JP2619291B2 - Automatic paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic sheet feeding apparatus that automatically feeds recording sheets one by one to a recording unit of a recording apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile
By driving an energy generator of the recording head based on the transferred image information, an image composed of a dot pattern is recorded on a recording sheet such as paper or a thin plastic plate.

The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method.

The recording sheet used in the recording apparatus includes plain paper, cardboard such as postcards and envelopes, and special sheets such as plastic thin plates.

Recording sheets are supplied by hand, one by one.
Automatic and continuous feeding is performed by an automatic sheet feeding device.

The automatic paper feeder generally includes a paper feed drive unit that rotates a paper feed roller and feeds a recording sheet, and a paper feed cassette unit that stacks and stores recording sheets, and interlocks with a sheet conveyance system of the recording device. By driving the paper feed drive unit, the recording sheets are separately fed one by one.

In addition, automatic paper feeders include a built-in type that is incorporated in the recording apparatus, and an external type that is detachably mounted.
The present invention is applicable to any type of automatic paper feeder.

Further, in this type of automatic paper feeder, a pair of left and right sliders having a side guide and a separation claw are provided,
At least one slider is mounted movably to the left and right so that the distance between the side guide and the separation claw can be adjusted according to the size (width) of the recording sheet.

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in this type of conventional automatic paper feeder, the left and right (or either one) slider provided with a side guide and a separation claw slides along a rail provided in a paper feed cassette unit. Therefore, the sliding resistance at the time of width adjustment is large, and a considerably strong operating force is required.
The width adjustment for the recording sheet is likely to be inaccurate, and the overlap of the recording sheet with the separation claw varies,
In some cases, a problem occurred in the feeding operation of the recording sheet.

In addition, due to the play between the slider and the rail, the side alignment may be inaccurate, and the above-described operation failure may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technical problem, and can significantly reduce the movement resistance of a slider having a side guide, can eliminate the play of a guide portion, and can improve the recording sheet. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic sheet feeding apparatus that can easily and correctly set a separation claw and can stably separate and feed recording sheets.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention relates to an automatic sheet feeder provided with a slider with a side guide movable in a recording sheet width direction in a sheet feeding section, wherein the sheet feeding section has a tapered surface extending parallel to the recording sheet width direction at predetermined intervals. A dovetail-type guide rail having a groove is provided, and the slider supports a guide rotating body having a slope engaging with a tapered surface of the dovetail groove inside the guide rail. When adjusting the width of the recording sheet, the dovetail groove is provided. The above object is achieved by adopting a configuration in which the guide rotating body is guided by bringing the inclined surface of the guide rotating body into contact with the guide rotating body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, at least one of the guide rotating bodies is supported on an elastic portion formed on a part of the slider so as to be pressed against the tapered surface of the dovetail groove. In addition, the automatic sheet feeder can eliminate the backlash of the guide rotating body, make the movement of the slider smoother, have excellent operability, and perform more stable separation and sheet feeding of the recording sheet. An apparatus is provided.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in use of a horizontal type recording apparatus (recording apparatus main body) 10 suitable for carrying out the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an internal view of the recording apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a recording apparatus (for example, a recording apparatus that uses a bubble jet recording method and forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid) 10 A sheet insertion port 11 and a sheet discharge port 12 are formed on the upper surface of the recording paper 13. A recording sheet 13 inserted from the sheet insertion port 11 is in close contact with a peripheral surface of a platen roller 14 also serving as a sheet feed roller, and is formed in a substantially U-shape. The recording sheet is conveyed in the direction of the arrow along the recording sheet conveyance path (FIGS. 1 and 2), recorded while passing through the recording section facing the recording head 15, and discharged upward from the sheet discharge port 12 after recording. Is done.

Here, the paper feed tray 16 is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the recording device 10 so as to be openable and closable, and opens and functions as a paper feed tray when used (during recording). )
2 is set in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2, and a sheet insertion port 11, a sheet discharge port 12, switches 17, a display 18
And the like function as a cover 16 that covers and protects the upper surface of the recording device 10 on which is disposed.

In FIG. 4, the recording head 15 is a platen roller 14.
Carriage reciprocating along guide shafts 21 and 22 parallel to
Mounted on 22.

The illustrated recording head 15 is an example of an inkjet head, and is configured integrally with an ink tank.

A sheet pressing plate 23 for pressing the recording sheet 13 against the platen roller 14 is disposed upstream of the recording head 15 in the transport direction.

The sheet retainer 23 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the platen roller 14 by a leaf spring 24.

Further, the pressing force of the sheet pressing plate 23 can be released by operating a lever 25 supported by the shaft of the platen roller 14.

Further, at the position of the sheet discharge port 12, a spur 26 and a roller 27 for assisting discharge of the recording sheet 13 are provided.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the bottom surface (the back surface in the upright posture described later) of the recording apparatus (main body) 10.

A second sheet insertion port 28 is formed on the bottom surface of the recording apparatus 10, and the recording head 15 and the platen roller 14
A second recording sheet conveyance path, which is substantially linear and extends to the sheet discharge port 12 through the recording section between the first and second recording sheets, extends substantially vertically.

As will be described later, the second recording sheet conveyance path is usable when the recording apparatus 10 is set up (FIGS. 1 and 2), and is not curved, so that a postcard, an envelope, or the like is used. There is an advantage that a strong recording sheet such as a thick sheet or a special sheet such as a plastic sheet can be easily fed.

The above-described recording apparatus 10 can be used even in the upright position. In the upright position, the automatic sheet feeding device can be detachably mounted, and the sheet can be automatically fed from the sheet insertion opening 28 on the back (when the upright position). it can.

1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional views showing a state in which the automatic paper feeder 30 is mounted on the back of the recording apparatus 10 in an upright state.
FIG. 1 shows the use state (at the time of recording), and FIG.
Shown respectively.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the recording apparatus 10 is in an upright state, the recording section (recording head 15 and platen roller 14
), A substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, that is, a conveyance path from the second sheet insertion port 28 to the sheet discharge port 12 is formed.

Therefore, the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is provided with an entrance (sheet insertion opening) 28.
The recording sheet 13 is positioned so as to be fed into the linear conveyance path, and is detachably attached to the back surface of the recording apparatus 10 (the opening surface of the entrance 28).

In addition, the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is provided with a recording sheet supply linear sheet passage 31 connected substantially linearly to the substantially linear recording sheet conveyance path, separately from an automatic sheet feeding mechanism described later. Is provided.

The sheet passage 31 is an insertion guide passage for manually supplying a recording sheet, and is closed in a state where automatic sheet feeding is possible as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In the recording sheet setting state shown in the drawing, the sheet is opened in a state where automatic sheet feeding cannot be performed, and a state where manual insertion can be performed is set.

The automatic paper feeder 30 includes a paper feed drive unit 40 fixedly coupled to the recording apparatus 10 and a paper feed drive unit 40 rotatably attached to the paper feed drive unit 40 between a substantially vertical state and an inclined state. And a paper cassette unit 50.

FIG. 6 shows the automatic paper feeder 30 in the state of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connecting surface to the connector 10.

The paper feed cassette section 50 is a section for stacking the recording sheets 13 in a positioned state, and the paper feed driving section 40 is a section for sending out the stacked recording sheets 13 one by one and feeding them to the recording apparatus 10. .

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is provided at a position facing the upper half of the paper feed drive unit 40 as a fulcrum.
It is pivotally mounted (openable and closable) around 51.

At a position (upper half) of the paper feed drive unit 40 facing the paper feed cassette unit 50, a paper feed roller 41 and a feed auxiliary roller 42 are mounted.

A foldable paper feed tray 52 is mounted on the paper feed cassette unit 50. When used, the tray is pulled out as shown in FIG. 1 to form a tray, and when stored, inside the cassette unit 50 as shown in FIG. Can be folded.

A part of the lower portion of the case of the paper feed drive unit 40 is constituted by a movable member 44 that can rotate (open and close) about a fulcrum 43. The movable member 44 is opened when used as shown in FIG. He makes up his legs.

The movable member 44 is closed as shown in FIG. 2 when stored.

An opening 32 is formed in a wall surface of the movable member 44 that constitutes the opening / closing leg, facing the recording device 10.

On the other hand, a changeover switch 19 such as an AC / DC changeover switch that is operated from the rear side (the bottom face in the horizontal position) is provided at a lower rear portion of the recording apparatus 10.

The opening 32 is formed at a position corresponding to the switches 19, and can be operated from the opening 32 even when the automatic sheet feeding device 30 is mounted.

Therefore, the user cannot operate the changeover switch 19 in the state where the movable member (opening / closing leg) 44 is closed (FIG. 2) because the leg is closed, but the state where the movable member 44 is opened (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 1), as shown in FIG.
Is formed, and the changeover switch 19 can be operated.

In addition, the movable member 44 is provided with a shelf that forms a table 45 for sheet support at the entrance of the manual sheet passage 31 when opened as shown in FIG.

The table formed by the shelf 45 is formed using the movable member 44, and complements the substantially linear sheet path 31 leading to the linear recording sheet conveyance path of the recording apparatus 10,
The recording sheet 13 is configured to be easily and correctly inserted.

Recording device 10 with automatic paper feeder 30 mounted in the upright position
The cover (discharge tray) 16 as shown in FIG.
Is folded, and furthermore, the paper feed cassette unit 50 is set in a vertical state and the movable member (leg) 44 is closed, whereby the storage state is set.

In this stored state, the bottom surface is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a flat bottom, and the unit is put together in a compact upright posture without an overhang.

On the other hand, in the use state shown in FIG. 1, the cover 16 is opened to form a paper discharge tray, and the movable member (leg) 44 is opened and inclined at a predetermined angle α (for example, 5 to 25 degrees) as shown in the figure. Get a stable posture.

When the movable member 44 is opened, the lower case of the paper feed drive unit 40 has a flat bottom surface inclined at a predetermined angle as shown in the figure.

The recording sheet 13 is set inside the sheet cassette unit 50 in a closed (vertical) state.

After recording in this way, when recording is performed by automatic paper feeding, the paper feeding cassette unit 50 is opened (tilted) as indicated by the solid line to start the recording operation.

On the other hand, when recording by manual feed,
50 is left in the vertical (closed) state, and the recording sheet 13
Is supplied to the recording apparatus 10 through the table 45 and the sheet path 31.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the movable member 44 is open, the linear recording sheet conveying path of the recording apparatus 10 and the sheet path 31 (including the table 45) of the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 are in the used state. At a predetermined angle β toward the sheet discharging direction.
(5 degrees to 25 degrees).

On the exit side (sheet discharge port) 12 of the recording sheet transport path of the recording apparatus 10, a paper discharge tray configured by opening the cover 16 is provided.

As shown in the figure, the paper discharge tray 16
At a position lower by a predetermined height h, it is attached so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

According to such an arrangement of the paper discharge tray 16, as shown in the figure, the recording sheet 13 can be discharged without contacting the recording sheet 13 on the paper discharge tray 16, so that the liquid is particularly adhered. The problem of ink contamination due to contact with an unfixed recording ink in an ink jet recording apparatus or the like that performs recording with the ink can be eliminated.

Next, a connection structure between the recording apparatus 10 and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing a connected state of the recording apparatus 10 and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the lock is released from the state of FIG.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a drive gear 33 that rotates synchronously with the platen roller 14 is supported on the back side of the recording apparatus 10, while the automatic paper feeder 30 is rotated.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a driven gear 48 capable of transmitting a rotational force to the paper feed roller 41 is pivotally supported on the mounting surface side, and these gears 33 and 48 are meshed with each other at the time of coupling. Thus, the driving force of the paper feed roller 41 is transmitted to the automatic paper feeder side.

A frame member 35 that supports bearings such as the platen roller 14 and the sheet conveying motor 34 is provided in the recording apparatus 10, and a case portion is attached to the frame member 35.

A hook member 38 having a lever 36 and a tip hook 37 is attached to the automatic paper feeding device 30 so as to be swingable and movable in a front-rear direction by a predetermined amount, and the hook member 38 is moved inward by a tension spring 39. Being energized.

On the other hand, at a position corresponding to the hook 37 of the frame member 35 of the recording device 10, an opening 53 through which the hook 37 enters through an opening of the case is formed, and the hook 37 is engaged with a peripheral portion of the opening 53. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a bead-like portion is formed in the peripheral portion of the opening 53 so as to smoothly engage with the hook 37.

When the hook 37 of FIG. 7 is engaged, the tension spring 39 is extended (for example, 1 to 2 mm), and the automatic paper feeder 30 is pressed against and connected to the recording device 10 by the spring force.

The hook member 38 is unlocked by pinching and rotating the lever 36 as shown in FIG.
Can be separated from the recording device 10.

The pressure contact in this connected state is floated on a total of three contact surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a first contact surface 54 and second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 serving as contact reference surfaces are formed on the automatic sheet feeder 30 side. ing. The contact reference plane
54 is provided near the driven gear 48 as shown.

A reference contact surface 57 which is a mating surface of the contact reference surface 54 is formed on the frame member 35 having high strength and rigidity, and its position is selected near a meshing portion of the gears 33 and 48.

Further, the action line of the hook member 38 for applying the pressing force of the connecting portion is selected at a position where a stable connection can be obtained in consideration of the positions of the three contact surfaces 54, 55, 56 as shown in the figure. ing.

Note that the second and third contact surfaces 55 and 56 can also directly contact the rear surface of the recording device 10.

In addition, positioning pins 5
8 and 59 are formed, and by positioning these pins 58 and 59 in positioning holes 61 and 62 formed on the back surface of the recording apparatus 10, positioning of the automatic sheet feeding apparatus 30 with respect to the recording apparatus 10 is performed. Will be

One of the positioning holes 61, 62 is an elongated hole as shown in FIG.

Further, the auxiliary surface to be connected (engaged) when a certain external force acts on the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeding device 30 and the automatic paper feeding device 30 to bend the mounting surface of the automatic paper feeding device 30 and the recording device 10. Hooks 63, 64 and auxiliary hooks 65, 66 (fifth
Figure) is provided.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a paper feeding (tilted) state, and FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder 30 in a recording sheet set (vertical) state.

9 and 10, a pressure plate 68 urged toward the paper feed roller 41 by a pressure plate spring 67 is provided in the paper feed cassette section 50.
Is installed.

Sliders 71 and 72, which can adjust the interval in the width direction according to the width of the recording sheet 13, are supported on the paper feed cassette unit 50 for guidance.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette unit 50 showing the sliders 71 and 72, and FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway front view of the sheet cassette unit 50 showing a pressure plate 68 in addition to the sliders 71 and 72. It is.

Each of the sliders 71, 72 has side guides 73, 74 which are in contact with both side edges of the stacked recording sheets 13, and separation claws 75, 76 which press the front corners of the stacked recording sheets 13 from above. Claw members 77 and 78 having
The interval can be adjusted together with 1, 72.

As shown in FIG. 9, the stacked recording sheets 13 are held between the pressure plate 68 and the separation claws 75 and 76, and at the time of sheet feeding, the D-type sheet feeding roller 41 rotates to form the recording sheets 13. The sheet is contacted and applied with a feeding force, and one sheet of the uppermost layer is separated during one rotation, and fed through the feeding auxiliary roller 42 to the cueing position in the recording apparatus 10.

FIG. 13 is a mechanism diagram showing various types of engaging members that operate when the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 is switched between a vertical sheet setting state and an inclined sheet feeding state.

First, in FIGS. 9 and 13, on both sides of the case of the sheet feeding drive unit 40, stoppers for abutting against the lower part of the sheet feeding cassette unit 50 to hold the cassette unit at the inclined position (sheet feeding state). 79, 79 are formed.

The sliders 71 and 72 on both sides are provided with sheet entry prevention means (sheet entry prevention levers) 81 and 81 for preventing insertion (loading) of the recording sheet 13 in the sheet feeding state.

The levers 81, 81 are rotatably supported on the sliders 71, 72 by pins 82, 82, as shown in FIG.
In the sheet feeding state, the sheet rotates by its own weight, and its upper end is in contact with the upper surface of the stacked sheets 13 near the sheet inlet 83.

For this reason, even if the recording sheet 13 is to be inserted, its leading end is hindered by the leading ends of the sheet entry preventing levers 81, 81 and cannot be inserted into the cassette.

On the other hand, when the sheet cassette 50 is rotated to the vertical sheet setting state, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower ends of the sheet entry prevention levers 81 abut against the case end face on the sheet feed drive unit 40 side. The levers 81, 81 are rotated counterclockwise about the pins 82, 82 by a predetermined amount, the upper ends thereof are lifted, and the sheet entrance 83 is opened as shown.

Therefore, the recording sheet 13 can be inserted into the cassette through the sheet entrance 83.

In addition, as shown in FIGS.
Press plate pressing members 84, 84 protruding toward the cassette unit 50 are formed on both sides of the case 40, and when the paper feed cassette unit 50 is rotated to a substantially vertical sheet setting state, The pressure plate pressing members 84, 84 abut against the formed ear portions 85, 85 (FIG. 12), and the pressure plate 68 is pressed down.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
The space between the recording sheet 13 and the recording sheet 13 is increased so that the recording sheet 13 can be set.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the separation claws 75 and 76 are held at a position that is equal to or slightly overlaps with the sheet feeding roller 41 (at the retreat angle position). Since a guide projection 87 having a height slightly projecting toward the cassette side from the paper feed roller 41 is formed at the entrance side position of the paper feed roller 41 of the case of the portion 40, the recording sheet 13 to be inserted is separated from the separation claw. It can be reliably set between 75 and 76 and the pressure plate 68.

The abutting position when pressing down the pressure plate 68 (the position of the pressure plate pressing members 84, 84) is a position having a wider width by a distance L to both outer sides than the maximum movement range of the separation claws 75, 76, and The area is selected outside the recording sheet 13 having the maximum width to be used.

The sheet cassette 50 is held in a sheet set state (vertical position) by a lock mechanism that can be released by a button 88 (FIGS. 10 and 13).

As shown in FIG. 13, the lock mechanism
A hook lever 89 protruding from the end of the case 40 and an engaging portion 91 formed at the end of the sheet cassette 50 are rotated to a sheet setting state and hooked. Locked by.

The lock mechanisms 89 and 91 push the button 88 to elastically deform the hook lever 89 at its tip 92 (FIG. 13).
It is released by detaching from the engaging portion 91.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the drive system of the paper feed roller 41 and the arrangement of the paper feed roller 41.

In FIG. 14, the rotation of the driven gear 48, which rotates in synchronization with the sheet feeding of the recording apparatus 10, is performed by a series of gear trains 93, 94, 9
The light is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 97 via 5, 96.

Here, a clutch 98 is provided between the gear 96 and the feed roller shaft 97.

As the clutch 98, for example, a clutch that operates as follows is used.

That is, in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet conveying roller (platen roller) 14 in the reverse printing direction by a predetermined amount performed based on the paper feed signal, the spring clutch means is rotated in the reverse direction to release the locking in the printing direction with the hook. , The clutch 98 is switched from off to on.

By rotating the paper feed roller (D-shaped roller) 41 in conjunction with the rotation of the platen roller 14 by a predetermined amount in the printing direction with the clutch on, the recording sheet 13 is separated by one sheet. The sheet is fed to a position beyond the sheet pull-in section, and from there, the platen roller 14 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the reverse printing direction, so that the rotation of the D-type sheet feeding roller 41 is stopped and the recording sheet is stopped. The recording sheet 13 is conveyed to the printing position by rotating the platen roller 14 and the paper feeding roller 41 in the printing direction, which is performed by retracting the leading end of the sheet 13 to the position where it has come out of the sheet retraction section. The paper supply roller 41 is stopped in a state where a gap is formed between the paper supply roller 41 and the recording sheet 13, and at the same time, the clutch is turned off and the interlock between the platen roller 14 and the paper supply roller 41 is interrupted.

Thus, the recording sheet 13 is rotated during one rotation of the paper feed roller 41.
Is sent only one.

As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, etc., the side guides 73 for regulating the width of the recording sheet 13 are provided on the sliders 71 and 72 which can adjust the width direction interval in accordance with the width of the recording sheet 13 to be stacked. , 74 and separation pawls 75, 76 which are engaged with both sides of the front end of the recording sheet 13.
(FIGS. 11 and 12) are set to the positions shown in the drawing, and the guide grooves (not shown) are pressed from both sides by the end face cam means (not shown) and set at a predetermined width position by frictional force. Is done.

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 41 is fixed on the paper feed roller shaft 97 so as not to move in the width direction.

A pair of (two) rollers are used as the paper feed rollers 41, and are arranged at predetermined positions and at intervals as shown in FIGS.

When the small-sized recording sheet 13A is stacked, the two S-shaped paper feed rollers 41, 41 have a distance (S) between the outer separation claws 75, 76 within a range (or value) suitable for the separation function. ).

A pair of pseudo rollers 103, 103 is fixed to the outside of the two feed rollers 41, 41 of the feed roller shaft 97.

These pseudo rollers 103, 103 have the same contour as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, but are different in material and width, have a small frictional resistance with the recording sheet 13, and make sliding contact during paper feed, The sheet feeding force is constituted by rollers that do not substantially generate the sheet feeding force.

For example, the outer peripheral surfaces of the feed rollers 41 and 41 are formed of rubber or the like that generates a large frictional force.
3 and 103 are made of, for example, plastic such as Teflon or nylon, and have a smooth outer periphery.

Therefore, when the large-size or medium-size recording sheet 13B is stacked, the gaps S between the dummy rollers 103 and 103 and the separation claws 75 and 76 outside the pseudo-rollers 103 and 103 have the separation function as described above. It is located at a position within a suitable range (or value).

By additionally providing the simulated rollers 103, 103 having such a simple structure, even when the paper feed rollers 41, 41 are fixed, the separation claw 7 when the recording sheets 13 having different widths are used is used.
The distance between 5, 76 and the sheet holding position inside them,
It can be set to an appropriate range (or appropriate value) in which an appropriate loop is formed at the front end of the recording sheet at the start of sheet feeding.

That is, even when the sheet widths are different, it is possible to maintain appropriate loop forming conditions with the two fixed-type sheet feeding rollers 41, 41.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive slide structure as the paper feed rollers 41, 41, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the slide type paper feed rollers 41, 41, the sliding resistance increases by that amount when the width is adjusted, and the recording sheet 13 and the separation claw 7 are increased.
Variations are likely to occur in the overlap margin with 5, 76, and the reliability of the sheet feeding operation is reduced. However, according to the structure using the pseudo rollers 103, 103 of the present application as described above, such disadvantages are eliminated. Can be eliminated.

In addition, instead of the dummy rollers 103, 103, the sheet feeding roller 41,
Although it is conceivable to use a total of four paper feed rollers using the paper feed roller 41, it is practically impossible to obtain a uniform pressing force against the recording sheet 13 at all four positions. Since the feeding force of the paper roller varies, which causes skew during sheet feeding, it cannot be practically performed.

FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 11. Next, the guide structure of the sliders 71 and 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

11 and 15, the guide rails 105, 106,
107 and 108 are provided, and the left slider 71 is guided by the guide rails 105 and 106, and the right slider 72 is guided by the guide rails 107 and 108.

Each of the guide rails 105 to 108 may be constituted by two continuous upper and lower guide rails. In this embodiment, the guide rails 105 to 108 are partially provided in a region covering the maximum movement range of each of the sliders 71 and 72. Have been.

As each of the guide rails 105 to 108, as shown in FIG. 15, a dovetail type guide rail having a dovetail groove (a groove having a tapered surface) 109 formed therein is used.

In the illustrated example, each of the guide rails 105 to 108 is formed integrally with the plastic case body of the sheet cassette unit 50.

On the other hand, each of the guide rails 10 is attached to each of the sliders 71 and 72.
Guide roller 110 which rolls by contacting dovetail groove 109 of 5-108
Are rotatably supported.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the sliders 71 and 72 is supported by three guide rollers 110, one on the upper side and two on the lower side. As shown in FIG. 15, a slope 110 (having substantially the same slope) 112 is formed on the slope of the dovetail groove 109, as shown in FIG.

Thus, when adjusting the width of aligning the side guides 73 and 74 with the recording sheet 13, each guide roller 1
The ten slopes 112 are brought into contact with each other, and one or both of the sliders 71 and 72 (in the structure of FIG. 11, the width adjustment is mainly performed by moving only the left slider 71 as shown in FIG. 14). Move.

At this time, since each guide roller 110 rolls along the slope of the dovetail groove 109, the resistance at the time of moving can be significantly reduced.

Further, at least one guide roller 110 of each of the sliders 71, 72, that is, in the illustrated example, each of the sliders 71, 7
The upper guide roller 110 is supported via elastic means so as to be pressed against the guide surface (slope) of the dovetail groove 109 with a predetermined pressure.

In the illustrated example, the guide roller supporting portions of the sliders 71 and 72 are formed by arm portions (elastic portions) 114 that can be elastically displaced, and the width of the upper and lower guide rollers 110 and 110 in the free state is set to the upper and lower guide rails 105 and 106. Or, it is set so as to be slightly larger than the interval between 107 and 108, so that when the sliders 71 and 72 are assembled to the guide rails 105 to 108, a preload contact force is generated on the guide surface of each guide roller 110. .

By supporting the guide roller 110 via an elastic means that generates such a predetermined pressure contact force, it is possible to move the sliders 71 and 72 more smoothly and accurately without play in the guide portion.

〔The invention's effect〕

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when adjusting the width of the recording sheet, the slope of the guide rotating body is brought into contact with the slope of the dovetail groove, and the guide rotating body rolls along the slope of the dovetail groove. Moving, it is possible to greatly reduce the movement resistance of the slider having the side guide, and it is possible to easily and correctly set the separation claw on the recording sheet,
An automatic sheet feeding apparatus capable of performing stable separation and sheet feeding of a recording sheet is obtained.

According to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the present invention, at least one of the guide rotating bodies is provided on an elastic portion formed on a part of the slider so as to be pressed against the tapered surface of the dovetail groove. In addition to the above-described effects, the structure supported by the slider allows the slider to move more smoothly without any backlash in the guide portion with a simple structure, thereby improving the operability and providing a more stable recording sheet. The effect that separation and paper feeding can be performed is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state of use of a recording apparatus with an automatic sheet feeder embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of use of the recording apparatus main body in a horizontal position in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing the schematic internal structure of the recording apparatus in FIG. FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view showing the bottom surface of the recording apparatus of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 1 viewed from the mounting surface side, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a locked state of a connecting portion between the recording apparatus main body and the automatic sheet feeding apparatus, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an unlocked state in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the paper feeding state of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of setting the sheets of the automatic paper feeder in FIG. 9, and FIG. 9 is a front view of a part of the paper feed cassette part of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a front view of the paper feed cassette part of the automatic paper feeder shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a partially omitted perspective view schematically showing an operation mechanism between a paper feed drive unit and a paper feed cassette unit of the automatic paper feeder, and FIG. 14 is a drive mechanism of a paper feed roller of the automatic paper feeder of FIG. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a guide roller of a slider along a line XV-XV in FIG. 10 recording device, 13 recording sheet, 15 recording head, 16 discharge tray, 30 automatic paper feeder, 40 paper feed drive, 41 paper feed roller, 50 ... Paper cassette section.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic sheet feeding device having a slider with a side guide movable in the width direction of a recording sheet in a sheet feeding portion, wherein a taper extending parallel to the recording sheet width direction at predetermined intervals is provided in the sheet feeding portion. A dovetail groove type guide rail having a surface, a guide rotating body having a slope engaging with a tapered surface of a dovetail groove inside the guide rail is supported on the slider, and when adjusting the width of the recording sheet, An automatic sheet feeder, wherein the guide rotator is guided by bringing a slope of the guide rotator into contact with the groove. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said guide rotating members is supported on an elastic portion formed on a part of said slider so as to be pressed against said tapered surface of said dovetail groove. 2. The automatic paper feeder according to 1. 3. A recording apparatus to which said automatic paper feeder is mounted,
2. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus forms an image using a recording liquid that uses thermal energy to form droplets of the recording liquid.