Patent Application
20190283990
This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-049708, filed on Mar. 16, 2018, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
This disclosure relates to a sheet loading device and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet loading device.
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a sheet feeding tray (cassette) into which paper sheets (sheets) are loaded includes a restricting member (fence or guide) that restricts an end position of the paper sheets. The restricting members include an end fence and a side fence. The end fence restricts a back end in a sheet conveyance direction. The side fence restricts an end in a sheet width direction.
Generally, an image forming apparatus has a function of recognizing at least one position of the end fence and the position of the side fence, and automatically setting a paper size. Therefore, in the case where the end fence is set in an incorrect position, loading paper sheets in an inappropriate position causes failure in sheet feeding, in which no paper sheet is fed from the sheet feeding tray. Furthermore, a size recognized as being different from the size of loaded paper sheets causes failure in conveyance, such as occurrence of a paper jam in a sheet conveyance passage.
There is a known configuration in which the end fence and the side fence are screwed and secured to the sheet feeding tray for the purpose of preventing an incorrect setting of the end fence. In addition, a known sheet feeding cassette includes a configuration in which a position securing member is attached to secure the position of a sheet restricting member to prevent a restricting function of the sheet restricting member from being impaired by erroneous operation by a user.
At least one aspect of this disclosure provides a sheet loading device including a device body, a guide, a restricting body, and a securing body. The device body loads a sheet. The guide is disposed extending in a sheet conveying direction in the device body. The restricting body moves along the guide of the device body and to restrict a position of an end portion of the sheet. The securing body attaches to the restricting body and the guide and detaches from the restricting body and the guide. The securing body has having an engaging body. The engaging body of the securing body engages with the guide at an arbitrary position on the guide in the sheet conveying direction. The restricting body is being secured to the device body according to engagement of the engaging body of the securing body with the guide of the device body.
Further, at least one aspect of this disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including the above-described sheet loading device.
Further, at least one aspect of this disclosure provides a sheet loading device including a device body, a guide, an engagement target body, a restricting body, and a securing body. The device body loads a sheet. The guide is disposed extending in a sheet conveying direction in the device body. The engagement target body is disposed separately from the guide in the device body and extends in parallel with the guide in the sheet conveying direction. The restricting body moves along the guide of the device body and to restrict a position of an end portion of the sheet. The securing body attaches to the restricting body and the guide and detach from the restricting body. The securing body has an engaging body. The engaging body of the securing body engages with the engagement target body at an arbitrary position on the engagement target body in the sheet conveying direction. The restricting body is secured to the device body according to engagement of the engaging body of the securing body with the engagement target body of the device body.
Further, at least one aspect of this disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including the above-described sheet loading device.
Further, at least one aspect of this disclosure provides a sheet loading device including a device body, a guide, a restricting body, a securing body, a first engagement target body, a second engagement target body. The device body loads a sheet. The guide is disposed extending in a sheet conveying direction in the device body. The restricting body moves along the guide of the device body and to restrict a position of an end portion of the sheet. The securing body attaches to the sheet loading device and detach from the sheet loading device. The securing body has a first engaging body and a second engaging body. The first engagement target body engages with the first engaging body of the securing body. The second engagement target body engages with the second engaging body of the securing body. The securing body is held by the first engagement target body and the second engagement target body. The device body includes a third engagement target body to engage with the first engaging body of the securing body. The restricting body includes a fourth engagement target body to engage with the second engaging body of the securing body. The first engaging body of the securing body engages with the third engagement target body and the second engaging body of the securing body engaging with the fourth engagement target body. The restricting body is secured to the device body at an arbitrary position on the guide according to engagement of the securing body and the device body.
Further, at least one aspect of this disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including the above-described sheet loading device.
The aforementioned and other aspects, features, and advantages of this disclosure would be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of this disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.
It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “against”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, then it can be directly on, against, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, then there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers referred to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describes as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors herein interpreted accordingly.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, regions, layer and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments and examples and is not intended to be limiting of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Descriptions are given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of examples, exemplary embodiments, modification of exemplary embodiments, etc., of an image forming apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Elements having the same functions and shapes are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification and redundant descriptions are omitted. Elements that do not demand descriptions may be omitted from the drawings as a matter of convenience. Reference numerals of elements extracted from the patent publications are in parentheses so as to be distinguished from those of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.
This disclosure is applicable to any image forming apparatus, and is implemented in the most effective manner in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes any and all technical equivalents that have the same function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described.
Descriptions are given of an example applicable to a sheet loading device, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet loading device.
It is to be noted that elements (for example, mechanical parts and components) having the same functions and shapes are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification and redundant descriptions are omitted.
Now, a description is given of the sheet conveying device according to this disclosure with reference to the following figures.
The image forming apparatus 1000 may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction printer (NFP) having at least one of copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, and plotter functions, or the like. According to the present example, the image forming apparatus 1000 is an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms toner images on recording media by discharging ink to the recording media.
It is to be noted in the following examples that: the term “image forming apparatus” indicates an apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording medium such as paper, OHP (overhead projector) transparencies, OHP film sheet, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, and/or ceramic by attracting developer or ink thereto; the term “image formation” indicates an action for providing (i.e., printing) not only an image having meanings such as texts and figures on a recording medium but also an image having no meaning such as patterns on a recording medium; and the term “sheet” is not limited to indicate a paper material but also includes the above-described plastic material (e.g., an OHP sheet), a fabric sheet and so forth, and is used to which the developer or ink is attracted. In addition, the “sheet” is not limited to a flexible sheet but is applicable to a rigid plate-shaped sheet and a relatively thick sheet.
Further, size (dimension), material, shape, and relative positions used to describe each of the components and units are examples, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.
Further, it is to be noted in the following examples that: the term “sheet conveying direction” indicates a direction in which a recording medium travels from an upstream side of a sheet conveying path to a downstream side thereof; the term “width direction” indicates a direction basically perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction.
As illustrated in
It is to be noted that
The image forming device 200 includes a photoconductor (transfer roller) 14, a charger 5 disposed on the periphery of the photoconductor (transfer roller) 14, a developing means 6, a transferrer 7, a cleaner 8, a conveyance belt 9 for conveying a paper sheet S to which an image has been transferred. Furthermore, the image forming device 200 also includes a fixing device 10, and a writer 11. The fixing device 10 fixes the paper sheet S on which the image has been formed. The writer 11 partially exposes the photoconductor (transfer roller) 14 uniformly charged, to form a latent image.
Next, a process of forming an image on the paper sheet S will be described. When a sheet feeding signal is turned on, the pickup roller 2a descends and rotates to send the paper sheets S on the sheet feeding tray 20. The sent paper sheets S are separated one by one at a nip between the feed roller 2b and the reverse roller 2c to reach the conveyance rollers 3a and 3b. Then, each of the separated paper sheets S is further conveyed to abut against a nip between the registration rollers 4a and 4b to be subjected to skew correction. Then, the paper sheet S is delivered at an appropriate timing to meet a toner image on the photoconductor (transfer roller) 14 having a drum shape.
Next, the image forming device 200 forms an image on the paper sheet S supplied from the sheet conveyer 100 and causes the image on the paper sheet S to be fixed by the fixing device 10. The paper sheet S on which the image has been fixed is ejected into a sheet ejection tray 13 via sheet ejection rollers 12.
Specifically, the sheets S are loaded inside the sheet feeding tray 20 that is pulled in the +Y direction. Then, the sheet feeding tray 20 is pushed in the −Y direction to be mounted in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 1000.
The sheet feeding tray 20 includes the end fence 27 (a single unit) and a pair of the side fences 28. The end fence 27 and the pair of side fences 28 are provided such that upper space (space for loading the sheets 5), in which the bottom plate 24 is provided, is surrounded by the end fence 27 and the pair of side fences 28 on three sides other than a forward side in a sheet conveying direction DA (+X direction).
The first guide rail 25 that functions as a guide is provided on the base portion 23, extending in the sheet conveying direction DA (±X directions). The end fence 27 can be manually moved in the sheet conveying direction DA, along the first guide rail 25, to be positioned according to the size of the sheets S in the sheet conveying direction DA. That is, the end fence 27 functions as a first restricting member that functions as a restricting body to restrict an end position of the sheets S in the sheet conveying direction DA.
In addition, the second guide rail 26, as a guide, is provided on the base portion 23, extending in a sheet width direction DB (±Y directions). The pair of side fences 28 are installed at respective ends in the sheet width direction DB so as to hold the sheets S between the pair of side fences 28. The pair of side fences 28 can be manually moved in the sheet width direction DB, along the second guide rail 26, to be positioned according to the size of the sheets S in the sheet width direction DB. That is, the side fence 28 functions as a second restricting member that functions as another restricting body to restrict a position of the sheets S in the sheet width direction DB in a position different from the end fence 27.
In the present embodiment, the pair of side fences 28 operate in conjunction with each other to increase or decrease an interval in the sheet width direction DB. That is, when one of the side fences 28 is manually moved in the +Y direction, the other side fence 28 moves in the −Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the one of the side fences 28. In addition, when one of the side fences 28 is manually moved in the −Y direction, the other side fence 28 moves in the +Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the one of the side fences 28.
A rack and pinion mechanism can be used as a movement mechanism for causing the pair of side fences 28 to move in conjunction with each other, as described above. This mechanism includes a first rack gear, a second rack gear, and a pinion gear. The first rack gear is integrally formed, extending in the sheet width direction DB orthogonally to one of the side fences 28. The second rack gear is integrally formed, extending in the sheet width direction DB orthogonally to the other side fence 28. The pinion gear is disposed between the first rack gear and the second rack gear to be engaged with both rack gears.
It is to be noted that
Alternatively, instead of the above, there may be provided a compression spring that is urged or limited with respect to urging force in conjunction with insertion or removal of the sheet feeding tray 20.
Furthermore, as illustrated in
When the operation member 27a is operated to put the end fence 27 in a released state, the end fence 27 can freely move on the first guide rail 25. Meanwhile, when the operation member 27a is released, the latch 31 automatically engages with the rack 25a to secure the end fence 27 to the first guide rail 25. In this manner, the end fence 27 according to the present embodiment can be secured to the first guide rail 25 in an arbitrary position on the first guide rail 25.
Furthermore, the end fence 27 has engagement holes 32 to be engaged with a securing member to be described below. Details of the characteristics of the securing member will be described below.
As illustrated in
The engagement hole 32 (functioning as an engagement opening) of the end fence 27 is an example of an engagement target body to be engaged corresponding to a corresponding one of the engagement pins 37 (that functions as an engaging body) of the securing member 33. The guide groove 25b is an example of another engagement target body to be engaged corresponding to the engagement tool 38 (that functions as an engaging body) of the securing member 33.
The securing member 33 can be attached to and detached from the end fence 27 and the first guide rail 25. An attachment procedure is as follows. First, while the engagement pins 37 of the securing member 33 are engaged with the engagement holes 32 of the end fence 27, the securing member 33 is attached to the first guide rail 25. At this time, the latch 36 of the securing member 33 engages with the rack 25a of the first guide rail 25 to fix the position of the securing member 33 with respect to the first guide rail 25.
Then, the operation member 35 is operated (rotated) to engage the engagement tool 38 of the securing member 33 with the guide groove 25b of the first guide rail 25. Thus, the securing member 33 is firmly secured in position (see
In a screw-securing configuration of a comparative sheet feeding tray that functions as a sheet loading device, the bottom of the end fence is screwed to a screw hole provided in the sheet feeding tray in advance. Accordingly, the end fence can be secured only in a fixed position. Therefore, the screw-securing configuration of the comparative sheet feeding tray cannot handle a paper sheet in a size other than regular sizes or a paper sheet with a minute error in paper size (paper cutting error).
By contrast, as described above, the sheet feeding tray 20 according to the present embodiment includes the securing member 33 that is attachable and detachable. The securing member 33 can secure the end fence 27 in an arbitrary position in a direction in which the guide groove 25b extends, i.e., in the sheet conveying direction DA. Therefore, even in the case of a paper sheet in a size other than regular sizes or a paper sheet with a minute error in paper size, the end fence 27 can be firmly secured according to the size of the paper sheet.
Variation.
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made. For example, the engagement tool 38 of the securing member 33 may be formed in a cam shape such that the operation member 35 is operated (rotated) to cause the engagement tool 38 to be secured, by frictional force, to the walls (one of the walls includes the rack 25a) of the first guide rail 25. In such a case, the guide groove 25b of the first guide rail 25 is not used to attach the securing member 33. It is to bee noted that the first guide rail 25 functions as an engagement target body to be engaged.
Furthermore, while the securing member 33 is attached to (engaged with) the guide groove 25b in the above-described embodiment, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Separately from the first guide rail 25, there may be provided, for example, a dedicated groove or rail that continuously extends in parallel with the first guide rail 25, and engages with the engagement tool 38 of the securing member 33. In the device body 22, the dedicated groove or rail may be provided directly below the rack 25a of the first guide rail 25 or on a side opposite to the securing member 33 with respect to the rack 25a.
Thus, the securing member 33 can secure the end fence 27 in an arbitrary position in a direction in which the dedicated groove or rail (member to be engaged) extends, i.e., in the sheet conveying direction DA.
Furthermore, the device body 22, the first guide rail 25, and the second guide rail 26 need not be integrally formed. It is possible to provide the device body 22, the first guide rail 25, and the second guide rail 26 as separate parts, and attach the first guide rail 25 and the second guide rail 26 to the device body 22.
The securing member 33 and the end fence 27 just need to include at least a set of an engagement pin and an engagement hole corresponding to each other. Accordingly, an engagement hole may be provided in the securing member 33, and an engagement pin may be provided on the end fence 27.
Next, advantageous configurations of this disclosure will be described.
Shape of Securing Member.
Play of Securing Member.
As illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the engagement hole 32 of the end fence 27 is formed in a shape of a combination of a triangle and a quadrangle, viewed from above. A triangular portion can be used for visually recognizing a scale of sheet sizes (for example, A4 and B5) provided on the base portion 23. A quadrangular portion can be used as clearance (play) for allowing each of the engagement pin 37 of the securing member 33 to move. Thus, the above-described shape serves both functions, and is advantageous in this respect.
Click Mechanism.
In order to address this convenience and enhance a sense of security for a user, it is desirable for the operation member 35 of the securing member 33 to include a click mechanism 150 that generates a click feeling at the time of operation. In other words, it is desirable for the operation member 35 to generate a click feeling that can be recognized by a user when the state of the engagement tool 38 is changed from the released state to the secured state, and when the state of the engagement tool 38 is changed from the secured state to the released state.
One embodiment of the click mechanism 150 will be described below. As illustrated in
In order to change the position from the first position to the second position, the operation member 35 is rotated by 90°. When the operation member 35 is rotated, either the first protrusion 41a or the second protrusion 41b runs onto a portion other than the recess 40 to generate resistance. The resistance is eliminated only when one of the protrusions is fitted in the recess 40 at the first position or the second position. Therefore, it is possible to generate an appropriate click feeling at the first position or the second position.
Operation Mark.
As illustrated in
Enhancement in Operability.
Next, a method for storing (housing) the securing member 33 according to this disclosure will be described below.
In the conventional securing method using a screw, a securing screw is removed in the case where an end fence is not secured. In many cases, storage of the securing screw is left entirely to a user. Accordingly, there are cases where the user loses the securing screw by mistake. The securing member 33 according to this disclosure can also be detached from the sheet feeding tray 20. Thus, there is a possibility that a similar disadvantage may be caused. Therefore, described below is a configuration for preventing the securing member 33 according to this disclosure from being lost when not in use.
The holding hole 50 of the side fence 28 is an example of an engagement target body to be engaged corresponding to the engagement tool 38 (that functions as an engaging body) of the securing member 33. The engagement hole 51 of the side fence 28 is an example of another engagement target body to be engaged corresponding to a corresponding one of the engagement pins 37 (that functions as an engaging body) of the securing member 33.
In this manner, the securing member 33 can be held on a front side in a direction in which the sheet feeding tray 20 is pulled. The held securing member 33 does not interfere with the device body 22 or the bottom plate 24 of the sheet feeding tray 20 to affect the operability of the side fence 28.
In the configuration of a comparative sheet loading device, the position securing member is applicable to each regular size. Therefore, the sheet restricting member can be secured only in a prescribed position. In order to secure the sheet restricting member in an arbitrary position, it is necessary to prepare the position securing member for each size, resulting in an increase in the number of parts. Moreover, it is also necessary to secure additional space for storing such position securing members.
By contrast, the holding hole 50 and the engagement hole 51 of the side fence 28 have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the engagement tool 38 and each of the engagement pins 37 of the securing member 33, respectively. In addition, positions of the engagement holes 51 relative to the holding hole 50 are the same as positions of the engagement holes 32 of the end fence 27 relative to the guide groove 25b of the first guide rail 25. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide dedicated parts or shapes so as to hold the securing member 33 on the side fence 28. Furthermore, the securing member 33 can be easily attached to or detached from either the side fence 28 or the first guide rail 25 in each position where the securing member 33 is held.
In the present embodiment, “paper sheets” are not limited to ones made of paper; but include ones referred to as a recorded medium, a recording medium, recording paper, and a recording paper sheet. In addition, image formation, recording, and printing are regarded as synonymous.
This disclosure has been described above in detail based on the embodiment. The embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of this disclosure. For example, the embodiment, variations, and advantageous configurations may be combined. The securing member 33 may be used to secure the side fence 28 to the device body 22. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1000 including the sheet loading device according to this disclosure is not limited to a copying machine or a printer, but may be a facsimile machine or a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions.
The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit this disclosure. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements at least one of features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other at least one of substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims. Further, features of components of the embodiments, such as the number, the position, and the shape are not limited the embodiments and thus may be preferably set. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-049708 | Mar 2018 | JP | national |
