阅读说明：本技术 端挡板、供给盒、给送装置及图像形成装置 (End stop, supply box, feeding device and image forming device ) 是由 张建锦 刘俊伟 于 2019-03-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种端挡板,包括：端挡板本体；保持装置,用于将端挡板本体固定在供给盒上；加压体,能够相对于端挡板本体沿记录媒介的给送方向突出和/或收回；切换装置,用于对保持装置施加力并使其上下移动,以使端挡板在位置固定状态与位置固定解除状态之间切换；其中,切换装置与加压体相接并配合,使保持装置在上下移动时,加压体也相对于端挡板本体移动和/或转动,并且,加压体的突出的动作晚于保持装置将端挡板本体固定在供给盒上的动作。此外,本发明还涉及一种供给盒、给送装置及图像形成装置。本发明能够有效防止端挡板向记录媒介的给送方向的反方向移动。(The invention relates to an end stop comprising: an end baffle body; a holding device for fixing the end baffle body to the supply box; a pressing body capable of protruding and/or retracting in a feeding direction of the recording medium with respect to the end fence body; a switching device for applying force to the holding device and moving the holding device up and down to switch the end stop between a position fixing state and a position fixing release state; the switching device is connected with and matched with the pressing body, so that when the holding device moves up and down, the pressing body moves and/or rotates relative to the end baffle body, and the protruding action of the pressing body is later than the action of the holding device for fixing the end baffle body on the supply box. Further, the present invention relates to a supply cassette, a feeding device, and an image forming apparatus. The invention can effectively prevent the end baffle from moving in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the recording medium.)

1. An end stop capable of being disposed on a supply cassette of an image forming apparatus and moving back and forth in a feeding direction of a recording medium in the supply cassette, the end stop comprising an end stop body, characterized by further comprising:

a holding device for fixing the end stop body to the feed box;

a pressing body provided on the end stop body, and capable of moving and/or rotating with respect to the end stop body so that the pressing body protrudes and/or retracts with respect to the end stop body in a feeding direction of the recording medium;

a switching device for applying a force to the holding device to move the holding device up and down with respect to the end stop body to switch the end stop between a position fixing state in which the end stop can be fixed to the feed cassette and a position fixing release state in which the end stop is released from the feed cassette;

wherein the switching device is connected and matched with the pressing body, when the holding device moves up and down relative to the end baffle body under the action of the switching device, the pressing body moves and/or rotates relative to the end baffle body under the action of the switching device, and the protruding action of the pressing body relative to the end baffle body is later than the action that the holding device moves downwards relative to the end baffle body to fix the end baffle body on the supply box.

2. The end stop of claim 1, further comprising,

and the automatic resetting device is arranged between the end baffle body and the switching device, and applies force to the switching device to enable the end baffle to be automatically restored to the position fixing state from the position fixing release state.

3. An end stop according to claim 2,

the holding device comprises a sliding block;

the switching device comprises a switching operation part, a first cam part and a fixed holding part which are integrally formed; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the switching operation part extends out of the end baffle body and is used for pressing operation;

a space in which a slide block of a holding device can slide is formed between the first cam portion and the fixed holding portion, and when the switching operation portion is pressed, the first cam portion applies a force to the slide block of the holding device so that the holding device moves upward to switch from a position fixing state to a position fixing release state; when the switching operation portion is released, the fixing and holding portion applies a force to the slide block of the holding device so that the holding device moves downward to switch from the position fixing released state to the position fixing state.

4. An end stop according to claim 3, further comprising,

and the pressing device is used for providing downward force for the holding device after being in the position fixing state.

5. An end stop according to claim 4 wherein the compression means is a protrusion provided on the fixed retaining portion which engages the slide block to provide downward pressure on the retaining means after the slide block has been slid to position the retaining means in the fixed position.

6. An end stop according to claim 4, wherein the compression means is a spring disposed between the retaining means and the end stop body.

7. An end stop according to claim 2, wherein the automatic return means comprises a linear spring, an extension spring, a compression spring or a torsion spring.

8. The end stop of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a second cam portion and the pressure body comprises a moving body, the second cam portion contacting and engaging the moving body, the second cam portion applying a force to the moving body when the switch applies a force to the retainer.

9. The end stop of claim 1, further comprising,

and a pressurizing device which is arranged between the end baffle body and the pressurizing body, applies pressure to the pressurizing body and leads the pressurizing body to have a protruding tendency, thereby leading the pressurizing body to be capable of automatically returning to the state of pressurizing the recording medium from the state of not pressurizing the recording medium.

10. An end stop according to claim 9 wherein the pressure means is a linear spring, resilient sponge, rubber, torsion spring or leaf spring.

11. An end stop according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises an engagement portion by which said end stop is secured to said feed box.

12. A supply cassette, comprising,

a cassette frame body for accommodating a recording medium; and

the end stop of any one of claims 1-11.

13. A feeding device, characterized by comprising,

the supply cartridge of claim 12, and

a feeding part separating the recording media in the feeding cassette one by one.

14. An image forming apparatus includes,

feed device as claimed in claim 13, and

an image forming section for forming an image on the recording medium fed by the feeding device.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an end stop, a supply box, a feeding device and an image forming device.

Background

In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, a feeding apparatus that stores and feeds recording media (e.g., sheets) is required, and in the feeding apparatus, a member that regulates the recording media loaded in a housing of the feeding apparatus from a rear end in a feeding direction, that is, an end fence (end center), is generally required. The end stop is preferably movable within the feeding device to accommodate recording media of different sizes, and is also securely fixed against movement in a direction opposite to the feeding direction to ensure stable feeding of the recording media.

The end stop typically comprises: a holding device for fixing the end baffle on the feeding box, a pressure body for applying pressure to the recording medium loaded in the frame of the feeding box along the feeding direction, an interlocking device for interlocking the pressure body and the holding device, and the like. However, when the position of the end flap is fixed after the recording medium is set in the feeding device, the end flap sometimes moves in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the recording medium due to a reaction force applied when the pressure body applies pressure to the recording medium.

For example, as shown in fig. 4, after a plurality of recording media S are placed in the feeding device 30, the end flap body 200 is pushed toward the recording media S, the pressing linear spring 243 presses the pressing body 223 and moves/rotates the pressing body 223 in the feeding direction (i.e., direction a), the lower end of the pressing body 223 is pressed by the recording media S and moves/rotates in the reverse direction (i.e., direction E) of the feeding direction, the pressing linear spring 243 is compressed until the front end of the recording media S hits against the frame wall of the frame 301 of the feeding device 30, and at this time, the end flap is reacted by the compressed pressing linear spring 243, and tends to move in the direction E. At this time, the end stop body 200 is switched between the pressurized state and the fixed position state. However, in the half-pressurized state in which the pressure body 223 is returned from the non-pressurized state to the pressurized state, the lower end side of the pressure body 223 already hits the recording medium S, and the pressure body 223 receives a force in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the recording medium S, that is, the end fence body 200 receives a force in the direction E at this time. At this time, the engaging portion 224c of the holding device 222 does not enter the engaging portion 110a of the feeding device, and the engaging portions do not start to engage with each other, and at this time, the end fence body 200 may move in the reverse direction of the feeding direction (i.e., the direction E) by the pressing linear spring 243.

When the above occurs, the end flap moves in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, the distance between the end flap and the rear end of the recording medium S in the feeding direction increases, the pressure applied to the recording medium S by the pressure body 223 becomes weak, and this may cause the pressure body 223 to be unable to push the front end of the recording medium S to a predetermined position, and the front end of the recording medium S may not effectively contact the surface of the paper feed roller, or the length of engagement with the surface of the paper feed roller may decrease, which may easily cause problems such as unstable feeding, curling of the front end, and jamming of the recording medium S.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to solve the problem that an end baffle is easy to move in the direction opposite to the feeding direction.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an end stop that is capable of being disposed on a supply cassette of an image forming apparatus and moving back and forth in a feeding direction of a recording medium in the supply cassette, the end stop including an end stop body, and further including: a holding device for fixing the end baffle body to the supply box; a pressing body provided on the end fence body and capable of moving and/or rotating relative to the end fence body so that the pressing body protrudes and/or retracts relative to the end fence body in a feeding direction of the recording medium; a switching device for applying a force to the holding device to move the holding device up and down relative to the end stop body so as to switch the end stop between a position fixing state and a position fixing release state, wherein the position fixing state refers to a state that the end stop can be fixed on the supply box, and the position fixing release state refers to a state that the end stop is released from the supply box; the switching device is connected with and matched with the pressurizing body, when the holding device moves up and down relative to the end baffle body under the action of the switching device, the pressurizing body also moves and/or rotates relative to the end baffle body under the action of the switching device, and the protruding action of the pressurizing body relative to the end baffle body is later than the action of the holding device moving downwards relative to the end baffle body so as to fix the end baffle body on the supply box.

Compared with the prior art, the invention links the pressurizing action and the position fixing action when the position is set, and the position fixing action of the end baffle body is started before the pressurizing action, so even if the recording medium applies the reaction force to the end baffle body through the pressurizing body, the position of the end baffle body does not move, and the end baffle is prevented from moving to the opposite direction of the feeding direction of the recording medium.

Further, the end baffle plate can also comprise an automatic reset device which is arranged between the end baffle plate body and the switching device and applies force to the switching device so that the end baffle plate can automatically return to the position fixing state from the position fixing release state.

Further, the holding means may comprise a slider; the switching device comprises a switching operation part, a first cam part and a fixed holding part which are integrally formed; the switching operation part extends out of the end baffle body and is used for pressing operation; a space in which the slide block of the holding device can slide is formed between the first cam portion and the fixed holding portion, and when the switching operation portion is pressed, the first cam portion applies a force to the slide block of the holding device so that the holding device moves upward to switch from the position fixing state to the position fixing release state; when the switching operation portion is released, the fixing and holding portion applies a force to the slide block of the holding device so that the holding device moves downward to switch from the position fixing released state to the position fixing state.

Further, the end stop may further comprise a hold-down device for providing a downward force to the retention device after being in the fixed position.

Further, the pressing means may be a protrusion provided on the fixed holding portion, and after the sliding block slides to a position where the holding means is fixed, the pressing means is in interference fit with the sliding block to provide a downward pressing force to the holding means.

Further, the pressing means may be a spring provided between the holding means and the end stop body.

Further, the automatic returning means may include a linear spring, an extension spring, a compression spring, a torsion spring, or the like.

Further, the switching means may include a second cam portion, and the pressing body may include a moving body, the second cam portion being in contact with and engaged with the moving body, the second cam portion applying a force to the moving body when the switching means applies the force to the holding means.

Further, the end baffle may further include a pressurizing device disposed between the end baffle body and the pressurizing body, and applying pressure to the pressurizing body to make the pressurizing body have a tendency to protrude, so that the pressurizing body can be automatically restored from a state of not pressurizing the recording medium to a state of pressurizing the recording medium.

Further, the pressurizing means may be a linear spring, an elastic sponge, rubber, a torsion spring, or a plate spring.

Further, the holding means may include an engaging portion by which the end stop is fixed to the feed box.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a supply cassette including a cassette frame body for accommodating a recording medium; the end baffle provided by the first aspect or any implementation manner of the first aspect is further included.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a feeding device including the supply cassette provided in any one of the second or second aspects and a feeding member that separates recording media in the supply cassette one by one.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising the feeding apparatus provided in any one of the third aspect or the third implementation form of the foregoing third aspect; an image forming section for forming an image on the recording medium fed by the feeding device is further included.

The invention ensures the position fixing action of the end baffle body to be earlier than the pressurizing action by setting the specific position relation of the first cam part and the second cam part, effectively solves the problem that the end baffle moves to the opposite direction of the feeding direction of the recording medium due to the pressure of the pressurizing device, simultaneously ensures the maximum meshing of the meshing part of the holding device and the meshing part of the feeding box by providing the downward force by the pressing device, and prevents the meshing disengagement caused by impact or vibration.

Drawings

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

Fig. 2(a) and 2(b) show schematic diagrams of insertion of a feeding device into an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a usage scenario of the end baffle.

Fig. 5(a) is a front view of an example of an end stop in a pressurized state and a maximum engagement position fixing state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5(b) is a right side view of an example of the end stop in the pressurized state and the maximum engagement position fixing state according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5(c) is a plan view of an example of an end stop in a pressurized state and a maximum engagement position fixing state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5(d) is a perspective view of an example of an end stop in a pressurized state and a maximum engagement position fixing state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6(a) is a front view of an example of an end stop in a non-pressurized state and a position fixation released state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6(b) is a right side view of an example of the end stop in the non-pressurized state and the position fixation released state according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6(c) is a plan view of an example end stop in a non-pressurized state and a position fixation released state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6(d) is a perspective view of an example of an end stop in a non-pressurized state and a position fixation released state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an oblique perspective view of an example end stop according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8(a) and 8(b) show schematic diagrams of maximizing the amount of engagement achieved using a pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic diagrams of various parameters of an end stop implementing a particular sequence of actions according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the position fixing action and the pressing action during the resetting according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes, and other advantages and effects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended that features of the invention be limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is described in connection with the embodiments for the purpose of covering alternatives or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The invention may be practiced without these particulars. Moreover, some of the specific details have been left out of the description in order to avoid obscuring or obscuring the focus of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

It should be noted that in this specification, like reference numerals and letters refer to like items in the following drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

In the description of the present embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings or orientations or positional relationships that are usually placed when the product of the present invention is used, and are used only for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or the element to which the description refers must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

The terms "first," "second," and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the present embodiment, it should be further noted that, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "disposed," "connected," and "connected" are to be interpreted broadly, e.g., as a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present embodiment can be understood in specific cases by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 and 2 show an example of an image forming apparatus, for example, a printer, according to the present invention. The printer 300 is provided with a space 330 into which the feeding device 30 can be freely inserted and pulled out.

Fig. 3 and 4 show examples of a feeding device of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the feeding device 30 may include a feeding cassette 101, a feeding roller 302, an end stop 107, and the like, the feeding cassette 101 for receiving a recording medium S such as paper, and the like, and includes cassette frame members such as a front frame 301 and a rear frame 110, and a bottom plate 46 provided in the feeding cassette 101 for placing the recording medium S thereon. The feed roller 302 as a feeding member can separate the recording media S one by one and feed it to an image forming portion in the printer 300 to form an image on the recording media S. The end stop 107 is provided on the feed cassette 101 in the feeding device 30, and is movable back and forth in the feeding direction of the recording medium in the feed cassette 101. As shown in fig. 4, the rear frame 110 is provided with an engaging portion 110a, and the front end of the recording medium S in the supply cassette 101 is regulated by the front frame 301 and the rear end is regulated by the end flap 107, and the corresponding engaging portion 224c of the end flap 107 is engageable with the engaging portion 110a of the rear frame 110 and fixed in the supply cassette 101.

An end stop according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to fig. 5-7. Wherein fig. 5(a) -5 (d) are schematic views showing the end stop in a pressurized state and a maximum engagement position fixing state; fig. 6(a) -6 (d) are schematic views showing the end stop in a non-pressurized state and a position fixation released state; fig. 7 is an oblique perspective view of an example end stop.

As shown in fig. 5-7, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an end stop 107, and the end stop 107 may include: end stop body 200, holding device 222, pressure body 223, switching device 245, and the like.

Wherein the retaining device 222 is used to secure the end stop body to the feed box. The holding device 222 may include a sliding body 224, and an upper end portion of the sliding body 224 may be provided with sliding blocks 224a and 224 b. The slider 224 can move up and down within a certain range, and when the slider 224 moves to a position where it protrudes below the end stop main body 200, the engaging portion 224c of the slider 224 can be gradually engaged with the engaging portion 110a of the rear frame body 110 of the supply cassette, thereby fixing the position of the end stop main body 200 at a certain position on the rear frame body 110.

The switching device 245 is configured to apply a force to the holding device 222 to move the holding device 222 up and down with respect to the end stop body 200 so that the end stop 107 can be switched between a fixed position state in which the end stop 107 can be fixed to the feed cassette and a released position state in which the end stop 107 is released from the feed cassette.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the switching means 245 may include a fixed switching body 248, and the fixed switching body 248 is composed of a fixed switching cam portion (i.e., a first cam portion) 248a, a fixed holding portion 248b, a switching operation portion 248d, and the like, which are mounted on the end fence body 200 to be horizontally movable. The fixed switching cam portion 248a and the fixed holding portion 248b of the fixed switching body 248 are each composed of a flat surface portion and a slope surface portion, respectively, which enclose a space in which the slide blocks 224a and 224b are freely slidable.

When the switching operation portion 248d of the fixed switching member 248 of the switching device 245 is horizontally pressed inward, the slider 224a at the upper end of the slider 224 is pressed upward by the inclined edge of the fixed switching cam portion 248a, and the slider 224 moves upward above the lower end surface of the end fence body 200, so that the engagement between the engagement portion 224c of the slider 224 and the engagement portion 110a of the rear frame 110 of the supply cassette is released, the position of the end fence body 200 is released, and the end fence body 200 can move freely in the feeding direction of the recording medium S (see fig. 6). When the switch operation portion 248d is stopped from being pressed and the fixing switch body 248 moves outward, the slide block 224b of the slide body 224 is pressed by the inclined edge portion of the fixing holding portion 248b, the slide body 224 moves to a position where it protrudes downward from the end fence body 200, the engaging portion 224c of the slide body 224 is gradually engaged with the engaging portion 110a of the rear frame body 110 of the supply cartridge until the position of the end fence body 200 is fixed, and finally, the slide block 224b of the slide body 224 slides to a position below the flat surface portion of the fixing holding portion 248b and is held in a fixed state by its position restriction (see fig. 5).

The end stop 107 may further include an automatic return means 246, for example, a linear spring, which is provided between the end stop body 200 and the switching means 245, applies a force to the switching means 245 to cause the switching means 245 to have a tendency to move outward within a limited range, and automatically returns the end stop 107 from the position fixation released state to the position fixation state after the switching operation portion 248d is released.

The linear spring 246 as the automatic returning means may have one end fixedly attached to the outer periphery of the protruding post of the end stop body 200 and the other end fixedly attached to the outer periphery of the protruding post of the fixed switching body 248. When the switching operation portion 248d is pressed horizontally inward, the linear spring 246 is compressed, and as described above, the slider 224 moves to a position above the lower end surface of the end stop body 200, the engagement is released, and the position fixing of the end stop body 200 is released (see fig. 6). When the switching operation portion 248d is pressed to be stopped by releasing the hand, the fixed switching member 248 automatically moves outward by the compressed linear spring 246, the slide block 224b of the slide member 224 is pressed by the fixed switching member 248 to move to a position protruding downward from the end stop body 200, and finally, the slide block 224b of the slide member 224 slides to a position below the flat surface portion of the fixed holding portion 248b to hold the fixed position by its position restriction, that is, the end stop body 200 is returned to the fixed position (see fig. 5). Note that the automatic returning device is not limited to the linear spring in the present embodiment, and various elastic members such as an extension spring, other compression springs, and a torsion spring may be used.

The pressing body 223 is provided on the end shutter body 200, and is capable of moving and/or rotating with respect to the end shutter body 200, so that the pressing body 223 protrudes and/or retracts forward (i.e., rightward in fig. 5(b) and 6(b)) with respect to the end shutter body 200 in the feeding direction of the recording medium S.

A pressurizing means 243 may be provided between the end fence body 200 and the pressurizing body 223 for applying a pressure to the pressurizing body 223 and making the pressurizing body 223 have a tendency to protrude in the feeding direction of the recording medium S, thereby enabling the pressurizing body 223 to automatically return to a state of pressurizing the recording medium S from a state of not pressurizing the recording medium S. The pressurizing means 243 may be, for example, a linear spring, one end of which is fixed to the inner side surface of the end fence body 200 and the other end of which faces the pressurizing body 223 and is fixed to the outer periphery of the protruding pillar of the pressurizing body 223. The inner surface of the pressing member 223 is moved and/or rotated forward in the feeding direction of the recording medium S by the linear spring 243, and is pressed in this direction.

Whether the pressure body 223 rotates or moves relative to the end stop body 200 depends on the manner in which the pressure body 223 is coupled to the end stop body 200. For example, the pressing body 223 may be coupled to the shaft 223a as shown in fig. 5, the pressing body 223 may be rotated with respect to the shaft 223a by the linear spring 243, the shaft 223a may be integrally formed with the pressing body 223, a space in which the shaft 223a moves within a certain range may be provided in the end fence body 200, and the inner side surface of the pressing body 223 may move forward in the feeding direction of the recording medium S within a certain range by the linear spring 243. It should be noted that the above connection is only an example, and those skilled in the art can also use other various common connection methods to arrange the pressing body 223. The pressurizing means 243 is not limited to a linear spring, and any elastic member such as an elastic sponge, rubber, a plate spring, or a torsion spring may be used.

The pressing body 223 may further include a moving body 223b, the switching device 245 may further include an integrally molded interlocking cam portion (i.e., a second cam portion) 248c, and the moving body 223b and the interlocking cam portion 248c are engaged and matched to form the interlocking device 244. The interlocking cam portion 248c includes a slope portion and a flat portion, and is provided at a position where the moving body 223b fixed to the inner side surface of the pressing body 223 comes into contact with each other, and when the switching device 245 applies a force to the holding device 222, the interlocking cam portion 248c fixedly connected to the switching device 245 can apply a force to the moving body 223b, and when the holding device 222 moves up and down with respect to the end fence body 200 by the switching device 245, the pressing body 223 also moves and/or rotates with respect to the end fence body 200 by the switching device 245.

The interlocking device 244 can switch between the following two states. The pressing body 223 is rotated and/or moved forward in the feeding direction of the recording medium S by the elastic force of the linear spring 243 of the pressing elastic member (see fig. 5(b)), and is pressed in this direction, and the pressing body 223 is rotated in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the recording medium S by the interlocking cam portion 248c, and is not pressed in the feeding direction of the recording medium S (see fig. 6 (b)). When the switching operation portion 248d is operated, the interlocking cam portion 248c is movable and/or rotatable between a pressing position (see fig. 5(b)) where the pressing body 223 applies pressure to the recording medium S and a non-pressing position (see fig. 6(b)) where the pressing body 223 does not apply pressure to the recording medium S.

In this way, by providing the interlocking device 244, the operation of switching to the pressurized state and the operation of switching to the position fixing state are interlocked; the switching to the non-pressurized state and the switching to the position fixation released state are also linked. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the positional relationship of the interlocking cam portion 248c of the interlocking device 244, the moving body 223b of the pressing body 223, the fixed switching cam portion 248a of the switching device 245, and the engaging portion of the holding device 222 can be accurately set, and the forward projecting pressing action of the pressing body 223 with respect to the end fence body 200 is performed later than the downward movement of the holding device 222 with respect to the end fence body 200 to fix the end fence body 200 to the supply cassette 101, that is, the position fixing action of the end fence 107 is performed earlier than the pressing action of the pressing body 223, so that the occurrence of the problem that the end fence moves in the opposite direction of the feeding direction of the recording medium S when the recording medium S is placed in the feeding device 30 and then the position of the end fence is ready to be fixed can be effectively prevented.

After a large number of recording media S are set in the feeding device 30, the switching operation portion 248d is pressed and the end stop is moved to a suitable position closest to the rear end of the recording media S in the feeding direction, and then the pressing of the switching operation portion 248d is stopped, and the end stop body 200 tends to return to the pressed state and the fixed position state of the end stop body 200 by the automatic return linear spring 246. In the reset process, the fixing operation of the end stop body 200 is started by the holding device 222, and then the pressure body 223 is reset to the state where the pressure body is pressurized to the recording medium S by the interlocking device 244 and the pressurizing device 243.

The relationship between the parameters of the end stop that implements the above-described operation sequence is described below with reference to fig. 9 and 10.

As shown in fig. 9, assuming that the displacement direction of the switching operation portion 248d is the x direction, the displacement direction of the movable body 223b of the pressure body 223 is the y direction, and the displacement direction of the slider 224 is the z direction, the angles and positional relationships of the planes and the inclined surfaces of the interlocking cam portion 248c, the fixed switching cam portion 248a, and the fixed holding portion 248b may be set as follows:

where X is the reset movement amount of the switching operation portion 248d, and X is 0 when the end stop body 200 shown in fig. 9 is in the non-pressurized state and the position fixation released state;

y is the displacement of the moving body 223b of the pressing body 223, and when the end stop body 200 shown in fig. 9 is in the non-pressing state and the position fixation released state, Y is 0;

z is the amount of engagement of the engaging portion 224c of the slider 224 and the engaging portion 110a of the frame 110 after the cartridge is supplied, and Z is minimum as in the state shown in fig. 9;

z < 0: when not engaged, the end stop 107 is released from its position,

and Z is 0: at the beginning of the engagement, the position fixing action of the end stop 107 is started,

z > 0: after meshing, the end baffle 107 is fixed, and the larger the Z is, the better the position fixing effect is, and the better the impact resistance is;

a distance in the Z direction from the tooth tip of the meshing section 224c of the slider 224 to the tooth tip of the meshing section 110a of the supply cassette when L1 is in the non-pressurized state and the position fixation released state X is 0;

a distance in the Z direction from the tooth root of the meshing portion 224c of the slider 224 to the tooth tip of the meshing portion 110a of the supply cassette when L2 is in the non-pressurized state and the position fixation released state X is 0;

l3 is the distance in the Y direction between the two flat portions connected by the inclined surfaces of the cam portion 248 c;

an amount of overlap in the X direction between the moving body 223b and the flat surface portion of the interlocking cam portion 248c when L4 is in the non-pressurized state and the position fixation released state X is 0;

θ 1 is an angle between the plane of the fixed switching cam portion 248a and the inclined plane;

θ 2 is an angle between the plane of the interlocking cam portion 248c and the inclined plane.

After the position and angle relationship is set by the above formula, the relationship between the position fixing operation and the pressurizing operation in the process of returning the end stop 107 is obtained, as shown in fig. 10, when the switching operation portion 248d is operated and then returned, and the end stop 107 is returned to the pressurizing state and the position fixing state by the automatic return linear spring 246, the position fixing operation of the end stop 107 is first started; then, the operation of pressurizing the recording medium S is started; then, the reset action is finished towards the position fixing state of the end baffle 107, and the end baffle 107 is completely fixed, namely, the position fixing state of the end baffle 107 is finished; finally, the operation of pressing the recording medium S is reset to end, and the end flap 107 is reset to full pressing, that is, the end flap 107 is in a pressed state. Thus, in the process of returning the end stop 107, even if the end stop 107 is subjected to the reaction from the pressing linear spring 243, the end stop 107 tends to move in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, but the end stop 107 is already fixed in position at this time. Therefore, the problem of the end stop body moving in the opposite direction to the feeding direction due to the start of the pressurization of the end stop body prior to the position fixing or both of them can be solved.

The above description of the present invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the actual use of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, when a user or an operator pulls out or inserts the feeding device 30 into the space 330 of the image forming apparatus 300, the feeding device 30 may be greatly impacted due to an unusual operation, carelessness, or violent pushing and pulling, and the end fence may be disengaged, and may move in the reverse direction of the feeding direction under pressure.

For example, as shown in fig. 4, when the recording medium S is stored in the feeding device 30 and the end stop is set at a theoretically correct position and fixed, and when the feeding device 30 containing a large amount of recording medium S is put into the main body of the image forming apparatus, the user or the operator inserts the feeding device 30 into the image forming apparatus at a high speed and with a large force, the feeding device 30 is momentarily stopped when it hits against a limit of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and at this time, the fixed end stop is impacted with a large force by the recording medium S, the fixed end stop also tends to move in the direction E, and the components of the end stop vibrate violently.

In general, in order to allow the end flap 107 to freely move in the feeding direction of the recording medium S in the feeding cassette, a certain gap is provided in the vertical direction between the end flap body 200 and the feeding cassette rear frame 110. In order to allow the fixed switching member 248 to move horizontally freely on the end stop body 200, a certain gap is provided between the fixed switching member 248 and the end stop body 200 in the vertical direction. In addition, in consideration of the workability of the parts, a certain gap is usually left between the parts. In this way, even when the end stop 107 is in a fixed position, the flat surface portion of the slide block 224b of the slider 224 and the flat surface portion of the fixed holding portion 248b are not in contact with each other but are in a state with a certain gap. That is, in the fixed state, the slider 224 also has a space for moving up and down in the engaging direction. When the end stop 107 is impacted, the engaging portion 224c of the slider 224 may move in a direction away from the engagement, and the amount of engagement between the slider 224 and the rear frame 110 of the feeder 30 decreases, which may cause the engaging portion 224c to disengage from the engaging portion 110a of the feeder and cause the two to become disengaged. That is, the end stop may be moved to the position fixation released state by the impact. The strength of the positional fixation of the fixed end stop body 200 caused by the engagement of the slide body 224 and the rear frame body 110 of the feeding device 30 is reduced, which means that the impact resistance of the end stop 107 is reduced. Therefore, the end stop in the released position may move in the opposite direction to the feeding direction (i.e., direction E) by the impact of the recording medium S.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a pressing means is provided on the aforementioned end stop body 200, for example, a protrusion 260 is provided on a flat portion of the fixed holder 248b, as shown in fig. 8 (a). The protrusion 260 may be integrated with the fixed switching body 248. The protrusion 260 as the pressing means faces the inclined surface of the slide block 224b of the slide body 224, and when the end stop 107 is in the position-fixed state, the protrusion 260 and the inclined surface of the slide block 224b of the slide body 224 are in interference fit, providing downward pressure thereto.

Since the projection 260 and the inclined surface of the slide block 224b of the slider 224 have a certain interference fit, even when the flat surface portion of the slide block 224b of the slider 224 and the flat surface portion of the fixed holding portion 248b are not in contact with each other in a fixed position, the slider 224 is pressed and moved in the direction of engagement by the interference fit therebetween, and the amount of engagement between the slider 224 and the rear frame body 110 is increased, thereby ensuring that the amount of engagement is not reduced and is at the maximum of the target maximum amount of engagement. This improves the resistance of the end stop 107 to the impact of the recording medium S, and as shown in fig. 8(b), the end stop 107 is effectively prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, so that the pressure body 223 can continuously apply a force obliquely upward in the feeding direction (direction C in fig. 8 (b)).

The projection 260 is provided on the flat surface portion of the fixed holding portion 248b of the fixed switching body 248, that is, the operation of pressing the slider 224 of the holding device 222 is performed after the position of the end stop body 200 is fixed. This ensures that the reset of the fixed switching body 248, that is, the position fixing reset and the pressurized state reset of the end stop body 200 are not affected during the reset of the fixed switching body 248 by the automatic resetting device 246. The position fixing and pressing operation of the end stop body 200 can be smoothly performed.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the pressing means may be implemented by disposing a linear spring between the sliding body 224 and the end stop body 200, but the number of parts is increased and the linear spring also occupies a certain space. In contrast, in the mode in which the projection 260 is provided, the projection 260 and the fixed switching body 248 can be integrally molded, and the number of components can be reduced, thereby saving cost, space, and downsizing of the end shield.

With the above-described apparatus, the switching operation portion 248d of the fixed switching body 248 is pressed, the fixed switching body 248 moves horizontally, the contact position of the interlocking cam portion 248c of the fixed switching body 248 and the moving body 223b of the pressing body 223 changes, and the pressing body 223 rotates to the non-pressing position where it does not protrude forward in the feeding of the recording medium S and does not apply pressure to the recording medium S, as shown in fig. 6; the engagement between the engagement portion 224c of the slider 224 and the engagement portion 110a of the rear frame 110 of the supply cassette is released, the position of the end shutter body 200 is released, and the end shutter body 200 can move freely in the recording medium S feeding direction. Further, the switching operation portion 248d is stopped from being pressed, the fixed switching body 248 is moved outward by the automatic returning device 246, and first, the engagement portion 224c of the slider 224 and the engagement portion 110a of the rear frame body 110 of the supply cassette start to be engaged by the switching device 245, the position of the end fence body 200 is fixed, and the position fixing and holding operation starts; then, under the action of the interlocking device 244, the pressing body 223 is acted by the pressing device 243, and the action of automatically rotating from the non-pressing state to the pressing state is restarted; finally, the clearance is reduced by the protrusion 260, and the engagement amount is maximized. In this way, the positional fixation of the end fence body 200 is ensured to be smoothly performed, and the end fence 107 is prevented from moving in the opposite direction to the feeding direction.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the use of the technical solution of the present invention is not limited to the applications mentioned in the embodiments of the patent, and various structures and modifications can be easily implemented with reference to the technical solution of the present invention to achieve various advantageous effects mentioned herein. Variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.