KR100726433B1 - Paper Feed Cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

The paper feeding cassette according to the present invention includes a cassette main body detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus side; And an alignment unit for pressing and aligning the plurality of stacked recording media in one direction as the cassette body is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

As a result, the present invention has the effect of achieving a more accurate pick-up operation to ensure stable image quality.

Paper Feed, Cassette, Main Unit, Alignment, Deflection, Pickup

Description

Paper cassette {MEDIA CASSETTE}

1 is a perspective view showing a state before a paper feed cassette is mounted on an image forming apparatus side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state after the paper feed cassette is mounted on the image forming apparatus side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before a paper feed cassette is mounted on the image forming apparatus side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A is an enlarged view of a portion IIIa of FIG. 3.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after a paper feed cassette is mounted on the image forming apparatus side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is an enlarged view of a portion IVa of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2;

7 is a perspective view showing a paper cassette according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Brief description of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10 cassette body 11: contact surface

20: alignment unit 21: guide member

22: deflection member 30: cover

100: image forming apparatus

The present invention relates to a paper feeding apparatus for supplying a recording medium into an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a paper feeding cassette of a paper feeding apparatus.

Image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles are devices for forming a predetermined image on various recording media, including electrophotographic methods using a photosensitive member, inkjet methods for spraying a developer directly onto the recording medium, thermal transfer methods, There are various types such as bubble jet method, dye sublimation method and dot matrix method.

Recently, with the spread of digital cameras, more and more users want to store images captured by digital cameras on a storage medium such as a hard disk drive of a computer and directly output them on paper. Photo Printer has been developed for this purpose. The photo printer is a digital photo printer that prints an image stored in a digital camera connected by PictBridge or prints an image stored in a removable memory card. There are various types of such photo printers, such as a bubble jet method, a thermal transfer method, a dye sublimation method, and the like.

In addition, the photo printer is designed in a compact size for easy portability, and can immediately print the image immediately after shooting outdoors. As a printable recording medium, specially treated photographic paper is used, and sizes thereof are specified as 4x6 inch and A4 paper.

On the other hand, such an image forming apparatus is provided with a paper feeding device for supplying a recording medium such as paper into the device, which feeds the recording medium from the paper cassette and the paper cassette on which a plurality of recording media are loaded, and the image is picked up by sheets. And a pickup unit for feeding the printing unit in the forming apparatus.

The paper feed cassette is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus to facilitate the operation of loading a plurality of recording media into the paper cassette.

In the case where a plurality of recording media are loaded into such a paper cassette, the recording medium must be aligned correctly in the paper cassette. If the recording medium is loaded in a misaligned state, various errors may occur during the printing operation of the image forming apparatus or the transfer operation of the recording medium, which causes jams and curls of the recording medium.

Therefore, it can be seen that the alignment of the recording medium loaded in the paper feed cassette is a very important factor for improving the operability or durability of the image forming apparatus.

In particular, an image forming field using an expensive paper-only paper such as a photo printer or the like having a structure in which a paper cassette is separable for its compact size is recognized as a more important factor of recording medium alignment in the paper cassette.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a paper feed cassette capable of achieving a more accurate pick-up operation and ensuring a stable image quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed cassette capable of easily and accurately aligning a recording medium.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed cassette which can prevent the pickup of the recording medium in a unit of sheets while the paper is being picked up from the paper feed cassette, and the multiple picking up of multiple sheets or the pickup failure.

Paper feed cassette of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A cassette body detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus; And

And an alignment unit for pressing and aligning the plurality of recording media loaded in association with the cassette main body in one direction.

The alignment unit includes at least one biasing member that biases toward the cassette body internal space when the cassette body is mounted into the image forming apparatus body.

The alignment unit includes a guide member for inducing a deflection of the biasing member, wherein the guide member and the biasing member are arranged on the same line and installed to be relatively movable with respect to each other.

The biasing member is provided on the inner side of the cassette body such that a guide groove into which the guide member is inserted is formed between the inner side and the cassette body.

Preferably, the biasing member has one side fixed to the inner side of the cassette body, the other side of which is elastically biased toward the inner space of the cassette body, and has a guide groove inserted between the one side and the other side. It is made of an elastic body.

The cassette body has a reference surface on one of the inner surfaces thereof, and an alignment unit is disposed on an opposite portion of the reference surface.

In the reference surface, a plurality of contact surfaces protrude toward the cassette main body space, and the protruding lengths of the contact surfaces are the same.

The paper feeding cassette of the present invention further includes a cover slidably installed on the upper side of the cassette body.

The guide member is fixedly connected to the cover.

The cover and the cassette main body are provided with guide protrusions and guide grooves at portions in contact with each other.

The cover includes an elastic rib for elastically pressing the upper surface of the recording medium loaded in the cassette body.

The cassette body further includes a protrusion for inclining the cover upward on an upper surface thereof.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 6 show a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the paper feeding cassette of the present invention includes a cassette body 10, and the cassette body 10 has an internal space for loading a plurality of recording media, and is detachable on the image forming apparatus 100 side. Is fitted.

On one inner side surface (corresponding to the left side in FIGS. 3 and 5) of the cassette body 10, a plurality of contact surfaces 11 protrude toward the inner space of the cassette body 10, and each projecting length of the contact surfaces 11 is extended. Is the same.

As the plurality of contact surfaces 11 protrude, the plurality of recording media P loaded in the inner space reduces the frictional force in contact with one side of the cassette main body 10, thereby picking up the pick-up roller 55. Can be made easier.

In this way, the inner surface on which the plurality of contact surfaces 11 protrudes serves as a reference surface when the recording medium P is aligned.

In addition, an alignment unit 20 is arranged on the opposite inner surface (corresponding to the right side in FIGS. 3 and 5) of the cassette body 10 to align the stacked recording media P. FIG.

The alignment unit 20 includes a biasing member 22 and a biasing member 22 which are biased toward the inside of the cassette main body 10 as the cassette main body 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 110 side of the image forming apparatus 100. And a guide member 21 for inducing a biasing operation of the member 22.

When the biasing member 22 is deflected into the cassette body 10 by the guide member 21, the biasing member 22 records by pressing one side of the recording media P loaded in the cassette body 10. The widths of the media P are aligned.

The guide member 21 is disposed on the same line as the deflection member 22 and is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 or the cover 30 side.

The biasing member 22 and the guide member 21 are installed to be movable relative to each other. That is, when the guide member 21 is fixed, the biasing member 22 moves toward the guide member 21, and when the biasing member 22 is fixed, the guide member 21 moves toward the biasing member 22. To be installed.

Preferably, the biasing member 22 has an elastic body shape in which one surface 22a is fixed to the inner surface of the cassette body 10 and the other surface 22b is elastically deflected toward the inside of the cassette body 10. And, between the one surface (22a) and the other surface (22b) is formed a guide groove (22c) that is guided by the leading end of the guide member 21 is inserted.

A through hole 17 having a predetermined size is formed in the lower surface of the cassette main body 10, and the through hole 17 is used to separate the recording media P loaded in the inner space of the cassette main body 10. The recording media P can be separated using a user's finger or a ballpoint pen.

The upper surface of the cassette body 10 is provided with a cover 30 for blocking the introduction of foreign matter into the cassette body 10, the cover 30 and the cassette body 10 is relatively sliding relative to each other. It is possible to install. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 30 is shown to partially cover the upper surface of the cassette body 10, but the cover 30 of the present invention is not limited thereto, and covers the entire upper surface of the cassette body 10. It can be set to a length that completely covers.

The sliding structure of the cover 30 and the cassette main body 10 may include a guide protrusion 35 and a guide groove 15 formed to correspond to portions of the cover 30 and the cassette main body 10 in contact with each other. .

In the present embodiment, the above-described guide member 21 may be fixedly connected to the lower surface of the cover 30. Accordingly, the guide member 21 moves integrally with the cover 30 in the same direction, and is fixed to the cover 30 as the cover 30 and the cassette body 10 are slidably installed relative to each other. The biasing member 22 fixed to the guide member 21 and the cassette body 10 becomes relatively slidable relative to each other.

In addition, an elastic rib 31 is installed downward on one side of the lower surface of the cover 30, and the front end of the elastic rib 31 presses the uppermost layer of the recording media P loaded in the cassette main body 10. To flatten the recording media P.

In addition, the cover 30 of the present invention may further include a rotation cover 40 rotatably installed on the front side of the cover 30, as shown in FIG. The rotation cover 40 facilitates the loading operation when the recording medium P is loaded on the cassette main body 10 side, and also reliably blocks foreign substances from flowing into the cassette main body 10. To do this.

Cassette body 10 is formed in the upper surface of the left and right side walls of the protrusions 14 to be curvature with a predetermined radius, when the cover 30 slides toward the front side of the cassette body 10, the cover 30 is a protrusion ( It is inclined finely in contact with 14), whereby the pressing force of the above-mentioned elastic rib 31 increases by the inclined angle.

On the other hand, the mounting portion 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the paper feed cassette of the present invention is detachably mounted is an accommodation space for accommodating the seating recess 111 on which the cover 30 is seated and the rear surface of the cassette body 10. Consists of 112.

A plurality of dams 113 and dams are disposed at the rear side of the accommodation space 112, and the plurality of dams 113 are individually accommodated in the plurality of through holes 16 formed at the rear of the cassette body 10. . Here, the dam 113 is a general configuration that prevents the recording medium P from being stacked and transported while the recording medium P loaded in the cassette body 10 is picked up by the pickup roller 55. Is omitted.

In addition, the hook device 114 is arranged symmetrically in both side directions of the receiving space 112, the hook device 114 is installed to be movable.

The operating relationship of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail as follows.

First, a plurality of recording media (P) is loaded in the inner space of the cassette body 10, wherein the recording medium (P) is in contact with the plurality of contact surfaces (11) formed on one inner surface of the cassette body (10) It is loaded in a state.

Then, the cassette main body 10 and the cover 20 are inserted into the mounting portion 110 side of the image forming apparatus 100.

When the paper feed cassette is inserted into the mounting unit 110, the cover 30 is caught by the seating groove 111 and no longer enters, and the cassette body 10 slides relative to the cover 30 to accommodate the receiving space 112. To the rear of the car.

When the cassette body 10 is inserted to the rear of the accommodation space 112, the hook device 114 is moved toward the cassette body 10, and each hook device 114 is a guide groove 15 of the cassette body 10. The cassette main body 10 is fixedly mounted to the image forming apparatus 100 by being fitted to each of the engaging projections 17 protruding at the rear end of the backsheet).

As described above, due to the relative sliding operation of the cassette body 10 and the cover 30, the guide member 21 fixedly connected to the cover 30 side is a deflection member (installed on the inner side of the cassette body 10) ( The other surface 22b of the biasing member 22 is elastically deflected so as to be pressed into one side of the loaded recording medium P, thereby inserting the guide groove 22c of the recording medium P of the recording medium P. The width alignment of the recording medium P is performed by aligning the widths in a line.

The present invention as described above is characterized in that the paper cassette is mounted on the image forming apparatus side and the alignment of the recording medium P can be automatically performed.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the paper feed cassette is mounted in the image forming apparatus, as the stacked plurality of recording media P is automatically aligned, the sorting operation is very simple and the usability is greatly improved. The alignment of the recording medium P is precisely and accurately supplied to the image forming unit side of the image forming apparatus, thereby improving the printing quality and the like.

Particularly, in the present invention, when the recording medium P is pressurized only in any one direction in the cassette main body 10, the pressing force for the alignment of the recording medium P is not too excessive. During the pick-up operation, the recording medium P can be prevented from being picked up by stacking multiple sheets.

The present invention as described above has the effect that it is possible to ensure a more accurate pickup operation to ensure a stable image quality.

The present invention has the advantage of being able to easily and accurately align the recording medium.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to prevent the pickup of the recording medium is not picked up by sheets while the paper is picked up from the paper feed cassette and the pickup is not carried out properly.

In the above, specific preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims may make various modifications and variations. Implementation will be possible.

Claims (12)

A cassette body detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus; And And an alignment unit which aligns and presses a plurality of recording media loaded in cooperation with the cassette main body in one direction. The alignment unit, At least one biasing member installed inside the cassette body and arranged to contact and press the side of the print medium loaded on the cassette body when elastically deformed; And And a guide member for moving the cassette body relative to the biasing member when the cassette body is mounted to deform the biasing member so that the biasing member contacts and presses the print medium. delete The method of claim 1, And the guide member and the biasing member are arranged on the same line and installed to be relatively movable with respect to each other. The method of claim 3, And the biasing member is installed on the inner side of the cassette body such that a guide groove into which the guide member is inserted is formed between the inner side of the cassette body and the cassette body. The method of claim 4, wherein The biasing member is one surface is fixed to the inner surface of the cassette body, the other surface is elastically deflected toward the inner space of the cassette body, between one surface and the other surface is made of an elastic body having a guide groove inserted into the guide member Paper feed cassette characterized by the above. The method of claim 1, The cassette main body has a reference surface on any one of the inner surface of the cassette, characterized in that the alignment unit is disposed on the opposite portion of the reference surface. The method of claim 6, The reference surface is a paper cassette, characterized in that a plurality of contact surfaces protrude toward the inner space of the cassette body, the projecting length of each of the contact surfaces is the same. The method of claim 1, And a cover slidably installed at an upper side of the cassette body, the cover being moved by a predetermined distance in the image forming apparatus when the cassette body is mounted. According to claim 8, And the guide member is fixedly connected to the cover. The method of claim 9, The cover and the cassette main body is a paper cassette, characterized in that the guide protrusion and the guide groove is provided in the mutually contacting portions. The method of claim 10, And the cover has an elastic rib for elastically pressing the upper surface of the recording medium loaded in the cassette body. The method of claim 11, And the cassette body further comprises a protrusion on the top surface thereof to incline the cover upward.

Images