JPH01176733A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve efficiency of operation such as supply of paper or the like by connecting and disconnecting a placing table for storing transfer material, which is capable of elevating, and driving means therefor, interlocking with opening and closing of a door and lowering the placing table by its dead load when the door is opened. CONSTITUTION:When paper is loaded on a placing table 35 and a front door of a paper feeder main body 11 is closed, a rib of the door is pushed to turn a lever 66, a gear 70 is meshed with a gear 55 through a turning element 69 by urging force of a spring 73, and the placing table 35 is raised by a motor- driven worm gear 65 through a gear train by use of a timing belt 49. Subsequently, when the door is opened because of no paper indication, the lever 66 is disengaged from the rib to be turned clockwise by a spring 68, the gear 70 is separated from the gear 55 through the turning element 69, the connection of a gear 38 where the timing belt is engaged with the worm gear 65 is released so that the placing table 35 is lowered by its dead load. Thus, efficiency of operation such as supply of paper or the like can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that is attached to an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine and is capable of feeding a large amount of paper. .

(Prior Art) Recently, various paper feeding devices of this type have been developed. This type of paper feeding device is equipped with a loading table on which a large amount of paper is loaded inside the feeding device, and the loading table is raised according to the amount of paper loaded on it. There is.

That is, the above-mentioned loading table is provided with an elevating mechanism for the loading table, and when it is raised to a predetermined position by a motor provided in this elevating mechanism, it is necessary to replenish paper if a paper jam occurs in the paper feeder or if the paper runs out. In some cases, it is necessary to lower the loading table, but in the past, the loading table had to be lowered manually, making the operation complicated and the purpose of this was to replenish paper, etc. The present invention aims to provide a paper feeding device with excellent operability, in which the loading table automatically lowers when the door is opened.

In this invention, a large amount of transfer material is accommodated in the device main body,
The material to be transferred is held by a mounting table that can be raised and lowered, and when the main body of the apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus, the mounting table is movably supported in a paper feeding device that supplies the material to be transferred to the image forming apparatus. a support means for driving the support means, a drive means for driving the support means to operate the mounting table, a door provided on the apparatus main body, and the support means and the drive means are connected in conjunction with the closing operation of the door. The mounting table is configured to be able to rise, and includes a connecting means for releasing the connection between the supporting means and the driving means in conjunction with the opening operation, and the mounting table is lowered in a state where the field is released. There is.

(Function) The present invention enables the support means for supporting the mounting table and the drive means for driving the support means to be connected and disconnected by means of a connection means that operates in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the door, and when the door is opened. In such a case, the supporting means and the driving means are released and the mounting table is lowered by its own weight, thereby improving the operability.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a paper feeding device.

This paper feeding device 11 includes a case body 12 made of resin in which a paper lifting mechanism (to be described later) is accommodated, a connecting portion 13 integrally formed with the case body 12, and a connecting portion 13 and the case body 12. The cover 14 integrally covers the upper part of the case body 12 and is provided with a paper feeder groove and an electric circuit, which will be described later, and a door 15 provided on the case body 12 so as to be openable and closable. Ribs 15a for reinforcing the door 15 are provided on both side edges of the door 15.

The connecting portion 13 connects the paper feeding device 11 to the copying machine main body 16, as shown in FIG.
It has the same shape as the paper feed cassette installed in the. That is, protrusions 13a are provided on both sides of the connecting portion 13, and when the connecting portion 13 is inserted into the paper feed cassette mounting portion 16a of the copying machine main body 16, the protrusions 13a and the proximal end of the connecting portion 13 13b is the guide groove 16b1 attachment part 1 of the protrusion 13a.
6a and are respectively engaged with the openings 16c of the paper feeding device 11.
is now retained.

In addition, handles 12 are provided on both sides of the case body 12, respectively.
A is provided. The position and width W of this handle 12a
As shown in FIG. 3, the position and width of the connecting portion 13 coincide with that of the connecting portion 13, and the connecting portion 13 and the handle 12a have the same shape as a normal paper feed cassette. Therefore, the paper feed device 11 is connected to the paper feed cassette mounting portion 16a of the copying machine main body 16.
By holding this handle 12a, when attaching the paper feed cassette to a paper feed cassette or removing it from the mounting portion 16a, it is possible to do so with the same operational feeling as a normal paper feed cassette.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a control panel 17 is provided in a portion of the cover 14 that corresponds to the case body 12.
A light emitting diode 18 is provided to indicate whether the power of the paper feeding device 11 is on or off, and a light emitting diode 19 is provided to indicate that a paper jam has occurred. In addition, cover 14
A cutout portion 14a is provided in a portion corresponding to the connection portion 13, and the cutout portion 14a is provided with a cutout portion 14a as shown in FIG.
, a paper feed roller 16d provided on the copying machine main body 16 is inserted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a recess 12b is provided at the bottom of the case body 12 at a portion indicated by P in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base end of a presser member 21 is fixed to this recess 12b, for example, by a thumbscrew 20, and the tip of the presser member 21 is fixed to the copying machine main body 16. It comes into contact with a contact part 23 made of a rubber material, for example, provided on the side surface of the table 22 on which it is placed.

Therefore, even when a large amount of paper is stored inside the paper feeding device 11, the paper feeding device 11 can be reliably held horizontally.

Although the presser member 21 is in contact with the base 22, depending on the shape of the copying machine main body, the presser member 21 may be in contact with the copying machine main body.

Next, a mechanism for lifting and lowering sheets stored inside the paper feeder 11 will be described.

In FIGS. T56 to 9, the first and second side frames 31 and 32 are arranged and fixed along both internal side surfaces of the case body 12, and these first and second side frames 31 and 32 are
The side frames 31, 32 are fixed at a predetermined distance by first and second fixing frames 33, 34 provided at the lower end and the upper end, respectively. These first and second
The side frames 31 and 32 have extensions 31a and 32.
a are provided respectively, and these extending portions 31a13
2a is fixed to a protrusion 13a provided on the connecting portion 13.

Further, a paper mounting table 35 as shown in FIG. 7 is provided between the first and second side frames 31 and 32. A brake pad 36 is provided at the center of the surface of the handling table 35, and a through hole 35a is provided near the brake pad 36 in which the tip of a paper-out detection member 103, which will be described later, is accommodated. Further, a frame 37 is attached to the back surface of the mounting table 35. This frame 3
Mounting portions 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d are provided at both ends of the drive belt 7, respectively, to which drive belts are attached. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, these mounting parts 37a to 37d are formed by slits 31b, 31c provided in the first and second side frames 31.32,
32b and 32c.

Slits 31b, 31 of the first side frame 31
As shown in FIG. 8, pulleys 38, 39, and 40° 41 are provided at both ends of C in the longitudinal direction.
A pulley 42 is provided near the. Further, at both longitudinal ends of the slits 32b and 32c of the second side frame 32, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, pulleys 43
．． 44, 45, 46, and 47 are provided, and among these pulleys 38 to 47, pulleys 39 and 44 are connected by a shaft 48 so as to rotate in one direction.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, endless timing belts 49, 50 are attached to these pulleys 38 to 42, 43 to 47, and the slits 31b, 31c, 32
The timing belts 49, 50 are wrapped around each other in a substantially M-shape along the timing belts 49, 32c, and rollers 51 disposed near the pulleys 38, 39, 44.
．． 52 and 53 are in contact with each other. Furthermore, attachment portions 37a137b1, 37c, and 37d of the frame 37 provided on the mounting table 35 are fixed to these timing belts 49 and 50, respectively. therefore,
The above-mentioned mounting table 35 supports these timing belts 49.50
Therefore, it is possible to move horizontally along the slits 31b, 31c, 32b, and 32c.

On the other hand, a mounting table 35 is provided on the first side frame 31.
The timing belt 49.50
A drive section is provided to drive the.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIGS. 10 to 15, the pulley 38 is integrally provided with a gear 55 having a larger diameter. These pulleys 38 and gears 55 are attached to a rotating shaft 57 via a one-way clutch 56 built into them, and the timing belt 49 is moved in the direction of lowering the mounting table 35 (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 8). When operated, the one-way clutch 56
fixed, the pulley 38.55 is rotated together with the rotating shaft 57. Further, in the case of the opposite direction, the rotary shaft 57 is in a free state.

A gear 58 having the same diameter and the same number of teeth as the gear 55 is fixed to the rotating shaft 57, and a gear 59 is meshed with the gear 58. A bevel gear 60 is fixed to this gear 59, and a bevel gear 61 is meshed with this bevel gear 60. A gear 62 is fixed to this bevel gear 61,
A gear 63 is meshed with this gear 62. This gear 63 is integrally provided with a gear 64, and this gear 64 has a worm gear 65 driven by a motor to be described later.
are engaged.

In the above configuration, a lever 66 constituting an actuating means is provided on the side surface of the first side frame 31, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11. This lever 66 is rotatable by a shaft 67 provided in the center in the longitudinal direction, and has one end attached to the rib 15 of the door 15.
A contact portion 67 that can come into contact with a is provided. Further, a coil spring 68 is provided between the other end of the lever 66 and the first side frame 31, and the spring 68 allows the lever 66 to rotate at one end in the direction of the door 15 at all times. energized.

On the other hand, a rotator 69 is provided on the first side frame 31 located near the other end of the lever 66 . This rotator 69 is rotated by a shaft 72 provided at an intermediate portion.
It is rotatably provided on the side foot 31 of. A coil spring 73 is provided between one end of the rotator 69 and the other end of the lever 66, and the spring 73 causes the rotor 69 to interlock with the lever 66.

Further, at the other end of the rotor 69, gears 70 and 71 that are rotatable within one body are provided.

These gears 70 and 71 have the same diameter and the same number of teeth, and can mesh with the gears 55 and 58.

In the above configuration, when the door 15 is opened as shown in FIG. section is pressed down. The rotor 69 is therefore rotated counterclockwise and the gear 70.71 is spaced apart from the gear 55.58.

Furthermore, when the door 15 is closed, one end of the lever 66 is pressed down by the rib 15a of the door 15, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the lever 66 is rotated counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 68, and in conjunction with this, the rotor 69 is rotated clockwise. Therefore, gear 70
．． 71 is meshed with gears 55 and 58. Therefore, when the door 15 is closed, the gears 55 and 58 are rotated together, and when the gear 58 is rotated in the direction of the arrow W shown in FIG. 8 according to the operation of the worm gear 65, the one-way A gear 55 provided on a shaft 57 is rotated in the same direction via a clutch 56, and the mounting table 3
5 is raised as shown by arrow U in the figure. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the processing table 35 is raised.

Next, a paper feeding mechanism provided on the cover 14,
and various sensors etc. will be explained.

16 to 18, a U-shaped frame 81 is provided on the back side of the cover 14. As shown in FIGS.

A motor 82 is attached to a first side surface 81a of the frame 81, and a pulley 83 is provided on the rotation shaft of the motor 82.

In addition, the first and second side surfaces 818181b of the frame 81
A shaft 84 is rotatably provided between the two, and pulleys 85 and 86 are rotatably provided integrally with this shaft 84. A timing belt 87 is stretched between this pulley 85' and the pulley 83. Further, a base end portion of a movable member 88 is rotatably provided on the shaft 84. A shaft 89 is rotatably provided at the tip of the movable member 88, and rollers 90 and 91 are provided at both ends of the shaft 89 to send out the paper stacked on the placement table 35. Further, a pulley 93 is provided on the shaft 89 via a one-way clutch 92. A timing belt 94 is stretched between this pulley 93 and the pulley 86, and when the motor 82 is rotated in one direction, the rollers 90, 91 are driven in the paper feeding direction, and the rollers 90, 91 are driven in the paper feeding direction, and If it is rotated in this direction, it will stop. Furthermore, at the base end of the movable member 88,
A weight 94 for balance adjustment is provided.

On the other hand, a shaft 96 is provided in the second frame 81b with zero rotation. The worm gear 65 is provided at the tip of this shaft 96, and a pulley 98 is provided at the base end via a one-way clutch 97. A timing belt 99 is stretched between this pulley 98 and the pulley 86, and the worm gear 65 is connected to the motor 82.
When rotated in one direction, it is stopped, and when rotated in the other direction, it is rotated. therefore,
Depending on the rotation direction of this motor 82, rollers 90, 91,
And the mounting table 35 is selectively driven.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, a switch 100 for detecting opening/closing of the door 15 is installed on the back side of the cover 14 via a member 101, and an operating portion 100a of this switch 100 is mounted. An operator 15a provided on the cover 15 can come into contact with it.

Further, near the roller 90, there is a level detection member 102 for detecting the height of the mounting table 35, and a level detection member 102 for detecting the height of the mounting table 35.
paper out detection member 10 that detects the presence or absence of paper loaded on the
3 is provided. That is, a frame 104 is provided on the back surface of the cover 14, and intermediate portions of the level detection member 102 and the paper-out detection member 103 are rotatably provided on a shaft 105 provided on the frame 104. The frame 104 is provided with a level detection sensor 106 and a paper-out detection sensor 107, which are made of, for example, a photocoupler, a photosensor, etc., and these sensors 106.1
The other ends of the level detection member 102 and the paper-out detection member 103 can enter between the light emitting element and the light receiving element 07 (not shown). Therefore, the height of the mounting table 35 and the presence or absence of paper are detected by the level detection sensor 106 and paper out detection sensor 107.

Furthermore, a circuit board PCB on which a control circuit, which will be described later, is arranged is attached to the back surface of the cover 14, and this circuit board P
CB is covered by metal cover MC.

Next, the internal configuration of the connection section 13 will be further explained.

In FIG. 20, inside the connecting portion 13, first and second paper sensors 108 and 109 are attached to a member 110. It is attached via 111. This first
, and second paper sensors 108 and 109 are each constructed of a reflective sensor, for example, and are designed to irradiate light onto a paper and detect light reflected from the paper. These first and second paper sensors 108 and 109 are covered by a first paper guide 113 that is attached to the connecting portion 13 by a member 112, and a transparent Paper is detected through holes 113a and 113b. Furthermore, a paper size display section 13d is provided on the distal end surface of the connecting section 13. Code information indicating the paper size is set on the display section 13d, for example, depending on the position of the claw 13e shown in FIG.
3 is attached to the copying machine main body 16 described above, this claw 13e is detected by a micro switch (not shown) provided in the copying machine main body, so that the paper size can be determined on the copying machine main body 16 side. It has become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the connection portion 1 of the cover 14
A second paper guide 114 is attached to the back side facing the paper guide 114, and this second paper guide 114 is attached to the back side facing the
A black sheet member 115 is attached to the surface facing the second paper sensor 108, 109, and this sheet member 115 prevents light from being reflected when there is no paper.

Further, on the back side of the cover 14, the above-mentioned frame 1
04, a circuit board, etc. are attached to the harness 116, and the connecting portion 13 is provided with a third harness 116 for guiding both ends of the sheet in the width direction.
A fourth paper guide 117,118 is provided. Legs 11 of these third and fourth paper guides 117 and 118
7a.

117b, 118a, and 118b are the mounting bases 35
Insertion slots 35b, 35 provided corresponding to the paper size
c, 35d and 35e (shown in FIG. 7).

Next, the out-of-paper display of the paper feeder 11 for the copying machine main body 16 described above will be explained.

This paper feeding device 11 is not electrically connected to the copying machine main body 16 for signals other than a driving power source, and is configured to operate off-line. Therefore, it is necessary to notify the copying machine main body 16 of the out-of-paper state of the paper feeder 11.

By the way, the copying machine main body 1 to which this paper feeding device 11 is installed
A reflective paper sensor is provided in the paper feed cassette mounting portion 16a of No. 6. This paper sensor has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and the light output from the light-emitting element is irradiated into the inside of the paper feed cassette through a through hole provided at the bottom of the attached paper feed cassette. The presence or absence of paper is detected by using a light receiving element to detect the presence or absence of reflected light from the paper stored in the paper feed cassette.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, four parts 13c are provided on the back surface of the connecting part 13, and these four parts 13c
A light emitting diode 119 is provided inside. As shown in FIG. 23, this recessed portion 13c is located at a position facing the paper sensor SC provided in the copying machine main body 16.

The light emitting diode 119 is turned on when the paper out detection member 103 and the paper out detection sensor 107 determine that the paper is out of paper, and is turned off when it is determined that the paper is out of paper. The presence or absence of paper in the paper device 11 is notified to the paper sensor SC of the copying machine main body 16.

FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the control system.

The control unit 120 controls the operation of the entire paper feeding device. The control unit 120 includes the aforementioned first and second paper sensors 108 and 109, a paper out detection sensor 107, a level detection sensor 1o6, and light emitting diodes 18 and 19 that respectively indicate power on/off and paper jam. A control panel 17 provided, a light emitting diode 119 that displays a paper-free display, a motor drive section 121 that controls the drive of the motor 82, and a switch 1 that detects the open/close state of the door 15.
00 is set.

In the above configuration, the operation will be explained.

First, when replenishing the paper feeder 11 with paper, the steps shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12, when the door 15 is opened, the lever 66 and the rotor 69 that constitute the actuating means shown in FIG. 8 are operated as described above, and the gear 70 provided on the rotor 69 is operated.
．． 71 is spaced apart from gear 55.58. Then, since the gear 55 becomes free with respect to the gear 58, the mounting table 35 is lowered by its own weight.

In the above state, the paper is loaded on the loading table 35 and the door 1 is opened.
When the switch 5 is closed, the switch 100 is turned on, and the motor 82 is rotated in the other direction described above under the control of the control section 120 and the motor drive section 121. In this direction of rotation, the rollers 90.91 are stopped by the one-way clutch 92 and only the worm gear 65 is rotated by the one-way clutch 97. As a result, gear 64.63
~58 is rotated.

Moreover, when the door 15 is closed, as shown in FIG.
The lever 66 is rotated by the rib 15a of the door 15, and the rotator 69 is rotated in conjunction with this. For this reason, the gears 70 and 71 provided on the rotor 69 are replaced by the gears 55 and 71.
58.

Therefore, the gears 58 and 55 rotate together, and the power of the motor 82 is transmitted to the gear 55 without loss. This rotation of the gear 55 rotates the gear 38, and the mounting table 35 is raised via the timing belts 49, 50.

As the mounting table 35 rises, the paper comes into contact with the rollers 90 and 91, and the level detection member 102 and out-of-paper detection member 103 are rotated, and the level detection sensor 106 and out-of-paper detection sensor 107 are turned off. When the controller 12
The motor 82 is stopped by the o1 motor drive section 121, and the light emitting diode 119 is turned on. Thereafter, the motor 82 is rotated in the opposite direction (the one direction described above), and one sheet of paper on the processing table 35 is sent to the standby position. That is, when the motor 82 is rotated in the opposite direction, the one-way clutch 97 stops the worm gear 65, and the one-way clutch 92 rotates only the rollers 90 and 91. Therefore, when the paper on the mounting table 35 is sent out by the rollers 90.91 and the paper is detected by the first and second paper sensors 108, 109, the motor 8 is
2 is stopped, and the paper is stopped at a standby position where it is exposed from the notch 14a of the cover 14.

In this way, even if the motor 82 is stopped while the loading table 35 fully loaded with paper is raised,
As described above, since the a-mounting table 35 is driven via the worm gear 65, it does not descend due to the resistance between the worm gear 65 and the gear 64.

In this state, when the copying machine main body 16 starts a copying operation, the paper feed roller 16d (shown in FIG. 3) of the copying machine main body 16 is lowered and comes into contact with the paper in the standby position, and this The paper is taken out by one rotation of the paper roller 16d. Then, when the paper is taken out, the paper feed roller 16
d is raised again. Also, when the trailing edge of the paper passes the first paper sensor 108, this first paper sensor 108
turns off, and the control unit 120 and motor drive unit 121
Under this control, the motor 82 is rotated in one direction. Therefore, when the paper on the mounting table 35 is taken out and the leading edge of the paper is detected by the first paper sensor 108, the motor 82 is stopped. Then, when the preceding paper taken out by the paper feed roller 16d is further fed into the copying machine 16 and the second paper sensor 109 is turned off, the motor 82 is activated by the controller 120 and the motor drive unit 121. The control rotates it in one direction again so that the tip is in the first position.
The succeeding paper that is stopped at the paper sensor 108 position is fed. When the second paper sensor 109 detects the leading edge of the following paper, the motor 82 is stopped and the paper is stopped at the standby position. Copying machine body 16
When the one-vessel photographing operation is performed, the above-mentioned operation is repeated.

On the other hand, when the paper on the mounting table 35 runs out, the paper out detection member 103 falls into the through hole 35a provided in the mounting table 35, and the paper out sensor 107 turns on. Then, the light emitting diode 119 is turned off by the control unit 120, and the copying machine main body 16 is notified that there is no paper. In the copying machine main body 16, a paper out message is displayed on, for example, an operation panel (not shown) in response to the output of the paper out sensor SC.

Note that after the motor 82 is rotated in one direction and the paper is sent from the mounting table 35 to the standby position, for example, about 0.5
If the paper is not detected by one or both of the first paper sensor 108 and the second paper sensor 109 even after seconds have elapsed, it is determined that a paper feeding error has occurred, and the light emitting diode 19 is turned on to indicate a paper jam. At the same time, the light emitting diode 119 is turned off to display a paper out display, and a paper replenishment display is displayed on the operation panel of the copying machine main body 16.

According to the above embodiment, when the door 15 of the paper feeder 11 is opened, the gear 70.71 is separated from the gear 55.58, and the pulley 38 provided integrally with the gear 58 is moved toward the gear 58. I am free to do so. Therefore, since the mounting table 35 is automatically lowered by opening the door 15, there is no need to manually push down the mounting table 35, resulting in good operability.

Furthermore, the mounting table 35 is attached to an endless timing belt 49.5.
It is driven by 0. Therefore, unlike when using conventional wires or timing belts with ends, there is no need to fix both ends of the wires or timing belts, making it easy to install the timing belts, and to assemble and degrade them. It is easy to set up.

Furthermore, when using a timing belt or wire with ends, both ends of the timing belt or wire must be fixed to the boot or mounting table, which increases the width of the boot and results in the shape of the paper feeding device. However, when an endless timing belt is used as in this embodiment, there is no need to fix it to the boob, etc., so there is no need to increase the width of the boob, etc., and the device shape can be reduced. It is possible to suppress the increase in size.

In addition, since the mounting table 35 is fixed to each parallel portion of the endless timing belt 49, 50, it is possible to easily hold the mounting table 35 horizontally, and the point of effort can be reduced as the mounting table 35 moves. It also has the advantage of not requiring excessive force to change.

Furthermore, the power of the motor 82 is selectively supplied to the worm gear 65 and rollers 90.91 via one-way clutches 92.97.

Therefore, since it is possible to drive the mounting table 35 and send out the paper by one motor, it is possible to reduce the size of the device and the manufacturing cost. .

Furthermore, since the driving of the mounting table 35 and the paper feeding operation are not performed at the same time, it is possible to drive these with a small output motor, and it is possible to reduce the power supply capacity.

Furthermore, the width of the handle 12a provided on the case body 12 is the same as the width of the connecting portion 13, and is also the same size as a normal paper feed cassette.

Therefore, the paper feeding device 11 can be attached to and removed from the copying machine main body 16 with the same operational feeling as a normal paper feeding cassette.

Further, the mounting table 35 and a lifting mechanism for driving the mounting table 35 are provided in the first and second side frames 31 and 32 housed in the case body 12, and a motor 82 for driving the lifting mechanism, and The cover 14 is provided with a circuit board PCB on which a control circuit for driving the motor 82 is disposed, and a paper feeding mechanism section. Therefore, since it is possible to assemble and adjust the lifting mechanism section, control circuit, and delivery mechanism section separately, it is possible to simplify manufacturing and also to facilitate maintenance and inspection. be.

Furthermore, the out-of-paper state of the paper feeder 11 is displayed by a light emitting diode 119 provided on the back side of the connecting portion 13 to inform the copying machine main body 16 side. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to the conventional case where a mechanical shutter is provided opposite to the paper out sensor SC in the copying machine body and operates depending on whether there is a paper nail or not. At the same time, it is possible to improve reliability.

Further, the first and second side frames 31 and 32 are made of metal, and the case body 12 is made of resin. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the weight in mW compared to the conventional case in which the entire case is made of metal.

Moreover, the first and second side frames 31 and 32 are provided with extending portions 31 a s 32 a, and these extending portions 31 a
, 32a as the handle 13a of the connection part 13 of the case body 12,
13a, respectively. Therefore, the resin connecting portion 13 can be reinforced by the extending portions 31 a s 32 a.

Furthermore, a presser member 21 is provided at the bottom of the case body 12,
This holding member 21 is attached to a stand 22 on which the copying machine main body 16 is placed.
Alternatively, it is made to abut against the copying machine main body 16. Therefore, it is possible to hold the paper feeding device 11 horizontally, and it is possible to reduce the force applied to the connecting portion 13 of the case body 12.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the supporting means for supporting the mounting table and the driving means for driving the supporting means are connected to each other by a connecting means that operates in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the door. It is possible to provide a paper feeding device that can be connected and disconnected by the door, and when the door is opened, the supporting means and the driving means are released and the processing table is lowered by its own weight, thereby improving operability. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the paper feeding device, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a different operating state from FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the paper feeding device. A side view, FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the state in which the presser member is attached to the main body of the copying machine are shown for explaining the presser member, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main parts showing the bottom of the case main body, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing the main parts of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the elevating mechanism of the mounting table, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting table, and FIGS. 8 and 9. The figures each show the lifting mechanism of the mounting table, and are a side sectional view and a 10th sectional view viewed from different directions.
15 to 15 each show the drive section of the lifting mechanism, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration, FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the main part of FIG. 8 viewed from a different direction, 12th
Fig. 13 is a side view of the main part showing different operating states of the lever, Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the main part seen from above,
Fig. 15 is a side sectional view showing an operating state different from Fig. 8, Figs. 16 to 19 each show the structure of the cover, Fig. 16 is a plan view of the main part, and Fig. 17 is a one-dimensional view. A partially cutaway side view, FIGS. 18 and 19 are exploded perspective views of the main parts, FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively show the configuration of the connection part, and FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts. Figure, 21st
The figure is an exploded perspective view, FIGS. 22 and 23 each show a paperless display section, FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing only the main parts, and FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing only the main parts. FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram showing the control system. 11...Paper feeding device, 12...Case body, 14...
・Cover, 15... Door, 15a... Rib, 16.
... Copying machine main body, 31.32 ... First and second side frames, 35 ... Mounting table, 49.50 ... Timing belt, 55.58.70.71 ... Gear, 66
... Lever, 69 ... Rotator, 56.92.97.
... One-way clutch, 65 ... Worm gear, 8
2...Motor, 90.91...Roller, 100...
・Switch, 102...Level detection member, 103...
・Paper out detection member, 106...Level detection sensor, 1
07...Paper out detection sensor, 108.109...First and second paper sensors, 119...Light emitting diode,
120...control unit. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 4 Figure 22 SC Figure 23\, ' I Figure 24

Claims (1)

[Claims] A large amount of material to be transferred is stored in the main body of the apparatus, and this material to be transferred is held by a mounting table that can be raised and lowered, and when the main body of the apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus, the material to be transferred is placed in the image forming apparatus. A paper feeding device for supplying a transfer material, comprising: a support means for movably supporting the mounting table; a driving means for driving the support means to operate the mounting table; a door provided on the device main body; The supporting means and the driving means are connected to each other in conjunction with the closing operation of the door so that the mounting table can be raised, and the connecting means is provided to release the connection between the supporting means and the driving means in conjunction with the opening operation of the door, A paper feeding device characterized in that the mounting table is lowered when the door is open.