CN210639424U

CN210639424U - Manual paper feeder and image forming device

Info

Publication number: CN210639424U
Application number: CN201921296065.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高岛健二
Original assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Priority date: 2019-08-12
Filing date: 2019-08-12
Publication date: 2020-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-12

Abstract

The utility model provides a part setting that will make the tray go up and down is at inside manual paper supply device of manual paper supply device and has its image forming device. The manual paper feeding device of the embodiment comprises: a main tray on which a sheet to be conveyed is placed, the main tray having a storage compartment formed therein and protruding downward; a pressing tray formed in a plate shape, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main tray, the pressing tray being provided at a downstream end portion of the main tray; a cam rotatably provided in the storage compartment, an outer peripheral surface of the cam being in contact with a lower side surface of the pressurizing tray, the cam rotating to move the pressurizing tray between a first position parallel to the main tray and a second position raised upward; a driving part which is fixedly arranged in the containing bin and generates driving force for rotating the cam; and a transmission part provided between the cam and the driving part, the transmission part transmitting the driving force to the cam. Through the utility model discloses, can realize the miniaturization of device.

Description

Manual paper feeder and image forming device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a manual paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, a mechanism for moving up and down a tray in a manual sheet feeding device is generally used in which a pressing tray is pushed up by a spring inside the tray and is pressed by a cam on the main body side of an image forming apparatus to move down the pressing tray.

However, such a structure requires a sufficient space on the main body side, which is disadvantageous for downsizing the device.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides a part setting that will make the tray go up and down is at inside manual paper supply device of manual paper supply device and has its image forming device.

The manual paper feeding device of the embodiment comprises: a main tray on which a sheet to be conveyed is placed, the main tray having a storage compartment formed therein and protruding downward; a pressing tray formed in a plate shape, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main tray, the pressing tray being provided at a downstream-side end portion of the main tray; a cam rotatably provided in the storage compartment, an outer peripheral surface of the cam contacting a lower surface of the pressurizing tray, the cam rotating to move the pressurizing tray between a first position parallel to the main tray and a second position raised upward; a driving part fixedly arranged in the accommodating bin, wherein the driving part generates driving force for rotating the cam; a transmission portion provided between the cam and the driving portion, the transmission portion transmitting the driving force to the cam.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment includes: an original conveying section that conveys an original to be transferred; a scanner section that reads the original to generate image data of the original; a transfer section that forms a toner image on a sheet based on the image data; a fixing section that fixes the toner image on the sheet; a manual paper feeding device for feeding the sheet to the transfer unit; wherein the manual paper feeding device includes: a main tray on which the sheet to be conveyed is placed, the main tray having a storage compartment formed therein and protruding downward; a pressing tray formed in a plate shape, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main tray, the pressing tray being provided at a downstream-side end portion of the main tray; a cam rotatably provided in the storage compartment, an outer peripheral surface of the cam contacting a lower surface of the pressurizing tray, the cam rotating to move the pressurizing tray between a first position parallel to the main tray and a second position raised upward; a driving part fixedly arranged in the accommodating bin, wherein the driving part generates driving force for rotating the cam; a transmission portion provided between the cam and the driving portion, the transmission portion transmitting the driving force to the cam.

Through the utility model discloses, the part setting that will make the tray go up and down is inside manual paper supply device, even be difficult to ensure to have enough big space in the image forming device, still can make manual paper supply device's action not influenced, has realized the miniaturization of device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of the manual paper feeding device according to the present invention in a non-paper feeding state;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of the manual paper feeding device according to the present invention in a paper feeding state;

fig. 4 is a partial schematic view of the internal structure of the manual paper feeding device of the present invention as viewed from above.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a manual paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

The "conveyance direction" related to the sheet (paper) is defined as a direction from the paper feed cassette (or manual paper feed device) toward the paper discharge portion, that is, the end of the paper feed cassette (or manual paper feed device) is defined as the "upstream side" and the end of the paper discharge portion is defined as the "downstream side". In addition, "above" and "below" refer to "up" and "down" directions when the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1 is normally placed on the floor.

As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, an MFP (Multi-function peripherals), a printer, a copier, or the like. Next, an example of a case where the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP will be described.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a main body 11. A document table 12 made of transparent glass is provided on the upper portion of the main body 11. An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)13 is provided on the document table 12. An operation unit 14 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 11. The operation unit 14 includes an operation panel 14a having various keys and a touch panel type operation display unit 14 b.

A scanner unit 15 is provided below the ADF 13. The scanner section 15 reads a document to be transferred conveyed by the ADF13 or a document placed on the document table 12. The scanner section 15 generates image data of an original. For example, the scanner section 15 has an image sensor 16.

The image sensor 16 moves along the document table 12 when reading an image of a document placed on the document table 12. The image sensor 16 reads an original image on one page of an original line by line.

When reading an image of a document conveyed by ADF13, image sensor 16 reads the conveyed document at a fixed position shown in fig. 1.

The main body 11 has a transfer portion 17 at a central portion in the height direction. The main body 11 includes

sheet cassettes

18A and 18B and a manual sheet feeder 2 at a lower portion.

The

paper feed cassettes

18A and 18B are disposed inside the main body 11. The

paper feed cassettes

18A and 18B are arranged to overlap one another in order from the top toward the bottom.

The manual paper feeding device 2 is provided to protrude to the side of the main body 11 below a reverse conveyance path described later.

The

paper feed cassettes

18A and 18B and the manual paper feed device 2 accommodate sheets (paper) P of various sizes.

The paper feed cassette 18A (18B) has a paper feed mechanism 19A (19B). Note that the paper feed cassette 18A (18B) having the paper feed mechanism 19A (19B) means that the paper feed cassette 18A has the paper feed mechanism 19A and the paper feed cassette 18B has the paper feed mechanism 19B. The same applies to the following description.

The paper feed mechanism 19A (19B) takes out the sheets P one by one from the paper feed cassette 18A (18B) and conveys the sheets P to a conveyance path. For example, the paper feeding mechanism 19A (19B) may include a pickup roller, a separation roller, and a paper feeding roller.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a pickup roller 19C therein. The pickup roller 19C takes out the sheets P one by one from the manual paper feed device 2 and conveys them to the conveying path.

The transfer section 17 forms a toner image on the sheet P based on image data read by the scanner section 15 or image data made by a personal computer or the like. The transfer unit 17 is, for example, a tandem color printer.

As shown in fig. 1, the transfer section 17 includes

image forming sections

51Y, 51M, 51C, 51K of respective colors such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), etc., an exposure device 52, and an intermediate transfer belt 53. In the present embodiment, the transfer unit 17 includes four

image forming units

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. The transfer section 17 has a so-called quad image forming section.

The configuration of the transfer section 17 is not limited to this, and the transfer section may have two or three image forming sections, or may have five or more image forming sections.

The

image forming units

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K are disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 53. The

image forming units

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K are arranged in parallel along the downstream side from the upstream side in the moving direction (the direction from the left side to the right side in the figure) below the intermediate transfer belt 53.

The exposure unit 52 irradiates the

image forming sections

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K with exposure light L, respectively_Y、L_M、L_C、L_K. The exposure unit 52 may be configured to generate a laser scanning beam as exposure light. The exposure unit 52 may be configured to include a solid-state scanning element such as an led (light Emitting diode) that generates exposure light.

The

image forming portions

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K have the same configuration except that the toner colors are different. As the toner, any of a general color toner and a decoloring toner may be used. The decoloring toner is a toner that becomes transparent when heated at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The image forming apparatus 1 may be an image forming apparatus capable of using the decoloring toner, or may be an image forming apparatus incapable of using the decoloring toner.

As shown in fig. 1, the supply unit 66 is disposed above the

image forming units

51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K.

The supply unit 66 includes

toner cartridges

66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K. The

toner cartridges

66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively.

Each of the

toner cartridges

66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K is provided with an unillustrated indicator portion for causing the main body 11 to detect the type of toner stored therein. The identification portion includes at least information of the color of the

toner cartridges

66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K and information identifying whether the toner is normal toner or achromatic toner.

The intermediate transfer belt 53 moves circularly. The intermediate transfer belt 53 is stretched over a driving roller 69 and a plurality of driven rollers 70.

The secondary transfer roller 71 faces the drive roller 69 across the intermediate transfer belt 53. The contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 53 and the secondary transfer roller 71 constitutes a secondary transfer position. The driving roller 69 drives the intermediate transfer belt 53 to rotate.

When the sheet P passes through the secondary transfer position, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 71. When a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 71, the secondary transfer roller 71 secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 53 onto the sheet P.

As shown in fig. 1, a belt cleaner 72 is disposed at a position facing one of the driven rollers 70 across the intermediate transfer belt 53. The belt cleaner 72 removes the residual transfer toner on the intermediate transfer belt 53 from the intermediate transfer belt 53.

A conveying roller 75A and a registration roller 76 are provided on a conveying path from the paper feed cassette 18A to the secondary transfer roller 71. The conveying roller 75A conveys the sheet P taken out of the sheet feeding cassette 18A by the sheet feeding mechanism 19A.

The registration rollers 76 align the positions of the leading ends of the sheets P fed from the feed rollers 75A at the mutual contact positions. The mutually abutting positions on the registration rollers 76 constitute registration positions. When the leading end of the toner image reaches the secondary transfer position, the registration roller 76 conveys the sheet P so that the leading end of the transfer area of the toner image on the sheet P reaches the secondary transfer position.

As shown in fig. 1, a conveying roller 75B is provided on a conveying path from the paper feed cassette 18B to the conveying roller 75A. The conveying roller 75B conveys the sheet P taken out of the sheet feeding cassette 18B by the sheet feeding mechanism 19B to the conveying roller 75A.

A conveyance path is formed between the manual paper feeding device 2 and the registration roller 76 by a conveyance guide portion 78. The pickup roller 19C conveys the sheet P taken out of the manual paper feeding device 2 to the conveyance guide portion 78. The sheet P moving along the conveyance guide 78 reaches the registration roller 76.

A fixing unit 81 is disposed downstream (upper side in the drawing) of the secondary transfer roller 71 in the conveying direction of the sheet P. Although not shown, the fixing portion 81 has a halogen lamp and a driving motor for conveying the sheet P. The fixing unit 81 heats the sheet P with a halogen lamp to fix the toner image on the sheet P.

A discharge roller 82 is disposed downstream (upper left side in the drawing) of the fixing section 81 in the conveying direction of the sheet P. The discharge roller 82 discharges the sheet P to the sheet discharge portion 83.

A reverse conveyance path 84 is disposed downstream (right side in the drawing) of the fixing section 81 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P. The reverse conveyance path 84 reverses the sheet P and guides the sheet P to the secondary transfer roller 71. The reverse conveyance path 84 is used when performing duplex printing.

Next, the configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

The control section has a system control section, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), an interface (I/F), a paper feed and conveyance control circuit, an image formation control circuit, and a fixing control circuit.

The system control unit controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The system control unit implements a processing function for forming an image by executing a program stored in a ROM or a RAM described later. As the device configuration of the system control unit, for example, a processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit) may be used.

The ROM stores a control program and control data for controlling basic operations of the image forming process.

The RAM is a work memory in the control unit. For example, in the RAM, a control program or control data of the ROM is loaded as necessary. The RAM temporarily stores image data sent from the input/output control circuit or data sent from the system control unit.

The I/F communicates with a connection device connected to the main body 11. For example, the scanner unit 15 is communicably connected to the I/F. Furthermore, an external device can be connected to the I/F. Examples of the external device include a user terminal and a facsimile apparatus.

The paper feed and conveyance control circuit controls a drive system included in the main body 11. For example, the drive system includes a drive motor that drives the

paper feed mechanisms

19A and 19B, the

transport rollers

75A and 75B, the pickup roller 19C, and the registration roller 76, and a drive unit 24 that drives the cam 23 described later. More preferably, a plurality of drive motors are provided.

A plurality of sensors are electrically connected to the paper feed and conveyance control circuit. For example, the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of sheet detection sensors. The plurality of sheet detection sensors are disposed in the conveyance path of the main body 11, the

paper feed cassettes

18A and 18B, and the interior of the manual paper feed device 2. Each sheet detection sensor detects the presence or absence of the sheet P at the position where the sensor is disposed, and includes a contact sensor 26 and a photosensor 27, which will be described later.

The detection outputs of the sensors are sent from the paper feed and conveyance control circuit to the system control section.

The paper feed and conveyance control circuit controls the drive motor based on a control signal from the system control unit and detection outputs of the sensors.

The image formation control circuit controls the transfer section 17 in accordance with a control signal from the system control section.

The fixing control circuit controls the drive motor of the fixing unit 81 and the halogen lamp, respectively, based on a control signal from the system control unit.

Next, a specific configuration of the manual paper feeding device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the manual paper feeding device 2 according to the present invention in a non-paper feeding state.

Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the manual paper feeding device 2 according to the present invention in a paper feeding state.

In fig. 1 to 4, the direction in which the X axis is directed is defined as the right of the image forming apparatus 1 (manual paper feeding apparatus 2), the direction opposite to the direction in which the X axis is directed is defined as the left of the image forming apparatus 1 (manual paper feeding apparatus 2), the direction in which the Y axis is directed is defined as the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1 (manual paper feeding apparatus 2), the direction opposite to the direction in which the Y axis is directed is defined as the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1 (manual paper feeding apparatus 2), the direction in which the Z axis is directed (i.e., the direction toward the back side in the drawing) is defined as the rear of the image forming apparatus 1 (manual paper feeding apparatus 2), and the direction opposite to the direction in which the Z axis is defined (i.e., the direction toward the outer side in the drawing) is defined as the front of the image forming.

The direction of arrow a in fig. 2 to 4 is defined as the paper feed direction, the direction pointed by arrow a is the downstream side in the paper feed direction, and the direction opposite to the direction pointed by arrow a is the upstream side in the paper feed direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the manual paper feeding device 2 of the present embodiment is used to feed a sheet P to a transfer portion 17 (shown in fig. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1. The manual paper feeding device 2 includes a main tray 21, a pressurizing tray 22, a cam 23, a driving portion 24, and a transmission portion 25.

The main tray 21 is provided on a side surface of the main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. The main tray 21 is formed as a hollow case. The upper side wall of the main tray 21 is planar and is used for placing the sheet P to be conveyed. A part of the lower side wall of the main tray 21 is formed in a shape protruding downward, and thus a storage compartment 211 protruding downward is formed inside the main tray 21.

The pressing tray 22 is formed in a plate shape, is provided at a downstream end portion of the main tray 21 in the paper feeding direction a, and is used for placing the sheet P. One end of the pressure tray 22 is rotatably connected to the upper side wall of the main tray 21, so that one end of the pressure tray 22 connected to the main tray 21 becomes a fixed end and the other end becomes a free end. The pressing tray 22 can be pivoted up and down around a pivot point, with the fixed end as the pivot point.

The pressing tray 22 is movable between a first position E1 shown in fig. 2 and a second position E2 shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 2, when the pressing tray 22 is located at the first position E1, the sheet P placed thereon does not contact the pickup roller 19C above, and is parallel to the main tray 21 when the pressing tray 22 is located at the first position E1. Here, parallel means including: a state in which the pressing tray 22 is completely parallel to the main tray 21 by one hundred eighty degrees, and a substantially parallel state in which the pressing tray 22 is slightly shifted upward or downward by within ten degrees on a completely parallel basis.

As shown in fig. 3, when the pressing tray 22 is located at the second position E2 raised upward, the uppermost sheet of the sheets P placed thereon comes into contact with the pickup roller 19C, and the sheets P are fed by the rotation of the pickup roller 19C. That is, the pressing tray 22 supplies the sheet P at the second position E2.

As shown in fig. 2, the cam 23 is provided in the main tray 21, specifically, in the housing compartment 211. The cam 23 is rotatably provided in the housing compartment 211 in the rotation direction T with a rotation shaft (for example, a first shaft 250 described later) provided near the outer peripheral surface of the cam 23 and parallel to the Z axis as a rotation fulcrum. The cam 23 is provided to abut against and support the lower side surface of the pressing tray 22, that is, the pressing tray 22 has its lower side surface abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the cam 23 by its own weight. The outer peripheral surface of the cam 23 is always in contact with the lower surface of the pressurizing tray 22 during the rotation. The cam 23 rotates to move the pressing tray 22 between a first position E1 parallel to the main tray 21 and a second position E2 raised upward.

The driving unit 24 is fixedly disposed in the main tray 21, and more specifically, in the accommodating chamber 211. The driving unit 24 is provided as a power source. The driving unit 24 generates a driving force that can rotate the cam 23. The driving portion 24 transmits the driving force to the cam 23 through a power transmission path. Preferably, the driving part 24 may be a motor.

The transmission portion 25 is provided between the driving portion 24 and the cam 23, specifically, on a power transmission path between the driving portion 24 and the cam 23, and the transmission portion 25 transmits the driving force output from the driving portion 24 to the cam 23 so that the cam 23 can rotate.

In the present embodiment, when determining the thickness and shape of the pressing tray 22, it is necessary to consider a loss of driving force corresponding to when the cam 23 overcomes air resistance and friction during rotation.

In the above embodiment, the member (cam 23) for raising and lowering the tray (pressing tray 22) is provided inside the manual paper feeding device 2, and even if it is difficult to secure a sufficiently large space inside the image forming apparatus 1, the operation of the manual paper feeding device 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented from being affected, and the apparatus can be downsized.

Next, a preferred structure of the power transmission unit 25 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a partial schematic view of the internal structure of the manual paper feeding device 2 according to the present invention, as viewed from above.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the transmission portion 25 includes a first shaft 250, a first gear 251, and a second gear 252.

The first shaft 250 is provided in the storage compartment 211 of the main tray 21, and the first shaft 250 is rotatable about its own axis as a rotation axis, with the axial direction thereof being parallel to the Z axis. A cam 23 is provided on the first shaft 250, and the cam 23 is rotatable with the first shaft 250. Specifically, the cam 23 is keyed to the first shaft 250.

The first gear 251 is provided on an axial end portion of the first shaft 250 in a rotatable manner with the first shaft 250, and specifically, the first gear 251 is splined to the first shaft 250.

The second gear 252 is provided on the output shaft 241 of the driving portion 24, and the second gear 252 is rotatable along with the output shaft 241. The second gear 252 is in particular keyed with the output shaft 241.

The first gear 251 meshes with the second gear 252, and the driving force output from the driving unit 24 is transmitted sequentially through the output shaft 241, the second gear 252, the first gear 251, the first shaft 250, and the cam 23.

With the preferred embodiment of the transmission portion 25, the function of transmitting the driving force can be realized while the occupied space is reduced as much as possible, the occupied space inside the manual paper feeding device 2 can be reduced as much as possible, and the device can be further miniaturized.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a contact sensor 26 may be preferably provided at an upstream end of the pressure tray 22 of the manual paper feeding device 2 in the paper feeding direction a. The touch sensor 26 detects the presence or absence of the sheet P on the pressing tray 22. Specifically, when no sheet P is placed on the pressure tray 22, the first sensor signal transmitted from the touch sensor 26 to the control section of the image forming apparatus 1 for notifying the control section of the absence of the sheet P on the pressure tray 22 is not changed; when a sheet P is placed on the pressure tray 22, the sheet P comes into contact with the contact sensor 26, and a first sensing signal transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 from the contact sensor 26 is changed to notify the control unit of the state where the sheet P is placed on the pressure tray 22. Thus, the manual paper feed device 2 detects whether or not the sheet P is placed, and the manual paper feed device 2 automatically moves the pressurizing tray 22 up and down without manual intervention.

Further, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, preferably, the photosensor 27 may be provided above the downstream end in the paper feeding direction a when the pressure tray 22 of the manual paper feeding device 2 is located at the first position E1. The photosensor 27 detects whether the pressurizing tray 22 is lifted upward to a predetermined second position E2. Specifically, when the pressing tray 22 is not lifted upward to the predetermined second position E2, the detection light of the photosensor 27 is not blocked by the pressing tray 22, and the second sensor signal transmitted from the photosensor 27 to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 does not change, and the second sensor signal is used to notify the control unit of the state where the pressing tray 22 is not lifted upward to the predetermined second position E2; when the pressure tray 22 is lifted upward to the predetermined second position E2, the pressure tray 22 blocks the detection light of the photosensor 27, and the second sensor signal of the photosensor 27 changes, and the changed second sensor signal is used to notify the controller of the state where the pressure tray 22 is lifted upward to the predetermined second position E2. Thus, the manual paper feeding device 2 detects whether or not the pressing tray 22 has reached the second position E2 without manual intervention, and the pickup roller 19C automatically performs the operation of rotating pickup according to the situation.

The contact sensor 26 detects the thickness (number) of the sheets P placed on the pressure tray 22 based on the gravity of the sheets P (i.e., the pressure of the sheets P placed on the contact sensor 26). And sends the thickness to the control section of the image forming apparatus 1. In a different state, the second position E2 at which the pressure tray 22 is raised upward (the position at which the uppermost sheet of the loaded sheets P is brought into contact with the pickup roller 19C) slightly changes. The control section detects whether the pressing tray 22 reaches the position of the second position E2 by adjusting the photosensor 27 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet P placed detected by the touch sensor 26.

Next, the operation of the manual paper feeding device 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

As shown in fig. 2, in the manual paper feeding device 2 in the non-paper feeding state, the pressing tray 22 is located at the first position E1 parallel to the main tray 21, and the outer peripheral surface of the cam 23 close to the rotation shaft (i.e., the first shaft 250) contacts the lower surface of the pressing tray 22 and supports the pressing tray 22.

When the sheet P is placed on the pressure tray 22 and the main tray 21, the first sensing signal of the touch sensor 26 on the pressure tray 22 is changed, and the changed first sensing signal is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1, and then the control unit detects the state where the sheet P is placed on the pressure tray 22. When the operator selects manual paper feed on the operation portion 14, the control portion starts the operation of the driving portion 24.

The driving force of the driving part 24 is transmitted to the cam 23 through the power transmission part 25, and the cam 23 starts to rotate in the rotating direction T along with the first shaft 250 of the power transmission part 25. As the cam 23 rotates, the contact position of the pressing tray 22 with the cam 23 changes, and the pressing tray 22 starts to be lifted upward until the cam 23 rotates to the position shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3, the manual paper feeding device 2 is in a paper feeding state in which the outer peripheral surface of the cam 23 away from the rotation shaft (i.e., the first shaft 250) is in contact with the lower surface of the pressing tray 22 and supports the pressing tray 22. The pressing tray 22 is located at the second position E2 lifted upward. The second position E2 is set as appropriate in accordance with the thickness (number of sheets) of the sheet P detected by the touch sensor 26. The detection light of the photosensor 27 is blocked by the pressing tray 22 lifted upward, the second sensing signal of the photosensor 27 is changed, and the control unit stops the drive unit 24 from outputting the driving force upon receiving the changed second sensing signal.

In the second position E2, the uppermost sheet of the sheets P placed on the pressure tray 22 abuts against the pickup roller 19C. As shown in fig. 3, the pickup roller 19C starts rotating, and the uppermost sheet P is conveyed toward the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the rotation of the pickup roller 19C.

When all the sheets P placed on the pressing tray 22 have been conveyed, the control unit causes the driving unit 24 to continue outputting the driving force, the cam 23 continues rotating in the rotating direction T, the pressing tray 22 starts descending along with the rotation of the cam 23, and the driving unit 24 stops outputting the driving force until the pressing tray 22 returns to the first position E1 shown in fig. 2, and the flow of the one-time manual paper feeding is completed.

According to at least one embodiment described above, by providing a member for lifting the pressing tray upward, such as a cam, in the manual paper feeding device 2, even if it is difficult to secure a sufficiently large space in the image forming apparatus, the operation of the manual paper feeding device can be prevented from being affected, and the apparatus can be downsized.

Although the present embodiment shows a structure of the transmission unit, the structure of the transmission unit is not limited to this, and any structure may be used as long as it can transmit the driving force to the cam.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various manners, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are included in the present invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A manual paper feeding apparatus, comprising:

a main tray on which a sheet to be conveyed is placed, the main tray having a storage compartment formed therein and protruding downward;

a pressing tray formed in a plate shape, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main tray, the pressing tray being provided at a downstream-side end portion of the main tray;

a cam rotatably provided in the storage compartment, an outer peripheral surface of the cam contacting a lower surface of the pressurizing tray, the cam rotating to move the pressurizing tray between a first position parallel to the main tray and a second position raised upward;

a driving part fixedly arranged in the accommodating bin, wherein the driving part generates driving force for rotating the cam;

a transmission portion provided between the cam and the driving portion, the transmission portion transmitting the driving force to the cam.

2. The manual paper feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission portion includes:

a first shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, the cam being disposed on the first shaft;

a first gear rotatably disposed on the first shaft;

a second gear rotatably provided on an output shaft of the driving part;

the first gear is engaged with the second gear.

3. The manual paper supply device according to claim 2,

a contact sensor is provided at an upstream end of the pressurizing tray.

4. The manual paper supply device according to claim 3,

a photosensor is provided above the downstream-side end portion of the pressurizing tray when the pressurizing tray is located at the first position.

5. The manual paper supply device according to claim 4,

the driving part is a motor.

6. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an original conveying section that conveys an original to be transferred;

a scanner section that reads the original to generate image data of the original;

a transfer section that forms a toner image on a sheet based on the image data;

a fixing section that fixes the toner image on the sheet;

a manual paper feeding device for feeding the sheet to the transfer unit;

wherein the manual paper feeding device includes:

a main tray on which the sheet to be conveyed is placed, the main tray having a storage compartment formed therein and protruding downward;

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission portion includes:

a first gear rotatably disposed on the first shaft;

a second gear rotatably provided on an output shaft of the driving part;

the first gear is engaged with the second gear.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

a contact sensor is provided at an upstream end of the pressurizing tray.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

the driving part is a motor.