JPH0342436A - Sheet storage cassette for sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the jam processing of a sheet by dividing a cassette into a cassette portion on the sheet storage section side and a cassette portion on the opposite side across a sheet pass section, and providing a means connecting or disconnecting both cassette portions. CONSTITUTION:When the tip side of a sheet fed from the cassette C2 of the second sheet feeder B2 is clogged and jammed in the sheet pass 6a of the cassette C1 of the first sheet feeder B1 or the sheet passes the sheet pass 6a and is jammed between the second feeder B2 and a printer main body A, a handle section 5 is pulled while a knob 65 is pressed for the cassette C1 fitted to the first sheet feeder B1. The coupling of the second cassette portion with the first cassette portion Ca of the cassette C1 is released, and only the second cassette portion Cb is extracted. The sheet pass section 6a of the cassette C1 is released, and the jammed sheet is removed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is applicable to image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines, and other various sheet receiving devices, for example, when a plurality of sheets are stored in a sheet storage section. The present invention relates to a sheet storage cassette as a sheet storage unit that is used by being attached to and detached from a sheet feeding device that separates and feeds sheets one by one.

In the above, the sheet is, for example, a sheet of paper (the material is not limited to paper) such as transfer paper, photosensitive paper, thermal paper, electrostatic recording paper, printing paper, manuscript, cart, postcard, envelope, etc.

Some sheet feeding devices are built-in to the sheet receiving device, while others are configured as a unit device separate from the sheet receiving device and used in combination with the sheet receiving device.

(Prior Art) FIG. 6 shows a specific example of a sheet receiving device including a sheet feeding device in which a sheet storage cassette (hereinafter abbreviated as cassette) is detachably attached. The sheet receiving device of this example is a transfer type electrophotographic laser beam printer (LBP).

A is a printer main body, which is provided with a built-in first sheet feeding device B1 at the lower part of the main body. C1 is a first cassette that is inserted into and removed from the first sheet feeding device B from the front side of the printer (right side in the drawing).

B2 is a second sheet feeding device configured as an optional unit device separate from the printer main body A, and the printer main body A is positioned in a predetermined position on the top plate 52 of this second sheet feeding device. The device A-82 can be combined by installing the same device. C2 is a second cassette that is attached to and removed from the front side of the printer main body in the same manner as in the case of the first sheet feeding apparatus B1.

In the printer main body A, 20 is a process cartridge, which includes a rotating drum-type electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 21 as an image carrier, and a process cartridge whose surface is set to a predetermined potential. Charging roller 2 that charges uniformly
2, a developing device 23 that develops a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum surface with toner, and a cleaning device 24 that cleans the photosensitive drum surface after image transfer.

A laser beam scanner 25 outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with time-series electric digital pixel signals of target image information, and the output laser beam L enters a gap 26 for an optical path in the process cartridge 20. , i1(
The surface of the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the lightning roller 22 is main-scanned by the laser beam in the drum generatrix direction, so that the photosensitive drum 21 is statically charged with target image information. If a latent image is formed,
The latent image is developed as a toner image by the developing device 23.

27, 28, and 29 are first and second guide members constructed of guide members.
- The third sheet path, 30, is an upward sheet path where the three sheet paths merge.

The sheet S fed from the first sheet feeding device B passes through the first sheet path 27→merging sheet path 30 and reaches the registration roller pair 31.

The sheet S2 fed from the second sheet feeding device B2 passes through the second sheet path 28→merging sheet path 30 and reaches the registration roller pair 31.

Reference numerals 38 and 39 indicate a manual sheet feed port and a pair of manual sheet pull-in rollers, and the manually fed sheet passes through the third sheet path 29 → merging sheet path 30 to the registration roller pair 3.
Leading to 1.

The pair of registration rollers 31 correct the skew by forming a deflection loop in the fed sheet by stopping the receiving sheet with the leading end of the fed sheet in a non-rotating state, and rotational drive is started at a predetermined control timing. The sheets are synchronously fed to the image transfer section between the photosensitive tram 21 and the transfer roller 32.

The sheet fed to the image transfer section is sequentially transferred with the toner image on the side of the photosensitive drum 21, separated from the drum surface, guided upward by a guide 33, introduced into a fixing device 34, and subjected to image fixation. , is outputted to a face-down tray 36 or three face-up trays by the unloading device 35.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a front plate of the printer main body A, and this front plate can be folded open toward the front of the printer main body around the hinge shaft 41 on the lower side as shown by the two-dot chain line to widen the interior of the printer main body. On this front plate side, there are a pair of manual sheet pull-in rollers 39, a right guide member forming the second sheet path 28 and the merging sheet path 30, a right roller of the registration roller pair 31, a transfer roller 32, and a guide plate 33. ．． The fixing device 34, the unloading device 35, the face-up tray 37, etc. are assembled. Therefore, by folding and opening the front plate 40, most of the sheet paths inside the printer are opened, making it easy to take out jammed sheets inside the printer main body A and inspect the inside. In this device open state, the process cartridge 20 is inserted into and removed from the receiver 43 on the printer main body side.

The cassettes C1 and C2 of the first and 'fllJ2, which serve as sheet storage units that are attached to and detached from the first and second sheet feeding devices B and B2, respectively, are each equipped with a middle bottom plate 2 that is pushed upwardly. a container section as a sheet storage section, a sheet separation pad 3 provided on the front end side of the container section in the sheet feeding direction, a handle section 5 for inserting and removing the cassette provided on the front side of the cassette, and the handle section. 5 and the sheet separation pad 3, there is provided a sheet path 6 (a-b) for other sheets, which is provided in a horizontally elongated manner by vertically penetrating the cassette. 3
a is a separate pad holder. The sheet separating pad 3 is pushed up by a spring 4 for several minutes. Seat SI'S2
are stored in a container section 1 serving as a seat storage section, stacked on an inner sole plate 2.

Insert the first cassette C1 into the first sheet feeding device B with the rear end of the cassette aligned with the cassette insertion/ejection opening on the front side of the first sheet feeding device B, so that the front side of the cassette is almost flush with the front plate 40 of the printer main body A. When the sheet separating pad 3 is fully pushed in, the upper surface of the sheet separation pad 3 comes into pressure contact with the lower surface of the sheet feeding roller 44 of the first sheet feeding device Bl with a predetermined pressing force, resulting in a cassette installed state. In this cassette installed state, the sheet path 6 (a) for other sheets of the cassette C7 is
) is aligned with the lower opening of the second sheet path 28 of the printer main body A, and the sheet paths 6(a) and 28 are brought into communication. Also.

The lower opening of the sheet path 6(a) is aligned with the Zitro 46 opened in the bottom plate 45 of the printer main body A.

Insert the second cassette C2 into the second sheet feeding device B2 with the rear end of the cassette aligned with the cassette insertion/ejection opening on the front side of the second sheet feeding device B2, so that the front side of the cassette is aligned with the printer front plate 40.
When it is pushed in sufficiently until it is almost flush with the cassette, it comes into pressure contact with the upper surface of the sheet separation bat 3 or the lower surface of the sheet feeding roller 47 of the second sheet feeding device B2 with a predetermined pressing force, and the cassette is installed. Become. In this cassette installed state, the upper opening of the sheet path 6(b) for other sheets of the cassette C2 is aligned with the lower opening of the sheet path 49 provided in the second sheet feeding device B2. become. Further, the lower opening of the sheet path 6(b) is connected to the second sheet feeding device B2.
It is in a state where it coincides with the GITRO 51 opened in the bottom plate 50 of.

Therefore, when sheet feeding from the first sheet feeding device B is selected and specified, the first sheet feeding device B,
The sheet feeding roller 44 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction based on the sheet feeding start signal, so that a feeding force acts on the uppermost sheet of the stacked storage sheets S in the first cassette C2, and the separation pad 3, it is separated from the next and lower sheets, and only the topmost sheet is separated and fed from the container section 1 to the first sheet path 27→merging sheet path 3.
0→conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 31 and synchronously fed to the image transfer section.

When sheet feeding from the sheet feeding device B2 of the writer 2 is selected, the sheet feeding roller 47 of the second sheet feeding device B2 moves counterclockwise based on the sheet feeding start signal. By being rotationally driven, a feeding force is applied to the uppermost sheet of the aa storage sheets S2 in the second cassette C2, and the separating pad 3 separates the sheets from the next and lower sheets, so that only the uppermost sheet is removed from the container section 1. The sheet is separated and fed one by one, guided upward by the sheet path 48 on the second sheet feeding device 82 side, and opened in the bottom plate 45 of the printer main body A.
Sheet path 6(a) for other sheets of 0 → second sheet path 28 of printer main body A → merging sheet path 30 → conveyed to registration roller pair 31 and synchronously fed to the transfer section.

Below the second sheet feeding device B2, optional third, fourth, etc. sheet feeding devices or envelope feeders having the same configuration as the second sheet feeding device B2 can be added in multiple stages above and below.
The sheet fed from the sheet feeding device B2 is transferred from the GITRO 51 opened in the bottom plate 50 of the second sheet feeding device B2 to the sheet path 6(b) for other sheets in the cassette C2 of the second sheet feeding device B2 → sheet Pass 49 → Bottom plate 45 of printer body A
46 → sheet path 6(a) for other sheets in the first cassette C1 → fed upward sequentially through the second sheet path 28 of the printer body and fed to the printer body be done.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) (a) Sheet paths 6(a) and 6(b) for other sheets fed from other sheet feeding devices into the cassette C1C2 like the one in the above example When a paper sheet is provided in a fixed manner, for example, when a small-sized sheet is fed through the sheet path, when a sheet jam occurs in the sheet feeding section, there is a drawback that it is very difficult to clear the jam. Regarding the example in FIG. 6, the leading edge side of the sheet S2 fed from the second cassette C2 of the second sheet feeding device B2 is the sheet path 6 of the cassette C1 of the first sheet feeding device B. (a) may become jammed, or the sheet pass 6(a) may become jammed.
passes through the second sheet feeding device B2 and the printer main body A.
It is difficult to remove the jammed sheet when it is jammed between the sheets.

(b) For this reason, the cassette t' C as in the example in Figure 7
+ ・C2 is not equipped with a sheet path (6(a-b)) for other sheets such as the cassette in FIG. 6, and the first sheet feeding device B1 is built into the printer main body A. When the first cassette C is fully pushed into the device and installed, the front surface of the cassette CI goes deeper into the device than the surface of the front plate 40 of the printer main body A, and the second sheet path of the printer main body A is inserted. A space is created below the second sheet feeding device B2, and a front plate 54 is provided on the front side of the second sheet feeding device B2, which can be raised and closed with respect to the space, and can be folded and opened about the support shaft 53 on the lower side. , the sheet S2 is separated and fed one by one from the second sheet feeding device B2 with the front plate 54 raised and closed on the back side of the front plate.
By providing a sheet path 55 that guides the front of the cassette C of the sheet feeding device B of the whistle 1 to the sheet path 28 of M2 on the printer main body A side, the second
It is also considered that sheet jams occurring between the sheet feeding device B2 and the printer main body A can be easily removed and dealt with by folding open the front plate 54 and opening the sheet path in that area. There is.

However, this configuration has a problem in that each time the cassette CI is inserted into or removed from the first sheet feeding device B, the front plate 54 is opened and closed, which is a so-called two-action cassette attachment/detachment operation.

Furthermore, the attachment and detachment of the cassette C to and from the first sheet feeding device B can also be performed when the second sheet feeding device B2 is used in combination as shown in FIG. Even when the feeding device B2 is not used in combination, the cassette C
1, that is, the handle portion 5 for inserting and removing the cassette, is located in a position recessed inward from the front plate 40 of the printer main body A when the cassette is installed, making operation easy. In particular, when the sheet conveyance path for a double-sided printer (duplex printing) is arranged on the front side of the printer body, the position of the front plate 40 of the printer body will be considerably in front of the front surface of the installed cassette C1. The drawback is that it is difficult to attach and detach the cassette.

The present invention devises the structure of a sheet storage cassette having a vertically penetrating sheet path section for other sheets, as in the example shown in FIG. To provide a sheet storage cassette that facilitates jam disposal.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is a sheet storage cassette that is detachably attached to a sheet feeding device and has a vertically penetrating sheet path section for other sheets in a side portion of a sheet storage section, and at least The seat is divided into a cassette part on the side of the seat storage part and a cassette part on the opposite side with the seat path part as a boundary, and is provided with means for coupling and uncoupling the rainy cassette parts. This is a sheet storage cassette for a feeding device.

(Function) When the cassette part on the sheet storage part side with the sheet path part as a border is defined as the first cassette part, and the cassette part on the opposite side 1 is defined as the second cassette part, normally the first and second cassette parts By keeping the cassette parts of the cassette connected together with each other by means of coupling/uncoupling means, the cassette can be attached to and detached from the sheet feeding device in the same way as conventional cassettes.
Works the same way.

If a sheet jam occurs in the sheet path section for other sheets while it is installed in the sheet feeding device, the coupling/uncoupling means releases the coupling of the second cassette part to the first cassette part. Remove only the second cassette portion from the cassette mounting portion of the sheet feeding device, or rotate it and release it. As a result, the sheet path section for other sheets of the cassette is opened, so that the jammed sheet in the sheet path section can be easily taken out and removed (jammed). After clearing the jam, reinstall the second cassette part into the cassette mounting section of the sheet feeding device.
Alternatively, by rotating the cassette back and recombining the first cassette portion left in the cassette mounting section with the coupling/uncoupling means, the entire cassette can be attached to and detached from the sheet feeding device in the same manner as conventional cassettes. can.

(Example) Example 1 (Figs. 1 to 4) Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cassette C of an example. Components and portions common to those of the cassettes C2 and C2 of the apparatus shown in FIG.

In the cassette C, Ca is a sheet storage container that includes a separation pad 3 bordering on a vertically penetrating sheet path section 6 (a-b) for other sheets! This is the side cassette part and will be referred to as the first cassette part. Cb is the cassette portion on the opposite side that includes the handle portion 5 for inserting and removing the cassette, and this is referred to as the second cassette portion. The first and second cassette portions Ca-Cb are divided along the sheet path portion 6 (a, b) and can be separated from each other.

Reference numerals 61 and 61 indicate engagement pins protruding outward near the tips of the outer surfaces of the left and right side plates of the first cassette portion Ca;
Reference numeral 62 denotes a left-right rotation shaft mounted on the outer surface of the front plate of the second cassette portion cb with bearings 63 and 63, and 64 and 64 are attached to the left and right ends of this rotation shaft 62. A pair of left and right engagement levers are provided integrally with the shaft 62 at right angles to the IpHI 62, respectively, and each of the engagement levers 64 and
Reference numeral 64 is located on the outside of the left and right side plates of the second cassette portion cb and faces in the opposite direction to the handle portion 5, and each end thereof has left and right engagement grooves provided on the side of the first cassette portion Ca. Engagement recesses 64a and 64a that engage and disengage from 61 and 61
It is equipped with.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a shaft rotation knob that is provided integrally with the shaft 62 via a connecting plate portion 65a at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 62, and this knob 65 is provided on a surface portion of the handle portion 5 approximately at the center thereof. It corresponds to the provided through hole 5a and faces outward from this through hole 5a.

Reference numerals 66 and 67 denote coil springs that are fitted onto the left and right ends of the shaft 62, respectively, and each coil spring has one end connected to the left and right engaging levers 64 and 64 on the corresponding side, and the other end connected to the second end. The spring hooks provided on the front plate of the cassette part are prominent at parts 67 and 67, and these coil springs 66 and 66
2 is always urged to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. When the knob 65 is pressed, the sleeve 62 rotates clockwise against the springs 66.

When the rear surface of the second cassette portion cb on the side opposite to the handle portion 5 is brought into contact with the front surface of the first cassette portion Ca, the left and right engagement levers 64 and 64 on the second cassette portion cb side are brought into contact with each other.
The engaging recesses 64a and 64a are respectively connected to the first cassette portion C.
The first and second cassette portions Ca-Cb are engaged with the left and right engaging pins 61 on the a side, and are integrally connected to each other. FIG. 1 shows this combined state. In this combined state, the first and second cassette parts Ca-C
An upper if-through sheet path section 6 (a, b) for other sheets is constructed in the space between the two sheets.

When the knob 65 is pressed in this coupled state, the shaft 62 rotates clockwise against the springs 66, and the left and right engagement levers rotate in the direction of escape and separation from the engagement pins 61. This disengages the engagement lever from the bottle. That is, the first
The mutual connection between the cassette portion Ca and the second cassette portion Ca-Cb is released, and the second cassette portion Cb can be separated from the first cassette portion Ca by pulling the second cassette portion Cb. Diagram M2 shows this separation state. By releasing the pressure on the knob 65, the shaft 62 is rotated counterclockwise by the springs 66.

That is, the engagement levers 64 return to their original rotational angle positions.

Normally, the first and second cassette parts Ca-Cb are connected together as shown in Fig. 1, so that they can be attached to and removed from the cassette mounting section of the sheet feeding device in the same way as conventional cassettes. It can be used and functions similarly (Figure 3). In this case, the cassettes C1 and C2 are inserted and removed by placing a finger on the handle 5, but the knob 65 is not pressed at this time.

The leading edge side of the sheet S2 fed from the cassette C2 of the second sheet feeding device B2 may become jammed in the sheet path 6(a) of the cassette C1 of the first sheet feeding device B1, or the sheet path 6 may become jammed. If (a) passes through and jams between the second sheet feeding device B2 and the printer main body A, press the knob 65 for the cassette C1 installed in the first sheet feeding device B1. However, by bending the handle 5, the connection of the second cassette portion cb to the first cassette portion Ca of the cassette C5 is released, and only the second cassette portion cb is extracted as shown in the fourth figure. As a result, the sheet path section 6(a) of the cassette CI is opened, and the jammed sheet can be easily taken out and removed.

After clearing the jam, the second cassette portion cb extracted above
When the is pushed in again, the second cassette part cb is recombined with the first cassette part Ca and integrated, and both Ca-
Cb from the second sheet feeding device B2 to the printer main body A
A sheet path portion 6(a) leading to flel is formed.

A third sheet feeding device is added below the second sheet feeding device B2, and the sheets fed from the third sheet feeding device are fed to the sheet path section of the cassette C2 of the second sheet feeding device. 6(b) or the sheet path section 6(a) of the cassette C1 of the first sheet feeding device, the sheet can be removed by pulling out the second cassette part cb of the cassette C7 or cassette C2 in the same way. By opening the pass portions 6(b) and 6(a), the jammed sheet can be easily taken out and removed.

After clearing the jam, push the removed second cassette part cb in again to remove the first cassette part C remaining on the device side.
Recombine and integrate with a.

Embodiment 2 (FIG. 5) In this embodiment, the cassette C is configured such that the sheet storage container portion 1 upstream of the separation pad 3 in the sheet feeding direction is the first cassette portion Cc, and the separation pad 3, pad holder 3a, Spring 4
and the sheet guide on the back side of the sheet path section 6 (a, b) [
? The cassette portion containing 1i61 is transferred to the second cassette portion C.
d, and the cassette portion including the sheet guide surface 62 on the near side of the sheet path portion 6 (a, b) and the handle portion 5 is a third cassette portion Ce, and the third cassette portion Ce is divided into three parts. Sheet path section 6 (a
, b) can be opened, and can be reversely abutted and rotated so that they can be connected together by a connection/decoupling means (not shown) (an engagement lever mechanism as in Embodiment 1). The second and third cassette parts cd-Ce in the combined state
There is a sheet guide surface 6.・Seat path part 6 by 6□
(a, b) are constructed. The writing device 1 and the second cassette portions Cc-cd can also be coupled and uncoupled together by a coupling/disconnecting means (not shown).

Therefore, there are usually three cassette parts C, first, second, and third.
By keeping the C-cd-Ce connected and integrated in a series, it can be attached to and removed from the cassette mounting portion of the sheet feeding device in the same way as a conventional cassette, and functions in the same way.

The leading edge of the sheet S2 fed from the cassette C2 of the second sheet feeding device B2 may become jammed and jammed in the sheet path 6(a) of the cassette CI of the first sheet feeding device B1. 6(a) indicates that the cassette C1 that is installed in the first sheet feeding device B is inserted between the second sheet feeding device B2 and the printer main body A. By releasing the connection of the third cassette part Ce to the cassette part Cd and rotating the third cassette part Ce downward about the hinge shaft 7o, the sheet path part 6(a) is opened and the jammed sheet can be removed. It can be easily removed and treated.

After the jam is cleared, the third cassette portion Ce is closed and rotated to be recombined with the second cassette portion Cd.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first cassette portion Cc, which is the sheet storage container portion, can be disconnected from the second cassette portion Cd containing the separation pad 3 located ahead of it, so the connection can be released to store the sheets. First cassette portion Cc which is a container portion
It becomes possible to pull out or insert only the cassette from the opening on the opposite side to the insertion/extraction opening of the cassette mounting section.

Therefore, even when sheets are being fed from the second sheet feeding device B2, the first cassette portion Ce, which is the sheet storage container portion, of the cassette C1 of the first sheet feeding device B, which is located higher than the second sheet feeding device B2, is Since the sheets can be extracted, it becomes possible to perform sheet feeding in a manner that is impossible with the conventional apparatus or the apparatus of the first embodiment.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the structure of the sheet storage cassette of the present invention, it is possible to easily clear jammed sheets without any negative effect on the normal operability and handling of this type of cassette. It is possible to do so, and the intended purpose is well achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the second cassette section removed from the first cassette section, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette installed in the sheet feeding device. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the main parts, FIG. 4 is the same view with the seat path section opened by removing the second cassette part of the first cassette, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the main parts of another embodiment of the device. , 6th
The figure is a vertical side view of a conventional example device, FIG. 7 is a vertical side view of another conventional example device, and FIG. 8 is a first sheet feeding device with the second sheet feeding device removed from the example device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the distal end side of the device. A is the printer main body, B1 and B2 are the first and second sheet feeding devices, C1 and C2 are sheet storage cassettes, and Ca-
Cc is the first cassette part, cb and Cd are the second cassette part, Ce is the third cassette part, 6(a) and 6(b
) is a seat path portion, and 61 to 67 are coupling/uncoupling means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A sheet storage cassette that can be attached to and removed from a sheet feeding device and has a vertically penetrating sheet path section for other sheets on the side of the sheet storage section, and at least stores sheets with the sheet path section as a boundary. 1. A sheet storage cassette for a sheet feeding device, characterized in that the cassette is divided into a cassette portion on one side and a cassette portion on the opposite side, and is provided with means for coupling and uncoupling the two cassette portions.