EP2966015A1 - Self-closing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Self-closing device and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2966015A1 EP2966015A1 EP15176110.3A EP15176110A EP2966015A1 EP 2966015 A1 EP2966015 A1 EP 2966015A1 EP 15176110 A EP15176110 A EP 15176110A EP 2966015 A1 EP2966015 A1 EP 2966015A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- retracting
- sheet feeding
- self
- closing device
- module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/26—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with auxiliary supports to facilitate introduction or renewal of the pile
- B65H1/266—Support fully or partially removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette, drawer
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
- B65H1/027—Support fully or partially removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette, drawer
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2402/00—Constructional details of the handling apparatus
- B65H2402/30—Supports; Subassemblies; Mountings thereof
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
- B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
- B65H2405/114—Side, i.e. portion parallel to the feeding / delivering direction
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/20—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked on edge
- B65H2405/21—Parts and details thereof
- B65H2405/214—Parts and details thereof sides
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a self-closing device which retracts a unit such as a sheet feeding cassette to an apparatus main body and an image forming apparatus including this self-closing device.
- a sheet feeding cassette in which a sheet to be image-formed is housed is configured to be able to be pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body for replenishment of sheets or the like.
- a self-closing device in which, when the sheet feeding cassette is pushed toward the apparatus main body to a certain extent, the sheet feeding cassette is automatically retracted into a sheet feeding position.
- the self-closing device By using the self-closing device, a load required to push the sheet feeding cassette by a user is reduced and thus workability is improved, and the sheet feeding cassette is easily positioned at the sheet feeding position. Also, the self-closing device is provided with a buffering member to buffer a biasing force in a direction in which the paper feeding cassette is retracted.
- a difference occurs in biasing force at a time of start of retracting and at a time of completion of the retracting.
- the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting is weaker than the biasing force at the time of start of retracting. If the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting is weak, there may be a case in which a problem occurs in positioning precision of the sheet feeding cassette at the sheet feeding position and thus it is preferable that the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting be as high as possible.
- a self-closing device which retracts a sheet feeding cassette by using a self-weight of a weight.
- This self-closing device is constructed such that, when the sheet feeding cassette is pushed up to a predetermined position, the sheet feeding cassette is coupled to the weight and then is retracted to the sheet feeding position by the self-weight of the weight, whereas if the sheet feeding cassette is pulled out to the predetermined position, the coupling to the plumb is released, and thus a load required to pull out is reduced.
- a self-closing device is configured to retract a unit capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body, to the apparatus main body.
- the self-closing device includes a plurality of retracting modules configured to retract the unit from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position.
- the plurality of retracting modules are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction.
- an image forming apparatus includes a self-closing device.
- the self-closing device is configured to retract a unit capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body, to the apparatus main body.
- the self-closing device has a plurality of retracting modules configured to retract the unit from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position.
- the plurality of retracting modules are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction.
- FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a structure of the printer.
- the near side on a paper plane of FIG.1 indicates the front side of the printer 1
- left and right directions are based on a direction in which the printer 1 is viewed from the front side.
- the printer 1 includes an box-formed printer main body 2 (apparatus main body). On a top surface of the printer main body 2, a sheet ejected tray 3 is provided.
- the printer main body 2 has a lower space 2a opened forward.
- a pair of rails 4L, 4R are provided in parallel facing each other.
- a sheet feeding cassette 5 stored sheets (not shown) is slidably engaged.
- a self-closing device 6 is provided between the pair of rails 4L, 4R and the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the self-closing device 6 automatically retracts the sheet feeding cassette 5 to a sheet feeding position.
- an exposure device 8 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is arranged and, in the right part, an image forming part 9 is provided.
- a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier is rotatably arranged.
- a charger 11, a development unit 12, a transferring roller 13 and a cleaning device 14 are located along a rotating direction (refer to an arrow X in FIG. 1 ) of the photosensitive drum 10.
- the development unit 12 is connected to a toner (developer) container 15.
- a sheet conveying path 17 extending vertically from the sheet feeding cassette 5 to the sheet ejected tray 3 is provided.
- a sheet feeding part 18 on a right side of the lower space 2 is provided at an upstream end
- a transferring part 19 formed between the photosensitive drum 10 and transferring roller 13 is provided at an intermediate stream portion
- a fixing device 20 is provided at a downstream part
- a sheet ejecting part 21 is provided at an downstream end.
- the sheet feeding part 18 is configured to be engaged with the sheet feeding cassette 5 and then to feed the sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassette 5 when the sheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted to the sheet feeding position by the self-closing device 6.
- the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is electric-charged by the charger 11. Then, exposure corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum 10 is carried out by a laser light P from the exposure device 8, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the development unit 12 into a toner image.
- a sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5 by the sheet feeding part 18 is conveyed to the transferring part 19 in a suitable timing for the above-mentioned image forming operation, and then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the sheet in the transferring part 19.
- the sheet with the transferred toner image is conveyed to a downstream side in the conveying path 17 to go forward to the fixing device 20, and then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet in the fixing device 20.
- the sheet with the fixed toner image is ejected to the sheet ejected tray 3 from the sheet ejecting part 21.
- the toner remained on the photosensitive drum 10 is collected by the cleaning device 14.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a layout of the self-closing device.
- the self-closing device 6 has left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R respectively have: an engaged part 31 provided between a retracting start position P1 and a retracting end position P2 along a retracting direction of the sheet feeding cassette 5; and an engaging part 32 engaging with the engaged part 31 at the retracting start position P1 to be retracted to the retracting end position P2.
- An interval between the retracting start position P1 and the retracting end position P2 is defined as a retracting stroke S.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R have the same retracting stroke S.
- the engaged parts 31 are provided on the left and right rails 4L, 4R
- the engaging parts 32 are provided on the left and right side faces of the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are arranged such that the respective retracting strokes partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions P1 are different from each other.
- the retracting start position P1 of the right retracting module 30R is located on a down stream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1 of the left retracting module 30L.
- the engaged part 31 of the left retracting module 30L is arranged on a slightly rear side from a center of the left rail 4L, and the engaged part 31 of the right retracting module 30R is arranged near a rear end of the right rail 4R.
- the left retracting module 30L is such arranged that when the engaging part 32 is engaged with the engaged part 31 and then retracted to close to the retracting end position P2 (the position indicated by double-dotted chain line of FIG. 2 ), the sheet feeding cassette 5 is positioned into the sheet feeding position.
- the right retracting module 30R is such arranged that the engaging part 32 is positioned at the same position in the forward/rearward direction as that of the engaging part 32 of the left retracting module 30L.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views showing the engaged part of the right retracting module seen from the left side
- FIG. 3A shows the engaged part at the retracting start position
- FIG. 3B shows the engaged part at the retracting end position.
- FIG. 4 is a side view showing the engaging part of the right retracting module seen from the right side.
- FIG. 5 is a front view showing the engaged part and the engaging part of the retracting module.
- the engaged part 31 of the right retracting module 30R includes: a carriage pin 41 slidable along the right rail 4R in the length direction; a coil spring 42 to bias the carriage pin 41 rearward; and an oil damper (buffering member) 43 to buffer a biasing force of the coil spring 42.
- the carriage pin 41, the coil spring 42 and the oil damper 43 are supported on a base member 44.
- the left retracting module 30L also has a similar structure as that of the right retracting module 30R.
- the base member 44 is a rectangular member elongated in the length direction of the right rail 4R and having a width equal to a width of the right rail 4R, and is secured to a bottom face of the right rail 4R by a screw B1.
- the base member 44 has a central recessed part 44a and an upper recessed part 44b extending in the length direction of the right rail 4R at a center and an upper end in the width direction, respectively.
- the center recessed part 44a and the upper recessed part 44b each are open toward the outside (outside of the lower space 2a of the printer 2), the center recessed part 44a has a wide rectangular sectional shape, and the upper recessed part 44b has a substantially square sectional shape.
- hook portions 44c are formed at front and rear ends.
- the center recessed part 44a is formed with a guide hole 51 along the length direction of the right rail 4R.
- the guide hole 51 has : a linear portion 51a along the length direction of the right rail 4R; and an orthogonal portion 51b curving downward at an angle of 90 degrees from a front end of the linear portion 51a.
- the carriage pin 41 is provided on a slider 54 slidably supported in the center recessed part 44a of the base member 44.
- the slider 54 is a flat, rectangular solid-shaped member elongated in the length direction of the base member 44.
- a stopper 54a extending in a direction crossing the length direction of the slider 54 is formed.
- a supporting pin 55 extending in a horizontal direction is erected, and around the supporting pin 55, a piece 56 is turnably supported.
- the carriage pin 41 is erected on an inner face of the piece 56.
- the supporting pin 55 and the carriage pin 41 engage with the guide hole 51 with the carriage pin 41 on a front side from the supporting pin 55. Also, the carriage pin 41 protrudes inward from the guide hole 51. If the slider 54 is slid forward along the guide hole 51 with the supporting pin 55 and the carriage pin 41 engaged with the guide hole 51, the carriage pin 41 is engagingly locked with a curved face of the guide hole 51. Afterwards, the piece 56 turns in the clockwise direction of FIG.
- the slider 54 slides in the length direction of the right rail 4R in the center recessed part 44a of the base member 44 between the retracting start position P1 (refer to FIG. 3A ) at which the carriage pin 41 engages with the orthogonal portion 51b of the guide hole 51 and the retracting end position P2 (refer to FIG. 3B ) at which the supporting pin 55 reaches a rear end of the linear part 51a of the guide hole 51.
- An interval between the retracting start position P1 and the retracting position P2 is defined as a movement distance of the slider 54, that is, the retracting stroke S of the right retracting module 30R.
- the stopper 54a of the slider 54 abuts against the front end of the base member 44.
- the coil spring 42 is housed in the upper recessed part 44b of the base member 44.
- a rear end 42a of the coil spring 42 is engagingly locked with a rear end of the upper recessed part 44b, and a front end 42b is engagingly locked with the stopper 54a of the slider 54.
- the coil spring 42 biases the stopper 54a rearward. That is, the coil spring 42 biases the slider 54 to the retracting end position P2.
- the oil damper 43 has a cylinder 43a and a piston 43b.
- the cylinder 43a is supported by the hook portions 44c of the base member 44 with the piston 43b directing forward.
- a tip end of the piston 43b is supported by the stopper 54a of the slider 54a.
- an air damper may be used in place of the oil damper 43.
- the engaging part 32 of the right retracting module 30R is provided at a main slider 61 secured to the right side face of the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the main slider 61 has a length equal to a length of the right rail 4R, and is secured to the right side face of the sheet feeding cassette 5 so as to correspond to the right rail 4R.
- the main slider 61 as shown in FIG. 5 , slidably engages with a relay slider 62, and the relay slider 62 slidably engages with the right rail 4R on a front side of the engaged part 31 of the right retracting module 30R.
- a relay slider 62 By providing such a relay slider 62, it is possible to increase a pulling out length of the sheet feeding cassette 5, and when the sheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out, the sheet feeding cassette 5 can be maintained substantially in parallel to the left and right rails 4L, 4R.
- the engaging part 32 is a plate piece-shaped member elongated in the length direction of the main slider 61, and is secured to an outer face of the main slider 61 (an opposite face to the sheet feeding cassette 5) by a screw B2.
- the engaging part 32 has a recessed part 65 extending forward from a rear end face.
- the recessed part 65 has a width slightly larger than a diameter of the carriage pin 41.
- the recessed part 65 has: an opening 65a of which a width becomes wider toward a rear side; a horizontal portion 65b extending forward along the length direction of the right rail 4R from the opening 65a; and an inclined portion 65c inclined forward in an oblique upper direction from a front end of the horizontal portion 65b.
- FIGS. 6A to 7B are plan views illustrating an operation of retracting the sheet feeding cassette by the self-closing device.
- the engaging part 32 provided on the left side face of the sheet feeding cassette 5 engages with the engaged part 31 provided on the left rail 4L.
- the carriage pin 41 of the engaged part 31 is inserted into the horizontal portion 65b from the opening 65a of the recessed part 65 of the engaging part 32 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the inclined portion 65c of the recessed part 65 of the engaging part 32 abuts against the carriage pin 41, and the carriage pin 41 is guided upward along the inclined portion 65c so that the piece 56 turns in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3A around the supporting pin 55.
- the carriage pin 41 moves from the orthogonal portion 51b into the linear portion 51a in the guide hole 51, and the carriage pin 41 and the orthogonal part 51b are disengaged from each other. That is, the slider 54 and the base member 44 are disengaged from each other.
- the slider 54 is biased by the coil spring 42, and the carriage pin 41 slides along the linear portion 51a of the guide hole 51 rearward while engaging with the inclined portion 65c of the engaging part 32. That is, the sheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted toward the sheet feeding position.
- the right retracting module 30R in a middle of retracting of the sheet feeding cassette 5 by the left retracting module 30L, as shown in FIG. 7A , if the engaging part 32 reaches the retracting start position P1, the engaging part 32 engages with the engaged part 31, and then a retracting operation which is the same as the retracting operation in the left retracting module 30L is started. Then, the sheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted by the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R by a length of the overlap region S2 of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R.
- the engaging part 32 of the left retracting module 30L slides up close to the retracting end position P2, and the sheet feeding cassette 5 is positioned into the sheet feeding position.
- a biasing force of the coil spring 42 is buffered by the oil damper 43. Accordingly, the slider 54 is slowly retracted and, furthermore, the impact at the time of completion of retracting can be restrained.
- the stopper 54a of the slider 54 moves close to the front end of the base member 44 (refer to FIG. 3B ).
- the engaging part 32 of the right retracting module 30R is retracted only up to the middle of the retracting stroke.
- the engaging part 32 is separated away from the engaged part 31and the engaging part 32 and the engaged part 31 are therefore disengaged from each other.
- the biasing force of the coil spring 42 of the right retracting module 30R does not act.
- An operation of disengaging the engaging part 32 and the engaged part 31 from each other is a reverse operation of an engaging operation, and a detailed description is omitted.
- the self-closing device 6 of an embodiment of the present disclosure in the middle of pulling out operation of the sheet feeding cassette 5 within a range of the retracting stroke S of the self-closing device 6, since the engaging part 32 and the engaged part 31 in the right retracting module 30R are disengaged from each other and thus the biasing force in the retracting direction does not act, a maximum value of the pulling out force can be reduced.
- a retracting start timing of the right retracting module 30R arranged closer to the sheet feeding device 18 is configured to be later than a retracting start timing of the left retracting module 30L. In this manner, in the right retracting module 30R arranged closer to the sheet feeding device 18, since a retracting force required to retract the sheet feeding cassette 5 toward the sheet feeding position exhibits comparatively significantly at the retracting end position P2, the sheet feeding cassette 5 can be smoothly retracted to the sheet feeding position.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are not always provided with the oil damper 43.
- the left retracting module 30L having a longer rectangle stroke is provided with the oil damper 43, an impact buffering effect at the retracting work can be enhanced.
- an impact buffering member during the retracting operation it is preferable to use the oil damper 43 or an air damper which is inexpensive and versatile.
- left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are incorporated in the left and right rails 4L, 4R with which the sheet feeding cassette 5 engages, an exclusive space for installing the self-closing device 6 is unrequired. Further, since the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are small in size and light in weight, the size and weight of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced.
- FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the self-closing device
- FIGS. 9A to 10B are plan views illustrating an operation of retracting the sheet feeding cassette by the self-closing device.
- the left retracting module 30L has a retracting stroke S longer in length than the retracting stroke S of the right retracting module 30R.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are respectively arranged on the left and right rails 4L, 4R such that the retracting start position P1 of the left retracting module 30L is located on the upstream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1 of the right retracting module 30R, and the retracting end positions P2 of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are positioned at the same position in the retracting direction (forward/rearward directions).
- spring constants of the coil springs 42 of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are set such that retracting forces of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are substantially the same as each other at the respective retracting end positions P2.
- the engaging part 32 of the left retracting module 30L is retracted toward the retracting end position P2.
- the engaging part 32 of the right retracting module 30R engages with the engaged part 31 and then the retracting operation is started. Then, in a region in which the retracting strokes of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R overlap each other, the retracting operations are performed simultaneously. At this time, in the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R, the engaging parts 32 are pulled out by the same stroke from the retracting end positions P2.
- the engaging part 32 and the engaged part 31 in the right retracting module 30R are disengaged from each other and the biasing force in the retracting direction does not act so that a maximum value of pulling out force can be reduced.
- At least the left retractingmodule 30L is preferably provided with the oil damper 43.
- the oil damper 43 in the retracting module having a longer retracting stroke, an impact absorbing effect of the retracting operation is enhanced, and the sheet feeding cassette 5 can be smoothly retracted.
- a spring constant of the coil springs 42 of the left retracting module 30L having a longer retracting stroke is the same as a spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the right retracting module 30R having a shorter retracting stroke.
- the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the left retracting module 30L is set to be smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the left retracting module 30L in the second embodiment
- the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the right retracting module 30R is set to be larger than the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the right retracting module 30R in the second embodiment.
- a retracting force of the right retracting module 30R is larger than a retracting force of the left retracting module 30L.
- FIG. 11A shows a self-closing device in the first embodiment
- FIG. 11B shows a self-closing device in the second embodiment
- FIG. 11C is a self-closing device in the third embodiment.
- the horizontal axis shows a stroke (expansion of the coil spring) of the left and right retracting modules 30R, 30L
- the vertical axis shows a retracting force acting on the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R and the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- each graph shows a retracting force FL, FR of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R and a retracting forces FA (FR + FL) acting on the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the dashed line shows a retracting force F0 acting on the sheet feeding cassette 5 in a case where the retracting start position P1 of the right retracting module 30R is the same as the retracting start position P1 of the left retracting module 30L.
- the lower single-dotted chain line shows a minimum retracting force Fmin required to retract the sheet feeding cassette 5
- the upper single-dotted chain line shows a maximum pulling out force Fmax of the sheet feeding cassette 5 specified under Section 508 of the United State Rehabilitation Act.
- the retracting start positions P1 of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are the same as each other, as indicated by the dashed lines of FIGS. 11A to 11C , the retracting force of the sheet feeding cassette 5 is close to the maximum pulling out force Fmax, and allowance in the retracting force is decreased.
- the retracting start position P1R of the right retracting module 30R is positioned on the downstream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1L of the left retracting module 30L, it is possible to reduce a maximum value of the pulling out force acting on the sheet feeding cassette 5. In this manner, a retracting force required to retract the sheet feeding cassette 5 is obtained, and it is also possible to prevent the maximum retracting force acting on the sheet feeding cassette 5 from being close to the maximum pulling out force Fmax. Also, since an entire stroke for retracting the sheet feeding cassette 5 is not reduced, operability at the time of insertion of the sheet feeding cassette 5 or a damper effect or the like is not degraded.
- the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the right retracting module 30R is set to be larger than the spring constant of the coil spring 42 of the left retracting module 30L, whereby the retracting force required to retract the sheet feeding cassette 5 can be appropriately distributed into the left and right retracting modules 30, 30R without increasing the maximum retracting force acting on the sheet feeding cassette 5. In this manner, it is possible to always smoothly retract the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are arranged between a lower face of the sheet feeding cassette 5 and a lower bottom face of the lower space 2a of the printer main body 2. That is, the engaged parts 31 of the left and right retracting modules 30L, 30R are arranged such that the retracting start positions are different from each other in the forward/rearward direction on the lower bottom face of the lower space 2a, and the engaging parts 32 are arranged so as to be at the same position in the forward/rearward direction on the lower face of the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- upper and lower retracting modules 30T, 30B are arranged to be vertically arranged in parallel to each other between one side face of the sheet feeding cassette 5 and one side face of the lower space 2a of the printer main body 2. That is, the engaged parts 31 of the upper and lower retractingmodules 30T, 30B are arranged such that the retracting start positions are different from each other in the forward/rearward direction on the side face of the lower space 2a, and the engaging parts 32 are arranged at the same position in the forward/rearward direction on the side face of the sheet feeding cassette 5.
- the retracting modules 30 do not always need to be provided on the left and right rails 4L, 4R, and can be provided at appropriate positions in consideration of precision of positioning into the sheet feeding position or a layout space or the like of the retracting modules 30. Also, three or more retracting modules 30 may be provided. In addition, a plurality of retracting modules 30 may be integrated into a unit so as to operate independently.
- the self-closing device 6, in addition to the sheet feeding cassette 5, is applicable to a variety of units removably provided on the printer main body 2, such as a sheet feeding device 18, an image forming unit 9 (such as a developing device 12 or a transferring unit 19), or a fixing device 20.
- the configuration of the disclosure may be applied to another image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a multifunction peripheral, except for the printer 1.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is based on and claims the benefit of priories from Japanese Patent application No.
201_4-143445 2015-137912 filed on July 9, 2015 - The present disclosure relates to a self-closing device which retracts a unit such as a sheet feeding cassette to an apparatus main body and an image forming apparatus including this self-closing device.
- In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, a sheet feeding cassette in which a sheet to be image-formed is housed is configured to be able to be pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body for replenishment of sheets or the like. In the image forming apparatus, there is provided a self-closing device in which, when the sheet feeding cassette is pushed toward the apparatus main body to a certain extent, the sheet feeding cassette is automatically retracted into a sheet feeding position.
- By using the self-closing device, a load required to push the sheet feeding cassette by a user is reduced and thus workability is improved, and the sheet feeding cassette is easily positioned at the sheet feeding position. Also, the self-closing device is provided with a buffering member to buffer a biasing force in a direction in which the paper feeding cassette is retracted.
- In a case where a spring is used as a biasing member for retracting the sheet feeding cassette, in respect of the spring characteristics, a difference occurs in biasing force at a time of start of retracting and at a time of completion of the retracting. In general, the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting is weaker than the biasing force at the time of start of retracting. If the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting is weak, there may be a case in which a problem occurs in positioning precision of the sheet feeding cassette at the sheet feeding position and thus it is preferable that the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting be as high as possible. In order to reduce the difference in the biasing force and maintain the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting, there is a need to increase in size of the spring; and however, in that case, there is a problem that a size of the self-closing device is increased and a degree of freedom in design is reduced.
- On the other hand, if the biasing force at the time of completion of the retracting is increased, when a user pulls out the sheet feeding cassette at the time of replenishment of sheets or the like, a large force against this biasing force is required, and workability is impaired. Thus, it is difficult to satisfy both of improvement in the user workability and improvement in positioning precision of the sheet feeding cassette, which are contrary to each other.
- As a self-closing device using a member other than a spring as a biasing member, there is proposed a self-closing device which retracts a sheet feeding cassette by using a self-weight of a weight. This self-closing device is constructed such that, when the sheet feeding cassette is pushed up to a predetermined position, the sheet feeding cassette is coupled to the weight and then is retracted to the sheet feeding position by the self-weight of the weight, whereas if the sheet feeding cassette is pulled out to the predetermined position, the coupling to the plumb is released, and thus a load required to pull out is reduced.
- However, in the self-closing device which retracts the sheet feeding cassette by the self-weight of the weight, a space housing the weight is required, and the self-closing device becomes heavy by the weight and thus there is a problem that a size of the self-closing device is increased.
- In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a self-closing device is configured to retract a unit capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body, to the apparatus main body. The self-closing device includes a plurality of retracting modules configured to retract the unit from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position. The plurality of retracting modules are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction.
- In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a self-closing device. The self-closing device is configured to retract a unit capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body, to the apparatus main body. The self-closing device has a plurality of retracting modules configured to retract the unit from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position. The plurality of retracting modules are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction.
- The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by way of illustrative example.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a layout of retracting modules in a self-closing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3A is a side view an engaged part of a right retracting module at a retracting start position seen from a left side, in the self-closing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3B is a side view of the engaged part of the right retracting module at a retracting end position seen from the left side, in the self-closing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of an engaging part of the right retracting module seen from a right side, in the self-closing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the engaged part and the engaging part, in the retracting module of the self-closing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating the self-closing device before starting a retracting operation according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6B is a plan view showing the self-closing device, in which a left retracting module reaches a retracting start position, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7A is a plan view showing the self-closing device, in which the right retracting module reaches the retracting start position, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the self-closing device, in a state where a sheet feeding cassette is retracted to a sheet feeding position, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a layout of retracting modules in a self-closing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9A is a plan view showing the self-closing device before starting a retracting operation according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the self-closing device, in which a left retracting module reaches a retracting start position, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10A is a plan view showing the self-closing device, in which a right retracting module reaches the retracting start position, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10B is a plan view showing the self-closing device in a state where a sheet feeding cassette is retracted to a sheet feeding position, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 11A is a graph showing a relationship between a retracting force acting on the sheet feeding cassette and a stroke of each retracting module in the self-closing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 11B is a graph showing a relationship between a retracting force acting on the sheet feeding cassette and a stroke of each retracting module in the self-closing device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 11C is a graph showing a relationship between a retracting force acting on a sheet feeding cassette and a stroke of each retracting module in a self-closing device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 12A is a plan view showing a layout of a retracting module in a self-closing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 12B is a side view showing a retracting module in a self-closing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - In the following, with reference the drawings, a self-closing device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
- With reference to
FIG. 1 , aprinter 1 as the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a structure of the printer. In the following description, the near side on a paper plane ofFIG.1 indicates the front side of theprinter 1, and left and right directions are based on a direction in which theprinter 1 is viewed from the front side. - As shown in
FIG.1 , theprinter 1 includes an box-formed printer main body 2 (apparatus main body). On a top surface of the printermain body 2, a sheet ejectedtray 3 is provided. The printermain body 2 has alower space 2a opened forward. On left and right side faces of thelower space 2a, a pair ofrails rails sheet feeding cassette 5 stored sheets (not shown) is slidably engaged. Between the pair ofrails sheet feeding cassette 5, a self-closingdevice 6 is provided. When thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pushed along the pair ofrails device 6 automatically retracts thesheet feeding cassette 5 to a sheet feeding position. - In the left part inside the printer
main body 2, anexposure device 8 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is arranged and, in the right part, animage forming part 9 is provided. In theimage forming part 9, aphotosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier is rotatably arranged. Around thephotosensitive drum 10, acharger 11, adevelopment unit 12, a transferringroller 13 and acleaning device 14 are located along a rotating direction (refer to an arrow X inFIG. 1 ) of thephotosensitive drum 10. Thedevelopment unit 12 is connected to a toner (developer)container 15. - On a right side of the
image forming part 9, asheet conveying path 17 extending vertically from thesheet feeding cassette 5 to the sheet ejectedtray 3 is provided. Along thesheet feeding path 17, asheet feeding part 18 on a right side of thelower space 2 is provided at an upstream end, a transferringpart 19 formed between thephotosensitive drum 10 and transferringroller 13 is provided at an intermediate stream portion, a fixingdevice 20 is provided at a downstream part and asheet ejecting part 21 is provided at an downstream end. Thesheet feeding part 18 is configured to be engaged with thesheet feeding cassette 5 and then to feed the sheet stored in thesheet feeding cassette 5 when thesheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted to the sheet feeding position by the self-closingdevice 6. - Next, the operation of forming an image by the
printer 1 having such a configuration will be described. - When the power is supplied to the
printer 1, various parameters are initialized and initial determination, such as temperature determination of the fixingdevice 20, is carried out. Subsequently, when image data is inputted and a printing start is directed from a computer or the like connected with theprinter 1, image forming operation is carried out as follows. - First, the surface of the
photosensitive drum 10 is electric-charged by thecharger 11. Then, exposure corresponding to the image data on thephotosensitive drum 10 is carried out by a laser light P from theexposure device 8, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of thephotosensitive drum 10. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by thedevelopment unit 12 into a toner image. - On the other hand, a sheet fed from the
sheet feeding cassette 5 by thesheet feeding part 18 is conveyed to the transferringpart 19 in a suitable timing for the above-mentioned image forming operation, and then, the toner image on thephotosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the sheet in the transferringpart 19. The sheet with the transferred toner image is conveyed to a downstream side in the conveyingpath 17 to go forward to the fixingdevice 20, and then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet in the fixingdevice 20. The sheet with the fixed toner image is ejected to the sheet ejectedtray 3 from thesheet ejecting part 21. The toner remained on thephotosensitive drum 10 is collected by thecleaning device 14. - Next, the self-closing
device 6 will be described with reference toFIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a layout of the self-closing device. - The self-closing
device 6 has left and right retractingmodules modules engaged part 31 provided between a retracting start position P1 and a retracting end position P2 along a retracting direction of thesheet feeding cassette 5; and anengaging part 32 engaging with the engagedpart 31 at the retracting start position P1 to be retracted to the retracting end position P2. An interval between the retracting start position P1 and the retracting end position P2 is defined as a retracting stroke S. The left and right retractingmodules modules parts 31 are provided on the left andright rails parts 32 are provided on the left and right side faces of thesheet feeding cassette 5. - The left and right retracting
modules right retracting module 30R is located on a down stream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1 of theleft retracting module 30L. Namely, the engagedpart 31 of theleft retracting module 30L is arranged on a slightly rear side from a center of theleft rail 4L, and theengaged part 31 of theright retracting module 30R is arranged near a rear end of theright rail 4R. - By such arrangement, between the retracting start positions P1 of the left and
right modules left retracting module 30L acts is formed, and between the retracting start position P1 of theleft retracting module 30R and the retracting end position P2 of theleft retracting module 30L, a region S2 in which the retracting strokes S overlap each other is formed. - In addition, the
left retracting module 30L is such arranged that when the engagingpart 32 is engaged with the engagedpart 31 and then retracted to close to the retracting end position P2 (the position indicated by double-dotted chain line ofFIG. 2 ), thesheet feeding cassette 5 is positioned into the sheet feeding position. On the other hand, theright retracting module 30R is such arranged that the engagingpart 32 is positioned at the same position in the forward/rearward direction as that of theengaging part 32 of theleft retracting module 30L. Thus, when the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L is retracted to close to the retracting end position P2, the engagingpart 32 of theright retracting module 30R is retracted only to a middle of the retracting stroke S. - Next, with reference to
FIGS. 3A to 5 , a structure of the left and right retractingmodules FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views showing the engaged part of the right retracting module seen from the left side,FIG. 3A shows the engaged part at the retracting start position, andFIG. 3B shows the engaged part at the retracting end position.FIG. 4 is a side view showing the engaging part of the right retracting module seen from the right side.FIG. 5 is a front view showing the engaged part and the engaging part of the retracting module. - As shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B , the engagedpart 31 of theright retracting module 30R includes: acarriage pin 41 slidable along theright rail 4R in the length direction; acoil spring 42 to bias thecarriage pin 41 rearward; and an oil damper (buffering member) 43 to buffer a biasing force of thecoil spring 42. Thecarriage pin 41, thecoil spring 42 and theoil damper 43 are supported on abase member 44. Incidentally, theleft retracting module 30L also has a similar structure as that of theright retracting module 30R. - The
base member 44 is a rectangular member elongated in the length direction of theright rail 4R and having a width equal to a width of theright rail 4R, and is secured to a bottom face of theright rail 4R by a screw B1. Thebase member 44 has a central recessedpart 44a and an upper recessedpart 44b extending in the length direction of theright rail 4R at a center and an upper end in the width direction, respectively. The center recessedpart 44a and the upper recessedpart 44b each are open toward the outside (outside of thelower space 2a of the printer 2), the center recessedpart 44a has a wide rectangular sectional shape, and the upper recessedpart 44b has a substantially square sectional shape. On a lower edge of thebase member 44,hook portions 44c are formed at front and rear ends. - The center recessed
part 44a is formed with aguide hole 51 along the length direction of theright rail 4R. Theguide hole 51 has : alinear portion 51a along the length direction of theright rail 4R; and anorthogonal portion 51b curving downward at an angle of 90 degrees from a front end of thelinear portion 51a. - The
carriage pin 41 is provided on aslider 54 slidably supported in the center recessedpart 44a of thebase member 44. Theslider 54 is a flat, rectangular solid-shaped member elongated in the length direction of thebase member 44. At a front end of theslider 54, astopper 54a extending in a direction crossing the length direction of theslider 54 is formed. On a front end face of thestopper 54a, a plurality ofelastic pieces 54b are provided. - On a rear end portion of an inner face of the
slide 54, a supportingpin 55 extending in a horizontal direction is erected, and around the supportingpin 55, apiece 56 is turnably supported. Thecarriage pin 41 is erected on an inner face of thepiece 56. The supportingpin 55 and thecarriage pin 41 engage with theguide hole 51 with thecarriage pin 41 on a front side from the supportingpin 55. Also, thecarriage pin 41 protrudes inward from theguide hole 51. If theslider 54 is slid forward along theguide hole 51 with the supportingpin 55 and thecarriage pin 41 engaged with theguide hole 51, thecarriage pin 41 is engagingly locked with a curved face of theguide hole 51. Afterwards, thepiece 56 turns in the clockwise direction ofFIG. 3 around the supportingpin 55 so that thecarriage pin 41 engages with theorthogonal portion 51b along the curved face of theguide hole 51. If thecarriage pin 41 engages with theorthogonal portion 51b of theguide hole 51, a sliding operation of theslider 54 along theguide hole 51 is restrained. - The
slider 54 slides in the length direction of theright rail 4R in the center recessedpart 44a of thebase member 44 between the retracting start position P1 (refer toFIG. 3A ) at which thecarriage pin 41 engages with theorthogonal portion 51b of theguide hole 51 and the retracting end position P2 (refer toFIG. 3B ) at which the supportingpin 55 reaches a rear end of thelinear part 51a of theguide hole 51. An interval between the retracting start position P1 and the retracting position P2 is defined as a movement distance of theslider 54, that is, the retracting stroke S of theright retracting module 30R. Incidentally, at the retracting end position P2, thestopper 54a of theslider 54 abuts against the front end of thebase member 44. - The
coil spring 42 is housed in the upper recessedpart 44b of thebase member 44. Arear end 42a of thecoil spring 42 is engagingly locked with a rear end of the upper recessedpart 44b, and afront end 42b is engagingly locked with thestopper 54a of theslider 54. Thecoil spring 42 biases thestopper 54a rearward. That is, thecoil spring 42 biases theslider 54 to the retracting end position P2. - The
oil damper 43 has acylinder 43a and apiston 43b. Thecylinder 43a is supported by thehook portions 44c of thebase member 44 with thepiston 43b directing forward. A tip end of thepiston 43b is supported by thestopper 54a of theslider 54a. Incidentally, an air damper may be used in place of theoil damper 43. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the engagingpart 32 of theright retracting module 30R is provided at amain slider 61 secured to the right side face of thesheet feeding cassette 5. - The
main slider 61 has a length equal to a length of theright rail 4R, and is secured to the right side face of thesheet feeding cassette 5 so as to correspond to theright rail 4R. - The
main slider 61, as shown inFIG. 5 , slidably engages with arelay slider 62, and therelay slider 62 slidably engages with theright rail 4R on a front side of the engagedpart 31 of theright retracting module 30R. By providing such arelay slider 62, it is possible to increase a pulling out length of thesheet feeding cassette 5, and when thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out, thesheet feeding cassette 5 can be maintained substantially in parallel to the left andright rails - As shown in
FIG.4 , the engagingpart 32 is a plate piece-shaped member elongated in the length direction of themain slider 61, and is secured to an outer face of the main slider 61 (an opposite face to the sheet feeding cassette 5) by a screw B2. The engagingpart 32 has a recessedpart 65 extending forward from a rear end face. The recessedpart 65 has a width slightly larger than a diameter of thecarriage pin 41. The recessedpart 65 has: anopening 65a of which a width becomes wider toward a rear side; ahorizontal portion 65b extending forward along the length direction of theright rail 4R from theopening 65a; and aninclined portion 65c inclined forward in an oblique upper direction from a front end of thehorizontal portion 65b. - With reference to
FIGS. 3 to 7B , a retracting operation of thesheet feeding cassette 5 by the self-closingdevice 6 having the above configuration will be described.FIGS. 6A to 7B are plan views illustrating an operation of retracting the sheet feeding cassette by the self-closing device. - As shown in
FIG. 6A , in a state in which thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out, in the left and right retractingmodules part 31 and theengaging part 32 are disengaged from each other, and thecarriage pin 41 of the engagedpart 31 slides to the retracting start position P1. - If the
sheet feeding cassette 5 is pushed along the left andright rails FIG. 6A ), as shown inFIG. 6B , first, in theleft retracting module 30L, the engagingpart 32 provided on the left side face of thesheet feeding cassette 5 engages with the engagedpart 31 provided on theleft rail 4L. In detail, thecarriage pin 41 of the engagedpart 31 is inserted into thehorizontal portion 65b from theopening 65a of the recessedpart 65 of theengaging part 32 shown inFIG. 4 . - If the
sheet feeding cassette 5 is further pushed, theinclined portion 65c of the recessedpart 65 of theengaging part 32 abuts against thecarriage pin 41, and thecarriage pin 41 is guided upward along theinclined portion 65c so that thepiece 56 turns in the counterclockwise direction ofFIG. 3A around the supportingpin 55. In this manner, thecarriage pin 41 moves from theorthogonal portion 51b into thelinear portion 51a in theguide hole 51, and thecarriage pin 41 and theorthogonal part 51b are disengaged from each other. That is, theslider 54 and thebase member 44 are disengaged from each other. Then, theslider 54 is biased by thecoil spring 42, and thecarriage pin 41 slides along thelinear portion 51a of theguide hole 51 rearward while engaging with theinclined portion 65c of theengaging part 32. That is, thesheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted toward the sheet feeding position. - On the other hand, in the
right retracting module 30R, in a middle of retracting of thesheet feeding cassette 5 by theleft retracting module 30L, as shown inFIG. 7A , if theengaging part 32 reaches the retracting start position P1, the engagingpart 32 engages with the engagedpart 31, and then a retracting operation which is the same as the retracting operation in theleft retracting module 30L is started. Then, thesheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted by the left and right retractingmodules modules - Afterwards, as shown in
FIG. 7B , the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L slides up close to the retracting end position P2, and thesheet feeding cassette 5 is positioned into the sheet feeding position. During this sliding operation, a biasing force of thecoil spring 42 is buffered by theoil damper 43. Accordingly, theslider 54 is slowly retracted and, furthermore, the impact at the time of completion of retracting can be restrained. Also, when the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L slides up close to the retracting end position P2, thestopper 54a of theslider 54 moves close to the front end of the base member 44 (refer toFIG. 3B ). - Incidentally, as shown in
FIG. 7B , the engagingpart 32 of theright retracting module 30R is retracted only up to the middle of the retracting stroke. - Next, an operation of pulling out the
sheet feeding cassette 5 will be described. At the time of starting the pulling out operation, in the left and right retractingmodules coil spring 42 of the engagedparts 31 is required. If thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out against the biasing forces of the coil springs 42 of the left and right retractingmodules part 32 of theright retracting module 30R reaches close to the retracting start position P1 (refer toFIG. 7A ). And, thecarriage pin 41 engaged with the engagingpart 32 comes in contact with the front end of theguide hole 51 and then guided downward by theinclined portion 65c inside the recessedpart 65 so as to be engagingly locked with theorthogonal portion 51b of theguide hole 51. Then, the engagingpart 32 is separated away from the engaged part 31and the engagingpart 32 and theengaged part 31 are therefore disengaged from each other. In this manner, in the subsequent pulling out operation, the biasing force of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R does not act. An operation of disengaging the engagingpart 32 and theengaged part 31 from each other is a reverse operation of an engaging operation, and a detailed description is omitted. - That is, in the region S1 between the retracting start position P1 of the right retracting module 30Rand the retracting start position P1 of the
left retracting module 30L, only the biasing force of thecoil spring 42 of theleft retracting module 30L acts on thesheet feeding cassette 5. If thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out against this biasing force, the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L reaches the retracting start position P1 (refer toFIG. 6B ), and theengaging part 32 and theengaged part 31 are disengaged from each other. Afterwards, thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out along the left andright rails FIG. 6A ). - As described above, according to the self-closing
device 6 of an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the middle of pulling out operation of thesheet feeding cassette 5 within a range of the retracting stroke S of the self-closingdevice 6, since the engagingpart 32 and theengaged part 31 in theright retracting module 30R are disengaged from each other and thus the biasing force in the retracting direction does not act, a maximum value of the pulling out force can be reduced. - Further, a retracting start timing of the
right retracting module 30R arranged closer to thesheet feeding device 18 is configured to be later than a retracting start timing of theleft retracting module 30L. In this manner, in theright retracting module 30R arranged closer to thesheet feeding device 18, since a retracting force required to retract thesheet feeding cassette 5 toward the sheet feeding position exhibits comparatively significantly at the retracting end position P2, thesheet feeding cassette 5 can be smoothly retracted to the sheet feeding position. - Incidentally, the left and right retracting
modules oil damper 43. However, if theleft retracting module 30L having a longer rectangle stroke is provided with theoil damper 43, an impact buffering effect at the retracting work can be enhanced. As an impact buffering member during the retracting operation, it is preferable to use theoil damper 43 or an air damper which is inexpensive and versatile. - Further, since the left and right retracting
modules right rails sheet feeding cassette 5 engages, an exclusive space for installing the self-closingdevice 6 is unrequired. Further, since the left and right retractingmodules image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced. - Next, with reference to
FIGS. 8 to 10B , a self-closing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the self-closing device, andFIGS. 9A to 10B are plan views illustrating an operation of retracting the sheet feeding cassette by the self-closing device. - In the self-closing
device 6 according to the second embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8 , theleft retracting module 30L has a retracting stroke S longer in length than the retracting stroke S of theright retracting module 30R. In addition, the left and right retractingmodules right rails left retracting module 30L is located on the upstream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1 of theright retracting module 30R, and the retracting end positions P2 of the left and right retractingmodules modules modules - As shown in
FIG. 9A , in a state in which thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out, in the left and right retractingmodules part 31 and theengaging part 32 are disengaged from each other, and thecarriage pin 42 of the engagedpart 31 slides into the retracting start position P1. If thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pushed along the pair ofrails FIG. 9B , first, the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L engages with the engagedpart 31. - If the
sheet feeding cassette 5 is further pushed, as shown inFIG. 10A , the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L is retracted toward the retracting end position P2. On the other hand, in the middle of the retracting operation of theleft retracting module 30L, the engagingpart 32 of theright retracting module 30R engages with the engagedpart 31 and then the retracting operation is started. Then, in a region in which the retracting strokes of the left and right retractingmodules modules parts 32 are pulled out by the same stroke from the retracting end positions P2. As described above, since the coil springs 42 of the left and right retractingmodules parts 32 are pulled out by the same stoke from the retracting end positions P2, a retracting force acting on thesheet feeding cassette 5 in the right ret ractingmodule 30R having a short retracting stroke is smaller than that in theleft retracting module 30L. Then, as shown inFIG. 10B , thesheet feeding cassette 5 is retracted to the sheet feeding position simultaneously by the left and right retractingmodules - Next, an operation of pulling out the
sheet feeding cassette 5 will be described. At the time of starting pulling out, the force against the biasing force of the coil springs 42 of the engagedparts 31 of the left and right retractingmodules sheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out against the biasing force of the coil springs 42 of the left and right retractingmodules part 32 of theright retracting module 30R reaches the retracting start position P1, and theengaging part 32 and theengaged part 31 are disengaged from each other (refer toFIG. 10A ). In this manner, in the subsequent retracting operation, the biasing force of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R does not act. - That is, in the region between the retracting start position P1 of the
right retracting module 30R and the retracting start position P1 of theleft retracting module 30L, only the biasing force of thecoil spring 42 of theleft retracting module 30L acts on thesheet feeding cassette 5. If thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out against this biasing force, the engagingpart 32 of theleft retracting module 30L reaches the retracting start position P1 (refer toFIG. 9B ), and theengaging part 32 and theengaged part 31 are disengaged from each other. Afterwards, thesheet feeding cassette 5 is pulled out along the left andright rails FIG. 9A ). - As described above, by the self-closing
device 6 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure as well, in the middle of pulling out thesheet feeding cassette 5, the engagingpart 32 and theengaged part 31 in theright retracting module 30R are disengaged from each other and the biasing force in the retracting direction does not act so that a maximum value of pulling out force can be reduced. - Incidentally, in the self-closing
device 6 of the second embodiment, at least theleft retractingmodule 30L is preferably provided with theoil damper 43. By providing theoil damper 43 in the retracting module having a longer retracting stroke, an impact absorbing effect of the retracting operation is enhanced, and thesheet feeding cassette 5 can be smoothly retracted. - Next, a self-closing device according to a third embodiment, which is a modification example of the second embodiment above, will be described. In the third embodiment, spring constants of the respective coil springs 42 of the left and right retracting
modules - In the second embodiment, a spring constant of the coil springs 42 of the
left retracting module 30L having a longer retracting stroke is the same as a spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R having a shorter retracting stroke. On the contrary, in the third embodiment, the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theleft retracting module 30L is set to be smaller than the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theleft retracting module 30L in the second embodiment, and the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R is set to be larger than the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R in the second embodiment. - Therefore, in the third embodiment, at the retracting end position P2, a retracting force of the
right retracting module 30R is larger than a retracting force of theleft retracting module 30L. - Next, with reference to graphs shown in
FIGS. 11A to 11C , variations of retracting forces acting on thesheet feeding cassettes 5 in the self-closingdevices 6 according to the first to third embodiments will be described.FIG. 11A shows a self-closing device in the first embodiment,FIG. 11B shows a self-closing device in the second embodiment, andFIG. 11C is a self-closing device in the third embodiment. In each graph, the horizontal axis shows a stroke (expansion of the coil spring) of the left and right retractingmodules modules sheet feeding cassette 5. Also, the solid line of each graph shows a retracting force FL, FR of the left and right retractingmodules sheet feeding cassette 5. The dashed line shows a retracting force F0 acting on thesheet feeding cassette 5 in a case where the retracting start position P1 of theright retracting module 30R is the same as the retracting start position P1 of theleft retracting module 30L. The lower single-dotted chain line shows a minimum retracting force Fmin required to retract thesheet feeding cassette 5, and the upper single-dotted chain line shows a maximum pulling out force Fmax of thesheet feeding cassette 5 specified under Section 508 of the United State Rehabilitation Act. - In the first to third embodiments, if the retracting start positions P1 of the left and right retracting
modules FIGS. 11A to 11C , the retracting force of thesheet feeding cassette 5 is close to the maximum pulling out force Fmax, and allowance in the retracting force is decreased. - However, as in the first to third embodiments, if the retracting start position P1R of the
right retracting module 30R is positioned on the downstream side in the retracting direction from the retracting start position P1L of theleft retracting module 30L, it is possible to reduce a maximum value of the pulling out force acting on thesheet feeding cassette 5. In this manner, a retracting force required to retract thesheet feeding cassette 5 is obtained, and it is also possible to prevent the maximum retracting force acting on thesheet feeding cassette 5 from being close to the maximum pulling out force Fmax. Also, since an entire stroke for retracting thesheet feeding cassette 5 is not reduced, operability at the time of insertion of thesheet feeding cassette 5 or a damper effect or the like is not degraded. - In the
sheet feeding cassette 5 in the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the sheets are housed close to thesheet feeding device 18 in thesheet feeding cassette 5, there may be a case in which a load applied from thesheet feeding cassette 5 on theright rail 4R is larger than that on theleft rail 4R. Then, as in the third embodiment, the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theright retracting module 30R is set to be larger than the spring constant of thecoil spring 42 of theleft retracting module 30L, whereby the retracting force required to retract thesheet feeding cassette 5 can be appropriately distributed into the left and right retractingmodules 30, 30R without increasing the maximum retracting force acting on thesheet feeding cassette 5. In this manner, it is possible to always smoothly retract thesheet feeding cassette 5. - Further, self-closing
devices 6 according to fourth and fifth embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 12A and FIG. 12B . - In the self-closing device according to the fourth embodiment shown in
FIG. 12A , the left and right retractingmodules sheet feeding cassette 5 and a lower bottom face of thelower space 2a of the printermain body 2. That is, the engagedparts 31 of the left and right retractingmodules lower space 2a, and the engagingparts 32 are arranged so as to be at the same position in the forward/rearward direction on the lower face of thesheet feeding cassette 5. - In the self-closing device according to the fifth embodiment shown in
FIG. 12B , upper andlower retracting modules sheet feeding cassette 5 and one side face of thelower space 2a of the printermain body 2. That is, the engagedparts 31 of the upper andlower retractingmodules lower space 2a, and the engagingparts 32 are arranged at the same position in the forward/rearward direction on the side face of thesheet feeding cassette 5. - Thus, the retracting modules 30 do not always need to be provided on the left and
right rails - The self-closing
device 6, in addition to thesheet feeding cassette 5, is applicable to a variety of units removably provided on the printermain body 2, such as asheet feeding device 18, an image forming unit 9 (such as a developingdevice 12 or a transferring unit 19), or a fixingdevice 20. - The embodiment was described in a case of applying the configuration of the present disclosure to the
printer 1. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the configuration of the disclosure may be applied to another image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a multifunction peripheral, except for theprinter 1. - While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
Claims (19)
- A self-closing device (6) configured to retract a unit (5) capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body (2), to the apparatus main body (2) comprising:a plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) configured to retract the unit (5) from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position,wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction.
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) have a retracting stroke different from each other in length.
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) have a retracting force different from each other at the retracting end position.
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) respectively have a spring member (42) configured to generate the retracting force, in which spring constants of the spring members (42) are different from each other.
- The self-closing device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retracting module (30L), (30R) comprises:an engaged part (31) provided at either one of the apparatus main body (2) and the unit (5) ; and an engaging part (32) provided at the other and configured to engage with the engaged part (31),the engaged part (31) has: a carriage pin (41) slidable between the retracting start position and the retracting end position; and a spring member (42) configured to bias the carriage pin (41) toward the retracting end position,the engaging part (32) has a recessed part (65) capable of engaging with the carriage pin (41), andthe recessed part (65) of the engaging part (32) is engaged with the carriage pin (41) of the engaged part (31) at the retracting start position and then the carriage pin (41) is retracted toward the retracting end portion by the spring member (42) so that the unit (5) is retracted with respect to the apparatus main body (2).
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 5, wherein the engaged part (31) is provided at the apparatus main body (2) and the engaging part (32) is provided at the unit (5).
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the engaged part (31) includes a buffering member (43) configured to buffer a biasing force of the spring member (42).
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 7, wherein at least the retracting module having the longest retracting stroke is provided with the buffer member (43).
- The self-closing device (6) according to claim 7, wherein the buffering member (43) is a damper employing liquid or gas as a medium.
- An image forming apparatus (1) comprising a self-closing device (6) configured to retract a unit (5) capable of being pulled out with respect to an apparatus main body (2), to the apparatus main body (2),
wherein the self-closing device (6) including:a plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) configured to retract the unit (5) from a retracting start position towards a retracting end position,wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) are provided such that retracting strokes from the retracting start position to the retracting end position partially overlap each other and the retracting start positions are different from each other in the retracting direction. - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the unit (5) is a sheet feeding cassette (5) configured to house a sheet to be image-formed and
the self-closing device (6) is configured to retract the sheet feeding cassette (5) toward a sheet feeding position. - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the retracting module (30R) arranged close to the sheet feeding position has a retracting force higher than a retracting force of the other retracting module (30L) at the retracting end position.
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of retracting modules (30L), (30R) respectively have a spring member (42) configured to generate the retracting force and
the spring constant of the spring member (42) of the retracting module (30R) arranged close to the sheet feeding position is higher than the spring constant of the spring member (42) of the other retracting module (30L). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the retracting module (30R) arranged close to the sheet feeding position has a retracting stroke shorter in length than a retracting stroke of the other retracting module (30L).
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the retracting module (30R) arranged close to the sheet feeding position is configured so that a retracting start timing is later than a retracting start timing of the other retracting module (30L).
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to clam 11, wherein the retracting module (30R) arranged close to the sheet feeding position is so configured that the retracting end position is positioned on a downstream side in the retracting direction from the retracting end position of the other retracting module (30L).
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to anyone of claims 10 to 16, wherein the retracting module (30L), (30R) comprises: an engaged part (31) provided at either one of the apparatus main body (2) and the unit (5); and an engaging part (32) provided at the other and configured to engage with the engaged part (31),
the engaged part (31) has: a carriage pin (41) slidable between the retracting start position and the retracting end position; and a spring member (42) configured to bias the carriage pin (4) toward the retracting end position,
the engaging part (32) has a recessed part (65) capable of engaging with the carriage pin (41), and
the recessed part (65) of the engaging part (31) is engaged with the carriage pin (41) of the engaged part (32) at the retracting start position and then the carriage pin (41) is retracted toward the retracting end portion by the spring member (42) so that the unit (5) is retracted with respect to the apparatus main body (2). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 17, wherein the engaged part (31) is provided with a buffering member (43) configured to buffer a biasing force of the spring member (42).
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the sheet feeding cassette (5) is provided so as to be capable of being pulled out along a rail (4L), (4R) provided at the apparatus main body (2), and the self-closing device (6) is arranged between the sheet feeding cassette (5) and the rail (4L), (4R).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2014143445 | 2014-07-11 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2966015A1 true EP2966015A1 (en) | 2016-01-13 |
Family
ID=54062611
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP15176110.3A Withdrawn EP2966015A1 (en) | 2014-07-11 | 2015-07-09 | Self-closing device and image forming apparatus |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11377315B1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-07-05 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
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WO2007111015A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Nifco Inc. | Automatic slide device |
WO2010143352A1 (en) * | 2009-06-12 | 2010-12-16 | 高千穂交易株式会社 | Retracting device for drawer and error recovery device |
JP2011020789A (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-02-03 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Pulling-in device and image forming device |
EP2281764A2 (en) * | 2009-08-07 | 2011-02-09 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Attachment assist device and image forming apparatus employing the attachment assist device |
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2015
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WO2007111015A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Nifco Inc. | Automatic slide device |
WO2010143352A1 (en) * | 2009-06-12 | 2010-12-16 | 高千穂交易株式会社 | Retracting device for drawer and error recovery device |
JP2011020789A (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-02-03 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Pulling-in device and image forming device |
EP2281764A2 (en) * | 2009-08-07 | 2011-02-09 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Attachment assist device and image forming apparatus employing the attachment assist device |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11377315B1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-07-05 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
US11780691B2 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2023-10-10 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
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