JP2001026324A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] With a simple configuration, good operability, low cost,
Provided is a recording device that is highly reliable, compact, and facilitates jam processing. SOLUTION: When a cassette 3 is set in an apparatus,
The longitudinal direction of the lift lever 8 is fixed in a vertical direction or a predetermined direction close to the vertical direction. The sheet tray 6 is supported by a guide rail 12 at the rear of the apparatus, and supported by a lifter spring 10 at the front of the apparatus via a lifter 9. Then, the sheet P is lifted up to the feeding mechanism 7 of the printer unit 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) for recording character / image information output from an information processing apparatus such as a computer on a sheet as a recording medium such as paper or a plastic thin plate is used as an image reading means. An image reading apparatus (image scanner, hereinafter referred to as a scanner), a multifunction machine having a facsimile and the like and having a copy function and the like are called a multifunction printer (hereinafter, referred to as an MFP).

[0003] Compared to a case where each device such as a printer and a scanner is individually prepared, the MFP has advantages such as less troublesome connection between devices and excellent operation in cooperation with each function. is there. In the MFP, a portion where a printer that records on a sheet is arranged is called a printer unit, and a portion where a scanner that reads an image is arranged is called a scanner unit.

As a printer used in the MFP, various recording methods such as an ink jet method, a wire dot method, a thermal method, and a laser beam method are applied. In addition, an automatic sheet feeder type and a sheet cassette type are used as sheet setting means for recording on a printer.

The types of scanners used in the MFP include a sheet feed type, a flat bed type, and a cartridge type which is attached to a recording head of an ink jet printer.

[0006]

Among the MFPs using the above-mentioned scanners, the cartridge type scanner has a problem that reading and recording cannot be performed at the same time because a recording head is used. It can handle only ballot-type originals, and is not suitable for, for example, book originals.

[0007] Although the flatbed type scanner does not have the above-mentioned problem, the required installation area is widened. If an automatic sheet feeder type is combined with the sheet setting means used in the printer, the sheet setting can be performed at the rear of the apparatus. , The operability may be deteriorated.

On the other hand, by using a flatbed type scanner and a paper cassette type setting means to insert a cassette from the front of the apparatus, operations including sheet setting can be concentrated on the front of the apparatus. In the case where the function of reading an image of the scanner and the ease of the recording operation of the printer are compatible, it is necessary to provide a means for moving the sheet from the portion where the cassette is inserted to the printer section inside the apparatus. This has caused problems such as increased complexity, a reduction in operational stability, increased costs, and an increase in the size of the apparatus. In addition, when sheets are jammed inside the apparatus, there has been a problem that it is difficult to remove the jammed sheets.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object a simple configuration, good operability, low cost, and high reliability.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus which is compact and facilitates jam processing.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus having recording means for recording on a sheet, comprising: a storage means detachably provided from the apparatus main body; A sheet support unit disposed in the storage unit for stacking and supporting sheets, wherein the sheet support unit is raised in conjunction with an operation of mounting the storage unit on the apparatus main body, and a sheet is supplied to the recording unit. It is characterized in that it becomes possible.

A first guide means provided in the main body of the apparatus, which raises a front end of the sheet support means which moves in a horizontal direction in conjunction with the mounting operation of the storage means; and a storage means provided in the storage means. And a second guide means for raising the rear end of the sheet supporting means by the mounting operation.

It is preferable that an elastic means is provided between the sheet supporting means and the storage means.

A feeding means for feeding the sheet to the recording means, wherein the elastic means is compressed when the storage means is mounted on the apparatus main body, and the sheet supporting means is fed by the elastic force by the feeding means. Is preferred.

It is preferable that the sheet supporting means includes a convex portion which covers a part of the upper part of the sheet, near an end of the sheet in the conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed.

It is preferable that the sheet supporting means includes a regulating means for regulating an end portion of the stacked sheets in the conveying width direction, and the projection is provided in the regulating means.

In a recording apparatus provided with a recording means provided on the front side in the apparatus main body for performing recording on a sheet, and a cassette detachably provided from the front side of the apparatus main body, the recording apparatus is provided in the cassette. While supporting the loading,
In conjunction with the mounting operation of the cassette to the apparatus main body, the cassette is raised to a position rearwardly and horizontally aligned in the recording means,
A sheet tray capable of supplying sheets to the recording means, a sheet tray connected to the cassette, and a sheet tray provided in the apparatus main body when the cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body. And a lift lever biasing the means.

The recording means performs recording while conveying the sheet fed from the sheet tray substantially horizontally,
It is preferable to discharge the recorded sheet to the front side of the apparatus main body.

It is preferable that the sheet tray has a protruding portion which covers a part of an upper portion of the sheet, near an end of the sheet in the conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed.

It is preferable that the sheet tray includes a regulating means for regulating an end portion of the stacked sheets in the conveying width direction, and the projection is provided on the regulating means.

It is preferable that the recording means is of an ink jet type in which ink is ejected from a nozzle to record on a sheet.

It is preferable that an image reading means for reading an image of the document is provided.

Preferably, the image reading means is of a flat bed type and is provided on the rear upper surface of the apparatus main body.

It is preferable that the information inputted by the image reading means is processed without using an external device and used as information for recording on a sheet.

Therefore, the stacking sheets in the cassette can be lifted and mounted. Further, the loading sheet can be urged to the feeding means at the same time.

[0025]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified. The description of the configuration described in the related art is omitted.

An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a schematic configuration of an MFP to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state where the cassette 3 is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the cassette 3 is set in the apparatus. I have.

The printer unit 1 is arranged at the upper part on the front side of the apparatus, and the scanner unit 2 is arranged behind the printer unit 1. Further, a cassette insertion slot 4 is provided in the lower part on the front side of the apparatus, so that the cassette 3 as a storage means can be inserted from the front side.

The cassette 3 is composed of two main parts, a cassette base 5 and a sheet tray 6 as a sheet supporting means, and other small parts. Cassette 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette base 5 and the sheet tray 6 can be integrally inserted into the cassette insertion slot 4 when pulled out from the apparatus main body. On the other hand, when set in the apparatus, the sheet tray 6 separates from the cassette base 5 and rises inside the apparatus as shown in FIG. It is moved to the rear part of the printer unit 1 as it is.

When the printer unit 1 performs a recording operation,
A feeding mechanism 7 provided as a feeding means provided at a rear portion of the printer unit 1 separates the sheets P one by one from the above-mentioned bundle of sheets P, sends the separated sheets P into the printer unit 1, and prints the recorded sheet P. Is discharged from the front of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus through the printer unit 1.

Although not shown, a printer control unit, a scanner control unit, an image processing unit, a power supply unit,
An operation panel unit and the like are provided, and the operation panel unit is arranged above the printer unit 1.

With the above configuration, the MFP operator performs all major operations such as setting sheets in the cassette 3 before recording, taking out recorded sheets after recording, and operating the operation panel unit. This can be done from the front side.

Next, the configuration and operation of the cassette 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a state where the cassette 3 has been pulled out of the apparatus.

The cassette base 5 has a shaft 5a on the left and right, and one end of a lift lever 8 as elastic means is rotatably mounted on the shaft 5a. The other end of the lift lever 8 is connected to the sheet tray 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lift lever 8 accommodates therein a lifter 9, a lifter spring 10, and a spring retainer 11, and the lifter 9 can linearly move in the lift lever 8 in the longitudinal direction. It is pressed by the lifter spring 10 to the side connected to the sheet tray 6. Further, a hole 8a for penetrating the shaft of the cassette base 5 is provided at the end connected to the cassette base 5 opposite to where the lifter 9 is pressed. The lifter 9 has a hole 9a for supporting the sheet tray 6.

The sheet tray 6 has left and right shafts 6a. The shafts 6a are arranged on the cassette base 5 while penetrating the holes 9a of the lifter 9. As shown in FIG. 8, a sheet guide 20 as positioning means for positioning the stacked sheets in the conveying width direction is mounted on the sheet tray 6, and the tip of the sheet guide 20 and the side of the sheet tray 6 are provided. Protrusions 20a and 6c are provided at the leading ends of the (regulating means), respectively, toward the upper side of the sheet P.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 3 has the cassette base 5 and the sheet tray 6 arranged uniformly in the horizontal direction, and the height of the cassette 3 is lower than the height of the opening of the cassette insertion slot 4. The cassette 3 can be inserted into the mouth 4 without difficulty.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a state during the operation of inserting the cassette 3 from the cassette insertion slot 4 into the apparatus. As the cassette 3 is inserted, the guide shaft 6b provided at the rear of the side surface of the sheet tray 6 is guided by the guide rail 12 as the first guide means provided in the apparatus, and the sheet tray 6 is located on the rear side of the apparatus. (From the tip).

When the guide shaft 6b of the sheet tray 6 reaches the rear end of the guide rail 12 in the apparatus, the sheet tray 6 can no longer move to the rear of the apparatus, and the sheet tray 6
The rear side of the device is positioned. When the cassette 3 is further inserted, the cassette base 5 further advances in the horizontal direction, the lifter spring 10 of the lifter 9 is compressed, and the sheet tray 6 is placed on the slope 5b provided as a second guide means provided on the cassette base 5. The front side (rear end) of the apparatus also starts to move upward, and relatively moves on the cassette base 5.

As the sheet tray 6 moves up the inclined surface 5b of the cassette base 5, the lift lever 8 rotates the longitudinal direction from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction about the shaft 5a of the cassette base 5. Go. Further, when the longitudinal direction of the lift lever 8 approaches vertical, the lifter spring 1
Of the zero elastic force, the vertical component overcomes the weight of the sheet tray 6, and the lifter 9 acts to push up the sheet tray 6.

When the cassette 3 is pushed into the apparatus by a predetermined amount, the cassette base 5 abuts against a stopper (not shown) provided in the apparatus, so that the cassette base 5 does not enter any further. At the same time, a latch mechanism (not shown) for preventing the cassette 3 from being pulled out by mistake is engaged. At this point, the operation of inserting the cassette 3 is completed.

At this time, the longitudinal direction of the lift lever 8 is fixed in a vertical direction or a predetermined direction close to the vertical direction, and the sheet tray 6 is supported by the guide rails 12 at the rear of the apparatus and at the front of the apparatus via the lifter 9. The sheet P is supported by the lifter spring 10, and lifts the sheet P up to the feeding mechanism 7 of the printer unit 1.

The operation of the feeding mechanism 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sheet tray 6 lifted by the lifter 9, a cam 13 provided on the front of the apparatus above the sheet tray 6 abuts on a release lever 14 provided on the feeding mechanism 7.

The release lever 14 operates in conjunction with the feed roller 15, and in the initial state, the sheets P stacked on the sheet tray 6 are moved by the feed roller 15.
The lifting of the sheet tray 6 is stopped at a position where the sheet tray 6 is not in contact.

When the feeding operation is started, the feeding roller 15
Starts rotating, and in synchronization with this, the release lever 14 is released, so that the sheet tray 6 rises by the force of the lifter spring 10 and presses the sheet P against the feed roller 15.

The feed roller 15 continues to rotate, and feeds the sheet P to the front of the apparatus due to friction of the outer peripheral portion. At this time, only one uppermost sheet from the bundle of sheets P is separated by a separation claw (not shown) or the like. It is separated and sent into the printer unit 1.

Therefore, the elastic force of the lifter spring 10 lifts the sheet tray 6, the stacked sheets P, and the like, presses them against the feeding roller 15, and separates the sheets P from each other.
It must be selected within a range suitable for feeding.

When the feed roller 15 further rotates, the release lever 14 is operated to push down the cam 13 of the sheet tray 6 to separate the sheet P from the feed roller 15. The feeding operation ends when the feeding roller 15 and the release lever 14 return to the initial positions.

The sheet P sent from the rear of the apparatus to the printer unit 1 by the above feeding operation is recorded with image information while passing through the printer unit 1 and is discharged to the front of the apparatus.

Further, the sheet P sent from the rear of the apparatus to the printer unit 1 stops for some reason with its leading end inserted into the printer unit 1 and pulls the sheet P from the front of the apparatus. Even in the case where the cassette 3 does not come off, the jammed sheet P is moved to the front end of the sheet tray 6 and the sheet guide 20 by the operation of pulling out the cassette 3 from the apparatus body.
The jammed sheet P can be pulled out from the apparatus main body together with the cassette 3 because the jammed sheet P is caught by the projections 6c and 20a at the front end of the sheet P.

Here, the protrusions 6c and 20a may be separated from or contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheets P stacked on the sheet tray 6, or may be separated from the uppermost sheet. When the sheet is provided, at least the surface facing the sheet may be made of a member having a high friction coefficient.

The image information to be recorded is not only information sent from an external device such as a computer, but also information input from a scanner of a scanner unit 2 mounted on the apparatus and processed by an image processing unit also mounted on the apparatus. Since it can be used, a copy function or the like can be realized in a stand-alone manner without connecting an external device, and it is easy to use even for a user unfamiliar with the use of information devices.

As described above, since the sheet tray 6 is raised in the apparatus main body and positioned with the printer unit 1,
The uppermost one of the stacked sheets is linearly fed in the horizontal direction by the feeding mechanism 7, and is discharged to the front side of the apparatus as it is. Further, since the lift lever 8 urges the sheet tray 6 to the feed roller 15, the sheet tray 6 is accurately positioned, and no other mechanism for urging the sheet tray 6 is required, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the configuration. I can do it.

Paper feed and printer unit 1 by attaching / detaching cassette 3
Since all operations such as setting control of the scanner unit 2 and the like can be performed in front of the apparatus, handling is easy and operability is improved. In addition, when the sheet conveyance path is substantially straight and the frequency of occurrence of the so-called jam decreases, and the jam occurs, the protrusions 6c, 2c
Oa allows the jam sheet to be easily taken out as the cassette 3 is pulled out, and the jam sheet can be easily taken out from the front side of the apparatus, thereby improving workability.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, the stacked sheets in the cassette can be raised and mounted, and the stacked sheets can be simultaneously urged to the feeding means. Because of the configuration, the cost can be reduced, the sheet jam does not occur, the reliability is high, and the size can be reduced.

Even if a sheet jam occurs, the jam can be easily cleared by the operation of pulling out the cassette, and all operations can be performed from the front side of the apparatus, so that operability is good.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an MF in a state where a cassette according to an embodiment is pulled out.
It is sectional drawing which shows P.

FIG. 2 is an MF in which a cassette according to the embodiment is set.
It is sectional drawing which shows P.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lift lever of the cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a cassette is set in the MFP according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a cassette is set in the MFP according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of the feeding mechanism of the MFP according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of the feeding mechanism of the MFP according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the cassette according to the embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Printer unit 2 Scanner unit 3 Cassette 4 Cassette insertion slot 5 Cassette base 6 Sheet tray 6c, 20a Convex part 7 Feeding mechanism 8 Lift lever 9 Lifter 10 Lifter spring 11 Spring holding 12 Guide rail 13 Cam 14 Release Lever 15 Feed roller 20 Sheet guide

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C059 AA05 AA09 AA17 AA19 2H072 BA03 BA12 BA17 BA20 BB04 3F343 FA02 FA03 FB03 FB04 FC10 GA03 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA16 HA17 HA29 HB03 HC23 HC24 HC25 HD08 HD09 HD18 JA03 LA04 LD14 LC12 LD12 LC12 AA05 AB30 AB32 AD03 AD05 BA01

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus provided with recording means for recording on a sheet, a storage means detachably provided from an apparatus main body, a sheet support means disposed in the storage means and supporting sheets stacked thereon, A recording apparatus, wherein the sheet supporting means is lifted in conjunction with the mounting operation of the storage means to the apparatus main body, and a sheet can be supplied to the recording means. 2. A first guide means provided in the main body of the apparatus, wherein the first guide means raises a front end of the sheet support means which moves in a horizontal direction in conjunction with the mounting operation of the storage means; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second guide unit that raises a rear end of the sheet support unit by a mounting operation of the storage unit. 3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elastic means is provided between said sheet supporting means and said storing means.
The recording device according to claim 1. 4. A feeding means for feeding a sheet to the recording means, wherein the elastic means is compressed when the storage means is mounted on the apparatus main body, and feeds the sheet supporting means by elastic force. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording apparatus is urged toward a feeding unit. 5. The sheet supporting means includes a convex portion which covers a part of an upper portion of the sheet near an end in a conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed. 3
Or the recording device according to 4. 6. The sheet supporting means according to claim 5, wherein said sheet supporting means includes regulating means for regulating an end portion of the stacked sheets in the conveying width direction, and said convex portion is provided on said regulating means. The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. A recording means provided on the front side in the apparatus main body for performing recording on sheets, a cassette detachably provided from the front side of the apparatus main body,
A recording device provided in the cassette, for stacking and supporting sheets, and being raised to a position rearwardly and horizontally aligned with the recording means in conjunction with the mounting operation of the cassette to the apparatus main body, A sheet tray capable of supplying sheets to recording means, and a sheet feeding means provided with the sheet tray provided in the apparatus main body when the sheet tray is connected to the cassette and the cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body. And a lift lever for urging the recording device. 8. The recording means performs recording while conveying a sheet sent from the sheet tray substantially horizontally.
The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recorded sheet is discharged to a front side of the apparatus main body. 9. The sheet tray according to claim 6, wherein the sheet tray includes a protruding portion that covers a part of an upper part of the sheet near an end in a conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed. Recording device. 10. The sheet tray according to claim 9, wherein the sheet tray includes regulating means for regulating an end of the stacked sheets in the conveying width direction, and the convex portion is provided on the regulating means. Recording device. 11. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is of an ink jet type for discharging ink from nozzles and recording on a sheet. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image reading means for reading an image of a document. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image reading means is of a flatbed type and is provided on a rear upper surface of the apparatus main body. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information inputted by said image reading means is processed without using an external device and recorded as a sheet.