JP2001072271A - Automatic paper feed device and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dropping of a sheet by means of an automatic paper feed device which holds a sheet in an upright condition, and to reduce back- tension. SOLUTION: In such a separating system that a separating pad 241 is made into press contact with a round paper feed roller 28 so as to separate a sheet therebetween, the separating pad 241 is spaced from the paper feed roller 28 after the separation of the sheet, and a rotary roller 251 is arranged so that the separating pad 241 which has been spaced, is made into press contact with or is spaced therefrom. With this arrangement, satisfactory accuracy of conveyance can be obtained while only a small back-tension is exerted to the sheet, and dropping of the sheet can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for separating and feeding sheets one by one in a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like, and a recording apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in recording devices such as printers, copiers and facsimile machines, in addition to plain paper, thick paper such as postcards and envelopes and special sheets such as plastic thin plates are used as sheets. Are manually inserted one by one or automatically and continuously fed by an automatic paper feeder.

As one of the constructions of the automatic paper feeder, there is a separation method using a separation pad. For example, a construction as shown in FIG. 18 is known in the art. In brief, the separation pad 241 and the pressure plate 21 are urged against a paper feed roller rubber 282 attached to the paper feed roller 28 at a predetermined pressure. The separation pad spring 242 and the pressure plate spring 212 generate this urging force. The recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet) P stacked on the pressure plate 21 is fed by the paper feed roller 28 and separated by the separation pad 241.

At the time of the separating operation, the sheet P2 may be fed together with the sheet P1 by the action of static electricity and frictional force on the next sheet P2 with respect to the top sheet P1, but the sheet P2 may be fed. , Separation pad 24
After the first operation, the sheet P1 is separated from the sheet P1, and only the uppermost sheet P1 is fed.

[0005] First, the sheet P2 is separated from the sheet P1 by its tip abutting against the separation pad 241, thereby inhibiting its movement. Next, the frictional force between the sheet feeding roller rubber 282 and the sheet P1 is represented by f1, and the sheet P2
The friction force between the sheet P1 and the separation pad 241 is f2, and the sheet P1
Assuming that the frictional force between the sheet P2 and the sheet P2 is f3, f1> f
2> f3 so that the relationship of f> 3 is satisfied.
2 and the separation pad 241, the movement of the sheet P2 is hindered by the frictional force between the separation pad 241 and the sheet P2 is separated from the sheet P1, and only the uppermost sheet P1 is fed. Becomes

However, in the above configuration, while the sheet P is being conveyed by the conveying means of the recording apparatus, the rear end of the sheet P is sandwiched between the sheet feeding roller 28, the separation pad 241 and the pressure plate 21, and the sheet feeding roller 28 Is not driven, the back tension is large, and the conveyance accuracy of the sheet P is reduced. In addition, there is a possibility that the configuration of the transporting means may be complicated to cope with the back tension.

Further, it is possible to reduce the back tension by separating the pressure plate 21 and the separation pad 241 from the paper feed roller 28 after the paper is fed. However, in order to reduce the installation area, an automatic paper feeder is required. In the upright configuration, the sheet P falls, and the sheet bundle cannot be stacked and held on the pressure plate 21.

In view of the above, there is proposed a technique for reducing the back tension while stacking and holding sheets even in the configuration in which the automatic sheet feeding device is set up as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-007272. This uses a roughly D-shaped paper feed roller in side view to separate the pressure plate and the separation pad from the paper feed roller. At that time, the idle roller is applied to the separation pad with a pressure smaller than the contact pressure between the separation pad and the paper feed roller. The contact prevents the sheet from dropping and reduces the back tension.

[0009]

However, the automatic paper feeder proposed in the above-mentioned conventional Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-007272 has the following problems. (1) Since the paper feed roller is a substantially D-shaped roller when viewed from the side, the roller diameter of the paper feed roller is increased in order to secure a transport length to the transport unit of the recording apparatus, resulting in an increase in cost. Further, the size of the automatic sheet feeding device and the recording device increases, and the configuration is restricted. In addition, when the roller diameter is increased,
The transport length of the sheet to the transport roller is increased, and the throughput is reduced. (2) Further, since the feeding roller is a substantially D-shaped roller in side view, the conveyance length as the feeding roller is determined, and is common to a case where the conveyance length to the conveyance unit of the recording apparatus is different for a plurality of recording apparatuses. It is hard to turn. Furthermore, the paper feed roller is roughly D
When the paper feed operation is completed by one rotation of the mold roller,
It is necessary to secure a margin for the transport length, and at that time, a sheet return operation is performed, which causes a reduction in printing speed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic sheet feeding apparatus capable of stacking and holding sheets and reducing back tension even in an upright automatic sheet feeding apparatus. A paper device is provided.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a feed rotator for feeding a sheet, sheet stacking means for supporting a sheet and for urging the feed rotator, A separation pad that is urged and separates the sheets sent by the feeding rotator one by one, wherein the separation pad is supported so as to be separated from the feeding rotator, and the separation is performed. A rotatable rotary roller biased toward the pad is provided.

The contact position between the rotary roller and the separation pad is substantially the same as the contact position between the feeding rotary member and the separation pad in a side view.

The sheet stacking means is provided so as to be able to be separated from the feeding rotating body with the separation of the separation pad.

[0014] The pressure contact force between the rotary roller and the separation pad is set smaller than the pressure contact force between the feeding rotating body and the separation pad.

The rotating roller is mounted on a rotating roller holder that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the separation surface of the separation pad, and the rotating roller holder is urged by a spring so that the rotating roller presses against the separation pad. It is characterized by having.

The rotary roller is provided so as to be able to be separated from the separation pad.

[0017] The present invention is characterized in that a regulating means for regulating a separation of a predetermined amount or more is provided in a direction in which the rotating roller is separated from the separation pad.

A solenoid is connected to the rotary roller holder, and the rotary roller is moved by the solenoid to separate the rotary roller from the separation pad.

When the feeding rotary member and the separation pad are in contact with each other and the sheet is fed, the rotating roller and the separation pad are separated from each other, and the feeding rotary member and the separation pad are separated from each other. The rotary roller and the separation pad are separated from each other immediately before contact, and the rotary roller and the separation pad are configured to contact each other immediately before the feed rotator is separated from the separation pad.

[0020] A return means is provided for returning the next sheet entering the separation pad to the stacking position of the sheet stacking means.

When the return means operates on the seat,
The rotating roller is separated from the separation pad.

The return means is operated by a driving force from a driving source of the feeding rotating body, and the driving force is changed by a driving switching mechanism provided in a driving transmitting mechanism between the driving source and the feeding rotating body. The selected enemy is transmitted to one of the feed rotator and the return means.

The switching mechanism has a planetary gear, and a solenoid for selectively moving the planetary gear between the gear on the feed rotating body side and the gear on the return means side. .

A feed rotator for feeding a sheet, sheet stacking means for supporting the sheet and biasing the feed rotator, and a sheet rotator biased by the feed rotator to be fed by the feed rotator. A separation pad for separating the fed sheets one by one,
Wherein the separation pad is supported so as to be able to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and a rotation roller which is integrally rotatable with the separation pad is provided so as to face the separation pad. .

When the rotary roller moves in accordance with the separation movement of the separation pad, the rotary roller moves between a projecting position projecting outside the outer periphery of the feeding rotating body in a side view and a retracting position not projecting. It is characterized by doing.

When the sheet is separated and fed by the contact between the feeding rotating body and the separation pad, the rotating roller is at the retreat position, and immediately before the feeding rotating body and the separation pad come into contact with each other. The rotating roller is retracted, and the rotating roller is configured to protrude immediately after the feeding rotating body and the separation pad are separated from each other.

[0027] A gap is provided between the rotary roller and the separation pad so that at least one sheet can pass therethrough in a side view.

[0028] The rotary roller is rotatably supported by a shaft provided integrally with a separation pad holder holding the separation pad.

At the downstream side of the separation pad in the sheet feeding direction, a regulating means for regulating the leading end of the next sheet inserted between the rotary feeding means and the separation pad separated therefrom is provided. It is characterized by having.

The restricting means is located at a retracted position below the separation pad when the separation pad is in pressure contact with the rotary feeding means, and when the separation pad is separated from the rotary feeding means. It is characterized in that it is located at a position protruding above the separation pad.

Immediately before the feed rotator and the separation pad come into contact with each other, the restricting means is located at the retreat position. Immediately after the feed rotator and the separation pad are separated from each other, the restricting means projects the protrusion. It is characterized by being located at a position.

[0032] The feed rotary member is a round roller having an arc portion on the entire circumference.

A plurality of the feeding rotating bodies are arranged coaxially, and at least one of the plurality of feeding rotating bodies is movable in the width direction of the sheet.

The sheet stacking means is provided so as to be able to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and before the sheet stacking means contacts the feeding rotating body, the feeding rotating body and the separation pad come into contact with each other, and The feeding rotator is separated from the separation pad after the means is separated from the feeding rotator.

[0035] A return means is provided for returning the next sheet entering the separation pad to the stacking position of the sheet stacking means.

The return means is operated by a driving force from a driving source of the feeding rotating body, and the driving force is changed by a driving switching mechanism provided in a driving transmitting mechanism between the driving source and the feeding rotating body. The selected enemy is transmitted to one of the feed rotator and the return means.

The switching mechanism has a planetary gear, and a solenoid for selectively moving the planetary gear between the gear on the feed rotating body side and the gear on the return means side. .

The sheet loading angle of the sheet loading means is 30 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0039]

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The recording device 1
It comprises an automatic paper feeder 2, a paper feed unit 3, a paper discharge unit 4, a carriage unit 5, and a cleaning unit 6. Therefore, these are divided into items and outlines are sequentially described. FIG.
2 is a front view of the recording apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a side view of the recording apparatus 1, and FIG.

(A) Sheet Feeding Unit As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sheet feeding unit 2 includes a pressure plate 21 serving as a sheet stacking unit for stacking the sheets P and a sheet feeding unit serving as a feeding rotating body for feeding the sheets P. The paper roller 28 is configured to be attached to the base 20. Reference numeral 201 denotes a paper feed tray that supports stacked sheets. A movable side guide 23 is movably provided on the pressure plate 21 to regulate the stacking position of the sheets P. The pressure plate 21 is the base 20
The platen spring 21 is rotatable about a rotation axis connected to the
2 urges the paper feed roller 28. Paper feed roller 28
Separation sheets 213 and 234 made of a material having a large friction coefficient, such as artificial skin, for preventing double feeding of the sheet P are provided at the portions of the pressure plate 21 and the movable side guide 23 facing each other.

Further, a separation pad holder 24 having a separation pad 241 for separating the sheets P one by one is rotatable on the base 20 around a rotation axis connected to the base 20. It is urged by the paper feed roller 28. The rotating roller holder 25 with the rotating roller 251 attached to the separation pad holder 24 is urged by a rotating roller spring 252 to the separation pad 241 at a predetermined pressure.

As shown in FIG. 2, a release cam gear 299 for releasing the contact between the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28 is provided. When the release cam gear 299 rotates, the cam 299a provided integrally pushes down the cam follower 21a provided integrally with the pressure plate 21, thereby pushing down the pressure plate 21 against the urging force of the pressure plate spring 212. When the pressure plate 21 is lowered to a predetermined position, the pressure plate 21 engages with the separation pad holder 24, and the separation pad 241 can be separated from the paper feed roller 28 by lowering the separation pad holder 24.

In the above configuration, in the standby state shown in FIG. 3, the release cam gear 299 pushes the pressure plate 21 down to a predetermined position. Thereby, the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28
And the contact between the separation pad 241 and the paper feed roller 28 has been released. In this state, the driving force of the transport roller 36 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 28 by the input gear 291, idler gears 292, 293, and paper feed roller gear 294 shown in FIG.
5, transmitted to the release cam gear 299 by the planetary gear 298. When the drive is transmitted, the release cam gear 29
Since the cam 299a of No. 9 is separated from the pressure plate 21, the pressure plate 21 rises, the sheet P is brought into contact with the sheet feeding roller 28, and the sheet P is picked up by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 28 to start sheet feeding. The sheets are separated one by one and sent to the sheet feeding unit 3.

When the sheet P is sent to the sheet feeding section 3, the sheet feeding roller 28, the pressure plate 21, and the separation pad 241 are released again by the release cam gear 299. Further, when the printing of the sheet P is completed and the sheet discharging operation is completed, the return lever 26 acts on the sheet P that has entered the separation pad 241 to return the sheet to the stacked position on the pressure plate 21.

(B) Paper Feeding Unit The paper feeding unit 3 is attached to a chassis 8 made of a bent sheet metal. The paper feeding section 3 has a transport roller 36 for transporting the sheet P and a PE sensor 32. The transport roller 36 has a configuration in which an elastic body such as rubber is wound around the surface of a metal shaft. The metal portions of both shafts are received by a conductive bearing 38 (FIG. 1) and attached to the chassis 8. The transport roller 36 is provided with a transport roller tension spring 381 between the bearing 38 and the transport roller 36 to apply a load during rotation and perform stable transport, and biases the transport roller 36 to apply a predetermined load. Have given.

A plurality of driven pinch rollers 37 are provided in contact with the transport roller 36. Pinch roller 3
Reference numeral 7 is held by a pinch roller guide 30 and is urged by a pinch roller spring 31 so that a pinch roller 37 is pressed against a transport roller 36 to generate a transport force for the sheet P. The pinch roller 37 is not configured to cover the entire area of the sheet P, but is divided so as to cover only a predetermined area.

Therefore, the portion without the pinch roller 37 is provided with the pinch roller guide 30 to prevent the sheet P from floating. At this time, the rotating shaft of the pinch roller guide 30 is attached to the bearing of the upper guide 33, and rotates around the bearing. An upper guide 33 for guiding the sheet P and a platen 3 are provided at the entrance of the sheet feeding section 3 to which the sheet P is conveyed.
4 are provided.

The upper guide 33 has a leading end of the sheet P,
A PE sensor lever 35 for transmitting the rear end detection to the PE sensor 32 is provided.

A recording head 7 for forming an image based on image information is provided downstream of the conveying roller 36 in the sheet conveying direction. On the paper reference side of the platen 34, a paper holder (not shown) that covers the end of the sheet P is provided. As a result, even in the sheet P whose end is deformed or curled, the end rises and the carriage 5
0 or does not interfere with the recording head 7.

In the above configuration, the sheet P sent to the sheet feeding section 3 is guided by the platen 34, the pinch roller guide 30 and the upper guide 33, and is sent to a pair of transport rollers 36 and a pinch roller 37. At this time, PE sensor
32 detects the leading end of the conveyed sheet P, and thereby obtains the print position of the sheet P. The sheet P is conveyed on the platen 34 by the rotation of the roller pairs 36 and 37 by the LF motor 88.

The recording head 7 employs an easily replaceable ink jet recording head integrally formed with the ink tank. The recording head 7 can apply heat to the ink by a heater or the like. Then, the ink causes film boiling due to the heat, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 7 by a pressure change caused by the growth or shrinkage of bubbles due to the film boiling, and an image is formed on the sheet P.

(C) Carriage section The carriage section 5 has a carriage 50 on which the recording head 7 is mounted. The carriage 50 holds a guide shaft 81 for reciprocating scanning in a direction perpendicular to the sheet P conveyance direction and a guide rail 8 for holding a rear end of the carriage 50 and maintaining a gap between the recording head 7 and the sheet P.
2 supported. Note that these guide shafts 81
Is attached to the chassis 8.

The guide rail 82 is formed integrally with the chassis 8. As described above, the configuration in which the guide rail 82 is formed integrally with the chassis 8 reduces the number of components and the number of mounting steps, thereby reducing costs.
In addition, since the rigidity of the chassis 8 is increased by bending the guide rail 82, the strength reliability is improved. further,
When the conventional strength is sufficient, the thickness of the sheet metal forming the chassis 8 can be reduced, so that the cost is further reduced.

The carriage 50 is driven via a timing belt 83 by a carriage motor 80 attached to the chassis 8. This timing belt 8
3 is stretched and supported by an idle pulley 84. Further, the carriage 50 includes a flexible board 56 for transmitting a head signal from the electric board 9 to the recording head 7.

In the above configuration, when an image is formed on the sheet P, the roller pairs 36 and 37 convey the sheet P to the line position (position in the conveying direction of the sheet P) where the image is formed, and the carriage motor 80 moves the carriage 50. The recording head 7 is moved to a row position where the image is formed (a position perpendicular to the sheet P conveying direction), and the recording head 7 is opposed to the image forming position.
Thereafter, the recording head 7 ejects ink toward the sheet P in response to a signal from the electric substrate 9 to form an image.

(D) Paper Discharge Portion The paper discharge portion 4 is provided such that the transmission roller 40 comes into contact with the transport roller 36, and the transmission roller 40 comes into contact with the paper discharge roller 41. Therefore, the driving force of the transport roller 36 is transmitted to the discharge roller 41 via the transmission roller 40. Further, a spur 42 is in contact with the paper discharge roller 41 so that the spur 42 can rotate following the paper discharge roller 41.

The spur 42 is attached to an integral spur stay 341 provided on the platen 34. By providing the spur stay 341 integrally with the platen 34 in this way, the dimensions of the spur 42 and the paper discharge roller 41 can be managed in the same part, so that the dimensional relationship can be stably maintained.

The spur stay 341 is partially notched so that the carriage 50 can be replaced when the head 7 is replaced.
Moves to this position, and a space for operating the hook lever 53 for attaching and detaching the head 7 is secured.

With the above configuration, the sheet P on which an image has been formed by the carriage unit 5 is transferred to the discharge roller 41 and the spur 4
2 and is conveyed and discharged to a discharge tray (not shown).

(E) Cleaning Unit The cleaning unit 6 includes a pump for cleaning the recording head 7, a cap for suppressing drying of the recording head 7, and a driving force from the conveying roller 36 and the automatic paper feeder 2 and the pump. The drive switching arm 62 is configured to switch between the two. When the drive switching arm 62 is not used for paper feeding and cleaning, the planetary gear 63 that rotates around the axis of the transport roller 36 is fixed at a predetermined position, so that the driving force is transmitted to the automatic paper feeding device 2 and the pump. Not done.

When the drive switch arm 62 is switched by the movement of the carriage 50, the planetary gear 63 becomes free. Therefore, the planetary gear 63 moves in accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the transport roller 36, and the transport roller 36 moves forward. The driving force is transmitted to the automatic sheet feeding device 2 when the rotation is reversed, and the driving force is transmitted to the pump 60 when the rotation is reversed. However,
When driving is transmitted to the automatic paper feeder 2, the planetary gear is held at a position acting on the input gear 291, so that forward and reverse rotation can be transmitted.

Next, the details of the main parts of the automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a recording apparatus having an automatic paper feeder, FIG. 2 is a side view of the recording apparatus having an automatic paper feeder,
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of a recording apparatus having an automatic paper feeder, FIG. 4 is a front view of the automatic paper feeder, FIG. 5 is a side view of the automatic paper feeder, FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet feeding operation of the automatic sheet feeding device, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a drive switching operation of the automatic sheet feeding device.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the automatic paper feeder 2 has a base 20 to which components are attached to form an integrated unit. 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the device body
The base 20 which is inclined at an angle is provided.

The automatic sheet feeder 2 includes a pressure plate 21 for stacking the sheets P, a sheet feeding roller 28 for separating and feeding the sheets P, a separation base 22 and a separation pad holder 24, which will be described later in detail.
A pressure plate spring 212, a separation plate spring 242, a rotating roller 251,
A paper feed roller unit including a return lever 26 and the like is configured to be symmetrically attached to the base 20. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus is of a one-side reference type, and the reference position of the sheet P is the same even if the paper size is different, and the left end of the sheet P is on the reference side. Base 2
In 0, a paper edge reference 202 serving as a reference is formed.

The paper feed roller 28 is substantially circular in side view. For example, a hardness of 20
A paper feed roller rubber 282 made of a high friction material such as EPDM rubber of about 40 ° (A scale) is attached.
Two paper feed rollers 28 are provided on the left and right sides, and the paper feed roller 28 on the paper end reference side is configured to be fixed to the paper feed roller shaft 281. The paper feed roller 28 on the opposite side is movable in accordance with the paper size, is formed separately from the paper feed roller shaft 281, and can slide in the direction of the paper feed roller shaft 281.

The feed roller shaft 281 is provided with a groove 283 in the axial direction.
83 are provided, and the groove 2
The driving force from the paper feed roller shaft 281 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 28 by the 83 and the convex portion 284.

A movable side guide 23 is movably provided on the pressure plate 21 to regulate the stacking position of the sheets P. The movable side guide 23 is extended toward the paper feed roller 28 and has a paper feed roller contact portion. The pressure plate 21 is rotatable about a rotation shaft connected to the base 20, and two pressure plate springs 21 provided at positions substantially corresponding to the paper feed roller 28.
2 urges the paper feed roller 28. Pressure plate spring 212
Are stored in the separation base 22. In the portion of the pressure plate 21 and the movable side guide 23 facing the paper feed roller 28,
Separation sheets 213 and 234 made of a material having a large coefficient of friction such as an artificial skin for preventing double feeding of the sheet P are provided.

The separation base 22 is provided with a separation pad holder 24 to which a separation pad 241 for separating sheets P one by one is attached. The separation pad holder 24 is rotatable around a rotation shaft connected to the separation base 22. Urges the paper feed roller 28. The separation pad 241 is made of a material (for example, a material such as cork) whose friction coefficient with respect to the sheet P is smaller than the friction coefficient of the paper feed roller rubber 282. Each of the friction coefficients is made of a material having a friction coefficient larger than the friction coefficient between sheets. That is, if the friction coefficient between the paper feed roller rubber 282 and the sheet P is μ1, the friction coefficient between the separation pad 241 and the paper is μ2, and the friction coefficient between the sheets P is μ3, μ
1>μ2> μ3. A separation pad spring 242 for urging the separation pad 241 against the paper feed roller 28 is attached to the separation base 22.

The separation roller holder 24 has a rotating roller 251
Is provided with a rotating roller holder 25 rotatably mounted. The rotating roller holder 25 is configured such that the rotating roller 251 urges the separation pad 241 with a predetermined pressure by a rotating roller spring 252. The frictional force f4 between the sheet P and the separation pad 241 due to the urging force of the rotating roller 251 is set so that the back tension is small enough to have little effect on the conveyance accuracy, and the sheet P can be prevented from dropping. Generally, the separation pad 241 and the paper feed roller 2
The urging force between the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 241 is set to be smaller than the contact force of No. 8.

The contact position between the rotary roller 251 and the separation pad 241 is determined by the side view of the paper feed roller rubber 282 and the separation pad 24.
1 is substantially the same as the contact position. The rotating roller holder 25 separates the separating pad holder 2 from the separating pad 241 so that the rotating roller 251 does not separate from the separating pad 241 by a predetermined amount or more.
The movement is regulated by regulating ribs 256 provided on the fourth member 4. By providing the regulating rib 256, even if the rotating roller 251 is lifted from the separation pad 241 due to the rigidity of the cardboard or the like, the rotating roller 251 can be regulated at a predetermined position, so that the rotating roller 251 enters the inside of the paper feed roller rubber 282, The sheet P and the sheet feeding roller rubber 282 and the like do not come into contact with each other, and no large back tension occurs.

A return lever 26 is provided inside the left and right paper feed rollers 28 for returning the sheet P that has entered the separation pad 241 to the stacked position on the pressure plate 21. It is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis connected to the separation base 22. The return lever cam 261 acts on the return lever 26 to rotate it. The drive of the return lever cam 261 is transmitted by a return lever cam shaft 262.

The paper feed roller 28 is symmetrical. The difference is that the paper feed roller unit on the non-paper end reference side is connected to the movable side guide 23 to which the pressure plate 21 is attached, and is configured to be slidable in the left-right direction. When the movable side guide 23 is moved according to the paper size, the paper feed roller 28 is also moved to a predetermined position following the movement. Therefore, the sheet feeding performance of the sheet P and the left-right balance of the back tension can be improved, and skewing and the like can be reduced.

A release cam gear 299 for releasing the contact between the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28 is provided. And
When the pressure plate 21 is lowered to a predetermined position, the separation pad holder pressing portion 214 of the pressure plate 21 acts on the separation pad holder 24, and by lowering the separation pad holder 24, the separation pad 2
41 can be separated from the paper feed roller 28. In this case, the sheet feeding roller 28 and the separation pad 214 abut before the pressure plate 21 and the sheet feeding roller 28 abut, and after the pressure plate 21 and the sheet feeding roller 28 are separated, the sheet feeding roller 28 and the separation pad 214 are separated. It is configured as follows.

The drive from the transport roller 36 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 28 in the forward and reverse rotations. The drive is paper feed roller 2
8 is directly transmitted to the sheet feeding roller gear 294 directly connected to the sheet feeding roller 8, so that the sheet feeding roller 28 can rotate forward and backward. The drive transmission after the paper feed roller gear 294 is configured so that connection or disconnection can be selected. FIG. 5 shows the drive switching mechanism 27, and FIG. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of the drive switching operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, the planetary gear 298 is supported by a planetary gear arm 274, and the planetary gear arm 274 has a restriction groove into which the solenoid pin 273 of the solenoid 271 is fitted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the sheet feeding roller 2
The drive transmitted to 8 is transmitted to the planetary gear 298. Normally, a solenoid pin 273 that regulates the position of the planetary gear 298 acts on the regulating groove of the planetary gear arm 274 to which the planetary gear 298 is attached, and the position of the planetary gear 298 is regulated, so that the paper feed roller 28 rotates forward and reverse. However, the drive is not transmitted to other parts.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the solenoid 271 is operated, the solenoid pin 273 is moved by an arrow.
When released in the direction C, the position of the planetary gear 298 is released. When the feed roller 28 rotates forward, the planetary gear arm 274
Moves in the direction of arrow A, the planet gear 298 meshes with the release cam gear 299, and the release cam gear 299 is rotated to release or release the pressure plate 21.
8 and can be biased.

As shown in FIG. 8C, when the paper feed roller 28 rotates in the reverse direction, the planet gear 298 moves in the direction of arrow B, and meshes with the return lever drive input gear 297. The transmitted drive is transmitted to the return lever cam gear 296, the return lever cam shaft 262, and the return lever cam 261 to rotate the return lever 26. When the action of the solenoid 271 is released, the solenoid pin 273 enters the cam portion 275 formed toward the regulating groove of the planetary gear arm 274 to which the planetary gear 298 is attached by the urging force of the solenoid spring 272, so that the solenoid pin 273 enters the predetermined regulation. The planetary gear can be held in position.

Next, the operation of the above-described automatic paper feeder will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet feeding operation.

In the above configuration, in the initial state shown in FIG. 7A, the release cam 299 pushes the pressure plate 21 down to a predetermined position. Thus, the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28 are separated. The separation pad holder 24 is acted on by the separation pad holder pressing portion 214 of the pressure plate 21, and the separation pad 241 is also separated from the paper feed roller 28. Here, the rotating roller 251 presses the separation pad 24 at a predetermined pressure.
It is energizing to 1. The return lever 26 finishes the return operation and is located in a state of being retracted from the sheet P conveyance path.

When the paper feed operation is started, the driving force of the transport roller 36 is transmitted in this state by the gear trains 291 to 294 in the direction in which the paper feed roller 28 is normally rotated. At this time, if the solenoid pin 273 is released by operating the solenoid 271 as shown in FIG. 8B, the position of the planetary gear arm 274 is released. When the paper feed roller 28 rotates forward, the planetary gear 298 moves to the release cam gear 299.
Meshing and transmitting drive.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the release cam gear 299 rotates and separates from the pressure plate 21, so that the pressure plate 21 starts to rise. At this time, the separation pad holder 2 on which the separation pad holder pressing portion 214 of the pressure plate 21 was acting.
Since the four-position regulation is released, the ascent starts. By setting the operation stroke, the paper feed roller 28 and the separation pad 241 are brought into contact before the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the sheet P loaded by the movement of the pressure plate 21
The separation pad 241 and the paper feed roller 28
Are in contact with each other first, so that the sheet P is prevented from entering before the separation pad 241.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the paper feed roller 28 and the pressure plate 21 are also in contact with each other. Then, the sheet P is picked up by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 28 and starts sheet feeding. Here, when the operation of the solenoid 271 is released, the solenoid pin 273 is moved to the solenoid pin spring 27.
The cam portion 2 formed toward the regulating groove of the planetary gear arm 274 to which the planetary gear 298 is attached by the biasing force of
8A, the planetary gear 298 can be held at a predetermined restriction position as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the paper feed roller 28 is rotated forward thereafter, the release cam remains stopped, and the paper feed roller 2
8 can be kept in contact with the pressure plate 21.

Since the frictional relationship between the sheet feeding roller 28, the separation pad 241, and the sheet is as described above, only the uppermost sheet P is fed, and the sheets subsequent thereto are not fed. The sheets P separated one by one are sent to the paper feeding unit 3. The tip is detected by the PE sensor 32, fed by a predetermined amount, and nipped by the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. Here, as shown in FIG.
71, the release cam gear 299 acts on the pressure plate 21, and the pressure plate 21 and the separation pad 241
Keep away from As shown in FIG. 7D, since the sheet supply roller 28 and the separation pad 241 are separated after the pressure plate 21 and the sheet supply roller 28 are separated from each other, even if the stacked sheets P become unstable due to the movement of the pressure plate 21. Since the separation pad 241 is in contact with the paper feed roller 28, the sheet P is prevented from entering before the separation pad. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation of the solenoid 271 is released again, and the planetary gear 298 is held at a predetermined position. In this state, the driving force from the transport roller 36 is cut off.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 7E, the frictional force f4 between the sheet P and the separation pad 241 generated by the urging force of the rotating roller 251 causes the sheet P to be conveyed and printed to have little effect on the conveyance accuracy. Since the back tension is set to a certain level and the sheet P is set so as to be able to prevent the sheet P from dropping, it is possible to obtain good conveyance accuracy without the influence of the back tension and prevent the sheet P from entering.

Further, the contact position between the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 241 is determined by the feeding roller 28 and the separation pad 2.
By being substantially the same as the contact position of side 41 in side view,
It is possible to achieve both prevention of the sheet P from entering the separation pad 241 and prevention of the double feed in which the next sheet P is also fed during separation and feeding.

Sheet conveyed and printed by conveyance roller 36
After the trailing edge of P has passed through the PE sensor 32 and printing and discharging have been completed, as shown in FIG.
To act on the sheet P remaining on the separation pad 241.
To the loading position. As shown in FIG.
71 to release the position regulation of the planetary gear 298,
The reverse rotation drive is transmitted to the feed roller 28. Paper feed roller 28
Is reversed, the drive is transmitted to the return lever action cam 261 to operate the return lever 26.

At this time, the sheet P remaining on the separation pad 241 is returned to the stacking position. Then, when the return claw action cam 261 further rotates and does not act on the return lever 26, the return lever 26 is configured to return to the initial position in FIG. 7A by its own weight. by this,
The function of preventing the sheet P from entering the separation pad 241 and thereafter can be further improved.

Thus, a series of sheet feeding operations is completed. When the next sheet P is fed, the above operation is repeated again.

With this configuration, even when the paper feed roller 28 of a round roller is used in the upright automatic paper feeder configuration, the back tension can be reduced while stacking and holding the sheets P.

<Embodiment 2> In the above-described embodiment, the rotating roller 251 is always urged against the separation pad 241, but the sheet feeding roller 28 and the separation pad 241 abut to perform sheet feeding. And when the return lever 26 acts on the sheet P and returns to the stacking position,
May be separated from the separation pad 241.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the feed roller unit is provided with a solenoid 254 and is connected to the rotary roller holder 25. When the solenoid 254 operates, the rotary roller holder 25 moves up and stops at a predetermined position. In this state, the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 241 are separated.

With the above structure, when the sheet P is fed while the sheet feed roller 28 and the separation pad 241 are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. The separation pad 241 is in a separated state, and the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 241 are separated immediately before the paper feed roller 28 and the separation pad 241 are in contact with each other, and the solenoid 25 is separated immediately before the paper feed roller and the separation pad are separated.
4 is released, and as shown in FIG. 10D, control is performed so that the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 241 contact each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), when the return lever 26 starts rotating to return to the sheet P, the solenoid 254 operates, and the separation pad 241 is actuated.
Is separated from the rotary roller 251.

According to the above configuration, since the rotating roller 251 does not become a resistance while the sheet P is being fed by the sheet feeding roller 28, the sheet can be fed smoothly. Further, since the return operation by the return lever 26 is not hindered by the urging of the rotary roller 251, the return operation can be performed smoothly without damaging the sheet P.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

<Embodiment 3> In the above-described embodiment, the rotating roller 251 having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the paper feed roller 28 is used. A rotating roller 253 may be used. Further, the return lever 26 is located at a position retracted from the transport path of the sheet P at the initial position, but may be held at a position where the transport path is shut off.

The rotating roller 253 is configured to be smaller than the sheet feeding roller 28 by a radius of about 1 to 3 mm, and
5 is attached. A feed roller shaft 281 passes through the centers of the rotating roller 253 and the rotating roller holder 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, the return lever 26 is held at the initial position where the transport path is interrupted. The return lever 26 is urged by a return lever spring 263 in a direction to retract from the transport path. First, as shown in FIG. 11B, the solenoid 271 is actuated,
The return lever cam 261 is operated, and the return lever 26 is retracted from the transport path. FIGS. 11C to 11F
Until the sheet is fed and printed, the sheet is held against the stopper 264 at a position retracted from the transport path. After the paper feeding and printing are completed, the return lever 26 is held by the return lever cam 261 as shown in FIG.

According to the above configuration, by increasing the diameter of the rotary roller 251, the behavior of the sheet P when the separation pad 241 is released can be stably suppressed. Touching of the sheet P can be further suppressed.

Further, by holding the return lever 26 at the initial position to block the sheet P conveyance path, even if the sheet P is forcibly pushed in when it is set at the stacking position, the sheet P does not go deeper.

The other structure and operation are the same as in the above embodiment.

According to each of the above embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the pressure plate and the separation pad on which the sheets urged by the sheet feeding roller are stacked are configured to be released from the sheet feeding roller, the back tension applied to the sheet after the sheet feeding operation is reduced. Can be. Also, when the separation pad is released, the rotating rollers urged toward the separation pad can stop the entry of the next and subsequent sheets that entered during the sheet feeding operation, and in the automatic sheet feeding device in the upright form, Also, sheets can be stacked and held. Further, by using a round roller as the paper feed roller, the diameter of the paper feed roller can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The automatic paper feeder and the recording apparatus can be reduced in size, the degree of freedom of the configuration can be increased, and the length of the sheet transported to the transport rollers can be shortened, so that the throughput can be improved. Further, even when the recording apparatus is used for a plurality of recording apparatuses having different conveyance lengths to the conveyance unit of the recording apparatus, the sheet may be fed by rotating the sheet supply roller by a predetermined number of rotations, and the common use can be easily performed. Further, since the sheet feeding roller is a round roller, it is sufficient to feed the sheet by a predetermined amount and terminate the sheet feeding operation, so that there is no need to take a margin for the conveyance length, and it is not necessary to return the sheet. Since no operation is required, the printing speed is not reduced.

(2) Since the contact position between the rotating roller and the separation pad is substantially the same as the contact position between the feeding rotary member and the separation pad in a side view, the sheet can be prevented from entering the separation pad. Thus, it is possible to achieve both prevention and prevention of double feeding in which the next sheet during separation and feeding is also fed.

(3) Since the urging force of the rotating roller and the separation pad is set to be smaller than the urging force of the paper feed roller and the separation pad, a separation function, a function of preventing a sheet from entering the separation pad and subsequent portions, and a back tension are provided. Since reduction, etc. can be managed separately, stable settings can be made.

(4) Since a plurality of paper feed rollers are provided, and one or all of them can be moved in the width direction of the sheet, the sheet feed performance and the left-right balance of the back tension can be improved. Therefore, skewing and the like can be reduced.

(5) By providing return means for returning the next sheet that has entered the separation pad to the loading position of the pressure plate, the function of preventing the sheet from entering the separation pad and thereafter can be further improved.

(6) By providing a restricting means for restricting the separation by a predetermined amount or more in the direction in which the rotating roller is separated from the separation pad, even if the rotating roller is lifted from the separation pad by the rigidity of the thick paper, the predetermined position is obtained. Therefore, the rotating roller does not enter the inside of the sheet feeding roller, and the sheet and the rubber portion of the sheet feeding roller abut against each other, so that a large back tension does not occur.

(7) When the sheet is fed while the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad are in contact with each other, the rotating roller and the separation pad are in a state of being separated from each other, and immediately before the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad are in contact with each other. The rotating roller and the separation pad are separated from each other, and the rotating roller and the separation pad come into contact immediately before the separation between the paper feed roller and the separation pad. Never be.

(8) When the return lever acts on the sheet, the rotation roller is separated from the separation pad, so that the return operation by the return lever is not hindered by the bias of the rotation roller, so that the sheet is damaged. The return operation can be performed smoothly without giving any

(9) The paper feed roller and the separation pad abut before the pressure plate and the paper feed roller abut, and the paper feed roller and the separation pad are separated after the pressure plate and the paper feed roller are separated. Even if the stacked sheets become unstable due to the movement of the pressure plate, the separation sheet and the sheet feeding roller are in contact with each other, thereby preventing the sheet from entering before the separation sheet.

<Embodiment 4> Next, Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The fourth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of supporting the rotating rollers. This configuration will be described in detail, and the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed description is omitted.

12 to 14, a rotary roller shaft 251a is provided integrally with the separation pad holder 24, and the rotary roller 251 is rotatably attached to the rotary roller shaft 251a. And the separation pad holder 2
The rotary roller 251 is configured to be able to move in the vertical direction (direction intersecting) with the feeding path of the sheet material P in a side view as the 4 moves. A gap L is formed between the separation pad 241 and the rotating roller 251, and the resistance to the sheet material P due to the movement of the rotating roller 251 to the feeding path has a pack tension that has almost no effect on the conveyance accuracy. It is suppressed.

When the rotating roller 251 moves and projects outward from the outer periphery of the sheet feeding roller rubber 282, the rotating roller 25
The sheet material P between the sheet material 1 and the separation pad 241 does not abut against the paper feed roller rubber 282, and no large back tension is generated.

The left and right separation pads 241 and the paper feed roller 28
The movement of the leading end of the sheet material P is regulated by a stopper 27 provided as a regulating means provided in front of the contact position with the sheet material P.
That is, when the next sheet material is double-fed by the action of static electricity and friction on the uppermost sheet material P that has been conveyed while entering the gap L between the separation pad 241 and the rotating roller 251. Next, the next sheet material is regulated by the stopper 27.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

In the above configuration, in the initial state shown in FIG. 15A, the release cam 299 pushes the pressure plate 21 down to a predetermined position. Thus, the pressure plate 21 and the paper feed roller 28 are separated. The separation pad holder 24 is acted on by the separation pad holder pressing portion 214 of the pressure plate 21, and the separation pad 241 is also separated from the paper feed roller 28. Here, the rotating roller 251 projects outside the outer periphery of the paper feed roller rubber 282. The stopper 27 protrudes above the separation pad 241, and the return lever 26 completes the return operation, and is located in a state of being retracted from the sheet P conveyance path.

When the sheet feeding operation is started, in this state, the driving force of the transport roller 36 is transmitted by the gear train 29 and the like in the direction of rotating the sheet feeding roller 28 forward. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the release cam gear 299 rotates and separates from the pressure plate 21, so that the pressure plate 21 starts to rise. At this time, since the position regulation of the separation pad holder 24 on which the separation pad holder pressing portion 214 of the pressure plate 21 is acting is released, the separation pad holder 24 starts to rise. By setting the operation stroke, press plate 2
Before the sheet 1 comes into contact with the sheet feeding roller 28, the sheet feeding roller 28 comes into contact with the separation pad 241. Therefore, even if the stacked sheets P become unstable due to the movement of the pressure plate 21, the separation pad 241 and the sheet feeding roller 28 are in contact with each other first. I'm preventing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15C, the paper feed roller 28 and the pressure plate 21 are also in contact with each other. Then, the sheet P is picked up by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 28 and starts sheet feeding. When the pressure plate 21 is released and lifted, the separation pad 241 is released from regulation and comes into contact with the paper feed roller 28. The rotating roller 251 is a paper feed roller rubber 2
82, the stopper 27 is located below the separation pad 241.

Since the frictional relationship between the sheet feeding roller 28, the separation pad 241 and the sheet is as described above, only the uppermost sheet P is fed, and the sheets P after the next are not fed. The sheets P separated one by one are sent to the paper feeding unit 3. The tip is detected by the PE sensor 32, fed by a predetermined amount, and nipped by the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. Then, as shown in FIG.
The paper feed roller 28 and the separation pad 241 are separated after the paper P and the paper feed roller 28 are separated from each other. Therefore, even if the loaded sheet P becomes unstable due to the movement of the pressure plate 21, the separation pad 241 and the paper feed roller 28 come into contact with each other. This prevents the sheet P from entering before the separation pad.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 15E, the resistance of the conveyed and printed sheet P to the sheet material P due to the protrusion of the rotary roller 251 into the feeding path has little influence on the conveyance accuracy. And the rotating roller 251 moves and projects outward from the outer peripheral portion of the paper feed roller rubber 282, so that the rotating roller 251 and the separation pad 2
Since the sheet conveyed in the gap L of 41 does not abut against the paper feed roller rubber 282 and does not generate a large back tension, good conveyance accuracy can be obtained.

Furthermore, the separation pad 241 and the rotary roller 25
When the next sheet material is multi-fed by the action of static electricity and frictional force with respect to the uppermost sheet material P which has been conveyed into the gap L with the separation pad 241, the uppermost sheet material P is fed to the separation pad 241. The next sheet material is regulated and prevented from being fed by the stopper 27 provided in front of the contact position of the paper roller 28.

Sheets conveyed and printed by conveyance rollers 36
After the trailing edge of P has passed through the PE sensor 32 and printing and discharging have been completed, as shown in FIG.
6 to return the sheet P remaining on the separation pad 241 to the stacking position. Then, at a predetermined timing, the return lever 26 is configured to return to the initial position in FIG. Thereby, the function of preventing the sheet P from entering the separation pad 241 and subsequent portions can be further improved.

Thus, a series of sheet feeding operations is completed. When the next sheet P is fed, the above operation is repeated again.

With this configuration, even when the paper feed roller 28 of a round roller is used in the upright automatic paper feeder configuration, the back tension can be reduced while the sheets P are stacked and held.

<Fifth Embodiment> In the fourth embodiment,
Although the rotating roller 251 having a smaller diameter than the radius of the sheet feeding roller 28 is used, a rotating roller 253 having a size slightly smaller than the radius of the sheet feeding roller 28 may be used. Furthermore, return lever 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes an initial position, which is located in a state of being retracted from the transport path of the sheet material P, but may be held at a position where the transport path is shut off.

As shown in FIG. 16, the rotating roller 253 is configured to be slightly smaller than the radius of the sheet feeding roller 28, and the sheet feeding roller shaft 281 is inserted through the center of the rotating roller 253 and the separation pad holder. The operation of the paper feeding unit is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (f), it is the same as the above-described fourth embodiment, and the description is omitted.

According to the above configuration, by increasing the diameter of the rotary roller 251, the separation pad 24 is formed as shown in FIG.
The behavior of the sheet material P when 1 is released can be more stably suppressed, and the sheet material P can be prevented from touching the sheet feeding roller rubber 282 of the sheet feeding roller 28. Other configurations and operations are described in the fourth embodiment.
Is the same as

According to the fourth and fifth embodiments,
The following effects are obtained.

(1) Since the pressure plate and the separation pad for stacking the sheet urged by the sheet feeding roller are configured to be released from the sheet feeding roller, the back tension applied to the sheet after the sheet feeding operation is reduced. Can be. further,
When the separation pad is released, the rotating roller integral with the separation pad regulates the sheet and can maintain a smooth feeding path. Further, by using a round roller as the paper feed roller, the diameter of the paper feed roller can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The size of the automatic paper feeder and the recording apparatus can be reduced, the degree of freedom in configuration can be increased, and the length of the sheet transported to the transport rollers can be shortened, thereby improving the throughput. Further, even when the recording apparatus is used for a plurality of recording apparatuses having different conveyance lengths to the conveyance unit of the recording apparatus, the sheet may be fed by rotating the sheet supply roller by a predetermined number of rotations, and the common use can be easily performed. Further, since the sheet feeding roller is a round roller, it is sufficient to feed the sheet by a predetermined amount and terminate the sheet feeding operation, so that there is no need to take a margin for the conveyance length, and it is not necessary to return the sheet. Since no operation is required, the printing speed is not reduced.

(2) Since the movement of the rotating roller is located at a protruding position which projects outward from the outer periphery of the sheet feeding roller in a side view and a retracting position where it does not project, the sheet between the rotating roller and the separation pad is moved. A large back tension can be prevented by contacting the rubber portion or the like of the paper feed roller.

(3) By providing a gap between the rotating roller and the separation pad through which at least one sheet can pass when viewed from the side, entry of the next sheet can be suppressed when the separation pad is released. .

(4) A stopper is provided before the contact position between the separation pad and the paper feed roller, and can take a protruding position that protrudes upward with respect to the separation pad and a standby position that does not protrude. Therefore, the next sheet is not sent together with the uppermost sheet inserted between the separation pad and the rotating roller due to the action of static electricity and frictional force.

(5) When the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad are in contact with each other and the sheet is being fed, the stopper is at the retracted position, and the stopper is retracted immediately before the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad are in contact with each other. Since the stopper is configured to protrude immediately after the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad are separated from each other, the sheet leading end does not come into contact with the sheet feeding and does not become a resistance.

[0139]

According to the present invention, back tension can be reduced while stacking and holding sheets in an automatic sheet feeder. In particular, the present invention is effective for an automatic sheet feeding apparatus in which a sheet is supported in an upright state using a round roller.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a recording apparatus including an automatic sheet feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the recording apparatus including the automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus including an automatic sheet feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the automatic sheet feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the automatic sheet feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic sheet feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation of the automatic sheet feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a drive switching operation of the automatic sheet feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an automatic sheet feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation of the automatic sheet feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus including a sheet feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a sheet feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a sheet feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation of a sheet feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a sheet feeding device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation of a sheet feeding device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an automatic sheet feeder in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording device 2 automatic paper feeding device 3 paper feeding unit 4 paper discharging unit 5 carriage unit 6 cleaning unit 7 recording head 8 chassis 9 electrical substrate 20 base 201 paper feed tray 202 sheet reference unit 21 pressure plate 212 pressure plate spring 213 separation sheet (pressure plate) Side) 214 separation pad holder pressing portion 22 separation base 23 movable side guide 234 separation sheet (movable side guide side) 24 separation pad holder 241 separation pad 242 separation pad spring 25 rotating roller holder 251 rotating roller (small diameter) 252 rotating roller spring 253 rotating roller ( (Large diameter) 254 solenoid 255 solenoid pin 256 rotating roller holder position regulating rib 26 return lever 261 return lever cam 262 return lever cam shaft 263 return lever spring 264 return lever stopper 27 drive switching section (off) 271 Solenoid 272 Solenoid Spring 273 Solenoid Pin 274 Planetary Gear Arm 275 Taper 28 Feed Roller 281 Feed Roller Shaft 282 Feed Roller Rubber 283 Feed Roller Shaft Groove 284 Feed Roller Hole Convex 291 Input Gear 292 Idler Gear 293 Idler Gear 294 Feed roller gear 295 Drive switching gear 296 Return lever cam gear 297 Return lever drive input gear 298 Planetary gear 299 Release cam gear 30 Pinch roller guide 31 Pinch roller spring 32 PE sensor 33 Upper guide 34 Platen 341 Spur stay 35 PE sensor lever 36 Transport roller 37 Pinch Roller 38 Bearing 381 Roller Tension Spring 39 Bearing 40 Transmission Roller 41 Discharge Roller 42 Spur 50 Cap Tsu di 53 hook lever 56 between the flexible substrate 59 paper adjustment lever 62 switching arm 63 planetary gear 80 carriage motor 81 guide shaft 82 guide rail 83 timing belt 84 idle pulley 88 LF motor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yoshino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinya Sonoda 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Incorporated (72) Inventor Jun Katayanagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2C059 AA04 AA05 AA32 BB02 BB12 3F343 FA02 FA06 FA09 FA17 FB02 FB03 FB04 FC01 FC06 FC13 GA04 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA12 HB01 HD17 JA01 JA19 JA20 JD03 JD08 JD33 LA04 LA15 LA16 LC02 LC11 LC14 LC19 LD11 LD25 LD28

Claims (33)

[Claims] A feed rotator for feeding a sheet;
A sheet stacking unit that supports a sheet and urges against the feeding rotating body; and a separation pad that is urged by the feeding rotating body and separates the sheets sent by the feeding rotating body one by one. In the automatic paper feeder, the separation pad is supported so as to be able to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and a rotatable rotating roller urged toward the separation pad is provided. 2. The automatic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a contact position between the rotating roller and the separation pad is substantially the same as a contact position between the feeding rotating body and the separation pad in a side view. Paper feeder. 3. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet stacking means is provided so as to be able to be separated from said feeding rotating body with the separation of said separation pad. 4. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pressure contact force between said rotating roller and said separation pad is set smaller than a pressure contact force between said feeding rotating body and said separation pad. 5. The rotating roller is mounted on a rotating roller holder that can move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the separation surface of the separation pad, and the rotating roller holder is attached by a spring so that the rotating roller presses against the separation pad. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the automatic sheet feeding device is energized. 6. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the rotating roller is provided so as to be separated from the separation pad. 7. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a regulating unit that regulates a separation of a predetermined amount or more in a direction in which the rotating roller is separated from the separation pad. 8. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein a solenoid is connected to the rotary roller holder, and the rotary roller is moved away from the separation pad by moving the rotary roller holder by the solenoid. 9. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feeding rotating body is a round roller having an arc portion on the entire circumference. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the feeding rotators are arranged coaxially, and at least one of the plurality of feeding rotators is movable in a sheet width direction. Automatic paper feeder. 11. The feeding roller and the separation pad are in contact with each other and when the sheet is being fed, the rotating roller and the separation pad are separated from each other, and the feeding rotator and the separation pad are separated. The rotary roller and the separation pad are separated immediately before the pad abuts, and the rotary roller and the separation pad are configured to abut just before the feeding rotating body and the separation pad are separated. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 1. 12. The sheet stacking means is provided so as to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and the feeding rotating body and the separation pad contact each other before the sheet loading means and the feeding rotating body contact each other, 2. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding unit is separated from the separation pad after the sheet stacking unit is separated from the sheet feeding rotary unit. 13. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a return unit for returning a next sheet entering the separation pad to a stacking position of the sheet stacking unit. 14. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the rotating roller is separated from the separation pad when the return unit operates on the sheet. 15. The return means is operated by a driving force from a drive source of the feed rotator, and is driven by a drive switching mechanism provided in a drive transmission mechanism between the drive source and the feed rotator. 2. A force is transmitted to a selected enemy to one of the feed rotator and the return means.
5. The automatic paper feeder according to 4. 16. The switching mechanism has a planetary gear and a solenoid for selectively moving the planetary gear between a gear on the feed rotator side and a gear on the return means side. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 15, wherein 17. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sheet stacking angle of the sheet stacking means is 30 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. 18. A feeding rotating body for feeding a sheet, sheet stacking means for supporting a sheet and biasing the feeding rotating body, and the feeding rotating body biased by the feeding rotating body. A separation pad for separating sheets sent out by the body one by one, wherein the separation pad is supported so as to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and the separation pad is opposed to the separation pad. An automatic paper feeder characterized by having a rotatable roller integrally rotatable therewith. 19. When the rotating roller moves in accordance with the separation movement of the separation pad, a position between a protruding position protruding outside the outer periphery of the feeding rotator in a side view and a retracting position not protruding. 19. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the automatic sheet feeding apparatus is moved by a button. 20. When the sheet is being separated and fed by the contact between the feeding rotating body and the separation pad, the rotating roller is at the standby position, and the feeding rotating body and the separating pad are in contact with each other. 20. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the rotating rollers are retracted immediately before contact, and the rotating rollers are protruded immediately after the feeding rotator is separated from the separation pad. 21. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a gap through which at least one sheet can pass in a side view is set between the rotary roller and the separation pad. 22. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the rotating roller is rotatably supported on a shaft integrally provided on a separation pad holder holding the separation pad. apparatus. 23. A regulating means for regulating a leading end of a next sheet inserted between the rotary feeding means and a separation pad separated from the rotary feeding means on the downstream side of the separation pad in the sheet feeding direction. 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein:
The automatic paper feeder according to 1. 24. The restricting means is located at a retracted position below the separation pad when the separation pad is in pressure contact with the rotary feeding means, and the separation pad is separated from the rotary feeding means. 24. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the automatic sheet feeding apparatus is sometimes located at a position protruding above the separation pad. 25. The restricting means is located at the retracted position immediately before the feeding rotating body and the separation pad come into contact with each other,
25. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the regulating unit is located at the projecting position immediately after the separation of the feeding rotator and the separation pad. 26. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the feeding rotating body is a round roller having an arc portion on the entire circumference. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein a plurality of the feeding rotators are arranged coaxially, and at least one of the plurality of feeding rotators is movable in a sheet width direction.
The automatic paper feeder according to 1. 28. The sheet stacking means is provided so as to be separated from the feeding rotating body, and the feeding rotating body and the separation pad contact each other before the sheet loading means and the feeding rotating body contact each other, 19. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the sheet feeding unit is separated from the separation pad after the sheet stacking unit is separated from the sheet feeding rotary unit. 29. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a return unit for returning a next sheet entering the separation pad to a stacking position of the sheet stacking unit. 30. The return means is operated by a driving force from a driving source of the feed rotator, and is driven by a drive switching mechanism provided in a drive transmission mechanism between the drive source and the feed rotator. 3. A force is transmitted to a selected enemy to one of the feeding rotating body and the return means.
10. The automatic paper feeder according to 9. 31. The switching mechanism includes a planetary gear, and a solenoid for selectively moving the planetary gear between a gear on the feed rotator side and a gear on the return means side. The automatic sheet feeding device according to claim 30, wherein 32. The automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a sheet stacking angle of said sheet stacking means is 30 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. 33. An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: recording means for recording recording information on a sheet sent from the automatic sheet feeding apparatus. Recording device.