30 and that increases in height toward the upstream side. The second guide portion 44b is substantially constant, and the third guide portion 44c is adjacent to the second guide portion 44b and is recessed in a substantially V shape.

According to the above configuration, the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30 are integrally inserted from the opening 2 a on the front surface of the housing 2, and the lower surface of the cam follower member 43 is the start end side (bank) of the auxiliary cam portion 44. When abutting against the first inclined guide portion 44a, which is a member, the side closer to the main inclined separation plate 8, the cam follower member 43 is pushed up in accordance with the forward movement of the second paper feed cassette 30, and integrally therewith. The paper feed arm 6a and thus the paper feed roller 6b rotate upward, and the paper feed roller 6b and the paper feed arm 6a cross over the main inclined separation plate 8.

  In a state where the cam follower member 43 is in contact with the second guide portion b and the paper feed arm 6a and the paper feed roller 6b are raised (see FIG. 6C), these members are provided on the bottom plate 21b of the main frame 21. It is accommodated in the space in the main frame 21 through the opening 21c. At that time, the flat cam follower member 43 is also in contact with or close to the lower surface of the bottom plate 21b. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the vertical rotation operation of the paper feed arm 6a and the paper feed roller 6b without increasing the height of the vertical space between the bottom plate 21b of the main frame 21 and the second paper feed cassette 30. In other words, the height from the first paper feed cassette 3 to the bottom plate 21b of the main frame 21 can be reduced, and a compact one in which the overall height of the image recording apparatus 1 is reduced can be provided.

  When the cam follower member 43 is positioned at the descending portion of the third guide portion 44c beyond the second guide portion 44b, the sheet feeding arm 6a and the sheet feeding roller 6b, which are biased downward accordingly, also rotate downward. The paper feed roller 6b can come into contact with the uppermost layer of the paper P1 accumulated on the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30 (see FIG. 6A).

  When the first paper feed cassette 3 is moved forward to the housing 2 (set state) and the second paper feed cassette 30 is moved backward, the cam follower member 43 is moved from the third guide portion 44c to the second guide portion. 44b and the first inclined guide portion 44a are sequentially slidably contacted, and finally the cam follower member 43 is detached from the side plate 30c of the second paper feed cassette 30. In this way, when the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30 is retracted from the paper feed roller 6b (non-paper feed position), the paper feed roller 6b can come into contact with the bottom of the first paper feed cassette 3 to feed paper. Operation becomes possible (see FIG. 9B).

  In this way, the cam follower member 43 is provided in the paper feed means 6, and the cam follower member is provided in the second paper feed cassette 30 in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the second paper feed cassette 30 with respect to the inside of the housing 2 (main body case). 43 is provided with an auxiliary cam portion 44 for moving the sheet feeding means 6 up and down at least temporarily, so that the first sheet feeding cassette 3 and the second sheet feeding cassette 30 are integrated and removed. Accordingly, the sheet feeding means 6 can be moved up and down automatically, and the operation becomes simple.

In a state where a large number of sheets P are accumulated in the first sheet cassette 3, a large number of small-sized sheets P 1 are accumulated on the bottom plate 30 a of the second sheet cassette 30. If the paper feeding roller 6b is pushed to the position close to the front end of the paper feeding cassette 3 (paper feeding position), the uppermost surface of the paper P1 on the second paper feeding cassette 30 can be pressed in that state, so that the image recording operation is performed as it is. Can be executed. On the contrary, in a state where a large number of small-sized papers P1 are accumulated on the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30, the second paper feed cassette 30 is maintained until the round shaft 36 is positioned at the rear end of the guide hole 35. The second paper feed cassette 30 is not detached from the first paper feed cassette 3 even if the first paper feed cassette 3 is moved backward. Further, the sheet P1 deposited on the bottom plate 30a is regulated by the inclined guide body 41 and the deposition posture is not disturbed, and the sheet P on the first sheet cassette 3 is immediately fed by the sheet feeding roller 6b. The image recording work can be executed. The bottom plate 30a in the second paper feed cassette 30 has a width portion located within a range including the location of the elastic separation pad 8a of the main inclined separation plate 8 in the first paper feed cassette 3, so that one paper feed roller 6b and 1 There is an effect that the two main inclined separation plates 8 can be shared by the separation and feeding operation of the paper P accumulated in the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30.

  When the paper P is replenished to the first paper feed roller 3, the rear end of the second paper feed cassette 30 is lifted with the second paper feed cassette 30 pushed into the first paper feed cassette 3 (paper feed position). In addition, in a state where the second paper feed cassette 30 is pulled out (retracted) from the first paper feed cassette 3 (non-paper feed position), the rear end portion of the second paper feed cassette 30 is lifted. Even in this case, the second paper feed cassette 30 can be rotated upward about the round shaft 36 fitted in the guide hole 35, and the vertical space at the rear end of the first paper feed cassette 3 is widened. The replenishment operation of the paper P to the paper cassette 3 can be extremely easily performed.

  Further, the accommodating portion 3b of the first sheet feeding cassette 3 is inclined in a direction approaching the main inclined separation plate 8, that is, in the sheet feeding direction, and the rear end of the accommodating portion 3b is an opening of the housing 2. Since the sheet feeding means 6 is open toward the outside of the section 2a and the sheet feeding arm 6a can be tilted, the sheets P stacked and accommodated in the accommodation section 3b of the first sheet cassette 3 are Since it does not shift to the rear end side of the first paper feed cassette 3, a guide member that contacts the rear end of the paper P becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to replenish the paper P from the rear end side of the first paper feed cassette 3 without lifting the rear end of the second paper feed cassette 30.

  Further, since the sheet receiving portion 30b is formed subsequent to the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30, when the large-size paper P is deposited on the first paper feed cassette 3 and the image is recorded, it moves backward. There is an effect that the recorded paper P can be reliably received without protruding from the rear portion (discharge receiving portion 30b) of the second paper feeding cassette 3 at the non-paper feeding position.

  Note that the media sensor 49 for detecting the width of the paper P (P1) fed from the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30 to the recording unit 7 and the second paper feed cassette 30 feed the paper. A cassette sensor 50 for detecting whether or not the paper has been set is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 5 as a component on the apparatus main body side (see FIG. 8). Each of the media sensor 49 and the cassette sensor 50 employs a non-contact type optical sensor such as an infrared sensor. A detection window hole (not shown) is provided in the middle of the platen 26 in the Y-axis direction so that the bottom plate 30a can be detected by the cassette sensor 50 only when the second paper feed cassette 30 is set at the paper feed position. Drill. The media sensor 49 moves the carriage 5 in the Y-axis direction so that it can detect the width dimension of the leading end of the paper P (P1) that is temporarily stopped from the pair of registration rollers 27 in the feeding direction. The scanning is detected while the operation is being performed. According to this configuration, for example, when the user instructs the type or size of the sheet that the user wants to use and executes image recording, the second sheet is stored in the second sheet cassette 30. If it is determined from the detection value of the cassette sensor 50 that the paper feed cassette 30 has not been set (pushed in) at the paper feed position, the paper feed operation is prohibited and a notification to that effect is given to the user. Then, at the stage where the second paper feed cassette 30 is set at the paper feed position, control for allowing the paper feed operation is executed. Similarly, when the paper of the type or size that the user wants to use is accumulated in the first paper feed cassette 3, the second paper feed cassette 30 on which the paper of an undesired size is accumulated is set at the paper feed position. In addition, the paper feeding operation is prohibited and the user is notified of this fact. Then, at the stage where the second paper feed cassette 30 is set at the paper feed position, control for allowing the paper feed operation is executed.

  Further, the width dimension of the front end portion of the sheet P (P1) that is fed from the first sheet feeding cassette 3 or the second sheet feeding cassette 30 and stopped once in the state of being slightly conveyed from the registration roller pair 27 in the feeding direction. Is detected by the media sensor 49 while the carriage 5 is moved, and the size of the paper P is determined by an electronic control device (not shown). If the paper is different from the type or size of paper that the user wants to use, the image recording on the fed paper P (P1) is prohibited, and the paper P (P1) is left as it is. Is discharged. As a result, there is an effect that the paper P (P1) is not wasted. Note that the media sensor 49 can also detect the set position of the paper P (P1) in the Y-axis direction, as in the conventional publicly known technique.

  In the second embodiment of the second paper feed cassette 30 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, an auxiliary inclined separating plate 51 is provided at the tip of the bottom plate 30a. This auxiliary inclined separating plate 51 is also provided with an elastic separating pad 51a similar to the main inclined separating plate 8. Further, the front and rear guide holes 35 for connecting the second paper feed cassette 30 through the round shaft 36 so as to be movable back and forth are not only the side plates 3c in the first paper feed cassette 3 of the first embodiment, You may form in the side guide bodies 34a and 34b in the 1st paper feed cassette 3 of 2nd Embodiment.

  Other configurations in the second embodiment (for example, a configuration of the auxiliary cam portion 44 formed on the upper surface of the cam follower member 43 and the one side plate 30c of the second paper feed cassette 30) are the first embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 5). 6), the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted. According to the configuration of the second embodiment, when the second paper feed cassette 30 is pushed forward with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3, the cam follower member 43 slides along the auxiliary cam portion 44 and the paper feed arm 6 a and thus The paper feed roller 6b can be raised and lowered. When the second sheet feeding cassette 30 is set at the sheet feeding position, the auxiliary inclined separating plate 51 is disposed adjacent to the front surface of the main inclined separating plate 8 in the first sheet feeding cassette 3 (FIGS. 11 and FIG. 11). 13 (a)), the paper P1 accumulated in the second paper feed cassette 30 is fed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 6b and can be separated one by one at the location of the elastic separation pad 51a of the auxiliary inclined separation plate 51. .

  Since the front edge of a large number of sheets P1 deposited on the bottom plate 30a is close to the auxiliary inclined separation plate 51, the sheet P1 is positioned with respect to the sheet guide means 41 for maintaining the parallel posture. As a result of the cooperative action, even if the second paper feed cassette 30 is moved back and forth, the stacking posture of the paper P1 remains unchanged. There is an effect that it is extremely smooth.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the sheet feeding roller 6 b of the sheet feeding unit 6 is moved up and down in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the first sheet feeding cassette 3 and the second sheet feeding cassette 30. . That is, the substantially flat cam follower member 43 protruding integrally from the paper feed arm 6a (however, the rotation drive shaft 6d is not shown in FIGS. 14 to 16) is formed on one side plate 30c of the second paper feed cassette 30. An auxiliary cam portion 44 having a height difference in the height direction formed on the upper surface, and a main cam portion 55 having a height difference in the height direction formed on the upper surface of one side plate 3c in the first paper feed cassette 3. It extends across the top. The distal end portion 43a of the cam follower member 43 that contacts the main cam portion 55 is set so that the length L1 in the feeding direction is shorter than the length L2 of the cam follower member 43 that contacts the auxiliary cam portion 44 (see FIG. 15).

  The auxiliary cam portion 44 is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4 to 6), and the height is low on the most downstream side in the feeding direction of the second paper feed cassette 30, and the height increases toward the upstream side. The first inclined guide portion 44a having a height, the second guide portion 44b connected to the first inclined guide portion 44b and having a substantially constant height, and the third guide portion 44c adjacent to the first guide portion 44b and recessed in a substantially V shape.

  The main cam portion 55 is connected to the first guide portion 55a having a certain height from the most downstream side to the upstream side in the feeding direction of the first paper feed cassette 3, and is V-shaped having a low height in the middle. The second guide portion 55b. In the state in which the second paper feed cassette 30 is set at the paper feed position with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3, the second guide portion 55b and the third guide portion 44c are in the feeding direction in a side view. The positions are set so as to be substantially the same (see FIG. 17). A recess 56a that prevents the cam follower member 43 from interfering with the movement of the cam follower member 43 is also provided on the sheet side guide plate 56 provided on the bottom plate (mounting portion) 30a of the second sheet feeding cassette 30. It is formed so as to overlap with the position of the guide portion 55b (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

  Further, the left and right side plates 3c of the first paper feed cassette 3 are provided with guide holes 35 that are elongated along the feeding direction, and the left and right sides of the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30 have wings ( The wing) portion 57 is formed so as to be close to the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 3c, and a round shaft 58 protruding from the tip of the wing (wing) portion 57 is fitted in the guide hole 35 so as to be movable and rotatable (FIG. 14). FIG. 15). With this configuration, the second paper feed cassette 30 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3, and the second paper feed cassette 30 can be turned up and down around the round shaft 58.

  Further, on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 3c of the first paper feed cassette 3, ridges 59a and 59b are formed at two positions appropriately separated in the forward and backward direction of the second paper feed cassette 30. The protrusion 57a formed integrally with the wing (wing) 57 is configured to give a click feeling when the second sheet feeding cassette 30 is selectively moved over the protrusions 59a and 59b. ing.

  A state in which the second paper feed cassette 30 having the auxiliary cam portion 44 is pushed into the paper feed position with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3 having the main cam portion 55 configured as described above, or the second paper feed cassette 30 is moved backward. When the two sheet feeding cassettes 3 and 30 are integrally inserted into the housing 2 in the state of the non-feeding position, the leading end portion 43a of the cam follower member 43 in the sheet feeding means 6 is one of the first sheet feeding cassettes 3. When riding on the first guide portion 55a from the leading edge of the side plate 3c, the paper feed arm 6a rises to a substantially horizontal position, and the paper feed roller 6b gets over the main inclined separation plate 8. After this overcoming, when the tip 43a comes near the bottom of the V-shape of the second guide portion 55b, the paper feed arm 6a rotates downward, and the paper feed roller 6b is moved to the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30. Can be selectively brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the sheet P1 accumulated on the sheet P1 or the sheet P accumulated in the accommodating portion 3b of the first sheet feeding cassette 3.

  When the second paper feed cassette 30 is moved forward with the first paper feed cassette 3 set at the paper feed position of the housing 2, the cam follower 43 is brought into sliding contact with the auxiliary cam portion 44 of the second paper feed cassette 30. The paper feed arm 6a once pivots upward and then pivots downward. Accordingly, the paper feed roller 6b can abut on the uppermost surface of the paper P1 accumulated on the bottom plate 30a of the second paper feed cassette 30. On the other hand, when the second paper feed cassette 30 is moved backward, the cam follower 43 is similarly slidably contacted with the auxiliary cam portion 44, and the paper feed arm 6a is once turned upward and then turned downward. The sheet P1 on the second sheet feeding cassette 30 can be brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the sheet P accumulated in the storage portion 3b of the first sheet feeding cassette 3 without breaking the accumulation. It should be noted that the forward / backward operation of the second paper feed cassette 30 may be performed by grasping the handle portion 30d at the rear end of the paper discharge receiving portion 30b by hand.

  In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, the first paper feed means 6 for the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed means 60 for the second paper feed cassette 30 are arranged in parallel. When the paper P accumulated in the first paper feed cassette 3 is fed, the paper feed roller 6b of the first paper feed means 6 is placed on the uppermost surface of the paper P accumulated in the storage portion 3b of the first paper feed cassette 3 The paper feed roller 60b of the second paper feed means 60 is held in the raised position. Conversely, when feeding the accumulated paper P on the second paper feed cassette 30, the paper feed roller 60 b of the second paper feed means 60 is used to feed the paper P 1 accumulated on the placement portion 30 a of the second paper feed cassette 3. The first paper feeding means 6 and the second paper feeding means 60 are selectively raised and lowered so that the paper feeding roller 6b of the first paper feeding means 6 is held in the raised position. It is composed of.

  The detailed configuration will be described. The left and right side plates 3c of the first paper feed cassette 3 are formed with main cam portions 55 similar to those in the third embodiment. Further, one side plate 30c of the second paper feed cassette 30 (a side in contact with a cam follower member 61 to be described later) is provided with a third guide portion 44c having a V-shape in a side view similar to the third embodiment described above. An auxiliary cam portion 44 is formed. The upper surface of the other side plate 30c (side contacting the cam follower member 43) of the second paper feed cassette 30 has only a substantially horizontal second guide portion 44b having the same height. Other configurations in the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30 are also the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given and detailed explanations are omitted.

  Since the configuration of the first paper feeding means 6 is the same as that of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted. 18 to 20, the rotary drive shaft 6d and the main inclined separation plate 8 in the first paper feeding unit 6 are not shown.

  The basic structure of the second paper feeding means 60 is the same as that of the first paper feeding means 6, and the rotational drive shaft 60 d and the cam follower member 61 in the second paper feed means 60 are the rotational drive shaft 6 d in the first paper feed means 6. The extending directions are opposite to each other. In other words, the rotation drive shaft 60d and the cam follower member 61 are disposed so as to straddle over the other side plates 3c and 30c of the first paper feed cassette 3 and the second paper feed cassette 30 (FIGS. 18 and 19). And FIG. 20).

  In the fourth embodiment, the second paper feed cassette 30 is inserted into the paper feed position with respect to the first paper feed cassette 3 (see FIGS. 18 to 21). When the housing 2 is integrated into the housing 2, when the leading end 43a of the cam follower member 43 in the first sheet feeding means 6 rides on the first guide portion 55a from the leading edge of one side plate 3c of the first sheet feeding cassette 3, The sheet feeding arm 6a is raised to a substantially horizontal position, and the sheet feeding roller 6b can get over the main inclined separation plate 8. Next, since the middle portion of the cam follower member 43 is kept in contact with the second guide portion 44b having a high height in the second paper feed cassette 30, the paper feed arm of the first paper feed means 6 is maintained. 6a is held in a posture that is raised to a substantially horizontal shape (see FIGS. 22A and 22B). On the other hand, when the cam follower member 61 in the second paper feed means 60 rides on the first guide portion 55a from the leading edge of the other side plate 3c of the first paper feed cassette 3, the paper feed arm 60a rotates upward and feeds. The paper roller 60 b can get over the main inclined separation plate 8. Next, after the cam follower member 61 comes into contact with the horizontal second guide portion 44b from the first inclined guide portion 44a in the auxiliary cam portion 44 of the other side plate 30c, the V-shaped third guide portion 44c having a low height is provided. When the cam follower member 61 is positioned at the location of the same V-shaped second guide portion 55 b in the first paper feed cassette 3, the paper feed arm 60 a rotates downward, and the paper feed roller 60 b It is possible to contact the uppermost surface of the paper P1 accumulated on the bottom plate 30a of the cassette 30.

  Next, when only the second paper feed cassette 30 is retracted to the non-paper feed position while the first paper feed cassette 3 is set at the paper feed position, the cam follower 61 in the second paper feed means 60 becomes V-shaped. After being pushed up along the third guide portion 44c and then slidably contacted with the high horizontal second guide portion 44b, it descends along the first inclined guide portion 44a, and finally comes from the auxiliary cam portion 44 to the cam follower member. 61 is disengaged (see FIG. 22C and FIG. 22D), but the distal end side of the cam follower member 61 is in contact with the high horizontal first guide portion 55a in the main cam portion 55. The lower surface of the paper feed roller 60a is held so as not to contact the uppermost surface of the paper P on the storage portion 3b of the first paper feed cassette 3 (see FIG. 22D). At this time, the paper feed roller 6 b in the first paper feed means 6 can be brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the paper P accumulated in the storage portion 3 b of the first paper feed cassette 3.

  In this way, the first paper feeding means 6 or the second paper feeding means 60 is fed as the first paper feeding cassette 3 and the second paper feeding cassette 30 selectively move forward and backward and integrally move forward and backward. It can be selectively moved to the active position and the non-active position. It should be noted that the forward / backward operation of the second paper feed cassette 30 may be performed by grasping the handle portion 30d at the rear end of the paper discharge receiving portion 30b by hand.

  The length L4 of the paper feed arm 60a in the second paper feed means 60 is set shorter than the length L3 of the paper feed arm 6a in the first paper feed means 6 (see FIG. 22A). With this configuration, the sheet feeding roller 6b and the sheet P on the first sheet feeding cassette 3 are moved from the rotation center of the sheet feeding arm 6a of the first sheet feeding means 6 (the axis of the rotational drive shaft 6d). The angle formed by the line connecting the contact points with the surface and the surface of the sheet (the depression angle θ1) is the same as the rotation center of the sheet feeding arm 60a of the second sheet feeding means 60 (the axis of the rotation drive shaft 60d). The rotational drive shafts 6d and 60d have substantially the same height when the angle (the depression angle θ2) between the line connecting the contact point between the paper roller 60b and the surface of the paper P1 on the second paper feed cassette 30 and the surface of the paper is the same. Even if the second paper feed cassette 30 is located above the first paper feed cassette 3, the values of θ1 and θ2 can be set to be substantially the same. The force for feeding the paper can be made almost equal.

1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side sectional view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus main body with an upper cover body removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state in which the second paper feed cassette of the first embodiment is set at a paper feed position on the first paper feed cassette. It is a perspective view of the state where the 2nd paper feed cassette of a 1st embodiment was retracted to the non-paper feed position. (A) is the VIa-VIa arrow directional cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, (b) is VIb-VIb line | wire arrow sectional drawing of FIG. (A) is a top view which shows the use condition of the rear corner type | mold paper guide in a 2nd paper feed cassette, (b) is a top view which shows another use condition. It is a bottom view of the carriage for showing a sensor means. It is a perspective view which shows the main inclination separation plate of a 1st paper feed cassette. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. It is a perspective view in the state where the 2nd paper feed cassette which has an auxiliary inclination separation board of a 2nd embodiment was set in the paper feed position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state in which a second paper feed cassette having an auxiliary inclined separation plate is set back to a non-paper feed position. (A) is a sectional view taken along line XIIIa-XIIIa in FIG. 11, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line XIIIb-XIIIb in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a second paper feed cassette according to a third embodiment is set at a paper feed position on the first paper feed cassette. It is the perspective view seen from the other direction of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of a 3rd embodiment. It is a XVII-XVII arrow directional side view of FIG. It is a perspective view in the state where the 2nd paper feed cassette of a 4th embodiment was set in the paper feed position on the 1st paper feed cassette. It is the perspective view seen from the other direction of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of a 4th embodiment. FIG. 21 is a side view taken along line XXI-XXI in FIG. 20. 20A is a sectional view taken along line XXIIa-XXIIa in FIG. 20, FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along line XXIIb-XXIIb in FIG. 20, and FIG. 20C is the first feeding in a state in which the second sheet feeding cassette is retracted. FIG. 4D is a side view of the paper unit 6 and FIG. 4D is a side view of the first paper feeding unit 6 and the second paper feeding unit 60 in a state where the second paper feeding cassette is retracted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording device 2 Recording device main body 3 1st paper feed cassette 3b Bottom plate 3c Side plate 4 Recording head 5 Carriage 6 Paper feed means (1st paper feed means)
6a Paper feed arm 6b Paper feed roller 7 Recording part 8 Main inclined separation plate 8a Elastic separation pad 8b Positioning hole 30 Second paper feed cassette 30a Bottom plate 30b Paper discharge receiving part 30c Side plate 31 Locking piece 44 Auxiliary cam part 55 Main cam part 49 Media sensor 50 Cassette sensor 60 Second paper feed means 60a Paper feed arm 60b Paper feed roller

Claims (10)

A first paper feed cassette provided with a storage portion capable of accumulating and storing a large number of recording media, and disposed on the storage portion of the first paper feed cassette so as to be capable of moving back and forth in the feeding direction of the recording media. And a second paper feed cassette having a placement unit capable of accumulating and storing a plurality of recording media,
The paper feed means includes a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the recording medium, and a paper feed roller provided at the tip of a paper feed arm extending from the rotation drive shaft along the feed direction, A cam follower protruding from the paper feed arm,
An auxiliary cam portion that can come into contact with the cam follower is formed in the second paper feed cassette,
The sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet feeding roller can be moved up and down as the second sheet feeding cassette moves forward and backward. On the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feed cassette, a main cam portion that can come into contact with the cam follower is formed.
2. The paper feed according to claim 1, wherein the paper feed roller is configured to be retractable with respect to a main inclined separation plate of the first paper feed cassette as the first paper feed cassette moves forward and backward. apparatus.   The second sheet feeding cassette is provided with an auxiliary inclined separation plate adjacent to the main inclined separation plate when the second sheet feeding cassette is set at a sheet feeding position with respect to the first sheet feeding cassette. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2. A first paper feed cassette provided with a storage unit capable of accumulating and accommodating a large number of recording media, and a placement capable of accumulating and accommodating a plurality of recording media of different sizes from the recording media in the first paper feed cassette And a second paper feed cassette disposed on the upper surface of the first paper feed cassette so as to be movable back and forth.
A first sheet feeding means for feeding the recording medium in the storage unit to the recording unit one by one by a cooperative action with the main inclined separation plate in the first sheet feeding cassette;
The second paper feeding means for feeding the recording medium in the mounting section to the recording section one by one by the cooperative action with the main inclined separation plate is orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium. Arranged in parallel in the direction,
The first and second paper feed units are provided at a rotation drive shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and at a tip of a paper feed arm extending from the rotation drive shaft along the feed direction. A feed roller and a cam follower extending from the paper feed arm along the axis of the rotary drive shaft,
On the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first paper feed cassette, a main cam portion capable of contacting the cam followers in the first and second paper feed means is formed.
On the upper surface of the side plate extending in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the second paper feed cassette, an auxiliary cam portion that can come into contact with the cam followers in the first and second paper feed means is formed.
The paper feed roller can be moved up and down according to when the first and second paper feed cassettes move forward and backward integrally or when the second paper feed cassette moves forward and backward relative to the first paper feed cassette. A paper feeder characterized by. The cam follower in the first paper feed unit and the cam follower in the second paper feed unit are arranged so as to extend in opposite directions in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording medium. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4. When the second paper feeding cassette is retracted upstream in the feeding direction with respect to the first paper feeding cassette, the auxiliary paper feed roller in the second paper feeding means is held in the raised position. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein a cam portion is formed. When the second paper feed cassette is advanced to the downstream side in the feeding direction with respect to the first paper feed cassette, the auxiliary paper feed roller is held at the raised position in the first paper feed means. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a cam portion is formed. Long left and right guide holes in the feeding direction are provided in the left and right side plates extending in parallel with the feeding direction of the recording medium in the first sheet feeding cassette, and downstream in the feeding direction on the left and right sides of the second sheet feeding cassette. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion is connected to the guide hole so as to be movable back and forth and rotatable. A recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium and a paper feed conveyance path for feeding the recording medium to the image recording unit are provided in the apparatus main body, and the lower part of the apparatus main body is below the recording unit. An image in which the first paper feed cassette and the second paper feed cassette in the paper feed device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 are provided so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the main body of the device. Recording device. A media sensor for detecting a width dimension of a recording medium fed from the first paper feeding cassette and the second paper feeding cassette to the recording unit; and whether the second paper feeding cassette is set at a paper feeding position. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a cassette sensor for detecting whether or not is provided in a component on the apparatus main body side.

Images