JP4978343B2 - Automatic feeding device, recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic feeding apparatus that automatically feeds a recording material, and a recording apparatus including the automatic feeding apparatus.

  In a recording apparatus such as a so-called ink jet printer, laser printer, thermal transfer printer, etc., an automatic feeding device for automatically feeding a recording material to a recording execution means for executing recording on the recording material provided inside the recording apparatus is provided. Recording devices are known. Such an automatic feeding device includes an edge guide that regulates a placement position and a placement posture of a recording material stacked and placed on a placement surface such as a feeding tray or a feeding cassette. It is usual to provide a regulation means. Conventional regulating means such as edge guides are slidably disposed on a mounting surface such as a feeding tray or a feeding cassette, and the guide surfaces of the pair of left and right edge guides intersect the feeding direction. The placement position of the recording material in the feeding direction is regulated in a state where the recording material is in contact with both ends of the recording material in the direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, in the conventional automatic feeding apparatus, the recording material placed on the placing surface such as the feeding tray or the feeding cassette has both ends of the recording material in the direction intersecting the feeding direction. It is always in contact with the guide surface of the edge guide. Therefore, when recording is performed while the recording material after feeding is conveyed by a conveying means or the like, the recording material being recorded has a pair of left and right edge guides at both ends in the direction intersecting the feeding direction. The recording is performed while being conveyed while being in sliding contact with the guide surfaces.

  As a practical problem, variation of each part within the manufacturing error range is unavoidable. Therefore, the recording material to be conveyed while being guided at both ends by a pair of edge guides is the recording material relative to the guide surface of the edge guide. The contact pressure did not become uniform between the one end side and the other end side in the direction intersecting the feeding direction, and the contact pressure was deviated or depending on the case. Therefore, the frictional resistance at the sliding contact surface between the guide surface of the edge guide and the end of the recording material should be made completely equal on one end side and the other end side in the direction intersecting the feeding direction. It is extremely difficult. That is, the frictional resistance of the sliding contact portions at both ends in the direction crossing the feeding direction becomes unbalanced.

  Therefore, the recording material being recorded is relatively free from back tension caused by frictional resistance acting at both ends in the direction intersecting the feeding direction, at one end side and the other end side in the direction intersecting the feeding direction. Difference will occur. As a result, a rotational force in a direction in which the recording material is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction (the same direction as the feeding direction) acts on the recording material being recorded, and conveyance skew (the recording material relative to the conveyance direction) (Tilt) will occur. For this reason, in the conventional automatic feeding apparatus, the recording accuracy is lowered due to the conveyance skew (recording position deviation or inclination of the recorded image, etc.) and the recording image quality is deteriorated (the color of the recorded image is not uniform). Etc.) occurred.

As an example of the prior art that can solve such a problem, from the state in which the edge surface of the edge guide is in contact with the side edge of the recording material, the edge guide is moved from the side edge of the recording material during recording. 2. Description of the Related Art A recording material guide apparatus having a mechanism that automatically displaces so as to slide in a separating direction and automatically forms a certain gap between an edge surface and a side edge of a recording material is known. is there. According to this prior art, after feeding the recording material, a fixed gap is formed between the guide surface and the side edge of the recording material when recording is performed. Therefore, the back tension generated in the recording material during recording can be reduced, and the recording image quality can be improved (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-96490 A JP 2006-89278 A

However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, a mechanism for automatically sliding the edge guide in a direction away from the side edge of the recording material is essential when recording is performed. Such a mechanism complicates the structure of the automatic feeding apparatus and increases the size of the automatic feeding apparatus. Therefore, the recording apparatus equipped with the automatic feeding apparatus is enlarged and the manufacturing cost is greatly increased. There was a risk that it would lead to a sudden rise.
In addition, since the slide mechanism of the edge guide operates every time the recording material is fed, the sliding contact engagement portion of the slide mechanism is worn out over a long period of time, and the edge guide has a backlash that exceeds the allowable range. As a result, the regulation accuracy of the recording material by the edge guide may be reduced, or the slide mechanism of the edge guide may be broken.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that, in an automatic feeding apparatus that automatically feeds a recording material, recording caused by a conveyance skew generated in the recording material during recording is performed. The object is to reduce the accuracy and the recording image quality with a low-cost configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect according to the present invention is an automatic feeding device that automatically feeds a recording material, and includes a placement surface on which the recording material is placed, and a feeding path. Feeding means for feeding the recording material, biasing means for biasing the recording material placed on the placement surface to the feeding means, and placed on the placement surface A pair of guide members respectively disposed at positions corresponding to both ends in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the recording material, and one or both of which can be displaced in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction; A restricting portion that protrudes so as to face the guide member and restricts a position in a direction intersecting a feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface, and the restricting portion includes the feeding means. The recording material being fed by the sheet is sandwiched between conveying means located upstream in the feeding direction from the recording head. Then, by retreating from the feeding path together with the placement surface described above, the restriction of the position in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording material transported by the transport means is released, and the placement surface is The automatic feeding device is characterized in that the regulation of the position in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the other recording material placed thereon is maintained.
The first aspect of the present invention, an automatic feeding device for automatically feeding the recording material, wherein a mounting surface for mounting the recording material, the recording material through the feed path A feeding means for feeding the recording material, a biasing means for biasing the recording material placed on the placement surface to the feeding means, and a recording material placed on the placement surface And a regulating means for regulating the position in the direction crossing the feeding direction of
The restricting means retreats from the feeding path after the recording material fed by the feeding means engages with a conveying means located upstream in the feeding direction from the recording head. Automatic feeding device.

  The recording material placed on the placement surface is urged by the urging means to the feeding means, and is fed by the feeding means to the conveying means upstream in the feeding direction from the recording head via the feeding path. Sent. At this time, the restricting means restricts the position in a direction (hereinafter referred to as “width direction” as appropriate) intersecting the feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface. As a result, the recording material placed on the placement surface is fed in a state where the placement position in the width direction is regulated by the regulating means while being fed by the feeding means. Therefore, since the recording material can be fed while maintaining the state where the recording material is regulated by the regulating means, the positional deviation of the recording material in the width direction at the time of feeding and the recording material with respect to the feeding direction No tilt or the like occurs.

  The restricting means retreats from the feeding path after the recording material fed by the feeding means is engaged with the conveying means and before recording on the recording material is started. After the recording material is engaged with the conveying means, the recording material is conveyed by the conveying means, and dot formation or the like on the recording surface is performed by the recording head. That is, after the recording material fed by the feeding means is engaged with the conveying means, the fed recording material and the feeding means are not engaged, and the conveyance by the conveying means is possible. It becomes.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conveyance skew caused by the recording material being recorded being in contact with the regulating means, so that the recording material can be conveyed with high conveyance accuracy by the conveying means. It becomes possible. In other words, since it is possible to prevent a conveyance skew from occurring due to an external factor other than the conveyance means, a highly accurate recording material can be conveyed with very little conveyance skew. Can be realized.

  Thus, according to the automatic feeding device described in the first aspect of the present invention, in the automatic feeding device that automatically feeds the recording material, the recording caused by the conveyance skew generated in the recording material during execution of recording. The effect of being able to reduce the decrease in accuracy and the decrease in recording image quality with a low-cost configuration is obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic feeding apparatus according to the first aspect described above, the recording material is engaged with the conveying unit when the regulating unit is retracted from the feeding path. The automatic feeding apparatus is characterized in that it is after and before recording on the recording material is started.

  The restricting means is retracted from the feeding path at the latest from the time when the recording material is engaged with the conveying means and before the recording on the recording material is started. In other words, before recording is started on the recording material after feeding, the regulating means does not come into contact with the recording material traveling on the feeding path. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably prevent a conveyance skew from being caused by an external factor other than the conveyance unit for the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic feeding device according to the second aspect described above, the position in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface is regulated. Auxiliary regulation means for regulating upstream of the feeding direction from the means, and after the recording material fed by the feeding means is engaged with the conveying means, the leading edge of the recording material is caused by the recording head The automatic feeding device is characterized in that, before reaching the recording start position, the trailing end of the recording material reaches the downstream side in the feeding direction from the auxiliary regulating means.

  As described above, the auxiliary regulating means regulates the position in the width direction of the recording material placed on the placing surface on the upstream side in the feeding direction from the regulating means. That is, the automatic feeding device according to the third aspect of the present invention is placed on the placement surface in cooperation between the regulating means and the auxiliary regulating means arranged in a vertical relationship in the feeding direction. The inclination of the recording material being placed with respect to the placement position and the feeding direction can be regulated. As a result, the inclination of the recording material placed on the placement surface with respect to the feeding direction on the placement surface is more firmly regulated. Therefore, according to the automatic feeding device described in the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the skew generated at the time of feeding, thereby further reducing the conveyance skew at the time of recording execution. The effect is obtained.

  In the automatic feeding device according to the third aspect of the present invention, after the recording material fed by the feeding unit is engaged with the conveying unit, the leading end of the recording material is recorded by the recording head. Before reaching the start position, the trailing end of the recording material reaches the downstream side in the feeding direction from the auxiliary regulating means. Therefore, before the recording on the fed recording material is started at the latest, the restricting means is retracted from the feeding path, and the auxiliary regulating means is that the trailing end of the fed recording material is downstream. In other words, it is in a state in which the recording material is not in contact with the recording material.

  That is, according to the automatic feeding device according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the recording material is fed, the restricting means and the auxiliary regulating means cooperate with each other to place the recording material, While obtaining the above-mentioned effect by regulating the inclination with respect to the feeding direction, when recording is performed on the recording material after feeding, the recording material on which the conveyance skew due to the regulating means and the auxiliary regulating means is being executed is recorded. Can be prevented.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic feeding device according to the third aspect described above, the guide unit includes a pair of guide members in which the restricting unit and the auxiliary restricting unit are connected by a connecting portion. The members are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to both ends in the direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface, and one or both of them are in the direction intersecting with the feeding direction. It is an automatic feeding device characterized by being displaceable.

  In this way, the restricting means and the auxiliary restricting means are connected by the connecting portion to constitute the guide member, and the guide member is disposed so as to be displaceable in the width direction, whereby the object placed on the placement surface is arranged. According to the size of the recording material, the positions of the restricting means and the auxiliary restricting means with respect to the placement surface can be adjusted and set simultaneously. Therefore, according to the automatic feeding device described in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the effect of the present invention is obtained in the automatic feeding device capable of automatically feeding a plurality of recording materials having different sizes. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording execution means for executing recording on a recording material and any of the first to fourth aspects described above for automatically feeding the recording material to the recording execution means. And an automatic feeding device.
According to the recording apparatus as described in the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus provided with the recording execution means for executing recording on the recording material, the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects described above. The effect by invention can be acquired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Schematic configuration of inkjet printer>
First, a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer 50 as a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the ink jet printer 50.

  The inkjet printer 50 includes a conveyance driving roller 51, a conveyance driven roller 52, a platen 53, a discharge driving roller 54, a discharge driven roller 55, as “recording execution means” for performing recording on the recording paper P as a “recording material”. A carriage 62 and a recording head 63 are provided. The ink jet printer 50 includes an automatic feeding device 70 that automatically feeds the recording paper P one by one toward the “recording execution unit”. The automatic feeding device 70 includes a hopper 71, a left edge guide 72, a right edge guide (not shown) that is paired with the left edge guide 72, a feeding roller 74, and a separation pad 75. The feeding roller 74 is disposed integrally with the feeding roller shaft 741 and rotates when the feeding roller shaft 741 is rotated by the rotational force of a feeding motor (not shown). Details of the configuration and the like of the automatic feeding device 70 will be described later.

  The recording paper P fed by the automatic feeding device 70 is sandwiched between a conveyance driving roller 51 and a conveyance driven roller 52 as “conveying means upstream in the feeding direction from the recording head”. The platen 53 is conveyed by a predetermined conveyance amount in the conveyance direction Y by driving rotation. A recording head 63 is disposed at the bottom of the carriage 62. The carriage 62 is capable of reciprocating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction Y while maintaining a state in which the head surface of the recording head 63 and the recording surface of the recording paper P on the platen 53 are substantially parallel and at a constant interval. It is supported by the guide shaft 61.

  The recording paper P transported on the platen 53 ejects ink from the head surface of the recording head 63 to the recording surface of the recording paper P while the carriage 62 reciprocates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction Y, and transport. Recording on the recording surface is executed by alternately repeating the operation of transporting the recording paper P by a predetermined transport amount in the transport direction Y by the driving rotation of the driving roller 51. The recording paper P after ink ejection is sandwiched between the discharge driving roller 54 and the discharge driven roller 55, conveyed in the conveyance direction Y by the driving rotation of the discharge driving roller 54, and discharged.

<First embodiment of automatic feeding device 70>
Next, the configuration and function of the automatic feeding device 70 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the hopper 71. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the ink jet printer 50, and shows a state where the hopper 71 is oscillated and displaced.

  The hopper 71 has a placement surface 711 for stacking and placing recording sheets P to be automatically fed. The hopper 71 is pivotally supported by a swing shaft 712 provided on both sides in a direction intersecting the feed direction Y (hereinafter referred to as “width direction X”) so as to be swingable on the main body of the automatic feeding device 70. Has been. The hopper 71 can be swung in the direction indicated by symbol A toward the feeding roller 74 by a swinging mechanism (not shown) that operates in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding roller 74. Accordingly, the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 can be urged and engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74 (FIG. 3). That is, the hopper 71 functions as a placement surface 711 and also functions as “biasing means” that biases the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 to the feeding roller 74. In this way, the structure of the automatic feeding device 70 can be rationally simplified by adopting a configuration in which the hopper 71 also serves as a part of the “biasing means”, so that the automatic feeding according to the present invention can be simplified. The device 70 can be realized at a lower cost.

  The automatic feeding device 70 includes a pair of symmetrical left and right edge guides 72 and 73 as a pair of guide members. The left edge guide 72 includes a restriction portion 721 as “restriction means”, an auxiliary restriction portion 722 as “auxiliary restriction means”, a connecting portion 723 and a slide support portion 724 that are integrally connected to the restriction portion 721 and the auxiliary restriction portion 722. have. Similarly, the right edge guide 73 includes a restriction portion 731 as “restriction means”, an auxiliary restriction portion 732 as “auxiliary restriction means”, a connecting portion 733 that integrally connects the restriction portion 731 and the auxiliary restriction portion 732, and a slide. A support portion 734 is provided (FIG. 2).

  The left edge guide 72 is supported by the hopper 71 so as to be displaceable in the width direction X in a state where the slide support portion 724 is slidably engaged with the upper end portion 713 of the hopper 71. Similarly, the right edge guide 73 is supported by the hopper 71 so as to be displaceable in the width direction X in a state where the slide support portion 734 is slidably engaged with the upper end portion 713 of the hopper 71. Further, the automatic feeding device 70 includes an interlocking mechanism (not shown) that moves the other one of the left edge guide 72 and the right edge guide 73 in the opposite direction with the same movement amount. .

  In other words, the automatic paper feeder 70 adjusts the distance between the left edge guide 72 and the right edge guide 73 according to the size of the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711, so that the size of the recording paper P is reached. Regardless, the recording paper P can be placed on the placement surface 711 so that the center position of the recording paper P in the width direction X is always a predetermined position. The user slides the connecting portion 723 or the connecting portion 733 left and right by hand, thereby adjusting the interval between the left edge guide 72 and the right edge guide 73 according to the size of the recording paper P to be placed. be able to.

  Further, since the left edge guide 72 and the right edge guide 73 are disposed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71, the placement surface 711 is displaced by swinging the hopper 71 to move the placement surface 711. The loaded recording paper P and the restricting portions 721 and 731 can be simultaneously displaced in the same displacement direction with the same displacement amount. Therefore, it is possible to realize a mechanism that rationally simplifies the mechanism for moving the regulating portions 721 and 731 into and out of the “feeding path” following the displacement of the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711. The automatic feeding device 70 according to the present invention can be realized at a lower cost. Further, the regulation accuracy of the regulation units 721 and 731 and the auxiliary regulation units 722 and 732 for the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 can be further improved.

  The feeding roller 74 is a “feeding unit” that feeds the recording paper P to the “recording execution unit” via the “feeding path”. The separation pad 75 is a known separation means. The plurality of recording papers P sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74 and the separation pad 75 are different from the recording paper P in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74 due to the frictional resistance of the separation pad 75. The recording paper P is separated. The uppermost recording paper P is fed in the feeding direction (conveyance) by the rotation of the feeding roller 74 toward the contact surface between the conveyance driving roller 51 and the conveyance driven roller 52 via the “feeding path”. In the same direction as the direction) Y. The “feeding path” is an area through which the recording paper P passes from the vicinity of the feeding roller 74 to the contact surface between the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52 (FIG. 3).

  Next, the configuration and functions of the automatic paper feeder 70 will be further described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the inkjet printer 50, and shows a state in which a plurality of recording papers P are stacked and placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71. FIG. 5 is a front view thereof, and FIGS. 6A to 6D are enlarged views of the respective parts a to d in FIG.
5 and 6, the left end of the recording paper P in the width direction X is the “left end” and the right end of the recording paper P in the width direction X. The part is referred to as the “right end”.

  Restricting portions 721 and 731 as “regulating means” regulate the position in the width direction X of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 (FIGS. 4 and 5). More specifically, the restricting portion 721 of the left edge guide 72 abuts against the left end of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 on the downstream side in the feeding direction Y and restricts the position thereof. (FIG. 6C). The restricting portion 731 of the right edge guide 73 abuts on the right end of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 on the downstream side in the feeding direction Y and restricts the position thereof (FIG. 6D). ).

  The auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 as “auxiliary regulating means” are positioned in the width direction X of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 on the upstream side in the feeding direction Y from the regulating portions 721 and 731. Regulate (FIGS. 4 and 5). More specifically, the auxiliary restricting portion 722 of the left edge guide 72 abuts on the left end of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 on the upstream side in the feeding direction Y and restricts its position. (FIG. 6A). The auxiliary restricting portion 732 of the right edge guide 73 abuts on the right end of the recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 on the upstream side in the feeding direction Y and restricts its position (FIG. 6B). )).

  In the left edge guide 72, the contact surface of the restricting portion 721 and the contact surface of the auxiliary restricting portion 722 with respect to the recording paper P coincide with each other in the width direction X, and the position of the left end of the recording paper P is cooperated. Restrict to a predetermined position. Similarly, in the right edge guide 73, the contact surface of the restricting portion 731 with respect to the recording paper P and the contact surface of the auxiliary restricting portion 732 coincide in the width direction X, and the right edge guide 73 cooperates with the right end of the recording paper P. Is restricted to a predetermined position. At this time, neither the connecting portion 723 of the left edge guide 72 nor the connecting portion 733 of the right edge guide 73 is in contact with the recording paper P on the placement surface 711.

  In other words, the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 is regulated on the downstream side in the feeding direction Y by the regulation portions 721 and 731 so that the placement position in the width direction X becomes a predetermined position. At the same time, the upstream side in the feeding direction Y is regulated by the auxiliary regulating parts 722 and 732 so that the placement position in the width direction X becomes a predetermined position. Accordingly, the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 is more firmly regulated not only on the placement position in the width direction X on the placement surface 711 but also with respect to the feeding direction Y. become. Therefore, the skew generated at the time of feeding can be further reduced. Further, by adjusting the positions of the left edge guide 72 and the right edge guide 73 in accordance with the size of the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711, the restriction portions 721 and 731 and the auxiliary restriction portions 722 and 732 are adjusted. The position of can be adjusted and set at the same time.

  As is apparent from the above, the connecting portions 723 and 733 directly regulate the loading position in the width direction X of the recording paper P placed on the loading surface 711, the inclination with respect to the feeding direction Y, and the like. Instead, it is merely provided for convenience so that the positions of the restricting portions 721 and 731 and the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 can be adjusted and set simultaneously. In addition, the connecting portions 723 and 733 function as a grip portion when the user pinches with hands to move the left edge guide 72 or the right edge guide 73 by hand, and by providing such connecting portions 723 and 733 There is also a merit that even a user who is used to the conventional flat edge guide can use it without a sense of incongruity.

  Hereinafter, a series of feeding operations in the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, particularly the operation and effect of the restriction portions 721 and 731 and the auxiliary restriction portions 722 and 732. .

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the ink jet printer 50, and shows a state during the feeding operation of the recording paper P by the automatic feeding device 70.
When the rotation of the feeding roller 74 at the predetermined rotation position in the initial state is started (rotation in the direction indicated by the symbol B), the hopper 71 is indicated by the symbol A in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding roller 74. Swings in the direction As a result, a plurality of recording papers P stacked and placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74 and are fed to the recording surface of the uppermost recording paper P1. The outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74 is in contact with and engaged with the “feeding path”. At the same time, the restriction portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) disposed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 also advance into the “feeding path” as the hopper 71 swings. That is, the restricting portions 721 and 731 advance to the “feeding path” following the displacement of the recording paper P due to the swing of the hopper 71 in the direction indicated by the symbol A (FIG. 7).

  The recording paper P1, which is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 74, advances in the “feeding path” in the feeding direction Y by the rotation of the feeding roller 74 in the direction indicated by reference numeral B, and is conveyed. It is fed toward the driving roller 51. At this time, the recording paper P1 has auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) on the upstream side in the feeding direction Y by the regulating portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) whose downstream side in the feeding direction Y has advanced into the “feeding path”. ) Is fed while the position in the width direction X is regulated.

  That is, in the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the present invention, during the feeding of the recording paper P1, the restricting portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) and the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) perform the recording. The position of the paper P1 in the width direction X and the inclination with respect to the feeding direction Y are restricted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation in the width direction X of the recording paper P1 during feeding, the inclination of the recording paper P1 with respect to the feeding direction Y, and the like.

  Further, the restriction portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) that have advanced into the “feeding path” are areas where the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 and the feeding roller 74 abut. The positions of both ends of the recording paper P corresponding to the width direction X are restricted. In other words, the uppermost recording paper P1 to be fed is fed while both end positions in the width direction X closest to the area engaged with the feeding roller 74 are regulated by the regulating portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5). Will be sent. Therefore, in the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the present invention, when feeding the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71, the width direction X of the uppermost recording paper P1 to be fed. Can be fed in a state in which the position is regulated in the most stable and highly accurate manner.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the ink jet printer 50 and illustrates a state immediately after the feeding of the recording paper P by the automatic feeding device 70 is completed.
After the recording paper P1 is sandwiched between the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52 and becomes transportable by the rotation of the transport driving roller 51, the feeding roller 74 is a distance from the rotation center to the outer peripheral surface. Are short and face the recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71. Then, after the recording paper P1 is sandwiched between the contact points of the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52, the hopper 71 moves in the direction indicated by the symbol C before recording on the recording paper P1 is started. Swing.

  As a result, the regulation units 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) retreat from the “feeding path” before recording on the recording paper P1 is started. In other words, before the recording on the recording paper P1 is started, the recording paper P1 is released from the restriction of the restriction portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5). Accordingly, when recording on the recording paper P1 is started and the recording paper P1 is transported by the rotation of the transport driving roller 51 and proceeds in the “feeding path” in the transport direction Y, the restricting portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5). ) Is not in contact with the recording paper P1. Since the restricting portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) are displaced together with the hopper 71, the other recording paper P placed on the placing surface 711 of the hopper 71 remains as it is after the hopper 71 is retracted. The state in which the placement position in the width direction X is described in 731 (FIG. 5) will be maintained.

  Here, as a timing for retracting the regulating portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) from the “feeding path”, for example, the recording paper P1 to be fed is sandwiched between the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52. It may be immediately after. The timing at which the recording paper P1 is sandwiched between the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52 is shown in the “feeding path” between the feeding roller 74 and the transport driving roller 51. It can be specified from the transport amount after the leading edge PS of the recording paper P1 is detected by a known paper detector or the like.

  Further, when the leading end PS of the fed recording paper P1 reaches the contact surface between the transport driving roller 51 and the transport driven roller 52, a skew removing operation or a cueing operation by so-called abutment or biting discharge is performed. It is also possible to do. In this case, it is preferable that the restricting portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) are retracted from the “feed path” after the end of the skew removing operation and the cueing operation. As a result, the position in the width direction X of the recording paper P1 can be regulated even during the skew removal operation or the cueing operation, so that the width during the skew removal operation or cueing operation of the recording paper P1 after feeding is reduced. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the displacement in the direction X occurs.

  The trailing edge PE of the recording paper P1 is located at the contact point between the conveyance driving roller 51 and the conveyance driven roller 52 after the leading edge PS of the recording paper P1 is reached and before reaching the recording start position. And 732 (FIG. 5) reach the downstream side in the feeding direction Y. In other words, before the leading edge PS of the recording paper P1 reaches the recording start position, the trailing edge PE of the recording paper P1 is released from the regulation of the auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5). As a result, the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) are not in contact with the recording paper P1 conveyed in the conveyance direction Y by the rotation of the conveyance driving roller 51 at the time when recording on the recording paper P1 is started. It has become. The other recording paper P placed on the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71 maintains the state where the placement position in the width direction X is described in the auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) as it is. It will be.

  Further, when the skew removal operation or cueing operation is performed after feeding and before recording, the trailing edge PE of the recording paper P1 is immediately before the leading edge PS of the recording paper P1 reaches the recording start position. It is preferable that the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) are removed. Thereby, the position of the recording paper P1 during the skew removal operation or the cueing operation is restricted in the width direction X by the cooperation of the restricting portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) and the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5). Will be made. Further, the auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) such that the rear end PE of the recording paper P1 hits the auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) at the time of reverse feeding due to the skew removal operation or the cueing discharge operation. This can also prevent the recording paper P1 from interfering with the skew removal operation and the cueing operation.

  In this way, before the recording on the fed recording paper P1 is started at the latest, the regulating portions 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) are retracted from the “feeding path” and do not come into contact with the recording paper P1. It is in a state. At the same time, the auxiliary regulating portions 722 and 732 (FIG. 5) are in a state in which the trailing edge PE of the fed recording paper P1 passes downstream and does not come into contact with the recording paper P1.

  That is, the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the present invention, after feeding the recording paper P1, controls the restriction parts 721 and 731 (FIG. 5) and the auxiliary restriction parts 722 and 732 with respect to the recording paper P1 being recorded. It is possible to prevent the conveyance skew caused by (FIG. 5). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a conveyance skew from being generated due to an external factor other than the “conveying means” by the conveyance driving roller 51 and the conveyance driven roller 52. Therefore, the recording paper P1 can be conveyed with high conveyance accuracy during recording. Is possible.

  As described above, according to the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the recording accuracy and the deterioration of the recording image quality due to the conveyance skew generated in the recording sheet P1 during the recording with a low-cost configuration. be able to.

<Second Embodiment of Automatic Feeder 70>
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of the automatic feeder 70 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the automatic feeding device 70 according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment described above.
In the left edge guide 72, a restricting portion 721 and an auxiliary restricting portion 722 are connected by a connecting portion 723. In the right edge guide 73, a restricting portion 731 and an auxiliary restricting portion 732 are connected by a connecting portion 733. The same as in the first embodiment. Further, the configurations, functions, and operational effects of the restricting portions 721 and 731 and the auxiliary restricting portions 722 and 732 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the second embodiment, the right edge guide 73 is fixed to the placement surface 711 of the hopper 71, and when the recording paper P is placed, the size of the recording paper P is increased. Regardless, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it always becomes the reference end of the mounting position in the width direction X.

  That is, the automatic paper feeder 70 according to the second embodiment places the recording paper P on the placement surface 711 in a state where one end side in the width direction X is abutted against the restriction portion 731 and the auxiliary restriction portion 732 of the right edge guide 73. The width direction X of the left edge guide 72 is set so that the restricting portion 721 and the auxiliary restricting portion 722 come into contact with the other end side in the width direction X of the recording paper P according to the size of the placed recording paper P. This is different from the first embodiment in that the position is adjusted. The present invention can also be implemented in the automatic sheet feeder 70 configured as described above, and the same effects as the automatic sheet feeder 70 in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

1 is a side sectional view of an ink jet printer. The external perspective view of a hopper. The side sectional view showing the state where the hopper was rockingly displaced. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which recording paper is placed on a placement surface of a hopper. The front view which illustrated the state which mounted the recording paper on the mounting surface of a hopper. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of each part of the restriction part and the auxiliary restriction part in FIG. 5. A state in which the recording paper is being fed by the automatic feeding device. The state immediately after the feeding of the recording paper by the automatic feeding device is completed. The front view which illustrated 2nd Example of the automatic feeding apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

50 Inkjet printer, 51 Conveyance drive roller, 52 Conveyance driven roller, 53 Platen, 54 Discharge drive roller, 55 Discharge driven roller, 61 Carriage guide shaft, 62 Carriage, 63 Recording head, 70 Automatic feeding device, 71 Hopper, 72 Left Edge guide, 73 Right edge guide, 74 Feed roller, 75 Separation pad, 721, 731 Restriction part, 722,732 Auxiliary restriction part, 723,733 Connection part, P recording paper, X Recording paper width direction, Y recording Paper feeding direction and transport direction

Claims (5)

An automatic feeding device for automatically feeding a recording material,
A mounting surface for mounting the recording material;
A feeding means for feeding the recording material via a feeding path;
Biasing means for biasing the recording material placed on the placing surface to the feeding means;
It is arranged at positions corresponding to both ends in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placing surface, and either one or both can be displaced in the direction intersecting the feeding direction. A pair of guide members;
A regulating portion that projects so as to face the guide member and regulates a position in a direction intersecting a feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface,
The restricting portion is, after the recording material being fed by the feeding means is sandwiched between conveying means on the upstream side in the feeding direction from the recording head,
By retreating from the feeding path together with the placement surface, the restriction of the position in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording material conveyed by the conveying means is released,
An automatic feeding apparatus characterized by maintaining a restriction of a position in a direction intersecting with a feeding direction of another recording material placed on the placement surface. 2. The automatic feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the timing at which the restricting portion retracts from the feeding path is after the recording material is sandwiched by the conveying unit and recording on the recording material is started. An automatic feeding device characterized by being before being performed. 3. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the restriction in which the position in the direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the recording material placed on the placement surface is regulated upstream in the feeding direction from the regulation unit. Part
After the recording material fed by the feeding unit is sandwiched by the conveying unit, the trailing end of the recording material before the leading end of the recording material reaches the recording start position by the recording head Reaches the downstream side in the feeding direction from the auxiliary regulating portion . The automatic feeder according to claim 3, wherein the guide member, said regulating portion and the auxiliary restricting portion is formed by connected by a connecting portion, the automatic feeding apparatus, wherein a call.   A recording apparatus comprising: a recording execution unit that performs recording on a recording material; and the automatic feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 that automatically feeds the recording material to the recording execution unit. .

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