JP3554168B2 - Sheet material feeding device, image recording device, facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet material feeding device that separates and feeds sheet materials one by one from a sheet material loading table, and an image forming apparatus and a facsimile device including the sheet material feeding device.
[0002]
In the above, the sheet material is supplied to a sheet material processing unit such as an image forming unit, an image reading unit, and a processing unit in office equipment such as a copying machine, a printer, a printing machine, and a facsimile machine, and in other equipment using the sheet material. Transfer paper, photosensitive paper, thermal paper, electrostatic recording paper, printing paper, originals, cards, envelopes, postcards, and other sheets (cut sheets). The material is not limited to paper.
[0003]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sheet material feeding device used in an image recording apparatus, a facsimile machine, and the like, a feeding rotating body (sheet material feeding roller) that pulls out a sheet material from a sheet material loading table and a sheet material loading table are rotated. Biasing means for biasing toward the body, and means for interlocking the rotation of the feed rotator and the operation of the biasing means of the sheet material loading table,
a. At the time of paper feeding standby in which the rotation of the feeding rotator is stopped at a predetermined position, the sheet material loading table is moved away from the feeding rotator by a predetermined distance against the urging force of the urging means, and the sheet material loading table is placed on the sheet material loading table. The stacked sheet material is held at a sheet feeding standby position in a state separated from the feeding rotating body,
b. At the time of feeding when the rotation of the feeding rotating body is started, the holding of the sheet standby position of the sheet loading table is released, and the sheet loading table is moved and biased toward the feeding rotating body by the biasing means. There is a configuration in which a stacked sheet material on a sheet material stacking table is brought into a state of being pressed against a feeding rotating body so that the sheet material is pulled out and fed.
[0004]
In such a sheet material feeding apparatus, when the sheet material stacking table is released from holding the sheet feeding standby position at the time of sheet feeding, the sheet material stacking table is rotated by the urging means at a speed higher than a desired speed. In this case, there is a problem that noise is generated due to the vigorous collision of the sheet material loading table with the feeding rotating body.
[0005]
This problem is caused by the fact that when a biasing force capable of stably feeding the sheet material loaded on the sheet material loading table by the predetermined amount is applied to the sheet material loading table by the biasing means, the sheet material loading amount on the sheet material loading table is reduced. When the state is small, when the holding of the sheet standby position of the sheet stack is released during feeding, the force for moving the sheet stack toward the feed rotating body is increased, and the sheet stack is increased. Larger moving motion stroke accelerates the sheet material loading table, and the cushioning effect due to the elasticity of the loaded sheet material itself is small, so the total cushioning effect including the rubber part of the feeding rotating body is insufficient. As a result, collision noise is generated.
[0006]
Conversely, when the sheet material stacking amount on the sheet material stacking table is large, when the holding of the sheet feeding standby position of the sheet material stacking table at the time of sheet feeding is released due to the weight of the large number of sheet materials, the sheet material The impact of moving the loading table toward the feed rotary body is weakened, and the moving operation stroke of the sheet loading table is also reduced. It is small compared to the state where the amount of loaded sheet material is small.
[0007]
However, also in this case, the collision noise increases as the sheet material is sequentially fed and the amount of sheet material loaded on the sheet material mounting table decreases.
[0008]
Therefore, as a countermeasure against the above-mentioned problem, a countermeasure is required mainly in a state where the amount of sheet material loaded on the sheet material mounting table is small.
[0009]
To solve this problem, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-268575, the above problem has been improved by providing a damper as a load means and limiting the moving operation speed of the sheet material loading table.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the damper as a load means may cause a cost increase.
[0011]
Further, when the load changes due to a change in the characteristics of the damper due to long-term use, there is a possibility that a desired speed limiting effect is reduced or a drive load is increased.
[0012]
Also, a highly safe damper is relatively expensive.
[0013]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device of this type, when feeding is stopped, and the sheet loading stage is released from a desired speed by a biasing unit when the sheet loading standby position of the sheet loading stage is released. A simple configuration that effectively suppresses the generation of noise caused by moving toward the feeding rotating body quickly and colliding vigorously with the feeding rotating body over a long period of time. It is in.
[0014]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus employing the improved sheet material feeding apparatus.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a sheet material feeding device, an image forming device, and a facsimile device having the following configuration.
[0016]
(1) In a sheet material feeding device that separates and feeds sheet materials one by one from a sheet material loading table,
A feed rotating body that pulls out the sheet material from the sheet material loading table,
Swingably supportedUrging means for urging the sheet material mounting table toward the feed rotating body,
Means for interlocking the rotation of the feed rotator with the operation of the urging means of the sheet material loading table,
With
Interlocked with the rotation of the feed rotatorThe sheet loading table by the urging means.To the feed rotating bodyThe sheet material loading table is lifted up, and stopped once in the middle of raising the sheet material loading table toward the feed rotating body.IntermittentMove upA sheet material feeding device, characterized in that:

[0017]
(2) The interlocking operation between the rotation of the feed rotator and the operation of the sheet loading table by the urging means is a cam interlocked with the rotation of the feed rotator.Cam surfaceBut,A first slope for raising the sheet material mounting table, a central peripheral surface for stopping, and a second slope for raising again from the stop;The cam is urged by the urging means.surfaceOf the sheet loading table operating member in contact withTemporarily stops the sheet material loading table during the ascentThe sheet material feeding device according to (1), wherein:

[0018]
(3)The sheet supply according to (1) or (2), wherein when the number of sheets loaded on the sheet loading table is large, the sheet is not temporarily stopped when the sheet loading table is raised. Feeder.

[0019]
(4) Stop of the sheet loading table operating memberAfter stoppingIs resumed before the sheet material loading table comes into contact with the feeding rotating body even when the sheet material loading table is operated without a sheet material.(1) or (2)A sheet material feeding device according to item 1.

[0020]
(5) The sheet material loading table is configured to be separable from the sheet material feeding device main body as a part of the sheet material loading cassette, and the sheet material loading cassette is set in the sheet material feeding device body. The sheet material loading table is configured to be urged toward the feeding rotating body by the sheet material loading table operating member provided in the sheet material feeding device body, and the sheet material loading is performed during the setting. The sheet material feeding device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the table operation member and the sheet material mounting table are engaged so as not to be separated from each other.
[0021]
(6) A sheet material feeding apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (5), and means for forming and recording an image in accordance with image information on the fed sheet material. An image recording apparatus, comprising:
[0022]
(7) A facsimile apparatus comprising: the image recording apparatus according to (6); and image signal input means for inputting image information received from a communication line to the image recording apparatus.
[0023]
<Operation>
During the operation of raising the sheet material loading table toward the feeding rotating body by the urging means in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding rotating body, temporarily stop while the sheet material loading table is raised toward the feeding rotating body. This causes the sheet loading table to intermittently move upward, that is, the sheet loading table is fed by the urging means when the holding of the sheet supply standby position of the sheet loading table is released during sheet feeding. By stopping once on the way to the rotating body,Even when the amount of sheet material loaded on the sheet material loading table is small, it is possible to cancel the movement acceleration attached to the sheet material loading table, and the moving operation stroke of the sheet material loading table toward the feeding rotating body is pseudo small. Can create a condition. Thus, even when the amount of the sheet material on the sheet material loading table is small, the sheet material loading table is prevented from violently colliding with the feeding rotating body, and the generated operation noise (collision noise) is reduced. It becomes possible.

[0024]
In addition, a simple cam mechanism is used as a concrete means for intermittently making the operation of the sheet material loading table interlocked with the rotation of the feeding rotating body biased toward the feeding rotating body. Thus, it is possible to obtain a sheet material feeding device having a simple and low-cost mechanism configuration and having a small change in the noise suppression effect even after long-term use.
[0025]
Further, by employing this sheet material feeding device, an improved image recording device and improved facsimile device can be obtained.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment> (FIGS. 1 to 8)
This embodiment is a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.
[0027]
a) Schematic configuration of sheet material feeding device and sheet material feeding operation
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 52 denotes a fixed sheet material mounting table (hereinafter, referred to as a fixed middle plate) disposed substantially horizontally, and 53 denotes a vertical swing centered on a hinge portion 54 on the downstream side of the fixed middle plate in the sheet material conveyance direction. It is a sheet material loading table (hereinafter, referred to as a swinging plate) that is connected in a freely movable manner. The sheet material (recording paper) S is stacked on the fixed middle plate 52 and the swinging middle plate 53.
[0028]
Reference numeral 55 denotes a lifter shaft disposed on the tip end of the swinging plate 53, and reference numeral 56 denotes a lifter arm (sheet material loading table operating member) having a base fixed to and supported by the lifter shaft. The lifter arm 56 is positioned below the swinging plate 53 to support the swinging plate 53. The distal end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56 is interposed between the pressure receiving portion 53a and the engaging portion 53b on the lower surface of the plate during the swing and is engaged with the plate 53 during the swing.
[0029]
Reference numeral 57 denotes a separation roller as a feeding rotating body, which is disposed above the front end side of the swinging plate 53. Reference numeral 58 denotes a separation roller shaft. The separation roller 57 is supported by the separation roller shaft via a one-way clutch 59. The one-way clutch 59 is a well-known needle one-way clutch. When the separation roller shaft 58 rotates in the sheet feeding direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), the separation roller 57 is coupled to the separation roller shaft 58 so as to be separated. Are rotated integrally with the separation roller shaft 58, and when the separation roller 57 rotates in the sheet feeding direction, the separation roller 57 is idled with respect to the separation roller shaft 58. Reference numeral 60 denotes a separation pad, which is disposed so as to be pressed against the lower surface of the separation roller 57 with a predetermined pressing force.
[0030]
FIG. 1 shows a paper feed standby state, in which the lifter arm 56 is held in a substantially horizontal rotation angle posture. Therefore, the swinging plate 53 supported by the lifter arm 56 also rotates clockwise under its own weight around the hinge portion 54. And the separation roller 57 is separated from the leading end of the stacked sheet material S in a non-contact manner. The separation roller 57 is kept in a rotation stopped state.
[0031]
At the time of paper feeding, the separation roller shaft 58 is driven one rotation in the paper feeding direction based on a paper feed start signal. Thus, the separation roller 57 is also driven one rotation in the sheet feeding direction via the one-way clutch 59.
[0032]
When the rotation of the separation roller 57 is started, the lifter arm 56 is rotated clockwise about the lifter shaft 55 in conjunction with the rotation of the separation roller 57 as shown in FIG. The swinging plate 53 is lifted, and is rotated counterclockwise around the binge portion 54 to be changed from a substantially horizontal rotation angle posture to a front-up rotation angle posture. The upper surface of the leading end of the material S comes into pressure contact with the lower surface of the separation roller 57 rotating in the paper feeding direction with a predetermined pressing force.
[0033]
Then, the uppermost sheet material of the stacked sheet materials S on the plate 53 during the swing is pulled out and fed by the frictional force of the rotating separation roller 57, and the separation nip between the separation roller 57 and the separation pad 60 pressed against the separation roller 57. Enter the department. At this time, the sheet material of the second or lower order that is multi-fed together with the uppermost sheet material is prevented from entering the separation nip portion by the separation pad 60, and only the uppermost sheet material is separated by one and rotated. The paper is fed through the separation nip portion by 57.
[0034]
The uppermost sheet material fed through the separation nip is conveyed along the separation base 61, and its leading end is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle before the separation roller 57 completes one rotation. The roller enters the nip portion between the rotary conveying roller 62 and the roller 63 pressed against the roller, and is conveyed by relay.
[0035]
Then, after the separation roller 57 rotates to the predetermined rotation angle, the lifter arm 56 is rotated counterclockwise about the lifter shaft 55 to return to the substantially horizontal rotation angle posture at the time of the first sheet supply standby. .
[0036]
As a result, the swinging plate 53 is lowered to a substantially horizontal rotation angle posture, and the leading end of the stacked sheet material S and the separation roller 57 are separated from each other in a non-contact state. The uppermost sheet material is separated by a separation nip portion between the separation roller 57 and the separation pad 60, a separation roller 57 which is sandwiched by a nip portion between the conveyance roller 62 and the roller 63, and continuously rotates, and a rotating conveyance roller. It is transported by 62.
[0037]
When the rotation of the separation roller 57, that is, the separation roller shaft 58 is completed, the rotation thereof is stopped. In this case as well, the uppermost sheet material is nipped and conveyed by the rotary conveyance roller 62 and the roller 63 to pull out the separation nip and convey. Then, the separation roller 57 idles around the separation roller shaft 58 that has stopped rotating in the sheet feeding direction via the one-way clutch 59. When the rear end of the uppermost sheet material passes through the separation nip, the separation roller shaft 58 stops idling.
[0038]
b) Separation roller 57 and its one-rotation drive mechanism
FIG. 3 is a front view of the separation roller 57 and its one-rotation drive mechanism partly omitted. The separation roller shaft 58 has both ends rotatably supported between left and right side plates (not shown) of the apparatus via bearings 64.
[0039]
The separation roller 57 is provided substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the separation roller shaft 58, and includes a separation roller core portion 57 a and a separation roller rubber portion 57 b provided outside the separation roller core portion 57 a, and a one-way clutch 59 is interposed with the separation roller shaft 58. .
[0040]
A one-turn spring clutch 65 (one-way clutch unit using a spring clutch) is provided at one end of the separation roller shaft 58.
[0041]
FIG. 4 shows the details of the one-rotation spring clutch 65. (A) is a partially cutaway front view, and (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views along line bb and cc of (a), respectively. Reference numeral 65a denotes a first clutch body which is fitted around the separation roller shaft 58, and is prevented from rotating around the separation roller shaft 58 by a pin 65b. An input gear 65c is rotatably fitted to the small outer diameter portion of the first clutch cylinder 65a, and a second clutch cylinder 65d is integrated with the input gear. Reference numeral 65e denotes a coil-wound clutch spring which is fitted over the large outer diameter portion of the first clutch body 65a and both portions of the second clutch body 65d. A control ring 65f is fitted around the clutch spring. One end 65g of the clutch spring 65e is locked to the first clutch body 65a, and the other end 65h is locked to the control ring 65f. Reference numeral 65i denotes a control claw provided on the outer surface of the control ring 65f. 65j is a solenoid, 65k is a flapper swingable about a fulcrum 65m, and 65n is a return spring.
[0042]
A drive gear (not shown) meshes with the input gear 65c.Let meThe input gear 65c always receives a rotational driving force in the paper feeding direction by its driving gear.
[0043]
In the paper feeding standby state (FIG. 1), the power to the solenoid 65j is turned off, and the flapper 65k is pulled by the return spring 65n around the fulcrum 65m by the pulling force of the return spring 65n as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As described above, the tip hook 65p rotates clockwise toward the control ring 65f, the control hook 65i of the control ring 65f engages with the tip hook 65p of the flapper 65k, and the control ring 65f is stopped. The ring 65f is kept in a state where the rotation is prevented.
[0044]
In this state, the clutch spring 65e is held in a loose state with respect to the first and second clutch bodies 65a and 65d (clutch-off), and the input gear 65c including the second clutch body 65d is connected to the first clutch 65c. The roller 65 idles around the small outer diameter portion of the body 65 a, and the rotation is not transmitted to the separation roller shaft 58.
[0045]
At the time of paper feeding (FIG. 2), when the power to the solenoid 65j is turned on, the flapper 65k is attracted to the solenoid 65j and resists the pulling force of the return spring 65n as shown by the solid line in FIG. Then, the flapper 65k is rotated counterclockwise about the fulcrum 65m, the tip hook 65p of the flapper 65k is disengaged from the control claw 65i of the control ring 65f, and the locking of the control ring 65f is released.
[0046]
Then, the clutch spring 65e is in a state of being tightly wound around the first and second clutch bodies 65a and 65d (clutch-on), and the second clutch body 65d and the first clutch body 65a are tightly wound. By being integrated via the clutch spring 65e, the rotational force of the input gear 65c is rotated by the separation roller shaft 58 through the path of the second clutch cylinder 65d → the clutch spring 65e → the first clutch cylinder 65a → the detent pin 65b. Is transmitted, and the separation roller 57 is driven to rotate in the normal rotation direction (paper feed direction) via the one-way clutch 59 integrally with the separation roller shaft 58. The control ring 65f also rotates together with the clutch spring 65e.
[0047]
The energization of the solenoid 65j is turned off after the one-turn clutch 65 is turned on by energization-on until the separation roller 57 completes one rotation. As a result, the flapper 65k returns to a state in which the tip hook 65p is rotated clockwise toward the control ring 65f about the fulcrum 65m by the pulling force of the return spring 65n as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4C. When the one-rotation clutch 65 makes one rotation, the control hook 65i of the control ring 65f is reengaged with the tip hook portion 65p of the flapper 65k and the control ring 65f is stopped, so that the clutch is turned off and the clutch is disengaged. The rotation of the roller shaft 58 is stopped.
[0048]
That is, the separation roller shaft 58, that is, the separation roller 57 is driven to make one rotation each time the solenoid 65j is pulsed.
[0049]
Reference numeral 66 denotes a clutch cam integrally provided on the first clutch cylinder 65a of the one-rotation clutch 65, which interlocks the rotation of the separation roller 57 with the operation of the urging means of the swinging plate 53, and These are means and members for intermittently making the operation of the swinging plate 53 interlocked with the rotation of the rotation of the plate 57 in the operation of biasing it toward the separation roller 57. The clutch cam 66 will be described later.
[0050]
c) The swinging plate 53 and its swinging mechanism
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plate 53 during rocking and a part of the rocking mechanism portion omitted, and FIG. 6 is a side view.
[0051]
As described above, the swinging plate 53 serving as the sheet material loading table is connected to the fixed middle plate 52 on the downstream side in the sheet material conveyance direction so as to be vertically swingable around the hinge portion 54. Be moved. The lifter shaft 55 to which the lifter arm 56 is fixedly supported is rotatably supported at both ends between left and right side plates of the apparatus via bearings 67.
[0052]
The lifter arm 56 has a base fixed to and supported substantially at the center of the longitudinal direction of the lifter shaft 55, and is positioned below the swinging plate 53 to support the swinging plate 53. The distal end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56 is interposed between the pressure receiving portion 53a and the engaging portion 53b on the lower surface of the plate during the swing and is engaged with the plate 53 during the swing.
[0053]
Reference numeral 68 denotes a lifter lever fixedly supported at one end of the lifter shaft 55 (an end corresponding to the end provided with the one-rotation spring clutch 65 of the separation roller shaft 58 described above), and a tip 68 a of the lifter lever 68. Corresponds to the clutch cam 66 integrally provided on the first clutch cylinder 65a of the one-rotation clutch 65.
[0054]
Reference numeral 69 denotes a lifter spring (biasing means) stretched between a spring hook pin 68b implanted in the clutch cam 68 and a spring hook pin 70 provided on an immovable portion on the apparatus main body side.
[0055]
The lifter lever 69, the lifter shaft 55, and the lifter arm 56 are constantly urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. 6 by the pulling force of the lifter spring 69, and the distal end 68 a of the lifter lever 68 is in contact with the cam surface of the clutch cam 66. The lifter lever 68 rotates according to the change of the cam surface of the cam 66.
[0056]
Therefore, in conjunction with one rotation of the separation roller 57, the lifter lever 68 follows and swings in accordance with the outer peripheral cam surface shape of the clutch cam 66 which rotates integrally with the separation roller 57, and the lifter shaft 55 and the lifter arm 56 swing. The plate 53 is swung in the direction in which the plate 53 moves toward the separation roller 57, and conversely, in the direction away from the separation roller 57.
[0057]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the outer peripheral cam surface shape of the clutch cam 66 in this embodiment. The outer peripheral cam surface of the clutch cam 66 has a shape in which an outer peripheral surface b, a first inclined surface c, a central peripheral surface d, a second inclined surface e, an inner peripheral surface f, and a return surface g are smoothly continued. . The outer peripheral surface b, the central peripheral surface d, and the inner peripheral surface f are all arc shapes having the same center as the center of the separation roller shaft 58.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the apparatus during paper feeding will be described in order with reference to FIGS. This example is a case where the stacking amount of the sheet material S is relatively small.
[0059]
▲ 1 ▼. FIG. 6 shows a state of waiting for sheet feeding. During this paper feed standby, the distal end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface b of the clutch cam 66, and the lifter arm 56 is held at a substantially horizontal rotation angle posture against the lifter spring 69. The swinging plate 53 supported by the lifter arm 56 is also rotated clockwise by its own weight about the hinge portion 54 to be held in a substantially horizontal rotation angle posture, and the leading end of the stacked sheet material S and the separation roller 57 are separated. Are in a non-contact and separated state.
[0060]
▲ 2 ▼. When a pulse-like current is applied to the solenoid 65j (FIG. 4), the one-rotation spring clutch 65 is clutch-on, the separation roller 57 is driven to rotate in the paper feeding direction, and the clutch cam 66 is rotated. While the range of the outer peripheral surface b of the cam 66 corresponds to the tip portion 68a of the lifter lever 68, the lifter lever 68 does not operate.
[0061]
(3). As shown in FIG. 8A, when the first slope c of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the tip 68a of the lifter lever 68, the lifter lever 68 rotates clockwise along the first slope c. In conjunction with this, the lifter arm 56 rotates clockwise, and the pressure receiving portion 53a of the swinging plate 53 is pushed up by the tip end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56, and the swinging plate 53 starts to rise.
[0062]
▲ 4 ▼. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the central peripheral surface d of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the tip end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68, the operation of the lifter lever 68 stops, and the lifting of the plate 53 during swinging stops. This state continues as long as the range of the central peripheral surface d of the clutch cam 66 corresponds to the tip 68a of the lifter lever 68.
[0063]
▲ 5 ▼. As shown in FIG. 8C, when the second inclined surface e of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the distal end 68a of the lifter lever 68, the lifter lever 68 rotates clockwise along the second inclined surface e. In conjunction with this, the lifter arm 56 rotates clockwise, and the pressure receiving portion 53a of the swinging plate 53 is pushed up by the distal end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56, so that the swinging plate 53 starts to rise again.
[0064]
The upper surface of the stacked sheet material S comes into contact with the lower surface of the separation roller 57 due to the rise of the plate 53 during the swing, and the uppermost sheet material of the stacked sheet material S is pulled out by the frictional force of the rotating separation roller 57 and the sheet is pulled out. Feeding of material starts.
[0065]
▲ 6 ▼. As shown in FIG. 8D, when the inner peripheral surface f of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the distal end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68, the clutch cam 66 and the lifter lever 68 are separated to form a space α. In this state, a necessary sheet supply pressure between the separation roller 57 and the stacked sheet material S is obtained, and the uppermost sheet material is reliably conveyed.
[0066]
▲ 7 ▼. As shown in FIG. 8 (e), when the return surface g of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the distal end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68, the lifter lever 68 rotates counterclockwise along the slope of the return surface g, and Then, the lifter arm 56 rotates counterclockwise, and the engaging portion 53b of the swinging plate 53 is pushed downward by the distal end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56, or the swinging plate 53 starts to descend by its own weight.
[0067]
In this state, the leading end of the stacked sheet material S is separated from the separation roller 57, but the uppermost sheet material of the stacked sheet material S is already conveyed because it is already sandwiched between the separation nip portion between the separation roller 57 and the separation pad 60. Is done.
[0068]
<8>. As shown in FIG. 8F, when the outer peripheral surface b of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the tip 68a of the lifter lever 68, the operation of the lifter lever 68 stops, and the lowering of the plate 53 during swing stops. In this state, the operation of one rotation of the clutch cam 66 ends.
[0069]
▲ 9 ▼. In this state, the uppermost sheet material conveyed as described above is further conveyed by the next conveying roller 62 and the roller 63 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and the separation roller 57 is rotated by the one-way clutch 59. ((G) of FIG. 8). When the rear end of the conveyed sheet material passes through the separation nip, the co-rotation of the separation roller 57 stops.
[0070]
Since the operation is performed as described above, the plate 53 during the swing can be intermittently raised. In other words, the operation of the swinging plate 53 as the sheet stacking table interlocked with the rotation of the separation roller 57 as the feeding rotating body becomes intermittent in the operation when urging toward the separation roller 57.
[0071]
In this manner, even when the amount of the stacked sheet materials S is small, the operation stroke of the swinging plate 53 can be reduced in a pseudo manner. By preventing the distal end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56 from moving away from the pressure receiving portion 53a of the plate 53 during the swing by a predetermined amount by the engaging portion 53b, when the lifter arm 56 stops rotating in FIG. The swinging plate 53 on which the sheet material S is placed is prevented from colliding with the separation roller 57 due to inertia. In consideration of the predetermined play, it is preferable that the central peripheral surface d of the clutch cam 66 be set near substantially the center of the rotation stroke of the lifter arm 56 during paper feeding.
[0072]
Thus, even when the sheet material loading amount on the sheet material loading table is small, the sheet material loading table is prevented from violently colliding with the feeding rotating body, and the generated operation noise (collision noise) is reduced. Becomes possible. In addition, a simple cam mechanism is used as a concrete means for intermittently making the operation of the sheet material loading table interlocked with the rotation of the feeding rotating body biased toward the feeding rotating body. Thus, it is possible to obtain a sheet material feeding device having a simple and low-cost mechanism configuration and having a small change in the noise suppression effect even after long-term use.
[0073]
Next, a case where the sheet material loading amount is large will be described. In FIG. 8A, when the leading end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68 reaches the first slope c of the rotary clutch cam 66, the lifter lever 68 rotates clockwise along the first slope c and interlocks. The lifter arm 56 rotates clockwise, and the pressure receiving portion 53a of the swinging plate 53 is pushed up by the tip end portion 56a of the lifter arm 56, and the swinging plate 53 starts to rise. When the stacking amount of the sheet material is large, the upper surface of the leading end of the stacking sheet material S comes into contact with the lower surface of the separation roller 57 at this time, and the uppermost sheet material of the stacking sheet material S is pulled out by the frictional force of the rotating separation roller 57. Feeding of the sheet material starts. Thereafter, the uppermost sheet material is pressed against the separation roller 57 while the tip of the plate 53 is far from the separation roller 57 during the swinging, so that the rotation of the lifter arm 56 also stops. For this reason, the rotation stop of the lifter arm 56 due to the cam shape of the clutch cam 66 in FIG. 8B and the rotation of the lifter arm 56 in FIG. 8C do not occur.
[0074]
<Second embodiment> (FIG. 9)
In this embodiment, the cam shape of the clutch cam 66 is as shown in FIG. The other configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
[0075]
The cam surface shape of the clutch cam 66 in the present embodiment is a shape in which the outer peripheral surface b, the first inclined surface c, the central peripheral surface h, the second inclined surface e, the inner peripheral surface f, and the return surface g are smoothly continued. Has become.
[0076]
The difference from the cam surface of the clutch cam 66 in the first embodiment is that a projection i is provided between the central peripheral surface h and the second inclined surface e.
[0077]
Thus, even when the first slope c of the rotary clutch cam 66 approaches the tip end portion 68a of the lifter lever 68, the urging force of the lifter spring 69 is strong, and even when the momentum cannot be stopped by the central peripheral surface h of the clutch cam 66. When the projection i of the clutch cam 66 reaches the tip 68a of the lifter lever 68, the operation of the lifter lever 68 is in the opposite direction to the biasing direction. It is possible to stop.
[0078]
<Third embodiment> (FIG. 10)
In this embodiment, the cam shape of the clutch cam 66 is as shown in FIG. The other configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
[0079]
This embodiment corresponds to a case where the operation stroke of the lifter lever 68 becomes large, such as a case where the stacking capacity of the sheet material is increased (for example, a stacking capacity for 250 sheets) compared to the first and second embodiments. is there. The basic structure remains unchanged even when the operation stroke increases.
[0080]
The cam surface of the clutch cam 66 in the present embodiment has an outer peripheral surface b, a first inclined surface c, a first central peripheral surface d, a second inclined surface e, a second intermediate peripheral surface f, and a third inclined surface g. , The inner peripheral surface h and the return surface i are smoothly continuous.
[0081]
The difference from the cam surface of the clutch cam 66 in the first embodiment is that the operation of the lifter lever 68 is stopped twice.
[0082]
With this configuration, even when the operation stroke of the lifter lever 68 becomes large, the operation stroke after the stop once when the sheet material stacking amount is small can be made the same level as that of the apparatus of the first embodiment. .
[0083]
Further, with this configuration, it is also possible to form a protruding portion in front of the slope like the clutch cam of the second embodiment.
<Fourth embodiment> (FIGS. 11 to 16)
This embodiment is an image recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) using the sheet feeding apparatus of the first to third embodiments.
[0084]
FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 12 is a front view, and FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an internal mechanism.
[0085]
The image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is a multi-function image recording apparatus (facsimile apparatus) having a facsimile function, a copier function, and a printer function.
[0086]
A is an image recording apparatus main body. Reference numeral B denotes a sheet feeder (sheet feeder) configured as an optional device that is used in addition to the image recording apparatus main body A. The sheet material feeding device B of the present embodiment is one or substantially the same, and a plurality of the same are vertically stacked one on top of the other, and the image recording device main body A is mounted thereon in a predetermined manner. Used in combination. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the upper and lower two sheet feeding devices B (1) and B (2) are fixedly superimposed and set, and the image recording device main body A is mounted thereon to the predetermined position. It shows the state combined with.
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 11, the image recording apparatus main body A includes an operation panel section (control board) 10 disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body (upper side on the front side of the apparatus main body), and a handset section ( Handset) 20, an image reading unit 30 disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body between the operation panel unit 10 and the handset unit 20, an image forming unit 40 disposed inside the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. It has a paper feed unit 50 and the like disposed at the bottom inside the main body.
[0088]
a) Operation panel section 10
In the operation panel unit 10, reference numeral 11 denotes an operation unit, reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit, and reference numeral 13 denotes a tally lamp indicating an operation state of the apparatus.
[0089]
b) Image reading unit 30
The image reading unit 30 is provided above the image recording apparatus main body A, and is configured to be able to stack a plurality of documents D, and a document table 31 and an ADF unit (automatic unit) including an image reading unit. (Document feeder) 32.
[0090]
The document table 31 is provided with a slider 31a slidable in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the document D is transported (the width direction of the document D). The slider 31a allows both sides of the document D stacked on the document table 31 to move. The sides can be aligned. When the document D is a long document, the rear end of the document D can be prevented from protruding from the document table 31 and hanging by opening the extension document tray 31b (FIG. 11) outward.
[0091]
As shown in FIG. 13, the ADF unit 32 includes a preliminary transport roller 32a, a preliminary transport pressing piece 32b pressed against the auxiliary transport roller 32a, a separation roller 32c, and a reverse roller 32d pressed against the preliminary transport roller 32a. The paper roller 32e, the paper feed roller 32f pressed against the roller 32e, the close contact type image sensor 33 as an image reading unit, the paper discharge roller 32g, the paper discharge roller 32h pressed against the paper roller 32g, and the above-mentioned preliminary transport roller 32a to the paper discharge roller 32g It comprises upper and lower document guides 32i and 32j, a document discharge tray 32k, and the like, which constitute a sheet path that extends.
[0092]
In the facsimile transmission mode or the copying machine mode, one or a plurality of originals on the original mounting table 31 are stacked and set with the image surface facing downward.
[0093]
The ADF unit 32 is driven at a predetermined control timing based on the image reading start signal, so that the originals D of the loading set on the original mounting table 31 are pressed against the preliminary conveying pressing pieces 32b and the preliminary conveying rollers 32a and the reverse rotation rollers. The document is separated and fed one by one from the lower document by the separation roller 32c pressed against the sheet 32d. Further, the image information of the original D is photoelectrically read by the close contact type image sensor 33 by the close contact image sensor 33 being closely slid and conveyed by the cooperation of the document pressing member on the close contact type image sensor 33 by the feed roller 32e pressed against the feed roller 32f. It is processed. The document D conveyed on the contact type image sensor 33 is discharged to a document discharge tray 32k by a discharge roller 32g pressed against a discharge roller 32h.
[0094]
The contact image sensor 33 irradiates light from the LED array as a light source to the image information surface of the document D, forms reflected light reflected from the image information surface on a sensor element by a Selfoc lens (trademark), and converts image information. To be read.
[0095]
In this manner, the originals D of the stack set are sequentially fed one by one from the lower one by the driving of the ADF unit 32 on the original mounting table 31, and are conveyed to the close contact type image sensor 33 as an image reading unit. As a result, the image reading process is sequentially performed, and the document D whose image has been read is sequentially discharged to the document discharge tray 32k.
[0096]
In the case of the facsimile transmission mode, the image information of the document D photoelectrically read by the contact type image sensor 33 is transmitted to the other party's facsimile apparatus through the communication line by the communication means. In the case of the copying machine mode, an image forming product (hard copy) corresponding to the above-mentioned photoelectrically read image information of the original D is created and output by the image forming operation of the image forming unit 40 described below.
[0097]
c) Image forming unit 40
In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the image forming unit 40 is a laser beam printer mechanism using a transfer type electrophotographic process.
[0098]
Reference numeral 41 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum) as an image carrier. The image forming section 40 is started at a predetermined control timing based on an image formation start signal, and the photoconductor drum 41 is driven to rotate clockwise as indicated by an arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed).
[0099]
The rotating photosensitive drum 41 is subjected to a charging process by a primary charger 42 and a laser beam scanning exposure on a charged surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 41 by a laser scanner 43. A latent image is formed.
[0100]
The laser scanner 43 has a laser beam oscillator, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, etc., and a laser modulated based on an image signal (a time-series electric digital pixel signal) output from a device control unit (control circuit board) 90. The beam is output, and the charged surface of the rotating photosensitive drum surface is scanned and exposed through the folding mirror 43a, thereby writing and forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to target image information on the rotating photosensitive drum surface.
[0101]
The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum is then developed by the developing device 44 as a toner image.
[0102]
The toner image is transferred to a transfer portion between the rotary photoreceptor drum 41 and a transfer charger (in this example, a bias transfer roller) 45. The sheet is sequentially transferred to the sheet material S fed from the device B (1) or the second sheet material feeding device B (2) at a predetermined control timing.
[0103]
The sheet material S to which the toner image has been transferred through the transfer portion is separated from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 41 and introduced into the thermal fixing device 48 by the transport guide 47 to undergo the fixing process of the toner image, and the permanent image is fixed. The sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 49a by a discharge roller 49 as an image formed product.
[0104]
On the other hand, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 41 after the sheet material is separated is cleaned by the cleaning device 46 after removing contaminants such as toner remaining after transfer, and is repeatedly provided for image formation.
[0105]
In the facsimile receiving mode, the copier mode, and the printer mode, the image forming unit 40 and the sheet feeding unit 50 or the first sheet feeding device B (1) or the second sheet feeding unit which is additionally provided. When the apparatus B (2) is driven, the image signal received from the facsimile apparatus of the other party or the image signal of the original D photoelectrically read by the original reading section 30 is transmitted to the laser scanner 43 from the apparatus control section (control circuit board) 90, or Outputs an image signal to be input to the image recording apparatus main body A from a host device such as a computer, a word processor, and an image reader, and outputs an image formed product of the image information to the paper discharge tray 49a.
[0106]
In this embodiment, the four process devices of the photoreceptor drum 41, the primary charger 42, the developing device 44, and the cleaning device 46 are integrated into a common recording cartridge, and a predetermined process in the image recording apparatus main body A is performed. The process cartridge is configured to be detachable at the disposition position.
[0107]
d) Paper feed unit 50
The paper feeding unit 50 is disposed at the bottom inside the image recording apparatus main body A, and the paper feeding unit in this example is a so-called MP (multi-recording paper) sheet material feeding device.
[0108]
The sheet feeding device having the sheet feeding section 50 is the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, and includes the same components and portions as those of the first to third embodiments. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.
[0109]
The stackable sheet sizes are A4, letter, and legal. Reference numeral 51 denotes a sheet cassette (MP cassette orchestra) serving as a sheet material stacking section (sheet material stacking device) of the sheet feeding section 50. The number of sheets that can be stacked is about 100 sheets. (Side loading method) as shown in FIG.
[0110]
The sheet material S stacked in the sheet cassette 51 has its side end face and rear end face regulated by an MP regulating plate 51a movably mounted in accordance with the size, so that skewing and non-feeding do not occur. The size and the presence or absence of the sheet material S are detected by the MP sheet stacking device sensor 74.
[0111]
When the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding unit 50 is selected, the sheet S loaded in the sheet feeding cassette 51 is rotated upward by the lifter arm 56 while the swinging plate 53 is rotated as described above. , And are separated one by one by a separation pad 60 (friction piece separation method), and are conveyed along a separation base 61. Further, the sheet is inverted by a conveying roller 62, a roller 63 pressed against the conveying roller 62, and a U-turn guide 75. Further, the leading end of the sheet material S being fed is detected by the registration sensor 76 after a predetermined time, and the leading end of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 41 and the leading end of the sheet material S are transferred to the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer charger 45. The paper is fed and the image output timing is adjusted so as to coincide with each other at the transfer portion, and then conveyed to the transfer portion.
[0112]
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the sheet cassette 51. 51b is a cassette handle, 51c and 51d are abutting portions against the apparatus main body, and 51e is a click portion. The sheet cassette 51 can be smoothly set in the apparatus main body by the rails disposed on the outer surface thereof being guided by cassette guides 81 to 84 on the apparatus main body side. When the paper feed cassette 51 abuts against the cassette guides 83 and 84 by the abutting portions 51c and 51d to the apparatus main body, the cassette side spring 85 is applied to the click portion 51e, so that the paper feed cassette 51 is pulled out or in a direction perpendicular to the pulling out direction. A predetermined click force is applied so as not to shift.
[0113]
e) First and second sheet material feeding devices B (1) and B (2)
As described above, the first (first-stage) and second (second-stage) sheet material feeding devices B (1) and B (2) of the upper and lower two stages correspond to the image recording device main body A in this embodiment. This is a sheet feeder configured as an optional device to be additionally used, and has substantially the same structure. In FIG. 13, the second sheet material feeding device B (2) is omitted.
[0114]
Each of the first and second sheet material feeding devices B (1) and B (2) has a sheet material stackable number of about 500 sheets, and a sheet cassette as a sheet material stacking section (sheet material stacking device). 100 is configured to be pulled out to the front with respect to the image recording apparatus main body A (front loading). Further, there are two types of stackable recording paper sizes, A4 and letter.
[0115]
The number of sheets that can be stacked on the entire image recording apparatus is about 100 of the above-described MP sheet material feeding apparatus 50 built in the image recording apparatus main body A when the sheet material feeding apparatus B as an optional device is not provided. The number of sheets can be changed from the number of sheets to about 1100 sheets when the sheet material feeding device B is provided in two stages.
[0116]
The sheet material feeding device B is arranged such that the top plate 11h is in contact with the bottom lower surface of the image recording device main body A, and the top surface of the top plate 11h is the bottom plate of the image recording device main body A. Alternatively, the sheet feeding device B is arranged such that the top plate 11h is in contact with the lower surface of the bottom of the sheet feeding device mounted thereon.
[0117]
When the sheet feeding from the first sheet material feeding device B (1), which is the first stage, is selected, the sheet materials S stacked in the sheet feeding cassette 100 of the sheet material feeding device B (1) are The middle plate 102 is urged upward by a middle plate spring 104, and is separated one by one by a half-moon-shaped sheet feeding roller 101 (hereinafter, referred to as a pickup roller) as a feeding rotating body and a separation claw member 103. (Claw separation method), the separated sheet material S is further separated into a transport roller 105 (hereinafter, referred to as a feed roller) as a paper feed transport rotary member and a separation roller 106 (hereinafter, referred to as a retard roller) as a separate rotary member. 1), the sheet is conveyed one by one (prevention of double feed), and guided upward by a guide 107 to reach a conveying roller 108 and a roller 109 pressed against the conveying roller 108.
[0118]
Then, provided at the bottom of the image recording apparatus main body A, the conveying rollers 108 and rollers 109 are fed from the corresponding sheet material inlet 77 into the image recording apparatus main body A from below, and the MP separation base 61 and the After passing between the opposing guides 78, the sheet is then inverted by the conveying roller 62, the roller 63 pressed against the conveying roller 62, and the U-turn guide 75, as in the case of the sheet feeding from the MP sheet feeding apparatus 50 described above. Further, the leading end of the sheet material S being fed is detected by the registration sensor 78 after a predetermined time, and the leading end of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 41 and the leading end of the sheet material S are transferred to the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer charger 45. The paper is fed and the image output timing is adjusted so as to coincide with each other at the transfer portion, and then conveyed to the transfer portion.
[0119]
When the sheet feeding from the second sheet material feeding device B (2), which is the second stage, is selected, the first sheet material feeding described above is performed from the second sheet material feeding device B (2). One sheet material is separated and fed by the same mechanical operation as that of the device B (1), and the sheet material is transported by the conveying rollers (108) and rollers (109) of the second sheet material feeding device B (2). From the first sheet material feeding device B (1), which is the first stage, into the vertically penetrating sheet path 110, and the conveying rollers 108 and rollers on the first sheet material feeding device B (1) side. From 109, it is sent into the image recording apparatus main body A. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed in the image recording apparatus main body A in the same manner as in the case of sheet feeding from the first sheet material feeding apparatus B (1) described above.
[0120]
f) Control system
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a control system of the facsimile apparatus of this example. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus; a ROM for storing an MPU, a control program for the MPU, a RAM used as a work area for various data processing and a temporary storage for image information; , An image processing unit that performs resolution conversion and the like.
[0121]
The CPU 301 is provided with a calendar and a clock function having a known configuration, and an area for storing important system setting information such as one-touch key destination information and software switch information in the RAM is provided by a battery backup so that an unforeseen trouble such as a power failure occurs. Protected from. This protected RAM area may be constituted by an EEPROM (including a flash memory).
[0122]
The control system of the facsimile apparatus has a configuration in which the above-described CPU 301 and the following elements 302 to 310 are connected through an interface.
[0123]
The operation unit 302 (10) includes various key switches such as a numeric keypad, a function key, a one-touch key, a start key, and a stop key.
[0124]
The display unit 303 (12) includes an LCD for displaying various messages, various LEDs for displaying a transmission mode and the like, a communication state, and a tally lamp (13) for notifying a distant operator of the occurrence of a failure.
[0125]
The reading unit 304 (30) includes a driving unit such as a reading motor, a reading sensor that reads an image, an image processing unit that performs shading and binarization of the read image, various sensors that detect a document, and the like.
[0126]
The recording unit 305 (40) includes a driving unit such as a recording motor, a recording unit that controls a laser scanner or an electrophotographic process, an image processing unit that performs smoothing of an image to be recorded, and various sensors that detect recording paper and the like. Become.
[0127]
The central control unit 306 (90) that performs outgoing calls, incoming calls, encoding of image data, and the like has a connection unit composed of MODEM, NCU, and the like, and a communication network 307 and a handset 308 (20) are connected to the connection units. .
[0128]
The CPU external interface 309 is an interface for directly transmitting and receiving data from the CPU 301. The CPU external interface 309 is connected to a computer outside the apparatus through a line such as RS232C, SCSI, LAN, or the like to use the apparatus as a scanner printer or the like of the external computer. The HDD 310 is used as a large-capacity nonvolatile memory for storing image information and the like.
[0129]
g) Basic operation of LBP
Next, the basic operation of the LBP will be described with reference to FIG. 16 which is a conceptual diagram. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 400 denotes a semiconductor laser which blinks a laser beam for image data to be recorded; 401, a polygon motor; 402, a polygon mirror rotated by the polygon motor 401; 403, an optical system for performing image formation and tilt correction; Is a photodetector, 405 is a return mirror, 41 is a photosensitive drum, 44 is a developing device, 45 is a transfer device, S is a recording sheet, 47 is a conveyance guide, and 48 is a fixing device.
[0130]
In the above configuration, first, the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 400 is deflected by being reflected by the polygon mirror 402, and is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 41 via the optical system 403 and the return mirror 405 (main scanning). At this time, the head is searched by the photodetector 404 and the irradiation position is determined. While the main scanning is completed for one line, the photosensitive drum 41 rotates one line (sub-scanning). The image formed on the photosensitive drum 41 as described above is developed by the developing device 44 and is transferred onto the recording paper S by the transfer device 45. The sheet is further conveyed along the conveyance guide 47, is fixed by the fixing device 410, and is discharged.
[0131]
The components of the sub-scanning system such as the photosensitive drum 41, the developing device 44, and the fixing device 48 are synchronously driven by a recording motor, a gear, and a belt (not shown).
[0132]
h) Other
In the above-described embodiment, the state in which the present invention is applied to one of the paper feeding units 50 has been described. However, the other paper feeding units B (1) and B (2) have the same configuration. Then, the present invention can be applied to all the sheet feeding units.
[0133]
Also, the cassette that transports the recording paper S in a direction parallel to the direction in which the paper cassette 51 is pulled out has been described, but the same paper feeding unit can be used in a front-loading cassette that transports the recording paper S in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cassette is pulled out. The present invention can also be applied as long as it has the configuration described above.
[0134]
Further, if a recording sheet loading table is provided, the present invention can also be applied to a sheet feeding device that does not separate from the apparatus main body as long as it has a similar sheet feeding unit configuration.
[0135]
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the swinging middle plate 53 as the recording paper loading table moves up and down once each time the separation roller 57 as the feed rotating body makes one rotation. It is applicable even if it is not one-to-one. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the swinging plate 53 is once raised during continuous sheet feeding, the separation roller is rotated a predetermined number of times, and then the plate is lowered.
[0136]
Further, in this embodiment, the MP clutch 65 is provided on the separation roller shaft 58, and the clutch cam 66 is directly rotated when the separation roller shaft 58 rotates. However, another drive transmission member such as an idler gear is provided in the middle of the drive transmission. There is no problem if it enters.
[0137]
Also, there is no problem if the intermittent operation is performed by another means such as a link mechanism instead of the cam.
[0138]
Further, the separation roller 57 and the upper and lower sides of the oscillating plate 53 are configured to be mechanically interlocked by one operation of the MP solenoid 65j, but are interlocked by a plurality of solenoids, electromagnetic clutches, and the like with electric control interposed therebetween. It is possible without any problems.
[0139]
In the above embodiment, the image recording apparatus is described as a laser beam type electrophotographic system. However, the present invention can be applied to other electrophotographic systems such as an LED array system and an ink jet system.
[0140]
Further, the number of paper feed units and the type and size of the recording paper S to be used are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and can be changed without departing from the configuration of the present invention.
[0141]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, in the sheet material feeding device,During the operation of raising the sheet material loading table toward the feeding rotating body by the urging means in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding rotating body, temporarily stop while the sheet material loading table is raised toward the feeding rotating body. This causes the sheet loading table to intermittently move upward, that is, the sheet loading table is fed by the urging means when the holding of the sheet supply standby position of the sheet loading table is released during sheet feeding. By stopping once on the way to the rotating body,Even when the amount of sheet material loaded on the sheet material loading table is small, it is possible to cancel the movement acceleration attached to the sheet material loading table, and the moving operation stroke of the sheet material loading table toward the feeding rotating body is pseudo small. Can create a condition. Thus, even when the amount of the sheet material on the sheet material loading table is small, the sheet material loading table is prevented from violently colliding with the feeding rotating body, and the generated operation noise (collision noise) is reduced. It becomes possible.
[0142]
In addition, a simple cam mechanism is used as a concrete means for intermittently making the operation of the sheet material loading table interlocked with the rotation of the feeding rotating body biased toward the feeding rotating body. Thus, it is possible to obtain a sheet material feeding device having a simple and low-cost mechanism configuration and having a small change in the noise suppression effect even after long-term use.
[0143]
Further, by employing this sheet material feeding device, an improved image recording device and improved facsimile device can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment (during standby for sheet feeding);
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to the first embodiment (at the time of sheet feeding).
FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of a separation roller and a part of a one-rotation driving mechanism thereof.
4A is a partially cutaway front view of a one-turn spring clutch, and FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional views taken along lines bb and cc in FIG. 4A, respectively.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a plate during swinging and a part of the swinging mechanism portion omitted.
FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the outer peripheral cam surface shape of the clutch cam.
FIGS. 8A to 8G are explanatory diagrams of an operation process.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the outer peripheral cam surface shape of the clutch cam in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the outer peripheral cam surface shape of the clutch cam in the third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a front view of the same device.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an internal mechanism of the apparatus.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a sheet cassette portion.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a control system.
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of the basic operation of LBP.
[Explanation of symbols]
A. Image recording device body (facsimile machine)
10 Operation panel
20 Handset section
30 Image reading unit
40 Image forming unit
50 Paper feeding unit (MP sheet material feeding device)
51 Paper cassette
52 ・ 53 Fixed and swinging plate (sheet material loading table)
56 Lifter arm
57 Separation roller (feed rotating body)
65 One-turn spring clutch
66 clutch cam
67 Lifter lever
69 lifter spring
90 Device control unit
B (1) / B (2) First and second sheet material feeding devices

Claims (7)

In a sheet material feeding apparatus for separating and feeding sheet materials one by one from a sheet material loading table,
A feed rotating body that pulls out the sheet material from the sheet material loading table,
Urging means for urging the sheet stacking table, which is swingably supported , toward the feed rotating body,
Means for interlocking the rotation of the feed rotator with the operation of the urging means of the sheet material loading table,
With
Interlocking with the rotation of the feed rotator, the urging means raises the sheet material loading table toward the feed rotator, and raises the sheet material load table toward the feed rotator. Wherein the sheet stacker is intermittently moved upward by stopping the sheet stacker. The interlocking of the rotation of the feeding rotator and the operation of the sheet loading table by the urging means is such that the cam surface of the cam interlocking with the rotation of the feeding rotator raises the sheet loading table. Operation of the sheet material loading table operating member, which includes a first slope, a central peripheral surface for stopping, and a second slope for ascending again from the stop, and is urged by the urging means and abuts on the cam surface. 2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet loading table is temporarily stopped during the ascending of the sheet loading table . 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein when a large number of sheets are loaded on the sheet loading table, the sheet material loading table does not stop once when the sheet loading table is lifted. 4. Feeder . Movement resumed after stop of the sheet material stacking plate actuating member rows before the sheet material stacking plate even when operated in a state the sheet material is no contact with the feeding rotary member to said sheet material stacking base 3. The sheet material feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is fed. The sheet material loading table is configured to be separable from the sheet material feeding device main body as a part of the sheet material loading cassette, and the sheet material loading cassette is set in the sheet material feeding device main body, The sheet material loading table is configured to be urged toward the feed rotating body by the sheet material loading table operating member provided in the feeding device main body, and the sheet material loading table operating member is set at the time of the setting. a sheet material feeding apparatus according to any one of the claims 1, characterized in that the sheet material stacking plate is engaged so as not spaced 4. A sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an image of the image corresponding to image information is formed on the fed sheet material, and having a means for recording Recording device. 7. A facsimile apparatus comprising: the image recording apparatus according to claim 6; and image signal input means for inputting image information received from a communication line to the image recording apparatus.

Images